by Brian Fisher
Chapter 66
Captain Quinlan Kim sat in his ready room, drumming his fingers against the top of his desk. Patience had never been one of his strong suits, and today was no different. Sierra Jones and Dunsyn were supposed to be here with him, but they were late. They were always late.
Finally, Quin got up and went to the center of his ready room. It was the largest open space that he could carve out, and he was thankful to have it. Quin took a deep breath and loosened up his joints and muscles. Turning to face his desk, he stood at attention, then bowed and stepped into a ready stance.
Effortlessly, Quin began to move. His hands and feet flowed smoothly as he moved through the tenth Taeguk poomse of Taekwondo. His mind cleared as he moved, unifying with his body, until there was no conscious thought.
"I never understood why men think that they have to use their hands to fight." Captain Sierra Jones' voice cut through the silence like a knife. "I say just get a big gun, shoot 'em and be done with it."
Quin finished his poomse, and turned to face his friend. "I guess that some of us like to think that we're bettering ourselves when we practice."
"Yeah, well, I don't think you're that good in the first place." Sierra smiled.
"Thanks a lot." Quin looked back at the door. "Where's Dun?"
"He'll be along in a minute." Sierra made herself comfortable in one of the chairs by the desk. "I actually asked him to come a little late. I wanted to discuss a couple of things with you in private."
"This can't be good." Quin muttered as he sat down in his chair. In all the time that he had known Sierra Jones, it was never a good sign when she wanted to talk in private.
"Quin, before we talk to Admiral Wright, we need to have everything in order." Sierra fixed him with her patented 'I've already thought this through, so shut up and listen' look.
"That makes sense, but I thought that we already had everything in order." Quin asked, truly perplexed.
"Almost." Sierra smiled. "We don't have a backup plan, do we?"
"No, I don't suppose so." Quin thought that he knew where this was headed, and didn't entirely like it.
"If things go sour, we need something to fall back on. Admiral Wright is going to expect at least that much before he concedes to do anything." She fidgeted in her chair, trying to get a little more comfortable. "Can we count on the Caldonians? What if they don't show up?"
"Then we still have to accomplish our mission." Quin focused intently on his friend. "Between our ships, Redemption, and this Corin Dante, we should be able to do what we need to, whether the Caldonians help or not."
"I believe that would be a suicidal endeavor." Dunsyn rumbled from the door. "That is why I have contacted Malgar, and asked for their help as well."
"Malgar?" Quin asked. "They're too far away. They'd never get here in time."
"Malgar Prime is too far away." Dunsyn conceded as he sat down. "However Makduran is not. The Malgar outpost there has agreed to send their fleet, minus a reserve detachment to guard Makduran."
"Does McWilliams know about this?" Captain Jones asked, cocking an eyebrow at the other Captain.
"I have not had the opportunity to discuss this with Captain McWilliams." Captain Dunsyn turned his chair so that he could comfortably look at both of his friends at the same time. "I had thought that I would inform him at the same time we brief him about Admiral Wright's decision."
"Alright, let's get this over with." Captain Kim sighed as he opened a secure channel to the Admiral. Admiral Wright's stern face appeared above the desk. His chiseled features showed the years of a hard, disciplined life.
"Captain Kim, this is a surprise." Admiral Benjamin Wright smiled. The blinding white of his smile contrasted sharply with his charcoal complexion. "I see that Captain Jones and Captain Dunsyn are with you. What's going on Quin?"
"Sir, we've got an issue that needs your attention." Sierra Jones spoke up. "A couple of issues really."
"Go ahead." Admiral Wright leaned forward. His muscles strained the seams of his uniform as he moved.
"Admiral, we're involved in a plan to assault Earth. Captain Jason McWilliams is the architect. We have support from Malgar, and we believe that we also have support from Caldon." Captain Kim paused for a moment and focused on the hologram. "Can we count on your support also Sir?"
"Well, Captain, as you know we're spread awfully thin. We've got ships involved in conflicts across the galaxy." Admiral Wright stroked his clean-shaven chin. "Why should I pull ships out of action, and send their crews to an almost certain death?"
"Captain McWilliams believes that a successful assault on Earth would cripple the Ta'Reeth, and bring about an end to the war Sir." Captain Jones turned her attention to the hologram.
"That's what Captain McWilliams thinks." Admiral Wright faced Sierra. "I want to know what the three of you think."
"If there is any way to bring an end to this war, I think that we need to pursue it Sir." Captain Kim said after a moment’s thought. "I think that no matter what, we are looking at the loss of thousands of lives, but bringing an end to the war will actually save more lives than it will cost."
"I concur with Captain Kim, Admiral." Dunsyn spoke for the first time. "However, I have my reservations about Captain McWilliams, and his ability to command this operation. An Admiral should be in charge here Sir. Not a rogue Captain."
"Yes, but the entire operation is his idea." Captain Kim interjected. "Captain McWilliams is the 'Hero of Bakesh' after all."
"Let's not fight each other here." Admiral Wright's baritone broke through the tension. "I happen to agree with Captain McWilliams. Earth is the lynch pin for the Ta'Reeth, and a strategic strike against Earth, if it is powerful enough, could very well speed the end of this war."
Seemingly endless minutes passed before the Admiral continued. "I will do what I can, and send as many ships, and Marines, as possible. Have a good day Captains, and good luck."
Captain Jones sat looking at Captain Kim. Silence hung in the air like a dense, impenetrable fog.
"Well, I suppose that's it then." Sierra finally stood and looked at her friends. "To the end."
"To the end." Quin stood and joined her.
"To the end, my friends." Dunsyn smiled sadly as the three friends clasped hands, and then left for their own ships.
