Resilience (Warner's World Book 6)

by Dave O'Connor

  Tracy managed a smile. “Silly. This is my home.”

  Chapter 11. Audacity over Slenthsl 0940, 10 November

  “Time out” called out Aubrey. The ribbon of lights on the chest piece of her fencing jacket was flashing orange from the contact made with Crystal’s foil. Crystal’s face was a mix of ecstasy and triumph as she held her foil ready to strike again. “Boy you’ve come a long way real quick” admitted Aubrey.

  “You were right. Rose is a good instructor” said Crystal. “Another round?”

  “No I need a rest” said Aubrey as she pulled off her fencing helmet.

  “Pity. I’m just getting the hang of it.”

  Aubrey replaced the foil into the receptacle on the wall, next to the pair of sabres. She turned off the comms on her fencing suit and wiped the sweat away from her face with a towel. She looked up at Crystal who was still beaming over her success.

  “Your spirits have certainly lifted” said Aubrey.

  Crystal placed her helmet on the bench and returned her foil to its receptacle. “Yeah they have” she said. As she turned to face Aubrey she added “and it’s not just because I whipped your arse.”

  “Those sessions with the lovely Jim Lin going well then?”

  “Yeah…” said Crystal. Her voice trailed off as she pondered.

  “Yes Jim Lin’s lovely or yes the sessions are going well?” asked Aubrey playfully.

  Crystal smiled. “Both!”

  “You know he won’t jump you while he’s seeing you professionally” said Aubrey with a big grin.

  “You know you’re shocking Aubrey” said Crystal as she smiled and shook her head.

  “It’s true nonetheless” said Aubrey wagging her finger at Crystal.

  “You’re just randy…”

  “and frustrated” said Aubrey drawing out the word with feigned sadness on her face. “If I were you I would stop those sessions and then you can have your way with him.”

  “You’re incorrigible. Not everyone’s like you, you know.”

  “Oh come on. I’ve seen the way you look at him in the mess.”

  “If you keep this up I’m going to have to whip your arse again.”

  “OK tomorrow. I reckon you’re ready to graduate to sabre.” Aubrey had mischief all over face when she added “I prefer the hack and slash.”

  “I bet you do. But no matter I’m still going to whip your arse.”

  Chapter 12. Audacity over Slenthsl 1000, 10 November

  Rihan sighed as she came. Her naked form straddled Dave in the middle of their big bed. His hands were on her hips and her hair bounced on her heaving breasts. She felt immense pleasure in the moment. She felt incredible strength coursing through her. And then she felt him release inside her and she watched as he shook his head from side to side on the pillow in ecstasy. She squeezed one more time and heard him moan.

  “Oh I love getting laid on these days off” she said as his thrusting ended.

  “Huh” said Dave “that’s why they’re called lay days.” He laughed at his own joke.

  Rihan shook her head. “That’s so bad Dave” and she laughed too.

  He pulled her head down and kissed her lips tenderly. “Thank you” he said softly. “You we’re terrific.”

  She kissed him back. “You weren’t bad either.”

  “Not bad?” he asked incredulously.

  “Well you’re certainly a lot better than a month ago.”

  “Yeah, a bit of a low point then, hey?”

  Rihan rolled off of him and cuddled into his side. She gently caressed his chest. “I was worried about you then. Hadn’t seen you that low before.” Dave nodded. “But I knew you’d bounce back” she added.

  “Did you indeed?”

  “Yep, sure did.”

  “And why was that?”

  “Cause you’re made of the right stuff Dave Warner.”

  Dave smiled. Then he rolled over to face Rihan. He brushed the hair away from her eyes and stared into them. “And you’re made of the right stuff too Rihan Kabel.”

  She smiled and closed her eyelids to allow Dave to gently kiss them. He obliged, moving his kisses down her cheek and onto her lips. She parted her lips and engaged his tongue as it gently probed. She felt his tongue press more firmly and she responded in kind. A wave of passion welled up in her and she wrapped her top leg over his hip.

