“Fine piece of work that last time was,” Kit said despite herself. “Suppressing an old woman, beating Torgid, and punching me in the head. When my hands were tied. Twice.”
Dani, Ian, and Burns all spoke at once.
“Shut up!” Burns shoved his face an inch away from Kit’s. “Don’t learn very quick, do you, bitch?” His psi hit her full force.
She flew across the room and slammed into the wall, her head crashing against the door frame. Blue light flashed in her mind, and Orion’s presence was there, questioning. She hit the floor hard, but managed to stay standing. She started to call him a long and descriptive string of names, but Balastar shot her a pleading look. Getting herself killed wouldn’t help anyone. One thing was for sure, she was going to make this asshole pay.
“You gonna behave now?” Burns sneered at her. “Or am I going to have to take out the councilman here?”
His psi had left her with a dirty feeling. She didn’t need to go there again, and Burns had a twitchy finger on the trigger of the gun pointed at Balastar’s head. “There is no council anymore,” Kit said, fighting for calm.
“That doesn’t matter, does it?” Burns said. “How’d you get here, councilman?”
“He’s my psi-mate,” Kit said, rubbing her neck. “He found me. Made his way through the forests and climbed into the window.” It was a half-assed explanation, but the look of envy that crossed Mouse’s face implied he’d bought it. How she’d love to wipe the sneer off Burns’ face.
“Loc’s not going to like this.” Mouse rubbed his chin as he motioned for them to exit the door.
They filed down the corridor and around the corner to the stairs. Most of the other Vertans were gathered in the lobby below with a few other stragglers bringing up the rear.
Kit counted fifteen guards. More than she’d hoped. She brushed Balastar’s wrist. “Something’s up. They haven’t put us all together since we got here. We work in groups. Never all at once like this.”
When everyone was present, the guards led them toward the back of the lobby. Double doors swung open and Loc Zorton himself stood at the far end of the room next to the dimly blue pulsing monolith.
Kit smelled a faint hint of spice, and something similar to Orion’s psi brushed hers. “Orion?” The impression was faint, barely a whisp of the usual connection.
Burns went to Loc’s side and nodded toward Balastar. Loc’s right eyebrow rose as he took in her mate. He motioned them closer.
Kit stayed by Balastar’s side, and Dani and Ian fell in behind.
Loc crossed his arms, his feet firmly planted apart. “You’re proving difficult to get rid of, councilman.”
“There is no more council,” Kit ground out again.
Loc’s gaze slid to her briefly before returning to Balastar. “I take it she belongs to you?”
Kit wanted to slap the PM. “I don’t belong to anyone.” Her muscles were strung tight. “Orion, where are you?” Nothing.
“She says he’s her psi-mate,” Mouse said. “Says that’s how he found her.”
Loc took in Kit from head to toe, an open look of lust on his face.
Kit rolled her eyes. As if that would ever happen. “What are you doing, Loc?”
“Things haven’t worked out quite as I expected.”
“You mean because you killed the portal making thing?” Kit said, not able to stifle her anger.
“I would watch that mouth of yours if I were you,” Loc snapped. “There’s been a change of plan.”
Balastar leaned into her, touching his hand to hers. “Careful.”
“What do you mean change of plan?” Kit asked.
Just then the doors swung open, and the twelve other Portal Masters filed into the room. It took a moment for Kit to realize they all had psi-bands on and were being directed by three more armed guards. That brought the total number of guards up to eighteen.
“You don’t need them anymore, do you?” Balastar asked.
“That’s right, councilman.”
The thought that Loc was throwing lives around like some God made Kit crazy. “Doing a little house cleaning?”
“Something like that,” Loc said. “As you pointed out, the monolith no longer functions. That means the Portal Masters are no longer needed, and our location needs to be kept a secret. I’ll send the masters back to Sandaria, and we’ll make one last move. No one needs to know the source of the portals has changed. I’m afraid I’m going to have to release a little bioweapon on your home world. With things the way they are, I can’t risk continuing to let an entire planet of Vertans live. A smaller population will be more manageable. I’m sure you understand.”
