A Process of Elimination: Book 9 of 9

By Sean Benjamin

Captain Raferty Hawkins, the Duke of Black Hallow and consort to Queen Alexis I, has two big challenges. There is a blood contract out on him and Killian O'Hare. The money is coming from the Aurora Empire, but the operators are near at hand in the Badlands. The second problem is less immediate but has greater consequences for the universe. The Goldenes Tor military is about to overthrow their emperor and enter the war in support of the Orion Confederation against the Aurora Empire. Such an event would mean defeat for the Zekes.

The pirate leader decides to focus on the latter problem while letting his allies handle the former problem. His Badlands comrades are used to such situations as someone has been trying to kill them for the majority of their lives. Destiny Flores, Tactical, Baby Doll, and the two hit men, Shelby Pope and Jackson Kemper, make a formidable group regardless of the threat. Now they will search for the people who are administering the contract. Once found, they will be dealt with in the usual way such problems are handled in the Badlands: ruthless violence administered with vengeance.

The blood contract is being funded by members of the peerage within the Aurora Empire. These elites know this is their best chance to get Hawkins and O'Hare before these two would-be contemporaries can become forces within Aurora upper society at the war's end. Queen Alexis intends to bring these instigators to justice. Unfortunately for the guilty peers involved, the punishment will not be the usual slap on the wrist reserved for members of the ruling class who stray outside of the law. Alexis loves her consort and has no intention of letting this slide. With the aid of media mogul David Van Drucker, Alex will dish out her own brand of justice. It will not be violent, but it will be just as effective in ending the threat.

Meanwhile, Hawkins addresses the bigger problem. If Emperor Viktor Aurick is taken by the traitors within the Goldenes Tor Imperial Staff, the attack on the Aurora Empire would immediately follow. Despite knowing of the attack, the Royal Navy does not have the ships to defeat such a massive onslaught. The longer the emperor stays free, the longer the attack is delayed. The emperor turns to Hawkins for help in retrieving his throne. Hawkins searches for allies to bring to the cause. He is under no illusion that allies will join him to help create a better universe, but they will join for money or other favors that the emperor can grant. Hawkins directs the recruitment of the greedy, the needy, and anyone else with a warship and ordnance for this fight.

Captains Killian O'Hare, Shane Delacruz, and Dylan Whitlock do their parts to achieve the goals of Pirate Flotilla One as ongoing missions are concluded and old scores are settled. This may be the last time such an occasion will present itself, and revenge cannot be put off until tomorrow.

Old enemies become new allies as a threat that could take them all down must be defeated.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798889606574

Book preview

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A Process of Elimination

Pirates of the Badlands Series

Sean Benjamin

Copyright © 2023 Sean Benjamin

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88960-644-4 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88960-657-4 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Epilogue

Glossary

About the Author

To all the Marines I served with over the years, especially those who didn't make it home.

Semper Fi.

If you must break the law, do it to seize power.

—Julius Caesar

When you strike at a king, you must kill him.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

It was not well to drive men into final corners; at those moments they could all develop teeth and claws.

—The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.

—The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Life is a process of elimination.

—Terry Patton, family friend

Preface

I realize there is a large time gap between this book and the preceding book. The majority of that gap is my own fault. Life got in the way. However, one unfortunate event added to the delay. My editor, Grace Michael, passed away unexpectedly in early 2022. She not only did the editing, formatting, and the work on the covers, but she also put together the final product for both the electronic and print versions of each book. In short, I did the writing, and she did everything else. I greatly miss her expertise. I miss her friendship even more.

Introduction

Raferty Hawkins is faced with a new situation. For the first time in his career, he is deciding on courses of action that will have major implications far beyond the borders of the Badlands. He is now part of a team, a team much larger than his flotilla, and he is not making the big command decisions. War between the Aurora Empire and Goldenes Tor seems inevitable. Forces at work within the Goldenes Tor are toiling hard to ensure that will happen. Emperor Viktor Aurick, feeling those forces closing around him, has fled his home world. Goth naval forces have massed near their common border with the Aurora Empire. Their military hierarchy is anxious to begin the fight but must have control of the emperor before moving forward.

