Ark Royal (Star Crusades: War Stories Book 1)

By Michael G. Thomas

Ark Royal is the most powerful starcarrier ever built. A massive 440m long behemoth that carries vast numbers of starfighters onboard. Commanded by the rising star in the Confederate Navy, the renowned Admiral Churchill, and crewed by experienced officers. She’s capable of tackling an entire flotilla on her own. No enemy would dare stand against her...until the Great Uprising. In an instant her entire battle group is engulfed in violence as friends turn on each other in one of the most infamous engagements of the war. A battle that would shape the future of humanity for generations to come. This is the story of the Confederacy’s most famous starcarrier, CCS Ark Royal.

Star Crusades: War Stories a thrilling science fiction series of short novels that follow many of the famous heroes, villains, ships and events throughout the epic Star Crusades universe. They can be read in any order, and complement the main series of books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Swordworks Books
• Release date: May 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463668023

Michael G. Thomas

Michael G. Thomas, is a writer, martial artist and military historian. He has written books on European martial arts and military history as well as Zombie Survival books and fiction. He is the co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Historical Fencing that teaches traditional armed and unarmed European martial arts. His specialist subject areas are teaching the use of the medieval two handed longsword and the German long knife in both the UK and other parts of Europe.He academic background is as varied as his writing with degrees in Computing, Classical Studies and Machine Learning. In recent years he has undertaken substantial research in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as Ancient Greek and Byzantine military history.Michael is currently completing his Champions of the Apocalypse Series and Star Crusades science fiction series.

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ARK ROYAL

STAR CRUSADES: WAR STORIES

By Michael G. Thomas

Part of the STAR CRUSADES universe

Copyright © 2018 Michael G. Thomas

Published by Swordworks Books

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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ARK ROYAL

By Michael G. Thomas

CHAPTER ONE

Confederate Heavy Starcarrier ‘CCS Ark Royal’

2437 A.D.

The Terra Novan Fleet was a sight to behold. One of the greatest and most powerful naval units ever assembled by the Confederacy. A flotilla of armoured cruisers, escort ships, carriers, and even a venerable Resolution Class battleship that could blockade an entire star system; eighteen ships, and all vessels with long and illustrious careers. It was a rare occasion to see even a squadron on the move, but now both the 7th Heavy Fleet and 13th Cruiser Battle Squadron travelled together as they made their way to the second capital of the Confederacy, the teeming world of Centauri Prime. It was a combined armada designed to strike fear and awe into an enemy, and had ships, starfighters, and embarked marines to do so.

Yet little did the thousands of men and women know that in a matter of hours more than half of them would be dead, and many more taken as slaves by a relentless and cruel enemy. They would be the first significant casualties in a war that would cost humanity millions of lives and take civilisation to the very brink of collapse.

The ships remained at a distance of at least a hundred kilometres apart, though that gap shifted slightly due to subtle changes on each of their velocities. They had been accelerating non-stop for months and were approaching the middle part of their journey. Deep inside the thick armour of Ark Royal was Rear Admiral William Churchill. As one of the youngest men to ever hold that rank, he was also a rising star, and rumoured to be the next man to take command of the Navy. For now, he prepared himself for the change that was coming once the engines shut down. He leant back in his seat and closed his eyes for a moment. It was one of those rare moments where he could relax and enjoy the journey. They were halfway between Prime and Terra Nova, a journey that took a little less than a year. They had been travelling for just over five months, and it was time for the fleet to begin the reverse thrust part of the journey.

Admiral, said a familiar voice, We’ve reached the transit waypoint. The fleet is on standby.

Churchill opened his eyes and soaked in the view from the combat information centre. It was one of the two large command facilities, both of which took up the bulk of an entire conning tower. His was positioned on one side of the ship, and responsible for the command and control of the ship, and the fleet. The