Covert Talents – Snippet 2
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Covert Talents: Age of Expansion, Uprise Saga: Book One
By Amy DuBoff & Michael Anderle
Snippet 2
“Have a seat, Lieutenant.” Kurtz gestured toward a metal chair across from his desk.
“Thank you, sir.” She sat down but didn’t bother to get comfortable. Prior experience with that particular seat had revealed it was impossible.
“I understand that you ran into some trouble at the NTech lab.”
He has such a way with understatement. Ava nodded. “Yes, sir. Our intel said the facility was abandoned, but we encountered armed guards and a military-grade mech.”
“A mech? Indoors?”
“Barely fit in the hallway, sir.”
Kurtz frowned. “I’m glad your team was able to fulfill the mission objective despite those setbacks.”
‘Setbacks’? That’s how he’s going to play it? Ava leaned forward in her chair, forearms resting on her knees. “Sir, may I speak freely?”
He gave the hint of an exasperated sigh but quickly composed himself. “Permission granted.”
“Someone doctored the mission brief.”
Kurtz studied her. “What makes you say that?”
“The resistance we encountered wasn’t some new arrival that walked in moments before us. They had been there, and there wasn’t any shielding around the facility to have hidden the thermal outputs. Someone knew that facility was occupied, but the FDG would not have received data retrieval authorization for an active private lab. They wanted us to think it was abandoned so we’d go in.” Ava leaned back and crossed her arms.
“I can’t deny the possibility,” Kurtz said after a ten-second pause.
“Was it you, sir?”
The colonel’s eyes widened, taking on a hint of yellow. “Why would I put one of my best teams at risk like that?”
“Because you knew we could handle it, like we did.”
“You have a unique ability, Ava.” Kurtz folded his hands on the desktop. “Few others would have been able to get the password for those files.”
That was a roundabout admission of guilt, if ever there was one. But why? “Before we left, the man I… ‘interrogated’… indicated that there’s something going on with the Nezarans, and potentially beyond that.”
The colonel swallowed. “The FDG’s responsibility is to assess threats and carry out orders in the best interest of the Etheric Federation. You have performed admirably in retrieving information to support those goals.”
If the FDG hadn’t worked out, Kurtz would have made one hell of a politician. Ava flashed a prim smile. “Happy to do my part, sir.”
Kurtz steepled his fingers. “It’s been, what, nine years since you joined the FDG?”
“Yes, sir. Coming up on ten in two months.”
He nodded. “I can tell you’ve been around long enough to know when a superior officer is dodging your questions.”
No shit. Ava decided a shrug was the best response.
“Well, your observations at the NTech lab support a larger pool of evidence we’ve gathered over the past eight months. We’re at the leading edge of a crisis.”
That was surprisingly candid. Ava came to attention. “Sir…?”
“We’ve been tracking a group of researchers in NTech performing illegal genetic experimentation,” Kurtz explained. “The lab you infiltrated was one of those facilities, and the data you retrieved is documentation of the experiments.”
“What kind of experiments?”
“We believe they are trying to make a hybrid—bringing together the traits of Weres and vampires.”
Ava’s mouth involuntarily dropped open. “A… Were-vampire? I thought the nanocytes were incompatible. Once you had one—”
“That had always been our belief, yes. It would seem NTech has discovered—or gained access to—a way to program a new strain of nanocytes. Using some of the old technology from the two Kurtherian clans, they are bypassing the incompatibilities that caused the two types of nanocytes to attack each other. NTech’s reports refer to this new group as the Hochste.”
Were-vampires? What the fuck would a person like that be able to do?! Ava shifted in her chair. “Sir, why are you telling me this?”
“Because we fear that the Nezaran Coalition intends to use these Hochste to attack Alucia, which will soon be a member of the Etheric Federation. We want to stop that conflict before it starts.”
Covert Talents – Snippet 1
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Covert Talents: Age of Expansion, Uprise Saga: Book One
By Amy DuBoff & Michael Anderle
Snippet 1
Lieutenant Ava Landyn raced down the barren concrete corridor. “Retreat!” she shouted into her comm.
Behind her, footsteps echoed from deeper within the underground facility. Too many footsteps.
So much for a quick in and out operation, Ava thought with a grimace, followed by a smirk at the unintended innuendo.
