Protector of the Realm (37 page)

*

Rae discussed all the plausible reasons for the communication activity at
Gamma VI
with Alex de Vies, most of them foreboding. Her old friend had also tried to reach the mission room as well as the admiral’s personal console, but with the same frustrating results.

“Do you want to try any other channels, or turn back?” Alex asked.

“Neither,” Rae said, after some consideration. “I’m not presumptuous enough to think I’m indispensable at
Gamma VI
right now. My father is more than capable of dealing with any situation that might arise. Our two ships are all that stands between the Onotharian Empire and the SC. We’ll go through with our plan.”

“I thought you’d say that.” Rae could hear the concurrence in Alex’s voice. “My crew searched the
Freedom
with a fine-tooth comb. No sign of sabotage.”

“Perhaps the saboteur was interrupted, or figured if he put this ship out of action, we’d turn back rather than continue in a single ship…” Rae’s voice trailed off. “I still can’t understand how the Onotharians, or an Onotharian-friendly individual, could get to the
Liberty
so quickly.”

“I’ve sent an encoded subspace message that will bypass any other queued messages awaiting the admiral’s attention once he logs onto his personal computer.”

“I did too. We’ll be in range for another twelve hours. Let’s hope we can contact
Gamma VI
before then. I’ve also had my crew examine the ship, but who knows if the saboteur has anything else in store for us?” Pressing her hand against stiff muscles in her neck, Rae briefly closed her eyes. “In the meantime we’ll stay on course, on maximum tachyon-mass drive.”

“I’ve got your back covered, Rae. You know that.” Alex’s voice became gentle. “We’ve been in tougher circumstances than this, my friend
.
”

“Yeah, I know. I just can’t quite remember when. Jacelon out.”

Sitting in the miniscule compartment that served as her office, Rae scrutinized her team’s recent report. They hadn’t found any other signs of sabotage, and given the time frame, it was unlikely the saboteur would have had time to create more havoc.

Rae heard a knock and a familiar voice. “Rae, I need to talk with you.”

“Enter.”

Kellen stepped inside, the door immediately hissing closed behind her. “Have you been able to contact
Gamma VI
yet?”

“No, and neither has the
Freedom
. I just briefed Alex regarding this report.” Rae waved her handheld computer in the air. “His team hasn’t found anything to suggest sabotage.”

“Good.” Kellen leaned forward across the desk and rested her chin on her hands. “I have a theory as to why we can’t contact the station. It’s unlikely that all the lines would be busy, correct?”

“Right.” Rae leaned back in her chair. “What are you thinking?”

“We’re traveling at supersonic speed, away from the station. I think the waste particles emanating from the
Liberty
and the
Freedom
create a disturbance. Having gone over some facts in the SC database you’d installed on the bridge, I discovered that the SC banned this propulsion system not only because of the toxic antimatter, but also because of communication issues.”

Rae’s mind reeled. “So, again, we’re left with a damn-near impossible choice.” She rose. “I think you’re right, which means we have to do it Alex’s way. He sent an encrypted subspace message to my father’s personal work console. I’ve done so already and will repeat it shortly.” She saw a ghost of a feeling flicker across Kellen’s strong features. “Yes?”

“Please, send a special greeting to Armeo? I know it’s not ship’s business, but…”

“Of course, I will. If I know Armeo, and I’m beginning to, he hasn’t left Father’s side for a minute. We can enter a short greeting to him without raising any suspicion if the enemy intercepts the message.”

“Thank you, Rae. It means a lot to me,” Kellen said with a catch in her voice. “This mission
could
fail, and I want Armeo to be certain I was thinking about him.”

Rae encircled Kellen’s waist. “How are your elbows doing?”

“They’re fine. Look.” Pushing up her uniform sleeves, Kellen displayed new, pink skin where Ensign S’hos had used the derma fuser.

Worried about Kellen’s cautious tone, Rae squeezed her gently. “We’ll make this mission successful,” she vowed. “We’ll go home to Armeo and stay together like a family. Don’t go into this mission sounding defeated, darling.”

