Audacity (Warner's World Book 5) (34 page)

“Resolute this is Rollinium Control” he hailed.

“Control this Resolute” responded Jasmin “we’re ready when you are John.”

“We’re a go” hailed Sgt Chad Preston.

“Activating radar” hailed John.

Crystal stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. She did so quietly. John was facing the other way towards the terminal.

“We register your radar” advised Jasmin.

Crystal undid her belt and lowered it to the floor quietly

“Commencing initialisation test 1” hailed John.

Crystal took off her boots…quietly.

“Acknowledged and confirmed” hailed Jasmin.

Crystal dropped her trousers around her feet and stepped out and over.

“Commencing verification test” hailed John.

Crystal began unbuttoning her shirt.

“Verification confirmed” hailed Jasmin.

Crystal undid the last button.

“Take cover Chad” hailed John to ensure Chad did not look at the laser.

Crystal leant down and placed her shirt on the growing pile of gear.

“Taking cover” hailed Chad.

Crystal undid her bra and let it drop.

“Activating ladar” hailed John.

“Confirmed” hailed Jasmin.

Crystal dropped her knickers.

“Verification test commenced” hailed John.

Crystal stepped towards John…quietly.

“Confirmed. Good to go John” hailed Jasmin.

Crystal stepped right behind John.

“Yep it all seems to working. Thanks Jasmin.”

“Have a nice time down there John. We’ll miss you.”

“Ditto” hailed John.

Crystal leant forward so her breast rubbed up against his ear.

“Oh!” said John with the sensation. He swivelled the chair and Crystals breasts rubbed against his face. He gave up any idea of speaking and instead kissed her soft flesh. He then looked up and saw her smiling at him. His hands went for her buttocks.

“I didn’t get a chance to thank you properly” she said as she drove her hands down to undo his belt. The holster clanged onto the floor. He pulled back his hands and arched back to allow her better access. She took advantage and undid his trousers and pulled them down around his ankles.

“I like a proper thank you” said John with one of his tell-tale grins.

She did the same with his underpants. “Oh my, you really are a big boy” she said gleefully.

“What about your policy?” said John as a moment of rational thought forced its way in.

She lifted her leg over his and straddled him. “It was a fucking stupid policy. Besides, technically this is not on a ship.”

“Can’t argue with that.”

“Are we done Sir” hailed Chad.

With one hand John reached for his communicator and brought it to his face. His breathing was definitely faster. “Not quite Chad, give us a few minutes.”

“We might need more than that” said Crystal.

Chapter 35. Resolute to Chelora 1500, 16 August

Dave had closed the door to his office so he could get some time alone. He was still tired. His entire crew were still tired. He had found Crystal asleep at one of the dining tables at lunchtime. But at last they were heading back to Chelora, well those that weren’t buried in the temporary graves east of the spaceport. It had been a moving speech by Ivan at the service. At least Dave thought so.

The wrecks of the AFVs still littered the open fields behind them as they shovelled dirt on top of the bodies. Rentra’s words were also heartfelt. It was a bond formed over shared blood. It was an encouraging start.

Dave reflected on how the Phantom’s report of an anomaly had led to them securing a base within rogan space. ‘Albeit a temporary one’ he said to himself. Thinking of how Aubrey had the insight to do the preliminary investigation and file the report, Dave commented to himself ‘a classic example of how professionalism pays off’.

“I do hope that message got to her in time” he said out loud.

Chapter 36. Washington DC 1100, 12 August

Julian Morrow grasped his forehead in anguish. Then he pulled it away and glared at the two scientists sitting opposite him.

Obeida Mbone was only just calming down after reacting to Banki Soong’s little tirade. She was supposed to be the project lead on finding a solution to reverse the PME now collapsing in Qwantum. “Don’t look at me” she said angrily and she turned to glare at Banki.

The diminutive form of Banki belied his nature. He saw himself as a giant and in part he was right. He was the acknowledged expert on mass exchanger technology but as Obeida had just enunciated in her own colourful style he was a right royal pain in the arse to work with. He jutted out his weak chin presenting a picture of defiance. He knew they needed him and that would count a lot.

