by Shae Mills
Salinger looked down momentarily. Throughout the months RIBUS 1 had been travelling, she had been in his presence almost daily. But most of the time she was like a fleeting shadow, elusive and quiet. He could see her restrained exuberance whenever she was around, and he knew that she loved being involved in the project they now pursued. But she had always been so reserved. Now he knew why: guilt.
The urge to reach out and touch the quaking beauty in her moment of sorrow was nearly irrepressible. But for some other hidden reason, royal protocol aside, he could not.
Chelan straightened herself. “The crew...,” she began. “Those on RIBUS 30, your ship, and now those here, do they ever speak ill of what happened?”
“No, my Lady,” he uttered softly. “They know what you endured. And you were given little choice. Though it must still hurt now, I know that marrying Talon aided our cause in the end. Everyone knows that. In fact, his Lordship and Lethiason knew it was imperative. You betrayed none of us by the act. It was manipulated so that it was inevitable. You needed to be kept safe under his protection as well.”
Chelan hung her head. “It is all still so painful. And now to see the physical reminder of everything that befell us, it is just so devastating.”
Salinger looked at the screen behind her and drew in a deep breath. “We will all heal.” He stepped slightly closer to her. “And once we have resurrected RIBUS 7, the healing for some of us will come just that much sooner.”
Chelan relaxed as much as she could, her shoulders slumping as she regrouped.
“Are you okay, my Lady?”
Chelan nodded wearily. “I am just thinking about RIBUS 7. I was not prepared for the bleak reality so clearly displayed. I have never seen such mass destruction before.”
“It is okay, my Lady. Hopefully, with time, she will be as she once was.”
Chelan finally looked up into his warm azure eyes. “I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
He smiled. “Hardly, my Lady. It has always been a pleasure to be in your company.”
Chelan glanced behind her. “Can any or all of this be transferred to the personal Command Center?”
“Yes, of course. May I ask why?”
“I would like to follow as much of this as possible even when I cannot come here. It will not be long until we are near the ship. If you were to relocate to the Command Center, I could spend more time with you in person. That way I can have Shanna with me when she needs me.”
“I would be honored, my Lady. I do not want to be in the way of his Lordship, however.”
Chelan smiled. “Do not worry. I will speak with him first. But he spends most of his time on the Bridge anyway.”
Salinger nodded. “Well, I eagerly await your word then. In the meantime, I will continue to work here close to my crew for now.”
Chelan looked deep into his intense eyes. “Thank you for your kind words.”
“They are the truth.”
Chelan peered into the blackness of his shroud. “Well, anyway, I appreciate your concern. You have always been so kind and patient. It means a lot to me.”
Salinger smiled at her. “I am honored that you could feel such ease about me. I hope it continues.”
Chelan looked up at him. She curtsied to him, an automatic response to his warmth and his position. Then she stepped past him and hustled out of the room.
AS ALWAYS, A SEA OF guards enveloped her as she padded down the corridors. She glanced behind her. “Have you seen the pictures?”
Yanis pulled back his hood. “No, my Lady.”
Chelan turned and walked backward, facing him. “She is a mess, but she is still beautiful. We will have her back. I feel it in my bones.”
Yanis smiled. “I hope so, my Lady. She holds a lot of fond memories.”
Chelan skipped around forward. “Salinger will probably start working in the private Command Center soon. When he does, you are welcome to watch the progress.”
“I would enjoy that immensely.”
Chelan threw him a large smile over her shoulder and then stepped through the doors to the Center.
The doors closed behind her and Korba’s voice rang out. “Good morning.”
Chelan walked up to him and kissed him fully on the lips. “I saw the pictures from one of the orbs. It is as though you are right there.”
Korba chuckled. “Even after all these years, you are still taken by all the technology, aren’t you?”
“Well, on Earth, we have remote control vessels, but you watch poor-resolution images on a 2-D screen. The orb floats, and with the holographic display and all its mind-blowing resolution, it is no different from being there.”
