by M. D. Cooper
“Not much else I can do. Give her time, she’s been through a lot. Tomorrow, take her to see Paul. It’ll help her process.”
“He was beaten up by a guard,” Kylie admitted. “I wanted to save her from seeing that.”
“Damn. Still, we can’t protect her from everything.”
“Truer than you realize.” She paused. “Don’t you want to see Paul?”
“Sometimes,” David admitted. “Other times…I’m not strong like Ma. Or you. I’d rather wait to see him at the trial.”
“You don’t want to hear anything he might have to say to you?”
David shook his head. “Hell, no. I’m having a hard enough time as it is. Tell you what. Tonight, why don’t you and your shipmates come to dinner? You can spend time with your nephew, try out my wife’s famous meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Thick gravy, the way…the way you like, Ky.”
Just the way ma used to make it for the three of them.
Stars, Kylie thought, this sucks so bad.
“Hey,” David said softly, putting his arm around her shoulders. “Your family loves you.”
Kylie huffed. “Except for the ones I’ve killed or locked up, right?”
David didn’t say anything right away, but he didn’t pull away either. It was nice not to feel like a reject. It was nice to be accepted.
“I’ll bring the wine tonight,” Kylie said while running a hand through her hair, hoping things would go more smoothly at David’s house. “Tell Hannah thank you. Tell Mom I’ll pick her up tomorrow.”
Kylie excused herself and walked out the front door. She allowed it to shut behind her and then took a deep breath.
A few paces away, nestled in the lee of a rosebush, was a golden box.
Interesting, Kylie thought, wondering how the protective surveillance had missed it. As she approached, she could see that her name was clearly spelled out on the label.
Inside, blue and purple tissue paper.
Kylie moved it out of the way to reveal a blue and purple scarf. Her memory flashed to when she last saw it: Nadine, her lover, who later turned out to be nothing more than a spy, trying it on. They had been on Montral, awaiting a visit with Maverick.
Kylie sniffed the scarf without meaning to. It smelled like Nadine’s perfume. It smelled just like her.
She checked the box for any other clues and found a piece of gold paper folded up. On it, a quick note.
‘Miss me?’
* * * * *
It turned out that dinner with David and his family was more fun than she’d expected. It was nice to relax around the table with family members who didn’t hate her or want to kill her. Rogers and Ricket had come too, which meant that not all the conversation centered around the Rhoadses and their problems.
Not long after the meal, her nephew grew tired from the excitement, and Kylie watched Hannah carry him off to bed, putting him down early.
“He’s beautiful and getting so big. I can’t believe it,” Kylie said.
“We’ll have to keep in touch,” David said and offered her a refill of coffee.
She thanked him and glanced at Rogers’ empty seat, wondering what was keeping him. She peered down the hall. “Do you think he got lost on the way to the can?”
Ricket shook her head and laughed. “He’s probably contacting someone about a delivery for the Queen. He’s ordered a few upgrades with the stipend that was waiting for us when we got back to Silstrand. You know he’s all work.”
Kylie smirked. “When he’s not eating, drinking, or joking, you mean? I’ll go check on him.” She tossed her napkin down onto the table and then walked down the hall toward the bathroom.
She knocked lightly. “Rogers? You’re going to miss your third serving of dessert.”
He opened the door looking pale and pasty, his blue eyes glassy.
Kylie was taken back. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Sure, I’m fine. Just dinner didn’t agree with me. I’m up for more cake, though!”
She scowled and put her wrist to his forehead. “Hmm. You feel normal.”
“Cap, I appreciate it, but you’re not my mother. I’m fine.”
“I might not be, but I am your captain—and your friend. If something’s wrong….”
Rogers snorted. “I’m fine. See you back at the table. OK?”
He snuck past her, but Kylie wasn’t convinced. Had she been so busy with her own drama that she had missed something major going on with one of her oldest friends?
* * * * *
As they were leaving her brother’s house, Grayson contacted her, and she agreed to meet him for coffee and dessert. She didn’t have much room for it, but she could fake it a bit.
Rogers and Ricket had already called for a skycar back to the spaceport, so they had it drop Kylie off near her destination. It was raining as she rushed down the sidewalk toward Café Roasters.
Inside, the cozy café was hopping with customers, and the sweet aroma of coffee and freshly baked muffins greeted her like an old friend. She saw Grayson, dressed once again in civvies, sitting at a table in the back. He stood when he saw her, and smiled in greeting.
Kylie hurried to the table and took off the short black jacket she was wearing, shaking it out and hanging it on a hook next to the booth.
“You’re actually on time,” Grayson said and kissed her cheek.
“Well, no one tried to kill me on the way.” Kylie sat down and noticed he had already ordered her a coffee and cinnamon bun—her favorite. “Oh, yummy.” I’m not terribly hungry, but it is a cinnamon bun, so….
