Undaunted (Battle Born Book 6) by Cyndi Friberg Page B

could say any more, Quinton deactivated the transmission. He rested his forearms on the desktop and stared into space. He felt helpless and beyond frustrated.
    What would his brothers have done? They certainly wouldn’t have waited around for a filthy mercenary who had already failed once. He needed to go on the offensive, force Garin’s hand, make a statement so loud the battle born would be unable to ignore it. But what? How could he bring this thing to a head without making himself look foolish? Or losing control?
    He pushed his hands back into the control matrix then paused as the multi-color currents swirled around his fingers, waiting for the intricate patterns that launched programs and issued commands. He had to restore order to the battle born. They had to understand that insubordination, on any level, would not be tolerated.
    An idea formed in his mind, but he wasn’t sure about some of the details. He sent another ping to AG Paytor and waited impatiently for the general to respond.
    “What can I do for you, sire?” The question sounded a bit impatient this time.
    “How many ships are commanded by battle born officers?”
    Paytor’s brows drew together over his nose, but he didn’t ask the question so evident in his expression. “Sixty-two if you count the Undaunted .”
    The Undaunted had yet to be reassigned, but the detail didn’t matter until they located the blasted ship. “I want every battle born commander arrested and replaced with an elite officer.”
    “Impossible.” He didn’t even hesitate to think it over. “I don’t have sixty-two elite officers left who are qualified to command a ship. Most of the elite officers I’d trust with the position already have ships.”
    “Then how many do you have?”
    “I’d have to look through the rosters, but I’d say twelve, perhaps fifteen. But let me stress again, if they were worthy of command, they would already have a ship.”
    Quinton didn’t let Paytor’s negativity bother him. All sixty-two would have been much more dramatic, but he could work with twelve or fifteen. “Select the twelve ships most likely to be assisting Garin Nox and replace their commanders with elite officers. The battle born commanders will be arrested and taken to a high security detention center to await court-martial.”
    “This will take some planning, sire.” Paytor rubbed his jaw with his knuckles as speculation narrowed his gaze. “The arrests will need to be made simultaneously or the other ships will simply desert their posts.”
    “Figure it out and make it happen as quickly as possible.”
    The general inclined his head as he said, “As you wish.”
    The hint of mockery in Paytor’s final statement made Quinton clench his fists. Everyone had underestimated him for long enough. It was past time he took the fight to the battle born.
    * * * * *
    Not sure when Garin would return for her, Berlynn rose early the next morning and prepared for the day. She shared a quick breakfast with Rachel, glad for the comfort of a close friend.
    They’d finished their food and were leisurely sipping coffee when Rachel asked, “Were you two able to work out your differences last night? I know he returned, but I’m not sure how long he stayed.”
    Berlynn paused for a sip of coffee, not sure how much she wanted to share. Rachel was a great listener, but Berlynn seldom shared her feelings with anyone. “We didn’t spend the night together, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    “It’s none of my business if he did, but you seemed certain he wouldn’t return. Did something change?”
    The merry gleam in Rachel’s dark eyes hinted that she knew a lot more than she was saying, so Berlynn didn’t see a reason to avoid the details. “Garin and I are attracted to each other.”
    “No.” Rachel stressed the word sarcastically then laughed. “I’d figured out that much all by myself.”
    “We thought we were feeling the pull, but when he kissed me, nothing happened.