Korba raised his brows. “And did Salinger have the audio on?”
Chelan hesitated. “No, I guess not. At least, I never heard anything. Why?”
“Well, there is probably no reason to for the most part, but through the orb you can hear all that surrounds it also. In the completely breached areas, there is no point. But in the secure areas where air has been restored, you would hear the odd creak or groan, the odd ping of space debris glancing off the ship.”
“That would be creepy and wondrous at the same time.”
“Well, no matter—I am glad you are enjoying yourself.”
“And speaking of enjoyment, I invited Salinger to work here so that I can watch and be close to the children. Is that okay?”
He kissed her forehead. “Anything you wish, my Lady. Tell him to bring as many of his group as he may need.”
Chelan beamed. “I will inform him right away.”
Korba spread out his shroud and sat down. “Have a seat first. I have something to tell you.”
Chelan perched on the edge of a chair.
He smiled. “RIBUS 1 is now stationary.”
“What? Why?”
Korba chuckled. “You and I are taking a little vacation.”
Chelan stared at him. “I do not understand.”
“What is en route to the Balatesian system?”
Chelan’s jaw dropped. “Earth,” she squeaked.
“Right, shall we visit?”
Chelan nearly fell off her chair. “Yes! But whatever for?”
“I thought you might wish to see your brother again. Because of the circumstances, you had little time together so long ago. And now he has a family.”
Chelan’s eyes widened. “How do you know that?”
Korba laughed and hit a switch on the main console.
The doors opened and Chelan looked up. “Oh my... Dredon!”
The warrior nodded to her. “My Lady,” he greeted warmly. “We meet again.”
She watched him as he sat down beside her. His dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail and his once azure eyes were a beautiful crystal blue. “You were on Earth?”
“Yes, my Lady. And all is well. Well, as well as things can be for Earth.”
Chelan looked back and forth between the two men. “I do not know what to say. This is all so exciting.”
Korba sat back comfortably in his chair. “I sent Dredon on ahead with some men several weeks ago, just to scout things out. Dar had mentioned your brother and gave me a brief rundown of all that had happened during your stay. I thought that since we are here, you might wish to see him again.”
Chelan looked at Dredon’s grinning face and then back to Korba. “Everything that happened during my stay, huh...” Her voice trailed off, a hint of wariness edging into it. “Did he happen to mention Jim?”
Korba rubbed at his jaw. “Why, yes, he did.”
“Uh-huh. And while I am visiting William, what are you planning to do?”
Korba looked hurt. “Why, be with you, of course, my love.”
Chelan flopped back in her chair. “Right. I know you too well. Fess up.”
Korba shrugged but remained silent.
Chelan looked to Dredon. She leaned toward him. “So, tell me, how is Jim?”
“Fine, my Lady. Doing well.”
“Still
in his penthouse suite?”
“Yes, and it has a new door.”
Chelan groaned. Then she looked into Korba’s face; an impish grin was smeared across his handsome features. “So, tell me, really, what do you have planned?”
Korba straightened. “Oh, I thought a short visit would be in order. Nothing more.”
“Nothing more, hey?”
“Well, we shall see. But I promise not to kill him, unless you want me to, of course. I would do it in a heartbeat.”
“Oh, that is reassuring.”
“It ought to be. You know we never torture our victims.”
“Victims,” she repeated, amusement overtaking her wariness. “No, I suppose you do not. But your people do have a nasty habit of scaring the hell out of your victims.”
Korba grinned. “Appropriate, don’t you think?”
Finally, it was Chelan’s turn to grin. “Yes—rather, actually.”
Korba stood suddenly. “Well then, we are off soon. Dredon has procured some clothing for you. You can go pick out your wardrobe now. We will leave tomorrow morning if that is okay?”
Chelan felt overwhelmed and thrilled at the same time. She watched as Dredon stood and offered her his hand. Chelan took it as she rose. Still holding it, she turned and peered at the Warlord, now Galactic Emperor. She stared deep into Korba’s piercing, luminescent eyes. “What about those?”
