Tiernan surprised her when he unwound a bit and replied, “Nay. And you’ll have me pardon this once, Ryker, for your lot ain’t been easy of late. I’ll warn you now though, don’t ever come between me and Jess again.”
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General Ryker stared at him, appearing to size him up. Despite his bruised body with torn skin and partially healed puncture wounds, he looked more than capable of doing battle if necessary. “If you refuse to arm her, she’ll stay close to me until we’re clear. Once we reach safety, Mr. Tiernan, we’ll speak about Miss Storm.”
Tiernan’s expression grew angry and he glared at her. “Aye, Ryker, we’ll have that talk. Before we do though, her name’s Tiernan, not Storm. Best you know she’s me wife when you tell me what’s proper between us.”
With that, Tiernan turned and left her standing behind the General. Now the General thought she lied. In truth, she figured Tiernan no longer wanted the claim.
He’d surprised her. The General took her arm and led her from the room. A rush of shabby crew members surrounded him and he ushered them forward.
After releasing those who survived, two of Tiernan’s men came to walk behind the large group. The General took the weapon handed to him. The rest of the Braughmen guided them from the laboratory with Tiernan on point. Random attacks became more frequent the longer the procession droned on.
As the line of battered beings spaced out in the caverns, two Theazians leapt down from above, one grabbing the warrior behind her. She’d no weapon and did what she could to help. When the creature lunged at Tiernan’s stunned man, she kicked at its face. She placed all her weight behind the next kick and landed her boot against its throat, effectively forcing its head to snap back. The impact didn’t have near the effect she’d wanted, but it’d been enough for multiple shots to throw it against the wall before blasts ended its life. The General shoved the second monster into a wall and shot it point-blank.
As one Braughman helped the other from the floor, both glared at her before resuming their spots at the back of the group. The condemning looks made her arms and legs feel heavy. Everyone stopped as Tiernan pushed through the beings. He gave her the once-over before fixing his gaze on one of his men.
The man said, “She didn’t get a mark.” The flat tone of his voice made it sound as though he regretted her current state of good health.
The cold surrounding her came from more than the walls. The only source of warmth emanated from the General. The loss of value to Tiernan and his men made her insides freeze up. They’d thought highly of her for a handful of hours. She shouldn’t have gotten used to it. Why did it hurt so bad to have their regard taken away?
Tiernan turned and strode off, leaving her with the General. He took her arm and positioned her to walk before him. She hugged her middle and followed the others. She placed one foot in front of the other. The blasts of weapons from ahead and behind sounded distant. At times, more than twenty Theazians tried to stop them. They were cut down and stepped over as the march continued.
When they’d reached the exterior, the real battle began. Blasts from the sky as well as Braughmen and the General held off Theazians as groups of twenty made it to the transport spot to be taken aboard Efface. With a full-out Theazian attack focused on 118
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them, the Shadow would be abandoned. Everyone would be taken directly to the larger Governance vessel.
General Ryker fought the enemy with Tiernan and the others. Storm had been pressed against a wall as men assured the safety of the small groups being transported.
It didn’t take long at all before Finn grabbed her arm and shuffled her forward. He said not a word as he positioned her within nineteen other beings. In fact, he didn’t even make eye contact. The few other Braughmen in the group surrounding her acted similarly. It didn’t matter. She’d been treated that way before. She could stand it until Tiernan left her with Bragg.
Her eyes remained downcast. Accustomed to a certain form of treatment didn’t necessarily make it ache less. Damn, but she’d never been so—empty. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing what lay ahead. She brought her palm to her throbbing forehead.
If only her brain would go as numb as the rest of her body. A second later, she became weightless.
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Chapter Ten
Shane observed the activity in the area once they boarded Efface. They’d taken sixty-five Gov from Theazia and not but two male children. When he questioned a member of Ryker’s crew about the others, the only response he got had been a shake of a head.
They probably didn’t make it long.
Jess stood off to the side with eight Gov surrounding her. He’d been warned to expect her arrest and hadn’t been permitted to go beyond the line of soldiers. They treated her as if she murdered the Gov president.
She didn’t look right. Before transport, she held her head and slumped forward. If she’d been hurt before they found her in the lab, why didn’t she speak up?
The group began walking when one of the men shoved her forward. She stumbled and fell. Shane pushed beings from his path, cleared the distance, grabbed the dumbass man by the arm and punched his face. He didn’t care the guard wouldn’t get up for a while either.
Shane carefully pulled Jess to her feet. When golden eyes set upon him, he released her and stepped back. If he didn’t let go, he’d shake her hard enough to make her teeth rattle. He wanted answers and knew he couldn’t get them straightaway.
Ryker arrived and stood next to him. “I suppose he deserved that, Sir.” To the other men with Jess, he said, “You’ll escort Mrs. Tiernan with the utmost decorum.
Understood?”
“Sir!” they said before taking her more gently.
Ryker asked, “Mr. Tiernan, what has she done?”
