Shadow of the Blue Ring Read Online Free PDF

beaches.”
    “You and me both,” Isha agreed, “provided the galaxy doesn’t tear itself apart while we’re off duty, we still want somewhere left to actually retire to.”
    “I think the galaxy can go a week without us there to save it,” James chuckled, “besides, what’s the worst that can happen in seven days?”
    “You would be surprised,” said Isha, “I’m sure any number of things could go wrong. But what the hell, I don’t wanna think about any of that, I just want to spend the next week sat on the beach with a drink in my hand, sunning myself.”
    James planned to do the exact same thing. He hadn’t had a true holiday since his and Isha’s honeymoon and even that had only lasted a week, the admirals calling them both back immediately afterwards to deal with a conflict with one of Vulia’s old allies.
    The pilot set the shuttle down in one of the private bays in the city’s holiday district, near to a large and very fancy looking hotel complex. Several of the hotel’s staff were waiting at the side of the bay for them, ready to take their belongings to their rooms. As the shuttle’s ramp lowered for them, the most smartly dressed of the men quickly made his way up to welcome them.
    “Welcome to the city of Lahara, Mr and Mrs Tavarez,” he said, “my name is Azare, I’ll be your guide for the duration of your stay. I will show you to your room and give you a tour of the facilities we have on offer here.”
    “Thank you,” said Isha, “although it’s still Cavallera, not Tavarez, I kept my old name.”
    “I see,” said Azare, slightly taken aback at Isha’s tone, “well then, if you will follow behind me, I will take you to your quarters.”
    The two of them followed as Azare led them out of the bay and down towards the grand hotel while the rest of the staff carried their cases for them. They were not the only guests who were just arriving. Another shuttle had set down next to theirs, a shuttle bearing the emblem of the Naisan fleet. James instantly recognised a familiar face making his way down from towards him.
    “Well well well, if it isn’t the famous James Tavarez,” said Kaldun Ansare, one of James’s old crew from the revolution days, “the old hero himself, good to see you again old friend.”
    “You too Kaldun,” said James, “it’s been far too long.”
    “It has indeed,” Ansare agreed, “and Isha too? I had a feeling you two hadn’t seen the last of each other after that last battle. Married now I see?” Ansare noticed the ring on Isha’s finger, “Well congratulations to the both of you.”
    “I don’t think it’s just us who need the congratulations,” Isha noted that Ansare was not alone, he too was here with company, a very pretty, dark haired woman with the pale skin typical to the people of Naisus.
    “Ah yes, I don’t believe I introduced you. James, Isha, meet Anaya Ansare.”
    “A pleasure to meet you both,” she said, shaking both James and Isha’s hands, “Kaldun has told me so much about you and your adventures during the occupation. He says he has never worked with a more impressive group of people or a better captain in all his time.”
    “I’m flattered,” said James, almost going red in the face at the praise, although he was fairly used to it wherever he went now, “so how have the last few years treated you both?”
    “It’s been steady,” said Ansare, “after you all left Naisus and the Vulians released our fleets. I was promoted to admiral and I now co-ordinate over one quarter of the entire fleet back home. I’ve spent most of the past few years directing the movements of our fleet, assigning missions among the captains and co-ordinating defence against Vulia’s old allies. It’s unglamorous, not exactly invigorating, but at least being an admiral I get to choose my own missions, give myself the best ones. Not quite like the old days though it it?”
    “No, it certainly isn’t,” James agreed, “and it’s the same