Ixan Legacy Box Set by Scott Bartlett

Author:Scott Bartlett [Bartlett, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mirth Publishing
Published: 2019-03-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

A Calculated Risk

Husher was asleep when his com emitted a high-pitched beeping from near his head, indicating a priority message. Snatching it up, he saw it was from his XO. The interruption to his rest wasn’t exactly welcome, but at least he knew that Fesky wasn’t likely to abuse her ability to send him urgent messages.

She was in the command seat right now, but he wanted full details on this right away. So he called her.

“Fesky,” he said when she answered. “You have something for me?”

“A com drone just came through the darkgate from Alder,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “The neighboring system is under attack from the Progenitors. The system’s current defenders are mostly Quatro ships, and according to the transmission they should be able to handle it.”

“Right.” It was protocol during wartime for systems under attack to notify nearby systems, even when an emergency hadn’t been declared. “I’m coming to the CIC.”

“Captain,” Fesky said. “Are you planning to take us there?”

“Yes.”

“But we’ve been assigned to Yclept.”

“We’ll leave our battle group here. But the Vesta’s going. This is important.”

“You just got back into the IU’s good graces, Captain. Is it wise to defy them again, so soon after the president granted you a pardon?”

Husher grimaced. “Who are you, Kaboh?”

“Well, with him gone, there aren’t many left willing to question you to your face.”

“I’m not getting into the details of this over com,” he said. “I won’t take the chance, however small, that a Progenitor agent is listening in. But you already know why I’m taking us to Alder. Do you really think we should let this opportunity pass us by?”

“No,” Fesky admitted. “But someone has to play the part of Kaboh, now that Kaboh’s decided he can’t be a part of what we do, here. If that means playing devil’s advocate to keep you on your toes, then it’s devil’s advocate I’ll play.”

“Okay, Fesky. You do you.” He ended the transmission and opened the wardrobe, where several changes of uniform hung, already neatly pressed. Having finally tired of Fesky’s constant admonishments about his appearance, he carved out an hour or so each week to iron several changes of uniform, to make sure he always had one ready to go.

“Have the battle group captains been notified of our plans?” he asked as soon as the CIC hatch slid open to admit him.

“They have,” Fesky said, rising from the command seat.

“Did they raise any concerns?”

“No, sir. I’m sure by now they know better than to interrupt you while you’re going against Command’s orders.”

Husher glanced at his XO askance as he settled into his seat and she settled into hers. Talking so frankly about his decision to transition into Alder despite what the IU wanted…well, it was unorthodox, much like his decision to defy the IU.

I’m sure Fesky knows what she’s doing. There’s no hiding it from the crew that we’re going off-script. Might as well make light of it, I guess, and relieve some of the tension.

“What about Governor Russell?” he asked.

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