Protector of the Realm

by Gun Brooke

  Kellen found herself absorbing the reassuring words, needing them as much as Armeo did. Yes, she was the boy's Protector, and it was her sacred duty to keep him safe, but never before had she felt more like his mother, in the truest sense of the word. Knowing she would embarrass Armeo if she hugged him now, she steeled herself and forced back the treacherous tears burning behind her eyelids.

  "I need to go back to work," Rae said. "Why don't we go somewhere for lunch first? You can rejoin your friends in school afterward, Armeo."

  The boy lit up. "I can? Can we eat at Hasta's?"

  "You liked her food, eh?" Rae ruffled Armeo's unruly hair. "Of course we can."

  The admiral and the boy began to walk toward the exit, but Kellen found herself unable to move. Fury mixed with fear made her limbs freeze, and she watched everyone vacate the room, leaving her and Rae behind.

  "You really look like you need something to eat and drink. You didn't touch your breakfast." Rae's voice reached through her inner turmoil. She gently took her arm. "You did great on the stand, and so did Armeo."

  "It may not be enough."

  Rae squeezed her arm and moved closer. "You may not be informed about SC law, but I am. And what I don't know, our legal representative does." She lowered her voice. "You have to trust this will work. Judge Beqq will not send Armeo away with M'Ekar. The thought is ridiculous."

  Inhaling deeply, Kellen tried to force the panic away. It kept her from thinking straight, and she knew it was vital that she did. "All right," she said huskily. "I'll try to stay calm and wait for the verdict." She could sense Rae was not quite pleased with her response, but it was all she had to offer. "And I do need to eat something."

  Her eyes softening, Rae nodded. "Then we better catch up with Armeo and my father."

  Walking out of the courtroom, Kellen wondered if Rae understood how unnerving it had been to look at the hateful man responsible for their situation. She didn't dare ask herself what she would have done had he been there in person.

  "Admiral Jacelon, Commodore Jacelon, we have received disturbing information." Councilman Thorosac folded his hands in front of him. The view screen also showed four other Council members—two men and two women of different descent.

  Rae felt a foreboding chill run down her spine, but merely acknowledged the man with a nod. "Go on, Councilman." To her left, her father, the only other person present at the emergency meeting, lit a cigar. The ventilation system began to hum faintly.

  "We understand from the four Council members who witnessed the hearings that the court ship Dalathea docked at Gamma VI this morning and the custody hearings regarding the child commenced immediately."

  "That's correct. Judge Beqq will deliver her verdict tomorrow morning at 0900 hours."

  "I see." Thorosac paused, glancing at the woman next to him. "SC intelligence has reported a new development taking place in the Gantharat system. We're now facing a very dangerous situation."

  The admiral leaned forward. "Marco," he said, "we go back a long way. Don't beat around the bush. Tell us what's going on."

  Thorosac's face was solemn, his gaze firm. "The Onotharians have vast resources and use them relentlessly, if required. Our agents have evidence that they've fired up their propaganda system with a media campaign. They're claiming Ambassador M'Ekar was only responding to a Supreme Constellations act of war against the Onotharian Empire, including the Gantharat System."

  "What?" Rae's head snapped up.

  "Yes, Commodore. The Onotharian government claims the SC is holding Armeo M'Aido, the unknown last member of the Gantharian royal family, hostage."

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Rae stood in her quarters by her father's side and watched Kellen and Armeo as they sat together at his new computer. The blond head leaned against the dark one as Kellen pointed at something on the screen. "He has homework." Rae spoke quietly as she witnessed the unexpectedly endearing scene. "He has a very analytical mind, but Gantharian grammar drives him crazy. However, his intergalactic language is better than mine when it comes to pronunciation."

  "The O'Sarals are known for having several geniuses in their dynasty. The M'Aidos as well." Her father felt around in his breast pocket and looked relieved when he found his cigars.

  "Not in my quarters, Father."

  "Sorry, I forgot."

