“TRACKER! Stay out of this!”
“Aye, Captain.”
“What do you want from me?”
“You.”
“I have renounced my rights as heir to the Rothschild family fortune.”
“I know that. That’s not what I want. I want the part you can’t renounce. You are Greg and Avi’s great-grandson. You are his spirit come back to life.”
“That’s nonsense,” Wren retorted. “I hope there wasn’t much you needed on that ship.”
“Oh! My ship! How am I going to pay for it? It was a rental.”
“Someone rented you that pile of spare parts?”
“Yes.”
“They should be shot.”
“It was all we could afford.”
“We?”
“My dad helped pay for it.”
“Your dad was not real fond of me.”
“After I washed out of the Academy, I think he was so ashamed he would do whatever I wanted to get me out of his sight and this was what I wanted.”
“What was on the ship?”
“All my clothes.”
“Those can be replaced.”
“My travel documents.”
“Replaceable.”
“All the money I had left.”
“I can take care of that when we get back to headquarters. Anything else?”
“Some pictures of my family.”
“That could be tough to replace.”
“So how long before we get back to headquarters?”
“We pick up the satellites after they finish their scans in three weeks. Then it’s two weeks drive time back to headquarters.”
“So I have five weeks to make you love me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Warren Elias, you are not a Rothschild as much as your mother would like to think you are. You are a Solomon. You are a member of one of the most prestigious warrior clans in modern history. You can't renounce that. Even your cousins who are medical professionals recognize their military heritage. You can't leave it behind.”
“So?”
“Some day, some day soon I fear, your family will need your help and I intend to be by your side to see that you and Tracker answer the call.”
WREN - CHAPTER THREE
“WELCOME HOME, WREN.”
“Thanks, Charlie.”
“Off load your satellites at Dock 45 and the colony service people will debrief them. Once you are finished, go to Dock 82.”
“Roger that, 45 and then 82. Thanks Charlie.”
“Hey, Wren, we got your courier with the after action report, and we’ve noticed an unusual entry on your manifest. What’s this about an undocumented female?”
“Charlie, you know your father would shoot me for this kind of conversation on an open channel.”
“Well, he’s safely retired to some colony planet and can’t shoot either of us.”
“Charlie, I am not going to broadcast this to everyone on the station. We will discuss it later.”
“Wren, this is big news around here. Half the eligible women on the station have been trying to get me to tell them what is going on. If this is real, a bunch of them are going to be very disappointed.”
“That’s not my problem.”
“Look, Wren, my kids have been bugging me to be the first to invite you and her to dinner.”
Kim whispered, “How old are his kids?”
“Ten, twelve and fourteen, all girls,” Wren whispered back.
“I would be delighted to have dinner with them,” Kim said.
“She would be delighted to have dinner with them,” Wren said and then groaned realizing what he had just done.
Charlie’s disembodied laugh filled the flight deck. “Call me when you finish processing. Oh, by the way, Tabitha wants to see your undocumented companion as soon as possible.”
“Thanks, Charlie,” Wren said with his voice dripping in sarcasm.
“You’re welcome, Wren,” Charlie said with a chuckle.
Wren and Kim found Tabitha in the forensics lab buried deep within the intelligence service wing of the headquarters complex. Tabitha took off her lab coat and gave Kim a quick visual assessment. “Welcome to Stellar Interstellar Headquarters, Miss Stoll. Call me Tabitha. I prefer it to using last names since there are so many who could use the name Rothschild around here.”
“Pleasure to meet you, um, Tabitha.”
“You probably should reserve that judgment.” Tabitha turned to her assistant. “Jenni, could you take Miss Stoll to med? I need a complete incoming workup. You probably should stay with her until she’s done and bring her back here to me.”
“Miss Stoll, if you would please go with Jenni.”
As soon as they had left the room, Tabitha turned to Wren. “What are your intentions with the young lady?”
“Tracker thinks I should keep her because she’s a better shot than I am.”
“Is she?”
“Yes.”
“Good call from his point of view. What about yours?”
“I don’t know. I like her well enough, but she’s really the first woman I’ve cared about. Should I go with the first or what?”
“I can’t answer that, but I have done some research on her.”
“How could you so that? We only just got here.”
“When Captain McGee picked her up at Eretz he spent a long time talking to her. He carried her and her little ship on his cargo hauler in violation of a dozen policies. McGee is the only one who could have gotten away with that and brought her here. When he turned in his report I suspected she might find you so I made some inquiries. She used to babysit your cousins at Eretz. Gabby speaks highly of her. Apparently Gabby had a hand in sending Kim your way.”
“What does this have to do with me?”
“If she passes the physical, she will be allowed to stay. If she had not passed my initial screening, you would have been instructed to drop her at immigration and to never see her again.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Yes, I can and I do all the time.”
“So, what do you want me to do?”
“Find somewhere to hang out until she finishes the physical and then take Charlie up on his invitation to dinner. Where are you staying?”
“I was going to go back to stay with Tracker.”
