SECTION 31
Ulnar’s desk communicator buzzes. He thumbs the accept call button, and his star chart and planetary readouts are replaced by the image of an angry, saturnine man with a livid scar across his left cheek. Commodore Nils Benbo, one of the youngest wing commanders in the Legion, is an outspoken hothead who loves action and military display. Benbo wastes no time in pleasantries.
“I’ve heard about Pioneer, Admiral. When do we get under way for Thule?”
“Back off, Nils,” Ulnar tells him. “When I’m ready to issue some orders, I’ll tell you. Until then, stay where you are and keep your ships ready for action.”
The commodore’s face flushes darkly. “It’s plain enough that Thule’s the next enemy target! It’s closest to where Pioneer was attacked, and the report said the aliens were heading there. What more do you need, a signed invitation and a road map?”
“I told you, Commodore, back off,” Ulnar repeats harshly.
“That’s easy for you, sir. I’ve got a sister on Thule, and I don’t plan to let you throw her life away. My squadron is breaking orbit in one hour for Thule, whatever you decide.”
“Who’s in command here, Nils?” Ulnar demands.
“The recon wing will obey me. You can accept it or not, as you wish, but I’m going to Thule. So will you, if you know what’s right.” The screen goes blank.
Ulnar realizes Benbo isn’t making idle boasts. His popularity with his own wing is on par with his popularity with Admiral Merros, Benbo’s mentor and patron in the Legion. Short of ordering an attack on his own light forces, Ulnar hasn’t much hope of bringing Benbo to heel.
Damn him, Ulnar thinks bitterly. The man’s aggressiveness makes him a brilliant recon wing commander but an untrustworthy subordinate. Ulnar’s options are to fight him (almost unthinkable), ignore him, back him, or join him. No matter what, Ulnar is bound to lose face. And if Benbo uses his connections against him, Ulnar stands to lose even more.
If Ulnar chooses to try to stop Benbo from going to Thule, go to section 34.
If Ulnar decides to ignore Benbo and allow him to go to Thule but does not wish to join him at this time, go to section 40.
If Ulnar decides to travel to Thule with the Ninth Defense Squadron, go to section 35. However, the morale of all ships in Ulnar’s sector drops by 1.
Ulnar can also choose to back Benbo by ordering the entire recon wing to Thule, but he must still choose a destination of his own. Go back to section 8.