Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess (The Michael Archives Book 1)

by Robinson, C. E.

  Josephine leaned her elbows on the desk, rested her head in her palms, and rubbed her eyes with her fingertips. “Well, this explains a lot,” she mumbled to her hands.

  Collin sat stunned. Wow. She must have read this passage thousands of times to recite it word for word. Scary. It would have troubled him even more if he had known she could easily recite the entire book from cover to cover.

  She let her right arm lay on the desk and looked up as she leaned the side of her face on her left palm. She studied Collin’s pretty face.

  “You hadn’t seen Sipheria’s book before?”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve seen it, of course. Every Angel seems to have one. I read a bit here and there.”

  “But never that passage?”

  “Nope, never that passage.”

  She shook her head, taking a deep breath and blowing it out hard. “You know, Col, I was quite young, long before I became sexually active, when my mother gave me a copy of the book. It was just before she took off on a long mission. I have to say, the first time I read that passage, it hit me like a sledgehammer. And long after I came of age, I refused to let my trainers even talk about sex. Every time a guy looked at me with ‘that look’, I would run away screaming.

  “My dad visited me one day and saw a corner of the book sticking out from under my pillow. He instantly comprehended my problem. He convinced me I was already ethical and that I simply didn’t understand the nature of the terrible realms for which the book was written. He wished my biological mother had told him she had let me read that section. My mother tends to be quite independent. You’ll have to meet her. She’s always popping up here and there.”

  There’s that face again, Josephine thought. Intimidation because of my mom?

  Josephine broke the long stretch of silence. “We were in the field on Eden’s Mansion World I for several thousand years before moving command operations to Oceania.” She launched into the story of the events leading up to her arrival. Collin was just grateful she had changed the subject.

  “It was a rough environment, living in tents, lots of rain and mud, cold food. The only showers we got were rain-laced with all of Eden’s toxic crap. But still, the camaraderie was nice. I actually felt safe in the company of true warriors like Haiguns, Aniel, Laura, and of course Michelle. Up until Rahu gave up his seat as Eden’s Planetary Prince and departed for Urantia, Astiro had been Theatre commander. It was nice to have some deep conversations with someone as smart and experienced as she. Of course, I knew I was there because Kahmael had decided to replace General Astiro with me. Rahu was leaving for the Urantian theatre with Smigyl, and because General Astiro felt like she knew Rahu better than anyone else, she wanted to follow him there to continue her study and analysis of his nature.

  “General Astiro, Kahmael, and David all warned me. ‘It’s lonely at the top.’ Of course, everyone, everywhere says that. And just like everyone else, I didn’t believe it until the moment I became Theatre commander. There was an official ceremony to pass command from General Astiro to me, and overnight everything changed.

  “At first, I didn’t pay much attention to the small talk falling away. Most of that happened because I was trying to project a good presence. It was quite intimidating filling the shoes of a Valkyrie warrior like General Astiro. But then, I started to notice that whenever there was a conversation, it was more to the point. Fewer cursed in my presence. It was ‘Yes Ma’am.’ ‘Thank you Ma’am.’ Even Frank, who used to harass me endlessly, had changed. Thankfully, David came through soon after that and coached me through it.

  “You see, Collin. The female Seraphic heart wishes to remain in flow, and has no resistance to emptying all its secrets, confessing all its fears, regrets and concerns, spilling over all its love. Then it wishes to be refilled by another flowing heart that understands, is concerned, and most importantly, is also filled with love, even if there’s no specific advice it could give.”

  And that was the kind of love I thought I was feeling from you. Stupid girl.

  “And in the field, it just didn’t seem possible for that to happen with all the death around me every day. I was really becoming emotionally dried-up. Then, the day after I arrived on Oceania, I saw you at the logistics office, and you gave me a very confident look. And whenever we ran into each other, you talked to me like you would anyone else. The only thing you ever called me was Josephine, and I could see that you didn’t try to hide the fact that you were attracted to me. It was all very refreshing.