  He felt her foot digging into his buttock and her leg pulling him onto her as she rolled onto her back. “You never give up, do you?” he said.

  With her hands clasped on his buttocks and feeling his pressure on her groin she responded “And neither do you.” She sighed as he entered her. As her breathing got heavier she managed to say “I like that it’s a whole day of lays and not just a quickie.”

  Dave shook his head and burst out laughing.

  Before You Go

  Thank you for reading Resilience. I’d really appreciate you taking the time to rate the book and share it with your friends. So please respond to the “Before You Go” prompt that will appear on your Kindle as you finish the book.

  Dave O’Connor

  Acknowledgements

  Once again I must thank my wife, Joy, who encouraged and supported my writing.

  Peter Winship (author of the John Connor crime books) also provided valuable feedback and advice both in terms of writing style and getting published. He very generously shone a light for me and, coming from someone who has trodden the path already, this was very reassuring.

  John Hemry (author of Jack Campbell’s The Lost Fleet series) gave generously of his time to advise on how I could get published. His ‘pay it forward’ attitude was most appreciated.

  The Australian Society of Authors (www.asauthors.org ) provided good advice on being an author and sponsored Steven Lewis’ E Publishing course (www.taleist.comwww.warpdrivepublishing) which I found to be valuable.

  Book 7 of Warner’s World

  The adventure continues in Book 7 of Warner’s World: Attainment.

  The rogan war is reaching its denouement. Dave Warner is at the peak of his military powers but what has he got to show for it? Charles Chen dangles a political carrot but will Dave’s sense of duty keep him focussed on finishing the war? As the noose tightens on the rogan home worlds, its First Consul, Nestor Quazor, tightens his grip on power. The allied forces assemble for the final showdown over Istridium. Stratagem and ruse attempt to deceive and divert but will it be ruthlessness that becomes the order of the day? “What price peace” asks Dave Warner and is he prepared to pay it?

  Visit www.warpdrivepublishing.com for more details.

  Warnerpedia

  Get your free copy of Warnerpedia at www.warpdrivepublishing.com. It answers your questions on ‘who, what and where” in the Warner’s World series.

  This reference document comes in three formats - Word, PDF or MOBI. It contains a listing of all the characters in all the books, listed by first name, last name, rank, role, organisation and the book they first appeared in. There is also a list of the weapons, vehicles, ships and other equipment used in the series. All the cities, places, planets and star systems are listed so you can look up exactly where events are happening. A glossary is also provided.

  With the Word format the data is listed in sortable tables. So it makes it easy to find that character using one of their attributes - first name, last name, organisation etc.

  Part 1

  Trust

  You place your trust in your partner’s hand

  And strive together for a common goal

  Prepared if need be to make a stand

  Each contributing according to their role

  But when trust is betrayed you must decide

  To react quickly from ego’s angst

  Or to reflect and ponder without pride

  Pray you choose the latter and give thanks

  For you have risen above the hurt

  And exercised detachment

  Forgiveness paves the way for the heart to rea
ssert

  Nothing good comes from attachment

  Chapter 1. Nova Vista 0830, 14 November 2513

  The slender frame of Amelia Hubbard looked a little thinner than the last time her son, Commander (Cmdr) Charles Chen, had seen her. Amelia gave a weak smile to the customs official who waved her through the VIP gate at the spaceport. Being the wife of the Federation Treasurer had its advantages. Amelia regarded it as normal. After all she had enjoyed such preferential treatment for so long now. But she also felt it her duty to be civil to officials even if she was feeling anxious, as she now was.

  She had received Charles’ signal two weeks ago and had been anxious ever since. A decade of behind the scenes manoeuvrings was in jeopardy and all because of some infatuation. It was most unlike her Charles. For years now she had borne the frustration of dashed ambition in relation to her husband, Harry Chen, the Federation Treasurer. She was not prepared to have her ambitions for Charles dashed by some strumpet.

