by Gun Brooke
“I know we’re all tired,” Beaux said, “but before we rest, we need some basic answers from you, Moon.”
Moon nodded but didn’t say anything.
“Why don’t you start, Veyar?” Beaux motioned for her next in command to begin.
“All right. Am I to understand that you’re alone?” Veyar laced his long, bony fingers together and studied Moon closely.
“I live alone, yes.” Moon met his eyes steadily.
Veyar nodded and then continued. “How long have you been alone?”
This question seemed to give Moon pause. “I lost my mother when I was four.”
“You’ve lived by yourself since then?” Beaux asked, forgetting she meant to wait until last.
Moon sighed. “No. But I have been alone. Or perhaps lonely is a better word.”
“How did you end up on this planet?” Somas asked.
“My vessel crashed.” Going pale, Moon pushed her hands in under her legs on the chair.
“I’m sorry to hear that. And you were the sole survivor?” Somas looked at Moon with obvious empathy. Normally, Beaux’s old friend was the champion of sarcasm and quite blasé, but even he could understand survival guilt and loneliness.
“When was this?” Beaux asked. “The crash.”
“More than four years ago,” Moon whispered. “Don’t pity me,” she added, raising her chin. “I’ve carved out a good life for myself here.”
“All alone?” Tracks asked.
“I have Dancer. I’m fr—I’m fine.” Moon shrugged. “This world, Haven, provides for its inhabitants if you don’t steal. If you don’t destroy.”
Veyar leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms while watching Moon intently. “I think it’s more than a coincidence that you happen to be in the same area that Ilienta intends to develop—and that you happened to be present when the Empress’s captain was fired upon and one of our officers killed.”
“Commander.” Beaux raised her hand and was about to object, when he interrupted her.
“If it hadn’t been for that, um, animal,” he said, gesturing toward Dancer, who managed to move his ears to point directly at Veyar, “I would have insisted that you came down with them from our ship, dressed as someone else.”
Beaux blinked. “What? Now that’s stretching probability way too thin. Even for you, Commander. I know you’re the suspicious kind, but that doesn’t add up no matter how you look at it.”
“Yes, Commander,” Somas said. “Not even you can make that stick.” Turning to Moon, he frowned. “Now, that said, I have to agree that us landing on the planet right where you crashed is a bit odd.”
“Why?” Moon asked calmly. “Why would a probe sent by a mining company take any other trajectory when nearing this planet than my vessel did? I had no way of steering, and neither did the probe, I’d imagine?”
Beaux had to place her hand over her mouth to hide her smile.
“Huh.” Tracks rested his elbows on the edge of the table. “I assume your ship was malfunctioning, then?”
“I had no control at all.” Moon nodded slowly.
“We can go into your history more later.” Beaux was beginning to fade, but Moon was so pale now, her skin seemed translucent. “Before we get some rack time, you need to tell my officers about tonight.”
Moon looked like she’d rather slit her wrists than discuss her actions. “I set the fire that caused the explosion.” She looked straight at Beaux. “The injuries the people from Ilienta sustained are my fault.”
“My gut reaction is to say, ‘good for you,’” Tracks said. “But that’s my loathing of those creepy suits talking.”
“Tracks,” Beaux said, shaking her head. “As we know, only minor injuries happened. I can’t explain it, but it seems the explosion was contained—how, I don’t know.”
“I saw the crater up close after you took off,” Tracks said, rubbing his scalp. “Believe it or not, it was a perfect circle and deeper than you’d expect. It was as if the energy from the blast was directed downward, and up, and according to one of the miners that turned out to be rather all right, because they stored a lot of their premium explosives in there.”
“Science dictates that most of the energy should have released sideways and upward,” Veyar said. “What you’re telling me isn’t possible.”
“I saw it, and so did Tracks.” Beaux shrugged. “One of the wounded was Moon, who seems to have felt the sideways force of the blast. This is also interesting, as the energy dispersed more in her direction than toward the tents around the storage.”
Veyar merely shook his head in a display of disbelief. “To move along before the two of you fall off your chairs from sheer fatigue,” he said, looking at Beaux and Moon. “Why did you set fire to the storage?”
