Honor from Ashes (Honor and Duty Book 3)

by Amanda S Green

  “Better but they still aren’t near the level they should be.” Ortega looked no happier than Ashlyn felt at the XO’s response. “To be honest, Ash, I wouldn’t want them backing up the crew on any ship I happened to be on right now.”

  Ashlyn frowned. The response worried her. The Devil Dogs had been in-system a little over a month and, in that time, all the companies, with the exception of Bravo, had managed to maintain or improve their scores. Bravo, on the other hand, had done more than slip. There were any number of explanations, none of which made Ash, as battalion commander, feel better.

  Before Ortega could say anything else, Ash motioned for her to wait. For a moment, she considered her options. Then, a slight smile touched her lips as she quickly sent off a message to Admiral Collins. Since he and First Fleet were stuck in-system as well, maybe he would be willing to help her out.

  “Ash, what are you up to?”

  “Nothing much, just doing what I can to figure out what’s going on with Bravo Company.” She quickly entered a response to Collins before turning her attention back to her XO. “I’ve just issued orders for Bravo to report to First Fleet, 103rd BatCruRon by 0600 tomorrow. Once onboard, they are to report to Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Noffsinger. The gunny will be filled in on what I am expecting from Bravo over the next few weeks.”

  “Care to fill me in?”

  “Even if I didn’t want to, I’d have to.” Ashlyn waited for Ortega to nod in understanding. “You and Adamson are to accompany Bravo but only as monitors. I know Noffsinger by reputation but have never served with him. Admiral Collins trusts him and, from what I remember of conversations with Loco, he does as well. But I want you and MJ there to be my eyes and ears.”

  “Understood.”

  “I want to know how they do in the sims as well as in live exercises. Noffsinger and the squadron commander will be informed that I want Bravo put into positions of having to fill in for their Naval counterparts, just as they might be expected to during a real battle.” She paused, knowing she didn’t need to say the next bit but wanting to make sure there were no misunderstandings. “Push them, Luce. I need to know if the drop in their efficiency and proficiency ratings is because they are simply slacking off or if there is a deeper issue I have to deal with.”

  “Will you be briefing MJ and me before we leave?”

  “Negative. You know what I expect.” Now she grinned. “Hell, Luce, you will probably be harder on them than I would and we both know MJ most definitely will be. Just don’t let her space any of them simply because they are being idiots.”

  Not that Adamson would, even if the idiots might prefer it. The master sergeant had earned her reputation of being one of the toughest non-coms in the Corps.

  “And you?”

  Ash knew what her friend meant. She also knew Ortega had every right to ask, both as her XO and as her best friend.

  “Even if I didn’t fully expect you and MJ to tell Talbot that he is to stick with me while you are with Bravo Company, I know better than to leave my back exposed. He’ll fill in for you while you’re gone.”

  Ortega’s expression told Ash all she needed to know her guess had been right.

  “Luce, I don’t like having a shadow, much less a babysitter. However, I’m not quite as trusting as I used to be.” She held up a hand to stop her XO from interrupting. “Sorkowski and O’Brien might be in custody but I don’t believe for one moment they don’t have contacts on the outside. The closer we get to the trial, the more they have to lose. The easiest way to sabotage the case against them is for something to happen to me. I don’t plan to let that happen. Why do you think I haven’t objected to the extra guards you’ve put on me? More importantly, why do you think I’ve increased security around my family?”

  Instead of saying anything, Ortega simply nodded once. “Sorry, Ash. I worry. You know that.”

  Ashlyn nodded. The hardest part of reclaiming her life after being pardoned had been trying to convince her friends and family that she didn’t need them constantly trying to protect her. Intellectually, she understood why they felt that need. What she couldn’t get them to realize was that she had a hard enough time returning to the life she thought gone without wondering if they knew something she didn’t. Maybe now Ortega would take a step back. Ash doubted it, but she could hope.

  “And I do appreciate it.” Even if she felt smothered at times. Before she could say anything else, her comm signaled an incoming message. As she scanned it, her expression turned hard.

  “What?” Ortega’s expression matched Ashlyn’s as she watched her friend scan the message.

  “It seems Captain Krumholtz is questioning my orders, respectfully of course.” She all but spat out the words.

  “Damn it.” Ortega spoke softly but Ash heard her frustration. “I thought we’d dealt with the slackers before our last mission.”

  “So did I.” Ash breathed deeply. She did not need to jump to conclusions. After all, there might be a reason why the captain had concerns about the company’s new assignment. She had to remember that. “So let’s give him the chance to explain. Tag MJ and tell her to meet us in the armory ASAP. Bravo Company should be there prepping for some range time.”

  While Ortega did as instructed, Ash stood. This was part of the job of battalion commanding officer she hated. Even so, she knew it was a necessary part.

  “She’ll meet us there,” Ortega said a few moments later.

  “Let’s go.”

  Perversely pleased to have something else to think about other than the morning’s unexpected briefing, Ashlyn left her office. It was time to remind everyone exactly what the Devil Dogs were all about.