A shout sounded behind her, then a spray of plasma fire lit up the hall. Ava’s HUD politely informed her that enemies had been detected nearby. Really fucking helpful, thanks.
She ducked behind a collection of pipes protruding from the wall. It was terrible cover, but she’d take what she could get.
Glancing toward the exit, she noticed Edwin peeking around a bend in the corridor.
“I thought I ordered a retreat,” Ava said over her comm.
“That was before you got yourself cornered,” Edwin Caites, one of the three massive Were warriors on her team, replied. “No one gets left behind.”
Ava couldn’t help grinning behind the blacked-out faceplate of her helmet. She loved Force de Guerre honor, especially in a time like this. “Lay down some cover fire on my mark. I’m going to try some fancy footwork.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Now!” Steeling her resolve, Ava bolted from behind the pipes.
Her powered armor propelled her down the hall while plasma blasts flew in either direction. She’d only gone three strides when a new warning flashed on her HUD—the concentrated enemy fire was about to overload her armor. Without thinking, she spun in a series of swift circles to diffuse the load on the suit’s electrified skin.
After seven awkward strides of spinning and skipping, Ava made it to the corner where Edwin was hunkered down. She leaped the final step to safety.
“Ma’am, you are a graceful angel,” Edwin said over the comm. His opaque helmet hid his face, but there was no mistaking the amusement in his voice.
“We speak of this to no one.”
Exploration – Snippet 1
Exploration: Age of Expansion, The Ghost Squadron Book 2
By Sarah Noffke, J.N. Chaney, & Michael Anderle
Snippet 1
General Lance Reynolds’ Office, Onyx Station, Paladin System.
“Chief? You there?” asked General Reynolds.
“I’m here. Comms out here aren’t secure, but I don’t have to tell you that,” said Chief Jack Renfro.
“I’ll keep it brief,” said General Reynolds. He stubbed his stogie out, a slight smile on his face. He’d taken to Jack early on. There were very few you could trust when everyone was out to serve themselves or have the Federation serve them. However, Jack Renfro didn’t do something to get something. He’d passed up many promotions because they didn’t make sense for his real ambition. This was a man who wanted to serve in the right position, not the one that got him a better title and more money. At the core, he had always been a servant to the cause.
“I’ve got a job for you,” said Lance.
“When and where do I need to be?” asked Jack.
“You haven’t even heard the details yet.” Lance laughed.
“When did that ever matter between the two of us? If you need my help, then I’m there.”
“I wouldn’t normally ask, but I have a squadron that needs some oversight. I was taking care of it, but I’ve been pulled away for more…pressing matters. I’m sure you know why and by whom,” said Lance.
“I believe I do,” responded Jack.
The cloud of smoke Lance blew out filled his office, making it appear gray. “Anyway, I wouldn’t trust anyone but you to handle this group. They have an incredibly important mission, and I’ve handpicked them myself. I’m sending over the details of the team right now, along with their previous mission assignments. You’ll find that they’ve been quite busy.”
“The report is just coming through. Give me a sec,” said Jack, a shuffling sounding over the comms. “Holy shit, General. You can’t be serious?”
Lance chuckled. “I’m completely serious. See, I thought you’d have fun with this.”
“Those two working together?” he asked. “I’m impressed, boss.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“And you’ve given them the ArchAngel?” asked Jack.
“They have an important mission,” said Lance.
“Damn, and you even brought back Hatcherick, I see. Damn impressive, sir. Haven’t seen a team like this since…well, you know. It’s been a long time.”
“Just wait and see who else I have lined up for this crew,” said Lance.
“Don’t leave me hanging, boss. Send over the report.”
“Does that mean you’ll oversee them?” asked Lance.
“I already told you I was committed, and that was before you gave me the details,” said Jack.
“I knew I could count on you, Chief,” said Lance. “Sending you the rest of the report now. Good luck, Jack.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Chief Jack Renfro. “It’s always an honor to serve.”
Etheric Researcher – Snippet 3
Etheric Researcher
By S.R Russel & Michael Anderle
Snippet 3
Unedited
Anne put down some fresh water for Jinx before she headed for her shower. As she stood there, letting the hot water wash over her and soothe her remaining aches, her mind wandered over the events of the last few months.
She had gone from living at home with her parents to living with her best friend and companion.
