Rebel's Quest

by Gun Brooke

  Kellen hoped Rae was right. Her wife had an unbending faith in her homeworld and the SC Fleet specifically. Kellen wasn’t easily impressed, but what she’d seen so far showed her she’d been right to bring Armeo to the SC. As much as she wanted everything to move along faster, the SC war machinery and the way the SC Fleet operated, was impressive. She had watched her wife coordinate with the marine unit generals, negotiate with diplomats from the less-advanced planets, and press the diplomatic corps until Rae’s mother, one of the top diplomats within the SC, had everything she needed, including a fleet of six ships in which she journeyed safely back and forth between planets.

  “Dismissed.”

  Rae’s crisp voice interrupted Kellen’s thoughts, and she relaxed marginally as her peers scattered over the quay area and returned to their temporary quarters. Kellen was about to join them when Rae hurried toward her. “Kellen. Come with me.” Rae rushed past her, her facial expression entirely different from only moments ago.

  “What have you heard?” Kellen asked.

  “We have a conference with Councilman Thorosac. Things are happening fast. I sent him a subspace message through mother and asked for advice, but had no idea it would attract so much attention.”

  “You’re talking about the Gantharat resistance.”

  “Yes. Apparently, Thorosac feels strongly about this sort of thing.”

  “You mean resistance movements?”

  “Yes. He was once a renegade commander on Colonial 6, before they broke free from the Imidestrian government.” Rae pushed her wrist against a sensor, and they entered a long, bedrock-encased tunnel that led to an underground compound where Kellen had previously been allowed access to only the first two subterranean floors.

  “And now he wants to help?”

  “Let’s just say, I pray he’s going to help pave the way for a full-scale mission to intercept the prison transports. We have to prevent the Onotharians from killing all these people. The last report I received entailed…perfectly horrific details regarding the asteroid prisons. They’re so overpopulated that the current prison transports may be the last straw.”

  At the end of the tunnel was an elevator, which they hurriedly entered. “Level minus fourteen. Jacelon. Voice mark. Code alpha, alpha, one, six, one.”

  “Do I have a higher security clearance now?” Kellen stood calmly at Rae’s side as the elevator doors opened and they boarded. It didn’t even tremble as it took them deep into the bedrock recesses.

  “Yes. Father took care of that. He and Thorosac made it possible for us to give you this commission, and also for us to keep working together and still not be directly in the same chain of command. Officially you serve directly under Admiral Ewan Jacelon, and you’ll act as his liaison while carrying out your duties.”

  “So, I report only to him.” Kellen stopped talking as the elevator reached the fourteenth level. The doors opened to a metal-plated corridor that seemed to reach endlessly into the bedrock. Immediately outside the elevator, a black elliptical alloy gate hummed.

  “Just step through it.” Rae smiled. “It’ll be all right.”

  Kellen made a wry face and walked through the gate, which, she surmised, was a detector of sorts, and as she moved, the frequency of the humming changed. Rae followed her and pointed at the fourth door down the corridor. “Over here.” It opened and a man poked his head out.

  “Admiral,” he said, and beamed. “We’re ready for you and the… lieutenant commander.” He obviously remembered Kellen’s brand-new rank just in time.

  “Thank you, Ensign.” Rae nodded toward the young Cormanian and motioned for Kellen to enter.

  Kellen was surprised by the vast array of technological equipment and ongoing security surveillance that hid behind the simple door. Lit up only by the instruments and view screens, the room was at least five times as large as the mission room onboard the Gamma VI space station. She estimated the current crew consisted of a hundred individuals.

  The ensign guided them to a small transparent cube hosting a large view screen and two computer consoles. “There you go, ma’am. Councilman Thorosac is ready for you. Just boot the view screen.” He closed the door behind them, and crystals within the aluminum changed their polarity, rendering the walls completely opaque.

  After they sat down Rae touched a sensor, turning on the view screen. A SC emblem twirled for a few seconds, and the image of two men came into view.

