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

frigates while the alien ships were in a similar formation on the opposite side of the planet. Celesta was grateful the RDS had decided to cooperate and the gravity-warping drive allowed the Starwolf -class destroyer to easily keep pace with the other ships without overflying them at such a high altitude. 
    “How goes the watch, Ensign Accari?” she asked as she walked onto the bridge thirty minutes before first watch began.
    “All quiet, Captain,” Accari said. “Some standard com traffic from the Amsterdam that I’ve had routed to your inbox, but nothing flagged as priority. I’ve heard that you’ll be asked to attend a dinner aboard her as the admiral is getting bored with racing around this planet.”
    “Mr. Accari,” Celesta began sternly. “You are now an officer and a gentleman. It is beneath you to insinuate that the admiral is anything but in complete control of the situation. A young officer with a bright career ahead of him would also be careful about letting slip just how much inside information he was getting through an infatuated young woman who happened to be the admiral’s aide.”
    “Yes, ma’am. My apologies, ma’am,” Accari said, recognizing his captain’s peculiar sense of humor and not sounding the least bit contrite. Ensign Idris Accari, formerly Specialist Second Class Accari, had been the first watch nav station operator on the Ares under Captain Jackson Wolfe. Jackson had recognized early how sharp the young man was, and in one of his last actions before he’d officially retired from Fleet he had lobbied to get Accari a commission, dependent upon him completing Officer Candidate Training (OCT) as well as the subsequent command schools. Accari had breezed through them without trouble and had been one of the few selected from his class of enlisted candidates for a commission. Those that didn’t receive a direct commission were given the option to return to the enlisted ranks or go through the Academy. Since the Academy was typically a five-year stint, most just went back to their previous commands.
    Celesta Wright, having been Accari’s superior on the Ares , made sure she was kept aware of his progress every step of the way through his training. The file entry for his rank change had barely cleared Admin when she submitted her request to have him transferred to the Icarus . After training he’d been serving as her first watch OPS officer since and, like when he was at the nav station, he seemed to have a knack for the OPS position, instinctively knowing what information needed to flow up to the captain and what could be pushed back or rerouted. Celesta wished that she was still in contact with Jackson Wolfe if for no other reason than to let him know how his protégée was excelling, but it was like he’d just disappeared without a trace.
    “But while we’re discussing what you may or may not have heard through your backchannel sources, Ensign, what else might I find interesting?” she asked while he vacated the command chair.
    “The negotiations aren’t going well,” Accari said seriously. “Apparently this new species, they call themselves Ushin, are either masters of the runaround, are hiding something, or the communication methods R&S devised aren’t as flawless as they claimed. These are some of the things the admiral would like to discuss with you in person.”
    “I see,” Celesta said neutrally. “While I thank you for your trust in me, Ensign, I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t offer some warning to you.”
    “Ma’am?”
    “Even on the bridge of a Fleet destroyer, that is some fairly sensitive information you’re bandying about,” Celesta went on. “My office is always available and just remember, there are ears everywhere and not all of them friendly.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Accari was no wilting flower. He accepted the criticism like the professional he was and offered neither an excuse nor an apology. Celesta found it refreshing and hoped that