Joseph

by Tracy St. John

  Joseph blinked several times. As guilty realization took over his expression, Almon’s gut clenched.

  “You had a relative who served under Captain Zemos?” the Nobek asked.

  “My brother, Nobek Taspil.”

  Dread filled Almon, and he moved so that he was between Kavug and Joseph. “I knew Taspil. A most valiant warrior. The best of our breed.”

  “You were a part of that crew? He fell during an attack on the destroyer.” Kavug’s burning gaze fell on Joseph, who hunched. “Your attack on his ship, Captain Walker.”

  Almon spoke for his companion. “Your brother died with the greatest of honor, Investigator. I was there and watched him save the lives of others. For a Nobek, there is no better end to his life. I can hear his final scream of triumph in my head to this day.”

  “You defend this Earther. You have made him your companion.” The accusation in Kavug’s tone exposed how he felt about Almon’s choice of lovers—as well as his unacceptance of the worthiness of Taspil’s death.

  “Those of us who were captured have put the past to rest. You will not find a warrior among the survivors who condemns Joseph. His actions, yes, but not him, because of the difficult position he was in. The situation was not so cut and dry as it would appear at first glance.”

  Kavug said nothing. He continued staring at Joseph, whose head remained bowed. Almon found no forgiveness in that steady gaze.

  “I request another investigator to assume the lead on this case,” Almon snapped.

  Kavug’s glare moved to him. “It’s not a case as of this moment, Nobek. Merely an initial inquiry. But if it does become an in-depth case, I will relay your request to my superior.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll log the request in person.” He feared Kavug had an axe to grind, one so big that he wouldn’t expend any real effort to take seriously the threat Nesof posed to Joseph.

  It was up to Almon to keep Joseph safe with little, if any, official support.

  He took Joseph home and commed Dramok Guherf to ask for the remainder of the day off. Guherf readily agreed and sent his best wishes after hearing about the latest events. Almon once again counted his blessings that though his job was ridiculous, at least his employer was a decent man.

  Once they’d settled in, Almon paced the apartment, unable to settle down. He was too keyed up to exercise or paint. He stalked about the rooms, worried about the latest turn in the circumstances with Nesof. Not to mention that officer’s attitude toward Joseph. That had been an ugly surprise.

  Of all the investigators sent in to deal with a situation, why did it have to be someone hostile to Joseph’s history? Almon wondered if Kavug had seen the name of the complainant when the call came in and volunteered to check on the matter.

  But that would mean the Dramok had hoped to make Joseph’s life hell from the outset. Kavug had reason to be upset, but he also had an oath as a law keeper to uphold.

  “He’d better do it, too,” Almon muttered to himself, reaching the greeting room and turning to make another round of the residence. Hopefully, Kavug’s partner, the silent enforcer Trib, would remind him of his duty. Better luck would be if Nesof said or did something during questioning to raise suspicions about his motives in confronting Joseph.

  Almon reached the common room. Still musing over the state of affairs, he trekked past the lounger, not noticing Joseph sat there until his lover’s apology roused him from his thoughts.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Almon halted next to the seating fixture and regarded its miserable occupant with surprise. “For what?”

  “For all this. You had to leave work for me, then you felt you needed to defend me from that investigator when I was the cause of his brother’s death—”

  “Stop. Just stop.” The last thing Almon could bear was Joseph’s voice rising in a prelude to a bout of self-hatred. The episodes during which the Earther tore himself apart for the wrongs he’d committed had grown fewer over the last two years, thank the ancestors. However, that day’s incident and Dramok Kavug’s accusations had every chance of sending Joseph into a dark pit of guilt, with no hope of deliverance.

  The worst of it was that Almon couldn’t tell his lover not to beat himself up over what he’d done as captain of the battlecruiser. Joseph’s inability to stand up against orders he’d known were wrong had led to the deaths of many of Almon’s shipmates, as well as horrors for those who’d lived through the imprisonment.

