Peggy Sue (The T'aafhal Inheritance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

movement.
    As with the ship’s deck gravity system, the shuttles had to be taken into orbit without any acceleration compensation the first time. Since then, with their own deck gravity operational, passengers on board the shuttles felt no sense of motion, even under violent acceleration. All of these facts ran through Gretchen’s mind as she looked at the scowling Marine lieutenant. She took a step forward and stood, looking down at the Marine officer.
    “You will experience no unwarranted acceleration on board the shuttle, just as you have not since the ship’s gravity became operational,” she said, adding in a quiet, icy tone, “and the proper form of address for a Naval officer of superior rank is either Sir or Ma’am.”
    Despite himself, the Lieutenant stiffened, came to attention and replied, “Sorry, Ma’am.” In truth, Merryweather didn’t hold anything against the ship’s First Officer, she had always treated him with proper courtesy. It was apprehension about what lie ahead that fed his ill disposition.
    While the inter-officer drama was playing out in the front of the cabin, the remaining Marines and one Navy Corpsman climbed on board and found seats. All except Gunnery Sergeant Rodriguez. She paused at the foot of the boarding ladder and turned to the Chief. “Take care of your self, Hank,” she said, offering her hand.
    “You too, Jennifer,” the weathered old Chief Boatswain’s mate replied, clasping the proffered hand. “Don’t let ‘em jack you around down there.”
    “Hell, what can they do but throw me out of the Corps? And they were already doing that before this mission started.” With that the Gunny turned and climbed up into the shuttle.
    The Chief stepped out of the airlock and sealed the inner door. “Yer all clear to undock, Lieutenant,” he called over his collar pip.
    “Roger, Chief,” came Gretchen’s reply. “Beginning departure procedure.”

Chapter 2
    Melbourne, Australia
    It was Elena’s third day at the Astrophysics convention, which was being held at Victoria University’s City Convention Centre on Flinders Street. She was staying in the Langham, a very ornate and rather expensive hotel on the south side of the Yarra River. That meant every day she had to cross the Yarra on the pedestrian bridge, walk through the tunnel under the old train station and then dodge the streetcars and other traffic to reach the convention center on the north side of Flinders Street. Elena didn’t mind the walk, but Melbourne’s uneven sidewalks, appropriately called footpaths by the locals, were definitely not friendly to high-heeled shoes.
    On the first night there was a reception and cocktail party where she bumped into a number of colleagues and acquaintances—the international astrophysics community was not really all that large. The next night she went to dinner with some friends at one of Melbourne’s trendier bistros. When she got in late that evening she found a message waiting for her that said to meet in the morning at one of the outdoor eateries along the south bank promenade. It was now 9:30AM and the morning fog was still burning off, the temperature struggling to get into the teens. Elena was sipping a cappuccino and picking at a croissant while trying to fight off the late winter chill.
    A slender, dark complected man wearing a dark blue jacket and aviator sunglasses walked down the wide promenade carrying a slim briefcase. He entered the bistro’s seating area and came to her table. “Elena?” the man asked, a hopeful smile on his face. “Si. Is that you Rajiv?” she replied.
    “Yes, I am Rajiv Gupta,” he said, happy relief showing on his face. “It was so good of you to come. I hope that I haven’t kept you waiting long, all of these little riverfront bistros look the same and I had a hard time finding the correct one.”
    They shook hands and Elena motioned to an empty chair. “Please, set down and have a coffee. The cappuccino here is quite good.