Gateway (Gateway Series Book 1) (19 page)

“You’re welcome,” replied Stone. He looked back toward Mori. When he made eye contact with her, she quickly turned her head slightly away from him. He knew she had felt the same thing he felt when they had held each other.

“I am Victor Sinclair, elder of this settlement. You have saved our people,” exclaimed the old man. “We will mourn those killed by these barbarians, but without you we all would have perished,” he said has he aggressively shook Stone’s hand. “All that we have is yours,” stated Sinclair. “Just ask of us.”

“That is not necessary,” replied Stone as he watched Mori help a small child free of her chains. Mori looked back over her shoulder at Stone. This time a small smile came to her face before she turned her attention again to the child. “If we could stay in your settlement tonight, we will be gone at first light?” asked Stone.

“Hank Black’s house is empty; he passed away a few months ago. There’s not much in it but a bed and a bath. It’s yours for the night if you wish,” replied the old man.

“That would be more than adequate,” replied Stone.

***

“Hank’s place is not extravagant, nor is any place here, but it should suffice for the night. I hope it’s to your liking,” said Sinclair outside the small house as he fumbled nervously with the key card. “Ah, here we go,” he said as the door finally slid open.

The main room held a bed, a small fireplace, and a kitchen. A shower and toilet room was connected to the main room. Other than a thin layer of dust, everything appeared to be in order. Mori and Stone both focused on the one bed in the center of the room.

“There is just one bed,” replied Stone.

“Well…yes. I had assumed that…If the arrangement does not suit you?”

“This is fine,” he replied as he looked toward Mori. “I will take some blankets and sleep on the floor over there.”

“As you wish,” said the old man, shrugging his shoulders slightly to show his confusion over Mori and Stone’s relationship. “I have had a change of clothes placed on the bed for the lady.”

Stone looked toward Mori, who had just realized that her clothes were still caked with the dried blood of the men she had slain. She held her hands out slightly from her body, unsettled that she had forgotten about the blood. “Thank you, sir,” she said quietly.

“If that is all, I will leave you. Again, we can never repay you for saving our people,” said Sinclair as he shook both of their hands again and left the two alone in the small house.

“It’s not too bad,” said Stone as he walked toward the bed. “Hell of a lot better than our little hut.”

“Uh…yes,” replied Mori, still distracted by the blood on her clothes.

“I guess we should get settled in,” said Stone as he rolled out a small blanket and began to prepare his makeshift bed.

“I need to shower,” said Mori as she picked up the clothing from the bed and darted into the bathroom.

Stone continued to work on his bedding as Mori showered. Tomorrow they would board the ship and return to reality. One of them would probably become a prisoner. The other would return to their duties and their lives. Either way, he knew he would never be the same. Stone had just removed his shirt to lie down when Mori stepped out of the bathroom.

“I can’t believe this is all they had for me to wear,” stated an exasperated Mori.

Stone was taken aback. Mori was wearing a sand-colored dress that came down to her ankles. The dress was simple—common to women working the hard life on a small settlement such as this one. Her dark hair, falling over her shoulders, was still wet as she stood in front of him.

Tucking and pulling at the fabric of her dress, she was obviously. Stone doubted if she had ever worn a dress as an adult. He didn’t care; she was beautiful.

“Why did they have to give me a dress?” she said again as she folded her arms over her chest, almost pouting.

“I think you look nice,” replied Stone. “It might not be regulation issue, but you wear it well. Very well.”

“Shut up,” she said. “This is ridiculous. I am a soldier.”

“Not in that,” he laughed. “Besides, we can be soldiers tomorrow. Tonight let’s get some sleep,” he said as he fluffed a pile of shirts he had turned into a pillow.

“There is no reason to sleep in the floor. There is room for both of us on the bed. Just make sure you have control of your, ah…”

“I know…” replied Stone. He would never escape the incident on the pod.

Stone agreed and gathered his blanket off the floor. They both slowly climbed into the bed and lay flat on their backs, afraid to move. Finally Stone turned toward Mori. She had turned at the same time and their gaze fell upon each other. Without saying a word, their eyes screamed for one another.

“Goodnight, Tyler,” said Mori softly, turning her head toward the ceiling.

Stone looked upward as well, exhaling a burdened breath. His head spun as he tried to understand how he could feel so strongly for a woman he barely knew…and the enemy. He closed his eyes and opened them again. How could she be the enemy? He turned back toward her. He couldn’t hold back any longer. “From the moment I first saw you, there was something about you…something I…I just don’t understand but I know that the more I learn about you, the harder it is for me to see you as the enemy.”

