Her guard frowned at the woman, looking rather confused. He glanced in question at Richard.
Richard gave him a shove. “Do everything she tells you to do. Now, go.”
Merek wheeled the chair around and headed out to the car, but not before Else twisted to catch a glimpse of Richard hugging the girl in a most familiar way.
Who is she? And what’s she doing hugging my husband?
***
“There, I have ordered an upgraded security system for the house.” Richard paced about in their bedroom. “Evidently, our high profile had made us a target.”
“Okay, Richard. Who was that nurse that you hugged so enthusiastically at the hospital?”
Startled. Richard frowned at her. After a pause, he said, “She sometimes works with Trace. Fate, Elise, she just saved your life.” He stopped. “She’s gone now.” There was an odd note to his words.
She decided to let it go for now, but unnecessary pacing, avoiding eye contact, and too much hand-wringing, let Elise know Richard had something on his mind.
He stopped at her chair and studied his daughter sleeping in her arms. Abruptly, he said, “I think we should call her Tempest Fujeint Steele. The hospital is demanding a name for her birth certificate, so we need to decide soon.”
“You want to call our daughter Tempest? That’s a strange name.”
Richard regarded the floor of their bedroom and shrugged. “I know it’s unusual. Not like Jane or Rowyna.”
“Rowyna? That’s common?”
His face lifted, surprised. “Here, it’s very common.”
“All right. All right. I get it. The famous Rowyna Grae of Alysian history is a popular name for a female on this planet.” Elise paused. “You realize the name Tempest Fujeint is a bastardized version of old Earth’s, Tempus Fugit?”
Richard blinked. “No. What does that mean?”
Smiling, Elise said, “Time passes. We say it when we want a person to get on with something.”
Shock rolled over Richard. “Tempus means time?”
Elise shrugged. “Could be construed to mean that. The word tempest in English also means a whirlwind.”
“That would be more like it.” He stared at the child.
Elise gazed at her daughter in her arms. “Of course, her last name would be Steele. Actually, it’s growing on me. It will remind me of Earth but be different and unique. I wouldn’t want her to be ordinary.”
Sighing, Richard shook his head. “I don’t think there’s a chance of that.”
Chapter 8
Attack
Merek also heaved sighs as he trudged along a sidewalk in the metropolitan city of Tygel. He was out on an errand for the frazzled Commander. Pausing, he corrected himself. The Commander kept reminding him that she was only Elise Steele now, but recently the reminders came in a depressed tone of voice with slumped shoulders. He worried about her. She barely got dressed in the morning, and the growing baby took most of her time, despite available caregivers. She said that she remembered being neglected when her mother was Commander of the Fleet, and she vowed that she wouldn’t neglect her child like that, but it was proving exhausting. More and more, she commented to him how the original Elise had been a better mother than she had thought when a child.
Merek squinted around the bustling city as the sun beat down on his ship-sensitive skin. He still felt the weight of the world pressing down on his body and wondered how less augmented Terrans were coping. Eventually, they would have to adapt to all the challenges this world contained, but meanwhile, the process took its toll.
Also engrossed with a recent baby was his own wife, Amanda, who was spending less and less time with him. She was becoming totally absorbed by their new son, but Merek refused to whine about it. He hated whiners. The boy was a handsome child, like his mother, and he was proud to be its father. He just wished ...
Kicking a stone out of his path, he set his shoulders. He would be a good father to the boy. And he knew Amanda would be a good mother. He simply wanted more time together as a couple. The late-night feedings were exhausting both of them, leaving little time for intimacy.
One hundred ... one oh one ... He glanced at the address for the small technology store Elise had sent him to, but something wasn’t right. This part of town looked too rundown for any respectable business. He peered at his electronic tablet once again, thinking he must have copied the address wrong.
A woman screamed. He jerked his head up. In front of him, in an alley, three males surrounded a lone female.
“Hey, leave her alone.” He picked up his pace to rescue the woman when, startled, he recognized the victim of their attack.
“Alexa?” He faced the attackers.