  CHAPTER THREE

  ALEXANDER WATCHMAN SAT at the far end of the table and listened to the latest report about the renewed hostilities with the Callusians. Outwardly, he looked at concerned and, at the same time, relieved, as the other present for the briefing. Inwardly, he fumed. How could the Fuerconese have taken such a bold step without any of his operatives finding out? Worse, he had someone on Fuercon who was supposed to be in the position to warn him of exactly this sort of thing happening. Their failure to learn what their so-called allies planned was bad enough. Worse was the possibility the operative had chosen not to pass the information along to him.

  As much as he wanted to excuse himself and leave the briefing, he couldn’t. No one else there would understand his need to find out exactly where the failure in communication had happened. They wouldn’t understand because they weren’t part of his plan. It went beyond them not being read in. It went far beyond that.

  His actions, and the actions of a handful of others strategically placed in the government and military could be seen as treason. The current leadership did not understand the need for Midlothian to cut ties with Fuercon and its other allies. Years of being satisfied with taking what was basically a stance of neutrality in the conflict between the Fuerconese and the Callusians, the government had forgotten that, once the war was decisively finished, their own interests would be impacted. No longer would the Fuerconese need to use their shipping lanes to avoid Callusian-held space. The fact the Fuerconese had moved to retake the Cassius System should have opened the government’s eyes. Instead, the Prime Minister and his advisors were heaping praise on their allies for taking such a bold step. They didn’t even question why Fuercon had acted alone instead of calling for assistance from any of its allies.

  So it was up to him and those like him to keep the conflict alive, no matter what they had to do to accomplish the goal. The financial survival of Midlothian demanded it.

  An hour later, he returned to his office. Before his aide could say anything, he said he wasn’t to be disturbed. The could discuss any messages that had come in during his absence later. For now, he had work to do.

  Secure in his private office, the security screens in place, Midlothian’s Intelligence Czar pulled up the latest reports from Fuercon. As he studied them, he frowned slightly. He’d had concerns
about their operative there for some time now. In fact, if he were to be honest with himself, he had worried about her from the beginning. He disliked using independent contractors for this sort of work but Evan Moreau had a spotless reputation. She did the job, no matter what it was, and never left any trace back to herself or who employed her. More importantly, he had trained her personally. So he knew what she was capable of.

  This time, however, she had disappointed him. From the beginning of the mission, she had seemed off her game. Maybe it had been a mistake to send her back to Fuercon, her homeworld. But she had turned her back on the system long ago, just as it had done to her. Whatever the cause, she had been warned about the consequences of failure.

  His frown deepening, he reached for his comm and sent a quick, two-word message. It’s time.

  Ten minutes later, a slim, non-descript man sat across the desk from him. To the casual observer, he looked like any other office drone. Watchman knew better.

  “Sir?”

  “You need to get to Fuercon as quickly as possible, Martyn.” Watchman slid a data disc across the desktop in his direction.

  For a moment, the man said nothing. His fingers closed around the small disk before carefully placing it in the left thigh pocket of his trousers. “Does this concern our mutual friend?”

  Even in the safety of the office, he didn’t name Moreau and Watchman smiled slightly. Martyn Baudin took no chances. That was why, when Watchman retired from field work, he had recommended Baudin as his replacement. When he had become the Intelligence Czar, he’d reached out to Baudin and tapped him as his “special operations advisor”. In other words, Baudin did those jobs Watchman never wanted to be whispered about, much less make the official “book”.

  “It is.” He allowed the frown of frustration he hadn’t dared allow to be seen during the earlier briefing to show. “Fuercon managed to liberate the Cassius System,” He paused and nodded as Baudin started almost imperceptively in surprise.

  “Sir, you have confirmation on that?”

  “I just came from a briefing with the Prime Minister and his other advisors on just that.” He waited a moment to let that sink in. “Before you ask, I did not have prior warning from our friend on Fuercon.”

  Baudin nodded once, his expression grim.

  “She has been a disappointment for us both,” Baudin said.

  This time, Watchman nodded. While he had approved Moreau as their operative, Baudin had been the one to recommend her. The fact she continued to fall short in carrying out her orders looked bad, not only for her but for Baudin as well. That was one reason why Watchman would let Baudin redeem himself by dealing with her. If he failed, well, Watchman would deal with him personally. No one disappointed the Intelligence Czar twice.

  “Deal with her. Make sure her mission is completed and no loose ends are left.” So simple and yet open to interpretation. How Baudin responded would tell him a great deal.

  “Do you want me to make a statement with her?”

  “No. Not this time.” Much as he would like doing just that, it presented too much danger.

  “Disappearance or accident?”

  “Suicide. She’s been sloppy and things very well might be traced back to her. Let them end with her as well.” He paused, thinking hard. “We can’t let her activities lead back to us, Martyn. Suicide would be preferable because it would end all inquiries, especially if she leaves a note. Her reputation for being ruthless when it comes to business is well-known on Fuercon. I have little doubt that most everyone would accept the explanation that she had been profiteering from the war.

  “However, if you need to take more direct measures to get information from her, I will understand. As I said, I want no loose ends left. How you do that, I’ll leave up to you.”

  “And what of Sorkowski and the others she used and who are now about to stand trial?”

