Horizon Storms - Kevin J. Anderson [198]
Since she could not dictate EDF policy or battle plans, Tasia filed a formal protest with Admiral Willis. Challenging her unjustified reassignment was the only way she could think of to fight back, using the knowledge of the military bureaucracy she had learned over the past six years.
“What have I ever done to make you question my ability to serve, Admiral?” She knew the real answer, of course, but Tasia remained rigid in Willis’s office, her nostrils flared as she kept her anger in check. “You’ve seen my performance scores at EDF training—I’m one of the best pilots you have. You assigned me as Platcom on a Thunderhead weapons platform, then promoted me to the bridge of a Manta. You even had me deliver a Klikiss Torch at Ptoro.”
“I am completely aware of your impressive record, Commander Tamblyn.”
“So why was I stripped of my command?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.” The Admiral folded her knobby hands and gave one of her patented grandmotherly smiles. “You are also a member of a Roamer clan, and Chairman Wenceslas has decreed Roamers to be unfriendlies, based on their refusal to provide vital resources in time of war. Now, I knew you weren’t going to be pleased about it, but I made the best possible choice, given the alternatives.”
Her eyes were bright, and Tasia could see that the older woman truly had given the matter a great deal of consideration. Willis continued: “Think—would you rather we forced you to participate in an assault on a Roamer depot, just to prove yourself? Or General Lanyan could have ordered you in for an extensive debriefing to make you reveal everything you know about Roamer clans and settlements. Taking you out of the picture was the preferable solution, I think.”
“But, ma’am, we don’t need to make up new enemies! We have our hands full enough with the drogues.”
Willis remained cool. “The Roamers made themselves our enemies, Commander. There was no call for them to be cutting off our ekti supply.”
“I’m sure they see it differently, Admiral. Has there been an investigation into Speaker Peroni’s claims that EDF ships have secretly raided and destroyed Roamer cargo transports?”
“Such claims are preposterous, Commander. You’re a soldier in the EDF. You should know better than that.”
Tasia lifted her chin. “Excuse me, Admiral, but since we just destroyed an unarmed civilian Roamer facility, how can I be confident of any such thing?”
“You’re on the verge of insubordination.”
Tasia bit her tongue, calming herself. Finally she said, “I understand the EDF has taken a hundred or so hostages from Hurricane Depot.”
“Not hostages, Commander, prisoners of war.”
“I wasn’t aware the King had actually declared war on the Roamers.”
“We each have our own definitions.”
“Would it be possible for me to see them, to speak with one of their representatives? Given my background, maybe I can help resolve the disagreement. I’m not doing any good making kleebs run obstacle courses on Mars.”
“You’re a halfway decent soldier, Commander, but you’re no diplomat. You just let the Hansa take care of political matters, okay?”
“Shizz, Robb Brindle wasn’t a diplomat either, but that didn’t stop the EDF from sending him down into Osquivel to talk to the drogues.”
“And look how that turned out.” The Admiral nodded, clearly thinking the discussion was over. “In the meantime, you need to do a little soul-searching—are you a member of the EDF, or are you still a Roamer in your heart?”
Tasia hesitated. “Can’t I be both?”
“Not when they’re at war with each other.”
No doubt Internal Affairs investigators were looking into Tasia’s past behavior. If they ever discovered that she’d sent EA to warn Del Kellum’s shipyards, she might indeed be brought up on charges of treason or espionage. She would have to be extremely careful and give them no cause to look at her with greater suspicion…
After she was dismissed, Tasia went to her quarters, but found no answers there, even when