He changed the subject. “How confident are you that we will be able to spot them if either of them makes their move?”
“Not confident at all,” Malin said.
“Is there anything else we can do?”
“No, sir. Only wait, and keep our guard up.”
Drakon sat at his desk, doing nothing, for a while after Malin left. He wondered how things had gone at Iwa. Hopefully, they would receive some word from there soon. Hopefully, Gwen was all right.
He wondered what Morgan was thinking. Her contact number had been remotely wiped soon after he had left her that message.
He wondered where his baby daughter was, and what she looked like.
After a long time, Drakon got to work, trying to forget everything else.
But even that effort was frustrated, because before the day was over the light arrived showing that an Alliance courier ship had popped out of the hypernet gate. Immediately after arriving, the ship had broadcast a coded message with an urgent priority heading.
Chapter Seventeen
The message wasn’t addressed to him, and the code was one used only by the Alliance, but Drakon had no intention of letting an Alliance ship communicate directly with someone in this star system without his knowing what was being said.
He called Manticore.
“I assume that you are in receipt of the message from the Alliance courier ship, Captain Bradamont. I also assume that you have the necessary codes to read it. While we have respected your right to maintain security about Alliance matters, I nonetheless need to know if the message contains anything that bears on Midway Star System in any way. You may consider this a formal request for anything in that message that I or President Iceni should know. For the people, Drakon, out.”
Fortunately, Manticore had remained fairly close after escorting Boyens’s little flotilla to the planet. It only took fifteen minutes for the reply to come in.
“General Drakon,” Captain Bradamont said. She had her most professional attitude on, was wearing an immaculate uniform, and looked very calm and very determined. Bradamont was not on Manticore’s bridge, but in the privacy of her stateroom. “I am in receipt of both the message from the Alliance courier ship and your message asking for its contents. I should first inform you that the message is classified, but I am using my discretion as the senior local Alliance officer to override that classification and discuss the matter with you.”
Bradamont paused, then spoke slowly. “The message contains orders for me. It informs me that Admiral Geary’s orders assigning me as liaison officer to Midway Star System have been canceled. I am directed to return to Alliance space aboard the courier ship for further assignment.”
“Damn,” Drakon muttered. Part of him felt relieved that his upset was focused on how this would impact Donal Rogero and not on the negative effects it would have on Midway’s own defense. But it very definitely would hurt to lose Bradamont.
She was still speaking, but was having trouble keeping her voice steady. “My intent… General, my intent is to… to request that you grant me approval to remain at Midway in service to you and President Iceni. If you are willing to do so, I… I…” Bradamont paused, then got the words out. “I will inform the courier ship that I am resigning my commission as an officer in the Alliance Fleet and will not return with it. I hope you will regard my request with favor, and grant me a position here. Please inform me of… your decision. I will await your reply before answering the courier ship, which is demanding an immediate response. To the honor of our ancestors, Bradamont, out.”
Drakon stared at the image of Bradamont for several seconds. He knew her well enough to know how hard that decision must have been. And how much it would mean to Rogero. But he could not let that drive his own decision, not given the stakes involved and how much they would impact everyone in this star system. He touched the reply command. “Captain Bradamont, I want you to know that I appreciate how difficult this is for you, and how much I personally appreciate your request. However, given my responsibilities, before making a decision I must receive some answers to critical questions. First, will this action create ill will with Black Jack? We can ill afford to have that happen. Second, are you allowed by the Alliance to resign rather than obey that order? Will this action place you in violation of Alliance law? And, third, are you motivated in this matter purely by your relationship with Colonel Rogero, or are there other factors involved? Is your wish to serve Midway Star System conditional on Colonel Rogero?
“I require your answers before I can make an interim decision. I say interim because in a matter of this importance President Iceni would have to approve any final deal. For the people, Drakon, out.”
This time the fifteen minutes spent waiting for Bradamont’s reply seemed to take a very long time to pass.
Once again, she spoke with careful precision, trying to keep emotion from her words. “General, the orders I have received were not issued by Admiral Geary but by the admiral in charge of the fleet staff. Technically, that admiral has authority to issue such orders. From what I know of Admiral Geary, and from what he told me privately the last time I saw him, he would not approve of those orders. I believe that he would support my decision. I intend sending a private message to him back with the courier ship, explaining my reasons. As long as he knows this decision is mine, made freely, he will not hold it against you or anyone at Midway.
“If this were still a time of war, I would be prohibited by Alliance fleet regulations from resigning my commission. However, the Alliance is no longer legally at war. I took the time to research the regulations covering my current situation, and I am permitted to take this action. I…” She hesitated, her steely façade once again wavering a bit, “I am nonetheless likely to be branded a renegade and possibly a traitor to the Alliance by… certain parties. Legally, though, I have every right to make this decision as a citizen of the Alliance.
“You ask for my motivation. I would hope, based on those services I have been able to provide Midway Star System, that I would have earned the right to base my actions solely on my desire to remain with Colonel Rogero. But that is not my only reason. I have sacrificed that relationship to duty before this, and I would do so again if I believed it was necessary. Instead, I believe that duty now directs me to do all I can to continue to support you, and President Iceni, and all of those who fight to defend this star system and the new government you have built here.
“I want to stay and continue to help you, General, you and all of the citizens of this star system. I recognize that my status will have to be redefined, but I hope that can be accomplished in ways that allow me to follow my duty as I see it. To the honor of our ancestors, Bradamont, out.”
Drakon smiled as he thought about her reply. He should have expected that Bradamont would have all of her official ducks in a regulation row. “Captain Bradamont, on my authority as commanding officer of Midway’s ground forces and acting president in the absence of President Iceni, I hereby agree to your request, subject only to the approval of President Iceni upon her return, the exact terms of your remaining at Midway Star System to be determined later by mutual consent. Midway already owes you a great debt. I, personally, am extremely gratified that you wish to remain with us. Acknowledge receipt of this message and provide your acceptance of the terms I stated. For the people, Drakon, out.”