What was she doing here?
All four swiveled to face him.
“Here's another one.” The tallest fellow with wide shoulders and a jutting chin jeered at him. A thick, brown mop of hair hung over his scowling face. Tattoos encircled his large biceps that flexed as he put his fists on his hips.
“Trajan?” Wild-eyed, the distraught woman yanked her arm from a short, fat attacker in a tight, red leather jacket. She stepped backward as the three now focused all their attention on Merek.
“What do we have here?” The ring leader of the tattooed arms signaled to his buddies, and the three stepped menacingly toward Merek.
He turned to the others, tapping a hand on the chest of the one in the red leather. “Fate, Ralph, we’re going to have to get rid of these Earthlings one at a time.” He emphasized the slur on Merek’s origin.
The third, a wiry Alysian with a blond brush cut, let a feral smile dance across his lips. “I’m ready to clean the garbage off this planet. He'll do to start.” He pointed at Merek.
Merek’s fists clenched at the insults, but he attempted to remain calm. “You really don't want a fight here, gentlemen. Let the lady go, and we’ll be on our way.” Merek tried to begin with reason, but already knew the end to this story.
“Oh, but we do. We want to send a clear message to your kind to leave our planet. Go back to where you came from.” The speaker’s hand waved skyward. “Alysia for Alysians!” The tattooed wonder spat on the sidewalk in front of Merek and glared at him.
Merek eyed the three and didn’t see any seasoned fighters, just Alysian bullies who had no idea who they faced. In addition, two of them looked out of condition. Merek touched his sleeve to make sure knife and stunner were at hand. He watched them release Amanda and swagger toward him. He flicked his fingers at her, ship-talk for go. Then, he set himself.
They were an overly eager bunch, which worked in his favor. He let them make the first move. The fat, dark-haired one pulled a knife, and the blond crewcut waved a gun. A shot cracked the air, and they all laughed.
That was all Merek needed. He flicked his dagger into the idiot's thigh, hearing a scream of pain as the gun clattered to the sidewalk and the surprised attacker grabbed his wounded leg.
Alexa rushed forward, picked up the gun, and pointed it at the bully who now was cursing loudly.
The tall, muscular fellow rushed Merek. Before his attacker could position his knife, Merek took two quick steps forward, dropped his head, wrapped one arm around his attacker’s torso and one between his legs. He flexed his legs and lifted. With his attacker dangling in the air, Merek twirled around and threw him. A painful crunch signaled a head meeting hard ground where the Alysian remained unconscious.
“You broke his neck, you bastard,” the heavyset Alysian shouted. He halted, undecided on whether to rush Merek or run the other way.
Merek leveled his stunner at the loudmouth. “Knocked him unconscious,” he corrected.
The Alysian shook his fist at Merek. Eyeing the gun, he decided to talk Merek to death instead of fighting him. He shouted, “They'll have you convicted of murder for this. You’ll hang. My father knows people.”
“What? Defending myself against bullies? Three to one, and I have an eye witness.”
The red le
ather jacket croaked, “They won't believe her. Not after I explain how you attacked us. She’s a fragging Earthling who asked for a bit of fun. And, we were only willing to oblige her. Any Alysian jury will convict you.”
“I don’t think your idea of fun and hers are the same.”
Alexa edged out from behind Merek. “I asked to be left alone,” she yelled at her attacker.
Realizing that talk was getting him nowhere, the red jacket attempted to throw his knife, but he was not as quick as Merek, who shot his assailant in the chest.
An expression of shock flashed across the fellow's face seconds before he slumped to the grass.
Merek scanned the area and pulled Alexa from behind him. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“Trajan! Oh, Trajan,” she sobbed. “They were going to… They said ... horrible things.”
“Alexa, Remember, Trajan's dead. I'm his clone… not his ghost.”
She paused, confusion on her face. “I ... know.” She glanced away. “It’s just ... I see you, and I want to believe it’s him.”
