Read By the Fire: Issue 3 for Free Online

Sun
    Chapter 3
     
    Alicia sat at the conference table beside Delaney. Across from them sat Crewman Jones and the marine squad. Armed men ringed the room. She supposed she should be getting used to this situation. She made eye contact with Delaney and he winked at her. She cracked a smile but neither of them said anything. A moment later the door opened and a soldier walked in and saluted her.
    “Captain James, General Stalls requests your presence.”
    Alicia looked up from her seat but didn’t stand or return the salute. The soldier frowned down at her.
    “Tell the General that if he wishes to speak to me I’ll be right here monitoring the treatment of our ‘guests’.”
    “I don’t think you understand the weight behind his request.”
    “Oh, I understand very well. I also understand that we invited the Command of the Morrigan down to meet with us in good faith and then took them prisoner. You can tell general Stalls that until he gets his head out of his ass he can take his request and shove it.”
    The messengers face went through various contortions before he could speak. “Very well.”
    He spun on his heel and stomped out of the room. The door had barely closed before Delaney and Jones burst into laughter.
    Alicia cocked an eyebrow at them. “I’m glad to see my little act of insubordination is so amusing to you.”
    Delaney wiped tears from his eyes. “You just have no idea how many generals I’ve wanted to say that too.”
    “Probably as many as I have. I have to admit, it did feel good. That doesn’t change our situation however.”
    “Our situation Captain? You on our side now?”
    Alicia shook her head. “I just feel a certain responsibility for you.”
    “How honorable of you. What do you think their game plan is?”
    “Fairly straightforward I imagine. They’ll try to trade you for control of the Morrigan. Failing that they might settle for weapons tech, although I can’t foresee them just letting you run loose. Too much of a wildcard.”
    Delaney nodded his head. “I was thinking along the same lines.”
    Alicia ran a hand over her scalp. She could feel tiny prickles of hair beginning to grow back.
    “Don’t worry” Delaney quipped, “I’ve always liked bald women.”
    “Ha-ha, very funny.” She placed her hands back on the table but found herself tapping her fingers in sequence. Pinky to index. Over and over again.
    “What I want to know is where my team is. They had better not be mistreating them.”
    Delaney laid a hand over hers. He didn’t say anything just sat there giving what comfort he could through a simple touch. Alicia felt a little of the tension drain out of her.
    What felt like hours later the door opened again. A squad of heavily armed soldiers marched in and took up position. General Stalls came in behind them red faced and puffing air. Behind him came another man in a suit. Alicia jumped to her feet. Delaney and his crew looked at her confusedly but followed her. She snapped to attention and offered a salute.
    “Mr. President.” When she acknowledged him realization dawned on Delaney and he offered a salute of his own. The President returned their salute precisely.
    “At ease please. Captain James I’d like to commend you on a job well done.”
    “Thank you sir” she replied.
    He turned to Delaney and extended a hand. “Commander, I’d like to apologize for how you and your crew have been treated. The military” he jerked his head towards Stalls who grew even redder, “Took things upon themselves. As soon as I learned what was going on I came to sort things out.”
    “I thank you Mr. President. And exactly how are things to be sorted?”
    Alicia winced at his wording. The President just chuckled. “To the point isn’t he?”
    “It’s a character flaw I’m afraid.”
    “I suffer from that same flaw. To answer your question, you are free to return to your ship at any time. Although I would like to speak with you before you go.”
    Delaney gestured