Torn Asunder (Uplink Squadron Book 8) by J.N. Chaney & Chris Kennedy

Author:J.N. Chaney & Chris Kennedy [Chaney, J.N. & Kennedy, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2023-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

AIRWING COMMANDER’S OFFICE, TSS INDEPENDENCE, VEELAN SYSTEM

“Knock, knock,” a voice said from Baker’s door, and he looked up from his slate to find Jimenez there.

“Commander Jimenez, reporting for duty, sir.”

Baker motioned for her to come take a seat and frowned as she bit her lip crossing the space to get to it. “How’s the leg? Judging from your grimace, it isn’t healed yet.”

“It’s good enough,” she said as she sat. A small sigh escaped her lips.

“Are you sure?” Baker asked. “Because your body’s saying something completely different from your mouth.”

“Seriously, it’s good enough. You know as well as I do that Daiyu does most of the combat flying—the part where there’d be a lot of G and pressure on my leg.”

Baker nodded. “She does… when she’s around…” He raised an eyebrow.

“She’s back,” Jimenez confirmed. “I just went over to the Kuznetsov, and she has recovered.”

“And what did she think of your little jaunt?”

“She wasn’t impressed, but she understood that the queen had control of my body. I am, and I quote, ‘No longer to look Legastians in the eye.’”

“Yeah, that’s no longer on my list of things to do, either. They’re right there with Gorgons.”

“Gorgons?”

“The mythological beings. Medusa was one. They turned you into stone.”

“Oh, them.” Jimenez gave a small laugh. “Yeah, I guess that works pretty much the same.”

“So Daiyu is set, and the only thing I have to worry about is whether medical granted you clearance or you escaped without it.”

“They cleared me, but it was a close thing,” Jimenez admitted. “If that’s the only thing holding me back though…”

“Yes, Delgado put you back on flight status. It came down to either doing so or putting you in the brig—”

“The brig? What for?”

“Grand theft space fighter, dereliction of duty, and on and on. The list was pretty extensive.”

“He can’t do that! The queen was controlling me.”

“I know that, and you know that, but the Uniform Code of Military Justice is pretty silent about offenses committed when under the effects of mind control. Your actions did result in the loss of a couple fighters.”

“I know, but—”

Baker held up a hand. “We both know it’s not your fault, and Delgado knows it, too. He either would have had to charge you—which is stupid—or reinstate you to flight status now that the queen is dead. Congratulations, you’re an aviator again.”

“In charge of a squadron of idiots.”

“You’re going to give me whiplash with that change of perspective. Do you want to be an aviator or not?”

“I do. I’m just not sure about the new Blasters.”

Baker laughed. “Trust me—you like them a lot better today than you would have a few days ago.”

“Porter told me about what you did.” Jiminez nodded. “Thanks.”

Baker shrugged. “They were no good the way they were, so something had to be done. By the way, how does it feel to be the hero of a virtual reality game?”

“It feels weird, if you really want to know. I mean, it’s kind of cool that people think we did good

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