Bandits Engaged (Battlegroup Z Book 4) by Daniel Gibbs (novels in english txt) 📕

“Fine,” Grant ground out.

“Good. I think we’re about done here. Once there’s actionable intelligence, we can reconvene and discuss our next steps.”

Tehrani was about to dismiss them when Wright spoke, waving his finger in Whatley’s face. “I want to get this straight, CAG. You’re willing to put somebody in an airlock and half kill them to get info?”

“What percentage of the Zvika Greengold’s personnel has been lost in the last year?” Whatley asked quietly yet with his voice full of steel.

“That doesn’t—”

“What percentage?”

“We’ve lost almost five hundred soldiers, so twenty percent. Do you have a point, Major? Everyone on this ship has felt the loss.”

“Two hundred percent. That’s what my wing’s losses amount to, XO.” Whatley’s eyes glinted. “And I’m damn sick of writing the spouses and parents of my pilots, telling them how brave their loved ones are. So if it takes a little torture of some Godforsaken pirate who’s going around blowing up civilians, fine by me.”

Wright sprang from his seat and seemed ready to start something more.

“Enough!” Tehrani slapped her hand on the table.

Everyone froze.

“Major Whatley, Major Wright, you will cease this immediately, or I will relieve both of you and confine you to your quarters.”

Deathly still silence descended over the conference room.

“Are we clear, gentlemen?”

“Crystal, ma’am,” Wright replied quickly.

“Yes, ma’am. Crystal clear, ma’am,” Whatley echoed.

“Dismissed. All of you.”

Wright and Whatley were the first two out the hatch, followed closely by Grant and Nishimura. Justin was last in line.

“Captain Spencer, a word in private, please.”

Justin glanced at her then back at the hatch before closing it. He turned, and his arms went rigid at his sides. “Of course, ma’am.”

“Sit.” Young officers—how long it takes them to loosen up. Tehrani thought back to when she was a youngster, learning her way as a newly minted second lieutenant. Better days. Life was simpler then. Once Justin had dropped into a chair, she continued. “Do you feel capable of handling wing commander duties if I require it?”

“Uh, ma’am, I have the utmost confidence in Major Whatley’s abilities. We need him, ma’am.” Justin’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“I respect your loyalty to your commanding officer, Captain Spencer. And I’m glad you have it, but that wasn’t my question.”

“Whatever is required, I will do my duty, ma’am.”

Tehrani tilted her head. “Do you think I was too hard on them?”

He paused. “Permission to speak freely, ma’am?”

“Granted.”

“Why are we losing sleep over a pirate who’s responsible for dozens of deaths? I read an intel report saying these guys shot down escape pods. Even Leaguers are better than that.”

“Because the rules exist for a reason, Spencer.” Tehrani furrowed her brow. “Not just to be followed, but they give us guidelines and guardrails to live within. In the Terran Coalition, we derive most of our rules from the commonality of our various religions.”

“I know, ma’am, but how can we fight a war with one arm tied behind our backs? It’s not something I am likely to encounter as a fighter pilot. But if I were in combat and I had a captured enemy, I could see putting my pistol to his head and demanding information if it would save the lives of my fellow soldiers.”

Tehrani sucked in a breath. Justin’s earnestness was evident. She felt the need to try to impart some wisdom to the young man. “I hope I am never confronted by the specific situation you outlined, because it would test my ethics and beliefs to the limit. For your consideration, however, I would submit to you that a battlefield event like that and questioning someone after combat are two very different things.” She focused her laser-like gaze on him. “All it takes to start a pattern of bad behavior is a single compromise. Once the first line is crossed, it becomes progressively easier to justify each further action.”

“I know.” Justin bit his lip. “Honestly, ma’am, I just avoided a situation like that myself, so I know what you mean.”

“Then you understand why I reacted so strongly just now, even though I have complete confidence and respect for the CAG. He’s a hero. You all are. But even heroes need to have their premises checked now and then. Don’t forget that.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. You’re dismissed. And keep up the good work down there.”

Justin sprang up and came to attention. “Yes, ma’am.” He then turned on his heel and marched out the hatch.

Tehrani was left alone with her thoughts. She closed her eyes and let her head tilt back. I have to keep a war from breaking out within the confines of my ship. If not, forget the war outside. We’ll lose before we go into battle again. She resolved to go to the mosque to answer the next call to prayer before returning to her duties. Allah help us all.

It seemed as if Alpha hadn’t had one of its trademark card games in forever, Justin reflected as he rang the buzzer next to Mateus’s hatch. But it had been less than a week since the last one. Time flies when you're having fun, apparently. They were back in combat and on the sharp tip of the spear, but it didn’t quite feel the same to him. After all, pirates weren’t Leaguers, nor were they an existential threat to the Terran Coalition. But they’re a threat nonetheless.

“If that’s anyone but Spencer, go jump out an airlock,” Mateus called.

With a chuckle, Justin pushed the hatch open and stuck his head in. “Lots of wannabe company tonight?”

“Some crew chief told the nuggets the best way to get on the good side of the senior pilots is to show up unannounced at our poker night with cheap booze.” Mateus narrowed her eyes. “When I find out which crew chief, we’re owning him. I’m talking such an epic prank the ship will talk about it for years.”

Chuckles swept through the small room.

“My credits are on Chief Garcia. He got a bunch of nuggets a few months ago with the hydraulic-blinker-fluid snipe hunt.”

Adeoye