  Almon gazed at Joseph, all too aware of the complicated issues that surrounded their relationship. Those who’d survived being captured by his battlecruiser had recognized the Earther captain’s basic goodness. They’d noted the terrible quagmire that he’d fallen in because of poor decisions and traumatizing fear. The more they’d learned of Joseph, the greater their sympathy for him had grown, despite his actions. In the end, he’d earned a portion of respect from Almon and his fellow captives. During the Kalquorians’ last battle for escape, Joseph had done what was right. He’d been late as hell to reach that point, but he’d finally cast aside his crippling terrors and stepped up.

  It should have meant his death. That final fight against fanatics among his own crew, daring blaster fire to save Kalquorian lives, had shown the Earther’s innate decency. It had sealed Almon’s feelings for him.

  Of course, none of that mattered at the present moment. Nesof stalked Joseph. The officer charged with dealing with the issue was the brother of a man whose death was on Joseph’s hands. Almon was incapable of erasing the misery on his lover’s expression.

  No Nobek could cope with the tide of helplessness that rose within Almon. Not even one of his age and experience had those resources. His inability to fix any of the situation, short of finding Nesof and killing him—which would bring more problems he couldn’t remedy—ignited a storm of anger. Almon wanted to tear the room to pieces. The whole apartment. Hell, he could have laid hands on a destroyer and opened fire on the mountain itself, and it wouldn’t have been enough destruction to bleed out the fury engulfing him.

  I need to get out before any of this spills over on Joseph. Before I scream at him and destroy the relationship that means the most to me.

  But he couldn’t move. Almon feared if he stirred an inch, he’d explode. Meanwhile, Joseph huddled on the lounger, watching him with an expression of wretched despair.

  Almon’s com went off, and he almost shouted with relief for the distraction. He fumbled it off his belt and keyed it on. “Nobek Almon here.”

  “It’s Investigator Kavug. I’ve just finished speaking to Nobek Nesof. He had the day off from work and says he’s been home the entire time. He states emphatically he was not at the Ehom Mountain Complex at all today.”

  “And you believe him?” Almon yelled. A small part of him was relieved that at least he could take out his anger on someone besides Joseph.

  “He gave no reason for me to do otherwise. Since no one alleges he entered any business that we can request vid surveillance footage from, I have to accept his word.”

  “You could check with his neighbors. They may have seen him leave—”

  “His residence is in an isolated cave in the corner of the valley, located behind a high rock shelf. He can pretty much come and go without anyone the wiser.”

  “He said nothing that aroused your suspicions?” A sense of desperation fell over Almon. It added to the poison of his helplessness to lessen the danger Nesof posed to Joseph.

  “Not as far as him stalking your companion.”

  There was a new edge to Kavug’s tone, and Almon’s hackles rose. “What did he say?”

  “Nobek Nesof claims it’s Walker who has a tendency to do the chasing. That he was clingy at the psych center, to the point of being fixated. I checked in with the center, and personnel confirm that Walker kept clear of the other patients and staff as much as possible, with the exception of his doctor. Nesof was the only person he had any substantial interactions with.”

  Joseph rushed over to prot
est. “Because Nesof told me everyone hated me since I attacked that destroyer on the Holy Leader’s orders. According to him, the staff and patients would find an excuse to hurt me if I bothered them.”

  Kavug’s end was silent for a moment. When he did speak, it was as if he hadn’t heard a word Joseph had spoken. Worse still, his next question was a stunner. “Nobek Almon, did you threaten Nobek Nesof? He claims there was a confrontation when Joseph stopped to speak to him following an outpatient therapy visit.”

  The air left Almon’s body. The motherfucker was accusing him of misdeeds? Him?

  The urge to lose the thread of control that remained engulfed him. Only the awareness of how Joseph might be affected by the fallout kept his senses intact. He inhaled and spoke through clenched teeth. “I told you myself that Nesof and I had a heated discussion. I caught him attempting to lure Joseph into going with him to an event. A concert.”

  “That’s not how he described it. His story is that he offered the two of you tickets he couldn’t use, and you became belligerent with jealousy.”

