Fatal flaws gate ghosts.., p.24
Fatal Flaws (Gate Ghosts Book 13), page 24
Mila surmised.
When Kelley initiated the display, Mila sent an image with text that Kelley used to augment the star map.
Gaylene commented.
Mila responded, smiling.
Juno asked.
Mila replied.
Kelley pointed out.
Mila returned.
Gaylene inquired.
Mila asked.
Kelley asked, concerned about Mila’s mental state.
Mila laughed, and the trio listening to her was comforted by its lightheartedness.
Mila sent. Then she shared a link with her friends.
Gaylene waited for Juno and Kelley to review the lengthy vid and data records. Then she received an abbreviated version from Kelley.
Juno complimented.
Mila remarked.
Privately with Juno, Kelley shared,
Juno replied.
Kelley noted.
Juno sent.
When Juno and Kelley rose, Mila and Gaylene did too, and they followed the SADE and the sister toward the outpost’s command level.
Tocknicka was in conference with engineers about improvements to the construction hub. He quickly became aware of the foursome’s approach down the command deck.
Tocknicka sent to Juno, who could signal the cabin door open.
When Tocknicka finished his meeting, he dutifully headed for his cabin with the certain idea that he wouldn’t like the subject. However, he knew it was only a matter of time before it happened. Taking a seat at the central table, he spread his arms to the foursome.
Juno responded.
The opening statement caught Tocknicka off guard. Like Kelley, Juno, and Gaylene, he had misjudged the effect of Mila’s devastating injuries on her. He quirked a bushy Jatouche eyebrow at Mila.
Mila sent. Then she added a cheeky smile, which made Tocknicka chitter.
Tocknicka asked.
Kelley shared, displaying the territorial star map on the table’s holo-vid. he said, indicating his choice by highlighting it.
Tocknicka remarked.
Gaylene added.
Tocknicka complimented.
Mila sent.
Tocknicka pointed out.
Mila sent calmly.
Tocknicka regarded the young woman. He remembered her from when Minimalist, Luther, and Morgoth urged her to join the flotilla to broaden her horizons. He wondered if the SADEs and the Crocian would have envisioned the enormous changes that Mila had undergone. From someone who displayed skills as a natural traveler pilot, she had transformed into a fierce battle commander.
Tocknicka shared.
Mila replied.
Tocknicka regarded the young woman’s cool, steady gaze. If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought he was looking at someone several times her age.
Mila rose, shook hands with Tocknicka, and thanked him. Then she departed.
Kelley, Juno, and Gaylene regarded Tocknicka.
From Tocknicka’s viewpoint, none of the trio seemed bothered by his pronouncements and elevation of Mila. In fact, they seem pleased by it. Shaking his red and orange furred head, he shared,
Gaylene remarked.
Tocknicka asked.
Juno sent, which surprised Kelley and Gaylene.
On that pleasant note, the meeting disbanded.
Along the route from the commander’s cabin, Salus strode alongside Mila. the SADE sent.
Mila replied.
Salus inquired.
Mila replied.
From his side sensors, Salus eyed the young Naiad. A thought crossed his kernel that the bright light he had been tasked to protect might have matured to the point that she wouldn’t require his presence. Then, in an instant, Mila eliminated that thought.
Mila sent.
Salus replied.
Mila shared.
Salus reasoned.
Mila replied.
Salus offered.
Mila stopped short, regarded Salus, and asked,
Salus visualized the first meeting of Mila with her seasoned captains, and what they might see at first glance. Salus replied.
Mila sent wistfully, as she resumed walking.
There it was for Salus. Behind the battle-hardened eyes and emotional scars lay the mind of a young woman who was tasked with a difficult responsibility. Yet, she was the one who had asked for it from her friends and the commander.
Salus inquired.
Mila replied.
If Salus had been a biological, he might have come to a screeching halt. As it was, his kernel processed the implications of the Liberation or Tridents carrying them, and Mila deploying them.
