by Gun Brooke
"Several Onotharians are present on Gamma VI, and we know their ultimate target—the boy. Judging from their past actions, they really don't care if they take him dead or alive, so the station is as much at risk as the child and the commodore's spouse. An Onotharian ship is docked at Port 3, ready to launch when all of its people are aboard. The risk of them trying something stupid is great. The threat is very real. We must be prepared for any possible contingency."
The admiral was silent for moment. "Contingency, eh? Well, Lieutenant, I agree with your assessment, and I'll add my piece to it. We're dealing with the possible political and no doubt monetary greed of one man, as well as the much greater machinations of a planetary system out to cause a political meltdown. But for what purpose?" The admiral leaned back in his chair. Rae recognized his impatience as he drummed his fingertips against the conference table.
"Let's assume we're dealing with the greed of one man," he mused. "I don't foresee any major issues at the preliminary custody hearing. The ambassador isn't familiar with our legal system and will use this meeting as practice for when it really matters. I've spoken to one member of the Council who carries a lot of weight and explained about M'Ekar's actions at our borders." Rae felt his stern gaze. "I spent most of last night reviewing your logs once again and those of the ships under your command. This mission was a textbook example, Commodore. Irreproachable."
Surprised, she tried to conceal her reaction by shrugging dismissively. She didn't want her senior staff to witness how her father's unexpected praise sent her heart racing. "I'm glad the logs confirm my report." Rae paused and hoped her face didn't betray the commotion in her mind. "You're right. This situation can still blow up in our faces. Given the situation, Lieutenant Grey has placed more guards at Port 3 as well. The Onotharians may not be able to demand we extradite Kellen O'Dal, but her son's safety and the political climate depend on how we handle this situation."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Once our legal system rules in our favor, nobody within SC space will assist the ambassador. All right, I'll talk to Ms. O'Dal and the lawyer to make sure we cover all our bases before the court ship arrives. We can't have any last-minute surprises."
"Good." The admiral rose and the other three followed suit, standing at attention. "I have several subspace conferences to attend. I'll see you later, Commodore. Commander, Lieutenant."
Rae relaxed back in her chair as her father left the conference room. His brief, cropped praise still reverberated inside her. Do we ever stop seeking validation from our parents? Her thoughts brushed past the memories of how she had tried throughout her years in school to live up to her father's expectations by joining in some of the extracurricular activities appropriate for a commodore's daughter. She remembered art classes where her inability to even draw a straight line became humiliating among her talented friends. Later she tried music lessons, where she realized she'd never learn to master any instrument known to mankind. All I wanted was for him to recognize my capability for what I really wanted to do. Was that what I just saw? Angry with herself for not being able to shake the bitter thoughts, Rae pressed both palms against the titanium conference table. Why such benevolence now, Father? A little late, isn't it?
"All right, I'd better locate Ms. O'Dal." Rae stood, her command settling like a cloak around her shoulders, shielding her from personal sorrow as it always did. As the commodore, she was untouchable. "She and I will be at the law firm in the commercial section, if there's an emergency."
"Yes, ma'am," her subordinates answered in unison.
"Dismissed."
Leaving the room, Rae took a right and headed for the elevator. She pulled the communicator from her shoulder and paged her quarters. When nobody answered, she hailed the officer in charge of security.
"Yes, ma'am, go ahead."
"Where is Kellen O'Dal right now?"
"One moment, Commodore." A brief pause. "Ms. O'Dal and her security guard are at the physical training facility, section 10D."
Rae signed off and stood motionless by the elevator door, mulling over the unexpected information. She wondered what Kellen was up to and decided to investigate. After she rode the elevator to the tenth level, she took the rail car to the gym section. What the hell's she doing there? Surely Gemma hasn't cleared her for such activities already? Rae wanted to page the CMO to ask but refrained from doing so. She wanted to see for herself first.
Several officers saluted her as she strode toward the part of the facility designed for combat practice. What kind of training could Kellen be participating in? She found her wife so unpredictable that having her in this part of the military section worried her.