Kellen seemed to hold her breath for a moment, then leaned forward and kissed Rae thoroughly. Surprised, Rae parted her lips to allow the brief, passionate kiss. Swaying where she leaned against the desk, she searched Kellen’s eyes for the reason for the embrace.

“Very well.” Her lover nodded. “You’re right. I can’t go in fighting, thinking I’ll be under enemy control.”

Still thinking Kellen’s words sounded ominous, despite her courageous attitude, Rae took her spouse by the shoulders. “And you’ll obey orders and not go in half-cocked…”

Kellen cupped her cheeks gently. “You’re my commanding officer on this mission. I will not willingly disobey orders. However, I also must honor the vows I swore as a Protector of the Realm as well as a Ruby Red Suit
gan’thet
master.”

Rae’s heart went cold. “That might pose a problem.”

“I don’t think so.” Kellen released her and stepped back, folding her arms across her chest. “This is a covert operation, conducted in an unconventional way, far from Supreme Constellations
space. We’re using unlawful means of transportation, and we’re about to violate what the Onotharians claim is part of their sovereignty. I think my allegiance to you, as well as to my other duties, will not only be useful but also something you can rely on.”

Kellen’s intense blue eyes regarded Rae steadily. Knowing her answer could destroy the ground they had broken together, Rae still had her doubts but admitted to herself that she had a point.

“I’m afraid something might happen to you.” It wasn’t what Rae had intended to say, but nevertheless true.

“Are you sure your feelings aren’t more about your fear of how bringing me on this mission might affect your performance?”

“What are you talking about?” Rae snapped her head up.

“We are…growing fond of each other. You have brought me, your spouse, on a dangerous mission out of necessity. Perhaps you’re afraid you will lose your edge, that I’ll distract you.”

It was not far from the truth, Rae grudgingly admitted. “You’re right, in part. I
am
afraid something will happen to you, for several reasons. The first one is…I don’t know how I could ever break that kind of news to Armeo.”

“And the second?”

“Is about how I couldn’t stand to lose you.” Rae cleared her throat while pushing sudden images of a wounded Kellen from her mind’s eye. “We just have to accomplish this mission in one piece. The alternative is unthinkable.”

The blue eyes softened. “Instead of regarding my past and skills as a liability, why don’t you look at them as an asset?”

“I do. It’s just not that easy.” Rae tried to organize her scattered thoughts. “The success of this mission depends very much on you. It’s your homeworld, your vault, your assembled information, and your familiarity with the surroundings. Many things can go wrong before we even get to Gantharat. While we’re there, the entire away team will be in danger, and getting home will be even harder if the Onotharians detect us.” Rae tried to keep her voice under control. “I confess I’m afraid my emotional attachment to you might cloud my judgment.”

“Me too,” Kellen said. “When it was just Armeo and I against the universe, it was…easier. Now, it has become more complicated.”

“Regrets?” Rae searched her lover’s eyes for the truth.

“None. I believe what we call
va’yeshmir,
destiny, brought me to
Gamma VI
, to you.” Kellen pushed a stray lock of hair from Rae’s forehead. “I know you want to trust me, but I also know you find it difficult, perhaps because of our cultural differences.”

“We come from such different backgrounds. Because I was born into a strict military way of life, with my father as my role model, I do things according to the law and by the book. It comes naturally to me. Even this mission, covert and as unorthodox as it may seem, is in accordance with SC law, and with Judge Beqq’s ruling. Using these vessels is the only exception to the rule, one I have to live with. You follow another code of honor, but when you think about it, our approach to things isn’t that different.”

A doubtful expression flickered across Kellen’s face. “Don’t fool yourself, Rae,” she murmured. “You said it yourself. You’re bound by rules and regulations stipulated by the SC. You abide by the law. I, however, have only one objective--to protect the realm, to protect Armeo, at any cost.” She made a wry face, and Rae saw a sudden tremor reverberate through her. “Admittedly, I’ve become conflicted since we were married. I won’t abandon my duties, but my heart is also with you.”

