The Key (36 page)

Actually, she didn’t understand anything…except the part about her and Fyn getting married. She looked at the Colonel again and he nodded, his lips twitching.

Her lips curved up on their own as she told Gaedon, “As a soldier, I understand duty, sir. I’m still confused about the…bonding part, though.”

“The leader of our people is a man named Helfron Gaddioni.”

“
Helfron
?” Just saying it made her eye twitch. She didn’t even try to pronounce the last name.

“That’s right. Helfron Gaddioni.”

Sara blinked a few times. “Helfron? His name is
Helfron
?”

Gaedon looked a bit confused. “Of course.”

“
Helfron
—”

“Captain.” Halliwell broke in. “Perhaps we could move past the name?”

“Sorry, sir.” Helfron? Who named their kid Helfron? Might as well stick a “kick me” sign on his back.

“I have brought a drawing of him for you to see.” Gaedon pulled it out and laid it on the table between them.

Sara pulled it toward her and studied it for a moment. The face was handsome, blonde hair, blue eyes. Snooty expression.

“As you can see, he is very well formed.”

“He is awfully…pretty.” She pushed it back to Gaedon. “I don’t usually go over big with pretty guys. Too homely.”

Gaedon’s eyes widened. “Homely? Perhaps that doesn’t mean the same among your people—”

“If it means not pretty, then we’re on the same page.”

Gaedon looked at Halliwell who just shrugged.

“Our leader is most eager to meet you and convince you of his sincere interest in forming a bond with the descendent of Miri.”

Of course he was. Now it was Sara who looked at Halliwell for help. He shrugged again. Being a mediator was clearly a tough gig. Being the object of it wasn’t much better.

Sara rubbed her face, trying to clear the fog. “What?”

Gaedon smiled. “He wishes me, on his behalf, to propose both the bonding and the alliance, to complete the union that should have already happened.”

Sara stared at him. “Um…no, thank you—to the bond. Can’t speak to the alliance.”

“I am authorized to offer you…inducements. The bonding settlement is the most generous ever offered by a Gadi head of state to—”

“A commoner?” Sara helpfully supplied for him. “Trailer park trash?”

“Why don’t you just let him talk, Captain?” Halliwell gave her a warning look.

“Sorry, sir. Could you give me the high sign when we get to the part where I say no?” She did her owl blink a couple of times.

Gaedon looked a bit discouraged, but he manfully pressed forward. “I have explained to the leader that you were not…typical and that you would not be happy with a typical bonding arrangement. He has agreed to permit you certain concessions—”

“Did you just use the word
permit
?” Sara asked. “
Permit
as in freaking allow—”

“Captain.”

“Sorry, sir.” Sara shot it out through gritted teeth.

Gaedon tried to explain. “He would not just be your bond mate, he is the leader of all the Gadi.”

“How nice for him.” Sara could feel her temper still wanting to cut loose and she was too tired to completely control it.

“
Captain
.”

Sara reined in it back in—at least she hoped she did. Tired had thrown in with temper.

“Perhaps you could explain to your leader I’m in charge of what I permit or don’t.” This came out through gritted teeth.

“Clearly our ways are different,” Gaedon said, a bit weakly. His charm seemed to be running out of steam.

“Clearly. And I know who won’t be changing
her
ways.”

“In a…negotiation, both sides must…give ground.”

Sara had to give Gaedon chops for trying.

“So…what ground is
Helfron
giving?” Sara did her owl eyes thing, though it wasn’t easy. Her lids felt like ten-ton weights.

Gaedon seemed to like this question. “In addition to supplying you with your own living quarters—” he placed a drawing of a palace looking thing in front of her “—he will also gift you with the Gadi gems.”

Another drawing of jewelry that continued the royal-like theme. Yeah, she could see herself wearing that stuff. Especially the foot tall tiara.

“There is also the traditional wardrobe, which he will provide.”

More drawings. As Sara thumbed through them, her eyebrows shot up. Las Vegas showgirls wore more. She looked at the colonel. His lips twitched.

Sara started to open her mouth, but Halliwell grabbed her arm this time. Sara wasn’t sure if he thought she was going to rip the drawings up. Or go for Gaedon’s throat.

