Free Fleet #03 No Rest for the Wicked Read Free Page A

Henry's.
    “Why don't we use the mines? Push them towards us,” Monk said.
    “That was going to be my final resort, but I want them to come in guns blazing so we can have the element of surprise when they get to Parnmal thinking they have the upper hand,”
    “Riot?” Min Hae said, as eyes turned to him with questioning looks. “We make a show of some stuff blowing up. Then we have someone send a panicked message to Kelu saying that the ones going against Jorsht need his assistance,”
    “For what reason would they attack Jorsht?” Monk asked. Everyone was thinking the same thing.
    “Took their ships and there's a reward for his head,” Min Hae said. It made sense for the Syndicates.
    “Make the preparations, in one week we'll lure them in, or pull them in,” Salchar said.
    “We're going to lose the PRC's that they saw already. To sell this we're going to have to prove that the PRC's are out of order. We'll have to give up a few not facing the syndicate as well.” Monk had learnt that when Min Hae said something it was always true. In the world of lies and treachery, he had never lied to Monk or the command team.
    I guess dealing with possibilities all the time would make the truth more valuable than gold, Monk thought as the others grimaced in the room.
    “Line it all out for me. We might just have to bite the bullet on this one,” Salchar said.
    “Henry, how are our Commandos?” Monk knew Salchar was up to date on the Commando's situation, but the others in the room might be interested in the information.
    “They're all fighting fit. I've made mixed companies with veteran leadership throughout. We've got thirty two thousand Commandos fully trained. Thankfully the next rotation of trainees weren't slated to be here for another two weeks meaning there's no new boots around.”
    He threw something into the centre of the table, which turned into a model of Parnmal. A rainbow of colors highlighted the map.
    “Each squad has been assigned primary, secondary and tertiary areas throughout the station, creating defences as they each felt fit. They've turned it into a true killing ground,” Henry beamed with pride, a small grin on his tired features.
    “I've had them conducting drills on every site, making it so they can switch between multiple areas depending on where the Syndicate comes from. There's companies ready to board any ship that connects to our airlocks. Airlocks have been blocked off in certain areas, so that there are fewer entry points and bottlenecking for the enemy when they come.”
    Henry's calm demeanour changed to an unsure tone.
    “The one thing I have an issue with is the Syndicate prisoners.” Henry finally said, looking to the others in the room. Identical grim looks came back from around the conference table.
    “If I may,” Monk said as he raised his hand. Salchar waved for him to take the floor,
    “We will be securing them in the new barracks. They're being made for the new trainees. They're like the current barracks, with isolating squad pods which have their own air supply, food and such, in case the station becomes open to vacuum. They however do not have any electronics in them currently. Everything is manual, and the doors leading in can be fitted to only open from the outside. It's actually better than the hangar we're keeping them in now,” Monk finished.
    “Is that satisfactory?” Salchar asked the others, seeing clearly that it wasn't. “Very well take it up with Monk afterwards. I do not want to be worrying about fighting a battle on two sides.” That got a few grim faces.
    “Any other issues?” Salchar asked, but no one looked to have anything.
    “Alright, let's get some grub then. That includes you too Min Hae,” Salchar said as the man was about to make an excuse. Min Hae cracked a grin, Monk smiled at the sight. The man put himself under a lot of stress, and when he'd gotten the message about Orvunut too late he'd buried himself in work. Monk had told