Jessica nodded but said nothing.
Rsach continued, “And you’re aware the Mercenary Guild has disavowed all evidence about their role in any attempt on your life.”
Jessica nodded. “I’m aware, Master Rsach.”
“How does that make you feel, Jessica?”
“Betrayed. Angry.” Jessica sighed. “Uncertain.”
Rsach steepled many fingers across his chest. “Uncertain about what?”
“My actions. My future as a Peacemaker.” She sighed again. “Honestly? If I made the right choice in the first place.”
Rsach chittered in amusement. “I believe you stated in your oath you wished to stand for those in need. Did you do that to the best of your ability?”
“I did.”
“I believe you did as well.” Rsach nodded solemnly. “Your moral code is one of the many reasons we brought you into the fold, Jessica. Let me state for the record you have the full support of your guild, which is not something to take lightly. This early in your career path, as such, you are aware the guild is unable to afford you additional protection.”
Jessica nodded. The Peacemaker code was clear that while Peacemakers were to be considered protected in all Union territories and safe from individual attack or harm, they could still be attacked. Peacemakers, Constables, and Intermediaries were unprotected. Enforcers had their own internal protective measures. Peacemaker leadership ranks, Lieutenant and above, were protected by the guild, and any attack on them brought whatever response the Peacemaker Guild chose to deploy. “I am aware, Master Rsach.”
He nodded. “Then you are to understand something else, Peacemaker Francis. Your performance on Araf flirted with the edge of a Peacemaker’s roles and responsibilities in the Union. Your ability to discern the situation and put down armed conflict with a handful of supporting soldiers and weapon systems was something unseen in the guild for the last two hundred years. Accordingly, we deemed you worthy of entering the guild with the full provisions appropriate for your work. Today, though, is much different. There are many reasons, Jessica, but from this day forward you hold the rank of Lieutenant. That you’ve accomplished this in six months is a surprise to everyone except Selector Hak-Chet. There are two reasons for this promotion, and I want you to understand them well.”
Lieutenant? Her breath caught in her throat. There were fewer than a hundred Lieutenants in the entire Peacemaker force. That she’d made the rank so quickly sent a ripple of adrenaline through her body, like a bolt of lightning from the heavens. Holy shit!
Rsach continued, “First, your performance merits this promotion, which is the foremost reason and why the guild has authorized it, effective today. I signed off on your commissioning statement this morning, and while I am proud of you, I had other concerns. Second, though, is that you require protection. Now, any threat to you is a direct threat to the leadership of our guild. Before you became a Peacemaker, I believed no one would dare cross that line and target one of us. Sadly, that’s no longer the case. While neither of us wants to face the fact, there are those in the galaxy who want you dead. I’d hoped the addition of Nikki Sinclair and Jackson Rains from your species to the Peacemaker rolls would ease this pressure, but it has not. Times are uncertain, and I need the best Peacemaker I have for a critical mission elsewhere. Something that is very different from anything you’ve done to this point. Something that will take you away from the conflicts raging across the galaxy. But you require the rank and authority to do so.”
Jessica swallowed. “I understand, Master Rsach, and I’m honored.”
“Good,” Rsach said. “In twelve hours, you’ll depart for Dryod Four. Once there, you’ll be briefed on the situation and enter full mission quarantine. No one can know you’re being deployed again. That’s all I can say about the mission now. You’re to gather your things and be ready for transport. I will accompany you to the Quiet Storm.”
Jessica’s head swam. The incredible promotion was something she would never have expected, especially not within her first year as a Peacemaker. A new mission, something very different and challenging, sounded like a vacation. As good as everything appeared, there was something else she needed to do. Something that necessitated the guild’s awareness.
“What is it, Jessica? I can see doubt churning your face.” Rsach chuckled. “Do you think yourself unready?”
She shook her head. “No, Master Rsach. I’m ready for what you want me to do, but there’s something else I feel we need to address.”
“What would that be?”
I’m sorry, Dad.
“An immediate arrest warrant needs to be issued for my father, James Edward Francis,” Jessica said, “on the suspicion he supplied technical information to the Mercenary Guild and assisted in the development of a weapon designed to disable human CASPer systems in combat with the Veetanho. I believe there is probable cause for questioning and detention, Sir.”
Rsach’s fuzzy eyebrows rose. “Really?”
“Yes, Master Rsach. I know you want me to perform this other mission, but I believe my father needs to be arrested immediately and brought to your presence. Assuming he’s still alive.”
“He’s alive,” Rsach said. “We have solid intelligence on that, but he’s used his Dusman chip to thwart our tracking abilities, and we are certain the Cartography Guild is helping him disappear. He has turned into a different burrow, and he has what you humans call a head start. As much as you want to take that mission and find him, I am afraid I cannot let you do so. Not because of emotional ties or conflicts of interest, but you have another more important mission to complete.”
