Ice and Peace (9 page)

“That bad, huh?”

“You wouldn’t believe how bad.”

“Okay then let’s move on, Skipper.” Hollis took a seat in a nearby chair. “Are you ready for this? I know who the person is inside medical.”

“Gadison talked?”

“You didn’t think I would let him bring someone on board without my knowledge. And yes, he sang like a canary.”

Relieved, Keegan smiled. No matter what the war threw at her, Ruth hadn’t lost her touch.

“It’s Dr. Matilda Rimmer.”

“You’re kidding me.” Keegan shook his head.

“Yes, we are playing host to the pioneer of Hominid Cryogenic Warfare.”

“Swell.” He sounded more sarcastic than he liked.

This was no coincidence. Now he understood why Cate had been assigned to his ship. She was insurance. During his disciplinary hearing, he’d made it very clear the use of cryos as soldiers was immoral and unethical. And, considering his primary mission as commanding officer of this ship was to bring the woman who developed the technology to keep people enslaved to the very military that misused them, the plan was ingenious. Hollis cleared her throat. “Yes, I forgot.”

“So we’re taking her to Wacia?”

“That’s right. And you will comply with the utmost courtesy and respect.”

“As always. Is she defecting?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No. She is an exercise in goodwill. The Wacians have tried to develop the cryo technology on their own and thus far have not succeeded. As a matter of fact, they recently lost a subject who attempted to undergo the cryo program back on Earth. They are very eager to get their hands on the developer of this program in the hopes she can adapt it for their own warriors.”

“That means the Verneans were after her the whole time. So Gadison was right,” Keegan said. “They were raiding the facilities in an attempt to get to her? How did she escape in time?”

“Let's just say we've got friends on the other side.”

“So they thought freezing her and placing her here would be safer?” Keegan couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“It’s the best scenario we’ve got. The Wacians are better able to protect her than we are, and I don't have to tell you, funding for her research has fallen out of favor. With them she gets to continue her work unimpeded, and we get the benefits of Wacian friendship.”

“If we have spies in their camp, you know they have some in ours. It’s a matter of time before they come after us.”

“They haven’t done anything thus far. Personally, I don't think they have a mole here,” Ruth added. “I think the questions we should be asking is do the Verneans know where we are. And when they find out, what will they do?”

An uneasy feeling welled up within him. “We need to get her to the Wacian home world as soon as possible.”

“I agree, but we need permission to enter their territory. And they haven’t given it to us yet.”

“What are they waiting for?” he asked, irritation infusing his tone.

“I don’t know. Commander Gadison has a long history working with them. I guess our bosses figured he could grease the wheels a bit. You know, speed up the process.”

“What are we supposed to do in the meantime? Circle the parking lot until they say we can come inside?”

He’d never liked the subtlety of politics. It always got in the way of common sense.

“Looks like it.”

“I’m not waiting. We’re heading for Wacia immediately.”

***

Keegan leaned in close to the table as he cut a piece of the tender steak he’d been given for dinner. He chewed it slowly. Glancing around the posh captain’s quarters, he allowed himself to smile. The upscale room was a far cry from the visitor’s quarters where he had previously stayed. The monitors hanging on the wall in front of him allowed him to have access to any part of the ship when he wanted it. A full-sized bed behind him promised to give him the rest he longed for, and a large, ornately carved wooden desk was ready to be filled with all the paperwork he could give it. It all seemed too good to be true. He was the commanding officer of the very same ship in which he had served. But too bad he couldn’t share his good fortune with his wife. He sensed their fates were tied together. That her success depended upon his and vice versa. He had not seen her since right after she arrived and wondered how the tests were fairing. Determined to find out her status, Keegan wiped his face with the napkin and reached for the intercom. It buzzed before he touched it.

He pressed the talk button. “Yes?”

“Sir,” the guard who kept watch outside his door replied.

“What is it?”

“Dr. Bishop is here to see you.”

“Send him in.” He hoped to hear good news about Caitlin.

