Her eyes narrowed farther.
“Enough,” First Capillto said. “While I see your point, Telundi, the captain is correct. Nothing in this galaxy is freely given, not even the love of the Heavenly Gods. Captain Hartford, these conditions seem fair, but I desire more weapons. 20,000 would suffice.”
“Then I would increase our scientists to two hundred.”
The First considered for a moment, then nodded. “I agree.” He pushed the document back to Lian.
With an ink pen, Lian changed the designated numbers. Once the ink dried, he returned it to the First along with the pen.
“How soon will our weapons arrive?” the First asked as he added his signature to the bottom of the page. He held the writing device deftly in his huge hands.
“We have 5,000 aboard the Bethany. Another supply ship can meet us at Cathariz within five days.”
“That is acceptable.” Capillto turned to Mimasho, who handed him a small, wooden box. Within was his seal. He placed a few drips of a liquid metal beside his name, then stamped his seal atop it. The seal—made of bronze—solidified the liquid and imprinted Capillto’s beshwa crest. He handed the seal back to her and she closed the box.
Lian took the document and penned his own name at the bottom.
The recording equipment around the room would make this document public immediately. Admiral Alejaro would know that the deal had been made.
“First Capillto,” Lian said, handing the paper once more to the Dalmin leader. “It would honor us if you and your council will consent to accompanying us on the Bethany for the trip to Cathariz.”
When the First hesitated, Lian added, “You can inspect the weapons we have onboard. And, the squadron of Valor soldiers can begin your training.”
He nodded. “Yes, I will travel with you.” He turned and inspected his fellow council members. “I need one of you to remain with our ship. Any volunteers?”
Alpha Bonto lowered his head. “I will stay with Renteno, and will follow the Bethany back to Cathariz.”
The First handed Bonto the sealed document. “Take this and put it in our system.”
“Yes, First.” Bonto took the paper and stood. He headed back to the ship.
“If you will follow me?” Trish said, getting to her feet. “Our pod is not the most comfortable, but our rooms on the Bethany will be more than adequate.”
The Dalmin walked around the long table and joined Lian and Trish on their side. They fell into step behind Trish, Lian dropping to the rear. Surprisingly, First Capillto hung back as well.
“Despite Telundi’s words, we are thankful for your aid. Most races will back away when there is internal trouble.”
“I’d like to say it was out of kindness, but you know that would be a lie. We desire to help you, but you must understand that the preservation of humanity is our main focus.”
“Of course, Captain. To assume otherwise would be foolish.” He paused briefly, and when he continued, his tone was much more casual. “We have a two-day trip to Cathariz. I’m sure we will find time to converse informally during that time.”
“If you wish. After we have our evening meal, we can retire to my room for some wine.” Lian didn’t know the Dalmin word for alcohol, so he said it in Federation Standard.
“Wine,” the First repeated. “Yes, I have heard of that drink, but never tasted it. I look forward to it, Captain.”
Chapter 24
GIN’S HEART beat fast within his rib cage. The hi-gun Candi still held to his back didn’t help. Beside her, Sousuke kept a firm hand on Gin’s shoulder, as if he could flee from them in the elevator.
The doors opened at Stop. Luckily, though not surprisingly, the hallway was empty of crewmembers. Having others see him like this would make the shame quadruple. The fact he deserved this already burned his cheeks.
“Walk forward, slowly,” Candi instructed.
Gin complied, though Sousuke gave an encouraging nudge.
They made their way to the end of the hallway where the doors to sickbay stood.
“The brig is in sickbay?” Gin asked. He didn’t receive an answer.
Candi poked the button, then pushed Gin through the doorway the moment the opening was wide enough.
Gin nearly stumbled, but righted his feet before he toppled face-first. “You don’t need to be so rough,” he muttered. He gave himself a shake, but it didn’t do much good with his hands clasped behind his back.
Glancing to the side, Gin spied Doc, her eyes wide and mouth open. After her initial shock wore off, she rushed forward.
