Saint (Gateway Series Book 2) (5 page)

“You can always talk to me,” he replied as he slowly, gingerly returned to his seat. “What’s on your mind, Paladin Martin?” he asked proudly.

Martin backed up slightly and sat on the edge of a long table by her father’s chair. After settling herself, she placed her hands between her knees and rubbed her palms together tightly.

“Something’s bothering you.”

“My next mission,” she began.

“Mission,” replied her father energetically as he leaned forward.

Looking into his eyes, she could still see the old fire that had made him a legend in the Praetorians—and to his daughter.

“Yes, Father,” she continued. “I’m to track down the Traitor and his concubine.”

“And you’re torn?”

He still knew her better than she knew herself.

“No,” she snapped back quickly. “He betrayed our people, the Guard, me—”

“But you’re still unsure you’ll act when the time comes,” replied her father as he leaned in toward her, taking her hands in his.

His grip was strong again, like when she was a child.

She looked into his eyes, those fiery blue eyes. She could feel her own eyes start to fill with tears.

“He was my mentor, he…I trusted him. It doesn’t make sense that he would turn on us. I thought he was the best of us. I just…other than you, I trusted him more than—”

“Trust doesn’t mean anything,” he grumbled, squeezing her hands even tighter. “Trust is gained and lost. I trusted your mother and…”

Martin knew that her mother’s abandonment of both her and her father to marry into a First Family broke her father and was the catalyst for the alcoholism that robbed him of his career and her of the father she once knew.

“Duty,” he continued as he released his grip and gently placed a calloused hand on her cheek. “Duty matters. It makes us who we are.”

“Yes, Father,” she replied as she wiped the tears from her face.

“You’re a Paladin and a hero of our people. You didn’t become this because of him but because of who you are and the way you carried out your duty as a soldier of the Republic. Your feelings for him don’t matter, unless they help you carry out your mission.”

“But I hate him,” she exhaled heavily. “And I love him.”

“Then ignore the love and embrace the hate,” he replied coldly. “Love will make you weak. It will make you vulnerable. It makes you lose focus. Hatred focuses you and keeps you locked onto your target and your mission—your duty.”

Martin thought about what she had lost. Her father’s love for her mother destroyed him when she left. She hated and loved Jackson and in the end his love for her cost him his life; she would not let Stone do it to her again. She wiped the tears from her eyes—the last she would ever cry for Stone. She took another deep breath and leaned in to give her father a kiss on the forehead.

“I won’t let you down,” she said as she rose to her feet and walked toward the exit. As she opened the door, she looked back to see him pour a glass of whiskey. With a sigh, she stepped out of the room to Arilius Tacitus, the other Paladin, who was awaiting her.

“Are you done visiting Daddy?” “Yes,” she replied, walking past him and toward the exit without giving him the satisfaction of an emotional response. “We’ve got a traitor and a Ter whore to kill.”

Chapter 4

Rebecca slowly opened her eyes against the brightness of the room. The smooth, cool sensation of silk sheets caressed her body. Taking in a deep breath, Rebecca stretched her arms outward and rolled her shoulders as she turned onto her back. Another breath and she smelled the aroma of jasmine and cherry blossoms. The smell took her back to the night before—the best “negotiation” she had ever experienced. As she reminisced, she could still feel hints of the powerful sensation of Astra’s body against hers and the bolts of passion that had enveloped her.

“You’re awake.”

Astra’s voice startled Rebecca.

“How did you sleep?” asked the ProConsul.

Rebecca couldn’t help but smile as she gazed at Astra. The ProConsul was covered by a large towel with her hair tied in a long braid which fell over her left shoulder and extended to her waist. Small droplets of water glistened on her exposed skin as they reflected the morning light.

“Very well, ProConsul,” replied Rebecca. “But how could I not sleep comfortably after a night like last night.”

“Yes. It was enjoyable,” stated Astra as she dropped her towel and reached for a dark red dress hanging to her left.

Rebecca’s stomach dropped slightly. She was supposed to have enchanted Astra to aid in the real negotiations, but Astra had commented on their night together like it was an everyday, mundane event. Just
enjoyable
? Even worse, Rebecca realized the minor slight had actually hurt her feelings and she began to fear she was the one that had become enchanted.

Rebecca looked on as Astra slid the dress over her body. The dress fit loosely but still displayed her amazing form. She continued to watch as Astra tilted her head slightly to reposition her braid, exposing the side of her neck. Rebecca could remember running her lips over that neck hours ago and having the same done to her.

Damn it
, she thought to herself.
Stop thinking about it. Focus on the task
.

But it was useless. Astra had her tangled in her web.

“I would have asked you to join me for my bath but you were sleeping so comfortably,” continued Astra.

Rebecca struggled to not think about her and Astra bathing one another.

