Critical Position by MJ Blehart

Author:MJ Blehart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi, science fiction, space opera, sci-fantasy, alien invasion, adventure
Publisher: Argent Hedgehog Press
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“How do we know you didn’t just abandon your post and flee?”

Lt. Commander Solman Dirn needed every bit of self-control he possessed not to lose his temper. “With all due respect, sir, you have seen my flight recorder. I was in the thick of that battle and did not jump out until it was evident there was no hope. Further, one of the last surviving captains ordered a general retreat.”

“You are the only survivor, Commander,” the commodore addressed him. “And why is that?”

“Are you kidding me?” Dirn lost control. “You’ve read my report; you have seen the flight recording. Did you take the time to look at my poor fighter? Did you notice that I even scored a kill before I jumped out? For the love of the starry universe, I did my duty and I barely got away! I am a damned fine pilot, and I am beyond displeased at what happened to the rest of my squadron, let alone the battlefleet. But don’t you dare question my dedication, my duty, or the truth right here in front of you!”

The five officers questioning Dirn fell silent. He was exhausted. He had not slept in almost five days, he had maxed out on stimulants, and he was out of patience. He was fortunate to be unhurt - his fighter had not been as lucky. One of the unfamiliar enemy craft had scored a hit and disintegrated the fighter’s tail, only just missing the main engines.

Dirn had nearly lost control of his fighter on the jump into hyperspace.

“You are on dangerous ground, Commander,” one of the two captains finally spoke. “You should watch your tone.”

Dirn was about to swear at her when someone behind him spoke.

“That’s quite enough,” the soft, yet authoritative voice toned. “This tribunal is dismissed.”

“Admiral,” began the lone commander of the five.

“I said that’s enough.”

Dirn turned, disbelieving. Sure enough, he was looking at the Flag Admiral, military commander-in-chief of the Nebula Conglomerate StarForce.

“We were just following procedure,” stated the second commodore, defensively.

“And I see from that it may be time for procedure to change,” remarked the flag admiral. “This tribunal is at an end and you are dismissed.”

Without another word, the five officers arose, then left the observation suite.

Dirn had managed to reach the pre-programmed coordinates his hyperdrive had taken him to. There, he found the Third StarForce Fleet gathered, and he had been directed to land on the supercarrier, Pulsar.

There were thirteen fleets in the StarForce - one for each system. As such, they varied in size and make-up, but each had a supercarrier attached to it.

There were thirteen fleet admirals, who had anywhere from two to seven commodores beneath them, able to take out battle groups.

Dirn’s squadron had been part of a battle group from the fifth fleet. He was unfamiliar with the third fleet, and its ships and officers, but it was where he had found shelter, so he landed his wounded fighter.

Almost immediately, Dirn had been treated with suspicion. Why had nobody heard

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