The Aurora Empire has been forewarned of the Goth attack, but they lack the military resources to adequately prepare for the assault. They are winning the war against the Orion Confederation, but the expected Goldenes Tor offensive will shift the balance of power back to the OrCons and their new ally. The Royal Navy has moved what units they can to meet the Goths, but everyone knows they will fight a delaying action at best.

Raferty still has a blood contract out on him, funded by parties unknown. Friends within the Aurora Empire and the Badlands work to track down the perpetrators behind this contract while Hawkins focuses on the main problem of the insurrection within the Goldenes Tor government against the emperor Viktor Aurick. There are multiple forces at work across these quadrants, and all must be brought to bay to ensure victory for the Aurora Empire and Flot 1. Hawkins and his allies will do their best to make that happen. Hopefully, their best will be good enough. However, nobody in Pirate Flotilla One has ever considered hope to be a viable military strategy.

Chapter 1

"Abendhimmel shuttle, you are cleared to the west wing of headquarters."

Roger, Harbor Control. In sight. On deck in two minutes.

The shuttle set up for a shallow approach to the roof of Third Fleet headquarters on Rosstrappe. Known informally as the Cathedral, ten shuttles could have been landed on the large flat roof of any of the three wings.

Commander Fritz Steiner stood just outside the roof door entrance and watched the small craft as it came over one of the many marked landing pads, hovered momentarily, and set down lightly in a deft maneuver. Steiner moved immediately to the side hatch of the craft. He knew they were dropping off four passengers recently assigned to the headquarters from the home planet. He also knew the task wouldn't take long, so he ensured he was on the roof in time to greet the shuttle crew. As former captain of the destroyer Abendhimmel, he was sure he would know at least one member of the three-man crew, and he wanted to exchange greetings with all of them and learn how his old ship was doing since she had been assigned to the home system.

The hatch swung open, and Steiner stared at the man in the opening at the top of the short ladder. After a moment, he bowed formally to the disembarking passenger. Sire, Commander Steiner at your service, he said. He hoped he kept the surprise out of his voice but knew he did not.

Viktor Aurick, emperor of the Goldenes Tor, moved down the two-step ladder to the roof and walked past the bowing officer without slowing down. He was followed by his secretary and two bodyguards. He glanced back at Steiner. Come on, we don't have all day, he said in a casual tone.

Steiner hustled to catch up to him and then fell in one step behind him on his left. Aurick glanced back and then pointed to the spot by his side. Up here, Commander.

Steiner took a couple of quick steps to fall into place beside his monarch. The emperor said, Why were you there to greet the shuttle? I can't imagine that is a routine duty for someone with the rank of commander.

"Abendhimmel is my old command, sire. I was there to see if I knew the shuttle crew and check on how my old ship is doing."

The emperor nodded as they passed through the rooftop door and went down the stairs. Steiner fell behind the emperor on the stairs but returned to his side once out of the stairway and into the hallway.

Aurick said, I was most impressed with your ship and her crew. I ordered her to stay here in port for a few days. He paused and said, In my younger days, the Imperial Navy had the tradition of continuing to call former ship commanders by the titles of korvettenkapitan, fregattenkapitan, and so forth based on the class of ship they commanded. Do they still do that?

Admiral Hochstadt calls me Fregattenkapitan Steiner as a sign of respect that I had a destroyer command, but the tradition has largely gone by the boards.

The emperor nodded. A pity. I like that tradition. Seems many of our traditions are dying out. Hell, I remember when I told people to do something, they actually went out and did it. Those were the days. He smiled at Steiner as the young man tried to keep his face blank at the surprising statement.

