Rimward Stars (Castle Federation Book 5)
Page 37
“That was how our founders wanted it,” she snapped. “The rest of us were stuck living with it after the idiots died.”
“As is often the case. How may I assist you, Your Highness?”
“You can turn over the murderers and scum you’re protecting in New Montreal,” she snapped.
“Princess Duarte, I will happily do so…once Quebecois Bien has a functioning judiciary in place to try them.”
“The final court was always the King,” Duarte said sweetly.
“That will not be acceptable,” he told her. “I will not turn my prisoners over unless I am certain they will face a fair trial. I think it would be wiser for us all if we allowed, say, Serengeti to carry out the trials. From what I understand, most of Coati’s personnel were from his home system.”
“And I am to trust Coati’s home world?”
“Given that I am here and have liberated your world because they asked me to, I would suggest so, yes,” Kyle replied. “I will not permit atrocities or reprisals, Your Highness, but I would be delighted to offer my Marines and my diplomatic aide to assist you in restoring order and establishing a stable government on your world.
“We are here to help.”
“And what is your price, Captain Roberts?”
“My price, Princess Duarte, is that the piracy of the systems my government swore to protect stops,” Kyle told her. “That price was paid by Antonio Coati in fire and blood. Any assistance I provide you can be considered charged to his account.”
Duarte closed her eyes and sighed, almost sagging against the clearly uncomfortable chair in her APC.
“I am…hesitant to trust an outsider,” she admitted, “but I have little choice. I will send an unarmed messenger with a radio to meet with your ground commander. We will coordinate from there.
“Thank you, Captain Roberts,” she said softly. “I do not know if we would ever have been free of Coati’s grip without you, and yet we had never dared to dream that help would come from the stars.”
#
08:00 December 19, 2736 2736 Earth Standard Meridian Date/Time
“Not everyone, Captain Roberts, is going to be entirely okay with your allowing Commodore Tecumseh to repair his ship and leave,” Meredith Blake, Chairwoman of the Castle Federation Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Kyle calmly. “He remains our enemy.”
“I trust him to honor his parole, ma’am,” Kyle replied. “And…he’d earned it, Admiral. Chariot’s crew fought and died by our side to defeat Coati and liberate Quebecois Bien.”
“Indeed. I have already decided to endorse your actions,” Blake said. “If anything, Tecumseh’s actions once again give us hope that there is some sanity in the Commonwealth’s military. Though, if they keep him in uniform, they’ll just send him to fight Periklos.
“They have many uses for soldiers.”
“There is only so far they can stretch their resources, ma’am. We must show ourselves to act with honor, or we are no better than the fanatics who burned Kematian.”
“I agree. Others won’t. What is Kodiak’s status?”
“We managed to avoid damage to Kodiak herself, somehow,” Kyle said, managing to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “Thoth is gone, Alexander went home crippled, and out of the fighter groups of three starships, we don’t have enough fighters left to fill Kodiak’s hangar deck, but she remains unharmed.”
“We weren’t certain, so additional forces are already en route,” she told him. “With the Free Trade Zone’s core systems signing on to the Alliance, we’ve managed to break free several ships from our other allies. The Trade Factor is sending Breslau, one of their Principality-class carriers, and it turns out we still have one of our old Invictus-class carriers doing back-system security duty.
“They’re old carriers, but they’ll do the job. Once they arrive, you are to bring Kodiak back to Castle and report to Central Command in person.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And, Roberts?”
“Ma’am?”
“The bombers?” she asked. “I’ve seen the reports; they seem impressive. Your thoughts?”
“I’ve been on both ends of a bomber strike now, Admiral,” he admitted. “They’re not perfect. There are countermeasures and vulnerabilities, but they are an extremely valuable addition to our capabilities. I’ll have a formal recommendation before we’re home, but I would suggest that we move toward replacing at least one wing on every carrier with a bomber force.”
“That useful?” Blake questioned.
“That useful, ma’am,” he confirmed. “We killed a Hercules with a single bomber strike. Yes, we took her by surprise, but she didn’t stand a chance. That’s not a weapon I’d turn aside lightly.”
“I look forward to your recommendation,” she told him. “By the time you return, we should actually have a final bomber design of our own to deploy, one with a few tricks and advantages the Terrans don’t have.”
“I look forward to seeing it, Admiral.”
#
Chapter 51
Niagara System—Commonwealth Space
08:00 January 30, 2736 ESMDT
BB-285 Saint Michael—Marshal Walkingstick’s Office
Commodore James Tecumseh stood in front of the desk belonging to the man charged with the annexation of the systems known to the Terran Commonwealth as the Rimward Marches and their occupants as the Alliance of Free Stars and waited patiently for his fate to be dictated to him.
