“Love you more.” Bethany Anne kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, my angel.”
Gabriel hadn’t woken up when Michael moved him. She ducked into his Pod-crib and kissed him, too, and she and Michael left the nursery.
“Will you give Jean a break now?” Michael asked.
“Yeah,” Jean called from the living area. “Will you give me a break?”
Bethany Anne made a face. “I suppose I may have been a little loose and free with your kids.” She shrugged a little uncomfortably at the realization.
“And everyone else’s,” John supplied.
Bethany Anne put a hand to her forehead and sighed. “Go on, rub it in.”
Jean came over and patted her shoulder. “Don’t sweat it. You were a good aunt, and you did all the kids good. It’s just so sweet to finally be able to return the favor.”
Bethany Anne sensed Michael’s amusement. She turned and caught the smirk he didn’t hide quickly enough.
“What?” he asked, looking around. “Do I still have a spot of blood on my face?”
Chapter Nine
High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Security Pit, Meeting Area
“We are almost ready to complete the seclusion of High Tortuga. Or, as I’m code-naming it, ‘Project Boxing Ring.’” Bethany Anne put her tablet on the table and took a sip of her Coke. “The Guardian Marine teams are arriving on New Devon as we speak. They will instill some order in the first and second cities—however it is they need to do that—and continue the emancipation of the miners out by the lakes.”
Peter chuckled. “There was some competition to get on that assignment.”
Bethany Anne smirked. “I’ll just bet. That place is the answer to many problems, not least creating another layer in the frontier for the interdiction I want.”
“How do you mean?” Gabrielle asked. “I know we like it as a place for the rabble-rousers, but how will that help us keep undesirables from finding High Tortuga?”
“I didn’t need to take over a whole planet to find a place where people could blow off some steam.” She leaned forward and laced her hands together on the table. “New Devon is going to be the place people end up if they try to find old Devon. Then, depending on their intent, we can either divert them or transport them here.”
Tabitha tapped the table. “Or, you know, fuck them up completely if they’re there to start something.”
Bethany Anne snickered. “That, too. So now we have the shuttle service in place—thank you for getting those Gate engines for the bus-ship built so quickly, William—we can get our rebels taken care of.”
William nodded. “Wasn’t anything. It went faster once Eve finished Michael’s project and had some time for it.”
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow at her husband.
“Nothing you need to let bother you,” Michael assured her. “Just a little something we came up with to help with Alexis and Gabriel’s education.”
She gave Michael a look. You can tell me about it later. Now isn’t the time.
“So how do we divert the whole galaxy to the wrong planet?” Jean asked. “I mean, we can’t exactly change the maps.”
“Yes, we can,” ADAM replied through the speaker. “I’m ready to implement the virus for Project Reroute that will replace the coordinates of High Tortuga with those of New Devon.”
The Queen rolled her eyes. “Let’s just codename it ‘Devon.’”
Tabitha leaned back in her chair. “Yeah, because yet another name in the ‘what the fuck planet are we on’ game was just what we needed.”
Bethany Anne waved her off impatiently and turned to look at William expectantly. “What about getting some normality around here? Now we have the planet’s infrastructure under control, I want to loosen travel restrictions.” She narrowed her eyes at the reactions around the table. “Once we’re in Phase Three, that is. Nobody is getting on or off High Tortuga without my say-so until I can be sure they have no way of running their mouths about our location to the highest bidder.”
William shrugged. “I don’t know what you want me to say. Until we figure out how to loosen travel restrictions without High Tortuga’s location becoming common knowledge, Phase Three can’t go ahead.”
“You know how I feel about the word ‘can’t.’ It just doesn’t sit well with me.” She wrinkled her nose. “We’re almost there with this.”
Michael was grateful for the centuries of practice he’d had keeping his face straight. “There is still the practical issue of removing the information from large numbers of people.”
