Badger

by Kindal Debenham

  “It definitely would. Those interior armor plates would have been useful in the last skirmish.” Leon shrugged. “Then again, we wouldn’t have been able to jump in with them, anyway. Not since we had to replace the Capistan with heat sinks.”

  Jacob nodded. Replacing a part of the riftjump engine with coolant tanks had been an emergency refit to the already wounded destroyer, but the extra armor had made all the difference during the final fight with Dianton’s pirates. Such modifications were unthinkable in any true Navy ship; without a riftjump engine the use of a warship was severely limited. Still, Jacob would have loved to have had that same armoring scheme for every Hunter class destroyer, if only to answer the accusations of flawed designs that his ships were receiving.

  More armor sounded especially good now, since it sounded like the remaining ships of the class were soon going to see some kind of action sometime soon. He glanced at Leon. “So, what exactly do you think your father is planning? He didn’t give me any details, but it seemed like he wanted to have as much support as possible going into this conference.”

  Leon bobbed his head. “You’re right about that. He wants to have as many of the officers in the room tomorrow already committed to his cause. The plan he’s going to announce will stir up enough trouble from the politicians back home, let alone if he encounters resistance within the fleet as well.”

  Jacob whistled. “That bad, huh? It must be a pretty big push somewhere for that kind of trouble to get kicked up.” He ran through several scenarios in his head, but he kept coming back to the one that Laurie had proposed during their conversation together. “A strike against the Odurans? Leon, does he really think that he can pull that off?”

  The other officer gave Jacob a look that was half glare, half admiration. “Will you shut up? If you talk any louder the whole flagship will hear you.”

  Jacob had the grace to look a bit embarrassed, and Leon shook his head.

  “I should have guessed you would figure it out. After all, you were too good at seeing through people’s schemes in Reefhome. As for whether or not he can pull it off, I think he can.”

  With a frown, Jacob studied Leon. “You just said that an awful lot of the House and the Council was opposed to a strike against the League. The Feds don’t want casualties or an attack ruining their shot at negotiations, and the Indies don’t want a war in the first place.”

  Leon answered Jacob’s concerns with a smile. “True, but you’re forgetting politicians aren’t the only ones with a bit of political influence. The occasional soldier can accumulate a bit of fame and glory as well. Especially if that soldier happened to lead a retaliatory strike against an encroaching Oduran fleet and rescue half the population of Erad while he was at it.”

  Understanding dawned, and Jacob found himself nodding before he realized it. “So he’s banking on his own fame to get the approval for the strike. Risky, but doable.”

  Leon glanced at Jacob, an amused smile twisting his lips. “Not just his fame, Jacob. There’s another, more local celebrity soldier he plans on throwing into the mix.”

  Jacob’s newfound clarity was consumed by horrific realization. “No. You’re kidding.”

  “I’m not.” Leon’s smile grew. “Whether you admit it or not, you’re very popular in the frontier regions, especially along the border near Telos. Reefhome alone would be willing to supply a decent strike force, and we’re going to need every ounce of influence and help we can get.”

  He shot Leon a sharp look. “So that’s why he wants me here? Just another popular hero to gather support?”

  “If that was the only reason, could you blame him?” Leon shook his head. “But that’s not the only reason. He has a lot of respect for what you’ve done, both on Wolfhound and after.”

  Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Really.”

  Leon shrugged. “Yes, really. In fact, I had to talk him out of appointing you as the flag captain here on the Badger.”

  Jacob sat bolt upright, staring at the other officer.

  Apparently unaware of Jacob’s shock, Leon chuckled before he noticed his face. “Jacob?”

  “The flagship? He wanted me here on the flagship?” It was all Jacob could do to avoid collapsing. “Why? What did you tell him?”

