by Gun Brooke
Kellen didn’t have to ask who Jin-Jin was. The love and reverence with which Mikael spoke her name indicated she was his wife. Thoughts of Rae rushed through her mind, and Kellen deliberately transformed the piercing longing for her own wife into strength, a Gan’thet technique crucial to the success of a mission. The consequences of failure were catastrophic, not only for the people of Gantharat, but also for her personally. “Very well. Lead the way.” Kellen motioned to the opening.
Mikael walked over to a shelf chiseled in the wall above his bed and put on a tattered caftan, obviously fashioned from a blanket. “Come with me, it’s just down the corridor.”
He led them away from the prying eyes of the Onotharian surveillance equipment farther up the tunnel. After they had walked for a few minutes, Kellen began to realize how big the prison actually was. Chiseled-out corridors stretched far into the asteroid, and the floor was covered with gravital plating. Kellen felt Doc touch her arm.
“We can’t tell Paladin about this yet,” he said gravely. “She needs to focus on her assignment, and if we tell her about Mikael, she’s likely to lose her edge.”
Kellen knew Doc was right, but it still pained her. “Yes, I agree. We don’t know how she’ll react and far too many lives depend on all of us staying sharp. But we’ll have to let her know as soon as the mission is completed. It’s inhumane not to.”
“I agree. It bothers me to have to lie, but I also think she deserves meeting him face to face the first time.”
They kept walking in silence and passed many other prisoners, who glanced at them suspiciously. Every now and then, people poked their heads out of the low entrances to their caves. Clearly, it was calmer in the old part, but its inhabitants didn’t take anything for granted.
“Is it just me, or is it getting darker?” Doc blinked at the fading light diodes.
“It’s getting darker.”
“This half of the asteroid, the old part, uses old technology. When a diode goes out, they don’t exactly rush in here to change it. And some of the ones that are still functional are fading. We’ve found a way to create light on our own, but we use it sparingly.”
“How?” Kellen tried to envisage how anyone could find auxiliary power in this hellhole.
“Oh, you’d be surprised. The water bottles. One of our engineers found that if you used some of the newer diodes to slowly melt the material, it later could be broken off in smaller pieces and ground into a powder. This powder, in turn, acts almost like an old-fashioned fuse when you set fire to it.”
“You can produce fire up here? How is that possible?” Doc asked, sounding just as incredulous as Kellen.
Mikael laughed, a husky, short sound. “It took us a while, but when we realized how, it was like child’s play.” He bent down and picked something off the corridor floor. “Like so.” He slapped his hands together and produced a big spark that lit up his grinning face. “See? Two asteroid rocks together. Bang, there’s your spark. The trick is to learn how to direct the spark toward the powder, then jump back when it begins to sizzle. It also takes a lot of powder to keep a steady light.”
“Can’t you merely set fire to the bottles the way they are?” Doc was obviously intrigued by the process behind the prisoners’ discovery.
“No. We tried. There’s something in the very slow melting of the bottles that changes the molecular basis of the material, according to the scientific group. It limits the potential toxic fumes as well.”
“And the guards don’t know about this?” Kellen asked.
“If they do, they don’t care. We’ve been producing powder and using it for more than fifteen lunar years. Here we are.” Mikael stopped by an entrance and waved at them to stand next to him. “Let them see your faces.” He ducked his head and leaned into the small opening. “Hello? Corgan? Bellish? I’ve brought company.”
“What company? You never see anyone, you old fool,” a deep voice said. A man with the same tattered look as Mikael showed up, a broad smile on his face. It faded when he saw Mikael wasn’t joking. “Who are they? Why did you bring newcomers here?” He spat the word “newcomers,” making it clear that he didn’t care for strangers.
“Listen to me, Corgan. This is important. Trust our long friendship and let us in, and we’ll explain everything.”
Corgan stood motionless outside his cave, studying the three of them, apparently indecisive.
“Oh, come on! Who’s the fool now?” a female voice sighed behind him. With white haired and stunning violet eyes, she tugged at Corgan’s sleeve. “We can’t stand around here attracting attention.”
