by Laurie Roma
Seth frowned at him. “How did you know about the dome?”
“I know things.”
Serra cuddled her new pet against her as she leaned against Jax. “I’d appreciate going to our quarters, like, right now, because I really have to pee.” A slight blush stained her cheeks when everyone laughed. “What? You tell me how you’d feel if someone was doing a dance on your bladder.”
Jax winced. “Point taken.”
“Why don’t you follow me.” Seth whispered to Serra, “There is a bathroom right down the hallway on the way to the lift.”
“Oh, thank the gods and goddesses all over the universe!”
Chuckling, Archer and Jax lifted their bags, then the latter wrapped his arm around Serra. The group split up. Since Matt was busy with the Xenon, his team stayed behind to help the Delta Station team move the cargo containers that held the supplies they had requested, while the others were shown to their quarters.
Past the sliding doors of the docking bay, they entered the antechamber. Roman was amused when Megara didn’t even pause to have them check in their weapons. He assumed they would all feel more comfortable remaining armed since the Xenon didn’t need weapons to cause damage.
Of course, magic would probably win against normal weapons anyway.
Once through the entrance, they entered the hallway where the lifts were located. The walls of the hallway were made of pale gray metal panels that almost looked white, and the extended hexagon shape of the hallway felt larger than it really was. The panels were reinforced with a combination of metals found throughout the known galaxies, making it strong, lightweight, and almost impervious to a blaster or claws.
The entire ship had been re-outfitted with the material over the last few years, though, that project had remained a secret. While everything about the Delta Station was a mystery to most of the Alliance, the Council of Regents knew that beneath the façade, there were many secrets on board.
The very survival of their races depended on those secrets remaining secure.
Located within the heart of the station was a room that was filled with the seeds of vegetation from all of the known worlds. The Delta Station was one of five places within the known universe that held a collective seed vault, and in case of a disaster, it would be vital for everyone’s survival. That was proven after the war with the Zyphir when Earth’s vault was used for the first time. Humans had learned how lucky they’d been for the foresight and emergency planning, and the Alliance would ensure that the precaution remained in place.
The corridor had small panels of light shining down from sections of the ceiling, and there were two rows of lights at the edges of the hallway floor so that it was lit up like a runway. Once all of the chancellors were on board, the levels that weren’t being used would shift to auxiliary mode, and those lights would be left for motion sensor activation. While some would believe that it was to save energy, the system was used to track people on board since it signaled someone on the command deck if the lights were on.
When Seth discreetly pointed toward a door, Serra shoved her new pet into Jax’s arms before she hurried into the bathroom. He frowned down at the animal as its double tail slapped against his chest.
“Great, we’re going to have to worry about stepping on this thing from now on.”
Archer smiled. “Give him to me if you don’t want to hold him.”
“It’s fine.” With that, Jax tentatively rubbed the bekshin’s head, making the double tails swing faster. “Oh, man, that’s just weird.”
“We’ll wait for Serra,” Seth said to his chosen. “Why don’t you head up?”
Megara briefly touched his hand before she activated one of the lifts with the scan of her palm and retina. When she was in the lift with Roman and Tavius, she turned to face them. “You and the chancellors have access to most of the levels, but the guards are only allowed on the public floors unless they are accompanied by one of us with clearance.”
“We do the same thing on New Vega.” Tavius laughed before adding, “But I really don’t think our new Xenon friend is going to listen to that, and I know Amari won’t. Stars, I can’t wait until she arrives. This meeting is going to be much more entertaining than I anticipated. Suddenly, I’m not so annoyed I had to be here. Can you imagine if they fought? Who would win?”
“Thank you for putting that nightmare in my head,” Roman said dryly.
“Who is Amari?”
Tavius smiled. “She is the new Dragon Warrior chancellor.”