“I look too much like him, and you miss him. We all do, but I need to call the police and have them take care of these guys. Otherwise, I'll be a hunted criminal. As it is, reporting this won't be fun and will most likely turn nasty. You don't want to be around when the authorities arrive.”
With an angry gesture, she brushed back her hair. “It wasn’t like that piece of trash said. I was trying to find this store for the Commander, and they jumped me.”
Putting a hand on her arm to calm her, he said, “I believe you, but don’t go out alone anymore. Tygel’s streets aren’t safe for our kind.”
“I didn’t think it would be like this,” she protested.
“Few of us did,” he said grimly.
The idiot with a knife in his leg quit howling and now limped toward them holding a hand over a gushing wound. “I've called the police,” he screeched. “You're going to prison. You’ll regret this. I know important people.”
Merek's caller rang. He answered. “Yes, I'm nearby at Canal Road and One Hundredth Avenue.” He surveyed the area. “But Commander, there's a problem. Actually, there are three problems. Serious human problems. Two are hurt, one unconscious. Right. I'll wait here until you arrive. The police have been called. Better bring Director Steele along to help sort this out.”
***
Everyone stood around at the police station looking worried or angry. Elise turned to Merek. “Lucky for you that idiot…”
“Joe Brandel,” interrupted a uniformed Alysian officer who stood stiffly next to Merek. The man was not happy. Angry eyes and thin lips glared at the motley group of wounded Alysians and nervous Terrans. “His name is Joe Brandel. His father is an important business man around here.”
Next to the uniform, the precinct’s police chief glared at Richard who entered calm and unruffled. His eyes widened upon hearing the famous Steele name and narrowed in anger when he took a call from the mayor. Apparently, Richard had used his powerful political pull and managed to persuade the mayor to request that Merek be released into his custody.
Addressing Merek directly, Elise continued, “Lucky for you that idiot, Joe Brandel isn't dead.” Her lips pursed in annoyance. “As it is, the situation is bad enough.”
“Commander ...”
“It's Elise. Or Mrs. Steele if I’m angry enough.”
Richard Steele gazed at her and murmured, “Mrs. Steele if you're upset?”
“Don’t be mad at me.” Merek licked his lips. “I, at no time, planned to kill anyone, unlike their intentions. I acted purely in self-defense.”
“Officer,” Alexa interrupted, “They attacked me. They threatened to rape me. Traj ... Merek ... rescued me. They provoked the incident. Merek did nothing … until that Joe person pulled a knife, and then, he merely defended himself. The man was knocked out but not killed.”
Hands on her hips, Elise said, “Yes, well, I hope the judge and jury see it your way.”
“Two were unconscious and one is injured,” responded the red-faced officer. He clenched his hands into fists.
With a scowl still on his face, the police chief turned to Richard and said, “I’m not happy about this, but the mayor has ordered me to release the man into your custody. If I hear he has attacked any more of my citizens, you can bet he’ll be back here behind bars facing a trial, mayor or no.”
Richard smiled at the precinct Captain. “Good day, Captain. Thank you for your cooperation.” He hurriedly ushered his group out of the police station.
***
On the way home, no one said a word. Uncomfortable silence filled the car. Once back home, Richard collapsed with a sigh into his favorite burgundy chair and eyed the dispirited lot in front of him. Merek rubbed his forehead, apparently not knowing what to say. Alexa shivered. Her gaze landed on Elise. “Commander…”
When a frown met her words, she winced. “Okay, Elise then. It’s hard to get used to saying that.” Alexa shook her head. A smile emerged. “Also, hard to get used to that blue dress you’re wearing.”
Elise raised an eyebrow at Alexa. “Blue has always been a color I like. Black is a bit harsh for my complexion.”
Alexa gaped at her. “I'm not talking about the color. I’m talking about you wearing a dress.”
With a shrug, Elise said, “It seems that women married to high-positioned Alysian men wear dresses in Tygel.” Elise smoothed down the bright material and adjusted a left sleeve. “I felt the need to wear clothing appropriate to my station if I was going to talk to any high-ranking law enforcement officers. Appearance can make a difference in how you’re treated.”