“Fine. Come in, then.” Corgan stepped aside, and Kellen knew he wouldn’t risk turning his back on them for a second.
Inside, Mikael kissed Bellish on both cheeks. “It’s been too long, dear one.”
“It wouldn’t have to be as long as this if you ever got out of that cave of yours.” She cupped his cheek. “You’re too lonely, I keep telling you.”
“But not anymore. As you can tell, I’ve brought guests.”
“Guests?” Bellish eyed Kellen and Doc under raised eyebrows. “They look like any other newcomers to me. What’s so special about them?”
“This, my dearest friend,” Mikael said, his voice suddenly trembling as he circled Bellish’s shoulders with his arm, “is Kellen O’Dal, the sole remaining Protector of the Realm.”
Chapter Nineteen
When Berentar groaned and opened his eyes, Andreia leaned over him and pressed a damp cloth to his forehead, trying to alleviate the fever that seared his body. Gantharians were naturally warm, but their temperature could run extremely high, if not treated. Obviously the Onotharians weren’t going to medicate their prisoners here at Vaksses, unless they had a use for them. Aren’t they going to interrogate him, a resistance leader? Why aren’t they doing anything?
Andreia suspected they were monitored, both by surveillance equipment installed in the former military hospital and by infiltrators. This was a downside to having autonomous cells and incognito rebels; it was damn near impossible to judge initially if you were dealing with an enemy. Right now, their room was empty except for Berentar, Owena, Eosomas, and herself. Everyone else was at the supply station stocking up on food and necessities.
“Berentar,” she whispered. “Please lie still. You’re injured and running a fever.”
“Who…?” Berentar rasped, his throat sounding as if it was dry. It was a good thing he was awake; at least they could get some water into him.
“Eosomas is right here. He brought us water and nutrition bars. Let us help you drink some.” Owena, on the other side of the bed, slipped her arm under the muscular man’s shoulders and lifted him carefully. Andreia held the water bottle to his parched lips, and he drank thirstily, but when the water went down the wrong way, he began to convulse and cough spasmodically.
“Careful,” Eosomas said, though smiling broadly. “It’s great to see you awake, sir. I’ve been so worried.”
“Who are…these people? Where are we?” Berentar managed to ask before coughing again.
“These are friends,” Eosomas whispered almost inaudibly, with no lip movement. “They’re in contact somehow with our cell. There’s some good news. Paladin made it and Doc too.” Andreia saw how Berentar’s eyes darted between them, but that he hesitated to ask further.
“Jubinor is all right,” she murmured.
“Thank the gods.” Berentar sighed and slumped back onto Owena’s side. “But…I don’t understand…How the hell can you communicate with them?”
“We can’t discuss it in detail, but if you have any misgivings, we can prove our identity to you later. Merely think of something only they would know, and we’ll ask them to confirm it.”
Berentar nodded. “Fair enough.”
“Another team is deployed to Kovos, to coincide with our plan to liberate these two prisons. It’s daring, but important if we’re going to help the Supreme Constellations intervene. War’s coming and the
y need us, or they’ll be going in blind.”
“Are you telling me…that you came here voluntarily to try to rescue us?” Berentar coughed and glanced between them. “It’s a suicide mission!”
“You’d think so,” Owena said, “but we have a plan devised by an excellent tactician.”
“Who are you talking about? A miracle worker?”
“Almost,” Andreia filled in. They needed to inform Berentar of the situation before the other prisoners came back. Most of them were probably what they seemed, but she was sure at least one of them was an OESC spy. “Listen, you probably saw the transmission from the SC, regarding Prince Armeo?”
“Yes.”
“Well, our Protector of the Realm, Kellen O’Dal, has returned, and she didn’t come alone or empty-handed.” Andreia continued to tell Berentar of the last few days’ events.
