Voyages of the Solar Wind 1: A Fire in Heaven Read Online Free Page A

at me.
    "Sweet!" We were both happy now.
    We had our priorities straight when we dropped out of the slipstream around New Haven.
    "New Haven Control, this is the SS Solar Wind out of Helliot II and Port Royal, requesting permission to land." It felt good to say that.
    "Solar Wind, this is New Haven Control, what is the nature of your visit?" He asked.
    "Business, Control. Free Trader picking up a delivery for transport to Gurhin. I'll send you the details." I transmitted the pickup order.
    "Very well, Solar Wind. You are cleared to land at Landing Bay 8 at Haven City Spaceport." He confirmed.
    "Thank you, Control. Received route, and coming in. Solar Wind, out." I cut the com, and Ri was as giddy as I was!
    I landed at Bay 8 and contacted our client. "Solar Wind to Syl Nyles. We are docked at Bay 8 at Haven City Spaceport and awaiting delivery of the shipment."
    "This is Nyles. Very well, Captain Relway. The shipment will be there in five minutes." He said.
    "We'll await delivery, sir." I answered. It would always pay to be polite to a client, I figured.
    We twiddled our thumbs and waited in the cockpit until until we saw them enter the bay. "We're up, Dex!" Ri bounced out of her seat and so did I. We were both grinning like Cheshire Cats when we lowered the boarding ramp and went down to receive the shipment on the hovercart. Two crates of food and a half hour trip to Gurhin, Rilar's home planet, for two K credits. Sweet deal!
    "Here you go, Captain." Nyles handed me the signover log, and I signed my Dex Relway to it.
    "Pleasure doing business, sir. We will have it delivered within the hour." I shook his hand and we carted the shipment up into the ship and down the corridor past our quarters to the hold. Once it was secured, we went back up to the cockpit and lifted after pre-flight.
    We grabbed sky once we were clear of the bay, and I hit Flank Burn all the way out. We broke atmo in less than thirty seconds.
    "OOoooh, Dex! I will NEVER get tired of this speed!" Rilar was even more giddy now.
    "I know, sweety. Neither will I!" I plotted a course for Gurhin and engaged the Slipdrive, entering the slipstream and shooting towards our first payday.
    We exited the slipstream over the tropical paradise that is Gurhin, and hailed Control.
    "Solar Wind, this is Gurhin City Control. What is the nature of your stay?"
    "Business, Control. Delivery of high end foodstuffs for a retirement party. Collection agent is Mr. Leddor." I said.
    "Good copy, Solar Wind. You are clear to land at landing bay 2. Welcome to Gurhin." I'd been there before, but thanked him nonetheless.
    When we landed, our client was waiting for us already. Wow, the Gurinkans take their food seriously!
    We brought our cargo out and signed it over, collecting our payment. "Pleasure doing business, Mr. Keddor."
    "Thank you, Captain. First Officer." He nodded to me and gave a leering bow to Rilar. As he left, I looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
    "No way, Dex. I'm saving myself for the right guy. He is NOT the right guy." She rolled her eyes.
    "Hey, Ri," I said as we walked up the ramp. "I just wanna see you happy."
    She looked at me through narrowed lids as if she wanted to say something, then shrugged and let it go. She slipped her arm around my waist and gave me a hug as we got inside and I raised the ramp and secured the hatch.
    "I know, Dex. I wanna see you happy too." She gave me a quick peck on the cheek.
    "You're the best friend I've ever had, Ri." I hugged her back and kissed her cheek too.
    "And don't you forget it, flyboy!" She laughed.
    "Ok, let's break atmo and go contact Jeka for another job." I grinned. We were now two thousand credits richer!
    Ri grinned back at me. "Yes!"
    We broke atmo at breakneck speed again and some fireworks off our port bow caught my attention. "Ri, we got a battle going on over there." I nodded my head, and Rilar was on her scopes immediately.
    "Looks like a cruiser is getting pounded by another cruiser and some fighters. Not sure