“It’s in the middle of nowhere.”
“Our major bases are to be at Ragnarok, Spitfire and Hydra,” Harper said, nodding. “Our efforts must be forcued there, which means that our ability to support you long-term is likely to be limited. We can manage one big convoy of materials and personnel, but the rest is up to you.”
“Or, Captain, you could refuse my offer, and likely end up in Public Relations, touring schools and the like. Of course, the Senate remains an option.”
“And my crew?”
“Scattered across the galaxy, as Lieutenant Caine suggested.”
Marshall looked out over the window, back at the crash site again. Caine walked up to his side, her arm on his shoulder, and followed his gaze, while the others waited at the far side of the room.
“We still have a job to do, Danny. We can do it out there.”
“We?” he asked.
“I’ll stick while you do. You need someone to keep you on your toes.”
He smiled, then said, “I’ll want Ensign Cooper to command my Espatiers when he gets back. He’ll likely want to train them himself.”
Harper looked at Olongo, then said, “We’ll arrange it. A training command at Ragnarok, attached to you. You can bring them in when they are ready.”
“And Alamo needs to be loaded with everything it needs. Nothing left out. Fighters, shuttles, the works. A full science team, as well.”
“Personnel is your business, Captain.”
“In that case, I agree.”
“Splendid,” Olongo said, rising to his feet. “I’ll cut the orders immediately. Alamo can shape for the hendecaspace point as soon as the funeral services are completed…”
“Immediately,” Marshall said. “They were our people. We'll handle their burial.”
“As you wish.” He smiled, then said, “I won’t ask you to shake my hand. I will simply wish you the best of luck in your new assignment.”
The two politicians walked out of the room, and Caine said, “Orders, sir?”
“Are there any leave facilities on Ragnarok?”
“Last I heard, some outfit was going bust trying to set up adventure holidays out there,” Logan volunteered.
“They're about to catch a break. Have them all booked for us. We’re going to get leave, even if it is out on the wild frontier.”
“Don't tell the Rockies that's what you think of them,” Orlova said.
With a smile, Marshall added, “Then we’re going to get Alamo ready for a cruise, and go back out again. Let’s see what’s out there.”
He looked out at the horizon, then up at the stars. One of the lights moving across his field of vision was Alamo. His ship, once again. For a year he’d raced to get back to Mars, but it was only now that he was really going home.
Thank you for reading 'Traitor's Duty'. For information on future releases, please join the Battlecruiser Alamo Mailing List at http://eepurl.com/A9MdX for updates. If you enjoyed this book, please review it on the site where you purchased it.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Traitor's Duty Page 25