As the Krytos explained what he knew of the new chancellor, Roman sighed and imagined the colorful Xenon doing battle with a crazy Dragon Warrior. If that did happen, he hoped they wouldn’t break the Delta Station into pieces, or they could take everyone on board with them.
Fucking hell, this had disaster written all over it.
He wasn’t going to be sleeping well until this blasted meeting was over.
When the doors to the lift slid open, a comfortable atmosphere that was far different from the docking bay came into view. The floor was made up of oblong brown and ivory marble tiles mixed with blue glass harvested from the planet Avox. Instead of metal surrounding them, the walls were covered with pale wooden panels that made the wide hallway seem naturally brighter, further enhanced by crystal lamps with silver accents fixed on the walls between each of the doorways.
“From the size of the vessel, I thought the floors would be larger,” Tavius said.
“The suites on this floor are larger than any I’ve ever seen on Earth. It’s a circular floor, with suites on this side, facing the windows. The middle area is used for the meeting and common rooms. It’s supposed to feel like we’re somewhere on ground, sort of like New Vega. Where do you think we got the idea?” She smirked.
Amused, he said, “I guess great minds think alike.”
Tavius was the first to be shown to his room, and when Megara activated the scanner on the small panel by the door, he leaned forward. The scanner read and logged in his dual optical scan, so that for the duration of his stay, no one else would be allowed entrance to the suite. The door slid open, but before he went inside, he turned back.
“I’d like to contact my mate and my brothers before you cut off communications and go into stealth mode.” He raised a brow. “At least, I assume that’s what you do.”
“I’m not surprised you know about that already, but we won’t disable communications until all chancellors are on board,” Megara explained.
He nodded. “Good to know. I’ll join you in the sky dome after my vid call.”
After the door slid shut behind him, Megara pointed to the suite a few doors down. “We put you in this suite. The meeting will be held in the Galaxy Chamber on this floor. We’ve decided to put all of the chancellors on this level for the duration of the meeting, and that includes you.”
“I thought you usually spread guests out on three different floors,” Roman stated, knowing exactly what the protocol was.
“Requested by Regent Spartan. Something about it making everyone equal blah, blah, blah. If you ask me, it’s a really fucking bad idea. I did you a favor. Jax, Archer, and Serra are next to Regent Spartan in suites on the opposite side of this floor. You can thank me later.”
“Screw that, I’ll thank you now.”
Megara grinned, but sobered quickly. “The guards will be set up on another floor. If one of the chancellors wants to keep someone in their suite, that’s up to them. There are two bedrooms in the suites, but I’m not bending on this.”
“I have absolutely no problem with that, High Commander.”
At the door, Roman realized he had stayed in that particular suite before when he saw the discreet plaque labeling it the Stardust Suite. He did the scan and was a little surprised when Megara followed him inside. Mentally shrugging, he made his way into the large living room and set his case down out of the way.
She called for lights on full, then walked over to the food console. “I’m getting a crusher.
Want?”
He definitely did not want any of the juice drinks that she was so fond of, and he wasn’t about to share the bottle of whiskey in his bag, no matter how much he liked her. “Can you get me a boost, loaded up?”
“One vitamin boost coming up.”
Roman sat down on a plush chair, taking a moment to look around the room. The walls of the room were a deep midnight blue, and the floor was a tan, gold, and blue stone that went well with the rich brown tones of the furniture. With accent pillows, paintings, and other embellishments scattered about, it really did look like a room that could be found on New Vega or back on Earth.
Only the top half of the far wall was windows while the lower portion was made up of wooden panels. During lockdowns, another wooden panel would slide up to cover the windows, blocking out the view of space for the duration of the trip.
Megara walked over and handed him a glass before she sat down on the sofa with her own drink. Roman barely held back a shudder as he watched her drink the neon purple liquid. He gulped down his own vitamin water, waiting for her to say whatever had made her seek out this private conversation.
Barely half a minute later, she said, “I thought I should let you know that I’ve been hearing some complaints. Some of the chancellors aren’t too pleased that Lord Rego is coming as the Tarin representative.”
