A Hard Place: A Dog Squad Story, #2

By Kalvin Thane

Three thousand light years across, the space between two galactic spiral arms has become a battleground between Alliance forces and the encroaching aliens known only as the Creeps.

Patrolling the void is the naval cruiser Bulwark, carrying specialist technicians and an incursion team. When the chance discovery of a derelict enemy vessel raises hopes of salvaging badly-needed alien technology, the marines and technicians go to work.

But Bulwark's Captain is determined to obliterate the enemy threat, despite its possible value, even if it means sacrificing the marines on board. The techs must work quickly in order to convince their superiors to withhold fire, and preserve the enemy ship for examination.

But is the enemy ship as derelict as it first appeared to be?

Reading Order
   A Dog Squad Story Series
      Cytress Vee
      A Hard Place
      Darker Places
      Incursion
      Empire

• Language: English
• Publisher: FillMyLibrary.com
• Release date: Mar 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386836568

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Chapter 1

COMMANDER KAMI TRENN squirmed in her chair as all eyes turned to her. A seasoned trooper at heart, she hated sitting in the presence of her superiors. She’d tried to remain standing for the duration of the Admiral’s conference, but the ship’s captain insisted that she join the other commanders around the ring-shaped table.

Commander? Captain Mafelle quirked a bushy eyebrow. Trenn cleared her throat. Mafelle was her superior, although he was crew, not a marine. He was also the sort to shoot first.

Trenn opted for a positive response. The techs are bouncing with excitement, sir. It’s as if they’ve discovered a cave filled with treasure.

Mafelle snorted. I still recommend we destroy the Hard Place, Admiral.

Hard Place? Trenn asked.

It’s what some joker called the enemy vessel, Mafelle explained. It amused the Admiral, so the name stuck.

"We can’t destroy such a valuable resource, a voice cried. Mafelle turned slowly to glare at the Piscean as she continued. Admiral, the drive technology alone—"

Mafelle scowled at the speaker. "You were not invited to this council, Shay. As a civilian—"

The Admiral raised a clawed hand, lifting a feathered wing into view. Let her speak, Arn.

"But, Admiral. That rock represents an incalculable risk to this ship."

And an invaluable source of alien technology, Arn. Civilian or not, Shay represents the Alliance’s need for better tech. If she thinks we can harvest anything useful...

Admiral, that ship could go off like a bomb!

And yet it hasn’t, despite Trenn’s team blowing off the airlock door. 

The tech on that thing is lethal! It’s already killed one of them.

Trooper Kell is in surgery, Captain, Trenn corrected. He’s tough. Don’t write him off yet.

He’s infected with alien nanobots! Mafelle cried.

And thanks to his condition, we’ve already found a way to stop them swarming, Shay pointed out. "Wouldn’t that be useful in the event of attack?"

Mafelle dropped a fist onto the table. All traces of that tech should be annihilated.

Commander Trenn leaned forward. What do you suggest, Captain? That we destroy Trooper Kell?

When Mafelle remained silent, Shay raised a finger. My people have already hacked the en-bee’s programming. It may be possible to utilize them some day as part of a damage repair system, or medical assistors.

Or a weapon? The Admiral raised an eyebrow. Encase a million in a glass sphere and launch them against an enemy ship. Mafelle opened his mouth to object, but then closed it before saying a word. A curious expression crossed his face as he envisaged the possibilities.

Shay couldn’t resist. You see, Captain? New technology, new possibilities, new weapons. Shay’s thick marine lips curled in revulsion around the last word. A pacifist at heart, Shay’s species had only joined the Alliance to safeguard their aquatic world. No Piscean would ever fire a weapon, or hurt another living being, but if they could assist the Alliance in halting the Creep’s advance, their collective consciousness would be clear.

We will not be firing upon the Hard Place anytime soon, the Admiral said. Let that be an end to the discussion. She fixed a dark, beady eye on Captain Mafelle, who squirmed. Now, Commander Trenn, what exactly happened to your young trooper?

"You’re