by Gun Brooke
"How many would be a part of the away team?" the admiral asked, a slight frown appearing between his eyebrows.
"Four pilots, two navigators, and two tactical officers for the pirate vessels. Eight pilots and eight navigators for the assault craft. Also four maintenance crew members and four security officers—and of course Kellen O'Dal. Their biological signatures would be masked. Everyone would appear to be pirates, which would give them a good chance to slip through the Onotharian net. Also, traveling at that speed makes the vessels harder to detect and pursue."
Admiral Jacelon looked at her under raised eyebrows. "And who'd head up this operation?"
Rae returned her father's steady gaze. "I would, sir."
Armeo's eyes were brimming with unshed tears as he stared at the two women on the couch. "Why can't I go with you?"
Kellen's heart ached at the obvious pain in the boy's voice. "Because it's too risky. You have to stay behind with your grandfather."
"What if you don't come back? Or Rae?"
"Something could always go wrong. I won't lie to you. It's dangerous but also very important."
Armeo walked out of reach and stood by the porthole. His body rigid, he seemed oddly untouchable. Kellen wondered if, for the first time, she was glimpsing the man he would one day become.
"We've always been together," he muttered. "You've never left me behind before."
"And I wouldn't do so now either, if it weren't necessary." Kellen allowed the boy his space while she tried to explain. "I have to return to Gantharat and find the documents beneath the bam. Now, this is a secret, so you can't tell anyone, not even Dorinda."
"Dorinda says her dad is going too."
"Yes, Captain de Vies will pilot one of the ships."
"Dorinda isn't very upset. She says her father goes on missions all the time."
Kellen considered this. "You know, perhaps since he does, Dorinda doesn't realize this is a very special mission. She'll need you around to be her friend when she understands what's going on."
"Yeah?" Armeo looked at her, his eyes so like Tereya's it made Kellen's heart twitch. "Maybe it's better I stay here to help her and Granddad."
"Yes, I think so. Your grandfather will be very busy. He's taken command of this sector and will need your support."
"When are you leaving?"
"Early tomorrow morning."
Turning his head, Armeo met her gaze with his chin raised. "All right. I'm not happy about you leaving without me, but I'll do as you ask." The regal tone in his voice would normally have made Kellen smile. Tonight, she was closer to tears than to laughter. "Say you'll come back," he said, his voice suddenly unsteady again.
"I'll do my very best, shindar sh."
After a few moments, he returned to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. They stood in silence, and Kellen sensed he needed no more information at this point, merely for her to make good on her word.
Rae stood in the large opening that led into a cargo area on Deck 41. She rarely visited this part of the station and hadn't seen firsthand how many confiscated vessels were stored down here, awaiting reconstruction or disassembly.
"Over here, Commodore." Lieutenant D'Artansis waved her over. "These are the tachyon-mass drive ships we intercepted."
Leanne was busy making sure the spaceships were ready to launch. Several mechanics and engineers were at her disposal, and Rae could see three tool carts around one of the port nacelles.
"Problems?" She motioned with her chin toward the two women with their heads buried inside an open hatch.
"Nothing that won't be fixed when it's time to go, ma'am."
"Good. Maintenance will bring aboard what we need in an hour. We've renamed the ships. I will captain the Liberty, and I want you to pilot it."
"Understood."
"Captain de Vies will command the Freedom. The admiral and I will brief the away team at 0400 hours, so I suggest you try and get some sleep before then."
"Yes, ma'am. I just have to make sure the...which one is this? It used to be called X'yash."
"This is the Freedom." Rae tipped her head back and looked up at alien writing underneath the vessel.
"Well, I want to make sure everything's working on the Freedom before I go to bed." She hesitated. "And, ma'am..."
"Yes, Lieutenant? Is there something I can do for you?"
"You've already done it, ma'am." Leanne's multicolored eyes sparkled, but her face was serious. "I'm grateful that you're deploying both Owena and me on this mission. I would've found it difficult if either of us was left behind."
"You're aware of how high-risk this is?"