The repaired Tridents were released from the hub. Then they were outfitted with crew and supplies. Anything the tri-hulls required in the future was stored aboard the voluminous Liberation.
Juno called a brief meeting aboard the liner. Gaylene, Kelley, Mila, Derry, and the three new captains were present.
Juno said. she added, gesturing to the threesome sitting beside her.
Kelley added.
a Trident captain inquired.
It was obvious to Juno and her companions that Tocknicka had done nothing more than instruct the captains to study the conclave-Krackus encounter history and support the Liberation. Obviously, he intended the details to be sorted out by the principals.
Derry said, with a flourish of his hand.
Quickly, Kelley sent privately to the captains,
The Trident captains were quiet while they reviewed the actions in which Mila participated. The last thing they saw was a short vid of her extraction from her damaged traveler. The truncation of the enviro-suit’s limbs was obvious.
The most senior of the Trident captains spoke for the others.
Mila replied.
another Trident captain requested.
Juno and her companions had accomplished what they meant to do. As the captains spoke, they eased out of the conference room.
Mila asked.
When the captains admitted they knew of them but had never deployed them, Salus entered the room. Then the SADE spent nearly two hours going through the procedures for installing, activating, launching, controlling, and retrieving them.
Mila sent.
Again, Salus played instructor, displaying the few uses of the dangerous probes.
the third Trident officer inquired.
Mila answered.
a captain inquired.
Mila replied.
the senior Trident captain asked.
Mila replied.
a captain queried.
Salus replied, sending a link to each of them.
The captains rose as one, and they waited at attention. When Mila rose, they saluted her briskly.
Mila sent, as the officers exited the conference room.
In the long liner’s corridor, a captain shared privately,
the senior of the three replied.
Mila spent the afternoon studying the probe’s operations with Salus. After evening meal, she returned to her deep dive into the Elvian weapons. She spent an inordinate amount of time understanding the danger zone for a probe explosion. Unfortunately, due to the limited deployments, there was insufficient information to satisfy her.
Salus inquired.
Mila was laid out on the couch with bare feet. It was her favorite thinking position.
Mila inquired.
Salus replied.
Mila remarked.
Salus queried.
Mila replied.
Salus responded.
Mila closed her eyes, placing a forearm across her brow.
Salus recognized the signals. he sent.
Mila struggled upright, nodded, and made for her sleeping quarters.
In the corridor, Salus’s comm unit registered simultaneous connections from Juno and Kelley.
Kelley had asked,
Juno had sent,
Salus replied.
Before Kelley or Juno could respond, Salus ended the links.
Kelley shared with Juno.
Juno laughed softly.
Kelley sent.
Juno queried.
Kelley shared.
Juno pressed.
Kelley sent.
Juno responded.
Then SADE and sister ended their conversation believing that Mila and Salus continued their close supportive relationship.
The following morning, Mila was in a receiving bay with Juno, Kelley, and many crew chiefs. Most of the chiefs stood back to watch.
The bay doors opened, and two cargo travelers waited outside.
The first operation was a manual one.
When Kelley initiated the display, Mila sent an image with text that Kelley used to augment the star map.
Mila responded, smiling.
Mila returned.
Mila laughed, and the trio listening to her was comforted by its lightheartedness.
Gaylene waited for Juno and Kelley to review the lengthy vid and data records. Then she received an abbreviated version from Kelley.
Privately with Juno, Kelley shared,
When Juno and Kelley rose, Mila and Gaylene did too, and they followed the SADE and the sister toward the outpost’s command level.
Tocknicka was in conference with engineers about improvements to the construction hub. He quickly became aware of the foursome’s approach down the command deck.
When Tocknicka finished his meeting, he dutifully headed for his cabin with the certain idea that he wouldn’t like the subject. However, he knew it was only a matter of time before it happened. Taking a seat at the central table, he spread his arms to the foursome.
The opening statement caught Tocknicka off guard. Like Kelley, Juno, and Gaylene, he had misjudged the effect of Mila’s devastating injuries on her. He quirked a bushy Jatouche eyebrow at Mila.
