by Kimber An
“If I only had a credit for every time Mom said the exact same thing…”
“Rowan!” Another hard shake, but then he remembered something about how the parent is never, ever to shake the baby. That doubled shame up with his rage until he was a volcano.
“But, Dad, you’re into free climbing too.”
“Yes, but… That’s…different. That’s me. And you are my daughter! Never do it again!”
Junior glanced out the window. She obviously didn’t know and didn’t care about the risk factor or his parental angst. “Ooo…kay…”
“Come.” Delano dragged her out by the elbow. There was no way he was letting her regain control of her own feet. “Maybe I should put you back on the ADHD meds.”
“You know, all this freaking out can’t be good for your health. Maybe you should meditate when we get back to the apartment. Mom always ate chocolate. She…”
“Silence!”
Naana and a large security team waited for them outside the door at the bottom of the Monument to the Moon. Quite a crowd gathered to gawk at the red-haired human female who had climbed their most sacred temple - and survived.
The crowd parted like the Red Sea the instant Delano’s foot hit the second step, errant daughter in hand.
Admiral Park strode through the path towards them. “Has my granddaughter suffered injury?”
All the blood rushed into Delano’s face, but there wasn’t time to smuggle his obnoxious offspring away before his honorary father could see what a failure he was at controlling her.
Admiral Park snapped to a halt.
Junior bowed and, with great reverence, said, “Ch’um popgetsumida, Haba.”
Delano’s jaw dropped and he looked at his daughter, and then at Park’s noble face.
Junior pulled her arm out of his astonished grasp and pressed palms together in traditional greeting.
“Welcome, My Granddaughter,” said Admiral Park in English. He patted her head once in the traditional way and noticed Delano’s expression. “Is something wrong, My Son?”
“Uh, uh, I…I didn’t realize she could speak Menelaen already.” And I had no idea she knew the proper form of greeting one’s grandparent!
“All space-brats are good with languages, Haba,” Junior told her adopted
grandfather.
“Space…brats?” Park’s expression mixed curiosity with amusement.
“Oh, that’s what humans call people who are born and raised on starships.”
“Ah. Excellent. Come, My Granddaughter. It is time for the evening meal.” Park motioned for her to fall into step and glanced back at Delano. “Are you coming?”
Delano finally managed to lift his jaw back into place, and he followed.
Park patted Junior’s hand. “Now, then, my dear, if you go about climbing religious buildings, people may believe you divine.”
Junior laughed, but Park did not.
Horror rushed into Delano’s lungs and he looked at her hair. Red…oh, God!
Thousands of lightyears away, Olivia stood before her window watching rocks floating by the backdrop of stars.
The Maverick entered the Jemison Asteroid Field.
Olivia stroked Fluffy curled on her shoulder against her neck.
A white coffee cup sat upon a small table. Next to it, a hologram of Edward and Junior grew up from the base of a com-scanner. They stood, smiling, upon the peak of El Capitan together, their climbing ropes looped around their shoulders.
She sighed, elbow cupped in the other hand. She didn’t really see the stars. She saw beyond them. Those two were enough trouble separately. What kind of trouble will they find together? Without me there to referee?
The door chimed and Fluffy flew to her hiding place above the recycle unit. She focused on the door, no doubt plotting revenge on the evil chime.
Olivia didn’t turn around. “Come in.”
Sachi entered from the Bridge. “Captain.”
“Did you read it?”
“Yes. I’ve found it impossible to trace the source of Captain Delano’s communiqué’ without violating the Nebo Armistice. With United Fleet Intelligence, it shouldn’t be difficult to track someone of Delano’s importance within the Empire. However, we don’t possess that clearance level.”
“Understood.” Olivia faced her. “Speak frankly. Is this a ploy to capture the Maverick?”
“Unlikely.” Sachi clasped hands behind her back. “The Maverick is a deep space starship two decades old. Menelaen battleships are far more advanced. Furthermore, none of the crew has any knowledge the Menelaens couldn’t more easily obtain elsewhere.”