Shaking his head in disgust, Roman set the empty glass down. “What? Is he to pay for his sister’s crimes? What about all of the people who work for her? Are we supposed to hate all of their families, too?”
“You know how it is.” Megara shrugged. “It pissed me off when I heard it, too. I don’t understand it. I believe people should be held accountable for their own actions. You might have to kick some ass in the meeting, so I thought you’d want a heads-up. And I think that’s why the Helios Chancellor wants to meet with you tomorrow.”
Roman’s eyes widened in surprise. “Naomi complained about Malik? I figured it would have been Sarros.”
“He did, and so did Naomi. Hell, even Adric M’Dor mentioned he thought Jaden Tor would be a better choice.”
He shook his head, disappointed in Naomi Tala, Adric M’Dor, and Sarros Ve. Not only was blaming Malik for his sister’s crimes shortsighted, it was extremely unwise. Lord Rego might not care what people thought of him, but his new mate would take any slight against him personally. And Reva could hold a grudge...forever if necessary.
That was just one of the things Roman liked about her.
Reva was also honorable, loyal, and well thought of by her wide assortment of friends, which used to include the three chancellors in question.
“Malik has done more for his world than anyone knows. He’s earned the right to represent that world at this meeting, though, I’m sure he views it more as a punishment. That seems to be how everyone feels about this meeting.”
“I know I do. It’s always nice to see you, but I’ll be happier once you are all off my ship. And I’m more worried about that Xenon guy wandering around my vessel than who the Tarin chancellor is.”
“That’s probably wise.” Roman laughed. “Besides, the chancellors can bitch and complain as much as they want, but Jaden and Katra won’t be leaving Tartarus anytime soon. They just had their twins.”
“I’m already nervous having one pregnant lady on board. I really don’t need two Dragon Warrior babies anywhere near this place.” She drank down the rest of her crusher. “We should be in place to pick-up the Helios by midday or early evening tomorrow since we are ahead of schedule. The D’Aire should arrive the following morning. With the Dragon Warrior coming with the Tarins, we’ll have everyone. Well, not the Reema, but I have my doubts they will show up, anyway.”
“Sarros Ve is a pain in the ass sometimes, but he’s a decent guy. And remember, his family owns the largest mining companies on their world, so he has a stake in being at this meeting. The Alliance is his largest customer. He won’t risk losing that. Besides, I think he wants what’s best for his people, so he’ll be here.”
“If you say so. I’m heading back to command.”
“You going to hide out there until this shit is over?”
She grimaced. “I wish, but I’d worry more if I couldn’t see the damage that’s being done to my ship.”
After she left the suite, Roman carried his case into a bedroom with gray-blue walls and furniture made of dark wood with gray, navy, and cobalt accents in the cushions and upholstery. There was a frosted-glass sliding door separating the bedroom from the living room that was open an inch, but he pushed it away, so it wasn’t sticking out.
The bedroom was equipped with a large bed and a single, long dresser. All of the furniture was bolted down as was recommended on space vessels, and even the video screens in both rooms were inset into the walls.
He threw his case on the bed, then made use of the bathroom. Standing in front of a mirror that was backlit by soft, amber light, he splashed some water on his face to combat the fatigue that always came with space travel. He’d probably be better off laying down for a few hours, but he’d get a run in first before he crashed for the night.
Fortunately, Roman didn’t suffer from space sickness, but he’d never slept well, on or off planet. Once everyone arrived, he’d have little time to himself, so he’d have to make the most of the quiet times over the next few days.
He changed into loose gray pants and a black tank, then pulled a pair of black gel shoes from the bottom of his case. After he slipped them on, he pressed the small buttons on the top of each, and they tightened around his feet. Leaving his suite behind, he made his way back to the lift, then took it to the top floor.
