Sunday Snippet: Wings Get Clipped

May is flying by at a rapid pace. This week has been intense with burning the candle at both ends for me. This is a good day to take some downtime, which I'm trying to do today.

Work exploded this week with multiple projects dropping into my inbox. I have four nonfiction manuscripts and three fiction manuscripts in various stages of editing. I don't normally have seven different projects going at the same time but, so far, I'm managing them. It'll make for a nice June once they're all turned in.

Had an amazing week of viewing. I got a full round of shows in and caught a couple of extras. Also started a new show that might be sporadically viewed until it's available for streaming.

I started a rewatch of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries this week. I'm waiting on some new episodes of a few other shows to drop and this is such a comfort series for me.

Caught another episode of Brokenwood Mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very twisty and turny, which is always fun.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. I'm happy to have some Naomi backstory. I'd love to see a bit more of that for the characters.

Started a from the beginning run of Poirot. I've seen quite a few episodes of this show but haven't watched any of them in order. This is another filler series until new episodes start dropping of my current shows.

Watched another episode of Elementary and quite enjoyed it. I'm always interested when weird cases pop up and the cryogenics angle ended up being interesting.

Caught an episode of Batman Beyond and have some vague memories of the first time I watched it. I'm wondering if the Ts are in any way a throwback to Mr. Terrific. I might have to dive down that rabbit hole at some point.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. I don't remember either of these vignettes and I liked both.

I finished up an episode of Peak Practice and might start another one this week. This is one of my back burner shows and I'm happy I got to finish watching.

Started a new-to-me series and watched Reacher. Gotta say I loved the first episode. I did a bit of dive into write-ups of future seasons, and I think I'll stick with this one.

Also got a minimarathon of Return to Paradise in over the weekend. I'm looking forward to streaming this one when it's available in the US. Really enjoyed the first three episodes and I'm excited to see the rest.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Wings Get Clipped, a novella that brings a couple together when they get caught up in a vendetta between their superior officers.

Here's the miniblurb:

In the middle of a war, a long-standing personal vendetta comes to light against Schuler Grace and Gren Gambolina's commanding officer and it puts the two soldiers directly in the line of fire. Fighting the enemy within, while doing battle with their adversaries on the warfront, Schuler and Gren form an unbreakable bond to see them through their biggest challenge.

And a sneaky peek…

Schuler skidded to a stop next to Gren, blinking in confusion. What the hell? He's not getting updates and he's playing with wood and glue?

Wharton didn't even glance up from working on the model ship. "What's the problem here?" He added a dab of glue to a sail and affixed it to the mast.

Gren and Schuler started a verbal back and forth, finishing each other's sentences.

"Sir, you know the admiral has it in for you. Transferring us—"

"Only serves to isolate you even more. He knows we'd have your back—"

"No matter what. Why are you doing this without a fight?"

He continued working, mulling their concern. "Maybe I think you'll be better at covering my six while firmly ensconced in enemy camp." Another dab of glue, another piece added.

He had a point. A good one. But…

Gren threw a hand out. "Does anyone else not see how we're talking about members of our own fleet as the enemy?"

Schuler snorted. "So? They're our foes. They don't play by the same rules. The fact they're gunning for us sort of proves that, yeah?"

Wharton paused. "Not everyone on that ship is against us. You'll find allies." He glanced up from his tedious work. "But choose them wisely. Lotta people like to play both sides." His gruff voice held a wealth of experience.

Did he make a mistake early in his career? Trust the wrong person? That would explain one hell of a lot.

Gren tried to dig a little deeper. "Commander, maybe if we knew what we're up against, we'd have better results."

Wharton set the glue and model piece aside then briskly rubbed his hands together. "What don't you know, Lieutenant? My two top pilots and squadron leaders have been reassigned to the admiral's flagship." He got up, grabbed a towel, and wiped any remaining glue residue from his hands. "You're the new blood on deck, meaning you have to earn respect and fight for a place to call yours." He pinned both with his piercing stare. "You'll have your hands full, which you're used to but they don't know that." An eyebrow raised, a silent question of whether he needed to go on.

Schuler gave a terse nod. "And that gives us the opportunity to wait, watch, and win some people over." An exercise in extreme patience.

Wharton's lips curved. "Sounds like you have everything you need." He glanced toward the hatch. "You're dismissed."

With little choice, Schuler turned on her heel and started toward the exit.

Gren followed but delivered a parting shot before leaving. "Sir … I can't shake the feeling something dark is coming. I don't like it."

Wharton didn't pull his punches. "Something dark isn't coming, Lieutenant. It's already here."

Well, hell.  

I'm happy with how this story is coming together. I love writing a good vendetta, especially when one of the character's is unhinged.

 

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

ML Skye