Read Online After Earth by Peter David - Free Book Online
Authors: Peter David
Tags: Science-Fiction
Ads: Link
said.
“Politicians can talk all they want, and we took advantage of the stalling.”
“Loss of life?”
“On our side, just my CO, Sergeant Conway. On their side, two dozen.”
“Impressive work.”
“Thank you, sir,” Raige said, suddenly feeling impatient, wanting the interrogation to end and for Lider to move on to the point.
“Are you hoping to be placed on an ark and leave this world behind?”
Was this what it was about, a posting on an ark? Couldn’t be; the SG was too busy for that.
“It’d be nice, but I’m no one special, just a grunt trying his best,” Raige said.
“You sound humble, but you come from a line that is anything but. In fact, your lineage is what brought you to my attention. You serve the Rangers and the world, but there’s a more personal stake at work here, too. You want Lightstream to work and save us all, don’t you?”
“Well, save as many as we can, yes, sir,” he said.
“You have an impressive mix of credentials and glowing reports from General Rodgers, Colonel Mishkin, and Senator McCluskey. I’ve seen footage of you at work and studied your file for days,” Lider admitted.
That didn’t exactly surprise Raige, but it did fuel his curiosity and make him feel antsy. He’d been sitting long enough.
“Everything we do at the UN, at Project Next Generation, and with the Rangers has to work on multiple levels. We have to move things forward, protect the project to save humankind from itself, and we have to send out a constant stream of signals that we have their best interests at heart. We have to, in short, make the wisest choices, ignoring all the old rules and protocols. Frankly, I’m likely to be the last secretary general, and I don’t have to worry about a legacy or election. I can act freely and intend to do that right now.”
Lider stood, and Raige matched his action.
“Skyler, I intend to make the United Ranger Corps a fully independent body, answerable to no one. The primary goal remains to preserve humanity. That mission objective will not change until the last ark leaves Earth’s orbit. Each one will carry Rangers to keep the peace for the next hundred years until the arks arrive at Nova Prime. From this moment forward, it needs a face the people can trust. It also needs a leader. I’ve createdthe post of Supreme Commander and would like you to accept this assignment.”
Raige’s jaw fell open. His legs trembled, and he gripped the armrests on the chair to stay upright. Supreme Commander was a powerful title. But he was just twenty-nine; how could he command a global operation, ordering people nearly twice his age to fight? Surely there had to be other, more experienced and qualified senior officers.
“Sir?”
“The Raiges have been caretakers of the LST tech for over a century, and it needs a Raige now to ensure it can do what we pray it can do. I need a strong, youthful, and, in your case, handsome face for the Rangers. We need to project confidence in having a future, so we’re skipping a few generations of senior officers. The Rangers have been asked to do some difficult tasks, and now they are going to be asked to do some pretty impossible things over the next few years. It means the Rangers will be protecting those selected to leave Earth and also those who are being consigned to a fairly grisly death. It means protecting the transport ships from workers who understand they are building a means of escape for others. This job offer comes with no guarantee you yourself will be placed on an ark. I know it’s a lot to ask someone so young, but trust me, this was not a choice hastily made.”
Raige’s mind was awhirl with fears, concerns, plans, hopes, and a certain elation at the recognition. His parents and family would be delighted as they always wanted him to be part of the “family business” and here he was, charged with protecting it.
“Thank you, sir. Where will the Corps be based? What is the command structure intended to
“Politicians can talk all they want, and we took advantage of the stalling.”
“Loss of life?”
“On our side, just my CO, Sergeant Conway. On their side, two dozen.”
“Impressive work.”
“Thank you, sir,” Raige said, suddenly feeling impatient, wanting the interrogation to end and for Lider to move on to the point.
“Are you hoping to be placed on an ark and leave this world behind?”
Was this what it was about, a posting on an ark? Couldn’t be; the SG was too busy for that.
“It’d be nice, but I’m no one special, just a grunt trying his best,” Raige said.
“You sound humble, but you come from a line that is anything but. In fact, your lineage is what brought you to my attention. You serve the Rangers and the world, but there’s a more personal stake at work here, too. You want Lightstream to work and save us all, don’t you?”
“Well, save as many as we can, yes, sir,” he said.
“You have an impressive mix of credentials and glowing reports from General Rodgers, Colonel Mishkin, and Senator McCluskey. I’ve seen footage of you at work and studied your file for days,” Lider admitted.
That didn’t exactly surprise Raige, but it did fuel his curiosity and make him feel antsy. He’d been sitting long enough.
“Everything we do at the UN, at Project Next Generation, and with the Rangers has to work on multiple levels. We have to move things forward, protect the project to save humankind from itself, and we have to send out a constant stream of signals that we have their best interests at heart. We have to, in short, make the wisest choices, ignoring all the old rules and protocols. Frankly, I’m likely to be the last secretary general, and I don’t have to worry about a legacy or election. I can act freely and intend to do that right now.”
Lider stood, and Raige matched his action.
“Skyler, I intend to make the United Ranger Corps a fully independent body, answerable to no one. The primary goal remains to preserve humanity. That mission objective will not change until the last ark leaves Earth’s orbit. Each one will carry Rangers to keep the peace for the next hundred years until the arks arrive at Nova Prime. From this moment forward, it needs a face the people can trust. It also needs a leader. I’ve createdthe post of Supreme Commander and would like you to accept this assignment.”
Raige’s jaw fell open. His legs trembled, and he gripped the armrests on the chair to stay upright. Supreme Commander was a powerful title. But he was just twenty-nine; how could he command a global operation, ordering people nearly twice his age to fight? Surely there had to be other, more experienced and qualified senior officers.
“Sir?”
“The Raiges have been caretakers of the LST tech for over a century, and it needs a Raige now to ensure it can do what we pray it can do. I need a strong, youthful, and, in your case, handsome face for the Rangers. We need to project confidence in having a future, so we’re skipping a few generations of senior officers. The Rangers have been asked to do some difficult tasks, and now they are going to be asked to do some pretty impossible things over the next few years. It means the Rangers will be protecting those selected to leave Earth and also those who are being consigned to a fairly grisly death. It means protecting the transport ships from workers who understand they are building a means of escape for others. This job offer comes with no guarantee you yourself will be placed on an ark. I know it’s a lot to ask someone so young, but trust me, this was not a choice hastily made.”
Raige’s mind was awhirl with fears, concerns, plans, hopes, and a certain elation at the recognition. His parents and family would be delighted as they always wanted him to be part of the “family business” and here he was, charged with protecting it.
“Thank you, sir. Where will the Corps be based? What is the command structure intended to
Similar Books
