Loyalty to the Cause (TCOTU, Book 4) (This Corner of the Universe)

by Britt Ringel

  When Hussy was declared safe by orbital inspectors, Heskan assembled his crew in the middle hold and explained their present circumstances. He assigned a skeleton watch on the bridge and created a roster of Hollaran volunteers to staff the watchman’s station in Hussy’s docking bay. Crewmembers not standing watch were permitted to debark but Brevic crewmembers had to keep their origin a secret and have at least one Hollaran escort. Not surprisingly, the Hollaran contingent on Hussy enthusiastically volunteered for escort jobs. Their excitement over playing tour guide to their saviors was easily apparent. Before the meeting broke, Heskan ordered all of his crew to return to Hussy by 18:00 local time each day for a headcount. Part of him believed that permitting the crew off the ship and into a Hollaran orbital was a huge mistake but the realist in him knew he could trust his crew to remain inconspicuous. As things were, he could hardly keep the Hollarans from debarking and restricting his own crewmembers seemed cruel.

  Walking down Hussy’s main deck corridor toward Lieutenant Vernay, Heskan felt stuck. If the remaining Hollarans on Hussy left the ship permanently, he might not have enough crew to pilot the freighter safely or reliably. Eventually, they will leave. What are we going to do then, he wondered. What’s the future for a wanted crew of Brevics who can never return home?

  “Ready to go, Captain?”

  Vernay’s question brought Heskan back to the present. She was wearing dark slacks and a top purchased in Syntyche, although the cut and fit were more characteristic of styles from deeper inside the Solarian Federation than its borders. Leave it to Stacy to buy imported clothing in a corporate system, Heskan thought with a faint smile. Once again, the lieutenant had freed her blonde hair from its customary braid. She looked like any other twenty-something across the galaxy. A tinge of melancholy touched Heskan as he realized just how hard his friend’s life had been. How many friends has she seen killed? he wondered morbidly.

  Oblivious to his ponderings, Vernay stepped back and appraised him. Her eyes swooped down and up, making him feel self-conscious. She echoed his earlier sentiments from weeks ago. “I swear, Captain, looking like that, it’s almost too easy to forget you’re my commanding officer.”

  The compliment reignited his smile along with a blush. “This is a bad idea, Stacy. We should be staying on the ship. We don’t even have a Hollaran escort.”

  Vernay rolled her eyes and answered, “RHIP.”

  Rank has its privileges, fair enough, but it won’t keep us from being arrested as spies, Heskan thought pessimistically. He pocketed his datapad and continued to walk reluctantly down the main deck.

  Vernay playfully grabbed his hand and dragged him forward. “Come on, sir. Aren’t you curious? I’ve always wanted to try Hollaran bourbon.”

  He grudgingly picked up his pace. “Right. We’re going to walk around unescorted at the capital of our archenemy during a shooting war. What’s the worst that can happen?”

  “Exactly!” Vernay replied in her sweet soprano.

  The pair descended the stairs to Hussy’s airlock. Both swiped their datapads over the wall panel and the docking tube portal opened compliantly. Ahead of them lay the home of their traditional enemy. None of the gravity of the situation held any effect on Vernay who eagerly walked down the tube to the inner airlock. A second datapad swipe later and Heskan stepped onto Hollaran Commonwealth territory for the first time in his life.

  “Coming aboard, sir?” the Hollaran watchman noted curiously.

  Heskan felt ashamed that he was disobeying his own orders to travel only with a native escort. “Well, just for a late lunch,” he mumbled.

  The watchman volunteered, “You will want to go to Deck Eta, sir. I’m from Vica Pota and I’ve been on this orbital many times. The best restaurant is called Clouded Sky. You should be able to walk right in since it is between lunch and dinner. If you want a more local place, try The Hopeless Optimist. They are both on the main commercial deck.”

