Free Battleship Furiosa by Michael G. Thomas Page B

wave his arms frantically. Captain Galanos
wasn't quite sure of his intentions, but he was clearly becoming
agitated.
    "Like most Rifts from the Nexus,
it is volatile and requires access to the Rift Control station on
the other side to activate it. Unfortunately for us, few of our
neighbours took us up on the offer to use the captured Biomech tech
to create permanent and stable Spacebridges."
    Prince Kratha laughed bitterly.
    "Can you blame any of us? Internal
bridges between stars and planets is one thing, but it is always
useful to be able to shut a Spacebridge to a neighbour in times of
crisis."
    "Like the Trusska?" Captain Galanos asked.
    Admiral Churchill lifted his
hands.
    "Today is not the time to discuss
that old chestnut. Lost civilisations and technologies are for
another day. Right now, we have a job to do, and with the Rift shut
down I think you might be right."
    He looked directly at the reptilian noble and bowed slightly. The
Prince should have remained calm, but he had already lost any
chance of remaining so.
    "You see? This is Tahkeome. His
forces have taken the station , and they
will spend the next days and weeks consolidating their position. We
must act!"
    Admiral Churchill nodded.
    "Yes, we must do something. We
will do something, but my hands are tied."
    Kratha lifted up his hands.
    " I am
confused. You want to do something, but will do nothing. If you
will not act, then I will. What about my ships? You do not need
them, correct?"
    The young P rince did his best to hide his impatience, but now he had
reached such a point that it was proving nearly
impossible.
    " True,"
said the Admiral, "I do not need all of your ships, and I still
need information if I am to stabilise the situation. Above all,
High Command wants to avoid a full-scale war with Tahkeome. I
cannot send any of my ships, but I can give you other
support."
    Every one of the
c aptains, as well as Prince Kratha looked
to him in surprise.
    "Yes?" Prince Kratha
asked.
    Admiral Churchill grinned, but it was a
subtle gesture, bordering on a smirk.
    "I suggest we compromise, to
ensure that this reconnaissance in force can be completed
successfully."
    None were as surprised as Prince
Kratha, and he watched with his mouth wide open. Even the other
captains were surprised by this sudden turn of events. Sensing the
mood, the Admiral continued.
    "I will provide the rest of your
ships with marines, support crew, and fighter squadrons from the
Helios reserve. This will free up your own people so that you can
send a small force of your best ships to reconnoitre the shipping
lanes to the Serpentis System. Collect any loyalists you encounter,
and if able, move on to the Karnak System in the Tenth Quadrant and
make contact with Makos."
    He tried to look reassuring to the
Prince.
    "Do not let your ships engage
with the forces of Tahkeome unless they have the tactical
advantage. The priority is to obtain actionable intelligence for me
and stay in contact. When I have information, I can respond, but
not before."
    The room stayed quiet for nearly five
seconds until finally the Prince spoke.
    "I cannot send my
ship s on without me. They are my birth
right, and all that I have remains with them."
    Admiral Churchill shook his head.
    "No, my friend. You are more important
than any ship. You should stay aboard Warlord and help me plan a
long-term strategy to stabilise this border, and to reclaim your
lost homeland."
    The Prince looked disappointed,
but as he looked at the other captains, he knew the Admiral was
right. General Honorious, who until now had been relatively quiet,
decided to speak.
    "The Admiral is correct,
Prince. It would serve none of our causes
if you were captured or killed leading loyalists inside occupied
territory. Let me take Furiosa and her escorts through the
Rift."
    Prince Kratha walked over to his
old mentor a nd grasped his arm in his.
The captains watched on uncomfortably as they spoke. It was a
private moment, yet none could tear their eyes