“The in-system interceptors are rotating through the maintenance bays for a software upgrade so it may be weeks before Tracker can be serviced to go out again. Why don’t you and Kim move into your parent’s quarters until either they or Elizabeth come home.”
“I’ll do that.”
Kim walked slightly behind Jenni. “Jenni, why am I going to med?”
“Everyone being considered for permanent status on this station must undergo complete physical and psychological examinations.”
“Aren’t they going to do a background check first and ask me a bunch of questions about my family?”
“That’s done. When Captain McGee reported that you were hunting Wren, we went ahead and checked you out. Kind of a precaution.”
“I take it I passed.”
“If you hadn’t, you would be dead.”
“You say that so calmly.”
Jenni shrugged. “It’s true. Ever since Wren’s sister was killed, security around here has been extremely tight. People get sent out on freighters all the time and never return.” Jenni stopped and turned to face Kim. “So, mystery woman, we’re all dying to know, does he like women?”
“He likes me, I think. Yeah, he likes women. Why? Are you interested in him?”
“No, he’s off limits. My father is his mother’s half brother. We’re cousins.”
“Ah.”
“Have you tagged him?”
“Tag him?”
“Yeah, had sex with him?”
“That is none of your business!”
Jenni laughed. “I will take that as a yes. Several times, by the fire in your eyes. Congratulati
ons. Just hope you’re not pregnant. The physical will take twice as long if you are.”
“I wouldn’t do that to him. He has enough going on in his head. He can’t be trapped like that. He would resent it the rest of his life.”
“Good, I’m glad you feel that way. Here we are.”
The medical exam ended in time for Kim to join Wren, Charlie, Charlie’s wife and three daughters for dinner. Jenni helped pick out a dress for Kim to wear. The girls absolutely doted on Kim. Long after dinner was over they were having deep and giggly “girl stuff” conversations to which Charlie and Wren were not invited. Charlie suggested that Wren turn in and he would see that Kim was escorted home.
Kim quietly opened the door to find Wren reading, lounging on the sofa in the living room. “You’re still up?”
“Yeah, did you have a good time?”
“Yes, I haven’t had so much fun in a long time.”
“I’m glad.”
“I didn’t mean to exclude you.”
“Come on, when the little one offered to braid your hair, nice job by the way, I knew it was time to go.”
“They were so cute and they stayed up way past their bed time.”
“I am glad you had a good time.”
“How was your evening?”
“Charlie and I are old friends. He likes you a lot.”
“He’s a nice guy.”
“He’s a lot like his father. His father used to growl at me all the time, but he let me get away with murder. Kim, please sit, we need to have a serious talk.”
“Yes?”
“Everyone who has met you likes you. I read McGee’s report today and both he and his wife like you. Everyone I talk to that has met you thinks you are perfect for me. Even Tracker has been bugging me to take you along on our next mission.”
“What do you think?”
“I like you too. I like being with you. I like the way I feel when I am around you.”
“But?”
“How can you deal with who I really am if I don’t know who I really am?”
Kim smiled, “I think we can figure that out together. If we don’t try we’ll never know.”
Wren smiled. “That sounds like something Avi would say.”
“She was totally devoted to your great-grandfather in her own way.”
“Yes, she was. In that regard, since it will be a few weeks before we can go out again, I took the liberty of scheduling time for us in the fitness center. You keep saying that I am a Solomon and one thing the Solomons insist on is intensive physical training with emphasis on the martial arts. My grandmother still uses Marines for sparring partners.”
“We need to buy me some work out clothes.”
Wren smiled. “They’re in your closet.”
Wren and Kim spent most of their days for the next two weeks in the fitness center. Their evenings were often devoted to dinners or social engagements with the Rothschild side of Wren’s family. Some more subtly than others, they tested her for possible inclusion in the family. None of them believed Wren’s assertions of renouncing his claims to the Rothschild family business. By the end of the two weeks, she had been accepted more or less warmly by all the people who could have made their lives difficult should they be inclined to do so.
The women that Kim had bested in the competition for Wren’s heart were less accepting of her presence and made their feelings known. When confronted by one of these women, Kim demonstrated her ability to win him again should the need arise.
Three weeks passed before Tracker was ready to go out again. Wren and Kim settled into a relaxed warm easy familiarity with each other. Kim was reading, lounging on the sofa in the living room when the front door burst open. Keeping the sofa between them, Kim stood to face a very angry Fiona.
“What are your intentions with my son?” Fiona shouted at her.
“That is none of your business,” Kim shot back instantly regretting having said it.
“How dare you!”
“You lost your rights to your son when you abandoned him to his grandmother.”
“I did not abandon him. His father did.”
“The difference is insignificant. You threw him away.”
“You have no right to speak to me like that.”
“I have every right.”
Hearing the commotion, Wren came bounding into the living room still wet from his shower wearing only flannel lounging pants. He interposed this body between the two women and with one hand on each chest pushed them apart. “Knock it off!”
“Unhand me!” Fiona shouted.
