Read The Enclave (The Verge) for Free Online Page A

the planet that was not Alliance controlled.  New Holland Prefecture.”  John tapped his datapad and the red spot on the planets southern hemisphere flared up.  It expanded to create a new holo of a large and prosperous city.  “Most of the ruling Val Myra family, (the city was named after them), escaped and are now huddled with the rest of their people in a housing sector at New Holland.  They have officially requested Federation help.”
    “And, I take it that you are the help the Federation is sending.”  Katherine looked across the table at her brother.  He had changed a lot since she last saw him.  Maybe not so much in looks, he still had the looks her high school friends had tittered over, but in presence.  John had had control of this meeting from the moment he stepped into the room, and even with a hostile audience he had held their attention.  Even after their fallout over her entry into the academy, he had joined the Military.  Maybe now was the time to try and mend some bridges.  After all, he was now the only family Katherine had.
    “I am being sent to finish negotiations for Val Myra’s entry into the Federation.”
    “Finish negotiations for entry?  You just said that Val Myra wanted to be neutral,” Coulthard asked.
    “There have been secret negotiations running between Val Myra and Geneva for the last month.  The Alliance reaction to their initial request to leave had them rethink their options. Once the negotiations are complete, Val Myra planned to split completely from the Alliance and come straight under Federation protection.  They would be the first colony to leave.  But somehow the Alliance has got wind of it and has made an example of them.”
    “So, what are we going to be doing, apart from taking you there?”  The sarcasm in Mark Hunter’s voice spoke volumes.  It seems her pilot was one person John’s charisma did not work on.
    “At this point in time, the Adelaide is to act as ‘Ambassadorial escort’ and security.  The rest of your orders will be revealed when we pass into contested space.”
    “So this is just an excuse to get us away from Hyde’s capture,” Hunter spat from across the table.
    “Lieutenant-” Coulthard’s voice began to rise for Hunter’s dress down, but Katherine stopped him with a raised hand.
    “It’s a valid statement, one which I’m sure will be answered in truth in due time.”  Hunter’s brother had been at Adveral.  He had lived in the same street as she had; he had died at the same time as her own family.  Katherine could not have him rebuked for having the same thoughts as she had a day ago.
    John shot her a sharp look across the table but Katherine ignored him.  “I think we might adjourn this mission briefing until you are able to tell us the whole story.  Until that time Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Tran can begin drawing up security arrangements for t he ambassador’s stay on Junter Three.”
    “Yes Ma’am.”
    “As for the rest of you, be about your duties.”
    “Yes skipper.”
    Her officers rose quickly from the table and hurried from the compartment, pointedly ignoring the ambassador who remained in his seat.  Both Coulthard and Shepherd hesitated at the door but Katherine waved them away.  She did not need witnesses for this.
    Once the room had emptied John turned on his sister.
    “You should not let our past color our future Kath,” John said, his voice no longer calm.
    “Don’t act the diplomat with me John,” Katherine snapped.  “How do you expect me to act?  I haven’t heard from you since I left for Duntroon.  You didn’t even come to the funerals in Port Augusta.”
    “I didn’t think I’d be welcome.”
    “It was a time when I needed my family around me.  But as you are the only family I have left now, I leaned heavily on my friends.”
    “On Tom Shepherd.”  John’s disapproval dripped from his lips.
    “Tom is a friend to both Brent and I and I consider him the closest thing I have