"Steve Gordon - Ensectoid 01 - The Ensectoid Invasion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gordon Steve)

to secure the defense of our homeworld!"
"Minister, our small fleet will be no match for the
overwhelming force the Insectoids will throw at us-"
"You're not paid to think, Admiral!" Novacan snapped.
"I'm issuing a direct order for you to return immediately!"
North paused a moment. "No." he said. It was obvious to
everyone on the bridge that he omitted the "sir".
"No? No what?"
"No, we're not returning."
"Admiral North, you are relieved of command! Captain
Dulin!"
"Sir?" said Dulin, stepping forward promptly.
"You are to take command of the fleet and return to
August immediately."
"No sir!" said Dulin, just as promptly.
"This is treason! You'll be vaporized for this!"
"No," said North slowly. "What you and your
administration have done is treason. You have lowered our
guard and cost the lives of thousands of loyal sailors whose
only fault was following your orders. We will no longer
listen to yours." He turned as if to terminate connections.
"Where are you taking your fleet? Are you going to run
away? Coward!" Novacan spat.
North turned back, murder in his eyes. "Yes, I'm a
coward," he said slowly. "I've been giving the subject a lot
of thought lately. I'm a coward for not arresting you, the
President, and the Joint Chiefs when I had the chance. I'm a
coward for not taking power when I should have. I was afraid
of taking action. This is the result of my inaction. My
inaction" He repeated it, for emphasis. "I don't know if
we'll survive this, but if, by some miracle we do, I won't
make the same mistake twice," he said, his voice deadly grim.
"Goodbye, Minister, and try to take a kinder tone with your
new Insectoid masters."
He terminated communications. The bridge crew was
speechless. North turned to Wren. "Are the fighters aboard
yet?" he said quietly.
"Another few minutes, sir."
"Is the League network still up?"
The comm officer checked, then nodded. "For the most
part." The Insectoids hadn't yet gotten the chance to disrupt
the League-wide communication network.
"Activate the League wide network. Use our priority
military code."
"Online."
North took a deep breath. He would now be addressing
the senior military, political and administrative leaders and
staff throughout the League. "This is War Admiral Norman
North. A few hours ago, it appears that most if not all of
the League fleet sent to the Vitalics armistice was destroyed