Read Jack of Harts 2: Angel Flight for Free Online Page B

catch that until later.”  She shrugged.  “ Durango , Arizona , and Enterprise have to remain in the wall of battle.  We didn’t have the acceleration to keep up with the cruisers before we ate that missile barrage.  We certainly don’t now.”
    Jack turned a questioning look at Christine.
    Enterprise’s brain gave him a sad smile, already resigned to her inability to move as swiftly as her smaller cousins.
    “I see,” Jack said, feeling like if he left them here he would never see them again.
    “I trust you, Jack,” Amparo said in a soft voice.  “Take out that generator and open a route for us to get home.”
    Jack nodded slowly, noting the worry in her voice.  He didn’t like it.
    “And don’t wait around for us when the bubble drops.  Just go,” she ordered.
    Jack frowned and started to protest.
    “No,” Amparo cut him off.  “We’ll be right behind you but we can’t afford to get caught looking for each other in hyperspace.  We’ll rendezvous at Serenity in two weeks real time,” Amparo finished.
    “I don’t like this,” Jack whispered.  “It doesn’t feel right.”
    Amparo sighed.  “Then ask yourself this.  ‘Is this the best thing you can do right now?”
    Jack considered the question, and felt peace fill him again.  He still didn’t like it, but nodded very slowly.
    Amparo and Christine shared a quick glance.  He wished he knew what they were telling themselves.  “That’s what we thought,” Amparo said with another shrug.  “So break that generator and get our people out,” she ordered and waited for him to nod in acceptance.  “Thank you, Jack,” she finished and faded out of view.
    “Christine,” Jack said before the other cyber could follow and she met his gaze.  There were so many things he wanted to say in that moment.  She was a beautiful ship.  She was his home.  He was about to leave her behind and despite his feelings that this really was the best plan, he still felt that aching feeling towards her.  Like he would never see her again if he left.  “Be careful.”
    The cyber’s smile softened.  “I will.”
    Jack knew he should say something profound.  Something amazing.  Come up with a grand quotation before going to battle.  Something memorable.  Something school children should learn in the future.  “See yah later,” came out instead.
    Christine smiled, her eyes conveying complete and total understanding.  “You too.”  And then she faded away.
    Jack punched his chair arm in anger.  “See yah later,” Jack muttered in a self-mocking tone.  “See yah later.  Of all the stupid things to say.  What was I thinking?”
    “You weren’t,” Betty answered, her smile matching Christine’s.  “But she knows what you meant.”
    “Yeah,” he whispered before sucking in a long breath.  It felt like he was leaving their home behind.  But he had no choice.  He breathed out and breathed in, forcing himself to find peace.  Then he smiled and looked at Betty again.  “All Cowboys,” he said, forcing his normal carefree tone back into being.  “Grab a cruiser and hang on tight,” he ordered, eyes running over the American formation on his displays.  As his eyes settled on each one it expanded in his view and detailed vital statistics appeared next to it.  He finished reading the last field of data and raised his hand to point at one of the cruisers.  “That one.”
    Betty nodded.  “She’s a good ship.  Good captain too.”
    “And the cyber?” Jack asked, detecting the reservation in her tone.
    Betty sighed, appearing reluctant to blab on a fellow cyber.  She answered after only a short pause though.  “Well, she’s a bit crazy.”
    Jack scratched his chin and considered the possibilities.  “Good crazy or bad crazy?” he asked and Betty raised both eyebrows at him.  “There is a difference you know,” Jack added in a defensive tone.  Betty rolled her eyes.  “What?  Crazy axe-murderer,” he said,