By Other Means (28 page)

“The Terran Sentinel, the one they call Aida?” Sienele said leadingly.

Kriss leaned forward, now very interested.

“What about her?”

“Her military specialty is listed as unconventional asymmetrical warfare, training, and logistics.”

Kriss whistled, sinking back, “Oh damn the Abyss.”

“What? What? What does that mean?” The Ambassador was befuddled.

“It means that she specializes in fighting wars inside enemy territory, by training rebels and teaching them how to take on superior foes with lesser numbers and equipment,” Sienele scowled, “and now she knows not just that we have such dissidents within our borders, but at least some idea of how to locate them I have little doubt.

Kriss shook his head, “and I believed her dangerous as a Sentinel. She’s not the weapon, she’s the engineer and the trigger.”

Sienele nodded tiredly, “I believe that we will have to turn our focus internally for some time, lest we leave too much material around for the Terrans to work with.”

“That won’t work,” Kriss said, “You know that the more we clean out, the more will consider it to be hostile acts of oppression and ready themselves to join up.”

“I know, but what else can we do? We no longer have time to play the safe game, the long game.” Sienele said, “You know it, Sentinel Kriss. I know it. The Terrans now know it.”

“They may not make a move,” The Ambassador offered, “We have a treaty.”

“Yes, that will make them cautious,” Sienele agreed, “however it won’t stop them because they have to know that we’re preparing to do similar things to them.”

“We are not!”

“Don’t be naïve, Ambassador,” Sienele was dismissive, “Of course we are. The treaty was primarily an effort to buy time while we learn what happened to our fleet and move another force into place. The war isn’t over yet, we’ve just begun fighting it by other means.”

END

Evan Currie the author of several science fiction novels and has been writing more than half his life, mostly just for the enjoyment of telling stories to those who want to hear them. Action/Adventure with a military lean draws him most of all, leading to the creation of the popular Odyssey and Wings series of novels that have been well received amongst readers.

Storytelling is his hobby, his career, and his passion.

Titles by Evan Currie :

The Odyssey Series :

Into the Black, Heart of Matter, Homeworld, Out of the Black

The Warrior’s Wings series :

Hayden War Arc :

On Silver Wings, Valkyrie Rising, Valkyrie Falling, The Valhalla Call

Cold War Arc (In Progress) :

By Other Means, De Opresso Liber (Forthcoming)

Other Novels by Evan Currie

Steam Legion, SEAL Team 13, Thermals, Knighthood (Forthcoming)