When she had finished, Owena placed the pale man back on his pillow. His cheeks were blue tinted from the fever, and the white in his eyes contained streaks of blue as well. “This is amazing news,” he whispered. “I just don’t know how I can contribute when I’m this way. I can’t move because of the pain. As pathetic as that sounds, I can’t help it.” He looked at them with a disgusted expression.
“Don’t worry. We just need you to tell us which ones you and Eosomas know we can trust among the prisoners. We need all the intel you can give us to report back to Paladin.”
Eosomas regarded Andreia with new hope in his eyes. “I’ll help in every way that I can. I’ve recognized several people here, from joint missions. I can report back to Berentar, and he can confirm their call signs.”
“Good.” Andreia sat back on her heels just as some of their roommates returned. “Hello. Got your food all right?” she asked, to distract them from looking at Berentar.
“Yeah, a bloody mess out there,” a man said grumpily. “I managed to get my hands on a lot of bottles of water.”
“That may mean someone else goes without.” Owena nailed the man with her dark blue glare.
He had the decency to look ashamed and blinked down at the bottles in his arms. “What if we keep them in this room, as common property?” he asked.
“Better idea.” Owena nodded. “Why not put the entire surplus over on that shelf?” She pointed to the wall behind him.
“Sure. Why not? At least it stays in this room. We’ll all share.”
Andreia exchanged a glance with Owena as she leaned closer to whisper her suggestion. “Well, let’s use the process of elimination. We let Eosomas vouch for people he can say for sure are resistance fighters, and they in turn can give us more faces, and so on. That way we have a reasonably accurate way of knowing that there’ll be no impostors when we take action.”
Owena looked impressed. “I can’t think of a better way. Why don’t I take him for a walk around the block, in a manner of speaking?”
“Yes, do that. We need ten to twelve to begin with, and if they can point out five or ten each, and they do the same, then we’ll have a good foundation for what we need to do.”
More people entered the room, and Owena and Eosomas rose to leave. Andreia met Owena’s eyes, suddenly disturbed. Granted, Berentar is a resistance senior leader, but he’s also unable to move. I hope I can defend the two of us if it’s necessary. She wasn’t sure if any of her misgivings showed on her face, but Owena smiled faintly before waving discreetly.
*
“All set?”
Rae looked up as Paladin walked in. “Yes. My teams are ready at a moment’s notice. And you?” She sat by one of the tables in the mission room with several handheld computers spread out in front of her.
“I’ve received positive confirmation from all my captains. My ships are armed and my people are on standby. All I have to do is give the command and they’ll rendezvous with your vessel.” Paladin pulled up a chair and sat down, rolling her shoulders with a small grimace of pain. “Any more all-nighters and I’ll go into hibernation once I finally get to sleep. How are you doing?”
“Once I’m in battle mode, I don’t need much sleep. Once I’m out of it…I’m unconscious for days.” Rae leaned back in her chair. “Things will probably change. After all, we are getting older.”
“So true. I hear that age shouldn’t matter, but that’s a damn lie sometimes.”
“I agree. Although when it comes to warfare, more years usually mean more experience.” Rae half smiled briefly. “Any more news from Vaksses or Kovos?”
“Not yet. Phase 3 of the plan shouldn’t be rushed, and I hope O’Daybo and Kellen realize this. Granted, we don’t have a lot of time, but if this phase fails, then we’ll…” Paladin’s voice faded, and her expression turned solemn, with no trace of jest in her eyes and voice.
“Don’t even think about it. Both teams have several backup plans, and they’re resourceful. I don’t know O’Daybo and Doc as well as you do, but I know Kellen and Owena. Kellen’s plans are well thought out. The SC Fleet’s senior tacticians scrutinized them and changed only a few minor details.”
“She’s sharp. She always was.”
“And she hasn’t changed when it comes to that.”
“Has she changed in other ways?” Paladin asked, crossing her legs.
“Yes, I’d say so. I’m sure you realize that as a Protector of the Realm, Kellen is trained in every combat skill known to humanoids, and then some. Her main goal is to keep Prince Armeo safe and, also, to regain the throne and his rightful position.”
