Sunday Snippet: Turning the Tide (a Black Raven Banner novella)

I can't believewe're at the end of May already. The year is flying by a lot faster than I wantit to. Then again, it's been busier than usual for me, so time is kind of relativeright now.

Had a great weekwith work projects. I'm making steady progress on both and still enjoying them.It's so much fun when you love the work.

Had a somewhatlimited viewing week. I'm trying to figure out the whole HBOMax is Max now and,oh, yeah, it includes Discovery+. I have both so I have to figure it all out. Iwon't be paying twice for the same thing.

I watched adouble-header of Battlestar Galactica with the second and third episodesof season two. I can't say enough about how strong the first ten episodes are.This show rarely missed in the first two seasons.

Also caught anotherepisode of The Brokenwood Mysteries. I have so much love for this show. Italso makes me happy when people pop back up. I kind of miss a few of theoriginal recurring characters but it's nice to have the continuity this showtries for.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Classic Who. I think I might have one or two left to finishout the classic run of episodes. Not sure if I'll start a new rewatch of the NewWho or not, but I'm excited for the new doctor and the anniversaryspecials.

I'll be startingthe second part of Silent Witness this week. I'm also going to change uphow I do my viewing. I normally scroll through my streaming services and watchone show from each, but that hasn't been cutting it lately. I think I'll startwatching whatever strikes my interest and go from there.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Turning the Tide,a Black Raven Banner novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Verity and Emory have to balance the personal with theprofessional when they're back at Black Raven command. They're tasked withtaking out a crucial enemy stronghold by exploiting a vulnerable weakness. Theremoval of the base will give the allied forces a way into the heart of enemyterritory. Just when they think they're ready to go, Verity's ace fighter pilotdad shows up to see his daughter … and meet the man who wants her—EmoryCavendish.

And a preview snippet…

Emory wished foranother R and R furlough. "The lack of interruptions were a plus." Hefinished buttoning his shirt and entered the briefing area.

Worthington greetedhim. "Your French connection paid off. Word just came through." He retrieveda box of simulation props from the cupboard.

Emory quirked a brow."Troop movement?" The resistance had been busy.

Worthington nodded whenmore people filed into the room. Verity, a large mug of coffee in her hand,strolled in behind Percy. She took a spot on the wall, letting the guys gatheraround the table.

Worthington called themeeting to order. "All right, now that we have everyone, here's the mainpoint." He unfurled a large map and spread it on the table. "Theenemy forces are starting to move around the first base Cavendish located.We've got orders to plan an air attack." His hand motioned to alliedterritory. "Ground forces are going to move out within forty-eight hourswith an estimated arrival sometime late in the week." He paused and pinnedEmory with his gaze. "I'm assigning Cavendish and Jones as leads on this,but everyone needs to work the table." His focus switched to Verity.

She came forward andeased up to Emory, her gaze sweeping the mock-up of hand-drawn locations. Sheshot a glance toward Emory then nodded. She wanted him to take the lead.

He picked up a modelrepresenting a troop transport vehicle. "Let's start with where the groundforces will be." He placed the truck on the map surface.

For the next two hoursthey plotted, arranged, planned, discarded, and finally got a working operationhashed out. Emory nudged Verity and she put the final plane on the board. Theone she'd be flying.

She stepped back."Okay, does everyone understand their role for this mission?" Allheads nodded.

She swept the piecesoff the table and slid a sideways glance toward Worthington.

He chuckled and liftedhis chin. "Good, let's go through it one more time. Jones, why don't youget us started."

Emory picked up thetransport and handed it to Verity.

A voice from the backof the room called out. "What the ever-loving hell is my daughter doingknee-deep in a briefing?"

All heads turned and aline of pilots shuffled to obscure the table from the intruder's sight. The manstood with his feet planted in black leather boots and his hands fisted at hisside. Emory recognized him; had seen his stern countenance in photographs manytimes. Victor "Ace" Jones.

Verity's father.

Well,hell.

This is theconcluding book to the Black Raven Banner—if the name doesn't changeagain—series and I'm so happy with how it's coming together.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye