TFS Theseus: The Terran Fleet Command Saga – Book 2 by Tori Harris Page A

here later today, and I’m planning to spend some time with them.” Prescott paused, looking down at the ground momentarily before staring directly into Reynolds’ eyes. “I’ve reviewed the logs, Sally. We probably could have made another C-Jump and avoided the missile that killed those people.”
    “No, I really don’t think …”
    “Yeah, it’s the truth,” he interrupted. “What’s really strange is that I’m okay with letting myself off the hook for that. It was in the heat of battle, we were low on power, we hadn’t really trained for the scenario … whatever. What’s bothering me is that I didn’t know a single one of them,” he said, tears now clearly visible in his eyes. “They were aboard my ship for almost two months — they died as a direct result of decisions I made — and I can’t remember ever having a conversation with any of them.”
    Reynolds simply nodded, trying her best to offer a look not of sympathy, but of understanding. “Look, I’m not going to stand here and insult you by telling you that’s okay. You and I both know it’s not. What I can do is help you make sure it doesn’t happen again. There are a number of things we can do along those lines. It’s just going to take some time, particularly since we just tripled the size of our crew.” She paused, watching to see what kind of impact her words were having. Once she was satisfied that Prescott was recovering a bit, she continued. “So I’ll take responsibility for helping us to avoid this problem going forward. You good with that?” she asked, smiling and desperately hoping to change the subject.
    “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks … you’re probably the only person I’d ever tell something like that.” Prescott smiled, took in a deep breath, and made what seemed like a smooth transition back to their previous conversation. “Anyway … based on my request and what Admirals Sexton and White learned when they started debriefing Admiral Naftur, they flagged me off for the trip to HQ. They also reiterated in the strongest possible terms that our first priority is getting Theseus ready to depart as quickly as humanly possible … preferably quicker,” he said. “So, at the risk of getting pushed over the side of this wharf, I am obligated to ask you …”
    “How soon we can leave?” she interrupted, with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “I need at least a week, but since I know that’s not going to happen, I’d say a minimum of seventy-two hours, based on what I’ve seen so far.”
    “Commander, that sounds completely reasonable to me, but what I’m asking you to do right now is proceed as if you are expecting something completely unreasonable. Structure your thinking and then prioritize your tasks as if we’re going to be forced to take her into battle on a moment’s notice.”
    Reynolds took in a quick breath and opened her mouth to object.
    “Relax,” he interrupted in a firm, but soothing tone. “I’m not saying that’s what’s going to happen, but it just might. We’re on a war footing right now, and we just happen to be the only crew available with combat experience. We may also be Fleet’s best and only chance to avoid a shooting war with the Sajeth Collective. Admiral Naftur thinks that if we are unable to prevent the Resistance task force from attacking, and then we end up destroying their forces in detail, it may push the more moderate members of the Collective towards all-out war against Earth.”
    “Well it’s not like we can just allow them to attack.”
    “Exactly. And if they do attack, I have no doubt in my mind that the old man will make damn sure we wipe them out completely. So our mission will be to do everything we can to prevent the attack from ever happening, if at all possible. The Jutland has Hunter recon flights out looking for the Resistance staging area right now. I suspect they will send us out with Naftur to meet them as soon as their forces are located.”
    Reynolds