Arctic Sea by David Poyer

Author:David Poyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

* * *

Haverford Tomlin had wanted Sloan to join the company. Offered him a lucrative position in charge of several aerospace research contracts.

“I’m just not sure, Grandad,” he’d said, ensconced in one of the leather chairs in front of Tomlin’s big desk. “I sort of felt I had a home in the Navy. And I was never bored.”

“The military’s going to shrink, boy. Space is where the action’s going to be. Mining asteroids. The moon, again. If you don’t join us, you’ll miss the postwar boom.”

Sloan had tapped his fingertips together, avoiding the old man’s bald-eagle scowl. Space sounded interesting. But again, it would actually mean sitting at a desk in front of a screen. Which he wasn’t that eager to do for the rest of his life. Plus, he doubted there’d be anything like a “boom.” Food prices had tripled, while Social Security payments had been slashed. The Dow was at 9,000, and most of the Midwest and South was in revolt.

A great salary, sure … but he had no family, didn’t own a house or a car. Or feel like he needed them. Money was just numbers.

He hitched himself back on the too-slick cordovan leather as the old man asked, disapproval chilling his tone, “Okay, you don’t like my offer. What do you plan to do, then?”

“Well, sir … I heard about a secret Navy unit that might be doing some technologically advanced black ops.”

“I’ve heard that too,” the senior Tomlin said. “Only they’re not rumors. They’re reviving a group to defuse emergent threats. A unit that used to run missions here and there around the world, most of which never made the news.” His grandfather eyed him. “You served with Lenson, right? I know his wife, by the way. Very … efficient woman. Though she seems to be getting above herself, these days. Dabbling in politics.”

“Yes, sir. Not the—I mean, I served with Admiral Lenson.”

“He used to lead that unit. Before the war.”

Sloan nodded. The admiral was kind of an old-school tight-ass. But he’d stood fast when everyone, including the tactical AI, was yelling, “Retreat” during Operation Rupture. “He’s in charge of this new unit?”

“Oh, that I don’t know. Just some background that might be useful to you.” His grandfather gazed out the window. “You know, Sloan, I’ve followed you since you were a kid and your dad left. You like a challenge. You like action. The one thing you can’t stand is … sitting still. But business isn’t unexciting. Quite the opposite. Are you really determined on this? In spite of everything I’m offering?”

Sloan had forced an ingratiating smile. “Sir, I just don’t think a desk job is where I want to be now. Five years down the road, maybe. But I think I can contribute more staying in uniform. At least, until we see if this treaty holds water.”

And his grandfather had sighed, dismissing him with a nod. “I can’t argue with staying in the service. But if you change your mind, and I’m still here, let me know.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.