When the doors opened, he breathed in the fragrant air of his favorite room on the entire vessel. Built on the top level of the Delta Station was the sky dome, named for its enormous ceiling of thick, curved glass. When it was needed, retractable metal pieces slid out to cover the dome. When they were open, as they currently were, the treated glass looked as if nothing was even there. The vibrant view was a brilliant display of purple, blue, and green clouds of light and gas, so close it was almost like he could reach up and touch it with his fingertips.
Under the colorful display was an atrium, with lush plants, flora, and towering trees from Earth, Helix, Reema, D’Aire, and various planetoids. Some of the jungle grew in large patches, while some of the flowers were in smaller beds to show off their color and beauty against the backdrop of the stone floor.
Around the outer rim of the room was a wide track made of the best speed sponge available. The track was discreet, but he knew many of the Delta Station crew used it regularly. A few of the plants emitted a mix of gases that strengthened the body the more it was breathed in, making it an ideal place to work out. Someone had once explained it to him, but he still didn’t understand all of the technical details.
He just knew that running under the endless night sky midst the wild foliage was having the best of both home and space.
Bypassing the jungle and seating areas that were built for comfort, he walked over to the spongy track. Interlocking his fingers, Roman lifted his arms, stretching them high over his head. He was eager to run and definitely needed it after traveling from Earth. Being cooped up on smaller ships was never pleasant, and there hadn’t been time to really relax during the short trips on New Vega and the Stargazer.
The doors to the lift slid open, and Tavius walked out. He’d also changed clothes, wearing black pants, a dark purple tank, and a pair of black slip-on shoes more suitable for lounging than running. There was a tribal tattoo that ran down his neck, shoulder, and left arm, and the tank was cut low enough to show a more intricate mark directly over his heart that Roman hadn’t seen before.
He knew what those marks were without asking since Roman wore a similar tattoo on his own left arm and shoulder. There were times he forgot that people could see the physical proof that he’d once belonged to someone, but he had worn the mark of his chosen for so many years they were a fundamenta
l part of him.
“Damn, that’s cool,” Tavius commented as he looked around. “I didn’t realize the entire thing was glass. Holographic reflectors?”
Roman nodded. “No one can see in.”
“We use the same on New Vega. There is something different about the air up here.”
Roman explained what he could about the plants as he finished stretching. “I guess we can’t race if you’re wearing those,” he taunted, knowing full well that wasn’t true. “What a shame.”
Tavius kicked off the shoes. “It’s been awhile since I’ve run barefoot, but I can still kick your ass.”
They started at a light jog for a minute, then they immediately kicked it up a few more notches until both males were running flat out. Of course, the friendly run had turned into a full-blown competition. They were male, after all.
Dripping with sweat, Roman panted, “Fucking Krytos.”
“Fucking human,” Tavius snarled back. “Why are we doing this when we could be sitting over there drinking that bottle of whiskey we gave you?”
“I’m not sharing my gift.”
“Greedy bastard. So, I worked some magic of my own after I spoke to my mate. Sarros will be here two days from now. Since we are not going to solve all of the universe’s problems in one meeting, I will only stay for one week. Then, I’m going home.”
Roman skidded to a stop, wheezing out a laugh. “Are you kidding? I figured this would be over in three days, tops. Oh, and I won.”
“Fuck that. You did not.” Tavius wiped the sweat from his brow on the bottom of his tank. “I think everyone else will agree with three days. Well, maybe not Amari or that Blue guy, but I don’t think we want to try to keep them here longer than that.”
“Yeah, I don’t want to see what happens if they get bored.”
“I guess it’s your job to make sure everyone stays entertained,” Tavius challenged.
“How the hell am I supposed to do that?”
Suddenly, five people simply appeared several feet away. Roman recognized Reva, and the three males with her were definitely Tarin. However, they faded into the background when he saw the last female of the group. She was stunningly beautiful, with long black hair and glowing eyes that instantly told him she was a Dragon Warrior.