Return to Duty

by Elizabeth Hollows

  “Normally,” Tristan said, “I’m meant to be seen but not noticed—or seen, but not discovered.”

  He stirred his fork through his dinner but didn’t take a bite. Jay could make out Tristan’s frown with the help of the moonlight.

  “It’s different not to be seen at all,” he continued. “It’s a sign of failure if you need to hide.” He stabbed at his meal. “As it is, the attack on Zanik won’t be looked on favorably.”

  Jay narrowed his eyes. “You’ll get the blame for what happened?”

  Tristan shrugged. “They will examine my actions and anyone else involved in the operation. I’m confident I wasn’t at fault, but we will still need to be reviewed.” He shrugged. “You know the ways of the system.”

  Jay did. Debriefings, mission reports and evaluations existed even on a successful mission, but when something went wrong—even the smallest injury—then the paperwork and examinations of everyone involved became three times more rigorous. A fine-tooth comb was brushed over everyone, looking for the smallest flaw or wrong decision. The scrutiny and questioning that Tristan would return to wouldn’t be a fun experience.

  “I wish you luck,” Jay told him. “Hopefully the safe return of Zanik will help smooth things over.”

  “Hopefully he accepts my role as ‘Bryce’ as easily as you did.”

  Wincing, Jay asked, “How likely is that?”

  Tristan’s expression turned thoughtful as he tilted his head to look up at the sky, his gaze drifting toward Vicente.

  “It’s possible,” Tristan decided. “I didn’t hold enough trust for the deception to wound him too much—but he had started to confide in me.”

  New questions flooded Jay’s mind about Tristan and Zanik’s relationship. What kind of things had the Qui confided? How close had they been becoming? Tristan had said that he didn’t sleep with his marks, but what else had they done together? Jay felt jealous, but he forced himself to ignore it. What they had shared didn’t matter. It was how much Tristan liked him that was important.

  Jay had never known the people he’d extracted, beyond a dossier. If a soldier cared outside the parameters of the mission, it could compromise things. At least, that was the fear of their superiors, but Jay had also seen when it worked wonders. A unit would go out of their way and perform miracles to rescue one of their own. How much Tristan cared for Zanik could be an asset, if it was handled correctly. The more he knew about Zanik and Tristan’s relationship, the better he could judge things. And if it helped satisfy his curiosity and jealousy? All the better.

  “What was he like?” Jay asked.

  Tristan tapped a finger against his fork in absent thought.

  “Zanik is excitable. Initially, he wanted to get me into his bed. He believes his father’s influence makes him untouchable and desirable. The fact that I was difficult to impress was intriguing to him. He’s carefree and naive and likes to tour his father’s moons because he can always find someone who’ll party with him. It makes him an easy target to get close to and”—Tristan sighed—“and an even easier one to kidnap.”

  “Did you like him?” Jay asked, feeling on edge about the answer.

  Tristan hesitated.

  “He could be annoying and ignorant, but he was occasionally entertaining. Yes,” he admitted, “I liked him.” Jay felt uncomfortable and disappointed, but it didn’t last long before Tristan grinned, his blue eyes twinkling in the moonlight. “However, there were others on Vicente I liked more.”

  Jay smirked, his unease washed away by a surge of pride.

  “A charming thief, perhaps?”

  “Well, charming is still up for debate,” Tristan mocked, but his tone was fond.

  Jay laughed and teased the agent. “Keep talking like that, Tristan, and I might believe you don’t like me.”

  Tristan said nothing but his smile grew. He turned back to his meal, but Jay still felt the warmth of the agent’s words. The silence that fell was peaceful. Jay had never had someone he could sit with so comfortably. His platoon had always been loud and rowdy, and even when they were behind enemy lines, their liveliness never faded. Tristan was the complete opposite. He was calm and pensive, giving the impression that if one didn’t keep him in sight, he’d disappear like a puff of smoke.