The flurry of hands, fists and flying feet that followed lasted mere seconds, but when it was over Wren had his mother pinned to the floor.
Saul walked through the still open door.
“Wren, let your mother up off the floor.”
“Only if she promises to behave.” His mother might only be a Solomon by marriage, but he knew the facial expression well enough to know what it meant. “Kim, pack your things. We are staying on Tracker tonight.” Kim silently scampered out of harm’s way while Wren kept his mother prisoner.
“Wren, I said let her up.”
“No, Dad. When Kim is safely out of here I will let her up.”
“Are you prepared to choose between your mother and this woman?”
“Dad, you abandoned me. I did not see you for years. You made my choice for me.”
With all her belongings stuffed in a couple of plastic bags, Kim raced out the door. Once he was sure she was clear, Wren stood. He looked at his father and said, “There is nothing here I need. We leave for a mission in the morning. When we return, I will see you if and only if you are prepared to be more civilized than you were tonight. Good Bye, Father.”
Wren slammed the door as he left.
Tears streamed down Kim’s face as she met Wren on Tracker’s flight deck. Wren hushed her with a single finger gently placed on her lips.
“Tracker, are we mission ready?”
“Yes, we are.”
“Kim, in your seat, please.”
“Aye, Captain.” She sniffled softly.
“Tracker, request immediate clearance for system departure. We will begin our mission now.”
“Wren, may I ask about the change of plans?”
“There will be plenty of time to discuss that later. I want to be clear the system before my parents can try to stop us.”
“Roger that.”
Tracker smoothly exited the system and jumped into hyper drive for the planet they would be visiting.
“Wren, I’m sorry,” Kim started to say.
“Kim, I know. Please, let’s not talk about this now. We have plenty of time. Get as much sleep as you can. Know this, we will live through it.”
“Thank you.”
The mission Wren had chosen from the available missions required an extended stay and time on the planet’s surface. Such missions were only awarded to teams and now that Kim was with him, he could take this one. By taking this mission, both of them were paid which Wren felt would help Kim’s concern that she was too dependent on him. Every time Kim tried to bring up the subject of her horrendous first meeting with Wren’s parents, he would quiet her either with a gentle finger or a kiss until she finally gave up. Clearly Wren did not want to talk about it, but did not see it as her fault.
The mission involved them descending to the planet’s surface and taking core samples for analysis by the Colony Service. The planet was too cold for a full colony, but if sufficient quantities of rare minerals could be found, one of the mining companies could buy the rights and pay for the cost of the exploration. For six weeks they jumped from one place that looked promising in the satellite scans to another. In some places they set out listening devices and blew sounding charges to determine the rock structure under the surface. They had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time and so were very busy. Most of their conversations had to do with the mechanics of what they were doing and the unresolved sensitive i
ssues did not come up.
The mission and the trip back were uneventful. Tracker called in for docking clearance and was directed to Dock 45. Charlie met them at the dock and requested permission to come aboard.
“Hey, Charlie, what’s up?” Wren said when Charlie arrived.
“Elizabeth is in port and your parents are here. Is there anything you need from me?”
“Do they know we’re back?”
“Have you ever known anything to escape their notice if they were interested in it?”
“No, I guess not.”
Charlie turned to Kim, “I heard your meeting with his parents was not happy.”
“You could say that,” she replied softly.
“Well, Tabitha has pulled a protocol trick and you are to report to her first. I don’t know what she has up sleeve, but I’ll bet Faye Anne is involved.”
“Who’s Faye Anne?”
“Grandmother’s intelligence officer, Tabitha’s mentor and fiercely loyal to my grandmother.”
“Is that good or bad for us?”
“I don’t know.”
“You need to go now. After unloading your satellites and data, you are to dock Tracker on one of Elizabeth’s travel ports. I’ll have one of Elizabeth’s pilots ferry him over there.”
“Thanks.”
Charlie exited first followed by Kim. Wren stepped out and quickly stepped back in and said, “Tracker, hibernate.”
“Hibernate, aye.”
Tabitha was waiting in her office when Wren and Kim arrived. “Wren, please wait here, I need to talk to Kim alone for a minute.”
Tabitha ushered Kim into an adjacent conference room. The woman waiting inside stood to greet them. “Hello Kim, I know you must feel that you have been examined in every way possible, but you need to understand that we are all very protective of Wren in a way most of us aren’t even of our own children. As you no doubt sensed when you began your quest to find him, he is a very special person. We all care for him very much. We have watched you every step of the way. Your meeting Captain McGee was not an accident. You have the Fourth Battle Wing to thank for that. They liked you as a baby sitter, and were comfortable with you. When you returned from the Academy and you expressed an interest in the Solomon family and your desire to find Wren, very little of what happened after that was random. It was a very involved test which you passed. Had we wanted to prevent you from finding Wren we could have done it, but we did not. For my part, I felt that if you were good enough to find him on your own with very little help from us, then you should be able to see if you could win him without our interference. I have a few questions before we send you on.”
Solomon Family Warriors II Page 140