“Tha—”

“But now we must discuss Humani and Association business.”

Before Rebecca could respond Astra reached for a comms link near her bed and activated it. “Send them in,” she ordered.

A shocked and surprised Rebecca pulled the silk sheet tight around her body as the door to the chamber opened. First through the door were two Praetorian Guards, who took positions on both sides of the entrance. One spoke.

“ProConsul,” said the Praetorian. “Senators Marcus Sarius and Julius Lucretia.”

Rebecca attempted to pull the covers even tighter but it wasn’t possible. She could feel the blood running to her face and her cheeks flush with embarrassment. As she looked toward the two men, she could tell they were as just as surprised.

“Very well, Praetorian,” smiled Astra. “Position yourselves outside of the chamber,” she added as she turned toward the senators. “Marcus, Julius, what news do you have for me?” asked Astra.

“Yes, ProConsul,” answered Julius after a quick glance toward Rebecca. “The Patrician Council…” He paused quickly and Rebecca wanted to melt as he looked again in her direction. “The Council has advised key senators regarding the need to approve the additional funds.”

“And what do they think the funds will be used for?” inquired Astra.

“We convinced them the war has greatly increased the need for POWs and political prisoners beyond the capacity on Capro,” said Marcus. “And since the war effort requires even our oldest capital ships to remain active, there was no alternative but to create a new prison complex.”

“Did they authorize the full amount?” asked Astra.

“The full trillion credits,” Marcus said with a smile.

Rebecca struggled to mentally and emotionally collect herself and determine how to respond to the position in which Astra had put her; she was both figuratively and literally naked at the negotiating table.

“But it was not easy, ProConsul,” interjected Julius. “Luecentius Malius has many questions and spoke out against spending such a large amount without more details, but eventually our supporters were able to shout him down.”

“That old bastard is a thorn in my side,” grumbled Astra. “Republican virtues and the importance of senatorial oversight.” Her tone was mocking. “That is all that senile, wrinkled fossil talks about.”

“There are others,” said Marcus as he took a step toward Astra, “that have been heard whispering about the power of your influence in the Senate.”

“Let them whisper,” shot back Astra. “And we will roar. The days of governmental impotence at the hands of grumbling and elderly men are coming to an end, my friends.” Astra stepped toward the two young senators. “We live in a time that requires action. And any impediments to that action must be rooted up, cut out, and thrown aside.” She paused to first look Julius in the eyes, then Marcus. “Do you not agree?”

Rebecca, despite her hurt feelings, was enthralled by the ferocity in Astra’s words.

“Of course, ProConsul,” replied Marcus.

“That is the only way,” added Julius. “With the Patrician Council guiding the topics of debate and setting the agenda of the Senate, these relics won’t be able to hold us down.”

“Will not,” interjected Astra.

Rebecca could see the confused look on Julius’s face. But even though she was struggling internally with her school-girl crush on Astra, her training told her the senator’s mistake.

“ProConsul?” asked Julius.

“Will not be able to hold us down,” said Astra as she gave a cold smile to Julius. “Being on the Patrician Council does not allow you to use less than formal language when speaking to the ProConsul, does it?”

“Of course not, ProConsul,” he said humbly.

Rebecca could see his face redden with embarrassment. The ProConsul had control of every situation in which she was involved. Rebecca realized she never had a chance. So much for that reserved seat at the Steamworks.

“It will not happen again,” he added.

“Good.” Astra smiled at having imparted the necessary amount of humiliation to keep the young, brash senator in his place. “Let’s discuss the plans. Envoy Sterling?”

Rebecca heard her name and quickly stood to face Astra, her arms firmly holding the sheet around her naked body.

“Yes, ProConsul?” she asked sheepishly.

“Has the Association begun accumulating the necessary resources to start construction of the ships once the payment is made?”

Rebecca thought about Alden’s warning to not make agreements or give too much information.

“ProConsul,” replied Rebecca, “I would have to verify with—”

“Come now, Rebecca,” interrupted Astra. Rebecca’s heart pounded as Astra walked over to her. “We do not need to play these silly games, do we?” As she finished her sentence, Astra ran her hand over Rebecca’s hair and her arm holding the sheet that stood between her and the world. Astra’s touch sent tingles through her body. She could feel her face grow flush again and instinctively looked down toward the floor. Again she felt Astra’s hand as the ProConsul gently cupped her cheek and slowly directed her face upward so that they could look into each other’s eyes. Astra then leaned in close to Rebecca.

Rebecca’s balance waivered and her knees weakened as the warmth of Astra’s breath against her neck overwhelmed her senses. She closed her eyes. All she could think of was the night before.

“Do we?” she whispered.

“Of course not,” replied Rebecca as she tilted her head to her side and took a small step back. She was ruined, but at that moment she didn’t give a damn. “We have made the necessary preparations to complete all construction and initial testing within ten years,” conceded Rebecca.              