  “Councilman Thorosac. Admiral Jacelon, this is a surprise.” If Rae was taken aback by her father’s unexpected presence, her voice didn’t give anything away. She laced her fingers, out of view of the video transmitter, tightly together. Kellen wanted to place her hand over the familiar gesture that indicated Rae’s edginess, but knew better. Rae and her father had begun to get along better after Rae had nearly lost her life on Gantharat shortly after marrying Kellen, but there was still tension between them, especially when it came to professional issues. Kellen knew her wife well enough to suspect that Rae thought her father was present to check up on her.

  “Admiral Jacelon. Lieutenant Commander O’Dal. Congratulations on your recent promotions. It’s good to see you again.” Thorosac nodded briefly. Distinguished, and a handsome man of Imidestrian/Cormanian descent, he watched them calmly with silvery gray eyes.

  “Councilman, likewise.”

  “Ewan and I have reached an agreement,” Thorosac said. “We have to act quickly if we are to rescue the majority of the captured resistance fighters. Our victory, once we go planetside full force, depends on the collaboration of the Gantharian people, as well as the resistance. The Onotharians will make sure they outnumber us, so we must conduct this operation with all the cunning and skill we can muster.”

  “So, do I take it we have the go-ahead for Kellen’s plan?” Rae asked, and pulled out a handheld computer. After tapping in a few commands she placed it next to the console. “I’m transmitting the updated version to your personal console now.”

  “Thank you. Yes, we’ve gone over Commander O’Dal’s strategy. The plan is sound, though a bit daring,” Admiral Jacelon said. “You need more troops to go with you. You also need more air support, and more assault craft, to arrive on schedule and with your team intact.”

  “How do you suggest we mitigate the risk of failure, sir?” Kellen knew it was time she began asking the questions. After all, it was her plan. Her mission.

  “One destroyer. The 2nd MSB.”

  “The second Marine Space Battalion?” Rae looked up from the plans displayed on the computer console. “We’ll need them. I can tell you’ve given this a lot of thought, Father.”

  “I have. This mission is a huge undertaking, and you need a specialized unit. You don’t have any margin for error. The destroyer can easily accommodate the three hundred marines, and you can still handpick the remaining fifty or so—”

  “Wait.” Rae leaned forward, her voice almost an octave lower. “Does this mean the mission’s been approved, I mean, officially?”

  “Yes.”

  “And my special request?” Rae continued, her voice unwavering.

  “What request?” Kellen asked. She noticed something in Rae’s demeanor that balanced between hopeful and apprehensive. “Rae?”

  “Yes.” Ewan Jacelon nodded solemnly. “As much as we need you here, we briefed a close circle of military advisors, and they consider this a golden opportunity for a senior officer to personally ascertain the situation. In situ, so to speak.”

  “Rae?” Kellen repeated. She had given up hope that Rae would be able to join her, actually never counted on it to begin with. Flashbacks of Rae lying unconscious on the ground amidst the ruins that were once Kellen’s home flickered through her mind. Bloodstained, pale, and clinging to life, Rae had almost paid the ultimate price. How can I ask her to do it again? Kellen wanted to touch Rae’s hand, but the presence of the admiral and the councilman prevented such familiarity. Rae was as by the book as her father, if not more so, and emotional displays whi
le on duty were not welcome.

  “Kellen. I thought you’d be pleased.” Rae directed her clear, firm gaze toward Kellen.

  “I am.” Kellen’s tongue felt stiff and uncooperative. “Of course I am.”

  Rae didn’t look convinced, but let it go. “Good, then.” She turned her attention toward the view screen. “Will I find the details of our orders in my computer?”

  “Naturally,” Admiral Jacelon said. “I’ve enclosed the tactical data. According to my estimates,” he checked his chronometer, “you leave in less than five hours. You will use the latest model of the Fleet’s destroyer, outfitted with the enhanced Onotharian propulsion system. The SC Fleet Physics Laboratories call it SLMD, superluminal mass drive. Unless there’s a snag, the destroyer will reach Gantharat in five days.”

  “Five! Impressive. I was told a week.” Rae lit up. “Has it been tested yet? Or…ah, don’t tell me. We’ll be doing the honors.”

