Light: Book Two of the Oortian Wars by Iain Richmond

Author:Iain Richmond [Richmond, Iain]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Galatic War, Military, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction
Publisher: #PrB.rating#5.0
Published: 2021-03-26T13:00:00+00:00

Ensign Holts sat slack on a slatted metal chair in a shiny white box of a room. A skinny steel slab protruded from the wall and a man wearing an ill fitted suit sat across from her. The room was smaller than her quarters on the Anam Cara and tight enough that she could smell the garlic the interrogator had for lunch.

For the past twenty minutes the soft and sweaty Deputy Director of the United Nations Intelligence Agency asked ‘probing questions’ regarding Holts’s relationship with Seaman Vasquez and the rest of the crew on the Anam Cara.

The Deputy Director wiped his forehead again with a damp cloth, unable to keep up. He squished it into his pocket with a small, chubby hand. “So this Hull Pounder that burrowed into the overhead in the captain’s quarters…” He skimmed his finger across the data pad multiple times. “You said, Lieutenant Wallace saw it on a scan? And you believe this Oortian had been there for years, since you set the auto destruct on Station Pluto and fled.”

“Yes,” Holts replied staring at the man, her arms folded. “You forgot about the thousands of contractors and non-military personal that were evacuated.”

“Right. Evacuated into the waiting hands of a group of bounty hunters. Would you like to add greater detail to your answer?” he asked.

“No.”

A dull clang sounded on the bulkhead behind Holts. Muffled voices rattled off followed by a muted, but bellowing Scotsman, “Wankers! Bunch of fucking wankers! Let the proper kerfuffle commence by you going to fuc—“

Scuffling and grunting followed with the shared bulkhead bouncing until the neighboring room fell quiet again.

Ensign Holts did her best to remain stoic. Inside she was almost enjoying the ridiculousness of it all. Almost.

The hatch slid open and a tall, powerfully built officer walked in. Her blue uniform stood crisp and her tan face lacked any emotion, but the wrinkles showed years under a hot sun.

Seeing the commander insignias on her collar, shoulder, and sleeve, Holts straightened in her seat.

The commander eyed Holts quizzically. “So, you’re the one.”

“Sir?” Holts had no idea what she was referring to.

“The admiral gave Captain Falco a list of the best, brightest, and most experienced science officers to choose from before he launched from Earth. He chose the youngest on the list. An ensign from the Brazilian Territories’ most impoverished barrio. A scrapper.” She folded her arms. “I see it. The admiral follows your career closely. Remember that. I’m Commander Lakshmi Keyes and this interrogation is over.”

Without a word, the deputy agent pushed off and shuffled out of the room.

“Let’s go, Ensign. You and the rest of the Anam Cara officers will finish up with the admiral.”

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