“Because I found the map of all the sites they mean to blast.” Moon looked like she tried to swallow but couldn’t. “Several sites were close to my home, but that’s not the worst. Their attack on Haven will cause irreparable damage. I don’t have to be an engineer or an expert on explosives to see what their mining operation will do.” Tears rose in her eyes, and Beaux guessed they were equal parts sorrow and anger.
“What do you mean?” Tracks said. “They have showed us about ten sites.”
“That’s a lie.” Moon’s trembling voice stirred Dancer, and he stood, placing his head against her arm. “I counted at least a hundred blast zones and drill sites.”
“Perhaps over time?” Somas suggested.
“No.” Moon shook her head. “The map said Phase One. That’s this trip, right? Then they’ll return, no doubt utilizing ships like yours, and pick another continent. It won’t take them long to strip Haven of everything.” Turning to Beaux, Moon drew a trembling breath. “You said how the air and water here is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. That’s just the beginning. This truly is a haven, a pristine, untouched planet. Unique. You ask why I did this—and why I sabotaged their equipment. The answer is simple.” Moon stood. “It’s my duty.”
Dancer flanked her, his heavy lips pulled up, not in a snarl but a clear warning.
“All right.” Beaux held up her hands. “We’re becoming far too emotional, seeing how tired we all are. Why don’t we take this up in a few hours? I need some sleep, and so do the rest of you. I take it all our measures are still in place and ready to deploy if need be, people?” She didn’t want to go into detail in front of Moon.
“They are, sir,” Veyar said. “We’ve placed a cot in your tent for, um, Ms. De Cruz.”
“Good. See you at 0800 hours. We have a lot to cover then.” After nodding at her crewmembers, Beaux ushered Moon and Dancer out of the tent. “I’m in the far corner. We have extra guards placed so you can feel safe sleeping.”
“I always do, and I’d be safer if I slept in the forest alone with Dancer,” Moon said, but if she tried for a scathing tone, the exhaustion in her voice ruined that attempt. Beaux reacted without thinking and placed her hand at the small of Moon’s back, feeling the slight tremors that reverberated through the fabric of her jacket.
“I’d offer to take you to the cleansing units, but I have a feeling we’re beyond that.” Making sure she sounded casual, Beaux guided Moon to her tent. “Here we are.”
Moon stood motionless while Beaux unlocked the opening. Holding it open for Moon, she patiently waited for Dancer to walk inside. He ambled over to Beaux’s cot and then Moon’s and sniffed them with what looked like curiosity rather than suspicion. He then turned to Moon and made a “mmf” sound followed by a “rrg.”
“All right.” Moon turned to Beaux, her eyes half-closed. “That one mine?” She pointed at the cot to the right.
“Yes.”
Moon sat down and began untying the fastening of her boots. Her fingers kept slipping, and when Dancer had cast a challenging glance at Beaux twice, she relented and knelt before Moon. “Let me. Your hands are still hurting, aren’t they?”
“Yes, but I don’t understand why. Doc heal
ed them.” Moon was slurring her words now.
“Just because the skin’s healed doesn’t mean the neural endings aren’t still affected. It’ll be fine in a day or two.” Beaux tugged off the boots and put them under the cot. “Will Dancer be all right in here with us? Does he need to, you know, go outside?”
Moon frowned. “What do you mean?”
Beaux sighed, feeling utterly stupid. “For his needs.”
“Oh. Right. He’ll tell me if that’s the case, I’m sure. Or you.” Moon fell onto the pillow. Curling up, she pressed her face into it.
“Tell me?” Beaux wanted to know exactly what Dancer was supposed to “say” to let her know he needed to pee, but Moon was already asleep. Taking the thermo blanket from the end of the bed, she spread it over Moon. Standing, she allowed herself to groan, as her system hadn’t fully healed either. Dancer sat in the center of the tent, staring at her as if trying to figure something out. Perhaps he did need to go out? Just as Beaux thought she should open the tent, Dancer walked over to her and placed a gentle paw against her thigh. His head was at the level of her hip, and now he craned his neck back to look up and met her gaze. “Mff.” It sounded the same as the sound he had made at Moon, but with a different intonation.