Dr. Bishop was a miracle worker, if anybody could fix her, he could. The door opened gently, and the doctor walked inside. For a combat physician with years of experience, Bishop managed to carry a demeanor about him that was relaxing and disarming.

With his typical pleasant grin, he spoke pleasantly. “I have someone here to see you.”

Not caring for any visitors, he stood up. He needed to know about his wife. “Who is it, doc? Because I don’t have—”

Bishop held up his hand. “I understand your schedule is busy, so I’ll only take a moment of your time. I have the results of those tests you ordered.”

“What is it?” Keegan sighed, bracing himself for bad news. Every worst-case scenario ran though his head. His heart seized at the idea of losing his wife. Seeing her before him the other day had given him a scare, and the sense of helplessness returned.

“Come on in,” Bishop said, stepping aside.

Caitlin strolled inside, smiling warmly before flashing Bishop a grateful look. She faced Keegan, and her eyes sparkled. “Did we come at a bad time?”

Keegan grinned, relief surging through him. Composing himself, he cleared his throat. “No. Actually, I was just about to crash the ship into a star, but you stopped me before I finalized the orders.”

Alarmed, Bishop closed the door swiftly. “Don’t say things like that around here. People might take you seriously.”

Glancing at him, Keegan tilted his head to the side. “Obviously.”

“Hmm,” the doc said, not amused by the comment. “Anyway, they had her pretty good this time. She had been given a mixture of things—you know the typical cryo cocktail as well as a few added extras. Still, I managed to get most of the bugs out of her. However, if you have any more problems, come see me….” His voice trailed off.

Drawn to her, Keegan approached his wife slowly. As she walked toward him, his heart melted. He gazed into her eyes and found the response he had desired earlier. Total love. She smiled impishly. That was the Cate he remembered. The woman he had fallen in love with.

“Well, I’ll leave you two alone,” Bishop called out.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Keegan replied, waving the doctor off.

The door clicked shut. Caitlin fell into his arms. He held her tight. Caressing her face, he guided her into a passionate kiss. Every fiber of his being poured into the action. He never wanted to let her go again or leave her, but he knew it was impossible. Their duty to their country came first. Finally pulling away, he leaned his head against hers, sighing deeply.

“I’m glad you’re back,” he said softly, enjoying her beautiful scent.

She looked at him curiously. He could tell she didn’t know what he was talking about.

“Do you remember anything? Like how you got here?”

“A little bit.” She nodded. “I remember traveling, but the details are fuzzy.”

“Well, hopefully he’s fixed it so it won’t happen again. Why did they do that to you again…?” He embraced her once again, the fear eating at his insides, knowing their time together was limited since he’d have to send her back to her quarters eventually.

“I’m fine. I really am.”

“How’s your memory?”

“It’s good, depending on what it’s about.”

Pretty much any memories stored in her mind before her assignment were up for grabs. The neurotransmitters robbed her of the good ones every time. He hated it.

“I guess it’s better than nothing.” He released her and smiled. “How are you settling in?”

She caressed his cheek, and he turned into her touch. Although she was cooler than most people, he welcomed her affection. “Pretty well. It’s starting to feel familiar. How’s it going with you? I understand you are in charge now.”

He nodded.

“Is this permanent?”

“I don’t know.”

She glanced around. “So, who’s your XO?”

“Commander Gerald Berger.”

“Never heard of him.”

“Figured as much.”

“Did you know I was coming here?”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him nearer. Being so close to her after all this time, his body automatically responded. Now was not the time. As much as he wanted to be with her, he needed to stay focused in order to accomplish the tasks that lay ahead of him.

Keegan gently unwound her arms from her around his waist. He shook his head.

“Oh. Sorry,” she mouthed silently. “I thought, since we were alone….”

“No.” He tensed his jaw.

Telling her no seemed to go against all the common sense he had. But he resolved to stick to what he knew was right.

Caitlin tilted her head and gazed into his eyes. “You look tired. And worried. Are you all right?”

