Sunday Snippet: Major Issues

Hello, March! It seems weird that a year ago next week, I went out with friends to celebrate birthdays and a week later we started the state shutdown. It's been both the longest and shortest time span between the two. I'm not sure that makes sense, but it's definitely how the last twelve months have been for me. LOL

My middle kiddo, who is actually a grown adult, ended up being admitted to the hospital on Monday. He's got some health issues going on and he's really tired of trips to urgent care, the ED, and various doctors. I'm hoping he eventually gets a solid diagnosis and starts to find some relief soon.

Had another fairly busy week with work. My projects have slowed down a little since last June, which is a blessing and a curse. I like having more time to hit some side projects but I also like to stay busy so I don't lose my groove.

Not a bad week for television. I caught a couple episodes of Silent Witness. Season nine started on such a downer but one of the things I love about British dramas is how they explore the journeys characters take. US television doesn't do that as often.

Watched another episode of No Offence. I'm still enjoying this show. I like the overreaching arc of a serial killer and the case of the week stuff also. Good show.

I caught another episode of Peak Practice. I'm almost finished with the second season and I'm looking forward to easing back into this show on a regular basis.

For fun, I started watching The Muppet Show series. I remember experiencing the original run with my two brothers. It was one show we all agreed on and watched together without fighting. Brings back good memories.

Caught a binge marathon of Hawaii Five-0 and I'm almost at the point where I stopped watching regularly. Not sure if seasons eight through the end will be on, but I'll try to finish out the series.

Finally, caught another arc of Classic Who and started season fourteen. I can't remember how many seasons the fourth doctor had, but I think I'm at the halfway point.

And that's pretty much it for this week. Tonight's post is from Major Issues, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Ellis Wright, a damn good pilot who works hard at her job, runs into an old nemesis—Major Anton Bernhard—and he tries to put her on the defensive again. But Ellis isn't the same raw cadet from five years ago. This time around she'll bring in her backup—Trey Shuttleworth—if she can convince him the rumor about her affair with the major isn't true.

And a sneaky peek…

"Ellis Wright, lieutenant. Reporting as ordered." Ellis stood at attention in front of the officer's desk.

The officer faced away from her, the tall back of the chair only showing a dark head of hair.

"Lieutenant Wright, I see you're still bucking orders." The seat spun around to reveal none other than Major Anton Bernhard. "Looks like you didn't learn anything from our previous association." He tapped a stack of folders—her fit reps—on the desk.

Ellis swallowed down the bile rising in her throat. Her worst damned nightmare back to haunt her life. She wouldn't sit back and comply this time.

Staying rigidly formal in her stance, she kept her tone respectful. "I learned you're the worst kind of officer, sir. The type that abuses their rank, power, and subordinates." She gave him a sweet smile even though her blood pressure soared.

Bernhard smirked. "Hard to prove though. Especially when you're caught trying to fudge the stats."

A blatant lie, which he knew then and now.

Ellis snapped. "I earned those numbers. The right way. But you tried to take it away." And she'd been stupid enough to let him.

Major Bernhard shrugged. "You were an easy mark. You wanted to get out of Delphius so badly you believed me." He got up and came around the desk to stand almost toe-to-toe with her.

Ellis got up in his face. "Damn straight I wanted out. And you thought you'd stop it from happening." She fought hard not to revert back to the terrified cadet she'd been then.

Bernhard shook his head. "Here's the thing. I couldn't have even if I followed through. Your scores were so damned good, they'd have busted me back down to ensign before they'd let you get away." He smirked again. "The fact you fell for the ruse made my victory over you all the sweeter."

Ellis wanted to punch him in the face. "Well, good for you. But I'm a hell of a lot smarter now."

He waved her fit rep back and forth. "Doesn't look like it. Admiral Cain doesn't appreciate officers who buck the system. I can make sure she doesn't find out." His suggestive tone slithered down her spine.

Ellis snorted. "Right. What do you want this time? Something tells me a blowjob isn't gonna do it for you."

Bernhard sneered. "You assume correctly, Lieutenant." He cocked his head and frankly appraised her. "Nothing less than access to your entire body will prevent me from going to the admiral with what I know."

Ellis briefly considered her answer. "I don't think so, Major." She moved to stand toe to toe with the superior officer. "I'm in a relationship." The irony of those words hit hard.

I'm having fun with this one. I'm liking how Ellis is keeping her confidence with the major even if she's still flying by the seat of her pants.

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

ML Skye