The small party now exited the hallway to enter a large admin room with a dozen people at work. The emperor did not slow his pace. It was clear he knew where he was going. Steiner made to call everyone to attention, but Aurick put up his left hand and gave his head a slight shake. Steiner remained quiet. Several people looked up, and their eyes went wide in amazement, but nobody said anything as the group passed.

They went through the door at the far end of the room and entered the small working space for the admiral's aide. It was empty as the aide was sitting behind Admiral Hochstadt taking notes in the meeting room as Hochstadt met with her staff. The door to that room was on the other side of the aide's office. Steiner pointed to it, and the group moved on.

Just before Steiner got to the door, the emperor said, After announcing me, please shut off all the outgoing base comm. I want no word of my arrival to leak out.

Of course, sire, Steiner answered as he did manage to keep the surprise out of his voice this time.

Steiner reached the briefing room door and pushed it open. Attention on deck, he said in a command voice.

There were eight people in the room, and all remained seated. Admiral Cynthia Hochstadt sat at the head of the table. As the fleet commander, she is the ranking officer within the Badlands quadrant, so nobody could imagine whom they would be standing up for. Then the emperor of the Goldenes Tor walked in. People leaped from their chairs, one officer knocking his chair over backward. Aurick pretended not to notice the delay in the response and made straight for Admiral Hochstadt as the remaining members of his entourage followed him into the room and slid to a silent stop along the wall near the door. Steiner quietly slipped away after closing the door behind the visitors as he went to carry out the comm shutdown.

Cynthia, it has been far too long, Aurick said as he extended his hands to grasp both of her hands.

Sire, she responded as she quickly recovered from the surprise of his presence. She had assumed he was back on the home planet of Vorfreude. She knew the destroyer Abendhimmel had just arrived so now realized he had been aboard her. From Vorfreude, that voyage would take four days at speed. There had been no word of his travels. She had an idea as to why. Her worst fears were being confirmed. There was unrest in the Goldenes Tor, and the emperor was escaping the trap that was probably closing in on him on the home world. He was clearly seeking sanctuary on Rosstrappe, although she would never phrase it that way. She also realized he would want her help to remain in power. Of course, her Third Fleet would be part of that aid package. She recalled her recent meeting with Raferty Hawkins and his staff at Destiny's. What had been an intriguing theory about the emperor being overthrown looked to be hardening into a disagreeable fact, and she and her command would now play an active role in the episode.

Admiral Erich Dietrich, commander of Blue Squadron, had been sitting against the wall during the staff meeting. He now stood quietly by his chair, keenly observing the proceedings. Hochstadt wanted to look at him but dared not take her eyes off the emperor. She had no doubt Dietrich's thoughts about this sudden appearance were the same as her own. She was glad he was here in the room with her. She knew she had at least one ally who would help her, no matter what the future held.

If I had known, I would have greeted you, sire, she added after a moment.

The emperor shook his head. Think nothing of it. I know you are busy, and I did arrive in secret. He paused and then added, Your Fregattenkapitan Steiner was excellent company on the walk down here. He is a fine young officer. He glanced around the room as officers noted his use of the somewhat antiquated reference to Steiner's former position. Your staff? he asked as he focused on the people at the table.

Yes, sire, she responded as she noticed his eyes go to Dietrich standing by the far wall.

Light Admiral Erich Dietrich, she said.

Of Blue Squadron, the emperor added, and then he addressed Dietrich. I have recently reviewed your record, Admiral. I compliment you on your many successes.

Dietrich gave a shallow bow. Thank you, sire.

He could think of nothing else to say. Viktor Aurick nodded and continued, I am especially impressed by your combat experience. It is extensive. He gave a slight smile. My Imperial Navy seems to have done much more fighting than I was aware of.

Mostly small actions that happen on the frontier all the time, sire.

Aurick nodded again and said, On the home world, I am used to officers who seem to spend the majority of their time in the rear. He looked at the ceiling as he searched his memory. They are called… His voice faded as he thought.

Dietrich saved him. Flagpole officers, sire.

