Sunday Snippet: Hard Call
I sometimes wonderif time is speeding up. The week flew by. Then again, I have multiple work projectsgoing right now and they're all at different stages.
Had a decent weekof television viewing. Not quite as heavy as last week but I got through a fullround of my current shows.
Actually startedand ended the week with Classic Rugrats. I'm currently watching season fiveand it's weirdly missing Susie Carmichael. Maybe there's more of her in thelater episodes.
Finished up the secondseason of Madame Blanc Mysteries. Ended up fairly pleased with theresolution of Jean's stalker. Very glad and hopeful we don't have to see moreof her.
Caught anotherepisode of Cannes Confidential. I seriously love this show. The cast isamazing and the chemistry with all of them is terrific. I have a very sneakysuspicion one of the main characters is going to be a bad guy and I'm actually kindof here for that if it happens.
Watched anotherepisode of Peak Practice. I have two left in season nine and it's going tobe kind of heartbreaking because I know what's coming. Also, Andrew isseriously annoying right now and I'm not sure if he'll improve or not.
Continued myrewatch of Battlestar Galactica with "Scar." This is anotherone of my favorite episodes even if, like "Black Market," there are somebig flaws with development for later episodes. One of the best conversations ofthe entire series is in this episode.
Finished up atwo-part Silent Witness. The culprit was indeed one of two characters Ithought it might be. Such a great episode.
Started season twoof Death in Paradise. Good opening episode with some familiar faces inthe guest stars. I love catching my favorite actors in other roles.
Enjoyed an episodeof Fantasy Island. So cool to kind of see how Elena assumed the role ofhost. I'm very curious about Ruby's mystery woman. I have a theory about herand I hope we get some answers before the end of the season.
Finished up seasontwo of Strangest Things. I'd be interested in more episodes, but I won'thold my breath. The combination of Discovery and HBO Max is the stupidest thingever and I'm honestly not sure I'll even continue trying to find show I want towatch.
That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Hard Call, anovella that sees one half of a couple put the other half in a precarioussituation.
Here's theminiblurb:
Wiccam Kidder commands a space cruiser and wears themantle of command with reluctance. When he makes a hard call and orders ValorGlynne to what may be a certain death, he wants to give up the burden and walkaway. But Valor returns and Wic is faced with knowing she'll follow wherever heleads.
And a sneaky peek…
One level from the bottom Majahstopped. "This is as far as you go." She held up a hand to blockValor's path.
What the hell? She's wastingvaluable and precious seconds.
Valor frowned. "We don't havetime for this. Get moving!" She shouldn't be ordering her superior officeraround.
Majah planted her hands on herhips. "We're making time. I'm ordering you to head back. You've got timeto get clear." She gave Valor a dead-eyed stare.
Valor's mouth dropped open."No way. This is a two-person job. We can't fail." Too much rode onthe outcome of blowing this damned place to nothingness.
Namely giving the two mostimportant people in her life an edge.
Majah dropped her pack to thefloor. "We won't." She retrieved a spear gun and shot a dart into thewall then hooked a D-ring onto the rope. "I've got this." Shecarefully removed the protective covering from the explosive device, which hadbeen covered with a framework of netting.
Valor blinked, the sheer genius ofthe solution kicking a measure of respect for her XO into gear.
But something didn't smell right.
Valor cocked her head. "Whydidn't you mention this brilliant maneuver during the planning?" They'd runthrough a ton of simulations.
Majah's shoulders tensed for amoment but then she shrugged. "Only figured it out last night." Hertone all but dared Valor not to let the excuse slide.
Valor wanted to call bullshit butsomething in Majah's gaze—a desperate determination—stopped Valor.
Instead, she straightened."Why?" She needed to understand.
Even though the clock ticked andburned through those precious seconds.
Majah squared her shoulders and metValor's gaze head-on. "Because I lost a piece of myself here. They brokeme, and planning this op made me realize I can't go back." She lookedaway. "I'm done. I can't live one more day constantly fighting to be theme I used to be." Her eyes closed for a moment then opened, clear anddetermined.
Valor couldn't find words to argueor counter the XO's clearly thought-out decision.
Majah shot another dart into thebulkhead beside Valor. "Go. Now." Keying in the launch code, Majahclimbed on top of the crate and slowly hefted the explosive device intoposition. "I can get the rest from here." She started lowering thebomb down to the last level.
Valor opened her mouth, but Majaharched her brows and Valor gave a brief, terse nod instead.
Snapping to attention, she saluted."Godspeed, sir."
Valor took one last look at hersuperior officer then turned and booked it up five levels, using minimal-rangecomms to radio ahead to the scout transport for a pickup. Her brain spun withMajah's revelations, but she couldn't take the time to unpack any of it rightnow. She dashed aboard the small ship and waited until they cleared thedetonation zone. Twenty seconds later, she verified the explosion beforeradioing back to the ship. "Hathaway actual, scout two. Targetremoval confirmed." Cheers broke out on the other end of the comm.
She broke protocol by making thecall. It should've come from ECO. But she wanted the Kidder men to know she'dsurvived.
Thanks to the sacrifice of a verytroubled officer.Valor's gut clenched with the knowledge Majah shared. Valor finally understoodthe former XO a lot better now.
Unfortunately … a little too late.
I have a lot oflove for this story. Writing this scene ended up being so much harder than Ithought it would be, but I'm very happy with how it came together.
That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.
ML Skye
