Read Last Measure of Devotion (TCOTU, Book 5) (This Corner of the Universe) for Free Online Page A

this trauma be the
reason why Archduke Covington has refused to promote Heskan to rear admiral?”
    The
wall screen faded to black, muting out the guest’s response.  Covington entered
a new command into the inlaid keyboard of his desk and the wall screen produced
the latest revision of the Seshafian order of battle.  “I’m quite disappointed
with the tone of reporting by IaCom but I must believe it has more to do with a
clash of personalities rather than corporations.”
    “I’m
sorry, Archduke,” Heskan said feebly.
    Covington
nodded.  “It’s regrettable but understandable, Garrett.”  He glanced briefly at
Nguyen before adding, “I suppose the media in the Commonwealth is slightly more
focused on portraying current events in a more favorable perspective for the sitting
government than our media is here.”
    Heskan
hung his head.  All this negative press might not be happening if I had
shown more restraint during that interview.   The entire situation was
vexing for him.  To be discussing problems related to media coverage rather
than preparing for the actual conflict seemed unreal.  Those “unreal” problems had
become very real of late.  Due to the negative coverage and the portrayal of
Heskan as an uncaring leader willing to burn ships and lives unflinchingly,
Seshafi was, once again, having difficulty recruiting privateer ships.  The
ships would not be needed in the immediate skirmish, Heskan knew, but a failure
to be able to supplement their home defense force in the following conflict
would spell the end for AmyraCorp.
    “Well,”
Heskan mumbled, “who’s next on the list?”
    Covington’s
eyes glanced down to his desktop.  “Catalina’s Iron Brigade.”
    “One
of the best outfits in the Federation,” Nguyen stated.  “They’re based in Hiisi
and we have strong ties with them that go back for decades.”
    Heskan
looked across the room with questioning eyes.  “Why didn’t they send ships for
Admiral Cooke during the last action?”
    Covington
grimaced.  “A rather unfortunate set of circumstances.  You see, they’re small,
like most privateer companies.  They have just two brigs and three snows and
the entire lot was tied up covering the independence parade in the Spinward Sector
Corporate Zone.”
    Nguyen
muttered under his breath, “Damned ‘Vics cost us our most supportive privateer
company the last time around.”
    Heskan
noticed Covington’s flinching reaction to Nguyen’s words.  Curiously, the
slight against his home did not bother Heskan in the least.  Six months ago,
I would have defended Brevic honor at all costs , he reflected.  What
does this say about me?   Have I truly turned my back on the Republic?  
The wrenching in his gut whenever he thought about a Brevic defeat at the hands
of the Commonwealth suggested otherwise .  I still love my Republic, but,
maybe now I can look at it without rose-colored glasses.
    “The
Iron Brigade has strong relations with the Eris system too, Yon,” Covington
mediated.  “They were honor-bound to assist them.  You can’t fault the Republic
entirely for their presence there.”  Covington and Heskan had held an in-depth
meeting in which Heskan explained the exact circumstances of his crew’s flight
from the Republic.  Unsurprisingly, Covington accepted the tale in stride and
merely remarked at the end about the great need to keep their Brevic identities
a secret for as long as possible.  Additionally, Covington insisted that a
further discussion be held with the counsel of AmyraCorp’s security heads. 
Seshafi could hardly afford to have her newest and best hope for victory fall
to an ill-timed and unexpected Brevic reprisal.  There had not been time yet to
bring Nguyen into the small circle that knew the truth.
    Heskan
shrugged a shoulder.  “I don’t know, Archduke.  The Republic’s attitude toward
corporate freedom isn’t at all understated and corporate systems that border
the Republic have good