Planet Wrecker

-98-

Deep in the Joho Command Bunker, Hawthorne watched the Doom Stars decelerate. He, along with everyone else monitoring near-orbital space on the screens, knew the moment had come.

“Open channels with Vice-Admiral Mandela,” Hawthorne said.

Soon, a black-skinned man with curly-white hair appeared before Hawthorne’s sight. The man had large eyes, a stern expression and a badly rumpled uniform.

“Use the approaching asteroids as shields,” Hawthorne said, forgoing pleasantries. “Flee from the Highborn while you have the opportunity. Whether the rocks hit the Earth or not, use the planet as an even bigger shield. Keep yourself from those ultra-lasers. You must keep your fleet intact.”

Mandela blinked in seeming bewilderment. “W-we’re practically weaponless,” he finally stammered.

“Do as ordered,” Hawthorne told him. “Social Unity is going to need that fleet.”

Mandela hesitated before saying: “The Highborn will disapprove of such actions.”

What had happened to the man? Once, Mandela had been tough. Maybe the years drifting between Venus and Earth had taken a psychological toll on him. Maybe working under the Highborn had sapped whatever had remained of his will. It was time to shove some steel into the man.

“Vice-Admiral Mandela,” said Hawthorne, “will you obey my lawfully given order?”

Mandela tried to stare Hawthorne down, at least the Supreme Commander felt like the Vice-Admiral did. Then Mandela glanced right and left. Likely, he studied his bridge crew. The old man seemed to wilt in his chair.

“Your plan is risky,” Mandela whispered.

“I need that fleet intact and away from the Highborn,” Hawthorne said. “I need spaceships so I have something to threaten them with later.”

“Supreme Commander—”

“If you cannot obey me, Vice-Admiral, I will relieve you of command and order you shot.”

Mandela scowled. Hawthorne took that as a good sign. The old man still had some will left. Then the Vice-Admiral nodded. “I have my orders, sir. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

“Yes,” Hawthorne said. “Good luck.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll need it.”