"By the way," the Colonel grinned mischievously, "those two nurses Zak mentioned are your new teamies. Tia Wu and Cassie Coyovich are both TP3 telepaths and newly promoted Captains. That is why I want a super snoop job put on them is simple. I want to know how much you can find out, how long it takes them to catch you at it, and what they do about it when they catch you. I know this is a lot to absorb quickly and I apologize for not taking you out to the Drinking Horn for a toast and a promotion ceremony. As soon as the alert is over, we are on. In the meantime, the Emperor is telling Major Quan that she is now a full Colonel detached from the Shadows as the official Military Liaison for the Crown. We guard her, too."
"Since the Emperor managed to get a large supply of chilled beverages delivered to Major Quan’s room earlier, I suggest we join them for a quick celebration. Denny, give me your power rifle. I relieve all of you for 15 minutes. I have the guard. Oh, and don’t be surprised if they jump to a first name basis with all of you. Take your lead from His Highness. Oops, I almost forgot. Does anyone want to go for the mind wipe instead of the promotion?" There was a distinct lack of hands and more than one quizzical look. "Seriously, are there any questions?"
Nakita spoke up. "Does this mean we are out of the Shadows and won’t be on any more shoot-and-scoot mercenary missions? We have to keep our training schedule up or get SDS (Symbiont Distress Syndrome.) If we are not Shadows, can we at least work out with them to give us a range of sparring partners?"
"Good questions. No, you are not in the Shadows. You are the Emperor’s personal guards with a Shadow reserve commission. Your pay is one-hundred percent more than your Shadow counterparts of the same rank. You permanently draw hazardous duty pay as a supplement.
"The shadows work for Prime Minister Kimbo at the pleasure of the Emperor. You work directly for the Emperor. You will pick a four-person backup team to relieve you if needed. They will rotate from the Shadows. You will work out with the new Shadow Palace Battalion. To insure that all Shadows covet the Palace and Guard positions, their pay is tripled while on that rotation by a bonus from the Emperor’s personal funds. You will stay in top form as operators by being assigned occasionally by Colonel Quan to form a team made up of two of you and possibly two of your backup team to carryout highly secret operations that are politically sensitive."
"Those operations will be Zeta classified. I do not hold a Zeta clearance, and I am not sure the Prime Minister has one either. I have a compartmented Zeta clearance that will allow me to discuss those items that I am made privy to by someone with a full Zeta clearance. Your whole team, the T3s, Colonel Quan, The Emperor’s Bank Director, and the Emperor have the only full Zeta clearances I am aware of at this time. Your security checks went back through three generations as have all of your relatives, ex-lovers, and close friends. Your backup team, the PM, me, the Heir, the Chiefs of Navy, the Shadows Chief, and the Opposition Leader are the only people with compartmented partial Zeta clearances I am aware of."
“Any other questions?”
Zak asked, “Some of us don’t know much about Eva. Any insights would be appreciated.” An affirmative nod from Smitty followed.
“Eva is about the mission. On a mission, she is focused, happy, a wise-ass, and competent as hell. She loves competence. She will put up with a lot of crap from teamies to get it. She leads from the front, which is going to be a pain in the ass if you have to try to protect her. She is drop dead gorgeous but never plays that card. It irritates the snot out of her to be mentally dismissed or condescended to as “just some pretty blond.” The way to play with Eva is honest as sin and straight up. I once told her that her tight little ass was distracting as hell when we spar. She laughed but showed up in looser gear the next time. Do not EVER worry about her having your six. Anything else?” He assumed from the smiles that it was time to drink.
William stared at Eva. Even a hospital can't dim her light bulb. It seems unreal. She is could do a cover shoot for a Glamor Holovid just lying there with no makeup, bandages all over, and a flimsy hospital gown. I need to remember to look at her face and not fixate on the flimsy gown. What we make ourselves do in the line of duty…
"Your Highness!" greeted Eva with a smile. I am flattered that you would come see me. Does your back hurt from the love taps that Treebarb gave you? I am surprised you can walk."
"Well, I doubt that your leg, shoulder, and back hurt much more than my back and shoulders. We both seem to enjoy extraordinary relationships with our Symbionts, even though yours is natural and mine was painfully encouraged. Uh, that is extremely classified and I will explain it all to you later."
Eva smiled, "As a matter of fact Your Highness, I am starting to feel a lot better. I assumed that it was the pain medication, but I guess you are right. This is my first hospital stay since melding with my Symbiont. I can tell my Symbiont has been working hard, because I am ravenously hungry all the time. I ate three times this morning. If pain is weakness leaving the body, the body must need more food to fill the void that is left."
"Eva, I intend to call you by your first name when we are together alone or with just my guards. I am going to insist that you call me Will at those times. I was just talking with the Shadow Chief Medical Officer, and he explained some things to me that will make our relationship easier."
"Easier, ah, Will?" Will somebody please hit me with a wet mop before I grab my Emperors incredibly tight butt?