  Rae turned her attention back toward the open door to Armeo's room. Apparently the boy had said something to amuse Kellen, who tossed her head back and laughed out loud. The sound ran through Rae's veins, enticing her. Her nipples hardened and the muscles in her thighs tensed. Dressed in a loose, light blue dress, her wife looked more casual and at home than ever before. Rae yearned to wrap her arms around both of them from behind, simply to claim them as hers all over again.

  Taken aback by her possessive thoughts and the protectiveness surging through her, she turned abruptly to her father. "Are you sure I can't persuade you to stay for dinner?"

  Raising his hand, Ewan waved the unlit cigar in front of him. "Not tonight, Rae. I have documents to go over and also two subspace meetings. Why not save it until tomorrow? I'm certain we'll have things to celebrate."

  Rae wanted to believe him. "I hope so."

  "Tell Kellen and Armeo good night for me, will you? I don't want to interrupt them." Ewan stunned his daughter by kissing her cheek before he left. "Have faith."

  The door to her quarters hissed closed as her father left, and Rae "walked over to Armeo's doorway and leaned against the frame, listening to them talk. Not really paying attention to the words, she let Kellen's sultry voice and the boy's brighter way of speaking wash over her. Sometimes the two would resort to sentences in their Gantharian native tongue, filling in where intergalactic language didn't suffice.

  Kellen's hair glistened, the long waves reflecting the light from the computer screen. Falling well below her shoulder blades, it made Rae's fingers itch to comb through it.

  Armeo suddenly slammed both palms hard onto the desk before twirling full circle on his chair. "Yes, that's it! I got it!" His eyes sparkled. "Rae, I didn't hear you come in." Rising, he threw himself into her arms. "I finally managed to break down the longest sentence ever written. Mr. Terence will be so relieved. He spent forever trying to explain this to me."

  Rae hugged the boy and ruffled his hair. "Good job." Clearing her throat she looked at Kellen. "I didn't want to disturb you when you were concentrating." She let go of Armeo, who sat back down.

  "Okay if I play a game until dinner?" he asked, sounding hopeful.

  "Of course. Half an hour." Kellen rose in one fluid movement and took Rae by the hand. She led her into the living room, where she nudged her against the wall next to Armeo's door. "So you were watching us?" She leaned in for a kiss.

  "Yes," Rae breathed in a whisper. "I stood listening... wondering..."

  Kellen framed Rae's cheeks with both hands. "Wondering?"

  "Wondering what I possibly could have done to deserve this... you..." Rae murmured against Kellen's lips. "Looking at the two of you, I thought.. .never..."

  "What do you mean?"

  Tears rose in Rae's eyes despite every effort to not let her emotions take over. "I can never let anything, or anyone, take you away from me." Swallowing her tears, she allowed Kellen to hug her. "I won't."

  Kellen nuzzled Rae's hair and stroked her back gently. "I don't want to leave you either. Armeo and I...we want to stay." Catching her lover's eyes, Kellen blushed faintly. "For the first time since Tereya died...I feel I belong somewhere. Not just for what's best for Armeo. For me."

  Afraid she would begin to cry, or whimper out loud, Rae pressed Kellen toward her, claiming her delicious mouth, deepening the kiss to muffle herself and to convey every single emotion surging through her. Kellen returned the kiss, opening her mouth to Rae's eager tongue, mimicking its caress.

  A distinct ping from the kitchen sounded a few times before Rae's brain registered it. "Is that dinner?" she murmured.

  "Yes. Well, almost. We
need to add the last of the vegetables, and then it will be ready in twenty minutes."

  "Home cooked. Mmm..." Rae purred.

  "Want to help?" Kellen dragged her toward the annoying timer.

  "Not particularly," Rae confessed. "But I want to watch."

  As she followed Kellen's every movement while she prepared the last of their meal, Rae couldn't keep her thoughts from straying to the court hearing. Would this be the last time they sat down to eat as a family?

  Judge Amereena Beqq punched a few commands into the computer console before her. "I have now thought long and hard about what is best for the young man, Armeo M'Aido of the Gantharat System."

  Rae felt a small, cold hand take hold of hers. Squeezing it gently, she tried to convey confidence to Armeo. The boy leaned into her, holding on to Kellen with his other hand.

