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Authors: Dave O'Connor
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go.”
Anyone else in the command centre looking at Felis would probably conclude that there was a certain lightness of expression on his face that had not been there a few moments ago.
Chapter 31. Resolute over Q2 0930, 12 September
It was now six days after the battle for Q2, in which significant portions of the principal city of Rollinium had been destroyed by the rogan attack. Work to setup a working spaceport at Rollinium was well underway. But as the Resolute loitered in geo some 33,000 kms (33K) above the planet, Dave was in his office on A deck.
He had a frustrated expression on his face when Ivan, entered and took a seat on the other side of Dave’s desk without any formalities. The younger man eyed the older one and asked “Still no news?”
“No” said Dave shaking his head.
“It’s not as though she can just signal us” proffered Ivan referring to Aubrey Bellard, who was ostensibly under Dave’s command.
“No” said Dave. The last message he had received was from Evie Plentun on the comms channel they had provided her before she and Felis were inserted into Checklin. It had simply said that the Phantom was remaining cloaked over Cheklin awaiting the outcome of the negotiations.
Even cloaked, Dave knew that the Phantom ran the risk of detection from enemy ladar – not likely but still possible. He also knew that if that occurred they would be in grave danger, especially with only two of their normal 100 missile loadout.
Dave understood the need for the mission but it put one of his prime assets and, in his view, his best subordinate commander and crew in grave danger.
“Damm it” said Dave “I’m going to recall her. It’s too big a risk.”
“I don’t think the Commodore’s going to be too pleased. He’ll probably just overrule you.”
“Well technically he can’t do that. He’s a political officer. I’m the senior operational officer here.”
“That may be, but who do you think Aubrey will obey – the senior ranked officer eyeballing her or the junior one over half a week’s warp away.”
“Mmm” said Dave. He strummed his fingers on the desk.
Ivan recognised the sure sign of frustration. He decided to change the topic of conversation to something more positive. “Our rogan chums down below are progressing well on the battle systems training. Crystal reckons they will be good to take over Rollinium Control by the end of the week.”
“That’s good” said Dave “and what about Sergeant (Derick) Blithe?”
“Crystal says he’s doing well too.”
“Mmm…” Dave was deep in thought.
“He’s going to need to be, isn’t he?” asked Ivan.
“Yeah he’s got big shoes to fill... I miss John” said Dave. “How’s Crystal bearing up?”
“Better…I think. Keeping her busy has helped.”
Dave nodded. “OK, you’ve convinced me.”
“What?”
“I won’t bother trying to recall Aubrey.”
Ivan smiled. Then he added “besides we still don’t have enough missiles here. We’d just be robbing Peter to pay Paul.” He was referring to the fact that on average their ships had only 67% of their normal allocation of missiles.
“True. But that’ll change when the main force arrives…” Dave checked his terminal screen and then added “In just 17 days.”
“Can’t come quick enough.”
Both men went silent as each pondered the same thought ‘would it remain quiet till then?’
Chapter 32. Slidwon 1430, 12 September
High up in the ISS ‘complex’ Deputy Director, Jebna Diljet, was hard at work. He reviewed the plan for the counter coup. It was the fifth time that day. Each of the previous times he had found cause to change some aspect. But he was satisfied now or so he thought. All that remained was for this last run though and then he would send it.
He knew he had to do it today if the instructions were to reach the recipients in time. In some cases they would not receive this plan for two weeks. Hence why it had to go out today. He
Anyone else in the command centre looking at Felis would probably conclude that there was a certain lightness of expression on his face that had not been there a few moments ago.
Chapter 31. Resolute over Q2 0930, 12 September
It was now six days after the battle for Q2, in which significant portions of the principal city of Rollinium had been destroyed by the rogan attack. Work to setup a working spaceport at Rollinium was well underway. But as the Resolute loitered in geo some 33,000 kms (33K) above the planet, Dave was in his office on A deck.
He had a frustrated expression on his face when Ivan, entered and took a seat on the other side of Dave’s desk without any formalities. The younger man eyed the older one and asked “Still no news?”
“No” said Dave shaking his head.
“It’s not as though she can just signal us” proffered Ivan referring to Aubrey Bellard, who was ostensibly under Dave’s command.
“No” said Dave. The last message he had received was from Evie Plentun on the comms channel they had provided her before she and Felis were inserted into Checklin. It had simply said that the Phantom was remaining cloaked over Cheklin awaiting the outcome of the negotiations.
Even cloaked, Dave knew that the Phantom ran the risk of detection from enemy ladar – not likely but still possible. He also knew that if that occurred they would be in grave danger, especially with only two of their normal 100 missile loadout.
Dave understood the need for the mission but it put one of his prime assets and, in his view, his best subordinate commander and crew in grave danger.
“Damm it” said Dave “I’m going to recall her. It’s too big a risk.”
“I don’t think the Commodore’s going to be too pleased. He’ll probably just overrule you.”
“Well technically he can’t do that. He’s a political officer. I’m the senior operational officer here.”
“That may be, but who do you think Aubrey will obey – the senior ranked officer eyeballing her or the junior one over half a week’s warp away.”
“Mmm” said Dave. He strummed his fingers on the desk.
Ivan recognised the sure sign of frustration. He decided to change the topic of conversation to something more positive. “Our rogan chums down below are progressing well on the battle systems training. Crystal reckons they will be good to take over Rollinium Control by the end of the week.”
“That’s good” said Dave “and what about Sergeant (Derick) Blithe?”
“Crystal says he’s doing well too.”
“Mmm…” Dave was deep in thought.
“He’s going to need to be, isn’t he?” asked Ivan.
“Yeah he’s got big shoes to fill... I miss John” said Dave. “How’s Crystal bearing up?”
“Better…I think. Keeping her busy has helped.”
Dave nodded. “OK, you’ve convinced me.”
“What?”
“I won’t bother trying to recall Aubrey.”
Ivan smiled. Then he added “besides we still don’t have enough missiles here. We’d just be robbing Peter to pay Paul.” He was referring to the fact that on average their ships had only 67% of their normal allocation of missiles.
“True. But that’ll change when the main force arrives…” Dave checked his terminal screen and then added “In just 17 days.”
“Can’t come quick enough.”
Both men went silent as each pondered the same thought ‘would it remain quiet till then?’
Chapter 32. Slidwon 1430, 12 September
High up in the ISS ‘complex’ Deputy Director, Jebna Diljet, was hard at work. He reviewed the plan for the counter coup. It was the fifth time that day. Each of the previous times he had found cause to change some aspect. But he was satisfied now or so he thought. All that remained was for this last run though and then he would send it.
He knew he had to do it today if the instructions were to reach the recipients in time. In some cases they would not receive this plan for two weeks. Hence why it had to go out today. He
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