AMP Private War Read Free Page A

accomplishments, only somber moods from the losses we had been dealt.
    It was the first time that it had occurred to me that we were all loners. No spouses. And siblings were few and far between with most of them being estranged. I wondered if perhaps that was part of the reason we had all bonded so well. George was like the uncle that I never had and Davis, he reminded me of the brother I had lost so many years ago to the Milgari.
    There were none among us who were lazy. Each gave their best effort when a task had been assigned. Each had shown their willingness to give it all for the cause. After a day in port I called a meeting.
    "OK. Listen up. We took a beating out there. We lost some good people. But we can't let that deter us from trying to stop the threat that is before us. Those who know me know that my father was in the last war. The ship he was on and the crew he served with, they were accused of mutiny and of surrendering to the enemy during a fight that they were winning."
    "Because of the accusations that were made, I have struggled for most of my life to forget the things that he had taught me, duty, honor, courage... and resolve. He would tell me stories of the battles that he fought in and the men and women with whom he had served. They were valiant men and women, those that were true to the cause, those that gave their lives so that others would continue to have freedom."
    "Freedom is every man’s dream; freedom to choose how we live our lives and freedom to choose who we spend those lives with. Each of us here today holds those same values. We don't fight so that we can become rich; we fight because we know that our way of life, our very freedom, is in jeopardy. The Tantric mine is making us more than we could spend in a lifetime. But what is that life without the freedom to do with it as we choose?"
    "Our ships took a beating out there, but they will once again be ready for battle in a week or so. The question we are now faced with is one of our choosing. Do we continue this fight? Do we again and again put our lives on the line to stop an enemy that is bent on our destruction? Or do we turn over the information we have and hope that the powers-that-be will make the right decision and once again move the Grid to a new location?"
    After a short pause I continued, "With a move we would be giving up most of what we have accomplished here on Bullwort. But I have no doubt those accomplishments can be repeated in whatever sector we end up calling home. You are all hard working individuals and I would not trade out a one of you for anyone else. I just need to know where you stand on this question. Do we stand our ground and continue this personal private war for our freedom? Or do we alert the Grid military to the threat and hope that others make the right moves?"
    "Take a few minutes to discuss it and I'll tell you what I think before we make a final decision." The team looked around silently at each other. I could tell from the concern on their faces that they wondered exactly where it was that I stood. Nearly a minute passed without a word being uttered. I then offered my position.
    "OK, it looks like we are unanimous about something. I'll tell you what I think and then we can put it to a vote. I think... I believe we should stay and fight. Those massive cannons are something that has to be stopped. If the Grid jumps to a new sector, who knows how long we will have before the Milgari again find us. And if they have more of those cannons, the Grid may not survive long enough to jump again. I think we have to stay and fight it out. I'm willing, willing to do whatever it takes to stop the Milgari."
    "We have no allies, no one else to help us, it’s only us, the small team of patriots in this room. I value the opinions, and the decision, of each and every one of you. What say..."
    Before I had a chance to finish my speech, Davis stood from his chair. "I've been kicking around in the Messenger Service for a long