First Comes Duty (The Hope Island Chronicles Book 2) (47 page)

Feeling far more relaxed, Nathan sat back. “Point, Sir? No point. But a question, if I may.”

“Oh, you have my undivided attention. What’s the question?”

“During the TFI exercise you participated in, I thought I had you, but you restored your systems far faster than I thought possible. Would you tell me how you did that, Sir?”

Bradman smiled. “I cheated.”

“What?”

“I used my command override to bring the systems back earlier than programmed.”

Nathan was struck dumb.

“You’re wondering why, aren’t you? No, don’t bother answering. You made an assumption that you should never make in combat. Never assume anything. That’s the lesson I hoped I taught you on that day.”

“Ah, thanks?”

Nathan chose to address the elephant in the room.

“Am I going to get fried for this, Skipper?”

“With what you’ve done, you deserve a bag full of medals. But once the politicians get involved, it could turn ugly.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured.” Nathan tried, unsuccessfully, to hide a sigh.

“On the plus side, and it’s a very big plus, Queen Felicia practically wants to adopt you. I met with her yesterday, and there’s going to be a ceremony. You’ll probably get a medal.”

Nathan groaned.

“In two days, you will attend the Royal Court. The queen has assured me that this meeting will be far more friendly than your last visit. Oh, you’ll have to make a speech as well.” Bradman’s smile broadened.

“I don’t suppose I can refuse.”

Bradman stared at him. “Nathan, don’t you see what this means? With the unwavering support of the Queen of Cimmeria, you should be untouchable. No one wants to upset her, so…” His hands spread out before him.

The tension in Nathan’s shoulders unknotted.

“And as for your knack?” Bradman said around a sly smile. “We’ll keep that between us.”

“Aye, Sir.” He sported a wry smile. “We both will.”

CHAPTER 74

Date: 1
^st
April 322 ASC.

Position: Royal Palace. Cimmeria.   

Status:  Remembrance ceremony. 

Nathan tugged at the high collar of his Class A uniform. He did not look forward to the more formal part of the evening, but would do his duty. Giving speeches was something he had tried to avoid over the years.

The gallery that had been set up for Nathan’s trial had been dismantled, opening up the available floor space. His first beer had gone down a treat, but he badly needed another to calm his nerves. He walked to the bar.

“Another Occie beer, Mister Telford?” Clive asked.

Nathan nodded, then took in the enormous palace. All smiling faces, nods in his direction.

“You’re not too ’appy about your new-found celebrity, are you?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Hey, you saved the bloody planet. This,” Clive said, taking in the gathering, “is what you shoulda expected.”

Clive handed him the ice cold beer, and Nathan took a healthy swig.

“So, we goin’ to war with Pruessen?” Clive asked.

Nathan felt his cheeks tuck in. “Haven’t you heard, Clive. They were Talgarnos.”

“With E-boats?”

“Captured by the Talgarnos.”

Clive snorted. “You don’t believe that, do you?”

“What I believe doesn’t count. The League of Allied Worlds will do anything to avoid another war. If that means making up another ludicrous cover story to bury the truth, then that’s what they’ll do.”

“Fucking politicians,” Nathan and Clive said at the same time.

Clive raised his eyebrows and motioned over his shoulder.

Nathan turned, then snapped to attention.

“At ease, for goodness’ sake,” Commodore Roussel said.

Nathan stood at ease, but internally he didn’t like being this close to the Franc captain. Or any Franc.

“I’ve reread your report with regard to the death of Emile Moreau. I wanted to thank you in person. Your words will be of comfort to his family.”

“Was he married, Commodore?”

“No, he’s survived by his parents and a younger sister.” Roussel shook his head. “It’s a pity. He had such great promise.”

“Without him,” Nathan said, “Cimmeria would be in ashes. He was a very brave man.”

“Thank you again, Ensign Telford.” He held out his hand.

Nathan internally recoiled.
This one’s for you, Emile.
He shook hands with the Franc. Roussel was no fool, and Nathan could tell that he knew the handshake lacked conviction. He nodded before turning away.

