“Chase my boy. How good it is to see you.”
Chase stood up with Kat and Chase stepped forward to offer out his hand but Glen simply ignored it and gave Chase a very much unexpected hug. “It’s so good to see you son” he repeated himself.
They parted and Chase said “It’s great to see you too dad. This is Kat Holbrook. She’s stolen my heart.”
Kat was not ready for that declaration and her bottom jaw just dropped.
Glen stared at her and said “I can see how that could happen” and he smiled at Kat. That just added to her embarrassment.
“She’s a fighter pilot Glen” informed Mary Anne.
“Oh really” said Glen. “Well that’s interesting.”
Chapter 20. Nova Vista 1800, 3 June
Mary Chernside opened the door in her sister’s apartment and could not believe her eyes. She had not seen that face in over seven years. She just stood there amazed.
“Hello Mary” said the man with the deep voice. It echoed off the solid walls in the hallway. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?” asked Frank Mosely.
“Oh of course Frank” said Mary recovering from the shock. “What are you doing here?”
“Your sister invited me – for dinner, right?” He held out his hand holding the bottle of wine. “I come bearing gifts” he said and smiled.
“Did she indeed?” asked Mary loud enough for her sister, Julie, to hear in the living room.
“It’s all right isn’t it?” asked Frank a little nervously.
“Of course it’s all right” said Julie as she came to meet him. She gave him a peck on the cheek, took the bottle and ushered him forth into the living room. She gave Mary a ‘don’t you start’ look as she passed her.
“Tim’s still away?” asked Frank.
“Yes, the last I heard was somewhere in the Alliance systems” replied Julie. But you know how it is, he could be anywhere. Isn’t that right Mary?” Mary nodded. “I might as well be a war widow?” continued Julie. “Hmm this should be good” she said eyeing the label of the wine bottle.
“Here, I’ll do the honours” said Frank and he opened the bottle.
“You know Frank, Mary’s just back herself. One week is all they have given her. Bloody Fleet.”
“Stop that Julie” said Mary.
“Oh it’s all right for you and Tim” said Julie to her sister. “You’re part of the machine. But it’s us hangers-on who suffer.”
“I don’t think Frank wants to hear you whinge.”
“Oh I understand. It must be hard” said Frank. “So how have you been keeping Mary? You’ve seen a lot of action by all accounts.”
“Yes a little too much of late. Still I don’t want to complain.”
“That’s your problem Mary. You don’t complain enough” said her sister.
“Do you want me to help with the dinner Julie?” asked Mary.
“No, no! I’ve got everything in hand. I’ll just go and check on the oven. You entertain Frank.”
Mary was grateful for the reprieve. “So Frank what are you up to these days? Still the drug runner?”
“Yes I’m still selling drugs” said Frank. He was long past caring whether people referred to him as a drug runner. As a salesman for a pharmaceutical company, it came with the territory. “And still doing too much travelling. A bit like you in that regard.”
Mary nodded. “Do you ever ask yourself if you should stop?”
“Often, nowadays. I miss having someone to share my life with.”
Mary nodded. “It can get like that Frank.”
“Which is why I like to get together with old friends. We’re still friends, aren’t we Mary?”
Mary smiled. “Sure Frank.”
“Good” he said and took another sip of his wine. “Do you still dance?”
Mary looked a little surprised. “When I get the opportunity.”
“Well” said Frank with a smile on his face “would you like to come dancing with me tomorrow evening?”
“Oh I’m not sure what Julie’s up to.”
“I have other plans” came the voice from the kitchen.
Mary laughed and Frank joined in. “Then it’s settled then. I can pick you up at seven… that’s 1900 for you military types.”
“You always were a smooth operator Frank.”
“I try” said Frank with smile on his face.
Chapter 21. Nova Vista 2100, 3 June
Dave and Rihan arrived back at their apartment after a lovely time at Renata’s. He sank back into his lounge chair and reflected on the lovely meal they had just had.
The patron, Tony Sparetti, had been at his charming best. He had given them the table in the far corner where they would not attract too much attention. Tony had understood all too well how Dave wanted to avoid any media and their exploits had been all over the media since the victory on Beta Phi had been reported. Dave was thankful for Tony’s efforts and those of Phil for not publicly announcing the return of the Resolute.
Eighteen floors above, in his own apartment Phil was also in his lounge chair and he too was in a reflective mood. He recalled how he had to come the heavy with Public Relations over the news blackout on the return of the Resolute. For them he wielded the security stick but he knew that it was just as valid to ensure the crew got a chance to unwind on their leave without any media intervention.
Then he thought about his meeting with Vice Admiral Rudi Holland, who was responsible for operations in the Polaris sector. They were both so concerned at the rogan knowledge and intelligence of their operations that Rudi had recently begun a series of counter surveillance measures. Right now a sweep was being conducted of all planetary and orbiting bodies within the Polaris system.
Despite the fact that Special Operations Command ran independently of Polaris HQ, Phil had made a point of developing cordial relations with Rudi. They were separate but co-located organisations. Special Operations Command had originally been based on Earth but Phil had convinced the Combined Chiefs to move his HQ to Polaris where he would be closer to the action.