Sara wasn’t sure either.

“And he will also provide you with your own ship.”

Gaedon smiled hopefully as he pushed this last drawing toward her.

Sara stared at it for a long time.

“It’s…pink.”

“It is the,” Gaedon seemed unsure how to explain, “…it identifies a member of the leader’s entourage, or the leader himself.”

Identifies him as what?

“
Pink
.” Sara couldn’t think of anything to add to this, but, “and
pretty
.”

He nodded hopefully. “It is, is it not? No other Gadi female has a ship of any kind. This is one of the Leader’s personal craft he is willing to gift to you.”

She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times. Finally she looked at Halliwell.

“Can I say no
now
, sir?”

Before he could speak, Gaedon jumped in.

“In a negotiation, counter terms are offered.”

Counter terms? He was so going to be sorry he said that.

She smiled. It seemed to make both men nervous. Actually, they should be afraid…very afraid.

“I want…my own Air Force. I’ve always wanted my own command.” She grinned at Halliwell. “All women. No men allowed. And no pink birds. Black. With red racing stripes. And uniforms that don’t shop the wares.”

Gaedon opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, but nothing came out. Halliwell tried not to smile. At one point, he coughed.

“And…oh, I know. I want Helfron’s job. I want to be leader. I think it’s time, past time actually, that a woman stepped up and made some long overdue changes around here. And no bonding with him.” She gave Gaedon a limpid look. “He can keep the house, the jewelry, the hooker clothes, and the girl bird. And he doesn’t even have to shove them up his—”

“Captain!”

Sara smiled sweetly at Gaedon. Gaedon tugged at the collar of his uniform.

“That’s my counter offer.”

“I can’t tell our leader these things. Surely we can find…better…middle ground?”

“There is no middle ground between this—” Sara shoved the drawings back his direction. “And what I’d need to…survive. I realize you haven’t known me long, but did you really think you could buy me with that…
foxtrot sierra
?”

The colonel coughed, but didn’t speak. What could he say? She hadn’t actually said the f-word or the s-word.

“Is that…another…technical term?” Gaedon asked.

“Very…technical.” She looked at the drawings and felt anger try to spike again. “The problem you have is that you’ve got nothing I want. I like my life. I love my guy. I didn’t ask for this and I don’t want it.”

“You would be doing a great service for your people and for ours.”

“
Service
? I do my
service
in the cockpit of my bird. I risk my life for my country. That is plenty to ask for.”

She stared at him for a long moment.

“You know, I don’t see a lot of…respect for women in this galaxy. You say he’d
permit
me certain concessions. How do I know he wouldn’t suddenly decide to unpermit them once he got what he wanted? Near as I can see, I’d have no rights, no freedom and no one to appeal to. He’s not giving ground, he’s giving…
stuff.
Stuff I’ve never asked for or wanted, by the way. A foxtrot pink bird?” Her temper started to slip its leash. “You say you’re better than the Dusan and I guess you are. Kind of. Adin thought I was prostitute. You think I’m a gold digger who can be bought for some trinkets and a piece of shit
pink
ship. Could you be any more foxtrot insulting—”

“Captain.”

Sara bit back the rest of the speech. It was a pity. It was a good one, practically Susan, foxtrot, B. Anthony.

Sara couldn’t see either of them. She was seeing red. She took some deep breaths. Then she took some more. The red faded a bit. Now it was just a deep pink—same as his stinking girl bird.

Gaedon tried a weak smile. “Perhaps the color could be changed. You seem to have a strong dislike for…pink.”

Sara opened her mouth, but closed it again. She couldn’t even think of the euphemisms for the swear words that wanted to come out.

“It was not my intention to insult you.” Gaedon sighed. “We are both soldiers and are called on to make…sacrifices for the greater good of our people. We do our duty. I merely wished to point out that there would also be benefits to you if you were to make this sacrifice for your people and ours.”

Damn, no time to pack for that guilt trip. So she wouldn’t go.

“It is not in the nature of our people,” Halliwell seemed to understand that Sara was choking on all she wanted to say, “to require this type of sacrifice from our people. Our alliances are based on trade and economics, not bondings between men and women. It is not even part of our history as a country. Personal freedom is at the root of our law and it is what we are proud to defend with our lives.”

