by M. D. Cooper
“Oh, I know you will. You’re perfectly in control, aren’t you? Your muscles are like titanium. You’re strong, your reflexes faster, your ability to control your responses to a fraction of a millimeter…why, you’re a work of art, Kylie. You should be thanking me, not doing this.”
“Maybe I would’ve if you hadn’t tried to kill me. The colonel…”
“Grayson?” Smithers scowled. “He had it coming for what he did to S&H. And me. A lackey like him strutting into my office in Dessen S&H like he was arbiter of my fate…”.
Kylie thought of dropping him for that. “Tell me who you’re working with, where we’re headed, and who you planned to sell me to.”
“It’s not that simple, I’m afraid. Imagine the good we could do, Kylie. Soldiers—good soldiers—for the SSF, all with your nano. All able to withstand hours of battle, weather attacks from Orion and all our enemies. You know what we’d be able to do?”
“Don’t play that card with me. You’re in it for the payday, not to help Silstrand. Plus, they have a copy of the nano at their disposal already.”
“Lana?” Smithers laughed. “Doctored and neutered. Tanis Richards destroyed all my enriched samples and work. You’re the only thing left.”
“I promised Field Marshal Richards that I wouldn’t share it. Wouldn’t sell it. I don’t go back on my word, unlike you.”
Just then, a message was broadcast across the bridge. “Shuttle X5LC1, this is LSO patrol. Follow the flight path we’re sending over, or we will board using deadly force.”
“Game over for you,” Kylie whispered. “Follow the flight path they’ve sent. When we land, you’ll turn yourself in to SSF.”
“I don’t think so.” Smithers smirked. “It’s not over. You think because you get me, they’ll stop trying? You think you won’t always be a bargaining chip that people fight over? Think again. Now that they know about you, they’ll never leave you alone.”
“Thanks for that,” Kylie sneered.
“Again, I repeat, this is the Silstrand Space Force LSO Patrol. Shuttle X5LC1—”
Marge said.
Smithers glanced around as they felt the shuttle change course.
“Not possible,” he whispered.
“Very possible for an AI. Your only chance of not spending forever in prison is to tell us who you were meeting. Who you are working with. Then maybe Silstrand will let you out in a hundred years or two.”
Smithers’ eyes widened as he reached for his hip. “Never!”
Before he drew his pistol, Kylie fired, her pulse blast knocking him against the forward console, where he smacked his head on the display. Smithers fell like a drunk man from an all-night bender.
“You want some next?” Kylie asked the man who was still standing to her left.
He shook his head, slowly lowering to his knees.
Kylie wished she could share Marge’s enthusiasm. But if Smithers was right and hadn’t been posturing, things weren’t ending.
They were only getting started.
BEER!
STELLAR DATE: 02.22.8948 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: General Quarters Pub, Silstrand City, Silstrand
REGION: Silstrand System, Silstrand Alliance
The General Quarters Pub, popular with space force officers, was at full capacity as the crew of the Barbaric Queen crowded in to throw their victory party. The beer was flowing, the music loud, and the laughter in generous supply.
“To the cap!” Rogers said.
“The cap!” Ricket said.
Marge and Laura set off a display of fireworks across everyone’s HUD.
Kylie smiled, feeling genuinely happy for the first time in a while as everyone clanked their beer bottles together. The smell of grilling cheeseburgers was enough to drive her crazy, and she was happy to let the cat know it.
Kylie chuckled as she turned and threw her arm around Ricket’s shoulders. “You OK?”
She shrugged. “I’m OK. Just feel softer than I should. Upset about Laura. I was upset watching those goons take you onto the shuttle. I’m a trained operative. We put ourselves in situations like those all the time. I shouldn’t have felt so emotional.”
Kylie sipped her beer. “You can’t help it if you like me.”
“No, I can’t. That’s the problem. Maybe that’s why Hand operatives work alone.”
Kylie’s lips twisted into a frown. “With Winter and Bubbs both gone, you’d better not be thinking what I think you are.”
Ricket shook her head, but her eyes were sad. “I couldn’t leave you guys if I wanted to.” She watched Rogers working the bartender for another beer. “One day, I might not have a choice. You don’t say no to the director—especially since she’s now the president.”
Kylie nodded toward Rogers. “You love him, huh? I know the feeling.”
Ricket smiled. “You and Grayson? Star-crossed across the cosmos lovers.”
“Been there, done that, married it. Divorced it and ran screaming for the hills. What if we mess that up all over again?”
“It’s complicated, right?” Ricket smiled. “I can tell how badly you want this…need this. Just keep the lines of communication open. He’s a good guy. Dependable. Strong.”
“Like a good napkin,” Grayson said as he stepped up behind them.
Ricket’s mouth fell open and she blushed. “Colonel! I didn’t see you coming…I…I—”
He chuckled good-naturedly. “At ease, Ricket. I’m off duty.”
“Stars…I really am getting soft,” Ricket muttered, then said, “Problem is, you never sound like you’re off duty.”
