The larger asteroids were unaffected by the disturbance. The Ooken ship was bounced around like a pinball as one huge chunk of rock after another smashed into the ship, throwing it back out of the ring even as they tore away the main body from the tentacle-like arms at the rear.
The two halves drifted away from each other, lacking the self-repair capability Bethany Anne's ships had.
Bethany Anne shifted from one foot to the other, then turned to the avatar floating behind her left shoulder. “Izanami, can you get this wrapped up any faster?”
Izanami’s expressionless face held the ghost of anticipation for the briefest moment. “I have just the thing, my Queen.”
They saw nothing leave the Izanami. However, a few minutes later fresh explosions lit the two halves of the Ooken ship as Izanami’s toys ruptured the hull, exposing the last remaining pressurized areas to space.
Bethany Anne watched for a few moments, then turned her back on the screen. “That’s taken care of. Izanami, patch Loralei into the bridge and take us to the outpost.”
Alexis dragged her gaze from the light show. “Loralei isn’t here, Mom.”
Izanami inclined her head slightly to confirm. “While you were on the enemy vessel, a Leath ship entered the system and was hijacked by a number of Ooken seeker ships. It was taken through a Gate, and Loralei followed.”
Bethany Anne sighed. “Of course she did. She uploaded her logs when she got in though, right?”
The air around Izanami glitched, and one of the inactive screens lit up. “For what they are worth.”
“The Leath ship will wait until we have ADAM safe and sound.” Bethany Anne waved a hand at the screen. “This really isn’t the most helpful. All I can see is, well, nothing.”
“I have done what I can to reconstruct the footage using the metadata,” Izanami explained, “but since Loralei received next to no data input either time she was inside the rings, there wasn’t much I could do with those parts.”
Addix frowned at the shifting block of color and turned her head to Izanami. “This is inside the ring? The EI was essentially blind?”
“On the way out, yes. ADAM led her in.”
Michael made a noise of appreciation. “How did she manage to get out unaided?”
Izanami’s aura turned pink. “She says she turned her nose sideways to the current and hoped for the best.”
Bethany Anne chuckled, squinting at what she thought might be the outline of ADAM’s scout ship. “Uh-huh. I’m sure she said it somewhat less politely than that. Just skip ahead to what happened at the outpost.”
The AI did as she was asked and the image switched to a jumpy birds-eye view descending on a curve toward the ground. ADAM’s scout ship took the lead as the view leveled out.
Bethany Anne waved a hand at the screens. “Are there any more nasty surprises waiting for us down there?”
Izanami confirmed they were clear for now. “You took care of the primary threat, and as far as my scanners are telling me, all of the seeker ships left through the Gate.”
Michael frowned, continuing to follow ADAM and Loralei’s route into the largest dome. “How reliable are those scans?”
Izanami’s avatar glitched in and out a couple of times, her aura flashing deep red. “As accurate as you would expect. I had time to find a workaround for the interference while you and my Queen were on the enemy ship.”
Bethany Anne turned her head from the screen. “Excellent. Then it won’t be too difficult to coordinate the rescue and get back to our objective.”
Alexis and Gabriel shared a look with K’aia, which Bethany Anne didn’t miss. She turned a pleasant smile on the children. “Is there anything you three would like to contribute?”
Gabriel winced when Alexis jabbed him with her elbow. He narrowed his eyes at her and turned to Bethany Anne. “What about the Leath ship? When will we rescue them?”
“I’m getting to that.” Bethany Anne felt another tight pulse of pain band her skull. “While I’m more than concerned that the Ooken have taken hostages who could lead them back to the Federation, finding ADAM comes before anything else.”
She turned back to the screen to hide her discomfort from the children. “You kids go get suited up. If Izanami says it’s safe enough, I see no reason to leave half our team aboard the ship.”
Alexis and Gabriel jumped up and dashed for the armory, pausing when K’aia was slower to move.
Bethany Anne shooed her after the twins. “You too.”