The emperor nodded once again and smiled. Yes, that's it. Rather disparaging but accurate. They are quite willing to let others do the actual work of protecting the empire while they impress people at home with their crisp uniforms, parade ground manner, and ability to manipulate the bureaucracy. Too many of them spending too much time in the supporting establishment on Vorfreude. They have forgotten what their true mission is. It is my fault for letting that happen. Hopefully, the military leadership's overall lack of combat experience will work against them in the near future. He glanced around the room and then came back to Hochstadt. I wish a word in private, Cynthia.

The other occupants of the room took the cue, gathered their materials, and began to exit. The emperor spoke one last time to the group. I have had Fregattenkapitan Steiner turn off all comm coming from this base for the time being. I trust everyone will honor that situation. He was answered with a chorus of Yes, sire as the group departed. When Admiral Dietrich made to pass behind Hochstadt on his way to the door, Aurick held up his hand and shook his head slightly as he looked at him. Dietrich stopped in place.

Hochstadt caught Captain Bergman, the fleet OpsO, as he passed near her. Quarters, she said in a quiet voice. He nodded as he continued out. As the last of the staff passed through the doorway, Dalton Stygian, the emperor's personal secretary, closed the door quietly. The emperor's party was now alone with Hochstadt and Dietrich. The emperor seemed to deflate slightly as he no longer had an audience to impress. He let his fatigue show through as he gestured to the two officers to take seats at the briefing table as he took one himself. Without turning around, he gestured at the seat to his right, and Stygian came forward and sat down. The two bodyguards spread apart slightly along the wall behind the emperor as they remained watchful and silent.

Aurick gave Hochstadt a tired smile. What do you gather from the current situation?

Hochstadt decided to be direct. I suspect you have concluded that there are elements in the Imperial Staff plotting to replace you with another royal family member or someone else in order to enter the war against the Aurora Empire. You have departed our home world just before they moved against you.

Aurick nodded while maintaining his smile. I like your term ‘departed the home world.' It sounds so much better than ‘ran away.' You are well-informed way out here, much more informed than I was on the home planet. What were the indicators that such an action was coming?

Admiral Grossman sent a message to me stating one of my squadron admirals, Admiral Muller of Green Squadron, had free rein in dealing with Pirate Flotilla One, the privateer squadron commanded by the queen's consort. It was clear he was to kill Captain Hawkins and/or Captain O'Hare, wife of the Zeke Home Fleet commander, and, hopefully, draw a Zeke response resulting in war. I know you are unequivocally opposed to war with the Zekes. Hochstadt shrugged slightly. Therefore, you had to be replaced before the war could happen.

The emperor looked from her to Dietrich. Have you two discussed this?

Yes, sire, replied Dietrich. I share her opinion regarding the current situation.

You both arrived at that rather momentous step fairly quickly. Most people would conclude that overthrowing the monarch was a very serious step so would not be in anyone's plans, at least not at the beginning of the plan.

Hochstadt paused for a second before answering. She knew she and Dietrich would be on thin ice if she told the truth about her meeting with Hawkins where she warned him about Muller and Green Squadron. It could easily be construed as treason. Mostly because it actually was treason. She decided to plunge ahead. We had help in arriving at that conclusion. We met with Captain Hawkins and members of his staff to warn him of Admiral Muller's mission. They had concluded that your removal was necessary for the war to begin. Quite frankly, I discarded the idea at first, but subsequent events have convinced me otherwise.

Aurick nodded and looked at Dietrich. Hochstadt quickly said, He was acting under my orders when we met Hawkins. The responsibility is mine alone.

The emperor smiled and waved his hand dismissively. No need to defend yourself or him, my dear. I applaud your initiative in this matter. His expression turned serious. I have not heard of any recent actions out here. No doubt the Imperial Staff wanted it that way. What is the current situation?