  “It’s safe enough for you to be the test crew on a longer trip. It’s also outfitted with a new, superior transmitter for data and audio. You should have no problems communicating with Gamma VI, using our arrays. Commodore de Vies is the commanding officer there now.”

  “Alex? I did wonder where he’d take command,” Rae said.

  Kellen had spoken with Alex’s wife Gayle only a few days ago, and even she had had no idea where her husband would end up. Alex and Gayle were two of their best friends, and Kellen knew Gayle worried, even if she was an “expert” when it came to dealing with her husband’s position, as she put it.

  “We’re grateful. We have a better window of opportunity to assist the resistance.” Kellen felt her blue blood rush through her veins with more energy than she’d had in weeks. Perhaps this was their break, their chance to get the upper hand. An element of surprise.

  “There’s a lot riding on the successful outcome of your mission,” Thorosac said. His eyes looked tired, if only for a moment, and Kellen guessed his workdays were as long as theirs had been lately. “We have faith in you, Admiral, and Commander O’Dal has proven on several occasions she’s a force to be reckoned with. I’m on my way to the court ship Dalathea, but Ewan will keep me apprised of your progress.”

  “Thank you, Councilman, for your trust in us.” Rae paused and her features softened. “Marco, how’s Ayanita doing?”

  Kellen knew the councilman’s wife had battled the yezetosha, a cancerous disease that plagued certain families from Ayanita’s homeworld, Imidestria.

  A brief smile flickered over Thorosac’s lips. “She’s doing quite well, Rae. She’s in remission once again and working around the clock, as I know you do as well.” Ayanita worked for the Imidestrian government as a political advisor.

  “Yes. These are busy times.” Rae glanced at her father. “Admiral. I trust you’re well. I spoke with Mother two nights ago.”

  “She told me. I’ll be going home in a few days.”

  “And Armeo?” Kellen couldn’t stop herself from asking. She missed the boy, the son of her heart, so much.

  Admiral Jacelon’s gaze mellowed. “Armeo’s fine. He’s staying with Gayle de Vries and her daughter while your mother is on a mission onboard the court-ship Dalathea.”

  “Seems we’re all tremendously busy,” Council Thorosac said with a kind look in his eyes.

  This was an understatement. Kellen couldn’t remember when she and Rae had shared a quiet evening in each other’s company, or when they’d made love. Most evenings they’d go home to their temporary quarters, stumble through the shower, and tumble directly into bed, falling asleep immediately. Only in the middle of the night, around 0300-0400 hours, did Rae routinely wake up and curl around Kellen. Kellen had begun to wake up shortly before Rae, readying herself for the strong arms pulling her close. Kellen would relax in Rae’s embrace, while trying to convey all her love. She loved her wife, even more now than when she’d discovered the true nature of her feelings a few months ago. Would it ever be possible for them to live more normal lives? A disturbing inner voice warned that this perhaps counted as normal life for a Jacelon.

  “Admiral, you said I could handpick whoever I wanted for this assignment,” Rae said. “I want Commander Grey and Lieutenant Commander D’Artansis.”

  “I’ll send out an express order, and we’ll see.” Ewan Jacelon seemed to hesitate for a moment, then leaned closer. “Rae, Kellen…this may well be the opening shot for the war. Once you’re planetside and have made contact with the resistance, that’s it.”

  “Seems we’re the head of the arrow, then,” Rae said with a wry smile.

  Kellen could see how the metaphor fit. “It’s not my first time in such a position,” she said. “It’s not an enviable situation, but we’ll prevail.”

  “May the stars guide you well,” Ewan said. “I’ll get back in touch before you deploy.”

  Rae closed the comm link after saying good-bye and sat in silence for a few moments, a silence Kellen was reluctant to break. “It won’t be easy.” Rae had a very familiar look on her face. Her eyes a winter gray and her mouth a mere line, she regarded Kellen solemnly. “Your thoughts?”

  “I’m aware of the hurdles, but also confident in my—our strategy. Paladin sent more information, which reached me yesterday, and once I add that to the plan, which I can do en route, our chances will improve.”

