Tales from the Empire by Peter Schweighofer

Author:Peter Schweighofer [Schweighofer, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, SciFi, Star Wars, Imperial Era
ISBN: 0553578766
Publisher: Del-Rey

The door slid open into a modestly decorated office. A hologram on one wall displayed a cross section of the Kuari Princess. A dozen monitors occupied another wall to the right of a desk that was littered with a half dozen datacards.

Chief Kaileel was hunched over his computer terminal. He glanced up at Celia, a momentary look of annoyance vanished quickly, replaced by a gentler expression.

“Good evening, dear Crimson. May I help you with something?”

“I, uh, thought I’d get a brief update on those missing blasters, Chief,” she said unconvincingly.

Kaileel’s large dark eyes frowned at her over the top of the monitor. “I have nothing new to report, Lieutenant,” he replied, eyeing her suspiciously. “Was there something else I might help you with?”

Celia’s eyes wandered around the room. “I’ve got the bridge watch for another hour, then I’ll be ready for our rematch.”

Kaileel drummed his long green fingers on the desk. “It is rather late, you realize.”

“You’re not trying to get out of this game, are you?”

“Of course not, Lieutenant. I shall be off duty in two hours.”

“Good,” Celia replied, glad she’d have the game to keep her mind off a certain handsome Imperial lieutenant. “Then I’ll expect you to meet me on the observation deck.”

The edges of Kaileel’s mouth curled upward behind his snout. “Oh, my dear little crimson-haired friend, I would not miss the chance to beat you again for all the spice on Kessel!”

“Beat me?” she smiled, her mood suddenly lighter. “Don’t count on it, Chief!”

“Get to your bridge, little one. Drive your ship! Steer us a straight course!”

Leaning over the desk, Celia’s face grew serious. “You look tired, Chief,” she said. “Is everything all right?”

Kaileel leaned back into his chair. “Yes—well, no,” he admitted when he saw the frown on her face. “I had some disturbing news on my visit to Mantooine.”

“Chief?” another voice called from the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, Lieutenant.”

“What is it, Raban?” Kaileel asked the security officer as Celia walked behind the desk to stare out the viewport.

“We’ve got a report of a fight between two passengers at the Galleria Shop.”

“Who’s on it?”

“Brankton. And we’ve sent in a backup.”

“Keep me posted,” Kaileel told the man, then turned to smile at Celia. “This may turn out to be an exciting cruise.”

“We haven’t even left orbit yet!” Celia marvelled.

“And you thought your job was interesting.”

“Chief, what were you about to tell me—the news you got on Mantooine?”

“Later, my dear. I’ll tell you later.”

Celia eyed her old friend. There was something bothering him. But before she could probe for more information the captain’s voice sounded over the intercom. “Chief Kaileel, is Lieutenant Durasha with you?”

“Yes, Captain,” Kaileel said.

“I was just on my way to the bridge, sir,” Celia added.

“Lieutenant, I need to speak with you privately. Will you meet me in my office right away?”

“Of course, sir. On my way. I wonder what that’s all about,” she said as Kaileel clicked off the intercom. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours, Chief.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.