  Jay might have missed the brotherhood of the UCAFD, but he’d also missed the companionship of like-minded people. After he’d left and turned into Jaybird, he’d never grown close to anyone. He’d formed no attachments or friendships. He’d jumped from world to world, never staying longer than a few weeks—until he’d met Bryce at the diner.

  While Bryce had turned into Tristan, Jay’s fascination had never stopped. Bryce had been cute and fun, but Tristan pressed every button Jay had and kept him coming back for more.

  Despite the dangers and everything that could go wrong, Jay was enjoying being here with Tristan. He liked talking about his time as a soldier and enjoyed putting his skills into play. They fit together, and Jay wanted to see what else they could accomplish—but it wasn’t that simple. He was a one-mission man. No one would want Jay to stick around. Tristan might only be a short distance away, but it felt like a canyon. Jay couldn’t close the gap and odds were that Tristan didn’t want him to. Jay could only ignore his growing feelings and keep moving forward.

  Focus on the mission, he told himself.

  “You said Zanik had started to confide in you. What did he say?”

  “Nothing of much importance,” Tristan said. He pointed his fork at a half-full moon. “They named Orvienna after his great-grandmother.” He lowered his fork while continuing to list. “He’s not as good with a plasma gun as he boasts. He wishes his father would trust him more, and he hates his older brother’s adulterous wife.” Tristan shrugged. “Nothing of use.”

  “Would he have told you more in time?”

  “I think so,” Tristan answered. “But Zanik wasn’t my—”

  Tristan cut himself off and Jay realized why. He had almost given away his mission objective. Jay was curious to know what IA had wanted on Vicente, but he didn’t want to force Tristan to go against his orders. He quickly changed the subject.

  “Did you enjoy being on Vicente?”

  Tristan was noticeably relieved. “It lacked things to do, but it was nice enough.” He cocked his head. “You seemed to like it, though.”

  Jay thought about deflecting. He could mention the bars the planet had or the sordid hotels that looked the other way about what their patrons did. There were the brothels and gambling dens or the industrial workers and tradesmen from Asam looking for a handsome, willing stranger to take them to bed. But none of them felt right, and instead, Jay said something more dangerous.

  “I enjoyed visiting a diner with good food and an even better wait staff.”

  I enjoyed visiting you, he said, the implication layered in his words. Tristan’s eyes caught and held Jay’s.

  “That couldn’t have been the only thing that drew you back,” Tristan murmured. “You barely knew him.”

  The moment was heavy and the air felt thick with acknowledged attraction, admitted fondness and ever-growing intrigue. Their night together on the IA ship had fanned the flames. Their time in the Carana Desert trading stories was pulling them even closer together.

  “It was what I didn’t know that intrigued me,” Jay admitted. “All I wanted was to work him out.”

  “And now?” Tristan asked.

  “I like what I’m seeing, and I still want to know more.”

  Tristan made a noise and Jay wasn’t sure which of them moved. They came together in a fierce kiss and Tristan’s dinner hit the sand as he fisted his hands in the material around Jay’s neck. Jay shifted, trying to get closer and lean over Tristan but, suddenly, Tristan’s hands were on his shoulders and shoving him back.

  Jay’s back hit the sand with a thump, grains flying around him and forcing him to close his eyes. When it was safe to open them, he immediately sought Tristan. The agent was breathing ro
ughly and looking at him with frustration.

  “We’re on a mission,” he muttered.

  Disappointment overwhelmed Jay, but Tristan was right. They couldn’t do this. He gave a jerky nod and tried to salvage the situation the best way he knew how—with a joke.

  “I guess it would be too dangerous to have sex in the sand.” His words fell flat and Tristan even shot him a glare. Jay held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not going to risk the mission if you aren’t.”

  “I’m not,” Tristan growled.

  “Then everything will be fine. It was a momentary lapse. We won’t let it happen again.”

  It took a few seconds, but Tristan’s tension began to ease. He looked away from Jay, and Jay took the chance to sit up.

  “We can’t afford to fail,” Tristan said.

  “I don’t plan on failing,” Jay stated. “I want to get out of this intact.”