  "From a legal point of view, this case sets a precedent. SC law is clear. While dealing with a foreign nation in matters like these, the homeworld law applies. As we all know, Onotharat is the occupying force in the Gantharat system. However, the Supreme Constellations has never acknowledged the occupation and regards it as unlawful. This suggests that Gantharian laws apply. Granted, Armeo is half Onotharian, but he has resided on Gantharat his entire life, as a Gantharian citizen.

  His mother was a member of the Gantharian Royal family, Crown Princess Tereya."

  Glancing at Kellen, Rae saw her hold her breath and begin to tremble.

  "Gantharian law presents its own set of problems," said the judge. "New, modern laws are mixed with ancient dictates, some very sketchy and' open to a wide interpretation." Her terse tone of voice made it clear what Amereena Beqq thought of such an arbitrary legal system. "Kellen O'Dal has inherited an ancient title from her father—Protector of the Realm—which is mentioned in Gantharian law, but only in a historical sense. For the last century, the bearers of this title have not had to execute their obligation, until the occupation. Now it is time to decide if this title is official or a mythical thing of the past." She rose from the tall chair.

  "All rise!" The bailiff's voice carried through the courtroom, sending them all to their feet.

  "Armeo M'Aido, approach the bench." The judge's voice was kind.

  Armeo let go of Rae's hand and walked beside her. The bailiff placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, guiding him to the center of the floor, where he faced the bench.

  "I will now pass my ruling." Judge Beqq glanced at the small crowd. "In this custody hearing, between the parties present, I have ruled in favor of Kellen O'Dal and Commodore Jacelon. Armeo M'Aido will remain in your care, and any claims by Ambassador M'Ekar are denied." She gave a warm smile. "Armeo, do you understand this? You are to stay with your guardian and the commodore."

  "Thank you, Your Honor," Armeo said huskily, blue tears forming in his eyes. "Thank you."

  "I have stipulated a few conditions in this document." Judge Beqq raised a handheld computer. "One, Admiral Jacelon will act as overall guardian, to protect Armeo until he is legally of age. This is also a safeguard, should anything happen to Ms. O'Dal or Commodore Jacelon."

  Rae felt tears begin to run down her own cheeks, and she fought to remain in control. She failed completely when Armeo turned around and ran back to them, throwing himself into Kellen's arms and reaching for Rae a moment later.

  Allowing both her wife and her son to enfold her, Rae realized how tense she had been. She relaxed into their arms and was vaguely aware of her father's congratulations and the Onotharian counselor's objections.

  "I intend to appeal this outrageous ruling, Your Honor!"

  "It will serve no purpose." The judge dismissed the protesting man. "SC court-ship rulings are final. Such are our laws."

  Rae finally let go of Armeo and Kellen and turned toward her father. "We both know this is just the beginning, but it was an important step. Have you heard more from Councilman Thorosac?"

  "Yes, and I need to talk with you right away," the admiral replied. "I have new classified information."

  "Very well." Rae looked at Kellen and Armeo, who stood close together, waiting for her. "I have to attend a meeting," she managed, knowing she was disappointing them. "We'll celebrate when I come home later."

  "I understand," Kellen said. "I'll take Armeo back to school so he can share the good news with his friends."

  "Sounds fine. See you later, then." About to turn around, Rae changed her mind and bear-hugged Armeo. "I'm so happy."

  "Me too, Rae," he murmured against her shoulder.

  Letting go of him, she leaned forward and kissed Kellen on the cheek. "See you later, darling. Keep your communicator close."

  "Of course." Kellen's eyes still glistened with tears, but her shoulders showed less tension, and a faint smile played on her lips.

  Turning toward her father, Rae took a deep, cleansing gulp of air and slipped back into her professional role, motioning toward the door. "All right, shall we, then?"

  "After you."

  She had never known it could hurt physically to go from euphoria to a sinking feeling of pure dread in a matter of minutes. As she stared at the computer screen showing the SC Council meeting, Rae felt like she had been stabbed.

  "I motion we do not allow an alien woman to retain custody of this child!" one of the councilmen exclaimed. "The Onotharians demand he be returned, and it's in our best interest to accommodate them."

