In Death's Shadow

by S. F. Edwards

  Marda stood her ground too. “Yes, sir. If I’d only recognized that he was about to blow out his venom sack I could have saved him.”

  He took a step towards her. “What is the first priority when treating a severely injured Otlian, cadet?”

  Marda remained silent for a moment. She hung her head in shame a moment later as the realization hit her. “You paralyze their venom sacks.”

  “Exactly,” Tadeh Qudas continued. “But what is your excuse for destroying the facility?”

  What? I know we trashed the place on the way out, but it was still standing when we left. Did we pull an Explosions and damage a major structural feature? Blazer shrugged. “Collateral damage?”

  “Hardly. The main fusion reactor blew right after you made orbit. Someone initiated an overload.”

  Blazer pulled back in confusion and looked around the room. We never came close to the fusion plant, did we?

  Gokhead stood up behind him. “That was me.”

  Blazer shot a look back at Gokhead and stepped between him and Tadeh Qudas. “Sir, I take full responsibility for the actions of everyone under my command.”

  Tadeh Qudas fixed Gokhead with that unwavering stare. “I want an explanation!”

  Blazer had to admit, he did too.

  “Sir, the Nasha system’s main jump point orbits a hyperspace mass shadow on the hyperspace side.”

  “He’s right,” Matt commented. “It was how we were able to reach it so quickly. Due to that shadow it has, at last count, seven other jump points in close proximity.”

  It was a curiosity of hyperspace. Most jump points tended to drift about, with no clear rhyme or reason. Those that were near the visible dark shadow of a hyperspace object, however, tended to take up wild orbits around them instead. It left their positions uncertain but somewhat predictable.

  “Exactly, and three of those are to Drashig colony worlds,” Gokhead went on. “Prior to the war, Nashtig was a Drashig mining colony, despite the reversed amino acids of the local life there. Also, one of those colony systems has an opportune jump point back to the Drashig home system. The Galactic Federation doesn’t know that, but they’ve been staging raids into Drashig territory for annura out of that system. Disrupting their base of operations, even for a short time, felt worth the risk.”

  “While I did not approve of my squadmates’ actions,” Blazer commented, fixing Gokhead with a hard glare. “I would have, had I known the larger strategic situation. However, in the future, I want such actions run past me first!”

  Tadeh Qudas drew back. “I see. Get yourselves cleaned up and to the debriefing room in twenty pulses.”

  Blazer sighed in relief, but when he looked up, he found Tadeh Qudas still looking his way.

  “There are moral calls we have to make during missions. The additional prisoners were one of those. It does us no good to train you to be soldiers if you cannot uphold the moral code of the Confederation. Destroying the base was just reckless. You are not privy to the Confederation’s strategic plans.”

  “Sir,” Blazer called. “What would you have done?”

  “Telshin leave none behind.”

  “And what about the base?” Blazer pressed.

  “Telshin leave none behind, or alive.”

  UCSBA-13, Wooded Area 1

  For once, Blazer didn’t care that their simulation ended after classes were over. While it meant that he would have to make up the work later, it also meant that he wouldn’t have to rush into a lecture. Most important, it afforded him some time to unwind. He needed time to process after getting out of the Neurosimulation matrix. Even after taking a shower, he still felt like he needed to just walk around to get the feel of the mission off his skin.

  Marda joined him for the first time since the incident with Kamden, and they walked hand in hand through the woods. Blazer squeezed Marda’s hand as they approached the tree that had been their favorite picnic spot. Do I go for it? Yes.

  He pulled Marda close to him, flattened his back to the tree, and kissed her. She did not push him away or resist and actually kissed him back that much harder. They lingered there in the embrace for a long moment before Blazer took Marda’s hand. He held it up so that light filtering through the leaves shone on the starfire opal ring.

  They both looked at the iridescent jewel for a long moment before Blazer broke the silence. “I should have been more honest with you about Kamden, I just…”

  Marda pressed a finger to his lips. “We all have things in our family we’re ashamed of. But we’re not those people, you are definitely not anything like her. Your actions this cycle are more than proof of that.”