Rae heard muted thuds and grunts echoing from a room to her right. Nodding to the security guard on post, she peeked inside, her breath catching in her throat at what she saw.
Dressed in a skintight red suit made of what looked like real leather, a blond figure vaguely recognizable as her wife whirled through the air, one leg like a sword ahead of her, the other curled up underneath. Stretching her arms out as she landed, she produced two long metal objects, twirling them in intricate patterns as she dived into a roll. Slicing through the air with precise movements, she moved with feline grace, forceful and deadly in her display.
The red suit accentuated every part of Kellen's curvaceous body, and her hair was slicked back in a tight braid. Rae felt the small hairs on her arms stand up as she watched her move in ways that seemed to defy gravity. After a somersault, Kellen landed on slightly bent legs, her metal staffs describing a cross. When she didn't move for a moment, Rae stepped inside the room.
"Kellen?"
The blond head snapped in her direction, staffs moving into what Rae assumed was a defensive position, one in front of her, one above her head, ready to launch. Kellen's eyes raked along Rae's body until a look of recognition appeared. Lowering the staffs, she said, "Rae. What brings you here?"
Still oddly breathless from watching her, Rae walked closer. "I came to let you know we have a meeting with the lawyer. Are you up to this kind of exercise? I thought you had an appointment with Gemma this morning."
"She gave me the go-ahead to resume training."
"Did she know that your training entailed... this?" Rae gestured toward the staffs.
"No, but she said any method not involving tools." Kellen walked over to a long, sleek casing sitting on a bench. Sheathing what Rae had to surmise were weapons, Kellen glanced over her shoulder. "I assumed she meant the machines in the gym I passed on my way here. My security guard described their purpose to me."
"You better clear this with Gemma before you engage in another training session. What's this sport called?"
"Gan'thet. But you're mistaken. This isn't a sport. It's an ancient Gantharian martial art."
"So you don't compete?" Rae started toward the door.
Kellen hoisted the casing onto her shoulder and gave her a wry smile. "If I did, and won, my opponent would be dead."
Rae flinched, the truth dawning on her. This was no recreational activity to stay in shape. She was married to a woman who could turn into a lethal weapon in a second. "So no holding back, huh?"
"No."
"And the outfit?"
"The Ruby Red Suit shows I'm a gan'thet master. It's made of gindesh skin, from a large quadruped animal hunted on Gantharat for its tender meat and its prized skin. The red stands for the blood that my opponents would shed..."
"Too much information, I get the picture." Rae held up her hand to forestall any more. "Why don't we go back to our quarters so you can shower? I can check some things on the computer while you get ready."
"Of course."
Rae punched her code into the elevator controls. "I usually come down here late in the evening to work out, mostly because I have trouble sleeping sometimes."
"Maybe I can accompany you next time?" Kellen glanced at her.
Rae quirked an eyebrow. "Sure, but only if you don't intend to use me for target practice."
She meant it as a joke, but she could not disregard the fact that watching Kellen in action confirmed her worst suspicions. A flick of her wrist with one of those rods would break a human bone, possibly a person's neck. This was, however, not the worst part. She shuddered at the memory of how Kellen, when she was in full battle mode, had not recognized her. That vacant look haunted her.
Walking along the corridor next to her wife, Rae had never been more aware that she had married a dangerous stranger.
CHAPTER TEN
Rae, is this dress appropriate for tonight's activities?" Kellen's voice sounded matter-of-fact, but Rae thought she detected an impatient tone beneath the cool surface.
As she grabbed her own black cocktail dress from the closet, Rae glanced at her wife and caught her breath at the vision before her. Kellen wore a deep blue, sleeveless dress made of silver-coated Cormanian fairy-silk under a thin grid of Savorian Karma pearls glimmering in all shades of blue above her waist. The skirt flowed around her legs, ending at mid-calf.