  Tristan looked back at him, pinning him with a heavy gaze. “So you can gain your freedom.”

  It wasn’t what he’d meant. Jay had been concerned with getting them all out alive, but he took it for the escape that it was. He’d hinted at his feelings, and while he’d gained a kiss, he’d still been rebuffed. It was time to regroup. Jay pulled on a flirtatious, carefree smile.

  “It will be nice to fly from planet to planet without a warrant hanging over my head. Hell, I won’t know what to do with myself if I’m not looking over my shoulder.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find something to occupy you,” Tristan remarked.

  “And I suppose you’ll be reassigned far away from Vicente.”

  Tristan’s cover was blown and there was no reason for IA to keep him on the moon. They’d probably never see each other again. Jay’s chest twinged at the thought. He’d miss Tristan. Jay had visited him at the diner for weeks. He was a familiar, welcoming face. Even when he was scowling, he could still make Jay smile.

  “Yes,” Tristan murmured, staring off into the distance. “Who knows where I’ll be next?”

  Jay refused to let his discomfort show. He’d learned his lesson about admitting how he felt.

  “I’m sure you’ll enjoy no longer being a waiter.”

  Tristan rubbed his neck. “I would prefer it over a desert.”

  “It’s not that bad,” Jay disagreed. “I’d rather have a desert over a jungle any day.”

  “Oh?” Tristan asked.

  It was the perfect way to redirect their conversation, and Jay didn’t hesitate to expand on it.

  “Have you ever been to the Hidici region?” Tristan shook his head. “It’s a nightmare. Every planet’s a forest. We once had to track a corrupt politician through it.” Jay gave a theatrical shudder. “Never again.”

  Tristan quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? What was so horrible about it?”

  Everything, as far as Jay was concerned—sudden downpours, constant bugs, large, carnivorous animals more dangerous than the armed guards surrounding the politician. The thick foliage and complicated root systems hindered even the smallest movement and made it hard to track them.

  It was hell, but it made for an entertaining tale.

  They both knew missions weren’t all fun and games and that Jay was leaving out the darker aspects, but it was nice to go back to lighthearted banter. The Kada’rah’s presence would soon require silence and stealth. Hand signals would be the only means of communicating. Tonight, their voices had to be low so as not to catch unwanted attention, but they could still talk. They pressed their shoulders together and curved their heads close, the longer Jay recounted his time in the forests.

  Tristan even told his own stories—stepping foot on a boat for his first mission, despite never having been on the sea. Lightening his hair and eyebrows until he was blond to fit in on a planet. They had enough stories between them to last all night. They’d kiss again if they weren’t careful.

  They were having too much fun, and despite knowing better, Jay’s eyes kept falling to Tristan’s lips. He saw the agent doing the same.

  But despite the temptation, Jay wouldn’t let them give in, because he knew that if they kissed again, they wouldn’t stop.

  Chapter Seven

  Jay took first watch that night. He couldn’t sleep after speaking with Tristan, his mind abuzz with thoughts of the man and his own conflicting feelings. He tried to sort through them but didn’t feel like he’d gained any ground when he woke Tristan for his shift.

  They didn’t speak and Jay crawled into his bedroll. His body responded to the familiar routine—sleeping the moment he lay down his head and waking with the smallest nudge to his foot. The night was broken by shift changes every four hours. Tristan couldn’t be used to it, but he didn’t complain. He did look more exhausted than normal as he woke Jay just before sunrise. Tristan drank his instant coffee like a man tasting heaven.

  They ate a quick breakfast and packed up their camp. They knew they were off course because of the previous day, but it took them a few hours of riding to realize that they’d veered even farther off than they’d believed. They were nearing an oasis guarded by the syndicate. There were high sand dunes, which they used for cover as they dismounted and hobbled their quaggas.

