In Death's Shadow by S F Edwards

Author:S F Edwards [Edwards, S F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Space Opera, Science Fiction, space fleet
ISBN: 9780997815313
Publisher: Noble Storm
Published: 2015-12-03T22:00:00+00:00

Star System: Classified, UCSBA-13, Debriefing Room 2

Rage radiated off Tadeh Qudas as he stormed into the debriefing room a few pulses after the catastrophic failure in their latest simulated rescue mission. “Would anyone like to explain just what happened in there?”

Still dressed in their monitoring suits, the cadets could only hang their heads in response. Numerous foul ups and miscommunications had resulted in their highest casualty rate to date and a less than organized retreat that killed the rest of them. They didn’t even come close to the mission objective before their cover was blown.

In charge of the whole mess, Blazer looked up at the fearsome Telshin. His eyes still refused to focus, rapid pulls from the simulation always did this to him, left him dazed. He could never tell when they were in the simulation. “We weren’t prepared for what we faced. No, I wasn’t prepared, when enemy assets shifted the way they did. It threw our whole plan into complete disarray.”

Blazer felt his resolve wither as Tadeh Qudas just stood before him in silence, his head tilted up to look just over his head before he shifted down to engage him again. Was he reading , the mission summary report in his HUD?

“You also changed up your fire teams immediately prior to insertion,” Tadeh Qudas admonished. “You all need to concentrate on learning each other’s moves and learning how to back one another up. As squad leader, Cadet Vaughnt, you must ensure that your fire teams are capable of working with each other.”

Gokhead cleared his throat. “We’re still trying to determine our optimum fire team composition.”

Tadeh Qudas fixed Gokhead with a hard stare that backed down the smaller Drashig. “This is not the slamball field anymore. You can’t just go around changing your lineup on a whim, putting personnel in positions they are not qualified for. And Cadet Talkerna, what was with your aim out there?”

Matt rubbed his hands together and looked up. “I’m a little off my game. I’ll do better next time.”

“There is no next time, cadet. Don’t you realize that? You’re dead. You were killed and so was your whole squad, because you couldn’t cover the retreat or give them adequate warning.”

Bichard held up a hand. “The warning is my fault. As the lookout, I should have been the one to issue it. It is my failure.”

Tadeh Qudas fixed the insectoid with a frozen glare. “Be that as it may, let’s go over the mission.”

Tadeh Qudas went over the mission. Starting with the drop into the system, infighting had torn at the team. Blazer’s injury brought about even more confusion in the command chain, the team not relinquishing command to Zithe in a smooth manner.

Blazer hung his head in shame. He hadn’t let go of command after he was injured. Worse, he’d let his emotions get in the way. He had to remain hard in a mission and not let his feelings for his squadmates, Marda in particular, affect his decisions. He looked over at her and she shied away from his gaze, fingering the ring on her finger.

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