She’d been failing in school, and now she was acing her classes. She’d been suffering from an undiagnosed cancer, and now she was a super healthy Kurtherian modified human.
Anne tilted her face up into the spray of the shower and used her fingers to comb her dark red hair behind her ears.
Anne almost felt like dancing, as the water splashed over her. Bethany Anne had hired her as an Etheric Researcher, but to date, she had not been able to come up with any ideas to justify Bethany Anne’s confidence in her.
She wasn’t sure how to solve the energy transfer issue, but at least she, finally, had an idea to explore. With a smile, Anne grabbed her bath sponge, soaped it up and started to scrub the residue of her workout from her body.
___
Jinx drank the bowl of water almost dry, she eyed her dog food, sighed and went to lay down while she waited for Anne to get out of the shower. Their sparring match had left her hungry, but she had learned a difficult lesson. She had discovered, through uncomfortable experience, that eating after drinking a lot, while she was hot made her sick. The first time it happened neither she nor Anne had made the connection.
The second time it happened, Anne had remembered that this was twice after a workout. As much as she wasn’t happy about it, they tried it once more just to make certain. Sure enough, it didn’t take five minutes after eating before Jinx was heaving it all back up.
YUCK!
The next time, Anne made Jinx wait until she had stopped panting, and that was enough that her stomach didn’t revolt after eating. That became their default routine. Jinx could drink as much as she wanted, but she had to wait until she was no longer panting before it was safe to eat anything.
Jinx had asked Anne how dogs on Earth would handle the situation.
“Remember, dogs on Earth are not as smart as you guys, and are owned by humans. I imagine the human would just keep the food away from their dog until they felt it was safe for them to have it.” Anne had speculated.
Jinx ignored the furniture, and stretched out on the polished rock floor, hoping to leach some heat from her body, as she waited for Anne. Being kicked across the training room really … Pissed. Her. Off!
She hadn’t been hurt, but she was no longer able to protect Anne’s back and that left her person fighting everyone by herself. She considered contacting ADAM to ask Matrix to come visit to discuss the issue, but she had a feeling that Anne would want them to try to solve this on their own. This was the sort of thing that Bethany Anne had hired her for, after all. Jinx heard the water shut off and figured she’d have about ten more minutes on the rock floor before Anne made her appearance. With a sigh of contentment, Jinx closed her eyes and waited.
Nomad’s Force Audiobook Release!
Nomad’s Force, Terry Henry Walton Chronicles Book 9
By Craig Martell and Michael Anderle
They say that behind every great man is a great woman…but what if that woman is a Werewolf?
The Forsaken have gone into hiding, and Terry sends the Force de Guerre’s tactical teams on missions around the globe to root the evil ones out. When Ted can no longer keep the pod flying, things heat up quickly in a race to corner and finish Mister Smith.
Etheric Researcher – Snippet 2
Etheric Researcher
By S.R. Russel & Michael Anderle
Snippet 2
Unedited
Jinx twisted as much as she could, but she could not evade the kick. While her armor protected her body from serious damage when a Yollin mercenary kicks a one hundred and twenty-five-pound dog with three hundred pounds of force, the dog goes tail over nose.
You alright? Anne asked her friend and partner. Seeing Jinx go flying across the room ignited that part of her that she didn’t like to acknowledge. The part that didn’t mind hurting people. She pushed her speed even higher, faked a punch at the head of the man in front of her and then drove her left foot through his knee joint. She ignored the satisfying scream he made as he went down and shifted to intercept the Yollin who was still focused on Jinx.
Yes, Jinx reassured Anne, my armor is working fine, it’s just that guy who got hit in the head with the apple that bit me that time.
?? Anne sent back to Jinx, not one hundred percent focused on their conversation once she was assured Jinx was alright. She dodged the kick the Yollin sent in her direction, grabbed the leg that was still in the air and flung him ten feet into the three humans that were with him.
Some human from years ago. Matrix was telling me about him. He was sitting under a tree and an apple fell and hit him on the head. Jinx had recovered and was circling around their opponents looking for an opening. Supposedly caused him to write some laws or something. What it comes down to is if a raging bull hits a china shop then shit’s getting broken.
