Free Mike's War: Sequel to Jesse's Starship by Saxon Andrew

up with. We’ll compare notes afterwards and see what we have.”
    “Did you ask Aman to do the same?”
    Derek smiled, “Why do you ask?”
    “He knows as much as either of us; he could come up with something we could use.”
    Derek nodded, “He’s working on it as well. He’s actually using the computer to see what it can dream up.”
    Brandon nodded and started walking over to the platoon, “We need to start working; I’ll get with you later.” Brandon stopped, “Do you think we could get the use of a second armory to train the new arrivals?”
    Derek saw General Dunlov standing outside with Mike and he ran out of the building. The two saw him coming and Mike stopped talking and said, “Is there a problem?”
    “Sir, we could use another armory to get ready for the presentation.”
    Mike looked at Alex and he said, “You can have the one used by Platoon 22. I’ll have them share time with Platoon 23.”
    “Thank you, Sir.” Derek turned and sprinted back to the Armory.
    Alex watched him go and said, “He had a lot of nerve to speak his mind about Chetzen.”
    Mike nodded, “When the platoon was called together, they all looked at him to see what was going on, not the Sergeant; that told me where the real power resided. He appears to have a natural ability at leading others.”
    “What are you going to do with him?”
    Mike smiled, “If you could do whatever you wanted, what would you have done in Russia when you uncovered someone like him?”
    “That would never happen, Sir. The higher ranking officers protected their positions with a passion. Fear, intimidation, or outright treachery was their tools.”
    “Well, now we can do whatever we think is needed to make our forces the best they can be. What do you think I’m going to do with him?”
    Alex smiled, “May I assume you are not going to allow me or my trainers to command our active duty forces?”
    Mike nodded, “You’re too important getting our warriors prepared. I can’t spare you.”
    “Then he and others like him are going to command our armies in the field.”
    Mike looked back in the armory at Derek and the big recruit giving the platoon their training schedule. “He may not have the confidence to accept the rank but I know he will be effective at getting the most out of his units.”
    Alex smiled, “I suspect you have your leaders in that room, Sir.”
    Mike smiled, “I think you’re right, Alex.” Mike looked at the huge Russian and extended his hand, “Keep up the good work.”
    “You know I will.” Mike boarded his carrier and disappeared.
    • • •
    Three days later, Halley walked up in armor and gave Derek a huge kiss. His face turned crimson as she said, “I’ve been asked by the women to thank you for getting rid of that piece of…”
    “It’s good to have you back, Halley.”
    Halley smiled and went to attention, “It’s good to be back, Sir.”
    “Are you ready to go to work?”
    “Lead the way.”
    The fifty two recruits that were washed out of training followed Derek and Aman into the armory. Derek was wrong; they were doing Daniel’s dance without thought in ten days. The hundred members of Platoon 21 came together after fourteen days and began working together. The Aman Square was learned in six days and perfected in three more.

Chapter Five
    J eanette Adams looked at the work being done on her Q ship and shook her head. Mendrel and Howey Jurnigan had their heads stuck in two large tubes that had been cut into Tuffy’s hull. Jeanette looked over their shoulders and after a few moments shook her head, “Are you two sure this idea is going to work?”
    The Assembly engineer pulled his head out and said, “It looks good in the computer.”
    Jeanette rolled her eyes, “So did my late father’s plans. You know where that led?” Jeanette looked at Howey as he pulled his head out and said, “I thought the chemicals used in the slivers had to be spun to mix them. These cannons used on the Abrams