by JC Cassels
Blade pulled out a long knife and in one quick motion split the seam on the right sleeve of his shirt. He stopped and stared at the small burn running across the outside of his arm.
“You’re kidding, right?” Blade asked.
He tore Chase’s shirt open and ran his hands along the unmarked skin of his brother’s abdomen. Roughly, he turned him from side to side, checking for injury.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Blade shouted. “This one little burn? That’s it? It’s just a graze!”
Bo leaned back in the seat across from Chase, laughing in relief.
“You hurt yourself worse than this the last time you tried to cook!” Blade railed.
Chase glared at him. “It hurts like hell!”
With an angry shove, Blade fell back into the seat beside Bo. “You big baby! You scared me out of my wits!”
“I’m…in…PAIN!!” Chase snarled through clenched teeth.
Rolling his eyes in disgust, Blade folded his arms across his chest and glared at his brother.
“I’m gonna be sick.” His eyes rolled back in his head as he leaned back in his seat.
“Hold it!” Blade snapped at him. “Think about something else.”
“Pardon me, Captain Adventure, but I’ve never been shot before!”
“You were barely shot this time!”
“You have one hell of a bedside manner for a medic.”
“She was hurt worse than you when she caught that squib in the face, and she didn’t whine at all,” Blade pointed to Bo.
“She was unconscious!”
“Don’t give me any ideas.”
Chase peered at Bo. “How come you’re so calm?”
Bo smiled. “I’m not the one who was shot.”
“A graze!” Blade shouted. “He was barely grazed! It doesn’t count as being shot!”
Bo leaned forward and peered out the window. The cruiser pulled into the drive leading to the medical facility’s emergency entrance.
“Here we are,” she said. “Now, Blade, you hush. I’ll feel better when he’s checked out in a real facility.”
“Thank you, Marissa,” Chase said.
The cruiser pulled to a halt in front of the emergency doors. A team rushed out, collected Chase and bundled him off to an examination room. Blade and Bo followed closely behind. Outside the exam room, Blade waved away all offers to check them for injury. Gathering Bo into his arms, he held her tightly while he watched through the door.
“You’re going home,” he said, “just as soon as it can be arranged.”
“Why would I do a fool thing like that?” she asked.
“Because all hell is about to break loose,” he said. “I don’t want you here when it does. I wish we’d brought Sundance. I hate putting you on public transport. You’re too exposed.”
“Blade?”
He shook his head. “No argument. Go make the arrangements now,” he said. “Call Edge or whoever you have to call to get safe transport out of here.” He checked his chrono. “I want you off-planet within the hour if possible. I’ll take you to the port myself. I’ll have your things shipped to Altair.”
“There is no way…”
“Woman, don’t argue with me. Just do it.”
His com-set signaled an incoming call. He set her gently away from him and reached into his pocket. “And so it begins,” he said, pulling the set out and glancing at the display before he answered it.
“Yes, sir.”
He listened for a long moment, his eyes on the medical personnel examining his brother.
“No, I’m fine,” he assured whoever was on the other end. “Chase was hit, but I’m pretty sure it was minor. They’re checking him out now… No. She didn’t so much as break a nail.”
He listened for another long moment. “I thought as much.” He shook his head. “No, I’m sending her home.” He rubbed his face with his free hand. “I’m not going anywhere until I’m sure Chase is going to be alright.” His hand rested on the nape of his neck and he leaned against the wall. “Well, you’re just going to have to wait, because I’m not leaving until I’m sure my brother isn’t in any danger. Yes, I’m perfectly aware who I’m talking to. I’ll leave as soon as I can, but not until I’m satisfied about my brother’s condition. Thank you. I may do that. Yes, sir. I’ll see you soon.”
He ended the call and slipped the com set back into his pocket, not taking his eyes off Chase.
“I’ve been ordered to Trisdos.”
“Again?” Bo asked. “Your commanding officer?”
