He moved fast.
And Vega looked upset. Like when she’d found out, I was the spy. She broke away. Lieutenant Perfect didn’t follow. Good.
But she’d looked shaken. It was rare for her to lose it. She’d get angry, but she’d use the anger to fuel some crazy brilliant plan.
This appeared different.
I waited a few more seconds to make sure her friend didn’t follow and rolled my cart along a parallel path one level above.
The Arboretum was set up in tiers that wrapped in a huge oval surrounding the top of the Mil-station.
The girls I brought here seemed to like it. Most plants were a bit strange and exotic for my tastes.
Vega was exotic, but I liked her just fine. I forced my internal ramblings to stop.
This mission was not personal. I pushed my cart violently forward. The edge of the path crumbled away. I’d forgotten that organic material wasn’t as sturdy as plastimetal. I tumbled down, snatching until I grabbed a handful of brush that stopped my roll.
St. Sol’s tears. What the hell? I lay very still. Maybe no one had seen me. Perhaps if I didn’t move, the spotlight would shift, and I’d be able to sneak out of sight.
“Hello, Ethan. Or should I say Junior Lieutenant James?”
Her eyes were bright as she offered her hand to help me rise. I took it and shot up. Her planetborn strength was impressive, as usual.
I stood brushing off the plant debris and ventured a look at Vega. Hip popped, eyebrow up, arms crossed. Waiting.
I cast about for any possible reason I could be in this situation. Her expression darkened the longer I waited.
Swallowing, I cleared my throat. “I’ll bet you’re wondering what I’m doing here?”
“Not really,” she said. “You’re an officer. You can come here if you want. I’m more curious about the outfit and the epic fall.” She snorted and started walking down the trail. “You know what? I don’t care. I have too much on my mind.”
Idiot. I’d thought stealth was a good thing, but now I could see how stupid I’d been. She seemed genuinely wounded and sad. I jogged after her.
Dark green foliage draped low over the earthen trail. The branches looked like a looming Ax-Patrol squadron ready to snag me with their capture nets. I shook off the itching sensation. It was just the Arboretum, not a place of real danger.
The Hans-Zender Nebula filled the sky with mauves and deep purples. When I glanced back, Vega had disappeared. I searched over my shoulder.
“You’re a terrible spy, you know.” Vega’s voice drifted from the darkness, sitting on the flooring. She stared out at the dueling flashes of light.
“Yeah, I know.” I usually would argue the point and make excuses, but she’d caught me twice in ten minutes. “But I’m a damn good pilot.” I had to defend myself a little.
“Yeah...I know. Ethan...”
I followed the sound of her voice. It was the first time her tone had softened with me.
She was using my name. Good signs.
“Can you...? I know you’re officially my teacher. But can you give me some private lessons?”
It took me a minute to process what she was saying. She’d hated me for weeks, barely speaking to me. Then she’d made it known exactly how pissed she was about my punishment. Finally, I had unceremoniously dumped myself in disguise at her feet, doing some highly questionable snooping which she hadn’t even asked about... It was off.
Something was off with the request—something with her.
“Vega. What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? Wrong. Let’s start with the fact that since I got here, I’ve been hammered by every test, every instructor, you included, and half of my new squadmates. I almost drowned in a giant toilet. And worst of all, I found out that U170 is under siege.” She turned to me, her eyes even brighter now. Her jaw tensed as if she held an OE bridle in her teeth, and she was fighting for control.
“I haven’t heard from my parents,” she croaked. “Not since I boarded the Lazarus. Not once. And that means they’re either dead or the coms have been destroyed.” She swallowed. I could tell she was in the middle of an internal storm.
“I wasn’t there,” she whispered. “And the only way I can get there is to get picked for active duty on the Atlantis. Can you help me?”
I sat down next to her. This was my chance, but I hesitated. What could I say to her?
