Free The Synchronicity War Part 2 by Dietmar Wehr Page A

you’re back here to get our pilots settled in when
they’re ready to call it a day. DCAG, I’ll leave that in your
capable hands.”

    “I’ll see to it, CAG.”

    “Very good. In that case, I’ll get back to the
Bridge. You may dismiss the formation, DCAG.” Shiloh nodded to the
group and strode for the entrance. He could hear some of the
personnel start to murmur to each other. When he was halfway to the
entrance, he stopped suddenly, turned around and said in a loud
voice.

    “Oh, yes! I almost forgot. I came down here a
couple of days ago during the night cycle and the entire Hangar Bay
was pitch black. While I was searching for the light switches, I
stumbled over a piece of equipment and was barely able to keep my
face from hitting the floor. I don’t want someone else injuring
themselves trying to navigate in total blackness so from now on, I
want the lights kept on all the time.” Without waiting for a
response, he turned and resumed his exit. As he made his way back
to the Bridge, his ear implant came to life.

    “Bridge to Commander.”

    “Go ahead, Sumi.”

    “I’m patching Iceman to you, Sir.” Shiloh waited
for the ‘click’ and said.

    “I’m listening, Iceman.”

    “My boys and I are deeply touched by your
comments, CAG. We’re also a little confused. None of us praised the
support staff that way.” Shiloh chuckled.

    “Well then, I guess I was mistaken. I won’t tell
them if none of you do, okay?”

    “Not a word, CAG. Will your comments work, do
you think?”

    “I suspect they will but I want to hear about it
if they don’t. If I’m not available, let the DCAG know.”

    “Ah, roger that, CAG. Say…why don’t you take a
fuel shuttle out and join us? The boys and I would love to fly with
you, CAG.” For a moment Shiloh was seriously tempted. Avalon was a
beautiful world and seeing it on the Bridge screen just wasn’t the
same as seeing it with his own two eyes from a low orbit. On the
other hand, they had just finished a battle with one alien ship
still unaccounted for. The prudent thing to do…the SMART thing to
do was stay aboard his ship just in case.

    “I’d very much like to fly with you boys but
it’ll have to be some other time. Ask me again if another
opportunity like this comes up.”

    “We’ll do that but you’re missing quite the
view. Just sayin.” Just sayin? Apparently Iceman had added another
colloquial expression to his vocabulary. Shiloh wondered where
Iceman had heard that

    “I believe you, Iceman. I’m almost back to the
Bridge so I’ll have to hang up now. Enjoy the view for me. Shiloh
clear.”

    When he re-entered the Bridge, he saw that
Tanaka had taken his place at the Command Station. With just over
an hour left in her normal duty shift, she apparently decided to
spend that hour sitting in the more comfortable Command Station
chair than in the Helm chair. He would have done the same thing if
he had been in her situation. As he stood on the Bridge, he
realized his adrenaline rush from the battle was wearing off and
that he was getting sleepy again. With the battle interrupting his
sleep cycle, the lack of sufficient sleep was once again catching
up to him. When Tanaka reassured him that there was no sign of the
missing bogey and that all military assets in the vicinity of the
planet were standing down from Battle Stations, he decided he could
risk leaving the Bridge and return to his quarters. Remembering his
commitment to sending a preliminary report back to HQ, Shiloh
dictated a summary of the battle from his perspective with a clear
admission of responsibility for ordering the use of Mark 1 attack
drones. With that done and sent to the attention of Task Force
Leader Sobrist, Shiloh laid down on his bed and closed his eyes. No
sooner had he done so when he woke up to the sound of his wakeup
alarm. It was with dismay that he realized he’d slept almost 5 more
hours even though it seemed like 30 seconds. A quick check in with
the