Read Online Ark Royal 2: The Nelson Touch by Christopher Nuttal - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Christopher Nuttal
Tags: Science-Fiction
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would accept.”
James rolled his eyes. Several decades ago, a Prince had simply walked away from his title, pointing out that the constant media scrutiny and harassment made it impossible to live a decent life. He’d never asked to be a Prince, nor to be a role model. Instead, he’d resigned his position and simply vanished. As far as anyone knew, the media had never tracked him down to his new home. The most likely speculation, he recalled, was that the Prince had gone into the military or survey service and vanished into the ranks. But no one really knew for sure.
But the Royal Family had barely survived the scandal. The last thing they wanted was a repeat of the same incident. God alone knew where the pieces would fall.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” he said. The aristocracy was full of young men of both talent and a firm belief in their own entitlement. James had to admit he’d been one of them. “But I’m not going to take him in hand, uncle.”
Winchester reached into his jacket and produced a creamy white envelope. “Your orders,” he said, flipping the envelope over to show the stamp on the back. “In the event of real trouble, you are to remove the Prince from active duty and ship him back home to Earth.”
James narrowed his eyes. “Real trouble?”
“Anything you think justifies his separation from your ship,” Winchester said. He passed James the envelope. “And good luck.”
“Thank you,” James said, sourly. “Tell me something, Uncle. Why wasn't the Admiral kept abreast of the planning process?”
“Too much debate over how we should proceed,” Winchester admitted. “It was decided to keep it restricted until we had a workable plan ready to go.”
***
Hyde Park was surprisingly empty for a hot summer day, Ted discovered, as he walked along the path towards Buckingham Palace. There were only a handful of mothers escorting their children through the park and a couple of hopeful buskers, no one else. By the time he reached the gates of the Palace, he was starting to wonder if someone had evacuated the city or extended the school year.
He paused outside the gates, looking up at the Palace, then turned his gaze to the monuments erected outside the Palace. One of them listed every serviceman and woman killed in the war against the aliens, headed by the commanding officers of the two British carriers that had been destroyed at New Russia. Another listed casualties from earlier wars, ranging from the First World War to the Second Falklands War and the Mars Dispute. The latter had been surprisingly brutal, but the diplomats had managed to prevent it spilling right out of control. Later, when Terra Nova had been discovered, another war had threatened ... and then the diplomats had agreed to share settlement rights.
His lips quirked in bitter amusement as he turned and started to walk towards the monorail, then stopped and flagged down an electric taxi. London’s black cabs were traditional, even if they weren't powered by petrol any longer. The cabbie stuck out a head and asked where he was going, then motioned for Ted to climb in the back. Ted settled down into the seat as the taxi hummed into life, heading back towards Heathrow Spaceport. His shuttle was waiting for him there.
He smiled to himself as he caught sight of a large poster, exhorting the population to KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. They’d been popular since the dawn of the troubles – the design dated all the way back to the Second World War – but it was rare to see them in such numbers. Another poster reminded the population that loose lips sank ships, although Ted doubted it mattered. As far as anyone had been able to tell, the aliens had never managed to establish a spy ring within humanity’s settled star systems. But it was something Ted would have done, if he’d been on the other side ...
“Kids these
James rolled his eyes. Several decades ago, a Prince had simply walked away from his title, pointing out that the constant media scrutiny and harassment made it impossible to live a decent life. He’d never asked to be a Prince, nor to be a role model. Instead, he’d resigned his position and simply vanished. As far as anyone knew, the media had never tracked him down to his new home. The most likely speculation, he recalled, was that the Prince had gone into the military or survey service and vanished into the ranks. But no one really knew for sure.
But the Royal Family had barely survived the scandal. The last thing they wanted was a repeat of the same incident. God alone knew where the pieces would fall.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” he said. The aristocracy was full of young men of both talent and a firm belief in their own entitlement. James had to admit he’d been one of them. “But I’m not going to take him in hand, uncle.”
Winchester reached into his jacket and produced a creamy white envelope. “Your orders,” he said, flipping the envelope over to show the stamp on the back. “In the event of real trouble, you are to remove the Prince from active duty and ship him back home to Earth.”
James narrowed his eyes. “Real trouble?”
“Anything you think justifies his separation from your ship,” Winchester said. He passed James the envelope. “And good luck.”
“Thank you,” James said, sourly. “Tell me something, Uncle. Why wasn't the Admiral kept abreast of the planning process?”
“Too much debate over how we should proceed,” Winchester admitted. “It was decided to keep it restricted until we had a workable plan ready to go.”
***
Hyde Park was surprisingly empty for a hot summer day, Ted discovered, as he walked along the path towards Buckingham Palace. There were only a handful of mothers escorting their children through the park and a couple of hopeful buskers, no one else. By the time he reached the gates of the Palace, he was starting to wonder if someone had evacuated the city or extended the school year.
He paused outside the gates, looking up at the Palace, then turned his gaze to the monuments erected outside the Palace. One of them listed every serviceman and woman killed in the war against the aliens, headed by the commanding officers of the two British carriers that had been destroyed at New Russia. Another listed casualties from earlier wars, ranging from the First World War to the Second Falklands War and the Mars Dispute. The latter had been surprisingly brutal, but the diplomats had managed to prevent it spilling right out of control. Later, when Terra Nova had been discovered, another war had threatened ... and then the diplomats had agreed to share settlement rights.
His lips quirked in bitter amusement as he turned and started to walk towards the monorail, then stopped and flagged down an electric taxi. London’s black cabs were traditional, even if they weren't powered by petrol any longer. The cabbie stuck out a head and asked where he was going, then motioned for Ted to climb in the back. Ted settled down into the seat as the taxi hummed into life, heading back towards Heathrow Spaceport. His shuttle was waiting for him there.
He smiled to himself as he caught sight of a large poster, exhorting the population to KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. They’d been popular since the dawn of the troubles – the design dated all the way back to the Second World War – but it was rare to see them in such numbers. Another poster reminded the population that loose lips sank ships, although Ted doubted it mattered. As far as anyone had been able to tell, the aliens had never managed to establish a spy ring within humanity’s settled star systems. But it was something Ted would have done, if he’d been on the other side ...
“Kids these
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