The pause had been a few seconds then I answered after some thought. "No, not physically, but it will be a mental strain and I may have to threaten bodily harm,” I told them. “I really don’t believe my grandmother knows about any of this, so I think I will have some of you take her out for a walk around the house. Ask her about her flowers and plants; that’ll keep you all busy while I hopefully get some answers."
Natalia said. "You better not lay a hand on either of them,” Natalia told me. “I'm not going to look at flowers, I'm sticking to you like glue." She tightened her hold on me for emphasis.
I looked at Taz. "You see why she needs to go with you?" I turned back to my daughter.
"I love them, Natalia, and I'm hoping grandfather will think he has kept his secrets long enough. I know how much he loved my family, so they must have something they are holding over him to have kept him quiet for so long."
"Don’t know, don’t care,” she said. “You hurt the family I've never met and I’ll stun you and lock you in the brig."
Yep, sixteen going on thirty. I stared at her for a few seconds and believed her; I could tell she was dead serious. I decided to change the subject.
"I'm hungry. I wanna eat, then think about what's next. Where’s Matt?" I asked.
It hadn’t been more than five minutes when Matt and Gunny joined me at my table. Adam yelled from the back, asking if they wanted anything. Ronnie walked in a few minutes later with a small bag.
"Just keep talking and pretend like I'm not here," she said, moving my head this way and that, inspecting the bruising.
"You'll live," she said, and sat down next to me. "You're already healing, the bruises are fading and the cuts and scrapes are closed up."
I ignored her assessment. "Matt, I think we should ask your friend to do something with the men I left in the warehouse.”
"I could ask,” he said slowly, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if he said no. I think he has contacts with the locals, though, he could get an anonymous tip to the authorities, they will send a team to check it out."
"That would work,” I said. “They weren’t pros, but they thought they were."
Ronnie cleared her throat and elbowed me. "So, are you going to tell me what's up? Being the only medical type on this crew, it would be good for me to know."
"I had a treatment in a healing tank on Tazleaha's ship, and I think they programmed some of their nanites to work on me. I was out for a lot of it, though, so if you need technical info I think she could tell you exactly what they did." Then I elbowed her back in the ribs, not hard, but just enough to make her squirm. She smiled like she usually did, back when we messed around in the old days.
“Matt, who is our contact at this company?” I asked.
“Her name is Angel,” he said. “She basically controls and manages everything for General Brown — well, Gil Brown, I guess, since he isn’t a general anymore.”
“Can you get in touch with her? I would like to meet her and get a feel for how much I’ll be able to trust and rely on them as I formulate and put my plan into action.”
“I’ll send her a message right now,” Matt said.
I was hungry and the sandwich was good. We all ate and made small talk. It was good to sit with Matt, Bill and Ronnie. They were the few people I never wanted to strangle; they were good people and great at what they did.
zzz
She walked into the hangar like a cat, her movements silky smooth. She was tall and lithe, with beautiful mahogany skin and a shocking head of platinum blonde hair. She wore a business suit and heels which clicked on the floor; everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. Her face spoke of Asian-African descent. The man next to her was short and every bit the opposite. His crew cut and muscular arms, along with the tactical clothing, screamed military. He looked to be five foot five with his boots on. They were quite a pair.
Matt and Gunny walked towards them. I could see the smiles on the newcomers’ faces as they greeted each other with hearty handshakes and back slaps. I kept my distance so they could enjoy their reunion. Almost on cue, they walked over to where I stood. Matt made the introduction. I noticed Gunny couldn’t take his eyes off of Angel.
I shook hands with them both and stood quietly while Gil Brown looked me up and down —mostly up, since the height difference was a noticeable one. He looked at everyone else, maybe hoping someone would say something first, but when they didn’t his eyes landed back on me.
“You are your father’s son,” he said. “You’ve gathered quite a group of humans and other species around you without even trying. You’ve got his good looks, but I see some of your mother in you as well. Not sure how you grew so damn tall, but we’ll give the chow the Corps ladles out credit for that.”
