Taken by the Commander by Stella Rising

Author:Stella Rising [Rising, Stella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2019-11-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Ondru

Never in my life have I ever considered the idea of sending my soldiers into battle without standing with them on the front line. I’m a soldier too. Most commanders might stay in the safety of a fortified op center, but I have to be there.

Watching Lizette sleep, memorizing her beauty in fine detail, I understand why one might balk at the idea of charging headfirst into the fray. Her lip hangs open just a little as she sleeps; her chest rises and falls peacefully. Her hair’s a bit of a mess but I like it that way; it makes her look real, not like the spoiled princess I first met on Nox’s ship.

A part of me would love to stay here and worship her body for the entire day. My officers know the plan. Dakara is a capable second-in-command. They could succeed without me. If they knew what Lizette meant to me, they might even sympathize with my desire to be with her—but I can’t watch them go and not be there. Not even for her.

That’s why I have every intention of winning today and coming home to celebrate. If she sleeps long enough, she may not even know I was ever gone. Our objective isn’t to engage in a long, drawn-out fight—it’s supposed to be a quick and complete route.

I debate waking her to say goodbye, to feed her a little breakfast, but then she’d be up worrying. Better to let her rest. I don my armor as quietly as possible and go.

Finding the conference room full, brimming with nervous chatter, I march in with purpose, hoping to convey my confidence. Greeting the soldiers with quick nods, the assembly quiets down by the time I reach the audience’s center. Surrounding me are chief officers, cruiser captains, fighter pilots, emplacement gunners, and breach teams. Many are here in person, but some appear as holograms. They all wait for me to begin.

“Good morning. Today we’re going to deal the Ikrassian Consortium the hardest punch they’ve ever felt. They’re not going to know what hit them, and after today they will fear us.”

Men and women shout and cheer; I give them a minute to pump themselves up, then continue.

“Thanks to the work of our advance scouts over the last few weeks, we know where to find Archon Noximus Ikras and his fleet. By the end of the day, all that’s left of them will be debris scattered in space. Nox’s death will send the message that we are stronger than they are.”

My people shout again, everyone rising to their feet.

“We are stronger because of our people! We do this not for power or wealth, but for freedom! And as long as people want to be free, our Resistance will never die!”

Cheers thunder throughout the room.

“Today we have an insurmountable advantage. They have no idea we’re coming. There will be no survivors, we are not taking prisoners. Does anyone have a problem with that?”

Laughter and shaking heads.

“Good. Do your part and we will win the day.

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