The Defenders

The Defenders

Bill Baldwin

Beyazh," Brim yelled, hauling in the little ship's helm.

"Get that last torpedo ready.

NOW!"

"We're not going to fire this one," Brim warned, holding up his hand, "instead, we're going to jettison it."

"Jettison?" Beyazh exclaimed. "An armed torpedo?"

"Yeah," Brim said through clenched teeth; the Leaguers were catching up fast, "...but set the fuse for proximity—at about five hundred irals."

'" space mine!" the Fluvannian whispered. "Of course."

"If they'll just hold off firing a few more clicks," Brim grunted, his eyes glued to the aft view display. The bastards had to be just where he wanted them. "Ready..." he warned. A whir behind the alt bulkhead told him that the number five torpedo-loading hatch was open. The Leaguers were nearly on top of him. He dared not wait another moment.

"Let 'er go!" he bellowed, then shoved the thrust dampers into MILITARY OVERLOAD.

No sooner had the ejector mechanism cycled than both League ships fired ranging shots—and space itself erupted in a binding inferno of raw energy...

Also by Bill Baldwin

THE MERCENARIES

THE TROPHY

THE HELMSMAN

GALACTIC CONVOY

Published by

WARNER BOOKS

A Time Warner Company

WARNER BOOKS EDITION

Copyright © 1992 by Merl Baldwin

All rights reserved.

Questar is a registered trademark of Warner Books, Inc.

Cover illustration by John Berkey

Cover design by Don Puckey

Warner Books, Inc.

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

A Time Warner Company

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing: August, 1992

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