He’d let Bragg explain the circumstance of her arrest. He needed to see Reilly with his own eyes before he’d truly condemn her. Even then, he wanted to hear what happened from Jess’ lips. As for the Gov soldier she killed… “Bragg has your answers, Sir.”
Ryker glanced over the area of milling people. He looked down and saw a wee boy looking lost. Scooping him up, he held the child close and bellowed, “Everyone will go through medical. Dr. Nare!”
A man dressed in rags came forward. “Sir?”
“I want the crew to have the best, Sir. Are you able to see to them?”
“Yes, General.”
“Begin with the boys then women then men. Spend some time on a healing unit yourself.”
“General?”
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“Yes.”
“You’ve taken some bad—”
“Call me after the others are seen to. I’ve business to attend.”
“Yes, General.”
The man walked away after taking the child from Ryker. When Bragg sauntered up, Ryker didn’t waste time. “Commander…”
“Bragg, Sir. So very glad—”
“You and Mr. Tiernan will accompany me. I require a uniform and cabin soonest.
See that Colonial LeRoy gets the same. Lead the way.”
It couldn’t be any more plain that Bragg didn’t like being ordered about on his ship.
It made Shane smile. Bragg led the General to the closest cabin and Ryker stripped out of the pants they’d found him. He walked to the relief area and made use of the sanitizer. When Ryker finished, Bragg handed him the uniform brought in the interim.
Once Ryker shaved and dressed, even having been starved, he had a look of authority about him. “Commander Bragg.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I’m taking command of Efface. You’ll accompany me to the bridge and inform your crew.”
“General?”
“Have I asked a question?”
“No, Sir.”
“An opinion, perhaps?”
“No, Sir.”
“Then we have an underst
anding.” Ryker left the room and they followed. As they walked corridors, Bragg eventually moved forward so that he could show the way.
“Why was Mrs. Tiernan arrested, Sir?”
Bragg didn’t hesitate to answer. “She murdered a private in her attempt to steal a ship and make an escape to her home planet.”
“Why would she run?” Ryker asked.
“I’ve no notion.”
“Mr. Tiernan,” Ryker said, “can you enlighten me?”
“Nay. She’d been left safe in a bed when we set off to Theazia.”
“Would one of you gentlemen explain why Mrs. Tiernan would refer to herself as a throwback?”
Tiernan waited for Bragg to answer. The reply should be a good one too, with a General in the Gov having to ask. He thought Jess’ treatment hadn’t been common.
When Bragg didn’t answer, Ryker asked, “And what of a white uniform, Sir?
Serenity Governance doesn’t issue white uniforms. Did she make it herself?”
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Bragg said not a word.
They reached the bridge and a man walked forward. Ryker asked, “LeRoy, can you see to your post?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“No ill effects?”
“None, Sir.”
“Good. Glad to have you at my side. Get the president for me soonest.”
“Aye, General.”
Within a moment, the Gov president appeared on the large screen. “Gage! I can’t tell you how good it is to see you.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“The others?”
“There are sixty-five aboard Efface, Sir.”
The president looked upset. The number was small considering how many were taken. “Your wife?”
Only a muscle in Ryker’s cheek twitched. “Deceased, Sir.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Permission to voice a request, Sir?”
“Anything.”
“Military in the area?”
“Full armada, although Commander Bragg didn’t make use of it to get you off that bastard planet. They’re positioning themselves in flanking positions as we speak. It was foolish to attempt a rescue without backup.”
“The power wasn’t necessary with the Braughmen. They were most effective in getting us out.”
“I saw. We might think about recruiting on Braugh.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And now what of your request, Gage?” The older man held a look of admiration when speaking to Ryker.
“The destruction of Theazia, Sir.”
“Total planetary annihilation?”
“Yes, a coordinated planetary strike.”
“We left no survivors there?”
“No. Sixty-five lives aboard Efface are all that remain.” Ryker’s whole body grew tense as he confirmed the number of crew that’d died. Despite his lack of visible emotion, the loss of life appeared to burden him greatly.
“Granted. And Gage?”
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“Yes, Sir.”
“Try to get all of them. Good hunting.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
The screen blackened before Ryker spewed orders, which the crew immediately obeyed. The General didn’t waste time calculating. He seemed to have coordinates etched in his brain as he strategically placed ships. His man LeRoy began a countdown.
Without any fuss at all, Ryker gave the order and Shane watched a planet turn inside out.
The screen eventually cleared and Ryker said, “LeRoy, turn us about and head home.”
“Aye, General.”
Ryker stepped down from the command chair and turned to face Shane and Bragg.
“Lieutenant?” he asked.
A man at a console looked to the others in the room and hesitantly stood. “Yes, General?”
Ryker continued to stare at Bragg. “Mr. Tiernan, this concerns your wife. I’ll broach the subject in the open. If at any time you wish to leave, please do so.”
