The Lost Fleet: Courageous

An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

Copyright © 2008 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.

ISBN: 1-4295-7967-6

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 belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To David Sherman,

who has kept the faith.

Semper Fi

For S., as always.

CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS THE ALLIANCE FLEET CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I remain indebted to my agent, Joshua Bilmes, for his ever-inspired suggestions and assistance, and to my editor, Anne Sowards, for her support and editing. 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 star system of their loss given afterward.

SECOND BATTLESHIP DIVISION THIRD BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Gallant Paladin

Indomitable Orion

Glorious Majestic

Magnificent Conqueror

FOURTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION FIFTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Warrior Fearless

Triumph (lost at Vidha) Resolution

Vengeance Redoubtable

Revenge Warspite

SEVENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION EIGHTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Indefatigable Relentless

Audacious Reprisal

Defiant Superb

Splendid

TENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION FIRST SCOUT BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Colossus Arrogant (lost at Kaliban)

Amazon Exemplar