He would once have called himself Marshal James Calvin Walkingstick’s protégé, the two of them bonding over a shared name and cultural background.
He had no illusions that relationship would spare him the consequences of what he had done. Which left him standing, without a seat even being offered, while Walkingstick reviewed the fully detailed report he’d provided.
“I must ask, Commodore Tecumseh,” Walkingstick finally said, “was there something wrong with Chariot’s q-com array?”
“No, sir.”
“And yet. And yet,” the Marshal repeated. “At no point between Coati’s betrayal, your deciding to ally with Roberts against him, the assault on his bases or the liberation of the world he had conquered, did you feel it necessary to advise me of the events and decisions taking place?”
“I felt…” James swallowed. “I felt that what I did was necessary for the honor of the Commonwealth. I also felt that the blame and consequences of what I did should fall only on me and spill neither up nor down.”
“Noble of you. You realize that, as your commanding officer, I am responsible for your actions regardless of whether I am properly informed of them, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You threw away a carefully planned operation to lure Alliance forces out of position on a matter of honor,” Walkingstick said slowly. “I’ve read all of your justifications, Commodore, and while I recognize the truth to them, I also recognize excuses when I see them.”
“Sir,” James acknowledged levelly.
“Fortunately for you, there is enough weight to your excuses to help cover this mess up,” the Marshal snapped. “Useful as Coati was as a distraction for the Alliance, he was also more dangerous than we predicted, and there was no way we could have permitted him to retain the use and schematics of a Hercules-class battlecruiser.
“Plus, the confirmation of the deployment of bombers by the Alliance has value all on its own.
“Nonetheless, you should have phoned home, Commodore. There would have been options that weren’t technically treason.”
James winced but retained his parade rest.
“And this parole bullshit. What were you thinking?”
“That it was an alternative to the surrender or destruction of a capital ship of the Terran Commonwealth Space Navy,” James said swiftly. “I could protect my crew and officers. I understood then and accept now the price for my actions.”
“Prepared once more to sacrifice your career on the altar of Terra’s honor, are you?” Walking
stick asked. “I would not be so swift in your choices. Your fate this time is not mine to decide, Commodore. Your parole means you can no longer be assigned to my command—and therefore I can do nothing with you.
“Chariot will need to undergo repairs here in Niagara. You, Captain Modesitt, and Colonel Barbados will be shipped back to Sol on the next transport liner. The three of you will have the opportunity to plead your case to Central Command.”
James wavered, swallowing hard, but nodded.
“I understand, sir.”
“I’m not certain, Commodore, whether you are truly as determinedly honorable as you seem or are just bloody-mindedly stupid,” Walkingstick snapped. “But, either way, I cannot save you from the path you’ve set your feet on. I hope, for my sake more than yours at this point, that your protestations of honor and necessity find fertile ground in Sol, Commodore.
“I won’t wish you luck,” he concluded. “You’ve used up any goodwill of mine you had. But safe travels, Commodore Tecumseh.
“I do not expect us to meet again.”
#
Castle System
18:00 February 5, 2736 Earth Standard Meridian Date/Time
New Cardiff
“Admiral Kane is waiting for you, Captain Roberts,” the aide informed Kyle. “Go right in.”
Kyle had been rushed down to the Castle Federation Joint Command Center within minutes of Kodiak entering orbit. He’d barely had time to pack an overnight bag, so he’d assumed the Admiral wanted to see him with urgency.
It still wasn’t an entirely positive sign that Kane, the man responsible for the carefully balanced personnel needs of the entire Federation military, was waiting for him.
“Come in, Roberts, come in,” the Admiral ordered as he stepped through the door. “Have a seat. Beer?”
“That’s usually my line,” Kyle said with a grin. “Sure.”
“Your habits are in your file,” Kane told him with a smile of his own, sliding a cold bottle from Kyle’s favorite Anston microbrewery across the desk. “Though I’ll confess I tried one of these after acquiring them for this meeting, and I was impressed.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m not sure what I’m getting beer for.”
“You short-stopped a pirate campaign that was on the edge of birthing a new empire on our Rimward frontier,” the Admiral pointed out. “Doing so, as per usual, with style and skill.”
“And sacrifice,” Kyle replied. “Von Lambert was a good man. Sarka’s crew deserved better than the beating they took, too.”