"Yes, ma'am. That's why." Looking absentminded, Leanne patted one of the Freedom's aft struts. "I think you've guessed we're... together."
Rae stepped closer, giving Leanne a smile. "Yes, I have. If I didn't think you could handle it during a deployment, I wouldn't have considered assigning you both."
"In fact, I think our performance is dependent on it. Had Owena been left behind at the station.. .I'm afraid my thoughts would've been with her, knowing how much she worries. I know we all do that with our next of kin, but this... what Owena and I have, it's almost as new and fragile as..." She stopped and blushed from her neck up to her strawberry-blond hairline.
"As Kellen's and my relationship?" Rae placed a gentle hand on Leanne's shoulder. "You're right. I've never seen Owena so close to losing it as when we were in the mission room during the last battle. When she learned you were all right, she actually began to breathe again."
"She's not really big on trust."
Neither is Kellen. "She'll get there."
"I know. Time will tell her I'm worth trusting."
How extraordinary. Kind of a mirror relationship, in some ways. Feeling connected with Leanne, and certainly protective of the young pilot, Rae regarded her fondly. It was impossible not to be charmed by her. True kindness emanated from Leanne like mist on a lake. "Time to get some shut-eye, Lieutenant."
"Just one more check of the hydraulics for this strut. It's not quite there yet."
Rae knew Leanne could have ordered any one of the mechanics on duty to take care of the problem, but understood her urge to deal with it herself. It had also to do with deployment jitters. We all have them, and we all deal with them in different ways. "All right. See you early tomorrow, then."
Rae returned Leanne's salute and walked around, scanning the two ships that would take them through enemy territory. Sleek, and with an alien design that stirred her curiosity, they were supported by thin legs with large clawlike feet. Having read the specs, she knew the metallic alloy used for the hull enabled them to travel at an unfathomable speed through space. The pirates had emptied their computer of all useful information when two Gamma VI patrols intercepted them, and now her computer experts were downloading SC data to replace the missing files.
Checking the chronometer on her wrist, Rae knew she would probably not get much sleep tonight. She had too much to do to ensure the mission's success. Kellen was spending the evening with Armeo, and Rae would have loved to join them, talk with the boy, and if possible reassure him. Suddenly needing to hear Kellen's voice, she walked over to a remote corner of the hangar and grabbed the communicator from her shoulder.
"Jacelon to Kellen O'Dal."
The communicator came to life after a brief moment. "Kellen here. Is something wrong, Rae?"
"No, everything's fine. How did it go with Armeo?"
"He's gone to bed and I think he's asleep. Did you want to talk to him?"
"Yes, but don't wake him up." Rae hesitated. "Was he very upset?"
"He was angry because we're leaving him behind."
Closing her eyes, Rae leaned against the bulkhead. "And now?"
"I promised him we'd do our best to come back." Kellen's voice had a catch in it. "He seemed to accept it, but I think he doubts me for the first time in his life. Who can blame him?"
"That must be confusing for him.. .and painful for you.
"
"It is." After a rustling sound, Kellen's voice sounded closer. "Will you be home soon?"
"In a couple of hours."
"Oh."
"I have to make sure everything's ready to go, but I shouldn't be too long. I need to get some sleep before we deploy."
"Why don't you page me when you're on your way, and I'll warm some food for you?"
Kellen's thoughtfulness made Rae smile. "Thank you, darling. That would be lovely. I'll do that."
Placing the communicator back on her shoulder, she remained where she was, watching the activity around the two pirate ships. Soon they would embark on a mission most people would consider doomed to fail. She could feel her body preparing for battle, the sudden rush of adrenaline flooding her as she examined one possible scenario after another.
As she walked toward the ship she would command tomorrow, Rae felt her stomach lurch at the magnitude of her responsibility. The outcome of this mission could alter the history of many worlds within, as well as outside, the SC. After climbing its ladder, she strode into the Freedom, making room for the crewmen she passed. A narrow corridor led to another aluminum ladder. For all its technology, the pirate ship didn't provide any comforts such as elevators.
