Cover Fire (Valiant Knox)

by Anastasi, Jess

  The commander went on to explain that he had divulged the intel about the rebel forces Seb and Jenna had discovered to the colonel. Like Jenna, Cam had heard rumors about the rebels, but hadn’t realized they were so organized, or that the situation with the Pontifex was so unstable.

  “I don’t need to tell you that we cannot, under any circumstance, let this conflict spill out into the wider galaxy,” Yang concluded. “It came as a shock to all of us that there are factions wanting to use the Brannon System as the catalyst for a wider uprising against the UEF across the galaxy. That kind of war would be devastating, would change the fabric of society as we know it. And it goes without saying, the casualties would easily climb into the millions, if not billions.”

  Though probably not intended, Yang’s words sobered the room. The scenario he’d laid out was the stuff of nightmares. The entire galaxy at war? They couldn’t let that happen.

  “This is much bigger than the Knox and moles we’ve been dealing with,” he said, though that was probably obvious to everyone. “But what are we supposed to do about it? Warn the UEF? Ask for reinforcement?”

  Yang shook his head, frustration edging into his expression. “Without concrete proof, the UEF will be too worried about political ramifications to send in more troops or ships. Right now, they can still claim we’re undertaking peacekeeping efforts. Send reinforcements, and they’ve got to justify how this isn’t an outright war.”

  “It’s that kind of bureaucratic BS that makes assholes like Lawler think they’ve got a chance,” Seb muttered.

  “Which is why we’ve got to cut them off now, while we still have the possibility of controlling the situation,” Cam put in.

  “You guys have a plan?” Alpha asked from the other side of the table.

  “The rebels are going to be the key,” Cam replied, tapping a finger on the table. “There’s an entire untapped source of soldiers on the ground, inside enemy lines. If we can make contact with them, convince them to join forces with us. And if what they say about the Ponitfex’s health is true, this could be our moment. This could make or break the entire galaxy.”

  “It sounds good in theory, but surely it won’t be that simple,” Bren said from where she sat beside him. “How do we even find these rebels? And then what? We’re going to hand over a cache of weapons and trust this isn’t another ploy by the CSS to double cross us?”

  “No offense, Lieutenant Brenner, but you’re not exactly qualified to make calls about the situation on the ground,” Cam returned in a cool hard voice.

  Seb only just managed to stop his eyebrows from hitting his hairline at the obvious cut.

  Bren stiffened. “Maybe not. But I’m assuming at some point you’ll be wanting air support. That’s why Alpha and I are here, right? And when that time comes, I’m not sending my squad in to be cut down by our own weapons.”

  “Enough,” Yang cut in, though maybe a bit late as the tension in the room had already hit DEFCON 2.

  Seb passed a covert glance between where Bren and Cam were obviously trying not to glare at one another. And it suddenly occurred to him that while Cam often came up to the Knox for various command and intel reasons, and occasionally joined them at Harley’s for a beer before heading back to the ground, he’d never actually seen Bren or Cam spend more than five seconds in each other’s presence. Weird.

  “Colonel McAllister is planning to put some feelers out in the village where Rayne and Agent Maxwell discovered the intel,” Yang outlined, passing a quelling glance around the table, indicating the decision had been made, and he didn’t expect to hear anyone else’s opinion on the matter. “We’re hopeful we can make a connection, possibly get a meeting with someone who has some sway over the rebel forces. Seb, Agent Maxwell, I need both of you to write comprehensive reports of the village. Give the lay of the land, who you spoke with. Any tiny details you can provide to Colonel McAllister will be to his advantage. And yes, Lieutenant Brenner, at some point the colonel may require air support, so I expect your full cooperation.”

  “Yes, sir,” Bren returned in an even tone, though Seb could tell that beneath the professionally detached exterior, she was seething over the clash with Cam.

  Yang dismissed the meeting, but asked the colonel to stay behind. As the rest of them exited the conference room, he didn’t fail to miss the pissed-off glare Bren shot McAllister.

  Oh man, McAllister was going to regret opening his mouth. Bren was an awesome fighter pilot, fair and confidence-inspiring CO, and all-around great friend to have. But boy, could she hold a grudge. And the poor sucker that ended up on the wrong end of her temper would find more warmth stripping off and swimming in an icy lake on a twenty-degree day. Whenever Cam ended up calling in that air support, Bren would no doubt make him work for it.