K’aia shrugged. “I haven’t got any armor to put on. I’m good with my staff and my knives if anything goes down.”
Bethany Anne winked at her. “I think you’ll find something in the armory that will suit your purpose.”
Gabriel whooped. “Told you we'd get you hooked up.” He grinned at Bethany Anne. “Mom's pretty awesome like that.”
Alexis came over and tugged on K'aia's hands to get her moving. “Mom's just awesome, period. Come on!”
K’aia’s mandibles worked for a moment, finally making the connections to stutter a thank you as the twins dragged her off.
Bethany Anne and Michael chuckled as the young Yollin hurried from the bridge with Alexis and Gabriel.
Michael raised an eyebrow at the retreating children. I think K'aia will relax and settle in well, given time.
Bethany Anne turned back to the screen, observing their progress through the rings with her arms folded. I think… she stood like that, tapping her fingers on the elbow of her other arm while she drew the thought out, the child has seen far too much. I didn't like that she left Irey without giving us a chance to help her.
She is too spirited to hand over control of her life, even to you, Michael qualified gently. Wouldn’t you feel the same if you had been mere property most of your life? What wouldn't you do to retain that freedom once you had fought to win it?
Bethany Anne nodded. I recognize that K'aia has that fierce independent streak. It's one of the things I liked about her from the start. Her hands dropped to her sides. The question is whether we can do anything for her now that we have her here.
Michael walked the few steps to his wife and held out an arm. I know how much you want to wave a magic wand for K'aia, but I do not believe she would accept a handout.
Bethany Anne's mouth twitched in amusement. Her husband knew her too damn well. That's fine, since I wasn't planning on giving her one.
She looked at Michael for a moment, then relaxed into his embrace. I don't think it's necessary to compromise K'aia's need to be independent. If she wants to earn her way in life, then we need to find a niche for her.
I can't see that being an issue, Michael agreed. I take it you have a plan in mind?
Bethany Anne touched her cheek to Michael’s chest. Actually, yes. Yours. I like the idea of Gabriel and Alexis having someone to watch their backs. The three of them seem to be bonding well enough as a group. She stretched up and brushed her lips against his jaw. I’ve had some time to reassess how I feel about this infuriating habit you've formed recently of being fucking right all the time.
Michael wasn’t quite sure where this was leading. She’d accepted his arm around her and her inner voice was soft, but… And?
Well, I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t piss me off. But, she snuggled into his chest, it’s also good to know I don’t have to worry about you so much as I have been.
You are aware that I kept myself alive and in one piece for a very long time before you walked into my life in those red heels of yours?
One hundred and fifty years, Michael. You can’t blame me for being protective. However, I can see I’ve been holding on too tightly.
Michael held Bethany Anne closer, pressing his lips to her hair. Does that mean I’m forgiven at last?
For getting yourself blown up in a nuclear explosion? She snorted against his chest. Fuck, no. But I have been thinking a lot about how we're going to win this war, and I refuse to be the reason it gets dragged out.
Ho
w…progressive of you. I was beginning to think you would never relax your grip on us all. Michael raised his eyes to the ceiling and prayed to whatever gods were out there working to keep males and the most precious parts of their anatomy together that she never found out the whole truth about his hunt.
Bethany Anne released Michael and moved away from the screen. It was that or face mutiny. Apparently, I’ve been driving everyone insane.
Michael was definitely not falling into that trap. We all understood why you needed to place strictures on us.
Bethany Anne put an indignant hand to her chest. Wow, want me to turn around so you can twist that knife a bit more? She laughed at Michael’s raised eyebrow. I know I’ve been overdoing it when my stick-up-his-ass husband compares my protective nature when it comes to our family to the bloody reign of terror he inflicted upon the UnknownWorld for centuries.
A reign that was entirely justified, Michael pointed out.
Of course, dear. Her mouth quirked as she teased him. Nothing at all to do with your refusal to accept anything other than your will being followed to the letter?
