Calamite: The Chronicles of Daan: Book 4 by D. Ward Cornell

Author:D. Ward Cornell [Cornell, D. Ward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-04-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12: CONFRONTATION

Day 45

DRONE CONTROL ROOM

Despite the late hour last night, I joined the pilots for PE this morning. Having missed so many sessions, my performance is pathetic, tied for last because Cal’s romantic interest Amanda Clarke, call sign Ghost, hangs back and joins me on the last lap.

“He’s worried about you,” she says as she comes along side after waiting a while for me to finally start the last lap.

“In what way?” I ask, wondering why she is giving up her rank on the leader board for someone who is always in last place.

“He says the two of you did everything together in the run up to the last Lepodred invasion. Now, he rarely sees you and progress on all the technical advances we’ve made seem to be grinding to a halt.”

Of the many things I’ve learned, since starting to work out with the pilots, is how much I hate running. These days, I’m no longer over-weight and I’m still one of the youngest. But I don’t have a runner’s body or mind. I’m just another sloth trying to make my way to the finish line.

“And this is my fault because...?”

“Don’t be like that,” Ghost replies. “Cal’s a genius. We’d be lost without him. But you’re the only one he’s ever met that can cut through all the shades of gray and focus him on the issues that matter.”

I want to protest, but I can’t. Ghost has just spoken the truth we all can see, but not comprehend. “Do you know what he wants?”

Ghost gives an exasperated exhalation and shakes her head. “The same thing all of us want! More time with you. Yeah, most of us don’t measure up. But Cal does. Jared, you need to talk with him. He thinks he’s found the solution. I don’t even understand the problem. But he needs you.”

I’m thunder struck by Ghost’s words. She’s our deadliest pilot, and, as a flash probe reveals, has totally fallen for Cal, a genius that can solve any problem. But his weakness is that he jumps from problem to problem, never certain which one needs to be solved.

As we cross the finish line, and her ranking on the leader board drops three points, I say, “Amanda, thanks for running with me. I’ll check in with Cal and ask Jazz to disqualify you this round—state’s business.

She smiles sheepishly, then flows away from me without a word. As I watch her recede, Jazz sidles up next to me. “What was that about?”

“State business,” I reply. “Strike today’s performance from her record.”

“You know I can’t do that, Jared.”

“But you will anyway. Her performance today had nothing to do with the competition. It regarded another matter of state security.”

Jazz eyes me, then says, “As you say, Jared.”

“I came down this morning to talk with you. I know where the depot on the Lepodred capital world is located. And I know why it’s there. We have three days to get this done, the sooner the better. You’ve found the right window, but the interior layout has changed.

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