Kris Longknife: Tenacious (Kris Longknife novellas Book 12) by Mike Shepherd Page B

freighters.”
    “And what if we don’t want to be your willing slaves?” came from somewhere in the back of the room from the newly created tables.
    “As I said, we’ve got a food problem here. No work, no food. If you don’t want to work or don’t work out up here in space, you can go dirtside and see if you like it better working for a colonial farmer or fisherman. The work’s hard and hot. Many of us have taken a turn at it on our leaves. It’s hard and hot work, but it’s putting in a crop that should see us eating better and brewing our own beer in a month or two.”
    “And if we decide to skip your job offer and just leave?” It was also unclear who spoke.
    “Do not misunderstand me. I said no ship leaves here. We can’t afford to have any ship taken by the aliens. If they find out where human space is, it’s all over for humanity. Maybe not in a few years, but for now, those are the orders I’ve been given.”
    “Is that why the freighters that stopped off at the mines have an escort?” came from Commodore L’Estock.
    “Yes. If one of those merchant ships had tried to run back the way it came, I’d have ordered the escort to shoot out its engines. Maybe it’s time we complete the briefing. Nelly, put the feed from my battle board of three weeks ago up on the main screen.”
    The screen lit up as the aliens tried and failed, then succeeded at forcing the jump. Everyone watched as the alien horde drove the Navy ships back, dying for every bit of space they gained but taking Navy ships with them. The climactic battle near the gas giant came quickly, then the bloody rout—ending with the aliens blowing their moon-size base ship to atoms.
    “That’s our enemy. This is why we fight.”
    The forward screen filled with the raped planet that Kris had found on the Voyage of Discovery. It showed the wreckage of a planet plundered of its resources, right down to its air and water.
    “If we fail, this is what happens to the planet beneath us. If we make the mistake of letting these aliens get any leads to human space, this is what happens to your home planets—to your brothers, sisters, moms, and dads. Does anyone have any questions?”
    It took a moment before, “Not since you put it that way,” came from some wag in the back, but it seemed to be a good enough answer for all.
    “Now, the good news is that we won that fight. The bad news is that three other alien clans were watching us do it. No doubt, given time, they’ll be back to take a try at us. I was about to take a scout squadron out when you arrived. We think we’ve found the alien home world, and we want to look over the planet they appear to have abandoned a hundred thousand years ago. Maybe it will tell us something. Maybe it won’t.”
    Kris turned to Commodore Kitano. “While I’m gone, Commodore Kitano will have the job of teaching you how we fight on Alwa Station. It’s hard driving and hard evasion. You’ll likely need to modify your ships to pull it off. She and the veterans of the recent fight will be showing you the ropes over the next several weeks. Since she’s been acting as my deputy, it’s appropriate that she have the rank to go with it. Commodore Kitano.”
    The woman stood, then marched front and center to Kris. “Commodore Kitano, it is my honor to promote you to rear admiral. These shoulder boards have served me well in the last battle. May they serve you just as well.”
    Kris removed the young woman’s commodore boards and replaced them with those of a rear admiral. “Congratulations,” Kris said, offering her hand to shake.
    Kitano shook it right back. “Thank you, Admiral.”
    When Kitano had returned to her seat, Kris turned again to the officers before her. “There will be other fleeting ups announced tomorrow that will leave squadron positions open. We will fill in behind. Battle-experienced hands will have the leg up. No doubt, there will be more opportunities for you newcomers to demonstrate your