Lacuna: Demons of the Void by David Adams

ship’s capabilities? I thought you were satisfied with everything...”
    She shook her head, firmly. “ No . This is the finest ship mankind can make. I have no doubt as to the power of his arms or the strength of his hull. It’s primarily new technology, yes, but it’s all been tested now on the Tehran and most of the main issues have been resolved. I’m certain of the Beijing ’s capabilities and I know he’ll carry us through. Rather, I worry for the future...”
    Liao reached up for the glass cabinet hung on the wall, taking out a pair of glasses. She went to pour a pair of drinks, but hesitated somewhat. The glasses had special significance to her; She had last shared them with James. For some reason she just couldn’t put her finger on, it felt wrong to do the same with Sheng.
    But that was silly. She began pouring, putting several cubes of ice in each with the small tongs.
    Sheng, watching her pour, continued. “...You wonder if the Beijing is a match for the Demons.” He chuckled. “Interesting. When I was visiting Captain Knight he insisted that it was the visitor that poured the scotch...”
    Smiling wryly, Liao cast a glance his way. “Isn’t that everyone’s worry? They levelled three cities back on Earth, seemingly without a care in the world. They could have kept going... wiped us all out. They only stopped because they wanted to. And I’m not Captain Knight. How is the Sydney , anyway?”
    “It has its problems,” Sheng admitted, downing his glass a little too fast for Liao’s liking. Obviously sensing her displeasure, Sheng rattled the empty glass. “I don’t really like scotch.”
    “My mother said never to trust a man who couldn’t drink scotch. Would you prefer champagne instead?” She reached for the bottle. “So, any thoughts on why the aliens stopped their attack when they did?”
    “Your mother’s very wise, and maybe that energy weapon of theirs is limited. Isn’t it a little bit too early in the day to be drinking so much?”
    Liao shook her head. “You don’t use everything you have in a battle right away. If you do, and it doesn’t work, you’re defenseless. Even if their weapon only had three shots, they had an ace up their sleeve. I’m certain of it.” Relieved that Sheng was no longer interested in her hard liquor, Liao finished her drink then washed and stored the glasses back where she found them. Reaching into the cabinet she retrieved two of the taller, thinner champagne glasses and poured, handing Sheng one. “Oh, go on. It’s a special occasion.”
    Sheng seemed pleased with the latest liquid offering, swirling it slightly and sniffing to sample the aroma. He clinked his glass to hers then put the drink to his lips, tasting it. His reaction, from what Liao could tell, was very positive. “I’m sure their ships are capable of more than they’ve shown us. And this is French? As in, actually from Champagne?”
    “We’ll find out in due time, I suspect. And yes... it’s the genuine article.”
    The pair drank their modest half-glasses of the immodestly priced drink, then Liao packed them away. With her hand on the cabinet’s door, she hesitated a moment, studying her own faint reflection in the flat glass window.
    “In due time,” Sheng echoed, his voice solemn.
    *****
    Captain Liao’s Office
    TFR Beijing
    Space

    Day 9 of the shakedown cruise
    Liao worked on her paperwork. A Captain’s life was paperwork; it seemed never-ending. And although Liao did not mind it, its mere existence proved to be a significant distraction from the actual business of captaining.
    A buzzer at the door caused her to put down her pen. “Yes?”
    The door swung open, revealing the happiest redhead in the world.
    “Goooooood evening, Captain Liao!”
    Melissa nodded at the thoughtful use of her title. It seemed as though Rowe might actually be catching on to military protocol, something that pleased her greatly. The woman was highly animated as she practically bounced