“But you have more evidence than you’re sharing with the Hylatians,” Abraham said.
“I do,” Lucas said. “I do not want to cause an … well an interstellar incident. Do you?”
“No but they’re good people,” Abraham said.
“They are,” Lucas said. “I’ve got mercenaries, hired bomb makers, and everything except an actual lead taking this from the doers to the planners.”
“Aside from the senator, who are you looking at,” Abraham asked.
Lucas sat back, crossed his arms as he considered the question. “Why are you asking,” he asked.
“I’ve been waved off on asking questions,” Abraham said. “More than that, I’ve been told to follow orders from the Premier and leave the rest up to you.”
“Who told you this,” Lucas asked.
“You think I’m fishing,” Abraham snorted. “Those little girls, you’ve spent time with them. Do you think I want them hurt?”
“No,” Lucas said. “I don’t. But I know you’re dedicated or you wouldn’t have made colonel.”
“Dedicated, yes,” Abraham said. “Ethical as well. If someone is after those girls, I want to put a stop to it.”
“Got daughters at home,” Lucas asked.
“Yes,” Abraham said. “Tell me what I can do to help.”
“Do you have other sources in the military you can tap,” Lucas asked.
“Most certainly,” Abraham said. “What do you want to know?”
“We’re getting the shuffle from the inventory personnel,” Lucas said.
“Doesn’t surprise me,” Abraham said. “They don’t like to admit to errors. Let me dig into it through some back channels.”
***
“When will you be back,” Abby asked squeezing her stuffed bear really tight.
Mycos tucked her in, leaned down to kiss her. “We will not be late,” he said. “You go to sleep and before you know it, we will be back.”
“All the men are here,” Abby asked.
“Why are you worried, defur,” Mycos asked rubbing his hands up and down her arms.
“When you’re out, things happen,” Abby said.
“I will be back as quick as I can,” Mycos said.
“Lyd’s going with you,” Abby asked.
“Yes, as are Gregor and Sally,” Mycos said frowning. “Why?”
“I had dreams again last night,” Abby whispered, her little fingers worrying the button on his jacket sleeve.
“Did you do what you were told,” Mycos asked.
“Yes,” Abby said. “But it felt real, really real.”
“But nothing happened last night,” Mycos said soothing her. “Do you want one of the men in here?”
Abby thought for a long time, looking past Mycos at her door. “No,” she said taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “You won’t be late?”
Mycos brushed the hair out of her eyes. He reassured her again. “We will be back early,” he said.
“Okay,” Abby whispered. “Will you come tell me when you’re back?”
“Lydia and I will come make sure you are all right,” Mycos promised.
“Kay,” Abby said. She wiggled onto her side, curled around the bear and closed her eyes.
Mycos pulled the blankets up, patted her shoulder and rose to leave. At the door, he paused to watch her. He knew what the seer considered, knew his mother agreed. He’d dismissed it as not feasible, but what if she were sensing something?
Thoughtfully, he left her room. Stopped to speak with Landros and Nic. “She’s disturbed tonight,” Mycos said. “Keep a close eye on her.”
“We’ll give her a half hour and check,” Nic said. “Landros and I are going for a short walk in the moonlight.”
“There’s no moon tonight,” Mycos said.
“Exactly,” Nic said. “You have your version of private time, we have ours.”
“We will keep an eye on her, sir,” Landros said. “When we are walking, we will scan the surrounding area and I will have extra men on their hall.”
“Good,” Mycos said.
“Be careful,” Nic said as he turned.
“You as well,” he said nodding to Landros. Mycos strolled towards his office. He snorted as he thought it. It was more their office now. Lydia had taken over but they’d moved the desk away from the windows. He heard Sally’s laugh as he approached. Gregor had a mate. A few years ago, it would not have been possible.
“I thought pregnant women were round,” Gregor said blushing.
“It’s your child,” Sally said.
