Free Last Measure of Devotion (TCOTU, Book 5) (This Corner of the Universe) by Britt Ringel

questioned, “How is Isabella?  I heard she
was promoted before accepting command of the Tikoloshe.  Wasn’t her task force
involved in defeating the Brevic counterattack in Kalyke?”
    “Yes,
her cruiser sustained moderate damage,” De Luca replied.  “But her task force
retained control over the Brevic system and smashed what we believe to be the
last of the ‘Vic carriers.  Not only have we forced the Republic to the
bargaining table but we have united the New Roma star systems once again.”  De
Luca smiled slightly to herself as she added, “And my blood was instrumental in
the reunification.”
    “Where
is the Tikoloshe now?”
    “Isabella
received orders to sail to Devera for repairs along with the other damaged
ships from the task force, although the bulk of that fleet remains in Kalyke under
Wiceadmiral DeTongas.  My understanding is that we will use that system as a
bartering chip for the peace process.”
    “She’s
so close to Hollara,” Nichols observed.  “Why doesn’t she come home while her
cruiser is in the repair yard?”
    “Because
she is still running from herself.”  De Luca sighed.  “She is running from her
feelings of personal loss and we both know that throwing yourself into your
work is the most common means of distraction.”
    “And
we both know the futility of it,” Nichols replied forlornly.
    De
Luca took several seconds to turn her unwilling frame toward her companion.  “I
will not shatter her illusions.  She will discover this for herself but every
day apart is one more day that weakens their bond.”  She lowered her head
fractionally as she admitted, “Perhaps I am being selfish but I’m afraid of
losing her again.”
    “We could always
choose not to intercede in the matter of Secure Solutions and Sade,” Nichols
offered.
    *  *  *
    The announcement
from the Devera tunnel point controller crackled over Caracaras’ bridge
speakers, creating a natural lull in the routine conversations playing out
inside the compartment. “AV Caracaras, your flotilla is clear to dive.”
    “It’s
about time,” her captain muttered.  He briefly glanced at the zoomed-in
tactical plot showing a narrow section of space to confirm his six-ship privateer
task force was in good order.  “Casey, send this:  Squadron One-One, this is
Komandor Lake.  We’ve been cleared to tunnel, finally.  Prepare to dive for
Devera upon my signal.”
    The
delay in the Acca Larentia system had actually been minor, his squadron forced
to heave to and give a small task force of Hollaran warships priority over the
tunnel point.  Delays could always be expected.  The Secure Solutions privateer
company was based in an important Hollaran star system and the squadron was sailing
a major traffic lane.  However, each hour waiting at various tunnel points
added up and his squadron still required seven additional dives to arrive at
Sade.  It would take the better part of two weeks to make the voyage, providing
them barely a week to integrate into the Saden defense fleet.
    “Navigation,
commence our dive when ready,” Lake ordered as he settled himself into the
comfort of his captain’s chair.  The nausea of the transition into tunnel space
would still strike at him, like all other humans, despite a full career of
sailing the tunnels.
    “Aye,
Komandor,” came the reply after a brief pause.
    It
promised to be a busy couple of months, Lake realized.  Eleven days sailing to
Sade, an intense week’s worth of exercises and then a defensive action against
the neighboring star system.  Upon conclusion of that engagement, he would
immediately return to Hollaran space, to Secure Solutions’ homeport, and repair
and provision an even larger squadron.  That force would face the inevitable
return trip to Sade in support of IaCom’s anticipated casus bellum, the
next retaliation in the ongoing conflict.
    Lake felt almost
sorry for the Seshafian fleet commander his squadron would surely pummel as