Suddenly Rae understood what Kellen meant. “So, if you were faced with a situation, where you had to choose…choosing Armeo would be your only option, but it would cause you pain.”

“Indescribable pain,” Kellen whispered.

Rae didn’t have any simple answers and couldn’t say very much to such an honest confession. “Armeo will and shall take precedence. He’s your first priority, and I acknowledge that.”

“He should also be yours.” Kellen’s words were harsh.

“What?”

“If something happens to me and you have the chance to complete this mission without me, you too must sacrifice me to keep the last of the O’Sarals safe. You married me, the last Protector of the Realm, which means you adopted these duties as well, as my wife.”

Feeling her chest constrict, Rae leaned her forehead against Kellen’s shoulder for a second. “I should’ve realized that from my father’s report.”

“I inherited this sacred duty and prepared for it all my life. I know it must seem overwhelming to you to learn of it in this manner.”

“I love Armeo.” Rae’s voice was huskier than usual. “He stole my heart the night he paged me when you were in pain. Sacred duty or nor, I’ll always look out for him. You…” She caressed Kellen’s pale cheek. “I can’t promise I’d be able to sacrifice you, if the situation arose.” Her throat hurt. “You mean too much to me.”

Kellen stared at her, conflicting emotions obviously fighting for power in her eyes. “It seems my concerns are also yours. We’ll both have to make sure such a situation doesn’t occur. I’ll work on several backup plans for the approach to Gantharat.”

“Good.” Letting her arms circle her lover’s waist, Rae nudged her toward the door. “It’s late. Why don’t we try to get a few hours’ sleep? I have to relieve Lieutenant Grey at 0300 hours.”

“All right. I know you said you’d also take over from Lieutenant D’Artansis later in the day. Why not let me do that?”

About to object, Rae changed her mind. This entire operation almost breached protocol and regulations. Letting Kellen take the helm wouldn’t be such a stretch. “Okay. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

They left the miniscule office and walked toward the aft where the sleeping compartments were located. Rae climbed inside one of them, which reminded her of an old-fashioned bunk bed, making room for Kellen to join her before they closed the leatherlike curtain. The small sleeping area went dark, and Rae moved closer to Kellen. Wordlessly, she wrapped her arms around her wife.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her lips only a breath away from the generous curve of Kellen’s neck.

“You’re welcome.” Kellen pressed her lips against Rae’s hairline. “Now try to get some sleep.”

Rae closed her eyes, Kellen’s familiar scent engulfing her, making it possible to relax for the first time all day. She felt a hand slowly massage her back, its loving movements lulling her to sleep.

“What the hell is this? Some sort of diplomatic invasion?” Admiral Jacelon strode across the mission room toward Commander Todd. “How many ships are on their way?”

“Sixteen frigates and four cruisers, sir.”

“Damn.” Ewan stared at the screen. The SC Council had taken him by surprise, sending a massive diplomatic delegation that represented most of the homeworlds in the union of planets. He looked at Jeremiah Todd in horror. “Can
Gamma VI
sustain this many people on top of all the military ships currently here?”

Todd made a face. “Let’s hope they brought their own java, sir.”

The admiral huffed. “You got that right. What’s their ETA?”

“Two hours, sir. They’ve been transmitting data continuously for the last half hour.”

“Great. Here comes bureaucracy in its prime.” The admiral detected movement to his left and saw his grandson approach, walking slowly as if hesitant to disturb him. “School out already, Armeo?” He extended an arm, and the boy lengthened his stride.

“Yes. Dorinda’s with her mom. They’re going to the commercial section. Mrs. de Vies says it’s best to stay busy when you’re worried about something.” Armeo looked doubtful. “May I join them? I’ll take Y’sak.”

The admiral smiled inwardly at Gayle de Vies’s remedy for a concerned mind. “Why don’t we assign one more guard to be on the safe side? You could pick up some cigars for me, perhaps, while you’re at it.”