CassaFire (16 page)

“
Mevine!”

The men turned toward the speaker. Officer Seheller gestured for Mevine to join him on the other side of the room. Byron’s hand dropped and Mevine rose to his feet, his movement slow and deliberate. He opened his mouth, but Byron spoke first.

“
I’ll see you tomorrow,” Byron announced, offering a brief nod.

Before he exited the room, Mevine’s voice echoed in his head.
Thank you, sir.

He paused in the wide doorway, but the young officer’s attention was focused on Seheller. Glancing around, he noted a difference in the atmosphere since their arrival on Tgren. Filled to capacity with equipment and bodies, the room vibrated with energy. If they were as close to deciphering the alien text as Mevine boasted, those present had every reason to be excited. They were on the verge of a great discovery.

Byron continued on his way, his footsteps reverberating down the empty corridor. Few men remained outside in the heat. No one noticed his passage as he returned to the shuttle. He contemplated a trip to the Rennather. Options for entertainment on this planet were limited and his evening was devoid of a scheduled activity. An hour or two on the grav ball court sounded more appealing than wandering the city alone or sitting in his drab quarters at the Cassan facility.

Am I happy? Byron thought, staring at the shuttle’s lifeless controls. He shook his head to clear his mind and started the ship’s engines. Of course I am. Who wouldn’t be happy in my situation?

Byron pushed the exchange with Mevine from his thoughts and lifted the shuttle into the sky.

“
And then I turned around, and this damned fool was gone!”

Garnce pointed a thick finger at Byron. His tale amused the small group gathered in the Rennather’s dining hall, but it was obvious the man still carried a grudge. Athee laughed, her attention shifting to the pilot. Byron’s wicked grin indicated he had no regrets having left Garnce.

“
I wasn’t sticking around. Those Quintanaz felines were in heat.”

Garnce scowled at Byron. “Well you didn’t need to run off and leave me standing there defenseless,” the man said with exasperation. “And you knew those plant samples we’d collected attracted them, too. Damned creatures followed me all the way back to camp, rubbing their foul stench on my legs.”

Byron propped his elbow on the back of the chair beside him, his expression smug. “At least I didn’t spend the next two days rubbing citric salt on my body to eradicate the smell.”

“
Stuff burned like fire, too,” Garnce grumbled as he reached for his drink.

Athee cocked an eyebrow at Byron. “You’re terrible.”

“
But at least I smelled good,” he added, leaning away as Garnce raised a threatening hand.

The shuttle pilot declared he needed to return to the planet’s surface. Garnce strode from the dining hall, his rapid movement mirroring his annoyed thoughts. Byron met Athee’s gaze and offered a playful smirk.

“
Guess I need to watch out for that mean streak of yours,” she stated, leaning her elbows on the table.

“
What he failed to describe was the three hours preceding our encounter with the felines. Garnce complained the whole time we were gathering those samples. I wanted to kill him at that point.”

“
And you never complain?”

“
Not when it won’t change anything.”

She couldn’t argue with that logic. Complaining grated on her nerves as well. Istaner voiced his negative opinion on a regular basis, finding fault with everyone but himself. Only their blood relationship had prevented Athee from retaliating with a tirade of her own.

When the dining hall emptied of occupants, Byron suggested they return to the shuttle and continue her lesson for the day. Athee had enjoyed the opportunity to eat a meal on the Rennather and listen to her tablemate’s accounts of their travels. The world beyond Tgren seemed vast. She envied the Cassans their freedom to explore. Perhaps one day soon her people would take to the stars. She intended to lead the way, too.

Athee had enjoyed an hour with Byron in a relaxed atmosphere as well. It still hurt that he’d walked off the night of the festival, especially after showing such clear interest. Enticing him to talk about it was out of the question. Byron’s shields had remained in place. He only lowered his mental barrier enough for minimal contact during jumps. Athee had buried her frustration and focused on her flights and psychic training with the Cassan. He remained friendly toward her, but Athee doubted she could coax him to such a level of intimacy again.

“
Can I take the shuttle out of the hanger?” she asked, fastening her harness.

He eyed her with suspicion. Athee presented what she hoped was her most disarming smile. It often worked on her uncle even without mental persuasion. Byron hesitated and she thought she’d lost the battle until he offered a grin.

“
Once we reach the outer landing bay, I’ll turn the controls over to you. Sound fair?”

“
Sounds fair to me.”

The blast of a siren jolted Athee out of her seat. Red lights began to flash across the hanger, pulsating in sync with the siren. Byron cursed and unfastened his harness.

“
Stay here,” he ordered.

“
What’s happening?”

“
Byron!” the commander’s voice resonated from the shuttle’s com unit. “We’ve got company. Five rogue ships just appeared on the starboard side.”

The pilot leapt to his feet. “I’m heading for my Darten right now,” he answered, dashing from the cockpit.

“
Byron!” Athee called. He was already gone.
Rogue ships? Are we under attack?

A distant rumble was followed at once by another.
That would be an affirmative. Stay put!

Through the cockpit window, she watched him run across the hanger to his fighter. Two crewmembers were already attending his ship. Byron leapt into his Darten. The canopy slid into place and Byron secured his helmet. Yanking the steps out of the way, one of the men flashed the pilot a signal. The tiny ship rolled forward, moving toward the bay doors.

The siren continued to blare its warning and the noise pounded at Athee’s chest. She had experienced an attack on Ktren several years ago, and fear had fueled her adrenaline. Once airborne, Athee had focused on the invading planes and maintained her composure even as her fellow pilots were shot from the sky. She’d controlled her fear by taking action. Unfortunately, she had no such recourse here.

