by Susan Kelley
Smeltz spun back to stare again at Joe, his eyes growing wide.
* * * *
Smeltz pushed a button on his communicator, probably a silent alarm. He walked around Joe, but didn’t get too close. “How could I have missed it? You’re the leader, the one called Joe. You were the one that stood before the court and lied.”
Joe fought the urge to take his revenge here and now, but he suspected it would make matters worse. He pulled off his mask. “I don’t lie.”
The minister smirked at Callie. “You’re giving safe harbor to a fugitive. You can be charged with a criminal offense.”
Callie didn’t back down, even stepping toward the minister with raised chin. “I’m giving sanctuary to a political refugee. Do you dare to fling threats and accusations at me in my own home?”
“Are you protecting the others or just this one? Perhaps you don’t understand how dangerous this thing is. He’s a fash-blasted killing creation!”
“Weren’t you instrumental in his creation, minister? And weren’t you the one that ordered his unit to kill innocent colonists?”
Joe’s heart swelled in his chest as he listened to Callie defend him. But it was as he had feared. His presence would cause her more trouble. Before he could intercede, his communication unit blasted a warning.
Sontu spoke calmly. “A large armed force landed outside the city, Sentinel.”
Joe turned his back and spoke so Smeltz couldn’t hear. “Go with our plan. Remind everyone to offer no resistance.”
Smeltz shook his head, the hateful smirk again on his face. “Not even you can escape the number of men I’ve brought with me, you freak.”
The name tipped the balance on Joe’s patience. He swung his fist, holding back enough so he didn’t kill the preening politician.
Smeltz screeched like a wild hen caught in a snare. He cupped his hands in front of his face to catch the blood pouring from his destroyed nose.
Joe took Callie’s hand and led her out of the room. They hurried down the hall to her bedroom. They changed into camouflaged clothing. In anticipation of trouble, he had packed a bag earlier.
One of Callie’s ancient ancestors had planned ahead for invasion. A secret tunnel hid behind the tall carved headboard of the antique bed. Sontu had kept the tunnel in good order when Callie had first felt threatened by Hadrason.
They didn’t speak after entering the tunnel, jogging at a steady pace beneath the city. Joe led, holding a light stick to help them over the uneven spots. After a while, they came to a steep set of stairs.
Joe spoke as Callie gripped his shirt and followed him down the tricky steps. “I brought this on you. I shouldn’t have followed you.”
“Smeltz would have found another reason to call in the troops, Joe. He gave me one chance to agree that I should accept Hadrason’s suit, and then he would have called in his men anyway.”
She could speak all the sense she wanted, but Joe still felt guilty.
The tunnel opened outside the walls. Night had fallen, and the sky above Giroux glittered with the gleam of infinite stars. Would he live on this world long enough to take the beauty for granted?
“Are we meeting someone here?” Callie asked.
“We thought it best if it was only the two of us. Even the best hunters and the most sophisticated gear will have trouble finding two people alone.”
They slipped through an orchard and over a low fence. The native forest welcomed them into its dark cover. Joe estimated they had less than four hours until daylight.
Sontu would send out hover scooters as decoys, flying them far out into the countryside. Joe and Callie would hole up closer to the city.
They walked another hour before Callie started to stumble over branches and tree roots. An evergreen tree with limbs so low they brushed the ground rose in front of them. Years of shed needles coated the ground beneath it. Joe pulled off the pack and took out the insulated bedroll from it.
Callie’s face looked pale in the starlight. “What’s going to happen to my people?”
“Nothing. Sontu won’t resist, and he’s sending out an urgent message to General Drant.”
“How long until help arrives?”
“Depends on what units are in the area. Edow can’t have gotten far away. Let’s get some rest.”
Callie climbed into the bed roll without protest and turned into his arms as he joined her. “I’m glad you’re with me, Joe. I couldn’t do any of this without you, and Hadrason would already have me.”
He wanted to tell her how brave she was without his help, but he didn’t know how to say such things. He wanted to tell her he would give her anything she wanted from him, not just courage. He would give her his last drop of blood if it meant she would be safe.
Her breathing settled into the slow rhythm of sleep before he could think of the right words. Why did his brain fail him when he needed to speak to her of important things? Frustrated at his lack of communicating skills, Joe lay awake and thought of all the things he should have said while he had the chance.
* * * *
Callie snuggled closer to Joe, recognizing his warmth even when half awake. Why were they still in bed? She could hear birds, and the sun seemed to be high in the sky. She bolted up, remembering everything. “I have to get back.”
Joe sat up and folded back the blanket she’d pushed aside. “Everyone is fine at the palace.”
For the first time since she’d met Joe, Callie sensed he was being less than honest with her. He tried to hide something from her and did a poor job of it.
After putting the blanket and bedroll into the pack, Joe took up his weapon. He avoided eye contact with her the entire time.
“Joe?”
“Yes?” He turned away and peered through the thick branches.
“Look at me.”
He obeyed, slow and hesitant. He lifted his gaze to hers, his careful expression shrieked with guilt.
