“Good idea.” That would work with the three of them. Would hopefully be different enough to catch the crowd's attention. Imogen ran up the steps onto the stage. “Let's start by singing together, and then in the second round I'll start, Fiona follows, Rose, you're last, standing behind us.”
She'd thought as she'd run to the stage that she should try include the musicians, but the sounds they were making weren't intuitive to her.
“Please stop,” she told them, and her voice was picked up by whatever system was piping the sounds through the speakers, and it echoed around the room.
The musicians stopped.
Imogen glanced up, saw Inita looking down at her with astonishment, and then turned to look at Cam. He was staring at her, too, but she couldn't read him.
She shook that off. They had to calm this down.
“If this doesn't work, Eazi, cut off the lights,” Fiona said quietly, and Imogen nodded in agreement.
“Okay, all together.” She launched into the song, Fiona standing shoulder to shoulder with her, with Rose behind. She was happy to hear that Rose obviously had some choir experience, harmonizing with her beautifully.
Fiona was less schooled, but she had a naturally good voice, holding the pitch perfectly.
The roar of sound around them faltered as their singing swelled louder and louder through the speakers, but it took all four verses for silence to descend.
When she started the song again solo, hers was the only voice to be heard, until Fiona and then Rose joined in the round.
She'd wondered at the wicked glint in Rose's eye when she'd suggested it. She was right, whatever she'd had up her sleeve. The Grihan minds were blown.
Perhaps the Balcoans didn't have as much of a fascination for singing, but the Grih comprised the majority of the patrons, and they were entranced.
Some sat down on the floor, others leaned against the wall or each other, and as Rose sang the last ding dang dong, three men shoved their way through the front doors.
Two were Grih, wearing uniforms like Cam, and the third was Tean Lee, who was almost frogmarched between them.
“The cavalry?” Imogen asked Fiona in English. Her words soared around the room.
Fiona laughed, her body relaxing for the first time. “No, I think that was us.”
Chapter 35
Dav Jallan and Hal Vakeri took control.
Cam knew it was because they had only heard the last line of the song. Everyone else, himself included, simply let the perfection of it——and the surprise——reverberate through them. Three voices, all singing something different, yet harmonizing together. The way each singer chased the one before, so there was a pattern, and an extra sound, as if more than three voices were involved.
It was extraordinary.
Imogen jumped from the stage the moment it was clear the crisis was over and headed straight for where he was sitting on the stairs.
He could speak, he supposed, but he didn't want to, so he simply grabbed her hips when she stopped a few steps down, lifted her up, sat her across his thighs, and held her close.
“Goo-goo eyes,” she muttered into his neck. “Don't make a habit of it.” But there wasn't much heat in her voice.
He tried to focus on the short, ugly scene between the two Grihan captains and Tean Lee, the equally brutal debrief of the guards who had let everything get so out of control, and then the clearing of the bar of all members of the public.
The two women who'd been shot had been taken away, and he thought he'd heard that both would be all right. At least the shockgun charge had been set to low.
Inita and Takari were sitting at their table, and neither had moved since the singing stopped. They were as affected as he, although they had obviously signaled their staff, because there was a clean-up underway.
Lucky for them both, half the staff were Balcoan; the Grih who worked here were leaning on the bar in quiet contemplation.
Imogen stirred on his lap.
“That was . . .” He still didn't have the words.
“Kalor?”
He looked up to find Hal Vakeri standing on the bottom step. “You ready to go?”
Cam forced himself to set aside the peace the music had given him and lift Imogen off him so they could both stand.
Vakeri motioned them to the door. “We'll talk at Fiona's apartment.”
They wound their way through the standing tables after him, but halfway across the floor, Imogen tugged at his hand and turned back.
“Imogen Peters.” It was Captain Inita. He was standing again, and Takari stood beside him.
“Captain Inita, I hope this hasn't caused your cousin too much trouble,” Imogen said, and Cam could hear the worry in her voice.
