Gabriel's Redemption by Steve Umstead

disadvantage. Except for you,” he said with a nod to the redheaded VR player. “Mikaela Sabra, correct? I believe you served on Ganymede when we had those issues with mining a few years back? I had a team there as well, although not quite as front-line as you were.”
    The redhead stiffened. “Sir, that’s correct. I didn’t realize you were there, I, uh…”
    “Relax, Warrant Officer, is it?” His database showed exactly who she was and what rank; he just wanted to show a little naiveté to settle the atmosphere and stir the conversation.
    “Uh, no sir, I was promoted a couple of times since then. It’s Lieutenant Junior Grade, Commander.” She smiled a bit, but the smile never reached her eyes, Gabriel noted.
    “Excellent work, you and your team out there. Wasn’t an easy situation, was it? A lot of angry people lost their jobs, and we were close to losing the entire moon,” he said, watching her face intently. His neuretics passively scanned her body reactions.
    Her jaw clenched almost imperceptibly. “No, not easy at all. I’m fortunate to have made it out of there in one piece.”
    “And with a couple of extra pay grades as well, how about that,” Gabriel said lightly, again intently watching her reaction. Nothing this time. She was well in control of her emotions, but there was definitely something bubbling below the surface. “Nice to be working with you on the same side, sniper,” he added, and this time he got a flash of anger popping up in one of his readouts: increased heartbeat, dilated pupils, flushed skin. Yes, another one to watch.
    “Commander, Ensign Keven Takahashi, pleasure to meet you.” The young man who had brought everyone to attention extended his hand. He was slightly shorter than Gabriel, around six feet or so, with a shock of spiky brown hair, bright green eyes, and a baby face, with just a hint of Oriental features.
    Gabriel took his hand and gave a quick shake. “Likewise,” he replied. “Aren’t you a little young for ensign-grade?”
    One of the pool players coughed.
    Takahashi’s face reddened a bit. “I’ve put in my time, Commander, just like everyone else.” His demeanor indicated he got this question quite often. “I graduated second in class from the Mexico City Naval Academy, specializing in exobiology, and have been on three combat missions.” He emphasized three .
    “Well done, Ensign,” Gabriel replied. “Can you fire a weapon?”
    “Of course, sir, I achieved highest marksman ranks my senior year and have qualified Proficient every test since.”
    Gabriel shook his head. “No, can you fire a weapon…at another human being?”
    Takahashi cocked his head slightly, then caught his meaning. “Sir, yes I can. Not that I’m proud of it, but my record shows three confirmed combat kills on Beth-Barah.”
    “Nothing to be ashamed of. You’re correct, nothing to be proud of either, but something I need to know before I put my ass on the line.” Gabriel paused. “Takahashi. Any relation to the famous…”
    “Yes, Commander, Masahiro was my great-grandfather,” the ensign replied.
    Gabriel gave a short nod. “So spaceflight is in your blood?”
    “Well, yes and no. I still have a little, uh, illness issue with, well…” his voice trailed off. “But, that should be all taken care of,” he continued. He held up his arm, showing a small shiny band around his wrist. “Or so the commercial says,” he said with a smile. “You’d think after two hundred years of spaceflight they’d have come up with a cure by now.”
    “They have cured the common cold,” Gabriel replied. “Guess that’s not high on their list.”
    “Petty Officer Second Class Galen Sowers, Commander,” one of the pool players said, shaking Gabriel’s hand. Sowers was Takahashi’s height but broader in build, buzz-cut hair, with slightly-olive skin; an almost Mediterannean look to him. “Electronics and comm specialist.”
    “Experience?”
    “Bachelors of Science in