Jessica looked away. The news her father was alive should have filled her with joy instead of dread. He had to answer to the charges Raleigh Reilly had leveled against him. They needed answers, and while she wanted to go, she knew her finding her father would raise too many eyebrows and undermine the guild’s mission. “I understand.”
The door to Jessica’s quarters was still open, and Tara Mason appeared outside. When Tara saw the Guild Master, a wave of recognition shot across her face, and she spun quickly to walk away, but Rsach spoke first. “Miss Mason? Please come in. My business with the Peacemaker is nearly complete, and we have to talk about your next mission.”
Tara squinted at the Jeha, flashed her eyes to Jessica, and walked into the room. “Yes, Guild Master?”
“You are a known quantity to Jessica’s father, are you not?”
“I am. He offered me a job. I didn’t take it, but…” Tara let the comment die, and Jessica thought it wise.
“On behalf of the Peacemaker Guild, you’ll be deputized at my direct discretion and sent after Jessica’s father. While you are not a Peacemaker, and cannot represent yourself as one, you go with the blessing and the authority of the guild.”
Tara flinched. “You’re pardoning me?”
“Miss Mason, you were never charged with a crime. Jessica’s testimony in the investigation cleared you of any wrongdoing aside from making a poor decision. We’ve all done that before. She believes you can be trusted, and I need someone Snowman knows to go get him and bring him to Luna. Doing so before he’s killed in cold blood is critical. Do you accept this offer? I am acutely aware you are in need of immediate employment.” Rsach almost smiled.
“I accept, Guild Master.”
“Good,” Rsach said. “If you’ll excuse me, Lieutenant Francis, Nurr has finally asked to speak with me. I believe we’ll bring the TriRusk back into the Union because of your efforts. I’m also supposed to tell you that Kurrang wishes to speak with you. I’m sorry to say he’s declined my offer to again become a Peacemaker, but I understand his decision. He and his daughter are waiting outside. You are both free to leave your quarters.”
Jessica exulted and struggled to maintain her bearing. I knew it! Kurrang was a Peacemaker.
Rsach swept from the room as gracefully as he’d entered, the light catching the fine hairs and limbs of his carapace in a prismatic rainb
ow effect before the door closed behind him. Jessica brought a hand to her face and covered her eyes. Her shoulders slumped under the mixture of emotions, both volatile and excited, coursing through her veins. She wanted to scream for joy and cry in pain. Chin to her chest, she stood there for a moment. She heard Tara cross the floor. The taller woman silently wrapped Jessica in a hug and held her until the tears stopped and her composure returned—which took much longer than either of them expected.
* * *
Bags over her shoulder, wearing her clean, dark blue coveralls without her weapon belts and bandolier, Jessica strode to the waiting shuttle and saw a familiar group waiting for her. Tirr, his left arm in an immobilizing cast and the MinSha version of a sling, stepped forward and directed two of his guards to take her bags. He looked down at her with his bright, ruby eyes. “I am glad to have made your acquaintance, Jessica.”
He stretched out a forearm that Jessica shook warmly. “More than an acquaintance, Tirr. A friend. If there is ever anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to contact me.”
Tirr bowed ceremonially. “I’m honored to be your friend, Peacemaker.”
“Can I ask you to do one thing in the future?”
Tirr raised his chin and nodded awkwardly.
“Do not hide secrets.”
“I apologize that we did not tell you about the TriRusk sooner.”
Jessica put up a hand to stop him speaking. “Trust comes in all shapes and sizes, Tirr. Just remember that.”
“I will, Jessica.”
Kurrang and his daughter stepped forward as Tirr exited from the hasty receiving line. The whole idea of it made Jessica smile. The TriRusk warrior, whom she’d learned was once the equivalent of a general in the TriRusk militia and a Peacemaker to boot, scowled at her. “Is something funny?”
“I feel like I’m on parade.”
Kurrang lowered his chin. “You are a hero to the MinSha and the TriRusk. This is a result of your position and the way that you cared for and defended us. All of us. Maintain that approach, Jessica Francis, and you’ll go far.”
Jessica wiped away a sudden tear that appeared in her left eye. “Rsach said you won’t return to the guild and be a Peacemaker again.”
“No, that time for me has passed. There are others, though, we will consider. When they are ready, they will go and stand beside you,” Kurrang said. “Jessica, I want you to meet Maarg. That we haven’t been able to see you until now is most unfortunate, but she wanted to make sure I introduced you.”
Jessica knelt down and smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you, Maarg.”
“Father told me you have another mission. I do hope you’ll return soon. You are welcome here forever.”
