by M. D. Cooper
Family. It was what you made of it.
Maybe Kylie was already home.
THE END
* * * * *
The hunt for her family and the mission to stop the Revolution Fleet is finally over.
But now comes the hard part. Her brother is facing a long trial, and there are Orion ships in the Fringe. Grayson is on his way back to Silstrand, and their paths will cross once more.
IMPULSE SHOCK
PERILOUS ALLIANCE – BOOK 6
BY CHRIS J. PIKE & M. D. COOPER
MAPS
For more detailed maps, visit www.aeon14.com/maps.
RETURNING HOME
STELLAR DATE: 02.18.8948 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Barbaric Queen, approaching Silstrand
REGION: Silstrand System, Silstrand Alliance
Kylie Rhoads never thought she’d return to the Silstrand System.
The five-day trip insystem felt like it had occurred in slow motion, a monotonous journey through the star system that was still roiling in the aftermath of the attack by the Revolution Fleet, and its salvation at the hands of Tanis Richards.
During the journey, she’d been itching to get the show on the road, but once Kora, Silstrand’s lone moon, filled the window in her captain’s quarters, it almost felt like things were happening too fast.
Marge said, her voice warm and comforting in the confines of Kylie’s mind.
Kylie was finally beginning to really understand that.
She gave her outfit one last glance in the holo and strode out of her quarters. Through some lucky trick of the environmental systems, she could smell bacon cooking in the galley. A moment later, she heard the sound of a cat’s paws skittering across the deck somewhere ahead. The smell and sound made her smile, because Marge was right—she wasn’t alone. She had her crew. She didn’t need to stew with anger or sadness anymore.
Grayson’s latest message came in from the surface of the planet they were easing toward.
They had been sending each other quick messages for the last few days, and the closer she got to Silstrand, the less delay there was. Now the messages were being delivered in almost real-time.
And it did nothing but make her even more nervous.
He must’ve been referring to Paul’s arrival. Well, Kylie thought, that’s something else to worry about.
Kylie thought it over.
Kylie couldn’t disagree. She turned down the final corridor toward the galley.
Kylie sighed.
The galley had a cozy feel and smelled of eggs and bacon—plus the all-important buttered toast and jam. Kylie leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms as she watched Ricket and Rogers devour breakfast.
“Almost go time, you two, and you’re having brunch.”
“What’s brunch?” Rogers asked as he and Ricket looked up from their place at the table.
It looked like Ricket had finished her food before Rogers… a first. Rogers’ eyes were still a strange, misty blue from piloting the Barbaric Queen—an effect that seemed to be lasting longer and longer with each trip.
“We’re ready,” Ricket said.
“Except for the jam on your nose,” Kylie said, smirking.
Ricket swiped at her nose. “How you feeling, Captain?”
“Ready,” Kylie lied. “OK, not really. But I’m ready to be ready.” She moved in and tried to snatch a piece of bacon off Rogers’ plate, but he moved it out of reach.
“Get your own bacon.”
“You’ve already cooked it all,” Kylie said and leaned over his shoulder, quickly grabbing a slice.
Rogers grunted. “You know what I’m ready for? Picking up some new supplies and getting some upgrades for my beauty.”
“You’ll have ample opportunity. The trial will take a lot of my time. Get the old girl ready for whatever we’re going to see next.”
Rogers sipped his coffee and didn’t grimace, which meant it was probably weak. Kylie couldn’t stand when he made the coffee. It wasn’t even worth drinking. But then he tossed her a grin, and she knew that whatever came, they’d pull through.
“Mayhem, adventure, I’m up for anything, Cap!”
* * * * *
The Barbaric Queen eased into an equatorial parking orbit, and then the crew—plus a special guest—boarded a shuttle for the planet’s surface. Kylie stood next to her brother Paul’s stasis pod, unable to leave its side.
The handoff would come soon, but Kylie hadn’t absolved herself of any responsibility yet. Ready to face what was coming, in her flow armor and fully geared up with her weapons, she was a woman ready for battle. Yet, she hesitated. She wasn’t completely ready to let him go.
They were family, no matter what he had done.
She sighed inwardly.
She was armed, too. Kylie was relieved to have a friend with her.
Kylie hoped that was true and that it’d never change. But she had her doubts. Ricket’s mission was effectively over…. Would the Hand agent even be a part of her crew in a few days’ time? Winter was gone, Bubbs had taken Paul’s ship and left; other than Rogers and an opinionated cat, who would Kylie command into the black?
