The Rise of the Confederation: (Book Two of The McKinnah Chronicles) by C. J. Klinger

Author:C. J. Klinger [Klinger, C. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-05T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 34

Inner planet patrol, Sigma Dragonis system

Captain Jonathon James McKinnah Jr., “Jimmy” to his friends, came awake with a start. He had been dreaming about his summer as a ten-year-old sailing on the McKinnah clanboat. His uncle, Major McKinnah had offered to let him take the helm with the stern warning not to hit any rocks. He wasn’t sure what woke him, and he was about to settle back in his bunk when his com unit barked, “Captain to the bridge.”

“On my way. Status report,” he barked.

“The Admiral has ordered a bridge conference, sir.” The officer of the deck responded, Ensign Edelson if Jimmy remembered the roster correctly.

“I asked for a status report, Ensign,” Jimmy reminded the officer.

“Yes sir, all clear, sir. No threats on the board, sir,” the addled young officer responded.

Jimmy buttoned his tunic thinking, I still have work to do training these young officers to listen before answering. At twenty-six, Jimmy McKinnah was an old man in the new Confederation Space Force. He had entered the space academy at Gruenwald at age sixteen and graduated as a junior grade officer at age twenty. After six years he was a seasoned spaceship captain, respected by his peers and subordinates and considered flag officer material by his superiors. The fact that he was the son of the Confederation’s highest-ranking officer bore some weight on their opinion, but in the life or death condition of space warfare, how an officer conducted himself in combat was far more important than who he knew or who he was related to. In two engagements with the Muhyba, Captain McKinnah had clearly demonstrated his leadership ability.

“Captain is on the deck,” announced one of the men on watch. Ensign Edelson, a petite woman from the planet Romano attempted to hand the Talo-key to her captain, giving him control of the FTL and fire-control systems, but he held up his hand and said, “Remain on the bridge, Ensign until I complete the conference call. What time is it scheduled?”

“When all captains have reported in, sir,” the Ensign said, putting the Talo-key back in her tunic pocket.

Jimmy grabbed a cup of hot tea and sat down in the small halo-com cubicle next to the bridge. “Talo, connect me to the conference.”

“You are connected, Captain McKinnah.” The shipboard Talo responded.

“Good morning, Gentlemen,” a holographic image of Admiral Hollister said amiably.

A round of responses indicated all ships had reported in. The admiral wasted no time in getting to the point of the meeting. “Our Intelligence Division has confirmed the next likely Muhyba target is Romano.” The admiral paused and looked to his left. “Captain Rugero is going to give you the details and then we will discuss strategy.”

The holographic image morphed into a younger, angular-faced officer with the distinctive Borge patch on his shoulder epaulets. Captain Rugero didn’t bother with amenities. “Command Central has advised us the scientists at Gruenwald have detected a large fleet of Muhyba ships entering hyperspace.” He paused for just a second and added, “And

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