After her second climb, she found the unusual bridge. A thronelike captain's chair with computer consoles embedded in its armrests and small screens attached to its sides sat in the center of the bridge. Six chairs that faced different computer consoles encircled it. Slowly sitting down, she was startled when the consoles buzzed to life next to her.
Rae carefully familiarized herself with the controls, eventually realizing that she could access every part of the ship from the chair. Once she was confident she knew how to operate the vessel, she shut down the computer. She glanced over her shoulder at the silent computers as she left the alien bridge. Tomorrow it would be buzzing with activity when they prepared to deploy, but right now she could sense the ship's spirit, feel it reverberate through her. Rae prayed it would carry them to Gantharat and back home again, with their mission well accomplished.
As Armeo sat up in bed, not quite awake yet, his heart hammered painfully against his ribs. He threw the covers to the side and rose, walking into the dark living room of their quarters. A faint light came from the bedroom where Rae and Kellen slept. He still shivered from the nightmare, now fading in his memory, and tiptoed over to the half-open door, afraid to wake his guardians but needing to see that they were still there.
To his surprise, the commodore was still awake, reading from a handheld computer. Kellen was asleep next to her, curled up with her head on Rae's shoulder.
"Armeo? Are you okay?" Rae asked.
"Yes. I didn't mean to disturb you," Armeo whispered, feeling embarrassed to be caught spying on the two women.
"Come in." Rae put the computer down and patted on the bed next to her. "Sit down. Can't you sleep?"
Sitting down, Armeo shook his head. "I was asleep, but I had a bad dream."
"You did? What was it about?"
"I can't remember. It was dark and...no, I can't remember it anymore." Lowering his gaze, he plucked at the SC-issued woolen-down blanket, tracing the pattern of stars woven into the fabric. "Why are you awake?" he asked.
"I've got so much to do and so little time," Rae explained. "I think maybe you're worried since Kellen is leaving you behind."
"Not only Kellen." Armeo felt a lump in his throat and was swallowing repeatedly to get rid of it when Rae slowly reached for his hand. "You're going too."
"Yes, and I'm going to take really good care of Kellen and make sure she gets back to you, sweetheart."
Surprised at the term of endearment, Armeo looked at Rae, reassured by her soft smile. Her eyes radiated the same warmth when she looked down at Kellen's head on her shoulder and then at him.
"You're very important to me," she said. "So is Kellen, and we're a family now. I know she feels very bad for not being able to stay with you, but we can save a lot of lives if we succeed."
"That's what Dorinda says too." Armeo held on to Rae's hand, taking comfort in the touch. "She says her dad is the best captain in the SC and that he'll make sure both ships return safely."
"She's right, you know. Alex de Vies is one of my best friends, and he's the best captain you can imagine."
"So you'll all come back, then? Everyone?" He knew it was an impossible question, but something made him ask anyway. Rae's the commodore. She can do anything.
"I can't promise things will go well, Armeo. But I can give you my word that I'll do my utmost to bring all my crew members home again. All of them."
"Thank you." Armeo looked at Kellen who slept, unaware of their conversation. "I love Kellen."
"I know you do."
"Do you love her?"
The commodore seemed to consider the question carefully. "I told Kellen earlier that I can't imagine my life without her, or you, in it. What does that tell you?"
Armeo examined Rae's expression carefully, finding nothing but honesty in her eyes. "It tells me you're truthful." Lifting their joined hands, he rose and placed a quick kiss on the commodore's knuckles. Rae's surprised look didn't escape him. "I think I'll go back to bed now. Good night, Rae."
"Good night, Armeo."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Red lights flickered and klaxons howled, alerting the hangar crew. Sealing the doors leading into the space station, the officer in charge initiated the launch sequence for the two vessels about to embark. Automatic magnetic tracks guided the Liberty toward the hangar doors, located at the bottom of the station.
Rae followed the procedure from the captain's chair aboard the Liberty, knowing Alex de Vies did the same on the Freedom.
"Go to half-impulsion," she ordered as soon as the vessel cleared the doors. "Take us to the outer perimeter, beacon five."
