Chains of Command

[Boss]

Mike just gave me that "I-told-you-so" sort of a look. I grinned sheepishly and stood up. Eli walked to the boarding ramp controls and activated them. I must have been seeing things, because it looked like they glowed for a second. I didn't have time to worry about that, though, because the ramp descended and Eli tilted his head to one side slightly, then waved me aboard.

"Jackson, crew reports we're ready for launch." Eli took a last cursory look around the hangar before he walked up the ramp behind Mike, who pointed. I tracked with my eyes to find a small cabin, door open.

"It's cozy, but the trip won't be too long. It's only two jumps out, where we're headed." Mike turned and headed for the cockpit. I examined the room. One bunk, about waist height, along the left wall from the door. Storage under that, a desk and chair on the right. Towards the back was a small restroom that doubled as a clothes hangar. I took off my gear and stowed it, then hit the bunk for a rest.

With a clunk of releasing clamps, the Grizzly lifted off and headed for the hangar doors.