Chapter 26

Carter had left Norfolk three weeks earlier but her presence was still felt keenly by Traeger. The destroyer closed her eyes, feeling the thrum of their bond now firmly established. That had been a fun few days. In the berth next to her, Ford stirred and Traeger reminded herself to give the carrier a gift for all the noise abatement procedures she had to use. "Hmm, up already?" She asked. "Yes, Arleigh wants to see us." Traeger replied. "I swear is that destroyer psychic?!" Ford exclaimed. "One time, just one time and she's suddenly in tune with all my systems. It's creepy." "So you admit something's wrong?" Traeger purred. She would admit quietly that Arleigh's ability to detect problems before they appeared was a bit unnerving but it was just a sign of her incredible skills as a medic. Skills that a part of Traeger longed to develop. But she had chosen her rate, she wasn't going back now.