Read Online Knight's Move by Christopher Nuttall - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Christopher Nuttall
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was honest enough to admit that the Bottleneck Republic could not have won in the long run, not without the Federation absorbing the main body of the Dragon fleet – but it was also intrusive, prone to thinking that it knew best. And it was largely controlled by forces that disliked the thought of independent colony worlds.
But the Bottleneck Republic was a creature of compromise, quite willing to exterminate the alien refugees rather than tolerate them for much longer, and unwilling to assist people who needed it. About the only thing that bound the republic together was fear of outsiders, be they Federation or Dragon. It was easy to see why the Federation eyed them askance, suspicious that the Exile Code – among other laws – had been broken. Or, for that matter, that the Bottleneck Republic was still building up its fleet.
“I do not know,” she confessed.
“That leaves you doing nothing until it is too late,” Feingold pointed out, smoothly. “You have to take a stand.”
Sandy scowled at him. Her father had come up with that phrase, which had somehow become a catchphrase across the entire republic. In some ways, she thought she understood why Captain Knight had joined the TFN. Both of them had sought to hide from unwanted family connections, even if the connections were likely to help their careers.
“I will make up my mind when the time comes,” she said. It had been so much easier fighting the Dragons. “What do you think will happen now?”
“It depends on the Governor,” Feingold said. “I’m not hopeful.”
Neither was Sandy. She’d feared trouble from the moment she’d read Governor Wu’s file and nothing she’d seen when she’d actually met the Governor had convinced her otherwise. Governor Wu, Liberal-Progressive, was exactly the sort of person most likely to alienate the Bottleneck Republic and irritate its elected representatives. Condescending, patronising, convinced she knew better than people who had spent their entire lives in the cluster ... it was a recipe for trouble. She didn't know who had made the final choice, but it was one they were likely to regret.
Maybe the LPs thought they could get rid of her if she did a bad job , she thought. It was as good a theory as any. Or maybe they just don’t care enough to pick someone more likely to be diplomatic .
“I shall decide when the time comes,” she said, turning to head towards the door. “But I dare say we will have time to chat during the voyage.”
“Of course,” Feingold agreed. He gave her a smile that seemed completely genuine, unlike the Governor’s perfect pose. “And thank you for spending time with an old man.”
Her thoughts churning, Sandy exited his cabin and walked towards the bridge. The mission orders had been updated to include a small convoy of freighters that were being sent to Bottleneck and then deeper into the Cluster. Dauntless was required to serve as their escort, something that worried Sandy more than she cared to admit. Space near Earth might be relatively free of pirates – the convoy system instigated during the war had driven most of them out towards the edge of explored space – but the borders were still infested with the bastards. Rogue Dragons, unwilling to accept the surrender; a handful of former colonial vessels turned pirate ... it was not a safe region. One heavy cruiser couldn't hope to cover a small convoy on its own.
But they had no choice. The request for additional escorts had been turned down.
At least the bridge looked more professional, she decided, as she stepped into the compartment. Lieutenant Commander Nathan Cooke stood up from the command chair and nodded politely to her, then stepped over to the tactical console. Sandy nodded back, then took the chair and brought up the convoy details. At least the merchant commanders were experienced officers. The
But the Bottleneck Republic was a creature of compromise, quite willing to exterminate the alien refugees rather than tolerate them for much longer, and unwilling to assist people who needed it. About the only thing that bound the republic together was fear of outsiders, be they Federation or Dragon. It was easy to see why the Federation eyed them askance, suspicious that the Exile Code – among other laws – had been broken. Or, for that matter, that the Bottleneck Republic was still building up its fleet.
“I do not know,” she confessed.
“That leaves you doing nothing until it is too late,” Feingold pointed out, smoothly. “You have to take a stand.”
Sandy scowled at him. Her father had come up with that phrase, which had somehow become a catchphrase across the entire republic. In some ways, she thought she understood why Captain Knight had joined the TFN. Both of them had sought to hide from unwanted family connections, even if the connections were likely to help their careers.
“I will make up my mind when the time comes,” she said. It had been so much easier fighting the Dragons. “What do you think will happen now?”
“It depends on the Governor,” Feingold said. “I’m not hopeful.”
Neither was Sandy. She’d feared trouble from the moment she’d read Governor Wu’s file and nothing she’d seen when she’d actually met the Governor had convinced her otherwise. Governor Wu, Liberal-Progressive, was exactly the sort of person most likely to alienate the Bottleneck Republic and irritate its elected representatives. Condescending, patronising, convinced she knew better than people who had spent their entire lives in the cluster ... it was a recipe for trouble. She didn't know who had made the final choice, but it was one they were likely to regret.
Maybe the LPs thought they could get rid of her if she did a bad job , she thought. It was as good a theory as any. Or maybe they just don’t care enough to pick someone more likely to be diplomatic .
“I shall decide when the time comes,” she said, turning to head towards the door. “But I dare say we will have time to chat during the voyage.”
“Of course,” Feingold agreed. He gave her a smile that seemed completely genuine, unlike the Governor’s perfect pose. “And thank you for spending time with an old man.”
Her thoughts churning, Sandy exited his cabin and walked towards the bridge. The mission orders had been updated to include a small convoy of freighters that were being sent to Bottleneck and then deeper into the Cluster. Dauntless was required to serve as their escort, something that worried Sandy more than she cared to admit. Space near Earth might be relatively free of pirates – the convoy system instigated during the war had driven most of them out towards the edge of explored space – but the borders were still infested with the bastards. Rogue Dragons, unwilling to accept the surrender; a handful of former colonial vessels turned pirate ... it was not a safe region. One heavy cruiser couldn't hope to cover a small convoy on its own.
But they had no choice. The request for additional escorts had been turned down.
At least the bridge looked more professional, she decided, as she stepped into the compartment. Lieutenant Commander Nathan Cooke stood up from the command chair and nodded politely to her, then stepped over to the tactical console. Sandy nodded back, then took the chair and brought up the convoy details. At least the merchant commanders were experienced officers. The
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