M D Cooper [Cooper - Decisive Action

Decisive Action takes place roughly in the middle of the Perilous Alliance series, directly following the events of Strike Vector and Collision Course .

If you recall, at the end of Strike Vector , Kylie was forced to help Maverick become president of the Gedri Freedom Alliance (the local government in the Gedri System). Upon receiving the title, Maverick promptly declared Gedris independence from the Silstrand Alliance and declared war on Silstrand.

Though the Silstrand Space Force had a fleet present in the Gedri System, many of those ships were recalled to the Silstrand System to defend the capital against the Revolution Fleet, led by Kylies father.

A few SSF ships remained in Gedri, falling back to a half-dozen stations that were far enough from Freemont and JerichoMavericks two major power bases.

Unbeknownst to Maverick, the SSFalong with help from the Intrepid Space Forcedefeated the Revolution Fleet at Silstrand, and joined Tanis Richards alliance. The Transcends Field Marshal has mandated that Silstrand take control of the Fringe systems between Scipio and the ASN. If Gedri falls to chaos, then the SSF will have no hope in securing the Fringe.

Tanis knows this, and tasks two of her ISF destroyers to escort a fleet of ships into the Gedri System to take control of the situation there before it devolves further into chaos.

After his exemplary performanceand aided by Taniss recommendationColonel Grayson is given command of the SSF fleet, a command he is all too eager to have, for one reason only: it puts President Maverick squarely in his crosshairs.

But Maverick has an ace up his sleeve. Graysons former AI, Jerrod, has been shackled and placed in Mavericks mind, giving him direct access to everything he could ever want to know about the Silstrand Space Force.

CLEAR AND PRESENT

STELLAR DATE: 09.26.8948 (Adjusted Years)

LOCATION: GFS Satisfaction, en route to Jericho

REGION: Gedri System, Silstrand Alliance

Francis! Maverick called out from the low couch where he sipped his wine while watching the slow-motion dance still unfolding around Freemont and The Futz.

The battle with the SSF and the opposition forces was overfor the most part. A few ships were still taking potshots at one another, a lot more were looting any hull not capable of putting up a defense, and still others were chasing off the remaining Silstrand Space Force ships, hoping to disable and capture one of the military cruisers.

Idiots , Maverick thought with a laugh.

There were few ships in Gedri capable of going toe-to-toe with a Silstrand Space Force cruiser while it was surrounded by a destroyer escort. The scavengers chasing after the SSF fleet would only meet with destruction.

The time isnt ripe yet to make that sort of strike.

Of course, the composition of the pursuers was entirely of his design. The ships hed sent to chase the enemy out of Silstrand all belonged to interests that he wished to weaken. Everything was a game, every faction, ship, and even person in Gedri a pawn for him to move about the board.

Yes, Mister President? Francis gasped breathlessly as she appeared in the rooms entrance.

What the hell took you so long? Maverick asked in annoyance, not bothering to glance at the collared woman.

Im sorry, her eyes were cast downward as she walked forward slowly. I was just coming back down from the bridge. Captain Lawrence says were on time for our rendezvous with the Icapus .

Good, Maverick replied. And Sylvia is aboard? With the package?

Yes, Mister President. I confirmed it personally.

He nodded, flicking his gaze to her for a moment, taking in her lithe body. She wasfor the moment, at leasthis favorite girl, which meant that she ruled his brood of women. It was a task to which she was well-suited, though it also made her dangerous.

Hed watched how effectively Francis commanded and corralled his other slaves, yet she could turn those airs off in a moment and be totally subservient to himwhich meant her obedience was an act. She was biding her time, waiting until the perfect moment to strike out at him.

That, as much as anything else, was what made her his favorite.

Today, she wore a skintight, pink bodysheath that complemented her lavender hair. Her feet were perched on heels that held her feet en pointe, and the collar around her neck held her head high. The corset she wore drew her waist down to a circumference he could almost wrap his hands around, the restriction causing her to constantly be out of breath.

It was also impossible for her to sit down in the outfit, though she could perch on stools and the edge of tables. Not that he ever let her do so in his presence.

Another part of the game. Let her rise up above his other slaves, but remind her at every turn that she was his creature. She would never be freenot until he was done with her. Then death would be her final release.

Shed reached his side, standing on the tips of her toes with expert precision as she waited his pleasure. Years ago, when hed first forced her to wear shoes that held her feet that way, Francis had barely been able to walk, often crying from the pain as she minced about.

But over time, shed gotten used to it, and now lorded her ability to walk on her toes over the other slaves. He suspected that shed bribed someone for surgery at some point to re-enforce her toes, but he didnt care enough to investigate. If shed managed that, then it was a small enough reward that hed let it slide.

Shed proven herself useful enough for that.

Thoughts of useful slaves brought to mind Harken and Kylie, two women who had once held positions similar to Franciss. Hed made the mistake of uncollaring both of them, removing his ability to inflict instant and excruciating pain.

He regretted granting either of them any measure of freedom. Both had ultimately rebelled, a testament to the mistake of granting any woman freedom.

Grasping creatures.

While Harken was dead, Kylie still lived. Somewhere out there, she was hiding, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. How the bitch could be so ungrateful was beyond him, but when the time came, shed beg to be granted a fraction of the mercy he showed Francis.