“Is there a problem,” Mycos asked suddenly concerned.
“The baby shifted,” Sally said. “She lay all on my right side so my belly was lopsided. Gregor became concerned because of the odd shape.”
“You gasped,” Gregor said. “I was concerned.”
“She rolled over,” Sally said taking his hand. Her eyes twinkled with laughter and tears. “I can’t wait for her to arrive. I want to see her in your arms.”
“My own child,” Gregor swallowed. “You are a gift.”
“You’re happy for a daughter,” Lydia said taking Mycos’ hand in her.
“Ecstatic,” Gregor said.
“We should go,” Sally said starting to scoot forward. “We don’t want to be late for this meeting with Morgan.” Gregor put his arm around her to help her stand.
Lydia stood, turned to look at Mycos when he didn’t rise. “What’s wrong?”
“Abby asked how late we would be,” Mycos said. “I cannot shake her concern. I wonder if we should reschedule.”
“What’s the problem,” Sally asked.
“She said her dreams were stronger,” Mycos said.
“Are we catering to her if we stay,” Lydia said, frowning as she remembered all Zaria said.
“Go or not,” Gregor said. “We should send the transport.”
“It could be a drill,” Lydia said. “You’re certain they cannot get through our communications?”
“We are positive,” Gregor said. “They try daily. Different methods and different techniques.”
“Sally, send a message to Tasmine,” Lydia said. “Are we going into lockdown?”
“Does it feel like we should,” Gregor asked.
“Yes,” Sally and Lydia both said.
“Get the women to safety, and the men will wait for an attack,” Mycos said.
“Do we take Abby down or will we leave the girls to shelter in place,” Lydia asked.
“They will hear all the others moving,” Gregor said. “They are too smart not to realize what’s going on.”
“All right,” Mycos said. “Everyone to practice an emergency evacuation.”
“Wait here,” Gregor told Sally. “I will send off the transport.”
Mycos went to his desk to send an alert to all the men’s com units. More than a dozen men showed up, some looked like they had come from their beds and others were alert.
“We’re doing an evacuation drill,” Lydia said. “We’re getting indications there may be an attack.”
Landros asked, “A full evacuation milady?”
“Yes,” Lydia said. “Sally is going with the girls.”
“You should as well,” Manere said. “You are too important to risk.”
All the men wore the same look of concern. “I’ll be in the last wave down,” Lydia said. “I want to make sure the others are safe first.”
“We will get the girls down,” Landros said.
“We have practiced this,” Gregor said having returned from sending the transport off. “Quiet and methodical.”
“Yes, Custos,” the men said in unison. They scattered except a small squad assembled outside the office.
“Why,” Lydia asked.
“This is your protection,” Mycos said. He and Gregor headed for the door. He grabbed Lydia by the shoulders. “We will get our armor and return. You start the evacuation. Do not turn on a lot of lights.”
“It’s
late enough most of the lights are normally off,” Lydia said. “Do you think they know our habits?”
“Better safe than sorry,” Sally said. “Now, I’ll find a comfortable chair and keep an eye on your sisters. You will be careful. I agree with the men. You’re too important to risk.”
“Because if anything happens to me, it will cause problems between the two races,” Lydia said.
“You’re the link,” Sally said. Hannah approached, holding Abby’s hand. Abby rubbed her eyes.
“You two are coming with me,” Sally said. “We’re taking care of each other.”
“Why we doin a drill,” Hannah asked yawning.
“Is it a drill,” Abby asked her bear in her arm.
“Do you see men with masks,” Lydia asked. “For now, it’s a drill.”
“You didn’t go,” Abby said looking at Mycos.
“You were afraid,” he said kneeling next to her. “Now you need to make sure Sally finds a good spot to sit and be comfortable. You know how long these drills take.”
“You’ll both come down,” Abby asked.
“As soon as we can,” Mycos said.