  Leon rolled his right shoulder slightly, as if working out an ache in the joint. “Only that the flagship was the wrong place for a captain like you. You’d have to stay in the back of the formation in order to avoid being targeted, and most of your duties would involve managing minor staff issues instead of directing engagements. After the first few weeks of personnel meetings, you would have been clawing your way through the bulkheads.” Leon’s expression grew uncertain. “I didn’t step on your toes, did I Jacob? I just remembered how little you enjoyed managing that sort of thing on Wolfhound, and you were doing just fine with your destroyer squadron. Jacob?”

  Jacob felt himself grow a bit steadier. “Yeah, I’m fine. You’re probably right. That kind of job would have been awful.” Of course, it would have if he were anywhere near qualified for it. Jacob could only imagine the outrage that would have swept through the fleet at the idea of a minor captain being assigned to the Badger. Even if he had done everything nearly to perfection, the weight of that displeasure would probably have crushed him. “I was more wondering why he was even considering it. I mean, given my record, Badger would have ended up a drifting wreck after our first engagement.”

  Leon watched Jacob for a moment longer, his expression still showing concern. When he spoke, his words were slow, as if he were thinking about something else as he talked. “Your record speaks for itself, Jacob. You’re a fighting captain, one who won’t back away no matter what the Odurans and Telosians throw at him. That kind of reputation has its own rewards.” His gaze drifted away. “And given what my father is planning, he’s going to need someone like that to help him through the days ahead.”

  Again, Jacob felt a sharp stab of curiosity over the High Admiral’s secret plans, but he did not ask again. Leon likely would have told him if he could, but pressing further would not have been wise—or fair. Jacob nodded. “I hope so, Leon, I hope so.” Still incredulous over the idea of him in command of the Badger, Jacob stood up. Life had taken some severe turns lately, and he almost didn’t want to know what would happen next.

  Leon stood as well, stretching. “And on that note, we’re going to go get something to eat. I don’t know what you’ve been able to squirrel away onboard the Terrier, but the Beagle was down to pure noodles and broth. I’d like to enjoy the culinary benefits of the flagship while we can.”

  Jacob nodded, grateful for a guide. On top of that relief, he felt a sudden twinge of hunger. “Sounds good. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

  Leon tossed him a weary glare as they walked toward the door. “I thought so. Back on the Wolfhound Ensign Timmitz told me he had to keep reminding you to eat. Otherwise he would drop a meal off and come back a couple of hours later to find it untouched.”

  “Well, let’s make up for that, Commander Nivrosky.” Jacob opened the door. “It sounds like we have quite a bit to discuss.”

  The next day’s catastrophes started a bit earlier than planned, but Jacob had almost expected it. Too much had been going on to hope for a normal sleeping schedule. He had just finished a brief note to Catharine about his journey when a knock came at the hatch. Jacob paused to set aside his personal reader and arrange the few personal belongings he had convinced the skiff to fetch for him. Then he opened the hatch.

  There, standing in the doorway, was the last person on the Badger that he wanted to see. The last person in the entire Navy, if Jacob had to be honest with himself. She stood with her hands clenched at her side, her dark eyes blazing in a way that did not bode well for his future well being. Her uniform, as always, was immaculate, and the eagle and triple bars of a commissioned Commander in the Celostian Navy stood out on her coat. For a moment, they locked eyes, the tense silence conveying more than any words could. T
hen Al-shira came to attention and saluted, her face schooled into a false calm. “Captain Hull.”

  Sincerely regretting the conversation he was about to have, Jacob returned the salute. “Commander Al-shira.” The instant his hand dropped, she assumed an at-ease position, her eyes still blazing like dark almond suns. “How can I help you, Commander?”

  Her lips twitched as if she were resisting the urge to snarl. “I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time, sir.”

  Jacob watched her fingers curl into white-knuckled fists, and resisted the urge to sigh. “Come on in, Commander.” She stormed past him, and he slid the door shut. When he turned back to her, she stood beside his desk. Her hands were still clenched tightly at her sides, and her eyes were locked on him. When he motioned for her to sit, she shook her head. Folding his arms, he met her gaze warily. “Well, Al-shira, what can I do for you?”