OMG, you’re hilarious! Anne couldn’t stop the smile that resulted from Jinx’s banter. She was pretty sure that if Jinx had been talking with Matrix about Newtonian physics there hadn’t been any conversation about bulls in china shops. There was a time when Jinx had a difficult time understanding nick-names and other odd human phrasings, like hot-dogs, but nowadays it seemed that she collected metaphors. Bull in a china shop indeed.
Anne ignored the Yollin who was still tangled with two of the humans, ducked and spun, hands spewing fireballs in an arc towards a new threat she sensed.
“Shit!” Gabrielle cursed as she hit the floor “Enough! Stand down, everyone!” She waited for the blast of heated air to subside before she got to her feet. She looked at Anne who was holding her hands behind her back. “Was that an invitation to spar?”
Anne shook her head vehemently, “No, sorry, I just sensed someone approaching. Peter surprise attacks sometimes, I didn’t realize it was you.”
“Good reflexes, then,” Gabrielle praised the young woman, then surveyed the carnage in the training room. She noticed a Were with his leg bent the wrong way and knelt beside him. “This is going to hurt,” she warned.
He nodded, used his hands to brace against the pull Gabrielle was going to apply to his leg and grit his teeth. It was a testament to how tough Weres are that he only grunted when Gabrielle yanked on his ankle to straighten his leg, so it would heal faster.
“I’m going to have to learn to cover more area with my fireballs …” Gabrielle heard Anne mutter, “I totally missed her when she hit the floor.”
Gabrielle stood from attending to the wounded Were, “Anyone else need treatment?” She asked the others.
A chorus of “no, we’re fine,” came back to her from the group who had made up the aggressor force attacking Anne and Jinx.
“What happened to the young lady who didn’t like to hurt people?” Gabrielle couldn’t help but ask as she walked over to Anne.
“Bethany Anne and Jinx.” Anne replied cryptically.
“You want to expand on that?” Gabrielle arched an eyebrow as she asked for clarification.
“Bethany Anne declared that we had to train, and train as strenuously as everyone else. Jinx and I decided if we had to work out that we were going to go all in and make sure that we handed out more bruises than we took.” Anne stood, from where she had been checking over Jinx, reassuring herself that Jinx was all right. “And, Jinx took a hard kick that sent her flying across the room. I always get more aggressive when I feel, well Jinx especially, but any of the dogs really, if they are getting hurt …” Anne looked down at her feet for a moment, then looked back at Gabrielle. “If the dogs are getting hurt, well, all bets are off!” she finished ferociously.
Formation – Snippet 6
Formation, The Ghost Squadron Book 1
By Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle, J.N. Chaney
Snippet 6
Unedited
Desert Lounge, Deck 25, Onyx Station, Paladin System.
Eddie carried two beers in his hands, squeezing between two fat guys and a Yollin as he tried to make his way back over to Julianna in the corner.
“Excuse me, fellas,” said Eddie, forcing his way through. When he finally reached his target, he let out a short sigh. “Damn, this place is packed.”
“It is,” remarked Julianna.
“I don’t remember it being this crowded the last time I was here, but that was years ago.”
“The station recently took on several hundred new jobs. Since the Federation is expanding, colonization has significantly increased in this region.”
Eddie took a drink of his ale, gulping down a third of the glass. “Not bad,” he said, wiping his mouth.
Julianna did the same. “I’ve had better.”
“Well, sure. I didn’t say it was great.” He took another drink. “But it’s better than Five Trees.”
“That’s the bar we found you in, right?” she asked.
“If you can call it that. It’s mostly a front for smugglers and pirates.”
“I knew that part,” Julianna admitted.
“Oh?”
“I researched it on the way to pick you up. I also know why you were there.”
He drank the last of his glass. “I doubt that.”
“You went there looking to fight,” she said simply.
He chuckled. “Not just any fight. I was there for a specific one.”
“Was that the alien we took down?” she asked. “I believe his name was T’turk.”
“That’s the guy,” confirmed Eddie. “Heard rumors of an alien frequenting that bar. People said he was the one who killed the crew of the Valiant. I’d had my eye on him for half the night, but I wasn’t absolutely sure until he admitted to it. That’s when I knew he deserved an ass kicking.”
She nodded. “I read the report on the Valiant. Did you have a friend onboard?”
“No, I didn’t know any of them,” he said.
“Then, why would you take such a risk?”