Hochstadt paused for a second and then spoke quickly. Captain Hawkins, in concert with the Zeke Badlands Squadron, damaged or destroyed seven ships of Green Squadron and eight of twelve hired mercenary vessels in a series of battles. The last fight was repelling Green Squadron's attack on the Zeke base at Agra 2. Captain Hawkins lost two ships, and the Zekes lost one Gem-class destroyer in those actions. She skipped over personnel casualties of Green Squadron. She suspected the emperor wouldn't care about casualties suffered by forces whose actions amounted to treason against him.

She was right. Aurick went to the heart of the matter. And Admiral Muller?

He was captured by Captain Hawkins and the Zekes in the last battle when his battlecruiser was destroyed. His fate is currently unknown. I prefer it that way as not knowing allows me to do nothing in response. The pirates and Zekes returned all other prisoners. These people are currently with Gold Squadron under Admiral Wilma Landau. The five surviving Green Squadron ships are out in the harbor now, brought in by Blue Squadron. Four other Green Squadron ships are being repaired on Necessity. I have arrested the ship captains and several senior Green Squadron officers as well as several of our people on Necessity who were supporting Muller. I have replaced them with officers from throughout Third Fleet. The four surviving mercenary ships have departed for parts unknown.

With Admiral Muller lost in his last battle, who commanded the Green Squadron ships after that?

"Captain Bertha Schmidt, captain of Panther and deputy squadron commander. She is in the brig here, sire."

Has she been questioned?

Yes, sire. She is quite adamant in her commitment to the new direction set by the Imperial Staff and war with the Aurora Empire. She does not regret her involvement in the campaign against Hawkins and the Zeke squadron and predicts victory in the coming war with the Aurora Empire.

The emperor nodded thoughtfully, and the room was silent for a few moments as he considered his next words. He said quietly, There have been numerous examples in history when victory was predicted before a war had even started. Often, the predictions were wrong. He stretched out his hand to his secretary on his right without looking at him. Styrian placed a tablet in the hand. The emperor brought it across his body and placed it to the table between the two admirals so both could see the screen. He gestured at the device in a go ahead motion. Hochstadt picked up the tablet and flicked through several screens, pausing for five seconds or so on each one. Dietrich watched from her side. She glanced at Dietrich who nodded that he had seen all the images. She turned back at Aurick.

He responded to the look. Our attack set up against the Aurora Empire. Three task forces behind our common border with the Aurora Empire. Two nearby planets for supply points. They will drive toward the Zeke home system. I assume the OrCons will also attack at the same time along their own front, but I have no intel on that aspect. What do you make of it all?

Hochstadt looked up from the screen and replied, Due to the number of ships, each task force must be built around a numbered fleet. I assume Second, Fourth, and Fifth Fleets. First Fleet will remain behind for internal security as they are probably most loyal to the Imperial Staff. She now looked at the emperor. With Sixth Fleet being commanded by Admiral Sasha Yuriev, I assume they are still loyal to you.

The emperor nodded and then asked, Care to guess where I got that information on display in front of you?

There was a pause, and Dietrich said, Judging from the type of information displayed, I would say a spy ship.

Aurick nodded. Just so. A Zeke spy ship. This was given to me by the Zeke ambassador in my garden. They know what is coming at them. The question is whether they can muster the forces to stop it.

Hochstadt stared at the emperor. Regardless of the strength of the Zeke response, the fact that they know what is happening ensures our war with them will be a long and bloody fight. The Zekes are battle-tested and have veteran leadership now. They will defend all the way to their home world and beyond. Meanwhile, we will have to learn to wage war on a large scale against a determined enemy. Our learning curve will be marked with destroyed ships and dead crews.

I agree with that assessment, replied the emperor. Regardless of the eventual outcome, thousands of my military will die. He paused and added, And many more will die in the follow-on war with the Orion Confederation when they decide to move against us.