  “He’s a liar. That’s not how it happened at all.”

  “There’s security footage of you lunging at him outside the center. Of him stepping back, trying to avoid a physical confrontation while Captain Walker got between you. You appeared to be the antagonist.”

  Nesof knew he was on the recorder. He played me. This is a game to him, and the asshole is winning.

  Almon didn’t attempt to mask the rage in his voice. “He’s trying to take Joseph from me. And today, when Joseph wouldn’t go with him, he hurt my companion. Nesof can twist it all he wishes, and you can go along with it because you have a grudge, but it’s that damned orderly who’s at fault. And if anything happens to Joseph because you refuse to do your job out of spite, I’m holding you responsible, Investigator.”

  Kavug’s traded an icy tone for Almon’s blazing ire. “I suggest you and your companion keep your distance from Nesof. If some misfortune happens to him, you’ll be the first person I come looking for.”

  The com went dead.

  Chapter Twelve

  That night, Joseph and Almon had a fight. With the tension heightening each passing second, they were both spoiling for a yelling match, so they indulged themselves. For Joseph, it was a damned sight healthier to have it out with the Nobek than to wallow in guilt or fear.

  It wasn’t an argument about Joseph’s past. It wasn’t a fight about Nesof—not directly, anyway. They quarreled over whether or not Almon would go to his job the following morning.

  “I’ll stay home with the door locked. I won’t answer it for anyone. I won’t leave for any reason, even if the place is on fire.”

  “That makes me feel so much easier at the thought of leaving you alone. I’m taking a vacation day, and that’s final.” Almon insisted.

  “Sure, because losing your job will make the situation perfect!”

  During the hour that they tried to shout each other down, Joseph came to realize Almon wasn’t angry with him. He wasn’t angry at Almon either. They were two frustrated men attempting to cope with a situation that was beyond their control or understanding. And they were both scared. That, he believed, was the biggest problem they faced at the moment.

  When he mentioned it, Almon agreed. The acknowledgment deflated any further dispute, and they calmed and discussed the matter rationally. After debating the issue, they came to the conclusion that they might have to live with it for some time yet. At least, until either Almon convinced the authorities to put another investigator on the case or Kavug stopped acting like a king-sized prick.

  In the end, the Nobek decided he would go to work the next morning. “Any hint that bastard is trying to get to you, com me immediately. I mean it, Joseph. If you second-guess a creaking noise, let me know. Don’t attempt to handle that lunatic on your own.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  With the issue settled, Joseph concentrated on distracting Almon from their problems. Sex turned out to be the perfect diversion. An hour later, drifting off to sleep with his Nobek’s cock still occasionally twitching in his ass, Joseph congratulated himself on pulling off the nefarious scheme. Almon was snoring seconds later, confirming the worst angst had passed them by.

  Joseph sent the Nobek off in the morning with a kiss, but there were no smiles from either man. They remained on edge about the Earther being left alone. Almon’s every gesture and word were wrathful in attitude. He stalked out the door like walking destruction and made certain the apartment was locked up tight, with Joseph safe inside.

  The Earther stood in the greeting room for several minutes after Almon’s departure. With his lover gone, he could indulge in feeling the full brunt of his own anger against Nesof.

  There was a lot of fury in Joseph toward his former orderly. He seethed with it until his whole body shook. It was his turn to contemplate trashing the apartment to vent his rage.

  It was one thing for Nesof to harass him. The slap he’d dealt Joseph the day before was little compared to his insinuations against Almon. After all the sacrifices Joseph’s lover had made for him, after the forgiveness he’d offered, the Nobek deserved far better than some asshole alleging he was the aggressive party. Joseph was so infuriated with Nesof’s lies against Almon, that he was tempted to face off with the jerk—while swinging a baseball bat.

  “Which would be no more help to us than Almon punching Nesof’s stupid mug in, as he wants to. As he deserves to,” Joseph admitted to the empty room. “Thanks to me, that jerk Kavug would just as soon lock us both up.”

