by C. J. Barry
"Plass is the Commander for the d'Hont. He reports directly to Tausek. Always has.” Decker shot Cidra a glance. “He keeps a very low, very discreet profile. He is Tausek's eyes and ears."
The room took on a suffocating silence while each occupant digested the discovery.
The first wave of emotion through Cidra was disbelief. “That can't be right,” she gasped and turned to Grey. “Bohr must have lied to us."
Grey ran a hand through his hair. “I don't think Bohr lied. He was too scared."
The second wave of emotion was shock. “That could only mean that Tausek arranged the ambush himself.” She nearly choked on the horror of her own words. “Why? What could he possibly gain?"
"Power,” Barrios spoke stoically. “He engineered a plan certain to make himself a hero and Dakru's next ruler. I don't know why I didn't see it before."
Decker wondered aloud. “How did he get his men to destroy the vaccine in the first place? It was their only chance to stop the plague from killing millions of their own people."
Barrios shook his head. “I can't imagine they would. Unless they didn't realize the cortege was carrying the vaccine. Who knows what Tausek told them? He was the Commander then, he gave the orders. They would have followed him anywhere."
Grey nodded and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It makes sense. He would have known precisely where the Galena would be dropping out of hyperspace. All he had to do was sit and wait. They never knew what hit them."
The third wave of emotion was indescribable. A foul wrenching in her gut. The truth was more horrible than she could have imagined. When she finally spoke, her words were deadly, laced with fury. “It all comes back to Tausek. He ambushed the shipment. He persecuted my father. He killed my family. He condemned the Kin-sha. He blackened Avion. He destroyed everything."
Grey addressed her warily. “Don't get any crazy ideas, Cidra. We're all in this together, remember?"
"I'm getting a few crazy ideas myself,” Barrios spat.
"Look, we'll deal with him, but we need to work together to do it,” Grey ordered. “Is that clear?"
Cidra closed her eyes, fighting for self-control. Grey had a point. They needed to do this right. There was no other way to get to Tausek. He was too well-protected. She would have to be content to let the truth convict him.
Still, there was always a chance. Hope welled up inside her. There was always a chance he would make a mistake, leave an opening. She glanced over at Barrios. If the opportunity ever arose, she knew they'd be standing side by side to destroy Tausek.
"Perfectly clear, Captain,” Cidra replied for both of them.
Grey's eyebrows raised at the use of his title. The formality of her answer surprised and worried him. How one woman could be so full of passion one minute and so deadly the next was beyond him. He wasn't about to let her run loose.
Decker cleared his throat conspicuously. “What next, boss?"
"Next, we find that shipment. If we can recover even part of it, we'll have all the evidence we need to go after Tausek."
Cidra eyes widened. “You know where it is?"
"I think so. It's the only place that feels right,” Grey said with an easy smile. “Ever heard of a planet called Courf?"
* * * *
Commander Plass sat behind his desk in the center of his private quarters and awaited Major Berman's arrival.
The Major had been with the d'Hont when Tausek had turned the average military unit into a formidable, deadly force. Berman had lost most of his family to the plague, surviving that living nightmare and dedicating himself to the d'Hont. It was a history that tied and knitted the d'Hont force tightly together. A bond joined in blood.
Berman's conviction and excellent flying record had earned him the command of the d'Hont airborne fleet. It was one of the reasons Plass had chosen him for this mission. The other reason was even more compelling.
Major Berman just happened to be part of the mission that destroyed the plague-laden refugee ships ten years ago.
Plass glanced at the time. The Major was apparently in no hurry to obey Plass’ summon and he knew why. The entire Expunger crew knew a Faulkner was within reach. Each felt the overwhelming pull of revenge. He knew he had his hands full keeping that vengeance at bay.
As if that wasn't enough, Plass had a direct order from Tausek to find and kill Cidra Faulkner no matter the cost. He raised a corner of his mouth. It was an order he had every intention of carrying out, but Cidra Faulkner would die only after Plass had his answers.
