Read Online Audacity (Warner's World Book 5) by Dave O'Connor - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Dave O'Connor
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in 2 minutes everyone” she hailed on the shipwide channel.
Aubrey then realised that she was hunched over her workstation like a jockey in the final straight. ‘Mmm…’ she thought ‘definitely not appropriate’ and she brought her posture back upright. She took a deep breath in and forced herself to exhale long.
In that moment, she realised just how much she had been influenced by her former boss. She recalled the many times she had witnessed Dave Warner sitting in the commander’s chair his eyes closed in contemplation just prior to warp in. She acknowledged the calming effect it had had on her and the crew then and she made a decision to do the same here.
So with a straight back she closed her eyes and focussed on her breath. The thoughts that had plagued her these last four days came back to her. ‘What will we find at Sturam? How will we achieve this mission?’ But as her breathing steadied she became aware of the presence of the other officers around her and she felt reassured. She actually smiled and didn’t even register that the anxious thought had passed away.
She was also oblivious to the reactions of those nearby. They were seeing something new in their boss – a different state and they liked it.
“Warp in 5, 4, 3, 2, warp” said Tola.
Aubrey opened her eyes and could see the others looking at her. There was not an anxious expression among them. That reinforced her feeling of contentment. She smiled. “Well then, fun and games till the 13 th ” she announced.
Chapter 24. Raihma, Istridium 1150, 7 August
Emilius Quazor, first consul of the Imperial Council, turned his contorted face away from Benchin Masqelar. Benchin was all too aware of the first consul’s mannerisms and did not react to his master’s emotional display of disappointment. He was there to deliver the news. That was all. It was done. Benchin turned and headed for the door.
“Wait!” commanded Emilius. Benchin stopped and turned to face the most powerful person in the Imperial Rogan Empire. “I want that bastard Sallusam apprehended and on his knees before me. Make sure it happens and soon.”
“Of course your excellency” said Benchin.
“I want Torine on it. She’s the best.” Emilius paused and then added bitterly “Unlike so many others around here she has not failed me.”
“As you wish” responded Benchin. His face was completely passive and in complete contrast to the venomous expression on Emilius.
“Any more news from Qwantum?”
“Security operations are still underway” said Benchin in a deadpan manner. “The revolt in Rollinium is being put down…the usual large scale loss of life and all that. Your forces there seem to have the matter in hand.”
Emilius nodded his appreciation for the update completely ignoring Benchin’s tone of delivery. For while Benchin seemed completely detached he was by far the best personal assistant Emilius had ever had and he’d had a lot.
“How long till that wretched full council meeting?” asked Emilius with a pained expression.
Benchin checked his communicator for the time. “Plenty of time for lunch your excellency.”
Emilius nodded.
Chapter 25. Washington DC, Earth 2105, 7 August
“We’re getting nowhere with Tamsa” said a frustrated Chief Minister Malissa Karalis.
“He’s just doing what he was told to do” responded Foreign Minister Adrian Yohansen.
“Yes but I’m sick of his feigned concern. If the gelk are unwilling to assist then I wish they would just say so.”
“We really need them though” said Defence Minister Julian Morrow. He shifted his weight in his chair at the conference table. There was just the five of them left after the gelk delegation had departed. Malissa’s chief of staff, Kaito Tanaka, and her Senior Political Advisor, Belinda Klondike, filled the other seats. “Perhaps you need to go to Slemros” continued Julian. “Make a direct appeal to Tegoola.”
Malissa tightened her already tight jaw as
Aubrey then realised that she was hunched over her workstation like a jockey in the final straight. ‘Mmm…’ she thought ‘definitely not appropriate’ and she brought her posture back upright. She took a deep breath in and forced herself to exhale long.
In that moment, she realised just how much she had been influenced by her former boss. She recalled the many times she had witnessed Dave Warner sitting in the commander’s chair his eyes closed in contemplation just prior to warp in. She acknowledged the calming effect it had had on her and the crew then and she made a decision to do the same here.
So with a straight back she closed her eyes and focussed on her breath. The thoughts that had plagued her these last four days came back to her. ‘What will we find at Sturam? How will we achieve this mission?’ But as her breathing steadied she became aware of the presence of the other officers around her and she felt reassured. She actually smiled and didn’t even register that the anxious thought had passed away.
She was also oblivious to the reactions of those nearby. They were seeing something new in their boss – a different state and they liked it.
“Warp in 5, 4, 3, 2, warp” said Tola.
Aubrey opened her eyes and could see the others looking at her. There was not an anxious expression among them. That reinforced her feeling of contentment. She smiled. “Well then, fun and games till the 13 th ” she announced.
Chapter 24. Raihma, Istridium 1150, 7 August
Emilius Quazor, first consul of the Imperial Council, turned his contorted face away from Benchin Masqelar. Benchin was all too aware of the first consul’s mannerisms and did not react to his master’s emotional display of disappointment. He was there to deliver the news. That was all. It was done. Benchin turned and headed for the door.
“Wait!” commanded Emilius. Benchin stopped and turned to face the most powerful person in the Imperial Rogan Empire. “I want that bastard Sallusam apprehended and on his knees before me. Make sure it happens and soon.”
“Of course your excellency” said Benchin.
“I want Torine on it. She’s the best.” Emilius paused and then added bitterly “Unlike so many others around here she has not failed me.”
“As you wish” responded Benchin. His face was completely passive and in complete contrast to the venomous expression on Emilius.
“Any more news from Qwantum?”
“Security operations are still underway” said Benchin in a deadpan manner. “The revolt in Rollinium is being put down…the usual large scale loss of life and all that. Your forces there seem to have the matter in hand.”
Emilius nodded his appreciation for the update completely ignoring Benchin’s tone of delivery. For while Benchin seemed completely detached he was by far the best personal assistant Emilius had ever had and he’d had a lot.
“How long till that wretched full council meeting?” asked Emilius with a pained expression.
Benchin checked his communicator for the time. “Plenty of time for lunch your excellency.”
Emilius nodded.
Chapter 25. Washington DC, Earth 2105, 7 August
“We’re getting nowhere with Tamsa” said a frustrated Chief Minister Malissa Karalis.
“He’s just doing what he was told to do” responded Foreign Minister Adrian Yohansen.
“Yes but I’m sick of his feigned concern. If the gelk are unwilling to assist then I wish they would just say so.”
“We really need them though” said Defence Minister Julian Morrow. He shifted his weight in his chair at the conference table. There was just the five of them left after the gelk delegation had departed. Malissa’s chief of staff, Kaito Tanaka, and her Senior Political Advisor, Belinda Klondike, filled the other seats. “Perhaps you need to go to Slemros” continued Julian. “Make a direct appeal to Tegoola.”
Malissa tightened her already tight jaw as
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