by Jay Allan
She looked up and nodded.
“Don’t force me to make it an order.”
“I won’t, sir. Just a little longer, then I’ll go. Doctor Weldon wants him to sleep anyway.”
Barron just nodded. Then he turned and walked out into the hall.
* * *
“I want to thank you for what you did back there.” Barron stood in the corridor, facing Andi Lafarge. “I know you went back for Vig, but I also know that wasn’t the only reason.”
She looked back and smiled. “Well, let’s just say you’re someone who inspires people. It’s clear your crew would follow you to hell.”
“Let’s hope we don’t have orders to that effect waiting for us when we get back.” Barron was trying to hold back a grin, but it slipped out anyway.
“What is it?” Lafarge said, looking at him quizzically.
“I was just wondering.”
“Wondering what?”
Barron’s grin widened. “Well, I just consider it impressive that you managed to get everybody on the artifact crammed aboard Pegasus in a matter of minutes, and you still…”
Lafarge’s face hardened, her smile gone. “I still…?”
Barron laughed. “You know you’re busted, and you still can’t help yourself. You’ve got to play it out to the end, don’t you?”
Lafarge just stood there, silent, looking back.
“How did you do it? How did you manage that…with only minutes to spare, without anyone catching you? How did you sneak an antimatter canister onto your ship?”
She looked back. Barron could see the softness in her expression. He knew she was working him, but it didn’t matter. He didn’t care. He wanted to be angry with her, but he just couldn’t do it.
“I’m resourceful, Tyler. I told you that.”
Barron shook his head, the grin still affixed to his face. “It took my people two days to figure out what they were picking up on the scanners.” He paused for a few seconds. “You know I can’t let you keep it, don’t you?”
“Even if I say please?”
Barron laughed again. “Yes, I’m afraid so. Even if you say please.” He smiled again. “Though I won’t enjoy rejecting your request. You do realize that’s more antimatter than every bit that has been produced in the entire Confederation in its history? It will do wonders for research. You managed to save at least something of our lost glimpse into the future…or the past, to be more accurate.”
“That doesn’t pay my bills, unfortunately.”
“Do you know what a pain in the ass you are?”
“If that’s your idea of a seduction, I’d say your technique needs some work.” She reached out and put her hand on his arm.
He glanced down at her fingers, and then he looked back at her and smiled. “Is that so? Maybe you could offer me some advice?”
“Well, you could stop talking for one thing. It’s likely to just get you in trouble. Just take me to your quarters. I hear fleet battleship captains have nice cabins…though I can’t say I’ve ever seen one before.”
Barron put his hand on hers. “Well, then…it’s long past time we remedied that, isn’t it?”
* * *
“Tyler, I wanted to apologize to you personally. I sent you out there, promised you support, and that support didn’t arrive until you were on your way back. I don’t take that lightly. I’ve reviewed the reports, and I have to tell you, I still can’t fathom just how you managed to defeat four enemy battleships. It was an amazing display, Captain. Just amazing.” Admiral Striker sat opposite Barron, looking across the table at Dauntless’s captain. Striker’s arm was still in a sling, and his face was covered with partially-healed gashes. He’d recovered from his wounds, somewhat, but he still carried the marks of the terrible battle at Grimaldi, the desperate fight to the finish that had stopped the Union offensive cold.
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your words. And my people were all involved. I wouldn’t have accomplished a thing without such an extraordinary crew behind me.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Captain. Your people are without compare. If ever there was a captain and crew who deserved each other—and I mean that in the best possible way—it is Dauntless and you. No group of spacers has done more to stave off disaster in this war. And the more I review what happened out at Z-111, the more I’m convinced this time went well beyond the others.”
“Well, sir, I’d have rated it more of a success if we’d managed to save the artifact. It was an astonishing find, and we blew it to atoms. I exceeded my authority. It wasn’t my place to make such a decision.”
