Free The Slaver Wars: First Strike (The Slaver Wars Book Four) by Raymond L. Weil Page B

war.”
    “Then they are
fools!” Commander Adler spoke, his eyes growing wide. “The Hocklyns will either
conquer them or destroy them.”
    “How many
systems do they control?” asked Amanda, shaking her head in disbelief and
agreeing with Commander Adler. The Hocklyns would show no mercy to this strange
race.
     “They have
sixteen large colonies in addition to a heavily populated home system. They
have research installations and mining operations in at least fifty other star
systems,” replied Kalen, recalling the latest security report on the Albanians.
“They have also refused to share any of their advanced technology with us even
though we do have a trade agreement on non technological items.”
    “We have
stressed how important some of their technology could be to us in the war,”
Colonel Grissim added with a heavy frown. “But they don’t want to share
anything with us that could be used for military purposes. They have been very
clear about that in our negotiations with them.”
    “They’re
bigger than the Federation,” said Amanda, letting out a deep breath as she
thought about how powerful an ally the Albanians could be. “They could be a
huge asset to the war effort.”
    “They have no
armed ships at all?” asked Richard not believing that a race that advanced
could be completely defenseless.
    “That is unknown,”
Admiral Kalen said, leaning forward. “Our military intelligence people believe
they must have a small fleet of armed ships to protect their space from
potential invaders even though we have never seen one. We still have
negotiators speaking with them, and we do have an embassy on their home world,
but we have been told not to expect any help. They are willing to trade with
us, but that is all for now.”
    “We have
watched them from outside their space and have even followed a few of their
exploration vessels,” Colonel Grissim admitted as she looked around the group.
“But we have not been able to spot any signs of weapons on board their ships.
As near as we can tell, their exploration ships are completely unarmed.”
    “We have also
been extremely careful not to intrude upon their explorations,” added Kalen,
hastily. “We believe they expect us to watch them, but we have ordered all of
our ships to maintain a respectful distance.”
    “That’s
probably wise for now,” Commander Adler agreed. There was no point in agitating
a potential future ally. “They may have a change of heart later and join us.”
    “Perhaps,” replied
Colonel Grissim, doubtfully.
    “At least we
have three allies,” spoke Admiral Streth, feeling satisfied that the Federation
was not alone in this war. “We may find others in the worlds that we set free.”
    “How will you
be setting up your staff and fleet command structure?” asked Admiral Kalen. Fleet
Admiral Johnson and Admiral Teleck had both impressed upon Kalen that he was to
give Admiral Streth anything he needed.
    Admiral Streth
smiled as he looked over at Colonel Sheen; this was something he had been
looking forward to for several days. Reaching into his pocket, he took out a
set of rear admiral collar pins and slid them across the table.
“Congratulations, Rear Admiral Sheen. You will be in charge of Second Fleet.”
    Amanda felt
her heart hammering in her chest as she gazed at the coveted insignia; she had
not been expecting this.
    Richard
reached out and picked up the gold pins. He carefully attached the rear admiral
stars to the collar on his wife’s uniform. “Congratulations,” he said, feeling
proud. He knew in his heart that she would make a great admiral.
    “I don’t know
what to say,” stammered Amanda still feeling in shock. “I will do my best Admiral,
and I promise not to let you down.”
    “I know you
won’t, Admiral Sheen,” replied Hedon with a smile.
    “Major
Andrews,” continued Admiral Kalen. “We have studied your battle at the shipyard
above New Providence and would like to assign you temporarily to