He smiled. “Oh, my rather unearthly eye coloring? I thought I would keep it, just for effect.”
Chelan almost hugged into Dredon.
“And the hair?”
“Exotic, isn’t it?”
“I would say. And the weapons?”
“Only a few.”
“He will die of heart failure.”
Korba’s lip quirked. “That would be a good thing.”
Chelan began to follow Dredon as he pulled her along. “Tomorrow will be fine,” she uttered.
Korba nodded to her. “I thought it would be.” And Dredon whisked her away.
Chapter 8
CHELAN HUSTLED ALONGSIDE Korba as they entered his personal hangar. She glanced toward the familiar fighter, smiling at the ebony bird of prey so much like her world’s F15. Its fierce body hovered just centimeters from the deck, and its nose pointed toward the massive entry doors.
Flight crews did last-minute checks while Korba stuffed clothing into a travel pod. Then, carefully, he stashed the pod away in a hidden side compartment. Chelan clutched at her shroud, her excitement barely containable.
Finally, he came to her, offering her a hood and a flight helmet. Chelan slipped into them expertly.
“All ready?” he asked.
Chelan nodded and headed for the fighter. Careful not to step in any areas disturbed by the antigravity field, she hit a hidden button that unveiled the steps concealed beneath the smooth flesh of the craft. Helping herself up, she climbed into the aft seat of the cockpit. Korba took the seat in front of her.
“Good luck to you both!” shouted Yanis from below.
Korba nodded. “Thank you, my good man. All will be fine.” And the fighter’s hood slid shut.
Chelan felt the inertial dampening field surround her, and within an instant they were jettisoned from the giant battleship.
The cockpit remained black, and in what seemed an infinitely small length of time, she felt the internal field recede. “Are we here already?” she whispered.
“Yes.”
“Where is here?”
“Chicago.”
“Chicago!” she cried. “In a fighter?”
The hood slid back and she looked about her. “Oh Christ, we are on a roof!”
Korba hiked himself out of his seat and offered his hand, but Chelan was still as stone. “You cannot stay here,” she uttered harshly. “The surrounding buildings—we will be seen!”
“It is night. We will be gone by day.”
Chelan shook her head and sighed. “Where are we exactly?”
“Well, if Dredon’s intelligence has been accurate, we are directly over Jim’s living room.”
“Oh god,” Chelan muttered as she reached for his hand. “I do not believe this. This is not possible.”
Korba helped her to the ground and then scanned his surroundings, taking in the city lights. “Not bad,” he commented.
Chelan peeled off her helmet and face shield. “What is not bad?”
“Your buildings.”
Chelan’s eyes burned. “Oh good. I was worried that you were referring to the air.”
Korba smirked. “Hardly. That is awful.”
Chelan looked about her. “Well, what is next? And what if he is not home?”
“He is home.”
“Now, how do you know that?”
“Sensors. Besides, I still have men here.”
Chelan rolled her eyes. “Lurking in the shadows, no doubt.”
“No doubt,” came a deep voice from behind her.
Chelan nearly leapt into Korba’s arms. She heard Korba chuckle as he gave her a reassuring hug.
“Excuse me, my Lady,” came the formless voice. “My name is Lexon.”
Chelan still couldn’t get her breath. She looked up at Korba.
“Lexon is one of Yanis’s men. He has been keeping an eye on Jim.”
Chelan looked back into the inky blackness. “The shrouds are as effective as always, I see,” she mumbled to herself. “A pleasure to meet you, Lexon.”
“Happy to be in your service, my Lady.”
Chelan smiled and then peered back at Korba as he retrieved the pod from the ship. She squinted at the fighter. She knew it was there, but it reflected no light. Though it was massive, it was as formless as Lexon. The only indication of its presence was the total occlusion of light.