She wondered if that was something she even wanted anymore. Rogers was right; down time is what they all needed. And the trial would last weeks once it finally got underway—which should be in a few days.
“If you’re going to wake him,” Ricket said softly, “now would be the time. Or, we could hand him off like this. Might be safer.”
“Then I might never get to talk to him. Transition might be easier for him here.”
Ricket placed a hand on Kylie’s shoulder. “I’ll be up front with Rogers until you’re ready to go.”
Kylie nodded and, a few moments later, deactivated the stasis pod.
Marge said.
Kylie did too.
Within the pod, she could see Paul’s eyelids twitch, and he took a deep breath as the stasis chamber ran a quick health check. As his eyes opened, the lid slid open with a hissing noise.
He stared at her, and Kylie stared at him.
“Morning, brother.”
“Kylie.”
Despite everything, Paul sounded happy. She wondered if maybe he didn’t remember everything that had transpired, as he struggled to sit up. She offered him a hand, and he used it.
Paul took a look around, and then his eyes darkened and his face fell into a frown.
If he hadn’t remembered before, he remembered now.
“We’re no longer on your ship.”
“It’s time,” Kylie said with as little emotion as possible, but she heard the dread and remorse.
Paul had this coming, his actions had led him here.
She wished things were different.
“Silstrand?”
“You know it. A platoon of their best will meet us in a few minutes and see to it that you arrive at Delphin Reach safe and sound for a full…debrief. I’ll be with you until you head off to the prison on Clipper Island.”
“When?”
“Just about now. You were in stasis for the fifty-six-day trip.”
Paul took a breath. “Guess it solved the problem of dealing with me.”
“Pretty much.”
“You could’ve handed me over in this pod.” Paul’s eyes narrowed. “Why’d you wake me up and not let the SSF handle it?”
“Thought it might be good to say goodbye. There’s nowhere you can run, so you’re not an escape risk. Handing you over without…without you even knowing it seemed colder than I needed to be.”
Paul’s lip curled into a snarl. “Maybe you just wanted to gloat.”
She didn’t. Kylie considered a number of responses, but held them back, her jaw clenching from the effort.
“You’ve done quite enough, sister,” Paul continued, heaving an exaggerated sigh.
She’d expected this.
“I only did as much as I had to. If you’re alluding to Chassea….”
“You killed my daughter.” Paul’s eyes accused her as strongly as his tone.
“She left me little choice. I protected myself and my crew. If you had warned me when you first saw her, things might be different.” Kylie’s jaw set tight.
“Can you blame me for what awaits me here? You really think Silstrand is going to give me a fair trial, after what I did as part of the Revolution Fleet?” Paul’s eyes searched her face, and then he snorted with a shake of his head. “Naïve as ever. Maybe if we hadn’t spoiled you so much, you’d know how the real world works.”
Like she hadn’t had her share of misfortune? Kylie’s temper rolled to a boil.
“A fair trial will see you in prison for centuries. Get up. And if you try anything…”
“Don’t worry,” Paul said as he rose. “I’ve come to realize that you’re as bloodthirsty as Father was. Though he was more efficient than the both of us.”
Kylie knew that she was nothing like either of them and bit her tongue as Marge flashed a warning.
Sounded like a great option, but Kylie didn’t take it. Instead, she watched in silence as he climbed out of the stasis tube.
“Hold out your arms.”
Paul complied, and she slipped a set of binders around his wrists.
“No fast movements, the cuffs will respond unpleasantly.”
Kylie felt a slight shudder as the shuttle touched down, and Ricket joined them. It was time to move. Finally.
They walked toward the door, where Mr. Fizzle Pop was perched on a jump seat, staring at them impassively.
Everyone sure was making a lot of coffee jokes lately; Kylie didn’t get it. Did her crew really think that would cheer her up?
She imagined her face was rather red at the moment…and there was probably steam coming out of her ears. She doubted she could convince anyone that she was calm and let the matter drop. Inwardly, though, she stuck her tongue out at the cat.
“You seem tense,” Paul said, throwing a cool glance back at her.
“Just on high alert, but I’m sure everything will go according to plan.”
He snorted. “I’m sure I won’t get to the garrison alive. The type of people we did business with…they aren’t going to let me go just because you’ve gotten me to Silstrand.”
Kylie’s nerves ratcheted up a notch. “To think people used to call me the dramatic one.”