“Sorry, Dancer. I don’t understand,” Beaux murmured, feeling ridiculous for talking aloud to an animal.
Dancer crinkled his flat nose. “Mff.” He pushed at her with his paw, making her take a step back toward the cot.
“Is this your way of telling me I should shut up and go to bed?” Beaux had to smile. To her amazement, Dancer removed his paw and walked around in a circle three times before he lay down exactly between the two cots. “Yes, sir,” Beaux whispered and removed her own boots. Placing her weapon, and Moon’s, under her pillow, she lay down. The soft night-lights that outlined the ceiling dimmed on her command. She tugged the blanket around her and looked over at Moon, who hadn’t stirred. After checking on Dancer and finding him looking at her with his beautiful, shiny eyes, Beaux knew she could allow herself to relax and go to sleep.
* * *
Beaux opened her eyes and found that the night-lights were back on. Blinking against them, she shifted and rose on an elbow, listening. Not sure what woke her, she looked for Dancer but didn’t see him at first. She sat up abruptly, shoving her hand under her pillow. Both of the sidearms were still there. A movement in the corner of her field of vision made her flinch until she saw Dancer sitting next to Moon’s bed, nudging her with his nose.
Moon whimpered, and Beaux realized what had interrupted her sleep. Was Moon in pain, or was she dreaming? Checking her timepiece, Beaux saw they had slept for more than three hours. They would have to get up soon to hit the cleansing units before they met her crew.
“No. No. I’m so sorry…” Moon sobbed and pushed at something. “I tried…I tried…”
Dancer gave a low, moaning sound. Beaux didn’t have to understand him the way Moon did to know that he was in distress as well.
“Here, boy. Let me.” Beaux sat down on the side of Moon’s cot and placed her hands on her shoulders. “Moon. You’re dreaming.”
Pushing at Beaux with frantic hands, Moon began hyperventilating. “I did try. I swear I did, but nobody…was there…” She shoved at Beaux. “I can’t.”
Worried that Moon might hurt her freshly healed palms, Beaux tried to avoid contact with them, but finally relented and pulled Moon up, then held her firmly. “Wake up now. Dancer’s here, and I think you’re scaring him. Moon. Wake up!” She shook Moon gently, speaking into her ear. “It’s me. Beaux. You’re all right, and nobody will hurt you.”
Moon jerked, and her head fell back as she stared up at Beaux. “Beaux?” Her voice was husky, and she frowned as if she had expected to see someone else. “Oh. Of course. Yes. The camp.” She pressed her forehead against Beaux’s shoulder. “A dream. Just a dream.”
“That’s it. We all have them.” Beaux didn’t intend to pry. “Dancer needs your attention, I believe.”
Moon turned her head and extended a hand to Dancer, ruffling one of his ears. He hummed softly and relaxed visibly. “I’m all right,” Moon said, and Beaux wasn’t sure if she was talking to her or the animal—or both. The fact that Moon still didn’t make a move to pull back from Beaux’s arms told her that Moon’s assurances weren’t entirely true.
“It’ll be time to rise in a little while.” Beaux wasn’t sure why it felt appropriate to rub Moon’s back; she just did. “Just take your time. We’ve been through a lot the last few days.”
“Yes.” Moon looked up at her again. “Did I wake you?”
“Yes. No problem.” The small lights in the ceiling cast faux stars in Moon’s golden eyes, pulling her in. Framed by black eyebrows and long, black lashes, the unique irises seemed to reflect the turbulent echo of Moon’s dreams. Her full, pink lips were halfway open as she still breathed faster than normal. “Nightmares can be horrible.”
“It’s been a while.” Moon sighed. “We might as well get up.”
Knowing it was time to pull back, Beaux let go of Moon and stood. “We store uniforms over by the cleansing units. Everything we need is there.”
“I think it’s time for Dancer to relieve himself.” Moon looked very young and vulnerable where she stood in her torn clothes and without her boots.
“We’ll take him to the perimeter. I don’t want to go outside it until we have you dressed as one of us.” Beaux stopped as Moon squinted and tilted her head when looking at her. “What?”
