Read Online Omega Force: Savage Homecoming by Joshua Dalzelle - Free Book Online Page B

that,” Jason said. “From what we can tell they don’t utilize slip-drive technology, but I agree; the power signatures we scanned mean we probably won’t find them in orbit when we arrive.” He looked over and gave Taryn a hard look before continuing. “We’ll keep her on the Phoenix for now. I don’t like it, but we don’t have a lot of choice in the matter at this point.”
    “Agreed,” Colleren said, her expression unreadable. “I’ll inform her parents. Let us know what you find and we’ll formulate a plan from there., Diligent out.” Once the display had disappeared and only the opaque canopy remained Jason spun on his crew.
    “You,” he said, jabbing a finger towards Twingo. “Get your ass down to your dungeon and check the engines, I want to be back at maximum slip within an hour. And turn the damn anti-intrusion sensors on after you’ve added Taryn to the manifest as a passenger.” Twingo looked around for allies, found none, and backed off the bridge slowly before heading down to engineering.
    “Doc,” Jason continued, “please set Taryn up in starboard berthing so she can get cleaned up , and then see that she grabs something to eat. I’ll be down a bit later. Kage, you go help Twingo. I don’t want to loaf along any longer than I have to.” Kage tuned and left immediately, while Doc took Taryn by the elbow and guided her off the bridge. She tried to hide the hurt look on her face as Jason barked orders at his crew and talked about her as if she wasn’t there. Once they were gone, Jason flopped heavily into the pilot’s seat with a loud groan, squeezing his hands to his temples and rubbing. She’s been around for less than a week and everything has already gone completely sideways. Unbelievable.
    “We heard your squeal of fear all the way up here on the bridge,” Lucky said to Crusher matter-of-factly. “Did the young woman really frighten you so?”
    “What?! Squeal of fear?” Crusher nearly snarled at his friend. “That was a war cry that is meant to startle and disorient one’s opponent.”
    “I see,” Lucky said with aplomb. “In that case , I am certain the young, small human female was suitably terrified.”
    “Shut up.”
    *****
    In order to avoid any unpleasant confrontations after his mini-meltdown at discovering Taryn had smuggled herself aboard his ship, Jason stayed on the bridge until the computer let him know she had returned to berthing and was going to sleep. He stretched and climbed out of his seat. “You good with overwatch for a while?”
    “You always ask me that and I always tell you, I am fine with watching the bridge while you sleep,” Lucky said. “I will alert you if something happens that requires your attention.”
    “Just being polite,” Jason said as he walked towards the exit. “Everyone deserves a little common courtesy. Well, everyone but Twingo. See you in a while.”
    “Sleep well, Captain.
    Jason had no sooner laid down to try and get a few hours of sleep when there was a soft knock at his door. “Open,” he said conversationally to the computer, a command which caused the door to whisk into the bulkhead. Squinting against the light in the passageway, he could just make out a silhouette that definitely didn’t belong to anyone on his crew.
    “Can I come in?” Taryn asked, almost shyly.
    “Of course,” Jason answered, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and keying the lights up one notch to just a dim glow. Taryn stepped into the room and stood with her arms crossed, seeming uncomfortable.
    “Please, sit.”
    She sat on the edge of the bed and he leaned on the desk across from her.
    “I’m sorry— ” they said in unison. Laughing nervously, Jason waved for her to go first.
    “I’m sorry I snuck onto your ship,” she started. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I just had this vision of you blasting off and leaving me again. I was afraid you’d just have the other ship take us back to Earth and I’d never see