► Turbulence buffeted the shuttle hard, throwing Steph and Milla around and causing the straps to bite into their shoulders and waists. Steph worked the controls hard, trying to get a feel for the state of the atmosphere but finding the task difficult through electronic controls. The Archangels had been designed with force feedback loops built into the system, not quite as responsive as the old hydraulic systems or a pure cable link, but a lot better than the video game controls he was fighting through now.

“This damn thing is a pig,” he grumbled, eyes flicking to the telltales as he tried to keep track of how the shuttle was reacting to his movements.

The shuttle’s lifting surfaces flexed and twisted under the stresses he was pushing it through, fighting the fast-moving atmosphere rushing around them.

“I see a new vector on the radar, Stephan,” Milla offered. “Coming from ahead of us, low orbital track entering the upper atmosphere.”

“That’s two,” Stephen said. “Come on, lucky number three . . .”

The shuttle jumped then dropped again as Steph played with the CM reactor, trying to keep a stable flight as the turbulent atmosphere tossed them around.

“There is three!” yelled Milla. “Coming in from . . . ten o’clock, very high!”

“Alright.” Steph loosed a feral grin. “New game. Let’s see how well you suckers fly.”

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

PC Parasite Five

► Penae smiled tightly at the plot he was reading.

The target was well below them, but it was rapidly running out of room to maneuver. Penae didn’t care how well that little craft could handle pressures—it had to be close to its limits. With three parasites and the planet itself to pin the enemy pilot against, the capture operation should be simple enough.

“Parasite Eight, hold at your current altitude,” he said. “Secure the outer perimeter. If they get past us, you snap them up.”

The commander of parasite Eight acknowledged the command and leveled the ship’s descent, holding altitude just inside the atmospheric envelope of the planet. The frigate would have greater speed and maneuverability at that altitude, as well as the high stance if the enemy craft managed to escape the combined maneuvering of Three and Five.

“Ensure that quantum lock systems are charged and ready,” Penae ordered next, eyes still on the screens.

“All systems are blue, Commander. Three and Eight confirm as well. We are ready.”

“Execute.”

►►►

Shuttle Eagle One

► “They are closing, Stephan,” Milla warned as Steph monitored the CM levels.

“I’ve got ’em,” he said with a nod, looking back up. “Keep an eye on the counter-mass. We’re going to have to finesse that while we’re this low in the atmosphere.”

“I have the controls,” Milla confirmed, turning her focus to the shuttle’s CM systems.