  "Councilman Timma, with all due respect," Thorosac interrupted. "Judge Beqq has ruled on the case, and the boy stays where he is. I know why you're so eager to play into the Onotharian hands. Your homeworld has a long-term understanding with them, since you import most of your fuel from them."

  Several other voices interfered, demanding to be heard by the elders in the Council.

  "Damn," Rae whispered, turning toward her father. "I knew the Council was divided on the issue, but I had no idea it would come to this."

  "Several planets depend on Onotharian assets," he said. "Councilman Timma is only representing one of several. There are enough of them to cause trouble."

  "Will they be able to sway the Council?"

  "It doesn't look good. If they do, there's no telling what—"

  Loud voices from the Council meeting interrupted him, and they turned their attention toward the screen. A tall BaDalchian woman had taken the podium.

  "The Onotharians have long claimed that what you refer to as an occupation is instead a legitimate reclaiming of their territory. The Onotharian Empire is vast, practically the same size as the SC, and they would be a valued member of our union. Having the last of the M'Aido dynasty as well as the last of the O'Sarals on SC territory renders us an unexpected and very useful asset, which we should not waste!"

  Rae ground her teeth at the woman's callous way of describing Armeo. "Damn her! To all intents and purposes, she's talking about my son!" She clenched her fists, flinching when her father put a steadying hand on her shoulder. "He's nobody's asset."

  "Councilwoman Migra, the child is first of all a young boy who is now in custody of one of our most decorated officers, Commodore Jacelon, and her spouse, who in turn is his Protector, according to ancient Gantharian law."

  "Gantharian law!" Migra spat. "A fairy-tale title without substance! We need to seize this boy and restore him to his own people in exchange for the Onotharians' collaboration and gratitude."

  "Are you suggesting we use the boy as nothing but a trade-off?" Thorosac sounded outraged and incredulous. "Councilwoman Migra, if you insist on traveling down that path, I will have you removed from these chambers for breaking the Humanitarian Convention!"

  The woman paled, taking a step back from the podium. "I'm merely a representative for my homeworld and..."

  "Now she backtracks," Rae snarled. "Good for Thorosac. He nailed her."

  "Still, several others share Migra's opinion," her father said. "We need to be aware that winning the custody hearing today may only have bought us a little time. The Onotharians have committed an act of war agains
t us, and if we're going to retaliate..."

  Rae heard a tap on her office door. "Enter."

  Commander Todd walked in, carrying a handheld computer. "An important message for you, Admiral, via a secure subspace channel."

  "Thank you." Ewan Jacelon took the device and punched in his authorization code. Reading through the short message, he pinched the bridge of his nose for a second. "It's as I suspected. They're preparing for war and want me to assume command of this sector. We're the only defense between the SC and Onotharat."

  Rising from her chair, Rae stood at attention and saluted her father. "Sir!"

  Jeremiah Todd followed her example. "May I inform the station, sir?"

  "By all means. You will also prepare for the arrival of twice as many military vessels as arrived yesterday. We will have to reroute trade vessels and generational ships to Gamma Fand VII."

  "Aye, sir." Jeremiah left the round office.

  "Will you need this particular office space, or do you prefer something else, sir?"

  "Rae, I may be your commanding officer, but please refer to me as your father when we're alone. I was just starting to enjoy the truce between us."

  The wistful tone in her father's voice surprised her. "Of course, Father. Thank you."

  "And no, I don't want your office. I want you to set up headquarters for me in the conference room. I'll need plenty of space to brief the captains who will arrive shortly, and to strategize."

  "Not a problem." Rae was secretly relieved. Relinquishing her office didn't appeal to her.

  "Who do you recommend I use to monitor this situation and report any trends to me?" Ewan pointed at the screen where the Council members argued their respective opinions.

  "Lieutenant Grey's next in command, Ensign Murad. He's a keen young man who won't miss anything."

  "Excellent. Now, I want to spend a few hours celebrating with my grandson. I have a feeling I'll be busy in the upcoming days."

  Rae gave a strangled sound, her throat constricting. "How the hell am I going to explain this to him?" She gestured toward the screen. "He thinks it's a done deal now."