“They’re making forgeries. Copies,” she whispered.
“They must sell the same objects repeatedly. Buyers probably think they’re getting the real thing,” Gem whispered.
Kindle held up a hand, and they froze. “I see an office. Amina, see what paperwork or chips you can dig up. Anything like accounts, shipping routes, purchase receipts. Look out for any names.” He was squatting on his haunches, and he slowly swiveled, assessing the room. “I hear something. It sounds like it’s coming from another room.”
Gem cocked her head, listening. “There are people in the garage. Maybe they’re unloading that vehicle we saw yesterday.”
“Are you getting anything specific?”
She shook her head.
“Me neither. Ok, Amina, go. You two, follow me to the garage. It’s time we get these guys and go home.”
Amina crept toward the office and peeked thru the window in the door. There was a man sitting at the desk, and it looked like he was writing in a ledger. A ledger. How quaint! Maybe he was from Aldernon. She took a deep breath. In one move she pulled the door open and rushed the room. He jerked, startled, and pushed away from the desk. She pulled her stunner and popped him. He twitched, his eyes bulged, and he fell forward onto the floor. She blew on the mouth of her stunner and chuckled. “Sleep, bad guy.”
Surveying the room, she saw tall bookcases loaded with boxes and a filing cabinet. She whistled softly. She’d never get through all that. Where would they hide the good stuff? She began to search the desk for hidden compartments. She pulled a drawer out and flipped it over. On the backside she saw a keyhole. The bottom half of the drawer must be a separate compartment. She glanced down at her unconscious thief. “Thought you were smart, didn’t you?”
She’d have to search him for keys. Ew. She focused on his body and used her Ability to lift him off the floor. She rolled him in the air. A keyring jangled softly and swung loose from his belt. She lowered him, snatched the keyring, and unlocked the drawer. Inside was a folder. Ruffling through the papers she saw everything she needed in one neat little package. She grabbed the ledger as well.
She reported to Kindel. “I’ve got it.”
“We’ve got the thieves, heading your way.”
There was one problem with stunning the office man: she’d have to levitate him all the way back out. Or not. She levitated him into the desk chair, Shockocuffed him, and rolled the chair in front of her. She retraced her steps to the window.
Peeking out, she saw one guard stationed at the door closest to her. She slid out of the window and approached him. He stiffened when he saw her and began to react. She beamed at him and flipped her hair just enough to confuse him. Thank you, Sari. She grabbed his wrist and using all her strength and speed she twisted his arm back and Shockocuffed him.
Meanwhile, Gem and Mara had closed in on the front of the building taking out the other two guards.
A groan reminded her of the office man. Kindel levitated him through the window and dropped him on the ground. She lifted the file and ledger and handed them off to Kindel.
“Awesome job, everyone. Let’s go get Sari and Katlin.” He sent them an update and got their coordinates while Amina and the others rounded up their captives.
“I say we take their vehicle. We’ve got all those militiamen in the jungle to fetch, too,” Amina said.
“I’m driving,” said Gem.
It was an open-top vehicle, and Amina laid her head back and let the wind blow through her hair as Gem raced them back down the ridge road. “We should do this more often,” she said. “I’m so glad we’re not hiking through the humid jungle today.”
Beside her, Kindel subtly tangled his fingers with hers. “There were moments I wouldn’t trade.”
She felt herself flush. Gem eyed her in the rearview mirror.
When they met up with Katlin and Sari there were hugs all around, and Amina’s team caught the other two up on their successful raid.
“We’ve found outposts here, here, and here,” Katlin said pointing to the map.
“How many people do you estimate?” Kindel asked.
Sari leaned in close to him. “We saw seven. Five at the first.”
He nodded. “Good job, both of you. I’m glad you’re alright.” He patted them both on the shoulder. “Let’s get this done and go home. Gem, you and Sari head back to the ship with the vehicle. The rest of us will finish up and meet you there. Sari, start preparing for takeoff. As soon as we get this lousy bunch loaded up, I want to head straight for the local authorities.”