"You look wonderful," Rae answered truthfully, watching Kellen's hair take the shape of a sleek wave of moonlight down her back.
"Thank you for providing me with credits to buy it."
"You're welcome."
"I'll repay you when I find a job."
"It isn't necessary," Rae said absentmindedly.
"Yes, it is. I don't need you to support me financially." Kellen's face took on a stubborn look by now becoming familiar to Rae.
"All right, all right. You can pay me back, then." She didn't have time to argue about such insignificant details right now.
Glancing back at her old, well-used black dress, Rae bit the inside of her cheek in exasperation. "I would have bought something new too, if I'd known Gayle was going to invite us for dinner. Should I go with the black?"
Kellen walked closer and scanned the hangers in the closet. "I'm sure black suits you, but what about this one?" She took out a dress still in its protective nylon mesh bag.
"Oh, I've never worn that." To her surprise, Rae felt her cheeks warm. "I bought it off a merchant vessel a while back. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm a tad old for white." Rae was well aware that SC Fleet tradition insisted that officers wear the dress uniform at social functions, and usually she adhered to this custom. Hence my meager wardrobe. Tonight, she decided, was not an official event—it was a private party. Rae scrutinized the white dress. Why not?
"Try it on."
Rae hesitated. "If you insist. You'll understand what I mean, though." She slipped the winter-crinkled retrospun cotton dress with intertwined silver-gloss filaments over her head and adjusted the tiny buttons on her left side before she turned toward Kellen, feeling utterly self-conscious. "There, you see?"
"I see it fits you perfectly. Look." Kellen took her by the shoulders and turned Rae toward the full-length mirror.
The white dress, also sleeveless, caressed her curves without being tight. Rae saw it added more femininity than she was comfortable with and was about to take it off when she noticed the look of admiration in her wife's eyes. "You really think I should wear this?"
"It's beautiful and fits you well. Of course you should wear something you're comfortable in." Kellen's voice was noncommittal, while her eyes were not. Rae noticed a spark in the midst of the crystalline blue that she hadn't seen before, as if Kellen really saw her for the first time.
Suddenly jittery, Rae reached for a hairbrush and straightened her short hair out. "It needs a necklace or something." She reached for a small box on the dresser, browsing her modest collection of jewelry, and chose a three-strand freshwater pearl collar. "Perhaps this?"
"Excellent choice."
Without thinking, Rae turned her back, expecting Kellen to help her put it on. Their domestic image that she saw in the mirror made her press a hand to her midsection. This was dangerous. I can't fool myself into thinking this is for real. Kellen's married to me because it was our only option. Stay sharp, Jacelon.
Kellen slowly placed the necklace around Rae's neck, fiddling briefly before she closed the clasp. Her fingertips touched bare skin and sent small shivers down Rae's spine.
Stepping into white knee-high, mesh-covered nuevoskin boots, Rae turned around to face her spouse. "Guess we're ready, then. Where's Armeo?"
"Already there. Dorinda paged him and asked him to join her and David for a game of...I forget what it's called." Kellen looked embarrassed. "Some new terms pass me by."
"Don't worry about it. You haven't been here that long."
"It feels like a long time already."
Stepping closer to Kellen at her solemn tone of voice, Rae touched her arm. "Are you okay?"
"Of course."
Rae suddenly realized she was getting to know Kellen better than she thought. How cool she sounds when she tries to cover up. Something s disturbing her and she's not about to tell me. Rae didn't want to get into a discussion with Kellen just before a dinner engagement. Instead she gently squeezed her bare arm for emphasis. "I know you've seen too much change over the last month. I'll do my best to help you think of me as your friend and our quarters as your safe haven. Yours and Armeo's."
Rae winced at her own spontaneous words and wracked her brain for something to say that would put them into a sensible context. "I mean, it's important for Armeo's case that the two of you acclimatize as quickly as possible."
"I know. Right now...I feel stateless." Kellen's mouth became a fine line after the last, revealing words.
