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Time to look for the author...*** "Luktra's Return" part two |
"Luktra's Return" part two
The next day, as promised, Luktra arrived at Aster Ships, in Britich Columbia, Canada. He was graciously acknowledged by the young woman Aster had as a secretary.
'Mr. Aster is expecting you, Commander," the secretary said.
Luktra was tempted to correc the woman, that he hadn't been a ranked officer in the Galae for decades, actually just over a half-century, but he also knew Jeremy Aster had told her to say that. "Hann yyo, Miss," he acknowledged and walked into the office.
"Luke! You old space dog," Jeremy Aster said rising from his seat. He reached out to grasp his former employee and friend's hand.
"Jeremy," Luktra replied, taking Aster's hand. "How is the family?"
"Sarah is as awnry as ever," Aster complained, though Luktra knew better about the man's wife. "Sean has two children now. He's out checking on the liners as we speak, and JD is still chief engineer out on that God-forsaken Atlantis Station, but... he is not complaining.... at least to me."
"Good," Luktra said. He knew how fond Aster was of both his boys. Sean was Jeremy's son, and JD was actually Jeremy's nephew, who had been orphaned early in his life and came to live with them. Luktra also knew the Jeremy had wanted both boys in on the family business, but JD had insisted on following in his own parent's footsteps and went into Starfleet.
"How is your grandson making out at the Academy?" Jeremy asked. He had met Malachi when the cadet was designing his shuttle for the Academy race. "It's unfortunate he did not win the race. That shuttle has got some power to it."
"Ie," Luktra replied with a sentimental smile. "He's a bright boy, and is doing quite well in his classes. The academy ship went M.I.A. last month while on a training cruise, and while Mal is not speaking a lot about it, I believe he had a big hand in getting them home again."
"I saw that!" Aster exclaimed. "He was aboard that flight? Wow. Starfleet has not let out much about it, except the usual canned explanations for the return of a M.I.A. ship."
Luktra nodded. "So.... what do we have?"
Jeremy turned to the wall on his right and touched a control. The wall became a large monitor, and three cruise liners appeared. "Here's the three ships I have availalble," he told Luktra. "I have them as loaners for when we have to do major repairs to client ships." He pointed to the one in the center. "This one's yours."
Luktra looked at the image. He raised a brow at the name. S.S. Solaere. "How appropriate," he remarked to Aster. Solaere meant "help" or "aid" in Rihannsu. "I have contacted Daniel Hunt to captain the third ship and have lined up crews for all three."
"You got ahold of Hunt?" Jeremy asked, quite amazed. "I haven't spoke to him in years."
"I talk to him quite often," Luktra confided. "He comes by the farm often and goes horse-back riding, just like someone else, I know, has said he would do."
Aster blushed. "I know, I know. I just get so caught up in the business, and of course my grandchildren."
"I understand," Luktra admitted. He really enjoyed it when either April or Lukas would bring the grandchildren to the farm, or if they went to visit. "But you really should bring them along."
"If we make it back from this," Aster said with w wry smile, "I'll do just that. How about we go look at the ships, firsthand."
to be continued.
