Scout Pilot Of the Free Union by Will Macmillan Jones

Author:Will Macmillan Jones [Jones, Will Macmillan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Kite Publishing Ltd
Published: 2018-06-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter six

Secret Places

Military officers seem to have a thing about chairs; or at least the chairs reserved for visitors to their lairs. Offices. Whatever. The chairs should be hard, unwelcoming, and designed to let you know that if you are occupying one – especially in a corridor outside a door – that the unpleasant experience you are currently enduring is going to be pleasant compared to what will happen to you when you enter the demesne of your superior. Maybe my experience is atypical – but somehow I rather doubt it.

The Reconnaissance Unit Star Commander certainly subscribed to this practice. Sitting outside his office gave me ample time to reflect upon this and I would have preferred to remain outside, frankly. However, such was not to be my fate. The door opened and I was summoned to what I was already fearing was just the latest attempt to send me to my doom.

“Ah, Captain Russell. Come in and sit down.”

I saluted, and sat in front of the large, but somewhat battered desk. The Commander smiled at me, which I considered a particularly bad sign. “I have now had time to review the report you filed after your technical problems interfered with your last mission.”

No reply seemed to be required, so I made none.

“This base you have uncovered is actually most interesting to Star Base Command. I have circulated the information you were able to glean, in particular the presence there of the Imperium’s Colonel Starker. Whatever he is doing is of great interest to us, as his brief is to destabilise The Free Union in any way that he can.”

Personally, looking at the state of The Free Union’s politics and alliances, I thought he was probably doing a good job for the Imperium but thought it best not to say so.

“Fleet Command has instructed the Reconnaissance Unit to make enquiries and investigations into this unknown base. The planetary system is close to our borders although not on major trade routes. Traffic can be disguised by that freighter maintenance base. It is discreet, easy of access and largely disregarded. Starker could be hatching any mischief there. We need to know more.”

Again, no reply seemed to be appropriate at this point.

“Star Fleet has authorised me to give you a Commendation for your actions in locating and identifying this new threat to our security.”

Oh good. I looked at the Commander with horror. Cosmic balance required that such praise was bound to be followed by something equally awful. I was not to be disappointed.

“I have therefore created a small task force. It will consist of a StarDestroyer and three frigates. And you.”

A sudden hope sprang in my breast, as the poets say. “Sir, the Reconnaissance Unit doesn’t have any StarDestroyers or frigates!”

“No, we don’t. But they have been assigned to us for the duration of this mission.” The Commander stood up, so protocol insisted that I could not stay slumped in the chair, as I would have preferred. “Come with me.”

The Commander led the way out of his office and along the corridor to a briefing room.

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