“Lieutenant—”
“Step back, Doc. This man is dangerous.” Candi tapped Gin with the barrel of her gun. “Move, Ginnovi.”
Doc tried again. “He’s not dangerous at all. He—”
Candi cut her off. “Don’t interfere, Doc. This is an order from Admiral Alejaro herself.”
Doc quieted, her raised hands falling to her side. She met Gin’s stare and offered an apologetic grimace.
Gin didn’t blame her. With no option left, he walked forward. Sousuke hurried ahead to the brig. Gin could see now that it doubled as medical isolation. It was a small room, cut off from the rest of sickbay with thick glass walls. Sousuke pressed a series of buttons on a keypad beside the door and it slid open. Gin walked forward and Sousuke followed him in.
“Lay facedown on the cot,” Sousuke demanded. Candi stood at the entrance with the gun still pointed at him.
Gin complied. Once down, Sousuke undid the cuffs, then hurried from the room.
After Sousuke exited the tiny room and the door slid shut behind him, it clicked with a resounding finality. Gin sat up and glared at them through the glass divider.
With him safely secured, some of the tension left Candi’s and Sousuke’s bodies.
Doc walked up to them. “Lian knows he is really Ginnovi. You’re acting without thinking.”
Candi turned and went to the exit. Sousuke shrugged and followed her.
Once they were gone, Doc sighed heavily, then headed Gin’s direction. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “Don’t be. This was going to happen eventually. It’s not my intention to hurt anyone, but I did commit a crime. Lian was too soft on me. He should have locked me in here the moment he found out.”
Her face showed signs of sympathy, which was surprising coming from her. “Don’t be so down on yourself, Gin.”
“It’s the truth, Doc. You know it. Lian let his personal feelings get in the way. I shouldn’t have allowed him to do that.”
Doc’s face was suddenly so close to the divider, he could see her breath fogging up the glass. “Don’t you ever talk about Lian that way. If you take responsibility for his actions, it removes his worth. He did what he did because he knew it was the right course of action. You didn’t allow him to do any of it.”
Gin blinked at the onslaught. Another unexpected emotion out of her: blind devotion. Another thought struck him. She was always informal with Lian, always on the verge of touching him. “You love him too?”
“Of course I love him.”
Gin gasped. “Then… I’m a romantic rival?”
Doc’s face contorted into a horrible, ugly expression. “What the…?” Then, she tipped her head back and laughed. “Oh Pip! Gin! I can’t believe you never….” Her amusement shook her whole body. “You’re so clueless.”
Gin pressed his lips into a line and waited for her to stop. Apparently, she got over her empathy for him being locked up. His only ally, and she thought him an idiot.
“Sorry,” she said after a moment, but a grin still curved her lips. “I thought someone would have told you. Lian should have, at the very least. He’s my son.”
“Son?” Gin repeated the word like it was a Quifante term he’d never encountered before. “But, how is that possible? His mother, Annie, was killed three years ago.”
“I’m his father, biologically.”
Gin realized his mouth fell open, so he shut it. �
�Uh… how?”
Luckily, her face remained friendly. At least his befuddlement hadn’t offended her. “I’m Quifante. We’re shapeshifters.”
“And you chose to be female?”
She nodded. “In our households, the father has very little to do with their offspring. It’s the females who raise them. So, when Annie got pregnant, Lian had to stay with her. When he became an adult—by Quifante standards—I tried to get him to come to me. Annie tried to send him to Earth. He defied both our wishes and took a position aboard the Olton.” Doc chuckled fondly. “He’s got so much of Annie in him.”
Gin thought back to what Lian had said about his father. About how they weren’t close, but they were making an effort now. It all clicked in Gin’s brain. “And you couldn’t have stayed with Annie too?”
