First Comes Duty (The Hope Island Chronicles Book 2) by PJ Strebor Page A
Authors: PJ Strebor
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have that sort of passion and drive, remember? What happened to those days?”
“The reformation has come at a price to all of us, Thaddeus,” Roth said.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right, Alder, but it’s a pity. Perhaps one day…”
“Thaddeus, one day when Tunguska is whole and under the control of one voice, then everything will be possible.” Draeger had been drumming the same party line into the emperor’s head for over twenty years, and still he could sense doubt in the young leader.
“One day,” Thaddeus said, with a wistful sigh. He shook his head and returned to business. “I read a report yesterday that I found to be a little disconcerting. Apparently the rumor mill suspects that some factions within the League of Allied Worlds are lobbying to have an amendment to the quarantine threat level. It’s restricted to military vessels so they can pursue raiders across the frontier. What’s your assessment, Oscar?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that, Thad. There are feelers out, mainly from Athens, but it’s not getting much traction.”
“So, we have nothing to concern ourselves with?” Roth asked.
Oscar sniffed. “If they ever get serious about it, I’ll do what I did last time.”
“Another Delos, Oscar?” Thaddeus looked appalled.
“Infecting Delos was a means to an end, Thad. The League is weak. They’ll do anything to avoid the possibility of engaging in another conflict that could introduce the plague to their worlds.”
“All that death,” Thaddeus said.
“Better them than us.” When will this boy toughen up?
“Let’s move on, shall we?” Roth said. “Oscar, do you think your cloak and dagger boys can help with the Talgarno situation?”
“Clearly, Alder, forty percent casualties is unacceptable. So I shall see what we can do.”
“You’ve performed miracles in the past, Oscar, but I would not be volunteering to infiltrate a barbaric lot like the Talgarnos. They have proven so far to have a decidedly poor sense of humor. A man would have to be crazy to get within reach of them.” He snorted. “I guess crazy is what you and your department do best.”
“Thank you, Alder. As a matter of fact, I believe I have just the person for such a lunatic assignment.”
CHAPTER 10
Date: 15 th December, 321 ASC.
Position: Pruessen Empire. Imperial Pruessen Navy base, Virtus.
Status: Mission selection.
The Virtus naval base constituted the most powerful single military force in the Pruessen Empire. The entire moon was solely allocated to the manufacture of ships and weapons and the protection of the Pruessen home systems. An enormous construct with but one purpose in mind: war. Driven by calculated Pruessen pragmatism, the base had grown into an impregnable colossus standing as the cornerstone of Pruessen expansionism.
A modest portion of the massive facility had been allocated to the Imperial Pruessen Navy Intelligence Division. A relatively small section of the division had been set aside for the exclusive and ultra–top secret Special Services. This was Oscar Draeger’s empire, and with it came power beyond measure. No one told Draeger what to do or how to do it. Some had tried sticking their curious beaks into Special Services covert business and had paid a disproportionately high price for their inquisitive nature. The long years of harsh examples had established Draeger’s roost as one not to be trifled with.
Throughout the many years of establishing himself at the pinnacle of imperial hierarchy, few had been bold enough or stupid enough to question his time-proven unorthodoxy. None knew of his real purpose. For Oscar Draeger had stood before gods. His diligent commitment to the Family had not gone unnoticed by those he served.
Draeger had been the first of his generation to venture from the home world of the Family. Many years had passed since he had been trained for his role, for his destiny to unfold and the fruits of his labors to ripen. Thanks
“The reformation has come at a price to all of us, Thaddeus,” Roth said.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right, Alder, but it’s a pity. Perhaps one day…”
“Thaddeus, one day when Tunguska is whole and under the control of one voice, then everything will be possible.” Draeger had been drumming the same party line into the emperor’s head for over twenty years, and still he could sense doubt in the young leader.
“One day,” Thaddeus said, with a wistful sigh. He shook his head and returned to business. “I read a report yesterday that I found to be a little disconcerting. Apparently the rumor mill suspects that some factions within the League of Allied Worlds are lobbying to have an amendment to the quarantine threat level. It’s restricted to military vessels so they can pursue raiders across the frontier. What’s your assessment, Oscar?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that, Thad. There are feelers out, mainly from Athens, but it’s not getting much traction.”
“So, we have nothing to concern ourselves with?” Roth asked.
Oscar sniffed. “If they ever get serious about it, I’ll do what I did last time.”
“Another Delos, Oscar?” Thaddeus looked appalled.
“Infecting Delos was a means to an end, Thad. The League is weak. They’ll do anything to avoid the possibility of engaging in another conflict that could introduce the plague to their worlds.”
“All that death,” Thaddeus said.
“Better them than us.” When will this boy toughen up?
“Let’s move on, shall we?” Roth said. “Oscar, do you think your cloak and dagger boys can help with the Talgarno situation?”
“Clearly, Alder, forty percent casualties is unacceptable. So I shall see what we can do.”
“You’ve performed miracles in the past, Oscar, but I would not be volunteering to infiltrate a barbaric lot like the Talgarnos. They have proven so far to have a decidedly poor sense of humor. A man would have to be crazy to get within reach of them.” He snorted. “I guess crazy is what you and your department do best.”
“Thank you, Alder. As a matter of fact, I believe I have just the person for such a lunatic assignment.”
CHAPTER 10
Date: 15 th December, 321 ASC.
Position: Pruessen Empire. Imperial Pruessen Navy base, Virtus.
Status: Mission selection.
The Virtus naval base constituted the most powerful single military force in the Pruessen Empire. The entire moon was solely allocated to the manufacture of ships and weapons and the protection of the Pruessen home systems. An enormous construct with but one purpose in mind: war. Driven by calculated Pruessen pragmatism, the base had grown into an impregnable colossus standing as the cornerstone of Pruessen expansionism.
A modest portion of the massive facility had been allocated to the Imperial Pruessen Navy Intelligence Division. A relatively small section of the division had been set aside for the exclusive and ultra–top secret Special Services. This was Oscar Draeger’s empire, and with it came power beyond measure. No one told Draeger what to do or how to do it. Some had tried sticking their curious beaks into Special Services covert business and had paid a disproportionately high price for their inquisitive nature. The long years of harsh examples had established Draeger’s roost as one not to be trifled with.
Throughout the many years of establishing himself at the pinnacle of imperial hierarchy, few had been bold enough or stupid enough to question his time-proven unorthodoxy. None knew of his real purpose. For Oscar Draeger had stood before gods. His diligent commitment to the Family had not gone unnoticed by those he served.
Draeger had been the first of his generation to venture from the home world of the Family. Many years had passed since he had been trained for his role, for his destiny to unfold and the fruits of his labors to ripen. Thanks
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