  Blazer felt like he could melt in relief. “Then let’s get married next break.” Did I just say that?

  Marda looked up at him and returned a curious smile. “Are you serious?”

  Blazer considered it for a moment and nodded. “Yeah. We’ve been here over an annura. We can get married per the regs. Why don’t we? I love you, Marda. And I’m not just feeling good after the mission. I want to quit playing around and marry you.”

  Marda thought about that for a long moment. Then she looked up at Blazer and smiled. “I can do it. It’ll be small, intimate, but I can do it, and I know just the place.”

  “Good,” Blazer replied and ,pulling her back to him, kissed her. “I’ll get us clearance and in two tridecs we’ll be Mr. and Mrs. Vaughnt.”

  Marda kissed him and let her hands drift down, exploring his backside. “I still haven’t said yes to that yet. You do have a sister to carry on the family name after all.”

  Blazer continued to kiss her and slipped his hands beneath the back of her shirt. He tickled the spot just above her belt line that he knew just melted her in his arms. “So do you.”

  Marda slid her own hands around to his front, placing one on his chest as she cupped his groin with the other. “We’ll discuss it later. Right now, it’s just you and me.”

  Blazer didn’t need to be told twice. Sliding down against the tree, he pulled her to the grassy ground.

  UCSB DATE: 1001.002

  Anul System, Anul, Midduwn-Messiahist Church

  Marda pulsed with nervous energy as she stood before the full-length mirror, still amazed by where she was and what she was about to do. The church she stood in was the very one she’d worshiped in since she’d first moved back to Anul so many annura before. Looking out the window, she gazed upon the massive ancient walls of the Royal Cathedral, its towers and spires casting shadows across the older, smaller church. Nestled just beyond the castle walls and moat of the grand Castle Nocturnal, it was the place where two of the greatest Knights Nocturnal had shared their vows, not in the grand cathedral as so many proclaimed. It humbled her to think that she would wed here, and she counted herself lucky that they were able to secure it on such short notice, even if it was for just a few hects.

  Marda looked at the mirror again. The dress she was wearing had been her grandmother’s and the old woman’s ethereal orb now hung beside her. “It fits you so well, dear one, though a little tighter than I wore it.”

  Marda shook off the jab. She was not the slight figure her grandmother had been. The dress was far more-form fitting as a result, but the shimmering material dazzled her, as every light that shone upon it made the material dance with gorgeous color.

  Marda’s sister ran up and handed her the headpiece. Marda slipped it on over her intricate hairdo, doing her best not to disturb it before her cousin, the hairdresser, stepped over to help. They slid the heirloom tiara into place. The sheer blue silk cloth that served her mother as a veil lay draped behind her hair as a symbol that she would take her husband’s name.

  Marda’s sister, grandmother, and cousin exchanged glances at the placement of the veil, but it was her sister who gave voice to her concerns. “Are you sure you want to take his name. I mean, he has a sister.”

  “Anlis, so do I. Two, in fact, to carry on our family name. But I love Blazer, Schan, and I want to honor his fam
ily. It was my choice. Besides, I doubt Jell will ever marry.”

  “Leave her be,” her cousin Marcel admonished. “At least she’s made a decision. Gregor and I are still arguing about it.”

  Marda’s grandmother’s orb fluttered in frustration at her gay grandson. “Take his…”

  “Grandmother,” Marda admonished. “I will not have this at my wedding. Apologize to Marcel.”

  Marcel scoffed. “Think nothing of it, honey. Grandma’s just mad that I can’t hear her.”

  The door to the room opened. Jell entered in a flattering green dress and stood for a moment in wide-eyed amazement of Marda’s iridescent gown. “Wow,” she said and closed the door behind her. “I just wanted to come in and say hello. I haven’t seen you since you since the Dask of Outcome.”

  Marda gazed back at Jell for a long moment. She’s Blazer’s sister. Play nice, so long as she doesn’t do anything. Marda waved Jell over and extended a hand, sure to display the Vaughnt family ring. “It’s good to see you too, Jell. You look wonderful.”

