Prince Peacemaker (The Prince of Britannia Saga Book 4) by Fred Hughes

Author:Fred Hughes [Hughes, Fred]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Theogony Books
Published: 2023-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11: When Winning is Really Losing

July 1042

Hazard had risen early and gone to work in his office at King Manor. He sat behind his desk, a broad grin on his face. It was good to be home, and the private time he’d spent with Hiroko the previous night had been intense.

He looked up as the door to his office opened, and his staff entered. Glancing at the clock, Hazard realized it was seven o’clock, and he’d lost track of time. There was a standing rule that when he was in his office, he was not to be disturbed until seven, unless it was an emergency.

“Everyone take a seat,” Hazard told his team. “We have a lot to do, and there are people in danger depending on us.”

All the members of his core team were present, and he’d depend heavily upon them. Hazard considered himself a good fleet officer, and a pretty good tactician when it came to fighting space combat, but this situation was going to consist mainly of ground combat operations. Hazard was glad to have Gunner Sondheim and Gunnery Sergeants Rodriguez and Baumgardner available to help him plan.

“Okay, Gunner,” Hazard said to his friend, “this is your area of expertise. I’m sure an old Marine Recon veteran like yourself must know of a dozen ways for us to get the hostages out.”

“The first thing we have to do, my prince, is to define the mission,” Mike told his boss. “And the simpler the mission, the easier it’ll be to plan and execute it. Is it a hostage rescue, or are we putting down a rebellion? Or both?” the Marine asked.

“I only want to concentrate on hostage rescue,” Hazard stated. “Unless Mother overrules me, we won’t be attempting to quell a rebellion.”

That statement elicited surprised looks from the members of the team. In the history of the Empire, no star system had ever left. “I don’t understand why you all look so surprised. Would you want to live in an Empire that forces people to be a part of it?” Hazard asked. Then he turned cynical. “Besides, they’ve been a pimple on the Empire’s butt since becoming a member system. We’ve always invested more in the KwaZulu system than we’ve ever seen in returns, and I’m not just talking about money; I’m talking about everything. I’d wager you couldn’t fill up the local football stadium with the number of Zulus who died in the war against the Swarm.”

Because they were meeting at King Manor, Phyllis Warren had attended. The doctor was one of the original members of Team Hazard but lately hadn’t been involved in many meetings since her priority was taking care of Hiroko and young Prince Edward. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you so disrespectful, Hazard,” the doctor scolded the prince.

Hazard shrugged his shoulders. “I just don’t have any use for people who shirk their obligations.”

Mike Sondheim changed the subject. “The Marines have an operational plan we should be able to adapt to the situation.”

“Give me a high-level overview of it, Mike,” Hazard replied.

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