by Cheree Alsop
“If Donovan finds me here, it’s not going to be pleasant for anyone. I ran into him on Tanus. He’s not going to see my side of things no matter what happens,” Gage told them. “I’d like to stay and pretend that there isn’t a rift, that my brother wouldn’t kill me on sight, but that’s not true, and I can’t deny my own feelings as well. He has a lot to pay for.”
“We’ve tried to explain to him that it wasn’t your fault,” Mattie said.
Gage could read the heartache in her eyes at her family’s divide. He hated that he was in part responsible for it. “He’s beyond reason, and I won’t give him the time of day after what he did.” Gage hoped his sister could understand. “We’re no longer brothers.”
She shook her head. “You’ll always be brothers. We can fix this.”
Gage covered her hand with his own. “You can heal bodies and soothe minds, but they have to be willing. You told me yourself that when a body is ready to go, no amount of fighting will save the life. There’s no repairing what happened between Don and me. I need you to accept that because telling yourself otherwise will only leave you hurt, and I can’t stand for that.”
She nodded with tears in her eyes. “I’ll try.”
He gave her a small smile. “You always were the strongest of us, little sis.” He straightened. “I’d better get back to the Kratos. We ran into some rock rodents and had a fall out with Ketulans. Did you know they’re no longer using batteries to power their core?”
Both his mother and father looked interested in that. Gage knew their history with the machines.
“What are they using?” Devren asked.
“Microreactors you have to overwhelm with electricity. It makes for some interesting situations,” Gage told them.
“We’ll let the CUOC know. Perhaps they can work on some countermeasures,” his father replied. “An electric ring or maybe—”
An Artidus came into the dining room carrying a cake with sparkling candles on top.
“Happy birthday, Mattie dear!” the housekeeper said.
A chorus of happy birthdays went around the room. Their mother and father brought out presents they had hidden beneath the table. Gage felt like a complete jerk. He had forgotten to bring anything.
“Thank you!” Mattie said, her face shining. “Really, it’s enough just to have Gage here.” She gave him a bright smile. “You upheld your promise!”
“Well, I, Mattie, you see—”
Sienna stepped through the backdoor. “Happy birthday, Mattie!” she proclaimed. “Gage and I brought you a little something.” She drew her arm from behind her back and held out the little moon kitten.
Mattie let out a squeal of delight and ran to the tiny animal. Gage’s parents exchanged smiles as she cuddled it in her arms.
“I’ve always wanted a moon kitten!” she exclaimed. “What’s his name?”
“Gage named him Jakko,” Sienna told her. She shot a wink at Gage as if she knew he was about to admit to coming to the party empty-handed.
“Moon. That’s perfect,” Mattie replied. She snuggled the kitten to her cheek. The white kitten rubbed against her chin and purred. The blue moon on its forehead glowed. “He’s so adorable!” Mattie exclaimed. “He’s the perfect gift ever. Thank you Gage, thank you Sienna!”
Gage opened his mouth to admit that he hadn’t brought anything, but Sienna handed him a piece of cake.
“You told me you didn’t want a kitten on the Kratos and my life is in a bit of disorder right now. I figure this way, we know he has a good home,” she told him with a smile.
“He will for sure,” he agreed. “And your timing is impeccable.”
“I just wanted to ask you something,” Sienna began.
The door opened, cutting her off. “She’s awake,” a Pasian woman with pink skin announced.
Gage and his mother exchanged a glance. They rushed up the stairs, beating the nurse to the door. Both stopped at the sight of Majoria watching them from the bed. Her blue eyes were bright in her healing fever. She blinked slowly.
“Gage?” she asked.
He walked quickly to her bed and took her hand. “How are you feeling?”
She tried to move and winced. “I-I’m not sure. How did I get here?”
Gage looked up to see the others at the door. He didn’t know how to tell Majoria what had happened. His mother read his lost expression and joined him at the bed.
“Majoria, the surface of Balan collapsed. Gage and his crew got there just in time to pull you out, but most of the damage had already been done,” Liora told her.