But what he hadn’t counted on was Julian Morrow, the much overworked Defence Minister. He had had it up to here with prima donnas. He turned to face Banki and shook his head. “I’ve had it with you. You’re out.” Banki’s jaw dropped in sheer disbelief. Julian turned to Obeida. “Get MkClusky. I want him by tomorrow.”

A satisfied smile came over Obeida’s round, dark face. She threw a smug ‘I told you so’ expression at Banki. He was still in a state of shock, frozen in his seat.

“Are you still here?” asked Julian.

“McKlusky’s an idiot” pronounced Banki.

“Maybe” replied Julian “but he knows how to work as part of team. Goodbye.” Banki could not believe he was being dismissed. He kept shifting his gaze between Obeida and Julian. “Go…now!” directed Julian.

Finally Banki stood up and left. He cast a final glance back before closing the door behind him.

“Thank god for that” said Obeida.

“You told me you could handle him” said Julian.

Obeida shrugged her shoulders. “There’s a first time for everything. Don’t worry McKlusky is good. I’ve worked with him before.”

“Don’t fuck this up Obeida. Just remember four billion lives are depending on this.”

That bought a sobered expression to Obeida’s face. She nodded. “I won’t.”

Part 4
Decisions, Decisions

Just when I thought I had it all worked out

Along comes news that puts a spanner in the spout

Now I am faced with a dilemma

Do I leap at this opportunity and abandon my plan

Strike out for new gains, with a new front man

Am I really that sort of fella

Too fickle to hold fast and stick to his guns

Too easily swayed by the sound of the drums

Or do I squander opportunity when it comes knocking

Decisions, decisions…now stop balking

Chapter 1. Lewista 0930, 17 August

Arkimon Fetula could not believe it. He made the deputy chief run the broadcast again. “Who else has seen this?” he asked.

Jella Totenkum knew that the answer would not please. But there was nothing for her but to spit it out “You, me, the assistant director comms and probably everyone else in his branch and that’s just within ISS. The local government’s comms department would, of course, also have seen it and they would undoubtedly have informed the government.”

“But for now it’s only within the government and security services?”

“For now.” She shrugged her shoulders and added “It’s a general broadcast, we can only control this while we have the security op in place. Once that ends, and it will end, well everyone will know. It’s our worst nightmare.”

“We need a counter explanation and before this op lifts. Get onto Slidwon and tell them to give this priority.”

“They must be aware anyway. This has rippled its way from star system to star system all the way from Qwantum.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the other systems. This is our patch here. Get onto it now and forget the op. This is your number one and only priority.”

“Of course” she said as if she had heard these same words a million times before. “And if they don’t have or are unwilling to provide?”

“Deal with it Jella. Whatever it takes.”

Chapter 2. Spectre to Casaverie 1645, 17 August

Sheldon Brice looked around the briefing room and saw only tired  minds. They had been at it all day. In fact this was the fifth straight day of simulation exercises. He hadn’t been all that impressed with his officers. They seemed nice enough people but it was their tactical and operational judgement that he was concerned about. He knew that this was a new ship, hastily formed and that there hadn’t been much time to gel but he was all too aware that in four days’ time they would be warping into the unknown to encounter who knows what.

But he also knew that tired minds don’t usually make great decisions so he announced “OK folks I think we’ve done enough for now. We’ll have a lay day tomorrow, save for those on watch.” Alas on a small ship that usually meant most of his officers. But the gesture seemed to be appreciated. “XO can you please stay behind.”

His XO was 1
^st
Lt Anita Sharia. She looked up from her workstation and nodded. Her dark brown ponytail kicked up as she did so. The others filed out and Sheldon sat in the seat of the workstation next to hers, swivelled the chair to face her and asked “What did you think?”

She swivelled her chair to face him. She massaged her forehead with her right hand while she formed her reply. The hand dropped away and she made eye contact. She sighed. “We really need more time.” Her large brown eyes stayed focussed on Sheldon. “I know we don’t have it but I’m grateful we’re just on surveillance duties.”