“Thank you, Tyler,” she replied, rolling on her side to face him. “You have taught me that all Alpha Humani are not monsters. Whatever happens, at least on this planet, you have gained my respect and I can truly say that you are not my enemy.” As she finished, Mori rose slightly on her arm and leaned toward Stone. She placed her hand on his shoulder and lightly kissed him. She pulled away slightly but still looked into his eyes, her hand moving over his shoulder to his cheek. The touch of her lips was more than he could stand. He ran his hand through her hair.

“I have never met a woman like you before. I can’t get you out of my mind.”

“I have grown to have feelings for you as well, but…”

He stopped her with a kiss. His hand held the back of her head, pulling her lips tighter against his. As he kissed her, he moved his hand down her back and pulled her body to him.

She followed his lead, throwing her leg over his and rolling on top of him. She sat up, running her hands over his muscled chest. “I have thought about this since I first saw you without your shirt in the prison barge,” she whispered in his ear as she leaned forward again.

She followed up her confession with a nibble on his ear.

He rolled her over and unbuckled his belt. As he did, she unzipped his pants and grabbed him firmly. Stone slid his hand between her thighs, causing her to moan in anticipation.

“Ty, make this night last forever,” she said, looking up at him with those beautiful green eyes.

“I don’t want to return. I can stay here with you,” he said as he thrust his hips forward, entering her.

“Ty,” whispered Mori as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

That night Stone slept better than he had in years with Mori’s head resting on his chest and the troubles of their two peoples far from his thoughts.

***

Stone’s blissful slumber was interrupted by the thundering sound of thrusters from a spaceship. Stone quickly jumped from the bed and pulled on his trousers as Mori slid the dress over her head and shoulders. Grabbing the pistol on the way, Stone ran to the window of the house.

“Who is it?” asked Mori anxiously. “More slavers?”

Stone wiped the fog from the window and peered outside. A group of armed figures were talking to a small group of frightened villagers. As he squinted to focus, the uniform became identifiable through the streaks of the window. They were Humani troops. One of the settlers pointed toward the house where he stood.

“Who is it?” Mori asked, gripping her sword tightly.

Stone paused for a moment. She made the oddest sight—a beautiful woman in a white ruffled dress holding a Terillian Scout Ranger sword.

“Ty!”

“It’s Humani regulars,” he replied in a low voice, knowing what that meant for Mori.

“Then I am your prisoner,” she replied, dropping her sword to the ground and walking toward him. “Do not feel bad, Ty,” she said giving him a soft kiss and caressing his arm. “We knew this would happen sooner or later.”

“They said it was over here,” he heard the Humani officer yell to his men. “Take up positions while I take a look.”

A quick look out the window confirmed it. Three soldiers were heading toward the door. Stone turned back toward Mori.

“Get back into bed,” he said quickly.

“What?”

“Just do it.”

“I don’t understand…We agreed.”

“Mori, just be quiet,” he said as he grabbed her arms, almost shaking her. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes, but—”

“Just be quiet. Get into the bed and don’t say anything.”

Mori quickly jumped into bed and pulled the covers over her legs. As the soldiers knocked on the door she reached down, grabbing her sword and sliding it under the blankets.

“Open up in there! This is Lieutenant Maximus of the 15th Light Infantry. Open this door or it will be knocked down!”

Mori looked at Stone, her eyes screaming with uncertainty. He motioned for her to stay calm and then opened the door as the lieutenant reached to pound on the door once again.

“Yes, Lieutenant,” replied Stone. “It’s about time you found me.”

“Who are you? We had a report of a slave ship and—” The lieutenant noticed the eagle crest tattoo overlaid by the numeral I. It identified him as an Elite Guard officer of the 1st Regiment. “Sorry, Sir…I didn’t know you…”

“That’s okay, Lieutenant,” interrupted Stone, ending the confused stumbling of the officer. “I am Colonel Lucius, Commander of the 25th Air Assault Regiment and late battalion commander of the Guard. I was captured when my regiment was overrun on Juliet 3. I escaped from my prison barge and have been living here for the last few weeks.”

“Sir,” responded the amazed lieutenant. “We heard you were dead. Your regiment’s gallant stand was honored in the Senate as one of our people’s finest hours. Your defense and General Tacitus’s skillful use of manpower resulted in a Terillian Grand Fleet being pulled from the Sierra system, allowing us to take Sierra 7.”