“Excellent,” added Astra as Rebecca felt Astra’s hand gently caress her arm. Looking into Astra’s eyes again, she saw the ProConsul give her a telling smile of satisfaction. Not only did Rebecca know that Astra had her, Astra knew it as well.

“That will be enough for the full complement of a hundred ships, seven thousand fighters and attack craft, and three thousand transports. All off the reports to the Advisors.” added Julius.

“The ten-year completion will also allow two years for our strike forces to train with the equipment,” continued Marcus.

“And how are our strike battalions coming along?” asked Astra.

“Somewhat slow, but progressing, ProConsul,” answered Marcus. “We have about 50,000 slaves and converts from the Saint currently training, receiving inoculations against the Dominotra virus, and undergoing modification for the Xen virus in the training facilities under construction in the water layer underneath the gas planet Dolus near Capro. The facility will expand at a rate to support an additional 80,000 per year throughout the project. This will mean we will need to take 4 million captives, villagers, and POWs each year to be able to meet our goal of compatible subjects and provide the Xen annually with the 120,000 alterable slaves as well.”

“That should allow for attrition and still provide over 700,000 to man the strike fleet by the time the Xen realize what has happened,” said Julius.

“And the Dominotra virus?”

Rebecca felt Astra’s gaze once again as she answered. “The Association scientists are confident both the virus and the inoculations are effective. The slaves you provide to the Xen will contain enough carriers so that when they mate with another carrier, 25 percent of their children will become contagious when the chemical changes with puberty take place.”

Marcus laughed. “The Xen will never expect it.”

“It should be quite effective,” continued Rebecca. “The virus will be airborne with a 75 percent infection rate for the Xen and 50–60 percent for Doran and humans. The mortality rate of the infected will be approximately 60 percent for the Xen and 50 percent for the Doran and Humans.”

“The Xen social and political structure will collapse,” added Julius. “And then we will strike.”

“Oh, Envoy Sterling,” interjected Astra.

“Yes, ProConsul.”

“I must apologize,” Astra smiled. “Here we have entered into formal diplomatic negotiations and I have not given you time to prepare yourself. Please excuse my slight.” Rebecca again felt the wonderfully distracting sensation of Astra’s breath on her cheek as the ProConsul leaned in closely. “You seem to have made me absent-minded with your beauty…and the memory of last night,” she whispered.

Even though she knew it was a calculated move on the part of Astra, Rebecca soaked in the compliment.

“Me as well,” she replied quietly. “An apology from yourself, while completely unnecessary, is gladly accepted, ProConsul.”

“Very well,” stated Astra. “Let us give you some time to prepare yourself and discuss these issues in more detail.”

“Of course, ProConsul,” she replied with a slight bow.

“I shall have my servants assist you with any preparations you desire,” Astra said as she stepped over to the communications console. “Praetorians,” she ordered, “the senators and I will be leaving shortly. One of you will remain outside this chamber for Envoy Sterling to make herself ready and then escort her to her room.”

This time it was Rebecca who moved in close to Astra.

“Last night was amazing,” she said quietly as she stared into Astra’s eyes. “And I will not be long in your chambers.”

Rebecca felt Astra’s hand caress her hair and saw the ProConsul’s mouth turn upward in a slightly amused smile.

“Yes, dear, it was very nice. I have plans for you, Rebecca Sterling. And perhaps we will do this again,” she said with an inviting smile.

“I would very much like that,” replied Rebecca with a smile of subservience.

Rebecca’s skin tingled with excitement as Astra’s hand ran over her hair and then paused slightly as Astra moved her hand to Rebecca’s neck and slightly brushed her hair over her shoulder.

“Perhaps,” said Astra as she turned to join the senators who were already exiting the room.

Rebecca stood like a statue and watched Astra walk away. After a few steps, the ProConsul turned back toward her.

“And this is not my chambers; this is where I…entertain.”

As the doors to the ProConsul’s playroom closed, Rebecca dropped the sheets to the floor and sat on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands.

“Stupid,” she exclaimed, chastising herself out loud. “You’re being used.”

She flopped back onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. She wondered how many others had lain on this bed feeling the same way—frustrated, ashamed, and above all, excited in a way she had never felt before. As she lay there contemplating her utter failure as a negotiator, she noticed the slight hint of jasmine and cherry blossoms in the air and a reminiscent smile came to her face.

***

Once outside her entertainment room, Astra spoke with her senators.

“This is excellent news.” She was smiling. “When that scaly
thing
bit into my father’s neck, it had no idea the blood that would be pulled from its carcass would be the downfall of his entire race. We have knelt before those reptiles for too long, my brothers. If we are careful, play the willing followers, and stay very, very, patient, we will take our rightful place as rulers of the known galaxy.”