A Small Colonial War (Ark Royal Book 6) by Christopher Nuttall, Justin Adams Page A

might have pickets watching for them, he knew; if he was in command of their fleet, he would have placed at least one watching scout in J-34, one jump from Pegasus.  An enemy ship advancing from Earth, thanks to the tramlines, would have to pass through that system.  There was simply no way to avoid it.
     
    But we’re very tiny and space is very big , he reminded himself.  They won’t be able to spot us unless we get unlucky - or careless .
     
    “Inform the crew that one deck is to be put aside for the SAS, once they start training,” he ordered, curtly.  The presence of the SAS had been meant to be secret, although he suspected some of his crewmen had probably guessed who they were.  “And make sure it’s completely sealed off.”
     
    “Aye, sir,” Howard said.
     
    “We'll discuss other aspects of the mission tonight,” John said.  He’d have to meet with the reporters at least once, even though he would have preferred to avoid it.  “But it can wait for the moment.”
     
    He took one final look at the display, then forced himself to think about the future.  The voyage would be the easy part.  Hell, it would be boring once they slipped out of settled systems and away from watching eyes.  But once they reached Pegasus, the real fun would begin ...
     
    ... And if the Indians were on the prowl, he knew, getting close enough to deploy the stealth shuttle would be far from easy.

Chapter Eight
     
    HMS Warspite , In Transit
     
    “There's someone at the door,” Stevenson called.  They’d been told they could leave their cabin, once the starship had left Earth, but he’d spent most of his time just lying on the sofa.  “He wants to see you.”
     
    “Oh,” Penny said.  She stood and peered out of the cabin.  “ Percy ?”
     
    “Penny,” Percy said.  He didn't sound pleased.  “Can we talk?”
     
    Penny nodded, slowly.  She had known he’d been assigned to Warspite for her first cruise, but she hadn't realised that he’d be returned to the ship after the disaster on Vesy.  Meeting him was a shock ... she hesitated, wondering if they could use the bedroom, then walked out of the cabin.  Percy would have to know somewhere they could go for a private chat.
     
    “I suppose we can,” she said.  “Do you know anywhere private?”
     
    Percy nodded and led her through a maze of corridors into the observation blister.  It was empty, thankfully; she ran forward and pressed her face against the transparent material, staring out into the vastness of interstellar space.  Countless stars burned steadily in the darkness, their unblinking gazes calling to her.  She knew, intellectually, that Warspite was making her way through space at unimaginable speeds, but it looked very much as though they were standing still.  The stars didn't seem to be moving at all.
     
    “I was surprised to see you,” she confessed, once the hatch was firmly closed.  “Did you know you’d be returning to Warspite ?”
     
    “I was surprised to see you ,” Percy said, gruffly.  “What are you doing here?”
     
    “My job,” Penny snapped.  There were times when having an overprotective brother came in handy, but this wasn't one of them.  “Witnessing living history and sending reports back home.”
     
    “So the enemy can read them with great interest,” Percy sneered.  He had never really approved of her career choice.  “Are you sure you won’t accidentally betray us?”
     
    “Everything I write has to pass through the censors,” Penny snapped back.  “It’s not my fault if they miss something that might help the Indians!”
     
    “They’ll probably overlook tons of useful information,” Percy muttered.  “I doubt they know which end of a rifle fires the bullets.”
    “I’m sure the Indians do,” Penny said.  “Unless you’re expecting them to commit suicide when you land on Clarke.”
     
    Percy tensed, slightly.  It would have been unnoticeable if she hadn't known him so