Free Galactic Axia Adventure 1: Escape to Destiny by Jim Laughter Page A

and let me see.”
    Ane spread the pages out and leaned back in her chair again, focusing a small video lens she wore on a chain around her neck toward the pages. After a moment, Mary replied.
    “I can see why.”
    “It just bothers me when people take more interest in their position than they do in serving the people they’re supposed to help,” Ane said, gesturing at the documents.
    “What are you going to do about it?” Mary asked.
    “I’m going to delegate one of our staff to investigate it and set it to rights!” Ane answered as she reached for her pen and tablet.
    Taking a few minutes to detail her instructions, the empress signed the papers with a flourish and sealed it all back in the original packet. She addressed a routing slip, affixed it to the packet, and tossed it into her green box.
    “That’s it for this morning,” she said, pushing up out of her chair. “Mind if I come down for lunch?”
    “Sure, boss lady!” Mary’s voice answered. “Better hurry! Soup’s on!”
    Empress Ane left the room and took the lift down to the space field to have lunch with her best friend. After she had gone, the trooper entered her office and again filled her red box and emptied the green one, the last packet going into his pouch along with the rest.
    ∞∞∞
    Delmar surveyed the darkness for signs of observers but saw none, then carefully stepped out of hiding and retrieved the bundle of supplies from the thicket. There had been no bundle two nights ago near the old stump as there should have been, so Delmar had stayed holed up. Tonight was the night for the thicket drop and he had come earlier than usual, anxious for the supplies and word from home.
    Slipping the bundle into his carry pack, Delmar turned and started for the cave. He arrived at an outcropping above it and surveyed the area around the entrance for signs of visitors. Seeing none, he slipped through the opening and went deep inside before stopping. He’d grown accustomed to the blackness of the cave early on, so he’d gotten in the habit of entering by feel and sound to avoid use of the lantern near the entrance where it might be seen from outside.
    Setting the pack down, he reached for the lantern and turned it on, the interior of his makeshift home illuminated by the yellowish light. As Delmar opened the latest bundle, he heard a cough come from the shadows.
    “I thought you’d be here about now,” Robert said as the boy whirled in preparation to flee. Delmar froze for a moment and then launched himself into the arms of the older man. They hugged fiercely for a minute and then pulled apart.
    “Let me get a good look at you, son,” Mr. Hassel said, holding the boy at arm’s length. What met his eyes was a vast improvement from the last time he had seen the boy. The injuries had long ago healed, Robert noted, and the start of a beard gave his face a look of maturity. The boy was filling out into full manhood and Robert was sure he had added at least an inch to his height since early spring.
    “Boy, you look good!” Robert exclaimed as he clapped Delmar on the shoulders. “Here, take this and sit down. Now, tell me about yourself,” he finished and handed Delmar the other pack he had brought tonight.
    Delmar took the pack and sat down with it next to the lantern. Robert sat on the edge of the pallet and watched while the boy emptied the contents into his lap.
    “How did you sneak in here without me seeing you?” Delmar asked, sorting through the new supplies.
    “I came in just after you left for the bundle drop,” Robert answered. “I knew since it was the night for the thicket, it would take you about half an hour before you could be back. So I just waltzed in and made myself at home.”
    Delmar chuckled and then looked serious. “You came for more than a visit, didn’t you, sir?”
    “Yes, I did. Mrs. Hassel and I thought I better warn you about what’s going on.”
    “Wasn’t it risky for you to go into the woods twice in