and hence saw no problems with denying any transfers into or out of the system. Equally he saw the need to hunt down and destroy the Resistance and especially their leaders.
He did however frown at the inefficiency of that command. If it had been up to him he would have simply let the vermin die when Q4 reached its inevitable end. He acknowledged that it would make for a good example – the hunting down and extermination of the Resistance – but he knew it would come at a price and that would deplete his force of warriors. He was not so much concerned for their welfare, after all that was their role in the grand scheme of things. No, he was concerned because it would degrade his capacity for conducting subsequent operation. It was all about economy of force, a principle of war that was dear to his heart.
Hence he was surprised when the message came in with a change of orders. He was surprised at the objective – Cheklin. ‘Has it come to this?’ he asked himself. ‘A home world no less!’
The list of associated tasks was remarkably similar to his current mission with a few notable additions. The first, to secure the facilities of the Mintoslum Corporation, he immediately recognised as ‘vital’. The standing order to apprehend the Director of the ISS, no less, was a surprise. ‘Who would have thought’ he said to himself.
He pulled up the database of operational contingency plans and searched for Cheklin. The first thing that struck him was the Dogon space station. ‘It would be a shame to destroy it’ he commented to himself ‘but one way or another we have to neutralise or control it.’
He looked up from his terminal and hailed the watch officer “Change of course, details coming through now.”
Chapter 26. Resolute over Q2 1600, 11 September
Jim looked up from his small office on G deck to see Ginty standing in the door frame.
“You wanted to see me” she said.
“Yeah” and he waved for her to take the seat at the side of his small desk. “Close that will you?” he asked pointing to the door. She did so but was looking at him warily as she sat down.
“So have you decided yet?” asked Jim.
“About what?” she replied.
“About your mother’s request.”
Ginty let out her breath in a frustrated manner. “I’m still thinking it over.” Jim tilted his head at her as if to say ‘really?’ “Don’t give me that look” said Ginty. “You don’t know her.”
Jim folded his arms, which Ginty knew was a sure fire signal that he was unimpressed. “I just don’t trust her” she added.
Jim shook his head. “When’s the last time you ever spoke or communicated with her?”
“Ah…” said Ginty as she was trying to work it out. “Must be what… eighteen years.”
“Are you serious?...” said Jim.
Ginty cut him off before he could continue. “Yes I was only nine when she ran off and I have not spoken to her since.”
“You know people do change over time and eighteen years is more than enough time.”
“She never once tried to contact me. I was the child remember!” said Ginty in an authoritative voice.
“Well she’s trying now, isn’t she?” came back Jim in an equally authoritative voice.
“I suppose” acknowledged Ginty.
“I take it you are your dad’s legal next of kin?”
“Yeah. That’s why she needs my approval for the power of attorney.”
“What’s the harm in giving it? You want the best for you dad don’t you?”
“Of course I do. But I’m not sure this will be the best for my dad. What if she’s just after his money?”
“There are a lot easier ways to get money than caring for someone dying.”
“Yeah like killing, hey?”
“No, that’s not easier either” said Jim with a very disappointed look. “Just limit the power of attorney to medical matters. That way she can’t touch his money or assets.”
“You can do that?”
“Yeah, you can.”
Ginty relaxed for the first time since sitting down. She pondered the solution
He did however frown at the inefficiency of that command. If it had been up to him he would have simply let the vermin die when Q4 reached its inevitable end. He acknowledged that it would make for a good example – the hunting down and extermination of the Resistance – but he knew it would come at a price and that would deplete his force of warriors. He was not so much concerned for their welfare, after all that was their role in the grand scheme of things. No, he was concerned because it would degrade his capacity for conducting subsequent operation. It was all about economy of force, a principle of war that was dear to his heart.
Hence he was surprised when the message came in with a change of orders. He was surprised at the objective – Cheklin. ‘Has it come to this?’ he asked himself. ‘A home world no less!’
The list of associated tasks was remarkably similar to his current mission with a few notable additions. The first, to secure the facilities of the Mintoslum Corporation, he immediately recognised as ‘vital’. The standing order to apprehend the Director of the ISS, no less, was a surprise. ‘Who would have thought’ he said to himself.
He pulled up the database of operational contingency plans and searched for Cheklin. The first thing that struck him was the Dogon space station. ‘It would be a shame to destroy it’ he commented to himself ‘but one way or another we have to neutralise or control it.’
He looked up from his terminal and hailed the watch officer “Change of course, details coming through now.”
Chapter 26. Resolute over Q2 1600, 11 September
Jim looked up from his small office on G deck to see Ginty standing in the door frame.
“You wanted to see me” she said.
“Yeah” and he waved for her to take the seat at the side of his small desk. “Close that will you?” he asked pointing to the door. She did so but was looking at him warily as she sat down.
“So have you decided yet?” asked Jim.
“About what?” she replied.
“About your mother’s request.”
Ginty let out her breath in a frustrated manner. “I’m still thinking it over.” Jim tilted his head at her as if to say ‘really?’ “Don’t give me that look” said Ginty. “You don’t know her.”
Jim folded his arms, which Ginty knew was a sure fire signal that he was unimpressed. “I just don’t trust her” she added.
Jim shook his head. “When’s the last time you ever spoke or communicated with her?”
“Ah…” said Ginty as she was trying to work it out. “Must be what… eighteen years.”
“Are you serious?...” said Jim.
Ginty cut him off before he could continue. “Yes I was only nine when she ran off and I have not spoken to her since.”
“You know people do change over time and eighteen years is more than enough time.”
“She never once tried to contact me. I was the child remember!” said Ginty in an authoritative voice.
“Well she’s trying now, isn’t she?” came back Jim in an equally authoritative voice.
“I suppose” acknowledged Ginty.
“I take it you are your dad’s legal next of kin?”
“Yeah. That’s why she needs my approval for the power of attorney.”
“What’s the harm in giving it? You want the best for you dad don’t you?”
“Of course I do. But I’m not sure this will be the best for my dad. What if she’s just after his money?”
“There are a lot easier ways to get money than caring for someone dying.”
“Yeah like killing, hey?”
“No, that’s not easier either” said Jim with a very disappointed look. “Just limit the power of attorney to medical matters. That way she can’t touch his money or assets.”
“You can do that?”
“Yeah, you can.”
Ginty relaxed for the first time since sitting down. She pondered the solution
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