The Sands of Karathi by David Adams

Author:David Adams [Adams, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 1477516751
Publisher: David Adams
Published: 2012-05-05T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Operations Room

TFR Beijing

Orbit of Karathi

One hour later

They finished up the last of their business on Velsharn and jumped the ship to Karathi. Once the jump sequence was complete, Liao retired to her office, officially to catch up on paperwork.

Unofficially, she cried her eyes out.

The Sydney was, at that very moment, investigating a Toralii Alliance mining colony where James might be held captive. Would he be fit and well? Or were they starving him? Torturing him? Had he already perished?

Dark visions played in her mind for a time, but the hands of her wall-mounted clock crept towards the hour, and she could indulge herself no longer. The ship needed its captain.

She spent a moment checking her composure, making sure her makeup was fixed and her eyes were no longer red. She also made sure her uniform was tucked in as well as it could be to try to hide the growing lump in her abdomen. Her confidence returning, Liao stepped into the Operations room.

When she did, she took a breath to clear her thoughts and instantly felt her command instincts return. Liao looked at her tactical officer. “Mister Peng, report.”

Peng twisted in his seat. “Jazz and Butcher are flying escort for the Broadsword Switchblade. It will enter Karathi’s atmosphere in two minutes. Distance from us is one hundred thousand kilometres.”

Jazz and Butcher. Peng was using callsigns to identify their strike craft. Not entirely against protocol, but Liao did not favour the callsign system and preferred to identify her craft with numbers. That was one problem with having rookies on the bridge, but there was nobody else to replace Jiang on such short notice.

She let the ghost of a smile play over her lips. It had been interesting how quickly Peng had found himself a bridge position, and now it all made sense. Kamal’s influence.

Liao wasn’t sure how she felt about the obvious favouritism, especially with her connection to James, but she put it out of her mind. The situation with her and James was not the same, but given how high her spirits were after her stay on Velsharn, she merely resolved to investigate it later. Now was not the time to worry about it.

“Very good. Keep me informed about their progress,” she said.

“Aye aye, ma’am.”

Liao moved to her command chair, easing herself into it with a soft groan.

Kamal stepped up beside her.

“Captain, the engineers report said they should have the parts we need within two hours. It’s night on Karathi, so the heat should be bearable.”

That was good. Nice and quick, and the temperature would be a lot more comfortable for her team. “Two hours it is. I hope they brought plenty of torches.”

Liao managed a smile.

From the engineer’s station, Summer spoke up.

“They did. I helped them pack.”

It was a simple statement, but one Liao found gratifying. Summer was starting to overcome the trauma she’d experienced, to begin the healing process that would eventually close the wound in her mind. She trusted Rowe and knew time would heal her pain.

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