INTERVENTION Read Online Free PDF Page A

her.
       “I am perfectly aware that Leading engineer Miles would have been your choice and under normal circumstances I would be inclined to agree, but in this instance the decision rests with me for reasons that I am not prepared to disclose at this time.
    A nd in answer to your next question I shall be operating the Biohibernation units as a specialist who has been seconded by the Bureau to a civilian company who have a vested interest in this venture; at least this is what you may tell the rest of the crew when they ask you why they have an Administrator on board.” 
         The Agent smiled as she said these last few words: Rachmel did not return the gesture, but looked directly at the woman sitting opposite. If this Administrator was attempting to generate some kind of sisterly camaraderie, she was going to be very disappointed.     
       Andretta looked down at the table for a moment as if in thought and then back to
    Rachmel . In a low voice, she said “Leading Officer, circumstances have determined that we must live and work together inside what is, in effect, a glorified metal tube for a minimum of six months and it is feasible that at some point in our journey one of us may need the assistance of the other for their survival. Therefore, I feel it would be prudent for all of us to put aside our prejudices and regard each other as professional colleagues with professional tasks to perform.
    I shall not interfe re in any way with your mission and you shall not interfere with mine; instead, we shall all be working toward one goal.” 
       Rachmel leaned back in her seat, her eyes never leaving Andretta’s face: there was silence for a moment and then she replied “Very well: what title shall you be known by?”
       “Agent Andretta will be fine: but please, only use the term Ghost amongst yourselves, for we regard the name to be unflattering and disrespectful.” 
       Rachmel felt she needed to have the last word.
       “Agent Andretta, on a personal level I don’t like you: I am not comfortable in the presence of a Bureau agent and nor will my crew be.” 
       Andretta met her stare and in a calm voice said “Leading Officer Rachmel, I don’t doubt it for one moment.”
       Rising from her seat, she instructed “Accommodation central system please.”
       “Engaged.”
       “Re-instate communications to Leading Officer Rachmel’s quarters.”
       “Re-instated.”
       Deep in thought, Rachmel gazed at the door through which Andretta had left. She did not want a Bureau agent on board her vessel: especially this agent.
       Throughout their conversation Rachmel had the uncanny sensation that she was being scrutinised; as though the woman had the power to read the secrets that were hidden deep in her subconscious, causing her to experience a feeling of guilt. Did the agents somehow possess that kind of power? Or was it merely a practised art that relied heavily on their reputation preceding them, designed to make their suspects feel vulnerable? If that were the case then it had been successful on this occasion. Rachmel decided that, with this agent, she would have to keep her wits about her, as would they all.

    Next day everyone was on board their new vessel, which would become their home for at least the next six months, for the customary 24 hour familiarisation period; this was considered ample time for them to get used to the new craft as all deep space vessels were now constructed to the same design. Depending upon the purpose of the mission all controls could be modified to operate weapons, surveillance, surveying or any other operational equipment; unlike the Arrowline class which were purpose-built interstellar armed vessels.
       The latest Subluminal nucleonic particle pulsation drive meant that these subluminal giants could attain speeds approaching 75 per cent the speed of light for short periods and 50 per cent speed of light indefinitely. 
       Rachmel would