by Rick Bentsen
Tobias would have his use. He just didn’t know he was being used. In reality, he probably wouldn’t care either. He was using her just as much as she was using him. Such was life amongst the Jaradan people.
Thala fell asleep on the roof that night, waking up the next morning somewhat stiff. She stretched and cricked her back, sighing at the stiffness. It was a good stiffness though. She felt more alive than she had in weeks.
She climbed back into the house and changed, selecting a subdued outfit. Thinking ahead, she packed the rest of her clothes in her duffel bag, leaving it on the floor next to her bed. She intended to leave that night, at least for a little while.
After she finished dressing, she headed down to the kitchen. Her mother greeted her with a smile.
“Did you stay on the roof all night long, Thala?” her mother asked.
“Yeah,” Thala nodded. “I hadn’t planned on it, but I fell asleep watching the stars.”
“You used to do that sometimes,” Cheria smiled. “Your father would sometimes go up there and carry you back in.”
“I remember,” Thala chuckled. She sighed before continuing. “Mother, Tobias and I are leaving today. I have to go to the Gamma Epsilon Station and resign from the Defense Force. There’s no place for me there. I should be home in four or five days.”
“I understand,” Cheria nodded. “You do what you think is best, child.”
“This is for the best, Mother,” Thala nodded. She smiled a sad smile, although she knew that her mother would not realize it was anything other than a smile. Her mother had never been able to read her true feelings. “And when we come back, Tobias and I will have a nice little wedding.”
And I’ll get one very sore chapter of my life behind me, Thala added to herself.
“That will be nice, Thala,” Cheria smiled. “I’m glad you found someone.”
Thala shrugged and grabbed a piece of ciuliwi for breakfast. She gave Cheria a hug and walked out of the house, chewing on the ciuliwi.
She headed down to the market, hoping to meet Tobias. As she’d hoped, he was there, buying provisions for a journey.
“You ready to go, Tobias?” she asked, putting her arms on his shoulders.
“Of course,” he smiled at his love. “I’ve booked passage for us on a trade freighter that my cousin, Chular, owns. He was heading for the Gamma Epsilon station to pick up a shipment that he’s been owed for a while. He was more than willing to bring us along. We leave in six hours.”
“Good,” Thala said, as she pulled Tobias close. “The sooner I get this over with, the happier I’ll be.”
Tobias nodded and hugged Thala. He smiled and turned back to his purchases. Thala looked around the market, but didn’t see too much that she wanted. She kissed Tobias on the cheek, saying she’d meet him at the transport station in a few minutes.
She ran back to the house and grabbed her duffel bag. She avoided seeing anyone at the house. Indeed, it seemed as if no one was home. It was as if they knew she wouldn’t want to see them before leaving. Which, she thought, they probably did. Sighing to herself, she headed back to the transport station and waited for Tobias. They boarded the transport together, and headed off to the spaceport, leaving Kentar behind.
Chapter 20
OF the Watchers that had started watching the events of the past few days, only three of them currently stood watching the events unfold on the holosphere, two male and one female.
“They have failed,” one of the males said.
“No, they have not,” the female said. “But their way is much more difficult now. I believe they will still succeed. They must.”
“He did not heed your warning, Kiara,” the other male admonished. “His fate is written.”
“I don’t think so, John,” the woman shook her head. “This one is more resilient and resourceful than we first gave him credit for. I believe he will survive.”
“Yes, but will he be unhurt?” the first male said.
Chapter 21
2.7.2136
1328
Gamma Epsilon Station
Docking Bay Twelve
THE Jarada freighter, Sharash’di, slowly landed in the docking bay, its boxy bulk handling with better maneuverability than the dock handlers were expecting to see from the little freighter.
The hatch opened and three Jaradans stepped out, one of them wearing a Star League Defense Force uniform.
“Jaradan freighter Sharash’di,” one of the dock workers said into the dock recorder. “Jaradan registry zero two two six three alpha. No cargo, one crew, two passengers. Logged.”
The Jaradans walked through the customs area, letting the customs people check their Ids and baggage. When the customs officer saw that one of the Jaradans was a Star League Defense Force captain, he snapped to attention, saluting her. Thala returned the salute, motioning for the officer to be at ease.
“Captain Ker’sal, welcome back to the Gamma Epsilon station,” the customs officer said. “You and your guests are cleared to enter the station, ma’am. Your quarters are in the habitat area level 4, rooms 433 and 434.”
“Thank you,” Thala said as she took her ID back from the customs officer.
“You’re welcome.” The customs officer smiled and turned to the computer to make an entry about the Jaradans and their baggage.
Thala lead the way down the corridor of the station, Tobias ever watchful at her side. The three Jaradans walked in silence, mindful of the other people on the station.
When they got to the assigned quarters, Chular looked at the other two and grimaced.
“I’ve got to go meet with my supplier,” he said. “You to go take care of Thala’s business, and I’ll meet up with you later.”
Without waiting for an answer, Chular headed off into the station. Thala and Tobias looked at each other and shrugged.
“You know where the office is,” Tobias said. “Lean on.” He gestured that Thala should leave the quarters first.
