by Cheree Alsop
He put his hands on the stand and leaned forward to address the couples. “Love is timeless, my dear ones. Love is the strongest type of power, the greatest form of compassion and empathy, and it comes from the most vulnerable parts of ourselves. Love each other. Cherish the person next to you. Remember that after this day, you no longer live just for yourself. You get the joy of having someone at your side, acting as your support, your motivator, your biggest cheerleader, for the rest of your lives. In return, you are choosing to do the same for them. If you can put aside thoughts of self and replace them instead with thoughts of we, us, and together, you will succeed in marriage as well as in life.”
He held out a hand to Brandis and Malie. On it glittered their two rings.
“Do you, Brandis Julius Day, take Malie Fike to be the wife of your heart and soul, the one you turn to in times of joy and sorrow, your steadfast rock, your wings, and the light in your life for now and every eternity?”
“I do,” Brandis said, his gaze on Malie as if she was the only person in the room.
Straham turned to Malie.
“Do you, Malie Fike, take Brandis Julius Day to be the husband of your heart and soul, the one you turn to in times of joy and sorrow, your steadfast rock, your wings, and the light in your life for now and every eternity?”
“I do,” Malie said. There were tears in her eyes that made the joy on her face that much brighter.
Straham held out the rings. Brandis slipped his on Malie’s finger. Liora could see the glitter of the golden gem in the middle from where she sat. Malie put her ring on Brandis’ finger. They held hands, their faces glowing as Straham spoke the final words.
“Brandis and Malie, I now pronounce you husband and wife for the rest of time without end. May your lives be filled with peace, happiness, and joy to share together forever. You may kiss and complete this marriage.”
Brandis lifted Malie’s flowing silver lace veil. She tipped her head up and he kissed her gently on the lips.
The crowd applauded. Shrieks of happiness came from Malie’s family.
“What is that?” Liora’s father asked her.
Liora held her ears and smiled back. There was no point in replying; he wouldn’t have been able to hear her anyway.
After a few minutes, Straham held up a hand. It took several more moments before Malie’s family stopped their celebration long enough to remember that there was another wedding to be performed.
Everyone watched Straham carry out the marriage between O’Tule and Zran. Liora thought with a pang of regret that Zran’s mother should have been there to see her son wed. She hoped that after everything that had happened, the fact that the Zamarian was happily marrying a member of the Kratos crew helped to make up for the guilt she felt at his mother’s death. The impact of Obruo’s destruction was lessening, and Liora let it go with gratitude. She was ready to move on just as Zran had. They would choose lives of happiness to uphold the memories of those they had lost.
As soon as Straham pronounced the final words, a shout of happiness went up through the Kratos crew. Everyone surged forward to congratulate the newlyweds.
Devren put a hand on Liora’s arm, holding her back.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” he said, his voice toned for only her to hear.
“What’s that?” Liora asked.
Devren tipped her head up with both of his hands, his touch gentle. He pressed his lips against hers and kissed her deeply as he never had before. Liora’s hands slipped up to his head, tangling in his hair as she kissed him back.
“Whoa!”
Liora glanced to the side and realized that everyone in the Isonoe wedding room was watching them. Creeden’s mouth was open, O’Tule and Shathryn exchanged matching grins, and Liora’s father nodded at her brother.
Liora stepped back. A blush ran across her cheeks.
To Devren’s credit, he pulled Liora to his side and said, “Can you blame me?”
Laughter and smiles broke out across the crowd. Liora and Devren walked arm in arm up to congratulate the couples. The grins and knowing looks everyone exchanged around them said that their growing affection for each other hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“We have a gift for each of the new couples,” Senior Commandant Day said when things had calmed down.
He led the way out of the wedding hall and along the main chamber. Passersby congratulated the couples while men and women in silver ensured that they had a clear path to travel.
“Do you know what this is about?” Devren asked.
“I have no idea,” Liora said.
Her father overheard them.
“Seems like you might find out yourselves soon enough,” he said.
Devren’s fingers slipped into Liora’s
When they reached the hanger, O’Tule and Malie’s gasps could be heard from the door. Two Copper Crows painted in bright colors waited with their hatches open. Signs that read, ‘Congratulations Malie and Brandis’ and ‘Congratulations Frayn and Zran’ hung across the doors.
“Enjoy a layover at Callisto for some fun before you take a trip to the forest planet of Danson in the Tadpole Galaxy,” Senior Commandant Day said. “You can stay there for as long as you like.” He glanced at Devren, then told O’Tule and Zran, “Or for as long as Captain Metis can do without you both.”
The shrieks and hugs escalated. Liora stood back and watched, happy to see their joy. Devren stayed at her side. She suspected he was glad for the reason to avoid the middle of the fray. By the time the newlywed couples took off, even the Fike family appeared exhausted.
Madam Fike paused at Liora’s side. “I don’t know if anyone told you, but whatever you did for the snakes with returning power to the gems has entirely transformed Cree. It’s like we have a brand new ocean. The fish are more plentiful than we’ve ever seen them, and the tennamite have returned with such fortitude even the floundit can’t eat it all! We don’t have to outsource anymore. You’ve given us our lives back!”
