The Crystal Variation by Sharon Lee; Steve Miller

Author:Sharon Lee; Steve Miller
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Assassins, Space Opera, General, Science Fiction, Adventure, Liaden Universe (Imaginary Place), Fiction
ISBN: 9781439134634
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2011-09-05T04:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Vanehald

“Inspection?” Commander Gorriti laughed. “What use an inspection, Captain? We’re pulling back. Tomorrow, I will be gone.”

Jela considered the officer thoughtfully. A natural human, with a foolish face and a uniform far too fancy for his post. A show-soldier, he expected, which was poor judgment on someone’s part. He supposed that no one of this man’s commanders had taken the time to research Vanehald, and so learn that this wasteball, as Cantra had aptly termed it from orbit, occupied a pivotal place in the history of the First Phase. One of the last battles of the First Phase had been fought at Vanehald. The planet, once populous, was now very nearly deserted, largely due to the damage done to it during that battle. A few mining bases, Jela thought, a lower tier spaceport, a First Phase fort—what could possibly be here worth protecting? And so they had assigned this . . . popinjay . . . to command the garrison, never thinking that perhaps what had been strategic once might well come into play again.

“You’re pulling out tomorrow?” he asked Gorriti, who inclined his head and touched the front pocket of his shirt.

“Indeed, Captain,” he said with barely concealed delight. “I am pulling out tomorrow. My orders are quite plain.”

“What about transport for your troops?”

“I ordered transport,” the officer said with a shrug of one elegantly clad shoulder. “That it hasn’t arrived is beyond my control. My orders are clear.” Again, he touched his pocket.

Jela frowned. “You’d abandon your troops?” he asked, unwilling to believe that even a fool and a thorough-going incompetent would do such a thing.

Another shrug. “When the transport arrives, my troops will follow.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an orders case, which he unfolded, showing Jela the authenticity of it, with its seals and ribbons straight from High Command.

“I am to report to Daelmere, departing tomorrow with as many of my troop as I am able to bring.”

And how many would that be, Jela wondered, having seen the commander’s craft on the apron when they came in. Perhaps a half-dozen M Series soldiers might be crammed into that tiny craft with their commander, or three of the X Strain. Not enough to matter, even if he bothered to take such a guard with him.

“What about the civilians?” Jela asked. “It’s our duty—”

“Vanehald never had many civilians, and those that were here have mostly fled, saving a few miners and eccentrics,” the man said unconcernedly.

“The strategic placement—” Jela began, and was cut off by laughter.

“Strategic placement! Well.” Gorriti wiped his eyes. “Even supposing it had any, my orders remain unequivocal, and I will tell you, Captain, that I am not one of those who feel we must hold the Arm at any cost!”

Jela took a hard breath and kept a firm grip on his temper. “I’ll still need to inspect your defenses,” he said, evenly, that being the reason for his visit, according to the papers Cantra had produced for him. Commander Gorriti waved an unconcerned hand.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.