Korba returned. “Here, put on your clothes.”
Chelan thought of Lexon, and of how many other men there could be lurking in the shadows, but then she dismissed her concerns. Quickly, she stripped and slid into her jeans and a light shirt. Runners completed her ensemble, the night’s warmth negating the need for a jacket. “What time is it?” she questioned to no one in particular.
“It is eleven p.m., Earth time,” intoned Lexon. “It is also what your people term mid-August.”
Chelan nodded as she did up her laces. Then she straightened and looked at Korba. “What about you?”
Korba glanced down at himself. “I think I will make more of an impression on him as I am.”
Chelan stared deep into the eerie blue-white glow from his unearthly eyes. “Yes, you will,” she answered almost in awe.
Then he took her by the hand and led her slowly to a steel door that barred entry to the building. Chelan watched as he drew out a small lazgun. Silently, the gun made short work of the internal lock that held the door fast. Chelan watched the molten steel drip, the red glow of the metal seeming to pulsate and then cool. Korba reached for the door with his gloved hand and opened it. He then escorted her down the narrow stairwell and into the hallway.
There they stopped and looked at one another. “I am nervous,” she admitted.
Korba ran his hand down her velvet cheek. “You will be okay, my Lady,”
Chelan squirmed. “What if he—”
Korba frowned at her. “No matter what happens, there are men everywhere in the building, just outside, on roofs and in the air. Nothing untoward is going to happen. And besides, what can he do in my presence that cannot be handled?”
Chelan sucked in her breath, her eyes coursing over the warrior before her. She knew the weapons he possessed under his shroud. He was more than capable of fending off a reasonably large army, single-handed. Then she shivered. Maybe she was not as worried about Jim’s actions as she was about Korba’s. She squared her shoulders. “I am ready.”
He nodded. “Okay. He is in his office working. You knock on the door while I make myself temporarily scarce.”
Chelan looked past him to Jim’s door. Then she strode up to it with purpose and knocked forc
efully. When she glanced back, Korba had vanished. “Shit,” she mumbled.
“Who is it?” came a brusque voice.
Chelan pushed her hair back, remembering to switch to English just in time. “It’s me, Chelan.”
She waited, but there was silence. Then suddenly the door jerked open, and their eyes locked. He was clad in gray dress pants, his white shirt hanging loose and open. His eyes were wide with disbelief. Then he grinned. “My god. Look what the cat’s dragged in.”
Chelan folded her arms defensively across her chest. “It’s good to see you too,” she returned, noticing just how much he had appeared to age.
Jim looked past her to the hall and then stared at her. “How did you get up here?”
“It was a piece of cake, actually.”
Jim snorted. “Come back for more have we, even after all these years?”
“Not likely. Just came to see if any of your subsequent bunk bunnies have put your ass in the slammer where it belongs.”
Jim laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you, Chel. I’m still here and doing just fine. And as of yet, I’ve had no other complaints.”
“Hmph. Must be picking on virgins, are we?”
Jim took a deep breath and looked beyond her again. “Where’s our friend Jason? Gave you the punt, did he?”
Chelan felt a rage well up in her heart, but she snuffed the fire and glared at him. “Jason’s dead,” she stated harshly.
Jim lost his lascivious grin. Then he straightened. “Oh shit. I’m sorry. I had no idea.” His voice became soft. “He was a good man.”
Chelan glanced away for a moment. “The best,” she whispered. Then she stared hard at him. “Well, can I come in?”
Jim shrugged. “Don’t see why you’d want to, but if you insist.”
Chelan stepped past him and into the foyer of his condo.
He turned to her, his back to the open door. “So, what are you here for? Surely not for my services.”
“Surely not,” came a deep voice from behind him.
Jim whirled around and peered up at the black shroud that filled the doorway. “Jesus Christ,” he croaked, and he went to slam the door shut.
But Korba’s hand stopped it with a resounding thud. “Excuse me, but that’s rude.” And he stepped in.