Tenebrea Rising by Roxann Dawson Daniel Graham

Author:Roxann Dawson, Daniel Graham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2002-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

In the conference room, they found other Jod Fleet officers seated around the table. Andrea followed the briefing with only passing interest. Her thoughts followed K’Rin. She imagined him seated at the head of the table, where H’Roo sat. I should have stayed aboard the Benwoi.

H’Roo summarized the concept of the operation. “After we come out of FTL speed, we dive straight for the planet Cor. Our total time in the system will be one hour and twenty minutes. The destroyer peels off for a programmed bombing run at Lynx. The deep interceptor takes down as many Cor Ordinate satellites as possible on one pass.”

H’Roo flashed an aerial picture of Sarhn on the screen. Andrea realized the image was old, because it still showed the most prominent feature, a huge ziggurat that had been the Clone Welfare Institute. To the right of the ziggurat, outlined in red, was the target zone: the Sarhn spaceport and barracks.

H’Roo pointed to the targets outlined in red. “The rest of us fire our ordnance at Sarhn—primary targets, their military assets and landing facility. The bombardment will create confusion. The tug transfers operational control of the supply barges to the Benwoi. Then, the Benwoi dives in after our short prep and goes to ground. The unmanned barges follow and auto-land within a kilometer of the Benwoi. Then the rest of us get out of the Cor system as fast as we can, because let me assure you,” H’Roo looked around the table, “we will have kicked the anthill.”

Addressing the Jod commanders, H’Roo said, “You have your detailed routes, schedules, and target list. Any questions?” H’Roo looked around the table. “We depart in two hours. Good hunting.”

The other Jod officers filed out of the room. Eric and the contingent from the Benwoi stayed behind. H’Roo addressed Brigon, saying, “Eric needs a transport to Cor, and he can’t go in a barge.”

Quickly Brigon replied, “That’s up to Andrea, not me.”

Eric also turned toward Andrea, and asked, “May I have permission to come aboard the Benwoi? If I don’t travel with you, I have no way to get to Tara.”

Andrea looked hard at Eric trying to discern his motives. She studied Eric’s eyes—Steve’s eyes. Andrea blinked away her personal pain, clearing her mind. Eric had dismissed the wounded Tara as damaged goods—perhaps a forgivable reflex burned into his clone programming, his bad memories. Yet he seemed to have strong regrets about leaving Tara behind, even an urgency to return with the promised help. Now, they were late—not their fault, but how might Tara know? He’s worried that Tara will feel abandoned again. I can see it in his eyes—the worry.

Brigon interpreted Andrea’s pause as rejection. He answered for her: “No, Eric. Fifteen minutes ago you two were at each other’s throats. I don’t think—”

Andrea interrupted, “That was my fault.” She crossed her arms across her chest. “Eric can travel with us to Cor.”

H’Roo offered her a polite bow. “I’m glad to hear you say it.”

He handed Brigon a

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