  “Of course, just like any girl, I wanted to talk to someone to find out what you were really like. But Michelle was still on Eden clearing up some problems and the only other people I could trust to keep their mouths shut were Frank, Metcalf, and Aniel. Like it would have helped to share feelings with those emotional brickbats.”

  Collin chuckled.

  “Then Michelle arrived. I hardly let her feet hit the ground when I spilled it all to her…

  “Like that really helped either,” Josephine mumbled under her breath.

  “Of course, being my bodyguard, it would have been considered disrespectful not to tell her what I was thinking. So I asked her.” Josephine turned her head to the right. “I think I should talk to Collin. What do you think?”

  Then Josephine turned her head to the left, her voice changing as if answering for Michelle. “Yes Ma’am. Do you want me to set up an appointment?”

  “How do you think he will react?” She kept turning her head back and forth, changing her voice and posture, glad to see Collin amused.

  “Well, Ma’am, I really wouldn’t know. But I can do a pre-interview with him if you like.”

  “I keep seeing that twinkle in his eyes. Do you think Collin actually has ‘those kind of feelings’ for me?”

  “Well, Ma’am. It’s probably enough that he obeys your orders.”

  “Do you think he will have any problems because I’m his commanding officer?”

  “I don’t know Ma’am, but Lieutenant Striker should probably think through that ahead of time.”

  Collin’s smile evaporated. There’s that look again. What is that?

  “Such a conversation simply did no good for a female Angel’s heart. And then you took us all on that picnic to Emerald Isle. It felt really good to finally relax with some close friends with no one else around, and drink and smoke until I forgot all about Eden and the likes of Beliar and Zohar.

  “I suggested that clothing was unnecessary gear for swimming under these pleasant conditions. And with that, your face made it quite clear. Any shield you kept over your intentions immediately melted away.”

  “So you were the one who suggested we swim naked? I wondered how that happened.”

  “Well, I am the commanding officer, so it was only right for it to be me.”

  Josephine again saw a glimmer of that same uncomfortable look and with that, her mind generated an unpleasant conclusion.

  “Obviously, Michelle’s in the habit of noticing how everyone looks at me. I wasn’t thinking about that at the time. In my mind, we were all just relaxing and having some fun. But now, it’s obvious to me Michelle never stops observing.”

  Josephine paused. Her smile slid away and became serious as she looked at the top of her desk again. “Let me say something else. In case you don’t know this, Michelle is precious to me. I love Frank, Metcalf, Laura, Janene, and of course Aniel. They’re some of my oldest friends.”

  She fell silent. Collin heard Josephine’s obvious sigh. “Janene’s been killed, hasn’t she?”

  “Yes, Janene’s been killed. Consumed by a Fire Coin she tossed in Northern Venom.” Josephine said softly to her desk, knowing Metcalf’s team found her corpse at Nasiriy hospital after Frank’s rescue. Then Collin heard her mutter under her breath. “Zohar. You evil fucker. Just you wait and see what I have planned for you.”

  Josephine inhaled deeply and continued her story, directing her voice to her desk. “There are a number of individuals I’m proud to call friend
, but Michelle is in a different category from everyone else. For thousands of years now, she’s been there right at my side. For a long time, I found it irritating. I even tried to sneak away from her a few times. Then one day, I was successful in evading her. After she found me, she sat me down and in no uncertain terms, explained the facts of life and that she had pledged to King Joshua to protect me at all costs. Her tone and intensity really made me wonder who the commanding officer was. Since then, I’ve found myself leaning on her strength.” Collin could see a tear in her eyes.

  “Panoptia was bad enough. But Eden has been a shit storm. I honestly don’t think I could have made it had she not been there with me. So, after she saw the kind of looks we were giving each other, she took it upon herself to find out everything she could about you, also making it quite clear to everyone she interviewed that if they said a single word to anyone about her questioning, she would make their lives very, very unhappy.”

  Collin pursed his lips. That intense creature had already interviewed my friends before this thing even started? This sounds really, really bad.

