Read Online Synchronicity War Part 1, The by Dietmar Wehr - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Dietmar Wehr
Tags: Science-Fiction, adventure, Space Opera, Military, Time travel, Science Fiction & Fantasy, alien invasion, Galactic Empire, Space Fleet
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told what room we’ll
be using for the debriefing. I’ll leave you to it then.”
With that, the Admiral turned and walked towards the
reception desk, gesturing for the staff’s attention. Shiloh didn’t have long to
wait. A few minutes later several of the ubiquitous Space Force vans pulled up
to the hotel entrance. Approximately thirty officers got out, picked up their
duffel bags, which even after all these centuries were still the easiest way
for military personnel to carry their personal belongings, and wearily climbed
the steps to the hotel entrance. Just as they entered, the hotel manager
appeared at Shiloh’s side and whispered to him.
“Sir. The meeting with the Admiral will take place in the
Gagarin Room down the hall on your left.”
Shiloh thanked him. He recognized most of the officers who
were entering the hotel, and they recognized and greeted him.
Cmdr. Omar walked up to him and said, “Victor. Glad to see
you made it. Congratulations on your battle victory. We got the details at our
refueling stops. That was a neat trick you pulled off with the drones. You’ll
be glad to know that the injured you had to leave behind are going to be okay.
Gaspar’s people did a good job of patching them up.”
Omar held out his hand.
Shiloh took it and said, “That’s good to hear. I’ll thank
him personally when I get the chance. I’m also glad to hear that you and the
rest of the squadron made it out okay. I heard what happened when you went back
there. It’s a damn shame about 301 and 299.”
Omar nodded before saying, “Yeah. It is. But at least they
didn’t get any more of us, and we have you to thank for that. I’m just happy to
be back. We’re all beat as hell. Most of us would normally be in the middle of
our sleep shift now. I guess we’ll get a quick bite and then sack out …”
His words fell away as he saw Shiloh shake his head in the
negative.
“That’s not in the works, I’m afraid. Admiral Howard is here
to personally debrief you, the other frigate COs and their XOs, plus Gaspar,
and he wants to do it right now. Tell those officers to leave their gear here
in the lobby. The hotel staff will make sure it gets to your rooms. The rest of
your people will be able to check into their rooms now, and are free to do
whatever suits them.”
Omar was clearly displeased. “Damn it! Some of us have been
awake for 24 hours, and we have to debrief NOW?”
“I’m afraid so, Tom. The Admiral has a good reason for doing
this now. But at least you’ll get to eat during the debrief.”
Omar ran his fingers through his hair and looked around. “Okay
… well, if the Old Man says jump, then I guess we jump. Where do we go for this
debrief?”
Shiloh smiled sympathetically. “I’ll show you the way. Go
ahead and get your people sorted out and I’ll wait here.”
Omar nodded, turned and gestured for the group to gather
round him. He called out ten names, told them to stay where they were, and then
told the rest to walk over to the reception desk and get their room
assignments. After they left, he told the remaining group that they were going
to meet with the Chief of Operations. The groans were loud enough that Shiloh
was worried the Admiral would hear them. Resigned to their fate, they dropped
their duffel bags right there in the middle of the lobby, and Shiloh showed
them the way to the Gagarin Room. Howard was already waiting for them. He sat
patiently while Omar’s people found seats and got settled in. Finally they were
ready.
“I know that you’re tired and hungry. The hotel staff will
be bringing in finger food shortly. That will have to do for now. I’m taking
the unusual step of informally debriefing you now because I need to get your
first hand impressions before I testify in front of the Oversight Committee
tomorrow morning. I’ll try not to keep you any longer than necessary. Here’s
how we’re going to do this.
be using for the debriefing. I’ll leave you to it then.”
With that, the Admiral turned and walked towards the
reception desk, gesturing for the staff’s attention. Shiloh didn’t have long to
wait. A few minutes later several of the ubiquitous Space Force vans pulled up
to the hotel entrance. Approximately thirty officers got out, picked up their
duffel bags, which even after all these centuries were still the easiest way
for military personnel to carry their personal belongings, and wearily climbed
the steps to the hotel entrance. Just as they entered, the hotel manager
appeared at Shiloh’s side and whispered to him.
“Sir. The meeting with the Admiral will take place in the
Gagarin Room down the hall on your left.”
Shiloh thanked him. He recognized most of the officers who
were entering the hotel, and they recognized and greeted him.
Cmdr. Omar walked up to him and said, “Victor. Glad to see
you made it. Congratulations on your battle victory. We got the details at our
refueling stops. That was a neat trick you pulled off with the drones. You’ll
be glad to know that the injured you had to leave behind are going to be okay.
Gaspar’s people did a good job of patching them up.”
Omar held out his hand.
Shiloh took it and said, “That’s good to hear. I’ll thank
him personally when I get the chance. I’m also glad to hear that you and the
rest of the squadron made it out okay. I heard what happened when you went back
there. It’s a damn shame about 301 and 299.”
Omar nodded before saying, “Yeah. It is. But at least they
didn’t get any more of us, and we have you to thank for that. I’m just happy to
be back. We’re all beat as hell. Most of us would normally be in the middle of
our sleep shift now. I guess we’ll get a quick bite and then sack out …”
His words fell away as he saw Shiloh shake his head in the
negative.
“That’s not in the works, I’m afraid. Admiral Howard is here
to personally debrief you, the other frigate COs and their XOs, plus Gaspar,
and he wants to do it right now. Tell those officers to leave their gear here
in the lobby. The hotel staff will make sure it gets to your rooms. The rest of
your people will be able to check into their rooms now, and are free to do
whatever suits them.”
Omar was clearly displeased. “Damn it! Some of us have been
awake for 24 hours, and we have to debrief NOW?”
“I’m afraid so, Tom. The Admiral has a good reason for doing
this now. But at least you’ll get to eat during the debrief.”
Omar ran his fingers through his hair and looked around. “Okay
… well, if the Old Man says jump, then I guess we jump. Where do we go for this
debrief?”
Shiloh smiled sympathetically. “I’ll show you the way. Go
ahead and get your people sorted out and I’ll wait here.”
Omar nodded, turned and gestured for the group to gather
round him. He called out ten names, told them to stay where they were, and then
told the rest to walk over to the reception desk and get their room
assignments. After they left, he told the remaining group that they were going
to meet with the Chief of Operations. The groans were loud enough that Shiloh
was worried the Admiral would hear them. Resigned to their fate, they dropped
their duffel bags right there in the middle of the lobby, and Shiloh showed
them the way to the Gagarin Room. Howard was already waiting for them. He sat
patiently while Omar’s people found seats and got settled in. Finally they were
ready.
“I know that you’re tired and hungry. The hotel staff will
be bringing in finger food shortly. That will have to do for now. I’m taking
the unusual step of informally debriefing you now because I need to get your
first hand impressions before I testify in front of the Oversight Committee
tomorrow morning. I’ll try not to keep you any longer than necessary. Here’s
how we’re going to do this.
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