Her lips thinned. “No, not at that time. We’d met on a Quifante colony planet. She’d been there on a mission, looking for a band of pirates. I’d been a worker in the fields. We fell in love, but our paths took us in different directions. She couldn’t resign from her commission on the Olton. And I was a lowly commoner. I had no authority to leave my position then. My work with plants eventually led me to a medical internship, and I worked my way up through the ranks, hoping to join them. Annie passed before that happened.”
A tremor ran through Gin’s body. So tragic. He could see the pain on Doc’s face, understand the regret she felt. Gin knew that feeling well. He experienced it every time he thought of his parents.
“But,” Doc continued, “Lian received command of the Bethany, and I finished my studies. I finally got to be with him. Unfortunately, the damage was already done. He’d grown up not knowing me. Annie did her best, but she had her own responsibilities. She loved him, of course, but he never came first in her life, either. That’s no way for any child to live.”
Lian made a bit more sense now. His aloofness came from a childhood without parents. In fact, Gin sort of acted the same way. Temmy tried to get him to town, tried to get him to meet people, to socialize. He’d resisted.
Gin glanced at Doc, ready to offer his condolences and sympathies, but the words died on his tongue. Her lips bore a predatory grin.
“So,” she said nonchalantly, but Gin heard the undertone of glee. “You asked if I loved Lian too?”
Gulping, Gin turned away from Doc. Lian’s… parent. Hell and high heaven. He was in for it now. “I, uh, misspoke.”
She laughed. “You don’t need to hide it from me. I knew it the moment you came aboard.”
“That’s odd, since it didn’t happen until several days into our trip.”
Doc shrugged. “Like I said, you’re clueless.” She sobered. “And I know that Lian feels the same for you. He’s not good at expressing himself, but he’s easier to read than he thinks.”
Gin nodded.
“And don’t worry about being in there. Lian will fix it all.”
“I don’t want him to fix it, Doc. If it’s a direct command from the Admiral, there’s nothing he can do. To go against her words would be breaking the law. I’m not worth that.”
“Let’s leave it up to Lian to decide. But I do think he’ll come up with some plan. He’s got his mother’s quick wit and brains.” Then she winked and added, “And he’s got Annie’s good looks.”
Gin laughed. At least something productive had come from being thrown in here. He felt closer to Doc, and to Lian, from this conversation. Relaxing just a hair, Gin went to the cot against the wall and sat.
As soon as his butt made contact with the firm mattress, the ship lurched violently. He fell to the floor and slid along the metal. His head smacked into the far wall, hard enough for him to see stars. He scrambled to his feet, body already aching from the impact.
On the other side of the glass, Doc was also trying to stand. She seemed tangled in the sheets of one of the sickbeds.
“Doc? You okay?”
She righted herself and glanced at Gin. “Fine. You?”
He rubbed at the side of his head and hissed at the bump forming. “I took a pretty big hit. What the hell was that?”
“No idea.” She glanced at the door, then back to him.
“Go and see. I’ll be fine here on my own.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“There’s nothing you can do to help me, but someone out there might need your help.”
That convinced her. She ran to one of the cabinets and retrieved a first aid kit. “I’ll be back soon.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Once she was gone, complete hopelessness filled Gin. Despite her assurances, he didn’t think Lian could fix this.
Chapter 25
LIAN ASKED Trish to fly the pod back to the Bethany. This freed him to sit opposite First Capillto and his companions for the short ride there. The Dalmin eagerly examined the interior of the pod and made comments about its design and layout. Very different from their ships. Lian had to instruct them on buckling the safety harnesses.
“Once we arrive at the Bethany, I will escort you to your rooms. If you will give me a half lark to arrange things, we can have dinner after you’ve freshened up.”
“We are your allies, Captain,” the First said. “We will behave according to your needs.”
Lian dipped his head. “After our meal, I will escort the members of the council to our Order of Valor regiment. They can inspect the weapons while you and I discuss more informally.”
“A wise plan.”
“I will assign a member of my crew to assist you with anything you may need while in our company. You only need to ask and we will accommodate.”
