Sean Dalton - Starhawks 3: Beyond (Operation Starhawks, Book 3)

Meet the commander and crew of the Valiant. The elite intelligence force known as ...

COMMANDER BRYAN KELLY. The Admirals son whose early mission ended in disaster. Valiant is his chance to redeem himself ...

DR. ANTOINETTE BEAULIEU. The brilliant but disillusioned ships medic, shes already been forced out of the service once. She has a lot to prove.

CAESAR SAMMS. The only surviving member of Kellys first command. Hes tough, loyal, and battle-hardenedbut his carefree lack of caution can ruin them all ...

PHILA MOHATSA. The volatile junior operative whose secret past on a frontier planet has trained her in the use of exoticand illegalkilling tools ...

OLAF SIGGERSON. An older, more experienced civilian pilot, pressed into service, who rarely agrees with Commander Kellys judgment.

OPERATIVE 41. The genetically altered half Salukan, dependable, but cold and impartialwho can be sure where his true alliance lies?

OUOJI. The ships mascot ... and perhaps much more.

Ace Books by Sean Dalton

Operation StarHawks Series

SPACE HAWKS

CODE NAME PEREGRINE

BEYOND THE VOID

THE ROSTMA LURE

This book is an Ace original edition, and has never been previously published.

BEYOND THE VOID

An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

PRINTING HISTORY

Ace edition / January 1991

All rights reserved. Copyright 1991 by Deborah Chester.

Cover art by Wayne Barlowe.

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission.

For information address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

ISBN: 0-441-14156-0

Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016.

The name ACE and the A logo are trademarks belonging to Charter Communications, Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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All Special Operations personnel report to briefing room, level 17. All Special Operations personnel report to briefing room, level 17.

The message came over audio in the pool area of Station 4s recreational facilities.

In the main pool Commander Bryan Kelly had the wall lane. He broke his lap and heaved himself out, splashing pink-tinted water over 41, who had been watching him exercise with grave attention. Bronzed and lithe, with his blond mane of hair brushing his bare shoulders, 41 attracted plenty of attention from the female swimmers, but Kelly had yet to get 41 into the pool.

Now, he grinned in mock apology at his drenched friend. Sorry. Hazards of sitting so close to the edge.

41 slicked his dripping hair back from his face and rose to his feet. Swimming by choice is a waste of time.

Kelly stood up beside him and shook water from his ears. He felt sleek and warmed up from his exercise. Its good for you. Keeps you from getting space flab.

41 squeezed his tawny eyes half shut in amusement. There are other ways to avoid that. The summons sounded urgent.

Theyre always urgent. Probably some report on a galactic invasion that well have to turn back single-handed. Or a lecture on correct ship hygiene procedures. Kelly jerked his thumb at the nearly empty pool. Its quicker to cut across. Care to race?

No.

Oh, come on, 41! I know you can swim. Whats the problem?

I dont like to get wet.

Kelly grinned. Youre already wet. Ill bet you dinner at the Tokyo Club that I can beat you across.

If you lose, you will be angry.

No I wont. Hawks honor.

41 looked into his eyes a moment, then smiled. Without warning he turned and launched himself in a long, clean dive, shooting beneath the water like an arrow.

Hey! shouted Kelly.

He dived in, seeing 41s churning wake drawing even farther ahead, and forced himself not to surface before he had used the last of his dive impetus. Then he curved to the surface and went to work, stroking long, smooth, and fast. He hadnt been swimming champion of Buckstead and later of the Fleet Academy for nothing. And no amount of a head start was going to help 41 in this race.

41 had a peculiar stroke that Kelly had never seen before. It was choppy and looked like it wasted a lot of motion, but it was fast and it kept 41 ahead. Roughing it in 41s wake, Kellys natural competitiveness made him draw on his kick although they were only halfway across the diagonal of the pool. He drew even with 41, keeping clear of those flailing arms.

A burn spread slowly through Kellys muscles. He began to drag for breaths, feeling the effort under his rib cage with every stroke. Keep it smooth, he reminded himself. Dont start battling the water like 41.

But although he was giving his best, he couldnt draw ahead. They fought neck and neck for several meters. Kelly glimpsed the corner of the pool as a vague shadow ahead. He reached deep for whatever he had left and pulled ahead of 41, sucking air on every other stroke, his body a machine on fire, his heart pounding like an engine. But he still had it, and he felt the high of winning kick in.

Then 41 surged past him by a full length and touched the corner. Kellys stroke faltered. He went under and came up again at the side of the pool, frowning as he slicked his black hair from his eyes.

41 was already crouched on the side, reaching down to give him a hand. Reluctantly, still not able to believe it, Kelly accepted the help. He sat on the side a moment, his legs dangling in the water, and panted for air.

Worse, 41 wasnt even breathing half as hard. He crouched on his haunches, muscles rippling under the tawny skin as he stretched. His golden hair lay sleeked against his narrow skull. Water streamed off him, leaving a puddle upon the paving.

You suckered me, said Kelly between breaths. I thought you could maybe dog paddle a little, but

I knew you would be angry.

No! Kelly caught his arm before he could move away. Im not angry, just surprised. Where did you learn to swim like that? Your stroke looks like a mess, but it works. Id like to learn it.

41 stared at him a long moment, impassive, summing him up. Then mischief lit his eyes and he cocked his head to one side. Maybe one day Ill show you. But you owe me dinner. A big dinner. 41 smacked his lips. I have an appetite for ... oh, twelve courses at least.

Kelly put his hand over his eyes with a mock groan. Did I say the Tokyo? I meant the bar and grill down on level

You said Tokyo. The most expensive place on this station. 41 pulled Kelly to his feet. I had to win the bet. I have no money to buy you dinner.

Kelly snorted. Sure you do. You never buy anything. What do you do, hoard it all for a rainy day?

41 frowned. What does rain have to do with money?

Its just an expression. The way you save your salary, youre probably the richest person on the Valiant.

No, it is Siggerson who hoards his salary. He even eats at the Commissary. 41 grinned, showing a dangerous set of teeth. I want my expensive dinner now.