Her pulse raced as Byron’s ship vanished. The inner hanger doors closed, adding finality to the moment. Frustrated to lose sight of him, she unfastened her harness and reached for the com. Pressing buttons, she searched for the universal link. Athee had to know what was occurring beyond these walls.

Come on, come on! Where is it? she thought, growing frantic.

“
We’ve confirmed hostile,” a voice cried over the com and Athee jumped at the sound.

“
Preparing to launch now,” Byron replied, his voice unusually calm.

“
Garnce has been notified and will join you shortly.”

Biting her lip, Athee sank into the pilot seat to wait. She strummed her foot on the floor, anxious for a snippet of information. Several other voices came over the com, confirming the attack. Upon hearing a man state the shields were holding, she wondered what would happen if they failed. Would the Rennather explode?

“
Engaging,” said Byron, his voice clear over the com.

She listened as Anceptor announced the ship’s guns had clipped the wings of one of the hostiles. Her palms began to sweat as she strained for Byron’s voice. Could he handle four ships on his own?

“
Two down,” he announced.

Athee’s stomach muscles relaxed. The odds were shifting in Byron’s favor. Now if he could eliminate the last three ships…

“
Damn it!”

Byron’s exclamation jolted Athee out of her seat.

“
Four more rogue ships, port side,” Anceptor announced.

A rumble rolled over her head, punctuated by a second, louder sound. Athee grasped the edge of the console and peered up at the hanger’s ceiling.

“
Shields holding.”

Athee caught her breath. She stared at the com unit, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

“
I’m hit!”

Those words poured like ice over Athee. Memories of her father’s final flight raced through her mind.

“
Status report.”

There was a pause before Byron answered. “Another ship down. I can still fly, but I’m leaking fuel.”

Athee leapt from her seat. Frustrated with her inability to see, as she didn’t dare link with Byron while he was flying, she began to pace the cockpit. If we were on the ground, I could help, she thought, digging her nails into her palms.

Another voice confirmed the remaining five rogue ships were still attacking the Rennather. Rumbles echoed from the far side of the hanger, the sound penetrating the persistent siren. Athee paused and waited, her body shaking. If Byron died…

“
Damn it, where is Garnce?” his angry voice blared over the com. “I need help!”

Athee couldn’t remain idle any longer. Snapping into action, she closed the shuttle’s hatch and slid into the pilot’s seat. Punching several buttons, she fumbled to secure her harness as the ship’s systems came online. She’d observed Byron dozens of times. While she didn’t understand all of the controls, Athee knew how to power the shuttle. The vessel wasn’t defenseless, either. She located the switch that activated the weapons, making a mental note for later. Taking a deep breath, she ignited the engines.

Glancing up from the controls, she caught sight of a crewmember waving his arms over her head. Athee chose to ignore the man and grasped the throttle. She had to help Byron.

“
Who’s piloting that shuttle?” a new voice demanded over the com. “Identify yourself.”

“
This is Athee,” she answered. “Open the hanger doors.”

“
You are not authorized to fly that ship.”

“
Open the doors!” she screamed, pulling back on the throttle. The shuttle lifted from the hanger floor and she edged the craft in the direction of the exit.

“
Athee, you are to power down immediately.”

The sheer volume of the commander’s voice caused her to jump. She stared at the com link, her hands trembling as she grasped the throttle. Athee was not bound by Cassan military law, but if she disobeyed the commander’s orders, it might jeopardize their races’ relationship. Did she dare risk destroying that fragile bond for one man?

“
Damn it, I’m in trouble!” Byron cried in a desperate voice.

“
Commander, I’m going out there to help him whether you like it or not,” she responded, lifting the ship higher in the air. And if you won’t open the doors, I’ll find my own way off this ship.

“
Athee, power down!”

Closing her eyes, she reached out to the shuttle’s teleporter. The unit’s hum vibrated in her chest. Athee latched on to its power. Edging the shuttle forward, she opened her eyes and visualized a spot outside the landing bay.

You can do this, Athee thought, the teleporter’s energy crackling in her mind.
Jump!

The hanger and flashing lights vanished. She found herself staring at stars. Throttling forward, she gained some speed and glanced at the radar. Several ships occupied the space over her head.

A jolt startled her and Athee grasped the console with her left hand. A ship shot overhead, its grey underside all but a blur. She pressed forward, determined to pursue the vessel. Byron’s presence filled her mind.
What are you doing?
he screamed.

I’m here to help you.
Athee increased her speed to catch the rogue ship.

Damn it, get back to the Rennather now.

No!

Without warning, another ship came into view, headed straight for the shuttle. Athee thrust the throttle forward and dove, gasping as laser blasts flew over the ship.

Shields! Activate the shields.

Athee scanned the controls, terrified another ship would appear while her attention was diverted. She located the switch and engaged the shuttle’s shields. Another blast jolted her from above. Uttering a gasp, she wrapped both hands around the throttle. She’d activated the shields just in time.

Head for the surface,
ordered Byron.
Don’t risk a jump though.

Athee was about to protest when she interpreted his intentions. Glancing at the radar, she realized a ship was on her tail and closing the distance. Pressing downward, Athee wove the shuttle from side to side, hoping to confuse her attacker. A laser flashed past her ship and her heart missed a beat. She was losing ground…

The ship suddenly vanished from the radar. Athee noticed a second ship behind her and realized it was Byron.

Damn it, you’re going to get yourself killed!

Athee pulled up on the throttle and changed direction. Her nerves tingled so hard that the hair on her arms stood erect. She was scared, but not about to give up on Byron.

You can’t outrun them,
he thought, his tone severe.

Then what can I do?
Athee cried as she noticed two ships approaching.