“Cradle’s locked on and ramp is up,” Rogers called back. “Just a minute till pressure equalizes.”
Kylie sent back a wordless acknowledgement, and glanced back at Ricket, who gave her a reassuring nod and then patted her pulse rifle. Kylie guided Paul toward the exit as the shuttle matched exterior pressure. Then the door opened, and they walked out into the secure hangar that the SSF had directed the shuttle to.
Ricket grunted with satisfaction as they walked out onto the ramp. “Let’s make this delivery and be done with it, Kylie.”
“I’m not a bucket of chicken,” Paul protested.
“TOO BAD. LIKE CHICKEN,” Mr. Fizzle Pop called out from his new perch in one of the luggage racks.
Kylie hadn’t seen him move, but she was used to the cat seeming to teleport from one place to the next.
Paul’s face paled. “I do hope he’s not coming with us.”
“He’s not,” Kylie said, noticing the cat’s tail whapping against the shelf.
For a cat, he liked field trips way too much.
Kylie nodded absently as her attention turned to the hangar that they were in. It was almost completely empty—barring several automated combat drones stationed along the walls. As they descended the ramp, a door opened in the wall directly ahead, and a contingent of SSF soldiers walked out.
At their head was Grayson.
Kylie’s heart leapt into her throat, and she had a surprisingly hard time swallowing it back down.
Sure, she’d been talking to him on approach, but to see the man with her own eyes—and on a day that was already more than a little emotional for her—caused her to almost freeze up.
A moment later, she was at the bottom of the ramp, where Grayson came to a stop before her.
“Captain Rhoads of the Barbaric Queen,” Grayson said with his hand raised in greeting, along with a rare twinkle in his eyes. “We welcome you home to Silstrand.”
She wondered at his wording. Silstrand had only been her home for a few years while she was in the SSF—and married to the man standing before her—all of which felt like it had transpired centuries earlier. It occurred to her that he might be speaking with an encoded message just for her, but she wondered why he didn’t just use the Link.
She let it slide—there just wasn’t enough bandwidth in her mind to engage with him. All she could think of was Paul. He might be a lying coward, a murderous snake, but Kylie would see through her promise to bring her brother in. Not until he was safe at the SSF garrison and undergoing questioning, would she count it fulfilled.
“Thank you, Colonel. I’m almost surprised to see you. I’m…uh…passing you the official transfer codes for the prisoner.”
Grayson’s expression grew somber as his gaze shifted from Kylie to Paul. Without a word, a pair of so
ldiers approached and drew Paul to the side, checking over the binders and then adding a hobble chain to his legs.
Shit, Kylie swore at herself as she watched the soldiers work. Why’d you call him ‘colonel’? Well, he called me ‘captain’ first…
If her word choice had disappointed Grayson, she couldn’t read it on his face as he spoke. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I promised myself when things ended with the Revolution Fleet, I’d be there. Since I couldn’t help apprehend Paul, I wanted to ensure a smooth transition.”
“I appreciate that,” Kylie said as the soldiers straightened and a sergeant directed a squad to form up around Paul before they began to march him out of the hangar.
Grayson gestured for Kylie and Ricket to follow, glancing at the Hand agent. “Glad to see that you’re still on the team.”
Kylie caught the subtext: ‘Keeping Kylie safe.’
The woman shrugged. “I’m just like you, Colonel, following orders and doing my job.”
“Right,” Kylie forced a laugh. “I’m pretty sure that you go where you want half the time.”
Ricket only winked as Grayson led them out of the hangar and down a long ramp that led underground. They walked in silence for a minute until they reached a larger tunnel, where a convoy of five armored vehicles awaited them.
Ricket whistled. “Glad Silstrand is picking up the tab on this one.”
“We want no surprises,” Grayson said with a nod. “I’ll warn you that word’s leaked out regarding the identity of our guest here today.” He jerked his head in Paul’s direction. “Media drones have been spotted in the area.”
“Great,” Kylie sighed. “The paparazzi. I hope no one expects us to honor any interview requests.”
Grayson raised his eyebrows as though it wasn’t entirely out of the question. “You know Silstrand City, it’s all a spectacle. If it’s not on the feeds…”
“It isn’t really happening,” Kylie finished and gave him a nervous smile. “I’ll ride with Paul and Ricket.”
“I’ll be in the next car up. See you again in about thirty-five minutes.”