Jack of Harts 2.5: Wolfenheim Rising by Medron Pryde Read Free Book Online Page B

close to the incoming ships.  The possible courses narrowed down to a single option, pointing at an angle away from the incoming Austins .  “I have a course laid in for The Red Line in…twenty minutes,” he reported, turning to face her.  “We can be on the New Earth–Sunnydale Run in…forty-three minutes from your order, Ma’am.”
    “Thank you, Lieutenant,” Olivia said, sat down in her command chair, and studied the display.  “I concur,” she finally said with a firm nod. 
    “Thank you, Ma’am,” Lee answered and ran his fingers across his console.  “Transmitting to helm and comm now.”
    “Lieutenant Lopez?” Olivia asked.
    “I have the course, Ma’am,” the helmsman answered after a quick check.
    “Lieutenant Jones?” Olivia asked.
    “Transmitting course now, Ma’am,” the comm officer reported and leaned to the side to listen to her earpiece.  Then she nodded.  “All ships confirm receipt.”
    “Thank you,” Olivia said with a smile and turned her chair towards Malcolm with a look that asked if she really needed to report that they were ready to leave to him.
    He chuckled and shook his head.  He’d never been one to require pointless reports like that.  Pointless to him at least.  He understood why military forces were more careful though.  It would never do to shoot up a planetary capital by accident because you mixed up your numbers, after all.  That would seriously hurt an efficiency report.  And that said nothing about how the citizens of the planet would react.
    “We’re receiving a transmission from Bogey One, Ma’am,” Jones reported.  “It’s broadcast in the clear.  Full holo.”
    Olivia looked at Malcolm, a questioning look on her face.  He nodded back and she smiled.  “Well, if they don’t care who hears, put it on display, please,” she ordered, waving at the main forward display.
    The static system display that showed every ship near the Peloran yard faded away as he watched.  In its place, the transmission Bogey One sent over half a minute ago came into focus.  The transmission lag didn’t allow for live conversations, of course, but the woman who appeared on the display looked almost stubborn enough to try.  Malcolm studied her black hair and narrow face, wondering if he knew her.  She looked familiar, and he could have sworn he’d seen that face wearing a smile in the past, but he couldn’t place her.
    “I am Commodore Murphy,” she began in a clear soprano, “commander Third Destroyer Squadron, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Star Fleet.  On order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, we have been sent to impound all assets of the Wolfenheim Project and secure them for return to Earth.  All starships belonging to the Wolfenheim Project will stand down immediately and prepare to be boarded.”
    Malcolm frowned, a feeling of almost recognition filling him, as the display returned to the standard rendering of nearby space.  He’d never heard a voice like that sound so harsh, but an echo of warmth tickled the back of his memories.  He glanced at Dawn, a question in his eyes.  She crossed her arms and smiled back with determination.  Then he turned to see the eyes of the bridge crew on him.  Now wasn’t the time to wonder why that woman over there felt familiar.  Now was the time for action.
    “We’re leaving,” he announced in a determined tone without rising from his chair.  Beside him, Dawn nodded in agreement.  “And I think she’s gonna follow.  If you’ve got reservations about running from something like that, I understand.”
    The bridge crew returned his look, recognizing the offer behind his words, and then turned to their captain.  She smiled and he saw the haunted look in her eyes again.  But he saw determination, too, and she nodded at him.  “Lieutenant Jones,” she began, her voice clear and strong.  “Please inform Wolfenheim she can initiate acceleration now.”
    “Yes, Ma’am,” Jones answered