  Josephine paused for a few seconds. Why would this surprise him? He heard some of my lower level security presentations on Panoptia. Kahmael introduced me to the group. So really, having my bodyguard interview the friends of a potential boyfriend should not be a big deal.

  Josephine continued. “Then a few days later Michelle asked me for a private meeting and spelled it out. Collin, I tell you all of this so you can understand how appreciative I am of you fixing her up this morning. Of course, I appreciate what you did for Laura — she, too, needed your healing hands. But Michelle is different. Everyone in command needs one special individual they can count on. For me, that one person is Michelle. And I thank you for ensuring she stays healthy.”

  “Did Michelle tell you that Laura and she came close to killing me?” Collin asked with a grin.

  “Oh, of course she did. Michelle and Laura told me every detail. It was the most excited I’d seen them in a long time. Warriors like them love it when someone looks death in the face and remains cool — does the right thing.” And that’s why I can’t believe you could possibly be intimidated by me. You’re just bored with me sexually, aren’t you?

  Josephine remembered the worried look on Laura’s face. There’s more to this story. This suddenly feels really, really bad.

  Stop right now and ask him. Now Lady Sipheria’s voice appeared in Josephine’s mind.

  Ask him what?

  Don’t play stupid. You know what.

  “So Collin, you knew I was the Theatre commander when I first visited the logistics office, right?

  Collin’s face turned red.

  “Well then, at least right after that?

  He shook his head.

  “Come on. You signed my request form. My name was on it. You saw me dozens of times on Planet Panoptia.”

  “I thought whoever that pretty security officer was, she was stationed permanently on Edentia. I didn’t recognize you from Panoptia. You were just a beautiful woman in an elegant blue dress, who showed up one day at the logistics office to get some stuff to open up ‘Josie’s Boutique’. The request forms you filled out were for your store. You just signed Josephine Doulmahel. Every time I saw you, you were always in civvies. You know how cautious we are on this side of the island, just in case some spy has slipped in. No residents ever use rank when they talk to each other.

  “A little while later, Michelle came in and signed ‘Captain’. But she’s so intense, I could believe she was Valkyrie.

  “When I first met Frank, I had no idea he was Valkyrie either. The first time I saw a request with the name, ‘Frank Haiguns, Lieutenant Colonel, Valkyrie’, I asked Dustin if this was some kind of joke. To him, it seemed no big deal, and told me that the drunken beach bum who ran a grocery store was also an SAS Valkyrie colonel. But Josie. That was 360 L2 years before you showed up. I never put it together that you were Valkyrie, too. I just thought you were one of his friends.”

  “So when did you finally figure it out?” She was about to give him a range of times from which to choose, but then decided to just let him answer.

  Collin said nothing. He just shrugged his shoulders, giving her another embarrassed smile.

  Chapter 26

  The Master Actress

  All this is just a play. That’s the truth. The only question is, who is your director?

  —Nazz Madame General Kuko Kiena

  Elysium

  As Pegasus locked up everything, Kuko reminded her to take her gloves, mask, and goggles. “You won’t need your helmet. I’ll get you one that’s more appropriate for our trip.” Kuko was planning to surprise Pegasus by using her new zippy jet.

  Well, I’m sure The Lance will be new to Pegasus’ eyes, Kuko thought as she led Pegasus through the hangar. And I hope Kati has everything set up for her little part in this play.

  Pegasus followed wearing the typical Nazz, semi-annoyed expression, placing herself exactly three paces behind Kuko. If she had been at Kuko’s side, that would have meant either a pal or a dignitary on tour. Whoever walked two paces behind was an equal, with Kuko leading the way — this was where Castor Mayhew would have walked. One pace behind with head hanging down was reserved for subordinates on their way to the gallows.

  They reached the back wall and exited through a door that led to a pilot’s dressing room. There were two armed guards stationed outside. This was not a place for dignitaries, pals, or insubordinates. This was a place of war for warriors only.

  Both guards scrutinized Pegasus, but Pegasus ignored them. Kuko allowed the guards to ogle for a few seconds, then turned and stared at the senior guard. “Is there a problem, lieutenant?” she said.

