During her stealth exercise the next day she kept losing focus. The lack of sleep combined with anxiety distracted her. Scenarios ran through her head. What should she say? How would he react?
“Amina!” Captain Withes yelled, and she snapped to attention. “I said to step back into the foliage. You’re standing in the open. Congratulations, you’re dead, and the enemy knows the location of your team. Unacceptable!”
“I-I’m so sorry. I’ll do better,” she stammered. Get it together!
“Take a break,” he barked at the group.
He’d been testy all day, and they hurried to obey him with confused glances darting back and forth between them.
“Amina, you stay,” he ordered with a glower. He leaned against a corner of his desk with his arms crossed.
“Yes, sir.” She moved to stand in front of him and studied his eyes, confused, looking for a clue to his mood. “I know I’ve been distracted today.”
“Who was that man in the garden yesterday?”
Well. “That’s funny. He basically asked me the same question about you.”
“I’ve got a responsibility toward you. I should know if you’re – fraternizing – with someone outside of GIPS.”
“You don’t need to know about my personal relationships.”
“Meaning you’re in a relationship with him.” He stepped away from his desk so there were only a few inches between them. “I’ll ask you again. Who is he?” His voice was low, calm, but carried an undercurrent of steel. He crossed his arms, pulling the uniform material tight across his biceps and shoulders.
“Reece,” she managed to say. “I met him at The Shuttle, and he’s been coming to visit me almost every day.”
“Do you love him?”
Her gaze tore away from his chest and clashed with his eyes. “How is that your business?”
“I can’t have you endangering yourself or the squad. He’s distracting you. I forbid you to see him.”
“What? You can’t do that! I made a mistake, but I care about my squad.” Looking into his eyes so dark, she hesitated. She reached out and placed her palm in the center of his chest. “I care about you. I would never put any of you in danger.”
He pivoted away from her. “Enough! I’ve made my decision.”
Pride and anger flared in her. “You can’t choose who I see or don’t. I already decided to stop seeing him.”
That should’ve calmed him, but he swung back to face her. “Why? Don’t think I haven’t noticed you mooning around lately. What did he do?”
She shrugged, embarrassed now. “It wasn’t a healthy relationship.”
He stalked back to her with his fists clenched at his sides. “Did he hurt you?”
Her mind reeled. What was going on? “I’m ok. Really, Captain.”
He breathed deeply, making a visible effort to control himself. “Fine. You’re dismissed.”
She didn’t know how she would handle an emotionally charged scene with Reece after the one with Captain Withes.
Gem was waiting for her outside the door. “What was that about?”
“You didn’t hear it all?”
“You’ve improved with your shielding, and you know it. If you don’t want to talk about it, just say so.”
“I’m beginning to think you’re right about men. They’re all crazy!” She would’ve told Gem about the confrontation, but it felt too intimate somehow. He was so emotional, and she couldn’t understand what had prompted such a strong reaction.
She was early to meet Reece that day, so she paced with nervous energy. He recognized her emotion immediately and slowed as he approached. He stood close to her but didn’t attempt to take her hands.
“You’re looking serious.”
“Yes. I’ve decided this isn’t going to work between us.”
He froze as if he’d turned to actual stone. His eyes became ice. “I see. I won’t embarrass us both by pleading with you.” He turned on his heel and started to stride away, stopped, turned back and smiled crookedly. “You surprised me, and every word was true.” He strode into the trees, disappearing from her view.
Tears filled her eyes, but it still felt right. She knew that for all the beauty, there was a coldness and an obsessiveness in Reece that was dangerous. She had escaped, and she was determined to remain free.
She had a session with Liz in self-defense which was most definitely not her strongest skill. Add to that all the emotion she’d burned through, and she already felt exhausted.
Liz rolled her eyes upward. “You are being too nice. I can understand the problem in Mara since she’s a medic. You have no excuse. Now, again,” she pounded her fist into her opposite palm.