  But she was also intrigued by ‘this new proposal’ he mooted in his signal. He had declined to elaborate in a return signal, which is why she just had to come and see him. She hated the fact that this would mean being away from Earth for a month. It wasn’t that she would miss her husband, far from it. But she was deep in the throes of mounting a covert political campaign to have her son run for Chief Minister of the human Federation.

  So her facial expression was an odd mix, formed by both anxiety and intrigue, and it was this that made Charles swallow hard as he came forward to embrace her. He gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek. Both surprised Amelia and now a look of amazement claimed her face.

  “Thanks for coming mother” said Charles. There was a genuine smile on his Eurasian face and his brown eyes looked the clearest Amelia had ever seen them. “Here let me” he said relieving her of responsibility for wheeling her luggage. Amelia looked at him warily but otherwise was content to walk alongside her son as he wheeled her suitcase. It was peak hour for arrivals and the concourse was extremely busy. “This way” said Charles and he gave her another smile.

  Amelia could not remember the last time he had smiled at her so warmly. But she had to slot in behind him due to the number of people jostling to get out to the taxi rank. She was still struggling to remember how long it had been when Charles again said “This way.” He headed for the VIP cars and handed the suitcase to the driver.

  They sat in the back of the limousine. “Nelson Towers” advised Charles to the driver.

  “Can we go somewhere private first” asked Amelia.

  “Of course” said Charles and he gave the driver instructions.

  There was so much Amelia wanted to say and ask but she knew better than to do so in the vehicle. Amelia noticed all the construction work as they were exiting the spaceport. “Was that where they nuked?” she asked.

  “Further north, but the shockwave severely damaged the northern terminal.”

  “Shocking business. We should have retaliated.”

  Charles just nodded and they remained silent till they arrived at the Nelson Towers. Charles left the luggage at reception and took his mother back outside and to one of the nearby cafes.

  Thankfully the breakfast crowd had left and the morning tea crowd was yet to arrive, so apart from two other patrons they had the place to themselves. When Charles ordered a flat white for himself, Amelia was surprised.

  “When did you give up the short blacks” she asked.

  “Oh it’s just one of many things I have changed, mother.”

  “So, before I meet this Merry of yours, can you please tell me about this proposal?”

  Charles glanced around. “I don’t think this is the right place for that.”

  “Mmm” said Amelia with one of her tell-tale frowns just itching to claim her narrow face. “I’m not going to like it am I?”

  Charles leaned over and took his mother’s hand in his. It sent a shockwave through Amelia’s body and it showed on her face. Charles smiled at the effect. “There is a lot to like in my proposal but it does involve some changes.”

  Amelia found herself staring into her son’s brown eyes. There was warmth in them that she hadn’t seen for so long. It was unfamiliar territory and it was having a disarming effect on her. She had a vision of Charles as a little boy over thirty years ago. ‘Yes, that’s the last time’ she thought. It stirred in her a warm feeling that had been long suppressed.

  There was a moment in which her clinical, analysing mind tried to warn her against false hope. But something else from within pushed that warning aside. It was something she had archived for far too long. It was now taking its chance to reclaim part of her being.

  “I’m not that good with change” she finally admitted. She even allowed a brief expression of fragility to appear on her face.

  Charles continued to hold her hand. “But together we can do it.”

  “Alright then, so tell me more about this Merry.”

  First Lieutenant (1st Lt) Merry Li cast an eye over the apartment. She had already checked and rechecked that everything was right to receive Charles’ mother. From the stories she had received from Charles she thought she knew a lot about this woman who had and still played a big part in her lover’s life. But she remained on edge.