  The question seemed to catch her off guard, but she recovered quickly enough. “What makes you think I need your help with something? Aren’t I allowed to visit someone from an old ship without needing a favor?”

  He grunted at the sharpness in her voice, and he felt the first few stirrings of anger. “I apologize, Commander Al-shira. I assumed you would be too busy in your new post for a social call.” The answer gave her pause, and a thin ribbon of resentment spread through him. “It looks as if you have been doing well, Al-shira. You must have found a good superior officer to serve under.”

  Her eyes flashed and her jaw tightened. Jacob was still congratulating himself on the hit when she responded. “I suppose I have. We’ve both come up in the world a bit, haven’t we Captain Hull?” Jacob felt a stab of guilt, and she smiled. “In any case, I was wondering how the frontier has been treating you, captain?”

  He ran a hand along the side of his jaw. “Well enough, I guess. Odurans are hitting the border hard, but we’re holding up fine.”

  “Good. I’d hate for people to say we got lucky at Reefhome, and you couldn’t fight as well under normal conditions.” Jacob wondered if he detected a trace of sarcasm in those words, but there was none. “I heard you were hit by enemy fire. That happening a lot?”

  It was strange to hear concern from her, considering how painful their last argument had been. “More than I’d like, but that’s how it is on the border right now. If I’d held back, spacers would have died.”

  “Can’t have that, can we?” She shook her head. “After all, the Hero of Reefhome can’t be bothered with things like ensuring his own survival. Not when there are heroic deeds to be done and battles to be fought.”

  His teeth clenched. “So what would you have expected me to do? Hold back to save my own skin and let somebody else pay the price? You sound like Captain Upshaw.”

  “Oh really? So he’s figured out you’ll go tearing off like an idiot into a bad situation without thinking about it?” Al-shira’s eyes glinted dangerously.

  Jacob grinned. “No, he just lectures. I’m sure even he recognizes when an officer is utterly hopeless.” Her nostrils flared, and he congratulated himself on another win until she spoke again.

  “Right.” She looked away. “Speaking of Captain Upshaw, I thought you would want to know. He’s been reassigned.”

  Suddenly the future looked much, much brighter. “You don’t say. Where’d they send him?”

  She bared her teeth. “Here, actually. Captain Upshaw will be the new flag captain aboard the Badger. I’m sure over the course of the operation, you’ll have the chance to continue working with him.”

  Jacob almost groaned. “That’s…wonderful. I am sure he will have a lot to talk to you about.” Then he paused. “Do you know what I’ll be doing here? The Admiral never said—”

  “Combat training.” Her eyes bored into him, and she was no longer smiling. “Some sort of work in the simulation room while you’re onboard. Then you go back to your squadron.”

  “Oh.” Jacob felt disappointment settle into his stomach. It was almost as bad as being given remedial courses in the Academy. The High Admiral must have listened to Upshaw’s reports after all. “What about the others?”

  Al-shira blinked. “Others?”

  Jacob nodded. “Yeah, Kenning and Espinoza. Where are they headed?”

  “Well I didn’t realize you cared so much about what happens to people once they leave your ship, captain.”

  He winced at the tone of her voice.

  She continued in a tone like broken glass. “Commander Kenning will be transferred to the command of a corvette squadron that is arriving tomorrow. Captain Espinoza will be given command of the CNS Gawain.”

  “Gawain?” He frowned. “What ship is that?”

  Al-shira smirked. “It’s a Knight class cruiser, one of the new ones. She probably got her command because she isn’t in the habit of ticking off superior officers.”

  The conversation was quickly going south. Fatigue set in, and he shook his head. He decided to shift tactics. “Al-shira, why did you come here? There has to be something more important to you than dealing with me. Especially this early in the morning.”

  For a moment, Al-shira tilted her head and studied him. The anger and resentment in her eyes lessened, and she dropped her gaze. “You’re a fool, Jacob Hull. I know it as well as anyone in the Navy does, but you’re still someone who brought me through Reefhome and back home alive. No matter what you might think of me now, I remember that.”