  Heskan nodded and began to move but the junior officer stood up and said quickly, “Uh, sir. I have not had a chance to thank you, or your crew.” The man’s voice started to choke. “My parents are just farmers, sir. I joined the Navy because it helped pay for my schooling.” The man looked down at the deck as words gushed from his mouth. “I never wanted to be some warfighter against the Brevic Republic; I just loved piloting ships. I like the Republic. Well, I did.” The young man cleared his throat. “Four weeks ago, I thought my life was over. You’ve given it back to me.” The man shrugged his shoulders meekly. “Well, I don’t mean to keep you, sir. I know you are busy but I had to say thank you.” He dipped his head in respect before sitting back down at his station.

  Heskan looked at the man. He was a mirror reflection of so many of his own crew. “What’s your name?” he asked.

  The man stood once again before answering, “Porucznik Marynarki Alexzander Karalis, sir.”

  There are two hundred more just like him, free now to live their lives. Lives very similar to Stacy Vernay’s. “You’re welcome, Alexzander, and helping all of you was the best thing I did during this war.”

  The strength of the man’s smile lifted a weight from Heskan’s shoulders. He turned to Vernay and said with a newfound enthusiasm, “Come on, Stacy, let’s go try that bourbon.”

  * * *

  Hollara’s primary orbital, simply named Ocean, was a madhouse. Early into their exploration, Heskan discovered that Hollarans typically walked on the left side of promenades instead of the right. After making the subtle adjustment, he and Vernay entered an enormous elevator equipped with floor to ceiling wall screens on three sides, providing the illusion that the elevator traveled along the exterior of the station. During their ride to Deck Eta, a forebodingly dressed figure entered the lift on the third stop and began examining each passenger. The official’s garish uniform had several distinguished stripes on its sleeves and intricate gold epaulettes on the shoulders. The man’s combination cap was laced with ornate, gold trim. Heskan’s heart leapt into his throat as the man began to move from group to group within the elevator.

  His stomach churned as he thought, My God, is he checking datapads for tourist identification? Vernay stiffened next to him as Heskan fumbled for his datapad. My credit account is synced to Hussy but my datapad ID will give me away, he despaired. He would have grabbed Vernay and run if the elevator doors had not already closed. The uniformed man stepped directly in front of Heskan and lifted an electronic device up with a questioning expression.

  Do I punch him? What should I do? Heskan thought in desperation. Next to him, Vernay seemingly stopped breathing. The man’s expression grew more inquisitive as the silence extended between them. Finally he said, “Tickets or not?”

  “What?” Heskan croaked, clearly confused. “Is this a private lift? I didn’t know.”

  The man’s expression grew even more confused than Heskan’s. “No, man. Do you want tickets to the Tchaikovsky simulation or not? One night only and the price includes an overnight at the Pagua Resort.”

  “I’m… only here for a few hours,” Heskan stuttered.

  The salesman shrugged nonchalantly and uttered, “Nifty accent,” before moving to the next group.

  Two minutes later, Heskan and Vernay exited the elevator onto Deck Eta. “I thought we were dead!” Vernay exclaimed through her laughter. “That vendor looked like an admiral!”

  “Why would he be dressed like that?” Heskan beseeched through his own mirth.

  The pair walked down the main promenade, staring at the sights along the way. Heskan noticed that their clothing was not terribly out of place though a little on the conservative side. Several times, Hollaran military members walked past them and Heskan saw Vernay stare, wide-eyed, each time they did. Fortunately, the sailors and marines were more interested in their shore leave than tourists gawking rudely at their uniforms.

  While The Hopeless Optimist sounded interesting, Heskan and Vernay agreed that entering a restaurant for “locals” with their Brevic ac
cents was inviting unwanted trouble. They arrived instead at Clouded Sky. A friendly hostess dressed in green greeted them at the entrance and escorted the pair to a booth. She provided the couple with actual, physical menus, told them their server’s name and returned to the front of the restaurant.

  Vernay pointed at the menu and asked, “What am I supposed to do with this? Why didn’t she just link us the menu?”

  “I think it’s about having a more personal touch,” Heskan speculated as he glanced through the listings. “I don’t know what half of this stuff is.”

  “Gelatin Currimi.” Vernay wrinkled her nose. “Halved Plipbibb?”

  “The Hollaran Bureau of Diet and Nutrition wants you to know there are risks associated with eating raw or undercooked plipbibb,” Heskan informed matter-of-factly.

