Spinward Fringe Broadcast 14 by Randolph Lalonde

Author:Randolph Lalonde [lalonde, Randolph]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-988175-21-8
Publisher: Randolph Lalonde

Twenty-One

The Sympathy Owed

* * *

The latest report from the battle in Tamber Orbit was complex, many-faceted but Admiral Scanlon saw stories in the raw data and holographic scans as she reviewed them in the Tactical Assessment Room. It was large, round, with no features other than its tall shape and metal sides. The lights were only bright enough so people weren't bumping into each other.

Scanlon had the prized centre spot in the space, where holograms from every situation she was following surrounded her in a tall circle. Two of her Rear Admirals assessed data from the opposite side, orbited by holograms of their own. "The data link is very clear, very quick considering how much noise the interdiction systems around Tamber are generating," said Rear Admiral Iaffer. He was smart, which didn't make him as rare as the kindness he showed the people who were in debt to him. There were thousands, and he made sure they had what they needed even if they were a little late with their payments. He could afford it, being one of the wealthiest men in the fleet. "I'm wondering: do you think there would be any strategic value to sending Data Package Zero to our forces in the Haven System?"

Instead of dismissing the idea out of hand, Scanlon gave it some thought as she reviewed the status of the ships around Tamber. The Pelican was gone. It managed to escape moments before the net of interdiction signals fell around Kambis and its moons. That meant that no matter what happened over the next day, there would be a resistance group with leaders out there. Citizens who watched their home get invaded, then ravaged during their rescue. Citizens who didn't have a chance to see the benefits of life with the Order of Eden. It took time to find prosperity unless you joined as a member of the military or administration branches, so none of them had a chance to see how civilized the lifestyle could be. Many of the people aboard the Pelican would become fighters for Haven, and one of the most frightening things about Haven Fleet, at least to Scanlon, was their ability to train people quickly. The Pelican was an outstanding question that made her brain itch.

Wheeler had been captured, however, and that was good news. The Order promised a rescue in exchange for whatever plan he had for the leadership of Haven Fleet, and he kept reassuring them that he had one. It was easy to dismiss Wheeler's hate of Freeground, Ayan, Jacob, Minh-Chu, and the rest of the people who served aboard the First Light as madness. The man was devious despite his paranoia and overconfidence, though. If getting captured was part of his plan, then Admiral Scanlon didn't object. Haven Fleet wouldn't get any valuable information out of him, and if Wheeler actually did have a plan that would harm several of the leaders in Haven Fleet then she would learn something from him by watching it play out.

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