Relentless Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  Praise for

  THE LOST FLEET: VALIANT

  “Fast paced and enjoyable . . . Readers who enjoyed David Weber’s Honor Harrington books, Ian Douglas’s Space Marines, or Walter Hunt’s Dark Wing series should also enjoy this series.”

  —SFRevu

  “The series is military SF, rigorously extrapolated in the classic tradition of hard SF. The laws of physics and the effects of relativity govern the battles and shape the action, while military virtues and ideals like honor and courage shape the conduct and personalities of the more admirable characters . . . Jack Campbell does a good job of fulfilling the requirements of both military SF and hard SF in The Lost Fleet: Valiant, and the novel will please fans of both forms.”

  —Sci Fi Weekly

  “Will grip the audience . . . Black Jack is a fascinating hero . . . Fans will appreciate the fourth Lost Fleet tale.”

  —Alternative Worlds

  “Refreshingly well written with no pretensions to be anything more than it is—lively adventure.”

  —Don D’Ammassa, Critical Mass

  “This wonderfully well-plotted story is strongly reminiscent of the old Hornblower novels, featuring exciting and believable battles with the fascinating addition of military tactics. The story brings back the true meaning of romance and captures the spirit of strong men and women facing unimaginable odds with courage and honor. It carries you along on the adventure, and you’re eager to go where it takes you.”

  —Romantic Times

  THE LOST FLEET: COURAGEOUS

  “Definitely recommend[ed] to people . . . [who] thoroughly enjoy military science fiction and probably some people who would just enjoy a good military story.”

  —BookSpot Central

  “It’s almost nonstop action and conflict . . . Jack Campbell does an excellent job with the space battles . . . It’s a hall-mark of his talent in this arena that he can coordinate such large battles and make them both exciting and coherent, so that even someone without a military background of [his] own can follow and enjoy the action . . . The Lost Fleet is some of the best military science fiction on the shelves to-day, and Courageous doesn’t disappoint in the least. I’ll eagerly be awaiting the next installment in the series.”

  —SF Site

  THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS

  “Straightforward, solidly written military space opera . . . It’s all good fun, and Campbell has actually given some thought to the problems of combat in space.”

  —Don D’Ammassa, Critical Mass

  “Another satisfying [Campbell] cocktail to slake the thirst of fans who like their space operas with a refreshing moral and intellectual chaser . . . The Lost Fleet deserves to find a home on your bookshelf.”

  —SF Reviews.net

  “A great and gripping read. It’s a fast-paced roller coaster of action and intrigue, with realistic characters and situations.”

  —TCM Reviews

  THE LOST FLEET: DAUNTLESS

  “A rousing adventure.”

  —William C. Dietz

  “Jack Campbell’s dazzling new series is military science fiction at its best. Not only does he tell a yarn of great adventure and action, but he also develops the characters with satisfying depth. I thoroughly enjoyed this rip-roaring read, and I can hardly wait for the next book.”

  —Catherine Asaro, Nebula Award-winning author of Diamond Star

  “Black Jack Geary is very real, very human, and so compelling he’ll leave you wanting more. Jack Campbell knows fleet actions, and it shows . . . [The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is] the best novel of its type that I’ve read.”

  —David Sherman, coauthor of the Starfist series

  “A slam-bang good read that kept me up at night . . . a solid, thoughtful, and exciting novel loaded with edge-of-your-seat combat.”

  —Elizabeth Moon, Nebula Award-winning author of Victory Conditions

  “[Dauntless] should please many fans of old-fashioned hard SF.”

  —Sci Fi Weekly

  “Readers will admire and like [Geary], who believes in honor, teamwork, and civilized behavior . . . This is a hardmilitary -science novel with space battles out of Star Wars. The battle scenes are so intricately described that readers will be able to visualize them . . . A fast-paced but intricate story line and fully developed characters turn this novel into a fun reading experience. Fans of David Weber, Elizabeth Moon, and Peter F. Hamilton will find The Lost Fleet: Dauntless thoroughly enjoyable.”

