Impulse Read Free

to Wesley and then back again. I sensed his hand in this decision.
    â€œAnd the proper response is sending the Grand Admiral’s son to save the
Impulse
mission,” I stated.
    â€œYes,” my father said. He leaned in toward me with his massive frame, the way he always did when he was making an important point. “We have to face the fact that this Union is not strong, Peter. The Feilberg family of Carinthia and ours were at the axis of the old conflicts which led to the civil war and the collapse of the Corporate Empire. We can’t risk that happening again. Remember, it was a century and a half of darkness before the Earth Historians came to Quantar and Carinthia. If they hadn’t brought longwave technology and the Hoagland Drive we’d still be without a peace treaty.”
    â€œI know my history, Father,” I said, rather more pointedly than I would have liked.
    â€œThen you know we can’t risk this new Union failing,” he said. “Your presence on
Impulse
will send the strongest possible signal that we intend to stay in the Union for the long term.”
    I mulled this over for a moment, and didn’t like what came to mind. “So I’m to be a political replacement, and the three years I’ve trained to serve on
Starbound
mean far less than my being seen as working with the Carinthians on their flagship,” I said.
    â€œExactly,” said Wesley from the longwave screen. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant, but considering the situation, you’ll have to grow up much faster than you’d planned.”
    â€œI’m sorry as well, Peter,” said my father. “I know how much you were looking forward to serving with your friends.” That was true enough. But now it seemed fate had dealt me a different hand, one to a game I hadn’t even known I was playing.
    â€œWhat’s the current status of
Impulse
?” I asked, changing the subject again. At least I could find out what I was facing. Wesley responded.
    â€œCaptain Zander has requested a minimum turnaround at Candle. He wants permission to go back to Levant and investigate the rogue HD waves,” he said. “Lucius Zander is a man of many virtues, but patience is not one of them. If his ship was attacked by a First Empire weapon, he will want to take that weapon out. The Unified Space Navy’s top priority is peaceful contact with the government of Levant and protecting the Lightship fleet. Zander is known as a passionate commander, if not a bit of a hothead. His actions once
Impulse
is back at Levant and he is in a combat situation are something we can’t control. That’s why the new detachment of Quantar officers is so important. Your team’s task will be to shadow him and if possible deter him from his efforts to confront any First Empire weapon.”
    â€œOur
task?
” I sat there in disbelief, my anger growing at the implications of Wesley’s words. “Exactly how are we to accomplish this
task
, sir?”
    â€œAny way you can, Lieutenant,” said Wesley. I looked to my father and then back to Wesley’s image on the display.
    â€œYou’re asking us to mutiny,” I said. Wesley cut in sharp and angry.
    â€œWe’re asking you to put your oath to the Union Navy above loyalty to your commanding officer,” he said. “I’m not pretending it will be easy, but we expect you to protect
Impulse
, even with your own lives if you have to make that decision. The three ships in the Lightship fleet are all that stand between the Union and the tyranny of the old empire. If Levant is still defended by First Empire technology then we must avoid a conflict, or for that matter even contact, with Imperial elements at any cost. Do you understand your orders, Lieutenant?”
    I looked to my father again. He was grim but silent.
    â€œI do, sir,” I said to Wesley.
    â€œQuestions?” he prompted sharply. I shook my