Free A Small Colonial War (Ark Royal Book 6) by Christopher Nuttall, Justin Adams Page A

returned her without delay - but he hadn't had a chance to talk to her.  God alone knew what she was planning to do, apart from writing the full story of the disaster on Vesy.  It might make interesting reading.
     
    And I’d better hope no one here learns she’s my sister , he thought, as he headed for the nearest terminal.  The media is the enemy of secrecy and security . 

Chapter Six
     
    HMS Warspite , Earth Orbit
     
    “They do feel the urge to be melodramatic, don’t they?”
     
    Penny Schneider had to fight down the urge to roll her eyes.  It had been an hour since they’d boarded the shuttle and set off for an undisclosed destination and Darrel Stevenson had spent most of the time complaining about it.  If he hadn't wanted to agree to the terms and conditions for being embedded with the military, she asked herself, why had he signed up in the first place?  She , at least, had known what she was getting into when she’d signed on the dotted line.  There might be a number of irksome security regulations - and the promise of a hefty jail term if she deliberately broke them - but there was also the prospect of a scoop.  It was something she needed desperately to boost her career.
     
    Because my stories weren’t unique when I was returned to Earth , she thought, sourly.  The Indians had held her prisoner just long enough to devalue her experiences and allow other reporters - who’d escaped with the Royal Navy - to undercut her.  I need something new as soon as possible .
     
    She ran a hand through her long blonde hair as the shuttle rocked one final time.  The gravity field shimmied, suggesting that they’d docked with a starship.  She couldn't help a flicker of fear despite the anticipation, fighting the urge to request - demand - that she be taken back home.  It wouldn't be the first time she’d travelled on a military ship, but it wouldn't be the same.  This time, they were going to war.
     
    I could die here , she told herself.  She'd faced death before - on Earth, during the war - but this was different.  Someone might blow the ship to atoms and take me with it .
     
    The hatch opened.  She rose to her feet and picked up her carryall, walking through the hatch and into a small airlock.  The logo on the inner hatch was familiar, very familiar.  She had to choke off a laugh as she realised she’d been assigned - again - to Warspite .  Was Percy back onboard?   He’d been on Vesy, the last time they’d met, but Fort Knight was no longer in existence.  She knew he'd survived - she’d checked the records as soon as she’d been returned to Earth - but she hadn't been able to organise a meeting.  Her sources had told her, in confidence, that everyone who’d had anything to do with the disaster were being interrogated by various Boards of Inquiry to find out just what had happened.  She could only pray that Percy hadn't been singled out as the scapegoat.
     
    She smiled, despite her fears, as the inner hatch opened to reveal Commander Howard.  She’d met him during the first trip to Vesy - as XO, he'd been responsible for supervising the reporters as well as his regular duties - and she rather liked him, although she knew he’d been careful what he’d shown her.  She didn't fault him for that, but it was rather annoying.  Naval personnel tended to stay firmly on-message whenever they thought they were being monitored by their superiors. 
     
    “Commander,” she said.  “ What a surprise to see you again.”
     
    “There was a need for secrecy,” Howard said.  He looked past her.  “Mr. Stevenson.  Welcome onboard Warspite .”
     
    “Thank you,” Stevenson said.  “Was it really necessary to hide the destination from us?”
     
    “I’m afraid so,” Howard said.  “I assume you paid close attention to your briefing?”
     
    “Of course,” Stevenson said, irked.   “It was very interesting.”
     
    “Operational details have to remain a secret, for the