He nodded. I agree to your terms.
She had to give him credithe seemed undaunted. Oh, she added, and the safety protocols will be off. She smiled. Itll be much better than chess.
Chapter Two
Nils glanced up from strapping on his protective gauntlets to see Commander Frayne standing at the gear room entrance. Frayne was big and could look mean as hells when he wanted to, but right now Nilss mind was on the other side of the SimCom Room door.
I know how to fight. Satisfied with his thick gauntlets, Nils checked the readings on his plasma blaster. Everything looked optimal. He never expected any less from his equipment, but he couldnt risk any kind of failure. Not for this mission. And not in front of Celene.
Dont think about her. Youll only fuck things up if you let her get into your head.
Not fighting the SimCom. Frayne stalked further into the gear room and leaned against the storage lockers. Celene.
I can handle her. His voice held a lot more confidence than he felt.
Frayne chuckled. If you think that, youre definitely crazy. He crossed his arms over his chest, and Nils fought the urge to check his own arms for bulging muscles. Sure, Nils trained, and hard, but when it came to sheer physical intimidation factor, Fraynes readings were off the charts. It was rumored that the commander used to be a street brawler on his homeworld. Based on the available evidence, Nils didnt doubt it.
Ive seen Celene in combat, Frayne continued. Hells, Ive
even gone a couple of rounds with her in SimCom. She didnt beat me, but damn if she didnt give me a run for my creds.
You cant discourage me, Commander. Nils replaced his plasma blaster in his thigh holster. He checked the rest of his gear on his belt. Everything was exactly in place, as he knew it would be. He didnt get to the top of the Engineering food chain by being sloppy.
Nils stared hard at Frayne. Marek betrayed the 8 thWing and he betrayed me. I want on this mission. And neither you nor Lieutenant Jur can dissuade me.
At the mention of the traitors name, Frayne scowled. If Nils wasnt prepping for another fight, he might have been intimidated by the commanders anger.
Wish I had your tech skills. Fraynes jaw tightened. I want to be the one who kills that sipkaswine. Not just for his treachery to the 8 thWing, but because his actions caused Celene to be captured. He leaned closer and lowered his voice. The Wraith wasnt the only thing that was going to be sold.
Nilss gut clenched. Ill find Marek. And make him pay.
Satisfied with this answer, Frayne smiled. Actually, it was more of a teeth baring than a smile, but the intent was clear. If Celene has her way, youve got to survive her and the SimCom first.
Nils moved past him, and they walked out of the gear room together toward the area of the base reserved for the combat simulator chambers. As they walked, they passed 8 thWing soldiers, who all stared at Nils as if he were walking to the neutralizing capsules.
He couldnt let them intimidate him. If he let his concentration waver for a microsecond, everything would spin out into chaos. He liked Engineering because it meant he could harness chaos, tame it. The variables and the parameters were his to control. Science and tech could be relied upon, behaving in precise ways that could be predicted and even subverted if one understood them properly.
Much better than dealing with people. Early in his career with 8 thWing, hed been given the option to pursue medical training. He preferred the constancy of tech. Besides, if he kept all the equipment running properly, thered be less need for medical attention. 8 thWing troops could engage the enemy in the best ships and with the best weapons he could construct, keeping losses to a minimum. A fair trade.
They approached the SimCom section of the base. He was minutes away from the biggest physical challenge of his life.
Any advice, Commander?
Just watch your ass. Frayne smiled darkly. And your balls.
Waiting outside the SimCom were Admiral Gamlyn, Ensign Skiren and Celene. Skirens pretty face lit up when she saw Frayne nearing. Nilss gaze moved past her to Lieutenant Jur.
Shed changed from her flight suit into PT cargo pants and tank top, divulging in aching detail the strong, sleek lines of her body. Like him, she had a plasma blaster on her thigh. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, revealing the curves of her high cheekbones and the brilliance of her silver eyes. At his approach she raised one brow and her full lips thinned with impatience. She wanted to fight and she wanted to get the mission started, and she looked so damned fierce and beautiful it felt like a sonic blade piercing his chest.
His palms began to sweat. Not precisely the scenario hed envisioned when he finally claimed her attention. And he had envisioned many, many scenarios.
Last chance, Calder. She stalked toward him and put her hands on her hips. Sub someone else. I dont want to see you get hurt.
He didnt want to get hurt, either, but hed do whatever it took to earn his place on this mission.