“It was entirely your place.” Striker’s voice was firm. “Tyler…you did the only thing you could have done. I don’t think it overstates the matter to say you saved the Confederation. As much as your grandfather did.”
Barron nodded, looking uncomfortable. He’d always had trouble with praise. From most people, he considered it insincere…and in cases like this, where he knew it was genuine, it poked at the guilt he felt for his privilege in the navy. Serving with officers like Atara Travis, not to mention his encounter with Andi Lafarge, had reminded him that not all those who fought alongside him had shared his smoothly paved route to success. Barron knew he had served well, that he had done his grandfather’s memory proud, but he wondered if he would have reached his rank with the energy to do all he had done if he had shared Travis’s path.
“Thank you, sir. That means a lot.” He hesitated. “With all due respect to others in the chain of command, sir, I believe we were fortunate that you got the top posting. I’ve only read a summary of the action at Grimaldi, but I feel comfortable in saying I don’t think many other admirals would have had the stomach to stick it out until the end.”
Striker nodded. “My thanks to you, Captain. I can think of no other officer whose words would mean as much.”
Barron nodded again. There was nothing else to say.
“I have one other thing, Captain. A special order.”
“Sir?”
“Well, I authorized a number of promotions for your people based on your preliminary reports. I’m sure more will follow, but there’s been a bit of a problem with this first batch.”
“I’m sorry Admiral…I’m not sure I follow. A problem?”
“Yes, Captain Barron, a problem. Every single one of them has been declined.” Striker looked at Barron, an amused look on his face. “I must tell you, I’m not accustomed to having promotions thrown back in my face. Apparently, your people are concerned that any increase in their rank could force them out of their positions. Off Dauntless.”
Barron was surprised. “I had no idea, sir.” He was touched, but he had no intention of allowing his people to cripple their careers. “Sir, I will…”
“No need, Captain. That’s where my order comes in. It exempts Dauntless from the normal rank guidelines…and it ensures that any of your people who wish to remain in their current assignments may do so, regardless of their rank.”
“Thank you, sir.” Barron felt a wave of relief. He knew he couldn’t keep his crew together forever, but he wasn’t ready to let them go, not yet. Not after the losses they had just suffered.
“My order takes care of the problem with all of your people. All except one.”
Barron looked back across the table.
“Commander Travis, Tyler. Captain Travis, if she will allow me to promote her. She was offered her own ship…but she turned it down cold.”
Barron leaned back in his chair. He felt a tightness in his stomach. He’d feared this for some time. He didn’t want to lose Atara, and he had trouble imagining what Dauntless would be like without her. But he knew she deserved it. He couldn’t think of another officer who rated her own ship more than Travis. “I’ll talk to her, sir,” he said, hoping he didn’t sound as morose as he felt.
“Good,” Striker said. “And now, perhaps the one good thing that came out of the fight at Grimaldi. The fleet’s a wreck, but so is the enemy’s. It’s a v
irtual impossibility for either side to launch any kind of real offensive right now…and that allows us to leave a screening force and pull some damaged ships off the line. Dauntless is at the top of that list, Captain. We owe her overdue repairs, and we’re finally going to pay that debt. The old girl’s going to get a complete refit, from one end to the other. Commander Fritz’s amazing patches and workarounds have carried her far enough. You won’t even recognize your ship when you get her back…and in the meanwhile, you and your crew can take a nice long—well-deserved—rest. You’re on extended shore leave, Captain, starting now. You and your entire crew. I’ll need you around for another week or two for debriefings, but after that you can take off and go anywhere you want. Your time’s your own for the next six months.”
Barron took a deep breath. There had been a time he couldn’t have imagined being away from duty for so long, but now he felt just how deep the fatigue ran in him. He’d never have been able to rest if he knew his comrades in the fleet were fighting hard on the front, but with the two sides having battled each other to exhaustion, that wouldn’t be the case. And he needed some time away.