  “You sound more positive than you usually do. You’re usually the more realistic, almost pessimistic, of the two of us.”

  “Don’t confuse my confidence with unwarranted optimism.” Kellen tried a smile. “And you and I have proved ourselves before. Armeo calls us a winning team.”

  Rae’s expression softened. “He does? Clever young man, our boy.” She looked around them, as if to make sure of something. Leaning in, she brushed her lips across Kellen’s. “We just have a few hours to get ready. At least we’ll be sharing quarters onboard the destroyer.”

  Kellen was filled with a profound desire for the woman she’d married. She allowed her hands to frame Rae’s face for a brief moment, knowing full well that it might be a long time before they had any sort of privacy once the madness of mobilizing their ship and crew began.

  “I love you, Rae,” she whispered, her heart overflowing. “I’m so proud, and very grateful, that you’re heading up this mission.”

  “Me too.” Rae kissed her again. “So how about we unfasten the strut locks and get going, darling?”

  Kellen returned the embrace and their lips met again. “Yes,” she agreed after letting go of Rae, “how do you say? The show must resume?”

  Rae blinked, then laughed. “Go on, Kellen. The show must go on.”

  “Ah.” Kellen appreciated the smile on Rae’s face. “No difference.”

  “You’re so right, Lieutenant Commander.” Rae rose and switched the walls back to transparent. “Let’s get out of here.”

  As they headed to the elevator, Kellen felt herself slip into her professional persona as a SC Fleet officer. It was remarkable how easy it was, like putting on a cloak. Fortunately, when challenged, she could easily toss it off and become the personality she was born into, a “Protector of the Realm” and Gan’thet master with only one objective—to protect the one in her care at all costs.

  Chapter Ten

  Roshan stepped off her hovercraft and looked around the seemingly deserted mountain camp. She didn’t see anyone, but knew that at least ten pairs of eyes followed her every movement through night-vision visors.

  Crossing the dusty plane between the many low, camouflaged structures, Roshan kept her sidearm ready. She’d developed this habit when a small rogue Onotharian unit had taken out half the guards. They’d moved the camp several times since then, but this site had stayed uncompromised for more than two lunar years. Roshan reached the command central building and tapped on the door. A sound behind her made her pivot and raise her small plasma weapon with both hands.

  “Good evening, ma’am,” a young man said nervously. “Am I late? I was at my brother�
��s wedding.”

  “Timis,” Roshan sighed. “Don’t ever sneak up on me like that again. It could be the last thing you ever do.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I mean, no. Ma’am.”

  Roshan couldn’t suppress a smile at her newest resistance cell member. He was as young as they came these days, even younger than she was when she joined, seemingly a lifetime ago.

  She tapped the door frame again. “Everyone asleep in there?”

  “Name?” a gruff voice said from inside.

  “Paladin.” Roshan pushed the door open. “Get out of bed too early, Jubinor?”

  “Hm. Any earlier and it’d still be last night.” Jubinor watched Timis pass them quickly and join his teammates by the far wall. “Damn. Were we ever that young?”

  “Once.” Way back during innocent times. Roshan looked at the chronometer on the wall of the mission room. She’d left Andreia only two hours earlier and headed for her estate, hoping to hear from Andreia by now, since she was fumbling in the dark. Still, she had a lot to do while waiting for the information she needed to take action. “Everyone here?”

  “Yes, Paladin.” Jubinor’s voice sank an octave. “Everyone except—”

  “I know, Jubinor. I’m expecting a transmission any minute with information on how to proceed.” Roshan lowered her voice. “We’ll get Berentar and the others back.”

  “Good. I’ll get the team ready.” Though only a muscle twitching to the left of his thin lips indicated Jubinor’s feelings, Roshan knew him well enough to read the distress in his eyes. She also saw dead-set determination and realized he was with her, no matter what circumstances they faced.

  “I’ll be in my office.” Roshan walked into the small cubicle she’d shared with Berentar until the last raid. After she logged onto the computer and made sure the Class 1 communicator was set to receive Andreia’s call instantly, the signal beeped in her ear. “Paladin.”