Page 16 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest

The pinpoint laser spun and shot at the low-flying drones circling over the water a half mile out. One by one, they broke apart and crashed into the sea.

“They’re sitting ducks!” Max said, clapping his meaty hands together.

“Not necessarily,” Stone said. “Those are probably decoy drones sacrificing themselves to expose the laser’s firing pattern and response times.”

“Like the Zulus did at Rorke’s Drift,” Murphy said.Zuluwas one of his favorite flicks.

“Allowing their AI to devise an attack plan,” Cabrillo said as he sat forward in his chair.

Murph called out another hit.

Bang! Oregonsteel rang as if struck by a ball-peen hammer.

“Damage report,” Cabrillo demanded.

“Starboard bow, just above the waterline,” Max called out from his station. “Reactive armor took the brunt. No damage.”

“Wepps, how’d they get through?”

Murphy’s fingers flew over his virtual keyboard, his mind racing.

“Wave skimming…and the cranes are blocking the line of sight.”

“Helm, increase speed ten knots, hard to port. Let’s give Wepps room to shoot.”

“Aye.” Stone manipulated his joystick and throttles, powering up theOregon’s big electric engines instantly and launching into a low tuck turn like a hotdogging water-skier at Cypress Gardens.

As soon as theOregonfinished the turn, the surviving drones sped away.

“Why’d they stop?” Max asked.

“Analyzing their secondary attack and defense data,” Murph said.

Cabrillo nodded. “Their AI is calculating a new attack plan.”

Murphy’s targeting radar suddenly alarmed.

A massive drone swarm filled the screen. The radar computer counted over two hundred drones.

And rising.

9

The drone swarm overwhelmed theOregon’s targeting screen.

“Must be three hundred of them,” Max said.

Cabrillo nodded. “Stay frosty people.”

The gun’s-eye radar screen suddenly crashed to black. Without it, the laser cannon couldn’t acquire targets.

“Nav radar out again,” Stoney reported.

“Comms out,” Kasim said. “We’re blind and deaf.”

“More electronic countermeasures.” Max grunted. “Feels like we’re playing rope-a-dope. Only we ain’t got no rope.”

“They’re learning. Pattern’s different this time,” Cabrillo said. “Two can play at that game. Wepps, reactivate the EMP cannons. High-divergent beams. And randomize EMP firing patterns. Hose ’em!”