Guerrilla
Page 18
“The mission plan that Lieutenant Warden and I are proposing is that we take the Ascendant into enemy territory, specifically Newpet. The primary objective would be reconnaissance, the secondary objective would be to disrupt their supply lines,” said Cohen.
“We would need a significant Marine presence to repel boarders and carry out ground reconnaissance as well as assault targets of opportunity,” Warden added.
Staines coughed and sat back in his chair, clearly unhappy that such a proposal had been aired in open council, rather than first being run past him or even Captain Atticus.
“We need to know what motivates the enemy, Sir,” said Cohen, neatly deflecting attention away from Warden, “if there are as many of them as our population growth projections suggest, this won’t be their only fleet, and New Bristol won’t be the only colony under threat. This could be a multi-world invasion scenario.”
That made everyone sit up, and now Staines frowned at both Cohen and Warden.
“I’m not keen to split my command, Vice Admiral, but I must agree with Warden and Cohen,” said Atticus, “we need to know, one way or the other, what’s going on. I support their plan in principle and, with your permission, and after we hash out some details, of course, I will put forward the mission to General Bonneville for his approval.”
Staines nodded. General Bonneville outranked him and Atticus had just forced his hand by, as was proper, requesting his approval of the mission. The Marine officer would be submitting a report to headquarters and, if Staines was opposed, the general could still approach the Admiralty with it.
He narrowed his eyes, wondering if the Captain, who he was meeting for the first time, wasn’t a far shrewder political operator than his rank and bluff honesty suggested.
“I certainly agree that reconnaissance is going to be vital,” said Staines cautiously, “and I too am not keen to split my command. Nor am I entirely sure we should reduce the fighting capacity of our fleet around New Bristol at this stage. Governor Denmead is responsible for the colony and its citizens so I would like to hear her thoughts before we proceed. Governor, do you support this proposal, given the danger that New Bristol might still face?”
Denmead had been looking down at her data slate, apparently distracted. Now she focussed her attention on the Vice Admiral, pausing to phrase her next sentence carefully.
“As I told my councillors, every battle is merely a prelude to negotiation. We have to know who we’re talking to and what they want. The Deathless launched an unprovoked attack on a peaceful colony; it’s time to find out why.”
Thank you for Reading
Thank you for reading Guerrilla, Book Two in the Royal Marine Space Commando trilogy. We hope you enjoyed the book and that you’re looking forward to the next entry in the series, Ascendant.
It would help us immensely if you would leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads, or even tell a friend you think would enjoy it.
In Ascendant, Lieutenant Warden will venture out into enemy territory to learn more about The Deathless and their goals.
Also by James Evans and Jon Evans
Also by James Evans
James is writing the Vensille Saga, an epic fantasy tale that begins with A Gathering of Fools and will continue with A Gathering of Prices, due for release later this year.
A Gathering of Fools
Marrinek has fought his last war. Once an officer in the Imperial Army, he has been betrayed, captured and named traitor. His future now holds only imprisonment and death - but that doesn’t stop him dreaming of revenge.
Krant lives a clerk’s life of paperwork and boredom until a chance meeting with an Imperial courier rips his world apart and sets him on a new course. Sent abroad with only the mysterious Gavelis for company, Krant faces an impossible task with no hope of success.
For two years, Adrava has hidden from her husband's enemies. But her refuge is no longer safe and she must venture forth to seek justice at the end of a blade.
In Vensille they gather, fools seeking shelter from a storm that threatens to drown the city in blood and fire.
Also by Jon Evans
Jon is concentrating on the Royal Marine Commando series for the time being but is also writing a fantasy series. The Edrin Loft Mysteries follow the adventures of Edrin Loft, Watch Captain of the Thieftakers Watch House.
You can read the first book The Mutilated Merchant now.
The Mutilated Merchant
Can the first detective in Kalider find the man who murdered a seemingly innocent shopkeeper?
Edrin Loft has just been promoted to Captain and been assigned command of the notorious Old Gate Watch House and its infamous collection of personnel. Their moniker? The Thieftakers. Their job? Pursuing the dregs of society through the meanest streets of Kalider, the capital of Denethria, the once pre-eminent country of the Shattered Empire.
But Loft is a new breed of Watch officer. He wants to modernise the Watch using reason and science to identify criminals and bring them to justice. His last investigation should have proved his methods work but politically, it was a disaster. The commanders of the watch have found a solution to deal with this troublesome young officer with no grasp of politics. They reward him with a promotion and a dead end command over the most disruptive members of the Watch, putting him firmly on the sidelines, away from the most prestigious Watch Houses and the most important citizens. After all, what harm could he possibly do in charge of the recalcitrant rabble that comprises The Thieftakers?
Out of sight and out of mind was certainly their intention but perhaps they've handed him the only Watch House in the city with officers capable of applying his methods. The men and women of The Thieftakers are tough, with little to lose and even less regard for the preening ways of their colleagues at other Watch Houses. Best of all, they have more experience pursuing the most dangerous and cunning criminals, in the deadliest parts of Kalider, than any other members of the Watch.
Within days of taking over his new command, Captain Loft is given the ideal case to test his methods. A local spice merchant, murdered in the most horrific fashion and with no obvious culprit. Can The Thieftakers rise to the occasion and catch this brutal killer before the trail goes cold or worse, he kills again? Loft's methods are completely out of Sergeant Gurnt's comfort zone. She's a veteran of the Watch and sceptical about his methods. Can he prove his ideas work and win her over?
About The Authors James Evans
James has published the first book of his Vensille Saga and is working on the second, as well as a number of other projects. At the same time, he is working on follow-up books in the RMSC series with his brother Jon.
You can join James’s mailing list to keep track of the upcoming releases, visit his website or follow him on social media.
jamesevansbooks.co.uk
About The Authors Jon Evans
Jon is a new sci-fi author & fantasy author, whose first book, The Mutilated Merchant is awaiting it’s sequel. He lives and works in Cardiff. He has some other projects waiting in the wings, once the RMSC series takes shape.
You can follow Jon’s Facebook page, you’ll be able to find out more about the RMSC series and the upcoming sequel, Ascendant.
You can join his mailing list to keep track of the upcoming release, or follow us on Facebook.
jonevansbooks.com