by Gun Brooke
Thea looked taken aback. More than that, she seemed stricken. “Are you saying you know your own future? Have you seen your own lifespan?” She pressed her lips together, and Caya wondered if this was to keep them from trembling, but that was assuming too much, surely.
“No. I have never seen my future, other than in relation to visions about other people. That said, I still know, beyond any doubt, that my path is set. I may change minor things, but my destiny is pushing and prodding me along.”
“And as you cannot see your own future, you risk everything to save others. Even people you’ve never met before.”
“I should try to find the redhead. I’m just not sure I can manage another vision right now.” Caya wished she could, but fatigue made her limbs so heavy she couldn’t help but slump against Thea.
“Don’t even think about that right now. You need rest. More food and lots of sleep.” Thea pulled her closer, her arm around her shoulders. “We’ll go back to the governmental building in a little while, but I really want you to relax for a moment first. And honestly, I can use with a few minutes to gather my thoughts.” She smiled wryly.
Caya couldn’t resist. Leaning against Thea, inhaling her flowery, sweet scent and just letting go of everything she had just been through, felt way too good. She let her head rest against Thea’s shoulder, feeling her hair tickle her cheek. This took her back to when Thea was her biggest crush—her first crush, to be truthful. That really hadn’t changed, but so much animosity and resentment had gotten in the way, Caya hadn’t allowed these softer feelings to emerge. She glanced up, saw how Thea had tilted her head back against the backrest of the couch and closed her eyes, and this was the most human she had seen Thea in a long time. She was normally so strong and untouchable, and to see her like this softened something inside Caya. If she could just run her fingers through Thea’s silver-streaked blond hair or caress her cheek ever so lightly…but that was still impossible. Being here, virtually in Thea’s arms, was miraculous in itself. Only hours ago, she had been rude and yelled at the woman she had once wanted to please more than anything else. Now they were here, having avoided a disaster—and what Caya needed to do was prepare for more visions to help save the redhead who would lose her life if she didn’t.
Caya sighed and shifted against Thea’s shoulder. The president raised her head, her eyes once again sharp and probing. “What’s wrong?”
“I suppose I need to get back to my quarters. If we’re going to find out about the redhead, I need to prepare my system to not fail me. You’re right. If I put pressure on myself for more visions when I’m this depleted, I may get a false result and end up failing even more people.”
“Failing…?” Thea placed two fingers under Caya’s chin and gently tipped her head back. “You haven’t failed anyone,” she said firmly.
“Gioliva is dead. I couldn’t save her.” No matter what anyone said, Caya knew this was true, and it ate at her. Still, Thea’s hands against her skin soothed her more than her words did, and Caya managed a faint smile. “I will, however, save the redhead—and the soldiers in jeopardy because of the trap someone will turn her into.”
“I believe you,” Thea said, her voice soft. She studied Caya’s features for several moments, making Caya wonder what she might be looking for—and if whatever it was even could be found in a person’s face. “All right. I’m going to return to the assembly and my cabinet members. They will want to be debriefed about what took place here today. New safety measures and security routines will have to be put in place.” Thea let go of Caya and stood. “You can choose to go back with me and my guards, or with Commander KahSandra and her team.”
Caya blinked. That was a first. A choice. “I don’t know Commander KahSandra. I’d rather go with you, if that’s all right.” Did Thea sense how nervous having a choice suddenly had made her? Choosing to go with Thea voluntarily spoke volumes, from Caya’s point of view. If she had chosen to go with KahSandra, she would have stated very clearly she didn’t want to be around Thea if possible. Would Thea recognize Caya’s former feelings for her stirring again—or would she be oblivious to them?
Thea actually looked a little stunned, and then she smiled, a quick broad smile that melted the first thin, icy layer of many around Caya’s heart. “Very well then—let’s go.”
Chapter Ten
Thea stood behind her desk, needing the barrier between her and Adina. She wasn’t sure reminding herself of their friendship on a personal level was a good idea. It made her all the more furious.