  —SFRevu

  Ace Books by Jack Campbell

  THE LOST FLEET: DAUNTLESS

  THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS

  THE LOST FLEET: COURAGEOUS

  THE LOST FLEET: VALIANT

  THE LOST FLEET: RELENTLESS

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada

  (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

  Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)

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  (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)

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  (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

  Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196,

  South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  THE LOST FLEET: RELENTLESS

  An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Ace mass-market edition / May 2009

  Copyright © 2009 by John G. Hemry.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form

  without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in

  violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-04421-6

  ACE

  Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  To Doug Tillyer (aka “Hellfire”),r />
  a man who loved books, ideas,

  and people, who brightened many a convention

  and panel with his remarks,

  and who left his wife and the rest of us

  far too soon and will be deeply missed.

  For S., as always.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I remain indebted to my agent, Joshua Bilmes, for his ever-inspired suggestions and assistance; to my editor, Anne Sowards, for her support and editing; and to Cameron Dufty at Ace, for her help and assistance. Thanks also to Catherine Asaro, Robert Chase, J. G. (Huck) Huckenpohler, Simcha Kuritzky, Michael LaViolette, Aly Parsons, Bud Sparhawk, and Constance A. Warner, for their suggestions, comments, and recommendations. Thanks also to Charles Petit, for his suggestions about space engagements.

  THE ALLIANCE FLEET

  CAPTAIN JOHN GEARY,

  Commanding (acting)

  As reorganized following the losses suffered immediately prior to Captain Geary assuming command in the Syndic home system.

  Ship names in bold are those lost in action, with the name of the star system of their loss given afterward.

  SECOND BATTLESHIP DIVISION

  Gallant

  Indomitable

  Glorious

  Magnificent

  FOURTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

  Warrior (lost at Lakota II)

  Triumph (lost at Vidha)

  Vengeance

  Revenge

  THIRD BATTLESHIP DIVISION

  Paladin (lost at Lakota)

  Orion

  Majestic (lost at Lakota II)

  Conqueror

  FIFTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

  Fearless

  Resolution

  Redoubtable

  Warspite

  SEVENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

  Indefatigable (lost at Lakota)

  Audacious (lost at Lakota)

  Defiant (lost at Lakota)

  TENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

  Colossus

  Amazon

  Spartan

  Guardian

  FIRST BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

  Courageous

  Formidable

  Intrepid

  Renown (lost at Lakota)

  FOURTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

  Dauntless (flagship)

  Daring

  Terrible (lost at Ilion)

  Victorious

  SIXTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

  Polaris (lost at Vidha)

  Vanguard (lost at Vidha)

  Illustrious

  Incredible

  EIGHTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

  Relentless

  Reprisal

  Superb

  Splendid

  FIRST SCOUT BATTLESHIP DIVISION

  Arrogant (lost at Kaliban)

  Exemplar

  Braveheart (lost at Cavalos)

  SECOND BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

  Leviathan

  Dragon

  Steadfast

  Valiant

  FIFTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

  Invincible (lost at Ilion)

  Repulse (lost in Syndic

  home system)

  Furious

  Implacable

  SEVENTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

  Opportune (lost at Cavalos)

  Brilliant

  Inspire

  THIRD FAST FLEET AUXILIARIES DIVISION

  Titan

  Witch

  Jinn

  Goblin

  THIRTY-SEVEN SURVIVING HEAVY CRUISERS IN SEVEN DIVISIONS

  First Heavy Cruiser Division

  Third Heavy Cruiser Division

  Fourth Heavy Cruiser Division

  Fifth Heavy Cruiser Division

  Seventh Heavy Cruiser Division

  Eighth Heavy Cruiser Division

  Tenth Heavy Cruiser Division

  minus

  Invidious (lost at Kaliban)

  Cuirass (lost at Sutrah)

  Crest, War-Coat, Ram, and Citadel (lost at Vidha)

  Basinet and Sallet (lost at Lakota)

  Utap, Vambrace, and Fascine (lost at Lakota II)

  Armet and Gusoku (lost at Cavalos)

