Read Online Storm' Fury: The Shenkar War by Seth Libby - Free Book Online

of Jacque Lecroix standing beside his chair, evidently wanting to speak with him. Finally realizing that his mere presence wouldn't be enough to initiate a conversation with the young captain, Jacque Lecroix spoke, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
                  “Mr. Donaldson, may I have a word with you?”
                  “Captain,” Donaldson said simply without looking around.
                  “Excuse me?”
                  “I am Captain Donaldson aboard this ship, not Mr. Donaldson. How would you like it if I addressed you as Mr. Lecroix instead of your due rank Mr. President?” Jenson asked as he turned to look at the French president.
                  Jacque Lecroix's face darken red at being addressed so by a mere captain. Especially when he had clearly spotted some of the bridge officers, although attempting to hide it, were clearly smirking at the way their captain addressed the President of France.
                  “Captain Donaldson, do I have to remind you I am part of the Council of Earth. If I wish it, I could have you busted down to an ensign and cleaning the toilets. So I recommend you change your attitude or I will do just that. Do we have an understanding?”
                  “My apologies Mr. President, how may I help you?” Donaldson asked, although he clearly didn't sound sorry as his dislike for the President was evident in his voice.
                  “I have requested repeatedly to have someone check my quarters. There is a smell that is truly dreadful. It smells as if something died in there,” explained the President of France.
                  Captain Donaldson had to fight from rolling his eyes at hearing this. He knew exactly what the smell was as he had overheard two of his ensigns speaking of how they were going to put a dead fish in the President's ventilation duct. Although he didn't condone such behavior aboard his ship he sympathized with the two ensigns as he knew the President had embarrassed them earlier in the day.
    Evidently the two ensigns had been talking about visiting France and seeing the Louvre. One of the young ladies, Ensign Pedroya he thought, remarked how she wanted to view the Pyramid at night. Apparently the President of France had overheard the conversation and proceeded to comment on how only an ignorant American girl would go to the great Louvre and would want to see the Pyramid first over all of the other great pieces of art present. Both ensigns had attempted to explain they had wanted to see it all and just happen to be speaking of the Pyramid when the President overheard their conversation. Instead the President just sneered at the woman and continued to insult their intelligence to a group of French soldiers. It wasn't until Captain Donaldson came upon the scene did the abuse cease. Captain Donaldson had been furious with the French soldiers as well as the President of France. The French soldiers were now responsible for keeping the bathrooms clean throughout the Battlecruiser. As for the President of France, all he could do is remind him that he was only there as an observer and not to berate the crew on non military conversations. Since then the President had been absolutely irritating with demands. He would have to remind himself to give the two young ensigns an extra weekend leave as a reward for their stunt.
                  “I will have someone look into it as soon as I can Mr. President. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
                  The President looked as if he did have more to say but before he could say anything further he was cut off. Ensign Mendez, his communications officer, spoke.
                  “Sir, I am receiving a priority one message from Outpost 238, it seems they are under attack.”
                  “Put it on the overhead,” ordered Captain Donaldson,