She sat looking at me, trying to work out whatever she was thinking while I continued.
“Tonight I kissed you,” I said, “and there were a few reasons for it. One, I like kissing you for some reason, even if you piss me off most of the time. Two, I needed the people to see it to back up my claim that I have important friends. If that pisses you off, I understand, but I needed to back my statement with a fact.”
“You like kissing me?” she asked.
“Taz, tell me after all the hot air I just expended that’s not all you got out of it. I said you piss me off too.”
“Yes, yes, I make you mad,” she said. “So what? But you like kissing me?”
“I said so, didn’t I?”
“Then you do not love any other females that you wish to kiss like you kiss me?” She cocked her head, waiting on my answer. It was cute, in a cocker spaniel sort of way.
“I’m tired and I’m going to lie down. I am also sure I'll never get through to you. I know you will end up here, so if you want to join me you can.”
“Are you asking me to have sex with you?” she asked as her head came back to its upright position.
“No, what I’m saying is you don’t have to sneak in here later and crawl in bed with me. That is a little disconcerting,” I added. “I usually would never sleep through someone doing that and it bothers me.”
She looked disappointed for a few seconds, but then I think she figured she had won something. Not a war or a battle, but a small skirmish, and she was okay with it. “I don't have anything to wear,” she said.
“I have shirts in the wardrobe if you want to borrow one.” Again the disappointed look, then a smile.
Chapter 15
I was up having some kind of sweet fruit juice and pastries. The sun streamed through the slightly tinted windows. She lay clutching my pillow against her sleeping form. Long shapely legs grew from the under my shirt, which wasn’t covering much of her at the moment.
I heard the first ding and ignored it. Why did they always have to show up so early? Maybe they would go away. I was shirtless and didn’t really want to put anything on at the moment. I saw my shirt lying on the floor next to the bed. Ding, ding, ding, ding — at about that fourth ding I decided I was going to hurt someone. I cracked the door and looked out.
I shut the door in their faces, not waiting for them to say a word. Ding, ding, ding, ding. Taz was awake and smiling at me. “We have guests outside who seem to be insistent on coming in,” I told her.
“You can let them in,” she said.
“I've been wondering, are you staying here at night just so you can be caught here in the mornings?” I asked. “Do you know what a reputation is?”
“I understand there are different reputations, and I have one that makes people think twice about giving me another one.” Ding, ding, ding, ding.
“What about mine? Maybe I don’t want them to think of me as your man whore.”
“Your species is young and has been isolated far away from our ancient empires. We have grown beyond such petty things. I am the Queen of Cjittan and I will take what I want when I want it. Your people can think what they wish, but if they utter a word of slander or look on me with distaste then you will see my true reputation. Now my love, go open the door.”
“My love? What the hell is that? You were talking about fileting my skin and feeding it to me yesterday.”
Ding, ding, ding, ding. She looked a little shocked, lost in thought. “How do you know what I said?”
I grabbed the door handle and looked over my shoulder at her. She had her back to me at the serving cart, getting some juice. Just the slightest bit of cheek was hanging out from under my shirt. I turned the handle and opened the door, pulling it wide open to let them enter.
Taz carried her juice to the bedroom as the crowd watched her walk past them. She returned a minute later with her pants on and my shirt. Walking past them again, she sat on the couch and folded her legs under herself, sitting relaxed and waiting. I sat in a chair by the window overlooking the garden. A thought occurred to me.
“Prime Minister Aok, Emily, I don’t know the rest of you, but good morning all,” Taz said. I walked into my bedroom and took my combat knife out.
“Good morning Queen Tazleaha. I hope you have found the accommodations here at the royal palace suited to your needs,” Alona said. I walked past them. They seemed to all be focused on me but trying to talk to each other.
“Good morning Benjamin,” Alona said, following my progress. I ignored her and opened the door. There were two of the palace guards standing outside, evidently Alona's escort. They seemed at a loss at what to do with the large half-naked man with a knife. I turned to the panel on the wall and in one quick move shoved the knife into it. I heard a single ding inside, a static hiss type of sound, and then it went dead.
Alona gave Emily an “I told you so” look and Emily shrugged and mouthed “sorry.” The guards looked in to see if everyone was alright, and Alona motioned with her hand for them to shut the door and leave. I headed for the shower, not caring about whatever they needed to discuss or plan. There was a constant in my universe that you could bet money on — if someone else planned it, I probably wasn’t doing it.
Twenty minutes later, I was dressed and ready. It was my plan to stay near E'Aria today. The first lord was locked up and unable to communicate with his conspirators, of which I was hoping there weren’t many. I wanted to get moving on to Athena once E'Aria was firmly established in her position as Regent and any threats were squashed.
Taz offered Alona, Emily and the others, who consisted of assistants with data pads, some food, then excused herself, walking into my room. I hadn’t put my gloves or helmet on but the weapons were all in place. Without a word she began unbuttoning the shirt and pants, dropping them on the floor. Her sultry walk towards me drew my eyes down to her hips which moved in a slightly exaggerated swing.
