“I told you, I’d be in the cell next to you.”
“And I’ll likely be in the cell on the other side of you,” Santiago said with a big grin on her face. “My granddad told me there’d be days like this. Even told me how much fun they’d be. I didn’t believe him.”
“You are both crazy.”
“That’s a state secret,” Kris said. “Spill the beans on that one, and you’ll end up in an even worse cell.”
While Kris and Santiago had a laugh at that, Winston Spencer settled into his chair. “So the real question before any sane person is how to avoid a cell for all of us,” he said, with another sigh. “You win. I’m in. What is it that you want the end of this to look like? You do have an exit strategy that doesn’t involve dungeons, don’t you?”
“I hadn’t really thought much beyond now. None of us in jail sounds good,” Kris said.
“Planning is not a Longknife strong suit,” Sandy assured him.
“The best way to assure none of us end up in jail is for me to erase this video,” Win said.
“I love my great-grandfather, but in this matter, I’m not sure I can trust him. He has gotten scared.”
“All well earned, you will admit,” Sandy said.
“Yes, but I’m not sure he’s not going to just make this whole problem disappear for now, kind of like the way he’s getting me out of sight. Out of mind, too?”
“So again, I say, what do you want from one lone reporter?”
“And an admiral who is headed back to Chance day after tomorrow.”
“I told you,” Kris said, “I couldn’t figure out where we go from here. All I ask is for you to give me your eyes. Give me your ears. Give me your brain. Winston, I’m really going to need your storytelling skills. I’ve let you in on something big. You give it the best that you got.”
Winston stood and offered her his hand. “And when we are done, humanity and Iteeche will be better off than we are now. Assuming that big, bad ugly out there hasn’t gobbled us down.”
“That is the hope,” Kris said, and shook his hand.
About the Author
Mike Shepherd grew up Navy. It taught him early about change and the chain of command. He’s worked as a bartender and cabdriver, personnel advisor and labor negotiator. Now retired from building databases about the endangered critters in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, he’s looking forward to some fun reading and writing.
Mike lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife, Ellen, and her mother. He enjoys reading, writing, dreaming, watching grandchildren for story ideas, and upgrading his computer—all are never-ending pursuits.
Mike’s hard at work on Kris Longknife: Superb for you to read November 2010. You can visit his website at www.mikeshepherd.org or drop him an e-mail at Mike_Shepherd@comcast.net.
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WILLIAM C. DIETZ
AT EMPIRE’S
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In a far-distant future, the Uman Empire has spread to the stars and beyond, conquering and colonizing worlds, ruling with a benevolent—but iron—fist. The Pax Umana reigns—and all is well ...
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When physicist Michael Shelborne mysteriously vanishes, his son Shel discovers that he had constructed a time-travel device. Fearing his father may be stranded in time—or worse—Shel enlists Dave Dryden, a linguist, to accompany him on the rescue mission. Dave has one condition: Shel cannot visit the future. But when Shel violates their agreement, he makes a devastating discovery that sends him fleeing back through the ages, and changes his life forever.
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