Free Chronicles of Athena Lee 6 Imperial Subversion by T S Paul Page A

of my own. You have to love the ‘Chief’s’ network on this station. My crew was already hard at work getting the engines ready for start up.
     
     

Chapter 14
     
     
     
     
    “Captain Van der Decken? What is the status of the space tugs?” There was silence on the bridge. “Captain! Are your listening to me? Report, and give me that status report dammit!”
     
    A young ensign, the sacrificial lamb, was pushed forward by the other bridge officers. “Excuse me, Sir?”
     
    The Commodore swung his gaze around from the battle map to young Ensign Bob Al. “Did you say something to me?”
     
    “Sir, you had the Captain hauled off by the Marines. Sir.” The ensign was shaking so badly he looked like he might pass out.
     
    The commodore turned to his Marine protectors. “What ‘did’ happen to Captain Van der Decken, Sergeant Niers?”
     
    “Sir, the Captain is doing a Flying Dutchman. He went for a walk outside without his space suit on.”
     
    “Ensign AL is it,” The frightened ensign nodded to the Commodore. “Do you know the status of the space tugs?”
     
    Before the ensign could answer the communications officer answered for him. “Sir, the tugs say that they have towed in the ten medium sized rocks that you asked for and that the large one is ready also.”
     
    Commodore Vakulinchuk made a shooing motion with his hand and the young ensign ran for cover. Turning toward the officer the Commodore said “excellent work! Tell them they can stop bringing in new rocks. It’s time to get rid of the older ones.” He looked at his pet Marine sergeant. “Bring up a few more men would you Peter.”
     
    “Yes, Sir. I was thinking that myself, sir.” Sergeant Peter Niers was a member of the Cabal like the Commodore. He was the officer’s primary protection. He had a history of making things disappear for Vakulinchuk.
     
    Soon, there were a half dozen more armed and armored Marines lining the walls of the bridge.
     
    “Communications, get that bitch on the screen again! We need to finish this.”
     
    The large forward view screen lit up, it now showed a view of the Legation Station Bridge area. Major Lee was standing and glaring at the screen.
     
    “Major Lee, this is your last chance to surrender the station to us and give us the leader of your so called rebellion.”
     
    “Us, surrender to you?” She snickered. “Not going to happen. Not today, not ever. Just take your little fleet and go home.”
     
    The woman was laughing at him. She was laughing. At. HIM! How dare this harridan speak to him this way! The commodores face got hot and his eyes were blazing with anger. He looked to his communication’s officer and made a head slicing motion with his hand. “Cut communications!”
     
    He would show her, he would show the whole galaxy! The Cabal ruled all, everyone will bow! “Weapons Officer, give the order to fire, I want that station destroyed!”
     
    Grigory sat in the Captain’s chair and giggled to himself. This would show them. He watched as the fleet came about and began firing their meager supply of missiles at the station. Counter-battery fire began immediately as the station activated its defense grid. Those weapons did not look at all like the ones that were reported to him!
     
    “Commander Patterson, did you or did you not inform us during your briefing that, THAT station had not been upgraded? How is it that they are firing at us then?”
     
    “Sir, the rebels must have done it. According to my figures, there is no easy way that they could have done it, Sir.”
     
    “Easy? Wrong answer, Commander Patterson, … Georgia. Lets call you Georgia, I think you told us those numbers just to make ME look bad. That’s what is happening isn’t it? Your little form of mutiny, make your Commanding Officer look stupid!”
     
    ‘No, Sir! Just doing my job, Sir.”
     
    The Commodore waved at the Marine guard.
     
    “I tell you what, Georgia, why don’t you go and give