  There was no use in confronting Nesof. Joseph needed to lay low since law enforcement had no intention of helping him. It would be best to keep his head down until he and Almon figured out some sort of strategy to convince Nesof that Joseph wasn’t worth his time or effort.

  With no solution in sight, Joseph went to his office and sat at his desk. He powered up his computer and gazed at the various notes, half-written articles, and impressions he’d recorded. He needed a project that would distract him.

  He’d certainly started with plenty ideas, he thought, perusing the bits and pieces. Being a stranger on an alien planet, who hadn’t felt particularly welcome, held significance given recent events. He began to dictate his newest thoughts on the subject.

  Somehow, while logging a portion about his falling out with Nesof, Joseph’s ruminations moved beyond that specific situation. He found himself recording notions regarding those in authority who abused their power. He’d seen his share of that evil after being subject to the whims of Earth’s fallen Holy Leader.

  “People look to a hero to save them. Too many sit around, waiting for that strong leader, someone of equal voice to the oppressor, to stand up for them. However, it rarely seems the upper echelon of the hierarchy spawns such a savior. Instead, it’s an individual among the common people who steps forward to make a difference. An unknown who shouts, ‘Enough!’ when their compassion won’t allow them to live another moment under the yoke of tyranny.”

  Joseph hardly noticed he was speaking any longer. The words came quickly, sweeping him away to an ocean of impressions, concepts, perceptions that flowed through him rather than from him. The hours passed unnoticed, the only breaks occurring when Almon commed to check on him. Joseph spoke on and on into his writing program, caught helpless in a storm of creative impulse.

  * * * *

  By late afternoon, Almon’s anxieties had finally begun to ease. Every time he commed Joseph, his lover answered quickly, not giving him any reason to consider racing out to his shuttle. The first instance, Almon had been a little concerned about the distant note in Joseph’s tone, but it had turned out he was finally laboring over his writing with a serious air. Each com resulted in that same contemplative voice, and Almon felt guilty about breaking into the Earther’s ongoing inspiration.

  Not bad enough to not com, however. Almon needed to know Nesof wasn’t pulling any shit while he was at work—though some clan
destine digging around had indicated the orderly was on shift at the psychiatric center.

  No matter. Almon didn’t trust that son of a bitch for a single second.

  Between coms to his lover, the Nobek did manage to get some tasks done. He busied himself by running security checks on Guherf’s upcoming trip while the man himself droned on conference coms for the better part of the day. Guherf’s aide rushed to and fro with documents as they were needed. The beeping from real-time updates to market analyses was constant. Holocharts were a wall over Guherf’s desk, hiding him and his assistant from sight. They’d been so wrapped up in negotiations for new contracts off-planet, that Almon thought a bomb could go off and neither would notice.

  They certainly failed to react when his personal com went off. The device didn’t have much opportunity to alert. Almon answered it immediately, though the frequency was not Joseph’s. “Nobek Almon.”

  “Hello, you nasty bastard.”

  Almon snickered and hurried out of the office to talk to Dors. “Hello yourself. Insert a foul characterization of your choosing.”

  “Ah, I caught you on duty.”

  “No problem. I’m out of hearing now. How’s the tour?” He paced outside the gray office door, two levels up and on the opposite side of the mountain from where Joseph’s support group had met. The area appeared almost identical to that other stretch, and he glanced at the public shuttle landing nearby, visualizing Joseph standing with the officers, the side of his face strident red from Nesof’s slap. He bit off a growl as Dors answered his question.

  “It’s damned boring out here with Bi’is on the Galactic Council’s leash and no wars left to fight. I might have to find another line of work if some asshole doesn’t try to destroy the empire in the next hour or so. Are you able to talk about what you wanted me to check into?”

  “I have a moment. What have you learned?”

  “Your orderly’s history doesn’t look like trouble, at least not on the surface, when incidents are reviewed one by one. Put together—well, it’s still not enough to show to authorities, but it begs consideration.”