Sunday Snippet: Jammed In

Whew. Very busy week and we had crazy weather to top it off. I'm not a fan of the back and forth super warm one day then very chilly the next. Wreaks havoc on my sinuses, which is never fun.

Also had a busy work week with multiple projects in various stages of completion. The sages also picked this week to start chattering in my ear, which is excellent because I got a lot of writing done. I'm almost finished with two projects and so excited! Brings me one step closer to getting my new venture launched.

Had a very light week of watching television. With so many irons in the fire, TV took a back seat to everything else. I'm honestly in a bit of a weird place with content I want to watch. I've been in the mood to binge shows, but I hate to do that when I have subscriptions to a number of streaming services. Then again, I haven't watched anything on Netflix in forever and I pay for that monthly. Thankfully, other family members watch a lot of that streamer.

I finished up the VIP episode from last week and kind of enjoyed the Tasha backstory. I love television from the late nineties.

Caught another episode of My Life is Murder. Alexa is growing on me a little. She often grates, which I think is a character trait. Blunt honesty is fine, but there's a cruel edge to hers sometimes and I'm not a fan of that in a main character.

Enjoyed another episode of Agatha Raisin. The cast of characters is so much fun. I love when the sidekicks get in on the action. I kind of pegged the murderer early in this one, but I like being able to pick them out then see how they actually committed the crime.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness. I'm enjoying the slightly different format in this season, but I miss having the team function as a team together.

Watched another episode of Death in Paradise. One of my favorites that I got to watch all the way through the first time. I agree with Humph … the genius of the murder kind of blew me away.

Also caught another episode of Battlestar Galactica. The opening eps of season three are so, so good. Actually, the first twelve episodes are pretty terrific. After that, things kind of go slightly sideways, but this show is still one of the best I've ever watched.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Jammed In, a novella that brings a couple together during an emergency situation.

Here's the mini-blurb:

A simple clean up goes awry when a junior officer mixes the wrong chemicals together, leaving senior officers, Barrie Scott and Walsh Clinton, to sort the mess out. The two ranking members have to fight their feelings when they're forced to double up and share a bunk until the contaminant is cleared.

And a sneaky peek…

Two hours after Walsh left, Barrie had a good schedule ready for him and headed up toward his office.

The alarm klaxon sounded for a chemical spill—a series of low tones in rapid succession.

The overhead communication system kicked on. "Attention all decks, pass the word. Lieutenant Scott and Captain Clinton report to junior officer quarters." The alert repeated and the klaxon continued.

Barrie took on at a dead run. "Dammit, Washout." Her gut screamed he'd be behind whatever happened.

The guy could fly like a dream but his common sense out of the cockpit left a lot to be desired. A chemical spill could be a nonevent or a major catastrophe. With Ford Callis, aka Washout, involved she'd lean toward catastrophic.

She charged down to the junior pilots' quarters and pushed her way through the growing crowd. "Make a hole, people." She stumbled to a halt beside the drop door.

Sure enough, Washout paced back and forth, his gaze pointed upward as if seeking divine inspiration—or forgiveness—from the universe.

The drop door confirmed catastrophic. "What did you do, Washout?" She really didn't want to know.

Callis started to explain, but Barrie caught sight of Walsh and held up a hand. "Hold up. Captain Clinton is making his way through the spectators. No need to explain twice." She gazed at the black tar-like mess in the bunk room, her nose burning and eyes stinging even though the six-inch thick, hydraulically sealed hatch did its job keeping the toxic fumes at bay.

The contamination level gauge still registered in the red, but slowly crept down. Judging by the crawl of progression, at least another twenty-four hours would be needed before the all clear to unseal the hatch. Who the hell knew how long before they could get everything back in order for use?

Walsh finally arrived and heaved a sigh when he got a look inside the space. Barrie nodded, indicating Washout could begin his explanation.

Callis flung an arm out. "Look, basically I was busting out the cleaning, but I came in after someone else had already put sealant on the deck." He frowned. "I used the Exceliclean, and, well, you can see what happened." He waved a hand toward the window.

Barrie cringed. Geez. He mixed a powerful cleaner with the still-wet sealant, which created the tar-like substance covering the deck. To top everything off, the interaction caused noxious fumes that could burn skin on contact, harm nasal passages and lungs, and irritate eyes. All of which created major problems.

Walsh nailed Washout with a hard glare. "Callis, what's the first rule of working with chemicals?"

Ford flushed. "Check the log to see what's been used before." He squirmed under the scrutiny of everyone there.

Walsh didn't relent. "And the second?" His eyebrows arched.

Callis sighed. "Confirm there are no hazardous interactions when going with something new?" His face flushed deep red.

Walsh got up close and personal with Washout. "Did you follow the rules?"

A round of snorts and laughter followed the question.

Washout mumbled his reply. "No, sir." His red-rimmed eyes filled with fluid.

Barrie stepped in. "And now we've got twelve pilots cut off from their racks and their gear until the contaminant levels are in the green and the mess can be safely cleaned. Do you know how hard it is to remove that tar crap?" Not that she had more than a passing knowledge of the difficulty, thank the universe.

Callis sighed again. "I have a feeling I'm going to find out."

Walsh slapped him on the shoulder. "You're damned right. But first you're going to the infirmary to get checked out and cleared for duty." He turned to address everyone. "Quarters are off limits. Check the ready room after 1500 to get temporary bunk assignments. Until then, the rec areas and gyms will have to do." His voice rose over the outburst of displeasure. "See the quartermaster for gear and uniforms."

People started to disperse, but Barrie stayed back. Her mind spun, trying to picture how to manage this situation on top of the update project.

She met Walsh's gaze. "So, what's the plan?" She had no doubt he'd be roped into solving this crisis too.

Having a lot of fun writing this one. I love having a random catastrophe bring a couple together.

 

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

ML Skye