Ether War: The Complete Series (John Walker Box Sets) by John Walker

Author:John Walker [Walker, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-28T14:00:00+00:00

***

Noah stepped off the elevator onto the bridge, right in the middle of a public reprimand. Jack laid into Dorian over something, giving him a really hard time. Fortunately, the only other person present happened to be Erica, but that didn’t make it appropriate. Noah approached the two, clearing his throat to end the talk.

“What’s all this?”

Jack motioned to Dorian. “Tell him.”

“I...” Dorian swallowed hard before continuing, “received word from Captain Blake, sir.”

“Oh?” Noah looked at Jack. “I’m not sure how that’s a bad thing. Are they okay? Chief Mills will want word about his niece.”

“They’re fine,” Jack grumbled. “But it’s what this yahoo did that’s a problem.”

Noah nodded. “Let’s take this in the office.” He turned to Erica. “You’ve got the bridge. We’ll be back in a moment.”

“Aye, sir.” Erica nodded without stopping what she had been doing.

Noah led the others onto the elevator and down a floor. He didn’t say anything until they arrived at his office and the door was closed. “Alright, go ahead, Dorian. What did you do?”

“I spoke with Captain Blake about their situation,” Dorian replied. “I ensured they were okay and that the ship was intact. Then... I told them what happened to Major Peck.”

Noah frowned. “Continue.”

“He asked them to check in on that planet,” Jack replied. “To see if Major Peck may have survived.”

Noah’s heart pounded harder in his chest. He hoped he didn’t show it in his expression. Rather than say anything, he simply cleared his throat to buy some time. A quick moment to gather his thoughts helped him find the right words. “Have a seat,” he gestured to the chairs in front of the desk before taking his. “What was your thought process behind that?”

“They have the technology to arrive undetected,” Dorian said. “Based on the delay in our communications, I estimated it would take them twelve hours to get to our destination. Fourteen if I sent them where we’re going. If they tried to rendezvous with us at the operational area, they’d likely arrive after we were done.”

“So you elected to send them on another mission,” Noah replied. “One that wasn’t approved by any command officer.”

Dorian’s cheeks flushed. “Yes, sir. And I stand by the decision. They will be of more use doing that than showing up at the tail end of a fight.”

“There are only three people aboard that ship,” Noah replied. “Likely exhausted, spent from their ordeal and with God knows what sort of injuries or problems stemming from reclaiming the ship from hijackers. They weren’t exactly the right choice to send on another mission, however easy you thought it would be.”

And yet, I could practically kiss you for trying. I don’t want to lay into this kid.

“I can’t apologize, sir,” Dorian said. “I believe in my heart that Major Peck deserves a chance. If we don’t take it, then he may fall into enemy hands or worse. He may die. A quick check won’t hurt anything.”

“And where did you send them afterward?”

“Gallik, sir. That’s the rendezvous point.

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