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

reasons to beef up their defenses during their independence
holidays.”
    “Do
you think the Republic would actually invade one of those systems, Garrett?”
    Heskan
shook his head in the negative but sighed.  “I think the Republic currently has
its hands full with other, more pressing matters, Archduke.”
    “But
back to the matter at hand, Garrett,” Nguyen stated.  “The Iron Brigade is
sympathetic to us so let’s try our best not to change that.”
    The
pointed barb was enough to stiffen Heskan’s spine.  Initially, he had conducted
standard negotiations with privateer companies without support from Covington or
Nguyen.  Fleet commanders had always solicited privateer assistance and
conducted such talks without the presence of corporate officers.  However, when
company after company either outright refused to hold discussions with the
newly installed Seshafian fleet commander or walked away from negotiations
without coming to a successful agreement, the long-standing policy changed. 
Heskan believed he had been careful not to let any innate Brevic prejudices
against privateers surface during the ill-fated meetings but his reputation,
bolstered by Fuller’s infuriating hit-pieces, had obviously preceded him.  As
Seshafi faced the growing and terrifying prospect of having to enter a conflict
without privateer support, Covington intervened and suggested that the
remaining negotiations be administered with his and Nguyen’s presence.  This
is why you don’t rely on mercenaries, Vernay had exclaimed to Heskan in
confidence.  He grumbled in silent agreement as he reviewed the summary of the Iron
Brigade on his datapad.
    “Well,
let’s bring Commander McDaniel in,” Covington said after entering commands at
his desktop.
    Minutes
later, the chamber door opened.
    A
generous description would have called Commander Frankfort McDaniel “sturdy” or
“stout.”  Nearly as wide as he was tall, the barrel-chested man rumbled into
the office with an easy smile on his face and an odd Hardee hat atop his head. 
Foregoing the usual bicorne popular to so many privateer navies, the robust
man’s hat brim was pinned to the left side with a brass device and wrapped with
a midnight blue cord around its base.  The Seshafian men stood to greet him and
Heskan saw the short man’s arms were nearly as thick as Heskan’s own legs.  The
word “mountain” was hardly befitting for the privateer commander as he was
lucky to nick the bottom of 1.6 meters.  Heskan heard friendly greetings
exchanged between the other men in the office as he continued to gape at the
mammoth proportions of the ship captain in front of him.  Finally, he heard
Covington’s voice announce, “And this gentlemen here is Captain Garrett Heskan,
Seshafi’s youngest ever fleet commander.”
    Heskan
smiled and extended his hand.  “A pleasure, Commander McDaniel.”  The privateer’s
hand enveloped his own, covering it almost completely.
    “Nice
to meet you, Captain, and it’s nice to finally meet ‘The Hero of Seshafi.’”  A
large, toothy grin emerged from the human fireplug’s face as he removed his hat
to reveal a cleanly shaven head.
    Heskan
dipped his head humbly.  “The Seshafians who served with me were the true
heroes.”
    The
tacked-on remark drew a curious expression from McDaniel.
    Nguyen
swiftly interjected, “That’s not to suggest that privateer sailors are anything
less than heroes as well.”  The captain’s dark eyes cast an urgent look at
Heskan.
    “Exactly,”
Heskan agreed quickly.  “Everyone who fought for AmyraCorp that day served with
distinction.”
    McDaniel
barked out a short laugh and started for a chair.  “Archduke, you mind if I
sit?”  He circled a short, narrow sofa table and wedged himself into the lush
fabric of an end chair.  “Sit down, guys.  Let’s talk some.”
    Once
seated, Covington stated, “We’re prepared to offer you the standard contract
we’ve used with your company