Badger (36 page)

During the delay, the tension was almost palpable. The bitter divisions that had resulted during the referendum subsided as both sides began to quietly declare victory. There were occasional arguments and shouting matches, but they seemed to be a nervous reaction after the tumult that had gone before, aftershocks compared to a mighty earthquake.

Fortunately, Jacob had more than enough to occupy himself in the meantime. The repairs that had been barreling ahead at such a breakneck pace were now rapidly coming to a close. Hulls once torn and rent by enemy fire were intact and strong. Armor sheathed warships that had been stripped of protection, and weapons bristled from decks that had been ravaged. DE sail rigs glowed in place of shattered ruins, and the redesigned Capistans spun quietly through their trial runs while fusion reactors burned at each ship’s heart.

When the message drones arrived a week later, Jacob’s squadron was nearly ready. The ships lacked smooth surfaces or other refining touches, but they would work. Besides, something in
Wolfhound
’s rough shape had always appealed to Jacob. Now, the unfinished bluntness magnified it.

The drones broadcast their message across the system, and there was a sudden rush to the monitors. Jacob had the privilege of receiving it on his personal projection unit in his quarters. He tensed as the message began.

High Seat Smithson’s figure took shape above his projector, and he bore little resemblance to the jovial man Jacob had met so many months ago. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he had eschewed the official uniform of the position he occupied. The seal of state lay upon his chest, and the light caught it briefly as he shifted in place and spoke.

“Citizens of the Celostian Union. It is my duty as High Seat to report to you the results of the recent referendum.” Here he paused, and his expression grew more serious. “I remind the citizens this decision is binding on all the territory of the Union, and all Naval forces, local authorities, judiciary councils, and legislatures are similarly bound to enforce and observe its outcome.”

Jacob listened with a sinking heart, knowing if the referendum had turned against the refugees he was powerless to lessen the blow to them. Smithson paused, as if purposely drawing out the moment, and then continued in the same solemn tone.

“By the majority vote of the people of the Celostian Union, the decision has been made to grant asylum to the refugees of the Oduran League.”

Jacob pumped a fist into the air, and a mixture of catcalls, laughs, and shouts of victory and horror swept through the docks, audible even through the bulkheads. The sounds faded as Smithson continued to speak.

“As the referendum has the consent of the Union, the military and other governmental structures will act to implement it. The refugee fleet will be permitted to enter orbit around the habitable planet in Tiredel, and their members will be welcomed into the Union as full citizens. As they are now members of the Union, the government will dispatch ministers to organize and advocate their settlement in Tiredel as well as other portions of the Union as needed.”

Smithson smiled. Determination shone in his eyes. “The Oduran League has issued a statement regarding the new members of our Union. In their eyes, as it always has been, they have the right to dictate to us the limits of our freedom. They have threatened, if we utilized our right to accept their outcast refugees as citizens, they would war upon us until our newfound brethren are destroyed.”

He raised his chin. “I do not intend to allow the Odurans to determine our fate. It is the right of the citizens of this great nation to choose the course we will follow, and we have done so. While some among us may have disagreed with this decision, and may protest the efforts we will make to uphold it, I urge you, in all humility, to remember the principles by which it was made. We must stand united, as Charles Maxwell dreamed, to uphold the laws and freedoms of our nation. If that means we must meet and defeat the forces of the Odurans yet again, then we will do so.

“Accordingly, I have asked High Admiral Nivrosky to deploy his forces so he can intercept the Oduran fleet if they press the issue. He has orders to attempt negotiation first, but I do not choose to tie his hands if and when it comes to battle. If the Odurans continue in their chosen course, then we will defeat them at Tiredel in the defense of our own.”

Smithson’s smile softened. “To the newly arrived citizens of the Union, I bid you welcome. Our ways may be strange to you, but you will understand them in time. To those who are called to defend us on our borders, you have my thanks for your service and sacrifice. Your honor and dignity is beyond question, and those of us you defend will always struggle to live up to your example.

