Last Measure of Devotion (TCOTU, Book 5) (This Corner of the Universe) by Britt Ringel Page A

and the inlaid screen flashed to life.  The
Sade star system was centered on a single M4II star.  The star was a common one
and the system itself, mundane.  Sade’s only remarkable features were her
inhabitants, industrious folk led by executives focused more on profit margins
than the well-being of the humans working for them.  The IaCom corporatocracy
was not particularly harsh or unfair, as was the case with some of the
corporate worlds closer to the Brevic Republic.  IaCom board members simply
insisted upon an unwavering commitment to the company above all else.  Heskan
could empathize as the Republic also relied upon nationalism to keep the point
of its spear well-honed.
    “IaCom
has answered our casus bellum and the preliminary orders of battle have
been produced,” Heskan announced as he zoomed the Sade system map to the tunnel
point leading to Seshafi.  “As the defenders, they choose the battlespace and,
as is customary I’m told, they placed it seven light-minutes from this tunnel
point.”  As the map focused upon the chosen locale, it became rapidly obvious
that the area of space was empty.  Nods around the table confirmed what had
been expected.
    The
system map vanished with the press of a button.  In its place, the Seshafian
and Saden orders of battle appeared.  “We’re taking every fully repaired ship
we have available to the fight.”  He glanced at Lieutenants Williams, Harris
and Selvaggio and saw disgruntled looks.  “I’m not risking our Colossus-class snows;
they’re still too vulnerable to participate.”
    Despite
the best efforts of the accommodating Unadex repair docks in the Lagrin system, Rindr , Anakim and Ravana were still far too damaged to
withstand the rigors of additional action.  Maybe , Heskan thought, if
the stakes were higher, I would risk them but not under the current
circumstances.  Besides, I’m going to need those ships when Sade returns to our
system.  Heskan had also withheld his least combat-capable ships to push
back against the growing meme of his supposed bloodthirsty nature and
willingness to sacrifice anything for victory.
    “They
aren’t in the order of battle yet but the Catalina privateers will be sending a
brig and three snows in support.  With the addition of our new second-rate ship
of the line, we can muster ten ships in the effort.”
    “Not
even two full-strength sections,” Commander Tannault summarized unhappily.  He
leaned forward to inspect the Saden order of battle.  There were twenty-eight
ships.  Sade’s trio of line ships proudly topped the lists followed by three
Saden brigs augmented with an additional five brigs from the Fleet Works and
Secure Solutions privateer firms.  A combination of seventeen snows and
corvettes rounded out their defense.  Tannault groaned.  “Almost thirty ships
in defense.”
    “Is
this correct?” Covington asked in disbelief.  “Is Secure Solutions really
sending three brigs and three snows?  That’s half their entire stable.”  He
cast a questioning look to Heskan.
    Heskan
stared blankly at him until he realized Covington was expecting an answer.  That’s
right, I’d know such things since I’m supposed to have come from that company.  
He was frozen in thought until finally uttering, “Umm, close to that.”
    “Why
aren’t they supporting us, sir?” Tannault asked.
    Heskan
felt every pair of eyes look expectantly at him.  After what felt like an
eternity, Heskan weakly replied, “You see, one of the ranking officers in the
firm has a personal grudge against me.  Because of my tactics…”  Lame
excuse, Garrett .
    “That’s
a lot of ships to fight, Captain,” Baldwin said dubiously.
    “It
is,” Heskan agreed, grateful for the change in subject.  “But, we don’t know
how the order of battle will change over the next week.  How many of those
ships we damaged last month are truly operational?  Our latest intelligence
suggests that some might even be out of Sade,