Scrapyard Ship 7: Call to Battle Read Online Free PDF Page B

the peovils presently climbing it progressed any further than halfway up before falling back to the ground.
    The Lilly settled onto one of the large landing pads at the back of the property. For the past year, landings by space vessels as large as The Lilly , or larger, including light and heavy Craing cruisers, had become commonplace. A painted white Craing cruiser, U.S. flag emblems affixed to its wings, and along both sides of the hull, took up the only other landing pad.
    “Want to get some air?” Jason asked Billy, standing near his side.
    “In the White House? Sure … you bet I do,” Billy replied.
    “You too, Gunny,” Jason said, to Orion’s obvious surprise. “XO, you have the bridge.”
     
    * * *
     
    They were met at the end of the gangway by a small team of Army Rangers. Jason spotted two other armed teams also patrolling the rear grounds. The threesome were still wearing their spacer jumpsuits, their SuitPacs at the ready on their belts.
    With the security team now positioned in front and behind them, they headed into the back of the White House through a small, wood-paneled vestibule where they made a quick right turn toward the West Wing. The presidential seat of government was bustling with activity. Jason had visited here several times in the past and today there were two or three times more people scurrying around than normally.
    The security detail stood back at the open doorway of the Oval Office. Orion and Billy exchanged quick glances as they were prompted to follow Jason. Nan was seated in one of the armchairs, positioned across from the couch. Jason’s father occupied the other armchair. Jason recognized Secretary of Defense Benjamin Walker, who was seated on the couch. Nan and the men were dressed in casual clothes and stood when Jason and his two team members entered the room.
    Nan got to her feet, rushed forward, and pulled Jason into an embrace. He held her tightly and realized she was crying—sobbing onto his chest. He placed his hand at the back of her head and gently held her close. Over her shoulder Jason acknowledged Walker. He was pleased to see that the gruff old Secretary of Defense was still around.
    Nan pulled herself away, wiping the moisture from beneath her eyes, and looked up at Jason. “Sorry, must have needed that.”
    Jason then caught the curve of her belly. She really was showing now. She saw the direction of his stare and smiled. “I guess I’m just a baby-making machine.” She shrugged and moved over to Billy and Orion, giving each a quick hug. “I’m so glad to see the three of you … you have no idea.”
    It occurred to Jason that Walker actually had seniority over Nan. Shouldn’t he be the acting president?
    Walker moved a step forward and took Jason’s outstretched hand in both of his own. “Young man, you are a sight for sore eyes.”
    Jason smiled and turned toward his father, who acknowledged him with a wink and a smile. Nan said, “Sit … let’s all sit and get down to business.”
    Billy and Orion took seats next to Walker on the couch as Jason brought an antique chair over from the wall.
    Jason figured he might as well express what was on his mind. “So who is the acting president of the United States?” His eyes looked between Nan and Walker.
    “She is …” Walker hesitated. “They found me … my cocoon … several days ago and I seemed to be in relatively good health. Fortunately, I’m type O. Now, even though I am technically the senior government official in line, tomorrow that could change from me to the chief of staff, or perhaps even the vice president … if either of their respective cocoons are found. But what our country needs today is stability. What we need is a president the country already has faith in, and that person is Nan Reynolds. Keep in mind, nothing about these present times is normal … this certainly won’t be the last break from usual presidential procedure.”
    Jason caught his ex-wife’s eye and saw