“I take it you didn’t eat the same things we did,” I said, letting my own self show.
He laughed at my joke, while the others just looked at me. Angel studied me a little harder.
“General Brown, can you tell me if you know any of these men and their whereabouts?” I asked him, holding out the paper I had been holding.
He took the list out of my hand, holding it gingerly in a place that didn’t have blood on it. I watched him read it about three times, then he handed it to Angel. She looked from the note to me then back.
“Is there blood on this?” Angel asked.
“It is,” I answered.
“Whose blood is it?” General Brown asked.
“The last general that tried to bullshit me didn’t answer my questions fast enough.”
They both looked disbelieving, until they eyed Matt and Gunny’s faces. Matt nodded, remaining silent.
“Anybody I know?” Brown asked.
Matt nodded yes again but said nothing. About that time, Taz, Nedra and Harry walked up. Taz slipped her arm through mine, standing next to me. Our guests were at a loss for words for a few seconds.
“Holy shit, you have some big fucking friends, Jamison,” Brown blurted out.
“He isn’t the tallest or the biggest,” I answered.
Matt stepped forward. “Gil, may I introduce Queen Tazleaha of the Cjittan Empire, Nedra, steward to Emperor Xamand of Allond, and Harry.”
Angel was impressive for a human female, but right at this moment she was in awe of my crew. “There is someone bigger than him?” Angel asked.
“Something bigger,” I answered.
“What do you feed something bigger than him?” Brown asked.
“You, general. Or her, or whoever fucks with us. She isn’t picky, Mr. Brown.”
“Benjamin, I don’t believe that Mr. Brown is our enemy. There is no reason for dramatics,” Taz said.
“I’m just being clear and honest, Your Highness. Knowing Mr. Brown’s background, I think he can appreciate the honesty and transparency. But I can let Matt fill them in and answer the rest of their questions. Would that make you feel better, Your Highness?” I said, keeping an even tone.
Taz let go of my arm, giving me one of her queenly looks to indicate she disapproved of my tone. I held out my hand to Angel for the note but she didn’t quite understand, instead grabbing my hand with hers and holding it. It was one of those awkward moments. I just laughed and mouthed “the note,” and she let go quickly and handed it to me. It was clear she was off her game, but that wouldn’t last long; I could tell she was a professional in every respect.
“Mr. Brown,” I said, turning back to him, “I don’t know if you subcontract out any work, but I have the fastest ship this side of Allond and a very unique crew. All of my people are exceptional and most are prior military. Although, just so we understand each other, my prior military people have not exactly been discharged and their names need to be kept off of any transmissions, notes or internal messages within your company.” I spoke slowly, hoping it was all perfectly clear.
“What about you?” he asked.
“It’s a long story, but I do have discharge papers. I wouldn’t say there aren’t charges pending that I a
m not aware of, though; I’m sure they have trumped up something by now,” I told him. “I need to get ready to leave, so if anyone is going with me they should be ready when the van gets here.”
I walked away, knowing there would be a lot of questions they would ask of Matt and Gunny. But I needed a good workout and to put what was coming with my grandfather behind me as soon as I could. Being tense and anxious was making me a little cranky. I looked back at the group before walking up the ramp, and saw Angel watching me. I smiled and nodded at her then walked inside.
zzz
The shuttle ride to Clio, the city my grandparents lived, in was quiet. It took a little more than thirty minutes, which sucked, really. On Anubis we would have been there in five, depending on the pilot.
Taz and Natalia had changed into something they could wear to the capital when we were done. Natalia had on the dress I had bought for her on Allond. Taz wore some kind of soft black leather pantsuit with knee-high boots. We argued for ten minutes, or at least I did; she ignored me until I got out of line and told her to get a room in the city. She wasn’t bringing any men back to my ship. Not that she would, it was just me being me.
