Sydney Chambers by B. T. Jaybush

Author:B. T. Jaybush
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: pirates, female hero, dying empire, frontier system
Publisher: B. T. Jaybush

CHAPTER NINE

1

“Roger that, control,” Chloe said, then touched the series of contacts that would lock down all functions of her ship except external access to the cargo holds. “Dockin’ complete. Freighter CB two-slash-one three seven three is fully secured and statused for freight transfers.”

“Copy that, CB two-slash-one three seven three,” came the competent voice of control through Chloe’s headset. “You are now ...” there was a click on the background, “... on station power and air. We are ready to receive your commercial link.”

“Commercial link activated,” Chloe reported, after starting the system that would provide exactly that function.

“And ... I see it,” control reported. “You are all set. Welcome back, Chloe.”

Chloe started slightly, not having recognized the voice of station control. “Sandy? Is it you?”

“None other.”

“Hey,” Chloe said, brightening at recognizing an old friend. “’Tis good to be hearin’ your voice! I didn’t recognize you at first — it’s been all too long a while since last we talked. How’s the family?”

There was a chuckle over the comm. “Happy and healthy and one person bigger,” Sandy answered, and Chloe could clearly hear a grin of pride come through the signal from stationside. “Beatrice Catherine, born six weeks ago. That’s why we haven’t talked in a while — today is actually my first shift back from family leave.”

“Saints be praised,” Chloe almost squealed at the news, “and a blessin’ on you and that man of yours!” Her enthusiasm was heightened by the surprise. “And here I didn’t even know you were in a family way. I’ll have to be stoppin’ by to say hello.” Sandy Zielienowski was one of the few real friends she’d developed outside of her uncle’s organization. At first it had been merely convenient to have a contact inside the Outpost Station docking authority, but over the years the two had found more and more things that they shared in common and a true friendship had developed. Chloe felt a pang flash through her as she realized that, friends or not, the two of them weren’t bosom buddies. The birth of a baby wouldn’t come as a complete surprise, after all, to people who were truly close. Still, a baby was happy news.

“Yeah, Bill and I would love to see you,” Sandy said, completely unaware of Chloe’s more melancholy thoughts. “Maybe you’d like to try your hand at babysitting? What’ya think, Aunt Chloe? How long you going to be on station this time?”

“Sure and I don’t know if it’ll be in the cards this time, “ Chloe groaned. “I’m only here on a quick supply run, Sandy — a couple of days, at most.”

“That’s too bad,” Sandy told her. “You think you’ll be able to drop by at all?”

“I always make time for my friends,” Chloe reassured her. “I may not be able to make it a long visit, but I will definitely find the time to be meetin’ young Ms. Beatrice.”

Sandy laughed. “Yeah, and you’ll immediately find out that Bill’s taken to calling her Katie,” the controller said.

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