Gage could feel the waves of comfort his mother sent out. It seemed to keep Majoria calm despite the news. A blue tear trailed down the Balanelf’s cheek.
“My parents?”
Gage shook his head. “I’m so sorry. As far as we could tell, you were the only survivor.”
Devren spoke up from the doorway. “I sent a crew there to comb the surface just in case. We’re waiting to hear back from them.”
Majoria nodded. She closed her eyes for a moment.
“Would you like to rest?” Gage asked gently.
She shook her head. “Something bad happened on Balan. I told them they shouldn’t have trusted him. Bad things were going to happen. I had dreams.” She opened her eyes. “I tried to stop them. They wouldn’t listen to me.” She looked at Gage and fresh tears welled up. “That’s why I tried to contact you. I knew you would believe me.”
Gage’s heart clenched at her words. “I’m sorry it took me so long to respond. I could have done something.”
She shook her head. “It was already too late and I knew it. When they let Tomo start his machines, I knew he wasn’t just assessing the planet’s health as he told them; he was actually hurting it.”
Gage stared at her. “Did you say Tomo?”
She nodded with turmoil in her gaze. “He’s not to be trusted.”
“What’s wrong, Gage?” Devren asked, reading his son’s expression.
Gage looked from his father to his mother. “Mom, Dad, we need to talk.” He leaned down and touched Majoria’s hand gently. “I’m glad you’re healing. Try to rest. You’ll be feeling stronger soon.” He pushed feelings of calming and warmth toward her.
She nodded and her eyes closed.
“You’re getting better at that,” Liora noted on their way to his father’s study.
“I guess dire need can make things happen that years of practicing with Mattie growing up couldn’t,” Gage replied.
“Part of the evolution of Foundlings,” Liora replied. “Need surpasses any form of want. Sometimes our bodies know what we need before we do.”
Devren led the way into his office. Gage’s father sat behind his great Verdan wooden desk. The desk was made of a tree near the home where he had grown up. It pulsed slightly with green glowing light, a remnant of the lightning the great tree used to channel during the storms.
“Does this have to do with the individual Majoria mentioned?” his father questioned.
Gage nodded. “That, and the fact that it’s the second time I’ve heard his name in two days. It can’t be a coincidence.”
“Who did you hear it from the first time?” Liora asked.
Gage glanced at his mother. “Corporal Ganik.”
“Your old commander?” she replied.
His father looked just as shocked. “What’s a member of the Unified Military doing contacting a pirate?”
“That’s what I wondered,” Gage said. “He was one of the troop leaders who showed up at Tanus to help fight back the Macsians.” He chose not to mention that the same man had saved him when Donovan had called out for his blood. Gage ran a hand across the smooth wood of the desk. “He contacted me on our way to Balan when we were stuck fighting off the rock rodents. He asked for a private conference.”
“How did your crew feel about that?” Devren asked.
“I told them I’d fill them in on it later.”
“Have you?” his father
pressed.
Gage shook his head. “I will. I just need to get my thoughts clear. You see, the Corporal promised my crew complete amnesty from the Coalition if we would investigate this Tomo who has been destroying planets in the outer region.”
“Complete amnesty?” his father repeated. “Why is the Coalition involved in this?”
“That’s what I need to know,” Gage replied. “If it’s merely concern that Tomo will enter our systems and destroy planets here, I understand.”
“But why not just send their own troops?” Liora asked. She shook her head. “I don’t like it.”
“Me, either,” Gage replied.
“I can see why you’re holding off telling the crew,” his father said. “Amnesty is a great deal, but your priority is their safety.”
“And if this Tomo can destroy entire planets, there’s no wonder the Coalition’s concerned,” Liora said. “But are they not sending a ship because they don’t want to put their necks on the line for rumors? It seems like a lot of effort to have someone else do their investigating.”
“Do you think they’ll count the destruction of Balan as proof?” Gage asked.