The look on her face foretold bodily harm, so a hasty retreat on my part was in order. I shouldn’t be jealous, we aren’t in a relationship, I told myself. I was also the only one who thought that. I would make her leave my room daily and still wake to find her in my bed or shower, or in a chair watching me.
Chapter 22
Themis was the capital, the heart and soul, of Athena and most of the Colonial Alliance. Ares was Athena's equal in industry, but lacked the refinement which the dedication to the arts brought to Athena.
Our founding fathers had nearly come to blows when it came time to name the new worlds we were colonizing. It took over twenty-five years to settle it, and in the end the scholars and historians won out. I was guessing no one in the general populace gave a rat’s ass. After all the time that it took, it was as good a theme as any.
Lorelei had called ahead and reserved a hover van we could all be comfortable in. The Claymore being built by the Allond had worked out for Harry, but most everything else was made on a smaller scale for a human or Trillond, and not a species we’d never met.
My grandparents’ house was almost exactly as I remembered it. The plants around it were the only change. Everyone looked at me, waiting for the plan.
"I think Natalia and I will go to the door,” I told them after a long, wary pause. “I’ll send her out to get you in a few minutes."
We stepped out of the van and walked towards the house. I stopped to take it all in once more before entering, and Natalia stopped and stood next to me.
"Are you remembering your youth?" she asked.
"Look over there." I pointed to the house next door. "That’s the house Emily grew up in, and that’s Emily's mom looking out the window at us!" I waved and she waved back, but I don’t think she recognized me. Her door opened about the same amount as my grandparents’. I felt Natalia slip her hand into mine. She squeezed it gently.
My grandparents walked down their steps, recognition gleaming in their eyes. Emily's mother walked slowly towards us as well, until she recognized me — then she almost sprinted. My grandmother beat her by a few steps as she wrapped her arms around my waist and laid her head on my chest, sobbing. My grandfather gripped my arm. I freed up a hand to shake his, then held it out to Emily's mother, who hugged me and my grandmother. I took a minute to let the moment settle before anyone could ask any questions.
My grandfather went first.
"Benjamin, who is this beautiful young lady you have brought with you? She looks so young.” The raised eyebrows and tone of voice added a hope that she wasn’t my wife.
Grandmother stepped back and I pulled Natalia in front of me. Now that she was in the limelight, I could tell she was nervous.
"This is my adopted daughter Natalia," I said.
"Oh my," Grandmother said. "I pictured a little girl, not such a lovely young woman."
The hugs started all over again. Emily's mom jumped in. "What a beautiful dress,” she told Natalia. “You have an eye for fashion."
"Dad picked it out for me,” Natalia smiled. “Hard to believe, huh?"
I said. "It’s a long story," I said.
Grandfather said. "Where is that beautiful partner of yours, Andrea?” Grandfather asked. “Are we going to get to meet her? We made some pictures from the files you sent us. Old-school, I know, but we can brag about you to the neighbors that way."
Before I could answer, Natalia spoke.
"She's dead." It was all she said and everything came to a standstill. I wrapped my arms around my daughter and kissed her on the top of her head.
"Hey, I have my crew in the van,” I said to break the silence. “How about we make some drinks and I’ll introduce everyone, we'll sit out back."
"Ben, have you seen Emily?” Heidi asked. “I haven’t heard from her in a few months. She told me in her last message she had run into you. She said your team rescued her and she was safe and on a new assignment."
"Yes I have, at least as of four days ago,” I answered. “Almost all of my crew knows her. So you can talk about her all you want and they might have a story to tell about her, you never know."
Natalia had walked over to the van, and the looks on my grandparents face told me the whole crew was walking back with her. I turned to look, and there was my daughter with a nine-foot humanoid walking behind her. Harry laughed as he scooped Natalia up in his arms and carried her.
"Little princess walks too slow," he said. Natalia laughed and punched him in the chest.