"Yep, easier. I got the lecture from Doctor Tarik just a short while ago. You see, our symbionts enhance all of our senses at times. The symbionts can sense other humans who have symbionts. They are able to communicate on some sort of telepathic level with each other. Since they reside in us, they cannot physically interact with each other."
"You mean they can’t have sex."
"Right, so they make us want to. The stronger the symbiont relationship to its host the more they can amplify the sex urge. It used to drive me batty to be around you. Sort of like wanting the forbidden fruit when you are really hungry. Now I understand it."
Rockets went off in Eva’s head. She had been afraid to admit to herself her strong physical attraction to Will. He really was not exactly her type as guys go, but the urge was definitely there. Now it made a lot more sense. Was it wrong to want to cavort with the head of your empire and your employer? Quit having these not-so-shiny thoughts girl. I was raised to think that sex was about love and marriage. Why suddenly do I not care?
"Wow, gee and bother me all over! I thought that I was alone in that. I figured that I was attracted to you because you were the Emperor and, you know, totally off limits. I really do not see myself as a groupie, gold digger or any of the other female types that make me cringe. Therefore, I should never want what I cannot have anyway. It's the ultimate impossible relationship waiting for a mistake to happen."
Will’s smirk lit up the room. Eva resisted the urge to throw a pillow at him, since the four Shadows guarding him were almost as mean as she was.
"The good Doctor predicted that my frustration would be mutual with whoever was on the other end of it. I am glad he was right. So now that we know, I guess we can better handle it as professionals."
Eva thought about that for a long moment. She would give her life for the Empire or for her Emperor. But damned if she would spend the next two years of her guard assignment lusting after what she couldn’t have. This boy needs encouragement. Will interrupted before she could develop a decent tactic.
"I came to see you for more than just this confession. I understand that I came close to being dead in that attack. I have a vision that needs to move from thought to action before somebody succeeds in killing me. I have been working on it since my parents’ assassination. This will be my contribution to the Universe in general and the Teaman Empire specifically. I am going to be selfish about this since I know it serves that greater good. From this point on, Eva, I need you on my staff. You are intelligent, resourceful, can take care of yourself and I can never afford you as an enemy. I
know I can absolutely trust you with my life. Your Shadow days are over. I am sorry about that. But you are about to have one of the two or three most important jobs in the Empire."
He looked at Eva for a reaction but she just cocked her head and raised her eyebrows.
"We will call you my Military Liaison until we can think of something better. You will carry a reserve commission in the Shadows of full Colonel. In reality, you will be one of the few that direct and implement the largest covert operation in known history. You will become an incredibly wealthy person as a result. You are also a full Colonel in the Emperor's Guard as of this morning. Do not even think about complaining since it will be necessary to your position.
We are going to reorganize the guard. At times, you may be one of the guarded. You will also be my main liaison to covert operations as well. You and I are going to have to spend a greater amount of time together than we already spend. I am going to make a really big deal about you saving my life so the public learns to expect you in my presence and understands why I would have you close to the throne at all times. If someone takes me out, it is vital to the Empire and even to humanity that you continue the mission."
Eva’s mind raced to keep up. She sat in silence staring at the foot of the bed and was not aware of the small frown that made its way to her forehead. Will noticed it though.
"Eva, you look angry. What part of all this upsets you?"
"None of it upsets me. It sounds exciting, Will. It is a little overwhelming, maybe. Well yes, I am a bit miffed about one thing. When you were talking to the Doctor, what did he advise you to do about this Symbiont-lust problem?"
Will was relieved. She was integral to his plans for the Empire. Her only problem was one he was happy to tackle.
"Well, he suggested that when I talked to the young lady I would find that she felt the same way. He said that I should get my attorneys to draw up the appropriate forms, insure birth control was adequate, and to hop in bed with her until we both get worn out. Of course, he did not know who the lady was or how impossible the situation was."
Eva knew she was good looking but she did not use it as a tool or to get anything her brain could not otherwise provide. She competed with men and did not ask for any concessions. She was not going to play games now, either. She could do it if it was mission critical but not to be self-serving. Therefore, she had no real choice but to charge straight ahead. She smiled a smile so sultry and purposeful it made Will cringe.
"Will, we better figure out how to move that situation from impossible to flat-out-possible real soon. I am not going to be able to function with the level of frustration I am experiencing right now. If we have to spend even more time together, I am toast. Is there time in the implementation of your vision for us to spend some time working out under the sheets soon? I will sign anything your lawyers want, give up any rights, and even consider a mind block. I will certainly forfeit the wealth part you mentioned so no one thinks I have motives other than sexual gratification. I can’t say that I love you or will even try to. I like you a lot. But I now totally and completely understand the word lust."
Will sighed heavily and sat down on the edge of her bed. "Eva, this is the dumbest move a person in power has ever made. I don’t know whether I love you either. I have always tended toward cute defenseless demure girls. I know this might even endanger many of my plans and dreams for the empire, but I can’t help it either. What the hell! How about we recuperate together on sub-level-forty together? —clothes optional?"
"Lover, Sir that suits me to a T." She smirked and then stopped in shock. "Did you catch that?"
