AwayTeam by Mark Alders Read Free Book Online Page B

been dissipated or at the very least, the reason discovered as to why it was there in the first place.
    Ely was stopped by security when he exited the lift that led down to engineering. He explained that Commander Okinawa had requested his presence and that he was now considered to be rostered personnel. The man checked the portable comm panel he was holding, nodding when he discovered Ely's name on the duty list.
    When he entered Commander Okinawa's ready room, his gaze searched out and rested for a brief moment on Emerson. The man was seated, still looking haggard, his eyes bloodshot. Everyone else was present, including a grinning Kale.
    Ely had been in Commander Okinawa's ready room plenty of times, but this was the first time he was there for a mission briefing.
    "Glad you made it, cadet Ely. I know you must be tired, so I'll keep this brief," Commander Okinawa began, gesturing to a holographic schematic of the Mandrake that had appeared above the middle of the conference table. "As you are all now aware, an energy field has surrounded…"
    Ely lost the commander's words in the jumble of thoughts he had about what he was going to say to Emerson the moment he got the chance. He just wanted to go to him, plant a sensual kiss upon his plump lips, not caring what others would think. Actually, he wanted to embrace him tight, soothe the hair upon his head while cradling him close to his chest. Take in his touch and his scent.
    He remembered the after shave Emerson wore, manly and adding to his attraction. An attraction that didn't germinate from the man's looks, but blossomed because of the way he behaved. Emerson was a gentlemen and Ely was a fool if he didn't try and make amends, and as soon as possible before too much time had passed and the wound of what he did too great to heal.
    "…thank you, cadets." Commander Okinawa saluted. Everyone around the table stood up and did the same. Ely nearly missed the end of the briefing, he had been that absorbed with his own concerns. "I will see you all in shuttle Phoenix in thirty minutes. Dismissed."
    Braden was the first to leave the ready room, followed by Kale. Ely offered a weak smile at Emerson, gesturing for him to pass through the door before he did. Emerson looked beyond Ely, passing without so much as a word spoken. Ely's stomach churned. Had he blown it for certain? There was only one way to find out, and that was to get Emerson alone, talk to the man.
    Ely sighed. That was going to more difficult than he had hoped. Being on an away mission, one that could last for hours, wouldn't be the ideal situation to pour his heart out to someone. Private times on short missions were few and far between.
    On board the shuttle Phoenix , Ely headed straight for the cockpit. That's where everyone else would be anyway. In the thirty minutes between leaving the ready room and arriving at the shuttle bay, he returned to his cabin and packed a duffle bag. It was standard procedure for any away mission, even ones that were scheduled to be short.
    Inside his bag, he placed a spare uniform, plenty of underwear, and all the things he needed for personal use, brush, enzyme mouth paste, soap, a carry can of skin seal--not that he had hope of using it--and his own pillow. He always brought his own pillow no matter where he stayed. Helped him sleep, even on the most uncomfortable beds, which shuttles were renowned for.
    Coming into the cockpit, a rather large room which also accommodated its own ready room and kitchenette, Ely once more couldn't help but stare at Emerson. He was standing near the window, his silhouette striking. Braden and Kale were present, too. All that was needed was the commander and the mission could begin.
    "You'll wear your eyes out, Ely," Kale said with a snicker.
    "Kale!" Ely shot him a glance that could have curdled a Callisto Cum Burst. He noted that Emerson didn't turn around from his study of the goings on around the shuttle bay. He just stood there. Watching.