“Kay,” Abby said. She took Sally’s hand. “Can I feel the baby move?”
“She’s busy tonight so once we get downstairs, you should be able to,” Sally said.
***
“The upper floors have been cleared,” Landros reported. “We have only a few more of the new arrivals to escort to their evacuation location.”
“Haven’t they done the drills,” Lydia asked as she looked over the numbers he showed her.
“No,” Nic said joining them.
“I took you,” Landros said his voice tight and controlled.
“I told you, I wasn’t hiding,” Nic said. Worry made her tone sharp and annoyed. “I’m a good fighter. You trained me. I’m wearing my armor. Lydia’s got her armor on. We do what we need to.”
“I should tie you up,” Landros muttered.
“You and what army,” Nic challenged him.
“Stop it,” Lydia said. “He’s worried about you.”
“I can’t be down there when he’s not,” Nic grumbled. She stepped closer to him instead of holding back. “Could you be?”
“No,” Landros said. “You will stay near me.”
“For the rest of your life,” Nic muttered even as her cheeks turned red. “Justinian is still in the healing rooms. He says he wants to be with the last to leave.”
“Normal,” Landros said. “In case there are any injuries.”
“He should go below to keep an eye on Sally,” Lydia said.
“We have a breach,” Gregor said. He looked up from the monitor he’d been watching intently. “Northeast sector.”
“Notify Abraham,” Lydia said. “You two, downstairs now.”
“You too,” Nic said. “We live together… remember.”
“How many more need to get down,” Lydia asked.
“There are twenty three who are not locked down,” Aniton said.
“Take a squad and hurry them along,” Lydia said.
“No,” Aniton said. “My duty is here.”
“I will go, milady,” Paric said. He nodded to Byron who had joined Paric’s squad. “We will get the women safely to the evacuation location.”
The two moved out the door. “Where is Lord Mycos,” Landros asked.
“He has a squad checking on some windows which wouldn’t lock,” Lydia said.
“What’s he really doing,” Nic said. “He wouldn’t leave you for windows that won’t lock.”
“He is bringing Abraham and his squad in,” Gregor said. “We have intruders on the grounds.”
“Light up the grounds,” Lydia said.
“Done,” Gregor said.
“Can you display what’s happening,” Nic asked.
Projecting the scene on the monitor into the middle of the room they saw several men scamper for cover as soon as the lights came up.
“Play the warning,” Lydia said watching the men.
“Those don’t look like gang members,” Nic said.
“They look like military,” Abraham said as he entered the room with Mycos. “My men are on their way there.”
“This is a distraction,” Nic said. “They know we’ve got sensors to notify. Where is their real force coming in?”
“Gregor, do a sweep,” Lydia said. While her stomach jumped with nerves, she kept her tone calm and steady. Her eyes met Mycos’ and she saw his approval.
“We have faulty readings in the southwest sector,” Gregor said. He brought up the scene.
“It doesn’t look like,” Abraham said. “No. I’m wrong.”
“There have to be fifty men,” Lucas said.
“Paric reports one of the women is injured,” Gregor said.
“Do they need Justinian,” Lydia asked not turning from the scenes playing out. “Turn up all the outside lights.”
“Wait,” Mycos said. “Let’s not reveal too much.”
“You think they’re bringing in more,” Lydia asked.
“If they get into the house,” Abraham said. “There could be no question of their intentions.”
“It’s a risk,” Nic said.
“You mean if violence has to break out,” Lydia said. “If they end up hurt and are inside our home, no one can say we used excessive force.”
Abraham nodded and waited to see what she would say.
“Mycos, what do you think,” Lydia asked.
“It is a good strategy,” Mycos said. “But has its risks.”
“The risk is they see our layout,” Lydia said. “May injure some of our men.”
“Paric reports they have reached the evacuation location,” Gregor said. “All non-combatants are locked down.”
“Can they get to those locations at all,” Lydia asked.
