Imprint of Blood (Birth of RimFed Book 1) by Phil Huddleston

Author:Phil Huddleston [Huddleston, Phil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Empress Hecate Publications, LLC
Published: 2019-10-31T22:00:00+00:00

PART TWO - THE COMMONER

7 Zeno

Xiphos – an ancient Greek short sword, typically used as a secondary weapon. Also used in the Aeolian Empire as the primary weapon for all except the military, since weapons of higher technology are strictly controlled by the government.

RimWiki, 2165 Edition

London, England - Notting Hill

10 November 2139 - 18 Years after Pandora

Lois Vetton stared at Jake Hammett across the dinner table.

“I was beginning to wonder if you were coming back, Jake,” she said.

“I know, Lois. I was beginning to wonder myself.”

“Well, it was a damn close-run thing, you know,” said Lois.

“I’m sure it was,” said Jake. “Being lost at sea kind of clarifies your objectives, though. I’m six months sober now. Haven’t broken up a bar in that entire time.”

Lois laughed. “There’s a few bar owners in Tolleson City that will be glad to hear that.”

Jake smiled, somewhat sadly.

“Not to change the subject, Jake, but I’m getting old,” said Lois, wine glass lifted in one hand.

Jake could only stare back at her. He had no easy response to that statement; since Pandora had frozen his age in 2121, Jake had not physically changed. He was doomed to watch those around him age and die, while he continued.

But emotionally – ah, that was a different story. Jake felt as old as Methuselah. This last bout with alcohol had nearly killed him. And he was afraid it would come back - the darkness in his life, the missing pieces of his soul, were still there. He knew that. He had beaten alcohol, but he hadn’t beaten the darkness.

Jake stared at Lois, knowing she missed Kirsten as much as he did; but Lois had a life that was advancing, passing; her pain would pass as well; his would not, for a long while.

Finally, he just nodded. There wasn’t much else he could do. Lois laughed and took him off the hook.

“Yes, I know, Jake. You can’t relate.” Lois placed her wine glass down on the table and looked at him. “But my point is, are you ready to come back and take over as CNO?”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you happy there?” he asked. “You’ve done a fantastic job. The Colony Office is going great under Sara Watkins. Starship production is running smoothly. New Geneva is up and running, and things are quiet on the political scene for a change. Our fleet is growing. Another couple of decades, and it’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

“So?” asked Lois. “I’m not the CNO. I’ve been covering for you for more than a year. I’m running out of excuses and cover-ups.”

“You know, Lois, it’s just paperwork to promote you officially to CNO. You’re already doing the job. There’s no reason for me to come back right now. I’m still healing. I’ve got the alcohol monkey off my back, but I’m not in any condition to step back into the saddle. You and Gunner are doing a perfect job. Just stay in place until you’re ready to retire.”

Lois nodded. “If that’s what you want, Jake.

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