  “No….uh Ma’am…uh, Madam General, of course not,” the guard stuttered. He threw open the door and stood back a polite two-steps, adding a bow of his head and a click of his heels.

  Kuko helped Pegasus fit a helmet, walked over to her own locker, and took out her flight pants, jacket, and gloves. She quickly put them on, grabbed her helmet from atop the shelf, slammed the door, and led Pegasus out the back.

  They entered a very long, wide hallway. From Pegasus’ earlier observations of the runways, she estimated the hall must be at least twenty kilometers in each direction. Doors lined both sides of the hallway. The space between the doors was roughly the same and provided entry to the hangar. Based on the Nazz Luftforce identification and numbering system, Pegasus assumed the doors must lead to more pilot dressing rooms and service areas. The spacing between the doors on the opposite, outside wall was more irregular. Based on the noise, the doors probably led to different sized ships.

  Kuko took off at a brisk pace with Pegasus ten paces behind her. They trotted for about two thousand meters to an area where the doors were widely spaced. A hidden stairwell appeared on the right. Kuko leapt down several flights of stairs to another wide hallway running perpendicular to the one above. She’s such a kid, Pegasus thought.

  Pegasus deduced this hallway would take them under the main runways. Kuko’s trot turned into longer, elegant strides.

  Having put distance between her and Pegasus, Kuko finally slowed to make a broad sweep into what seemed like the direction far beyond the buildings on the other side of the runway complex. Pegasus knew Kuko slowed for her. It would be rude if she, the host had allowed herself to become visually separated from her honorable guest.

  Pegasus did not notice the surreptitious messages Kuko gave to a hidden camera, and to the actor-friends assisting her in this impending drama. When Kuko finally reached the desired door, she opened it and motioned Pegasus to follow, giving the senior technician a tiny wink at the same time her body went rigid in anger.

  As Pegasus entered, she did her best to memorize the identification symbol on the door, but quickly gave up when she figured out the symbol contained at least twenty levels of encryption. She understood the need for security when she saw a sleek, shiny, jet-black, two-p
erson fighter, ‘The Lance’, sitting with her engines warming. A thrill of excitement ran through her. This sleek dart had grabbed Pegasus’s attention while she was in the pilot’s lounge. And now, Kuko Kiena, one of the Creation’s finest pilots was giving her a ride in one.

  Pegasus saw the change in Kuko’s body language. Her face was no longer relaxed. Her calm, green eyes immediately turned icy blue. She stared at a female Nazz, who by her solid blue uniform, appeared to be the senior technician responsible for the ship’s launch preparations. There were two other technicians, dressed in green uniforms, indicating lower rank. The green uniforms were moving quickly, surveying the different parts of the craft, whether it needed surveying or not. Anything to look busy. Anything to avoid General Kiena’s anger.

  Pegasus noticed a fourth technician, this one in yellow, sitting in the pilot’s seat, running through a checklist. Only the senior technician wore rank and a nametag. It read ‘Kati’. The others had no need to communicate with the pilot, so the pilot had no need to know their names.

  Kuko did not say anything for a full minute as her gaze sliced the senior technician apart. Abruptly, she spoke in the Nazz battle language, her voice harsh.

  “Machen Sie das Schiff zum Flug fertig?” (Why isn’t my ship ready?)

  So much for impressing an old friend with flawless Nazz efficiency, Pegasus thought.

  Sergeant Kati had no excuse, so wisely made no effort to respond.

  For several minutes, Kuko stood at the back wall with her arms crossed. The tuning technician who had been in the pilot’s seat finally handed his clipboard to Sergeant Kati. Kati carefully checked each item as she looked at the gauges and then walked around the ship for her own final inspections.

  The second Kati finished, Kuko took the pilot’s seat, gesturing for Pegasus to take the co-pilot’s seat on the left. Kuko gave Pegasus a knowing smile and a quick wink as she manipulated the controls, while Sergeant Kati applied the exact torque to all the wing’s flight surfaces.