The walked down the corridor, hand in hand. Thala took some comfort from the touch. She was surprised at that at first. But as she thought about it for a few moments, she realized that she shouldn’t be surprised. Tobias truly was one of her oldest friends. She doubted that, if K’Alan had ever given in to her wishes, she would ever have this level of comfort with him. It was a moot point, though. K’Alan would never have been hers. And Tobias was.
“I haven’t met any humans,” Tobias said, breaking her out of her thoughts. “I don’t know really what to expect.”
“They’re a lot like us, Tobias.” Thala shrugged. “They are an overly friendly people, though. In the end, you’ll probably hate them.”
“Why do you say that?” Tobias raised his eyebrows. “I like everyone.”
“Humans are… unpredictable at best,” Thala chuckled. In a way, she’d described herself too. Would anyone have expected her to resign from the Star League Defense Force over K’Alan Bryce, after all?
“How annoying,” Tobias shook his head. “How thoroughly annoying. And these are the ones making the decision to end this war?”
“Yes, Tobias.”
“How disgusting,” Tobias grunted. “What are they thinking?”
“I don’t know, my love.” She shook her head. “I don’t know. We’re here. Now remember, let me do the talking.”
“Yes, dear,” he nodded, motioning her to lead the way into the office.
Thala and Tobias walked into Admiral Bonetti’s outer office and stopped at the desk.
“Captain Thala Ker’sal, I am here to speak to Admiral Bonetti,” the Jaradan woman announced.
“You’ll have to take a seat,” the sergeant behind the desk snapped. “He’s busy.”
Thala rolled her eyes and took a seat, crossing her arms. Tobias put his hand on Thala’s leg to calm her. Thala closed her eyes and heaved a soft sigh, not wanting to be here, but knowing it was necessary. Tobias didn’t understand her. He never had. He didn’t understand what caused her to leave
the Star League Defense Force, nor had she tried to explain the real reason. She wagered that had she, Tobias would never have agreed to aid her in her quest for revenge. She took only a little comfort in his presence, although she imagined her mother believed that she was far more comforted by her decision to marry Tobias than she actually had.
“Are you all right, Thala?” Tobias asked in a quiet voice.
“Yes, my love,” Thala said, her voice equally as quiet. “Yes, I am.”
“I worry when you get quiet like that, is all,” the big man rumbled.
“There is no need for worry, Tobias,” Thala smiled, gently placing her hand on his. “I will be fine.”
“Admiral Bonetti will see you know, Captain Ker’sal,” the sergeant behind the desk said.
Thala nodded and smiled, leading Tobias into the Admiral’s office. The older man was sitting behind his desk. He rose with a smile as Thala entered.
“Thala,” John beamed. “What can I do for you?”
“I don’t think you’ll be so happy when you hear what I have to say, Admiral,” Thala said, her eyes blazing in the light of the office.
“Whether or not I’ll be happy is irrelevant, Thala,” John shrugged his shoulders. He motioned for the two Jaradans to take a seat across the desk from him. “You came to me for a reason. I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
“Yes, I know, Admiral.” Thala took one of the indicated seats, but Tobias remained standing. Thala looked at Tobias briefly before continuing. ”I’ve done a lot of thinking in the past few weeks, John.”
“Go on,” the admiral nodded. In his eyes, Thala could see that he had an inkling of what was coming.
“I’m tired of war, John. Tired of fighting. When I left Gamma Strike, I went home. I hadn’t been home in a long time. While I was home, I was reintroduced to my childhood friend, Tobias Jar’ra,” she continued, indicating the man standing next to her.
“A pleasure to meet you, sir,” John said, nodding to Tobias.
“Likewise, Admiral.” Tobias nodded, giving a grim smile to the man behind the desk. “A pleasure.”
“Tobias and I are getting married, John,” Thala said as she removed the rank insignia from her uniform and slid it across the desk. “I realized when I returned to Jarada V that my place is there. Raising a family. I can’t lie to myself anymore. This is hard for me, because I’ve been a soldier a lot of my life. But this is right for me.”
John picked up the rank insignia and flipped it over in his hands before tossing it back to Thala.
“Keep it,” he said. “Your resignation is accepted, but keep the uniform in case you change your mind. If you do, you’re more than welcome to return. And if you return, you will be immediately reinstated to the rank of Captain.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” Thala said, reattaching the rank insignia to her uniform. She stood and saluted the Admiral. After he returned her salute, she slipped into a slightly less rigid posture. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
“You’re welcome, Thala,” John said, standing. “And congratulations to the both of you. May your marriage be a long and happy one.”
“Thank you, sir,” Thala smiled. She took Tobias’s hand and led him from the office.
“Dismissed,” John said to their backs long after they’d left the office. He sat and started to go over his paperwork again.
Thala and Tobias returned to their quarters to find Chular waiting for them.
“All set?” Chular asked.
“Yes,” Thala said. “Did you meet with your supplier?”
“Aye,” Chular grinned. He raised a glass of fire wine in salute. “The shipment is being loaded onto the Sharash’di as we speak. We should be ready to raise ship within the hour.”