“Just say it, Sachi.”
“Edward has his daughter, but he wants his wife back as well.” Sachi approached, handing her the data-scanner. “This communiqué is addressed to ‘Captain Olivia Delano.’ He referred to you that way when we rescued Junior as well. You’ve read my report. You know he said ‘if’ you chose to return to the Maverick. He intended to convince you to stay with him. In his mind, he’s still married to you.”
“After all these years…“ Olivia winced a bit, pretending to read the message again. She couldn’t keep her gaze off ’Delano,’ however. She remembered wanting to take her husband’s name, even though it was an archaic tradition. And she remembered Edward growling ‘Mrs. Delano’ whenever he landed her in bed.
“As First Officer and Chief of Security, I must inquire of your intentions.” Sachi paused. “Captain Delano has invited you to visit Denahi, a planetary system of which he will soon be viceroy. He has assured safe passage for the Maverick, but he intends for you to remain there as his queen.”
“I will not break my oath to the United Fleet, violate the Nebo Armistice, or endanger this crew, Sachi.”
“Even for Junior?”
“I will not be baited into Edward’s fantasy. Junior is an Alliance citizen. We will remain ready to retrieve her. That is all.”
“Indefinitely?”
“Until her 18th birthday. She wanted to train as a pilot at the United Fleet Academy. I know I’ve had my doubts she could pass entrance exams, but that was her last expressed desire for her own future and we will honor it.”
“Understood.”
“Dismissed.”
Satchi turned for the Bridge, but paused before internal sensors could open the door for her. “Captain…she will come home.” She looked over her shoulder. “She is her mother’s daughter.”
“By that you mean ‘stubborn as hell.’” Olivia harrumphed, just like Isaiah.
Satchi smiled a bit and proceeded to the Bridge.
Chapter 12
The morning after arriving on Menelae, Junior ran down the silver staircase with a white scarf in her hand. “Dad!”
Delano passed near the double-glass doors. “What’s wrong?”
“Dad…” Junior waved the scarf in her father’s face “…you don’t really expect me to wear this. Do you?”
“Rowan, you’re the only redhead on the planet. It’s a security risk for you to run around Kursk with your curls flying.”
“Ooooh, geeeeezzz.” Junior groaned, spun around, flung the scarf, and sent her hands to her hips. “I can’t believe this! Mom never told me what to wear.”
“Really?” Delano sent his hands to hips to. “You’ve never visited a world which required you to dress a certain way to blend in with the population or to not insult your hosts?”
Junior pressed her lips into a frown. “Well…”
Delano accepted the scarf from Naana and held it up. “Will you do it for your old man?”
“You’re not old, Dad, just neurotic.” Junior grabbed the scarf. “What are you doing today anyway?”
“I’ve delivered my security report. Now, I’m in negotiations for the transfer of power on Denahi.”
“Take me with you.” Junior didn’t bother to stop the whine.
“No.” Delano strode through the doors.
“Mom would take me with her.”
> “You’re too smart to expect me to really believe you.” Delano said as the doors closed after him.
Junior groaned and trudged back up the stairs.
Back in her dressing room, Junior avoided the mirror while Naana twisted her hair into a bun. “I can do the rest.” She took the headcovering and draped it over her head, then twisted the ends and wound the up above her forehead. She wound the twisted ends around her head and back to the nape of her neck where she tied it. “This is the traditional Israeli way. Chef Bot showed me a picture.”
Her trousers and blouse were white and airy, like cotton. Her long, vested tunic and knee-high boots were of a thick, gray fabric, embroidered with silver. She turned to see Naana and her commando-nannies similarly attired. “I think we’re ready to hit the town.”
And off they went.
The carefully planned outing included all the government buildings and a large park filled with animals, including holy birds called ‘the bennu.’ They resembled Japanese cranes, white with long, yellow feathers on the tops of their heads and long, thin legs. Imperial guards stood watch over them and people left offerings of grain and fruit for them. She watched for a while, marveling at their graceful steps through the lily-covered pond.