"Aye, ma'am." Leanne punched in the commands, steering the sleek ship past several SC vessels.
Glancing over her shoulder, Rae saw Owena at tactical. Kellen stood beside Ensign S'hos, monitoring the data stream. She exchanged a nod with Rae.
Leanne's hands moved swiftly across her console. "Half-impulsion, bearing two-one-two, toward beacon five."
"The Freedom is right behind us, ma'am," Owena reported.
"Good." Satisfied both vessels were out of the hangar, Rae thought about the poignant goodbye the two families had gone through less than half an hour ago. Armeo obviously tried to hide his fear, but when Dorinda took his hand, the boy cried inaudibly, blue tears streaming down his face. Rae knew Armeo was more aware of what was at stake, and his tears had affected all of them, including Dorinda. The girl clung to her father, imploring him to come back soon. Alex de Vies didn't take his eyes off his wife while she assured their daughter that the days would pass quickly. Gayle joined their embrace, ruffling Alex's hair and smiling tremulously.
When they reached beacon five, the two ships set a course toward a space corridor cleared of all other traffic. Following it would take them well beyond Supreme Constellations space, where they would have to rely on Kellen's navigation. She had spent the last twelve hours plotting a course parallel to the one she had followed to reach SC space. Together with Ensign S'hos, Kellen was already punching in commands for future reference.
"Admiral Jacelon to Commodore Jacelon."
"Jacelon here. Go ahead, sir."
"We've received directives from the Supreme Constellations Council, Commodore. Unless you return within fifteen days with solid evidence of what we claim the Onotharians are guilty of, they plan to make Armeo a ward of the Supreme Constellations, with complete authority over his future. We both know what this means—an imminent risk the Council will acknowledge and approve the Onotharian occupation of Gantharat. We must avoid this at all cost."
"Understood, sir. We're ready to launch. Unless we run into trouble, our ETA in the Gantharat System should be within one hundred and ten hours. We're prepared to engage the tachyon-mass drive."
"We'll
monitor you from here as long as our long-range sensors can track you. Be safe, Rae. Godspeed."
"Thank you, sir. I'll report in before we're out of range. Jacelon out."
"Ready to engage the tachyon-mass drive, ma'am," Owena stated. "The Freedom is powering up as well. Forty-five seconds until launch."
Rae checked her computers, trying to disregard the alien design. "All hands prepare for tachyon-mass drive. Shuttle bays, secure ships and cargo. All crew members to their duty stations. Begin countdown."
"Beginning countdown, ma'am," Owena acknowledged. "Twenty seconds and counting."
A computerized voice recited numbers in a falling sequence, and Rae tugged her seat belt tighter around her. Glancing toward Kellen's workstation, she saw her and the ensign strap on harnesses attached to the console.
"Five-four-three-two-one—tachyon-mass drive active." The computerized voice went silent, but a low hum originated from deep inside the vessel. Reverberating throughout every bulkhead, the energy seemed to hold its breath before it unleashed into a thrust, propelling them through the space corridor at an illegal speed. Invisible to the human eye, a tachyon-particle resonance bubble formed around the two ships, creating an impenetrable defense against space debris and smaller asteroids.
Rae, her back pressed into the chair, briefly closed her eyes when tremendous G-forces threatened to overcome her before the DVAs managed to catch up. When it no longer felt as if her intestines would become one with the chair, she looked around to make sure that the others were all right. "Report."
"All systems are functioning within their reference values. Shuttle bays one and two report all personnel and equipment made it through the jump. All sensors are operational, and long-range scanners show no enemy contacts out there. We're on our way, ma'am."
"Excellent. One hundred and ten hours may seem like a long time, but we need every one of them to prepare. However, it's also important that we rest if we get a chance. Lieutenant Grey, you have the bridge. Ms. O'Dal, you and Ensign S'hos will navigate and enter new coordinates into our flight plan. Also plot alternative routes, because I'm sure we're going to need them. Lieutenant D'Artansis, I want you at the helm as much as possible. I'll relieve you later."