“Yes, Sir,” they chorused.
Chapter 10
“Your Peace Squad excelled, Captain Withes!” said the director of the Tigris GIPS branch. “Welcome to this luncheon in their honor.”
They stood lined up in front of the local Tigris GIPS directors and the Commander of GIPS. It was official. They’d passed the final test and would all graduate. Excitement mixed with satisfaction. It was worth all the physical labor when Amina watched the entire band of thieves get marched into the local headquarters office, and now they got to have a party!
Gem latched onto her arm. “You have got to tell me what happened between you two.” She steered Amina past the luncheon table and the drinks straight to a dining table.
“I’m not sure what’s happening. He hasn’t said anything, but I think, I hope, he may be developing feelings for me. He looks at me like he’s attracted to me.”
Gem searched her face. “Do you think it’s different from how he treats the others? I’m concerned. What I see is a young captain who knows he’s attractive, and he easily jokes and flirts and teases. He commends, and he pats, and he smiles at all the girls.”
“Do you think there’s something wrong with me? That he couldn’t be attracted to me or think I’m special?”
“Of course not! You’re gorgeous and more importantly, you’re kind and smart and tough. He’d be an idiot to not be attracted to you. But I’m not sure how special or unique the attraction is. You’re a love-of-a-lifetime kind of girl. He’s a pretty-girl-of-the-moment kind of man.”
Doubt and sadness crept over her. “What if he just hasn’t said anything because he’s training me? Could he be waiting to declare himself after we graduate? I like that he’s kind and considerate. He’s patient and encouraging. Doesn’t the fact that he is consistent mean his personality is real?”
“I could be wrong. I just want you to be cautious and maybe hold onto your heart a little.”
Gem had been right about Reece. He’d been charming but not good for her. “I’ll be careful. I’ve tried to avoid the emotional connection. I’ve tried to limit his effect on me, but on the mission it got intense. Gem, I want to be with him.”
“Don’t broadcast it. Protect your heart, my friend, at least until he declares his intentions.”
The other girls joined them at the table, everyone laughing and excited.
“Guess what we get to do when we get back?” Katlin asked.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m going gown shopping.” Sari flipped open a compact and smoothed an eyebrow hair.
“That’s right,” Gem said. “The Winter Ball is next week.”
“The graduation ceremony is only a few days away,” Aminah said. Her fingers felt twitchy. She picked up a napkin and began folding it into sections to make a fan.
Sari waved a hand. “Who cares? We just wear our dress uniform for that. I’m talking about the Ball!”
“Where will we get gowns?” Mara asked.
“Sheralyn has a source. This is her joy each season,” Gem said.
“I’m not looking forward to getting measured and pinned and remeasured and repinned,” Katlin said. “But I’m going to burn up that dance floor.”
“You’re surprisingly good at the waltz,” Sari said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Amina asked, “are your families coming to the graduation?” She smoothed out the napkin.
; “Of course.”
“They wouldn’t miss it.”
“I’m the fourth generation GIPS. My family is always there.”
“Unfortunately, they won’t stay away.”
Kindel approached the table and sat down next to her as if he belonged. Gem shot her a warning glance. “I’m starved, let’s grab some real food.” She led the others away leaving her alone with Kindel.
“Would you like your family to be there?”
“I don’t know.” The thought of seeing her father came with a barrage of conflicting emotions. “I love my father, despite his temper. Something good should come from my escape, not just for me but for my entire family. My sisters should know there’s life beyond Aldernon if they want it.”
“You know you can visit any time you wish?”
“I know it’s possible, but my father could ban me from the farm. I probably broke my mother’s heart.” She trembled. “I don’t want to face my father’s wrath. I should be stronger than that, but when he looks at me that way—”
He put his arm around her shoulders in a side hug. “I will do everything in my power to make sure you never have to feel that terror again.”