  SIXTY-TWO SURVIVING LIGHT CRUISERS IN TEN SQUADRONS

  First Light Cruiser Squadron

  Second Light Cruiser Squadron

  Third Light Cruiser Squadron

  Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Eighth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Ninth Light Cruiser Squadron Tenth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Eleventh Light Cruiser Squadron

  Fourteenth Light Cruiser Squadron

  minus

  Swift (lost at Kaliban)

  Pommel, Sling, Bolo, and Staff (lost at Vidha)

  Spur, Damascene, and Swept-Guard (lost at Lakota)

  Brigandine, Carte, and Ote (lost at Lakota II)

  Kote and Cercle (lost at Cavalos)

  ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE SURVIVING DESTROYERS IN TWENTY SQUADRONS

  First Destroyer Squadron

  Second Destroyer Squadron

  Third Destroyer Squadron

  Fourth Destroyer Squadron

  Sixth Destroyer Squadron

  Seventh Destroyer Squadron

  Ninth Destroyer Squadron

  Tenth Destroyer Squadron

  Twelfth Destroyer Squadron

  Fourteenth Destroyer Squadron

  Sixteenth Destroyer Squadron

  Seventeenth Destroyer Squadron

  Twentieth Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-first Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-third Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-fifth Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-seventh Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-eighth Destroyer Squadron

  Thirtieth Destroyer Squadron

  Thirty-second Destroyer Squadron

  minus

  Dagger and Venom (lost at Kaliban)

  Anelace, Baselard, and Mace (lost at Sutrah)

  Celt, Akhu, Sickle, Leaf, Bolt, Sabot, Flint, Needle, Dart,

  Sting, Limpet, and Cudgel (lost at Vidha)

  Falcata (lost at Ilion)

  War-Hammer, Prasa, Talwar, and Xiphos (lost at Lakota)

  Armlet, Flanconade, Kukri, Hastarii, Petard, and Spiculum

  (lost at Lakota II)

  Flail, Ndziga, Tabar, Cestus, and Balta (lost at Cavalos)

  SECOND FLEET MARINE FORCE

  Colonel Carabali commanding (acting)

  Originally 1,560 Marines divided into detachments on battle cruisers and battleships. Approximately 1,200 surviving following losses in ground actions and on destroyed warships.

  ONE

  THE structure of the Alliance heavy cruiser Merlon shuddered again and again as hell lances fired by Syndicate Worlds warships ripped into and through her. Commander John Geary grabbed for support as a volley of Syndic grapeshot struck Merlon’s port side, the impacts of the solid metal balls vaporizing part of the hull. Wiping a hand across his eyes to clear away sweat, Geary blinked through the fumes the overloaded and failing life-support systems couldn’t clear out of the atmosphere left inside the ship. His first real combat action might also turn out to be his last. Merlon tumbled helplessly through space, unable to control her motion, and the final hell lance still working on the Alliance warship went silent as more enemy fire ripped into her.

  There wasn’t anything else he could do. It was time to go.

  Geary cursed as he got the emergency destruct panel open and punched in the authorization code. Another volley of hell lances sliced into Merlon, and more indicator lights on the bridge went out or shifted to blinking damage status. Geary pulled on his survival suit helmet, knowing that he had only ten minutes before the power core overloaded and Merlon exploded. But Geary paused before he left the bridge. He’d ordered the remaining members of the crew off once it was clear that he alone could handle the few operational weapons and the final act of self-destruction. He’d bought all the time he could for his
crew to get clear.

  But Merlon had been his ship, and he hated to leave her to her death.

  Another rumble and Merlon’s out-of-control tumble rolled sideways and up as more Syndic grapeshot slammed into her, the passageways around Geary rotating dizzyingly, bulkheads thrusting suddenly toward him, then away, sometimes slamming painfully into him. His search became more desperate as he kept passing escape-pod berths either empty or with mangled remnants of their rescue craft still wedged in place.

  He finally found one with a yellow status light, indicating damage, but he had no choice. Inside, seal the hatch, strap in, slap the eject control, feel the force of the acceleration pin him to the seat as the escape pod tore away from Merlon’s death throes.