by KT Belt
Michael wiped his brow and tried to stand up straight, but he only coughed roughly. “I’m fine,” he said.
Carmen’s eyes dropped for a second. Even when she didn’t read him, she always knew when he was lying. She often wondered why he even bothered. She played along anyway by forcing a smile. It probably was nothing.
“Why don’t you set up the holoprojector?” she said. “I can get everything else.”
He nodded and then sat down on one of the boxes. She walked toward the door slowly, watching him as she went. He eventually noticed her concern and gave her a reassuring smile before he beckoned her to go on. She smiled as well and then left the room.
She came back after a few minutes. The biggest issue was figuring out how to get everything in the elevator with only one trip. The train of boxes floated after her when she returned to their room. Michael had set up the holoprojector, as she had suggested, and now started at it intently.
“What is it?” she asked as she gently moved to hold him from behind.
His body made no reaction to her touch, such was his focus. He said nothing too, which prompted Carmen to watch the projector.
“We are here with an exclusive interview with Captain Renee Brown,” the newscaster said.
Carmen thought she looked familiar. But Captain Brown looked like she hadn’t slept in a few days.
“There’s very little I can say,” Renee began, “but I can confirm that there has been an engagement with a new alien race that call themselves the arkins.”
“And, if I understand correctly, you yourself were involved in this battle?”
Renee nodded. “Yes, but I can speak of no more than that.”
“We understand. But can you confirm reports that, following a declaration of war by the arkins, that sorten and Eternal fleets have also begun mobilizing? And that Space Force and every SDF is now at full alert, preparing for, quote, ‘Massive counterattack by possibly overwhelming forces,’ unquote.”
The captain hesitated. Her face reflected a growing dread before she was able to catch herself. “I am unaware of such reports.”
Carmen had never met her before, and she couldn’t read a holoprojection, but she was quite sure Renee was not lying. “Ignore that. It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Help me unpack,” she added, letting him go.
She went to the first box, but just before she could open it, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” she said back.
They then leaned forward for a kiss.
About the Author
Yup, I’m the evil guy keeping you up all night to read, “Just one more page.” A storyteller from birth, it was inevitable that I’d find my way to writing books. All of my works have a very strong focus on character and believable worlds.
Other than books, I’m a licensed pilot and certified jet nerd. I’m also interested in motorsports and a lover of the “sweet science.”
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