“Good,” Thala nodded. “I’ll be glad to get off this station.”
Chapter 22
2.7.2136
1405
Brentax III
Outside the Brentax Militia Headquarters
MARIO Bonetti was crouched in a doorway across from the Brentax Militia Headquarters, keeping a careful watch on the building. He counted soldiers as they went in and out, many more entering the building than leaving. In slow quiet motions, he slid Wildfire from its scabbard. As he felt the comforting weight of Wildfire in his hand, he let his mind drift momentarily.
“This is some of the finest metal I’ve ever seen, sir,” the smithy said in his thick Spanish accent. “It will be very easy to forge beautiful blades from this. Where did you say you got this?”
“Oddly enough,” Mario said. “The metal was in a meteor that hit outside my house during my last furlough. I was told you were one of the best at forging blades out of, shall we say, exotic material.”
“I am indeed. And this will be a joy to work with. What would you like me to do with it?” The smithy sounded very excited to work with the metal.
“Two blades, one traditional Spanish blade, thirty inches long, with this hilt,” Mario said pulling a drawing out of his jacket pocket. “The other a traditional Japanese katana.”
“I think that can be arranged. The price will be quite high though, Colonel Bonetti,” the smithy said, running his hands over the metal savoring its smooth qualities. “But it will be an enjoyable job for me.”
“Price isn’t a problem.” Mario waved away the concern about money. Despite being just a morale officer, Mario had managed to sock away a great deal of money over the years. “How long will it take?”
“Give me a week, and they’ll be done,” the smithy said, never taking his eyes off the metal. “I think you will be pleased with the results.”
This is nuts, he thought glumly as he snapped back to the present. One person against the entire Brentax Militia Headquarters? What am I thinking? And just how the hell am I going to get to the shuttle with M’Bek Tarmos without Kal? Damn him to hell. Now I have to tell Kit he’s missing.
This is nuts, he concluded, smiling to himself. He knew that it was crazy to continue the mission without K’Alan. And he was just the madman to pull it off. Ah, well. You only live once. I just hope S’Era knows I love her.
Mario crept across the street and started making his way around the back of the building.
“You there! Stop!” came a voice from behind him in the alleyway.
Without even looking, Mario swept Wildfire behind him, cleaving the soldier’s head from his shoulders.
“Oh, man!” Mario said to himself. “That’s not a good sign for how this is going to go.”
He hurried to the entrance that he’d used before and ducked inside the building. He entered a storage room near the entrance and peeked out through the door he left cracked open. There was a patrol heading his way, probably to check on the entrance. He eased the door closed and locked it. The young man stifled a sigh and looked around the room looking for something he could use.
The room was an empty storeroom.
So much for finding help, he thought glumly. Why couldn’t I have ducked into the armory? Well, maybe it’s just as well I didn’t. Probably crawling with guards.
Mario crept to the door and cracked it open just enough to see out. Peering out, he saw the corridor was empty. The colonel nodded to himself and took a deep breath. When he was sure, he pulled the door open. Stepping out into the corridor, he looked both ways. No guards were in the vicinity.
Good, he thought. It’ll be quiet for a little bit then.
He made his way down the hallway, his footsteps silent in the empty hall. He moved with purpose, keeping his back against the wall, and looking both the way he came and the way he was going. He was nearing an intersection he didn’t recognize from the briefing maps.
Great, he thought dourly. I’m lost.
Thinking quickly, he ducked into what he hoped was an abandoned room. There was, however, a guard in the room with his back to the door.
This day just keeps getting better and better, Mario cursed to himself.
Quietly sliding Wildfire
back in its scabbard, the young colonel crept up behind the Brentax guard and, in one quick motion, broke the guard’s neck. He caught the body and gently laid it on the floor to make as little noise as possible. Mario picked up the man’s blaster rifle and examined it. The setting was on kill.
I think they’re expecting me, Mario thought. I’ll wager they’re all set this way. Which just means I have to make sure I don’t get shot.
He checked the door. No patrols out in the hallway. Nodding to himself, he pulled out the mini holo-computer that all SLDF operatives carry on missions.
“Map,” he ordered in a whisper.
In an instant, a small holographic representation of the compound appeared. The map rotated, orienting itself to show where he entered the compound. It showed the corridors he’d taken and where he currently was.
Mario groaned as he looked at where he was in relation to M’Bek Tarmos’s office.
Ya gotta do things the hard way, don’t you, Mario? he asked himself.
He looked at the map, memorizing his route. Closing up the holo-computer, Mario picked up the blaster rifle. Checking the charge on the rifle, Mario smiled to himself. He knew he was in for a fight at this point. Mario opened the door and peeked out.
A guard shouted and fired his blaster. Mario ducked just in time, as a blaster bolt hit the door frame right next to where his head had been just seconds before.
“Yikes!” Mario yelled as he fired back. The bolt from his blaster struck the guard in the center of his chest sending the Brentax man flying backwards. “They are all set on kill!”
Mario stuck his head back out and looked both ways. No more guards were in sight, so the young man crept out from the room and started towards his destination again.
