A King's Ship (Empire Rising Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

transfer to a survey frigate as a second lieutenant. In time I might be promoted to command one. I’m not deluded. I don’t have any aspirations of commanding a warship, but maybe one day I could have my own survey frigate.”
     
    James was taken aback. This wasn’t exactly how he had expected this interview to go. He had been worried that he would have to babysit an untrained officer. Instead, he thought with a chuckle, he might have to watch his back in case she tried to steal his command from him.
     
    He was pleased though; she obviously felt comfortable enough to open up with him. That was something James had noticed more and more since he had returned to Earth just over a week ago. Almost everyone in Britain had grown up knowing his family name and by association with his father, he knew that he had become almost notorious. Yet after the discovery of the Void, especially the events that surrounded the Chinese attack on the Swedish colony ship, he had found himself a public figure in his own right. His brief association with the now Empress of China had added to that of course. Since his return to Earth, he had found that many people already felt they knew him and so were much more open.
     
    Turning his mind back to the problem at hand, James knew Rachael’s request would fit in well with his plans. Yet he also saw one major problem.
     
    “Your aspirations are praiseworthy, but there is likely to be one issue that may stand in your way. The Royal Space Navy is designed for war. Even our survey frigates are designed to have a role in times of war. My first command, Drake, demonstrated that. Even with all the command experience you could get here on Endeavour, I’m not sure the Admiralty will see you as command material. You will still lack the tactical training cadets at the academy get.”
     
    Rachael looked deflated by his comments and so James held up a finger to halt her thoughts, “However, I think I can help start you in the right direction. You may not like it but it is the best I can do for you. Once we leave Earth I plan to introduce a secondary watch using the auxiliary bridge. The secondary watch will be solely for training purposes. The idea is that the Sub Lieutenants who are off duty can take it in turns manning the auxiliary bridge, as if they are running their own watch. Some can man the command consoles while one of them acts as the officer of the watch commanding the ship. I also plan to make up some training scenarios for them to go through.
     
    “I can’t put you right in as the officer who commands the watch as almost all the Sub Lieutenants have more experience than you. However, I can put you into the rotation. You will have to take your turn manning the command consoles but you will also get to command the watch. I’m sure you’ll quickly pick up the necessary skills and in time, depending on how you do, I’ll be able to consider allowing you to take some real watches on the bridge. In the meantime you can review the tactical training cadets get at the academy and develop your skills as you man the tactical console on the mock bridge. How does that sound?”
     
    Rachael hesitated for a second. James wasn’t surprised. Joining the Sub Lieutenants would be potentially embarrassing. She was older than them all and at least technically her rank of science officer made her more senior than them. Joining them would cause everyone on board to think less of her rank. A look of resolve settled on her face.
     
    “I’ll do it,” she said, “Thank you for the opportunity Captain, I hope I won’t let you down.”
     
    “I hope so too,” James replied.
     
    As he was about to change the subject and ask Rachael about her studies an alert from his desk notified him that someone on the bridge was trying to contact him. Opening a COM channel he said, “Yes, this is the Captain?”
     
    “Captain,” Seamus Mallory, the Second Lieutenant began, “Orders have just arrived from Vulcan Sir.