“Don’t do this now, Dira. Any other time … but not now.”
The silence was loud in his ears. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft and kind. “What is it you thought I was going to say?”
“Something like goodbye, I guess.”
“Didn’t I tell you I’d never say that? Didn’t I tell you that my life means nothing without you in it?”
“People say things, Dira. But the truth is, life isn’t stagnant. Things change. People change.”
“Have you changed, Jason?”
“Me? Yeah, I’ve changed. But not about you … not about us.”
“So you don’t want to say those words to me? Say goodbye?”
“No, I don’t! What I want is for you to be here with me … now. But I know that’s imposs …”
His words caught in his throat. There was movement behind him and he saw her reflection in the mirror. How did she get here … when? Concern showed on her beautiful face. She held her arms out and, with an inward wave of her hands, motioned him toward her.
He melted into her arms and buried his head into her neck. She held him tight for what seemed like an hour, but was actually brief minutes. She took his face in her hands and kissed him. She continued kissing him until she broke away and said, her voice husky with passion, “Take me to bed, Jason.”
“I should talk to Admiral Stark … he’s waiting for me.”
She reached a hand down, and he felt her hand on him—grab him.
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do right now?”
* * *
With her head on his chest, her fingers gently pulling a few errant hairs on his abdomen, she said, “God … I’ve missed this.”
“Me too. I didn’t expect to see you again, to be honest. At least not here, on the Parcical.”
She lifted up from him and faced him. She kissed him gently but didn’t look him in the eye. “Jason, I can’t do this anymore.”
He stayed quiet and watched her long lashes flutter. Deep in thought, her brow slightly furrowed. “My life is here. I’m not saying I won’t ever go home, because I will. But this is too hard on both of us. When I’m away from you, my life is incomplete. All I do is wonder what you are doing—if you are in danger—if you have given up on me?” Her eyes finally looked up and gazed deeply into his. “Did you notice what I was wearing? Before you ripped my clothes off?”
He shook his head. “I had other things on my mind.” He thought about that, then leaned over the edge of the bed to check for himself. Her spacer uniform lay crumpled on the deck.
“You always looked good in uniform. You’re back? Not just visiting?”
“Oh I’m back … definitely back. If that’s okay?”
“Yeah … that’s okay!”
Chapter 41
Jason entered the bridge an hour late. No one turned in their seat to look at him, but he knew they probably wanted to.
“Where are we at, Gunny?”
She turned and gestured toward Gordon, sitting at the comms board. “The admiral signed off a half-hour ago. He wasn’t happy.”
“He’ll get over it,” Jason said. “What else? How’s Billy?”
Orion smiled. “Well, he has a new set of ears. He seems to be fine and is back in the barracks. Said he wanted to run some new drills with the Sharks.”
“Boomer?”
“She’s still on Draggim. Two of her team members took turns recuperating from injuries within the Stellar’s MediPod. According to Hanna, Boomer’s inside some kind of insect hive, rescuing a third. I’m staying in close contact, Cap.”
“Damn! I need to be there.”
“There’s more,” Orion said, holding up a restraining hand. “The Sahhrain fleet. It’s on the move.”
“To where?”
“It’s still here, within the Dacci system, but they’ve broken up, formed into three smaller contingents. Looks like two of them are heading out … will be leaving the system within the hour. The other one has slowed, moving toward the StarDome.”
“Any better idea how many ships are involved?”
“The three contingents have around six thousand ships each …”
Jason reacted to the figure with a look of astonishment.
“Granted, they’re not all Vastma-class warships, or even remotely of that same capability. Though there are several hundred of those. Most are smaller cruisers and gunships. It’s the sheer quantity … military might … that has me concerned.”
Jason thought about the three Sahhrain fleet contingents on the move. “Get me Stark.”
“Yes, Captain,” Seaman Gordon said.
Jason was surprised how quickly the admiral’s ruddy face appeared on the overhead display.
