Troy Rising 3 - The Hot Gate (55 page)

“Sir…? What’s the music?”

“I’m not a big Stones fan,” Vernon said, closing the hatch and leaning against it. “But the only thing I could think of that was appropriate was ‘Gimme Shelter.’ ”

* * *

Given the news from E Eridani, which had included stories about how many of the civilian construction crews had given their lives in last month’s battle, Cody Hardy was wondering if maybe he should have just joined the Navy instead of signing up for training with Apollo as an welder’s apprentice. But he really wasn’t into “three bags full” and not only was it top-notch training it got him deferred from military service.

Other than that, he had no idea what he was getting himself into.

The instructor for “Introduction to Space Operations” wasn’t much to look at. Kinda old, maybe thirty, short, bald and wearing a bad suit. He had a kinda funny look in his eyes.

“My name is James Allen,” Butch said in a gravelly voice. “You will address me and all your instructors, as Mister or Missus and their last names. You will not call me James or Jim. It is Mister Allen. You may be wondering why I sound like a three pack a day smoker…”