Far and Away (Uplink Squadron Book 4) by J.N. Chaney & Chris Kennedy

Author:J.N. Chaney & Chris Kennedy [Chaney, J.N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2022-10-01T16:00:00+00:00

17

CAG’S OFFICE, TSS ENTERPRISE, UNKNOWN SYSTEM

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Jimenez asked.

The air wing commander, Captain Dan Jones, looked up from the slate on his desk. “Yes, come on and shut the door.” He waved her to a seat.

“What can I do for you, sir?” Jimenez asked as she sat.

“You’ve heard that we’re jumping to a new system tomorrow?”

“Yes, sir. I heard there were two systems and that we’re jumping to the one least likely to be where the Kardons are. Sounded stupid to me, but—”

“Admiral Jameson convinced the Overlords to go there first.”

“Oh.” Jimenez smiled. “Then I’m sure it’s a great idea to go there, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Jones chuckled. “There’s a lot more involved than that.” He paused, and Jimenez waited. Finally, deciding something, Jones nodded once and continued, “When we jump, we want you to stay behind.”

“Uh, okay…” Her brows knit. “Can I ask why?”

Jones gave her a twisted smile. “Of course. I was going to explain it… and still am.” He sighed. “So, as you are aware, we’re most probably chasing Baker and Golchak.”

Jimenez nodded.

“Until now, we’ve played along. We brought our best folks, we have trained and gotten ready to attack the people we’re chasing, and so forth… but we really, really don’t want to have to kill Baker if we don’t have to. For that matter, I’d be a lot happier if I didn’t have to kill any more Kardons, too.

“Based on our knowledge of celestial navigation, we agree with the Overlords. We think the other system is far more likely to contain the Kardons and—by extension—Baker. Because of that, Admiral Jameson convinced them to take a look at the other possible system so we don’t get trapped here and ‘hit from behind’ as we go forward.”

“What happens if the other system is where the Kardons actually are?” Jimenez asked.

“Then—barring any new developments—we’ll probably be forced to destroy them. And it’ll get interesting if an F-77 rises with their defensive forces.” Jones shrugged. “We don’t think that’s what’s going to happen, but it might.

“Assuming that isn’t the main Kardon system, though, we have a plan.”

Jimenez nodded. “And this is where I come in.”

“It is,” Jones said with a nod. “As I said, we want you to stay behind. Just prior to our departure, the Enterprise will develop a mechanical issue that puts us a few seconds behind the Overlords. They’ll jump out of the system, we’ll launch you, then we’ll jump, too.”

“And I’m supposed to… what?”

“We—the admiral and I—want you to jump to the other system, the one we think is the home of the Kardons. When you get there, we want you to warn them we’re coming and coordinate with Baker. If the Kardons are with us, then the humans—all of us, both Kardons and Terrans—will turn on the Overlords and destroy them.”

“And then what?”

“And then we’ll take advantage of whatever opportunities exist. It’s impossible to know. If they’re with us, we can lead a formation of

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