Grayson chuckled as he watched her pick up her coffee cup. “It’s a triple espresso. Closest thing I could get to that sludge you like to drink.”
She sipped it and grimaced. “Strong. It’s good. Wow, that’ll put hairs on your AI.”
“How was dinner with your family?”
“Good!” Kylie said. “I mean, a little muted, but it was nice to see everyone. I’m glad Marge forced me to go.”
Marge grinned.
Kylie ignored her, keeping her focus on Grayson. “How was your day?”
He raised his eyebrows in a combination of relief and frustration. “Long, but productive.”
“You know,” she began as she picked at her cinnamon bun, “I owe you an apology. Last night, I was in a bad mood after everything, but I shouldn’t have blown you off like that. I should’ve gone back to the hotel. I’m sorry I took everything out on you. I don’t want to do that anymore.”
Grayson smiled. “I shouldn’t have kept things from you either. I should’ve known better. Maybe we just need to find our footing in all this.”
Kylie thought that was probably true. “Long as we both keep trying, I think that’s the important part.”
“I agree.”
She sipped her coffee, ready to move on from the subject. “You have yet to tell me about Lana. How is she? I heard she’s been with you on the Polis Fury.”
“Indeed, yes. She was a huge help in Gedri when I went after Maverick.”
Maverick. It made Kylie think of Nadine, which led to her thinking about the scarf. “Defending my honor?”
/> Grayson’s face twitched. “It was a mission, same as any other: take back Gedri. But yes, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a personal ax to grind. What he did to you, how he treated you…. I needed to be the one to go after him. Set things right.”
She’d suspected as much.
“I saw the look on your face whenever it came up when we were onboard the Dauntless. You would’ve smashed a wall, if it wouldn’t have been so unsightly.”
Grayson blushed, but didn’t argue.
“I like having you defend my honor from time to time, in case you’re taking notes. So, tell me what happened. I want to know everything.”
He picked up his mug of coffee and grinned. “You sure you have that long?”
“To listen to you talk? I have all night,” Kylie flashed him a sexy smile and enjoyed the small grin that spread across his face.
she admitted to Marge.
After she listened to Grayson’s tales of the battle with Maverick and the Gedri syndicates, followed by Winter’s rather impressive work, keeping Chimin in one piece, Kylie told him about the scarf.
He listened intently and then shook his head. “If Nadine wanted you dead, she’d just kill you.”
A burst of laughter escaped Kylie. “Well thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“She’s a trained assassin, Kylie. I think this is something else.”
“Maybe she wants to toy with me first. Maybe she wants to get in my head. If so, it’s working.”
“We’ll find out soon, then, won’t we?”
She nodded. “Tomorrow’s the big night. Then hopefully—before too long—the handoff, where I find out who the mastermind is behind all this. If you’re ready on your end.”
“Absolutely. I’ve rerouted the forces as you requested. Some will get into play, but Alice and I will be controlling the battlefield for the cameras. Everyone will think you’re dead or missing.”
Good, though part of her felt a little sick to her stomach about it. “Will doing any of this get you in trouble?”
Grayson shrugged. “Perhaps, but I’ll apologize after—I guess Tanis Richards vouched for me, and that’s bought me some leeway. We’ll uncover the plot, and my superiors will be relieved, if anything. Any concerns about your family?”
“I’ve handled David. He’s going to do damage control. He wanted to be part of it, but I told him it’s too dangerous.”
“With luck, we’ll pull this off without a hitch. Do you want to tell me about Paul and Chassea?”
Kylie let out a long breath, memories flashing in her mind. “Too painful for café talk. How about we go to your place instead?”
“My place?” Grayson’s face widened with surprise. “You’re sure?”
“Gray,” Kylie said playfully, tugging on his hand, “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
VISITING DAY
STELLAR DATE: 02.20.8948 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Federal Safe House, Silstrand City, Silstrand
REGION: Silstrand System, Silstrand Alliance
Katie wore her best dress to visit with her son. Kylie was the one who came to pick her up, but Katie could barely look at her. To do so was so painful. Her daughter’s chin and eyes reminded her so much of Peter.
Peter. The man she’d loved. The man who’d betrayed them all.
Kylie’s mannerisms, even how she tilted her head when talking, reminded her of him—and of Paul. The good son, the obedient child. The one Katie had helped lead to ruin.
She’d lose him too. She’d love him forever, but soon, Paul would be taken from her. It was the only way.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Kylie said as they arrived at the military installation where Paul had been transferred for questioning. “I’m sorry I’ve hurt you so badly that you won’t even look at me.”
Kylie had always worn the weight of the world on her shoulders, and now was no different. She looked casual in her soft white sweater, tan pants, and fashionable, yet low-heeled shoes, but her eyes held such a sadness, Katie wanted to help her, too.
“I failed you too, Ky. I let you leave us when I should’ve stood in your way, but you’ll survive. I saved you by letting you go. Now I just want to go spend time with my boy, before it all falls apart for good.”