“Finally, to all those who made their voices heard, I thank you for continuing to bear the burden all citizens of the Union have been called to bear. Our forefathers, so long ruled by dictators and overlords, would be cheered to see their children so responsible in their efforts to choose our course well. Your support is always cherished by those who have been permitted to lead. Adam Smithson, High Seat of the Celostian Union, out.”

Jacob watched the hologram fade. A mixture of emotions rolled through him, joy over the salvation of the refugees mixed with resignation for the coming battle, fear for his country blended with the sudden surge of pride he had in his fellow citizens for not turning away those in need. Rising above all of those things, however, was another feeling, that of determination and urgency.

The future of the Union would be decided at Tiredel, and he would be there before then or be damned. Jacob activated his communication stub and signaled Al-shira. She answered immediately; there was some sort of celebration going on in the background. “Yes, sir?”

“Commander, will the squadron be ready if we launch tomorrow?”

Al-shira paused, and he could imagine her thinking the question over. “Yes, sir, I believe we’re about ready. The ships are spaceworthy, and the last few bits of work could be done in transit if necessary.”

“Then call the crew to their stations. We’ll be gone as soon as all four ships are stocked and ready to launch.” Jacob activated his projector again, bringing up a display of the surrounding space. He focused the hologram on the system of Tiredel. “We leave tomorrow.”

“With all due respect, sir, I find this plan of action horrifically unwise. It will guarantee the destruction of our squadron and would amount to a betrayal of the trust placed in us to command our ships wisely.”

Commander Kenning’s words brought silence to the meeting. Jacob fought the urge to snarl at the other man. Ever since Kenning had insisted on a conference before the sudden deployment to Tiredel, Jacob had known the fool was planning on making a nuisance of himself. There had been no reason to ignore the request, however, and Jacob was confident his authority as squadron commander would have stymied most of Kenning’s opportunities to prevent the mission from beginning.

He found, unfortunately, he had not taken Kenning’s native talents to annoy and persist in frustrating others into account. Kenning had started with what seemed like a reasonable concern about the success of the operation. From there he had escalated to sharper criticisms of Jacob’s decision to take Squadron 43 into the line of fire, and from there he reached near accusations of incompetence.

It was not going to continue. The limits of Jacob’s patience had finally been reached, and he glared at Kenning, who sat partway down the table from him. “Your opinion on this matter is far from the only thing I have to consider, Commander. If the High Admiral intends to fight at Tiredel, the fleet will need every available ship to achieve victory. His orders to me and to the rest of the squadron specifically say we are to join him at the staging area at the earliest opportunity. Our deployment from Reefhome is in accordance with those orders.”

Kenning glared back. “Our orders stated the squadron was to deploy when it was capable of operations against the enemy, Captain Hull. You know as well as I do that four newly rebuilt and barely functional destroyers have no business in an engagement with enemy forces. We would be swatted like so many flies by Oduran ships, and the deaths of our crews would be a waste
we
would be responsible for.”

He growled low in his throat. “Are you implying, Commander Kenning, that my judgment on the readiness of my squadron is not sufficient for you to follow your orders?”

The commander either ignored the warning tone in Jacob’s words or didn’t care to take the hint. Kenning met Jacob’s eyes and nodded. “I cannot trust your judgment, sir, not when you are hazarding your command in such a manner. The risk you are running is unconscionable, and it will result in a great many of our crew being killed.”

Before Jacob could respond, Leon broke in. There was a hint of malicious humor in his tone, and he gave the other officers a half-hearted grin. “As a matter of fact, I would consider Captain Hull an expert on the subject of destroyers and combat during a shakedown cruise, Commander. If you doubt me, perhaps you could ask someone on Reefhome Station? I’m sure they would be more than happy to help you with your concerns.”

A murmur of amusement rose from the gathered officers, and Kenning flushed red. “You know full well the situation in Reefhome demanded extreme measures. Captain Hull and the others made those attempts because there was no other choice. That kind of action has no relation to the normal workings of the fleet.”

