Battleship Furiosa (34 page)

"Christmas Day."

He hadn't meant to say it, but
the old General heard the words loud and clear.

"Yes, a special day for your people, is
it not?"

Nate nodded.

"Well, Admiral Churchill is about
to face the combined might of this upstart, Tahkeome, and based on
the speed of his ships, he'll be engaged in battle
soon."

The old General chuckled to
himself.

"And I plan on giving him a
bloody nose, a very bloody nose. Perhaps this Christmas Day you
speak of will have new meaning for all of us, very soon. Assuming
we can win a victory from this mess."

Nate wiped his brow
and found a red stain from the blood on his
face. Without thinking, he lowered it to his mouth and licked the
blood away. From the Byotai side, it looked as though the young
teenage pilot was wiping the blood on his face, and that impressed
Makos more than anything else.

"We will rally the fleet. Every
ship that can travel must be ready within the hour."

He then nodded, baring his teeth with
pleasure.

"Because we have an enemy to
fight, and I do not intend on letting Kratha or Admiral Churchill
enjoy it on their own."

"What about us?"
Nate asked.

He turned to his friends, old and
new. Each of them looked just as battered and exhausted as him.
General Makos moved closer and grasped him about the waist. When he
released him, he almost fell over.

"Human. You have a ship now. I suggest
you get her ready. You don't want the battle to start without you.
Good luck, Captain."

Had he been Byotai, he might have
picked up on the sarcasm given to his position. But it was kindly
met, and as he walked past Nate, he gave the young officer a wink
with his right eye and then continued on to the senior officers
that flanked General Honorius.

"Are all the officers Kratha has
rallied like him?"

Honorius bared his teeth and did
his best to look optimistic. He then indicated towards Commander
Higgins who stood on the deck alongside the other
officers.

"Enough of them are."

"Good,
"
said Makos.

He then extended a hand to Higgins.

"Your people have performed
outstandingly today, Commander. It reminds me of the last war, when
we fought together against the common enemy. I hope we can continue
that friendship."

Commander Higgins took the hand
offered to him.

"Thank you, General. You have a firm
ally with the Alliance."

Makos then struck the older
G
eneral in the chest. He was rewarded by
an uncomfortable grunt. Honorius was clearly not impressed, but did
his best not to show it.

"I'd hate to get there to find Kratha
on his knees."

General Honorius looked almost
offended.

"Don't worry about that, Makos.
The Prince will see the Empire burn before he will surrender to
Tahkeome."

Makos' eyes narrowed as he
listened.

That's what I'm afraid of.

THE END