New Frontiers (Expansion Wars Trilogy, Book 1) Read Online Free

human habitation.
    Eventually, once Fleet was able to begin standing down from wartime footing, R&S Division sent a cruiser out to the planet to corroborate what the probe had sent back. What they found was that the probe had indeed accurately reported that the planet was eminently suitable for colonization. They also found someone else in the skies over the planet, someone who had been expecting them since discovering the probe during one of their own survey missions.
    The discovery of another alien species was not welcome news to a war-weary Starfleet whose only interactions with extraterrestrials had been either to be manipulated or be slaughtered by them. But, after many tense months in orbit during which the survey scientists and their alien counterparts tried to devise a method of communication, it seemed the newly discovered species was genuinely pleased to meet them. As time went by, and the translation methods improved, the scientists of both species were relegated to the background as the politicians and diplomats stepped in.
    Everything appeared to be on the level with their new “friends,” but most veterans of the Phage War, Celesta Wright included, felt like the crew of the R&S cruiser should have been court-martialed for taking it upon themselves to open a dialogue with another unknown alien species given all they’d just been through. But, like the proverbial genie that had been let out of the bottle, there was no going back.
    Captain Wright, now in command of the Ninth Squadron after the retirement and virtual disappearance of her mentor, Senior Captain Jackson Wolfe, had been tasked with providing an escort for the latest diplomatic mission to the new planet that now served as neutral ground for both parties. She had tried to get out of it, once again cursing the fact that Wolfe had taken an early retirement and left her with all the responsibilities that came with being in command of the three-ship squadron. Not least among those responsibilities was lobbying Fleet to bump the construction priority for her two replacement ships, something that was practically impossible while being stuck well outside Terran space.
    “New contact, Captain,” the OPS officer broke Celesta out of her reverie. “They appeared very deep within the system, on course for the same planet we are.”
    “The timing is a little too close to be coincidental,” Celesta said. “Keep up full active scans and make sure our telemetry is being dumped onto the Link. Let me know as soon as you have positive identification.”
    “Aye aye, ma’am.”
    “You think they were out there waiting on us, ma’am?” Commander Barrett asked quietly. “That doesn’t say much about the level of trust in this new venture if they’re sitting out in space dark waiting to see what we show up with.”
    “Probably just being prudent, Commander,” Celesta said. “My concern isn’t that they would begrudge us an escorting destroyer to make sure our ambassador’s ship made it safely, but that the Amsterdam might send the wrong message. There’s no mistaking her as anything other but a battleship.”
    “I think we’ll have some answers when we see what they showed up with, Captain,” Barrett said. “Or … at least what they allow us to see. It seems that we’re yet again holding the short end of the stick when it comes to technology.” 
    Celesta didn’t reply, not wanting to engage in a conversation that would likely just devolve into base complaining when they were approaching a sensitive juncture in the mission. There were five ships total in the Terran convoy: two warships, the ambassador’s cruiser that was flying the flag, and two supply frigates. She’d understated her concern at the inclusion of the Amsterdam , a Dreadnought -class battleship, and what signal it might send, but Fleet Admiral Marcum was adamant and senior captains did not argue with the CENTCOM Chief of Staff on such matters.
    “Update on the … alien …