Orion Gambit - Traci Ganner series book 2

Orion Gambit - Ch 8

Schlein glanced at Agron and then spoke. “We will not be taking sides, Admiral. She will.”

“All the more grievous the insult,” Frano stated, turning now on Schlein. “She was once his trusted officer. He will not feel kindly toward her. But what concerns me more is the level of risk we are asking her to assume. It is very likely she will be killed in the attempt.”

Hyatt looked up from his data tablet. “Admiral, we have been over the numbers many times. All of the data converges when she assassinates the admiral. We have paid very close attention to Pearson’s psychological and leadership profile. He will want to personally carry out her sentence.”

“Besides,” Agron said, smoothly taking control of the conversation once more. “She is very bright. She will find a way to complete her mission.”

Several seconds passed as Admiral Frano looked for some unseen crevice in the chief councilor’s resolve. The other man looked back, completely impassive. He might have easily been made of marble, like the statues that lined the chamber. Frano finally conceded.

“Very well, Councilors. We will proceed with the plan.”

Agron sat back in his seat. “Excellent. Now for the other matter, Admiral. Were you able to complete the survey of the Valdi system?”

Frano pulled out his data tablet from the bag he was carrying. He handed it to Councilor Schlein, who examined the data.

“We found a large partial ring structure that has apparently been recently constructed. Our analysis suggests it was within the last two years.”

“Does it match the information Captain Ganner appropriated from the Valdi prisoner?” Hyatt asked.

“It does. Take note of the symbol on image three,” Frano said, pointing to the shimmering holograph that had projected out of the tablet.

Schlein handed the tablet to Hyatt, who compared notes between it and his own.

Agron spoke without seeing the tablet. “The Terran Imperial symbol is on the structure.”

“Yes.”

“Very well. Able, your analysis?”

The junior councilor cleared his throat and began a little nervously. “It is clear that the Valdi did not build this structure. If it is in fact a warp conduit of some kind, its design is well beyond our capabilities. Since the Valdi possess a lower class of technology than we do, it is unlikely that they have constructed it either.”

“Go on.”

Able Aaronson sighed. “The fact that it bears a Terran symbol suggests that there is another Terran group that we have not yet accounted for. The traces of Terran starship wreckage from the survey match the information we have so far. If the Terrans have managed to both locate the Valdi A star system and build this structure, we must gain insight into their campaign and seek a better understanding of this new technology.”

“Correct. This is why I must go on the next expedition to the Valdi world.”

At this, all heads looked up at him in rapt attention.

“Gentlemen, the stakes are now much higher than a simple change of Terran government. We must understand this new Terran threat and determine its weaknesses in order to construct a response plan.”

Admiral Frano spoke up quickly. “Chief Councilor, let me take my battle fleet and deal with this threat. I will send back reports to the Council. It is too dangerous—”

“No. Calculations will be needed in the field. The variables will be changing very rapidly, and I will not risk the full council on this extended mission. Councilman Aaronson will remain here with you to complete the objectives before stage five. I will be heading to the rift on the next available ship.”