Blade shook his head. “That was Andre Marin.” He looked at her with a sardonic smile. “This time, I don’t have much say in it. I told you things were about to blow up.”
***
Larianne slipped into the com-booth in the lobby of the medical center.
She’d been so close.
The door closed behind her and the clear walls frosted over. She keyed in the connect code, then her access code. The walls flickered, then settled into a holographic representation of an office. The middle-aged man behind the desk glared at her.
“Sir, I…”
“There’s been a change of plans, Agent Varo,” he said. “You have a new target and a new objective.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Blade glanced over at his brother. Chase snored softly beside him. Careful not to wake him, Blade adjusted the blanket covering him, then folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his seat. Without any real interest, he turned his head to the portal, watching as the planet Trisdos loomed larger.
“Agent Devon, the Palace has sent a cruiser for you,” the liaison from the House of Marin said quietly.
Blade didn’t bother to look at her. He simply nodded.
There was nothing to say, really. He already knew how the meeting with Andre was going to go. Having it was a mere formality.
Chase slept until the transport touched down at the spaceport. Blade envied him that. Slightly disoriented and blinking heavily, Chase sat up and looked around. He relaxed when he saw Blade sitting unmoving beside him.
“We’re here?” he asked, his voice thick with sleep.
Still staring out the portal, Blade nodded.
“Is it okay if I hit the lav?” Chase asked.
Again Blade nodded.
Chase awkwardly popped his g-locks and rose, moving unsteadily up the narrow aisle. In a few minutes he returned, significantly more awake.
“I like this shirt,” he commented. “This is genuine government issue, huh?”
Blade glanced over at him, taking in the white sling that held his arm immobilized against his body and the black shirt he’d been given to replace the one Blade had torn to pieces searching for wounds.
“Say, Dev, are you always this chatty when you go to Trisdos?” When he didn’t get a response, Chase dropped back into his seat and leaned closer to his brother. “Are you really going to introduce me to the Overlord?” he asked softly. “I mean, you weren’t kidding? You really know Andre Marin?” He waited a moment. “Come on, little brother. Don’t keep me in suspense.”
Blade’s only answer was a non-committal shrug.
“So what’s the protocol?” Chase asked. “Do I bow? Curtsy? What? What do I call him? Do I get to talk?”
“Hell, Chase, you don’t ever stop talking,” Blade said.
“Oh, good,” Chase nodded. “I was afraid for a minute there that you’d been replaced with a surly government cyborg. They have those, you know.”
With a resigned sigh, Blade turned to his brother. “Don’t turn your back on the Sovran,” he said. “Don’t speak unless spoken to. Keep your hand at your side unless Lord Marin offers his to shake. When introduced, a simple bow is acceptable. Answer all questions quickly and directly. I’ll try to get you out of there as quickly as possible.”
“You act like it’s some kind of ordeal,” Chase commented. “Are you afraid I’ll embarrass you?”
Blade shook his head. “No. To e
mbarrass me, I’d have to care what Andre Marin thinks of me.”
“Is it okay with you if I get a little nervous? I’ve never met a Sovran before.”
Blade’s lips quirked.
He was going to miss Chase.
“Agent Devon, sir, it’s time.”
With one last sigh, Blade rose and followed the liaison to the hatch.
Chase kept up a steady stream of chatter, flirting with the woman. To her credit, she remained polite and even seemed to be enjoying herself. Underneath it, though, her eyes were cold, as though her soul was a vast wasteland.
Blade folded his arms across his chest and closed his eyes. He may be coming back to Trisdos, but he didn’t have to like it.
He stayed in that numb, detached state all the way to the Sovran Palace. Not even his brother’s awestruck exclamations could draw him out. He’d seen it all before.
“Take a look at those gates, Dev!”
What would Chase say if he knew they belonged to Blade?
It was more of the same into the courtyard of the palace and then along the galleries. At least Chase lowered his voice in impressed awe. When the liaison withdrew, leaving them alone in the gallery outside the Sovran’s study, Chase roamed from one portrait of Marin ancestors to another. He paused beneath one and struck a haughty pose.
