Invictus: Crisis by Rachel Neumeier

Author:Rachel Neumeier [Neumeier, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2023-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

-15-

Commander Langdon’s departure from the bridge left a strained, tense silence behind. Obviously that had to be broken. Naturally, Captain Ila moved to break it. She spoke to Syova as though everything were perfectly fine, even as though everything were perfectly ordinary. “I have an in-person meeting with Executive Welles of AltDecIndigo scheduled for, essentially, as soon as I can get there. I’d like you to accompany me to Station Indigo, Vysovashirovasin Sevastien, to provide personal security as well as a visible Ubezhishche presence.”

“Of course, Captain,” Syova answered, exactly as though this, too, was perfectly ordinary. He added, deliberately playing to the Elysian bridge crew, “I am, of course, at your orders.”

Ila nodded, her attitude implying of course you are and everything is entirely under control. That was a lot to imply with a nod, especially under these preposterous circumstances, but she managed it. She said to her people, “Commander Chatham will, of course, be assuming command of Invictus in my absence.” Then she went on, turning to Maateo, “Khozhe Maateo, I appreciate your cooperation and support.”

Maateo didn’t glance at Syova. He said in Elesh, with no perceptible pause, “Yes, Captain. As you know, Commander Chatham has persuaded me that your plan may potentially offer the best chance—the only chance—of avoiding devastating outcomes for both our peoples. I’m therefore placing myself and my team at your service. As this is your ship and these are your people, I will take Commander Chatham’s orders for the duration.” He didn’t specify exactly what duration he had in mind.

Ila merely said blandly, “Thank you, Khozhe Maateo.” Her bright yellow icon blinked in Syova’s communications stack, not a specific message, but a general query. Syova sent, to Chatham, Ila, and Maateo himself, Maateo will obey Commander Chatham’s orders until and unless he decides that’s the wrong decision. He doesn’t want to decide that. He wants you—us—to succeed.

Accurate, Maateo returned, sending that to them all. I doubt your ability to bring this off, Captain, but Sevastien is correct: now that we’ve arrived at this rather remarkable moment, I would like you to succeed and I’ll help you succeed. He attached an “all friends here” icon, adding a wry tinge to that communication.

Syova sent, just to Ila, That will probably be the truth. If he’d decided to move hard against us, we’d know it: Kebetsarin would have locked all of us out of command access, Maateo would take command, and I can’t even guess what Desya might be doing, but she would do it with extreme efficiency.

The blinking stopped. Chatham sent, to Maateo and Syova as well as Ila, The only tactical choice we now possess is to prove we’re everyone’s right decision.

That, as far as Syova could tell, was true. If Chatham sent any other message just to Ila, Syova couldn’t tell and it probably didn’t matter. He hoped it didn’t matter.

The main bridge door slid open and Chatham stepped in, imperturbable as ever. His cool gaze flicked across the bridge, noting everything and everyone.

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