“That’s sweet of you, really. This is my family. My problem. Ultimately, I have my sisters to consider. My parents should see that my Ability is an asset, a gift. I think they’d have to be here before they could ever see beyond their little village. So, yes. I want them to come. All of them. My parents, Derick, my three little sisters.” She paused. “All this wishing won’t make them come.”
He shook his head. “Don’t worry. If you want them there, GIPS can be very persuasive.”
Gem came bouncing back to the table and pulled her arm. “You have to try the crumb-bake, but don’t go near the fermented drinks, Lightweight!”
Chapter 11
As soon as they arrived at Kildren headquarters, they were summoned by Sheralyn. She had completely outdone herself, and Amina couldn’t have been more surprised. She met up with her team at the World View course room, everyone chattering about dress shopping and hairstyles. When she walked in, Sheralyn was nowhere to be found, but the room had been transformed. The tables where they had sat were gone and several tall, fabric-draped booths had been set up around the room. One of the booths was labeled with her name, stenciled in ancient calligraphy script.
“What could this be?” Mara asked, standing next to her booth and fingering the rich fabric drapes.
Pulling back the fabric, Amina found a beautiful gown displayed on a statuette. “It’s a fitting room!” A gilt-edged full-length mirror stood in the back of the booth, reflecting Amina’s astonished expression and tumbling golden-brown hair. Above her head, a holoform of an old-fashioned chandelier with three candelabra arms sparkled.
She heard Sari moan in dismay. “I don’t get to pick my own dress?”
“It’s so much better than anything I would’ve picked.” Katlin sounded amazed.
“This is setting a tone for the entire Winter Ball. It’s a time apart, Sari,” Gem said.
Mara sighed. “We wouldn’t have found gowns like these anywhere.”
Peeking into Mara’s booth, Amina asked, “what does yours look – Oh, Mara. It’s stunning.”
Sheralyn flowed into the room. “My dears, I hope you’re happy with my selections. Each dress has been designed specifically for you.” She gestured beside her as five other women followed her into the room. “Meet your seamstresses. Today will be your fitting, and your final practice with the waltz will be two days from now when your gowns have been finished.”
The graduation ceremony was the day after that, and Amina’s nerves were slowly building. Thankfully these last-minute ball preparations may keep her mind busy.
Her seamstress stepped forward and ushered her into her fitting room. “I hope you like the gown. The emerald green will be exquisite against your hair.” She held a large square box out to Amina. “This is your undergarment. Let me help you get it all put together, and then I’ll measure and pin your gown.”
The lush fabric was the softest Amina had ever touched, and it whispered over her head. Once everything was on, the seamstress cinched the lace-up back closure. It certainly fit like it was designed for her, accentuating every nuance and curve. The wide neckline bared her collarbone but provided coverage of her décolletage. The elegant sleeves fit snug from her shoulder to her elbow then belled to brush her wrists. She felt like a different person.
“Are you happy with the result,” her seamstress asked, fingers twisting.
“I can’t believe how beautiful I feel.”
“Sheralyn’s instructions required femininity with modesty. I’m so pleased you like it.” She giggled.
“How did you get the measurements this perfect?”
“Oh, I see a few nips and tucks and hemming to be done. Sheralyn has a talent for sizing up her students.”
Coming out of the fitting room dressed again in her ship suit, Amina threw her arms around Sheralyn. “Thank you! It’s a perfect gift.”
Sheralyn’s eyes misted, and her hands fluttered. “My favorite time of the season, my dear. My pleasure.”
It had been three days since she’d seen Kindel, and she missed him. She had become so accustomed to seeing him daily that now she felt something was missing from her person. It had happened so gradually over these few months, and it scared her. How could she keep her heart protected when she would be seeing him, working with him, following him every day? She hadn’t imagined the heat between them, the kiss in his eyes. She dared to hope he would declare romantic feelings for her. It felt right. But he hadn’t made an excuse to see her these three days. He hadn’t been in the garden or at meals. They were all staying on the ship, knowing they’d passed their final test, but no one had seen him. Kindel had simply vanished from her life.