The First chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. “You do not need to fuss, Captain. We appreciate all you offer, but we won’t be as demanding as you fear.”
Lian allowed a smile to touch his lips. That seemed a joke. But now wasn’t the time for Lian to let his guard down. Perhaps later when he and the First were alone.
The pod rumbled as it attached back to the docking bay along the Bethany’s hull. The window showed only the cool metal of the separating door instead of the darkness of space. Lian glanced over Trish’s shoulder at the control panel and saw the green light flash on. They were ready to go.
“Sousuke,” Lian said, tapping the call badge on his sleeve.
“Captain?”
“We’re back aboard. Get us moving toward Cathariz immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lian cut off the call. Then he unbuckled his harness and stood, motioning for the Dalmin to do the same. Their long limbs made it difficult to unclasp the fasteners, but they managed. Around them, the Bethany gave a shudder, letting Lian know the engines had been activated and they were heading to their destination.
Trish killed the escape pod’s system, then went to the door. With a push of the button, she opened the divider and stepped to the side.
Lian walked through first, but gestured for the Dalmin to follow. He emerged into the familiar hallways. Breathing deep, he allowed his body to relax. The air on Feiwei had been breathable, but like Earth, it wasn’t filtered. The Bethany’s system filtered, cleaned, and cooled the oxygen.
When the Dalmin joined him in the curving hallway, Lian bowed once more. “Welcome to the Bethany.” He straightened. “If you will follow me, I will show you to your rooms.”
The closest elevator seemed too small when Lian, Trish, and four Dalmin climbed in. Lian pushed the button for the top floor and the elevator zoomed up.
“An interesting design,” Alpha Yinarro noted. “The curvature is hardly noticeable.”
“The ceiling is much too low,” Alpha Feltollio added, but in a whisper. His intention was not to offend.
The doors opened with a ding and Lian let the Dalmin exit first. “My quarters are at the end of this hall,” Lian said, pointing to the door that led to his room. “Though I’m on the bridge more often than not, feel free to knock on my door at any time.” Then he hit the button to the neare
st room. The door split down the center and opened. “I’m afraid our guest suites aren’t as large as you’d probably like. We have four available, so you can each have your own.”
The First nodded his thanks and entered the room. Lian led Mimasho to the next, then Yinarro, and Feltollio to the last.
Trish started back toward the elevator, so he followed. Once inside, Lian took a deep breath. “This went better than expected. I never thought they’d agree to travel with us.”
She hit the button for the bridge. “We never checked them for weapons.”
“We just signed a treaty with them. We don’t need to check them for weapons. In fact, in less than an hour, they’ll have 5,000 weapons at their disposal.”
Trish grimaced. “You’re right. They haven’t done anything to earn my distrust.”
Lian gripped her shoulder and smiled. “I appreciate your caution. It’s better to be careful, even with everything signed. I don’t think they will betray us, but I could easily be mistaken.”
The elevator dinged and Lian stepped out. He could tell something was wrong. The air was stale, like everyone had been breathing heavily. The room also had a quiet edge to it. No one spoke, though every eye turned to him as he entered.
“Captain Lian,” Candi said, rushing up to him. “There have been some major developments in your absence.”
Lian’s stomach twisted. Was it the Dalmin rebels? Could some of the loyal beshwa really have been in league with them the whole time? “What developments?”
Candi handed him a portable screen. He looked down at Gin’s face below the words “Wanted for possible sabotage.”
“Shit,” he said softly, and Trish echoed him.
“He’s already been apprehended, sir,” Candi informed him. “He’s in the brig.”
Lian shut his eyes tight, the dread in his stomach morphing into something worse, something physically painful. Why should the idea of Gin in trouble worry him more than the Dalmin’s possible betrayal?
When he opened his eyes, he regarded Candi. “When did this order come through?”
“Right after you left.”
Spark in the Stars Page 16
