Chapter Eight
Patrols filled the next three days and their squadron pulled double duty. Officer Larnth sent the men through an exhaustive training exercise on the fourth day, focusing on intricate tactics and maneuvers. Byron felt as if he were on Guaard again with Bassa occupying the navigator seat in his cockpit. To his credit, the senior officer was quite familiar with the drills. Bassa prevented Byron from committing errors during the more complex maneuvers. He remained uneasy with his new navigator, but Bassa did bring skill and experience to their team.
Byron tried to ignore the prevailing sense of displeasure from the other officers. No one voiced his opinion in Bassa’s presence, but that did not prevent stray bitter thoughts from drifting in Byron’s direction. Aware of the mental
