Stories of the Confederated Star Systems Read Free

and her people, and it’s going to stop.”
    “There are very few people in the Navy who can intimidate me, Lady Leslie, and even fewer civilians.”
    “If you keep interfering in my directorate’s business,” Lady Leslie replied in a low, angry tone, “you’ll be a civilian.”
    “I am within my rights to—” The admiral’s snarled, then her line beeped. It was a personal line, straight from the CSS Navy Headquarters on Earth.
    “Admiral Kerhonkson,” she said as she pushed the answer stud.
    “Mara, what the hell are you doing?” the voice of Fleet Admiral Franco asked.
    “Sir?”
    “The president just chewed my ass about you interfering in the—in the business of a new research directorate. Damn it, woman, there are some things you just don’t have a right to know. Whatever the hell you’re doing, stop it before you get beached.”
    “Admiral, what are—”
    “Do it before I have to make it an official order and have you relieved, Admiral Kerhonkson.”
    “Yes, sir.” The line went dead and the admiral looked at Lady Leslie. “Your son?”
    “You may refer to him as President Roberts.” Lady Leslie turned and pointed a wrinkled finger at Captain Reordan. “Return to your ship. The Wells and her crew are on detached duty from the Navy. You answer to me and my staff, not this officious busybody.”
    Captain Reordan gave Admiral Kerhonkson a pensive glance, then came to attention and said, “Yes, Lady Leslie.” She left the office, but behind her she heard Lady Leslie say, “That’s one. You don’t get two.”
    * * *
    Captain Reordan found Master Chief McCormack engaged in a lively discussion with a male Senior Chief when she returned to the shuttle. The chiefs immediately ended their discussion with a wave and Master Chief McCormack waved her captain on board before closing and securing the hatch. “Is everything all right, Captain?” she asked as she took her seat.
    Captain Reordan didn’t look up from her computer terminal as she answered, “Yes, Krys, everything’s fine. Head back to the dry-dock. I have to look something up.” They had been underway for fifteen minutes when Captain Reordan grunted. “I’ll be damned.”
    “Erica?”
    Captain Reordan shook her head. “My meeting with Admiral Kerhonkson was interrupted by our new boss. Lady Leslie Roberts is the head of our new research directorate. She’s also President Roberts’ mom. She’s got quite a bio. Born on Hector’s World as the youngest daughter to King Alonso Del Rios, her brother was King Rolando, and her nephew Antonio is the current king. She was married to Prince Rupert of Andersen’s Planet for three years, no children. No information on the divorce beyond the fact they got divorced. She married Lieutenant Commander Gregory Roberts, who eventually became Admiral Lord Roberts, and then First Lord of the Admiralty Roberts.”
    Krystal let loose a long, low whistle. “Boss lady’s no one to mess with. What happened?”
    “She came in, slapped down Admiral Nosey, and then called the president when there was a question of who works for who. We work for her and her directorate.” Captain Reordan sighed gustily. “And I still have no idea what that directorate is called or what our mission is.”
    “Given the capability of the Wells , you know it almost has to be historical research.”
    Captain Reordan nodded. “Too true. Where’re the cards? I’ve got to win my pants back before we reach the dock.”
    * * *
    There was a message waiting for Captain Reordan when she reached her office. “Erica,” Lady Leslie’s voice said as her image formed on the screen, “you are hereby directed to ignore any further summonses from Admiral Kerhonkson. While you are inhabiting one of her dry-docks, and her people are refitting your ship, you don’t answer to her.” Lady Leslie’s face frowned out of the screen.
    “However, because of her actions today, Eric has decided that we need to make an announcement. I want