Chapter 36

Battle is the most magnificent competition

In which a human being can indulge.

It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base.

All men are afraid in battle.

The coward is the one who lets his fear

Overcome his sense of duty.

Duty is the essence of manhood.

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—General George S. Patton

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Galactic Standard Date: 152,323.12 AE

Former Third Empire: Jehoshaphat

Supreme Commander-General Abaddon

ABADDON

The Jehoshaphat trembled beneath his hand from the strain of jumping through hyperspace with the magnetic field of one engine thrown out of alignment thanks to damage in the exhaust port of her ramjet. All around him, crewmen scurried, their eyes wide with fear. He could smell it oozing out of their pores at the oh-too-real prospect of the command carrier shaking herself to ……