Citizen 02 - Into the Maelstrom by Drake David & Lambshead John

Author:Drake, David & Lambshead, John [Drake, David & Lambshead, John]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781476780283
Google: TImLoAEACAAJ
Goodreads: 22609260
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2015-03-03T05:00:00+00:00

Trina and Ling watched the operation from Allenson’s office via a secure line to a nightscope positioned in the siege lines. Trina’s hands clenched when the trooper slipped into the ooze but she showed no other sign of the stress she was under.

“That’s not the general,” Ling said confidently. “I can see him quite clearly at the front.”

“I believe you are right,” Trina replied.

They both lied. All the scope showed were struggling silhouettes barely distinguishable from the background. Her knuckles stayed white until the signal arrived, the precise form of the message indicating that all essential personnel were in place which must of necessity include Allenson. In her relief she talked more than she would normally have considered necessary.

“I don’t understand why Allen had to personally undertake this operation,” she said. “It’s not like he knows anything about engineering.”

“Strictly speaking that is true,” Ling said carefully. “But the strike is critical so I expect he wanted to be on hand in case unexpected developments required an immediate response from him personally.”

“Like what?” Trina asked.

“Well, anything I suppose,” Ling replied, evasively.

Trina glared at the chief of staff.

“Give me an example?” she asked, remorselessly pressing the point.

“The Brasilians might, well . . . suppose . . .”

His voice trailed off.

“That’s what I thought,” Trina said crushingly. “There is no good reason for my husband to hazard himself.”

“It’s the first offensive move by the army so I expect he wanted to set an example by leading from the front,” Ling said loyally.

“Ridiculous, and you know it,” Trina snapped. “Generals make plans but their combat officers carry them out. He’s just being irresponsible because he can’t bear to stay away from the sharp end. It never seems to occur to him that he is as mortal as anyone else. What will happen to his precious army if he gets himself killed? Answer me that? People die in wars. They die stupidly, pointlessly by sheer chance.”

Ling stayed silent.

“Sorry, Colonel Ling, I’m just worried about him. I shouldn’t embarrass a gentleman by inviting him to criticize his superior officer’s ludicrous behavior even if it is just privately to the man’s wife.”

Ling muttered something

“What?”

“I said it will soon be light.”

“Really? I thought you said: especially to his wife.”

“The difficult part is over. There’s nothing now the Brasilians can do,” Ling said reassuringly.

Trina would have none of it.

“I don’t pretend to know anything about war, Colonel, but I do understand business. It’s exactly when you know your competitor can’t counter your move that he does so anyway.”

“Colonel Hawthorn is in charge of the operation and I’m sure he will take good care of the general. From what I’ve seen I would say the colonel is a most effective officer.”

“Oh, he has many competencies,” Trina said tonelessly.

Ling glanced at her sharply but her mouth was set in a hard line as she watched the scope. She clearly didn’t intend to expand upon the point.

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