Chosen (HMCS Borealis Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

thing she'd ever said to anyone.
    West leaned back in her chair, away from her terminal.   She kept her arms folded over her chest.   "Commander, the Palani just wiped out another wildcat colony in the Burnt Worlds."
    Well, shit .   "That's not going to help things, sir."
    "No, it's not.   We keep telling those 'Earth First' idiots not to colonise there.   The Palani lost a trillion people on those worlds.   Seven hundred years is a long time, but that's not the sort of thing you tend to forget."
    "No sir, it isn't.   Those worlds will always be Palani, as far as they're concerned."
    "Which brings me to your Palani passenger, Commander.   You know I'm not happy with you having your girlfriend aboard—"
    Dillon's face flushed.   "Sir," he interrupted, "I don't think that's—"
    Captain West gave a dismissive wave of her hand.   "Don't want to hear it, Commander.   They can call her 'chaplain', 'cultural advisor', mascot, I don't care."   She pointed at her terminal, her finger aimed at Dillon.   "There aren't many secrets in the fleet.   Everyone knows you and her are so are so far into 'fraternisation land' that you'll need a map to get back out.   I don't like it."
    Dillon silently ground his teeth together.   He couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't make things worse.
    "However," said West, "you've got Admiral Clarke's blessing.   So there's nothing I can do about it.   But I still don't like it.   Do you know why I don't like it, Commander?"
    His jaw was clenched tight, and he could only mutter between his teeth.   "No sir, I don't."
    "Because I'm goddamned jealous, that's why.   I'd like nothing better than to have my husband waiting in my cabin on the Bonaventure .   For god's sake, at least tell me you're being discreet."
    Dillon blinked.   Now he wasn't sure whether to be furious, or to break out laughing.   He had no idea what West was thinking.   "Totally discreet and professional, sir."
    "Do you trust her, Commander?"
    "Absolutely, sir."
    Captain West leaned forward again.   She was close enough to her terminal that Dillon could see the lines in her holoprojected face.   Her eyes bored right through him; he wasn't sure if that was due to the projection or if that's how they really looked.   He realised she'd been studying him as well.
    She nodded.   "Good, Commander, I'm glad you trust her.   Because you and the Tassani, er—"
    "Tassali, sir.   Means something like 'bishop'."
    "Right.   Tassali it is.   You and the Tassali are to come to New Halifax as soon as Borealis can make it here."
    "Yes, sir.   We'll get underway at once.   May I ask the nature of our visit, sir?"
    Holographic hands opened to the air as the squadron commander shrugged.   "Goddamned if I know.   The Palani ambassador wants to meet with you two.   Has to be in person."
    "Something about the wildcat colonies, sir?   They want us to do something?"
    "Could be.   They're still demanding we shut down the jump gate.   Maybe it's about that."
    "The Palani don't usually tell us 'lesser races' what their reasons are."
    "No, they don't.   So get Borealis back here, Commander.   Normal faster-than-light travel only.   Apart from the gate, all jump travel is still prohibited; that order comes from the top.   The science types are concerned that jumping has more risks than we thought."
    "Aye, sir.   At maximum FTL, we should be there in eight days."
    West nodded, then fell silent, pursing her lips.   "Between you and me, Commander?   Keep your jump drive in proper working order."   She shrugged.   "You never know."
    "Aye aye, sir."
    A holographic finger reached out of view at the display's bottom.   "All for now.   West out."
    The projector went dark, its whine fading as it started winding down.   Before long, it was silent against the ship's normal mutter of background noises.   Dillon leaned back in his chair, staring out the window again.  
    His previous commanding officer, Commodore