Akio nodded, resting his chin on his hand. “There is also the moral issue to consider. What if we take more than High Tortuga’s location?”
“We can’t risk that.” Bethany Anne made a face. “Keep on it, and get with anyone you need to find the solution. Next item, my absence.”
Tabitha grinned. “Finally.”
“I have to agree.” Gabrielle pushed her hair back from her eyes. “I’m more than a little excited for some family time and retail therapy.”
“Therapy?” Bethany Anne shook her head. “It’s not going to be therapy for the store owners. Mama needs some new pumps.”
Jean snorted. “Does Mama need some new pumps, or does Mama just want some new pumps?”
Bethany Anne pointed at Jean. “You’re still on my shit list. Be glad I’m even taking you with me.”
Jean winked. “Quite happy to stay behind. It’ll save me another fight with Lillian. You’ll just have to find someone else who can fly the ship.”
Bethany Anne rolled her eyes.
“I don’t know why you’re so mad,” Gabrielle pointed out. “It wasn’t like she showed the twins a certain movie that we can’t talk about because it would be breaking the rules.”
John let out a burst of laughter. “Shit, she’s got you there, BA! That was too fucking funny.”
“Yes,” Gabrielle snarked. “It was just the funniest when Eric and I were called into the Academy to explain why our twelve-year-olds and their friends suddenly started showing up at school with bruises they refused to explain.”
Bethany Anne held a finger up and opened her mouth to argue, then dropped it, closed her mouth, and shook her head. Her shoulders slumped. “Nope, I’ve got nothing to say in my own defense.”
The chuckles started.
New Devon, First City, Main Shipyard
Jacqueline inhaled as she stepped off the shuttle ramp behind Mark. “This place smells like…” She sniffed again, her nose wrinkling.
Death, Demon finished for her. The cat padded down the ramp and came to stand beside Jacqueline and Mark.
Sabine swaggered past with her bags, chuckling. “I heard they had a recent outbreak of it.” She turned back, one hand on her hip. “Well, are you just going to stand around staring all day, or are we going to find a place to stay?”
They exited the shuttle bay and made their way over to the line for the orientation desk, where they were given directions to temporary accommodation and a link to their ops handler for the duration of their stay.
The orientation officer winked as she passed Sabine the information. “Get settled in first, and enjoy a night in the city before you check in with ops.”
Mark grinned and nodded at a string of bars along the main strip. “We won’t lack for nightlife here.”
Ricole swept the streets with her gaze, ever alert to the prospect of danger. “We’ll need jobs to pay for all that.” She noted that they were drawing attention. An older Noel-ni looked from Ricole to the humans and nodded at her. “What’s that all about?” she asked aloud.
The corner of Sabine’s mouth lifted up a fraction. “They know you’re a badass, in the company of the baddest of badasses.”
Ricole glanced at the watchers as they walked. Was this respect? She wasn’t certain, but she was sure that not all the watchers had pure intentions. She shrugged and followed the others.
After dropping their gear at the hotel, they returned to the
main strip and walked toward the bazaar until they came to a likely-looking bar.
Sabine pointed out a sign above the door that translated to You Break It, You Pay. (Unless it’s your face on someone’s fist. That’s on you).
Jacqueline grinned and pushed open the door. “My kind of place.”
Mark rolled his eyes.
They were seated with glasses of something darkly golden and the discussion about their options was well underway when the doors opened and spilled a crowd of already intoxicated assholes into the bar.
The mixed group of Torcellans, Queegert, two T’lorns and a Zhyn caused a scene as they crossed to the bar, where they clamored until the bartender served them.
Jacqueline was far from impressed by the interruption to what had been a pleasant evening so far. “Holy shit, is there no bar in the galaxy where you can just enjoy a quiet drink without a bunch of douchenozzles like these crashing it?”
Sabine’s lip curled as she looked them over. “Apparently not,” she murmured. “But then, that was true on Earth as well.”