“This guy looks a little like me, don’t you think?”
The ghost of a smile played about Blade’s lips. He looked up at the portrait.
“You know I’ve never noticed it before, but now that you mention it…”
“Agent Devon, Mister Fossey, Lord Marin will see you now.”
Blade nodded to Crider, the shiny silver android aide who served the Overlord. With a jerk of his head, he indicated that Chase was to follow the android through the huge double doors into the Sovran’s inner sanctum. He followed the droid and Chase fell into step beside him, suddenly pale. Chase swallowed hard and kept his eyes on the android.
His jaw set, Blade steeled himself. At one end of the enormous room, the oversized desk of gleaming dark wood seemed diminutive. The large, imposing man behind it, however, was a different story. Andre Marin rose from his chair and moved around his desk to greet them. The overlord was marginally taller than Blade, and broad-shouldered. His blue eyes flicked over the two young men with great interest. His craggy face was hidden behind a beard the same mixture of gray and brown as the thinning hair on his head.
Marin looked Blade over, taking complete inventory in a glance. He offered Blade his hand. “Good to see you, boy,” he said, his stentorian baritone rumbled through the room.
His lips quirked in a smile, Blade shook the Overlord’s hand. “My Lord,” he said. “May I present my brother, Chase Fossey.”
Marin’s mouth hardened slightly, but he recovered immediately, offering Chase a welcoming smile. He gestured to Chase’s immobilized arm. “I’d shake your hand, son, but I hear you’ve had a war wound.”
Chase shifted uncomfortably and looked to Blade. “It’s nothing, sir,” he said modestly. “Just a graze.”
“He’s being modest, sir,” Blade said. “He spotted the shooter first and threw himself on top of me. I’ve no doubt that Chase saved my life.”
Lord Marin looked around. “And your Companion?” he asked. “I was hoping to meet her. What is her name? Marissa?”
As if you didn’t know.
Blade favored him with a tight smile. “Sir, it’s a miracle that a Kiara would lower herself to be with me at all. I’d be a fool to introduce her to a man more suited to her rank.”
“Is she so mercenary?” Marin asked.
“Marissa?” Chase echoed. “No, sir, she’s head over heels in love with Dev.”
Marin watched Blade’s reaction before turning to Chase once more. “Is that a fact?” he asked. “And is your brother in love with her?”
Chase swallowed hard and looked nervously between Blade and the Overlord. “Um, sir, I can’t speak for my brother.” He cleared his throat. “But I’m half in love with her myself.”
Chase turned a pleading look to Blade.
“My Lord, I’m afraid Chase is feeling the effects of his injury and the meds,” Blade said. “If it please my Lord, I’d like to take him back home now.”
Marin’s lips quirked in a smile. “Not yet, boy,” he said. “You and I have some things to discuss. Crider? Take Mister Fossey to the green salon where he can rest while the boy and I go over a few things.”
With a panicked look, Chase silently begged Blade to help. With a non-committal shrug, Blade followed Marin to a conversational grouping of brown leather chairs arranged around an imaging platform.
Marin waited until the door closed, leaving them alone. He poured two drinks from the bar and offered one to Blade. Blade took the glass, and set it aside untasted. He waited for the Sovran to lower himself into one massive chair before he took his seat.
Marin sipped his drink and studied him for a long moment.
“I’ve been informed that we do not have the would-be assassin in custody,” Marin said.
“No, sir.”
“You’re done,” Marin said. “I’ve been indulgent with you, boy. I let you play act for far too long.”
Blade bit back an angry retort. He smothered his ire and waited patiently for the Sovran to continue.
“You’ve made your last holofeature, my boy,” Marin said. “Your life is worth more than a damn holofeature. The reviews of your latest work will be horrible. It will be a career ending failure.”
“A lot of people put a lot of time, money and work into this feature…”
“Including myself,” Marin interrupted. “And we will suffer the indignity of a colossal failure. It can’t be helped, I’m afraid.”
