“Were you still in the Marine Corp at the time?”
Her years with the FBI hadn’t been in her fictitious bio, so she hesitated. But if she wanted to build a future with Jakkin, the time for half-truths and evasions was past. “I spent two years with the FBI before I was recruited by Shadow Warden.”
“You’re a former FBI agent.” He smiled and shook his head, but there was no humor in his tone. “I’ve run into them before. No wonder you’re so feisty.”
“How many times had you been to Earth before you joined the rebellion?”
“Eleven, but I’m asking the questions right now.”
She nodded and silently waited for him to speak again. This was so damn awkward. She wanted to cross the room and sit on his lap, pull his face down to hers and show him how much she wanted to be his mate. But it was obvious he wasn’t ready for any of that. If the situation were reversed, she wasn’t sure she could forgive him and move on. At least Jakkin was still willing to talk.
“How long have you worked for Solar Warden?”
“I’m a couple of months short of four years.” If all he wanted was an accurate resume, it might be easier to submit it in writing. She wisely kept the thought to herself.
“Do you know how many ships Shadow Leader commands? How many men? Are they all kept in one location?”
“The ships or the men?” Her attempt to lighten his mood was futile. She sighed. He’d be disappointed with her answers, likely think she was being intentionally evasive. “Other than Shadow Leader himself, none of us were allowed to know those sorts of details. Royce Marsden has been with Solar Warden longer than the rest of us, so he might know more. Unfortunately, the best I can give you is a guess.”
“An educated guess is better than what we have now.”
She wasn’t even sure her guess qualified as “educated”, but she told him what she knew. “There are far more agents than ships. I’d guess around two hundred agents, and less than fifty ships. I have no idea where the ships are located. I’ve only been on two. Each time I underwent molecular teleportation—what you would call bio-streaming—so I have no idea where the ship originated. Again, Royce Marsden, or Shadow Leader himself, would be a better source for details.”
“I appreciate your honesty.” His words rang true, yet she also heard the unspoken “finally”. “However.”
Here it came. The true state of their relationship. She braced for disappointment.
“The problem I have with your confession is the timing. It would have meant a lot more if you had something left to lose.” He looked away from her and took a deep breath. “Who will take command now that Shadow Leader is in custody?”
“Marsden will want to, but I’m not sure the others will accept him. Royce is not well-liked or respected.”
“How did Shadow Leader remain in control for so long? Was he well-liked and respected?”
“He’s more popular than Marsden, but that wasn’t what kept him in power. Shadow Leader controlled the funding. Royce Marsden doesn’t have the sorts of connections Shadow Leader has, or had.”
“Do any of the other agents? Is there anyone, with access to funding, that also wants control of Solar Warden?”
“Not that I know of.” But there was one name that continually came up whenever people talked about a shift in power. “There have been rumors forever that Morgan Hoyt would love to bring Solar Warden under her umbrella. Do you know about her task force?”
“I know of her. The battle born have worked with her on occasion. She’s mated with an Ontarian-Rodyte hybrid named Nazerel. He happens to be a cousin of the Nox brothers.”
“Small world, or galaxy, isn’t it?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, eyelids starting to droop.
“Go lie down,” she suggested. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You couldn’t if you wanted to.” He finally smiled at her, which made his next statement even more confusing. “I haven’t released you from lockdown.”
* * * * *
Angry voices and overlapping arguments echoed off the walls in the officers’ dining hall aboard the Guardian. The Evonti had just delivered the two new state-of-the-art ships they’d promised Shadow Leader months ago. Too bad Shadow Leader hadn’t been available to take possession of the ships. Evonti 247, a mysterious emissary who only appeared to Royce as a hologram, had insisted Royce accept the ships in Shadow Leader’s stead. The Evonti took agreements very seriously, and they had promised the ships to Solar Warden, not a specific person.
Motivated by the ships’ delivery, the six highest-ranking commanders began fighting over control of the program. Whomever controlled Solar Warden controlled the fleet and each of these ambitious men wanted access to the new technology.
It had been three days since Martin Wallace was captured by the battle born. Who knew when, or if, the battle born would release him. It was time for a change, and Royce intended to fill the vacancy.
His strategy was simple. He would use the other commander’s loyalty to Shadow Leader to have himself named “interim” leader, and then he’d make damn sure Martin Wallace never returned.
“I have the most field experience,” one commander bragged.
“Then the next time we need someone in the field we’ll dispatch you,” another replied.
“Gentlemen,” Royce drew everyone’s attention with a sharp commanding tone. “We’re conducting this session as if it were post-mortem, but Shadow Leader isn’t dead.”
“He’s compromised, and that’s just as bad,” Lawrence Jepsen, Royce’s only real competition pointed out. Jepsen had been with Solar Warden five months less than Royce, but Jepsen had fewer enemies.
“Martin Wallace will never break,” Royce stated emphatically. “That you even suggest such a thing proves you don’t know him as well as I do.” The others fell silent as Royce knew they would. Now it was mano a mano between Jepsen and him. “All we need to decide is who should keep his seat warm until Shadow Leader returns. And he will return.”
“That’s wishful thinking.” Jepsen squared his shoulders and dug in, clearly meaning to take it all in one fell swoop.
Royce shook his head, careful to appear disappointed not smug. “Is this the sort of loyalty you’d expect from your crew if you were captured by the battle born?”
“He’s right,” Pendergrass commented on Royce’s left. Royce had made a deal with Pendergrass several hours before this meeting, promising him the Guardian, and a sizable bribe in exchange for his support.
Jepsen’s gaze narrowed and his lips thinned, but his tone remained civil. “It makes more sense to settle the matter permanently. If and when Martin returns, I’ll step down.”
“We haven’t even voted, yet you presume you’ll be chosen.” Royce shook his head and let distain creep into his expression. “I propose we vote on an interim commander and nothing else.”
“I nominate Royce Marsden,” Pendergrass said a bit too quickly. The fool was making the others suspicious with his vehemence.
Royce hadn’t even played his trump card yet, but he knew Pendergrass meant well. “Thanks.” He nodded to his overly eager ally, then continued with his strategy. “Evonti 247 appeared to me. Clearly, the Evonti believe I’ll replace Shadow Leader. I was also contacted two days ago by our government liaison. He assured me that our funding is still secure and their commitment to Solar Warden is unwavering. Again, they contacted me because I am the most logical pick for Martin’s successor.” Four heads nodded and triumph surged through Royce. He had them!
“You cost us the Outcast alliance!” Jepsen yelled, challenge gleaming in his eyes. “All the funding in the world won’t mean much without the Outcasts’ firepower.”
“They double-crossed us just like they double-crossed the battle born,” Royce objected. “If anything, I shouldn’t have agreed to the alliance in the first place. They pulled out because of Martin’s capture, not anything I did.” The commanders didn’t look as supportive anymore. Unfor
tunately, there wasn’t anything Royce could do to minimize the damage. His first conversation with Evonti 247 had been a disaster.
“What, exactly, did Evonti 247 say that first night? Take us through it again.” Jepsen’s mouth twitched. He was likely battling a smug smile.
The attack was well placed, but not unexpected. Royce had gone over the bizarre conversation countless times in the last three days. For the longest time, Shadow Leader was the only one still alive who had actually seen the Evonti. The mysterious aliens were Solar Warden’s secret benefactors. It was their technology that allowed Solar Warden to confront the battle born. Without them humans would still be more or less trapped on Earth. Nearly forgotten missions to the moon and clumsy space shuttles were not even in the same league as Rodyte technology.
“Arton the Heretic came aboard the Elena Marie to discuss our new strategy.” No one else had witnessed this part of the awkward confrontation, so Royce could claim anything he wanted. His conversation with the Outcasts’ second-in-command had actually been quite hostile, until Evonti 247 suddenly appeared on the bridge. “The Evonti interrupted us.”
“Are they really as grotesque as they say?”
Royce wasn’t sure who asked the question, he’d been focused on Jepsen. “I wouldn’t call them grotesque. Other than the basic shape of their bodies, they just don’t look human. But different doesn’t equal grotesque in my book. They could wipe us out in a matter of hours. That’s all we need to know.”
“So could the battle born or the Outcasts,” Jepsen sneered. “That doesn’t mean I’ll bend over and grab my ankles.”
The rash statement was a tactical error and Royce took full advantage of the opening. “I agree, one hundred percent. And that’s why I didn’t plead and beg when the Heretic suddenly switched sides. The Outcasts helped us for a time. Now they’re our competition. The situation evolved. We must adapt.”
“He’s right,” Pendergrass said again. “The Outcasts betray everyone.”
“Oh shut up,” Jepsen snapped. “You’ve clearly got your head shoved up Marsden’s ass.”
“That’s called loyalty,” Royce asserted. “You didn’t recognize it because it’s something you never inspire.”
“What was the final outcome with Evonti 247?” Jepsen persisted. “All we have to do to maintain our alliance with them is drive the battle born off the moon? Isn’t that what you agreed to?”
“You know damn well what was said.” Royce was about out of patience with his snide remarks.
“The Outcasts want their magic unlocked and we want more Evonti technology.” Everyone present knew all this. Royce had made a full report shortly after the strange visitation. But Jepsen knew it made Royce look bad, so he insisted on reviewing the events. “Evonti 247 promised each side what they wanted as long as they rid the moon of the battle born. Is that an accurate assessment of the agreement?”
“What would you have done?” It wasn’t much of an argument, but it was all Royce had at the moment.
“In a matter of minutes you lost the support of the Outcasts and agreed to a head-to-head competition instead.” Jenson laughed, the sound harsh and mocking. “And you expect us to put you in charge.”
“You didn’t answer his question.” Farrell Latimer was always quiet and watchful, so he was the last commander Royce expected to defend him. “Given the same set of circumstances, what would you have done?”
“That’s not the point,” Jepsen snapped.
“It’s exactly the point,” Latimer said. “Our choice is simple, you or Marsden. We know what Marsden did when faced with two vastly superior opponents. He maintained his composure and secured some hope of continuation. It would have been just as easy to stand back and watch the Outcasts form a concrete alliance with the Evonti, shutting out humans entirely. He kept us in the fight. You clearly disagree with his approach, so explain yours.”
Jepsen just glared at him, apparently tired of the argument. “You’re right. The choice is simple. I call the vote.”
“But how are we voting?” Pendergrass asked.
“It’s Marsden or me.” Jepsen’s condescending tone wouldn’t win him any votes. “Use your tablets.”
Everyone picked up the devices and entered their votes. Royce didn’t need to look at the results. Jepsen threw his tablet on the table so hard it slid off onto the floor, then stormed from the room.
“This is an interim position only,” Latimer cautioned.
Royce dipped his head, acknowledging the statement. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Obviously, you’ll take one of the new ships,” Pendergrass said, eyes gleaming. “Who will you assign to the other?”
He’d promised the greedy jerk the Guardian. There was no way he was getting anything more. “I’ll have to give it some thought.” Even as he spoke the words Royce was plotting all the changes he’d make with his new authority. First and foremost, he needed to fulfill his son’s fondest wish and earn back his loyalty in the process. Jason Marsden was about to become Solar Warden’s youngest commander.
Chapter Seven
For the past three nights Kelsey had waited for Jakkin to return to his cabin. Each night she’d been disappointed. She didn’t know where he spent the time, other than commanding the ship, but she was starting to wish she’d moved from the brig to her original cabin rather than his quarters. It was awkward to spend so much time in his private domain when she no longer had a reason to be there.