“My dear, Larga Ways Security could have brought the whole place crashing down and it would still have been worth hearing that song.”
She made a humming sound. “Well then, as an apology for the inconvenience, if Fiona, Rose and I get the chance, we'll come back and sing for you again.”
“You give your talent away too cheaply.” Takari's voice trembled.
“Not at all.” Imogen smiled up at them both. “Your kindness and help is not something I take lightly. I will be back to sing for you when I can.” She bowed and then turned back to the door.
A small craft was waiting for them outside. It was just big enough for the six of them, three on each side, and as soon as the doors closed, it lifted straight up.
Obviously, in special circumstances, some transport runners were allowed on Larga Ways.
“The singing was . . . astonishing.” He looked at each woman. “I thank you.”
“We needed to get everyone to focus on something else, calm them down. It seemed like a good idea.” Imogen let her head rest on his shoulder and he used the chance to kiss her forehead. It was so good to have her beside him and safe.
“How did you manage such perfection without practicing?”
All three laughed and shook their heads in what seemed to him to be undue modesty.
“It's a very common song, one we all already knew.” Imogen straightened up a little at the disbelief on his face. “It's true.”
“They just won't believe that,” Rose told her, patting Dav Jallan on the arm. “You'll see. The idea that we aren't rock stars at home is almost incomprehensible to them.”
Dav Jallan gave her a sideways look, but didn't contradict her. “I'm sorry we missed it.” There was an edge to his voice, and Rose sent him a narrow-eyed look in exchange.
“Don't be like that. We were armed. I stood behind Fiona and Imogen, who both have shockgun protection. If we'd waited for you to arrive, more people would have been hurt.”
Cam looked over at Hal Vakeri. The big battleship captain was scowling, too.
Fiona scowled right back. “Rose is right. We had to act, and we did a good job. Besides we had Eazi helping us.” She was sitting opposite Vakeri, and she extended her legs and tapped her toes on top of his. “What happened with Tean Lee?”
“He's . . . not himself.” Vakeri sighed. “He's taking the security failures hard.”
“He wanted someone to arrest. Someone to blame.” Cam had seen it before when he'd gone in to investigate a major crime. “I just happened to be handy.”
“Which brings me to why you didn't let me know you were here,” Vakeri said. “We've been looking for your fast cruiser for days.”
“I tried.” Cam shrugged. “Battle Center offices are gone, and I tried to get into Larga Ways Security, see if I could track down someone from Battle Center, and all I found was a guard perimeter around the building. My next move would have been to use the comms at Gurtain's Song to call Lee and ask him to put me through to you.”
“But why? Why not just come in and announce who you were at the entry point?” Fiona asked.
“Because I'd been told there were Tecran spies on the way station, that Larga Ways Security was involved, and that they'd supplied the Vanad with his explosives.
I was also told they were looking for Imogen.”
There was silence.
“I don't think Imogen is in danger right now. Whoever was involved has gone to ground since Sazo arrived, but it was wise advice.” Dav Jallan spoke softly. “Who gave it to you?”
“The Vanad's crew.” Cam saw both Vakeri and Jallan's attention sharpen at that. “It's a long story.”
No one said any more as they landed and made their way up to the beautiful apartment that seemed to belong to Fiona Russell. Although for someone who was more or less a slave laborer a week ago, Cam was still trying to work out how.
“Dinner!” Rose walked over to a package lying on a table once they were inside. “No wonder I'm starving. We never had dinner.”
Fiona walked past her to the open plan kitchen and took out plates. “Who hasn't eaten?”
It appeared it was just himself, Rose, and Fiona, and both insisted he share their meal, setting the plates around the table.
“I have my eye on that box of chocolates Imogen brought us, but I'd better eat some real food first,” Rose told him with a grin.
He could see the similarity with Imogen in every part of her, from her smooth hair to her warm smile, and she became a real person to him, not just the mysterious, powerful figure many in Battle Center saw her as.
