Orphan Brigade by Henry V. O'Neil

Author:Henry V. O'Neil
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

“Broadcast to begin in three, two —­” The technician mouthed the word “one,” then pointed his index finger directly at Olech. The Chairman of the Emergency Senate was seated behind an impressive wooden desk in a sound stage at Unity that was made up to look like his office. He wore a dark gray tunic with a high collar, and his award for being one of the Unwavering stood out prominently.

“Hello, and greetings from Earth. I apologize for the unscheduled nature of this address, but I have important news that I would like to share with all of you.” Olech had rehearsed the words several times, and experts on his staff had coached him on his facial expression. His graying hair complemented a businesslike demeanor that was intentionally tinged with subdued cheerfulness.

“Few experiences are happier than the moment when one of our many heroes returns from military ser­vice. With that said, it has recently come to my attention that a considerable number of enlistments are being extended in the war zone, owing to concerns about possible exposure to the vectors of dangerous illnesses. I personally assure you that the veterans in question are healthy and that they are receiving the attention of our top medical experts. With that said, I must side with the commanders in the field in their decision to err on the side of caution, and to keep those troops in the war zone until a definite conclusion can be reached regarding the potential for carrying foreign pathogens to the settled planets.

“Every day of this conflict our brave Forcemembers encounter environments that are utterly alien to human experience. Rather than risk transmitting a completely foreign virus, bug, or biological agent to the settled worlds, Force commanders have established camps on conquered habitable planets for the quarantined veterans.

“Wartime security measures prevent me from disclosing specific locations, but these camps are located on the most desirable of the Habs that have been won for humanity by the blood and sacrifice of your sons and daughters. That was by design, and I laud the cooperation of the planetary councils, the rest of the Emergency Senate, and the highest command levels of our Human Defense Force in providing these troops with such an excellent environment.

“Sadly, we have no idea how long it may take to clear these brave veterans to return home. Although this is highly unlikely, it is possible that they may never be able to return. And that is why it was vital to place them on resource-­rich planets that will also serve as admirable locations for the founding of new colonies. Words cannot express my humble gratitude for the selfless fashion in which our planetary governments gave up their claims to the bountiful resources of those planets, all in order to give these potential colonies every chance of long-­term success.

“As Chairman of the Emergency Senate and the commander in chief of all our forces, I feel it is my duty to assist in this noble enterprise. And so

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