Afterwards, a festival drew Junior’s attention and Naana reluctantly allowed the adventure.
A parade of silver and gold flags, tall poles covered in feathers, and dancers leaping about in bennu costumes played through the streets of Kursk. Naana found an observation point on the roof of a small, open-air restaurant. The roof served as a dining area, as well, full of tables and chairs and people craning their necks to see the festivities below.
Junior leaned on the railing, invigorated by the cheerful music of pipes and drums. “What part does the bennu bird play in your religion?”
“The bennu birds are mere representatives of the Holy Bennu,” said Naana at her side.
The other commando-nannies flanked them, appearing casual while keeping watch.
“The first Holy Bennu was sent to us over six thousand years ago. The male population of the time enslaved the females through telepathic bonding. Without the balance of feminine power, Menelae bogged itself down in constant warfare. A great firestorm swept across the Plains of Pellosia towards a village. The Holy Bennu rose from the mountains and flew down. She gathered the women and children under her wings. She saved them all, but died as result. According to Sacred Law, she will be resurrected as a beautiful red-haired princess who will herald the coming of the Celestial Ra and a new golden age.”
“Oh, like the phoenix myths on Earth.”
“The Age of Enlightenment followed the death of the First Holy Bennu. The Courtship Rites were laid down to protect women from coerced marriages, as well as ensure our role as equals in religion and government. The Holy Bennu is patron of all women and children and a symbol of feminine power and beauty to men. All Menelaens revere the Holy Bennu. Although…”
“Although what?”
“Our various religions interpret the ancient texts concerning the Holy Bennu differently.”
“Most religions have several interpretations of sacred texts.”
Naana’s burgundy eyes flickered, but she didn’t comment on the statement. “Those who worship the Sun and the Moon believe the first Holy Bennu was ripped from the heart of the First Ra at the beginning of time. Only by the two rejoining will balance be restored to Menelae. No doubt, this myth rose from the male’s incompletion without the female.”
“Ra?”
“They believe the First Ra fathered the Imperial Family. Therefore, the ra symbolize imperial power. Only the Imperial Family is permitted to use any representation of ra. The First Ra was said to be a giant reptile which flew.”
“A dragon! Wow, this is so crackling! There are so many similarities between Menelaen mythology and Earth mythology.”
Naana looked upon the dancers, soaring about the streets in their white feathered costumes. “The Incarnate Ra is wholly fixed on joining with the Holy Bennu, for all he desires is bound up in her wings.”
Junior propped chin in hand, elbow on railing. “How romantic.”
Normally sedate Naana gasped. “The Incarnate Ra must never bond with the Holy Bennu! The union of religious and political powers on the Throne would be too great. The Incarnate Ra would plunge our society into a Dark Age from which it would never recover.”
Junior lifted her chin. “I’m sorry. I thought we were still talking about mythology.”
Naana’s expression softened. “Please forgive my outburst, Lady Rowan.”
“It’s okay. I grew up in deep space. Yours isn’t the first religion I’ve stumbled over. I don’t always engage my brain before I open my mouth.” Junior decided it was best to shut-up then and settled her chin back into hand to watch the parade.
Banners fluttered from poles thrusting out from every window of the buildings lining the streets. The silver banners featured stylized white bennu birds. A few red banners fluttered in between them and upon these banners were embroidered the ra – dragons – in gold.
Junior wanted to ask if the festival was an annual event and if the ra got his own, but she didn’t want to upset Naana either. Then, a glorious scent wafted through the air and captured her nose. “Mmm, food!” Twirling around, she sprinted off, through the crowd and over the roof’s half wall.
Landing on her feet, she took off running.
“Lady Rowan!” Naana’s shout was lost in the rumble of conversation, dancing feet, and music.
Rounding a corner, Junior found herself in a food court, lined with stalls offering various entrees and desserts. Except for the cooks, it was largely empty. Nearly everyone was at the parade. She followed her nose to a stall with roasted eel-like creatures on a stick. “Oh, no. Seafood. I’m allergic to seafood.”