Her lovely hair had been curled and now hung in a messy array around her elfin face. Her eyes glittered like broken gems caught in the light.
And more than that, I knew how beautiful and strong she was on the inside. Always willing to sacrifice, always worried about family and friends. My heart expanded, and I spoke the only truth I could.
“I’ll do what I can, Vega. I’ll help you. I swear.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Amelie
I loved the feeling of Dax's rough hand in mine. And I loved that he followed me without question. We moved out of the infirmary and into the corridor. An image of the entire Mil-station sprawled in my mind.
With effort, I forced the image to narrow focus until I found our level. I searched for a place that we could talk in private, away from the officers, cadets, and civs. At last, I located the perfect spot.
Dax kept pace as I climbed the rung ladder up and outward.
Heat pressed in. We were close now.
I glanced back to see Dax's eyebrows pulled together. His deep thinking face. Trying to figure out where I was taking him. Good. He didn't know. It would be a surprise.
In moments, we found a metal-grated landing, and I stopped. He stood behind me. So close, I could feel the heat of his body against my back, but he didn't touch me except for the light clasp of my hand.
At the end of the catwalk lay the mechanism.
“The rotator,” he said.
I sucked in a breath at the scope of it. It was bigger than the station and connected to the larger Axis proper. It tilted and rotated and clicked into place.
The sheer size with all the gears and pistons moving in perfect time sent a thrill through me. “It's a piece of engineering art,” I said, unable to process how many hands and minds had to co-ordinate to make the station run effectively.
“Art?” Dax's voice rose a bit.
“Perfect balance, perfect timing. Look at the system...” I waved a hand at the clicking and shifting behemoth. “To allow ships in and to keep in time with the rest of the Axis, a crew has to adjust the rotation physically. It has to be precise. Or all the centuries of surviving out here would end. I don't know. It's kind of awe-inspiring. I've always wanted to see one of the rotators in action. The satellites work differently.”
My eyes fixed on the machine and its regular repetitive motion.
“Yeah, I’ve seen it. I appreciate good gear as much as the next person, but do you want to talk about anything else? Why did you come to engineering? To see the rotator?” His tone lowered, and his head dropped a bit.
I squeezed his hand and leaned down to catch his eye directly. I'd come close. So close to being hurt or worse. My body still ached from the beating Gleason had given me and the altercation with the bully boys.
I had to tell him. I had to let go of my focus on just achieving and take a risk, or else I may never get another chance.
“Dax. A lot has happened today—really over the last few months—that has made me realize that succeeding may not be the only thing I want. I was coming to see you.”
What I said heavily implied my feelings, but I wasn't sure he got it. I pulled him to face me. He raised his head, and I took his other hand.
A warm electric jolt ran from my palm to my heart, which leaped in response. My breathing became shallower. I had to be brave.
He looked down at me, gorgeous as usual, his hair mussed. His eyes narrowed warily.
“Why?”
I smiled. “You don't know?” I pulled him closer. He resisted for an instant, then stepped in until our bodies almost touched.
His breathing had changed and become more ragged. He squeezed my hands, color coming to his cheeks. “Am. You're in shock. After what those human stains did...”
“Dax. Stop. I'm not in shock. I'm angry. There's a difference. I know what I'm doing.”
I didn't, but I sure sounded like I did. I'd never kissed anyone. The thought of it hadn't been appealing when I looked at the boys I'd known on the Sat. A good number of them had attempted it too, but it had always seemed so disgusting and unsanitary.
Those were not words I thought of when I thought of Dax. He reminded me of warm spices and hot baths.
I closed my eyes and aimed for his mouth, my heart doing a quivering dance in my chest. I couldn't breathe as our lips touched. Dax was motionless for half a second. Then his hands tightened, lacing deeply in mine as he pulled me closer. His touch was tentative as his mouth moved on mine. Soft and moist. I felt like I'd just taken a tiny bite of cake, and it wasn't enough.