Her kiss was soft and warm, and I wished I could have felt her pressed against me, but she waited until I was completely dressed to put on the show.
“Will you do me a favor and bring me the dress on the right far end of the wardrobe and the bag sitting in the bottom, please? I'm going to shower and get ready here in your room,” she said softly, almost purring. I assumed she was playing it to the audience outside waiting.
I laughed. “I'll be back in a few minutes. Is everything you need in the bag? Haven’t you unpacked some things already?”
“Yes, but I packed them back in the bag,” she said. “Just bring it please.”
“No problem, seeing as how you really did ask nicely,” I said. “The warmup show was great.”
She told me where her room was and the code to get in. I was out and back in about five minutes. I walked in and went straight to the bedroom. The shower was still running, so I left to go and see what was happening at E'Aria's apartment. We all had very large rooms, but E'Aria had the equal of about five of them.
I found my daughter and her best friend, whom she thought of as a sister, together and laughing. I would make sure I didn’t do or say anything to ruin their mood. I found out all of the brass was still filtering in, and E'Aria had to meet with the king to discuss some candidates for the position of first lord. Nedra was awake and making two plates full of food. I assumed Harry was awake also.
“Benjamin,” E’Aria said, “I want you to have the whole crew at the ceremony later. Natalia has already told them the time, and to be ready to for a transport to pick them up. I have authorized permission for the Claymore to land at the Royal Port and hangar and to be put under guard while everyone is here.”
“E'Aria, you need to make sure no one, I repeat no one, tries to enter the Claymore,” I told her. “Imelda will not hesitate to eat them if she doesn’t know who they are.”
“I’ll pass it on to the captain of the port guard,” she said.
“The Claymore will be locked down, so if it happens you also know they broke in without permissi
on,” I said. “How big is the hangar? Can I let her out later to stretch and maybe scare the shit out of some more of your people? Do you remember our friend the captain, whose ship you fixed when we rescued your people?”
“Yes, I remember, Natalia has already told me the story. Do you think that was necessary?”
“Let me think. Nasty little green man talked to my people like they were dogs. Oh hell yes, it was necessary. You do realize I was exercising a lot of restraint. The girls would have beaten their asses all over that cargo hold, had I not done it my way,” I answered
“Yes, you are most likely correct.”
“Who is in charge of the ceremony today? Do you think we can put Nedra and Harry in your procession, along with me and Natalia? Maybe you should wear your armor, just to be safe.”
“I can't wear my armor,” she said. “They will have heart failure. And I don’t think I can have you or Natalia walking behind me.”
“You talk to whoever is in charge and you tell them unless they have a laser-proof dress that will also turn a blade, then you’re wearing some kind of protection,” I said forcefully. “E'Aria, we will have a huge auditorium full of officers and politicians and some of them may want you dead. You do understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do understand. I think I just don’t want to accept that my own people would do such a thing.”
“Maybe they won't, but I would like to see Nedra out front, some of your guards, and then you, me and Natalia. Then behind you, more guards, then Harry.”
“You do realize you have no authority here or anything to say about how this formal state ceremony is conducted?” she asked.
“Of course I do,” I answered. “Why are asking such a dumb question? I'm telling you to do it, and if they give you any lip I’ll back your play. Now talk too whichever ancient relic is stuck a thousand-year-old routine and order them to do it our way.”
“I'll see what I can do.”
“That’s great, and doubtful. I told myself I wouldn’t come in here and start anything, so this is the last I’ll say,” I told her. “We love you, E'Aria, and would like to protect you through this and see you established in as the Regent. I won't embarrass you or make you regret it, so if you don’t want my help then that’s okay too. You know how to get ahold of me, and if I don’t hear from you then I’ll watch with the rest of the crew from the crowd.” I left them. I hoped maybe Natalia would talk to her and get her to see the danger.
I rounded the corner of the hallway to where my room was located and saw a Trillond male repairing the door com. He saw me coming and stopped what he was doing to stare.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“The prime minister put in an order to repair this, sir.”
I pulled my knife and thought he was going to faint. “Relax,” I said. “I'm not going to hurt you, unless you keep repairing that damn thing. Look here, you see these scratches and that small burn mark, you know what it’s from?” I asked.
He didn’t answer, but he did pick up the broken one he had removed and looked it over. When he finished his inspection he simply asked, “Why?”
“Someone kept ringing the bell. They thought it was funny and wanted to irritate me. You see what happens when I get irritated?”
“Yes sir, but why didn’t you just turn it down or off from inside.”
“What do you mean?”
“The unit on the wall that looks just like this one. You can control the door, the vid, the lights and sound from there.”
“Shit,” I said. “Do you know who is in my room right now?”
“Yes, the foreign queen. She told me to come get her if you tried to stop me from making this repair.”
“No worries,” I said. “You fix it then come inside and turn the sound off for me, okay?”
“Yes sir,” he said. “Are you the one they call Reaper?”
“Yes, why?”