Stone felt sick to his stomach. Cataline had escaped justice yet again. He would make sure the coward’s crimes were heard. Now was not the time, however.

“Who is the woman?” asked the lieutenant as he looked over Stone’s shoulder into the small room. “The settlers tell us she helped save them from slavers. Is she another survivor from your unit?”

Stone looked back at Mori.

She said nothing, staring back at him.

“She is a villager from another small settlement. I was injured and she helped me regain my strength.”

“The villagers say she killed several of the slavers herself. I wouldn’t have expected that from a—”

“Lieutenant,” snapped Stone, “I am a Colonel of the Line from the Lucius family, soon to be a husband of the Varus line…” He paused, realizing for the first time in weeks that he had a fiancée –a fact he had not told Mori. He quickly looked in her direction.

Mori lowered her head, refusing to look at him.

“I do not have time for these questions,” continued Stone.

“Yes, Sir. I meant no disrespect. I will gather the men and we shall lift off when you are ready. My platoon is detached to the battle frigate
Rubicon
in low orbit. Once aboard, I am sure we will get you back home to the Lady Astra as soon as possible.”

The officer saluted and turned toward his men.

As Stone shut the door he looked over to Mori.

“Astra…it’s complicated,” said Mori echoing their discussion in the hut weeks ago.

“I am sorry I never told you about my engagement. I never thought I would fall in…have feelings for you like this…I did not mean to hurt you.”

“Ty, I understand. You must return to your world. I cannot expect you to do anything else. At least you didn’t have them take me prisoner.”

He walked over to the bed and sat beside her. Taking her hand in his, he squeezed hard. “I would not allow that to happen. Mori, I have never felt like this with anyone.”

“I know, Ty, but reality has found us. And we must return to it.”

Looking on her, he felt the warmth of his tears as they trickled over his cheeks and fell from his face. How could it be that in a few weeks’ time, he’d been so completely transformed by a woman he would now never see again unless opposing each other on the battlefield? “I will make sure the slaver’s ship is left so that you can return to your people,” he continued as he leaned in and kissed her one last time. “I will always remember you.”

With that he rose, wiped his face dry, and walked from the room to return to the society he was no longer sure he understood.

Chapter 11

Sitting in his stateroom onboard
Rubicon
, Stone looked through the viewing window as the ship made its approach to
Pantelus Varuk
. Stone looked beyond
Pantelus Varuk
into the vastness of space and wondered how he had come to this place and pondered his existence in a suddenly confusing world.

Aside from the deeper questions, Stone was beset by ridiculously miniscule items. Astra had bombarded him with comms links. Father would like you to…Father said it would be good to…There is a ceremony for this…a dinner for that…

He had replied to most of Astra’s communications but he was finding each one more difficult. A loveless marriage was okay when he didn’t know any better, but now that he had been with Mori the whole idea of his arranged marriage made his stomach turn and his head hurt. As he struggled with his personal demons, he played audio of the last comms link he had received from Astra.

You are set to arrive on Alpha Humana in one month. Upon arrival you and I will be escorted by my father to the Senate, where the ProConsul is to award you the Imperial Medal of Bravery. Afterwards we will be the guests of honor at a dinner hosted by Field Marshall Maximilus Burto. Things are coming together wonderfully, Tyler. I have also received word that a dinner is being planned for you onboard
Pantelus Varuk
when you arrive. I shall be there to greet you and welcome you properly

Stone shut off the comms link. He realized he now longed for the days when he was a young lieutenant, immersed in a mission and unaware of the duality of the world.

But that time had long passed.

***

When Stone arrived onboard
Pantelus Varuk
it was a circus.

Given full military honors when his shuttle arrived, Stone passed through a row of sideboys, which lined his path toward the exit of the hangar. At the end of the procession were Admiral Sequentius and Colonel Vatarus.

As Stone exited the row of sharply dressed sideboys, Colonel Vatarus stepped forward to greet him.

“I wouldn’t have thought it was true,” exclaimed Vatarus. “We thought you were dead. I am glad to see you, Colonel. Your bravery and sacrifice honors us all.”

Stone’s thoughts wondered back to Juliet 3 and the death of Martin and Jackson. “It was my men and their sacrifice that deserve the honor, Vatarus,” replied Stone.

“Yes. Of course,” responded Vatarus. “But with their bravery under your leadership and General—”

“Where’s our brigadier?” blurted Stone, his contempt obvious.

“Well, Colonel,” added Vatarus, showing his trepidation. “He thought it best to wait until dinner to greet you. He is attending to some administrative duties currently, but he said he is looking forward to speaking with you tonight.”