Amina tried. She honestly did, but it was so foreign to her to be aggressive. “I can’t do this!” She flopped herself down on the mats.
“I’ll have to pass you on to Kindel. Gwana knows, he’s got his hands full with you and Mara.” She gestured with her head to the room next door. “Get on over there.”
Big sigh. Maybe he’d boss her about her private life, so she’d want to pummel him.
She entered the room and nearly fell over. He wasn’t wearing a ship suit. He was dressed in workout clothes which means a form-fitting shirt and loose shorts. He was svelte without an ounce of fat anywhere. She could practically see everywhere, so she knew.
“Liz sent you? Amina? Did you hear me?”
“Oh! Yes, sir. I, uh, can’t seem to, um.”
Liz stuck her head around the door and shot Amina a wink. “She’s too nice, Kindel! I can’t get her to be the aggressor. She’s got the defense moves down, but she’s not getting how to assess the danger and act before the bad guy blasts her away.”
“Got it. Thanks, Liz.”
He wrapped a towel around his neck and sauntered over to her. He gave her a knowing, cocky grin, pressed one finger under her chin and pushed her jaw closed. “I’m finishing up with Mara, so take a breather.”
“Mara’s here?” She looked away from him and yes, Mara was standing on the mats her head swiveling back and forth from Amina to Captain Withes.
What was wrong with her? He’s her big-brother-like captain. So, he’s good looking. She knew that and had dealt with it. It was just a surprise. She hadn’t expected to see him dressed like that. She would’ve reacted the same way to any man. She’d adjust.
“Amina, come here.”
She went to him on the mats and looked up into his face. He smiled his warm, wide, proud smile. Apparently, his attitude from earlier had improved.
“I want to go through the basic moves Liz taught you. Ready?”
She nodded. It was like a dance, practicing the basics.
“Focus, ok, just like when you levitate. Breathe, let everything else go. First, I grab your wrist.” She crouched, leaned forward, bent her elbow toward his forearm, and broke the hold.
“Great. Now choke hold.” He grabbed her from behind. She swung one arm across and with the other elbow she struck backward, breaking his hold and pushing him away. She danced free.
“Getting sure of yourself, I see. Ok, pin hold.” He swiftly knocked her legs out from under her and pinned her to the floor.
His face was just inches from hers. He smiled, drawing her focus to his firm lips. She wanted him to kiss her. No. Not the captain. She couldn’t want him. Swiftly, she grabbed his wrist with one hand and behind his elbow with the other, trapped his arm to her chest, used her foot to trap his foot and leg, lifted her hips, and onto her knees.
“That was perfect.”
“Great. So, are we done here?”
He frowned. “Everything ok? We were going to work on your environment assessing skills.”
“It’s been a difficult day.” To her horror, tears streaked down her face.
“What is it?” he asked, pulling her to him and holding her.
“I’m sorry. It’s nothing. I’m just overtired.”
“Go. Get some rest or take the girls out. You’ve worked
hard with another big day tomorrow.”
Just like a big brother. She turned away, desperate to distance herself from his warmth. She needed sleep. Then she’d be fine again.
The next day the squad gathered as they always did at the gymnasium for their session, but there was a notice posted to meet at the hangar.
“Wonder what’s going on?” Katlin said.
“It’s a mystery,” said Gem.
“It has to be the ship,” Sari said.
Captain Withes was waiting for them right inside. “Today you begin training with simulations, so you’ll be learning how to fly, navigate, operate your ship. Ladies, the Sunstar-3.”
A couple of peace officers rolled back a screen, and there sat their ship. She was sleek, polished metal with a copper nose and aerodynamic side wings. Red paint decorated her tail around the engine. Sunstar-3 glistened in black along her side.
Amina murmured, “she’s beautiful.”
“She’s my baby,” said Captain Withes.
