Sunday Snippet: Major Issues

Still bitterly cold in Ohio, but by midweek, we'll see high forties and low fifties and lots of rain. We're going to have a lot of sick people in the near future. The back-and-forth weather is horrible for keeping folks healthy.

Busy work week again, which I'm so thankful for. I'm also working on my new venture and should have news soon. I'm hoping by February.

Decent viewing week. I didn't quite make a full run-through of all my shows, but I got very close.

Started with My Life Is Murder again. Very interesting episode with some fun backstory. I love getting more information about the characters.

Watched a holiday episode of Agatha Raisin. This one kicked off season four and it ended up being a lot of fun. I loved the mix of characters.

Finally continued my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica with the feature of Razor. We had to backtrack a little to pick up with this one. I'd forgotten how much I loved Lee in this special feature.

Caught an episode of Silent Witness, which finished up a two-parter. I feel for Jack, and I loved getting some more details about his family. I feel for what Ryan's been through, but I'm glad Jack is finished covering for his brother.

Watched another episode of Death in Paradise. This is another episode I didn't get to see, and I quite enjoyed following the clues. Looking forward to another episode

Enjoyed another episode of Elementary. Lots of twists and turns in this one. Also loved Joan trying to find Sherlock a sponsor and him not quite being able to just say he doesn't want her to leave at the end of her contract.

Caught the final episode of The Batman season one. Excellent finale with three of the big bads trying to unmask Batman. Also loved the introduction of Commissioner Gordon. Looking forward to starting season two.

Watched another episode of Classic Rugrats. Both vignettes were ones I didn't remember so nice to have something new to me.

Started season two of The Secret Life of Amy Benson and rather liked the first episode. I'm a little curious how much book detail is being left out, but I don't think it takes away from what we're seeing.

Also started an episode of VIP but didn't get to finish it. I'm not even sure what's going on yet.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Major Issues, a novella that cements a couple's relationship by pitting them against an old foe.

Here's the miniblurb:

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…

Trey Shuttleworth stood outside his dad's quarters ready to knock on the bulkhead. But his hand paused midway to the metal framing. The elder Shuttleworth had the handset to his ear and his head bent over a fitness report.

Trey lowered his arm and waited … interrupting Will Shuttleworth, commanding officer of the ship, never went well. Not even if Trey happened to be related to him.

"Yes, admiral. I've got the jacket right in front of me. Ellis Wright, ensign." He flipped through several pages. "Looks like she's more than qualified. Her scores are damn close to my son's."

Trey's eyes widened. "Shit. I'd like to meet this Ensign Wright." Especially if her stats almost matched his.

Because he worked his ass off to top the roster when he went through flight school. Anything less would've been untenable. When your dad sets the bar high, you learn to hit altitude at an early age.

That had been his reasoning. He wondered what Ellis Wright had to prove…

"She did what with whom?"

Trey risked a quick look inside his dad's quarters. His dad quickly flipped to the last page of the file and scanned the contents. Trey bit back a groan when Will frowned.

Not a good sign.

Will leaned back in his seat. "Is this information verified? With qualifications like hers, she wouldn't need to—" He broke off and listened for a moment. "Right. Okay. I appreciate the heads-up, admiral. I'll keep this in mind." Another pause then a quick nod. "Yes. Thank you." He ended the call and heaved a sigh.

Trey tried not to form any judgments about his dad's new pilot, not when he only had one side of the conversation. But the part he'd overheard sounded pretty damning. Whatever Ensign Wright did and who she did it with—and frankly, it wouldn't be much of stretch to guess—an admiral felt the need to warn her new commanding officer.

His dad pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.

Trey took the opportunity to knock on the bulkhead. "Hey, Dad. Did I catch you at a bad time?" He took one step into the quarters.

Will glanced up with his eyebrows arched. "You're here early. You made good time." He closed the file and absently tapped it with his forefinger.

Trey tucked his cover under his arm and nodded. "I did, yeah. I can come back later if this is a bad time." He'd like to catch up with his old man, but only if he wouldn't be distracted.

Will lifted his chin. "Why don't I meet you in the mess? I've got a couple of things to check on then I'll be free to visit." He rubbed his palm over the file.

Trey put his cap back on. "Sure, Dad. You want the usual spicy noodles with stir-fried veg?"

Will's lips curved. "Sounds good. Thanks." He glanced down to the fitrep again.

Trey turned and headed for the hatch.

His dad picked up the handset but called out. "Hey…"

Trey angled his head around. "Yeah?"

Will gave him a tired smile. "It's good to see you, son. I won't be long."

Trey flashed a quick grin and exited quarters. His mouth twisted into a frown as soon as he cleared the threshold. He had a new mission as soon as he got back to his ship … track down whatever information he could get on Ensign Ellis Wright.

I like how this story is coming together. Trey is going to have a lot of fun trying to figure Ellis out.

 

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

ML Skye