Counterstrike (Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 3) Read Free

century.
    “Right in here, if you please,” the man leading the procession said, standing aside and gesturing them past. Neither Jackson nor Admiral Marcum favored the cretin with as much as a nod as they walked into a dimly lit, lavishly appointed room that was dominated by an enormous oval table in the middle that was made of a type of wood only found on Earth. It was these tiny observations that had begun to add up and tug on the strings of Jackson’s heart. Despite living almost all of his adult life aboard a starship, this was home. This was where he belonged.
    “Senior Captain Wolfe,” a middle-aged woman with long, silver hair near the table head spoke up. “It is an honor to have you join us. Please take a seat.”
    “The honor is mine, Madam Minister,” Jackson said, dipping his head respectfully. Even though he’d never seen her in person, the serious, almost stern countenance of Minister Adavail Nelson was well-known even to those not familiar with Earth politics. She was the fair but relentless overseer of the Council of Nations, the organization that had once tried to negotiate between the fractious nation states of Earth and in recent times, under the leadership of Nelson and her predecessor, had smoothly transitioned into the planet’s first worldwide governing body. At least the first effective one and certainly the first in which all participants entered the agreement willingly.
    “Madam Minister—"
    “Do sit down, Admiral Marcum,” Nelson said with a dismissive wave. “You were invited to this meeting as the ranking representative of the Confederacy’s remaining military and as a courtesy, but you hold no sway here. There is no political power you can bring to bear nor are you entirely welcome. I apologize for my bluntness, but I wish there to be no misunderstandings before we begin.”
    “Of course, Madam Minister,” Marcum said smoothly, appearing completely unruffled.
    “We’re holding this informal briefing with the key players in the events that led up to the complete loss of Haven before a full session of the Council convenes to determine what, if anything, Earth will do about these unprecedented events,” Nelson continued. “Feel free to ask questions if there are points you’re unclear on … it’s imperative that everyone is up to speed in case you’re called up to give testimony.”
    Jackson sighed inwardly at that last part. He was certain there was no way he would avoid being called up before the Council if for no other reason than he was the most notorious “Earther” serving in Starfleet. His role in the Phage War, as it was now being called, had been wildly exaggerated by Earth’s media outlets to the point that he was portrayed as a hero, a bungling fool, or a bloodthirsty lunatic willing to let millions die to satisfy his desire for all-out war with the first spacefaring species encountered by humans. Unfortunately, he wasn’t all that sure where he actually fell on that spectrum.
    “We’ve questioned the alleged Colonel Robert Blake extensively and have even been able to analyze his DNA, comparing it to samples that were miraculously preserved in what used to be the United States.” Nelson grimaced slightly as she eased herself down into the plush chair at the head of the ovoid table. “By any measure we would use to determine such things, Colonel Blake is who he claims to be. That doesn’t preclude the fact that our investigative means just aren’t up to the task, but given his intervention on the Frontier I’m willing to take his story on faith. The real question now becomes what do we do about it?”
    “Madam Minister, might it not be useful to have Colonel Blake present for this meeting?” Jackson said, ignoring protocol and speaking to Minister Nelson directly.
    “Possibly,” Nelson’s careworn face gave no indication that she either agreed or disagreed. “However, Captain, there are certain mitigating factors that might make it easier if Blake