They eagerly explored inside and gawked like schoolgirls. Straight ahead was the main seating area of the ship with comfortable lounging couches and chairs. Storage lockers ran along the walls. A hall in the back led off to the sleeping quarters and the medical facilities. The flight deck was in the front of the ship, complete with a switchboard and navigation devices. A map of the Gwana System was pulled up on a huge holo-vid screen.
Amina stuck her head in the door leading off the main living area and found her work station. The Transportation/Storage Deck was where she would camp out if the need arose. It was a huge deck with sections that could be separated and airlocked during space flight. From this deck, she could run the electric beam that would lock onto objects in space and pull them into the ship’s docking room. Her own naked Ability would suffice for most occasions, thanks to the captain’s training expertise. The life pods were on this deck as well as all the storage crates for their supplies and weapons. A smaller scout shuttle was available for them to use on-planet. It wasn’t stealth, so she didn’t think they’d be able to take that easy way on many of their missions.
Taking the time to let it sink in, she still found it difficult to believe she would be on this ship, using this equipment, with this team. They’d spent so much time training, and she’d been distracted by Reece and poetry. Now, that all seemed childish.
Chapter 6
The simulations were few for Amina compared to Sari and the others. She found the scout shuttle exciting because she had been trained to fly it. They all ran those simulations. Still, she found herself with some free hours in the day.
Sheralyn took Amina under her wing and showed her hours of films from Old Earth. She taught her more dances like the foxtrot and flamenco. Amina was not naturally gifted with rhythm, so it made for some hilarious afternoons.
Captain Withes had her working with Liz on the skills she needed to hone like self-defense and stealth. He also trained her personally in masking. It was intense for her, and she kept an emotional distance as much as possible. The more she knew about her captain, the more she admired him, but any time he seemed to soften, or his gaze seemed to linger, she would excuse herself and escape.
Chapter 7
The time had arrived for their final test. The graduation celebration was scheduled, and the invitations to the Winter Ball were sent.
Amina prepared the Sunstar for their training mission, fueling her up and filling their supply boxes. She also moved out of the dormitory at headquarters. On the ship, the captain had his own quarters, while they each shared a bunk room. Her room was simple compared to what she’d had in training, but it was on a ship, and it was going to be her home she hoped for many years. She hurried to unpack her few things. She still had to load and inventory the ship’s supplies.
On the outside of the Sunstar, she unlocked the docking bay. Fixing her focus on a large package marked ‘MEDICAL’, Amina began to load the storage room. She was nearly done when Captain Withes came to check her work.
“How’re you holding up,” he asked.
“It’s been fulfilling. After all the training I’m actually loading my ship for my mission.”
“I remember how I felt preparing for my training mission. Those were exciting days. Your squad is ready.”
She settled down on a bench in the hangar while he inspected her inventory list and compared it to the crates in the hold.
“Everything looks fine,” he said as he sat beside her. Having him close had her heart thumping nervously. He smiled gently at her. “I enjoy training, but I’ve especially enjoyed training you. I admire your strength and your heart.”
“Thank you. I mean for everything. I know you went above and beyond, especially for me. You’ve been so patient with me.”
He held his hand out to her, palm-up, and she slipped her palm overtop his. His gaze was warm as he murmured, “I will miss some elements of our training.”
No response came to her. This could be the last moment of private connection with him. She allowed herself to study his face, every curve, and the plane of his defined jawline and square chin, his firm lips.
Liz strode into the hangar, looking down at a holo-vid as she walked, and Amina jerked. Good dirt, she’d been staring at him. “I – I’ve got something. Somewhere.”
She walked out hoping she hadn’t embarrassed herself unforgivably. It was time for a plan because her feelings weren’t going away. It would be mortifying if he or any of her squadmates realized her attraction had developed into a full-blown infatuation. She’d have to be all business on the outside even if she was quivering inside. The training mission would give her lots of practice time.
Captain Withes explained the final test was going to be a real in-the-field experience.