She pulled Liora into a tight hug, then grabbed Devren into it as well. Both of them were amazed at the woman’s strength. Liora couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face when the woman waved goodbye. She promised herself she would visit Cree again to see the changes and to ensure that Rucko was holding true to his word.
“That was a beautiful ceremony,” Devren told Straham.
“I’m glad they trusted me to do it,” Straham replied. “It was an honor.”
“You performed it very well,” Tanlia said. The pilot from Zanden’s crew gave him a flirtatious smile. “Care to talk about defense tactics?”
“My favorite topic,” Straham told her.
They wandered away in deep discussion about fighter positions against larger crafts. Liora and Devren smiled at each other.
“So you like my daughter?”
The stern tone made them both turn.
Liora’s father gave Devren a look of steel.
“I made you the captain of my defense fleet to protect my planet, not steal my daughter from under my nose.”
“Uh, Senior Commandant, that was not my intention. It just sort of happened,” Devren sputtered.
Liora’s father turned his gaze on her. Something in their depths made her want to smile, but she kept her expression solemn to match his.
“Is this true, Liora? Did this just sort of happen?”
Liora nodded. “It wasn’t planned. But we’ve been there for each other more times than I can count. We lost people we cared about, and we’ve survived horrible things together.”
Her father raised an eyebrow. “What about love? That’s most important, isn’t it? Is there love?”
“Yes, most definitely,” Devren replied. “I love your daughter with all of my heart and more than anything else I’ve ever cared for in this Macrocosm. She is everything to me.”
Liora and her father both stared at Devren.
Senior Commandant Day looked at Liora. “You know what I say?”
<
br /> “What do you say?” Liora replied, unable to look away from the man at her side.
“I say you better keep ahold of this young man. He’s a keeper.”
A smile of relief spread across Devren’s face. Liora threw her arms around her father’s neck and hugged him.
“I will, Father,” she promised.
When she released him, the Senior Commandant held out a hand.
“Promise you’ll take good care of her.”
“I promise,” Devren replied, shaking his hand.
“Julius?”
They turned at the sound of Raliel’s voice. Liora loved the peace and happiness that flowed from the woman whenever she walked into a room.
“Yes, my love?” the Senior Commandant replied.
“I was wondering if you would care to go for a walk with me. I would love to see more of Isonoe.”
“I would love to,” Liora’s father said. He looked at Liora and Devren. “You two take care of yourselves. Try not to disappear. A father likes to know what’s going on in his daughter’s life.” He gave Devren a stern stare. “I’m talking to you, son.”
“Yes, Senior Commandant.”
When he walked away to join Raliel, Devren let out a breath.
“I thought he was going to shoot me.”
Liora gave a little shrug. “He’s not that bad.”
They walked slowly toward where the Kratos was docked.
“Not bad? In the words of Hyrin, I may have lost a few lives back there.”
Liora slipped her arm through his. “Was it worth it?”
“Getting permission to date the Senior Commandant’s daughter?” He hesitated, and when she nudged him in the ribs, he grinned. “Definitely.”
His arm slipped around her waist and she leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I have something to show you,” Devren said.
There was a strange tone to his voice that made Liora lift her head to look at him.
“What is it?”
“It’s a bit of a trip from here, but we shouldn’t be long enough to worry your father. Up for a ride?”
“Always,” she replied, intrigued by his secrecy.
They were almost to the Kratos when a voice stopped Liora.
“Liora Day. Are there any rumors of trouble I need to be concerned about?”
Liora turned just as General Stratus stepped out from behind the closest Iron Falcon.
“None, General. We were just leaving.”
He inclined his head. “Glad to hear it.”
Liora didn’t ask which part he was talking about. If the General went back on his word and gave the order, a thousand troops could be on them in a heartbeat. Ships would ring the moon and prevent them from taking off. Liora would be trapped with no choice but to fight her way out. It was a decision she had made far too often in her life, and one she was hoping to never have to make again.
“Thank you for this opportunity,” she said, keeping her tone calm. “My brother and our crew members greatly appreciate your generosity.”
He inclined his head again, then looked at Devren.
“I hear you’re a captain in the Commandant’s army now.”
Devren nodded. He touched a finger to his forehead in salute.
“I’m glad that you and the Commandant have worked things out,” he told the General. “I also heard that the Council for the Unification and Order of the Cosmos has invited you to have a seat in their next session.”
The General nodded. “They extended me quite the honor.” He looked at Liora. “I heard a rumor that I might have you to thank for that.”
“They owed me a favor,” Liora replied. “I figured it was time to put it to use. The Coalition has shown great improvement over the past several months, and I feel the addition to the Council would be a valuable one.”
General Stratus gave what could have passed as an actual smile. “You’re upholding your word to stay out of trouble and you’re unifying the galaxies. What’s happened to you?”
