Free Command Decisions (Book 3 of The Empire of Bones Saga) by Terry Mixon Page A

under my orders until such time as the emperor appoints someone else to speak in his voice.”
    “That’s preposterous,” Breckenridge sneered. “You don’t have the authority to make any of those declarations. We don’t go to war at your say so.”
    “You don’t need my say so. Emperor Marcus issued an Imperial edict for all Imperial forces to continue the fight. None of the emperors since has rescinded that edict. The fact that we didn’t know about it means nothing. The Empire remains in a state of war, even though we thought ourselves at peace. Allow me to play those orders for you.”
    The screen on the wall came to life and Jared found himself mesmerized as the vid feed played directly into his implants. He found himself rising to his feet without thought as Emperor Marcus began to speak. He heard the words, but his attention focused on the flag bridge, for obviously that was what it was. It dwarfed even Courageous ’ main bridge.
    Courageous, can you identify that ship or its class?
    This unit does not know the particular ship, but the flag bridge belongs to a Holyfield class superdreadnaught, the most modern and powerful warship Fleet possessed.
    Basic schematics presented themselves in the corner of his vision. Holy God, that ship dwarfed Courageous . It had enough firepower to take on half a dozen battlecruisers head-to-head and win. It might be a wreck afterward, but it would take them down. It could singlehandedly destroy the present day Terran Fleet in one engagement.
    The vid ended and Breckenridge waved his hand. “Irrelevant. He and everyone with him died with the Old Empire. Until and unless your father declares war, the Empire is at peace.” He shot a glare at Jared. “Or we would be if someone hadn’t started shooting when they should’ve stayed hidden. A flaw that he has displayed more than once.”
    Kelsey shook her head slowly. “So we finally get down to the reason you’re pushing this. You dislike Captain Mertz because he defeated you. Humiliated you, from what I hear. Understandable enough, I suppose, but not relevant to this situation. You speak of the Old Empire and the Terran Empire as if they are two separate entities. They are not. The rule of the emperors is unbroken.”
    “Enough of this preposterous fantasy,” Breckenridge snapped. “Senior Sergeant Jones, please escort Princess Kelsey to my cutter so that she may be examined by our chief medical officer.”
    “Stop,” Jared said. “You heard the Imperial edict. Unless the emperor countermands it, Princess Kelsey is the most senior Imperial official in this system and she’s given us our orders. Stand fast, Senior Sergeant.”
    “Senior Sergeant, take Her Highness into medical custody,” Breckenridge snarled. “And arrest Commander Mertz. He’ll face charges for insubordination and disobeying a direct order. His blood won’t save him now.”
    The man looked torn, but he moved when Breckenridge snapped his fingers. One of his men followed closely behind him. Two others started toward Jared.
    Kelsey held up her hand one last time. “Captain Breckenridge, you’re about to make a career-limiting error in judgment. As an ambassador plenipotentiary of the Terran Empire, I order you to stand down and submit to my lawful authority.”
    Senior Sergeant Jones took Kelsey by the arm and looked suitably shocked when she stood and slammed him face down onto the conference table without the slightest effort.
    Jared opened his mouth to say something, but Meyer beat him to it. “Captain, we need to take a step back. The princess may have a point. Legally speaking. We should withdraw to consider the situation before we make the wrong choice.”
    Breckenridge looked as though he wanted to lash out, but he stepped back from the abyss after a very long moment of silence. Very reluctantly. “Commander Mertz, you will come with us.”
    “He will not,” Kelsey said firmly. “ Courageous says you don’t believe she is an active