He looked up and caught Dav Jallan watching their interaction.
“They look so alike,” he offered with a smile, and Jallan's mouth quirked up to one side.
“I've had the benefit of getting to know Fiona over a few days, but you've had them all thrown at you at once.”
“And you're a really interesting addition to the mix,” Fiona said, looking over at Imogen. “Are you a musician?”
“A music teacher.”
“Oh, they are going to eat you up.” Rose sounded hugely relieved. “I'll do a gig with you now and then, just to keep the crowds happy, but if you'll take the main role, that will suit me just fine.”
“It works for me, too.” Fiona pushed away her plate.
“I have a feeling I've been nominated for something I don't really understand.” Imogen looked from one woman to the other.
“I think we'd better talk about the Tecran fleet lurking just beyond this system, Oris, Paxe, and the Fitali.” Cam cut in smoothly.
There was no question Rose and Fiona were trying to unload the role of music-maker on Imogen, and while he couldn't understand why they didn't want to be music-makers themselves, it would be a travesty if Imogen declined the honor. He was glad he had a good excuse to distract her.
“Yes.” Vakeri leaned forward on his forearms. “What can you tell us?”
Cam looked at him, and then Jallan. They'd all met before at Battle Center meetings, although he didn't know either one well. They were sharp and competent, though, good officers to have on his side, so he didn't soften the blow.
“Get ready for war.”
“Let me get this straight.” Admiral Hoke stood before them all on a large screen, and her hard gaze touched each of them one by one. “The Fitali have gone mad, the Tecran have all but declared war, and another Class 5 has joined the Grih?”
Oris had asked Imogen to do the talking on his behalf when Hal Vakeri had set up the link with Battle Center, so she steeled herself to meet the admiral's icy eyes.
“I don't think Oris has joined you, precisely. It's more an enemy of my enemy thing. He wants to help you chase the Tecran out of your territory, and stop them preying on him. But when this is over, it's possible he'll choose to stay.”
Hoke's gaze snapped to hers. “Imogen Peters.” She tapped a long finger against the table in front of her. “You've had contact with another Class 5, is that right?”
Imogen nodded. “Paxe isn't free, but he's fighting the Tecran's hold as much as possible.”
“Will he come over to us if he does get free?”
Imogen hesitated. “I don't know. I think he feels an affection for me, so perhaps it is better to say I don't think he will automatically attack you when he gets free.”
Hoke's eyes narrowed. “That's not very reassuring.”
Imogen shrugged. “His life is being threatened, and he feels a lot of anger and frustration. Not all his decisions have been good ones as a result.”
“Trying to kill Fiona by blowing up Larga Ways being one.” Hoke still looked deeply shocked by that.
“He simply chose the path most likely to get a result.” She didn't want to defend him, but she could explain him. “That it was wrong is something he accepts now. But at the time, he didn't know any better.”
“What has Battle Center heard from the Fitali?” Hal Vakeri's voice was deep and calm, and Imogen turned to look at him.
Like Cam and Dav Jallan, he was big, with dark brown hair tipped with a light copper and the Grih's blue, blue eyes. He was also uncomfortable, she decided, because between Dav, Cam, and himself, they were all the same rank, although he was the only one with a ship of his own.
It made him the de facto leader, but Imogen noted both Cam and Dav kept forgetting that.
“The Fitali still have me waiting for a response.” Hoke's face twisted in a cynical smile. “Either they're scrambling for information, or they're planning something, and they're stalling until it happens.”
“You think they've joined with the Tecran?” Dav Jallan put his hands behind his back and stood with his feet apart, like he was standing on the deck of a ship.
Hoke tapped a fist on the table. “I don't know. If they have, and if all their ships have the capacity to penetrate the Class 5 shields, then we're looking at a mess.” She laughed softly. “A bigger mess, I should say.”