“They might find them,” Mycos said.
“It is unlikely they will breach our inner security,” Gregor said
“It’s the real deal,” Nic asked.
“We would do no less for our women,” Mycos said. “You two need to retreat …”
“Sir,” Gregor said. “We have visitors at the front gate.”
“Who,” Lydia asked tearing her eyes from the men invading their home to glance over her shoulder at Gregor.
“It appears to be Morgan Richardson’s car but it is not her normal driver,” Gregor said.
“Can you tell if she’s in there,” Lydia said moving to his side.
“No,” Gregor said. “Tinted windows. Scanners show…”
“Shit,” Lydia said. “Well, isn’t that lovely.”
“What,” Nic said.
“There are at least three guns in the car,” Lydia said. “One is pointing right at Morgan.”
“If we lock down, they will hurt her,” Mycos said.
“If we let them in, can we save her and keep everyone here safe,” Lydia asked.
“Possibly,” Mycos said. In his own language, he barked orders to Gregor, Landros and Aniton. “You and Nic leave us now.”
“Wrong move,” Nic said. “I’m gonna answer the door. It’s known I do this particularly at night.”
“It exposes you,” Landros said.
“You’ll be there,” Nic said.
“Do they have both Eldred and Morgan,” Myco asked.
“Yes,” Gregor said.
“We’re going to the front door,” Nic said. “We let them in. You all surround them. Stun the crap out of them if they resist. I’ll work to get the two out of the way.”
“You will be exposed,” Landros said. “There has to be another way.”
“If they kill her on our property, they will claim we did it,” Lydia said. “Dammit. Landros take Nic and welcome our guests. Gregor let them in. Mycos, you better get your people where they need to be.”
“You will evacuate,” Mycos asked hoping even while he knew she wouldn’t.
“After Nic is safe,” Lydia said. “Nic can bring them
here. Morgan and Eldred can come ahead of her into the office. Then your people will move in. Landros, you are known to stick close to Nic so you’ll cut off the others as you get towards the office.”
“My people are in place,” Abraham said. “They surround the intruders in the northeast.”
“Those coming in from the southwest are at the side entrances,” Gregor said. “If we are doing this, we need to move.”
“Abraham, your people will have to wait until Nic is in the office,” Lydia said. “Can you do that?”
“I can,” Abraham said. He pulled out his com and started whispering orders into it.
Lydia grabbed Nic’s hand. “Be sneaky,” she said.
“Aren’t I always,” Nic said squeezing her hand back. “Do I look innocent and naive?”
“Unless someone looks in your eyes,” Lucas said.
“It’s dark in the front foyer,” Nic said. She walked out the door with Landros at her side.
“It is the right plan,” Mycos murmured to Lydia. Gregor and Mycos arranged two squads to lay waiting for Morgan and Eldred to join them.
***
“This is not safe,” Landros muttered as they walked to the door.
“Neither is life on the street,” Nic said. “It’s the right thing to do. You’ll keep me safe. I know you will.” She ran her hand down his arm, squeezed his hand.
“Stubborn,” Landros muttered, but he grinned at her.
“Not any more or less than you are,” Nic said. At the door, she put her head down and took several deep breathes.
“They’re approaching,” Landros said. “Step to the side.”
“You’re right,” Nic said. If they started shooting at the door she didn’t want to be in the direct line of fire. The bell rang. She squared her shoulders, kept her eyes flat, glanced at Landros to make sure he was in place and opened the door.
“It’s late,” Nic said.
“I’ve an urgent message for Lord Mycos and Lady Lydia,” Morgan said. Her hand on her belly as she kept her eyes on Nic.
“Where’s Fred,” Nic said mentioning her regular security person. She didn’t actually know the man’s name but she always called him Fred.
Morgan looked over her shoulder at the three men behind her. “This is my new security detail,” she said.
“Have they been cleared to enter our home,” Nic asked.
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