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

An encrypted data file is awaiting you at your command chair.”
     
    “Thank you Lieutenant,” James replied. “I will be up presently.”
     
    Looking over at the Science Officer, James stood and shook her hand again. “I’m afraid we will have to continue this another time. I’m sure it will be a pleasure having you on board.”
     
    “Thank you Sir,” she responded, “and can I say that it is exciting to be serving under you. I hope we can make a discovery as important as the Void with Endeavour .”
     
    James laughed and then answered, “Me too, but you should be careful what you wish for, discovering the Void led us to a war.”
     
    After watching her leave James took a moment to compose himself. A shiver of excitement ran down his spine. This was the first time he would be entering the bridge. After going through the protocol for taking command when he had come aboard he had come straight to his office to read up on Endeavour . Now he was about to enter the place that would be his home for the foreseeable future. Endeavour was his third command and he knew from experience that he would be spending long hours in his command chair. From there he could direct the three hundred men and women on board, as well as control all of Endeavour’s weapons.
     
    A few years ago the thought of commanding another survey ship would have filled him with dread. His first command, the survey frigate HMS Drake , had been a punishment rather than a reward. Giving him the ship had been a ploy to keep him away from Earth and the British princess. Yet, over time he had come to love the navy and his first command. Now command was all he had left. The idea of an extended survey mission into outer space actually excited him. Or at least, it was better than the thought of staying on Earth.
     
    Before heading to the bridge he went into his personal quarters to retrieve his captain’s jacket. His steward from Raptor had accompanied him to Endeavour and Fox already had all his things unpacked and stowed away. With a glance at one of the reflective screens in his quarters he straightened his uniform, patted down his thick blond hair and headed for the bridge.
     
    As he entered and every eye looked at him, James suddenly felt a little self-conscious. Endeavour’s bridge was much bigger than Raptor’s and there were many more people about. Before he had a chance to take everyone in, Lieutenant Mallory stood to vacate the command chair.
     
    “The bridge is yours Captain,” he said as he saluted.
     
    “Thank you Lieutenant,” James said as he approached his chair. “You can continue the watch, I will be reviewing our orders.”
     
    As Mallory walked over to sit in the Officer of the Watch’s command chair, James slowly lowered himself into his home aboard Endeavour . The seat was identical to the one onboard Raptor and he immediately felt at ease. Before opening his orders he looked around the bridge again. Everyone was still staring at him. “At ease, back to work,” he said with a wave of his hand.
     
    When all the eyes in the room turned back to their duties James took the opportunity to assess his bridge crew. There were five Sub Lieutenants manning the ship’s command consoles, Navigation, Sensors, Tactical, Defense and Communications. To either side of him there were secondary command chairs, both of which were a new addition for James. Lieutenant Mallory sat in one while the other was vacant. To one side the Science Officer sat, looking over her shoulder James could see she was reviewing some sophisticated looking graphical image. He quickly moved on, knowing that whatever she was doing was way beyond his comprehension. As well as the usual Sub Lieutenants there were also a number of Ensigns on the bridge. Their job was to assist their seniors and take over in the event one was injured during combat. Finally there were the two marine guards standing at ease by the door to the bridge. After Major Johnston’s