Alpha One: The Kronan Read Online Free PDF Page A

arrived less than a minute later.
    “Don’t get up Jonathan. This is an informal visit, well partially anyway. I wanted to congratulate you personally on the birth of your son. I have already spoken to Sarah and she seems in her element. I did try to mitigate your sudden recall, but she is disappointed that you were unable to take the sabbatical.”
    “Thank you, Admiral.” Despite the informal nature of the discussion, Hoskins was on duty and protocol forbade addressing an Admiral by his first name.
    “Yes, Sarah and I are very proud and I am mortified that I have to leave them. It was always likely to happen.
    “Of course you will be able to see your mistress now. That will no doubt make life easier for you.”
    He could tell that Admiral Martin was still strongly against his relationship with Obeya. There seemed little point trying to assert that the relationship was over.
    “How is your wife, Sir?”
    “She is fine thank you. Jonathan. You need to end this relationship now. You have a real family at home, a beautiful son, and an attractive and loving wife. Why do you need anything else?”
    “I don’t. But it’s not that easy. Had I not been recalled to the command of the Halo, then the chances are it would have been over. Now, I am back serving on the same ship as her.”
    “Then I suggest you transfer her.”
    “Not that easy. She is about as unforgiving as Sarah. I will deal with it, Sir. I owe it my wife and son.”
    “Good, then let’s move on to the formal side of this discussion. As you know a rogue Kryl ship has been causing damage in the Jandas system. We have lost four ships, including the Mauritius. However, there has been no sighting for over three weeks. The ship shares similar dimensions and general characteristics as the other Kryl Battle Cruisers we have encountered but she is more powerful in terms of weaponry, maneuverability, shielding capability etcetera. This looks like a one off ship, Jonathan, something perhaps that a Kronan would command. It looks likely she left the Kryl fleet in battle and has been in or around the Jandas system, ever since. It is possible that she is heading back towards the Tri-star system.”
    “You’re suggesting, one, that there is another Kronan and two that they are aware that the wormhole is going to reopen.”
    “Yes, it’s a theory, but we are only aware of three basic types of Kryl vessels: the fighter or interceptor, the cruiser, and the huge mother ship. This is something a bit different. Plus, why else would they have departed the fleet, if they did not know that the wormhole was in jeopardy?”
    “Fine. So my group’s responsibility is to trace, track, and destroy her before she gets to the Tri-star system.”
    “In a nut-shell yes. But we need as much Intel as possible. Be careful Jonathan, This will be no pushover. The Mauritius was a strong ship with a good commander. Her first Officer was Commander Shen Knui, your new first officer.”
    “Didn’t she desert, Sir? She left her ship, commander, and crew to die!”
    “Yes but she realized there was nothing further she could do for her crew and that the Intel was critical. She made the correct decision.”
    “That decision was borne out how?”
    “I can understand your reticence Jonathan, the debriefing was thorough and we were left in no doubt that she made the correct decision. She does come highly recommended. You know that she is a Cartholodite?”
    “Yes. Don’t know much about them as a race.”
    “You soon will. I think she will be a good replacement for Jean-Luc, who I know will be missed. Part of being a good commander is to nurture and progress your sub-ordinates. If there is any doubt about the morality of her decision to leave the Mauritius, then this is a fault you can correct. Get this job done and hopefully, we can have you back home ASAP.”
    “I don’t feel very happy about this. We are going into a potentially explosive situation, with a first officer whose motives