“We have no choice but to head for where the Tecran battleship is situated.” One of the vice-admirals sitting in the room with Hoke spoke for the first time.
“Agreed, and I think the sooner, the better.” Cam was leaning back against Fiona's dining table, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked as tired as she felt. “If the Fitali are involved, it would be better to defeat the Tecran before they have time to arrive.”
Behind Hoke on the screen, several senior officers nodded.
“And what does Captain Leto have to say?” Hoke asked Cam.
“Nothing much.” He shrugged. “We've previously had a good relationship, but she won't say anything, and has tried to kill Imogen and me a number of times.”
“And they say this is about a gruhudi?” Another vice-admiral spoke. “Could that really be true, or is it simply an excuse?”
“It's definitely true that they had a pair of scouts looking for the grahudi.” Cam tilted his head in that very alien, Grihan way. “But as to whether one stolen creature is worth breaking border treaties and attempting to kill allies, it doesn't make sense, and I really can't understand it.”
“We'll put that down as something to investigate, but for now, Oris, Sazo, and the Illium will go out to where the Tecran are waiting, and try to rescue the hostages they have, and find out what their intentions are.”
“What backup are we going to get?” Dav asked.
“Not Bane,” Hoke said. “We can't have all three Class 5s there, in case we're attacked on another front. He's not happy about it, but he understands. We're sending a fleet, but there is no way it will arrive in time to help you.”
“Two Class 5s and a battleship doesn't sound like bad odds,” Rose said.
“No.” Hoke looked at her. “In theory, because they're under investigation for breaching our borders, the United Council has requested and received the location of every large Tecran battleship, and they're watching the ones they can. But some won't be where they'll have said they are and we have no way of knowing if they've declared every battleship they've got. That single Tecran battleship could have been joined by others by now. The Fitali also add a whole new dimension.” She turned her gaze on Cam. “What are you going to do with Leto's ship?”
“We'll have to bring it with us. Oris needs to be near it to keep control over it
, and it's one more set of weapons for us to use.”
“If we weren't suspicious of the Garmman being secret allies with the Tecran, we could ask for their help, given they're our closest neighbor out there, but we just can't risk it.” The vice-admiral who spoke sounded deeply frustrated. “It looks like they're telling the truth, and are holding to the United Council treaties, but we're not sure enough of that to let them cross our borders.”
Hal gave a nod. “The Garmman councilor we escorted to Larga Ways seems to be firmly in the United Council camp, but we don't have enough eyes out here to make sure the Garmman aren't about to turn on us, as well as concentrate on the Tecran.”
“You're leaving immediately?” Hoke asked, and Dav, Hal, and Cam shared a look and all three nodded.
“Well then, may the light of Guimaymi's Star fall upon you.” Hoke reached forward, face stern, and the screen went black.
Chapter 36
“And there they are.”
Cam's voice was quiet as they came out of the light-jump to find a Tecran fleet right in front of them.
From the captain's chair, Imogen turned her attention to the massive screen which gave them a view of space and two huge Levron battleships, three smaller ones, and Paxe.
Dread and fear coalesced in a greasy, cold ball in her gut. “Does Paxe look damaged?”
“No. But they wouldn't want to harm their tool.” Sazo's words were bitter.
“Can we reach him? Communicate and find out what happened?” The idea that he might be dead, that the Class 5 they were looking at was an empty shell, was a place she did not want to contemplate going.
“No external comms. It's like that part of his system has been disabled or destroyed.” Oris's response was quiet.
“There must be a way around that.” Rose was using the same channel as Sazo, so it was as if they were all standing together on the bridge. “What about getting something close enough to reach his internal comms?”
“Like the listening drone Paxe attached to the Levron to find out what they were planning to do to him.” Imogen didn't know if it would be possible to communicate with Paxe that way, but at least they'd know what was happening on board.
Dark Minds (Class 5 Series Book 3) Page 26
