Raven, Inc (Fueled By Fury Book 2) by Michael Anderle

Author:Michael Anderle [Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2025-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

I stand near a scuffed folding table in the far corner of the hangar, eyeing the makeshift dinner spread with anticipation and relief. A tangle of portable work lamps hangs overhead, illuminating this little nook with shaky yellow light.

It’s not exactly glorious décor—a metal tabletop, some half-broken chairs, and a mountain of half-empty crates behind us—but to me, it’s perfection. Tonight, after many back-to-back missions and sweaty late shifts tinkering with mechs, we’re taking a short breather together.

I inhale the dusty air mixed with the aroma of sweet broth. Somehow, I managed to rope in a local pho street vendor, though the man arrived late and had to hustle past the more official, prying eyes around Valis. My teammates are already picking up containers of steaming noodles and describing the meal as a “miracle.”

I can’t help smiling, but it disappears when I snag a glimpse of Tabitha’s data feed in the corner of my visor. She’s scanning everyone’s vitals with a mild, humming focus. Her voice chimes softly in my ear.

“Mind telling me why your heart rate is spiking?” Tabitha teases. “Is it the pho? Or did someone mention forging sedation logs again?”

I stifle a chuckle. “Could be both,” I mutter. Half of my crew is within arm’s reach, stacking take-out bowls of pho or popping open contraband beers. I don’t need them hearing me talk back to a voice in my head.

A laugh resonates in my earpiece. “Riiiight. I’ll be watching you, soldier boy. Momentous or not, if anyone tries flirting too much with you after one too many beers, I’ll talk some sense into them.”

My grin twists. For a split second, I recall a conversation we’d had a while back. Tabitha had asked if we’d ever build her a synthetic body, something more tangible. I’d felt a flutter of confusion about how far I’m willing to push those lines, especially with all the legal dangers swirling around advanced AI.

It’s an ongoing shadow in my head, producing a momentary scowl. However, I shake off the thought and busy myself passing around foam bowls to the others at the table.

“Wait, wait!” Taryn complains loudly, flipping open the top of her container. “You never said you had real pho planned tonight, David. We were stuck eating rehydrated rations, then the treasure shows up at the last minute?”

Beside her, Reiko lifts a brow, sniffing her bowl. “You heard the rumor. He wanted to keep the best for himself.”

“You guys are impossible.” I groan. “I swear, the vendor got delayed. Not my fault he wandered in half an hour late. I paid him to come sooner.”

Taryn narrows her eyes but grins at me. “You’re lucky I’m starving. Otherwise, I’d give you an earful about hoarding your secret stash.”

Before I can respond, Patch ambles over wearing half-zipped coveralls, a grin splitting his weathered face. “Hey, kiddo,” he calls. “I heard there’s a party happening. And you didn’t invite old Patch.”

“You’re invited,” I assure him. “Grab some pho.”

Patch jabs a thumb at a half-assembled barge of junk behind him.

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