Battlecruiser Alamo - 7 - Battlecruiser Alamo: Sacred Honor Read Online Free

“Eight jumps home from here. That could mean twelve. Or twenty. This is already going to set some records for the longest ever deep-space patrol.”
     “Perhaps, but it is more likely to succeed.”
     “We’d be trading a problem today for a bigger problem tomorrow. We don’t know what is out there, and even the Cabal records don’t seem very enlightening on the subject. In Cabal space at least we know where to find fuel, supplies…”
     “And enemy forces everywhere we go.”
     “They have a finite fleet, Lieutenant. Once we get past the bottleneck, especially without an enemy at our back, then we have a lot more options to play with. We’re going to fight this battle sooner or later, so we fight it now – while we can choose the time, at our best fighting strength, and all our resources marshaled for the attack.”
     “Very well, sir.”
     “What are you going to tell the rest of the crew?” Caine asked. 
     Glancing up at a battered old clock on the wall, Marshall said, “Briefing for all department heads in ten hours, five hours before we return to normal space. I’ll outline my official plans then. Try and look surprised.” 
     “Why not bring some of the others into the loop?” Quinn said. “Mulenga, for example. Or Tyler.”
     “This is a need-to-know operation. I will bring them in...after we’ve made our final jump towards the site of the battle, and no-one can tell any tall tales.”
     Shaking her head, Caine said, “So basically, our plan is to tell the enemy where they are going, and hope that they don’t believe us.”
     “Information that comes too easily is rarely trusted. I’m counting that the Commandant won’t see through this one, will think that I am cleverer…”
     “...than you are,” Caine finished with a smile.
     “I think you’d better make your way out separately, try and avoid any suspicion. We don’t know who might be watching us.”
     “I presume this place isn’t bugged,” Zebrova said; Marshall waved a detect or in the air.
     “Swept it myself before we started. You all should check your offices when you get back, but if you find any, don’t destroy them. Just do anything important elsewhere. Remember, we need the saboteur to think they are getting away with it. Though feel free to make sure nothing important gets damaged, Quinn.”
     “I’ve already got everyone on double-time checking systems. It should be easy enough to arrange that all critical areas have someone from Alamo present at all times – and don’t worry, sir, I’ll make sure to keep my tracks covered.” 
     “Right. We’ll meet again in two weeks, and I look forward to hearing what you’ve come up with. Dismissed.”
     Zebrova left first, crawling away with a scowl on her face; this plan had not satisfied her in the slightest, but she was loyal enough to accept it. Quinn was a lot happier, already plotting and scheming the devices he was going to cobble together. Cooper paused at the threshold, and turned back for a minute.
     “Sir…”
     “I’ll cover you, Cooper. After the fact, if necessary, but I’ll make sure your career isn’t damaged by anything you have to do.”
     “That wasn’t what I was going to ask, sir.”
     “Well?”
     “You do know that your father is a suspect.”
     Marshall nodded, “I don’t for one moment think that he is involved, but there is a reason he isn’t at this meeting. Just find out what’s at the other end of the rabbit hole.”
     “Rabbit hole?”
     “Never mind. Good luck, Corporal.” As the trooper crawled away, he turned back to Caine, “What are they teaching them at school these days?”
     “Probably not ancient literature,” she said. Glancing after Cooper, she said, “You’re putting him in a hell of a position, you know. He isn’t a trained investigator, and he’ll have to keep this secret from everyone while putting him at risk.” 
     “I know,” he