Odysseus Ascendant by Evan Currie

Author:Evan Currie [Currie, Evan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781503901070
Publisher: 47North
Published: 2018-05-07T18:30:00+00:00

Jesan glowered at the screen when it cleared to show Navarch Misrem falling heavily into her seat.

“What just happened?!” he snarled.

“You likely know more than I,” she said wearily, “but at a guess I would say that we entered the kill zone of a hastily prepared minefield.”

“Hastily prepared? Why do you think that?” Jesan asked, unbelieving.

“Simply? Because we’ve only lost four ships, My Lord,” she answered succinctly. “Had they had time to lay this properly, we could have lost ten percent of our forces instead of less than one. The Oathers and their allies are giving notice here, My Lord.”

“I will see this ‘notice’ of theirs shoved deeply up their . . .”

“Peace, My Lord.” Misrem held up a hand. “I agree. For the moment, however, we must deal with the current issue. We should scan the local area intently, identify any more weapons, and eliminate them.”

Jesan took a breath. “Of course. Consider the orders issued.”

“Very well, My Lord. I will return to my work,” she said before bowing her head. “My apologies for issuing fleet commands, My Lord. It was not my place.”

Jesan settled back, looking at her over the screen intently for a moment before he suddenly waved a hand idly. “Please, Navarch. That is of no matter. You were quite correct in this instance. You have my gratitude.”

He smiled thinly, leaving no doubt between them that his gratitude was entirely dependent on her success. Had she overstepped her bounds to such a degree and been wrong, that would have been a very different story with a much uglier outcome for the navarch.

“Thank you for your understanding, My Lord.” Misrem bowed her head again. “I live to serve.”

Jesan nodded, dismissing her but staring at the blank screen for some time after it had gone dark.

Misrem, he decided, was an ambitious and intelligent woman. Despite her previous failures, his impression and her record said that failing was something she was largely unfamiliar with. She could be a valuable ally, he decided. For a time, at least. Eventually, if she were permitted to gain sufficient power, he had no doubt that she would be far more of a deficit than an asset.

I believe I will keep this one close, for a time, Jesan decided.

Once this operation was complete, he would have uses for a disposable asset like her.

He always had uses for disposable assets.

Jesan got up and walked across the command deck as the computers began lighting up with detections and opening fire on the destructive little annoyances that lay in their path.

“Proceed ahead,” he ordered. “Slowly, all scanners active. Find and clear those things from my space.”

“Yes, My Lord,” the commander answered. “All ships, ahead slow. Scan and destroy targets as they are detected.”

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