Michael snorted. Pots and kettles, my love?
Bethany Anne shook her head. I will admit to a certain level of expectation when it comes to getting shit done. But as long as it gets done, I don’t care how it’s achieved. I trust my people to be responsible about their methods.
You mean you don’t like being swamped with all the details.
Bethany Anne patted Michael on the ass as she passed him to get to the transfer area. Exactly. I have a couple of calls to take care of now that Izanami has solved the issue with the interference, but then I’ll be good to go.
Michael turned and caught her in his arms before she took another step. I’ll go light a fire under the children. They should have been done by now.
Bethany Anne pulled Michael close and kissed the corner of his mouth lightly. Not an actual fire, though, my love. I have to say that wouldn’t be proper parenting. It hasn’t been done since the Dark Ages.
She turned and stepped into the Etheric, opening a connection to Admiral Thomas as she exited a moment or two later in her personal armory.
What can I do for you, Bethany Anne? Did you find ADAM and Loralei yet?
We have Loralei, or rather we had her. ADAM is still missing. We’re almost at the outpost now.
What happened with Loralei?
She went after a Leath ship that was taken out of the system by the Ooken. That’s why I’m calling; as soon as we have ADAM, we’re going after the ship.
Admiral Thomas sounded more than a little confused. You’re going off to rescue some Leath?
Yes, and don’t imagine for one moment that I’m at all pleased about it. Bethany Anne scowled as she replaced her katanas in their mount on the wall. But it’s a short leap from the Leath to all the other parts of the Federation. The last thing we need is the Ooken learning anything about them.
Admiral Thomas made a noise of comprehension. That makes more sense now. Want me to join you?
No. I want you to keep on coordinating things from there. I’ll call if I need you once we reach wherever Loralei has tracked them to. Bethany Anne dropped the connection and looked out on the destruction below.
The outpost’s domes resembled a grisly row of boiled eggs. The tops had been cracked open, leaving nothing but jagged shards at the top of each one.
Bethany Anne eyed the damage to the smaller research modules. The equipment had been torn out, leaving bright spots in the otherwise burned buildings. She saw no bodies and sensed no one hiding.
Bethany Anne’s sense of ADAM grew slightly stronger as the ship neared the largest dome.
TOM, can you feel that?
Um, no. I am rather busy trying to work out what the hell is going on with your chip. What is it you want me to feel?
Bethany Anne almost growled in frustration. ADAM, of course. I can almost locate him, but the energy is shifting too much for me to pin him down. Bethany Anne almost lost her balance when her skull briefly felt as though someone had driven an icepick into it. What the fuck was that?
I’m sorry. I loosened my hold on your nervous system to see if I could sense him too.
Did you?
No, but then I didn’t dare leave your chip unattended for long enough to really try.
Bethany Anne rubbed the base of her skull. Yeah, don’t do that again until you’ve fixed the problem. Has the issue gotten that much worse? Am I in danger?
I’m still not sure what the problem is, but it’s within my control. As for the cause, I would hazard a guess that it has something to do with ADAM being absent for so long.
Then we’d better get him back. She opened a large drawer and began attaching the contents to her armor’s utility belt.
Are you expecting to need grenades?
Bethany Anne shrugged. Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. She added a few other bits and pieces before taking a shortcut through the Etheric back to the bridge.
Michael and the children arrived a few minutes after Bethany Anne stepped out of her transfer area.
“I can sense ADAM,” Bethany Anne informed them. “He’s somewhere inside the main dome.”
She turned her attention to the children as Izanami brought the ship in to land inside the largest dome. “Pay close attention. We are allowing you to leave the ship. This is not a game scenario. You are part of a working team, and your actions will have real repercussions. I want to see you making good decisions, just like we trained you for. Okay?”
Alexis and Gabriel nodded and chorused, “Yes, Mom.”
Bethany Anne's face was soft although her tone was hard. “K’aia, you want to earn your place here?”
