Sunday Snippet: Power Play

Greetings!

Okay, I have to take a break from mentioning what's going on during my favorite shows to completely toot my horn over making apple butter for the first time and having it turn out totally awesome! Seriously, if it passes the man and kids test, it's pretty much a 'write it down for posterity' kind of deal. LOL

Tonight's post is from Power Play where the main characters get to deal with all sorts of shifting dynamics and the fallout from the changes. The challenge pulls them apart and binds them together. Fun stuff. :D

Here's the tagline:

Hailey March, a dedicated officer, receives a plum assignment she's wanted for a long time. But when she has to give orders to Rab McKee, she must ignore their long friendship, which is impossible because she needs him on her side.

And a sneaky peek…

Rab's world tilted on its axis. Hailey March had gone rank and file military on him? She wanted him to help her plan a stupid mission?

He blinked and shook his head to clear it. "Who are you?" He folded his arms and shifted his position. "And where did you put Raver?" This wasn't the Hails he knew…the one who'd be leading the charge to get her friends out of being executed.

Hailey tossed the pen down on the table and narrowed her eyes. "What the flaming hell does that mean?" She leaned forward, waiting for an answer.

Taking a step toward her, Rab placed his hands on the table and leaned in. "The Hailey March I know would be more concerned that two of her shipmates had been condemned to death than planning some stupid God damned op." It had to be the Eugenia… maybe something in the recycled air made people go insane.

Clearly, he didn't act the way she expected. She heaved a sigh and muttered. "Only you would pick now to go rogue." Her head snapped up. "What do you want from me?" She stayed seated but sat up straight in the chair, ready to throw down.

What did he want from her? What a loaded question. He didn't want this Hailey—the one who seemed to be a completely different person. Right now… he didn't recognize her…

Unless… something didn't add up. Rab's brain spun with possibilities. He decided to push Hailey for answers… by taking away what she needed. Him.

Giving her a measured look he responded. "I don't want a damned thing…" He swallowed hard then added tersely. "Sir." Rolling his eyes he swung around to make his way to the door.

If she stopped him, they had hope. If not…

**

Hailey knew he was getting a raw deal from Kidwell but her instincts told her the admiral wouldn't budge on the decision to demote him.

Still, his attitude pissed her off. "You're not dismissed yet," Wincing inwardly, she added, "Lieutenant."

Oh yeah, that got his attention.

Of all the things she expected, Rab bailing wasn't one of them. She really did need his help planning the op. More than that, she wanted it.

He stopped abruptly, pivoting around, his posture rigid. He made his way back to the table to stand in front of her, staring, his eyes hot with anger.

Ah geez, she hated the tension. She had so much to say and no time to say it. How did she tell him she'd left a piece of herself back on the Caprice? That if they pulled this off she would be able to keep a promise she'd made?

How did she explain it was important to her to follow through because she'd given her word and for once she wanted to do it right? Had to do it right, so she could prove to herself she could move forward while still keeping a promise.

The fact was, right now she didn't have the luxury of time and Rab needed to just deal with it. "Dammit, Rab. Kidwell's not going to back down from any of this. She's determined to carry off this mission." Glancing down at the table, her stomach churned with adrenaline and a healthy dose of fear.

Admiral Kidwell ran things so differently from the old man… Hailey wouldn't let herself forget that. "This op needs to be planned now and I've got a bunch of prima donnas to mix in with Kalliope pilots and all of them were ready to shoot each other out of the sky not so long ago." She looked up from the charts and rosters and met his angry gaze.

She raised her eyebrows giving him a pointed look. "I need to focus here." And she did or the rapidly closing walls would crush each of them with their weight.

Whew. Hailey and Rab have some serious stuff to get through. And writing their navigation is extremely fun!

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flip.

ML Skye