All My Sins Remembered Read Free Page A

than to see what was out there, beyond the confines of the four empires, which had all but given up on space exploration, content on their border disputes and petty bickering.  They too longed for a better future for mankind.
    “You’re missing your party.” Nathan’s gruff voice interrupted his thoughts.  Hawke glanced at Nathan, giving him a weak smile, though he really didn’t feel like smiling.  “And you are thinking of both past and future, unless I miss my guess.”  Nathan added, holding out a glass of scotch towards Hawke in one hand while he took a sip from his own glass.  Hawke took a deep breath, and let it out with a soft sigh as he accepted the offered glass.
    “Maybe.” Hawke allowed, then added, “I am just...thinking.”  Nathan joined Hawke in gazing out the window.  Nathan nodded as he let his gaze drift out towards the planet on the other side of the window.  He had been with Hawke since the beginning.  He was one of Hawke’s drill instructors during boot camp in the Republic Marines, then met up again with Hawke as his commanding officer nearly a year later during some fierce action against the Rejai Empire.  Soon Hawke’s rank equaled his own, and Hawke had already made it clear he was a Marine for life.  Then there was The Reformation.  All four empires disbanded a majority of their standing military forces in favor of private military contractors.  Of those military forces that were outright disbanded were the Gadari Republic Marines.  Hawke did not deal with it well, drinking himself into a drunken stupor for nearly six months until Nathan smacked some sense into him.  After that particular brawl, a bruised Hawke Bakore created the Talons, and an equally bruised Nathan Schultz was its first member.
    “You think too much.” Nathan accused.  Hawke chuckled, his faint smile genuine this time.
    “And you never think enough.” Hawke replied, finishing one of the many friendly rituals they had built between them over the years. Nathan grunted, then finished off his glass of scotch.
    “Don’t be long.  It’s your party, you should be there.”  Nathan said.  Hawke nodded once as Nathan turned to leave.
    “Ah! There you are!” Commander Adam Spears smiled as he saw the two by the window.   “Congratulations on a long and illustrious career, my friend.  I, for one, will not be happy to see you go, nor will the Gadari Navy.”  Hawke’s thoughtful expression was replaced by a smile, though anyone that knew him recognized it as him trying to exhibit at least a little social grace.  The Commander, after all, had been the Talon’s handler for nearly as long as they had been in business.  The professional relationship between Spears and Hawke had grown rocky sometimes, but Spears always handed out the choicest, and usually the most critical, assignments to Hawke’s Talons.  Hawke, for his part, always got the job done.
    “I am honored you could make it.” Hawke lied.   In truth, he thought Commander Spears was a fake.  He always put on a facade so obvious it was irritating.  Sometimes he wished he could just yell at the man to be himself, but he knew his words would be lost on him.
    “I would not have missed it.  After all, the Talons have been at the forefront of every military action for the last twenty years.  You, and your company, will be sorely missed.” Spears replied.  “Are you sure I cannot get you to reconsider?”  Hawke smiled politely, and shook his head.
    “I am afraid not, my friend.  The Heaven’s Gaze is being loaded with supplies even now.  It is my intent to launch her by the end of this week, and be on our way to begin our explorations after a one month shakedown cruise.”  Hawke said.
    “Ah...well, I had to try.” Spears said.  “But can you stop by my office in the morning?  I have one last thing I have to talk to you about.”  Hawke’s grin became a little more forced as he nodded.
    “Sure, Adam.  I’ll be there