CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh Read Free Book Online Page B

sensed resentment, although the young man was wise enough to avoid a verbal confrontation, but the last thing Bassa needed was a squadron of reckless pilots.
     
    Small drones were employed for the next phase of training. The devices were programmed not only to evade the trainees but to pursue as well. This added a new dimension to the exercises and the teams were forced to adjust their plan of attack. The first day with the drones resulted in two teams failing the exercise entirely. This was not acceptable to Bassa and he voiced his displeasure at the debriefing.
     
    “ The first time this squadron faces an attacker and two teams are neutralized!” he exclaimed, fury enveloping every syllable. “That is totally unacceptable. Did you forget every shred of simulator training? If you can’t avoid a drone then you don’t stand a chance in real combat.”
     
    Bassa glared at the young men. The trainees appeared uncomfortable and the offending teams visibly sank in their seats. Officer Jarth had gone over the day’s exercise, chastising the unsuccessful teams, but Bassa wanted to ensure they understood this outcome would not be tolerated. Often one ship would miss its mark the first time out with the drones, but never two.
     
    “ We will repeat this exercise again tomorrow with no errors, understood? Bassa proclaimed.
     
    The young men signified their compliance with a loud ‘Yes, sir!’ Bassa scanned the room, his deep scowl reflecting disgust with the sloppy flying he’d witnessed today. His gaze fell on Byron, who appeared unperturbed. The pilot had performed his drills without errors, although his flying still bordered on reckless. Bassa opted to save that observation for another time and not detract from today’s issue.
     
    “ Teams 512T and 639T, report to my office,” Bassa ordered. “Dismissed!”
     
    On the heels of that order, Bassa exited through the side door. Byron rose to his feet and his gaze fell on Trindel’s wide-eyed face. Unconcerned with the fate of the errant teams, he gestured for his navigator to proceed him out of the room. Trindel was silent as they returned to their quarters, for which Byron felt grateful. He did ponder Bassa’s words while he showered, though. Perhaps the first team would go home tomorrow.
     
    He’d just slipped on a shirt when a persistent beeping signified a visitor.
     
    Byron?
     
    Trindel’s tentative inquiry echoed in his head. Not surprised to hear his partner’s thoughts, Byron instructed his door to open. Trindel’s forlorn expression greeted him and Byron invited him to enter.
     
    “ I’ll be ready in a moment,” he said, dropping into his chair and reaching for his boots.
     
    Trindel nodded and shifted his stance. “What do you think is going to happen to Forcance and the others?” he implored.
     
    Byron shrugged with indifference. “I don’t know. It’s Ganst and Forcance’s second error.”
     
    “ Do you think they’ll be sent home?”
     
    Pulling on his second boot, Byron glanced up at his navigator and sighed. Trindel possessed such a tender heart. He hated to see any man fail. However, the fate of the two teams was beyond their control, and Byron was far more concerned with his own team’s performance to care.
     
    “ Trindel, we can’t worry about them,” he said, raising his voice to emphasize his point. “Just focus on our team.”
     
    “ You don’t care what happens to the others?” Trindel asked in astonishment.
     
    “ Not really.”
     
    His navigator’s eyes widened even further. Byron could sense his answer bothered Trindel. Rising to his feet, he approached his friend and clasped him on the shoulder.
     
    “ Trindel, my primary focus is our team. My obligations are to you, my navigator. I can’t control what happens to the others, so I’m just concentrating on our performance, all right?”
     
    Squeezing Trindel’s shoulder in emphasis, Byron anxiously watched for his navigator’s reaction. He did not