Devren shook his head. “You said yourself that it looked like seismic activity. From what you’ve described, there wasn’t any evidence of a machine being involved at all. I’ll have my crew confirm that when they return.” He let out a breath. “Let me do some investigating on my end. I’m sure you’ve got things to do.”
“I overheard Donovan mention that the Coalition is building a new beta base in the Centaurus A Galaxy. I can’t really pass up the opportunity to intercept a few cargo shipments that way,” Gage began.
His mother held up a hand. “Don’t tell us. As an Ambassador for the CUOC, your father is supposed to report all pirate activity.”
His father chuckled. “He’s telling us on purpose.” He shook his head at his son. “If your goal was to be the biggest thorn in the Coalition’s side, then bravo. Sometimes they hold entire meetings based on how to capture you.”
Gage gave his rogue grin. “I’m glad I can be the source of so much progressive work.”
“I’m sure they regret you’re not on their side,” Liora said.
His dad laughed. “They’re going to wish they’re on your side instead.”
Chapter Sixteen
Gage was wrapping up the final patch on a small hole from the Ketulans near the rear thrusters when a familiar form stepped onto the repair pad.
“I heard you were on your way out,” Sienna said.
Gage nodded. “Just about.”
“I spoke to Parragosh. He’s fine with everything.”
“That’s good,” Gage replied; he strained to tighten the bolt he was working on. “He’s not going to chase you across the Macrocosm again?”
“He’s done with that,” Sienna replied. “He says he respects my wishes and will give me the space I need.”
“That’s nice.”
“So where are you off to?” she asked.
Gage glanced at her, wondering at all of the questions. “I’m still working that out. Why?”
“Care if I join you?”
Gage couldn’t hide his surprise. “I thought you missed Corian, that you had lived your adventures and you were ready to settle down?”
She sighed. “I thought so, but every time I picture the Kratos flying away, I can’t imagine myself not on it. With Cisco resigning, you need a replacement medical officer.” She lifted her eyebrows teasingly. “I could put new stitches in that shoulder of yours.”
Gage chuckled. “As much as I enjoy stitches, my mother insisted on working on it before I took off.” He rotated his shoulder to show her. “See? No pain.”
Sienna clucked her tongue. “What about next time, Gage? That medical bay is going to feel pretty empty when you’re poking a needle through your own skin.”
“I don’t like your estimation of how often I’m injured,” Gage told her. At that moment, the wrench he was using slipped and slammed against his thumb. “Ouch!”
Sienna laughed. Gage glared at his thumb a moment before the laughter caught him as well.
Manax walked down the loading ramp. “What are you two laughing about?”
“Gage thinks he’ll survive without a medic on board,” Sienna replied.
Manax burst out laughing as well.
Gage shook his head. “You guys are ridiculous.”
“You have an ability that makes others try to kill you,” Manax said. “You really can’t deny it.” He put a hand on the plate Gage was trying to hold so that the Foundling could finish his repair work.
“Thanks,” Gage replied. “But not to the ‘ability that makes other try to kill me’ comment.”
“I’ve seen it,” Sienna said. “It’s true.”
Gage shook his head. “It’s not true.”
“I want to hit you right now,” Sienna pointed out. “See?” She punched his shoulder on her way to the loading ramp. “If you need that bruise checked out, your medical officer will be in the Medical Bay.”
Manax chuckled as she disappeared up the ramp. “I like her. She puts you in your place.”
“That’s why I don’t like her,” Gage replied.
They were quiet for a few minutes as Gage completed the patch and sealed the sides against temperature damage. Rin nodded at Gage on his way past with several boxes. Indy followed close behind.
“Good to see you up,” Gage told the Chief Engineering Officer.
“I was told you tackled a Ketulan for me,” Rin replied. “I wish I could remember it.”
“The more you can forget Ketulans, the better,” Gage recommended. “Take it easy. Get one of the others to do the heavy lifting for a few weeks.”
“That’s why I brought Indy,” Rin said.
Gage could barely see the supplies manager behind the load of boxes he carried. He watched the pair walk up the ramp and heard the ensuing crash at the top.