The door sensor chimed and admitted a cavalier Major Berman. Plass held back a smirk. Despite the gray hair and growing paunch, the Major hadn't lost any of his brashness to age. He walked with the arrogance and confidence of a seasoned military man.
"Have a seat, Major Berman.” Commander Plass motioned to the chair on the other side of the desk.
The Major scowled but said nothing as he seated himself.
Plass raised his eyebrows at the blatantly disrespectful display and steepled his fingers before him.
"Is there something you wish to say, Major?"
Major Berman shifted in his chair. “No, sir. Just wondering when we are going to see some action. I understand the Faulkner woman has been located. I eagerly await your orders to move in."
Plass leveled his gaze at his subordinate. “My order will come when the time is right."
The Major jumped to the edge of his chair. “My fighters are ready, sir. My men and I can take out Stone's ship in minutes."
Plass placed both his hands on his desk and leaned far forward. “If that is the decision I make, you will be the first to know.” He could see the frustration simmering just below the surface and continued, “That's not the reason I've called you here. There's been some discrepancy in our information files. I need you to clarify a few details for me."
The quick diversion seemed to take Major Berman by surprise. He loosened his death grip on the arms of his chair.
Plass leaned back in his chair. “Ten years ago, you were a pilot on an attack of a plague-infested refugee ship that attempted entry into Dakru. Do you recall that mission?"
Major Berman frowned slightly. “Yes, sir. The mission was led by then Commander Tausek. There were twenty of us altogether. We took out the enemy without incident."
Plass asked, “Was there anything unusual about that mission?"
The Major rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Not really. The orders came directly from Tausek. We never had any communications with the refugees. I believe Tausek ordered all transmissions blocked."
"How was the attack initiated?” Plass asked calmly, hiding his increasing curiosity.
The Major dropped his hands back to the armrests. “We waited for them to drop out of hyperspace."
Plass’ heart thumped in his chest. “You knew they were coming?"
The other man shook his head. “We didn't. Tausek did. He gave us the exact coordinates. We set up an ambush and attacked them the second they dropped out of hyperspace.” He smiled. “They never knew what hit them."
"How many ships in the convoy?” Plass inquired quietly.
"One large freighter and four small fighters.” The Major paused, drawing on his memory. “I was somewhat surprised that a bunch of dirty refugees could secure such advanced equipment. They did manage to give us quite a fight. I wasn't anticipating that. Tausek must have known. Otherwise, he wouldn't have used so many of our men."
"Yes.” Plass kept his voice steady under a crush of emotion. “That is surprising."
Oblivious to his superior's state, Berman boasted, “The only other item I can add is that there wasn't a trace of those refugees or the plague they carried when we finished."
Plass sat stiffly. “Very efficient indeed, Major. I know your pilots are the best, the pride of the d'Hont. Your loyalty is unquestioned, as is your execution of orders. I fully expect that performance to continue throughout this mission."
Silence hung heavily between the two men.
&n
bsp; "You have my word, Commander."
Plass smiled a humorless smile. “We won't lose her again, Major."
"Will that be all, Commander?"
"Yes. Dismissed."
The Major stood, turned on his heel and walked out the door.
Plass sat and stared after him, his mind racing. The pieces were clicking into place. He was now positive the convoy destroyed was not a bunch of ragtag, plague-infested refugees.
There was only one convoy destined for Dakru that could have matched the description given to him by Major Berman. Only one way that Tausek could have known precisely where they would have dropped out of hyperspace. There was only one reason why Stone would have accessed the Avion to Dakru shipment files. Only one purpose for Cidra Faulkner to come out of ten years of hiding and expose herself to certain death.
All the clues pointed to a single inevitable, terrible conclusion. Tausek had destroyed the Avion vaccine shipment bound for Dakru. It finally made sense.
Realization hit him in a wave. Tausek had arranged the destruction of the shipment, orchestrated the slander of Avion and the Kin-sha, ordered the cold-blooded deaths of Faulkner and his family, and stood by as millions of Dakruians died.
