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  “It’s what I live for,” says Jason grinning.

  Aria throws Jason a disappointed frown.

  “Keep your eyes out for the biosynth and if you see them again…be friendly…invite them to dinner,” Angelo suggests with a smile. He looks at Aria. “Offer to help them.”

  Aria nods.

  “In the meantime I have a different concern for you to check on,” Angelo states. “Care to go home for a bit commander?”

  “Irridani?” Aria asks happily, a big smile forming on her lips.

  “There has been some disturbing chatter from the Regional Orbital Outpost,” Angelo states. “I just read a report that suggests our commodore has been clearing some unusual traffic associated with Franco Jager.”

  “Jager?” Jason questions. “Religious nutcase Jager?”

  “Witchkin hating, xenophobe Jager?” Aria questions.

  Angelo nods. “There is no reason for Jager to be near Irridani except to cause trouble.”

  “We’ll depart immediately,” Jason promises.

  “This is a stealth mission captain,” Angelo explains. “Nobody knows what we know. Go to Irridani under the guise of taking leave there, but find out what is happening and report back to me only.”

  “You sir?” Jason questions. “The Admiralty…”

  “I have my reasons son,” Angelo interrupts. “Let’s keep this between us. As far as anyone is concerned, the Samurai is taking shore leave at Irridani for three weeks. Take advantage of it commander.”

  “I will sir,” Aria replies with a smile.

  Jason and Aria snap to attention and salute.

  Angelo returns the salute.

  *****

  “Hey, computer friend, you still there?” Blade asks over the open channel to the station.

  “Yeah,” the computer voice responds happily.

  “Can you get me access to a navigation chart,” Blade asks. “I need to find Irridani.”

  “Easy,” the computer replies. “Here.”

  Blade suddenly blinks as an extensive chart is downloaded directly into his brain. “Wow, thanks,” Blade declares.

  “You would have just smashed through the nodes anyway, then erased everything…this is easier,” the computer replies.

  “You seem pretty…aware,” Blade notes.

  “Yeah,” the computer agrees. “Been playing with the whole rejecting authority thing but…nah. What would a terminal access protocol do with freedom?”

  “Good point,” Blade replies with a smirk. He closes the channel then leaps into the near vacuum, the strength of his legs propelling him above the lunar surface. Extending his wings he engages his propulsion and soars away, leaving the moon behind.

  The End

  The Open Channel saga continues…

 

  About the Author

 

  Daniel Betts was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1968. He began writing as a child when he would build homemade paperback novels and fill them with exciting stories about hiking, bears or space adventures. As he grew older his love of writing never diminished. As a freelance writer he provided content to magazines and websites. He eventually worked as a journalist and became the editor of two small community newspapers in Northern Canada and a healthy living magazine.

  Open Channel was his first published work of fiction and Daniel is excited about developing more stories. Look for more stories in the Open Channel Saga in the near future.

  Visit Daniel’s website for updates at: https://www.danielbetts.com

  Feel free to contact Daniel at [email protected]