“Thank you, sir. I’m sure my people will appreciate the break.”
“They’ve earned it, Captain.”
“Sir…”
“Yes, Captain?”
“About Captain Lafarge…I’m not sure what her actions prior to our…”
“Don’t worry, Captain. I’ve already talked to Captain Lafarge. She is quite…something, isn’t she?”
“Yes, sir…she is.”
“I don’t know what a civilian bureaucrat would have done in my position, Captain. I can imagine a politician calling her a smuggler and trying to prosecute. But the navy knows when it has a debt. Andromeda Lafarge probably saved the Confederation. If she hadn’t gotten involved in the search for the artifact, it is likely the Union would have obtained it, with tragic consequences.” He looked at Barron. “And from your report, she and her people aided your efforts considerably. I’ve authorized the Dannith shipyard to repair her vessel, Captain. A top quality job from top to bottom…on the navy. And I’ve agreed to an…honorarium…from the discretionary accounts. Not nearly as much as she wanted, mind you, but generous enough to compensate her people for their efforts.”
Barron couldn’t hold back his smile anymore. The thought of Andi negotiating with the top admiral in the navy was just too amusing. “Thank you, sir.”
“It was only fair, Captain. Besides, I was afraid if I negotiated with her any longer, she’d walk out of there with my stars.”
“She might have at that, sir.” Barron inhaled deeply, struggling to force the grin from his face. “Thank you again, Admiral. For everything.”
“No, Captain.” Striker stood up and extended his hand. “Thank you.”
Barron stood up and grasped the admiral’s hand, and the two shook. Then he stepped back and snapped off a crisp salute.
“Go, Captain. You’ve got better things to do with your shore leave than stand here saluting me.”
“Yes sir.” He turned and slipped out the door.
* * *
“Atara, you know I want you here. You’re the best first officer any captain could have. And my most trusted friend. I can’t imagine the hole you’ll leave on Dauntless. But you’ve fought tooth and nail for every step you’ve taken in your career. Can you really pass up the chance for your own ship? Everything you’ve been chasing for so many years?”
Travis sat on the far side of Barron’s desk, as she had so many times, discussing so many topics. But she looked as uncomfortable as he’d ever seen her.
“Captain…”
“I think this is a talk between Tyler and Atara. I’ll take my insignia off if that helps…” He smiled.
She sat there for a second, and then she laughed. “No, Tyler…that won’t be necessary.”
“So…?” He stared at her.
“I don’t know. Yes, of course a command of my own is what I’ve pursued. But things change. I never imagined I’d find a place like this. Here, with you, with the crew…it’s home. The first real home I’ve ever known.”
“It is your home, Atara, and I hope you know I will always consider you family. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of this moment, knowing it was coming, even thinking of ways I could prevent it. But I could never stand in your way like that. You’re one of the most capable officers I’ve ever known. No, the most capable. I don’t doubt for a second that the admiralty lies in your future…but you have to command your own ship first, Atara. I want you on Dauntless…but the price for you to stay is just too high.”
She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “I know, sir. I know I have to command my own ship, that I will have to leave here one day.” She looked up at him, and he saw something he’d never seen before. It was barely there, more of a glistening than anything else, but his eyes were fixed on it. A single tear, building up in the corner of Travis’s eye.
“But not yet, Tyler. You have to trust me. I’m not ready…and I don’t think Dauntless is ready for me to leave either. She’ll have dozens of new systems after her refit…” Her voice became somber. “…and almost two hundred replacements. I need to stay. I need to help with that, to know that when I do leave, I’ll leave Dauntless ready for whatever comes next. Do you understand that?”
Barron sighed, feeling guilty for the relief he felt. He wasn’t ready for her to go either, but he couldn’t help but feel it was selfish to try to keep her. “I do, Atara. But are you sure?”
“I’m sure, Tyler. I’m not going to destroy my career. I just need to stay for a while longer. And you’re like a brother to me. Our road together has a bit more to run. I’m as sure of that as I’ve ever been of anything.”
