A King's Ship (Empire Rising Book 2) by D. J. Holmes Read Free Book Online Page B

Johnston has been appointed to command Endeavour’s marines. He didn’t come on board Endeavour at Earth in case his presence raised some suspicions about the nature of Endeavour’s mission. For the moment he will remain on board Innocence to command a squad of marines. Their job will be to retrieve Chang once Agent Bell locates him.
     
    “Are there any questions at this point?” James finished.
     
    A number of hands shot up and James worked his way down them in order of seniority. When it came to Sub Lieutenant Davies, James was asked a question that hit on his main concern with the whole mission.
     
    “What happens if the Indian authorities capture some of the people we send down to a planet? Or worse yet, they impound Innocence . What will we do from Endeavour ?” Davis asked.
     
    James knew what his gut reaction would be. He would bring Endeavour into orbit and land enough marines to break into whatever building his people were being held in. Especially if Gupta was involved, they had grown close after they had settled their differences back on Drake . Yet as a Captain in the Royal Space Navy he couldn’t. His mission parameters were very clear. Endeavour was not to reveal her presence at any time unless it would secure the capture of Chang.
     
    Relations between Britain and India had been souring over the last two decades. After the war with Russia the French colonies had been devastated. Both Britain and the US had poured trillions of credits into rebuilding the colonies and helping France develop her empire. If the Russians decided they wanted to have another go at taking New France, Britain and the US wanted to make it as difficult for them as possible. Yet India and France were direct competitors. Their colonial empires shared a border and so they were both trying to outdo one another as they continued to expand into space. The limited planets that could be reached by the shift drive ensured that for every credit of support Britain gave France, India’s chance of increasing her wealth, power and prestige diminished. The Indian rulers had been making a fuss about the support for years. Both in the UN and through Earth’s news outlets, they did everything they could to disrupt Britain and portray her as a villain.
     
    There was no doubt that if they found a British officer and RSNI agent operating in their space they would be quick to go public and cry foul. If they were caught, Bell and Gupta knew the British government would disown them. They would then look like common pirates who had stolen and armed their own freighter. Certainly there would be no way Innocence could be traced back to the Royal Space Navy, RSNI had made sure of that.
     
    As those thoughts raced through James’ head an awkward silence enveloped the conference room. Recognizing that this was a question she should answer Agent Bell jumped to her feet. “That is a risk we are aware of. Everyone on board Innocence is a volunteer. If we get caught we are on our own. We all know this. The solution however is rather simple,” she said with a dazzling smile. “We won’t get caught.”
     
    The chuckles that echoed around the room dissipated the tension that had crept into the meeting. Using the distraction to shake himself James addressed the meeting again. “If there are no further questions you may leave. Those of you who have updated assignments will find them on your personal datapad.” When no one raised their hand James closed the meeting, “you’re dismissed.”
     
    *
     
    Fourth Lieutenant Becket was making her way back from Endeavour’s Marine Barracks when her COM chirped. When she answered it the Captain’s voice addressed her, “Lieutenant, can I see you in my briefing room?”
     
    “Yes Sir,” she replied.
     
    “Have a seat,” James said as she entered the Captain’s conference room.
     
    Commander Gupta was seated beside the Captain and as she sat Becket gave her a nod. “We want to discuss Innocence with