Kylie could agree with that statement, but she liked her starched and steadfast officer and threw an arm around him.
“Well, I’m happy to see you,” she told him. She followed up the sentiment with a sloppy kiss.
Grayson tensed up. “A lot of officers are here, Kylie. I have standards to uphold.” He reddened as he spoke, but, he didn’t pull away.
“Beer!” Rogers snapped his fingers at the bar. “Someone get Colonel Grayson a beer! Next round’s on me!”
Grayson squeezed his eyes shut and groaned. “We need to teach your crew a thing or two about decorum.”
“It’s stolen money anyway,” Kylie admitted with a smile.
He groaned again, as if the admission pained him. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“OK, I’m joking.”
“I can tell you’re lying. Rogers,” he twisted his head around, “better make that two beers. The double IPA.”
Kylie smiled and could feel herself glowing. “Everything OK at ol’ SSF HQ?”
Grayson nodded. “Smithers and his associates are being questioned. I was going to stay and watch, but to be honest, I’ve had enough of seeing that smug asshole’s face. Either way, soon we’ll know everything we need to know. At least so long as the interrogators get them to talk.”
“I’m sure they will. Hopefully before anyone tries to kill us again.”
“Knock on titanium,” Grayson muttered. He slipped his arm around Kylie’s waist and led her away to a quiet booth in the back.
She didn’t feel like sitting, so only rested her rear on the edge of the table. “What’s wrong?”
Grayson shook his head. “This is hush-hush—has to be kept under wraps. A few days ago, three ships broke out of FTL beyond the heliopause and then
disappeared.”
“As in they just went back into FTL?”
“No.” Grayson’s eyes were deadly serious. “We believe they used stealth technology.”
“Shit! Orion?” Kylie’s voice cracked as she asked the question.
“No, we weren’t able to identify them; they’re not ours or Orion’s. Before they stealthed, we read similarities to the Revolution Fleet ships that were destroyed here.”
Grayson paused, and Kylie processed what he had said.
“They’ve come for Paul.”
“I’m afraid so,” Grayson said softly, rubbing Kylie’s arm. “I wanted to tell you, I’m sorry I waited so long. Far as command is concerned, you don’t know yet, and won’t find out until tomorrow with everyone else.”
“It’s probably best you waited,” Kylie admitted. “I would’ve been too distracted to do everything I needed to.”
Grayson nodded. “I wish the news was different.”
So did she.
“Whoever is out there, they have to know there’s no way they can rescue Paul.” She shook her head. “With the fleet that’s here and the other planetary defenses? They won’t even get close.”
“The fleet’s stretched thinner than I’d like, but thanks for the endorsement.”
“So you think they have a chance?”
“No,” Grayson said firmly, but his eyes said he was more worried than he’d let on. “There’s no chance. We’ll take care of them as we would any other threat. And we’re upping security at the courthouse and on Paul.”
Kylie nodded. “Do what you have to do.” She placed her hand on his chest, and Grayson gripped it.
“We have the fleet on high alert, but with their stealth capability, they can keep a distance and hide. We won’t know where they are until they want us to.”
Well that’s not exactly comforting.
“I wish I could stay here and party with you all night, but….”
“You hate parties,” Kylie said with a smirk.
“Perhaps, but I do love you.”
Her heart fluttered as he spoke.
“You been saving that for a special moment?” She smiled.
“The right one. How’d I do?”
“Perfect.”
They kissed goodbye, and Kylie whispered the words back to him.
“Do what you have to do,” she repeated. “The SSF, these people, they need men like you.”
“I’m sorry,” Grayson kissed her forehead. “Soon, it’ll all be over, and things can…settle down.”
“And be normal?” Kylie laughed. “When have we ever been normal? Just…be careful. I’m only a Link plea for help away.”
“I’ll stop by the courthouse tomorrow if I can spare it.”
She nodded. “We can’t catch a break. Nadine might still be out there…”
Grayson stroked her hair. “Maybe there was never a Nadine. Maybe Smithers was messing with the both of us.”
Kylie would like to believe that, but didn’t.
“Smithers didn’t know Nadine. He doesn’t know anything about me at all. How would he have gotten the scarf or her perfume?”
Grayson didn’t have an answer and looked equally worried.
“Be careful. Don’t get yourself blown up,” Kylie said.
Grayson held her hand, walking away, and only letting go when he had no choice.
Kylie watched him go and felt cold on the inside. She realized it would always be like this. He would always be assigned somewhere or rushing off to save the day. It was who he was.
She didn’t want him to change, and she felt like Grayson no longer wanted her to change. But their future? Suddenly it felt very very murky.
Ricket stopped beside her. “What’s wrong?”
“More trouble in paradise,” Kylie said, then she received a private message.
Kylie gasped with surprise and broke out into a smile.
Marge’s avatar did a little jig.
* * * * *
The victory party was moved back to the Barbaric Queen, with the arrival of the rest of her crew. Rogers manned the grill while the servitor doled out mixed drinks. Hugs were shared without question, and Kylie didn’t know who to greet first.
