Page 92 of Battleground
She looked up into his handsome face and told him the truth. “The day I met you was the happiest day of my life.”
He kissed her softly and said, “Mine too.”
*****
Commander Drake Bond hit his communicator. His initial plan to investigate the humans had been derailed and he needed to address it.
“This is Captain Coor.”
“Captain. I hear congratulations are in order. You found your mate.”
“Yes, sir.”
“This complicates matters. I’m sure you’ll understand that I will have to pull you from my mission. I don’t want to have conflicting agendas and personal biases interfere with the investigation.”
“I assure you, Commander, I would never allow my personal bias to affect my assignment. However, I now have a different perspective. I understand if you need to assign someone else to complete the investigation. I only ask that you meet with some humans to get their perspective as well.”
“I plan to visit the dome in a few hours and hope to meet with your mate and her brother.”
“Are you already on Earth?”
“I will step foot for the first time in just a few moments.”
“May I ask where you are? I did not receive a report of your flight coming in.”
“We received disturbing images I wanted to check out with my own eyes first. Once I confirm what is in the report, I’ll debrief you on it. It may have a direct effect on your situation.”
“I look forward to introducing you to my mate. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Drake disconnected his communications.
“Commander, we are nearing the site.”
Drake looked out the window of the shuttle he was on. The situation was reported to him nearly twenty-four hours ago. He could have ordered others to check it out, but he was tired of sitting at his desk and doing nothing. He used to be a war commander, front lines, in the direct path of things. It had been too long, and he was ready for action.
As the shuttle made its landing, some of the debris from the latest windstorm tumbled away. The closer he came to the surface, the more clearly the image was.
“Is that a crater? Do you think a meteor hit?” one of his lieutenants asked.
“It’s not a crater,” he said. “It’s an imprint—a large one.”
“From what?”
“That’s what we must find out. It seems the humans weren’t the only survivors of the nuclear fallout.” Excitement and thrill of the unknown swept through Drake. This was exactly what he needed.