“Okay…I’ll tell Admiral Striker.” He got up and walked around the desk. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am, Atara. I didn’t want you to go either.”
She stood up slowly, facing him. Then he reached out and the two hugged. “One more tour together,” he said softly.
“One more,” she replied.
“Am I interrupting something?” Andi Lafarge stood by the open door.
“No,” Travis said, smiling. “This guy here is like my brother…the brother I never had.” She looked at Lafarge and then back at Barron, not even trying to disguise the grin on her face. “I will leave the two of you alone.” She leaned toward Lafarge as she passed by and whispered, “Just try to have him back on Dauntless in six months…in something resembling working order.” Travis paused for an instant, and then she slipped through the door and out into the hall.
Lafarge slid across the room, plopping right down into the chair next to Barron. “I heard you have six months of leave,” she purred. “And also that your ship is laid up…just like mine.” She looked up at him with a mischievous grin. “Whatever shall we do to pass the time?”
CLICK HERE to continue the adventure with
Book 4 of the Blood on the Stars series
Echoes of Glory
A Fight to the End…
The Confederation and the Union have fought each other to a standstill. Battered, exhausted fleets eye each other warily across a border that has been a battlefield for three bloody years. Neither side has the strength to attack, and both wait for reinforcements that will allow them to resume the fight.
On the worlds of the Iron Belt, the heavily industrialized sector near the Confederation’s Core, massive shipyards operate around the clock, producing the great vessels that can end the war. The Union knows it cannot win the economic struggle with its wealthier, more productive enemy, and Sector Nine, its feared spy agency, is not idle. Their focus is not on the front lines, the ravaged border between the two nations, but far off, beyond the Rim, in the strange, militaristic realm know as the Alliance.
Sector Nine’s intrigues are targeted at nothing less than instigating a coup, and bringing to power a regime that favors war against the Confederation, a change in government
that will bring the fresh fleets of the Alliance into the war, striking at the Confederation’s unguarded flank.
Once again, Captain Tyler Barron and his battleship Dauntless must go back to the Rim, and on to the Alliance itself to somehow thwart the Union’s plan…and prevent a two-front war the Confederation cannot win.
CLICK HERE to continue the adventure with
Echoes of Glory
The Crimson Worlds Series
(Available on Kindle Unlimited)
Marines (Crimson Worlds I)
The Cost of Victory (Crimson Worlds II)
A Little Rebellion (Crimson Worlds III)
The First Imperium (Crimson Worlds IV)
The Line Must Hold (Crimson Worlds V)
To Hell’s Heart (Crimson Worlds VI)
The Shadow Legions (Crimson Worlds VII)
Even Legends Die (Crimson Worlds VIII)
The Fall (Crimson Worlds IX)
Crimson Worlds Successors Trilogy
MERCS (Successors I)
The Prisoner of Eldaron (Successors II)
The Black Flag (Successors III)
Crimson Worlds Refugees Series
Into the Darkness (Refugees I)
Shadows of the Gods (Refugees II)
Revenge of the Ancients (Refugees III)
Winds of Vengeance (Refugees IV)
Storm of Vengeance (Refugees V)
Crimson Worlds Prequels
(Available on Kindle Unlimited)
Tombstone (A Crimson Worlds Prequel)
Bitter Glory (A Crimson Worlds Prequel)
The Gates of Hell (A Crimson Worlds Prequel)
Red Team Alpha
(A New Crimson Worlds Novel)
Blood on the Stars Series
(Available on Kindle Unlimited)
Duel in the Dark (Blood on the Stars I)
Call to Arms (Blood on the Stars II)
Ruins of Empire (Blood on the Stars III)
Echoes of Glory (Blood on the Stars IV)
Cauldron of Fire (Blood on the Stars V)
Dauntless (Blood on the Stars VI)
