In the Presence of My Enemies Read Online Free PDF Page B

Her flanks were tapered on both top and bottom, with a large indented section three-quarters of the way down the length on both sides. Between the indents, aligned on the graceful centerline, was the tower-like command superstructure, with a large communications and radar array just behind it. As the carrier closed in, more and more surface detail became clear, until finally Shawn could see a thick band of blue paint near her bow, itself wide enough to hold a half-dozen fighters wingtip-to-wingtip. The stripe was embellished with the great seal of Sector Command and its stylized eagle, as well as the ship’s registry in large numbers. Its color was not too far off from the accent stripes on Sylvia’s Delight , and the image of his own ship flashed briefly through his mind.
       “USCS Duchess of York ,” Shawn read aloud as the ship’s registry came into view.
       “What’s that?” a voice asked from beside him.
       Having thought he was alone on the upper deck, the voice startled him slightly, yet it was also welcoming. “I thought you were down in the hangar working on increasing D ’s sensor range.”
       “Clarissa’s making the final adjustments right now,” Trent Maddox said with a dismissing wave of his hand in reference to Shawn’s maintenance officer—and the object of Trent’s affections.  “Besides, when you told me you were coming up here, I thought I’d follow and get you a beer. You looked like you could use one.”
       “It was that obvious, eh?” Shawn asked with a smirk.
       Trent chuckled. “Well, with Admiral Graves and Melissa in the brig, Captain Krif running around with his nose in the air . . . not to mention a pair of Kafarans on board . . . let’s just say it’s easy enough to see why you’re a little jumpy.”
       “Jumpy? I’m not the least bit— ,” Shawn began, but there was an unexpected crash from a nearby table. Shawn had his sidearm drawn in a split second, aiming it at the broken glass innocently dropped by some inebriated ensign. The young man, his face white as a ghost, was wide-eyed and holding his hands up in supplication. Shawn slowly holstered his pistol and went back to looking out at the Duchess . Why the hell am I still armed?
       “And I rest my case,” Trent said as he folded his arms and followed Shawn’s gaze.
       “I just . . . I just feel so helpless, you know. Like there’s something I should be doing.”
       “There is. It’s called ‘take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and drink your beer .’” Trent held out a cold drink to Shawn. “Because there isn’t a damn thing you can do to change Krif’s mind on this.”
       The Lieutenant Commander regarded it for a moment before taking a tentative sip. Shawn had to acknowledge that the ale was a good choice. “Thanks.”
       “Besides, you have to admit that old Dick has a point.”
       Shawn rolled his eyes. “Oh, good Lord, not you too.”
       “In case you haven’t noticed, we’re not civilians anymore, remember, Lieutenant Commander ?”
       “And?”
       “ And Krif’s just following protocols. Look, I know you and Old Man Graves go back a ways, but you have to give this thing some time.”
       Shawn sipped at his beer before speaking. “I don’t recall giving you permission to take his side.”
       “Sorry. I guessed I’ve learned how to mutiny from the best,” Trent remarked as sarcastically as he could. When the two men had shared a brief laugh, silence once again fell between them for a moment as they looked at the Duchess ’s escorts; the heavy cruiser Saracen , and the twin destroyers Teviot and Hek’Lon . As they did, two more cruisers jumped in behind them in alternating flashes of light. “What do you think’s going to happen now?” he finally asked.
       Shawn shook his head slowly. “Whatever it is, it isn’t going to be good.”
       Trent wanted Shawn to expound on that, but his words were cut off by the Rhea ’s