The Impossible Future: Complete set by Frank Kennedy (mini ebook reader .txt) 📕

off his white moustache during transit. Nilsson thought he looked twenty years younger. Behind him on the captain’s dais, three officers studied images of the jumpgate’s exterior struts.

“Reporting as ordered, sir,” Nilsson said.

Forsythe smiled. “I did not request you, Major.”

As the captain looked over his shoulder, one officer on the dais took a familiar profile. Why didn’t he recognize her right away?

“Major, may I introduce Supreme Admiral Angela Poussard.”

Nilsson stood at attention as the most famous redhead in the Unification Guard turned about face. She was more impressive in person than on CVid broadcasts. Tall and lean, Poussard carried none of the muscular might of a soldier yet filled the room with an imposing aura of someone who still remembered how to kill with the best of them. Her ginger hair was pulled back into a tight ball, which accentuated her rock-hard facial features. Her jade eyes revealed a compassionate woman and an officer who dared anyone to question her orders. She dressed plainly, a simple regulation bodysuit with a top jacket highlighting her stripes and bars.

He saluted with a side-nod, which she reciprocated.

“Major, thank you for coming. I’ve been most eager to speak with you.” She shook his hand, a move which floored Nilsson. “I wanted to see you sooner, but they’ve kept me on my toes since arriving. This is an unprecedented operation.”

“It is, Admiral. I must admit, your presence is …”

“Shocking?” She laughed through closed lips, a guttural sound. “When was the last time a Supreme was seen outside the GPM? Officially, twenty-two standard years ago.” She turned to Forsythe.

“I transferred my flag to Praxis. Delano has been gracious in ceding command. Praxis will be jumping first to scout the enemy, and I do not intend to sit idle.” She refocused on Nilsson. “The Chancellory has never faced a more serious crisis or a deadlier enemy. Our very existence may ride on the success of Project Drawbridge. I felt a deep obligation to oversee this mission firsthand.”

“I have no doubt you will motivate the troops, Admiral.”

She turned to Forsythe. “The Major and I are not to be disturbed.”

Forsythe saluted. “Of course, Admiral.”

Poussard leaned into Nilsson. “Walk with me.”

They left the bridge. Nilsson didn’t know what to make of this woman beside him. He visited the GPM once and saw a palace where the elite lorded over the Collectorate while distancing themselves from the realities of what the Guard became since the Fall of Hiebimini. The Admiralty were old and rusted soldiers who spent more time plotting against each other than focusing on control of the colonies. Until five minutes ago, he believed Poussard another in this long line.

“Major,” she began as they entered an empty corridor. “I was briefed on your verbal response to our shadow operation. Your anger is understandable, but your loyalty is not in doubt.”

“Thank you, Admiral, for the reassurance. May I speak freely?”

“By all means.”

“I lost six outstanding soldiers, each of them a credit to the Guard. Even 3rd Lt. Cooper. In some ways, he distinguished himself more than any. At a time when the Chancellory has never been more humiliated, we sacrifice six warriors who defend our interests, and I see nothing to justify this act. I never thought I’d have a chance to look you in the eye and ask why. Please, justify their deaths.”

Poussard nodded with the anticipation of Nilsson’s demand.

“Major, I can only quantify their sacrifice in terms of the role they played in the success of our mission. We killed an estimated fifty of the enemy on Tamarind and destroyed two of their wormhole-capable ships. One of the enemy was a Berserker. In addition, we destroyed a third craft on Euphrates. We have significantly weakened James Bouchet’s terrorists in advance of the invasion.”

“Could we have achieved this goal without sacrificing my team?”

“Yes. But after I agreed to maintain the illusion of an active research station, I felt it necessary to give our civilians the best chance for survival. They needed your team. The enemy’s forces proved overwhelming, and our stealth ships arrived too late.”

She said exactly what Nilsson expected but no more.

“The old Unification Guard would never have allowed this to happen, Admiral.”

“You’re correct, which is why I chose to take personal command for the final run. There is another positive, Major. You no doubt have seen what’s happening on Tamarind?”

“Briefly.”

“So far, we estimate sixty-three thousand casualties. Tens of thousands more are presumed dead. We’re not sure how it happened, but the cataclysm appears to be eating the planet from the inside. It’s an open question whether this event will destroy Tamarind, but we are using it as an opportunity to undermine the terrorists among their allies. Our marketing division is preparing a CVid for mass distribution. We will pin this on Salvation.”

The picture cleared for Nilsson.

“Ah, and after we eliminate them on Hiebimini, we forgive the indigos and invite ourselves back to their worlds.”

“Forgive, yes. Forget? Another matter. Speaking of Hiebimini, I’ve been reviewing the parameters of your next op. Your talents will be a perfect match for what we need. I’ll brief you and your new team in three hours. In the meantime, I need your assistance.”

They arrived at a lift and stepped inside. “Admiral?”

She ordered the AI to Level 3 but otherwise did not acknowledge Nilsson. He didn’t care much for what might lay ahead on Hiebimini, especially his own role. He found the whole matter detestable, but it kept him alive for another day and it fit his service history.

At Level 3, Poussard continued.

“I’ve had to make difficult choices in the past year,” she said. “I stripped Bastian Grandover of his office because of his illicit conspiracies and because I had the legal authority. I did not push him aside for ambition, as some in the Admiralty contend.”

“The