Badger by Kindal Debenham Page A

trouble from the politicians back home, let alone if he encounters resistance within the fleet as well.”
    Jacob whistled. “That bad, huh? It must be a pretty big push somewhere for that kind of trouble to get kicked up.” He ran through several scenarios in his head, but he kept coming back to the one that Laurie had proposed during their conversation together. “A strike against the Odurans? Leon, does he really think that he can pull that off?”
    The other officer gave Jacob a look that was half glare, half admiration. “Will you shut up? If you talk any louder the whole flagship will hear you.”
    Jacob had the grace to look a bit embarrassed, and Leon shook his head.
    “I should have guessed you would figure it out. After all, you were too good at seeing through people’s schemes in Reefhome. As for whether or not he can pull it off, I think he can.”
    With a frown, Jacob studied Leon. “You just said that an awful lot of the House and the Council was opposed to a strike against the League. The Feds don’t want casualties or an attack ruining their shot at negotiations, and the Indies don’t want a war in the first place.”
    Leon answered Jacob’s concerns with a smile. “True, but you’re forgetting politicians aren’t the only ones with a bit of political influence. The occasional soldier can accumulate a bit of fame and glory as well. Especially if that soldier happened to lead a retaliatory strike against an encroaching Oduran fleet and rescue half the population of Erad while he was at it.”
    Understanding dawned, and Jacob found himself nodding before he realized it. “So he’s banking on his own fame to get the approval for the strike. Risky, but doable.”
    Leon glanced at Jacob, an amused smile twisting his lips. “Not just his fame, Jacob. There’s another, more local celebrity soldier he plans on throwing into the mix.”
    Jacob’s newfound clarity was consumed by horrific realization. “No. You’re kidding.”
    “I’m not.” Leon’s smile grew. “Whether you admit it or not, you’re very popular in the frontier regions, especially along the border near Telos. Reefhome alone would be willing to supply a decent strike force, and we’re going to need every ounce of influence and help we can get.”
    He shot Leon a sharp look. “So that’s why he wants me here? Just another popular hero to gather support?”
    “If that was the only reason, could you blame him?” Leon shook his head. “But that’s not the only reason. He has a lot of respect for what you’ve done, both on Wolfhound and after.”
    Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Really.”
    Leon shrugged. “Yes, really. In fact, I had to talk him out of appointing you as the flag captain here on the Badger .”
    Jacob sat bolt upright, staring at the other officer.
    Apparently unaware of Jacob’s shock, Leon chuckled before he noticed his face. “Jacob?”
    “The flagship? He wanted me here on the flagship?” It was all Jacob could do to avoid collapsing. “Why? What did you tell him?”
    Leon rolled his right shoulder slightly, as if working out an ache in the joint. “Only that the flagship was the wrong place for a captain like you. You’d have to stay in the back of the formation in order to avoid being targeted, and most of your duties would involve managing minor staff issues instead of directing engagements. After the first few weeks of personnel meetings, you would have been clawing your way through the bulkheads.” Leon’s expression grew uncertain. “I didn’t step on your toes, did I Jacob? I just remembered how little you enjoyed managing that sort of thing on Wolfhound , and you were doing just fine with your destroyer squadron. Jacob?”
    Jacob felt himself grow a bit steadier. “Yeah, I’m fine. You’re probably right. That kind of job would have been awful.” Of course, it would have if he were anywhere near qualified for it. Jacob could only imagine the outrage that would have swept through the