  For a moment, Watchman didn’t respond. It would be best if the former admiral and those charged with him were removed from the equation. Unfortunately, the fallout from such action would be worse than leaving them alive. One accident could be overlooked. But more than one, especially when the targets were in custody, would only bring unwanted attention, attention Watchman and his allies couldn’t risk turning in their direction.

  “Confirm that they can’t lead the Fuerconese back to this office. My gut tells me they can only lead back to Moreau. If that is the case, then they can live. If not, well, we will deal with it when we have to. Moreau, for the moment, is your main concern.”

  “I understand, sir.” Baudin stood. “I will be off-planet by end of day.”

  “Very good, Martyn. You know what I expect. Let me know when it’s done.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ASHLYN SLID OUT OF BED, not bothering to call for lights. It might be early but she had been unable to fall back to sleep. Who was she kidding? She had been unable to sleep. She might have dozed a little, here and there, but her mind had not rested. Now, with everything playing over and over again in her head, she might as well get up and try to get some work done.

  Ten minutes later, she closed the doors to the small room that had become her study since her return from Tarsus. She knew she should find an apartment for her and Jake. She also knew she wasn’t ready, not yet. After two years of what could only be considered solitary confinement, of only seeing those in charge of keeping her prisoner, she needed to be around her family. More importantly, at least to her, she wanted Jake to have the stability living with her parents gave them both. Maybe after the war was over, assuming she survived, they would find themselves a nice apartment somewhere. Until then, they would stay where they were.

  “I see you got about as much sleep as I did.”

  Ashlyn looked up and shook her head to see her mother standing in the doorway. Then she smiled slightly. The fact she had not heard her mother open the door proved she was finally starting to relax and trust again, at least where her family was concerned. That had been very difficult when she had first returned from the penal colony. Distrust, even of those she knew had nothing to do with the false charges that had been brought against her, mingled with that sense of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Having been shoved into a firefight without warning had done nothing to help either. At least that nightmare was over, her conviction purged and she had been returned to duty.

  Only to face another nightmare, one she had suspected but hoped had been nothing more than the product of her own paranoia.

  “Kind of hard to relax after looking at all this.” Ashlyn waved her hand at the comp display and the notes she had made as she reviewed the data General Okafor had given her.

  “Agreed.” Brigadier General Elizabeth Santos, looking nothing like the seasoned Marine she happened to be in her deep blue kimono, closed the door behind her before moving to sit in one of the two chairs situated before the desk. “But it is what you and Richard have been warning us about, even if it comes from a quarter I doubt even you had considered.”

  “Believe me, I most definitely hadn’t suspected it.”

  “None of us had.” Elizabeth paused as a knock sounded at the door. A moment later, the door opened and Marie Leclerc, the family’s long-time housekeeper, entered. She carried a tray with coffee, mugs and an assortment of fruit on it. After serving, she left the study, telling them to let her know if they needed anything else.

  “How does she do it, Mom?” Ash grinned as she poured coffee for the two of them. “How does she always know the moment one of us is up?”

  “I have no idea. I asked your father once. He suggested that she has somehow managed to tag each of us with transmitters that signal her the moment we leave our rooms.”

  “However she does it, I’m glad for the coffee. I need it this morning.” She blew across the top of her mug and took a careful sip before sighing in contentment. Then she turned serious again. “When did you find out?”

  “About an hour before you did.”

  “Ouch.” Ashlyn
winced as she realized that meant her mother wouldn’t have been up for long, if at all, when Okafor contacted her.

  Elizabeth nodded, her expression grim. “Speaking of which, we are expected in the Commandant’s office in an hour and a half.”

  Ashlyn nodded. She had been expecting the summons. “Uniform?”

  “BDUs.”

  Another nod. It made sense. If she and her mother showed up in anything else, questions would be asked. “All right. I told Lucinda that I would be late today.”

  “How did you manage to slip your handlers?” Now Elizabeth smiled and Ash grinned in return.

  “She and MJ are accompanying Bravo Company on a training assignment and should be preparing to rendezvous with First Fleet, 103rd BatCruRon. I arranged it with Admiral Collins yesterday after getting Bravo’s latest ratings.”

  “Very good.” Elizabeth nodded and then grinned mischievously. “And it keeps you from having to explain what’s going on and why you look so tired and worried.”

  “Only from the two of them. You know Luce. She put Talbot on notice that he is to be my shadow until she gets back.”

  “She’s only doing her job,” Elizabeth said.

  “I know, but I don’t have to like it.”

  “Then you might as well contact him and tell him to meet us at the Commandant’s office.”

  “Ma’am?”

  “Don’t look at me. Her aide commed me a few minutes ago. Said I was to make sure you and I, as well as our XOs, were present at the meeting.” She held up a hand. “And no, we aren’t free to brief them ahead of time.”

  “Should I call Lucinda back? I can send Talbot in her place. In fact, it might be better if I did.”

  For a moment, Elizabeth didn’t respond. Ashlyn waited, recognizing the expression on her mother’s face. Elizabeth was weighing her request, not at her mother but as her commanding officer. “Do it.”