Sunday Snippet: Red Tape

June 24, 2018

We had a slightly crazy week of weather. Lots of rain with storms blowing through quickly then the sun popping back out. I love to watch the storm clouds roll in.

Television this week was hit and miss. I got another episode of Mutant X in and I caught a couple of Blindspot episodes but didn't get to finish out the season before they yanked some of the episodes I hadn't seen. I'll have to finish up season three on DVD.

In Classic Who, I finished out the Key of Marinus episodes. Not a bad arc. I'll be starting the Aztecs this week.

Canal Road's third episode was excellent. I enjoyed seeing the group interaction in this episode. I have some thoughts about who killed Spence's wife. Just saying.

Caught a movie on Café Noir. It wasn't the best, but I've been writing some noir-ish-themed stories lately and I liked the ambiance of the movie.

Got in another episode of Midsomer Murders and finished up season three of Endeavor. Gotta say the last episode really packed a punch. Watching Morse realize he loved Joanie ended up being a beautifully acted scene.

Caught the usual episodes of The Sarah Conner Chronicles, Constantine, Pensacola Wings of Gold, Band of Brothers, and Strike Back. Episode four, season four is when Section 20 loses Julia and, ugh, I forgot how much of a kick in the teeth that was.

Watched a crossover of Chicago PD with Chicago Fire. Excellent episodes. I enjoy PD when the focus isn't on dickhead Wood trying to take Hank down. I thought we got enough of that in the first two seasons.

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Red Tape, a novella that got started with a writing community prompt of boots and bunk room. Easy to run with that one.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Noelle Phame and Dirk Santias are given a temporary duty assignment to a new space cruiser and quickly realize how different the traditions are on an admiral's flagship. Once they figure out the red tape, they're free to fraternize all they want.

And a sneaky peek…

Noelle Phame paced outside her commanding officer's quarters. "What the hell did I do this time?" The summons she received from a wet-behind-the-ears ensign gave nothing to go on.

Report to my quarters. 1945 hours. Captain Wallace

She paused to tuck the paper in her shirt pocket. Footsteps alerted her to someone else's presence approaching. Turning, her heart dropped to her stomach. Dirk Santias.

Damn, damn, damn. "Shit. What are you doing here?" She slid her gaze sideways.

Dirk waved a note in front of her. "Reporting as ordered." He stood beside her and lowered his tone. "You're not worried, are you?"

Gah. The man's voice never failed to get her going. Blood pumping. Heart pounding. Libido throbbing. Not exactly the best time for any of those.

Noelle lifted a shoulder. "I wasn't. Not really." She glanced sideways again. "I am now." Why have both meet at the same time?

Dirk cocked his head to one side. "You don't think—"

The opening of the hatch cut off his question. Each snapped to attention, faces forward, eyes staring straight ahead. The rest of Dirk's query didn't bear thinking about. If Wallace had any idea how often they broke frat regs, both were finished.

The captain waved them inside. "At ease, lieutenants." Motioning for them to sit, he settled on the edge of his desk. "You're probably wondering why I'd bring you here with little notice and zero details." Crossing his feet at the ankles, he folded his arms over his chest. "I couldn't put anything specific in the summons because this isn't official yet."

Noelle shot Dirk a quick glance. What the hell?

He sent one back. No damn clue.

Captain Wallace filled in the blanks. "You're being temporarily assigned to the Orion to head up the rollout on the weapons' upgrade." He sent a look back and forth between Dirk and herself. "You'll leave in the morning. Admiral Glazier wants her pilots trained on the new targeting systems and doesn't plan to wait on the red tape."

Dirk gave a brief snort. "She gets stuff done because she doesn't."

Noelle breathed a little easier. A TAD assignment she could handle. Even if Admiral Glazier had a reputation as a hardass.

 Wallace nodded. "I won't argue that fact and you'll be halfway through the rollout before the red tape clears, but…" He pinned Dirk with his stare for a long moment. "The only shorthand the admiral accepts is for the betterment of the fleet." He shifted his gaze to Noelle. "She won't turn a blind eye to fraternization." He waited a beat. "You two need to be clear about that." He slid a look back and forth between them but said nothing else.

Noelle responded in unison with Dirk. "Yes, Sir."

Shit. Wallace knew. What a way to find out.

The captain straightened. "You're dismissed. Get your gear together and be ready to leave by 0900." He walked them to the hatch. "Good luck. I expect you two to the Sagitta proud."

Noelle turned when she cleared the threshold. "We will, Sir." She lifted her chin then stepped away, falling into step beside Dirk.

He nudged her shoulder. "Think he needed the reassurance?" His eyebrow quirked.

She shrugged. "Probably not." With a one up on the admiral, Wallace had a lofty perch he could get knocked off of. "But he could've busted us and he didn't, so promising to do a good job is the least we can do."

Dirk's lips curved in a smirk. "As if we'd do any less." He leaned in and lowered his voice. "Later tonight?"

Noelle shivered. Probably not the best idea, but she couldn't resist. Hooking up with Dirk kept her sane. If they had to curtail their activities, they might as well have one last sexy romp.

Cracking a smile, she agreed. "Usual spot. You bring the boots."

This one is very fun to write. Dirk and Noelle will have their work cut out for them on their new ship.

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

ML Skye