Alas Phil was still trying to relocate staff from Earth to Polaris but the war had placed a heavy demand on good staff officers. He was currently piggy backing off Rudi’s staff. Now that the operational workload had picked up in the Polaris system Rudi had recently asked Phil when his own staff resources would be arriving.
Captain Alex Peebody had been his only dedicated staff officer in Polaris for the last twelve months. Of the other six he had had back on Earth, two were now commanding ships, one was tied up on a judicial enquiry, one was in hospital and the other two had been seconded to the Fleet Admiral’s staff and he knew they would not be coming back any day soon.
Alex used to be his S1 responsible for Personnel and Manpower but he had been jack of all trades since he got here. Phil recognised that poor Alex was overloaded in the extreme. He could certainly employ Rihan Kabel as his operations officer but he needed to confirm that his current S3, who was recovering from some tropical disease that he could not remember the name of, would not be fit for duty anytime soon.
So for the second time today Phil crafted a message as tactfully as he could and sent it off to his current S3. He had asked for a reply within the week. He knew it meant asking a loyal subordinate to step aside, but for what he was planning, he needed an ops officer on deck here in Polaris.
Phil rubbed his eyes and leant back in his chair. His mind turned to the other message he had sent earlier, the one to VAdm Rose McCubbin, recently recalled back to Earth from command of the Orion sector. He knew she was now the new S3 to the Fleet Admiral. He liked Rose. She was smart, too smart to spend the war in a backwater. She reminded him of Amanda, though perhaps there was more flint in Rose’s composition. She had served under him as his S3 when he commanded the home system fleet.
He was putting a lot on the line and prayed that Rose would exercise discretion. There was always a chance she could show loyalty to the Fleet Admiral and tell her abou
t his inquiry. But there were few options open to him. He needed someone who had access to the goings on within the Fleet Admirals HQ, someone who he knew, who he could trust and someone who could keep their cool if things blew up in their face. Rose ticked all the boxes.
‘It’s done now anyway’ thought Phil. ‘Now I wait.’
Chapter 22. Mount Bosan 1400, 4 June
Ivan extended a hand to Jasmin and lifted her up onto the top. She was panting, trying to recover her breath from the exertion. Ivan wiped the sweat away from his brow as he stared out over the gorge below. The sound of the cicadas was everywhere. So too was the smell of eucalyptus. Gum trees covered the hills as far as the eye could see and up here that was a long way.
Jasmin’s breathing steadied. She took a swig from her canteen and then splashed a little on her face. She came along side Ivan and took in the majesty of his view. “Wow!” she said.
Ivan put his long arm around her back and pulled her to him gently. She leaned her head into his shoulder. He looked down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “See I told you it would be worth it” he said.
She didn’t reply. She just wrapped her arm around him, content to lean into his body, to be in contact with him physically. He had this quiet strength about him that she really liked. He was a deep character, a thinker and she appreciated his substance. She also appreciated how tender he was for such a big man. When he loved, he loved deeply. She felt a real connection and for the first time in her life she didn’t want to break it. ‘I’m not running away this time’ she said to herself.
She turned to face him and they kissed in the high mountain air, seemingly on top of the world. “It doesn’t get much better than this” she said.
Ivan smiled and he sat down and pulled out his lunch. Jasmin followed suit. She was starving. She ripped into the sandwich with avarice intent. “You really get stuck in” said Ivan.
She looked up at him with her mouth full and smiled with her eyes. After she swallowed she said “Sorry, I was so hungry. It’s late you know.” Ivan chuckled. She punched him lightly in his shoulder and beamed back at him. But Ivan didn’t smile back. His expression looked painful and Jasmin worried about what she had said or done to cause this.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing” said Ivan dismissively.
“That wasn’t nothing” said Jasmin.
“Forget it.”
“I’m not going to forget it Ivan” she said with a determination that surprised Ivan. “What just happened then?”
“When you punched me it reminded me of…”
“Sherri?”
“Yeah” said Ivan, feeling ashamed for having to admit it.
“Why? Did she used to hit you in the shoulder too?”
“Yeah” and Ivan recounted how he and Sherri had destroyed the battlewagon on Alpha Phi and how she had punched him in the shoulder after it.
“How did you feel then?”
“It was a good feeling…happy.”
Jasmin nodded. She was a little unsure as to how to proceed.
“It’s nothing to do with you Jasmin. It’s just me. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“No Ivan it must happen again. You need to talk this out. You’re still grieving. Don’t hold it in. Next time I do something which reminds you. Tell me about it. I’m here for you.”
“You are wonderful Jasmin Morales…absolutely wonderful.”
Chapter 23. Nova Vista 1500, 4 June
Aubrey was relaxing in the spa of the Cleopatra suite. The suds were starting to dissolve now and her breasts peaked above the water line. She blew a puff of suds off them. Brennon was not due in for another two hours.
She lay there trying to decide what she should wear for their first contact. The thong and underwire bra were already decided on but she wasn’t sure just how ‘obvious’ she should be.