Nathan seized his beer off the bar and downed the entire contents.

He ordered another beer, and made sure to sip this one. The room was starting to fill up. The skipper and Admiral Barrington mixed with some Bret officers, one of whom Nathan recognized as the destroyer commander who had sent out the alert on the fleeing enemy capital ships. Nathan could not recall her name. Barrington caught him looking, raised her glass and nodded. Nathan gulped and returned the gesture before turning away.

“Good evening, Nathan,” Captain Haynes said. Nathan turned around and noted that he still wore the uniform and long cloak of the Queen’s Guard. And a light bandage over his ear.

“Captain Haynes.”

“I think, after all we’ve been through, you can call me Nigel.”

“All right, Nigel.” Nathan smiled and shook his head. “Right from the outset, I figured you as the bad guy in this tale.”

Nigel’s eyes darkened. “That was the job, Nathan. I had to do some … questionable things to maintain my cover. I didn’t like it, but Queen Felicia needed someone on the inside, and chose me as her covert operative.” He brightened moderately. “I’m really glad you stopped me from taking your head.”

Nathan chuckled. “So’s my wife.” They shared a quiet laugh. “And, ah, sorry about the ear.”

“The doctors managed to reattach it, so it’ll be as good as new.”

Nigel straightened his tunic and his back.

“Her majesty would like a word with you, in private.”

Nathan gestured for him to lead the way. In an adjoining room he found Queen Felicia and, as expected, General Sobers by her right hand. Nigel left the three of them alone.

“Hello, Nathan,” she said.

He bowed formally. “Your Majesty.”

She glanced at Sobers and sniffed.

“I think we can forgo formalities, while in private.”

Nathan nodded.

“So,” the general asked, around a smile, “are you enjoying yourself out there?”

“I’d rather stuff a starving squirrel down my pants.”

They all shared a laugh.

“Yes, it’s all rather grand, isn’t it?”

“Hmm. Yes, Your — ah, Felicia, it’s grand, all right. Just not my thing.”

“Yeah, you’re more comfortable in battle, I’d wager,” Sobers said. 

“It has the advantage of immediacy.”

“I thought you’d like to know that elections will be held within three months.”

“You’re dissolving the monarchy?”

“Not entirely. It will remain as a reminder of poor judgment. A regime of rule by the one has no place in a fair and equitable Cimmeria. All power will be held by the people via their chosen representatives.”

“Good to hear. You’re a shoo-in as president.”

“I am quietly confident.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “There’s so much to do. But we shall get there in time. And, as president, if the people appoint me, I shall be free to marry whomever I wish. Something unthinkable as queen.”

Gareth Sobers snuggled close to Felicia.

Nathan grinned.
How could I have missed that?

“I want you to know that every Cimmerian owes you a debt of gratitude that we may never be able to repay. Know that you will always be an honored guest of our world. Thank you.”

“It wasn’t only me, Felicia. Everyone, whether Cimmerian or Bret, Athenian, Nihonese or Franc, put their differences aside to fight for this world. Such is the power of a united League. Any individual world may be vulnerable, but the League of Allied Worlds, working in concert with one another, is unbreakable.”

“I hope you’ve worked that into your speech,” Gareth said.

“It took me two days to come up with that line. What do you think?”

“Speak from the heart, Nathan, and you will never go wrong,” Felicia said.

Nathan cleared his throat. “So, have the backup emitters been fitted yet?”

“It will be two weeks, at least,” Gareth said. “The geeks reckon the inner marker will be a mess for at least a year.”

“Hmm.”

“In a hurry to leave us, Nathan?” Felicia teased.

“I have a wife and baby girl waiting back home.”

“Perhaps you’ll bring them for a visit, one day.”

“Perhaps.”

Gareth touched the ear of his headset. “It’s time.”

Felicia nodded. “Ready?” she asked Nathan.

He gulped noisily. “Not in the least.”

“You’ll manage, I’m sure.”

