Alternity 2 Chapter 5

Alternity 2 - Chapter 5

Date: CY 10091 - AD Mar 5168 Day Three
Location: Andromeda Ascendant Mobius spacedock

"Docking maneuvers completed, Captain," said Rommie. "We are secured in our assigned berth at orbital station five. Station maintenance technicians are attaching data link cables as we speak."

"Thank you Rommie," responded Captain Hunt."Andromeda, pass the word "All hands secure from docking positions. Command staff muster in the wardroom for briefing."Lieutenant," he added looking at the young officer sitting in the pilots seat. "Institute normal in dock watches. I'll be in the wardroom should anything come p needing my attention."

By the time he arrived in the wardroom his entire senior staff, witf the exception of Harper was already assembled. "Where's Har.." he started to ask only to be interrupted as Andromeda's chief engineer came rushing into the wardroom.

"Sorry Boss, I had to set some of those new engineers from Castillia straight." he explained "I was on my way when I noticed that the engineering crew hadn't left a gravity field generator in standby mode. Apparently Castillian protocol is to secure all GFGs when docked to an orbital station. You can bet they won't make that mistake again."

"You're supposed to have those men trained Harper," cut in Dylan. "Maintaining a GFG in standby mode when docked is standard High Guard operational protocol. What have you been training your engineers in, brewing beer?"

Stung by Dylan's rebuke Harper silently took his seat beside Trance.

"Trance," began Dylan once her husband was seated. "I tight beamed your suggestion about sending a team to Mohendjo Daro to Mobius HQ . They agreed. Beka, you and Tyr will leave tomorrow in the Maru. Find this Umbrite professor and bring him or at least his data back to Mobius with you. Harper, you've been assigned to a weapons research and development team at Dalghren base on Mobius' outer moon. You will report to Director Hohne:upon arrival. A shuttle from the base will be picking you up in two hours.

Harper turned to look at Trance "I guess we had better start getting packed babe. Two hours isn't going to give us much time to get things together. We might have to send a second shuttle to pick up some of Aurora's toys."

"Your wife wont be going with you Harper," said Dylan. "I'm going to need her here to help me with negotiations. Once word gets out about this Worldship to the planetary governments half of them are going to panic. I'll need all the help I can get to keep things from coming apart."

"Boss, I .."

"Enough," snapped Dylan. "I gave you an order. Trance stays to help me negotiate and you leave in two hours,"

"Yeah, I can imagine the type of negotiations, the two of you are going to do," muttered Harper under his breath as he arose from the table.

He had spoken low enough that Dylan had not heard but Trance from her vantage point beside him heard him clearly. As her husband left she arose also and followed him out the wardroom. "Harper, stop," she said once they left the wardroom. "Just what did you mean by that last crack?"

"Give me a break, Trance," replied Harper the anger in his voice evident. "You've been playing up to Dylan ever since we got back from the raid on Jarvetts' mansion. You've been playing hot and cold with me and cozying up to him ever since then. I've heard it called many things but delicate negotiations is a new one."

"Harper," said Trance speaking very slowly as if to make sure she stayed in control of every word. "Are you accusing me of having an affair with Dylan?"

"Bingo. Got it in one."

Trance turned as pale as her lilac colored skin would allow. "You fool," she hissed her tail twitching like an agitated cat's. "You are so wrong. We don't have time to talk about this now but in all the time we have known each other I have never had the desire to share my bed with any man other than you nor will I ever. I love you and only you. Now go pack. I promise I'll come to the base in a couple of days to make sure you are settled in properly but right now if I stay with you I'll want to choke you."

With those words she walked away from her husband and let the tears start to flow.

Chapter 4

Chapter6