“I’m sure he is. How did that coward keep his command?”

“Walk with me, Colonel,” offered Vatarus as he gently put his hand on Stone’s back. “We shouldn’t discuss these things in public.” As soon as they cleared the throng of greeters, Vatarus continued. “You had the worst of it on J3 but it was pretty bad everywhere. As you had feared, the Terillians had a full division on the planet, not to mention Nero’s men. They were prepared for us. It was a close call.”

“A close call! My regiment was destroyed.”

“I understand, Colonel,” replied Vatarus. “Do not forget I lost my cousin on that damned planet.” Vatarus pulled Stone into a corner of the passageway for more privacy. “You know how these things work,” Vatarus added. “Your unit was destroyed and the entire force suffered heavy casualties but we inflicted even more, mostly due to the bravery and sacrifice of your men. That fleet that arrived while we were being evacuated came from the Sierra system and allowed our forces to gain the edge in that sector, which is more important politically due to its proximity to the Gateway Station compared to the Juliet system.”

“Politically, we could make up for the loss of minerals from the Sierra system a lot easier than we can reroute major trade and transportation lines—”

“I know….and so does every other officer with half a brain. You know as well as I do that politics sometimes drives military decisions in war and sometimes to the detriment of common sense. That is the reason our brigadier remains in command. His friends at High Command overlooked the operation since it resulted in us gaining dominance in the Sierra system.”

“You know as well as I do that he will cost more lives the next time he leads men into battle. Just like your Atticus.”

“That is our fate—and our duty. Atticus understood this. Besides, if you’re lucky you will get assigned a new regiment far from Tacitus.”

“I will not serve under him again,” he stated. “You are a good soldier, Vatarus. How do you put up with this political crap?”

“I have to. It may not be a perfect system but our civilization relies on it. Without our system, what would maintain order?”

“What if we valued people only on their merit and not what family they were from?”

“What happened to you on that planet?” asked Vatarus, puzzled by Stone’s proposal. “This is the way things have been for generations and our people have made great strides since the Xen found us. Would you want us to return to the chaotic and destructive days of religious wars? Our system is necessary.”

“I just wonder sometimes.”

“You should not speak of this again. It would not be taken well,” warned Vatarus as he placed his hands on Stone’s arms. “You should just make nice at the dinner tonight and let your people honor you as the hero you are. Besides, I’m sure Lady Astra will take your mind off such silly thoughts,” he said with a sly smile as he released Stone and stepped toward the main passageway. “Come on,” said Vatarus, motioning for Stone to join him. “One evening with your fiancée and you will forget all of this nonsense.”

“My fiancée,” sighed Stone as he placed his hand on Vatarus’s shoulder. “Just what I need,” he said hoping his sarcasm wasn’t too obvious. “Thanks for the talk, Colonel,” said Stone as he stepped away from a confused Vatarus and headed to his stateroom.

After a short walk, Stone reached his stateroom.

As soon as he entered his room, he loosened his uniform. It was so confining. Removing it did little good, as it was not the clothing that was suffocating him. With every moment among his people, he felt more isolated. “The Lady Astra,” Stone said out loud. “Well at least she won’t be here for a few hours.”

Suddenly exhausted from the day, not to mention the upcoming festivities involved with dinner, Stone decided to steal a quick nap. Removing his shirt, kicking off his boots, and removing his trousers, he settled in for quick nap. As he slept, Stone drifted into a dream.

He was back in that little house with Mori. Stone remembered the way she smelled, the feel of her hair against his body, the taste of her lips. He felt the weight of her on top of him and sensed her moving in rhythm with him. His pace quickened and he felt the pressure build and the forceful but calming release. Suddenly he awoke to a voice.

“I hope you liked your wakeup call, Colonel.”

It was Astra. She had entered his room while he slept. Although dreaming of Mori, he had been with Astra.

“What are you doing in here?” he demanded.

He felt strangely violated and squirmed his way out from under Astra, jumping out of the bed and quickly reaching for his trousers.

“What the hell do you mean?” she snipped. “What is wrong with you?”

“I wasn’t even awake and you just took—”

“How dare you!” she shot back before he could finish. “Do you know how many men would kill to be with me?”

“I know one that won’t tonight!”

“You son of a bitch!” she retorted as she quickly rose from the bed. “I heard that you were found with a little indigenous slut on that planet. For the good of our families I have decided to overlook your lack of discretion but will not tolerate refusal. No one has or will refuse me.”

