Free Scrapyard Ship 7: Call to Battle by Mark Wayne McGinnis Page B

today.” Jason’s team came to attention and saluted the admiral as he came to a halt at the back of the shuttle.
    “Billy, Gunny, Rizzo … good to see you,” the admiral told them.
    “You remember Sergeant Toby Jackson, Delta Forces?” Jason asked.
    “Yes, good to have you along, Sergeant,” the admiral said, nodding.
    Muscular, and over six and a half feet tall, Jackson grinned, revealing a white smile with a gold front tooth. “Good to be here, sir.”
    “The rest of the team are on board, Admiral,” Jason said.
    The admiral strode up the ramp and acknowledged the five other SEALs, already seated. Jason and Billy, bringing up the rear, sat at the back of the shuttle. Jason used his NanoCom to let Lieutenant Grimes know everyone was on board and they were ready to go.
    Once the shuttle was off the deck, had cleared the Minian ’s starboard flight port, Jason stood and moved to the seat next to his father. Billy made a face. “Was it something I said?”
    “Talk to me about Walker, Dad. What’s he doing here?”
    The admiral looked as if he knew the question was coming. “Look … Walker’s not only a politician, he’s also a master strategist. The country’s made mistakes over the last few years … Hell, I’ve made mistakes over the last few years. I’m military. I think like a soldier when sometimes I should be thinking like a politician. Earth is entering a new phase. A phase where strategic alliances will become even more important. Can you think of anyone you’d rather have at the table than Secretary of Defense Walker?”
    Jason thought about that for a moment. “No … he’s smart, cunning, and loyal to his country. I’m sure he’ll represent Earth from space with that same tenacity. I guess what I’m getting at … we’ve always had a clear delineation between the two. Now who’ll be in charge of space command?” Jason shrugged. “It’s hard enough taking orders from my father. Will I … will we now be marching to the drum of the president? My ex-wife … or through her proxy, Walker?”
    The query brought a smile to the admiral’s face. “I don’t know what to tell you, Jason. I’ve offered you my position several times now. I’m getting too old for this bullshit. You should have moved up the leadership rung last year.”
    “This isn’t a plea for a promotion. I’m just getting the lay of the land, seeing it the way you see it.”
    “I see it the way I’ve always seen it. Only now, the stakes are much higher. I’m not prepared to make decisions that not only affect the Alliance, but Earth … hell, all human kind.” He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Look at what we’re up against. Ot-Mul … his Drac-Vin forces make anything we’ve gone up against in the past look like child’s play. Think about one hundred … two hundred … hell, it might be three hundred thousand warships. Nothing gets in the way of that kind of military prowess.”
    “So why bother?”
    “You know why … it’s not over till the fat lady sings. And from where I’m sitting, she may be singing a different tune than Ot-Mul is counting on.” The admiral turned in his seat and looked into his son’s eyes. “Jason … I’m putting through the paperwork for your admiralship. You’re what, forty now? It’s time for you to take the next step in your career. Grow the hell up!”
    “I’ll think about it … if we even survive the next few days,” Jason said, wondering how the conversation got so turned around.
    “Well, don’t think about it too long. I’m getting goddamned tired of making this same offer to you.”
     
    * * *
     
    The four dreadnaughts coupled together made the vessel, by default, a meganaught. As the Perilous approached the massive vessel it became evident it too had been painted a brilliant white. Five miles long, over a mile high, the Craing ship looked as if it had just come off the assembly line.
    “Cap, I’ve been given clearance to approach. Looks