Jace had known this could be a one-way trip. So did the rest of his crew. But they'd come anyway in hopes that their sacrifice might make a difference.
Jace wouldn't spit on that by turning and running now.
"I can no longer reach the CSS Lawrence. They’ve gone dark."
Bechler and Jace shared a look.
"Think they were destroyed?" Bechler asked.
"I hope not."
Shepperd was a good man. A brilliant leader. It would be a pity to lose him here.
"Sir! We have reports from the brig. They've lost the general and are requesting backup."
Bechler growled. "I told you it was a mistake to let that thing on board."
"Our priority right now is the ship. Tell them to focus on defense," Jace ordered.
When Kira returned—and she was going to return—she wouldn't be happy to find her prisoner gone. Jace couldn't worry about that for now. The survival of he and his crew were the only things on his mind.
Action on the bridge came to a halt as the distant sounds of fighting filtered through the ship. The petty officers and ensigns shot uncertain looks toward the hatch.
"Green, get me eyes out there," Jace ordered as Bechler took control of the space battle.
Petty Officer Green accessed the ship’s cameras. "They're heading in this direction. The QRT took heavy losses. I don't think they'll be able to hold them."
"Time to seal off the bridge," Jace said.
The petty officers stood by as Jace triggered a lockdown. The hatch to the bridge sealed. When it was fully shut, Green slapped a small incendiary device to the edge. It flashed, melting the metal together.
"I'd like to see them get through that," Green said smugly.
"They will. There's no doubt of that," Jace answered.
It was how they'd lost so many ships during the war. The ones the Tsavitee didn't shred were taken from the inside. Any crew captured was subjected to horrific torture at the hands of the enemy.
Banging came from the other side of the hatch.
Bechler left the problem of the boarding party to Jace as he focused on calling out orders to those still operating the ship.
"When they breech, plug the hole with their bodies," Jace instructed the four crew members with him. "Once they're inside, switch to cold weapons as much as possible. We don't want friendly fire."
If their systems went down, the Reliance would be next. While a self-destruct wasn't out of the question, Jace would prefer to save it as a last resort.
"Aye, aye, sir," his team responded.
There was a loud boom from the outside.
"Here they come," Green muttered.
Jace unsheathed his sword in preparation as the others trained their rifles on the door.
"I can't believe this is happening," someone murmured.
The smell of metal being melted came as a spot the size of a fist turned red hot. A second later a spear penetrated the softened metal. It acted as a grappling hook, barbs popping out to embed in the hatch. Metal screamed as it pulled tight.
The hatch bent outward. A little at first. Then more and more before the grappling hook ripped free, taking a giant hunk of the hatch with it.
"They're through. Prepare for contact," Jace ordered.
The sound that came from the other side was a spine tingling reminder of other battles. The war cry that followed might as well have been a call to arms as demons and cannon fodder poured through the hole.
"Fire!" Jace shouted.
Green and his fellow petty officer did their best. Never letting up as they targeted those entering.
Tsavitee fell. A couple of them sniped in the head by a focused Green. As soon as one went down, their brethren yanked them from the gap, sending more through.
A couple made it past Green and the petty officer's bombardment.
Jace stepped to meet one such demon, careful to keep out of Green and the petty officer’s line of fire. His sword whistled as he slashed the Tsavitee’s side.
The demon lumbered at him. Jace ducked under his reach, sinking his blade into his chest.
The demon went limp.
Jace ripped the blade free. "One down."
Too many to go.
In the brief lull, he took stock. Green and the petty officer were still firing as two other ensigns engaged with the Tsavitee who'd made it through the blockade.
Bechler shot one in the back of the head when it went for his weapons specialist.
Jace dodged a cannon fodder's reach, slicing at the creature's arm before running his blade through its neck.
"We can't take much more of this," Bechler shouted.
Jace was aware of that. Unfortunately, doing something about it was easier said than done.