The Solarian Celebration: Book 3 of the Alliance Conflict Read Online Free PDF Page A

Alliance Navy.  You have a two year commitment to complete.”
    Ella yawned and replied, “I have 8 months of actual time served.  Then, I get 5 months of bonus time for hazardous duty such as participating in a battle or acting as a secret agent.  As you know, I served in the battle of Opron, the battle of Hepitila, the secret mission to the Spindle Station, the battle of Trilon, and finally the 3 rd battle of Influenla.”
    Jack did some quick math and realized that she had 33 months of service.  She certainly could retire if she chose.  However, something else in her statement seemed odd to him.  Jack asked, “How many total battles have there been between the Alliance and Hiricula?”
    Ella replied, “Six.”
    “You have been in 4 of the 6 battles.  That is amazing, if you think about it,” Jack replied.  “Remind me what happened during the first battle on Influenla.  I don’t remember hearing about that one.”
    Ella: “The cruiser Justice exchanged a missile salvo with a Hiriculan cruiser.  No one was injured, but the Justice was forced to retreat.”
    Jack said, “Okay.  Switching subjects, we need to discuss something before you contact the Sunflower .”
    Ella gave him a distasteful look and responded, “What?”
    Jack pulled the curtain back and revealed the two Solarian officers in hibernation.  Jack said, “Before the attack, the Hiriculans released these two officers to me with the stipulation that I freeze dry them and return them to Solaria.  I think it was a gesture of goodwill.”
    Ella turned, looked at the stasis tubes, turned back and said, “So return them to Solaria.  Why are you telling me about it?”
    Well, that wasn’t quite the response Jack was hoping for.  He had thought that Ella would immediately demand that they be released and sent back to the fleet.  That way he could tell the Hiriculans that he tried to deliver his cargo according to his contract, but was ordered to break it by the Alliance military.
    Jack responded, “Perhaps you should mention them when you call the fleet in a few minutes.”
    Ella responded, “I don’t want to call them.  I may as well just stay dead.”
    Jack thought for a moment and said, “The news of your death will reach Solaria before we do.  You don’t want your friends and relatives needlessly grieving over you if you can prevent it, do you?”
    Finally, that seemed to work.  Ella responded, “You are right, Jack.  I would like some privacy for the call though, if that’s okay.”
    “No problem,” said Jack as soothingly as possible.  “You can use the workstation in the entertainment area.  It will meet the requirements nicely.”
    The passive scanner beeped and Jack sent the results to the main monitor.  It drew a circle that represented the Opron system.  It placed the Jackal at the northeast corner, or at the 45 degree mark of the circle.  It then placed the Alliance fleet on the plot and indicated that it was 17 minutes ahead of them.
    Ella said, “It appears that they increased their speed to .12 light and are planning to traverse the system in real time.”
    Jack replied, “At that speed it will take the fleet 2.7 days to reach the Opron - Conron hyperspace lane.”
    Ella asked, “And us?”
    Jack replied, “The mini-freighter is fully loaded and has a commercial drive.  The best we can maintain is .06 light.”
    Ella finished for him, “Meaning that it will take us just over 4 days if we follow them.”
    Jack started to plot a course to micro-jump around the outskirts of the system, but Ella forced him out of the way and completed it.  She said, “That is much better.  We can make a series of three jumps around the Opron system.  We will be able to reach the Opron – Conron hyperspace lane in 2.8 days.”
    Jack said, “Ella, go make the call.  We will jump as soon as you finish.”
    Ella walked into the entertainment area and sat at Jack’s workstation.  She activated the privacy screen and