Dremiks by Cassandra Davis Read Free Book Online

Marissa Hill.
    The lieutenant’s irritation only increased when he arrived on the aft deck and discovered that the malfunction was a simple short in a wiring panel. Short circuits were not uncommon in newly launched ships; shake-down cruises rarely provided for full power tests and the constant stress that systems underwent during normal routines. The common nature of the problem didn’t excuse the prevalence on the Hudson , however. Guttmann ordered Rogers to rewire the system while he went to find the captain.
    “Sir, it will necessarily interfere with other tests and normal ship functions. But I think you’ll agree it would be better to find these flaws before the jump.”
    Captain Hill tapped his fingers on his desk, thinking to himself. “I don’t disagree, Lieutenant. I just question the necessity of a complete diagnostic shut-down when we’ve already done two complete wiring checks during the shakedown. And, of course, all current systems were stable during the test jumps.”
    “Yes sir, but why are they failing now? Why so many little shorts and failing relays after a long shakedown cruise and two test jumps? I’d like to answer those questions closer to home rather than on the far side of the universe.”
    Guttmann watched as the captain considered the situation for a few minutes longer. Hill consulted what the lieutenant presumed was a schedule on his tablet. “All right. You have three days starting the day after tomorrow. Before the test, stand down your regular watches to bare running-normal minimums. Everyone not absolutely essential for monitoring critical systems should have time off. They’ll need it because I want this done as quickly and unobtrusively as possible.”
    “Aye, aye, sir.”

Chapter 3
    A day later, Cassie Ruger stepped out of the shower and turned two steps to enter the quarters she shared with Commander O’Connell. The doctor’s long hair, unbraided at the moment, was wrapped in a towel to dry. She pulled on a pair of running shorts and a tank top and marveled at the feel of the cool, recycled, air on her skin. Her pretty mouth quirked into a smile when she saw what her roommate was up to.
    Maggie was sorting her laundry into a two separate bags. Dr. Ruger knew from previous experience that Maggie wouldn’t take the lifts down to waste treatment and laundry facilities in the bowels of the Hudson . She would, instead, throw the two heavy packs over each shoulder and jog down the corridors. When she reached a ladder, O’Connell would descend using only her legs and one arm, holding both bags with the other hand.
    “Hullo Cass. Need any washing done?” Maggie swiped at a strand of hair that has escaped from her ponytail when she looked over her shoulder. She was dressed much like the doctor, in shorts and a tank top.
    “No, I did mine two days ago. Not to mention that there’s no way I would help you engage in your sadistic little ritual.” Cassie popped open her locker-like closet and pulled out a comb and her leave-in conditioner. She sat on the edge of her bed and started to comb out her hair.
    “I’m not sure I even want to know what it is you mean.” Maggie swiped at the loose hair strand again and growled a short curse. “Stupid damn hair. I could put that whole damn bottle of conditioner on it and it would still kink up and fly everywhere.”
    Cassie, having heard this complaint several times in the preceding months, kept her thoughts to herself and continued combing.
    “Well, if you don’t have anything to throw in here, I’m off. See you at dinner?”
    “Don’t break your silly neck, please.”
    Maggie laughed. “Doing laundry? I seriously doubt there’s a risk of that. I didn’t know you cared, though.”
    “I don’t, except that I’m on break for the next four hours until dinner and I don’t want my nap interrupted by having to reset your spinal column.” Dr. Ruger raised her head as she said this and caught the fleeting glimpse of O’Connell’s