Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,40

was its last stop, Lieutenant Commander. Several prior stops were made, but its final departure was from Eschina,” Vennie answered.

Lo'San turned to look at Vennie when he answered Re’Vahl’s question.

“Did you say Eschina?” Lo'San asked.

“Yes, General. The last scheduled stop was on Eschina,” Vennie answered.

“Who approved that stop?” Lo'San asked, his temperament clearly on edge as he stalked toward Vennie.

Vennie’s tentacled extremities flew over the screen of his computer as he searched out the officer that approved the transport’s last mission. “Sire Zha Quin Tha gave mission plan approval, General.”

Lo'San stood in place for a moment while he considered all the possibilities, then he spun on his heel and headed toward the doors that would lead him off the Command Deck and into the corridor. “Re’Vahl, Command is yours. Contact me with any issues. I shall return shortly.”

“Yes, General!” Re’Vahl answered confidently.

As soon as Lo'San left the Command Deck, Re’Vahl turned back to Vennie. “Communications Master Vennie, get eyes on that transport. Something about it has General Lo'San on alert. Be prepared to call in additional security. In fact, have them on standby.”

“Right away, Lieutenant Commander,” Vennie answered.

~~~

Synclare waited until the airlocks were in place and the green light above the doors leading out to the docking bay were engaged so she could hurry out to the arriving transport and welcome Lo’San’s family. She smiled with anticipation as she watched the green light illuminate and stepped forward to press the sensor on the wall which would open the doors and give her entry.

As she left the comfort of the ship and stepped into the loud, wide open atmosphere in the docking bay, she marveled at the size of it. The ship housed thousands of people, and hundreds of aircraft from standard supply transports, commuter transports, and battle cruisers. It was exactly as it appeared - a mother ship, outfitted for war. “Wow,” she said aloud as her gaze flicked here and there taking in all that was to be seen.

Males were working the docks, calling out to one another and laughing as they worked on some of the smaller aircraft, others were busily cleaning the dock itself, some were receiving supplies and inspecting them, others were processing packages and loading them for shipment, and yet others were moving a newly arrived transport into place so that its passengers could disembark on the metal catwalks that gave them access to the inner parts of the ship they’d just arrived on. She didn’t miss the warriors stationed strategically around the docking bay, keeping a careful eye on all that came and went for security’s sake.

“I hope they’re not frightened by the soldiers,” Synclare said aloud as she came to a stop just above the transport she knew Lo’San’s family was on. She fussed with her clothing just a bit and pasted a smile on her face as she waited nervously for them. She was not aware that a male walked up behind her, his attention focused on her, intent clear in his step.

“Sink Lar!” Lo'San said brusquely as he quickly approached.

Synclare spun on hearing his voice. “Lo'San! What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here now!”

“Why am I not supposed to be here?” Lo'San asked, his mood obviously guarded.

Synclare didn’t want to answer, she’d planned this surprise for him, and here he was ruining it. “Why are you even here? You’re not supposed to be here. What made you come down here?” she asked, her grin in place at being found out.

“This is my ship, Sink Lar. Do you believe that a transport from Eschina would arrive without me finding out about it?”

Synclare gave up the idea of a surprise. “I wanted to surprise you. I saw how much you missed your brother, and when your mother comm’d me, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get you all together so you wouldn’t have to miss your family anymore. They love you, they want to be in your life.”

Lo’San’s heart dropped and he shook his head in disbelief. “This is not anything that I’d have ever wanted. You have no idea what you’ve done, Sink Lar.” His voice was tinged with disappointment as he stood there regarding her.

Synclare was shocked by Lo’San’s response. “I was trying to help you repair your relationship with your family. I only meant to help you reconnect. I thought this would make you happy.”

He stood looking at her, his face masked from any emotion so she wasn’t even sure if he was