Sheldon nodded his concurrence and she continued “I know it’s only been five years since I graduated but these new guys don’t seem to have had much exposure to tactics. They lack critical thinking and that’s a real worry.”

“Johnston and Thurbar are 90 day wonders” said Sheldon. “That’s to be expected in their case. But I must admit I am surprised at Omabe and Lee. I’m not sure they have what it takes.”

“I agree but we’re stuck with them for now” said Anita, her roundish face looking sanguine.

“Yes we are. So here’s what I propose” said Sheldon with a determined look. “Once we come out of warp either you or I will have to be supervising whoever is on watch.”

Anita leant back in her chair and an unhappy expression came over her face. “Let me guess. I get the night watch?” She raised her right eyebrow as she spoke.

“Well…” said Sheldon. He paused and then with a smile added “For the first week anyway.”

Anita leaned forward and put out her hand “Deal!” She gave him a smile.

“You’d make a good poker player.”

“I am a good poker player” she added quickly.

“Right” said Sheldon drawing out the word.

Chapter 3. Raptor to Slintos 1940, 17 August

Meg Songa drained the last of her cocktail and placed the glass down on the table in the officers’ mess. She looked around at her subalterns and felt very pleased. In fact she was more than happy with their performance. She had expected the worst but had been pleasantly surprised. Even the two new grads turned out to have sharp minds and were quick learners. ‘They need to be’ she reminded herself. ‘Only four days to go.’

Her XO, Hector Shoebridge entered the mess, caught sight of her, came over and sat down. His thick sandy hair needed a cut. She had watched him brush it back all throughout the day. He did so again after he sat down.

“You know Hec (pronounced “heck”) you need a haircut” said Meg cheerfully.

“Yes I do Maam” responded Hec with an accent that would not have been out of place at Oxford university. “I’ll see to it in the morning.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, where did you get your accent?”

“England Maam, born and bred.”

“But you graduated in Nova Vista?”

“Yes I did. I actually did my first year at Oxford…Law. But then my mother got a promotion to Polaris and I transferred with her.”

“How did you feel about that?”

“Best thing ever happened to me as it turned out” replied Hec. His expression changed. Meg detected a moment of pain. She gave him a look which said ‘really?’ “Well in most ways. There was this girl you see.”

Meg nodded and interjected “and you had to leave her behind?”

“Yeah that hurt. She’s married now to some legal high flyer in London. Anyway,” continued Hec forcing a smile “it gave me the opportunity to change directions. I studied Arts with a double history major and spent all my free time in the Fleet Reserve. Eventually led to here” and Hec spread out his hands, palms up. “Now if I’d stayed in England I would have ended up a stuffed shirt barrister or even worse a politician instead of being XO on the best ship in the Fleet. No, it turned out very well indeed.” Hec’s eyes were gleaming straight at Meg.

She knew that look. Hell she had encouraged it many times in many men. But this was not the right time and place. She put on her composed look. “Thank you for sharing that Hec. It’s been a busy day. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She stood up and walked out smartly.

Chapter 4. Raihma, Istridium 1130, 18August

Emilius Quazor received the news of the loss of Qwantum with intense displeasure. “Idiots” he yelled. It sounded like someone had just unleashed a container of piss under pressure. But Benchin had heard it before. Thankfully from the next room it was somewhat muted. He was already typing up the arrest warrants for the hapless commander’s family.

“Benchin, that bastard at Qwantum…” Emilius called out loudly from his office.

But Benchin interrupted with “I’m seeing to it now your excellency.”

“Very good” said Emilius, the tempo of his rage abating. “Why can’t these fools be like you and anticipate?”

Benchin knew better than to feed the beast.

With no reply Emilius turned his attention to the matter of a response. “Get me Benistom” he called out, referring to the Grand Imperial Admiral Penusia Benistom, the most senior military officer in the rogan Imperial Fleet.

“As you wish your excellency.”

Chapter 5. Lewista 1830, 18 August