She patted Winter’s cheek, unable to hold back a big smile. “Damn, you look good.”
He grinned at her, tossing some popcorn chicken into his mouth. “A guy could get used to a welcome like this. A servitor? Why’d you get all the good stuff while I was gone?”
“What can we say?” Rogers asked. “It took a lifeless, vanilla-personality robot to replace you, pal.”
Winter scowled. “Nah, I’m not even angry. I tried, though. Just happy to be back.” He punched Rogers on the arm.
Rogers flinched. “Ow.”
Bubbs inspected the kitchen as if something was going to leap out of a cabinet at her.
“My cat still lives here, doesn’t he?”
“He’s almost always in the kitchen when we are,” Ricket replied. “I’m surprised he’s not here. He’s missed you like crazy. Like we all have.”
Bubbs raised an eyebrow. “Sure.”
“We did!” Ricket protested.
“Of course, we did,” Kylie leaned back against the counter. “And there’s a lot to fill you guys in on.”
Winter winked as he leaned over and grabbed a pulled pork slider. “I did miss Rogers’ cooking while on Chimin. No offense to those good people, but even their gourmet meals are like canned spam.”
“Careful,” Bubbs snarled, “you’re making me salivate.”
Kylie scrunched up her nose. “You guys fought the entire way, didn’t you?”
Lana gave an effusive nod. “All twenty days.”
Winter only groaned and walked toward Rogers, demanding extra thick bacon, and Lana took his spot beside Kylie.
Kylie hip-checked her gently. “Missed you. It’s been—”
“Forever and a day, light speed.” Lana smiled.
Kylie returned it. “Grayson sure had some high praise for you. Real high. I’d offer you a spot on my crew, but I think he’d be pissed if I snatched you up. Still, my door is always open if you change your mind.”
“Well, right now I’m signed on with the space force, and I want to take my commitments seriously. First off, I have to visit with my mom and dad for a bit. See how they are. But then…at least after my current enlistment is up…who knows.” Lana glanced back at Winter. “Who knows.”
Kylie wasn’t sure how she felt about the look Lana and Winter were giving each other. She had wanted to protect Lana from Winter when they first met, but now Lana was no longer that vulnerable girl.
“You’ve turned into a poised, powerful woman. I’m proud of you, Lana.”
She blushed. “Aw, Captain….”
“ ‘Kylie’,” she insisted, a hand on Lana’s shoulder.
Lana smiled and glanced away at Rogers. “Are his eyes OK? They look…weird.”
“It’s from flying the Barbaric Queen. Usually they change back by now. I guess…I’ve gotten used to it,” Kylie said and felt a sinking feeling.
“Long as he’s OK.”
Kylie hoped he was. She always assumed he was taking care of himself. She thought of talking to him about it, when a piercing, shrill scream filled the room.
“MAAADDD!”
Lana grimaced and covered her ears. “What the hell was that?”
“I’ll let you know when my ears stop ringing.” Kylie grimaced, rubbing her forehead.
Bubbs turned and walked toward the galley entrance, where a white and orange cat sat flicking its tail.
Mr. Fizzle Pop’s face scrunched up and he snorted puffs of air from his nose.
“MAAD! YOU!”
He stomped his front paws on the deck like a cat gone crazy.
“I’m sorry. I really am.” Bubbs crouched in front of him. “But I’m back and—”
“DON’T CARE! MAAAAAD!”
Bubbs opened her hand and offered him a cheeseburger slider. “I saved you some food. Aren’t you hungry?”
Mr. Fizzle Pop turned around, his butt in her face as he stared at the wall. When Bubbs didn’t move, he started smacking her face with his tail.
“NO LIKE YOU. MAAD.”
Bubbs sighed. “C’mon, Fizz. Please?”
“NO! YOU GROVEL. YOU BEG!”
Mr. Fizzle Pop then took off running, exiting the galley as Bubbs rose and sighed, her shoulders rounding up toward her ears.
Kylie admitted.
Kylie heard sniffing in her head.
Marge sighed.
“Not sure what I missed, but I’m glad he’s not sticking around,” Winter said.
Bubbs marched over and shoved him. “Do you always have to be such an asshole?”
Then she stormed out of the galley, and everyone was left staring after her.
“Must be where Mr. Fizzle Pop learned to talk,” Rogers said.
“You guys have any other surprises I should know about?” Winter asked as he brushed himself off.
Kylie smirked. “How long do you have?”
TESTIMONY
STELLAR DATE: 02.23.8948 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Federal Courthouse, Silstrand City, Silstrand
REGION: Silstrand System, Silstrand Alliance
Kylie arrived at the courthouse early, hoping to get in and see Paul before the proceedings began. She was pacing in the corridor outside the holding area when the door opened. She paused in surprise.
“Mom…I didn’t know you were in there. How is he?”
“Holding up. Looks better. Seeing him in a suit makes him look like your father.” Katie herself looked polished and professional in a navy-blue skirt and jacket. She stroked Kylie’s face. “How are you, sweetheart?”