  ‘She’s just a woman’ thought Merry. ‘Charles loves you’ she told herself. ‘That’s what matters.’ She had woken early in the morning with a fear dream that she would be deemed not worthy and that this chance at happiness would be dashed like all the others. She recalled how Charles had held her and whispered reassuring words to her. His ‘whatever happens we’re getting married’ did much to reassure her that this was not transitory.

  The doorbell rang and Merry took a deep breath in. “Show time” she said for her own consumption. She walked to the door and opened it. The woman before her did not look imposing but her eyes scrutinised as she said “Lovely to meet you.”

  An hour later they were still sitting in the lounge of Charles’ apartment. He had changed out of his uniform and Amelia had to admit that he now looked incredibly relaxed. Amelia had listened to Merry tell her story about her family and her career as a doctor in the Fleet.

  Amelia was struck by Merry’s common sense, down to earth manner and approach to things. At one moment in the telling Amelia found herself thinking ‘this woman cares’. The cynical part of her came back with ‘who cares?’ and then a wave of guilt came over Amelia as she realised that for so long now she had given up caring personally about anyone. ‘Everything has been about attaining status.’ She wanted to pursue that thought but Merry had stopped talking and was obviously waiting on a response from her.

  “Excuse me” said Amelia “I was just preoccupied.”

  Merry had already concluded that. Part of her felt annoyed but she dismissed that and said “You must be tired. It’s been a long trip.”

  Amelia smiled warmly. “No, I’m not tired but it’s a lot take in all at once. I am sorry.”

  “Of course, how about some lunch?”

  It was while they were polishing off the antipasto that Amelia said “So I think it’s time to hear about this proposal now.”

  “OK but you need to promise to let me finish first before responding” said Charles.

  “Agreed” said Amelia. She had her business face on now and with it came a rise in adrenalin.

  Charles noticed her change in demeanour and swallowed before saying “for years now we have been aiming to secure the Chief Ministership in 2514.” He looked at Amelia and she nodded. “I still want that.” Amelia smiled. “But I won’t be running for office.”

  Amelia struggled hard to suppress the anger that was rising within. She had promised Charles to refrain from interrupting. She reminded herself that yes she could be professional. So she reset her face and resisted the urge. It was duly noted by Charles.

  “Now I know you had your sights set on me in the top job, but one thing I have realised of late” and Charles as he cut a glance to Merry
and then back to his mother “is that I am not leadership material. I won’t cut it as a candidate. But I am good at organising and with your help I want to win the next election for someone who is a natural born leader and who will have almost instant recognition throughout the Federation.”

  Charles paused. He could see his mother about to speak so he continued “It’s Dave Warner.”

  Amelia had been leaning slightly forward in her dining chair but now she leant back and opened her mouth. But no words came out. It was as though there were two competing aspects to her mind. One wanted to immediately say how stupid the idea was. But another part, one that had been resurging since the events earlier today, responded like it was an epiphany of brilliance. The two competing parts cancelled each other out and so she just sat back there with her mouth open.

  Charles wasn’t sure how his mother was taking it. Merry was confounded and decided that the best option for her was to say nothing. So silence reigned for a good minute.

  Deep within Amelia’s being a civil war had erupted and she found herself arguing for and against the notion. Finally her eyes saw Charles’ hand holding Merry’s. Merry was looking to Charles but Charles was looking at his mother and his expression had changed to one of warm anticipation. A smile was forming on his face in slow motion and it was a beautiful smile, reminding her of a young innocent boy. There was a glint in his eye from the light streaming in from the big windows and it seemed to reflect and aim straight at her. Like a laser beam it tore straight through the cynic and into the resurging heart of Amelia Hubbard.

  Charles’ smile broadened. It was proving infectious to Amelia’s heart as it threw off the shackles of a bitter mind. Amelia’s face morphed first to a smile and then to a huge grin. Charles began to stand and reached out with his arms, inviting Amelia to rise and lean into them. Charles’s hands took his mother’s face and gently embraced her now beaming face.