Dremiks Read Online Free PDF Page A

future,” echoed in the small mess space.
    ***
    The Hudson was not built with the comfort of her crew in mind. Considering that she had been built specifically for an eight month journey to a distant location, the lack of spacious and comfortable crew quarters irritated the captain. His own official office space was a small room that connected to his sleeping quarters. A writing table, bookshelf, view screen, and two straight-backed chairs filled the small space to capacity. The only personal decoration the captain chose to display in his ready-room was a small framed note from his mother. He looked up from his tablet at the chime from the door.
    “Enter.”
    Commander O’Connell swung the hatch open and stepped inside. “Reporting, sir.”
    “Be at ease and be seated, Commander.” He waited until she sat. He tapped his finger lightly on the pad before him. “I have been reading your readiness reports for the crew. Your insights will prove invaluable. I risk sounding repetitive, but you’ve done an excellent job.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    Hill looked up from the notes before him. “While reviewing the medical readiness files for the crew, I found a disturbing note from Dr. Ruger.” He noticed her jaw tighten. “You know what I’m speaking of, Commander.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “And?” Despite his fair skin and dark hair, and the fact that he’d been on duty for many hours, there was no hint of a five o’clock shadow on his jaw.
    Maggie tapped down her anger at Cassie’s seeming betrayal. She’d already discussed this problem with the doctor, several days before. She’d considered the matter closed. “I assure you, sir, that Dr. Ruger’s fears are groundless. I passed all of the requisite medical checks for pre-launch.”
    “Fears, Commander? I was not speaking of subjective opinions. Dr. Ruger failed to relay such fears to me. I speak, Commander, of cold facts. One fact in particular, that you’ve lost ten pounds since reporting to the Hudson . It is a fact I can see evidence of with my own eyes.”
    Maggie stood and straightened to attention. “Sir, I assure you…”
    “Sit down, Commander.” The command was delivered in a very soft voice. The commander reflexively obeyed the order. When she did, the captain resumed speaking. “If I had doubts about your immediate health you would be confined to the med-deck at once. Since I do not, you can put away your self-righteous anger. However, and let there be no mistaking this point, Commander, if you have not re-gained sufficient weight to merit Dr. Ruger’s glowing praise before we reach Dremiks, you will be given over to her orders and command. Is that clear, O’Connell?”
    “Aye, aye, sir.”
    “Very well. Pursuant to that order, you and Chief Turner are on twenty-four hour stand-down once we are through the asteroid belt. It is a well-deserved rest that you’ve both earned. You will relay my orders to the chief, please.” Captain Hill sighed. “Commander your dedication is commendable, but you are no good to me, or the crew, if you faint from hunger. You’ve done a good job of laying to rest my fears about your appointment to this post. Please do not return to relying on your father’s influence to bail you out of every situation.” She sat, staring at him with a stony expression that was not quite insubordinate. “Very well, Commander, that is all. Dismissed.”
    O’Connell just barely resisted slamming the hatch covering on her way out. Brett Hill shook his head with a frown marring his mouth. “Stubborn woman.” He returned his attention to the documents on his tablet and made a slight notation next to O’Connell’s name. Her file was saved, and he moved to the next task on his list.
    ***
    O’ Connell pulled up from her steady jog, panting heavily. Running helped work out the stress and frustration that had been building since her talk with the captain. She leaned over, resting her hands on her knees. Sweat dripped off her neck and