Anger and rage built in Plass as he gripped the arms of the chair. It had all been a lie. Tausek alone had handed down the death sentences of countless innocents.
Plass clenched his teeth and brought himself under control. As much as he wanted to head back to Dakru and face his illustrious ruler, it would be a foolhardy effort. Tausek had sent him away for a reason. The truth was at hand and Tausek had felt it. But it would take more than accusations to bring him to justice.
First, Plass had to verify his hypothesis. Then he would need evidence. Irrefutable evidence and enough of it to convince even Tausek's most loyal supporters of his atrocious deed.
He spun his chair around to face the floor-to-ceiling viewport in his quarters and stared into deep space, pulling his thoughts together. The Faulkner woman was the key. She had launched the events into motion. Plass nodded absently, he would have to capture her. Alive. That would be quite a feat considering how much this crew wanted her dead. But he needed to find out what she knew. Obviously, she was aware of the Saurelian fighters. She must know more.
All Plass had to do was keep her alive long enough to find out what.
* * * *
Grey studied the information on a micropad in his private quarters, grateful for Cidra's offer to collect dinner. He found it increasingly difficult to concentrate when she was around. He caught himself smiling.
When his room comm chimed softly, he reached over and activated the link. “Yes, Decker."
"Sir, I have a subspace communication for you from Rourke Jaccar. It's coming through on a secured link.” Decker sounded concerned.
Grey frowned and prepared to give the ensuing conversation his full attention. Rourke rarely took those kinds of precautions. “Send it through."
Rourke's voice boomed through the comm. “Hey, Stone. How are you feeling these days? Still in good hands?"
"You have no idea.” Grey grinned.
Rourke laughed on the other end. “I can just imagine. I'll bet it's been really tough."
"Why the secured link, Rourke?"
"I've got some information for you,” Rourke began. “You may not even want your crew to hear this, especially Cidra."
"What kind of information?” Grey already had a pretty good idea.
"Word on the street is that the d'Hont are looking for Cidra. There's no explanation going around other than they want her badly—dead or alive."
Grey didn't reply.
"What is going on?” Rourke prodded. “Why would the d'Hont be looking for Cidra? From what I can tell, the woman is a saint."
Grey ran a hand through his hair. “She is, but you're still better off not knowing what's going on."
"Then you knew about this?” Rourke asked in disbelief. “They know who you are, Grey. They know she's with you. Do you have any idea what the d'Hont will do when they find her and you?"
"I'm afraid I do,” Grey said grimly.
"Maybe you should hide her for a while until this blows over,” Rourke offered.
Grey shook his head, even though he knew Rourke couldn't see him. “Not a chance. She's staying with me. She's my mate."
A long, low whistle came through the comm.
"I never thought I'd see the day.” Rourke chuckled. “You couldn't have picked a nice, quiet Vaasa girl, huh? Leave it to you to find the most wanted woman in the galaxy."
Grey couldn't let that one go. “Sleeping alone, by any chance?"
Rourke laughed outright. “Yeah I'm sleeping alone, but I'm alive. Can't say the same for you if the d'Hont find you. Is there any place you can hide Calíbre?"
"Can't do that either,” Grey came back. “But this does move up my timetable a little. I appreciate the warning."
Rourke waited on the other end and finally asked, “Stone, what have you gotten yourself into?"
"You wouldn't believe it if I told you,” Grey mumbled. “Don't worry. We'll be all right."
Rourke grunted. “I have my doubts about you, but I know Cidra can take care of herself. She took out one of Wex's giants with two kicks. If I were you, I wouldn't make her mad."
"That's the plan,” Grey agreed. “Thanks for the update, Rourke."
"I'll keep my ears open for you. If you need any help or somewhere to hide, you know how to find me. And give Cidra my best. I want to stay on her good side.” Rourke laughed.
