Gun snarled.
“We do what they cannot. If they want an independent unit that can go where they cannot, they will need to listen. We can finance ourselves with stipends from the Alliance, as well as agreement with the others. But we need more than a handful of ships and hundreds of marines. The other races have a lot to offer, so work something out. The Alliance owes us, and the Alliance needs us.”
He licked his mouth again.
“There's something else, as well. The others will never see as us independent if we are in the pockets of CTC. They are pushing harder and harder every day. I want them out of our business. It's time they knew their place.”
He pointed to his chest.
"On'Sarax and her people control the ancient knowledge out here, not CTC. If they push us, they can leave."
He then turned from the General who had the good sense to not push the conversation further. Gun had no doubt the General would fight their corner. He gave Spartan a quick wink.
“Well, then, it looks like we have to prepare for an operation, my friend.”
Something caught his eye, and he twisted about to glance at it.
"Look," said Gun.
Each of them looked to the mainscreen and the two dots marking IAS Euryale and the derelict. Both were obscured by a bright dot that expanded out at incredible speeds. It faded just as fast, leaving nothing in its wake. Gun looked back at them all.
"Well, there goes another successful mission."
Spartan and Khan both looked at him and laughed, but it was a laugh that hid the great loss they knew the unit had suffered, the kind of laugh one used to try and brush off the most awful of events. Spartan turned around to face the General. His eyebrows lifted in a questioning tone.
"Operation? You know the Brigade has been shattered by this action?"
The General's moustache seemed to twitch at the question.
"Indeed."
He then looked to Wictred. He had just arrived on the deck and was exchanging greetings with Khan, by striking each other.
“We’ve got a month to get the new transfers ready and bring the Brigade to full strength. You’ve got Alliance marines back from training on Hyperion, volunteer Helion soldiers, and even a few Khreenk mercenaries. Reckon you can get them into shape in time?”
Spartan was stunned, so the General continued.
“And to pull this one off, we'll need everything the IAB can muster, as well as a little help from our Jötnar friends."
Spartan lifted his right arm and immediately regretted it; the aching sensation sent a spasm through his battered body.
"If you are still in touch with Syala, Arana, and their Black Widows, I could make use of them, too."
Spartan's eyes glinted at the thought.
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Table of Contents
PREFACE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
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Ghost Soldiers Page 27