She always could read him whether he liked it or not.

“I’m better now.”

She caressed his face and attempted to kiss him, but he moved away to prevent her from doing so.

“Cate, I love you.”

“I know, and I love you, too.” She laid her hands on his chest and fidgeted with the buttons of his uniform, her frustration as apparent as his.

“But we have a situation.”

“And that would be?”

“You’re my wife and I am your CO.”

“So what else is new?” she said, attempting to wrap her arms around him again.

Shaking his head, he held her hands away. “This is no joke. I am the captain of this ship.”

Her lips quivered, and his stomach tightened. “Okay, we can handle this. I don’t want to fight.”

Keegan sensed she was not understanding the immensity of the situation. He was being tested, or maybe they both were. Either way, now was not the time to be carrying on the love affair of his life.

She lowered her hands. “What problems do you see?”

“This whole thing is against the regs. Why do you think you’re here?”

“I didn’t request to come here, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. I know you wouldn’t do that. It’s just I’m not sure what Command has in mind. Something is going on, and I don’t want to take any chances.”

They were in a vulnerable state, and he had to be strong for both of them. He wanted to talk to her, to tell her everything. But he couldn’t. How could he tell her this job was more than he’d expected, more stressful than he’d remembered? That he often felt like he was in over his head? Or how it was hard to fall asleep at night without holding her?

Exasperated, she sighed. “Don’t be so paranoid. You’ll be fine.”

He shot her a glance that made her wince.

Throwing up her arms in resignation, she shrugged her shoulders. “Okay, so how do we handle this?”

“You already know the answer to that question.” He itched to hold her again, but he had to make her see reason. Couldn’t she understand their marriage was at risk? That her presence complicated his determination to prove himself? To her? To his country?

“Do my duty and not act like a doting wife. Fine. Done. Is that it?” She settled her hands on her hips.

“No, and watch the tone.”

It was important they kept up appearances for the sake of the crew. Yes, she was his wife but she was also a member of his crew and a subordinate.

She raised her eyebrows.

“What else did you expect?”

As if quelling her irritation, Caitlin regained her composure. “We haven’t exactly seen each other in a long time I was hoping we’d be able to spend some time together.”

“Where did you get that idea? We’re on board a military vessel. We can’t just sneak off and see each other.”

“We did the first time,” she countered.

“And look where it got us!” he shot back.

“Yeah, right back where we started.”

He frowned.

Caitlin folded her arms and looked away. Normally, her pouting would make him concede defeat but this time it was not going to work. “So when will I see you again?”

“Hopefully you won’t, because if you do it means you’re in trouble.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, snapping to attention then saluting.

Her eyes looked glassy, like they were filled with tears. Turning swiftly on her heels, she marched toward the door and slammed it behind her. Keegan stretched his shoulders, hoping to undo the tightness built up within them. He hoped to God he would not need a divorce lawyer before it was all over with.

Chapter Eleven

“Good morning, Commander. There is much to do today, so I’ll be brief. We are on our way to the Wacian home world. What I need to know is, when will we have permission to enter their territory?” Keegan placed his cup of coffee on the table near his chair inside the briefing area of his quarters.

“You will when the time is right,” Gadison replied, confident and relaxed.

“It’s obvious you’ve never been in a firefight.” Keegan peered at the Commander. He still could not recall where he’d seen him before. Whenever he sized up an opponent, Keegan liked to have a little background information since it helped him to assess the type of person he was dealing with. The commander’s file was encrypted. The only thing he could tell about Gadison so far was that he was cagey and on top of his game.

“No. But I know when you're playing chicken, it’s best not to flinch.” Keegan grinned and chuckled. “Commander, we’re on our way and we aren’t stopping. And I assure you, I have no intention of flinching. So they had better give us permission, or else we are in for one hell of a ride.” The last thing he wanted was to get into a knife fight while entering the home base of their so-called friends.

“As I said before, it would not be prudent to ask this soon.”