Expanding Horizons Snippet 2

 I received the manuscript back from Goodlifeguide this morning. So I will be publishing it soon.

On to the snippet!

 

SenatorRussell was briefed about the possible scouting mission. He of course passed iton to his circle of supporters and allies within the senate.

“Wewere already counting on cutting the navy’s budget with the end of the war. Nowthe damn Spirits sticking their head into things, and now this?” SenatorCalliat demanded. She was new blood and had a lot of heat to go with herfreshman status.

Shehad come to prominence recently after the successful rescue of the Cadretransport. That was how her domestic media back home was spinning it.

SenatorRussell was dubious about the mission, but even more dubious about standing inits way. He didn’t want to be the one on record for getting in the way ofsomething prudent only for it to bite him in the ass later. He hated I told youso’s and was still smarting from getting his hand slapped for diverting so muchof the military’s budget to his pet Army friends.

“Whatdo we do?” Senator Falconi asked. He wasn’t in it to block the scouting so muchas to get some favors out of ending his own opposition to it. Those always camein handy later.

“Theusual. Float some rumors about blocking it or not letting it get out ofcommittee. Maybe even hold the entire military appropriation block up if wehave to.”

“Ah?For?” Senator Falconi asked.

“Fora briefing at the least,” Senator Russell stated. “We’ll play it by ear fromthere.”

Theothers nodded.

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VicePresident Jeff Randall as president of the Senate picked up on the flack goingon through his staff. He was actually expecting it; it seemed that some peoplewere just ornery. A block of senators had set themselves up as the oppositionto whatever path the administration set out on. Two senators threatened toblock any appropriation bill for the budget to scout the neighboring sectors.They were still wrangling over the issue with what the Spirits had said aboutenergy and all that.

Heshook his head. He understood the sentiment in theory; they were afraid thatthe navy would find trouble. Or they were just cynical enough to believe thatthe navy was trying to justify its high spending levels.

Eitherway it was within their right to demand a briefing from the navy over thesubject and a plan. He passed on a mild email to Admiral Pashenkov to supportthe move.

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AdmiralPashenkov was still trying to put the fires out when he received the demand fora briefing. “We’re still in the planning stage,” he commented when he was askedfor an initial Admiralty reaction.

“Sir,do we send this to the president?”

“No.I don’t think this needs to rise to Admiral Irons’ desk just yet.”

“Yes,sir,” his AI replied.

Hefrowned as he looked out the window to the shipyard in the distance. He couldsee the flicker of lights as tugs and ships moved around in a coordinatedballet. He finally flicked his ears at his own reflection.

“Dowe have a plan yet?”

“Sendat least a division to each sector to scout while the local commanders set up aseries of pickets, ansibles, and a naval base near the jump line, sir. It isrough but at the moment we don’t have more. We’re letting the local commandersknow and let them choose the ships involved.”

“Ah.”

“Ifwe do it this way, they can get moving on the project sooner. We can wranglethe budget as they get ships moving.”

Thewolf’s ears went flat briefly. “I know. If we waited until the politicians gotoff whatever stick they are on and let us do our jobs, it would be ratherchilly in an infernal place,” he drawled in disgust.

“Yes,sir. The demand?”

“Ihate giving into threats like that. But they have a point. Get our ducks in arow and then set up the briefing.”

“Yes,sir. Direct with you or with someone else?”

“Notdirectly with me. Find a captain and have them handle it.”

“Ayeaye, sir.”

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