  Vernay squinted at the fine print of the health warning at the bottom of the menu. “Maybe I’ll just get the bourbon.”

  Heskan grinned. “It’s a sandwich in every glass.”

  Vernay laughed pleasingly as a server approached and greeted, “Hullo, my name is Roland. May I answer any questions for you?”

  “Where’s my bourbon?” Vernay’s jest evoked a winning smile from the gentleman.

  Heskan shook his head slowly but smirked at Vernay before explaining, “We’re visiting Hollara for the first time and she’s a little excited about your adult beverages.” Heskan pointed to his menu. “What is plipbibb?”

  “It is local flora, grown on the ocean shelves, served best when lightly prepared in saltwater.” He looked curiously at Heskan. “You both have unusual accents. What part of the Federation are you from?”

  “The really far away part,” Heskan lied. “A system called Proxima Eris.”

  “I haven’t heard of that one.”

  “It’s small, not well known,” Heskan said. “It’s located on the… spinward edge.” Thank goodness, I didn’t say “Eastern.”

  “You’re a long way from home.”

  Chapter 22

  Lombardi was waiting for Heskan when he and Vernay returned to Hussy. The dining proved uneventful but highly unusual and neither of the Brevic officers had been able to enjoy their meal. Despite the delicious food, the superb service, atmosphere and company, the fact that they were in a space station orbiting Hollara never left their minds. Being there just felt wrong, no matter how much they wished otherwise.

  Heskan had hoped he would feel differently, that, somehow, there was the possibility for a future inside the Commonwealth, but his few hours on the orbital stripped that delusion from him. The Hollaran Commonwealth could never be his home. Seated now across from Lombardi in the chartroom, his heart ached at the realization.

  “The prevailing theory is that it would be best to not reveal who you are to the public,” Lombardi stated. “Samanta and her friends are willing to help but they worry about the political risks should your identities get out.” She hung her head apologetically. “I am sorry, Garrett. I hoped it would be different but there is concern that because of the war, because of Salus, public knowledge of harboring Brevics would create a massive outcry.”

  Heskan nodded in understanding but Lombardi continued her contrition. “It would appear that it is not only your government’s leaders who are more concerned about maintaining their status than doing what is right.”

  “At least they’re willing to help,” Heskan mollified.

  Lombardi nodded. “True. Actually, many are grateful for your actions. Returning Teodore De Luca’s only ‘daughter’ means a great deal to them. The importance of family defines us Hollarans. Several of Zia’s friends in Intelligence can offer you new identities, even jobs within the Commonwealth.” She looked deeply into Heskan’s eyes before adding sincerely, “I cannot resign my commission but I would very much like you to remain with me on Hollara.”

  Heskan felt his heart tumble. He reached across the table to hold her hand. “Isabella, I can’t stay.”

  Lombardi’s eyes misted over but she whispered dejectedly, “I know.” When she looked down at the tabletop, a tear splashed onto the star chart. After several moments of silence, she told him, “I cannot leave.”

  Heskan felt his own vision blur. “I know.”

  They sat together in silence, neither having anything left to say, neither willing to end the moment. After a heartbeat of eternity, Lombardi slowly removed her hand from Heskan’s and said, “Samanta wishes to see you in person and asked me to take you down to the surface.” She wiped at her eyes and sniffed loudly before looking up to him. “Will you go with me?”

  “Of course,” he replied. “I just need a little more time here, alone.”

  “I understand,” she said solemnly. “A tutto c'è rimedio, fuorchè alla morte.” She rose from her chair and moved to the exit.

  The chartroom portal remained sealed for some time before opening again. When it did, Heskan looked annoyingly over to see who had dared to disturb his self-pity. Vernay was standing at the threshold.

  She looked awkwardly at Heskan and muttered, “The komandor said you needed me.” She regarded Heskan’s red-rimmed eyes and swallowed lightly before fully entering the room and sitting next to him. Her voice was an ocean of sympathy. “I’m assuming that you won’t be staying in the Commonwealth.”

  Heskan shook his head sedately.

  “And the komandor won’t be joining you.” Her sentence was a statement, not a question. After a moment’s pause, she offered quietly, “I’m sorry, Garrett.”