“Don’t tell Hedge I smashed the tarlon eggs. He’ll make me eat gruel for a week!” they heard Indy say.
Manax glanced at Gage with a grin on his face. “They’re a good crew.”
Gage nodded. “They’re an excellent crew.”
“Why do you make it sound like they’re all dead or something?” Klellen asked, joining them. “Stop giving them compliments. It’ll go to their heads and then they won’t work so hard.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Gage replied.
“So where are we off to, Captain?” Manax asked.
Klellen nodded. “Yeah, Cap’n. Should we pack for the freezing temperatures of Hien, or could we persuade you to set your course for the beaches of Androsian? I hear the Andromeda Galaxy’s nice this time of year.”
Gage thought of Corporal Ganik’s offer, but worry lingered in the back of his mind. Something didn’t feel right about the entire thing.
He forced a smile. “I know we need to visit the Phoenix, but how about a detour to Centaurus A on the way there? I hear the Coalition’s working on a new beta base.”
Both of the men nodded.
“Intercept supplies?” Klellen said.
“Wreck havoc for the Coalition?” Manax seconded.
“Count me in,” Klellen said, his scales pink with humor.
“Me, too,” the Amphibite answered. “Causing any kind of chaos with the Coalition is why I signed up for this gig.”
Gage followed them inside the ship.
“Just checking off secondary procedures,” Hyra announced when he stopped by the bridge. “We should be ready to go at zero seven hundred, Captain.”
“Thank you, Hyra,” he told her.
He made his way to his quarters. The book he had found before he left Corian protruded from the edge of his drawer. He pulled it out and sat on the bed. The Foundling looked at the handwriting on the front cover. He would know his brother’s tight scrawl anywhere from all of the time they had spent studying at the Academy. Donovan had excelled in math and struggled i
n languages; fortunately, Gage had the opposite talents. They had spent many, many nights helping each other make it through.
Gage opened the first page. The date was marked as Twenty-Four Twelve Point Fifty-Four.
***
Mother sent this book with Gage when he arrived at the Unified Military Academy today. He said she figured that since I like writing, I should start a journal. I find the thought of it to be boring, but since Mother insisted, I will do it. Not much happens here besides training, training, and more training, but at least with Gage showing up, it should break up the monotony a bit. He’s interested in learning to sharp shoot. I figure that if he can at least hit a moondu on the horizon, he’s doing well.
Vanessa Stewards joined with Gage. I was surprised to see her today. She has definitely grown up from when we were youngsters creating havoc around Corian. I wonder if they’ll be in the same troop. It’ll probably help her to have someone know the ropes around here, so I’ll take her under my wing and make sure she doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
I don’t know how I’m supposed to end these entries, so I guess this is it.
***
Gage closed the book. He ran his finger along the edge of the pages. There was a fold in the middle that marked the last page Donovan had written. It took a few minutes for Gage to make his fingers open the book to the fold.
Donovan’s handwriting marked the date as Twenty-Four Fifteen Point Thirteen.
***
Vanessa looked so beautiful at the Officers’ Ball last night. Her green gown set off her eyes and made her lips nearly irresistible. Every man at the ball was watching her and glaring at me. It was an amazing feeling knowing that I was dancing with the most gorgeous girl in the room. I don’t know why she gives me the time of day, but every moment I’m with her, I can’t imagine being anywhere else, and every minute I’m away from her, I can’t think about anything but seeing her again.
I’m sure that’s why Gage keeps beating me in the trials. I’m a much better shot than he is, but I’m just distracted. He finds it hilarious. I overheard Corporal Ganik talking about promoting him the other day. I’m proud of Gage. He’s worked hard and caught up to me even though I’m a year ahead. If he keeps it up, he’ll be the youngest officer in the Militia. I’m not surprised. He followed in Dad’s footsteps even better than I’ve tried to. I can’t help boasting about him like the proud brother I am. I know the other officers are sick of hearing it, but if Gage is going to keep beating them at their trials, I’m going to keep rubbing it in their faces. It’s one of the only entertaining things to do around here.