Sunday Snippet: Fail Me Now

Greetings! It'sbeen another busy week and I'm still excited about my ongoing projects. They'recompletely different genres and it's fun to have that variety while working.

Somewhat limitedviewing week again. I've been in a place where background noise is more distractingthan helpful, which occasionally happens. I notice it more on day when I didn'tget solid sleep the night before.

I did catch most ofPennyworth. I have the last act of the episode to watch. This show isdark in all the ways I like shows to be. And I love getting to see Alfredactually grieve. And having Ripper be the catalyst that pulls him out is kindof a master stroke. Such a great show!

Also continued my BattlestarGalactica rewatch. We started season two and the first ten episodes are soterrific. The second half of the season is also excellent, but I remember somuch about those first ten.

That's pretty muchit for the life update. I am hoping to get some gardening in this week so staytuned.

Tonight's post isfrom Fail Me Now, a novella that brings the main characters together byhaving one being ordered to the bring the other into the fleet.

Here's themini-blurb:

Tate Emerson has no desire to fly fighters—he's workedtoo hard to get out from under his father's thumb. But when enemy forcesattack, Indi Best comes calling with a special invitation from the elderEmerson: Join the fight or get left behind. Tate hatches a plan to do his part,but not have to take orders from his father.

And a sneaky peek…

Indi stood in the control booth andlet out a low whistle. "Damn." Getting Tate through the accelerated flightclass and moving to simulators didn't surprise Indi. "Tate definitely has aptitude."But he'd just breezed through the preliminary sim runs. "How the hell didhe manage that?"

A double knock sounded on the doorand Indi pushed it open to admit Tate to the room.

He arched his brows. "What'smy score?"

Indi informed him while she crossedbehind the desk to note the numbers in his file. "You're a little toogood." Freakishly so.

Tate rolled a shoulder. "I gottaconfess I've been in simulators a lot. Like before I could even walk." Hisgaze drifted to the viewing screen and his lips turned upward.

Indi absorbed the information, notdoubting Teague probably had Tate in a cockpit before he'd been out of diapers."How long since the last time?" She bit back a smile at the image fillingher head of baby Tate in a pilot's seat.

Tate did a mental calculation."Hmm … right before I walked out on my dad, so a little over seven yearsago." He gave a nod of confirmation.

She blinked. "The cockpit hada total redesign three years ago, but you adapted exceedingly well." Again,he'd blown her away.

Hell, it had taken her severalweeks of practice runs to get the new configuration memorized. Tate did it intwo test flights.

Tate narrowed his gaze. "Ifthis is where you compare me to my brilliant pilot dad, I'd better leave.'Cause I'm not interested." A dark look crossed his face.

A bit put off by the constant digsat her and the old man, she folded her arms over her chest. "I didn't planto compare, but to compliment your skill." She bit the words out, tryingto resist the urge to punch him.

Tate's head dropped and hisshoulders slumped forward. "I'm sorry. That was a dick move and you don'tdeserve that. You're a terrific instructor." He propped a hip on the edgeof the desk. "What's next?" A thread of excitement entered his tone.

The apology helped and Indi relaxedalso. "In your case, even more of a fast track." She closed the fileand tucked it under her arm. "If you're willing, I want to get you ina prowler." He'd only be wasting time with more sim runs.

A brief flash of eagerness lit hisgaze, but he blinked it away. "Uh, fine. When?" He attempted somenonchalance by swiping at a nonexistent speck of lint on his uniform.

She fought a smile. "Last dogwatch. Less traffic, more room to maneuver." She'd have to clear the usagewith the LSO but didn't expect any pushback.

Tate's eyes widened. "As intoday?" He stood. "I'll review the preflight checklist then. Can I meetyou on the fight deck?"

She gave a nod and let him go.

Flipping his file open, she exhaledslowly. "Make or break time. And I have a feeling Tate isn't going to behappy when he ends up falling head over heels for the prowler." But shewould be.

I'm very happy withhow this story is coming together. Indi has Tate's number whether he'll admitit or not.

 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye