by Imogene Nix
Another screen opened. A smiling face with text below.
Kumi read the words on the screen. “You’ve been beaten by Danyr Gubanovski. Who the hell is that?”
But Carmichael knew of Danyr Gubanovski. He’d been a fighter for the Indies. A force to be reckoned with. He’d disappeared. “Check the records. I need an address, the date he started, and his position.”
It was starting to come together.
“Dobry lives in the hinterlands. Close to Vesparia. He’s been in the department for eight years. I have his address.”
Gillian’s information helped him to make up his mind. He watched the tiny printout emerging from the slot and snatched it up. He needed a team tonight. Now. Before it was too late.
“That was before I started. Not long before the credits started to run out.” Kumi’s voice was dry. “It was all there, all the time. I’ll bet Nordric, my predecessor, had no idea of what was going on. Just look at the way he’s managed to manipulate the HR systems.”
Carmichael felt the coiling of tension inside his gut. “Tomi, I need you to stay here with the women. I’m rounding up a team.”
“But you’re hurt! You shouldn’t be...” Kumi subsided as he shot her a look. “Fine. Just don’t get hurt again.”
He leaned in, dropping a quick, hard kiss on her lips. “Sleep, and I’ll be back before you know it.” He moved with speed, pressing his communicator while he shot rapid fire commands to his team. By the time he arrived in the shuttle bay, they were assembled and ready to go.
The shuttle slipped out of the bay and into the darkness of space as the planet of Reunion loomed large. As the ship hurtled toward the surface, he outlined the plan. “We go in quick. Unless he has some kind of alert on the systems, he won’t know we’re on our way. I want him alive if possible. The information he has access to could help us solve this whole Indy guerrilla cell.”
They nodded and as the land rose, they tugged on tactical vests. His communications officer broke off discussions with the local guards. “They’ll stay out of the way.”
Carmichael indicated that he’d heard.
One by one, his men clambered out of the shuttle and formed up. They’re a damned fine team. I’ve been proud to command them, but for the first time in a long while, I know there is more in my future.
A light shone in the window ahead. Not far away an Indy lay, likely sleeping, probably dreaming of overthrowing the Federation. A grin settled on Carmichael’s face. “Never. The Federation will never fall. Not on my watch.”
In the dark night, his men moved, flowing toward their target, the clicks of comm badges letting him know they were ready. He counted... Ten, eleven, twelve. Everyone in place.
“Naval Investigations! Hit the floor and await instructions!” The cry filled the night air as they shoved through locked doors like a knife through melted butter.
Calls of “clear” filled the night until one voice shouted out, “Captain! You better come here.”
In a small back room lay the body of Dobry. A beeping alarm sounded softly in the distance.
“Gods damn it. Too damned late.”
* * * *
Kumi stretched, feeling the post-sex glow, and waited in silence. Carmichael wanted to talk, she could tell. He’d only been back under an hour, but she’d needed assurance that this time he was back without any further injuries. One thing led to another... She grinned again.
He’d been gone longer than planned, collecting the information that would lead them to whoever was in charge of the Indies. She knew he hadn’t taken Dobry into custody, but they’d found information and leads. Things that would help them find the heart of the threat to the Federation.
“I’m getting too old to keep this up. I’m slowing down.” His drowsy voice filled the air.
“You’re what? Forty-nine? That’s hardly old.” She smiled, rubbing her hand up and down his naked bicep.
“For a combat officer it is. Besides, now that I have you, I want to come home every night. I want to watch you get big and fat. I don’t want to miss out on watching our babies grow.”
Her movements stopped. “What’s brought this on, Carmichael? Something has bothered you since you returned from searching Dobry’s home.” Kumi levered herself so she lay against the pillows.
“I remember that area. I grew up on Reunion. One of the small farming villages nearby. I used to think nothing ever happened here. That Reunion was somehow the back end of the Federation. It’s why I joined the Naval forces. I promised myself I didn’t want a family. No ties. That was the life I craved.”
“You grew up on Reunion? I would never have guessed,” she teased, but he grimaced, scratching slightly at his chest. The bared expanse dried her mouth, leaving her hungry for more. It was scarred and battle-worn, but that was Carmichael. My man.
“I want to do the whole thing with you, Kumi. I know I’m a lot older, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be the man standing beside you. Will you make your commitment to me?”
It was the question she’d wanted to hear from him since the day they’d met at Selina and Renjiro’s ceremony. Her heart did a slow pound in her chest. “Yes, Carmichael, I will.”
“Good. Now let’s start on that first baby.” He rolled her over, setting his lips against hers, and her last thought was that she’d finally found her forever.
About Imogene Nix
Imogene is a mother of two, compulsive reader, and bookstore owner. She lives in regional Queensland, Australia with her husband, two daughters, dog, cats, guinea pigs, and chooks. She has a particular fondness for vampires, star ship captains, and things that go bump in the night (especially vampire types).
Imogene has tried many varied roles in her working life including kindergarten assistant, teacher, principal, and kindergarten and child care director, but rates owning a bookstore and writing her own novels as the absolute highlight.
In her mother and wife alter ego, she has travelled widely and lived in some very unique places including Far Western Queensland, Cape York, and even Tasmania. She loves to travel and rates China and Hong Kong among her favorite destinations.
She blames Star Trek Voyager, Firefly, and the works of Alexander Kent for her interest in naval activities and later space fleet interest.
Imogene’s Website:
www.imogenenix.com
Reader eMail:
[email protected]
About The Reunion Trilogy
Book 1: War’s End
Now Available
Book 2: The Assassin
Now Available
Book 3: Executing Justice
Coming Soon