The rowdy drunks roared as one as one of them made a comment in their own language about humans being comparable to a sexually transmitted disease in that they spread without mercy and had no known cure.
The four understood perfectly, thanks to the translation implants in their heads. Jacqueline made to get up when another mocked Ricole, calling her a pet. Mark touched her arm to hold her back. “Not worth it, babe.”
The waitress, who was exchanging their empty glasses for full ones, took one look at the assholes propping up the bar and turned to Jacqueline with sympathy on her face. “Ignore them. They just don’t like being knocked off the top of the pole. Most were glad of the Mistress’ intervention on behalf of the slaves after we realized she wasn’t going to mess with our lives. Those who aren’t? Well, they’ll come around, or they won’t.”
“If they don’t, we will have something to do while we’re here.” Sabine smirked and put her empty glass on the waitress’ tray. “What is life like here?”
The waitress gave Sabine a wide smile. “It’s a hard planet. There are fights and the occasional murder, but otherwise…you know.” She shrugged. “Same as any place on the edge, I suspect. We do what needs doing to get on. Folks around here don’t handle authority too well.”
Mark chuckled at that. He was keeping one eye on Jacqueline, who was still listening in on the shambles at the bar. They were getting louder and more daring since they thought the four couldn’t understand them.
“You see how weak he is. We could take the females from him with no problem.”
“I want that one.” The Torcellan screamed in pain as the bones in the hand he was pointing in Jacqueline’s direction were crushed to splinters inside the skin.
Ricole did a double-take, looking at Mark’s empty chair and then at the bar, where Mark had forced the speaker to his knees with a little pressure in the right place on the broken hand. “You owe the lady an apology,” he growled into the mercenary’s face. “Disrespect me all you like, but you keep your fucking mouth shut about my woman.”
He headbutted the whimpering douchebag and stood to face the rest of them, who had all moved to surround him.
Jacqueline’s eyes shone yellow. She affected a huge sigh and looked at Sabine and Ricole with a sly grin. “Well, I suppose I’d better give my boy toy a hand.”
“Claws might come in handy,” Ricole supplied.
Sabine snickered. “Go, have fun,” she told Jacqueline. “Ricole and I will ensure the fight stays fair.” She patted the pistols on her hips.
Jacqueline grinned, and in the next instant grew much taller, hairier, and deadlier. She threw herself into the melee with flash of claws and fangs. “I’m cooominnng forrr youuu!”
Sabine got Ricole’s attention, then nodded to the pair. “I thought we’d be here at least a day before she went all Pricolici on someone’s ass,” she commented dryly. She stood and stretched nonchalantly. “Where shall we work from?”
Ricole pointed at the bar. “Seems as good a place as any.”
They made their way over chairs, under two tables, and ducked a body, then vaulted up onto the bar, pistols drawn. The bar was in an uproar as the fight spread through the patrons. Sabine threw her head back and shrieked her joy at being in the midst of it all again.
She and Ricole kept watch from their perch.
A few of the people surrounding Jacqueline and Mark drew their weapons. “Yeah, no. Not happening,” Sabine yelled, startling the mob into looking at her. She waved her pistol over the crowd. “Two of them versus as many of you as are stupid enough to take them on. That’s fair enough.” She indicated that they should carry on, and more than a few looked at Sabine, wondering about her crazy logic and if she’d completely lost it. “I meant it,” she assured them with a sparkling smile. “This should be fun to watch.”
Ricole glared at them all like she’d just stepped in them on the street. “You heard the woman. Fight!” She picked up a glass and threw it at one of the original assholes.
It was enough to break the tension. As if a switch had been thrown, the bar erupted into a chaos of swinging stools and smashing glasses.
One of the bartenders looked up at the young Noel-ni and shook his head.
Orian looked up as Keet shoved his hairy head through the door. “There’s a big fight down the street. Some humans are taking on all comers.”
