Shadow of the Blue Ring Read Online Free PDF Page B

on Earth too, except I’m the one being given all the crap. I’ve not had any kind of decent assignment in months, I’ve barely even had a break from duty all year.”
    “With this week being the exception of course,” said Ansare, “will you be staying here for the entire week?”
    “Yes, we’re gonna be here right till the end,” James replied, “how about yourselves?”
    “Just the next two days,” said Ansare, “the fleet needs me back home fairly soon, they weren’t too impressed when I told them I would be away for a few days but like I said, I choose my own missions. Besides, my people aren’t exactly comfortable in heat like on this world, the sun plays havoc with our skin.”
    If there was one thing James remembered about Churo from the last time he had been here, it was the heat. Even relatively early in the morning, the temperature was still getting up near the thirties.
    “I don’t suppose you know whether any of the other members of the old team are going to be here tonight?” James asked, “I haven’t heard from any of them in a while so I wasn’t sure who would be along or when they might be coming.”
    “From what I hear, most of them should be attending,” said Ansare, “I think there are one or two can’t make it though. I know Marek is stuck on Suros, dealing with the military reforms over there. The Suran councillor wouldn’t let him go so we’ll have to make do without him. We’ll send him a postcard or something, let him know what he’s missing.”
    “It’s a shame he’s missing it,” said James, “he certainly played his part in the events. We can catch up properly later though, I think we should probably go and check out our rooms. I’ll see you at the party later tonight.”
    “That you will,” said Ansare, “I’m looking forward to it.”
    James let Ansare and his wife follow their tour guide to their room. Azare, who had been waiting patiently for them while they had been catching up with Ansare, lead them inside the hotel and into one of the lifts. Their room was on the top floor, one of the more expensive ones usually reserved for the highest profile guests and those looking for the highest quality accommodation for their stay.
    “General Ravenn has booked you two into the emerald suite,” said Azare, leading them out onto the top floor of the hotel where all of the prime accommodation was located, “it’s one of our best rooms. It has ocean view, Jacuzzi, king-size bedroom, room service available twenty-five hours per day, it’s top of the line, even for Lahara.”
    Azare continued to lead them through the hotel corridors until they reached their suite, although there was a minor disturbance in the room next door, the occupant seemingly making a bit of a scene with the staff there.
    “. . . Already told you, take the sheets out and put in the sky blue ones in instead,” a woman’s voice was saying, “these grey ones look like crap, this is supposed to be the best hotel in the city, why can’t you even put a decent set of linens in here!?”
    “I’m very sorry ma’am, if you’ll just let us…”
    “And change the sofas too, red doesn’t quite fit the feel of the room,” she continued, “put in something a little lighter, silver maybe, change the cushions too while you’re at it.”
    While Azare was looking unimpressed with the treatment of his fellow staff, James and Isha both had to mask a smile, they found the whole thing quite amusing, the hotel staff didn’t quite seem to know what to do with themselves. The commotion wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down either.
    “Oh and what’s with the air conditioning?” She said as she walked out of the room, “it feels like I’m melting in here, get me some… JAMES!”
    Before he even had a chance to respond, a red-headed woman had come charging at him and thrown her arms around him, almost knocking him off his feet. As she released him, he finally realised who she