by Tori Harris
Now, less than thirty minutes after the last of the four Sherpas had landed and secured the area, a gigantic military transport arrived, touching down in a cloud of dust just south of the crash site. Within minutes, an additional team of technicians attached a series of gravitic maneuvering units to locations on the Sazoch’s payload module deemed structurally sound enough to allow it to be lifted off the ground. Once satisfied that there were sufficient GMUs to minimize the risk of additional damage, the entire assembly was maneuvered — with such infinite care that its movement was barely perceptible to the Human eye — until it rested once again in the center of what appeared to be a huge, tent-like structure. After being secured in place, lightweight, structural “ribs” were quickly installed above the payload module before the entire assembly was enclosed in an enormous, inflatable cargo container not unlike the expandable evacuation pods used by TFC.
Colonel Mateus Rapoza, the officer in overall command of the operation, had made it a point to stay well clear of the Sazoch itself, choosing instead to monitor progress through binoculars and via comlink from a low hill just west of the crash site. With the most dangerous portion of the recovery now complete, he breathed a long sigh of relief while establishing a secure comlink via his tablet.
***
Over ten thousand kilometers to the northwest — just outside the Terran Fleet Command Headquarters campus — a contingent of twenty-five heavily armed private military contractors exited their small fleet of nondescript, black vehicles. Moving with practiced efficiency, they quickly established a security perimeter between their “principal” and the high-speed executive transport idling on the adjacent landing pad. Each member of the team understood all too well that a delay of any sort would not be tolerated. Accordingly, those unfortunate enough to be stationed in the immediate vicinity of their charge’s vehicle glanced around nervously behind their dark sunglasses — anxiously awaiting clearance to complete the final leg of their brief escort mission.
After a tense twelve-minute administrative hold due in part to a last ditch legal challenge from TFC’s Judge Advocate General’s office, permission to depart was finally granted. Everyone present expected nothing less than a spectacular tongue-lashing upon opening the vehicle’s door, so they were pleased to see that their charge had just accepted a call via her tablet, and paid them no attention whatsoever as she brushed past on the way to her aircraft.
“Is the device secured?” she asked without preamble.
“Yes, ma’am. The coordinates you provided were spot-on. I’m pleased to report that we have detected no contamination, and the device itself is largely intact. The entire assembly has been isolated in a sealed cargo inflatable that meets all of the requirements for Biological Safety Level 4 containment. We are preparing for departure now, and should be clear of the area in fifteen minutes.”
“Well done, Colonel Rapoza. Please proceed with transport as quickly as possible. I will be en route shortly and should be able to meet you at our facility as planned. TFC is still somewhat in disarray at the moment, but it won’t take them long to realize that there is nothing of value at the southernmost crash site. Before you leave, make absolutely certain that no evidence remains to indicate that you were ever there.”
“Understood. Thank you Madame Chair —”
“Mrs. Crull will do for now, Colonel,” she interrupted.
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, Mrs. Crull.”
“Keep the operation moving, Colonel. We absolutely cannot allow this abomination to fall into the wrong hands.”
_________________________________
End of Book 3
THANK YOU!
I’d like to express my sincerest thanks for reading the first three books in the Terran Fleet Command Saga. I hope you have enjoyed the story so far and will be interested in the final two books in the series (available individually, or as a “box set”).
If you are enjoying the books, I would greatly appreciate a quick review at Amazon.com. It need not be long or detailed, just a quick note that you enjoyed the story and would recommend it to other readers. Thanks again!
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BOOKS BY TORI L. HARRIS
The Terran Fleet Command Saga
TFS Ingenuity
TFS Theseus
TFS Navajo
TFS Fugitive
TFS Guardian
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in 1969, four months before the first Apollo moon landing, Tori Harris grew up during the era of the original Star Wars movies and is a lifelong science fiction fan. During his early professional career, he was fortunate enough to briefly have the opportunity to fly jets in the U.S. Air Force, and is still a private pilot who loves to fly. Tori has always loved to read and now combines his love of classic naval fiction with military Sci-Fi when writing his own books. His favorite authors include Patrick O’Brian and Tom Clancy as well as more recent self-published authors like Michael Hicks, Ryk Brown, and Joshua Dalzelle. Tori lives in Tennessee with his beautiful wife, two beautiful daughters, and Bizkit, the best dog ever.
ISBN: 978-0-9961796-1-4
TFS INGENUITY
THE TERRAN FLEET COMMAND SAGA – BOOK 1
Version 8
Copyright © 2015 by Tori L. Harris
All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for the personal enjoyment of the original purchaser only. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.
This is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to real persons, events, places, or organizations are purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Any references to actual places, people, brands, or other works of fiction are also fictitious.
Written and Published by Tori L. Harris
AuthorToriHarris.com
Edited by Monique Happy
www.moniquehappy.com
Cover Design by Ivo Brankovikj
www.artstation.com/artist/ivobrankovikj
ISBN: 978-0-9961796-3-8
TFS THESEUS
THE TERRAN FLEET COMMAND SAGA – BOOK 2
VERSION 5
Copyright © 2016 by Tori L. Harris
All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for the personal enjoyment of the original purchaser only. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.
This is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to real persons, events, places, or organizations are purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Any references to actual places, people, brands, or other works of fiction are also fictitious.
Written and Published by Tori L. Harris
AuthorToriHarris.com
Edited by Monique Happy
www.moniquehappy.com
Cover Design by Ivo Brankovikj
www.artstation.com/artist/ivobrankovikj
ISBN: 978-0-9961796-5-2
TFS NAVAJO
THE TERRAN FLEET COMMAND SAGA – BOOK 3
VERSION 5
Copyright © 2016 by Tori L. Harris
All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for the personal enjoyment of the original purchaser only. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.
This is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to real persons, events, places, or organizations are purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Any references to actual places, people, brands, or other works of fiction are also fictitious.
Written and Published by Tori L. Harris
AuthorToriHarris.com
Edited by Monique Happy
www.moniquehappy.com
Cover Design by Ivo Brankovikj
https://www.artstation.com/artist/ivobrankovikj
