Countdown, John Walker [online e book reader txt] 📗

he might have at his disposal. Fact is, he may have another trick up his sleeve.”

“I get the impression,” Noah said, “that this attack of his wasn’t in the cards.”

“No.” Petrova shook his head. “We never discussed assaulting any location in the frontier with the fleet. All conflicts were supposed to take place with allied assets. In other words, those ships were meant to keep Whitaker safe, not blast anyone. He must’ve thought he had it in the bag.”

“He almost did.” A woman called out as she approached. “Eliza Leavis, Captain.” She shook Noah’s hand. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

Noah inclined his head. “Likewise.”

“We have prisoners,” Eliza said. “They’ve confirmed my suspicions. Whitaker thought he could wipe this place out, grab the data, and ensure no one ever found out about his discoveries. By and large, that was a good idea. He didn’t count on MerCon showing up. Or Loch for that matter… though apparently, the pirate didn’t factor in.”

“How’re we going to find him?” Noah looked between the two spies. “I’m guessing you guys have a plan about that.”

“Well…” Eliza cleared her throat. “Not entirely. Right now, we’re worried about the ervas. Ensuring all governments play together is our primary concern. Everything else is secondary. Including that traitor asshole. But don’t worry, we’ll get him soon enough. All that being said, we should get to work. I believe the Marshal is waiting.”

“Of course.” Noah smirked. “Sorry about the impromptu meeting.”

“Not at all.” Eliza gently took his arm, walking with him into the conference room. “I’d be just as curious if I was you. We’ve asked a lot of you, indirectly and otherwise. You and your crew have performed above and beyond the call of duty. Let me be the first to congratulate you on that.”

“Most of it was just duty,” Noah said. “The rest, survival.”

“Both of those make for solid officers,” Eliza replied. She let him go as they entered the room.

Commodore Alden nodded to him as he entered, but the person he most wanted to see lit up as their eyes met.

“Noah!” Alexander stood, hurrying over to the man. They embraced. “Are you a sight for sore eyes! God, I’m glad you’re okay.”

“You too!” Noah leaned back to look his friend in the face. “You look tired, man. You’ve had a time of it, I heard.”

“Yeah, it’s been more adventure than I’ve had in a while. But you… you’ve been through hell and back. You’ll have to tell me about it when this is over.”

“We’ve got a lot to catch up on.” Noah joined him at the table, sitting to his right. “So… what’s the deal?”

“Are we all here?” Alexander looked around. “I think we’re missing someone.”

“Sorry!” Oliver Peck shouted as he hurried into the room. “This ship’s confusing, sir. Major Peck reporting. My apologies.”

“No problem, son.” Alexander motioned. “Have a seat.” He stood. “As you all know, we’ve had a lot of drama over in the Confed military. That’s calming down now that we’ve communicated with HQ and made some things clear. Whitaker has been removed as marshal, and I am reinstated.”

“That’s great news,” Noah said. “Does that mean we’ll get all the reinforcements we need?”

“I’m… getting to that.” Alexander cleared his throat before going on. “One problem we’re facing is that roughly a quarter of our fleet was in hyperspace during the transition of power to me. That means a lot of ships aren’t aware of the situation yet. By the time they emerge, find out, and can relocate, it may be a few more days than we’d like.

“Which is a logistics problem but one we should be aware of. They’ll get word soon enough and we can go from there. However, this does leave a fairly sizable force we can call upon. I’m sure the military men in this room already know what I’m going to say next about allocation of forces.”

“Politicians,” Noah said. “They’re worried about sending everything and leaving no defense.”

“Correct.” Alexander nodded. “And I don’t blame them. So I’m deploying our fleet to ensure the core worlds are defended. All militias and system security forces have been placed on full alert. These are precautions. After speaking with Commodore Alden here, I don’t believe they will be needed.”

“Which means,” Alden said, “our people are likely to take the full brunt of the invasion.”

“However,” Alexander continued, “the good news is that Lieutenant Dora Collins flew a mission that granted us valuable intelligence. We know where the ervas will be coming from and if they attack the nearest systems, those are somewhat isolated. An operation is already underway to evacuate the civilians in the colonies in those areas.”

“That sounds like a lot of people,” Petrova said. “How long will it take?”

“A few days,” Alden replied. “We’re moving swiftly. Some of them have chosen to join the militia rather than leave though. Our forces are bolstered… even if they won’t necessarily help in a straight up fight.”

“Exactly.” Alexander sighed. “On the bright side, we’ve narrowed down some first targets.” He brought a system map up on a wall screen. “These three places are most likely to be hit. They were selected with the help of the ervas prisoner we have working with us. He claimed ether production sites would be favored.”

“They worship it,” Petrova said. “So to speak.”

“Have they moved yet?” Noah asked. “Do we know?”

“We haven’t received word,” Alden answered, “though we’re in close contact with them… as close as we can be.”

“What about mustered Gold Empire forces?” Oliver spoke up. “Are they ready to deploy against the enemy?”

Alden nodded. “The fleet has fallen completely under my command, and we’re set to go. I hesitate to deploy them to those places without knowing what we’re about to do, though.” He turned to Alexander. “Which leads me to a question. When can