"Got it.” Grey cut the communication and closed his eyes. It wasn't a surprise, but he hadn't expected the d'Hont to close on them so soon. He hit the comm unit and hailed the bridge.
"Decker here."
Grey lowered his voice. “I want you to make the hyperspace jump to Courf as soon as possible."
There was a pause.
"Trouble?” Decker asked in an equally low voice.
"The worst kind,” Grey admitted. “If we don't get out of here now, we're going to have company. The d'Hont are breathing down our necks."
Decker swore on the other end. “Sorry about that. They must have tracked my break into the Dakru computer systems."
"Could be. But somehow I doubt it. Just get us into hyperspace. Then we need to make some contingency plans for the rest of this mission.” Grey paused. “One more thing. Lock out the K12 so no one can use it."
Decker balked. “Why? Who would steal it?"
Grey stared at the door to his quarters thoughtfully. “Just a hunch. Humor me."
"Yes, sir.” Decker signed off.
Grey leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face roughly with both hands. He wasn't looking forward to telling Cidra about this latest obstacle. He already knew what her reaction would be.
They were so close he could feel it. Courf was the right place, he was sure of it. He felt the pull of the hyperspace jump just as Cidra appeared at the door.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Cidra stood motionless holding the dinner tray and staring at his somber expression. “We weren't supposed to jump until tomorrow."
Slowly he rose, walked to her, and took the tray. After placing it on a table, he wrapped both of her hands in his. Cidra watched with growing dread.
"We have a problem.” His mouth was set in a hard line. “The d'Hont know about you. They were looking for you on Vaasa."
Her mind frantically worked over the implications. She drew in a deep breath and nodded once in acceptance. “Then they know about you, too. And Calíbre."
"Probably. I have a feeling they're close. That's why I moved up the jump."
Cidra gazed into the beautiful face of the man she loved, memorizing every feature. His hands squeezed hers. She closed her eyes, remembering what wondrous pleasure those hands could reign over her body. She would miss him. Her life would be empty without him. Her heart shattered but there was no other choice. She had to leave or they would all die. Grim resolution re
placed sadness. She opened her eyes and tried to pull away from him.
As if he had expected it, his grip tightened, and he pulled her against his body. “You're not going anywhere, Cidra."
Her anger flashed. “Don't you realize what this means? How can you put your crew in danger for my sake, Grey? Don't you care what happens to them? You know if the d'Hont find us, they'll kill you all because of me.” She tried again to yank her hands free. “I won't allow it."
"You have no choice. I'm not letting you go,” he said as she struggled in earnest. The battle was waged. He couldn't help but smile. She'd give him a fight.
She wrestled a hand free and shoved him with it.
Grey fended her off. There was no way she was leaving him now. They were too close and he needed her too much. He spun her around and trapped her in his arms from behind, careful not to hurt her.
Cidra had no such reservations as she growled in frustration, fighting for freedom.
He spoke into her ear. “There's no way off the ship. The K12 is locked out."
"I don't believe you.” She jammed her heel onto his foot and with a grunt Grey released her. Cidra lunged for the door, but he tackled her to the floor. She squirmed and wiggled under him as he positioned himself over her, face to face. He pressed down on her with his full weight, throwing his legs across hers. Then he snagged both her wrists and pinned them on either side on her head. Kin-sha or not, he could conquer her by sheer weight, muscle, and bulk alone. They were both breathing hard, eyes locked, neither willing to give in.
"I said, you're not going anywhere, and I meant it."
After a few more futile attempts, Cidra dropped her head back on the floor and closed her eyes in defeat. Her words came out in a series of shudders. “Grey, please. Don't do this to your crew. Don't do this to me. I can't bear it."
Grey gave silent thanks, knowing he'd won this one. He shifted to lighten his weight on her. “I'll keep the crew safe. I give you my word that I will take every precaution."
"And who's going to protect you?” She opened her eyes, her voice breaking.
"You will.” He smiled down on her. “You took out Wex's hired help. I couldn't ask for better protection than that."