GALAXY AT WAR - Book 2 - Probing Anthera

CHAPTER EIGHT - September 2172 - Anthera - 13 days to go

Neil entered the lounge cradling Tanya in his arms while gazing fondly into her eyes. Those large, innocent, hazel eyes. He walked to the sofa with the Moses basket hovering behind him and touched the tip of her nose. "Who's a beautiful girl then."

"She is, isn't she," said Chloe from her position on the sofa.

Neil smiled at his wife and sat next to her. He held out his little finger and gently nudged Tanya's tiny hand. She grabbed his finger with a surprisingly tight grip.

"Arrggh, she's got my finger," he said playfully. Chloe reached over and tickled Tanya's belly. Tanya smiled at them and increased her grip on Neil's finger.

"How long will you be gone?" asked Chloe.

"Three days."

"Is it dangerous?"

"No. So far we've covered a lot of ground with no incidents. There doesn't seem to be any sign of Dowdneer."

"That's good," she sighed. "I just worry that one day you won't come back."

"I'll be fine. Have you got any plans for the next few days?"

"Apart from changing nappies and feeding Tanya?"

Neil smiled. "Yes – apart from those things."

"Well, Kelly said she'd come around after she finishes her shift. She's going to show me some of the places you haven't."

Neil gently rocked Tanya from side-to-side. "Andy should be here soon. I don't want to go. I want to stay here with you and Tanya."

"We'll be fine, Neil. Just stay safe, okay."

He handed Tanya to Chloe. "Always, babe." He kissed them both on their foreheads. "I've got to get changed." He looked directly at Tanya. "Now, you be good for your mummy, okay." Neil smiled at her and she smiled back. He stood and strode over to their bedroom. Stopping in the doorway, he looked back at Chloe.

"Do you think we've got time for, you-know-what," he nodded his head towards the bedroom.

"Oh, Neil."

He shrugged. "Just a thought."

Neil emerged from the bedroom ten minutes later dressed in his black and yellow Arrant-Scour flight suit. "What do you think, Chloe?"

She turned her attention away from Tanya and raised her eyebrows. "Wow – that's made to measure."

"It's designed to be comfortable. After all, we will be sitting for three days."

"I might have to have a word with the designers later."

"No one sees us or takes any notice. It'll just be me and Andy in the fighter anyway."

"Is that Laura going to be on your patrol?"

"No. We each cover an area of fifty square miles. Even if our patrols are next to one another, the chances of seeing her will be small. Anyway, it wasn't even me..." Neil felt relief as a knock at their door interrupted. He walked over and opened it. "Hi, Andy."

"Hi, bruv. Are you ready?"

"Nearly, Andy," said Neil as he walked back over to his two girls.

"Do you want me to put her in her basket?" asked Neil.

"No. I'll hold her for a while, thanks. Now you both go; and stay safe."

"See you later, Chloe," said Andrew after he kissed his niece on her forehead and smiled at Chloe.