“But you are victorious regardless. Alexander returned to duty a week ago,” Kane told him. “The rewards of victory will be widespread, though the most immediately important one is for Senior Fleet Commander Taggart.”
“Sir?”
“He’ll be receiving the formal orders within the hour, but he is being promoted to Captain and will be taking command of Kodiak in your place,” the turbaned Admiral explained. “Which is well deserved but does leave you at loose ends.”
“I serve at the Federation’s pleasure,” Kyle said carefully. The last time they’d taken a ship out from under him, he’d ended up on a black op deep in Commonwealth space.
“Don’t worry, Roberts; I have plans for you this time,” Kane told him with a smile. “I apologize for rushing you down so quickly; I wanted to let you know in person what was going on before Taggart got his Captain’s planet.”
“I appreciate that, sir. You’ll want to transfer Vice Commodore Song,” Kyle warned softly. “She and Taggart are in a relationship. With myself in command, they were extremely professional and it caused no problems, but she cannot continue as his CAG.”
“No, she cannot,” the head of JD-Personnel agreed. “Thank you, Roberts. It shouldn’t be a problem, but I appreciate the heads-up.
“You had leave booked for your arrival here,” he continued. “Did you have any particular plans?”
“I mostly was intending to look up Captain Solace; she hadn’t left the planet, the last I’d heard,” Kyle admitted.
“She was placed on mandatory counseling leave,” Kane told him gently. “That’s over now, but she’s been assigned here at Joint Command as XO for Project Armada’s battlecruiser design team. It’s a desk job, but one where she will gain some much-needed staff seasoning, and the Federation will benefit from her knowledge.”
“So, she will have some time available,” Kyle concluded.
“She will,” Kane confirmed. “May I suggest Markham and Sons, Roberts?”
“Admiral?” Kyle blinked. He wasn’t quite sure what Kane meant.
“They’re a jeweler in New Cardiff, near the Joint Command Center,” the Admiral told him with a chuckle. “They give a discount for Navy officers and do fine work. If I misjudged and was presumptuous…”
“No, sir, you did not,” the younger man admitted. “Am I that obvious?”
“There is a reason I head JD-Personnel, Roberts. Now, I apologize, but I am going to have to cancel your leave,” he continued.
“Sir, I…”
“It won’t interfere with you and Captain Solace’s time together, I promise,” Kane assured him. “Much as I know you’re going to hate it, I have a desk job for you. Have you heard of the Joint Strategic Options Command?”
“No, sir,” Kyle said, hesitantly.
“Good,” the Admiral said with a laugh. “It’s as classified a desk job as exists. JSOC is a team we are gathering over the next few weeks, made up of thirty or so of the best tacticians and worst mavericks we could find in four fleets, none of which are going to be happy about being pulled from combat duty.”
Kyle winced.
“That sounds like it’s going to be unpleasant, sir,” he admitted. He could understand why Kane was including him in that list. “I’m guessing at least some of them will have a problem with my reputation.”
“There won’t be a problem, Roberts,” Kane said with a grin. “Or if there is, you’ll be able to deal with it. You misunderstand why I asked, and I need you to understand just what JSOC is for.
“All logical assessment says we cannot win this war. The Joint Strategic Options Command is where we plan to put together the most unconventional brainpower we have and try and find options to do the impossible and defeat the Commonwealth.”
A small velvet jewelry box appeared in Kane’s hands as if by magic, the type the Navy used for rank insignia. Kyle found himself staring at it in shocked silence as Kane concluded.
“It will be your responsibility to make sure that JSOC works together and succeeds—Admiral Roberts.”
###
Other books by Glynn Stewart
Castle Federation
Space Carrier Avalon
Stellar Fox
Battle Group Avalon
Q-Ship Chameleon
Rimward Stars
Operation Medusa(upcoming, see www.faolanspen.com for latest estimated launch date)
Starship’s Mage
Starship’s Mage: Omnibus
Hand of Mars
Voice of Mars
Alien Arcana
Judgment of Mars
Starship’s Mage Universe: Red Falcon
Interstellar Mage(upcoming, see www.faolanspen.com for latest estimated launch date)
Duchy of Terra
The Terran Privateer
Duchess of Terra
Terra and Imperium (upcoming, see www.faolanspen.com for latest estimated launch date)
ONSET
ONSET: To Serve and Protect
ONSET: My Enemy’s Enemy
ONSET: Blood of the Innocent(upcoming, see www.faolanspen.com for latest estimated launch date)
Stand Alone Novels
Children of Prophecy
City in the Sky
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapte
r 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51