Read In the Presence of My Enemies for Free Online Page A

shuttle will be arriving shortly.”
       As soon as the Rhea ’s outer airlock doors were sealed, Commander Hayes brought the assembly to attention with a perfunctory, “Atten- hut !”
       All that’ s missing is the fleet band blaring the Sector Command fight song. Shawn muttered as much to Saltori, whose attempt to muffle his laughter was both admirable and somewhat useless. Thankfully, Captain Krif—who was standing stock-still ten feet from them—either didn’t hear or pay them any attention.
       The Unified shuttle, looking for all intents like a great silver bullet, glided through the now -open inner hangar doors. Within moments of setting down, the doors parted and a throng of personnel exited the craft—far more than Shawn thought it could hold. By their epaulets, Shawn could see that the first of them was an admiral, followed by a pair of ship captains. Behind them were a handful of aides, both uniformed and not. None of the arriving personnel spoke to one another as they approached Captain Krif and the Rhea ’s towering executive officer, Commander Ashdoe.
       “Captain Krif,” the admiral began and offered a salute. “Permission to come aboard.”
       Krif returned the salute with crisp perfection. “Permission granted. Welcome, Admiral Hansen.”
       Hansen, the tips of his blond hair now silver, turned to the first of his officers. “This is Fleet Captain Ramos, commanding the Duchess of York .”
       Krif nodded toward Ramos, but otherwise said nothing .
       “I’ll save the rest of the introductions for a later time,” Hansen said, and then began scanning the well-organized cadre of the Rhea ’s personnel. “Where is Rear Admiral Graves? I was told he was on board.”
       “The admiral has been detained, sir, along with three Kafarans who came aboard with him.”
       Hansen turned to face Krif, and Shawn swore he saw a scowl cross the superior officer’s face. “I see.” The admiral appeared lost in thought for a moment, then turned—not to the officers who had arrived with him, but instead to the civilians. One in particular, a well-dressed man about Shawn’s age, seemed to be the target of Hansen’s gaze. The two men exchanged a nod, and then Hansen turned back to Krif.
       “I think that confinement will no longer be necessary. Please see to it that Rear Admiral Graves is released, as well as the Kafarans, and remanded into the custody of OSI Agent Melissa Graves.”
       Shawn watched with satisfaction as Krif looked to the admiral nervously. “Sir, Agent Graves has also . . . been detained.”
       Hansen pursed his lips, then shook his head slowly. “See to it that Agent Graves is also released, Captain.”
       “Yes, sir.”
       “And, am I to assume that Lieutenant Commander Kestrel has been arrested as well?”
       Krif’s chin rose as he swallowed hard. “No, sir. Lieutenant Commander Kestrel is present and accounted for.”
       “Will wonders never cease.” The admiral looked to the assembled crewmen. When he caught sight of Shawn, Hansen nodded with a smile.
       Looking at the Admiral for the first time, Shawn had no idea who he was, nor why Hans en had taken such an interest in him.
       “I’ve set up a reception in the wardroom,” said Krif. “With your permission, I’d like to—”
       “No, Captain. I think not. I have a briefing that needs to get underway as soon as possible.” 
       “Of course, Admiral. I’ve got a room all set up and waiting.”
       Hansen nodded. “Excellent. I’d like Admiral Graves and his daughter there as well.”
       “Yes, sir,” replied the captain curtly, with a hint of embarrassment.
          Hansen then tossed an offhanded thumb over his left shoulder. “And Lieutenant Commander Kestrel as well. After all, this concerns him too.”
       “Perhaps his mechanic should be there as well,” Krif all but snapped, his quiet agitation boiling over to frustration.
       The