Shelby 9 Snippet 4

 

 

Tortuga

 

“Whata rush,” Pops gushed, bobbing up and down in a characteristic otter show ofexcitement. “Like a slip and slide,” he said.

Captain  Jira “Crusty” Kireski glanced at his chiefhelmsman and then away. The otters were overdue for time off so he was cuttingthem a lot of slack.

Thecourier had handled the transit through the wormhole smoothly. His professionaleyes scanned the readouts as the ship’s tiny crew and AI switched over tosublight.

“We’vebeen welcomed to the star system, sir,” the ship’s AI stated. “Are we going tostay?”

“No.Let’s get this show on the road. The sooner we get to where we’re going, thesooner Pops and the other otters get to get some time off in an ocean or waterpark.”

“Definitely,”Pops said. He bobbed and weaved. “Course plotted.”

Thecaptain glanced at it. It wasn’t quite the least-time course to the jump pointzone he was expecting. As usual Pops was taking a few liberties to buzz aroundthe traffic ahead of them.

“Pops,you do remember flight regulations?” the captain reminded him gently.

“I’vegot it,” the ship’s AI stated, cleaning up the projected flight path.

“Spoilsport,” the otter stated.

Thecaptain snorted softly.

“Readyto implement.”

“Soordered. Send the command our regrets. Perhaps next time.”

“Ayeaye, sir. Message away. We are underway.”

Thecaptain nodded once and sat back and relaxed.

>>>~<<<

AdmiralTh’m’ll noted the courier’s departure and relaxed. He had offered to host thearmy general out of formality. He was pleased that the invitation had beendeclined. As much as his staff wanted him to make contacts with higher-ups he’drather not get involved. The sooner they were out of his AO, the better.

>>>~<<<

Ittook a day to get through the gates and to the Tortuga-Tau Gate Star Systemnext.

Popsmade a joke about the navy chauffeur service which was not well received by thecaptain. The otter shrugged and then set course for the jump point to thesector capital. Two days later they were back in hyperspace once more.

>>>~<<<

New Tau Metropolis

 

Shelbyalerted to the arrival of an inspection tour group in Tortuga. “Great, justwhat we don’t need.”

“Ma’am?”her AI asked.

“Acolonoscopy by DPs.” Shelby said in through disgust.

HerAI snorted in a mannerism she had copied from her principle. “I understand itis mostly made up of army personnel?”

“Withsome sprinkling of IG people and others. They will look for something. There isno such thing as a zero defect system anywhere. If there is, someone is hidingsomething.”

“Ah.”The AI paused and rapidly checked the schedule. “Well, they won’t be here for eightweeks, ma’am.”

“Lovely.Something to look forward to,” Shelby muttered.

>>>~<<<

Waynechecked on status. Rick Hunter’s Ninth Fleet was en route from 63 to the Confederation.At the moment, the ships were in hyperspace. They checked in regularly at eachstop. So far, no problems.

AdmiralSnake Charmer’s Tenth Fleet had gone back to Rho and had moved on to Sigma. Hehoped that they wouldn’t be missed too badly.

AdmiralKara Danvers was safely tucked away in 63. All other commands … his practicedeye scanned them almost unconsciously registering details. “Yep, all’s …,” hecaught himself just in time before he said the curse words.

Heglanced around and noted a gremlin watching him. “Yeah, I almost said it but I didn’tso, mmm,” he said as he stuck his tongue out at the apparition. Now that theyknew that the gremlins were real and watching them it was best not to temptthem by saying things like “all is quiet.” That was just asking for trouble.

Thegremlin’s reptilian eyes blinked and then it cackled and danced around and thendisappeared.

Hesnorted and shook his head before picking up his coffee cup and taking a sip.

>>>~<<<