Leon raised his eyebrows. “Is the situation in Tiredel any less desperate, Commander Kenning? As I understand it, the Odurans have mustered nearly four entire battle groups for their assault, and High Admiral Nivrosky has yet to equal that amount. He is in need of ships, and we can be among those who stand with him if we deploy now.”

Commander Flint, who had been silent, spoke up. “The question may not be whether we can arrive, Commander Nivrosky. We know the fleet stands in need of ships, and I don’t doubt everyone agrees on that.” Flint turned his gaze to Jacob. “I believe the concern is that we will not present much of a combat effective force once we arrive. It serves no purpose to the Union, or to the fleet, if we throw ourselves into enemy fire without the combat capability to achieve our objectives.”

Kenning glowed with a victorious smile, but Jacob ignored him and answered in as level a voice as he could manage. “Commander Flint, you can be sure I have accounted for that in my operational plans. We would basically use the journey to Tiredel as a shakedown cruise, working out whatever technical problems or mechanical difficulties we experience along the way. There are three jumps before we reach Tiredel; in each we will have plenty of opportunities to conduct drills and tests of each of our systems. By the time we join with the rest of the fleet, our ships will be ready.” He paused. “I do not intend to waste the lives of my crews to no purpose, and I never have.”

Commander Flint sat back, his lips pursed and his expression thoughtful. Before he could say anything, however, Commander Kenning once again spoke up. “I somehow doubt the crew of the
Terrier
would agree with you, Captain Hull.” The acid bite of the words was accompanied by a surge of guilt.

The ghosts of
Terrier
’s crew rose up in Jacob’s mind and stilled his tongue while Kenning continued.

“You haven’t always acted as if the crew’s welfare has been your first priority, sir. In fact, I would hardly be surprised if it turned out you were eager to return to battle so you could win yourself a little more glory.”

Jacob rocked back in his seat, stunned at the accusation. For a subordinate to confront his superior in this manner was nearly unheard of, especially in an open gathering of the officers under his command. Anger surged through him. He fought to contain it alongside the grief for his lost officers and crew. Outside of relieving Kenning from duty, Jacob did not know how to respond. If he
did
relieve Kenning, his ships could be forced to wait for days while Central Command dispatched a replacement officer. Further, Kenning could use whatever casualties or losses the squadron took at Tiredel as both an excuse of his actions and a condemnation of Jacob’s own decision—and of course, if that didn’t work, there were always the files in Kenning’s possession that could justify further resistance and delays.

Kenning’s eyes were locked on him, and every heartbeat Jacob hesitated over the response seemed to give Kenning more heart. He longed to be rid of the petulant little man, but if as a result he arrived late to Tiredel, then the entire argument would be for nothing. He agonized over the decision as the silence between them stretched.

Then Al-shira spoke. Her voice was hard and hot as iron fresh from the forge. “Am I to understand, Commander Kenning, you are declining to follow orders given to you by a superior officer?”

The other commander blinked, and then turned his attention to her. “I am simply stating Captain Hull’s past actions have proven—”

“That he has far more combat experience than you? Yes, they do. That he has a far superior grasp of both the situation
and
his duties as a commanding officer? Yes, they do.” Al-shira leaned in close, and her eyes blazed. “Tell me,
Commander
, why you are so certain your judgment is superior to Captain Hull in this instance? Are you hiding some fountain of wisdom and intelligence you have not shared with the rest of us? Some actual combat
experience
, perhaps, I am unaware of?”

Staggered by the unexpected challenge, Kenning was struggling to regain his footing. “I am not sure how my combat record bears on this situation, Commander Al-shira. And I resent your implication that I am incapable of asking for an explanation for our current course of action.”

“My apologies, Commander Kenning.” Al-shira’s lips twisted in a mocking smile. “My implication was not that you had no right to question your orders. I actually meant to ask if you thought you were intelligent enough to come up with a question worth our while.” Kenning’s face turned beet red, but before he could sputter out a response she continued. “I should have known an officer too
stupid
to consistently follow orders would not have understood my meaning. Next time I will be more clear.”