“Please sir,” he said, looking nervous, “try not to destroy the Royal Palace. It has stood for millennia, and I have been its caretaker for the last hundred years.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I told him. “I will protect it like it is my own. Now you can do something for me. Keep an eye out for any one or group of individuals looking suspicious. We do not want anything to happen to the royal family.”
“Who would do such a thing?”
“Didn’t you hear about the first lord and his officers?”
“Yes, but I thought they were the only ones.”
“Old-timer, listen. Where my people come from there is a saying — if you see two or three cockroaches, know that there are two or three thousand hiding somewhere nearby. If the first lord was corrupt, then there are many others.”
“What is a cockroach?” he asked.
"A very hardy little insect that has lived on the home world for hundreds of thousands of years. I fear danger will still exist even after we’ve gone. The smart ones will be patient so be vigilant in your watch."
"I will, I have known that child since she was old enough to run the halls. I will put my staff on watch, we will protect the Princess E'Aria."
"That is great news. I will see you inside."
“You’re back,” Taz said. “I’ve been thinking. You have something that belongs to me, and I would like it back. I hope you don’t think I had forgotten.”
“I really don’t know what you are talking about,” I answered coolly.
“So that’s the stand you’re going to take?”
“Why do you pick now to talk about things like this?” I asked. “You are only going to get mad. Surely it can wait ‘til after everything is done we can do for E’Aria and we have left Trillond.”
“I want my shuttle back and I will not take no for an answer!”
“Who taught you that whole I won’t take no bit? You do sound good saying it, but just not to me,” I said.
“Never mind who. I’ve decided to keep to my own room and have no physical contact with you until it is returned to me,” she snapped.
“Thank you. I’m going to enjoy having my own bed to myself at night,” I said, enjoying the look on her face.
Ding, ding, ding, ding. “I’m going to kill someone,” I said, hustling towards the door to catch whoever had their finger on the button. I opened the door to find a crowd and the repairman facing off with Snake.
“Sir! I asked you not to do that, it upsets him,” the repairman was saying.” I just finished replacing the last door control panel he took a dislike too.”
Ronnie stood shaking her head. “You know he will deck you.” Her sentence cut short as they noticed me.
“I tried to tell him!” the little man began immediately.
“I believe you. He has never been one to listen to good advice. You two, get in here and don’t ever give him a hard time,” I said and motioned to the maintenance man.
They looked very good for a couple of misfits. Well, Snake was a misfit. I wasn’t sure why Ronnie stayed around; she could have transferred and left us long ago. Now she was AWOL with a list of other charges levied against her. Thinking about it, she was my oldest friend next to Emily that I knew of.
“I want you two to stick with the Queen, and remember — we aren’t on the Claymore, so watch your manners. I’m sure the King never saw this coming and had no plan. You see a hand anywhere near a weapon, you start squawking on the com. I gotta go.”
“See you there boss,” Snake said.
“You’ve been with him for a quite a while?” Taz asked.
“Long enough,” Snake answered.
“Do you think he will come with me to Cjittan when this trip has concluded?” Taz asked.
“Sure he will,” Snake chuckled.
“Snake, shut the hell up right now!” Ronnie hissed. “Queen Tazleaha, don’t listen to him — he doesn’t think before he starts running his mouth.”
“C’mon Ronnie, if he was thinking straight he wouldn’t think twice. Maybe once we are done on Athena
he will be more like his old self,” Snake said.
“One thing for sure, we are going to need a place to live. Athena and the Alliance will frown on us killing the killers no matter how justified,” Ronnie added.
“My empire is vast. There are many worlds and species of beings. The Alliance will never find any of you. Something to think about,” Taz said, looking at them both. “Shall we go?”
Chapter 16
E’Aria was with the King discussing the selection of a new First Lord. Natalia tracked me down from where I stood, watching the highest ranking officers in the Trillond military. I didn’t make an effort to hide; I wanted them to see me and hoped it made them nervous. It must have made one of them nervous; as I watched him ease through the crowd, they parted without pause letting him past.
He stopped within arm’s reach, which I thought was either ballsy or stupid. Natalia stood silently by my side. Sparing a glance, she seemed at ease, the officer was slightly taller, but my money was on her if he pissed her off.
“You’re the famous Reaper I have been hearing so much about. The people still talk in the streets about you,” he said evenly, trying not to betray his reason for the confrontation.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name?” I asked.
“Colonel Diz’zok is how you will address me,” he said.
“Colonel, this is Natalia, my daughter.”
“Pleased to meet you, Colonel,” Natalia said.
“How long do you plan on staying on Trillond?” he asked.
“Not sure, Colonel, at least until the rats have been exterminated to a level that the new Regent can safely handle the rest. What are you, Colonel, are you a rat?”
He grew tense for a second then relaxed. I gave him credit for that; my experience with the Trillond officers was limited. They were quick to mouth off and spineless in most cases. Natalia just watched him still relaxed and uncaring.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison: No More Lies (Book 3) Page 12