“Nay, Sir. I heard plenty from Jess over questionable Gov rules. I’m a right curious man and would like to hear all of a story. I’ll stay.”
“Very well, Sir.” He stared at Bragg but spoke to the man who stood waiting.
“Lieutenant?”
“Yes, Sir?”
“Detail the meaning of the term throwback.”
Bragg’s chest swelled and his chin rose a few centimeters.
The lieutenant replied, “A being of lesser lineage, Sir. Colorless hair, golden eyes, unworthy, detestable, abhorrent…”
Shane closed his eyes. To hear the words made him angry and sick all at once.
When he opened them again, the lieutenant wore a frown. “I’m sorry, Sir.” To Ryker, he asked, “Permission to speak freely, General?”
“Go ahead, son.”
“The definition was given by Commander Bragg, Sir. It doesn’t relay my personal feelings.”
“Understood, Lieutenant. How long have you served on Efface?”
“Two years, Sir.”
“Under Commander Bragg?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Where in your training have you ever seen a white uniform awarded to a soldier in the Governance, Lieutenant?”
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“Here, Sir.”
“Only here?”
Shane drew himself up and prepared to get some answers about Jess’ treatment. He thought to gain them over a period of time with her relaying the details. To hear about such from those having witnessed it would be difficult. She wouldn’t be close to comfort and hold.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Did you question its rank, son?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Detail the rank to me.”
The lad remained immobile and silent.
Ryker turned to face him. “Lieutenant?”
The young man’s gaze fell to the floor.
“Lieutenant!” Ryker demanded.
“No, Sir.”
“No, Sir, what?” Ryker asked. He wasn’t angry. He seemed shocked he hadn’t been answered. He took a step and stood in front of the lad. In doing so, he blocked the lieutenant’s view of Bragg. “You’ll look at me when I speak.”
Shane could see the lad gaze up at Ryker. He’d no color in his face. “It signifies—
the rank is below that of a private, Sir.”
“Go on,” Ryker prompted. His voice held compassion.
“Women only, Sir. Women from the planet Blue who have the traits, Sir.”
A woman stood and turned to face Ryker. “General, I beg your pardon, but I’ve been assigned to Efface for six months. There were five throwbacks then.”
A man came forward from across the bridge. He’d been working close to LeRoy.
“Five years, Sir. At the onset of my assignment, there were fifteen.”
“How many women like Mrs. Tiernan are there at this exact moment, Sir?” Ryker asked the last man who spoke.
“Three.” He glared at Bragg. “There’d only be two but they managed to get Cross to medical before she bled out.”
“How was she injured, Major?”
“She couldn’t stand the assignments anymore, Sir.”
“Explain.”
“She—tried to take her life, Sir.”
“Because of her assignments.” It didn’t come out as a question but Ryker expected an answer.
“Yes, Sir.”
“And those assignments entailed…”
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The man looked down and didn’t speak.
Ryker stood there staring before turning to his second. “LeRoy?”
“Yes, General.”
“I want Bragg’s officers assembled in a board room with the medical officer assigned to Efface. I want the other two women from Blue located and brought to me soonest. Get officers from one of the ships flanking us to come aboard to replace Bragg’s. Make sure they have no past
with him. Request that Field Marshal Brody join us for the proceedings.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And, LeRoy?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Have food brought here and to the board room as well as a few bottles of wine.
This may take a while. Summon me should the need arise.”
“Aye, General.”
* * * * *
Jessica couldn’t seem to get enough sleep. Each time she woke, there’d been a different tray sitting in the cell with more food. The food didn’t appeal because she’d no appetite. At some point, she’d been escorted to a cabin and locked within. She got most comfortable on the soft mattress. The cot in the cell had lumps.
Other than using the relief area, she didn’t stray far from bed. She couldn’t muster the energy. On occasion, anxiety would descend to hasten her heart. One thought of Tiernan settled her immediately. Losing his regard made everything move in slow motion as her life appeared a distant black and white transmission.
The door opened and lights brightened the room. She glanced over and found General Ryker poised next to the table. Tiredly, she sat and swung her legs over the side of the bed. With the comings and goings of different soldiers bringing her food, she’d remained dressed. With a General suddenly appearing in her space, she was doubly thankful she’d chosen to keep her uniform on.
Before she could stand, he said, “Please, Mrs. Tiernan, remain seated.”
She stood anyhow. She knew how to behave in the presence of an officer. Swaying on her feet, she clasped her hands behind her back and looked down.
He asked, “Are you well?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“May I have a word with you, Missus?”
“Yes, Sir.” She waited patiently for him to begin.
“Please sit down so I might also. I’ve had a rather long few days.”
She sat and he took a seat near the table.
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“I’ve learned a great deal about you.”
She didn’t look up and folded her hands in her lap.
“You do realize that in the Governance, it’s not only permissible to look at someone speaking with you, it’s expected?”
If that’s what he wants, I’ll try. She glanced up and tried very hard to maintain eye contact. “Yes, Sir.”
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