Tocknicka remarked.
Tocknicka regarded the young woman. He remembered her from when Minimalist, Luther, and Morgoth urged her to join the flotilla to broaden her horizons. He wondered if the SADEs and the Crocian would have envisioned the enormous changes that Mila had undergone. From someone who displayed skills as a natural traveler pilot, she had transformed into a fierce battle commander.
Mila replied.
Tocknicka regarded the young woman’s cool, steady gaze. If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought he was looking at someone several times her age.
Mila rose, shook hands with Tocknicka, and thanked him. Then she departed.
Kelley, Juno, and Gaylene regarded Tocknicka.
From Tocknicka’s viewpoint, none of the trio seemed bothered by his pronouncements and elevation of Mila. In fact, they seem pleased by it. Shaking his red and orange furred head, he shared,
On that pleasant note, the meeting disbanded.
Along the route from the commander’s cabin, Salus strode alongside Mila.
Mila replied.
From his side sensors, Salus eyed the young Naiad. A thought crossed his kernel that the bright light he had been tasked to protect might have matured to the point that she wouldn’t require his presence. Then, in an instant, Mila eliminated that thought.
Salus reasoned.
Mila stopped short, regarded Salus, and asked,
Salus visualized the first meeting of Mila with her seasoned captains, and what they might see at first glance. Salus replied.
There it was for Salus. Behind the battle-hardened eyes and emotional scars lay the mind of a young woman who was tasked with a difficult responsibility. Yet, she was the one who had asked for it from her friends and the commander.
If Salus had been a biological, he might have come to a screeching halt. As it was, his kernel processed the implications of the Liberation or Tridents carrying them, and Mila deploying them.
The repaired Tridents were released from the hub. Then they were outfitted with crew and supplies. Anything the tri-hulls required in the future was stored aboard the voluminous Liberation.
Juno called a brief meeting aboard the liner. Gaylene, Kelley, Mila, Derry, and the three new captains were present.
Juno said.
It was obvious to Juno and her companions that Tocknicka had done nothing more than instruct the captains to study the conclave-Krackus encounter history and support the Liberation. Obviously, he intended the details to be sorted out by the principals.
Quickly, Kelley sent privately to the captains,
The Trident captains were quiet while they reviewed the actions in which Mila participated. The last thing they saw was a short vid of her extraction from her damaged traveler. The truncation of the enviro-suit’s limbs was obvious.
The most senior of the Trident captains spoke for the others.
Mila replied.
Juno and her companions had accomplished what they meant to do. As the captains spoke, they eased out of the conference room.
When the captains admitted they knew of them but had never deployed them, Salus entered the room. Then the SADE spent nearly two hours going through the procedures for installing, activating, launching, controlling, and retrieving them.
Again, Salus played instructor, displaying the few uses of the dangerous probes.
Mila replied.
The captains rose as one, and they waited at attention. When Mila rose, they saluted her briskly.
In the long liner’s corridor, a captain shared privately,
Mila spent the afternoon studying the probe’s operations with Salus. After evening meal, she returned to her deep dive into the Elvian weapons. She spent an inordinate amount of time understanding the danger zone for a probe explosion. Unfortunately, due to the limited deployments, there was insufficient information to satisfy her.
Mila was laid out on the couch with bare feet. It was her favorite thinking position.
Mila closed her eyes, placing a forearm across her brow.
Salus recognized the signals.
Mila struggled upright, nodded, and made for her sleeping quarters.
In the corridor, Salus’s comm unit registered simultaneous connections from Juno and Kelley.
Kelley had asked,
Juno had sent,
Before Kelley or Juno could respond, Salus ended the links.
Kelley shared with Juno.
Juno laughed softly.
Then SADE and sister ended their conversation believing that Mila and Salus continued their close supportive relationship.
The following morning, Mila was in a receiving bay with Juno, Kelley, and many crew chiefs. Most of the chiefs stood back to watch.
The bay doors opened, and two cargo travelers waited outside.
The first operation was a manual one.