About to say something consoling, Rae stopped to think how she might feel if she had to leave everything she knew and cared about for an uncertain destiny in an alien environment. What if I were at the mercy of Onotharians who wanted nothing but to send me to an asteroid prison with the prospect of wasting away? It was an unfathomable vision.
Not sure where her intense urge to reassure Kellen came from, Rae pulled her into a friendly embrace. Smiling inwardly at the surprised gasp followed by a stiffening of muscles, she spoke softly. "Have faith in me, Kellen. You'll find your place here at the station, just like Armeo is beginning to. It's easier for a young person, but you'll get there, trust me."
Rae felt Kellen slowly relax in her arms. Tentatively she returned the hug. "Thank you."
"We better get going. Gayle is rather big on punctuality." "The way you say that tells me it's not always your strong suit." Rae smirked. "Have me pegged already, huh? Let's just put it this way: I've only been late to the home of Alex and Gayle once." She gave an exaggerated shudder, which turned into a pleasant thrill when Kellen returned her smile.
"Surprise!"
Lights suddenly switched on, and people jumped out from behind bulkheads and furniture, startling Kellen enough to make her raise her arms in a defensive gan'thet pose. Among the smiling faces of at least twenty people, she recognized Alex and Gayle de Vies, Gemma, Commander Todd, and Lieutenant Grey. Dorinda, David, and Armeo giggled at the stunned couple in the doorway.
"You didn't suspect a thing, did you?" Gayle chuckled as she hugged Rae. "I thought Armeo might have slipped."
"You knew?" Rae grimaced toward Armeo, who merely laughed.
"Yes, I did."
"Traitor." Rae ruffled his hair. "I'll get even with you." Looking at her wife, she shook her head. "Look at poor Kellen. She must think you're all mad."
Gayle hooked her arm around Kellen's. "This is one of our traditions. We knew you didn't have a proper wedding reception, so I decided if anyone deserves it, it's the two of you."
"So this celebration is for our union?"
"Of course! Now let me introduce you to the people you haven't met yet." As Gayle led Kellen around the room, she wondered if she was supposed to remember all the names. However, shaking hands and smiling seemed to do for now. After they went through this repetitious ceremony with everyone, the hostess guided Kellen toward a large U-shaped table decorated with flowers and ornaments.
Around her plate, as well as around Rae's, tiny pink flowers were tied i
nto the shape of hearts. "Is this also tradition?" Kellen gestured toward the decoration.
"Yes. It symbolizes how you two are not only joined legally, but also in your hearts." Gayle's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I can't believe how mushy this is making me."
"Aw, you're always mushy," Alex said, hugging her from behind. "Let the lovebirds take a seat so we can get down to the essentials. Food."
Swatting at him, Gayle wrinkled her nose. "So much for romance. He's right, though. Places, everyone!"
"Can you tell she's married to a military man? She's used to giving orders." Rae smiled at Kellen, who followed her example by sitting down on the adorned chairs.
"So much of the decoration is in pink," she mused. "Why is that?"
"Because this is a same-gender marriage. Pink for women, blue for men. Very ancient tradition."
Kellen looked around the table and noticed several other familiar faces. They're here to celebrate my union with Rae. Do they truly accept me, or is this, as our marriage, merely for appearance? Careful to keep her features neutral, she glanced to her left. A few seats down, a young woman sat next to Lieutenant Grey, involving the tactical chief in what looked like an intense conversation. "Lieutenant... D'Artansis, isn't it? Wasn't she piloting the Ajaxl"
"Yes."
"She seems so young."
"Don't let Leanne's youthful looks deceive you. She's my pilot of choice when I expect to do battle." Kellen watched Rae scan the room, stopping when her father marched through the door. "How on earth did Gayle manage to persuade him to come? Ah, well, he's always had a soft spot for her. Of course."
Kellen wondered if Rae was aware of the tone of loss in her voice. "This is our reception. Why wouldn't your father want to attend?"