“Explain to me what possessed you to bypass the presidential guards and take Caya out of protective custody without notifying me…hell, anyone?”
“You have every right to be angry, Madam President. I take full responsibility.” Adina, her chief engineer and part of her inner circle, answered calmly, standing at attention.
“That’s beyond the point. You know how dangerous it is for Caya to be out among the general public with all the changer hatred raging. Still you risk her life by taking her to a hot zone where we know contraband has been put to its most horrendous use yet.” Thea leaned forward on her palms. She wanted to shake Adina, make her understand just how close she was to getting air-locked—at least in the back of Thea’s mind.
“Correction, sir. We didn’t know anything more than Caya had already told us. And it was her presence, and Briar’s, that made it possible for us to save the hospital, its patients, and potentially a big part of cube elven. We can only speculate what eight white-garnet explosions would have done to the ship. Not to mention the three canisters on the lower decks.”
“I know this!” Slamming her left palm hard onto the top of her desk, Thea was grateful for the sting it left behind because focusing on that kept her from throttling Adina. “I’m fully aware how much we owe the Lindemay sisters. They’re not the culprits here—you are.”
“What would you have said if I had checked in with you before taking Caya with me to save her sister? That was our objective before we actually got there. We were just going to go in, find Briar, and get her to safety while security did their sweeps. It was only when we came within close proximity to Briar that they discovered the different clues that led us to the white garnet. They did that together.” Adina sighed. “Yes. I was wrong to trick the guards to let her go with me, but as protective as you are about Caya—I’m equally ready to do just about anything to keep Briar safe.” Her chin held high, Adina did look contrite but also unapologetic when it came to some of what she’d just said.
“What do you mean?” Thea straightened and clasped her hands behind her back.
“Madam President, Thea…” Adina held out her hands, palms up. “I’m not being presumptuous, I swear, but it’s been fairly obvious ever since you decided to not send Caya, or Briar for that matter, to the brig, that you care about her. When she lashes out at you like she’s done quite a bit the last few months, it obviously hurts you. That’s why you’re so furious with me now. I disobeyed orders, but if it were only that, you’d take some professional actions, perhaps even demote me, yet this,” Adina said, motioning with a hand back and forth between them, “is personal.”
“That sounds fairly presumptuous to me,” Thea growled but felt entirely naked, as if Adina had peeled every single protective layer from her. “And yes, this is both professional and personal. As much as we left Oconodos to leave the changer issues there behind us, clearly there were ways for some people motivated enough to come aboard anyway. Fortunately for us, the Lindemay sisters are not only benevolent, but they’re beyond ready to assist—to a fault.”
“Tell me about it. Briar has worked double shifts for the last two months to set up her private clinic as a counselor. I rarely see her, and when I do, she’s too tired to do anything but eat and sleep.” Adina smiled wryly. “Yet I’m so proud of her. She’s taking her Red Angel status to a whole new level.”
“I didn’t realize she had gotten that far in her efforts.” Thea tugged at her fingers
behind her, a habit when she needed to hide her emotions. “I do admire her. I also worry Caya may demand more strongly to move back to your quarters or, worse, to quarters of her own. She doesn’t enjoy Briar’s amazing reputation.”
“I know. Some know she’s Red Angel’s younger sister, but not everyone does. Perhaps we need to make that public? I mean like a proper interview.”
“And draw even more attention to her?” Thea shook her head. She wanted to hide Caya until they reached Gemocon. What they would do about her status then, she wasn’t sure, but at least they wouldn’t be as cramped for space there. “No. Not yet, anyway.”
“Forgive me, Thea, but surely you realize the harder you tie her down, hold her back, the more she will plot different methods to regain her freedom. She just barely had time to make some friends for the first time. She went jumper hopping and got a sub-ink without telling her sister. After living like a secluded sorceress on Oconodos from the day they realized she was a changer until Pathfinder launched from the space-dock, she’s understandably been acting out the way she does.”