“You’re very protective. Are you always like this, or…?”
Beaux’s cheeks warmed, and she hoped the muted light in the tent didn’t show her reaction. She hadn’t blushed since she was a damn cadet. “Just common sense.” She tugged on her boots and spoke without looking at Moon. “Can you manage?”
“Sure.” Moon spoke without feeling, but Beaux could see Dancer from where she stood, and she could have sworn he was smiling.
Chapter Fifteen
“No!” Standing up so fast that her chair clattered to the floor as it turned over behind her, Moon clenched her fists hard. Her palms stung, but she didn’t care. “You don’t understand,” she said, spitting out the words. “Ilienta will cause something horrible to happen if they are allowed to drill, blast, or even dig with their fucking bare hands.”
Beaux, Commander Veyar, and Somas stared at her as if she’d sprouted horns and was breathing fire. Perhaps she was. She was angry enough.
“What you don’t understand,” Beaux said, “is that we’re under contract with Ilienta. Do I trust them? Hell, no, but that doesn’t mean I can disregard the terms we agreed on. If I do, I can lose everything—which means that my crew does too.”
Moon wondered how she’d be able to get through to these people. They weren’t acting entitled and passive like the passengers aboard the cruise ship, but they were oblivious. “It doesn’t matter what contracts you have signed or not. If Ilienta continues on this path, that will be the least of your troubles.” She sat down again, mainly to calm Dancer, who was starting to sway his head from side to side, a sure sign that he was becoming angry.
“Is that a threat, Ms. De Cruz?” Veyar asked, looking along his long, narrow nose at her. “We don’t respond kindly to such measures.”
“Threat?” Moon wanted to thud her forehead against the table. “It’s a warning. And it’s a fact. I can’t explain it any better. I’ve lived here for years, and I’ve hiked to the ice-covered mountain in the north and the sand dunes in the south. You have been here a few days, and it must be the Cimerian infamous arrogance that doesn’t allow you to listen.”
“We do listen.” Beaux sent warning looks at her officers. “It’s just hard to grasp that test drilling and blasting would cause such devastation to an entire planet.”
“It’s because this isn’t just another planet.” Moon lowered her voice, knowing they’d pay even less attention to her if she yelled at them again. “There’s just so much you d
on’t know.”
“Then tell us. Explain to us what can happen, and that way we’ll be able to make an informed decision.” Tracks was the only one who seemed to truly want to hear Moon out.
“Haven, this world, it’s like no other place I’ve ever heard about. Granted, I hadn’t seen many planets before this one, but even I know that this one is unique. If it’s not left alone, with its system intact, the interference will have a direct effect on it—and on those who disturb it like Ilienta plans to do.”
“That doesn’t tell us anything.” Veyar sighed. “You have to present empirical facts for us to legally break a contract.”
Moon knew then that she had lost them. “I don’t even know what that means.”
“It means observable evidence to your claims,” Veyar said.
Moon shook her head. “I’m no scientist. I just know what I know.” Her anger diminished to a low, but steady, simmer. She refused to let them get away with this. Standing up, she motioned for Dancer to join her. “You were confused that the crater was a perfect circle and that the blast wave didn’t move the way you’d expect it to.” Moon pushed her long ponytail back over her shoulder. “That’s the planet’s way of protecting the people, much like it does with the animals. When I ended up here, it took me a while, but soon I realized that Haven tends to its inhabitants—including me. This planet even protected the people out to destroy it.”
Beaux stood as well and placed her palms on the table. “What are you talking about?”
“It sounds unbelievable, like something out of a story, but it’s what I’ve observed.” Moon had to put some distance between herself and the others. She walked over to a table where a pitcher of water sat next to a tray of mugs. She poured some and sipped it, more to calm herself than because she was thirsty. The water tasted exactly as it had aboard the cruise ship, and it took her back in time to when her life was not her own. She set the mug down hard enough to make the water splash over the table. Grimacing, Moon wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Then she turned and watched the senior officers, except Beaux, murmur between themselves, and she could tell they weren’t in agreement.
