Free CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh Page A

the walls of the room, punctuated by the fury emanating from the senior officer. Byron’s jaw was tight as he held back the ugly words that rose to his lips. He could not lose his temper now. Beside him, Trindel shifted in his seat.
     
    “ Sir, if I may?” Byron’s navigator offered.
     
    “ I don’t want to hear it!” exclaimed Bassa, effectively silencing Trindel. “You are to report to my office the moment we finish here.”
     
    Consumed with fury, Byron paid little notice to the remainder of the debriefing. He had no doubt his team would receive their first mark today. While the successive jumps pushed the limit, not one had met with failure. It angered Byron that they would be punished despite their success. It annoyed him even more that their perfect record would now be tainted.
     
    His attention returned when the instructor covered the incident that led to their third jump. It was but a small consolation that Byron and Trindel were not at fault, as Kernse’s team was responsible for the ill-timed jump that placed both ships in danger. While this removed some of the blame for their third teleporting attempt, it did not excuse the fourth jump. The ensuing lecture from Officer Morden irritated Byron further, although it would pale in comparison to what awaited his team in Bassa’s office.
     
    The senior officer’s gaze only strayed from the pair when he berated the three failed teams. His senses were not required to detect the growing fury in Byron, as the boy’s expression revealed his emotions without question. Bassa did not allow the young man’s resentment to alter his judgment, though. The pair would receive a berating that would occupy their thoughts for a long time.
     
    When the debriefing drew to an end, Bassa exited without reiterating his instructions. Still furious with Byron’s team for their blatant disregard for protocol and safety, he retreated to his office to await the young men. He’d been patient with Byron thus far, going out of his way to ensure the boy’s skills were properly developed while ignoring his more daring antics. However, today’s reckless stunt would not go unpunished.
     
    When the chime announced his visitors, Bassa bellowed for Byron and Trindel to enter. The young men complied, and he noted their expressions at once. Trindel appeared pale, his eyes filled with apprehension, but Byron’s face revealed indignation and defiance. This did not settle well with the senior officer and his fury was renewed.
     
    “ What do the regulations say about multiple jumps?” he demanded.
     
    Byron took a deep breath. “Jumps should not be attempted closer than five minutes apart,” he replied, his eyes cold.
     
    “ And how many jumps did you perform today in just under nine minutes?”
     
    “ Four, sir.”
     
    “ How many?”
     
    “ Four, sir!” Byron and Trindel cried in unison.
     
    Bassa stared hard at the men as he rose to his feet. Neither moved, but he sensed Trindel’s mental flinch.
     
    “ You placed yourself and others at risk,” he stated. “Jumping without allowing the teleporter to recharge is reckless and dangerous. Your third jump might be excused, but certainly not the final jump. That was sheer stupidity!”
     
    Byron shifted his stance, but his face bore no traces of apology. Annoyed by the young man’s continued defiance, Bassa realized there was only one way to reach the arrogant pilot.
     
    “ Not only will this result in a mark on your record, but I am considering dismissing you both from the program.”
     
    As if he’d just been slapped, Byron’s eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. For a brief moment, Bassa sensed fear in the young man. Byron’s expression altered to one of indignation, his eyes narrowing to mere slits. Bassa wondered what foolish words the young man was about to spew and waited for the response.
     
    “ Sir?” came Trindel’s timid voice. “If I may say something?”
     
    Shifting his attention, Bassa scowled.