“Hmm. You have cleverly changed the topic of our conversation from you going against explicit orders to how I manage Caya’s protective custody. What do you think is a fair punishment for what you did today, Commander?” Thea emphasized Adina’s title to make her realize they were still in official mode.
“Any retribution you come up with will be fair, Madam President,” Adina said and returned to standing at attention.
“If I can harness my anger, and yes, my anguish at finding out what you two did, I just may be somewhat fair. But you’re far too valuable to this ship as its chief engineer, and I know Briar would read every last thought I’ll ever pass through my brain if I did anything she deemed unfair.” Thea snorted and motioned for Adina to take a seat. “At ease.”
“Probably true.” Adina looked pensive. “I really am sorry we had to worry you so badly, Thea. I can imagine how you must’ve been absolutely furious as well, especially as you were on the bridge and we were in the thick of it all.”
Thea wasn’t sure she liked that Adina compared how Thea felt about Caya to how she felt about Briar. Adina and Briar were deeply in love and committed to each other. Nobody in their presence could ever mistake them for being anything but each other’s soul mate. Was Thea really that transparent? Did her staff gossip behind her back about her protectiveness when it came to the young changer that a lot of them thought ought to be in the brig—or worse, air-locked? Thea knew the gossip press and the entertainment channels were always ready for any such tasty snippets for their transmissions. Rumors grew fast on a ship as densely populated as Pathfinder. For anyone to think a young, beautiful woman had swayed the president was noteworthy enough. If someone got the idea she was making herself vulnerable to the influence of a changer—it would be disastrous.
“We could do something in between, which would actually make our situation marginally better overall.” Adina leaned forward, looking energized. “It would make it possible for Briar and Caya to spend more time together, and it would also get Caya out of her quarters on a regular basis. Properly protected, of course,” she said and held up a hand.
“And how do you propose we do this?” Frowning, Thea hoped the idea would be doable, as she vividly remembered Caya’s calm but sorrowful glance as Thea said farewell and left the guest quarters. For a moment, Thea had gotten the impression Caya was about to ask her to stay longer but stopped herself.
“Watching Caya and Briar pull their abilities together today gave us a hint at what they can learn to do in the future if they’re given the opportunity to work together. So, what if Caya joins Briar at her clinic? I mean, we have to ask Briar, but I can’t imagine her saying no. This way Caya will slowly, but surely, be known as Briar’s sister. The public will see them interact and that Caya is just as caring and honest.”
Thea started to decline the suggestion, but she forced her mind to consider the idea and found it brilliant. This might be what they needed to bring some peace of mind to not only the sisters, but also to Thea, who badly needed it as she feared she had only seen the beginning of the second wave of the white-garnet attack.
“Fine. If Briar finds it beneficial to have Caya with her during her sessions, and if Caya is interested, of course, I’m not going to stand in their way. I want to emphasize that Caya goes nowhere without at least three guards.”
“Yes, sir.” Adina smiled broadly. “I can’t wait to tell them the good news. Or perhaps you want to tell Caya yourself?”
“Why would I want to do that?” Thea waved away the suggestion with a flick of her wrist. “You can tell her.”
“I think you should deliver the good news for once, Madam President.” Wincing, Adina rubbed the back of her neck. “That didn’t come out right. I’m sorry. I only meant—”
“That from Caya’s point of view I’ve been nothing but black smoke? That about sums it up, I suppose.” Rapping her blunt nails against her desk, Thea gave it some thought. Perhaps it was a good idea after all, for her to offer positive news rather than increasingly more restrictions? “Actually, I will tell Caya.” Thea narrowed her eyes deliberately; well aware of the effect it usually had on people. Adina looked suitably awkward, but not pale and sweaty like some of her male peers.
“All right, Commander Vantressa. Go share the news with Briar. I look forward to reports from her regarding their work method and development.”