K’aia nodded fiercely. “I came here to serve you, whether you want to be an Empress, a Queen, or just plain Bethany Anne. But I don’t want to stay if you have no use for me. I won’t be kept out of pity.”
Michael snorted. “What did I tell you?”
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow at Michael, then turned back to K’aia with her million-watt smile. “That suits me perfectly. You are now Alexis and Gabriel’s shadow. Swear to protect my children and you will have a home with us for as long as you want one.”
K’aia’s eyes widened. “Seriously? That’s all? I’d do that anyway.” She shuffled her back legs slightly and looked at the twins. “That’s if you want me?”
Alexis paused the happy dance she was doing around the bridge and put her hands on her hips. “Of course we want you! Does the dancing not speak for itself?”
K’aia shrugged, abashed. “I wasn’t sure what you were doing, honestly.”
“I thought you were having a seizure, Sis,” Gabriel offered less than helpfully. He walked over to K’aia and gave her a brotherly punch in the arm. “Welcome to the family.”
Bethany Anne's eyes sparkled a little, seeing a possible future for the three of them as a force to be reckoned with.
They grow up so quickly these days, Michael deadpanned.
Bethany Anne made sure he heard her groan. What are you now, the font of all dad jokes?
Michael grinned. If it annoys you, my love? I’ll get to studying.
Not if I murder you in your sleep first, she replied.
She gave the children another moment before herding them toward the elevator. Michael snickered every now and again on the elevator ride down.
Bethany Anne shook her head, refusing to give him an opening to bombard her with bad puns.
Izanami’s avatar was waiting for them at the ramp. Her aura flickered green/blue. “There are no life signs in this area, human or otherwise. Neither can I find any trace of ADAM, although there are strange readings coming from an alley nearby.”
Bethany Anne reached out with her mind. ADAM’s presence was the strongest it had been since he’d cut out. “I can find ADAM. Keep us covered.”
Michael sidestepped Bethany Anne before she could leave the ship first. “I will
check to ensure it’s safe for you and the children.”
“Is that necessary?” Bethany Anne asked impatiently. “Izanami has already confirmed that it’s safe.”
Michael shook his head. “I don’t care. I want to see for myself.”
Bethany Anne and the children exited the ship once Michael was satisfied there were no hidden threats.
Bethany Anne strode down the ramp and looked around. “If this is the place ADAM vanished, where is his scout ship?” She headed into the alley and looked around as if expecting to see it appear from behind one of the dumpsters.
A slightly cleaner patch on the wall in the gap between two of the dumpsters caught Bethany Anne’s eye. She stood back to get a better view and saw the scorch marks around the clean spot.
She looked over her shoulder at the mouth of the alley. Izanami, what did you mean by strange readings from this alley?
Izanami answered instantly. The signature was from Gate energy. I only mentioned it because it was unexpected. I deduced it to be a false reading since this part of Loralei’s logs were indecipherable.
Bethany Anne waved Michael and the children over. Check again. You may have been right the first time.
There was a pause from the AI. There is residual Gate energy here, but it’s mixed with Etheric energy.
He made a Gate to the Etheric? Why?
The reason is unclear, but the evidence leans toward that conclusion, yes.
Bethany Anne was looking at the evidence with her own eyes, but she still didn’t quite believe it. Is it even possible to create a Gate on a planet without causing an earthquake or something equally detrimental?
It would appear so, Izanami replied. I, however, lack the ability to travel between realms. I must wait here for your return, my Queen.
Michael came to stand beside Bethany Anne, spotting the anomaly immediately. Alexis also noticed the scorch marks and diverted to run a finger over the blackened brickwork. “What happened here, Mom?”
Bethany Anne explained in a nutshell. “It looks like ADAM made a Gate to the Etheric and went through it.”
Michael regarded the place ADAM had entered the Gate, his posture betraying his concern. “Excellent. Then we can find out why he expended the energy to take the missing dumpster with him.”
All’s Fair in Blood and War (The Kurtherian Endgame Book 4) Page 16