I leaned in, wanting to experience more as tingles rippled over my skin, and Dax’s arms wrapped around me, supporting me. I trusted him completely. I’d never felt anything like this. Ever.
Most likely due to some intense hormone infusion, but I didn’t care. I made a strange sound in the back of my throat. Dax pulled back and looked down into my eyes, smiling.
“You made your yummy sound.” His face had melted into a soft happy expression. Gone was the lowered brow and angry fire from the Infirmary.
“Maybe I find you tasty.” I looped both my freed arms around his neck, trying to draw him back down.
He pulled back but only slightly, enough to stop my forward motion but not enough to feel like a rejection.
“Am. You just came through a traumatic experience. I don’t want to take advantage of you—”
“Stop. Just stop. I initiated. Plus, it may have been horrible, but it made me realize, again, how little time we have. Anything can happen. Look at the Lazarus. I was nearly killed on my first day.” I shook my head. “If you want something, you have to take it.”
I let myself smile at him. Really smile. “That is...if you want me.”
His pupils dilated. Raising his hands, he lightly touched each side of my face with his fingertips as if I were fine china. His hands were warm. I closed my eyes and leaned into one of his palms, inhaling his scent of sweat and spice.
I felt comfortable in his loose embrace. Natural, as if I’d been holding my breath for a very long time, and I had finally exhaled. He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss on my lips.
I’d read about the chemical reactions involved in human intimacy. I knew what went where and why, but to experience the bubbling excitement in my stomach was something else entirely. My mind slowed to absorb every sensation as his palm moved from my cheek, raking through my hair. My scalp tingled as if electrified. My heart jolted as he deepened the kiss. I’d done enough SIMs to know how the basics, but again, flesh and blood proved overwhelming. My head spun. I clung to him.
He finally pulled back, and we both panted as if we’d been on a spacewalk.
I couldn’t say anything. Couldn’t think of any words as my lips throbbed from the excess blood racing through my system. My face flushed hot.
“That was...interstellar.” His eyes glazed, and his soft brown curls ruffled. He looked at me and grinned. “What? No words?”
I stammered a bit. “Sometimes, there are no words.”
My stomach gurgled loud enough to be heard over the churning of the engine.
“You didn’t even get dinner, did you?” His face fell. “If we had met there, you might not have been attacked. I would’ve protected—”
“I’m fully capable of protecting myself. Do not feel like it’s your fault.”
“Want to get something to eat now?”
Nodding, I let him pull me against him and wrap an arm over my shoulder. He had his easy, relaxed attitude sliding over him again like a perfectly fitting glove, and it made all my worry dissipate. We exited the chamber and climbed down the ladder, back to the main housing floor. A low whine had started with a yellow flash of light.
“Curfew.” My stomach twisted and jabbed me, but rules were rules. I would have loved to stay and explore more chemical reactions with Dax.
“Come on. We can still get you something.” He drew me on toward the lift.
I resisted slightly. “Dax, we’ll get demerits, and the cafeteria is closed. I have some guzzle bits back in my berth.”
“They’ll understand. You were attacked and didn’t get dinner.”
“What military did you join? I believe I should be getting back, but I did come to find you for another reason.”
“Yeeeesss, my lady?” He mock-bowed, and I almost burst out laughing.
“Remember meeting my parents?”
He nodded suddenly, earnest as we walked slowly. Cadets streamed by us back to their bunks. Some officials started yelling about something not being done correctly. But my attention rested firmly on Dax.
“My parents are having a party for me Friday to celebrate my getting into the Academy. Would you like to be my escort?”
He blinked rapidly as if a solar flare had just flashed him in the eyes. “A party? Here?”
I snorted. “No, silly. Back at the Sat. I’m sure we can get a leave pass.”
“Uh...” He scratched the back of his head and looked down at the flooring. “Sure.”