“How do you know of her?” he asked, shocked that anyone knew. He then remembered whom he was talking to. “Never mind. I have a lot of things on my mind and just want to be alone to sort some things out.”

“Do not worry, Tyler. You will be left alone…until the dinner tonight. There you will escort me to our table and we will smile and laugh and do everything else that is expected of us. We will also marry…as it has been arranged. As for us, our feelings do not matter. I had told my father you were from poor stock but he insisted the marriage would benefit our family. So we will marry, for the family, and I will give birth to a male descendant. Other than social and reproductive requirements, I do not care what you do or whom you do it with. Goodbye for now…darling,” she snapped as she turned and walked out of his stateroom.

The venom from the word darling hung in the air for a few seconds after the door closed. Stone, still wondering exactly what had happened, sat back down on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. Dinner is going to be fun, Stone thought.

***

As Stone walked toward the head table, he could feel Astra squeezing his hand as if she was trying to rip it off. He knew she was angry, but she wouldn’t let it show to anyone but him. He expected a long evening of her hiding her anger underneath a cloak of strategic smiles and well-placed compliments.

“Colonel Lucius, Lady Lucius Varus, welcome,” said Colonel Vatarus as he rose from his seat. “My wife regrets she could not attend.”

“Her company is dearly missed,” replied Astra in a blatant lie.

“I am so pleased to see you again, Colonel Lucius,” added Colonel Neo.

The beautiful woman standing beside Neo gave him a quick nudge.

“Oh yes,” stammered Neo. “You remember the Lady Ophelia. We have recently become engaged.”

Ophelia seemed much more polished than the last time Stone had seen her. No longer the wide eyed woman-child of a few months ago, she stood confidently across from Neo, who was still the same nervous boy.

“Lady Astra, what a pleasure to see you again,” said Ophelia, taking the conversation over from Neo. “My father was very impressed with Senator Varus’s speech before the Forum Thursday last. He was especially moved by his argument for strict adherence to societal systems and structure during the coming conflict.”

“Thank you, Ophelia,” replied Astra. “It is true that during trying times such as these it is imperative that we hold true to the fundamental beliefs of our society. It is the structure and order of our civilization that will lead us to victory. It is our duty to ensure that everyone knows their duty and their place,” said added throwing a cold look at Stone.

“Lady Astra, your seat,” replied Stone as he held her chair out for her.

“Of course, darling.”

Astra positioned herself in front of the chair and pulled the length of her dress in to allow Stone to tuck her into the chair.

“My Lady,” said Stone as he pushed the chair forward, almost knocking Astra off balance. She again shot daggers at him with her eyes as he took his seat.

“Oh. Here comes Brigadier Tacitus,” exclaimed Ophelia as she again rose to her feet. 

Cataline strode toward the table in all of his arrogant glory with his sycophant aide in tow. Astra, already standing, reached back and grabbed at Stone’s shoulder in an attempt to make him rise. After another piercing glance from Astra, he slowly began to stand.

“Good evening, General,” said Vatarus in a flat but not overtly insolent manner.

“Sir,” added Neo.

“As always, General, it is a pleasure,” included Ophelia with a courtesy.

“General Tacitus,” spoke Astra, “my father sends his greetings.”

Stone remained silent as he glowered at the general. Astra’s fingers digging into his palm did nothing.

Cataline glared at Stone briefly before turning away. “It’s good to see you all again,” he said. “As usual the dinner is always much sweeter when we are joined by such beautiful company,” he added as he looked toward the ladies. “It is also good to have all of my commanders together again.” After a slight pause, he continued. “Let the dinner begin.”

Cataline took his place as the first course began to arrive. Several dozen servants entered the room carrying covered dishes. As was customary, the head table received the first plates. Once all attendees had a dish in front of them, Cataline raised his glass—the signal for the servants to remove the covers.

A low rumble came over the banquet hall.

Cataline had spared no expense for the dinner. Nepalan greens, almost more valuable than titanium, made the foundation of the course. Covering the greens were assorted exotic fruits from throughout the Empire, including a few that could only have been obtained through the black market. The entire dish was covered with a brilliant red sauce.

“This is a wonderful setting,” spoke Ophelia. “I feel as if I am dining at the 150 Consortium in Mt. Castra. It is marvelous.”

“Very well done,” added Astra. “Your superb choice of first course has only piqued my interest in the disclosure of the others.”

“I am sure you will find the dinner very entertaining, to say the least,” replied Cataline as he cast another odd glance toward Stone.