She wanted to believe there was still hope, that he just needed time to process his emotions. Unfortunately, the spark grew dimmer with each passing hour as she fixated on what she’d done. She’d lied to and manipulated him every step of the way. And when it came to a final choice, her mate or her career, she’d remained loyal to Shadow Leader. No, she was being unfairly critical of herself. Her choice had nothing to do with ambition. She’d chosen the human race over the Rodytes, but could she ever hope Jakkin would see it that way?
By the time he arrived on night four, Kelsey had convinced herself he had come to sever whatever was left of their fragile relationship.
He looked handsome and authoritative in his black-and-gold uniform. His wavy dark hair could use a trim, but she still lost herself every time she looked into his green-ringed eyes. “I have a few more questions.” He didn’t bother with a greeting or an explanation of why he’d stayed away. Not that he needed one. It was probably the only way he could keep from strangling her.
She sighed, then nodded. “What do you want to know?”
He moved to his usual seat in the tall-backed armchair before he began, or actually continued, his interrogation. She sat on the sofa facing him, also her usual place. Sleeping with him had clearly changed nothing. This still felt adversarial.
“Why did you agree to this mission? Why is Solar Warden so threatened by what we’re trying to accomplish? Every female is a volunteer. We’ve made that clear from the beginning.”
With nothing to do but review their past conversations and anticipate their next, she’d practiced answers for every question she could imagine. All of the questions he’d just rattled off had been among the ones she practiced. It was a relief to be able to defend herself.
“Orientation allowed us to see the situation from your perspective. Have you ever tried to see it from ours?”
“That’s why I’m here.” He sounded a bit defensive and that wasn’t what she’d intended. “Explain it to me.”
“Everything about the battle born is threatening. You’re bigger and stronger, more technologically advanced, and yet you claim to have only our best interests at heart. That’s hard to believe when you’re secret bases are hidden all over our planet.” She paused for a second, not wanting her points to run together. “I’ve been to Outpost LA. It’s even bigger than Lunar Nine.”
He nodded, then lapsed into silence, apparently thinking about what she’d said. “We didn’t have to ask for your cooperation. We could have rounded up compatible female
s and let the pull take care of the rest. It’s what our fathers’ generation would have done.”
“Which is why we’re afraid you’ll change your mind. Your people have every advantage.”
The statement made him laugh, but there was no humor in the sound. “The battle born have existed under the control of the elite for so long, we would never force our will on another race. It’s unthinkable.”
“Solar Warden doesn’t know that. All they see is an insurmountable enemy threatening their planet and their females. You’ve sworn to protect what’s yours, with your life if necessary. Why do you expect any less from humans?”
“But we are no threat to any of you.” His frustration was starting to show. He finger-combed his hair back from his face as he stared off into the distance. “We’re offering an even trade. It’s mutually beneficial. The female’s lifespan is doubled and she is far less likely to contract any disease. She becomes part of our society, so she has access to Rodyte technology.”
He was avoiding the romantic elements of bonding with a mate, the passion and intensity, the intimacy and security. Saddened by his approach, she did the same. “I know that now because of orientation, and meeting Indigo and Zilor. Talking to a couple who has actually lived through the process is very powerful. Back when I agreed to the mission, all those concepts were just empty words.”
“It still comes down to trust.”
Did he mean Solar Warden and the rebels, or him and her? “When something seems too good to be true, it makes humans nervous. And a nervous human often lashes out.”
He heaved a sigh and pushed to his feet. His gaze focused on her, as if actually seeing her for the first time since he entered the room. “So how do two former enemies hope to build trust with each other?” He crossed the room, his long legs devouring the limited space. “I guess a better question is, do we want to learn to trust each other?”
He’d said “two former enemies”. That was a good sign at least. “I have no reason to doubt you. You’re exactly who and what you always appeared to be. You’re the one who has been misled. Do you want to learn to trust me?”
Fearless (Battle Born Book 12) Page 11
