Free Retribution (The Federation Reborn Book 3) by Chris Hechtl Page B

as well,” the commander said, pulling out an oversized flash chip out from his breast pocket. “Lead the way.”
    “Aye aye, sir. My crew?”
    “They get the usual liberty as soon as I'm out of your hair,” the commander said, indicating they should get moving.
    The captain nodded. “Yes sir, they'll appreciate it,” he said. “This way,” he said, pointing to the ship's databanks.
    :::{)(}:::
     
    Admiral Yorgi Sienkov stared out the viewing window as the freighter delicately maneuvered on her final approach to the dock. Tugs were nearby, hard on her flanks like sheep dogs herding their massive charge to where she needed to be without any sort of incident.
    That was the plan he thought. “Impressive that he's gotten so much done here so quickly,” he said. He'd taken a long hard look at the naval complex and the shipyards. He couldn't help but measure their progress against Bek's.
    “He's had help,” Moira Sema, said with a smile as she came into the compartment. She checked him over with a critical eye.
    “Well, do I pass?” he teased.
    She came over, rolling her hips as she moved, and then touched his lapel. She made a few minor adjustments, stroked a few seams then nodded as her eyes met his. “You're good.”
    “Glad that's over with,” he said gruffly. She lingered near him, letting him drink in her scent before she smiled and took a step back. “And may I say you look positively ravishing?” he said with a grin.
    “Something along those lines. I was trying to split the difference between drop-dead gorgeous and professional actually,” Moira preened.
    “Well, you got both,” he replied wryly. If he was a few decades younger rolled through his mind briefly before he squashed it. It wasn't like age mattered, not anymore. They may not have started with the anti-geriatric treatments but the treatments they'd picked up in Pyrax had done wonders for him. He could only imagine what they were doing to the population back home.
    “I think … I'm impressed on one hand but disappointed on another,” Moira said as she eyed the window.
    “Both? Again?” the admiral demanded.
    “Yes well, I thought he'd do more,” she said. “And I think they should really paint that station something brighter than battleship gray!” She shook her long blue and purple hair. “I mean, honestly! A nice rose red maybe …”
    That got the admiral chuckling. She gave him a mock glower, but he wasn't looking at her.
    She pursed her lips. It was just as well, she thought, returning her thoughts to normal. A nice bit of levity to break up the tension was good. But she needed to put her best foot forward; they all did.
    This was a new stage, a new untested audience. One they had to make the best impression with. Humble, eager to get started, yet poised and ready to lead.
    :::{)(}:::
     
    Admiral Irons read the report that the antimatter container that had been found on Epsilon Triangula just prior to the invasion was in Pyrax and under lock and key. He felt a profound sense of relief. He looked up and frowned as a much anticipated ship delicately made dock. That was one less headache he had to worry about he thought. Some in his administration might have thought paying the kids with a shuttle and replicator had been excessive, but he'd backed the Lieutenant Thornson's play. The man had been the one on the spot, and he'd made the right call. And he'd done well keeping it out of the hands of the enemy when the Horathians had hit ET. He made a note for the lieutenant to receive something nice in his next promotion.
    Then his thoughts returned to the real matter at hand, the Bek delegation. He was still having trouble believing they'd gone to such great lengths after he'd left to continue his initial investment. That ancient mobile shipyard had paid great dividends apparently. He was proud of their ancestor's achievement—of their achievements.
    And they were only just getting started. Of that, he was certain now. Let loose out