Liora smiled back. “I don’t know, General. I guess I figured I should try things on the other end of the spectrum; you know, go for peace instead of chaos.”
That brought a true smile to the General’s lips. “It fits you, I think. Consider yourself welcome to Titus whenever you’d like to visit.”
“Thank you,” Liora replied, touched by his consideration and also humored by his stressing the word ‘visit’. Neither of them wanted to consider what would happen if she actually attempted to live on the Coalition moon.
“Travel with care, you two. I hear there are Revolutionaries and scavengers out there.” The General paused, then said, “With you roaming the galaxies, I fear for their safety.”
That brought a laugh from Liora and Devren. The General left them staring after him. Liora couldn’t help the smile that stayed on her face long after they had departed on the Kratos.
Chapter 19
Liora walked beside Devren on the desert planet of Pion Seven. She had no idea why he would bring her to the slave planet, but she didn’t ask questions. When Devren had the pensive look on his face, she knew to give him the time he needed to talk to her.
They walked between the rows upon rows of cages containing members of every race Liora had ever seen. The slaves called to them in a variety of languages, begging to be bought and taken away from cruel taskmasters who gave them little to drink and even less to eat in order to save money while they waited to be purchased. Liora’s heart went out to them, but she didn’t stray from Devren’s side.
He led them around a corner.
“There it is,” he breathed.
Liora waited for the dust from a small whirlwind to clear. When it did, her heart slowed.
There, half-buried in the sand, was the S.S. Kirkos.
Liora’s hand itched to pull her knife.
“Scavengers hauled it out here for scrap. I doubt they got paid much with the hull half gone. It probably wasn’t worth the effort it took to bring it all the way from Luptos, but I suppose they had to try.”
The ship loomed over her when Liora walked forward. A very tattered, barely legible sign near the door read ‘Malivian’s circus- the finest in all the Cosmos’. There was a poster next to it, sealed onto the hull with the clear protectant Malivian used to say was stronger than any fire. Liora stared at the picture of herself in the cage. Her gaze looked fierce, her hands gripping the bars and an unnerving glare on her face. The poster read ‘Only the bravest dare to let a Damaclan touch their mind.’
Liora set a hand on the picture.
“I know you’ve had nightmares about this ship,” Devren said, his words quiet. “I thought that if you could see it, it might help those go away.”
Liora looked back at him. She didn’t know what to say. Being near the ship made it all feel real again. She heard the animals in the cages, felt the bite of Malivian’s torture devices.
“We can go inside,” Devren said. “I’ve cleared it with the owner. He says he doesn’t know what anyone would want with this junk heap, but we’re welcome to it.”
Liora walked to the door. The hatch was halfway open. Sand filled the hallway inside. Liora stepped in and waited for her eyes to adjust. Devren pulled his gun from his holster and flipped on the gun light.
Liora led the way. Tiny motes danced in the light ahead of them. She trailed a hand along the walls. They were familiar yet foreign. Each step felt surreal as if she walked in a dream.
Liora’s footsteps slowed when she neared the hull. Parts were burned and a slight breeze pushed sand through from several holes in the walls. Scattered patches of light showed the cages lying on their sides and on the floor. Liora heard again the squawks, chirps, and calls of the animals that had occupied them. She passed through the space between, stepping carefully around the debris.
She rounded a corner, then stopped.
Devren stepped to the side of her. The light from his flashlight swept past it once, then came back to rest on the
cage with the thick metal bars that had been fastened to the floor and the wall to prevent her escape. Liora remembered how it had felt to hold those bars, to fight against them in despair, to be trapped like the slaves outside.
She crossed to the bars and touched them from the outside, something she had never done before.
“If it wasn’t for you, I might still be in there,” she told him.
Devren shook his head. “Not a chance. You would have found a way out.”
Liora met his gaze. “You were my way out.”
He nodded. “And I’m so glad I was. You’ve made my life so much better now that you’re a part of it.”
“You’ve become my everything,” Liora replied. She looked back at the cage. “I’ll never be in one of those ever again.”
“We can burn this ship,” Devren told her. “I brought explosives if you would like to use them. I’ve already paid the owner off.”
Liora blinked at the offer. While it appealed to her, there was something else she wanted more.
“There are slaves out there, lots of them.”
“There are,” Devren replied. There was a light in his eyes that told her he was anticipating her next words.
“Somebody needs to get them out,” she said.
Devren nodded. “Somebody does.”
Liora gave him a searching look. “What’s going on here?”
Devren responded with a small shrug. “I figured you would do this when we got here.”
“Do what?” Liora asked.
Devren motioned toward the cage. “What you always do. You want to free the oppressed and abused. You want to be the one who gets them out of their cages. It’s what you do.”
“And you’re alright with this?” Liora asked.
Devren smiled. “Why do you think Zanden’s bringing the Nines? Several of our Coalition buddies, Edron Donovan included, are waiting just above the atmosphere for us to give the word.”
Liora stared at him. “Are you kidding?”
Devren held out a communicator. “Give the order, Warden Day.”
