Read Online Shadows of the Gods: Crimson Worlds Refugees II by Jay Allan - Free Book Online
Authors: Jay Allan
Tags: Science-Fiction, Space Opera, Military, Science Fiction & Fantasy, first contact, Galactic Empire, Space Marine
Ads: Link
arms as he no doubt fired off commands to a formation of Marines thirty meters in front of him. He smiled for a few seconds as he watched his number two herding them into action. Frasier was one of the toughest Marines Preston had ever commanded…ever known…and it was amusing to think about how hard he had fallen for Ana Zhukov. It was no surprise, really. The Russian scientist was beautiful—there was no question about that—and she was one of the nicest, most pleasant people Preston had ever met. And Frasier had seduced her in the most Marine way possible…saving her life, almost getting killed in the process.
He wished Frasier and Zhukov all the best, but he felt a doubt creeping up, and he wondered if he should assign someone else to the guard detail for the exploration team. He knew why Frasier wanted the job, but his training and experience were telling him duty and romance were bad bedfellows.
He almost commed Frasier to tell him he’d changed his mind. But something held him back . No, we’re not in a normal situation anymore. This is no conventional battlefield, and the fleet is no normal military force. We’re going to need to think differently if we’re going to survive…and Connor Frasier is one of the best Marines I’ve ever known. I trust him .
He paused for another few seconds then he turned and started walking back toward the command post. If things ever get to the point where I can’t trust a Marine like Frasier…we’re as good as done for anyway.
* * *
“The expedition has landed, Admiral. Scanners report all shuttles have set down safely.” Jack Cortez was a first rate aide, fit to serve any admiral. Compton knew it, and he had no complaints about the tactical officer. Save that Cortez had the misfortune to be filling Max Harmon’s chair…and that was a comparison no naval officer wanted to face.
Compton had been hesitant to make a change in his flag bridge team, but he realized Harmon was long overdue for the promotion. Besides, he needed an aide he could truly trust to work on his own…more than four meters away from his commander’s chair. And that was Max Harmon.
“Very well, Commander.” Compton stared at his display, the blue and white semi-circle of the planet as seen from Midway’s exterior scanners. He knew his people were down on the surface now…and in many ways he understood they had the fate of the fleet in their hands. Barcomme’s food, and possibly Cutter’s scientific advancements, were the keys to their long term survival. Nothing was more important than their mission.
But you’ve got to make it through the short term or you’ll never get to the long term .
“The fleet will prepare to maneuver toward the X50 warp gate.” He didn’t like the feeling of abandoning those on the surface, but he knew keeping the fleet safe was his first priority. And he realized the expedition’s best chance relied on secrecy, on remaining undetected. A handful of people on a planet could defy cursory detection, especially if they followed his orders and used their portable reactors sparingly. But almost a hundred fifty ships floating around in or near orbit was as good as a beacon. Any enemy vessel that came through the warp gate would identify them at once…and then they would almost certainly scan the planet closely…and discover the landing parties as well.
“All ships are to be ready for acceleration in one hour.”
“Yes, Admiral. Transmitting orders now.”
“Very well, Commander.” Compton sat for a few seconds before he shifted in his seat, leaning forward to get up. “I’ll be in my office, Jack,” he said softly, his voice distracted, as if he was thinking about something. “Check on everyone’s status when we’re thirty minutes out. And again at fifteen.”
“Yes, sir.”
Compton knew he was becoming ever more demanding of his people, and utterly unforgiving of the slightest drop in efficiency. If he couldn’t sack the
He wished Frasier and Zhukov all the best, but he felt a doubt creeping up, and he wondered if he should assign someone else to the guard detail for the exploration team. He knew why Frasier wanted the job, but his training and experience were telling him duty and romance were bad bedfellows.
He almost commed Frasier to tell him he’d changed his mind. But something held him back . No, we’re not in a normal situation anymore. This is no conventional battlefield, and the fleet is no normal military force. We’re going to need to think differently if we’re going to survive…and Connor Frasier is one of the best Marines I’ve ever known. I trust him .
He paused for another few seconds then he turned and started walking back toward the command post. If things ever get to the point where I can’t trust a Marine like Frasier…we’re as good as done for anyway.
* * *
“The expedition has landed, Admiral. Scanners report all shuttles have set down safely.” Jack Cortez was a first rate aide, fit to serve any admiral. Compton knew it, and he had no complaints about the tactical officer. Save that Cortez had the misfortune to be filling Max Harmon’s chair…and that was a comparison no naval officer wanted to face.
Compton had been hesitant to make a change in his flag bridge team, but he realized Harmon was long overdue for the promotion. Besides, he needed an aide he could truly trust to work on his own…more than four meters away from his commander’s chair. And that was Max Harmon.
“Very well, Commander.” Compton stared at his display, the blue and white semi-circle of the planet as seen from Midway’s exterior scanners. He knew his people were down on the surface now…and in many ways he understood they had the fate of the fleet in their hands. Barcomme’s food, and possibly Cutter’s scientific advancements, were the keys to their long term survival. Nothing was more important than their mission.
But you’ve got to make it through the short term or you’ll never get to the long term .
“The fleet will prepare to maneuver toward the X50 warp gate.” He didn’t like the feeling of abandoning those on the surface, but he knew keeping the fleet safe was his first priority. And he realized the expedition’s best chance relied on secrecy, on remaining undetected. A handful of people on a planet could defy cursory detection, especially if they followed his orders and used their portable reactors sparingly. But almost a hundred fifty ships floating around in or near orbit was as good as a beacon. Any enemy vessel that came through the warp gate would identify them at once…and then they would almost certainly scan the planet closely…and discover the landing parties as well.
“All ships are to be ready for acceleration in one hour.”
“Yes, Admiral. Transmitting orders now.”
“Very well, Commander.” Compton sat for a few seconds before he shifted in his seat, leaning forward to get up. “I’ll be in my office, Jack,” he said softly, his voice distracted, as if he was thinking about something. “Check on everyone’s status when we’re thirty minutes out. And again at fifteen.”
“Yes, sir.”
Compton knew he was becoming ever more demanding of his people, and utterly unforgiving of the slightest drop in efficiency. If he couldn’t sack the
Similar Books
