Far From Home: The Complete Second Series (Far From Home 13-15) Read Online Free PDF Page B

doors opened of their own accord. Eisenhower raced for the manual override, but was too late. The pull of the vacuum lifted both men off of the half-built ship. Dollar managed to keep hold by the edge of his fingertips. Boi was not so lucky. He went tearing out into space a mere second before Eisenhower could get the doors closed.
    "I can't get it out of my head," Eisenhower said. "If only I'd been a little quicker."
    "Yuh can't get to thinkin' about that, pal," Dollar said. "It'll drive yuh mad."
    Eisenhower smiled. "Old and senile already, son, I can't get much worse."
    Dollar laughed. It broke the ice somewhat. "Hey old timer, pass me one of those spanners, will yuh?"
    *
    Jessica left the lights off and poured herself a drink. A more than adequate measure of icy cold vodka, it burned deliciously on its way down. She unbuttoned her uniform tunic and reclined on the sofa. She poured another glass, let loose a sigh, and gazed out at the stars beyond the porthole.
    Jessica lifted her glass, as in a toast. "Here's to you, Dad."
    She downed it. And poured another.

 
    11.
     
    It was a push, but by the end of the week the Defiant had been fully re-supplied and refitted where needed. The ship didn't have that "new car smell," but she did feel refreshed somewhat. Along with many other tweaks to her internal systems, the Defiant had been fitted with new hull plating and an energy shield. The old Archon classes had never had anything like an energy shield, and certainly the Defiant was one of the first to be fitted with such a device. Her weapon systems remained as they were, but she'd gained more speed and manoeuvrability due to several improvements to her propulsion systems.
    When it came to updating the bridge, Jessica King had been adamant that the captain's chair had to stay.
    "But don't you think it'll look out of place amongst all this new stuff?" one of the engineers asked her.
    She simply shook her head. "If it goes, so do I."
    Admiral Grimshaw approached the airlock, wrapping up his brief tour of the reinvigorated ship. "She's looking good, Captain."
    "Thanks," King said. "She needed it, I think."
    Grimshaw patted the nearby bulkhead. "Old but still has it where it counts."
    Jessica beamed. "Yes."
    "One day you'll have yourself a new ship. But for now, I think you've still got some mileage to come out of this one," Grimshaw said. He extended his hand and the two of them shook. "Good luck on your mission, Captain King. There is an apt phrase for moments just like this. Perhaps you've heard it?"
    She cocked an eyebrow. "Go on."
    It can’t be any worse than the one about "knowing the ledge," she thought.
    "Good hunting," the Admiral said. He threw her a wink then turned and disappeared through the airlock to the station side.

 
    12.
     
    "Captain on the bridge," Commander Greene declared. The bridge crew stood to attention and saluted her. It was an over-the-top tradition from the earliest days of the Union fleet. Jessica threw Greene a puzzled look but proceeded to take her place in the captain's chair regardless, as if nothing were out of place.
    She knew it was the Commander's kind of humour. He'd been around so long, he knew there was no way she would reproach him for such a stunt. Official protocol called for such pomp every time she walked onto the bridge. Of course, it was unreasonable and absurd to expect that . . . and embarrassing to boot.
    But I'll get him back , she thought. The crew took to their stations again, and the Commander glanced sideways at her. Jessica smirked but kept her composure.
    "Where are we, people?"
    "Every system is a go," Commander Chang reported. "Reactor nominal. All boards green."
    "Helm?" King asked.
    "Ready to go on your command," Banks replied.
    "Good. Ensign Rayne, have we cleared permission with starbase control?"
    Olivia Rayne turned around, holding the comm. piece in her ear. "Aye, Captain. We have clearance to cast off."
    Jessica shifted in her seat. "Then you may take us out,