Councilor: Book Six of The Channel Riders

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s of Haven to the back of her mind. The concerns of the fledgling community were still there, but now ther

it was seasonally based. Expecting that was unrealistic and Elena had the feeling she would be trading her overt interactions with the military for more covert ones.

tood Smith's bluster and bullying, his use of the phrase 'National Security' to justify his often completely unrealistic demands. She knew followin

urrently checking the sails. Before shipping out Elena suspected that Johnathan was in fact Jennifer's father. She managed to get Johnathan to submit to a DNA test, letting h

definitely Jen

the Girl's Home guardian did his best, but was often handicapped by strict regulations and long held traditions. Devon was a good man, but Elena knew Jennifer's childhood was less than ideal. She knew it added another layer of issues besides

ut it. He'd know her better." She shook her head, sick of her own thoughts. She tried looking a

he pilot house. The cat looked at her disdainfully and began to give herself a tongue bath. Used to

things, small eateries and local bars. By the time Elena named it as her home port and arranged for the Storm Chasers' berth, most of the oceanic traffic in the area died off. The docks saw barely enough traffic to remain viable and many buildings were derelict and aban

temporary rooms those docked at port could use for the few nights they spent on shore, small stores popped up bet

repaired and waiting for winter, piers had missing boards replaced, warehouses were repaired and more often than not secured with something higher tech than the rusty padlocks th

it to her warehouse to be secured. As Elena watched, Jennifer came up to her. The slim girl lost the somewhat overly pale look that most of those who lived primarily on the DF s

er apprentices are going out tonight,

n this case the spare room in her apartment. They spent so little time earthside however that occas

nnifer said

or so you aren't trying to spend alien currency. We'll be earthside at least th

ewhat stunned. As they spent the usually quiet off-season

ansport runs throughout the off season even when the Storm Chaser remained docked. Each run of the circuit, she tried opening the new channel, officially dubbed the Elena much to Elena's chagrin. Jen

ftly looking somewhat dazed. "What a

a told her. Jennifer nodded, hefted her bag

I thought that was forbidden." As during the season Elena was usually lucky to get one night

ictor will have a ton of paperwork for me and I

ding the off season sky

"I don't like leaving

terrorize the townsfolk

orm of martial law and Mateo will lead a revolution." Elena told hi

, " Thompson corrected. "You

hefted her bag to her shoulder and she and Thompson moved over to the lockers. Jennifer was a

t back on. She left it off as she tucked it into her back pocket,

er need again. The chief of which was the electronic key for her quarters on the Docking Facility. The DF was destroyed so the lock the key went to

of his locker, leaving it empty before closing and loc

come back and need to us

the project over, won't you

"Missing me alr

l question, "

ren't trying to wiggle ou

aid date if I was going to wiggle out of it

ll get until I know my sched

finished. Thompson's grin w

ld their own channel riding vessels was scrapped due to budgetary concerns, Thompson's letter was several pages longer than her notice. Thompson swung his bag to

Thompson began to whistle as he walked. Elena frowned at

ok her head and looked down at Spin. The cat mewled plaintively and looked at the closed door as if willing Thompson to return. During his time with them,

too." Not that she would ever admit that to him of course. He

I can soak in a bathtub full of the hottest water I can stand. Then, " she continued. "I'll paint my toenails, waste some electricity on the frivolity of a bad monster movie and not answer any phone calls,

oor looked around and seemed disappointed that Thompson was nowhere to be seen. Elena turned towards

so the chef of Dockside Annie's. At the moment, the rather eccentric chef had taken on the responsibility of feeding Haven and delegated control of the earthside kitchen to her sous chef Raymond. Elena knew th

ving too much fun and was not ready to go. Apparently an entire planet full of new ingredients to exp

med to have a bevy of folks at her command, ready and willing to obey her orders. It was somewhat disconcerting. Elena shrugged. "Well as long as she is happy

g a quick and quiet meal were slim to none. For a second, she thought about turning around and picking something up at a drive through. Spin mewled her impatience at her feet and Ele

ng up a menu from the stack on her

he air and haughtily led them to the table the hostess arranged for them. The table had four chairs and in one was placed a decorative pillow. Spin immediately t

. She tried to pretend her cousin's presence didn't bother her as she took a seat. As long as Therese was willing to remain on the other side of th

d up the menu and began looking over her options. Once on the DF, Therese allowed her anger to spew, telling Elena that she would take their grandfather's seat on the council and that Elena would not get in h

vealed to the Council as a whole. She liked to believe that Therese had the brains to at least not rock the boat too much when things were already so unstable, but ha

not to let it ruin her meal. As long as Therese kept her distance, she wouldn't worry about it. At the moment there was already a host of other more pressing concerns to serve a

?" Elena recognized the voice and looked up to find Peter Baranov sta

smiling politely. "I did

use." He told her. He gestured towards the empty

ty for the merchandise their jointly owned business, Nibbles, sold, it contained both a testing facility where off world foods could be tested for known allergens, and a commercial kitc

Spin cracked open an eye and stared at him a moment before once again dismissing him. U

side. In fact, all of the Council spent the off season earthside. It was an issue that many in the Guild were not happy with, creating an almost palatable uneasiness. Even though the Matrovea

rking on ways to expand merchandi

s a conversational minefield. In addition, Elena wasn't certain how her recent change in status altered their dynamic. Previously, he started edging from professional into more personal waters. Since arriving in Haven however he returned to all business and she wasn't s

you would like?" h

s and fingerling potatoes." She told him. Elena picked up the papers from the table. "And if you could pass these to Raymond when you get a

n, " Peter said reachi

"It was just my tur

arth based food were a host of interstellar items that many of the Guild had grown fond of, albeit renamed to disguise th

confession. "When it gets here, I'm willing to bet that the chicken will taste like

have to say I was getting rather fond of

lena said with a smile. "Although I st

inion of the area and food. Elena avoided all mention of her rise to the position of Councilor, Andre, and how she managed to open and pass

ver actually admitted it was his and she didn't want to look as though she were prying. If nothing else, looking as though she were prying

their separate checks and Spin jumped off of her pillow to lead the way to the door. As they walked through the dining room towards the door, Elena no

g availability or by choice. Oddly enough, Elena spotted several of Therese's usual companions seated across the room. As she noticed them,

aid, mostly to herself a

noise and wondered if she could get Victor to identify her cousin's new pals before it became an issue. If Peter thought they bore watching, she had the feeling she might

ed, seeing nothing special a

y moving on Thompson is too. Hopefully going somewhere far, far away. Your ship's cat

of the House of Nelson and could legitimately return without the military imperative. As Peter sauntered away and she slid behind her steering w

, " Elena said to herself. "That's it for toni