“I’ve been trying to reach you. It is imperative you bring the Parcical back to the Sol System at once.” Admiral Stark looked angry.
“That’s not going to happen. As we discussed, I do not work for you, Admiral Stark.”
“No, you do not. You don’t work for anyone. You have been relieved of duty. I’ve already conveyed appropriate orders to the Parcical’s crew … that you are to be taken into custody … and they are to return to Liberty Station at once, under escort.”
Jason could see the satisfaction at uttering those words on the admiral’s face.
“The last time we spoke, Stark, I warned you of the Sahhrain’s fleet buildup. What have you done to prepare the Sol System? Have you readied the U.S. fleet?”
The admiral hesitated and his thick neck had turned a shade of pink. Jason saw that he’d touched on a sore spot with him. Perhaps it was finally dawning on him what a cluster-fuck move it had been to climb into bed with such a duplicitous partner.
Stark snarled, “The only fleet you need to be concerned with is Star Watch. They will be arriving within the Dacci System within minutes to escort the Parcical back to Sol space. You are relieved of duty, Mr. Reynolds. I suggest you not resist. Reasonably, you might be allowed to have confinement within your quarters … if you follow orders.”
Jason looked at the middle-aged man, contemplating what it would be like to put a fist into that smug, pretentious, mouth of his. “Have you not looked at the Sahhrain buildup? The immense fleet they’ve assembled?”
Stark simply stared back at Jason, looking unconcerned. And suddenly Jason realized what was going on. “You knew about the buildup? Of course! You already knew the Sahhrain have become a military superpower.”
“Not only do I, and others, know about it, we fully support it. Good news … you are no longer under investigation for espionage … for the transfer of top-secret technology. That wasn’t you … as it turns out.”
Jason sat back in the command chair. Things were getting stranger and stranger by the minute. “No, General Reynolds was responsible for that,” Jason said.
The admiral shrugged noncommittally. “As of 1400 this afternoon, General Brian Reynolds has unanimously been promoted by the Joint Chiefs to fleet Omni. The president stands behind the decision.”
“And the transfer of tech to the Sahhrain? That’s all been forgiven?”
“As I’ve stated … it was a misunderstanding. At this time, it’s a moot point.”
Jason contemplated what the admiral was saying. How had he been so daft as to not see this coming? The truth was, the admiral had warned him. His exploits with Star Watch to the far reaches of the galaxy were a slap in the face to the powers-that-be back home. They wanted a commander who remained on station, minding the store—not gallivanting around space. Jason thought he could have it both ways—be the adventurous warship captain and maintain full command of the fleet. He’d also underestimated his brother. For years, he had relegated to Brian minor tasks, promoting him only enough to keep him happy. What Jason never considered was Brian’s deep-seated jealousy and resentment toward him. He wondered how long Brian planned what he had going on with the Sahhrain.
“Tell me, Admiral Stark. How long have you known about the Sahhrain fleet? The
buildup?”
“Months … almost a year.”
“And their duplicity, attack on the Blues? Fellow members of the Alliance, mind you?”
“Members of the Alliance come and go, you know that. It was strictly a strategic decision on our part.”
“Did you know about the attack on Capital City ahead of time?” Jason knew that the implications, regarding his question, were huge. It was common knowledge Boomer was living there. Not to mention Harpaign was not a military threat to anyone. It was, primarily, an archeological hub for the Blues.
“No … I would not have condoned such an action. I’m sorry for what has happened there.”
“Yet, you still believe … what? That there can be a pact of alliance with the Sahhrain? Are you fucking nuts?”
“It’s not your concern anymore. Your brother is a strategic genius. You, more than anyone else, know about the ever-growing interstellar conflicts Star Watch has had to deal with over the last few years. Sol System … Earth … has been in jeopardy far too often. The U.S. and Allied forces were often deployed to too many star systems. No! Thanks to General Reynolds, an opportunity has arisen that will more than double our resources. Hell, it will ensure the safety of all mankind. I’m surprised you didn’t take advantage of his skill-sets more often in the past.”
