The Last Charge (The Nameless War Trilogy Book 3) by Edmond Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

added, before glancing again at Alanna.
    “I didn’t ask for your opinion, Petty Officer,” Alanna responded coldly.
    “And I didn’t ask for a pilot with survivor guilt issues coming out her ears, but hey, here we are,” Schurenhofer replied. “Believe me I would happily kick the ass of whoever assigned us to this ship, but if you decide to zone out because of a name, you’ll get yourself killed and more importantly, me to. You’ve done a decent job of keeping us alive so far and I’d rather you keep it that way.”
    “You don’t know what it was like out there,” Alanna snapped at her. “You weren’t there!”
    “Nope, I sure wasn’t,” Schurenhofer agreed. “The fact that I’m still alive is proof of that. But I know what it’s like out here now. I know I’ve got a whole bunch of plans that sort of hinge on me staying alive.”
    “You done?”
    “Possibly.”
    “Will you turn the cockpit voice recorder back on then?” Alanna asked.
    “Only if I’m sure I don’t have to say anything else that could get me court martialed.”
    “Well, that would be one way out of this fighter.”
    “True,” Schurenhofer agreed, “and probably into one flown by some rookie with both a brain and penis, but only enough blood to run one at a time.”
    The navigation panel gave a beep as they started their final approach.
    “A cigar is just a cigar? Where the hell do you get this stuff?” Alanna muttered as she switched Dubious to manual. “But if you do find out who assigned us here,” she added, “you hold him, I’ll hit him.”
     
    As the hangar door closed, Schurenhofer busied herself putting Dubious through the shut down sequence. Outside a couple of deck hands were getting magnetic couplings into place. Alanna hadn’t wanted to look much at Dauntless , but it was hard not to look at a ship you were actively attempting to dock with. From what she could see, the new Dauntless bore only the most passing resemblance to her lost predecessor. Her basic hull had been taken from pre-war stock, which was also being used for the new Austerity class cruisers. Human fighter carriers had always gone for individual box hangars attached externally to the main hull. Unlike a launch bay built into the main body, it meant in theory no single hit could cripple the carrier’s entire launch and recovery capability. Dauntless was no exception in that regard, but she did show her cruiser roots. Just forward of the main radar towers, there was a second pair, each mounting a flak battery. The old Dauntless had carried only a limited point defence grid, relying instead on either her escort or distance to keep her safe. But this ship was meant to survive getting into harm’s way.
    As Alanna and Schurenhofer climbed out of Dubious , the ship’s bosun met them.
    “Lieutenant,” he said as he saluted, “the Squadron Commander wants to see you straight away, if you would follow me please.”
    “Alright,” Alanna replied, “Kristen?”
    “Got it, Skipper,” Schurenhofer replied as she took Alanna’s pack. “I’ll go find out where flight crews live on this tin can.”
    Another officer was waiting outside the Squadron Commander’s office when Alanna arrived. The bosun tapped on the door.
    “Sir, they’re both here.”
    “Send them in.”
    “Lieutenant Alanna Shermer reporting as ordered, sir,” she said, saluting.
    “Lieutenant Nikolai Udaltsov,” said the other in a strong Russian accent.
    The Squadron Commander gave them both a baleful look, before nodding them towards a pair of spare chairs.
    “First welcome aboard the Dauntless ,” he said in a decidedly unwelcoming tone. “My name is Squadron Commander Jules Dati. I am your new commanding officer and that is as much time as we can spare for pleasantries.”
    Alanna wanted to look to see what Udaltsov made of the bizarre welcome, but forced herself to keep her gaze front and centre.
    “I expect you are both aware this ship is newly commissioned. However,