She felt a blush on her cheeks. Maarg was almost certainly not a child, despite her size and relative youth. The young TriRusk served as a reminder that not everything in this universe was as it seemed. “Thanks. I’ll be back again someday soon.”
Jessica stood and Kurrang’s massive right arm collared her and brought her to his chest for an awkward hug. His fur tickled her skin as she hugged him fiercely. “Thank you for saving my life, Kurrang.”
“You saved my tribe. I am forever in your debt.”
Lastly, Tara waited at the shuttle’s ramp. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Jessica decided that Tara needed to smile more. Perhaps the mission Rsach had offered would give her some peace. “I’ve sent for the Victory Twelve. She’s yours for the mission—just don’t break her.”
Tara looked shocked. “You’re sure?”
Jessica nodded, tucked her auburn hair over one ear, and reached into a pocket. “I am, and I want you to take my slate. This is the master copy of Lucille. Update the file on Victory Twelve and load her into your combat slate or mini-slate if you want.”
“The Victory Twelve? Is that how you got here?” Tara asked.
“No, it was at Dryod Four. Master Rsach has a crew bringing her here in the next few days. She’s yours for as long as you need her.”
Tears glistened in Tara’s eyes. “I can’t take your ship, Jess.”
“Yes, you can, and you will,” Jessica said. “Upload your copy of Lucille and make sure she updates the ship, too.”
“Don’t you need Lucille on your mission?”
“Not the master file,” Jessica said. “I have a copy of her, but one that’s nowhere near what you and I have used. It’ll be alright for this mission. I just wanted the real one to be in the hands of someone I trust.”
Tara’s mouth opened and closed silently. She finally said, “I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s a first.” Jessica walked up to Tara and wrapped her arms around her. They embraced tightly, and Jessica felt Tara’s breath on her neck.
“Thank you, Jessica.”
Jessica nodded. “You’re welcome, Tara. Just do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
“Get to him before anyone else does.”
“I will.” Tara pulled back and looked into Jessica’s eyes. She leaned forward and kissed Jessica on the cheek before hugging her again. “That’s what friends are for.”
<<<<>>>>
About Kevin Ikenberry
Kevin’s head has been in the clouds since he was old enough to read. Ask him and he’ll tell you that he still wants to be an astronaut. A retired Army officer, Kevin has a diverse background in space and space science education. A former manager of the world-renowned U.S. Space Camp program in Huntsville, Alabama and a former executive of two Challenger Learning Centers, Kevin works with space every day and lives in Colorado with his family.
Kevin’s bestselling debut science fiction novel, Sleeper Protocol, was released by Red Adept Publishing in January 2016 and was a Finalist for the 2017 Colorado Book Award. Publisher’s Weekly called it “an emotionally powerful debut.” The sequel, Vendetta Protocol, is due for release in September 2017. His military science fiction novel Runs In The Family was released by Strigidae Publishing in January 2016 and re-released by Theogony books in 2018. Peacemaker, Book 6 of the Revelations Cycle, was released in 2017.
Kevin is an Active Member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and he is member of Pikes Peak Writers and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. He is an alumna of the Superstars Writing Seminar.
Titles by Kevin Ikenberry
“Peacemaker” – Available Now
“A Fistful of Credits” – Available Now
“Runs in the Family” – Available Now
“Sleeper Protocol” – Available Now
“Vendetta Protocol” – Available Now
* * * * *
Connect with Kevin Ikenberry Online
Learn more about Kevin Ikenberry at:
http://www.kevinikenberry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkevinikenberry/
Twitter: @thewriterike
* * * * *
Connect with Seventh Seal Press
Get the free prelude story “Shattered Crucible,”
join the mailing list, and discover other titles at:
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The following is an
Excerpt from Stand or Fall:
Stand or Fall
___________________
Kevin Ikenberry
Available from Seventh Seal Press
Fall 2018
eBook, Paperback, and Audio
Excerpt from “Stand or Fall:”
<
“Lucille, tap the collection platforms in forward space two and make a separate record.”
<
“Thanks, Lucille. Have you downloaded any inf
ormation or news from the Gate?”
<
Jessica smiled. If there was nothing about her father, Tara Mason, or the University of Georgia’s football team, it was a news day she could forget. She shook her head. “Anything from Earth?”
<
“But at least one of them was here. Search the Gate for destination information files for Asbaran Solutions, please.”
<
“Meaning that you might be able to with a near-direct connection?”
<
Jessica looked around her stateroom for the required acceleration/deceleration harness. On one end of the recessed bed, she found the straps. Set for a much larger Besquith, the harness took a fair amount of adjustment, which she finished just as the first vibrations came up from the yacht’s hull. Within seconds, the vibrations were enough to shake her body and distort her vision. Jessica mashed her eyes closed. “Time to smooth air, Lucille?”
Honor the Threat Page 37