  Heskan cleared his throat. “What are you sorry for, Stacy? I’m the one that walked into it.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you.”

  Heskan sighed deeply and said, “It wasn’t your job.” He looked over to Vernay and smiled half-heartedly. “Besides, in time, I’ll adjust and get on with my life… after many, many weeks of sleepless nights and heartbreak.”

  Vernay’s face lit up in a faux smile. She said in an overly loud voice full of false enthusiasm, “That’s the spirit!” She reached out to touch his arm while adding, “And after you’ve moved on and your shattered heart has healed, I’ll be at your side, whispering gently in your ear, reminding you not to fall in love with the enemy.”

  * * *

  The following morning, Lombardi and Heskan shuttled to the surface. Hollara’s atmosphere was thick, which provided for a turbulent reentry, but other than the spectacular view of the green-blue ocean, the voyage passed as usual. Hollara’s weather was temperate, though humid. A nearly constant breeze brought the temperature down to comfortable levels and the system’s G7IV star yielded a familiar light to Heskan.

  Samanta De Luca’s private estate was impressive. Unlike most citizens’ homes, her plantation contained a sizeable amount of terrestrial land that rose to stand above a portion of vast, rolling ocean included in her holdings. Even though De Luca’s only remaining child escorted him, Heskan was closely scrutinized by plantation security with sniffer-searches and physical pat-downs.

  Once past the layers of security, Heskan was introduced to a lifestyle that surpassed even Sebastian Brewer’s. Vibrant gardens grew around marble columns to create an effect out of Terra’s ancient Rome. Over glasses of wine, Lombardi walked casually around the grounds, pointing out locations linked to various memories from her childhood. Her affections were comfortable and unrestrained even in the gloomy shadow of estrangement. After the tour, she brought Heskan inside the main house, up a fabulous Venetian staircase and into a room that overlooked a glorious beach. They sat comfortably for only a few minutes when the door reopened and Samanta De Luca walked in.

  Like her niece, she was statuesque. De Luca used a cane for support and hunched over it as she walked. Her hair was the same incredible shade of black as Lombardi’s but streaked with lines of silver. Her complexion, deeply olive, was no stranger to Hollara’s sun.

  Heskan and Lombardi rose at her appearance. Lombardi hugged her aunt fiercely before gesturing beside her. “Zia, may I present Commander Garrett Heska
n.”

  He reached out to shake her hand but the woman stepped close and took him in a grandmotherly embrace. “Il tuo addio, Izzy,” the woman said while sitting down with considerable effort. Once seated, she sighed in relief and methodically placed her cane between her feet and looked patiently to her niece.

  Standing next to Heskan, Lombardi regarded him solemnly. “Zia wants privacy, Garrett. This is my goodbye, darling.”

  It was over too quickly. Heskan’s heart skipped several beats during her passionate embrace. Her gentle caress lingered long after her exit.

  De Luca waited quietly as Lombardi departed the room. After the door fully closed, the elder stateswoman evaluated him with the emotionless, bespectacled eyes of a merchant inspecting her inventory. After many more moments of silent appraisal, De Luca began unexpectedly, “I recently lost my husband.”

  I know. I was there. He remained silent.

  “Then, the Navy told me my niece’s ship was missing in action, presumed lost with all hands.” The woman’s hands, resting on the top of the cane, shook slightly. “Months after that, we intercepted Brevic reports confirming her ship destroyed.” Ancient eyes bored into Heskan for many moments before she continued. “When you reach my age, you begin to think in terms of legacy and hope that there are those who might honor it. Are your parents alive, Garrett?”

  Heskan shook his head. “My mom died when I was a baby. My father was killed in an accident when I was a child.”

  “Yet your father still has a legacy,” De Luca noted.

  Yes, but what kind? And have I honored it? Heskan feared the answers.

  “You have given back to me that hope, Garrett. You have given me the comfort of knowing that when I am put to rest, my blood will continue to honor and work toward the traditions I inherited from my parents.” The woman leaned heavily on her cane to span the distance between them with an outstretched hand. She lightly touched his knee and smiled warmly. “Thank you, Garrett Heskan. Thank you for giving back to me the most important thing in my life.”