TFS Navajo: The Terran Fleet Command Saga – Book 3 Read Online Free PDF

Marine sentry near the aft bridge entrance. “There are adjacent sleeping quarters available for medical staff that utilize the same environmental systems as the operating room, so you can rest without the need for restraints. I’m sure you will also want to keep close tabs on Admiral Naftur.”
    Nenir opened her mouth as if she were about to protest being dismissed in this manner, but the look on Prescott’s face made it clear that his words, while phrased as a courteous invitation, were intended to ensure that she would not be present on the bridge to witness another battle with warships from her own world. “Thank you, Captain Prescott,” she replied graciously as she rose from her chair. “I really could use some rest at this point.” Without further comment, she headed in the direction of the Marine sentry and quickly left the bridge.
    Reynolds glanced at her captain under raised eyebrows and simply nodded.
    “I’m afraid this time we may not have the option of showing the restraint we displayed during the first engagement,” he said by way of reply.
    “Badger 1 ready … Badger 2 ready,” came the terse, tactical comm calls from the two flights of fighters over the bridge speakers.
    “Captain,” Lieutenant Dubashi reported, turning to look at Prescott with an impish grin, “Badger 1 and Badger 2 Flights report that they are in position.”
    “I heard. Thank you, Lieutenant,” he smiled. “As long as the AI is relaying their tactical comm, you need not repeat their calls unless you think we missed something important. Please go ahead and hail the Baldev .”
    “Aye, sir, hailing.”
    After a short delay, Captain Ditanu Yagani appeared in the center of the bridge view screen.
    “Hello, Captain Prescott,” he said, wearing a confident smile. “Commander Takkar of the Hadeon speaks highly of you, so I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet you myself.”
    “Thank you, Captain Yagani. I’m sure his enthusiasm has more to do with his conversation with Admiral Naftur. I regret that our two surgeons have since insisted that he return to the medical bay to rest, but I am confident he will want to speak with you as soon as he is able to do so.”
    “I had the honor of meeting the esteemed admiral once before, but I doubt he would remember me. In any event, I am sure you have contacted me at this time so that we can arrange a peaceful and mutually beneficial end to this confrontation. Let me say from the outset that I appreciate the fact that you showed remarkable restraint in dealing with Commander Takkar and in allowing our rescue teams to evacuate the damaged cruiser Babayev . At this point, however, I hope you will agree that the Baldev’s arrival has shifted the balance of power in our favor. Accordingly, I would like to propose a simple end to hostilities at this point. You have my word of honor that you and your crew will be treated with the utmost respect and provided with the same accommodations as our own personnel. Come, Captain Prescott, we have both been busily positioning our forces in preparation for further combat, but there is no need for any additional bloodshed on either side.”
    Prescott breathed in deeply and commanded himself to respond with as calm a demeanor as possible. “Look,” he began in an almost sympathetic tone, “I have only recently had the opportunity to get acquainted with your species, and I don’t mind telling you that I already consider the first two Wek that I met to be good friends. I’m confident Admiral Naftur will tell you the same — as evidenced by the fact that he very nearly sacrificed his own life to save one of our officers. I believe the reason our people seem to have a natural affinity for each other is very simple — we have a lot in common and share many of the same values. And since I know that to be true, I don’t believe for one second that you would ever see surrender as a viable option if our roles were reversed. We are here defending