The two admirals stared at him. He responded to the looks. I have no actual information suggesting the latter development. It seems obvious to me that will be the logical conclusion to this grand scheme. It may take a few standard years, but the OrCons will see to it. They won't want us as rivals, especially as they will need to rebuild after this war while our infrastructure will be largely untouched. Our undamaged planets and thriving economy will make us a threat to them as soon as this current war ends. They will justify their actions by portraying us as jackals who got in at the end of the war to get booty we never really earned, and that we have no right to share in running the universe after all the suffering they have endured. It might be a hard sell to their population as they must be tired of war, but they will attack us anyway when they feel the time is right so as to win that war quickly. They will apply their own hard-learned expertise to that task. Our Imperial Staff and their supporters are blind to that. They see the immediate rewards and not the long-term risks.

Especially since they won't be running the risks, added Dietrich. The emperor nodded at the remark.

What now, sire? asked Hochstadt.

While en route here, I sent a coded message to Admiral Yuriev of Sixth Fleet. I informed him of the situation and told him to take whatever steps were necessary to secure his command as I am sure there are people within his fleet who will move against him at the appropriate time. I then ordered him to move toward the home world with his fleet. I received a reply from him just before arriving here that he had secured his command and was departing his AOR.

As a junior officer, Yuriev had been the emperor's military aide when Viktor was a young prince, and the two had become and remained fast friends. There was not a chance in hell that Yuriev would betray the emperor, and everyone knew it. Undoubtedly, the original plan of the mutineers had been to get rid of the emperor so quickly that anybody loyal to him would have no choice except to accept the new situation. Their plan would have included doing something about Yuriev while the emperor was being overthrown so the idea that there might be Imperial Staff traitors embedded in Sixth Fleet was not far-fetched. Now that the emperor was on the loose, the mutineers on Vorfreude would have to account for Yuriev and his command.

The emperor continued, I also sent a message to my son Peter who is on the OrCon border doing a tour of the border planets there and talking to the civilian governments. He has his own ship and staff, and according to his schedule, he is currently travelling between planets. As you know, that area is not very populated, and it takes time to get anywhere. I told him to go into hiding and respond to no messages except from me or from you. He pointed at Hochstadt. The two of us have a personal code we use, and I will give you a copy. I also told him to take any new additions to his staff or ship's crew into custody as they may work for the Imperial Staff. Peter is a smart boy. He understands the ramifications of what is going on and will hide himself and his ship. They won't find him.

Aurick paused now and looked at the ceiling for a moment. He took a breath and brought his gaze back down to the two admirals. Joseph is touring the military facilities along the Aurora border. Given the information on that tablet about the buildup there, it should have been reported by Joseph to me. Despite sending regular reports back home in his own personal code, he never mentioned the gathering fleets or the buildup that must be happening on those two planets. This plot works much better with another royal family member as the replacement for me. Of course, he would be a mere figurehead. I am honest enough to admit that Joseph would fill that role quite well. Also although I have no information to support the idea, I believe my nephew Ernst is coming back from his ambassador post on Rialta to participate in this little adventure. He will be the power behind Joseph. The empress is on her home planet on vacation. I believe Joseph might have suggested that to her. Quite convenient for her, but I can live with that. I also sent Joseph a message in a unique code shared by the two of us. I told Joseph the same thing I told Peter, just in case I am totally wrong about him, and he is still loyal to me. I told neither son where I was going nor what I had planned. If Joseph has thrown in with the mutineers or Peter is captured, there is nothing either of them can tell anybody that would be of any value.

The emperor switched topics. I have to broadcast from here throughout the Goldenes Tor and tell the people of the current situation. Let the Imperial Staff explain that away. Hopefully, some loyal forces will rally to our cause. He looked at Hochstadt. Can I count on you and Third Fleet?

Of course, sire, Hochstadt replied immediately, and Dietrich nodded in agreement.

Aurick smiled at her. I had hoped so, Cynthia. Third Fleet and Sixth Fleet give us a good foundation for a formidable force to oppose the mutineers. I hope to gather others to my cause. Others within the Goldenes Tor, the Edinburgh Systems, the independent planets here, and, quite frankly, anybody who can be persuaded or bribed to help. He paused and stared at Hochstadt before he added, Any commitment on the part of Aurora Empire assets or local forces here would be welcomed, indeed.