“This will be a test of every skill. You will be given a map, an objective, a gear kit, and rations. We will all enter the field together as a squad, but the first phase will lead to your team being divided according to the variance of the initial test.”
“Sensors indicate the planet Tigris will be visible on our right, Captain,” Sari said as she flipped some switches. They were gathered in the deck of the plane, all strapped into their chairs. A hum of excitement filled the room.
“Prepare for landing,” he commanded. “It’s about to get very real. Are you ready?”
“Ready, Captain!” they chorused.
He glanced back at her and they shared a grin.
Out the window, Tigris appeared a reddish-brown globe with white stripes, clouds in the atmosphere.
“It’s gorgeous,” Mara said.
“It’s a jungle planet,” said Katlin. “So why is it that reddish color?”
“Not all jungles are green,” said Captain Withes. “Lesson number one, team, do your homework on the mission location.”
“We’re entering the atmosphere,” said Sari. “Everyone strapped in?”
“Yes,” they chorused.
Sari was good. She managed to enter the planet’s atmosphere and locate their pre-approved landing coordinates with hardly a bump of turbulence. She flipped a few switches, and she and the captain perused a vid-screen.
“All clear for landing, Sir.”
“Take us down.”
She heard the landing gear lower with a whir and clunk. Sari’s face pinched in concentration as she manually steered them closer to the planet’s surface. The ground appeared to rush up toward them, and her stomach knotted. Red treetops and rust-colored vines whipped past the windows as they dropped. Just when it seemed they’d be crushed, the Sunstar-3 slowed. The momentum yanked her against her safety straps.
“Sari, you’re doing fine. Now, easy. Feel it. Let it kiss the ground.”
Sweat beaded on Sari’s forehead and trickled down her face. “Captain,” she gasped.
“You can do this,” he said calmly, his voice gentle but firm.
The ship contacted the ground with a slight bump and rolled shortly to a stop. Sari flipped a switch and the engine
purr quieted. Relief in the air was palpable.
A great gulp of air filled Amina’s lungs. She unbuckled herself and patted Sari’s shoulder. “You did great! You’re a wonderful pilot.”
Sari released a breath. “I’d better be.”
“You aced it,” Captain Withes told her, grinning proudly. “The ship’s auto functions couldn’t have done it better.”
“Thanks, Captain.”
“Now, everybody gather your gear. I’ll switch on the ship’s stealth mode and meet you outside.”
Outside the ship, the jungle air was heavy with humidity. Aminah tied her thick, dark hair up high on her head. Perspiration already beaded on the back of her neck. She rubbed insect repellant over the exposed skin on her legs and arms.
“It’s like breathing fog,” she moaned to Gem. “I guess no one told Tigris what late-autumn is supposed to feel like.”
Gem paused in her own repellant wipe-down. “It’s going to be killer, trekking through the vegetation. Those fern-like bushes come to my waist.”
“Good thing I’ve got this baby.” Katlin unsheathed her machete.
The captain came up behind them, slipping his pack onto his back. “Be cautious. Remember your survival and stealth training and avoid leaving too much of a trail. It may take you longer, but it’s worth working your way through the vegetation not hacking it up. I want you to take your time and do this right.”
“Yes, Captain,” they chorused.
“Everyone gather close.” He crouched low to the ground and pulled out his map and another plastic-coated sheet. Using his index finger, he pointed out their route. “The objective is to enter this complex. There is a band of thieves using this location as their headquarters. Our job is to apprehend whoever is there and haul them to the Tigris authorities. It’s down the river and then up to the ridge. We’ll receive tests along the route, which will serve to divide us into teams.” He looked gravely into each of their faces. “This is a GIPS simulation-like test, but the dangers of Tigris are real, and you are limited to the rations and tools in your packs. Do not underestimate this: your lives hang in the balance.”
Sunstar: Amina's story a YA scifi romance (Peacekeepers Book 1) Page 5