He seemed hesitant, but Dax always took a minute to think things through. One of the things I liked about him was his slow, deliberate manner. “Good. I’ll let you know when and where and all the details soon.”
“Want me to walk you back? I don’t care if I get more demerits. I have quite a collection now.”
I snickered. “You do? You’ll have to show them to me one day. No. Go. I’ll be fine. The car is empty, and I’m capable.”
“When we have our next break, I’m going to teach you more self-defense moves. Not just because of this but because of that Gleason character.”
“You and Vega, I swear. I’m not a child.” The doors almost closed. I put a hand in it to stop the car from moving. A loud bong broke the growing quiet.
“We’re going to be late. Get to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I stepped in and turned to watch the doors close.
Dax’s eyes looked sad again as he mouthed, “Tomorrow.” And the doors shut.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Dax
I walked on Nebula clouds toward my bunk.
Of all the things I expected of this day, Amelie grabbing and kissing me was not even in the stratosphere of what I thought possible.
She'd been talking strangely earlier in the day when we were waiting for the elevator, friendlier than I'd seen her in the last few weeks.
Then her parents had arrived. Sol dammit, her parents! They looked like damn royalty. They probably were damned royalty.
It didn't matter where her family was from. She was kind, interesting, smart, and so beautiful I was scared to touch her.
Those were the things I liked about Amelie. Not her status or her parents or her credits. I liked her.
But never in my wildest imaginings had I thought that I had a chance. Now she’d invited me to this party. How was I ever going to get a pass to go off the station? She’d acted like it wasn’t a big deal, and maybe for her it wouldn’t be, but for everyday grunts? Impossible.
I’d worry about that later. If I didn’t make it back before lights out, there would be more demerits in my future.
I couldn't afford that now. If I got kicked out, any chance I had to ever be with Amelie long-term would disintegrate.
Long-term.
I was already thinking about long-term plans. She just kissed me once. And I kissed her. She tasted like fresh berries and smelled like warm cinnamon.
I entered the dorm and found my cramped cot.
It didn't matter. My galaxy had changed. A celestial angel had somehow seen fit to bless me.
I was gon
na make it here. I was going to find a way to become an officer if it killed me.
I settled down on the asteroid hard mattress—the sound of the engines and the cogs that kept the satellite in oxygen and rotating lulled me. I was already exhausted from the day. The faint glow from what happened earlier with Am lingered. Reality began slipping away when my wrist vibrated.
Was I being called back to duty at this time of night?
It was an external message.
My wristlet projected a small hologram at low volume. A young girl with golden-brown hair, brown eyes, tawny skin, and a round face appeared.
“Sade, what are you doing? What's wrong?”
“We’re hungry, Dax.”
A thousand lashes ripped the inside of my chest. I tried not to think about home and my sister because there was nothing I could do when I was on the Lazarus, but I had hoped. I prayed to Sol that Freda and Harold would finally do what they were supposed to do and act like parents.
“Are you still in the last safe place?”
Sade rubbed a filthy hand against her face. Her eyebrows dropped, and lips pressed together. Another face popped into the image, small and blond, younger, with brown eyes like mine. Miren.
She looked pointedly away then back at me. “No. We’re at the house.”
Damn. That was in the middle of the Hub. Sac Corridor was the worst. Slaver central. If you didn’t end up in a corral, you’d probably end up dead. And my sisters were in the middle of it, hungry and alone.
“Are you far away still? I'm trying to be brave like you said.” Again, her eyes shifted. Then she held up the opened package. “We needed more credits to pay for the safe place and food.”
I sent every credit home to keep them alive, make sure they had food, to keep them safe. Something had gone wrong.
“Where are Harold and Freda?”
“Gone.” Sade’s bottom lip jutted out.
“How long?”
Her lips pressed together, and she shook her head. After a long pause, she bit out, “days.”
I had to get to them, but how? How?
Cadet: Star Defenders Book Two: Space Opera Adventure Page 18