  Jell didn’t even flinch as she shook the proffered hand. “Thanks, and you, you’re stunning.”

  Marda caught her grandmother’s spirit eyeing Jell’s dress, her displeasure making her orb flare. Sighing, Marda turned back to Jell. “She doesn’t like revealing dresses and is barely containing herself that I fill out her old dress so much.”

  Jell smiled and hiked up her dress a bit in an effort to hide her cleavage, it didn’t help. “I understand. I just wish Derjin could have come.”

  Marda gave her a quizzical look. Is Jell trying to be modest, or is she trying to make peace with me?

  Jell blushed back. “He’s kind of my boyfriend. But he has to work and couldn’t take the time off.”

  “I’m sorry, but we’ll meet him the next time we come to Capben, or you can always link us.”

  Jell nodded. “Thanks. Marda, I’m glad you’re marrying my brother. You and he seem so happy together, the little I’ve seen of it, and I’m sorry I…” She looked up at the orb of Marda’s Grandmother and pulled back a moment. “I’m sorry I was such a little pain last time you were here. I’m glad you’re joining our crazy family. Just keep my big brother safe, okay?”

  Marda felt tears welling up in her eyes but choked them back and hugged Jell, not caring if it rumpled the dress,. “Thank you, Jell. That means a lot. Just promise you’ll take of yourself too. Schan worries.”

  Before they could say anything more, someone knocked at the door. Everyone turned to look as Marda stepped back behind her sister and cousin.

  “Is everyone decent?” Marda’s father called in after cracking the door open.

  “Come on in, dad.”

  Marda’s father entered and gasped. He ran up, and Jell stepped aside. “You look lovely, dear. Are you ready?”

  Marda shot a quick glance at her sister and cousin. Both of them nodded.

  “Yes. Is everyone ready out there?” she asked.

  “Ready and waiting, I just can’t…”

  Marda pressed a finger to her father’s lips, silencing him. “You’ve been saying that all decle, dad. Let’s not keep people waiting.”

  ***

  Nervous energy filled Blazer to such a degree that he felt ready to burst as he stood before the two assembled families. The church was far from full, with only their closest friends and family in attendance. Marda’s side far outnumbered his own, besides. The Vaughnt family didn’t even fill two rows of the church pews. Only his grandparents, sister, a handful of other aunts and uncles, and his friends from the Academy were sitting in them.

  Arion and Bichard’s families had joined the procession. The young Coretherian stood beside Blazer, the couple’s first mutual friend. Blazer looked about the church. There were more orbs in attendance than living people, but he knew none of them. The bundle of manifest tubules that were all that remained of Kamden’s sealed orb had been transported somewhere secret and his other orb remained at the academy. It felt strange not to have at least that one here.

  He looked back at the priestess standing by the massive window behind her revealing the walls and spires of Castle Nocturnal. The sound of music drew his eyes back to the aisle as two of Marda’s young cousins danced towards him, scattering flower petals as they spun and jumped.

  Blazer tugged at his dress uniform jacket. He thanked the commander of the local garrison for loaning him a fleet blue dress uniform for the cycle and signing off on their marriage. Beside him, Bichard still stood out. His red brown exoskeleton proved a glaring contrast to the marble walls and columns of the church. The ceremonial dress sashes crisscrossing his torso didn’t help.

  Blazer had no time to think about that before Marda’s Maiden of Honor appeared. Marda’s best friend from school, she marched down the aisle in a more conservative cut of Jell’s green satiny dress. She would not pull anyone’s eyes away from the bride behind her.

  Blazer gasped as Marda appeared, her father escorting her. Her dress shone in the light of the church. The iridescence grew with each step as she approached the light pouring in through the window behind the altar. Blazer felt his knees begin to weaken. She was more gorgeous than he remembered, radiating beauty as she approached. As she neared, he stepped down to take her hand, her father keeping hold of her hand longer then he needed. Blazer had to resist the urge to take her in his arms. Instead, he kissed her hand before turning to the priestess.

