There was very little activity in the hanger bay other than receiving the raptor from the Avalon, so at one of the launch tube stations, she got on the network and checked her emails. One of emails was from her sister on Aerilon asking if she would be available for her father’s 75th birthday at the end of the month. She really wanted to go, but it was looking like she could not get away. The Admiral had inspection tour scheduled and meetings with local officials. It made her sad to write back that it was unlikely.
After her reply, a new message was waiting for her from James with the subject – Read Now. It was a usual subject title. When she opened it, the first line she read after her name was – I had a little talk with Elihu at dinner – Her heart skipped. It was all that he wrote.
There was not much time. The raptor was already coming down the elevator from the flight deck. She walked out to meet it, but the message was bugging her. She shook her head, to get the thoughts out of her mind and focus on the task at hand. She straightened her uniform before the hatch opened, and out stepped Tra.