“Yes, Madam President.” Adina saluted and left the office.
Thea turned the chair to face the largest view screen that showed the video feed from one of the top-mounted cameras. In the far distance, stars created silver streaks, and she never grew tired of watching the beautiful pattern they created. Some boasted faint colors, sparkly and transparent, much like Caya’s eyes. Covering her face, she had to draw deep breaths to calm herself. She wanted to page Adina and revoke Caya’s permission to join Briar. Who knew what type of people might seek out help only to use it to get revenge on a stranger? Chastising herself for reacting so strongly to any matter regarding Caya, Thea pulled her hands from her face and smoothed down her hair. It was time for her weekly screen conference with her cabinet members. In the beginning of their journey, they had all come to cube one from their respective home cube, but after several terrorist attacks, she had decided it was too hazardous for them to be in prescheduled transit so often.
Thea cast a glance into a small mirror she kept on her desk. She didn’t like how pronounced the dark circles under her eyes had become lately. Poor sleep and constant worry about the terrorists’ next move gave her far too many sleepless nights. She had tried sleep medication, but it dulled her senses for the entire day. Thea applied another coat of makeup. “Better,” she murmured and began the logon procedure. As the new Gemoconian symbol she’d had a group of reputable artists create began to twirl, she adjusted her iconic ten-row pearl necklace, donned her presidential persona, and pushed all other thoughts aside as she saw the grid of live transmissions. It was showtime.
*
“Look at this place. It’s lovely.” Caya stood in the center of Briar’s new office. In fact, it looked very little like an office. Instead, it consisted of a small computer console in the far left corner next to a food-and-drink automat, a set of three comfortable armchairs, and a two-seat couch around a low, oval table. The walls were painted in a discreet lilac color, and all the furniture featured different pastel-green hues. “Very calm and serene, which I’m sure serves its purpose.”
“Yes, it’s supposed to anyway.” Briar adjusted the chairs before engaging the lock on them. Most furniture aboard Pathfinder was outfitted with magnetic locks. “I’m both baffled and delighted that Thea allowed you to come to the first session with me. Is she starting to mellow some regarding your protective-custody status?”
Caya rested her hip against the desk and crossed her arms. “No. Not really. I think she understands more how I feel now, but she’s not convinced I’d real
ize the potential danger I might be in if I was free to come and go as I please.” She crinkled her nose. “After the hospital incident, we have at least been civil, not that I’ve seen a lot of her. She’s busy as we’re getting close to the Gemocon sector, I assume.” In fact, until yesterday, Caya had seen so little of Thea during the two weeks since the latest white-garnet attack that she would almost welcome a fight just to be in her presence. She could have used a few more opportunities to talk about Gioliva and the residual memories that fluttered to the surface occasionally.
“I can tell you miss her.” Briar came over and hugged her. “I was afraid she’d demote Adina after she brought you to the hospital without guards.”
“If she hadn’t, guards or no guards, you would’ve been killed, as would a lot of other innocent people. I’m not being conceited. It was when you and I worked in tandem that we managed to find out what was going on.”
“Yes. I think that’s why my darling is still a commander and you’re here now. Thea seems to be really trying to make you happy, even if I’m pretty sure this is killing her.”
“What do you mean?” Stepping closer to her sister, Caya frowned. “Why would it?”
“Oh, come on, sis. Thea and you share this amazing connection that not even I can put my finger on. Sometimes I think the two of you are destined for each other like Adina and I are.” Briar shrugged. “Other times, I get the feeling she knows you’re destined for even greater things and that she goes with her instinct when she insists on keeping you safe. Perhaps it’s a bit of both.”
Gaping now, Caya pointed at Briar with two fingers like she had when she was younger and wanted to make a point. “You’re crazy. She’s the president, and it’s her job to look out for her citizens. I’m also a useful asset, and she’s all about creating opportunities for Pathfinder. Keeping me close isn’t about anything personal. Well, not the way you’re implying, anyway.”
