Adam Gaffen

Viva la revolucion! The Primus, Vasilia Newling, is facing her worst nightmares: A revolution on Luna Titan and the Asteroids abandoning the Solarian Union. Defections from within her own government. All because of those damned Cassidys! But she's still as ruthless as ever. And if Aiyana and Kendra thought she was playing dirty before? They're going to see how filthy she really can get. There isn't room for both the Terran Federation and the Union. This time, one is going down. For good. Return to the future for the fifth installment of The Cassidy Chronicles: Triumph's Ashes. ******** Excerpt: "Commander? Aren't you on your honeymoon?" Commander Daniela Garcia-Kay stopped filling her coffee cup and to stare at the questioner. "Ma'am," she belatedly appended. "Better, Rat," Garcia-Kay said, finishing the pour. "And for your information, yes, I am, but I need to stay sharp." She added, in a much more conversational tone, "Boomer's been after me as well. He says that he's still trying to integrate with his new body and I should be flying him, so..." Rat, Ensign (JG) Judith Bastin, grinned. The Epsilon-class AI's installed in the Direwolf fighters could be nearly human in their personalities, if encouraged by their human counterparts. A good number of the pilots of Nymeria Squadron did so, reaping the benefits of the enhanced partnership, taking after the lead of their commander. Daniela, as the first Direwolf pilot, had led the way. She'd investigated the interests the Admiral had in 20th/21st century 'television' and 'movies', eventually arriving at 'Boomer' as a good name for her AI. As a result, his personality tended to be cool, calculating, and confident, with a special knack for engineering his way around problems. His level-headedness complemented Daniela's more aggressive flying style. "I heard they salvaged your chair," Rat said. "They did," agreed Daniela. "That was about all, though." Her face clouded briefly at the memory. Her prior Direwolf had been ruined by a mid-space collision with another fighter during an exercise in which the other pilot had lost her life. It was the first non-action casualty the squadron had faced and it still stung. Rat picked up on her discomfort and tried to change the subject. "How's Boomer doing? Does he like the new ship?" "He appreciates the new capabilities, but keeps sending me messages about how things just aren't quite 'right' with it. Which is why I'm here at oh six hundred instead of in bed with my husband," she finished, raising her mug. "Aye, ma'am," said Rat, raising her half-empty mug in mock salute. "Do you need a wing? I'm scheduled for the mid-watch CAP, but I have a couple hours." "Thanks, Rat, I'm covered. Locksmith is going out with me." Rat nodded. Locksmith was the XO of the second Direwolf squadron under Lt. Commander Ashlyn Bontrager. Red Squadron was officially assigned to the TFS Endeavour, but only half the fighters could fit aboard at any one time for away missions if there would be a couple of the older Wolves attached for the duration. The other half remained at Njord and did drills until the Endeavour returned. "Catch you later, Double Dip," Rat said and strolled out. She had to smile. For all that Starfleet was a military organization, the formality and rigidity which plagued longer-established militaries simply didn't exist. Given the preferences of the Admiral, it probably never would.

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