“Because no one else was going to,” said Eddie. His eyes drifted to the table, and he cleared his throat. “I need another drink.”
Julianna paused, reaching for a pad, which she had strapped to her side. “Oh, is that so? Thank you, Pip.”
Eddie glanced at her. “Did you just call me ‘Pip’?”
“No, I apologize. I was talking to my E.I.”
“You have an E.I.?” he asked.
She nodded. “He’s extremely useful. You can meet him officially when you receive your new clearance, possibly tomorrow.” She looked at the pad, and then tapped the screen. “Oh, he suggests we check out the bar below deck. It’s called Wash-it-Down, but it’s off the books. No government personnel allowed.”
“They got any Blue Ale?” asked Eddie.
“Best rated on the station, Pip says.”
Eddie leapt to his feet. “Let’s do it.”
Formation – Snippet 5
Formation, The Ghost Squadron Book 1
By Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle, J.N. Chaney
Snippet 5
Unedited
“Weren’t you on the ship with us?” asked Eddie. “How’d you make it back here so fast?”
Lance dabbed his cigar into an ashtray. “I took a shuttle before you docked. They make you wait too long when you bring a cruiser in. I had shit to do.”
“Perks of being the boss,” mused Eddie.
“Pretty much,” said Lance.
“Are the reports ready?” asked Julianna.
“Not yet,” said Lance. “I need to review the latest intel before I hand it off to you. I’m thinking tomorrow morning. We’ll be able to get you both situated soon.”
“Understood.”
Eddie scratched his chin. “Sir, if you don’t mind me saying so, I haven’t agreed to anything yet. I’m only here because you asked me to listen.”
The General chuckled. “Of course, you’re right, but let’s wait and talk about that tomorrow. I’ve got a presentation lined up that I think you’ll want to see. In the meantime, why don’t you two go and have some fun? You can show Julianna around the station.”
“How do you know I’ve been here before?” asked Eddie.
“Do you really need to ask that question?”
Eddie smirked. Of course, General Reynolds, because of his intelligence chief, Nathan Lowell, probably already knew everything there was to know about him. His parents, favorite foods, ex-girlfriends, former residence. “Right.”
“Anyway, you’ll be happy for the extra downtime, if you decide to sign on for this job. Trust me. You too, Julianna.”
“Yes, sir,” she answered.
“Yeah, I get the feeling she could use a break,” remarked Eddie, glancing back at Julianna, who was still standing at the door.
“I’m perfectly fine,” she said.
“Still, go have a drink,” suggested Lance. “Bond, for shit’s sake. You’re about to be partners.”
“If you insist,” said Julianna.
“I’ll be happy to drink,” grinned Eddie. “You covering the tab?”
“Why not?” asked Lance. “Enjoy yourself.”
Eddie strolled into the hall to wait.
Julianna drew closer to the desk. “Sir, is this really necessary? It might be a better use of my time to assist you with the reports.”
“Not this time, Commander Fregin. Try to enjoy yourself, for once.” Lance puffed on his cigar and dabbed it one more time on the tray. “That’s an order.”
The Bad Company RELEASE!
The Bad Company, Age of Expansion Book 1
By Craig Martelle & Michael Anderle
Humanity’s greatest export—Justice.
Space is a dangerous place, even for the wary, especially for the unprepared. The aliens have no idea.
Here comes the Bad Company.
Colonel Terry Henry Walton takes his warriors into battle, for a price, in this first installment of The Bad Company. He believes in the moral high ground and is happy getting paid for his role in securing it.
Set in the Kurtherian Gambit Universe, Terry, Char, and their people—humans, Werewolves, Weretigers, and Vampires—form the core of the Bad Company’s Direct Action Branch, a private conflict solution enterprise.
Join them as they fight their way across Tissikinnon Four where none of the warring parties were what they expected.
Formation – Snippet 4
Formation: Ghost Squadron, Book 1
By Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle, & J.N. Chaney
Snippet 4
Docking Bay 17, Deck 25, Onyx Station, Paladin System.
“Follow me,” instructed Julianna, standing on the loading bay of the QBS Atticus Finch. The ship had only just docked with what appeared to be Onyx Station.