Will's face grew a shocked expression, too. "I caught something. I think I mentally heard both our Symbionts say something along the lines of, "Bodies are slow. It is about time." And then I felt a big wave of contentment that was aimed at me."
"I got all that too! And, Will, they have names. Yours is WIX and mine is NAX. They have adapted their song-names to fit their Bodies. Us, I mean. Did you get all of that too?"
"Yes, I got most of it. This is amazing. Wow, now I understand how I knew without doubt that you were going to be OK right after the attack. WIX told me. Hey, we don’t have much time. Let me tell you why the group outside your door is going to join us for a congratulatory drink soon."
A different Eva listened to Will intently as he explained the changes in the guard and Shadow organizations. She approved whole heartedly as she had helped Colonel Garcia pick Denny and his team of seasoned scooters and shooters. She thought they were the some of the best the Shadows had to offer and wondered what kind of assignments she would give one of the two or three most efficient teams of operators that an empire could produce.
When everyone had a drink, the Emperor held his glass high and the room quieted. He looked at his wrist unit to assure that all eleven blocking devices were on and functioning. His was the first toast.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I offer a toast to you and to a brave new day: to the Empire, our Symbionts, and the Human Race."
The chorus of hoo-yahs died down. The Colonel remained at guard. Even so, followed with his own toast: "To the Emperor and his vision of a more peaceful universe."
Zak and Smitty refilled all the glasses and looked to Eva. She did not hesitate. "To the obstacles that will make our lives more interesting creating that peaceful universe."
Denny waited for the noise to die down and held up his glass. "To tomorrow; whatever the hell it brings can slow us but never defeat us!"
The remaining three shadows raised their glasses and said in unison, "Amen to that!"
When the conversations cleared, Will cleared his throat and got everyone’s attention. His smile and gaze took in each person in the room.
"Gentlemen, there will be times when I decide to do something that will make you question my thinking. With this group, I need to share it beforehand. Making you find out the hard way will cause security issues and make your already hard jobs more difficult.
"I like to think of these as a Zeta Glitch. The fact is that Eva and I have developed a serious case of lust and are about to go recover together in the same bed somewhere. It may be a short-term thing or it may last a long time. Whatever it is or becomes, we will deal with it and I know you will too. Questions?
"Not really," said Denny with a chuckle. He looked at his team who were all smiling. "The thought of taking orders from a frustrated celibate would make us question our own sanity. The word on the street is that a lot of gorgeous young ladies are introduced to you at functions and leave miffed and alone. With that in mind, I feel that Eva is one extremely lethal security risk that a sane emperor such as you could justify. I am sure we can figure out how to secure a room without having to peek in or listen so long as you keep the noise below the yell and scream level…most of the time."
Will looked amused and annoyed but knew that he and Eva would have to go with the humor of this one.
Denny looked at his team and the Colonel again. They were doing a fine job of stifling laughter.
Zak smiled and shook a finger at Eva. "Eva if it sounds like anyone is bouncing off the walls, all bets are off. That is a definite line in the sand. For that we have to come in to make sure you are not playing basketball with the Emperor or pounding on each other. If it turns out to be over enthusiastic messing around, expect us to award technique points for creative friskiness."
When the laughter died down, Eva assumed a professional demeanor.
"I have a serious question, Your Highness. Why are we here taking all this good natured abuse when we could be doing something more fun?"
Smitty gave them a glimpse of the efficiency they could expect in the future. Will had noticed that he had whispered conversations on his secure com for the last couple of minutes.
"Your Highness, I have secured a room on sub-level forty that is at the end of a hallway and surrounded by earth and stone. They are clearing the four rooms before that giving us a secure wing with access via the hallway. We
have them clearing the rooms above and below that room as well. The Third Shadow Brigade commander has responded to my encrypted message and will have a team available that we have worked with in the past and a list of equipment I requested. They will be here in the next ten minutes."
Denny nodded an acknowledgement to Smitty and said, "Good job teamie. Put, go check out every one of those rooms soonest and call me with at sit-rep. Unless you call for advanced support, the rest of us will start moving after the nurse decides whether Eva needs a wheelchair for the trip."
Eva smiled big and said, "If she is too concerned about my fragile little self, I could always convince her of my fitness by letting her watch me go two rounds with you Major Dennis. Then I could push you there in a wheel chair."
Denny smiled, gulped for effect, and replied, "Point taken Eva. Really, no disrespect was meant. You are almost as intimidating as that nurse."
Will loved seeing everyone laughing at the good-natured banter. This was going to be a great team to work with for a long time.
Chapter 3 – Eva and Attitude
Lt. Hoops was enjoying his three-month assignment to the Shadow Recruiting Station on Cantor. In the past, Shadows were volunteers drawn from the ranks of the regular Teaman Empire military forces. Prime Minister Kimbo convinced Emperor Jasper of the need for more Shadows than were currently available through the volunteer program. It seemed the demand for mercenaries was increasing and it was an economically profitable program.
GalTech and the Shadow Warriors: Growth of a Star Empire Page 3