Kit stared into his eyes and saw that he was serious. “You’re nuts, you know that? This will never work.”
“Oh, but you’re wrong. I’ve already given the order.” He turned and regarded Balastar. “But what to do with this one? He’s not Vertan. Not much use to me.”
Kit didn’t like the way Loc looked at her mate.
“I’ll find her, Loc,” Balastar said. “Every time.”
“Yes, I suppose you will.” Loc’s eyebrows drew together. “I can’t have that.” The Portal Master moved with surprising speed, bringing a laser from his pocket and aiming it at Balastar’s head.
“No!” Kit shoved Balastar and, at the same instant, the monolith flashed. The entire room was immersed in blue light. Everyone was frozen in place except her and Balastar.
He quickly recovered from her push and stepped to her side. The strong smell of cinnamon drifted around them.
“What’s happening?” Kit asked, waiving her hand in front of Loc’s face.
There was a brief hesitation before Orion said, “I pressed pause.” The voice was distant, weak.
Kit laughed, relief flooding through her. “Where have you been?”
“I’m having difficulty connecting with you without Balastar’s psi. What is wrong?”
“They’ve got him bound. Hold on.” She scanned the room. It was bizarre with everyone frozen. She pried the laser from Burn’s hand and adjusted it to blade mode to cut the band on Balastar’s wrists. She caught her breath as his psi burst forth, enveloping her.
“Better,” Orion said. His presence was strong again, vibrant.
Balastar kissed her. “I’m really getting tired of this ass trying to separate us.”
“Are you well, Balastar?” Orion asked.
“I am now. Thank you.”
“What is happening?”
“Let’s see,” Kit said. “Loc is trying to take over all the portals in the universe, he’s going to take the Vertans someplace new, the PMs are being sent back to Sandaria, oh, and Loc wants to wipe out nearly an entire planet.” Kit’s anger was threatening to overwhelm her. She knocked the laser from Loc’s hand and swung around and slammed her fist into Burn’s face. The crunch of bone was incredibly satisfying, and the thud when his stiff body hit the floor even better. She took in the rest of the frozen forms in the room. “You know, Orion, you may not think of yourselves as gods, but you might as well be from where we stand.”
His mirth rippled through her. “Advanced technology appears to be nothing more than magic to the uninitiated. I believe there is a similar Earth saying. This Portal Master is Loc Zorton?”
“Yes,” Kit said. “Please don’t disable the portals. Our galaxy will fall apart.”
“You are correct. I have been studying the current affairs of your worlds. It is good the old empire is no more. I will help you get the monolith to Earth and ensure the existing portals’ integrity. For now, there will be no new interstellar gateways. What do you suggest for the others present here?”
Before she could answer, Balastar’s com chimed from within Mouse’s pocket.
Balastar cringed as he retrieved the device. Marco reported that two of the Vertan captains had arrived at the spaceport.
“Tell them to hang tight,” Kit said. She turned back to face Loc. “What should we do?”
“He needs to be held accountable for what he’s done,” Balastar said.
“Yeah, but by who? Prayda back on Sandaria?”
“No,” Balastar said. “Everything is disintegrating there. Jules said the port authorities are being bribed left and right. People are deserting. I doubt there would be any justice for him there.”
“The GTO then.”
“I guess so.”
Kit did a head count. Eighteen guards and twelve portal masters. “I suspect most of the PM were just pawns in Loc’s game.”
“Probably.” Balastar said, “But we can’t be sure.”
“I suppose not. Where are we going to put them all?”
Balastar took her hand and sqeezed. “Orion, is everyone okay in this state? They’re not being injured in anyway are they?”
“No, Balastar. They are unharmed.” His voice echoed around the chamber, emanating from the monolith.
“Can you keep them here for awhile?”
“I can keep them for this way for a few hours without consequence.”
