14: Water Day
It had taken four days but Coreman finally closed in on The Smedley Butler. Though they lay beyond his shuttle’s sensor range, Coreman looked across the expanse of stars and knew their exact position. He’d done the math. Thanks to visual confirmations from multiple security buoys, he knew his math was right. The Butler continued their steady, predictable course toward Middle Black. In a moment, the ship would appear on his scopes. Time to wake the others, starting with his partner.
While Coreman maintained his professionalism in his white button-down and tie, Hochstein slumbered beside him in the copilot’s seat in his dress slacks and white T-shirt. The cockpit seats provided little comfort, but that was no excuse. Besides, they felt better than the eight seats lining eithe