Elise cast a glance at Amanda as she made an entrance into the living room. Joining the conversation without missing a beat, she agreed, “Every fashionable woman in Tygel wears a dress. Only women of questionable gender or lower status stride around in pants.” She raised an eyebrow at Merek as she saw his disheveled appearance.
He yanked down his jacket and ineffectually brushed at the drying blood on his collar.
Richard gestured with an arm. “Please, everyone, sit.” His eyes warmed as he gazed at his wife. “You look lovely, Elise. Very elegant. But wear what makes you comfortable.”
Elise sat at one end of the sofa while Richard leaned forward at the other. A maid brought in drinks and snacks and placed them on a low table in front of them.
Gingerly, Merek and Amanda perched on the edge of an opposite chair and eyed one another. “What happened?” Amanda pointed at his bloodied collar.
His finger brushed at a spot. “I got in a fight and was arrested,” he confessed.
Her gaze traveled over the whole group. “Oh, Merek! Are you okay?”
Merek glanced away. “I’m fine, but if it hadn’t been for Director Steele’s intervention, I’d be sitting in jail watching them construct a hanging platform for me.”
“We’re not quite that barbaric,” his benefactor retorted, stiffening in protest.
“Close enough. That precinct Captain wasn’t happy to let me go. He wanted my head.”
“You will still have to stand trial,” Richard reminded him.
“You know I won’t have a chance.” Merek’s tone reflected his bitterness. “They’ll put me away or hang me."
Alexa bit into a cracker, creating a loud crunch. She said, “I want to get away from this bigoted place. I can’t live here. I thought I would be happy here, but it’s not safe for Terrans. Please … take me to the Homestead. You have better qualified people who can watch over Tempest, and I don’t want to deal with these Alysians anymore. Sorry, Director Steele. You're the exception.”
“There are others like me,” he murmured.
“Not enough,” she answered.
***
Standing in their living room, Elise jiggled her daughter in her arms as she faced Richard. She smelled the sour milk staining her bright red top and knew her hair needed brushing. No makeup again. Tempest had awakened her early, and she h
adn’t time for beauty preparations except for a quick face wash. Her clothes were too tight, due to what John called “post breast feeding weight gain.” With Tempest now on the bottle, her weight had ballooned. Sleep deprived, she walked through the day practically a zombie, and her mood went from cranky to crankier. Transitioning from fleet commander to mother was more difficult than she’d imagined. And yet, as she watched Tempest grow and develop into her own person, it was like opening a package layer by layer, surprised and delighted at what emerged.
She organized her scattered thoughts, so she could present an idea to Richard that she had been mulling over. She took a breath and began, “I was thinking about Alexa’s comment. Taking her to the Homestead might not be a bad idea.” She added, “Elija wants me to visit the Homestead anyway, and I need a change of scenery. The mountain air would be good for Tempest, too. Besides, Elija wants to meet his niece.” It all came out in a rush.
Furrows on Richard’s brow hinted at his misgivings with the whole idea. “You said he wasn’t your brother.”
“Okay, cousin. Whatever relationship you want to assign to him.”
“I’m pretty confused about what the relationship is between you two, and almost afraid to guess.”
“Friendly, at the moment.” She fluttered a hand at him. “That’s not the issue here.”
A stubborn expression formed on his face. “I really don’t want you out on your own after that incident at the hospital and now what’s happened in Tygel with Merek ...”
She put her daughter down and faced him, fists clenched on her hips. “I need to get out of here and do something other than feed a bottle or change diapers. Richard, this is your wife’s sanity we’re talking about.” She raked her hand through her hair and paced away from him. Then, she strode back. “I commanded a fleet—a fleet of spaceships past black holes, fought aliens, discovered new world never seen before, and now I’m just …”
“Someone’s mother.” He stared down at the floor. “I think I understand.” He gave her a hopeful smile. “I could go with you. I don’t want you alone and vulnerable. You need protection.”
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