“Skill-sets? Now that’s an interesting way of putting it. Did you know, when I found him eight years ago, he was working for the Craing? Some kind of negotiator, he said, when in truth he was a traitor to his own kind. Apparently, he is a traitor still.”
“I’m tiring of this conversation. You are relieved of duty. I’m surprised to see you still sitting in that chair.”
“Where is my brother … General Reynolds, now?”
“That is not your concern.”
“I want you to remember the words I speak, Admiral: I do not relinquish my position as fleet Omni. I am giving you a direct order: Take General Reynolds into custody, until I see fit to deal with him properly. You do not take orders from the Joint Chiefs; not even from the president himself; you take orders only from me.”
“We’ll see about that,” Stark retorted back. The feed went black.
Chapter 42
As the lobster-bees began snapping out of their respective funks all around her—long legs twitching and wings fluttering—Boomer noticed their bulbous heads had conspicuously turned away from her. She figured they’d become leery of her presence. Perhaps they had communicated, however lobster-bees did that, the destructiveness of her plasma weapons, which was fine with her. She wasted no time stepping over three bugs and was ready and poised—her wrists raised up and out—to fire. Gain, still retching, looked up and saw her approach.
“Get me out of here,” he croaked.
Boomer knelt down and began to unravel spindly long legs from around his arms and upper torso. Like snakes, they pulled away. One of the insects, apparently irritated at being touched, produced a six-inch stinger from its backside. Not having noticed before that they were vested with an added defense system, Boomer thanked her lucky stars she was wearing a combat suit.
Only one long leg to unravel and Gain would be free. She was tempted to phase-shift the two of them out, but didn’t like bringing the large insect along. Tentatively, she lifted the tip end of its leg and began to pull it free, noting far more resistance from this lobster-bee.
Boomer felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to see Gain above her staring, wide-eyed. His mouth opened to speak but words didn’t come out—his eyes flicked to something over her shoulder. Slowly she turned her head—at first not fully comprehending what it was she was seeing.
She shouldn’t have been surprised. She’d already figured the queen must be lurking around here somewhere. What she didn’t expect to see was how different it looked from its much smaller offspring. The queen stood tall—about Boomer’s same size—five-feet-something. But the queen had differencing features, which kept Boomer staring at it in amazement when she should have been taking action. A noise emanated from the queen’s head, which clearly, to Boomer, had a zillion eyes, set on two bulbous protrusions atop its disgusting head. Its arms were thick and hairy and, unlike the smaller versions of the insect, the stinger—easily fifteen inches long—was out and throbbing.
Gain huddled behind Boomer. “Get … us … out … of … here!”
The queen attacked—bowling Boomer over onto her back—as it repeatedly jammed its stinger at her abdomen with ferocious vigor. In a flash, Boomer phase-shifted out of the hive and back to the nearby ledge, the quickest stored HUD location she managed to call up. In the bright sunlight, the queen, who had shifted along with her—was still momentarily affected by the shift and motionless. But Boomer knew she had only moments. Her mind flashed back to Gain, who was still confined back in the hive—with all those other bugs. Concern and guilt and an obligation to help him pulled at her.
She raised her visor and yelled toward the adjacent honeycombed walls, “Hang on, Gain … I’m coming back—”
She cut her words short. The creature had twitched. Sure enough, it was snapping out of its funk. With the lobster-bee lying across her chest, their heads mere inches from each other, she glanced down. The queen had positioned not one, but two of her giant pincher claws around her torso. She wondered if her combat suit could withstand the forceful power behind those claws or if she’d be snipped in half like scissors snipping through silly putty.