“Thus giving the Gantharians back their prince, their monarchy. We have a right to our own royal family, as much as he has a right to his kingdom. During the reign of the O’Saral Royales, we benefitted from living in a democracy. They were our symbol of freedom, of the rights of the people.”
Rae listened, surprised at how adamant Paladin sounded. “I read up on your history when Kellen came into my life, and it surprised me to find how progressive the O’Sarals were. They seem to have had a great social conscience.”
“They did. We had public elections, in which we voted for our chancellor every five solar years. Our natural resources made this a rich world, and we took our wealth for granted. The Onotharians rattled their weapons, but we never quite believed they’d actually attack us. We had a large community of Onotharians living here, in harmony with the rest of us for the most part, and to think some of them planned the occupation all along…” Paladin’s face hardened. “They betrayed us and sold us out to an enemy that’s been raping Gantharat—with no repercussions from any other nation.”
“Yes, I realize that.” Rae spoke in a factual manner, to show she was sincere. “But that’s about to change, Paladin. And as for Kellen, don’t get me wrong. Kellen is, under certain circumstances, as lethal and goal-oriented as they come. But she has a family now, people who care and depend on her, and that has made all the difference. She’ll walk through fire for Armeo and, she insists, for me as well. She did during our previous mission to this planet, and I know she’d do it again. So, the people of Gantharat will regain their monarchy, their Protector, but they, you, will also have to accept that their Protector is also mine.” Rae met Paladin’s eyes firmly. “I’m not sure how they’ll react.”
“The Protectors were always family people, since the title is passed on to their children and spouses. Nobody will think twice about the Protector being married. Are you two going to have children?”
Rae realized the question wasn’t as intrusive as it might appear. The Gantharians depended on the Protectors to keep their royal family safe, even if it now consisted of only a young boy, and they would want to know if Kellen would provide continuity. “We haven’t talked about it. We both lead dangerous lives, and we have Armeo to think of. I guess we’ll consider this issue when this conflict ends.”
“I didn’t mean to pry,” Paladin said, sounding as if she were chastising herself. “It’s none of my business.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Rae shrugged. “This isn’t exactly a normal situation.
We have to trust each other with all sorts of information, or we’ll fail in this mission.”
“You’re right.” Paladin smiled. “I never thought I’d say so, but this isn’t the time for secrets.” She glanced down at her laced fingers before she gazed steadily into Rae’s eyes. “My name is Roshan O’Landha. Some of the Gantharian people consider me a collaborator and almost a traitor, and that’s been my cover for decades.” Paladin/Roshan seemed to hold her breath.
“Thank you, Roshan. I appreciate your candor, but I’ll stick to your call sign for now. I look forward to being able to use your name freely, when you can clear it.”
“Thank you. I hope that day comes soon.”
“From your lips to…”
“…the ears of the Gods of Gantharat.” Paladin smiled. “My father used that expression. He said it was part of an ancient Earth saying. I always wanted to travel to Earth. He was born in an area called Scandinavian Alliance.”
“I’ve been there many times. It’s beautiful.” Rae hesitated, then placed her hand on top of Paladin’s, who glanced at their joined hands, then changed their touch into a handshake.
“I promise I won’t give up on my dream to see that part of my heritage.”
“Good, I—”
“Ma’am? A transmission’s coming through.” A young rebel stood in the doorway. “It’s the Kovos team.”
“On our way.” Paladin rose, and with Rae right behind her, she wove through the large tables and walked to the communication center. They sat down and Paladin punched in a few commands. “Paladin to Doc, come in.”
“Doc here. We’re doing all right. Can you answer a few questions to help prove our identity?”
“Yes, go ahead.” Paladin raised a curious eyebrow at Rae.
Doc fired off a set of questions, all containing elements of whereabouts, schedule, and tactical information, and Paladin rattled off the answers readily. After a brief pause, Doc came back, his voice slightly garbled. “I think we’re in the clear. We have the most senior resistance fighters onboard here, and they’ll help us rally as many as we need to continue our mission.”