Hochstadt got the hint. A meeting might be arranged. She gave a meaningful glance toward Dietrich. He also got the hint and replied, I'll try to set something up immediately.

The emperor paused as he considered his next words. He asked, Has there been any senior officers checking aboard recently who came directly from the Imperial Staff or their supporting establishment?

Hochstadt was caught by surprise by the change in topics but realized it was a necessary discussion. She searched her memory and then replied, Two captains for sure. One is the new deputy for fleet logistics on my staff, and the other is assigned to the base here as commander of base defenses. I met them as part of their check-in procedure. There may be others of lesser rank who I would not have met when they checked aboard.

Aurick nodded. Two key billets. He turned to his secretary. Get their names and have them detained. Sweep up anyone else on this base who have Imperial Staff ties. If it turns out they are innocent, I will personally apologize to them and have them promoted or sent to a nice duty station or something like that.

Dalton Stygian nodded and said, Yes, sire.

The emperor added, Use that young Commander Steiner to assist you. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

Stygian nodded, and Aurick turned back to the two admirals. Is Steiner ruthless enough for that job?

Hochstadt nodded. Yes, sire. I used him to command teams that have helped clean up planets that needed an adjustment to their legal systems. He is ruthless enough and then some.

The emperor nodded and said, If there are others you have doubts about, tell Dalton here. We need to err on the side of safety. I would have gotten the records on your staff while I was en route here so I could review them before arriving, but the request might have given away my location, so I came here blind as to the local threat. I will personally apologize to any of them if it is necessary after this is all over.

Of course, sire. The principals on my staff have all been here before I arrived, so I think they are with us. I will give it consideration.

Aurick stood up. I feel much better now and will feel even more so after getting some sleep.

Everyone stood, and Hochstadt said, Let me escort you to your quarters, sire.

Aurick nodded gratefully, and the meeting concluded.

Chapter 2

Raferty Hawkins took the podium in recreation/briefing room at the Royal Marine barracks on Agra 5. His audience was all of Flot 1's captains, Captain Lisa Cassidy, and their staffs. Wolfpack was out hunting the Halder brothers, but Hawkins knew he didn't need to talk to O'Hare about upcoming events. She would adjust as circumstances required.

Welcome. I forwarded to each of you the message from Admiral Wu ordering me to take command of Aurora Empire assets here in the Badlands in order to organize a response to the Goths' attack on the Aurora Empire when it happens. I have talked with each squadron commander and have been told each ship has committed to following me in battle. If any captain is having second thoughts, see your squadron commander and then me. This mission goes beyond Pirate Flotilla One business, so you can opt out. Offhand, I have no idea what you would do as an alternate. If the Goths help defeat the Zekes, they will be all over the Badlands soon after that war ends. There will be no place to run or hide if you are staying here. I guess you could run away to another system, but I know that is in nobody's DNA in this room.

The last remark drew several nods. Everyone knew no ship would abandon Hawkins now. This group had come too far and done too much together for it to end this way. Even the newcomers had been blooded in the recent fight with Green Squadron and would stick to the very end, whatever that may be. Rafe continued, We will make preparations for battle but will take no action against the Goths until they do attack the Aurora Empire. He paused and then said, If the Goths do go on the offensive, the only way we can impact the new war is to hit Goth targets deep within the Goldenes Tor itself. I will lead that raid and take the Badlands Royal Navy Squadron with me. It will be a campaign done over a considerable amount of time and distance. It may very well be a one-way trip. Again, as the situation becomes clear, you can still decide to pass this one by. Nothing will be said. He gestured toward Baby Doll in the front row. "Time for an intel brief so we are all operating with the same information. This brief was compiled by the Aurora Empire intel services and forwarded to us. We are now on the distribution list for all future intel regarding ongoing Goth activities as uncovered by the Aurora Empire. A copy of this brief will be forwarded to