The queen jerked back to consciousness and became instantly frantic. The thrusting of the stinger resumed. Boomer’s arms, now also pinned by her long legs, were steadily being driven down into the dried husk of the hive. About to phase-shift again, she felt increasing pressure on her ribcage as the queen steadily began closing its claws. First came an audible alarm, beeping in her helmet, followed by a text warning flashing on her HUD:
WARNING: Combat Suit Failure Imminent!
Snap! Boomer felt the first rib break on her right side, then snap! a second rib broke on her left side. In agony, she screamed into her helmet, certain her life was about to end. Just as her consciousness began fading—a blessing, in light of the immeasurable pain consuming her every thought—bright flashes filled her eyes. Miraculously, the head of the queen lobster-bee flared into a ball of fire; then, an instant later, the enormous insect was reduced to a blackened husk, consumed in burning, red-hot embers. Leon and Hanna, donning combat suits and holding multi-guns, stared down at her.
Hanna was speaking, but Boomer’s pain was so intense all she wanted to do was sleep, escape the pain.
Gain!
She suddenly remembered Gain was still in the hive with all those bugs. “Gain … he’s in there … in the hive,” Boomer said weakly, and then she lost consciousness.
* * *
Boomer awoke to bluish light, from the tinted glass on the MediPod’s clamshell lid, and mentally replayed events within the hive and that huge queen insect. Reluctantly, she looked down at herself, expecting to see bloody indentations on both sides of her torso, where vicious claws had gripped her, but instead saw only her naked body. She tried moving about some and felt no pain. Suddenly self-conscious, she attempted to cover herself with her arms as a face appeared above her—staring down at her.
“Get out of here!” she yelled, embarrassed Drom had seen her naked. “Wait … get Hanna and go find me something to wear!”
* * *
As soon as she was dressed, Gain was ushered in. At least he’s walking, Boomer thought. Leon helped him into the MediPod and as the clamshell lid began to close she heard his voice faintly say, “Thank you, Boomer … fucking bee-things nearly killed me.”
“Can I come in now?”
Leon, at the MediPod’s interface controls, looked over to Boomer. “He’s been pacing out there for an hour. Guess he’s got something important to tell you.”
“What’s so important, Drom?” she asked, embarrassed still about him seeing her naked.
Drom appeared in the hatchway and smiled
. “I’ve got it!”
Boomer finished tying her Shadick and glanced up at him. “Got what?”
“The course … I’ve figured it out. I know how to beat it. At least that one obstacle.”
“No … I’m doing it. You were nearly killed, remember?”
“And you were nearly killed by an insect. None of us are infallible. But that doesn’t matter now. I’ve got it and I can beat it. I promise!”
Boomer looked over to Leon. “Are there extra SuitPacs on this ship?”
“Plenty. But if you’re handing them out to others, you’ll first need to give them basic instructions on how to use the device … and the battle suit.”
There wasn’t time to wait for Gain—who was now in the MediPod. They found Rogna sprawled out on the upper level, asleep on one of the soft leather couches. She awoke with a start and grabbed Boomer—pulling her into a hug. “Oh God … those things! Disgusting … that shit got in my mouth.” She made a gagging expression that made Drom laugh.
Boomer handed them each a SuitPac device. “We’ve got to go over a few things. This will take a while and you need to listen to me. Rogna, this is not a toy. I’m serious, so pay attention.”
Over the next sixty minutes, with Hanna and Leon interjecting additional tidbits of information, Boomer went over the basics of both the SuitPac device and the battle suit: How to initialize it—on and off; the basics of using the Heads Up Display, and what some of the icons meant; and how to instantly jump across large areas, using the most basic aspects of line-of-sight, phase-shifting, operations. Rogna looked like a deer caught in the headlights—overwhelmed by the abundance of technical information being thrown at her. While Drom asked a distracting number of questions, Rogna hardly asked any. A bad sign. In the end, Boomer gave them sufficient information to potentially save their lives.
Boomer (Star Watch Book 3) Page 23