The three of them stepped into the main ballroom.

CHAPTER 75

Date: 30
^th
April 322 ASC.

Position: Monitor
Insolent
, in high orbit.    

Status:  Pilot briefing.

“The area around the combat area has been swept clear of debris, so that problem is gone. But to make sure that no difficulties arise, you and your opponent will have your shields up for the entire contest.”

“That’s overkill, Boss,” Dash said.

She shrugged. “Captain’s orders.”

“Yeah,” Lucky said, “we can’t have the hero of Cimmeria running into danger, can we?”

Nathan groaned. “Please don’t quote the media, Lucky.”

Dash chimed in. “You managed to name everyone who participated in the very short war, as one reporter put it, and then went all modest. You deserve your share of the credit, Nathan.”

The pilots sat in the briefing room, but only Nathan wore a V-suit and light armor.

“Yeah, firstly the son of Telford, now the hero of Cimmeria,” Lucky said around a grin. “What’s next? Sainthood?”

“You know I’m armed, right?” Nathan said.

“I’ve got word from the planet,” Boss said. “The Cimmerians have accepted an offer from the Brets. You’ll be flying against one of their best, Nathan, so don’t lose. We can’t have a Bret beating us, can we?”

“I didn’t know the Brets had fighter pilots,” Bird said.

“They don’t,” Boss said. “What they do have are landing boat pilots. They’re specially modified and armed. They have been quite effective in running down drug runners and the like. Commander Sloan is very good. Apparently.”

“Nathan’ll sort him out. Right, hero?”

“I swear, Lucky, I will shoot you in the knees if you say that again. And I don’t know who stole my helmet but I want it back now. Fun is fun, but—”

“This helmet?” Boss held it in both hands. The inscription embossed above the visor brought a smile to Nathan’s face.

“Cleaver?” Dash said. “I don’t get it, Boss.”

“I do.”

Every head turned toward Lucky. “It’s Nathan’s name, right, Boss?”

Chappell nodded.

“It’s from an old Earth language — ah, what’s it called again?”

“Ancient Celtic.”

“Yeah, right. Roughly translated, Telford means, ‘One who cleaves through the armor of his enemies.’ I looked it up.”

Nathan wiped the sweat from the back of his neck.

Dash slapped him on the back. “Finally got your call sign. Cleaver. I like it.”

Nathan smiled and sent a short nod of appreciation to Boss.

“All right, Cleaver, are you ready to kill?”

“You bet.”

“Let him win one. For Cimmeria. The Kamora’s their fighter, after all.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Accompanied by the other pilots, Nathan made his way to Outrider Five.             

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
  
• CHAPTER 31
  
• CHAPTER 32
  
• CHAPTER 33
  
• CHAPTER 34
  
• CHAPTER 35
  
• CHAPTER 36
  
• CHAPTER 37
  
• CHAPTER 38
  
• CHAPTER 39
  
• CHAPTER 40
  
• CHAPTER 41
  
• CHAPTER 42
  
• CHAPTER 43
  
• CHAPTER 44
  
• CHAPTER 45
  
• CHAPTER 46
  
• CHAPTER 47
  
• CHAPTER 48
  
• CHAPTER 49
  
• CHAPTER 50
  
• CHAPTER 51
  
• CHAPTER 52
  
• CHAPTER 53
  
• CHAPTER 54
  
• CHAPTER 55
  
• CHAPTER 56
  
• CHAPTER 57
  
• CHAPTER 58
  
• CHAPTER 59
  
• CHAPTER 60
  
• CHAPTER 61
  
• CHAPTER 62
  
• CHAPTER 63
  
• CHAPTER 64
  
• CHAPTER 65
  
• CHAPTER 66
  
• CHAPTER 67
  
• CHAPTER 68
  
• CHAPTER 69
  
• CHAPTER 70
  
• CHAPTER 71
  
• CHAPTER 72
  
• CHAPTER 73
  
• CHAPTER 74
  
• CHAPTER 75