Orian jumped to his feet, as did a few others. They’d all talked about picking a fight with one of the humans, but an opportunity to back it up with action was not to be missed.
At least, that was their plan.
The street outside was packed with onlookers. They watched the events inside the bar through the large windows, open-mouthed. Orian followed Keet through the crowd to the bar, and they pushed inside.
From the threshold, they took in the circle of unconscious bodies around the human…and a large canine of some kind? Those two plowed through the rush of oncoming attackers, and they both appeared to be having a huge amount of fun doing it.
Orian exchanged a glance with Keet, and they looked back at the ruckus. When they drew their weapons, they were met by the cold stares and long barrels of the human and the Noel-ni on the bar.
“No guns!” the human female yelled at them.
The Noel-ni flashed her canines as an unconscious form hit the wall behind the bar and slid down. Her smile didn’t make the two feel any better.
“Feel free to try and hit them, though,” she told them.
Chapter Ten
High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Queen’s Suite, Nursery
Bethany Anne pressed the lid of the suitcase down. It took some of her considerable strength, but she finally managed to pull the zipper most of the way closed. “Balls!” She stuck the finger she’d pinched in her mouth to relieve the sting.
Michael appeared in the doorway, coffee mug in hand. “Need a hand?”
She shook her head and finished zipping the bag. “I’ve got it.”
Michael smirked. “I believe you owe a forfeit for that little outburst. Now, what rare and exquisite penalty does one choose when it’s entirely likely you will not slip again?”
Bethany Anne shook the sore finger at her husband. “I didn’t slip this time. Could have been talking about any balls at all. It’s not my problem if you have a fixation.”
“Hmmm.” Michael looked a little too disappointed.
“You’ll have to get up a lot earlier in the day if you want to catch me out, honey.” She smirked, took the mug from his hand, and drained it. She grimaced slightly at the aftertaste. “It’s not quite coffee, but it’s not completely horrible either.”
Michael retrieved the mug and took it to the kitchen to get a refill. He called back, “You could pick up some of that Yollin blend I like while you’re away!”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. We’re taking an extra storage cube with us. If there’s anything else you want while we’re ther
e, get a list together.”
He returned with his refill and a cold Coke for Bethany Anne. “How are you feeling about returning to the Meredith Reynolds?”
She took the bottle and sat down beside him on the couch. “Excited. It’s been too long since I’ve seen baby Kevin.”
Michael smiled. “He is not a baby any longer.”
“I know. Apparently, he’s a complete terror.” She put her feet up on the ottoman and chuckled. “Although I’m pretty sure Dad and Patricia are having an easier parenting experience than we are.” She wrinkled her nose as her concerns surfaced. “Mostly excited.”
Michael gave her a knowing look. “Your father’s problem?”
“Yeah. I’m not going to butt in…” Michael gave her a look that said he knew better. “Unless he asks,” she conceded. “What have you got planned for the children while I’m away?” She looked sideways at her husband. “You were acting cagey earlier.”
Michael’s mouth twitched. “I have a couple of field trips planned for them. Nothing too big.”
“‘Nothing too big?’” Bethany Anne narrowed her eyes, not buying his innocent expression for one second. “No dinosaur hunting with the children, Michael.”
Michael held a hand up. “Of course not. What I have planned is strictly educational.”
Bethany Anne’s tone was clear. “Alexis and Gabriel will not leave the safety of the base while I’m away.”
They heard the children approaching, so Michael quickly explained into Bethany Anne’s mind.
When he finished, Bethany Anne was completely nonplussed. Huh? You just told me you were planning field trips.
Michael winked. That’s what I want the children to think. Eve has completed a project I had her working on. The challenge has been keeping it from our daughter.
She stood as the children burst into the living area with all of their usual enthusiasm, and a little extra for their mother. I suppose that’s okay. Just remember, I will be coming home. It will not be pleasant to be you if I find out you took our babies out to hunt that damned dinosaur of yours.
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