Sunday Snippet: In Enemy Territory (A Blackraven Banner novella)

Wow, another rough week on the home front. My middle kiddo is really struggling right now and I hate not being able to help him even though he's an adult. He's really tired of landing in the emergency department but we might be getting closer to figuring out what's going on with him. A few specialist appointments in September might help even more.

Didn't get as much television viewed but had a decent amount nonetheless. Started out with The Brokenwood Mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed the episode. I really like seeing previous characters in their recurring roles.

Finished up Silent Witness's second episode and don't remember watching it during my first viewing. Glad I got to see it.

Watched an arc of Classic Who and should be finished up with the season eighteen soon. I think it might be the last one for Four.

Got another episode of UFO Witness viewed and rather enjoyed this one. Still feels staged but I liked the deep dive into whether there's a secret underground base of operations for aliens.

Caught two episodes of The Muppet Show with Raquel Welch and James Coco as the guest stars. About halfway through season three and looking forward to more.

Finished out McCartney 3, 2, 1 and would love to see more. So many great moments and songs in this brief look into Paul McCartney's journey as a musician.

Watched another episode of Peak Practice and ended up liking it a lot. Will can be such a prat sometimes but I like that about his character.

Enjoyed another lesson on Master Class. LeVar Burton focused on reading to children and interacting with them about the source material. Very interesting!

Started Inside the Episodes: The Witcher and loved going back to revisit the first episode. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Caught another episode of New Rugrats and loved it. I really enjoy the updated version of this show.

Finishing out the week with Chicago Med and it's a heat wave episode. I'm totally feeling that this week. It got hot again.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from In Enemy Territory, a Blackraven Banner novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Verity Jones and Emory Cavendish welcome a new CO under the Blackraven banner. Lawrence Worthington hits the ground running and gets up to speed quickly. He has to—the mission rate doubles when a group of resistance teams get ambushed simultaneously. He needs every member—including Verity—at the top of their game and he has to find out how the enemy got their hands on the base locations.

And a preview snippet…

Verity scrubbed the grease off her hands and redid her ponytail. Nervous tension roiled in her gut about meeting the new CO. She grabbed the edge of the sink and exhaled slowly.

"Probably just feeling some guilt over Whitcomb's downfall." Then again, the guy tried to get her killed.

Pushing away from the sink, she finished getting cleaned up and exited the head. Standing outside, she stripped off her coveralls in the hall. The door opened and a major entered the corridor, no doubt the new commanding officer.

Verity hoped he'd walk right on by and give her a few moments to get situated. She thought she might be in the clear when he strolled past but then he paused and turned around.

He spoke to her back. "Soldier, is there a reason you're stripping in the corridor?"

Verity froze for a second. Damn. It figures. Nothing for it, she'd have to brazen it out.

She stepped out of the coveralls, squared her shoulders, and turned to face the new CO. "It's specialist, sir. I'm a civilian. As for removing my coveralls…" She rolled the clothing up, starting with the legs. "That was to make myself presentable … to meet you, sir." She tucked the rolled-up garment under her arm and thrust her hand forward. "Specialist VJ Jones."

He shook her hand, giving her a curious once-over.  "Jones as in—"

She nodded, assuming he meant her dad. "As in. Yes, sir."

His lips curved in a wry twist. "So, you're Cavendish's girl."

What did he mean? "Excuse me?" Her head spun with the abrupt change in topic.

She usually had to chitchat about her dad before switching gears. She had a whole spiel ready to go. Discussing her relationship with Emory didn't seem appropriate.

The major nodded. "The CAG sings your praises, Jones. You feature prominently in his reports."

She ducked her head. "I do my part, sir. No more or less than anyone else around here."

He gave her a long look. "You're nothing like your dad. Which means you and I are going to get along just fine." A sheepish chuckle followed his statement.

She barely had time to process the comment before Emory's voice preceded him down the corridor.

"Jones! Hop to it—" He stopped short then snapped to attention. "Major Worthington, sir. The men are in the briefing room, awaiting your arrival."

The pieces clicked into place when Verity heard his name. Major Lawrence Worthington—the second best pilot of the united forces. That explained the earlier comment.

Verity turned to face Emory. "Sorry I'm late. I found the new CO—or move to the point—he found me."

They walked toward Emory and Worthington sent him on to get the men ready. Verity stopped to put her coveralls in the wash station.

She fell into step beside the major. "So, you're…"

Worthington cracked a smile. "Yeah, I am." He entered the briefing room and headed to the front of the space.

Verity grabbed a seat in the back and settled in for the opening remarks. Life would certainly be interesting from this point forward.

I love how this series is coming together. Verity and Emory are a joy to write and the secondary characters are also fun.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye