Far From Home: The Complete Series by Tony Healey Page A

gone exceptionally well, on all accounts. She’d selected them herself, and they took to the training like they were raised for it.
    “How’s it going?” a voice asked her.
    Chang turned around to find Captain King stood on the bridge, observing. How long King had been there, Chang wasn’t sure. She stood up and saluted. King returned the gesture.
    “Exactly as planned, Captain. We’ve got a good team here,” she said.
    King shot Chang a sly wink that made her smile. “Good to hear, Lieutenant,” she said. “I expect no less.”
    Chang watched as King made a brief tour of the individual stations, and the respective trainees sat at each one. She spoke to each for a few minutes before moving onto the next. When she’d finished making the rounds, she came to stand next to Chang.
    “They seem okay,” she whispered.
    Chang nodded. “A good bunch, Captain.”
    King looked her over. “You look tired, Lieutenant. When do you hand over?”
    “Another hour, sir,” Chang said. “Looking forward to some rack time.”
    King nodded. “Well, be sure you get it. You’ve earned it.”
    The Captain straightened her tunic, shot Chang a salute. “Carry on, Lieutenant.”
    “Aye Captain,” Chang said.
    She watched the Captain leave the bridge, and felt the atmosphere around her relax a bit. The trainees’ shoulders all seemed to curve at the same time.
    “Don’t slouch about you lot, sit up straight,” she ordered with obvious relish. And then to the sound of multiple groans: “Let’s go back through the basics one more time …”
    * * *
    King spent the rest of the day assisting with repairs, then in the evening found her way to the mess hall to grab a long-overdue coffee and perhaps something to eat. She bumped into Commander Greene again, also taking a break. He had Chief Gunn with him.
    “All right?” she asked them both, taking a seat at the same table.
    “Yeah. Keeping myself busy. How’s the repairs on deck five?” Greene asked her.
    Jessica took a swallow of coffee to wash down her bite of sandwich.
    “Okay. They’re getting there,” she said.
    Greene nodded. “Good. The secondary shift are getting by all right up on the bridge.”
    “I know, I popped up there a little while ago,” King said with a shrug. “Chang is supervising. We just can’t spare anyone else. We need them all on the repairs.”
    “I know. It’s good experience for them though,” Greene said. “Keeps ‘em on their toes. A bit of graft won’t do ‘em any harm.”
    Jessica remembered something. “Oh, Commander. I meant to ask you about Lieutenant Swogger.”
    Greene frowned. “Munitions?”
    “Yeah. He was absent from the meeting, and I’ve forgot to mention it afterward.”
    “I’ll track him down,” Greene said.
    “How about you Chief? Everything okay?” Jessica asked her.
    Gunn blew over her hot chocolate before taking a sip from it.
    “Much as before. I think we’re in good shape, considering the state of the Defiant when we arrived here. All credit to the crew, they’ve put the work in,” Gunn said.
    “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you sound proud …” Jessica said with a sly grin.
    Gunn elbowed Greene in the side. “Of course, I’ve had this big lummox helping me all day. I’d like to say he’s been useful, but it’s been like babysitting, I tell ya.”
    Greene cut a wedge of cake with a fork, popped it in his mouth then proceeded to talk with his mouth full. “Next time I won’t offer my services.”
    Gunn rolled her eyes and then shot Jessica a wink.
    “You know, we’re gonna have to deal with Captain Nowlan,” Greene cut in.
    “What do you mean?” King asked. “His debrief?”
    “We need him to bring us up to scratch as much as he needs to be, you know?” Greene said.
    King agreed with him. The meeting had been so depressing; she’d just wanted to lose herself in some physical work. Something meaningful. But she knew all too well that she’d intentionally put off the