Book of the Guardian 3: The Last Mission Read Online Free
Author: Ben Winston
Tags: Science-Fiction, adventure, Military, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Genetic engineering, Space Fleet, ai, space battle, bio enhancement
they're training today! Take a look at the scanners!" Chloe replied. "There's got to be a thousand ships out there!"
"Yeah, there's a hell of a lot more ships out there than there should be," John replied and keyed up his own communit. "ATC this is T-Gaurd One, over."
"Main Control on-line. What can we do for you Lord Aster?" a no-nonsense sounding female asked.
"A couple of things actually; First off, what's with all the ships? This isn't normal." John replied.
"Secure comm activated," the woman said. "The Sentinel fleet is being replaced. The new ships have been arriving for almost three hours. When they all arrive, the old fleet will withdraw to be upgraded."
"Okay, I can understand that, but why is everyone still crowded around the planet? It almost looks like the planet is under siege," John replied.
"In all actuality My Lord, Admiral Thomes has refused to move any of his ships out until the replacement fleet is in position," she said flatly, telling John that she was not very happy with the intransigent Officer.
"Can you add him to this call, and maybe I can help sort this out for you," John replied.
"I would appreciate it, My Lord. I'm about ready to pull my hair out over this. Please give me a moment to add him in," the ATC officer said.
"Good afternoon, My Lord Aster! Welcome to Centauri Prime! What can we do for you today?" Admiral Thomes said as he joined the channel.
"You can clear something up for me, Admiral. Since entering the system a few minutes ago, I've noticed an unusually high number of ships in orbit of the planet. In fact, I've personally witnessed several near collisions. The ATC is telling me you are refusing to move until the new fleet is in position, is that correct?" John asked reasonably.
"Yes it is, My Lord," the Admiral replied. "We are in a state of military emergency, and I will not leave my post until the incoming fleet can properly protect the planet."
"I see. Tell me Admiral, did you have basic physics in primary school?" John asked.
There was a short pause before the Admiral answered. "Of course I did, what does that have to do with the ATC not being able to do their jobs?"
"It is a simple and widely known aspect of physics that two separate objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time unless one of them is out of phase. So tell me, if you will, how can the incoming fleet take position if you are still in it?" John asked reasonably.
"Now see here, Major! I will not..."
"Admiral Thomes, you will move your fleet in accordance with instructions from the ATC as that is her job. If you continue to refuse the instructions of the ATC, I will hold you personally responsible for every single loss of life and materiel incurred in the accidents that will happen. I will also make it my personal mission to ensure you are imprisoned for those deaths. Currently, I will be filing a formal suggestion with High Command recommending you be removed from fleet command and reassigned to a desk someplace since you obviously no longer have a clue as to how to command a fleet!" John said, no longer sounding reasonable, but rather firm and resolute. "Why am I not seeing any ships moving Commodore Thomes?"
"You have no RIGHT!" the Admiral began only to be interrupted by John.
"You better check your laws again, Thomes. Military emergency gives me all the authority I need. I'll be in orbit in forty-five minutes. If you haven't moved your fleet to where the ATC tells you, I will board your ship and shoot you in the fucking head. Do you understand me now?"
The former Admiral disconnected from the comm channel. John saw the ATC was still on though. "ATC, has any of the old fleet begun moving yet?"
"Not yet, Sir," the woman replied, sounding much less formal.
"Chloe, could you see if His Majesty has a moment for me?" John asked, glancing over at her.
"Sure!" Chloe said, and got busy on her comms. Very shortly a somewhat rumpled looking hologram of Mark was standing with them. He was wearing
"Yeah, there's a hell of a lot more ships out there than there should be," John replied and keyed up his own communit. "ATC this is T-Gaurd One, over."
"Main Control on-line. What can we do for you Lord Aster?" a no-nonsense sounding female asked.
"A couple of things actually; First off, what's with all the ships? This isn't normal." John replied.
"Secure comm activated," the woman said. "The Sentinel fleet is being replaced. The new ships have been arriving for almost three hours. When they all arrive, the old fleet will withdraw to be upgraded."
"Okay, I can understand that, but why is everyone still crowded around the planet? It almost looks like the planet is under siege," John replied.
"In all actuality My Lord, Admiral Thomes has refused to move any of his ships out until the replacement fleet is in position," she said flatly, telling John that she was not very happy with the intransigent Officer.
"Can you add him to this call, and maybe I can help sort this out for you," John replied.
"I would appreciate it, My Lord. I'm about ready to pull my hair out over this. Please give me a moment to add him in," the ATC officer said.
"Good afternoon, My Lord Aster! Welcome to Centauri Prime! What can we do for you today?" Admiral Thomes said as he joined the channel.
"You can clear something up for me, Admiral. Since entering the system a few minutes ago, I've noticed an unusually high number of ships in orbit of the planet. In fact, I've personally witnessed several near collisions. The ATC is telling me you are refusing to move until the new fleet is in position, is that correct?" John asked reasonably.
"Yes it is, My Lord," the Admiral replied. "We are in a state of military emergency, and I will not leave my post until the incoming fleet can properly protect the planet."
"I see. Tell me Admiral, did you have basic physics in primary school?" John asked.
There was a short pause before the Admiral answered. "Of course I did, what does that have to do with the ATC not being able to do their jobs?"
"It is a simple and widely known aspect of physics that two separate objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time unless one of them is out of phase. So tell me, if you will, how can the incoming fleet take position if you are still in it?" John asked reasonably.
"Now see here, Major! I will not..."
"Admiral Thomes, you will move your fleet in accordance with instructions from the ATC as that is her job. If you continue to refuse the instructions of the ATC, I will hold you personally responsible for every single loss of life and materiel incurred in the accidents that will happen. I will also make it my personal mission to ensure you are imprisoned for those deaths. Currently, I will be filing a formal suggestion with High Command recommending you be removed from fleet command and reassigned to a desk someplace since you obviously no longer have a clue as to how to command a fleet!" John said, no longer sounding reasonable, but rather firm and resolute. "Why am I not seeing any ships moving Commodore Thomes?"
"You have no RIGHT!" the Admiral began only to be interrupted by John.
"You better check your laws again, Thomes. Military emergency gives me all the authority I need. I'll be in orbit in forty-five minutes. If you haven't moved your fleet to where the ATC tells you, I will board your ship and shoot you in the fucking head. Do you understand me now?"
The former Admiral disconnected from the comm channel. John saw the ATC was still on though. "ATC, has any of the old fleet begun moving yet?"
"Not yet, Sir," the woman replied, sounding much less formal.
"Chloe, could you see if His Majesty has a moment for me?" John asked, glancing over at her.
"Sure!" Chloe said, and got busy on her comms. Very shortly a somewhat rumpled looking hologram of Mark was standing with them. He was wearing
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