Sol Strike (Battlegroup Z Book 3) Daniel Gibbs (readict books .TXT) 📖

“Good.” Tehrani closed her eyes for a moment. “Unless there’s an objection, H hour will commence at oh eight hundred the day after tomorrow.”

“Um, ma’am, we probably won’t have the reactor fully repaired by then.”

Tehrani turned her head. “I realize that, Major. You’ll have six to eight hours before the fuel arrives, best estimate, yes?”

“Sounds about right,” Nishimura replied. “Give or take.”

“So plenty of time to finish up.” She crossed her arms.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Anything else?” Tehrani asked with a tone of finality.

“If I may?” Macintosh leaned forward with his hand raised. At Tehrani’s nod, he continued, “I’d like to join the Marine unit. I’m rated for power armor use and have an engineering background with advanced technology.”

Nishimura cleared his throat. “When was the last time you qualified with standard small arms?”

“Six months ago, sir. I shot expert in rifles and sidearms.”

Nishimura looked at Tehrani and nodded. “We don’t have Marine combat engineers aboard, so I’d be grateful for someone with an engineering skill set to join us.” His turned back to MacIntosh. “Besides, I’ve got respect for anyone who signs up for this insane op.”

“It’s settled, then,” Tehrani replied. She stood. “Good luck and Godspeed, gentlemen. Dismissed.”

Everyone except Wright quickly filed out, politely nodding. Whatley closed the hatch behind him once he realized the XO was staying behind.

Once it clicked shut, Wright let out a sigh. “How are you holding up?”

“Mmm. The chipper version or the truth?”

“The truth works,” he replied.

Tehrani stared straight ahead for a few seconds. “I’m scared for all of us.” She found it difficult to admit, but her XO was a needed outlet for support and bouncing ideas off of. “I almost feel like someone walking into a casino with their life savings and putting it all on one game.”

Wright laughed. “Not exactly the analogy I’ve come to expect from you, skipper. But it does fit.” He sucked in a breath. “What else can we do? We’re out of options, and the team’s put together a great strategy. If our crew and pilots execute, there’s a decent chance we make it home.” He paused. “It might help if God interceded on our behalf too.”

“Sometimes I feel insane for feeling like that. You know? A year ago, I would’ve told you miracles no longer happen, if they ever did.”

“As we’ve both observed, the war has changed all of us. Some for the worse, some for the better. I’m hoping in me, it’s for the better.” Wright bit his lip.

“I think so.”

“Well, we’d better get back to it, eh?”

Tehrani stood. “The Zvika Greengold is going home intact.”

“I’m holding you to that, skipper.”

With a laugh, Tehrani opened the hatch and entered the corridor. She flipped a mental coin and decided to take the conn on the bridge for an hour before retreating to her office to complete more paperwork. Paperwork only gives me time to think, and the last thing I need right now is to contemplate how dire our situation is.

The friendly card game Mateus hosted in her quarters almost every night had become a tradition among Alpha element in the Red Tails. Justin understood that other elements and squadrons had copied it in some form. He’d even heard that one group of pilots got together to play board games, which puzzled him, as he’d never met a pilot who would admit to being a nerd. Justin grinned at the thought as he pushed the hatch open to Mateus’s quarters. A large paper sign that read Alpha Element Only! was taped to it.

“Hey, everyone,” Justin called.

“Time to get this party started,” Mateus replied with a whoop. “I’m ready to win back some of my money.”

“What? All five credits I’ve won the last two months?” Justin dropped into the lone empty chair. “Don’t spend it all in one place.”

“Five credits are five credits. I’m feeling lucky tonight.”

“Hopefully, that luck will carry into tomorrow,” Feldstein interjected as she took a drink from her beer mug. “I’m looking forward to our mission.”

Justin stretched out his legs under the table. “I’d prefer to be flying the freighter mission.”

Mateus tossed a card at each of them then another. “Ante up, boys and girls.”

“Why? Putting a blow on the Leaguers is the far more dangerous and interesting combat evolution,” Adeoye said. He tossed a chip into the center of the table. “And I consider it more rewarding.”

“Maybe I want to get home,” Justin replied, annoyed.

“I’m sure the CAG does, too, and will ensure we do.” Feldstein tossed her own chip at the growing pot. “Beyond that, let’s send some of these Leaguer bastards on to God for judgment.”

Justin remembered the comments Major Nishimura had made during the command briefing. Something unsettled him about both statements, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. “I’m in.” His chip bounced off another one and came to rest.

“Some of the medals off the uniforms of captured Leaguers from our last operation have come into my possession,” Adeoye stated out of the blue.

The rest of them stared at him, Mateus with an open mouth.

“How?”

Adeoye shrugged. “A Marine friend.” He grinned mischievously. “I put several on the Javelins in my weapons bay.”

Mateus laughed, nearly spraying beer out of her mouth. “Beats the messages I wrote on mine. I suggested they do anatomically impossible things to themselves in Portuguese.” She winked.

“Oh, I can only imagine,” Feldstein replied between snickers. “Are there enough for all of us?”

“I should think so.” Adeoye contributed two chips. “I’ll see your bets and raise.”

“Who’s still in?” Mateus asked.

“I’ll match,” Justin replied.

“Me too,” Feldstein said and tossed another chip toward the pile. “Deal ’em, sister.”

Mateus expertly flung a card at each of them after depositing one in front of her. “I’m so excited for tomorrow.” She took a drink from her glass, which contained a dark-brown liquid and a single ice cube. “Almost three months without blasting a Leaguer from space makes for a dull girl.”

“I wouldn’t say I feel excitement,” Adeoye stated as he stroked his face. “But anticipation. Striking back at