Eddie stared at her with an auspicious eye. She was quite the babe, this Julianna woman; tall and slender, with gorgeous, obsidian hair. He could tell she was beautiful the first time he saw her, even in the dimly lit bar, but here, with proper light, she was almost angelic, like she’d been molded by the gods themselves.
Eddie had heard of genetically modified humans, but he’d never actually met one for himself. Such a thing was reserved for higher-ranking military personnel or proven combatants that the Empire viewed as invaluable. The process, what Eddie knew of it, involved a long hibernation period inside a specialized pod, and resulted in enhanced abilities such as speed, strength, and increased reflexes, among several others. It also had the added effect of making you far more attractive. At least, those were the rumors.
In Julianna’s case, all of the above seemed to be true.
“Are you my escort?” asked Eddie, walking down the deck.
Julianna raised her brow. “We have a meeting with General Reynolds in five. Are you ready?”
“All work and no play, I see,” he remarked.
“Our mission is of the utmost importance. You understand that, right? This isn’t some pleasure cruise.”
“Are you sure? Because I packed a few pairs of shorts and some sunscreen,” he quipped.
“Try and fail to be clever later. We’ve got shit to do now.”
“Let’s hit it, boss,” said Eddie, tossing his duffel over his shoulder.
She led him through the deck and onto the station’s platform. Onyx Station was one of the largest in the Empire, with over six million residents across several species. Some people called it the ‘Etheric melting pot’; others said it was nothing but a suffocating box. The few times Eddie had been here, he’d found it to be a mixed bag. He enjoyed the variety of people and experiences, and there was always a new restaurant to try, but he also enjoyed his privacy, and Onyx Station wasn’t exactly built for solitude.
Still, it was worth a visit every now and then. He liked the hot dogs on the main deck; Bokey’s Pups, he believed the establishment was called. And then there was the Main Street Diner, the closest thing to Earth food you could get out here: burgers, soup, steak, eggs and hash—even spaghetti.
Eddie had never been to Earth. Humanity had long since left it behind. Oh, sure, people still lived there, but he’d never see them. Not in his lifetime.
The galaxy was his home. It always had been.
Eddie was born on an Etheric ship and raised by patriotic parents who knew what they believed. The two of them had met in the military, both of them pilots, and fell in love between missions. For Eddie, being a pilot was in his blood. It was part of his soul.
He had always liked fighting. It relieved his stress, gave his life purpose, and he liked helping people. Moreover, he was good at it. For all of those reasons, being a soldier made sense to him. It was the only thing that did.
“Hurry up,” prodded Julianna, turning to look at him as they walked through the deck.
He was trailing behind, unaware of the growing gap between them. “Slow down a bit. What’s your hurry?”
“We have to meet with General Reynolds in less than two minutes. You’re moving too slow.”
He double-timed it to catch up. When he was finally at her side, he gave her a sideways look. “Happy now?”
She didn’t answer.
“You’re kind of a downer, aren’t you?”
“I just have a job to do, that’s all,” she stated.
“Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it.” He grinned. “See? I’m having all kinds of fun.”
They reached the elevators, and the doors suddenly opened, as though the machine had been waiting for them.
“Inside,” she told him.
“That was…convenient.”
“I’m simply never late,” affirmed Julianna.
The doors closed and the elevator began its descent. “That so?” asked Eddie.
“I hope you can adjust to being a soldier again, Captain Teach. I understand it’s been a while since you last wore the uniform.”
“True, but you never really forget, do you?” he answered as the doors opened. “Even if you want to.”
She glanced at him and nodded. “No, I guess you don’t.”
They stepped out, making their way through a long corridor with silver walls. Each side was lined with offices, though a single desk sat in each of them. It seemed both natural and strange that no one should be on this deck, depending on the meeting he was about to have.
They rounded the corner, and Julianna stopped. “With ten seconds to spare. In here,” she directed, motioning to a closed door.
Eddie smiled. “You should know, my birthday isn’t until next month. I hope there’s no party inside. I’d still take some cake, though.”
Julianna rolled her eyes, and Eddie opened the door, revealing another office—although this one was certainly not empty, nor was it small. Unlike the others, this room revealed a man waiting with a cigar in his mouth, sitting back with his feet up on the surface of the desk.
“Ah,” said General Lance Reynolds, grinning his trademark smile, the same one featured on all the posters that were outside Federation recruitment centers. “Right on time, Captain Teach.”