Read Online Dana Cartwright Mission 2: Lancer by Joyz W. Riter - Free Book Online Page A

that category. And, lastly, the innuendo that somehow I lack combat experience, which gains, how you say, ‘no sympathy.’ I have, if you will review my complete history, a great deal of experience, though I have never served a heavy cruiser before. I was top of my class in mixed martial arts and marksmanship. In fact, my record at Coronado has yet to be surpassed.”
    He showed no sign of being recalcitrant. “I have not read your complete history, Mister Cartwright. In fact, what Four gave me told me very little about you, and failed to justify why they substituted you for the war hero they promised. Perhaps I will owe you an apology, once I have verified to my satisfaction that you are as you say.”  
    He then looked away. “The truth of the matter is, the Star Service promised me Neville Brandt, an exemplary officer I know well and trust. I have no idea who in the galaxy you are, and whether you are worthy of my trust.”
    “Commander Brandt has an impeccable reputation, I’m sure,” Dana returned, “I understand your…disappointment.”
    Macao heaved a sigh, “Indeed.”
    “He suffered a fracture to his left femur, and a punctured lung from three cracked ribs, in a brawl on Deck Twelve two days ago.” She added, “He was set upon by two men in an otherwise deserted corridor. They fled when I happened along.”
    Macao pounded a fist on the edge of the desk then winced at the painful reminder of the excessive use of force. “Why in hell would he allow that? Neville doesn’t drink. And he is one hell of a good fighter. It doesn’t make sense.”
    Dana sighed. “He was followed, no doubt, from the civvy decks.” She left off the part about Brandt looking for her to deliver a gift.  
    Macao scowled. “Are you some kind of conspiracy theorist?”
    “Station Four has a history of such things,” she said flatly. “After two years, I’ve heard all the rumors. The locals stalk officers and do their best to compromise…reputations.” She didn’t smile. “There are gangs of non-coms. I learned early on to avoid potentially dangerous encounters.”
    “How does one do that?” The Captain demanded.
    “By making sure one has Commander Dutch’s seal of approval.”
    Macao scoffed. “Dutch is still a tyrant?”
    “No one dares get on his…uh…list, shall we say.”
    The Captain once again locked stares with her. It stretched on far too long. Then he demanded, “Are your eyes naturally mismatched? Or do you wear lenses?”
    “All natural, sir…heterochromia iridia…one in three million or so have it.”
    “Bloody disturbing,” he mumbled, finally tearing his gaze away from her blue, left eye and brown, right one, continuing down her petite frame and back up to a cord about her neck. Macao reached out and gave the cord a tug, touching the two-centimeter platinum pendant hanging on it. “An N-link? Where’d you get this?”  
    She reluctantly slipped the cord off over her head and let the pendant drop into his palm. “A classmate of mine at Academy gave it to me.”
    “Why?” Macao demanded, frowning while staring at the chip. “These are very rare.”
    “He was a telepath and...”
    “An Alphan?”
    “Yes, sir. He found it helped...”
    “It blocks your telepathic thoughts,” the Captain finished for her. “I used to wear one until I completed mastery training.”
    Without it around her neck, Dana felt a much stronger rush of conflicting energies coming at her. Some were from the Captain, but others were far more malevolent and distant. Only by instituting her empath training could she push them aside.
    “Are you telepathic?” Macao handed the N-link back. “Do you wear it always?”
    His tone puzzled her. “Regulations permit it,” Dana reminded, sensing his disapproval. “I have Eridani training, but I am not assigned to Lancer as a professional counselor.”
    “Your file says you’re Enturian. Enturians are not known to be highly telepathic…Why would you have…” He let