  Beaming with pride, Blazer led Marda up to the altar.

  Blazer began to feel as if here were standing in a prolonged formation as the priestess sermonized for close to half a hect on love, commitment, the importance of preserving the sanctity of marriage, and the sacred womb. As she finished, she turned to the young couple. She regarded them with kind eyes before she turned to Bichard. “The ribbon please.”

  All eyes turned towards the Coretherian, and in a flourish, he pulled the ceremonial wrapping from his sash, handing it to the priestess.

  The priestess accepted the ribbon and turned her attention back to the young couple before her. She pulled out a length of the lustrous cloth and, reaching forward, placed their right forearms together, elbow to elbow, and hand to hand. “Please, speak with me.”

  They both nodded, and the priestess wound the ribbon twice around their arms, as the trio recited, “Bound by God.”

  Taking the ribbon, Blazer wound it another three times. “Bound by love.”

  He handed the ribbon to Marda, meeting her eyes. She gave him a smile and nod before she wound it another three times. “Bound by trust.”

  Taking the ribbon once again, Blazer took his time wrapping it around their wrists once as they said in unison, “Bound through life.”

  Marda retook the ribbon, and with measured patience, wrapped it once more around their wrists. “Bound through riches.”

  Blazer slid the ribbon around their wrists. “Bound through health.”

  Taking the last length of the ribbon in her hand, Marda encircled it around their arms one last time. “Bound through peace.”

  Blazer felt a pang at the irony of that. They were soldiers destined to fight a war together. They might see peace some cycle, but not any time soon.

  The priestess then signaled the couple’s parents to stand and approach. “These two young people are bound through the good times, but what shall hold them together through the hardships life will bring unto them?”

  The Admiral stepped forward. With somber eyes, he unwrapped the last length. “War.”

  The Admiral stepped away and Marda’s father stepped up to them removing the next length. “Sickness.”

  Blazer’s Grandmother took his place and undid the third length. “Poverty.”

  With tears of joy and pain in her eyes, Marda’s mother opened the next length, her voice cracking. “Death.”

  With the last four wraps removed, the priestess continued. “Despite the hardships that threaten to pull this couple apart and the good times that reinforce their bond, they are s
till bound by their trust and love in and for each other and for the God that created them.”

  The couple’s parents resumed their seats as the priestess fixed the bindings.

  Once finished, she turned, took Marda’s free left hand, and gave her a comforting smile. “Do you Marda Sciminder take Schan Vaughnt to be your husband? To carry his children within your womb and take his name as your own, through triumphs and hardships, bound by love, under the eyes of God, until the end of creation?”

  Marda waited a moment and stared into Blazer’s eyes. He stared back into the emerald brilliance of her gaze and saw their whole life together up to that point, all the good times, all the bad, all the happiness and all the sorrow. Staring into those eyes, he glimpsed the rest of their lives together reflected back at him. His hearts soared as he found children, and grandchildren, war, and eventual peace, and he could not help but smile.

  A calm air taking her, Marda squeezed his hand. “I swear it upon my immortal soul, yes.”

  The priestess then produced the wedding band, a knotted strand of fine gold, and snapped it into place on Marda’ hand. Marda and Blazer looked down at the band—the twisted gold pieces a symbol of the bindings that held them together.

  The Priestess took Blazer’s left hand, but he kept staring into Marda’s eyes. “Do you Schan Vaughnt take Marda Sciminder to be your wife? To love and care for her children, to give her your name, through triumphs and hardships, bound by love, under the eyes of God, until the end of creation?”

  Staring back into Marda’s eyes, he saw nothing but life and hope, the knowledge that she was his everything, that she meant the whole of creation to him, reinforced with every beat of his hearts. He felt his knees weaken in that instant as his mind raced to remember the words. “I so pledge with all my soul.” The last of the nervous energy that coursed through his veins disappeared, replaced with warmth.

  Blazer felt the priestess snap the wedding band on his own hand, sealing the metal at his wrist.

  “Then by the power invested in me by the Third Messiahist Church, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now…”