Augmented, p.24
Augmented,
p.24
BK> At least you’re alive.
JN> Admiral Cody is going to be pissed.
BK> We can worry about that later. For now, I’m going to tell him to put the fleet on full alert.
JN> Even fuller alert.
BK> Maximum fullness alert. As for us? We’re going to Eriol.
JN> See you when we land.
Keller kept the Gundar aimed towards the Fortress-3 base and the spaceship raced towards the planet. Before the fleet were able to land, Keller received notification of an inbound comms message, which she accepted.
“Admiral Cody,” she greeted him.
“I think we’ve got some catching up to do, Lieutenant Keller.”
“That we have.”
“Before you land, I think I ought to tell you the news.”
Keller’s heart fell at the words and she was gripped by a certainty something terrible had occurred.
“What is it, sir?”
On this occasion, her psi insight let her down.
“Less than thirty minutes ago, we received a message from the Estral high command, requesting an immediate cessation of hostilities,” said Cody, the tone of his voice betraying nothing about his feelings.
“What the hell? Have the Confederation Council accepted?”
“They have convened an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.”
“Which way is the wind blowing, sir?”
“There’ll be peace. Mark my words, there’ll be peace.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Cody barked out a short laugh. “Welcome to the end of the Ninth War, Lieutenant Keller. It was by far the shortest war in the history of humans and Estral.”
“What now?”
“Bring in the Gundar. I might not have time to give you an immediate debriefing. The details can wait.”
“I won’t get too comfortable.”
“That would be wise. Where is Lieutenant Nation?”
“He’s kind of incommunicado, sir.”
Cody didn’t pursue specifics. “When you see him, let him know he’s due for some upgrades.”
“Will do.”
With that, Cody was gone, leaving Keller stunned at this turn of events.
BK> Looks like the war is over. The Estral have asked for peace. Why would they bother starting a war and then call it off after only a few hours? I mean, what’s the point?
JN> The Antaron. It’s got to be.
Nation’s words sank in and Keller felt her head swim. She groaned with the force of an insight.
JN> Are you there?
BK> I think you hit the nail on the head. The Estral have realised they’re in trouble and they don’t want to fight the Confederation at the same time.
JN> Sucks for them.
BK> This is our problem too. I can feel it. I know it.
JN> If that’s what you say, then that’s what I believe too.
BK> We’ve been ordered to Fortress-3. Let’s see what the future brings.
JN> The future is always war.
Keller nodded her head sadly. Humanity was about to be thrown into the grinder again, and she had no idea how the Confederation would get out of this one.
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Anthony James, Augmented
