Read Online T'aafhal Legacy 1: Ghosts of Orion by Doug L Hoffman - Free Book Online Page A

Betty. “He needs to stay on his back until the fractures knit. Even with regrowth stimulators, I will need to keep him at least overnight for observation.”
    “I think that Jesse needs to talk with the Captain about her ward here,” added Beth.
    “Oh yes, please let me talk wit' Captain Billy Ray. He a good mon, I just know he help Jimmy.”
    With that Beth and Mizuki led Jesse forward to see the Captain, butterflies in tow. After the women departed Matt looked questioningly at Betty.
    “You need me to stick around, Doc?”
    “No, you can go back to whatever you were doing. Thanks Matt,” Betty said with a smile. “I used to work on wounded Marines; I think I can handle one beat-up Rastaman.”
     
    Port Cargo Hatch, Peggy Sue
    Chief Hank Zackly was standing at the top of the short ramp leading from the surrounding dock platform to the large, rectangular door opening on the forward end of Peggy Sue's main cargo hold. He held a tablet in his hand, allowing him to check off late arriving crates of equipment and supplies against the master inventory in the ship's computer. He looked up to see a woman in a tan civilian jumpsuit coming up the ramp.
    The woman had short hair and walked with an assertive stride. She was full bodied, but not to the point of being stocky; attractive but not beautiful. Something about her tickled the Chief's memory.
    “Permission to come aboard, Sir?” the woman asked, coming to a halt at the top of the cargo ramp.
    “Granted,” the Chief replied, “come aboard, Ms. Acuna.”
    Rosey smiled at the wiry little man and stepped over the lower lip of the door and into the ship's interior. The hold was stacked full of crates and equipment strapped to pallets, all secured to the deck with clamps. Despite the use of deck gravity old habits died hard, all the cargo was made fast so it would not shift while underway. The Chief squinted and looked Rosey up and down.
    “So what brings you to the Peggy Sue this fine afternoon, Marine?”
    “Ex Marine, Chief,” Rosey replied, “sort of.”
    “How can you be 'sort of' a Marine? Yer either a jar head or you ain't.”
    “They tried to shanghai me into a four year reenlistment so I sort of missed a troop movement,” the nervous woman said. “I'm AWOL, Chief.”
    “I guess this is just my day for collectin' strays. First Jesse brings her waiter, then Bear's cub shows up and now you,” the old Chief said, shaking his head. “Let me guess, you would like to talk to the Captain, to see if we have room for one more on the crew? ”
    “Sorry Chief, I didn't know where else to turn.” Rosey stared dejectedly at the deck, avoiding eye contact. The Chief looked at her silently for several moments and then sighed.
    “Alright, if yous can find yer way forward I'll tell the Captain yer coming.”
    “Thank you, Chief,” the relieved Marine replied. She quickly turned and hurried forward through the airlock door leading to the crew quarters.
    “Captain Vincent, Cargo hold,” Zackly called over his collar pip.
    “This is the Captain, go ahead Chief.”
    “I think we just picked up another lost soul from earlier voyages, Sir. I just sent Rosey Acuna forward to talk with you.”
    “Roger that, Chief. Thanks for the heads up.”
     
    Polar Bear Quarters, Peggy Sue
    Given his experience in the Marines and having sailed on the Peggy Sue before, Umky was quickly accepted as a member of the crew by the Captain and, equally important, the Chief. He ambled aft to find the his quarters, a refrigerated compartment with a small pool for bathing and ice shelves for sleeping. As he approached the entrance to the converted reefer he detected a scent, the unmistakable odor of a female polar bear. The door slid open and he was presented with the sight of a furry white rump.
    “Who are you?” he asked.
    “Huh?” the smaller female exclaimed, turning to face him.
    “I said, who are you?” Umky repeated.
    “I'm Ahnah. And who the hell are you?”
    “I'm Umky, I