Her words didn’t seem to bring any comfort to Kylie, and Katie didn’t know how to help her. She couldn’t help anyone anymore.
Maybe she could help Paul. One last time.
Inside the building, they were scanned for anything that could pose a threat—which Kylie failed, but they allowed her through anyway. Before Katie knew it, both she and her daughter stood outside a visiting room.
As if she’d not had enough of waiting already.
“I’m nervous. What if I say the wrong thing?” she asked, wringing her hands together.
Kylie placed her hand on top of both her mother’s and gave her a loving squeeze. “Just be Mom. That’s all any of us are looking for.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Katie tenderly rubbed Kylie’s cheek. “I’m sorry for how I acted. I love you.”
Kylie smiled and they embraced and it felt so good. Katie felt like part of her soul was trying to stitch itself back together…unsuccessfully.
* * * * *
I love you and I’m sorry, Katie thought to herself. So sorry.
Kylie stayed outside while Katie was escorted in to see Paul.
She immediately noticed his black eye, the bruise on his cheek. Her heart leapt into her throat. “Oh, Paul!” She rushed to the table where her son sat.
Paul smiled at her through his bruises. “Hello, Ma. You’ll have to excuse my condition—”
Katie reached over to squeeze his hand, but the guard stepped forward and stopped her. “No touching.”
“He’s my son. He’s been hurt. When you’re a parent—”
“Mother,” Paul said softly, “it’s OK. I’m OK.”
Katie sat down across from him and watched with narrowed eyes as the guard returned to his position next to the door.
“It’s all right. Let the guard do his job.”
“Have they offered you an autodoc?” she asked. “Or are they just forcing you to suffer?”
Paul shook his head. “I don’t need their technology. My body can heal on its own.”
He was right. When wasn’t he? Katie sighed and turned around.
“I’m sorry, Paul. About Janice. Chassea. I…if I could turn back the clock, I would’ve done so much differently.”
“Father was a hard man to say no to. I only wanted to do him proud.”
“You did. So proud.” Katie licked her lips and glanced at the guard. “The family is all here—well, some are still coming—but we’ll be at your trial, don’t worry.”
Paul nodded, a small smile on his face. “I’m glad. I’m going to need your support.”
“Of course.” Katie nodded as she took a deep breath. “I want nothing more than to help you.”
“Do me proud, Mom. Do us all proud.”
THE PLOT
STELLAR DATE: 1.27.8948 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Governor’s Offices, Chimin-1
REGION: Chimin Asteroid Group, Hanoi System, Silstrand Alliance
“This is unacceptable,” Grace said as she stood nose to nose with Captain Quaker. “This isn’t a Silstrand installation. We appreciate your help and support, but we’re not military. You can’t put your soldiers in play here. The Orion general told you to stand down.”
Quaker’s eyebrows knitted together. “I know it’s a recent change, but don’t forget, the Hanoi System is a part of Silstrand now. We don’t work for Orion, and we’ll do what is necessary to protect our people. More than just Chimin is at risk from this virus.”
“I saw the suffering, before I lost my eyes. But this virus is dead. It can’t be replicated.�
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“No, but it can be reverse engineered.”
“With time,” Grace argued.
“We’re not playing that game again. It always leads to ruin. I’m sorry, Governor, but for the time being, you’re relieved of your position as governor of this installation. From this point forward, I’m in charge.”
Grace held her breath, her chest puffed up, and she gritted her teeth. “The people of Chimin won’t go along with this. You don’t understand our culture. We’re alone, isolated; if they feel the military is marching in and taking over, there will be unrest.”
“I’ll apologize when the danger is passed.” Quaker signaled and two noncoms stepped forward. “See Miss Grace to her quarters and leave her with protection.”
“You’re locking me up?” Grace laughed nervously. “Captain Quaker—”
“Miss Grace. You were knowingly turning over a deadly virus with incredible destructive power to a known enemy of the state. What you’ve done is treason. Both against Silstrand and your own people.”
Her mouth fell open, and she made a sound of disbelief before finally saying, “Captain, really—”
“This conversation is over.”
“Whatever you do, don’t let them destroy Chimin. Protect these people. Unless maybe you don’t even care.” She threw him an evil glower as she was escorted from the governor’s office, but it wasn’t over.
Far from it.
Grace wasn’t going down without a fight.
* * * * *
Once the governor had been escorted away, Captain Quaker called for Captain Lanora and Commander Mary to join him. Lanora captained the Tiberius and had been onstation when the Orion ships arrived, while Karth, captain of the Tumult, had returned to his ship in a small skiff that Quaker hoped the enemy wouldn’t notice.
As it was, only forty-one of Mary’s troops were on Chimin. Most had been taking shore leave, but she’d organized them into a platoon consisting of five squads. Even with the aid of the local police, they’d be spread thin, trying to protect the asteroid, but they had little choice in the matter.