The graduation ceremony was just an hour away. Anxiety had returned to gnaw at her hungrily, and she felt sick with it. She hadn’t received any word from Derick or her parents. Her fingers trembled as she scooped her hair into a ball on her head and pinned it into place. She inspected herself in the mirror. The navy-blue dress uniform gave her the look of authority. Making up her face wasn’t part of her routine, but she was pasty, her eyes large and hollow. She added a bit of peach to her cheeks and a dash of wine to her lips. Better. At least she didn’t look dead from fright. She said to her reflection, “all your dreams have come true. You’re a GIPS peace officer, a Peacekeeper. No one can take that away from you. You have a gift, and no one will make you ashamed of it.”
She made it to the auditorium without being physically ill and sat with her squad on the stage. No one said much, and the tension was palpable. The director of the ceremony came and palmed their hands. He was a funny little man with only a few strands of hair covering the top of his head, and he nervously pushed his wire spectacles up his nose only to have them slip down again as he palmed and bowed, palmed and bowed, down the line. It wasn’t just her squad graduating, and he had a long way to go through the entire crop of recruits. To think just three months ago she had walked into the headquarters building.
Finally, the director stepped up to the podium, and the ceremony commenced. The speeches were long-winded, and she tuned them out. Until Kindel came from backstage and strode to the podium. He shined his confident smile on the audience, turned his head and nodded an acknowledgment to the graduates.
“Three months ago, I bumped into a young woman as she walked to the dormitories. It was her first day at GIPS, and she had overcome prejudice and fear, even the emotional ties of love, to be here. Her determination is one example of many. GIPS brings out the best in the people of the Gwana System. It builds Ability, confidence, skill, and heart. I’m proud that that young woman became a part of my team. She and all the other graduates like her have earned this day of celebration and acknowledgment. Ladies and gentlemen, commanders and captains, before you sit the future of peace in the Gwana System. Let’s give them a warm we
lcome!”
The auditorium burst into applause. Amina touched her cheek and realized tears were sneaking down her face.
The director took his place at the podium and cleared his throat. “Yes, thank you Captain Withes. Now, for the exciting part.” He turned to the graduates with an emotional, squirmy smile. “When I call your name please come forward and collect your credentials.”
When Amina heard her name called, she rose shakily. Head high. Shoulders back. Don’t fall on your face. She wrapped her hand around the credentials scroll and made her exit from the stage in one piece.
After the graduates all received their credentials, the gathering moved on to the reception hall for refreshments and family reunions.
Gem found her and wrapped her up in a full, strong hug. “I’m proud of us!” she squealed happily, her blue eyes glittering. “I’ve got to run, my family is waiting, but that was some speech, huh? Could be I was wrong about that man.” She winked at Amina as she rushed away.
“Hello, Green Eyes.”
Amina looked over her shoulder and did a double take. “Derick!” She launched herself at her laughing brother. “You’re here! You came! I’ve missed you so much. I can’t believe it. How? When?”
“I’ve missed you too. And I forgive you for not telling me.” His face grew serious. “I understand, and really, I’m so proud of you.”
“You helped make today possible.” Her eyes filled with happy tears. “I wouldn’t be here without you. Truly.” She looked around. “Did – did – anyone else come?”
He smiled down at her. “Yes, we’re all here.”
“All of you? Where?”
He jerked his head toward the corner behind them. Peeking around him, she saw her parents and sisters sitting at a table all wide-eyed staring around the room like they’d never seen people before. Really, they never had. Nerves skittered over her.
Sunstar: Amina's story a YA scifi romance (Peacekeepers Book 1) Page 7