“You can’t do this…”
“I can and I have,” Marin said. “Within the next few days, you’re going to be accused of arranging the attempts on your life in order to drum up publicity for the feature. You knew your performance was lacking and to divert attention, you decided to garner public sympathy. Stories will come out about your drunkenness on set, difficulty to work with, and there will be a few sex scandals...men, children, animals, whatever it takes to destroy your reputation.”
“You wouldn’t dare…”
“Wouldn’t I?” Marin sipped his drink. “I’m tired of playing, my boy. There is a contract out on you. Whether it’s on Blade Devon, Daavin Marin or any of your other aliases, I don’t know. I don’t particularly care. I can’t have my son’s life placed in danger like this. There is too much at stake.”
Blade glared at the Sovran. “If you ruin my reputation as a holofeature hero, you also ruin my reputation as a Sovran, and that would never do.”
“I would rather have to repair your reputation than bury you…again!”
It was the closest Marin had ever come to telling Blade that he loved him.
“I assume there is an alternative,” Blade said.
“If you leave of your own volition, your reputation will be unsullied and The Watchtower will be your farewell performance. I will leave it to stand or fall on its own merits.”
“I’m contractually obligated to do the publicity support for it,” Blade said.
“I suggest you cite health reasons for your inability to follow through with your contractual obligations,” Marin said. “This offer is as good as it’s going to get. I suggest you take it.”
“What about Bo?”
Marin shook his head. “No more field work. That includes using her as an asset.” He smiled. “If it means that much to you, I’ll have Misou send around a real Kiara you can keep. I’m sure you’ll find a fully-trained Kiara far superior to Barron.”
Blade studied him for a long moment, trying to decide whether he actually was that callous.
“One woman is very like another,” Blade said.
“Indeed.”
“It seems a shame,” Blade said. “We’ve spent all this time building a relationship.”
&n
bsp; “Her father is back in his rightful place,” Marin said. “Whatever use Scull had for her is irrelevant.”
Blade nodded. His mind raced for some way around the situation.
“Her father’s death would put her right back on the gameboard,” Blade said. “If I throw her away like you want me to and that happens, you’ve effectively destroyed any chance we may have of making an alliance with the Black Wing.”
“Why would I want the Black Wing?”
“Everyone wants the Black Wing,” Blade said. “Scull wants direct command over it so he won’t be limited by The Barron’s sense of duty and honor. If you were wise – and I know you are – you would want the Black Wing to keep Scull in his place. A change in alliances would redraw the borders of the First and Second Sectors most decidedly in favor of the House of Marin. It would be foolish to throw that away.”
Marin eyed him warily. “My boy, you have a much better grasp of interstellar politics than I realized.”
Blade nodded in acknowledgement.
“But I’m not marrying you off to her to get the Black Wing. That would be frivolous. There are better alliances to be made.”
“I’m not saying marry me off to her,” Blade said, sensing victory. “I don’t want to marry anyone right now. But you know how women get when they feel they’ve been used or played. There’s no good reason to end the affair so abruptly or so cruelly. There is a way to let it run its course and end it on friendly terms, but I need time to do that.”
Marin studied him for a long moment before he finally nodded.
“Very well,” he said. “You want time, I shall give it to you, and to ensure your compliance, I’m leaving your security detail in place until you return to Trisdos. You have one month to wrap up your affairs on Cormoran. After that, if you don’t return to Trisdos of your own volition, they have orders to return you by force.”
“It appears you’ve thought of everything.”
“I have tried to cover every possible angle,” Marin conceded with a nod of his head. “Well boy, what do you have to say for yourself?”
Blade rose. “I have nothing to say, my Lord,” he said tightly. “I have no other choice but to comply. As you’ve given me such a short time to close out my affairs, I’ll need every possible second of that time. If you’ll please excuse me, sir, I’ll collect my brother and return home so I can get started.”