She nearly laughed, but the situation was too serious. What could be so wrong Joe would try something so against his nature and personal code of honor. “Tell me, Joe.”
He didn’t try to deny anything. “I’ve been in contact with Captain Sontu. Hadrason and a large number of men landed early this morning. They’re holding a number of citizens hostage until you surrender yourself.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Hadrason threatens to turn the women over to his miners, and if that doesn’t bring you in, he’ll kill the men.”
“Those bastards!” Two months ago, Callie would have been terrified but now she was only furious. She paced back and forth in the small area beneath the tree. “We need a plan. If I give myself up, my people will suffer the same fate in the end. I’ve heard of planets where Hadrason Mining has taken control. The native population suffers horribly.”
“I have a plan.”
Callie read the tiny change of expression, realizing she knew him so well he could no longer hide his feelings from her. He was uneasy. “Tell me.”
“You go in through the front and give yourself up. I go back through the tunnels and kill Smeltz and Hadrason.”
“Assassinate them?”
Joe looked at her steadily. “I’ve done it before.”
“If you kill them, it may ruin all chance of clearing your name.”
“But you’ll be safe.”
“I can’t exchange my safety for your life.”
“It is my duty to protect civilians even if it’s from our own army. Even at the cost of my life.”
“That’s what you were court-martialed for. Joe, you’re not in the Galactic Military anymore.”
“I must be true to myself, Callie.”
“Is assassination being true to yourself?”
“If it protects you,” he answered without hesitation.
“I don’t want their blood on your hands. There has to be another way.” Callie resumed her pacing. Her anger cooled, clearing her mind. Knowing that Joe had a plan, even a drastic one, made things a
ppear less desperate.
She stopped her pacing and looked at her marine. He’d offered to kill two powerful men. For her. To protect her and to fash with repercussions to himself.
He returned her look with a steady, calm expression she’d grown to expect from him. As if everything was possible.
She couldn’t let him throw away a chance to be exonerated. She loved him too much.
* * * *
Did his readiness to destroy her enemies shock her? Joe wondered if the civilian code of conduct would forever be a mystery to him.
“Joe, can you capture them?”
“If that is your wish, I can try.” Something inside Joe shrank. She was asking him to undertake a suicide mission. She said she didn’t want him to face the consequences of assassination but at least he would live through that.
“But if you can’t capture them, you must go with your plan. I’ll leave it up to you.”
Joe’s head spun. She confused him endlessly.
“If it means your life, kill them. I’ll make as much distraction as I can and try to draw them away from the hostages.”
She went on with her plans. Joe barely heard her as he digested what she meant. She did care about his survival. Whatever her reasons, he basked in the surety of her concern.
* * * *
Callie should have been worried about walking up to the city gate and meeting her enemies while unarmed and unprotected. But her mind returned again and again to her last sight of Joe when they’d parted at the tree line. She sensed something she’d said had caused his odd mood. He seemed so … happy.
A foreign soldier hailed her as she neared the gate. The marble archway had stood for centuries, guarding the city. Modern scooters and other vehicles could fly right over, making it only a symbolic boundary of the city.
The excited soldiers hurried her through the city on a solar-powered transport. They wore the insignia of Hadrason Mining. She’d expected regular army from Smeltz’s contingency but spotted none of them on their way to her palace.
Hadrason sat in her seat in her reception hall. He arrogantly gestured for his guards to leave.
Callie stopped a few steps from him. “I expected your lapdog, Smeltz, to be at your feet.”
“I’m afraid that godless marine you brought back with you killed him. Smeltz certainly went on and on about the creature. I hope the Galactic Council doesn’t hold you culpable for keeping such a vicious killer in your employ. Where are you hiding him, Callie? Did you think one soldier could keep you from me?”
Joe wouldn’t have had time to enter the tunnels and kill Smeltz. Callie saw the truth in Hadrason’s cold eyes. “You killed Smeltz.”
Hadrason rose and walked toward her. “I witnessed it myself. I’ll testify to it, and who will question the word of an important man like me? Surely not all those politicians I contribute money to for all their personal needs and desires.”
The mine owner towered over Callie, using his gawky height to stare down his thin nose at her. This close she could see the emptiness in his green eyes.
“I knew the threat to your court and servants would bring you to me.” Hadrason picked up a strand of her hair. “You spent the night outdoors? How did you expect to escape me? Live off the land?”
Callie clamped her mouth shut, though her fear grew with each moment she spent alone with him. He walked around her, inspecting her like a piece of livestock and making sure to brush his arm against her breasts.
“Where is the marine you had with you? I can’t let such a dangerous creature loose in my kingdom.”
“It will never be your kingdom!” As she spun to face him a small prick touched her neck.
He smiled and showed her a miniature infusion needle. “It will be my kingdom, and you will be my queen. I’m looking forward to drawing your tears forth, Callie.”
The drug worked fast. His image blurred before her as he smoothed his thin, pale hand through his light blonde hair. His lips curved in triumph. “I gave you a mild dose so that you could say your vows. And of course, I want you awake for our wedding night, love.”
