Machine Gods (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 2) by Michael G. Thomas Page A

contorted in anger. The conversation
had moved on from Spartan and this operation , to one concerned with the destruction of his company and
her livelihood. She wanted to shout, but the Admiral lifted his
hand to stop her from saying anything else. Gun walked back into
the room with his hand on a guard’s throat. He must have heard
Teresa and had returned to help her.
    “ Gun, it’s okay, stand down,” she spat out, looking
back at Admiral Anderson.
    “ Due to the launch
of the operation , our resources in New
Charon will be spread thin. I’ve been given the authority to
appropriate any assets I deem necessary to secure this region. APS
Corporation has resources, people, and skills that are needed. It
will remain as a shell corporation, with your employees signing new
contracts with Alliance departments, if they so wish. If you agree
to this, it is my firm intention to look after your people and what
is left of your company’s finances. All executives will be offered
posts in the Alliance bureaucracy already being established out
here.”
    Teresa knew Anderson was a loyal friend, and there was
little, if any chance he would try to take advantage of her or of
Spartan. She could only assume this was a plan he had been working
on to ensure that APS Corporation continued to function, even after
being officially shut down.
    “What if I say no?” she asked.
    Anderson smiled.
    “ Well, actually, I
heard a rumor that the hostile takeover is imminent. You can wait
it out, but do you really want to be part of a failing Corporation
as it is stripped apart by its new owners? This way your people
keep their jobs, and you retain at least some of your
assets.”
    Teresa had half
expected something like this to happen. APS was on its knees, and
she was surprised they’d staggered on this far. Only the T’Kari
contracts had kept them in the black. The more she listened to
Anderson, the clearer it was becoming he’d planned this little
rescue for some time.
    “What about our operatives and combat teams? What
about us?” she asked, pointing to herself and to Gun.
    Admiral Anderson seemed to positively glow at this
question.
    “ My friends, I would
like you all to reconsider your re-enlistment into the
Corps. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
has given me the authority to reinstate former personnel, and I
have a position for both of you and any of your crew, if you’re
interested. I cannot assign you to my command staff. That would
raise many questions. But I do have a unit that is in a shambles.
It needs people with experience to whip it into shape, and you two
are definitely in that bracket.”
    Teresa looked to Gun
who appeared equally
surprised.
    “ I could do with
your leadership as well, Gun. A Jötnar commander is just what this
unit needs, and it will mean you will both be very close, if and
when I need people I can trust,” the Admiral added
mysteriously.
    The hostility
towards Gun’s people was well known in the Alliance. It had led to
them being removed from the Marine Corps itself, and was one of the
main reasons Gun and the others had turned to mercenary work or
operating with the private contractors. The chance to return to the
Corps rather than stagger on with the ailing business was tempting.
Anderson beckoned to them both.
    “ I suggest you get
packed for your trip. You need to get going, and fast!”
    She looked a little
confused , but he added just a few more
words.
    “ I’ve
forward ed data on the fleet and those
commanders present, Major. You might check the force disposition of
your new battalion. Your clearance levels have been restored, as
has your payment account with the Alliance.”
    With that he
beckoned to the door where Gun waited patiently. Teresa was now
even more confused than before. Gun, on the other hand, looked even
happier at whatever they had just signed up for. She shook the
Admiral’s hand and finally left the room. The door shut and left
the two of them out in the corridor. Two