"Well then,” she said when the punch had no effect, “little princess decrees that the giant man will carry her everywhere."
I watched my grandparents and Emily's mom take an involuntary step or two back as my crew walked up.
"Let me introduce my crew. Everybody stand still," I said. I waited for a second. "Harry, Nedra, Binda, Lorelei, Matt, Bill, Ronnie, Snake, Genius, Grubb, Buddy, Adam, Shawna, and you know Natalia. Everyone, this is my Grandfather Benjamin Jamison, Grandmother Muriel Jamison, and Emily's mother, Heidi Brous."
A foot kicked me in the arm. Natalia was looking at me, frowning from her perch in Harry's arms.
"Didn’t you forget someone?" she said.
"Yes, I’m so sorry," I said. "Imelda couldn’t be here because she is a giant spider three times the size of that hover over there. She is guarding our shuttle at the moment.”
"Dad, you can be such an ass,” she said. “Grandparents, Ms. Brous, please meet Queen Tazleaha of the Cjittan Empire. She is queen of an empire larger than the Trillond and the Alliance put together. We just signed a peace treaty between the Cjittan, Allond, Trillond and the Colonial Alliance and are transporting her to meet our president. Your grandson likes to cause trouble if you didn’t know that already," she added, kicking me again.
God, I hated getting the eye from three of the people responsible for my upbringing. I could see they were mortified I would purposely not introduce Taz, a dignitary of her stature, after bringing her to their house.
Taz gave me a look as well, and I felt bad for a second, maybe two, but no more. I looked around and everyone was shaking their heads in disbelief.
Grandmother stepped forward and took both of Taz's hands in hers. She had to step back in order to look up at her face. At five foot one, looking up at six foot four was a long way.
"We are so very sorry we failed in raising our grandson to be a proper gentleman,” she said. “I thought we had accomplished at least that, but evidently we fell short."
Now I really felt bad. Shit. I had to go and disappoint the only person I've never wanted to disappoint.
I was about to say something, but Taz beat me to it. "Do not worry, Muriel Jamison, you have accomplished your goal. Your grandson has proved many times in battle and in life that his heart is in the right place. Young Natalia is proof, as well as Harry, and many of
the others you see standing before you can tell you tales of his accomplishments. Do not fret over his treatment of me today; it is a game we play, and it is now my turn. I will even the score."
My grandfather looked at me and raised an eyebrow but didn’t say a word. "She’s saying payback's a bitch," I whispered.
"Yeah, no shit,” he said. “I think it’s going to hurt, son, but you take it like a Jamison, you hear?"
I nodded. “Heidi,” Grandmother said, “why don’t you join us in the back. I'm going to order food, please stay."
Four deliveries later, we had enough food for everyone. I was in heaven and everyone was really enjoying it all. It was a diverse group of palates represented, but most everything meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables, was present at the table. We stood and ate; the one six-foot table barely held all the food.
To see my current group of comrades smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves made it hard to think about what I was really here for. I would have come here regardless to see them, but the implication of grandfather in General Gray's confession changed everything. What if he was lying? I guessed I would find out soon enough.
Cleaning up wasn’t hard; there really wasn’t much left. I cornered Natalia and gave her instructions to take her grandmother and Heidi around front to look at flowers. She delegated the duty to Binda and Nedra and whoever wanted to go. Luckily they were smart enough to play along.
I sat down across the table from my grandfather while the rest of the group milled around close by. Natalia sat next to me and Taz sat on his other side.
"Grandfather,” I began, “I have some questions for you and I want you to answer honestly. I’m not a four-year-old boy anymore, so there is no reason to worry about my feelings." He stiffened up, feeling the swing in the atmosphere.
"What kind of questions?" Grandfather asked.
"The kind that are going to hurt, hurt you to talk about and then hurt someone else in a different sort of way,” I said. “You understand where I’m going with this."
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison: No More Lies (Book 3) Page 17