  Bren and Alpha headed back up to the FP flight deck. What he wouldn’t give to join them, but he still had several weeks of medical leave to face down before he got his butt back in his jet.

  He and Jenna were silent as they left the command center, neither of them needing to say anything until they were standing outside the transit.

  “Are you going back to the CI annex?” he asked, trying not to let any pathetic disappointment creep into his tone. Judging by her indulgent smile, he didn’t succeed.

  “No, I’m done for the day. Malouf has given me two weeks’ transition downtime. I’ve got the next fourteen days to decompress from the almost-ten years I spent working as a field agent.”

  He shifted closer, dropping his arms around her shoulder, trying not to grin like an idiot. “Well, isn’t that something?”

  “Yes, apparently I need to learn how to be around people again, now that I’m actually allowed to have interpersonal relationships.” She slid her arms around his waist, bringing herself in closer to him.

  “Hmm, that sounds complicated. I’m sure you’re going to need help.”

  She nodded thoughtfully. “You might be right. What do you suggest?”

  Leaning down, he set his lips against her ears, making a few suggestions, all of which required them to get back to his apartment ASAP.

  When he leaned back again, her gaze on him was smoldering, her smile telling him she was ready to agree—to today, to tomorrow, and every day following, as long as they were together.

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  Author’s Note

  I didn’t dedicate this book to anyone, not because I don’t have anyone important to dedicate it to, but because I have too many people I could have acknowledged, and didn’t know where to start.

  As I write this, it’s February 2017. Honestly, the end of last year wasn’t great for me personally, and that trend continued into the beginning of this year, steadily getting worse. It’s starting to pick up now, and I don’t mention this because I’m all woe-is-me and am looking for sympathy. But because while I knew I had this really great support network of friends, family, and even working relationships through my books and various other things, I think it takes the bad times to really realize how much of a difference having that village can make.

  I always considered myself lucky and privileged in my friends and family, and I’ve definitely taken them all for granted at one time or another. I know I’m not unique in this—life is all about ups and downs. We have good times, we have bad times, and sometimes we have terrible times. And through all those times, the people who stand with us will shape our journey.

  So this book is dedicated to everyone I love.

  It’s easy to get lost in the bad times, but for me, I try to remember that with so many people in my life that I am lucky enough to love, no matter what happens, in the end, it’ll be okay.

  Acknowledgments

  I’m going to thank all the usual suspects. Firstly, my wonderful editor, Robin Haseltine, who is not only my editor, but has become my friend. I honestly do
n’t know where I would have ended up if you hadn’t grabbed me out of the slush pile. Wherever I might have been, I’m sure it wouldn’t be as wonderful as where I am now. I have truly learned so much from you in the last few years. You have become my internal editor, and even when I’m writing, my brain is telling me “Robin would change it to this.” It definitely made the edits for this book much easier!

  Thanks to Liz, Tera, and the team at Entangled for allowing me to unleash yet another book on the world, especially the editors and production team who had a hand in bringing Cover Fire together. Special thanks to Bridget O’Toole for letting me bombard her with marketing ideas and schemes that are probably 90 percent rubbish. I’ve never enjoyed that side of things, but you’ve definitely made it easier!

  To my awesome family. I know most of you don’t “get” me. I forget things. I get trapped in my own head. I spend more than half my life in a completely made-up world and talk about fictional characters like they’re real people. You don’t get it, but you accept it and support me, which is more than I could ever ask for.

  And lastly, my fans. There aren’t hordes of you out there, but the ones I do have, you’re awesome. Thank you to those of you who’ve taken the time to leave reviews or send me messages telling me how much you love my books and can’t wait for the next one to come out. It reminds me that I’m a Real Author, not some crazy person who spends too many hours sitting in a dark room staring at a computer screen.

  About the Author

  Jess has been making up stories ever since she can remember. Though her messy handwriting made it hard for anyone else to read them, she wasn’t deterred, and now she gets to make up stories for a living. She loves loud music and a good book on a rainy day and probably spends too much time watching too many TV shows. Jess lives in regional Victoria, Australia, with her very supportive husband, three daughters, two hyperactive border collie dogs, and a cat who thinks he’s one of the kids.

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  Damage Control

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