  Creeping to the top of the dune, they observed the area. The trees were thick and lush, while bushes surrounded the large, murky green-and-blue pool. Jay could see two Kada’rah members lazing in the shade of a tree. Their weapons were resting in their laps and their sandmobiles were parked nearby. There were hints of a campsite through the curve of the tree line, but there was no sound or movement to indicate additional Kada’rah nearby. Smirking, Jay looked over at Tristan and they shuffled back down the dune until they were out of sight.

  The criminals were unconcerned about an attack, clearly believing that their post was an easy position that would encounter nothing but an unlucky traveler. It was the perfect opportunity to gain intel on the enemy’s base and movements. They could even steal the Kada’rah’s transportation to reach the compound quicker.

  A rush of adrenaline and anticipation flooded Jay. It was a feeling that, no matter the risk, he’d never felt while thieving. This was what he was trained for, and damn, Jay had missed it.

  Shifting to lie on his side next to Tristan, Jay used hand gestures to sign out the plan. Jay would make his way around the dune and sneak into the brush of the oasis until he could reach the Kada’rah and incapacitate them. Tristan would remain to observe from the dune and follow Jay down the moment the coast was clear.

  Tristan confirmed the plan and Jay made his way down the slope to their quaggas. He circled the dune, staying out of sight. The hill of sand was large enough that he took a few minutes to navigate it. When he reached the lower edge, Jay checked that he was free from observation before hurrying across the sand and into the camouflage offered by the oasis’ shrubs and trees.

  There were no sounds of alarm and Jay cautiously crept his way over to the criminals. He didn’t get too close, preferring to stay hidden near the base of a large tree as he observed them and waited for an opportunity to strike. It took fifteen minutes before the criminal standing against the tree shifted.

  “Takin’ a leak.” He kicked the other man’s boot. “Get up.”

  The seated man groaned but pulled himself to his feet. He waved off his comrade, who disappeared around the trees. The criminal put down his gun to stretch his neck and legs. It was a stupid mistake and the chance Jay had been waiting for. He pulled a knife from the folds of his clothes and soundlessly stepped out from behind the trees. He moved swiftly and used the butt of the knife to hit the man just behind his ear.

  The Kada’rah jerked and lost consciousness. Jay wrapped his arm around the criminal’s waist to keep him from a complete collapse. It was easy to drag the man back to where he’d been sitting. Jay rearranged him in the same sprawled position and cleared any tracks in the sand. He took the Kada’rah’s main weapon before slipping back into the brush, choosing a spot that the other criminal would need to walk past. />
  Crouching down low, Jay waited for the returning Kada’rah. His breath was even and his body calm. Jay kept the sharp thrill of approaching victory tightly under wraps. There was still one more enemy to defeat. He hadn’t won yet.

  It took less than a minute for the other criminal to return. Jay grinned. The man found nothing untoward about his friend slumping back against the tree. Jay only waited long enough for the man to pass his hiding place before he was out of his cover and coming up behind the Kada’rah. This man was more alert and started to turn, but Jay was faster. He slammed one hand over his mouth to keep him from shouting an alarm before slamming the butt of his knife into the same spot on the man’s neck. He went down like a ton of bricks, but this time, Jay didn’t bother to catch him.

  Moving him to the side, Jay removed the criminal’s weapons and communicators. He also grabbed prisoner ties, which he used to bind the man’s hands and ankles. He then repeated the same process with the first criminal he’d disabled.

  Dumping everything to the side and out of their reach, Jay hooked one of the Kada’rah communicators around his ear before signing to Tristan that he was going to scout the rest of the oasis for any additional Kada’rah. He waited just long enough to see confirmation before he was off to search the perimeter. It was a large oasis, and it took Jay twenty minutes to circle it, but he was pleased to find no other Kada’rah. The amount of supplies, the lack of additional guards and the well-established campsite with a semi-permanent hut and two beds indicated it was a long-term outpost. The criminals wouldn’t be missed for some time.

  Returning to the two bound Kada’rah, he found they were still unconscious. Once assured they would remain that way, he gestured for Tristan to come join him. It took the agent a few minutes to unhobble and bring the quaggas with him, but when he reached the tree line, Tristan tied the reins of the equines to the nearby trees.