Rumors of Glory (The System States Rebellion Book 1) by Dietmar Wehr Read Free Book Online Page A

voice.
“They’ve just repeated their minimum distance order, with a warning that
they’ll fire on us if we drop below it, sir. Those two orbiting ships are the
right size for their system defense boats. If we try to make a low altitude fly
by, those boats will have good firing position on us, sir.”
     
    “If you have a recommendation, Captain, I’m willing to
listen to it,” said Stacker.
     
    Corvosier looked around to make sure that Santiago was
too far away to hear him. “What if we obey their minimum distance directive,
and instead of sending a shuttle with Ms. Santiago onboard, we send a
remotely-piloted shuttle loaded with explosives which we’ll crash into wherever
we think their President is located?”
     
    Stacker smiled. “I like that idea, Captain, even though
it’s a technical violation of my orders, but given their threat to fire on us
if we get too close, I think I can justify this change in the plan. Go ahead
and modify our flight path to take up position over the Capital at their
minimum distance and very quietly make the necessary arrangements for that
shuttle.”
     
    “Yes, sir!”
     
    Janicot’s conversation with Belloc was interrupted by a
status change ping from the main display. The projected path of the three-ship
squadron was flattening out.
     
    Obrist hurried over to the two men. “It looks like
they’re complying with our directive, Admiral,” he said.
     
    Belloc turned to Janicot. “What about that, Admiral? Is
he right?”
     
    Janicot nodded. “It would certainly appear that way,
sir.”
     
    “Then maybe they really are here to negotiate. Perhaps
it’s time that I spoke with their representative by video com.”
     
    Before Janicot could reply, Belloc turned to Obrist and
said, “Captain, see if you can establish two-way visual communications with the
Federation representative.”
     
    “Ah, yes, sir.” Obrist hurried over to the Com station.
     
    “I still don’t like having three FED cruisers over our
heads while the negotiations go on. It wouldn’t surprise me if their
representative tries to intimidate us with those cruisers.”
     
    Belloc smiled and shook his head. “We’ll cross that
bridge if we get to it. You know, Admiral, this just might be a genuine chance
to avoid a military confrontation altogether. Given what’s at stake, I have to
explore that possibility.”
     
    “I know, sir,” said Janicot.

Chapter Five
     
    As the image of the Chancellor of the System States Union
dissolved on the main display, Santiago turned to Stacker and smiled. “Well
there you go, Commodore. Chancellor Belloc will be waiting to greet me at the
spaceport when I land. How soon can my shuttle be ready to leave?”
     
    Stacker looked over Santiago’s shoulder at Corvosier and
nodded. Coral Sea’s CO then turned and gestured to the two armed marines who
had quietly appeared on the Bridge. They came over to stand behind Santiago,
who was still waiting for Stacker to reply.
     
    “There’s been a change in plans, Ms. Santiago. You won’t
be going down to the surface after all. These marines will escort you to your
quarters, and they’ll make sure that you remain there,” said Stacker. He
stepped back, and before a shocked Santiago could protest, the two marines
grabbed her by the arms and pulled her towards the exit. Her outraged cries
were cut off when the sliding metal door closed behind her. Stacker strolled
over to where Corvosier was standing.
     
    “How soon before the shuttle’s ready, Captain?”
     
    “It’ll be another half hour at least, sir. We’ve
discovered a complication. Our shuttle pilots remembered that Sparta is one of
the few planets that have automated landing systems that remotely pilot ships
and smaller craft the last few kilometers. If we refuse to turn over control of
the shuttle to their landing system, they’re bound to get suspicious, but we’ve
come up with a way to turn that to our advantage. We let them take control of
the