“May I find something else to your liking, My Lady?”
Junior spun around to see Kaliban suddenly at her side. “Uh…I…I don’t know. You’re…you’re Lord Kaliban, right?”
“Yes, Kaliban to you alone.” He bowed at the neck, full lips curling into a charming smile. His gray eyes shone. Maybe it was the sunlight. “Please allow me the opportunity to prove my worth.”
“Your…what?”
A blurring, rushing image, a feeling like a kiss, deep, and his fingers reached into her hair. A warm cloud of goodness embraced her.
The kiss was real.
“What are you doing?” She pushed his chin. “I don’t want to…”
“You will love me.” His mouth covered hers again.
A wave of pleasure swept over her and everything but him vanished in comprehension.
But, then, another feeling, faraway at first and then suddenly it was a forceful rush charging out of her.
Junior opened her eyes on Kaliban slammed into a stone pillar by an invisible force. Shock dropped her jaw.
Kaliban rolled instantly back onto his feet and paced out like a caged lion. “My brother is alive! Where is he?”
“Your brother? I…” A surge of panic rushed through Junior.
“I will kill him!” Kaliban turned and paced the other direction, face red and snarled. “If you do not wish to suffer the Pain of Severance, you will not complete the Marital Bond with him!”
“Lady Rowan!” Naana sprang out of nowhere, grabbed her by both arms, and pushed her back.
“Naana?” Junior heard metal sliding against metal.
Beling landed before Kaliban with sword raised. “Lord Delano is not accepting applications for the Courtship Rites on behalf of Lady Rowan.”
“Irrelevant!” Kaliban’s hand rested on his own sword hilt. “Lady Rowan greeted me without hesitation. She accepted my kiss and found me worthy.”
Alarmed, Naana peered into her face. “Milady, are you all right?”
“Well, yeah. What’s going on?”
“Milady, I’m afraid I must ask if you wish to enter the Courtship Rites with Lord Kaliban?”
&n
bsp; “Um…” Junior peered over her shoulder at Kaliban’s fierce face “…no.”
Naana did not move her body from blocking Kaliban’s access. “Lady Rowan has rejected you. Under Sacred Law, you must withdraw.”
“I am the Incarnate Ra! I will not be denied what is rightfully mine!” Kaliban jerked on his sword hilt, but the commando-nannies’ swords lowered to point at his chest. He shoved the hilt back into place. “Lady Rowan is human. She does not comprehend, but she soon will. Captain Delano will have no grounds to dispute my claim then.” He did an about-face and strode away, towards a waiting open-seater. Leaping in, he sped away in the hover-vehicle and disappeared around a far building.
“This does not bode well,” said Beling, lowering her sword. “How could he have sensed Lady Rowan’s presence without the Courtship Rites already underway?”
Naana released her. “He must possess greater ability than the average male. Talya, research his family lineage and learn if he carries the trait.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Commander?” Seeing their fierce looks, Junior decided not to press further. “You people are really freaking me out. I want to go back to the apartment now.”
“Yes, we must keep you safely indoors while on Menelae.” Naana stooped to fetch the white head covering and quickly wrapped it back around Junior’s red hair.
Junior hadn’t noticed the head covering had been removed.
At dinner, Junior listened to her father read the list of misadventures.
“Juggled the Sacred Orb of the Moon.”
“Actually, I was only doing this little trick Ret taught me, running it up and down my arms. I didn’t break it!”
Delano glanced. “Mm-hmm, fell in the Treasury Building fountain.”
“I wanted to see the star-crystals on the bottom and I slipped!”
“Rendered two Imperial Guards unconscious.”
“Do you know how big the Scepter of the Sun is? About the size of a small tree! I wanted a closer look at the etchings, so I picked it up. Naana told me it wasn’t permitted, so I swung it around to put it back and forgot the guards were standing right behind me.” Junior smacked her hands together. “Wham!” She giggled. “Of course, I feel badly they got hurt, but it was kind of funny when you think about it.”