Her stomach roiled at the thought of his hands on her. Her knees wobbled. She locked them, determined not to kneel at his feet.
“My men discovered the tunnels you escaped through. I’m having them guarded against any surprise visitors.
“I won’t marry you.” Callie’s tongue stumbled over the words.
“You will unless you want your beloved subjects to service my men all night. How long do you think your simple-minded maids will last under their tender mercies?”
“You bastard!” Callie’s knees gave way, and she plopped to the floor on her butt.
“You also will tell me about this new colony you’ve claimed sovereignty over. Crevan Four? Is it somehow connected to that outlandishly large batch of crystallized iron you sold not long ago?”
Hadrason nudged her with his foot. “Get on your feet. You’re fortunate I’ll have you after you snubbed my kind attentions.”
Callie swatted at his leg, but her hand flopped like a silk stocking.
“What chance does a plain bitch like you have of attracting a man except for your unnatural production of a rare chemical? Look at you.” Hadrason lifted her chin and swept his superior glare over her. “You’re unfashionable large. What man wants to sleep with a woman who could injure him if she rolled over in her sleep? As soon as you’re with child, I’ll move you out of my bed.”
Callie couldn’t hit him so she spat at him.
Hadrason pulled back as if to slap her but paused and looked beyond her.
“Take your hands off her.”
Tears or relief filled Callie’s eyes as she heard Joe’s deep voice.
“Stay away.” Hadrason pulled another infusion from his cuff and held it up. “This much will stop her heart in an instant. Put down your gun, or she’s dead.”
Callie tried to pull away but no strength remained in her drugged muscles. She tried to raise her arms but they didn’t respond.
A knife suddenly sprouted from the back of Hadrason’s hand. He screamed and dropped the infusion.
Callie leaned away as blood welled from the wound and dripped on her. Then she felt Joe’s hand on her collar. He dragged her away from Hadrason.
“Stay here,” he ordered as if she could do anything else.
“Don’t kill him,” she croaked.
“Stay away from me,” Hadrason cried. He clutched his wounded hand to his chest. “My men will be here any moment.”
Joe scooped up the infusion. “If one of your men enters this room, I’m giving you this.”
Hadrason stared at Joe with wild eyes. Then he shouted orders into the mike clipped to his collar.
Joe was here. Callie let the drug take her.
Chapter Fourteen
Joe carried Callie’s limp body out of the reception room. He avoided her private quarters, heading instead toward the kitchen wing. Any good soldier knew his way around the mess hall.
He shifted Callie to over his shoulder, freeing his one hand to draw his gun. Slow and quiet, he pushed open the swinging door to the bake shop.
Three workers stared at him with wide eyes. The oldest one took a step toward him. “Queen Callie?”
“Do you have a place for her to hide?”
Shouts erupted from somewhere in the sprawling castle. The old baker waved Joe toward a door against the west wall. She pulled open the heavy door to reveal a long narrow room filled with sacks of grain.
“In here.” She led him in and closed the door behind them. She stomped down the length of the room to the far end and then threw aside a number of sacks stacked there. She tossed the bags aside using hands and arms roped with muscles from years of kneading dough and revealed a narrow door. Hinges creaked when she opened it.
Joe peered into the small windowless room. What was its use? Then he realized it didn’t matter.
“I’ll stay with her and defend her with my life, Sentinel.”
The old woman tapped his shoulder. “Get you gone, now. Close the doors behind you.”
He let her push him out. After closing the door, he restacked the sacks to hide the door but still leave enough room for the woman to open it.
The other two bakers waited in the outer room. They pointed out another exit door to Joe other than the one he’d entered by. He ducked through and found himself in the main kitchen. More workers stood in uneasy confusion as shouts and curses sounded from above them.
“Where are they holding Captain Sontu?” Joe asked to the room in general.
“On the lower level in the wine safe.” The rotund man Joe knew to be the head cook hefted a wicked knife. “Lead on, sir. We’ll help you.”
“Stay here and don’t resist. You can help me best by acting as if you haven’t seen me.”
Joe had memorized the physical layout of Callie’s home on his first day on Giroux. Twice he hid in doorways while armed men jogged by him. He could have killed them with no risk to himself, but their bodies would have marked a trail to his destination.
Two guards stood watch in front of the door leading to the lowest levels. Both held weapons in their hands, but to Joe they looked more like armed thugs than trained soldiers. These miners turned gunmen had never faced anyone like him.
Joe switched his gun to stun setting, still not sure what might be acceptable in this kind of fight. His high tech camouflage worked exceptionally well in the dim hall. He glided forward around the last corner, freezing them with shock at his sudden appearance. Joe needed only that fraction of a second.
He shot them both before they raised their weapons or an alarm. After stripping away their communication units, he entered the wine cellar. Dim shadows filled the low-ceiling area that stretched beyond even his keen eyesight.
Joe took cover behind a stack of casks just inside the door. He held his breath and listened. The low energy lights hummed as background noise, not loud enough to cover the sound of cloth rubbing against cloth to Joe’s left. He sank into a crouch and stalked toward the rasping noise. The man led him deeper into the sprawling room.