“Can we get these two freed?” Kit motioned to Dani and Ian.
“As you wish.”
A blue flash and the two were in motion, reacting to the near shooting of Balastar.
“Easy, guys,” Balastar grabbed Dani as she plowed into him.
“What the hell?” Dani said, glancing around.
Ian spun around. “What’s going on?”
“We, uh, have a friend helping out,” Kit said.
The blue light rippled as Orion’s voice rang out. “I am Orion.”
“Holy fuck,” Dani muttered.
“We’ll explain later. Let’s get to Balastar’s ship and sort out a plan.”
Before Balastar could call up to Armond, the four of them were standing in Balastar’s galley.
Marco, who’d been sitting at the table bolted backwards, tipped the chair and landed on his back. He was on his feet in an instant. “Hello. Where did you come from? Armond!”
“It’s okay, guys,” Balastar said.
Armond rushed in with Jules on his heels. They were followed by four others, the Vertan captains and crew had arrived.
Kit and Balastar proceeded to fill them in. Orion was present but spoke only to them telepathically. She suspected he needed the monolith to broadcast vocals.
In short order, they decided to construct some holding cells for the PMs and the guards. Loc would be isolated. The lot of them would be contained until the GTO authorities could deal with them. The Vertans would be dispersed between Balastar’s guest suites and those on the other Vertan ships and taken home.
With Orion’s help, they managed to get the PMs and guards into Balastar’s cargo hold. They’d stay under armed guard until the holds could be constructed.
The Vertans were assigned rooms, with Kit and Dani’s parents getting two of the suites on Balastar’s ship.
The Monolith itself was moved to Balastar’s suite. After returning the Vertans, they would take it to Earth.
An hour later, construction was underway in the hold and the EPs were gathered in Balastar’s suite. They didn’t want to discuss the bioweapon Loc had ordered released on Vertan in front of the others. There was nothing they could do right now and didn’t want them to worry unnecessarily.
“We still have to deal with the Torogs,” Kit said. “And quickly.”
“Even with your Vertan captains, we can’t face the Torog’s warships,” Ian said.
“Perhaps I can help,” Orion said, his voice emanating from the monolith again. “What is it you need?”
“I don’t know,” Kit said. “The GTO I guess.”
“It’s going to take their military to confront the Torogs,” Ian said. “We need to talk to Supream Commander Torril Anantha.”
“You have his coordinates?”
“We know what sector he’s in, but it’s an outlying region. It’s off the PortalNet.”
“If you can provide the ship’s signature, I can port you aboard.”
“That won’t work,” Kit said. “It’s highly unlikely he’s in geosynchronous orbit of a planet.”
“That does not matter.”
Balastar shot Kit a questioning look. “You mean you can port us onto a moving battleship? Possibly in deep space?”
“That is correct.”
“Shit,” Kit said. “Get him the signature.”
Kit and Dani quietly said goodbye to their parents. Ian and Balastar coordinated with Armond and Marco to manage the journey to Vertan. They returned to Balastar’s suite and Orion performed another seeming miracle.
Kit, Balastar, Dani, and Ian were sent to Anantha’s flag ship at the far edge of the galaxy.
***
Supreme Commander Torril Anantha watched as his second battleship blew apart. It was an achingly beautiful sight. Space battles were silent ballets with a majesty all their own. Four hundred lives had just been extinguished, and he mourned the passing of every one. Fires flared and blew out. Shredded metal and debris, much of which would be the remains of bodies, radiated out from the impact zone. He closed his eyes. He remembered being on the receiving end of such damage. The silent beauty from a distance was replaced by the sounds of ripping metal and screaming voices. Everyone’s sole purpose suddenly narrowed to one objective: stay alive. He tightened his grip on the armrests, opened his eyes, and sat up straighter. Enough.