  She met his eyes again. “You need to be careful at the meeting today, Hull. There are politics here that can bring your career to a dead stop without you ever seeing combat again. Support the High Admiral, stick close to what he tells you, and you’ll be fine. Object because you’re an idiot, and nobody’ll save you.”

  Jacob nodded slowly. “Thanks, Al-shira. At least, I think I should be thanking you.”

  She turned abruptly and started past him towards the door. “I didn’t come here for your thanks, captain. It was the right thing to do, but from here on in you’re on your own.”

  Jacob watched as she pulled the door open. Suddenly he realized that he didn’t want her to go. As angry as she made him, as infuriating as she could be, he still felt somehow more alive in a way he hadn’t been in a long time. For a moment, he was desperate to say something, anything, just to keep her there. His breath caught as she turned to meet his eyes one last time.

  The moment lasted for only a heartbeat, yet it seemed like eternity.

  Then Al-shira pulled the hatch closed, and she was gone. Jacob stood alone, clenching his fists and grinding his teeth. Then his reader beeped, reminding him of the conference he needed to attend, and Jacob resumed his efforts to get ready for the day.

  Chapter Six

  Jacob was nearly the last to arrive, which was depressingly typical for him. As he entered the room, the rest of the officers turned to look at him, and then they resumed their conversations. Jacob ran his gaze over the assembled men and women of the Celostian Navy and repressed the urge to whistle. There wasn’t an officer below commander rank in the entire bunch, and a handful wore the eagle and stars of admirals. The High Admiral obviously not hesitated to bring in whatever officers he needed for the operation, no matter what their responsibilities were.

  Intensely aware of how little any of these officers were interested in him, Jacob decided to say nothing and wait for the meeting to begin. He walked to the nearest unoccupied seat, stepping around an admiral in animated discussion with two captains, and settled in. Idly, he listened to the hum of conversation around him and wondered if he would have long to wait before the High Admiral arrived and began his presentation. It would certainly be a relief to finally hear what kind of plan Nivrosky had brought them here to carry out.

  It wasn’t long before Jacob’s solitary vigil was interrupted. Commander Kenning, his face animated and friendly, slid into the seat next to him. “Captain Hull! It is good to see you. Have you had a comfortable stay here on the Badger?”

  Surprised the commander was taking the
time to speak with him, Jacob nodded. “Yes, Commander, I have.” He smiled uncertainly. “At the very least, the food here is a lot better than anything we had aboard Terrier. How have you been holding up here?”

  Kenning grinned. “It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from so many officers! I’ve spent most of my career thus far confined to remote posts or closeted in staff assignments, and so it’s refreshing to be in the middle of things. To mix and mingle with the great captains of the fleet.” A slight inclination of the head implied Kenning included Jacob among the last group, and Jacob felt acutely uncomfortable. Kenning did not seem to notice. “Not that I need to tell you that. After all, you’ve already had lunch with Commander Nivrosky, and you had a close conversation with the High Admiral himself! What was it like?”

  Jacob shifted slightly in his seat. He wondered if the younger man remembered Leon was officially his subordinate, someone he would see on a regular basis even off the Badger. “Nothing special, really. I spoke with High Admiral Nivrosky only briefly in the hangar, I’m afraid, and Leon mainly showed me to the mess.” Kenning seemed to be waiting for more, and Jacob fished for something further to say. “Like I said though, the food was definitely worth the trip.”

  The other officer chuckled. “I suppose it is at that. So was your meal disturbed by any new assignments from the Admiral, Captain Hull?”

  His discomfort grew. “New assignments? Why would you ask, Commander Kenning?”

  There was a moment’s awkward pause as Commander Kenning blinked repeatedly. A small tic showed near his left eye. It took a few moments for the commander to speak. “Only curious. After all, word is the High Admiral has been planning some personnel changes. I merely wondered if you were one of them.” Kenning shrugged. “If it’s not the case, however, I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure Nivrosky will find something suitable for your talents.”