by Jim Laughter
Trusting her own intuitive sense, Rose arranged some private time with Leatha. Under Rose’s gentle but persistent questioning, it became clear that Leatha remembered in detail all that had happened. This somewhat surprised Rose as she would have expected there to be gaps, based on what Anna had told her earlier.
But Leatha’s memories were well grounded and complete. Her ordeal in the Preserve and the trauma caused by the fight with the Red-tails forced her psyche back into balance, burying the scared little girl once and for all. Killing the Red-tail commander helped her realize that her past was years behind her and she had a bright future ahead; a future destined for space.
As soon as Anna and Leatha were fit enough for discharge, Leatha surprised everybody by wanting to return to the Wounded Warrior Camp. She felt she had an obligation to fulfill. Besides, as Leatha had remarked when a doctor brought up her ordeal, there was nothing more to fear. The Red-tails were gone.
So here they were, sitting around an open camp fire as if nothing had ever happened. Rose caught Leatha staring up at the stars. Anna noticed too.
“You miss them, don’t you?” Anna asked, breaking the silence.
“Yes,” admitted Leatha with a smile. She’d been restored to full duty and would leave soon on her next mission as captain of the Aurora. “Sure you don’t want to come along?”
“Maybe another time,” Anna answered. “I have enough to do between the camp and helping straighten out some of the problems with the Preserve.”
“From what you’ve told me, that should keep you busy for a lifetime or two,” Rose said.
Leatha sat back against the log she had been leaning against and stared up into the night sky. Anna threw another log onto the fire.
“You’ve changed,” Rose said. “You’re not the same scared little girl you were when you first arrived at the medical facility.”
“At least the changes are for the better,” Anna said, glancing at her friend.
Even in the firelight she could see that Leatha was armed. True it was only her blaster and the Red-tail sword now modified to fit the young woman’s hand. But in that hand, it was a formidable weapon indeed.
“Where will you be off to?” Rose asked. “I saw the order pack that arrived just before we left.”
“Exploring,” Leatha said with another smile. “I’m heading into that unknown sector to look around,” she continued. “My orders are to visit a planet called Credence.”
Books of the Galactic Axia
Adventure Series
Escape to Destiny
The Horicon Experience
Space Trader
First Contact
The Wounded Warrior
Trooper Down
Ghost Series
Ghost in the Dark
Other books by Jim Laughter
From Victim to Hero:
The Untold Story of Steven Stayner
(True story of the Steven Stayner kidnapping)
KELLER MORRIS THRILLERS
The Apostle Murders
A Killer in Time
Polar City Red
(Climate fiction)
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http://www.jimlaughter.com
About the Author
Jim Laughter served in the U.S. Air Force for 20-years with tours of duty in Texas, the Philippines, Japan, Louisiana, and England. He traveled extensively through Asia and Europe, and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1991. Jim’s education includes the Los Angeles Community College, the Community College of the Air Force, the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, and finally the University of Maryland.
Originally from the rural farming community of Kellyville, Oklahoma, Jim and his wife since 1971, Wilma, live in Tulsa, Oklahoma near their three sons (Sam, Ben, and Jon), their wives, and their five grandchildren—Abby, Daniel, Robbie, Lydia, and Shawn.
Jim is a member and past president of the Tulsa NightWriters, a more than 65-year old writing group that helps writers become published. Jim enjoys visiting rotary clubs, libraries, high schools, and junior high schools, speaking about writing, publishing, editing, and other creative subjects. When time permits, Jim enjoys fishing and playing tournament poker. He also enjoys traveling with his wife and family, seeing the wonders of America and experiencing the many flavors of life only this great country can offer.
Jim is the creator of Galactic Axia, a fictional commonwealth of planets, and is author of the Galactic Axia series of science fiction adventure books. He also authors several stand-alone and thriller series books. You may preview his work at www.jimlaughter.com or follow him on Facebook.
