Landra Graf - Operation Pinpoint

Chapter One

R avenna Joyner glanced at the projected communications screen curled over her right forearm and blinked twice. As if blinking would take away the mission specs scrolling in front of her eyes on repeat. This is bullshit.

She perched on the edge of a hard plastic seat across from her commanding officer, only a metal desk between them. The soft lighting did nothing to hide the cold nature of the room and the functional purpose of the space.

Its the mission. Her boss, Admiral Penchant, didnt look up from whatever communique he reviewed. Never even twitched his bushy gray mustache that distinctly reminded her of a Rostarian offspring. She glanced out the window behind him, which displayed the tube systems and perfect view of the vast city within the Terrain Galactic Federation Mothership.

Sir. She cleared her throat. I came to discuss possibility of being assigned to the search and rescue of the Perseus.

Theres already another crew allocated to that one.

She knew that, and normally shed have backed down. Not this time, not with Yve missing. Im aware, but I have to be on this one.

How were you informed? Admiral Penchant lifted his gaze from the screen in front of him to her. Those narrowed eyes were the same ones shed had staring at her from the moment shed entered the service. Ravenna debated about telling the truth, or at least some of it.

I had contact with someone on the vessel. We were communicating when the feed cut. That was over two weeks ago, and access to link to the Perseus has since been restricted.

Penchant frowned. So, you took it upon yourself to do a little investigating. Thats in your file, Joyner. Ive seen the number of times youve used your rank and prestige from the battlefield to circumvent rules and regs.

How the hell else am I supposed to get anything done? Weve become a military operation that enjoys pushing papers and people around like pegs on a moving board without a purpose. Ive got to be on the mission, Admiral.

She pushed herself to a standing position and moved over to the window, revealing the city below, the marketplace visible. She could even trace the pneumatic tube route she would have traveled to Yves apartment. I have to find her.

Penchant stroked at the edge of his mustache. Angling for another promotion, eh? Fine. Ill put you on the damn mission, but you report to Captain Rothschild.

Her stomach curdled at the sound of his name. She hated the sanctimonious puffer. Only had his rank because his daddy was some hot shot in Space Force Logistics. Shed been cut from rougher cloth, hewn from Ops stock, born and bred for top secret missions and doing the things other branches didnt want to know about.

I should be leading this. Her mouth sometimes got ahead of her.

Its this or nothing. You shouldnt be going. There are other assignments worth your skills, not a recovery operation.

Recovery implied people werent still alive.

If I have anything to do with it, this will be a rescue mission.

Penchant typed out the orders, gave his wristband a flash to the scanner, and motioned to Ravenna. Show your badge.

She held up her arm and waited for the telltale beep. The ident code built into her skin transferred to the system, confirming her request. Shed have to report to Rothschild, but shed suck it up for a chance to save Yve.

There, youre assigned to the Perseus Op. Meet Rothschild at the prison and get the hell out of my office.

She snapped to attention, fired off a quick salute, and pivoted on her heels to march out of the office. Once outside the doors, she let out a huff of air and looked heavenward.

Hold on, Yve, she whispered under her breath. She glanced at the hallway before her, the patterned rug lining the path past other offices belonging to other upper rank members of Space Force. Periodically throughout the passage were posted sentries, men and women whose sole job was to monitor the activity coming and going from command. These younger grunts were specially selected and were products of parents unwilling to let their adult children go to the front lines.

Captain, sir?

Her gaze snapped toward the soldier on her left. Yes?

Im to escort you to the prisoner holding area. Admiral sent the order. Youre to meet the rescue crew there.

Lead the way. Because there was no break for the enlisted. Not even when she needed five damn minutes to breathe through this new wrinkle in her plans. Shed be off-world again after just getting back from the last trip not even two days prior. But Yve, her lover, came first. The woman reminded Ravenna of what it meant to have something more than service to Space Force.

The black-haired beauty had been something to look forward to on a Mothership Ravenna almost didnt recognize anymore.

Things were constantly evolving on Space Forces primary vessel, the ship tasked with housing the whole of humanity that never stopped its slow journey through space. Though for all the beautiful structures and purposeful duty, Ravenna found the towers and tube systems lacking in life. It was why she had to get Yve back.

Her mind needed to be focused on the mission, the rescue.

The tube system served as primary transportation across the Mothership, but clearance determined access. Even now, her escort didnt have the proper authorization to approve passage to the prison section. The buzz pitch of rejection paired with a glimmer of red, repeating over and over.

Ravenna stepped toward him. Allow me.

She swiped her badge over the terminal, and a tonal high pitch beeped along with an accepting green light. Then the container within the tube moved. Ravenna braced herself against the wall, enjoying how the ride tended to force people into silence. Though, having ones insides at the mercy of forces of gravity made a person less likely to talk. Ravenna never had a problem with tube travel or the gravitational forces at play. Her stomach stayed still, and her muscles didnt contract or move. Probably due to all the extra muscle enhancers shed been given.

As elite ops military members, they were afforded the bonus stuff designed to ensure their body maximized all nutrition and stayed in peak fighting form no matter the conditions. The technology had been adapted from one of the many alien species humanity had come in contact with over the last couple hundred years.

Captain, do you have any weapons on you?

Ravenna eyed the younger soldier, his hat slightly askew from the tube ride. His face was clean shaven, though hed missed a small patch on the right side of his neck.

I do. Always.

The tube slowed to a stop.

Arrived. Mother Ship Prisoner Holding Facility. Please check all weapons at the entrance, a feminine tone announced.

Ravenna almost responded with some additional snark but decided to go easy on the unseasoned military escort. You have time to stay?

He blinked repeatedly, those blue eyes like a hydrogen nebulaall swirls of randomness. If the captain needs me.