Sara looked at the Old Man and smiled. That was Bravo Zulu. She turned to Gaedon.

“Surely you can see that I’m more likely to cause a war than end one.”

He nodded slowly. “May I ask a…favor from one soldier to another?”

“Maybe.” Sara wasn’t agreeing to anything without knowing what it was.

“Will you meet with our leader? He would…understand better if—”

“That’s not my call to make, sir.”

Gaedon looked at the colonel.

After a pause he sort of shrugged, then nodded.

“As long as he knows I’ve already said no.” She grinned. “I’m sure he’ll leave thankful I turned him down.”

Gaedon looked at her thoughtfully. “Actually, I think you would have been a very charming breath of fresh air.”

“That’s a very sweet thing to say, sir.”

“But you don’t believe me?”

“No.” She shrugged. “My various foster parents and teachers called me many things over the years, but charming never made the list. Ever.” Even as she smiled at him, she could feel her lids getting really insistent about closing. “I really need to check for light leaks, sir. I’m so wasted.”

“Dismissed, Captain.”

Sara jumped to her feet.

“Are you going to tell her about the Dusan?” Gaedon said, as he rose to his feet.

Halliwell looked annoyed. Sara felt a cold chill do its thing down her back.

“What about the Dusan?” She looked at the Old Man, not at Gaedon, even when he answered the question.

“Our sources tell us it will be the largest attack ever mounted against us. Your arrival in this galaxy is a stone thrown in a pool. Adin Xever clearly…fears you will ally with us.”

But he didn’t fear that. He thought she was dead. What—

He was afraid she’d given the key to her people. She probably shouldn’t have unlocked that outpost. Another reminder losing her temper was a bad thing. The attack would be directed against them, not the Gadi.

“How…many ships?”

“Reports vary. Nothing solid yet, but the news is troubling.”

Sara’s throat dried to the texture of felt. She still looked at Halliwell. “That’s not…good.”

Gaedon stepped into her line of sight.

“My people will need all the courage and hope I can find for them.”

They were going to need more than that.

Sara looked at him, her brows lifted. “Sir, are you really trying to put the whole responsibility for this war on my shoulders? Because that doesn’t seem like your…style.”

He jerked back. And then he sighed. “No, of course not.” He bowed gravely. “I should return to my ship and make my report.”

Sara snapped to attention and saluted. She still didn’t know how to curtsey. “I am sorry I couldn’t be more help.”

Though she really wasn’t.

The Old Man nodded his head, like she should leave. He didn’t have to nod twice. Outside in the corridor, Fyn grabbed her hand. Before he could speak, she asked, “Did we get permission?”

Fyn grinned, but quickly sobered. “He wants us to do it in the morning if—”

Sara flung herself onto his chest, her arms around his neck. Her legs might have been involved, too. Her lips a millimeter from his, she asked, “If what?”

His arms closed around her and he closed the gap between their mouths. Sara took it to mean he’d forgotten the question—or got his answer.

Fourteen

       Sara wasn’t too surprised when Fyn steered her, not to her quarters, but to the Old Man’s wardroom. She was so whacked, she actually fell asleep while they were walking. She woke up with a jerk when the Old Man joined them.

“Park it, both of you,” Halliwell said.

Sara tried to get the fog out of her brain. It didn’t want to go.

“So, did you tell him about the Dusan?”

Sara shook her head. Fyn looked at Sara, then at Halliwell.

“What about the Dusan?”

Sara let Halliwell explain. Talking had become an effort. She was almost totally tapped out. Fyn came to the same conclusion Sara had.

“They’re coming here.” His arm closed protectively around Sara.

It felt so good to relax against him, to just be a girl for a moment and let him be in charge. She could hear the steady thump of his heart and felt the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. It was incredibly comforting.

She burrowed in, trying to memorize how it felt to be in his arms, memorize him and how it felt to feel safe, to finally feel at home. They were going to war. This might be all the time they had.

She wasn’t asleep, but she was drifting between waking and sleeping. She could feel Fyn’s chest rumble with sound when he spoke and heard the distant murmur of the Old Man, but she wasn’t picking out the words until she heard her name.