Kelly Blake 3: Where the Stars Are Few and Far Between Read Online Free Page B
Author: Rodney Smith
turrets and fixed rail guns. The disruptors should be a perfect fit.”
Admiral Chang put his coffee cup down and leaned forward. “I may be able to help you out, Tom. We have a new production line up and running and I haven’t decided what ships to change out yet. I can get you your six guns. Now, how did the K’Rang steal a march on us like they did?”
Tom Craddock sat down close, next to Admiral Chang and said quietly, “Sam, about five years ago we rolled up almost the entire K’Rang agent network in GR space. In retribution, they did the same to us. Most agents we didn’t lose went to ground. We’ve been almost blind inside the K’Rang Empire since. They built this new capability fleet on the far side of the Empire. We had only rumors they were up to something, but we never knew what. Our analysts thought they were developing new systems to upgrade their entire fleet, not build a whole new fleet of ships.”
Chang leaned back and crossed his legs. “Well, what’s done is done. Have you got a good captain in mind for this super ship? I can send over a list.”
Craddock waved him off and said, “No, I have just the right person in mind for this ship – if he’ll accept the job. I think he will.”
* * * * *
Rear Admiral Sue Thomas, Chief of Legislative Liaison, entered the main conference room and the assembled personnel came to attention. She took three steps into the room, told everyone to take seats, then walked to the front and joined Kelly in front of the Galactic Republic flag.
“Kelly, are you ready for this?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Admiral Thomas said, “Yeoman, publish the order.”
The Yeoman stepped up to the podium and said, “The President has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Kelly Pierce Blake. In view of these qualities and his demonstrated potential for increased responsibility, he is therefore promoted to the rank of Commander, with date of rank of 2328.09.01(Earth), signed, Cyril Mason, Captain, Fleet Secretary.”
Kelly removed his coat and a yeoman handed him another, with three full stripes on the sleeve.
The admiral shook his hand, turned to the audience and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Commander Kelly Blake.”
The room broke out into applause and everyone jumped up to be first in line to shake his hand.
The admiral asked him to stop by her office after all the glad handing was done.
Thirty minutes later, Kelly was escorted into Admiral Thomas’ office. She motioned him to a chair.
“Kelly, first, Admiral Craddock sends his regrets. He wanted to be here, but the Senate had other plans for him. Second, I have your orders. You are to report to Antares Base within three weeks. See my yeoman on the way out. He’ll flash it to your pocket terminal. I want to thank you for your wonderful service here these last three years. I know this has not been a dream assignment for you, but you performed admirably. Three Defense bills with increases in our budget all three years. We’ve made up for that disastrous budget cut we took in 2324. Ships are being upgraded, other ships are coming out of mothballs. New weapons on new ships. We have the means to take back the Eridanus sector. All of this is partly a result of your presence on my staff. No, I’m not exaggerating. You have a knack for this job – and not just because of your uncle. You’ve done a great service to the Republic.”
Kelly replied, “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate the sentiment. It’s been a real learning experience here these last three years. I appreciate the guidance and mentorship you’ve given me. Aren’t you coming up for reassignment soon?”
“Yes, I hope to get a fleet, but haven’t heard anything definite. There’s talk of forming a fleet or two from the mothballed ships at Glenn. I might get a full battle fleet with a Bolivar class carrier as a flagship.”
“Well, I hope you do, ma’am. I have some things to
Admiral Chang put his coffee cup down and leaned forward. “I may be able to help you out, Tom. We have a new production line up and running and I haven’t decided what ships to change out yet. I can get you your six guns. Now, how did the K’Rang steal a march on us like they did?”
Tom Craddock sat down close, next to Admiral Chang and said quietly, “Sam, about five years ago we rolled up almost the entire K’Rang agent network in GR space. In retribution, they did the same to us. Most agents we didn’t lose went to ground. We’ve been almost blind inside the K’Rang Empire since. They built this new capability fleet on the far side of the Empire. We had only rumors they were up to something, but we never knew what. Our analysts thought they were developing new systems to upgrade their entire fleet, not build a whole new fleet of ships.”
Chang leaned back and crossed his legs. “Well, what’s done is done. Have you got a good captain in mind for this super ship? I can send over a list.”
Craddock waved him off and said, “No, I have just the right person in mind for this ship – if he’ll accept the job. I think he will.”
* * * * *
Rear Admiral Sue Thomas, Chief of Legislative Liaison, entered the main conference room and the assembled personnel came to attention. She took three steps into the room, told everyone to take seats, then walked to the front and joined Kelly in front of the Galactic Republic flag.
“Kelly, are you ready for this?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Admiral Thomas said, “Yeoman, publish the order.”
The Yeoman stepped up to the podium and said, “The President has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Kelly Pierce Blake. In view of these qualities and his demonstrated potential for increased responsibility, he is therefore promoted to the rank of Commander, with date of rank of 2328.09.01(Earth), signed, Cyril Mason, Captain, Fleet Secretary.”
Kelly removed his coat and a yeoman handed him another, with three full stripes on the sleeve.
The admiral shook his hand, turned to the audience and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Commander Kelly Blake.”
The room broke out into applause and everyone jumped up to be first in line to shake his hand.
The admiral asked him to stop by her office after all the glad handing was done.
Thirty minutes later, Kelly was escorted into Admiral Thomas’ office. She motioned him to a chair.
“Kelly, first, Admiral Craddock sends his regrets. He wanted to be here, but the Senate had other plans for him. Second, I have your orders. You are to report to Antares Base within three weeks. See my yeoman on the way out. He’ll flash it to your pocket terminal. I want to thank you for your wonderful service here these last three years. I know this has not been a dream assignment for you, but you performed admirably. Three Defense bills with increases in our budget all three years. We’ve made up for that disastrous budget cut we took in 2324. Ships are being upgraded, other ships are coming out of mothballs. New weapons on new ships. We have the means to take back the Eridanus sector. All of this is partly a result of your presence on my staff. No, I’m not exaggerating. You have a knack for this job – and not just because of your uncle. You’ve done a great service to the Republic.”
Kelly replied, “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate the sentiment. It’s been a real learning experience here these last three years. I appreciate the guidance and mentorship you’ve given me. Aren’t you coming up for reassignment soon?”
“Yes, I hope to get a fleet, but haven’t heard anything definite. There’s talk of forming a fleet or two from the mothballed ships at Glenn. I might get a full battle fleet with a Bolivar class carrier as a flagship.”
“Well, I hope you do, ma’am. I have some things to
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