Brennon Warner thanked the receptionist for the directions and made his way to the elevator, pulling his suitcase behind him. His emotions were mixed, part lust part trepidation. It had been lust that had motivated him to take an earlier flight and trepidation that now welled up inside him.
‘Has it really been three years?’ he asked himself. It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried to get back in the saddle but two aborted attempts had put him off. He knew it had been his fault each time – too much stress. But his ego had taken some serious hits with his failure to rise to the occasion. And that’s what concerned him now.
As the elevator rose, he stared at the display. The floor numbers flicked by. ‘But there had been one night stands’ he told himself. This was different. There was a strong physical attraction. That was for sure. He knew that, the first time he saw her just before Dave’s wedding. After the dancing and talking that night he had dreamed of making love with her.
‘And oh how she had come on strong at Butros Alia’ he thought. He recalled how they had talked for hours, how she invited him back to her cabin and how he had begged off. He had cursed himself every night since for not accepting her invite. The thing though that made this different was that he got on so well with her. It was so easy to talk to her. There was this synchronicity that he hadn’t experienced since the early days with his wife. ‘My ex-wife’ he reminded himself.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Brennon took a deep breath in. He was determined not to blow this. Dave was right. He deserved another shot at happiness.
The door chime surprised her. ‘Must be the hotel staff’ Aubrey said to herself. She carefully extracted herself and threw on the red robe provided by the hotel. She looked down at her cleavage and pulled the robe across a little tighter. She strode across the living area leaving wet foot prints on the carpet. Her blond hair dripped moisture onto the robe.
She tripped over the rug, stumbled and cursed. The door chimed again and she called out “I’m coming. I’m coming.” She stood back upright without adjusting her robe and opened the door. Standing in front of her was Brennon and his suitcase. He was ogling the beautiful form in front of him.
“You’re early!” she protested. As her chest expanded the robe began to fall away. She grabbed it in time. “Oh come on in then” she blurted out.
As Brennon entered he said “I’m sorry but I was able to get an earlier flight.” He let the door shut behind him. “Wow” he said as he eyed the opulence of the suite.
“I was supposed to be ready for you. My hair’s all wet and look at me.”
Brennon had a big smile on his face.
“Don’t make fun of me Brennon. This is not fair.”
“You look absolutely marvellous” he said with a genuine expression. He let go of the suitcase and approached her, taking her body in his arms. “Besides I’ve been dreaming of having you in a bath robe just like this one.”
She looked into his eyes like she had just heard the best words of her life. “I’ve been dreaming of you each night too.”
He leant forward and kissed her. She let his tongue in and felt it probe her. He took his right hand from behind her back and tugged at the robe’s lapel. She backed back and for a moment he wasn’t sure whether he had pushed too hard. She turned and headed to the bedroom. As she got to the door, she let her robe drop, looked back over her bare shoulders certain that his eyes were on her curvaceous behind and said “Coming?”
“All too soon I’m afraid.”
She turned to face him and stepped up to him positioning herself on his left side, her bare breast against his ribs and her hand around the back of his shoulder. “Oh no Brennon. There will be none of that” she said in a soft but firm voice.
Despite the obvious delights Brennon’s focus was solely on her blue eyes. They were smiling at him full of compassion and enticement.
She pecked him on his cheek and with her hand applied a little pressure to his back. They stepped off together. “Now tell me about these dreams you’ve been having.”
Brennon slid his left hand down and gave her buttock a squeeze. ‘Now tha
t’s more like it’ thought Aubrey.
He stepped over the threshold of Cleopatra’s boudoir. Brennon knew there would be no problems, no problems at all and he said “Well there was this one dream…”
Chapter 24. Terra Fuaga 2100, 4 June
Rihan was sitting on the deck of their cabin, her feet dangling in the tropical waters, which were still warm. It had been a hot day. It was a long flight. But the dinner was good and now the sun had set, the temperature had dropped to a pleasant 21 degrees Celsius.
“Do you want another” called out Dave from within the cabin.
“No I’ve drunk enough” said Rihan as she caught a glimpse of the prawn fishermen taking their boat out for another night’s work. The lantern suspended at the top of the mast bobbed and cast its glow across the surrounding water in the middle of the bay. ‘It’s a much simpler life’ she thought. ‘I wonder would it satisfy me’ she asked herself. ‘Maybe with kids it would.’
Dave came and sat beside her, letting his feet dangle in the water too. He looked at the lights on the water, the wake of the boat and the darkness below his feet. But the most captivating sight was beside him. Rihan looked so beautiful. Her boat necked top showed off her lovely exposed shoulders. He leant over and kissed them. She turned her head towards him and kissed him gently on the lips.
“Do you reckon we could live like that?” she asked pointing to the fishermen.
“Pretty sedate, don’t you think?”
“It has its own rhythm.”
“A pretty slow one.”
“Not much responsibility.”
“I’m not too sure about that” said Dave. “Just wait till they get a bad catch.”
“Oh you are such a party pooper” she said and clipped him on his shoulder.
“But there are some good things about it” said Dave.
Rihan knew there was a punch line here but piped up anyway. “And they are?”
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