They’d been trying to quell the unrest at the edge of the galaxy for two months, and it was time to call it. The frontier would remain wild, and people would have to fight their own battles. The civilized empire shrank today, and perhaps it was for the best. The territories at the edge of the galaxy were fighting for a freedom they couldn’t afford, but they didn’t know it yet. They would need to trade with the empire if they wanted to survive and thrive. He would let them come to the GTO.
Torril gave the order to retreat. No more lives would be lost for this battle. He would negotiate a ceasefire later, but for now it was time to go home. Other battles needed attention. Other planets that wanted their help.
An hour later they approached the interstellar jump-point. It was a surreal moment when four young people appeared on his bridge. He recognized the men immediately.
***
Kit let out a low whistle as she took in the bridge of the Commander’s flagship battle cruiser. It was stunning. It shone with sparkling cleanliness and with military precision. No less than a dozen officers locked their weapons on the four of them. They’d ported through with hands in the air and unarmed.
“Hold your fire.” Supreme Commander Torril Anantha had a deep voice and approached with look of astonished amusement. “Identify.” The question was directed at Ian.
“Ian Cavacent, son of Lord Rucon Cavacent.”
“Where did we last meet?”
Ian smiled. “In the office of Chancellor Mortog on the planet Mitah.”
Torril approached and clapped Ian on the shoulder. “How in the name of the Mother Goddess did you manage to port onto a moving ship in deep space?”
“With the help of a new friend. Their technology surpasses our own by a significant degree.”
“That much is clear. Why are you here?”
“We need to save a planet,” Ian said.
“My planet.” Kit stepped forward and extended her hand.
“The one Rucon told me about?”
“Yes,” Ian said. “The Portal Masters are being detained, but Loc has already issued an order to wipe out the population of Vertan.”
Kit nodded. “Our friend has created a jump-point to Vertan. I can send you the coordinates. We just need you and your ships. We have to stop the Torogs.”
Torril ran a hand through his hair. “It will be good to go where we’re wanted for a change. Very well. Helm, change course. We have a planet to save.”
***
It was a heart-stopping sight as they approached Vertan a few minutes later. Kit hadn’t been anywhere near home in her or any other ship.
Not ever. It was a sight she wasn’t sure she’d ever see in her lifetime. She always came and went via portals. But no more. Her stomach flip-flopped as they approached Vertan air space. She took Balastar’s hand and held tight.
Three Torog battle ships ringed the planet. Torril worked with his crew to make sure they’d identified all of them. He turned to Kit. “They’ve kept you hostage here for thirty years?”
“Nearly,” Kit said.
“And you have the ability to create portals?”
“With the spatial distorters, yes. No gateways for ships, just standard portals.”
“The guild, or what’s left of it, will pay for this travesty.”
“Good,” Kit said. “They’re on their way here. We’ll hand them off to you when they arrive.”
Torill sent a request to communicate to the Torog fleet.
“What do you want?” The translated computerized voice asked.
“I am Supreme Commander Anantha. On the authority of the Galactic Trade Organization, I order you to remove your ships from this planet. Your time here is done. The guild is no more, and these people are to be left alone. Do you understand?”
There was a long pause. Nearly fifteen minutes passed before they received a response. “We must confirm with the guild. You will wait.”
“We will wait.” Torril said, disconnecting. “And if you answer in the wrong way, we will blow your fleet to pieces.” He turned to Kit and the others. “We have eight more battleships on approach. The Torogs don’t stand a chance against us, but there will be no further bloodshed today if we can avoid it.”
Kit was fine with that. The Torogs had simply been pawns in the Portal Masters game. A game that was finally over.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Three weeks later they were wrapping things up on Vertan. Marco had piloted Balastar’s ship and returned Kit’s parents along with the other captives. As an added bonus they also brought the 3-D printers the Portal Masters had taken. The machines had been working nonstop since then to rebuild the destroyed neighborhood.
Torill Anantha had taken custody of the Portal Masters and their guards. Kit wouldn’t want his job in a million years, but she was glad he was the man in charge. Until they formed a new multi-planetary system of representation, she felt the galaxy was in good hands.
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