Read Crineal Chronicles 1: In Hera's Service for Free Online

glass on the counter.
    “Well,
I should get some sleep. It’s going to be a long couple of days. Best of luck
to you, Commander,” he said as he held out his hand to Hantos. “I hope that we
get a chance to serve together again soon.”
    Hantos
took the general’s proffered hand and shook it. “Thank you, Sir. It’s been a
privilege working with you. Something that I can tell stories about at the
O-Rec on Earth Orbital.”
    Crineal
laughed good-naturedly. “Try not to make them too tall, Commander. I’ll see if
I can pop in before we pull out of Earth Orbital and say goodbye. Have an enjoyable
rest of the evening.”
    Strieger
took another swallow from her glass before putting it on the bar next to
Crineal’s. She sighed theatrically. “As a dutiful second-in-command, I guess
I’d better follow the general here and get some rest too.” She gave Hantos a
quick hug, which surprised both him and the general. “Next time the drinks are
on you as host on Earth Orbital.”
    “Anytime
you’re in port, Major,” Hantos said cheerfully as Strieger and Crineal turned
and walked out of the O-Rec together. He wondered if they were going to end up
in the same quarters tonight, despite regulations. They certainly seemed to
like each other enough. Hantos shrugged; even if they were, which he thought
unlikely, it was none of his business. The commander signaled the bartender for
another whisky.
    Strieger
walked beside Crineal towards the pilots’ quarters. “I bet that ensign has a
great story for his work section tomorrow. How he bumped into the great General
Crineal and wasn’t burned to ashes by his glare,” she gave out a melodic laugh
that Crineal always found appealing. “He might even suggest that it’s possible
you’re human after all,” Strieger grinned at Crineal.
    He
adopted an aloof air. “Talk like that could get you busted to his rank, Major,”
Crineal suggested with mock severity.
    She
looked horrified at the idea and put her hand dramatically to her chest. “But,
Sir, whoever would you find to put up with you then?” and she laughed once
more. Crineal gave a snort of amusement as they arrived outside her quarters.
    They
both stopped and he inclined his head to her. “Thank you for your company this
evening, Major. It was as lovely as usual. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Strieger
nodded back “Thank you for the drink, Sir. I hope you sleep well.” She watched
as Crineal turned and walked off down the corridor towards his own quarters,
once again contemplating smacking him from behind and dragging him into her
room. Strieger sighed. She really, really needed to get laid.

Chapter Three
     
    The
next day the strike force made the jump for Earth and Crineal was back in his
home system for the first time in twelve years. He stared at the system display
as he monitored the space around the Annihilator. Crineal had ordered all
squadrons on alert. He hated keeping Hera there in light of their patrol
tomorrow but he didn’t want to take any chances. The hours passed as the force
edged in towards Earth Orbital Three and he breathed a sigh of relief when they
finally docked. He passed the order to his pilots to stand down and be ready
for tomorrow. Crineal then checked in with the other squadron leaders and made certain
he had a complete list of who was on leave and when so he could make sure all
the patrols were covered. With that done he called it a day and turned in
himself. He just knew tomorrow was going to be rough.
    The
next morning, after his exercise, shower and breakfast, he made his way to the
ready room and waited there whilst his pilots trickled in. Everyone was dressed
in their black flight suits that doubled as a survival suit and minor med bay.
The ready room was full with five minutes to spare. Crineal called them to
attention and then sat them down.
    “Well,
ladies and gentlemen, we’re going to be running a standard patrol pattern
today. It’s going to be routine…” he paused