End Of Watch by John Walker

Author:John Walker [Walker, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-02T16:00:00+00:00

***

“I don’t like it,” Kensington said. He glared at Gareth. The man sat across from him, wearing an expression that suggested he didn’t care what came of the meeting. “Though I’m not even sure why you’re talking to me right now. I don’t get the sense you’re asking for permission.”

“You need to know,” Gareth replied. “I have some people to take my role if I don’t make it.”

“Can’t you postpone this? There’s no worse time to take on some radical, untested medical treatment. I need you out there. Not only for this particular assignment, but long term. We’ve talked about it. Reggie’s good, I can trust him for admin work with the fleet, but I need you for the ground forces.”

“I get it.” Gareth shrugged. “You read the message. If I don’t take the serum, I’m dead for sure. If I do, there’s a chance it’ll work, and I’ll be fine. Keppler’s convinced he worked it out. I need to do it. Pretty much in the next few hours to maximize recovery. He’s convinced my body will heal itself fast.”

“And if not? What happens to the mission then?”

“You get Chelsea to lead it,” Gareth said, “and if not her, then grab Carmine. Maybe even a Zitha. There are plenty of amazing officers you can count on to pull this off. Trust them.”

“They aren’t you. Your experience is what I’m banking on more than the technological marvel of a ship you’ve got.” Kensington sighed. “Listen, I get it. I’m just… I’m not happy.”

“You think I’m thrilled?”

“You don’t seem as bent out of shape as me.”

Gareth frowned as he turned to look out the window. “I guess I’ve come to terms with it. What’s the point of panicking? Or doing anything at all but accepting it? Chelsea knows. She’s my last remaining family. The two of us figured it out. The next step is to do it. And get on with our lives.”

“Only to rush off to the Veldon.” Kensington shook his head. “I don’t know. This seems crazy. I hadn’t stopped to think about a few things after being caught up in the possibility of figuring out this war. This might well be a suicide mission. Even if you succeed, you might not get out of there, depending on what you have to do.”

“Yes.” Gareth nodded. “But I don’t believe that. Neither does anyone aboard my ship.”

“Why not?”

“I guess because we’ve handled some pretty overwhelming odds so far. Why not this? The stakes are higher, but we’ll do the same job we’ve done so far. Well, hopefully a little better considering the people we’ve lost along the way. You know how it goes. You know what we need to do.”

“Yes…” Kensington pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve been where you are right now. I can’t say I liked it then either. Then this possibility of you not being able to go… it’s harsh. Change of subject just for a moment, what do you think of the other things we’ve got

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