Free Islands of Rage and Hope (eARC) by John Ringo Page A

"I would like to go over to the Tan , too. For the same. Look and see what they have t'ey're not giving up. We might still have some stuff t'ey want to trade. I can' believe you gave up all my spares."
    "They don't fit our boat," Sophia pointed out.
    "I could have used them to trade with t'ese other boats, Skip," Celementina said. "I bet I find parts for t'e Friday ."
    "Just don't lose the offshore," Walker said. "I guarantee that people are just taking off in those. If I may suggest, Skipper, one of us stay on the offshore. I can stay up, run people around. Then go back and get them at midnight. That's plenty of sleep. Probably they can cadge rides around. Then tomorrow, if they've made any deals, we can close them. But that would leave just you onboard."
    " Friday, Business, Bella, over," Sophia said, keying the radio.
    " Business ."
    " Friday ."
    "Have the second crewman take your people where they want to go. Pick-up will be at the Bo at midnight. If they want to go someplace else, they can catch a ride. Do not leave your dinghies or offshores tied up and unattended. Copy?"
    " Business . Why, over?"
    "They go missing," Sophia radioed.
    "Got it."
    " Friday , aye."
    "Okay," Sophia said. "Any more questions or comments?"
    "When are you going to the Bo , ma'am?" Walker asked.
    "Not sure I am," Sophia said, shrugging. "I'm good onboard. You can either head over on midwatch or you can head over tomorrow."
    "Do we have to be back by midnight?" Olga asked, pouting. "There may be interesting things going on afterwards. Parties don't usually get really going until around eleven. And there might be handsome Marines aboard."
    "No," Sophia said. "That's when the boat's coming to pick people up. If you stay overnight, we'll run another boat over at oh-eight hundred. And I'm sure you can convince somebody to give you a ride."
    "I'm sure of that," Olga said, brightening. "Oh, you meant on a Zodiac ? That could be fun."

    " Bella Senorita , Squadron, looking for Bella Actual if aboard, over."
    The sun was slowly setting in the west and Sophia was thinking about getting some more clothes on. She'd been in her usual bikini. But the temperature hadn't really dropped, yet.
    " Bella Actual," Sophia replied. "Hi, Da."
    "You coming to the Bo , over?"
    "Not today," Sophia said. "Gave my crew some time off. Over."
    "Roger. Squadron out."
    "Well," Sophia said. "That was abrupt. Love you, too, Da."

    Sophia had slipped into a track suit when the sun went down. She only had one Navy uniform and she saved that for when she needed it.
    There were Zodiacs moving around from boat to boat all the time but one was headed her way. Since theirs was alongside it was either crew coming back early or somebody coming for a courtesy call.
    " Bella Senorita , Squadron Actual, over."
    " Bella Actual, over," Sophia replied.
    "Mind if your mom and I come aboard?"
    "Glad to have you," Sophia said. "Sorry about not coming over to the Bo . I wanted to give my crew the time off."
    "Which is why you're an ensign. We're approaching in a Zod. Be there in a jiff."

    "I was planning on coming over tomorrow," Sophia said, hugging her mother.
    "You don't want us on your boat?" Stacey teased. "Not keeping your room clean?"
    "My boat is ready for inspection," Sophia said. "My rack, not so much. And Batari is over on the Bo . So I'm going to have to cook."
    "I think I can remember how to find my way around a galley," Stacey said.
    "I need to head to the helm," Sophia said. "I'd wake Thomas up but he's been running since midwatch last night."
    "I'll join you if you don't mind," Steve said.
    "We see each other plenty," Stacey said. "I think I see him more doing this than when we were home."

    Walker woke up at the sound of voices and slid his hand under the pillow. Then he heard the skipper laugh and went instantly back to sleep.

    "How are things going?" Sophia asked, sitting down at the interior helm. The boat was on autopilot so all she had to do was be there for emergencies and