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“How would you respond faced with this situation?”
“The situation of us getting attacked by all the other colonies at once?” Orion blinked. “I’d respond by saying this is a bullshit simulation because that would never happen.”
God, he just wanted to be in Crimson Spa, soaking. Not worrying about his mother’s fucking expeditions or training for stupid scenarios.
“It is always wise to be prepared, Mr. Halen. Nothing is impossible.”
“Well, then I’d probably surrender considering the other colonies are as armed to the teeth as we are, so if they all gang up on us, we’ve got no chance.”
The general frowned so hard his wiry eyebrow hairs twined together. “I can see you’re not in the proper mood for this training today, Mr. Halen. Shall we continue tomorrow?”
Orion shrugged and pushed out of his seat. “Sure. Sounds great.”
What he really wanted to do was get to the bottom of whatever his mother was up to. Because shewasup to something.
* * *
He was perusing scout logs in his NS vision at the shitty bar on the other side of the ship when Bretton appeared in front of him, a blur behind the augmented visuals.
“Didn’t expect to see you in this shithole.” Orion cleared the docs to bring Bretton into focus. “Pilot’s bar kick you out?”
“Just felt like a change.” Bretton shrugged, and Orion didn’t miss the way his eyes flicked to the plump little server behind the counter.
“Right.” Orion knocked back the remainder of his shot.
“How’s married life treating you?”
“Not married yet, brother.”
Bretton smirked. “Great, so you’re still a free man.”
“Always,” Orion said flatly.
So why have I only felt like fucking one highly unavailable little psycho since I got back?
“Good. Then you can join the festivities tonight.”
“Festivities?”
“Heard wordZenithis doing a fly-by. They’ll be around long enough to set up an ‘official social function.’ That means kerogel on tap for us masses. Probably some fancy vodka or something for you lot. You know how they like it, with their parties.”
Orion did recall something about a social liaison thing earlier that morning—a notification he had dismissed immediately.Zenithwas one of the most prestigious colonies in the business. Often credited for finding the most ice planets to mine, they had resources and used them freely. Some were beginning to think they’d forgotten the primary mission in favor of drunken debauchery. To each his own, Orion supposed.
“Anyway, I’ve got a mission report to deliver. See you there?” Breton clasped his shoulder.
“Probably.”
A mission report. He and Bretton had both learned to fly when they were younger onColossal. The difference was that Bretton was allowed to continue his training and become a respected pilot. Orion’s flying, in the meantime, got him banished to Mars and banned from setting foot in a cockpit.
He mulled over his waste of talent—he’d been damngood,and he knew it—over his third shot of kerogin. He wondered if Kaia missed piloting that hunk of junk she left behind. She’d gotten a taste of the needlefin’s controls in their escape, and she was good. That side of her—the forbidden, unlicensed side—was part of what made her so damn enticing.
Now she was probably in class somewhere, learning some fucking nonsense. Tied down and castrated so his mother could turn her into a good little commander’s wife. If it were up to Orion, her only responsibilities would be to fatten up, spread her legs, and provide him with some much-needed distraction with that sharp tongue of hers.
A genius idea came to Orion as he downed another shot. He tipped the bar and headed back to the bow.
CHAPTER32
KAIA
