by Viola Grace
“Why do you want to look like another Breethin?”
He cleared his throat. “If you check my records, I had my features altered when I left Breethin. I just want them returned to normal.”
She looked at his exit documents and his features when he left Breethin. “Right. Give me a moment to create a pattern for you.”
Illuma went to her terminal, and she brought up the Luring family. The image of Olwick Luring matched the face on her table. The younger man next to him was Deenar Luring. He wanted a reset back to Deenar.
She nodded and walked to the table, making the adjustments and working with the hair colour. “The unit will sedate you. Try and relax.”
He nodded, and the spray hissed out, knocking him unconscious.
She went to the other side of the lab and settled behind her sound screen in her office, making a few calls. She needed to find out why he was here and what the hell was going on.
Ostensibly, she was preserving his privacy, but truthfully, she was delving into why he was on her table.
While she called Citadel Lowel, only to find that they didn’t have any record of the man in her lab, she located the files that showed his transit. He was a charmer. No wonder no one had a recollection of him. He simply replaced his presence with a sensation in their limbic system.
Fortunately, when Illuma went looking for someone like him, she didn’t look for people, she looked for charges to food systems and extra weight on shuttles. He was powerful if he had gotten into a Citadel via a Sector Guard station. Maybe he came in on one of the lecture groups from the guest station that serviced Lowel. That would make more sense.
By the time he had been reset to his genetic standards, she had an excellent idea of where he had been and why he had been beaten.
She was dealing with a charmer who had a taste for other men’s wives.
She was comfortably seated next to his bed when he woke. She sipped at her tea and watched as he pulled the mirror over to look at his face.
“Is that satisfactory?”
He touched his jaw gingerly and frowned. “Was my jaw this big before?”
“It was. You will be sore for a few days. The grafting to reset your appearance to genetic specifications is still setting up, but we have a launch window to Breethin, and I suggest you get dressed so we can be on our way.”
He reached out and gripped her arm. “I want you to forget you ever saw me.”
Illuma cocked her head and smirked. “I thought you might say that.”
She picked up the hypospray and knocked him out before he could say or do anything else. He was going home one way or another. The authorities on Breethin were waiting for him, and she wanted to visit home for a few days.
Illuma picked him up and hauled him to her shuttle, strapping him in for his trip to their home world. The clothing that he had brought with him was stored in a chest after she scanned it for technology. There wasn’t any tech, but there was a lot of counterfeit currency.
Deenar was not a good man.
Twenty-seven hours and three jumps later, she keyed in her access code and set down on Breethin.
Her passenger was shouting invectives and demanding to be let go.
She had tried to tell him that she had made a few adjustments to his body so when the doors opened he wouldn’t be able to charm the guards. He had spit in her face, so she didn’t bother making any additional conversational gambits.
Illuma wrapped him in mist and unbuckled the restraints. When he tried to lunge upward, she held him tight and force-walked him to the hatch.
He hissed and struggled, but she shoved him forward. The spaceport security was waiting for him, and they took him off her hands.
She signed him over and briefed them on the temporary damage that she had done to his pheromone glands. When his body fixed them, he would be back where he started with the ability to charm those within range of scent or touch.
Illuma handed over his clothing and the faulty currency. It was logged, and a copy of the report was sent to Illuma’s tablet.
“If that is all, base commander, I would like to visit some family.”
“Enjoy your time here, Mistress Ambrehar.” He inclined his head.
She got her bag from the shuttle, sealed it and headed to the arrival’s hall. Her father was waiting for her with his arms open wide.
The hug brought tears to her eyes. She had missed him.
Arm in arm, they walked to the vehicle he had waiting. He tucked her into her seat, put her luggage in the storage area and slid into the seat next to hers. With a deep sigh, he took her hand. “Take us to the hollow.”
They took off and she sat back; there was nothing like being home again.
Chapter Three
The tumbling mists roiled toward her, and she ran into it, her mind wide open.
Illuma, you have grown so.
Mother, I am the same size I was when I left.
I am referring to your soul. You have seen more, felt more. You are a woman now, child. I am so proud of you.
Illuma took a deep mental breath. Mother, if you could walk solid again, would you?
A chance to be with your father again? Of course.
Then, keep your mind open and follow the current that I give you.
I will follow your lead, child. There was excitement in Lumina’s thoughts.
Illuma leaned back and sent a micro layer of her mist out and coalesced it into the shape of her mother. She worked while her father watched and hoped.
Illuma had mentioned the possibility to her father in the vehicle, and he had agreed with alacrity. He had never stopped loving his wife, even though the courts offered him a complete nullification of his marriage to allow him a chance at an heir.
He had refused.
Now, he waited to see what his daughter could do with her new skills.
Illuma was determined not to disappoint him.
She gave her mother the directions and held the body for her as a compression unit. Lumina had expanded so much that she wouldn’t be completely contained, but it would be a start for her to be able to touch her family again.
Illuma worked to gather her mother up, and when she was finally able to look out through her normal vision, she saw a familiar face.
Her mother patted her body and face, confirming that she was solid again. When she had confirmed that she was standing on two feet in the hollow, Lumina opened her arms to her daughter.
“Well done, pet. Very well done.”
Her father came up behind them and took Illuma’s place in her mother’s arms.
Both of her parents were crying as they clung to each other, and she smiled from the heart for the first time. Her father removed his shirt and draped it over his wife. Together, they left the hollow and the tears continued to flow. The Ambrehar family was complete once again.
Her parents disappeared in their chambers for a day, and when they emerged, they clung to each other like newlyweds.
“Illuma, I was going to ask you if you wanted to accompany me to the Loring-Bascomb wedding tomorrow.” Her father kissed her mother’s hand before he looked over at Illuma.
“Won’t you be going with mother?”
“Of course, but the invitation was for our entire family. You have come to visit, and so we should spend time together, but I would love to take you and your mother to the event.”
The subtext was that he wanted to show them off. Illuma nodded. “I am more than willing to do that.”
“Do you have a gown?”
Illuma nodded again. “I can manage something. The Citadel has been very helpful.”
Lumina smiled. “You did an excellent job. I fit into all my clothes. My wardrobe is still intact.”
“I tried my best based on old vids of you and Dad together. I went from his height, my height and extrapolated your height and the shape of your body.”
Her mother sent a tendril of mist coiling through the air and stroked her cheek. “You learned wel
l.”
“Thank you. Your body is the combination of nineteen different techniques that I have worked on over the last few years.”
They discussed Illuma’s job and the specialists she worked with. She talked about the couple she just had to rescue using her mist form. When she left them, they were still murmuring to each other in one of the comfortable chairs in the family room.
Illuma needed to find herself a gown, so she was going to do some research into what was currently trendy on Breethin. She had never been a slave to fashion, but if she was representing family, she wanted to look her best.
When she had decided on a dress pattern, she went to bed and set her alarm for dawn. Breethin weddings started early so that the walk to the ceremonial hall could take as long as it needed to.
She had locked up one of the Loring men. She really hoped that the bride had an alternate.
Yevika Loring had a frightened expression on her face.
Illuma stood with the crowd outside the Loring house and felt her heart sink at the panic in the young lady’s expression. Her older brother looked as if he could do the job of protector on his own, but it was breaking with tradition.
Illuma took a deep breath and broke with tradition herself.
She worked her way out of the crowd and strode to the Lorings.
She bowed low to the lady and her brother. “Miss Luring, Lord Luring, I am Illuma Ambrehar. Sadly, I arrested your brother, but I am a trained combat specialist, and I am offering myself as your second.”
“In what capacity did you arrest him?” Olwick Luring asked the question.
“As a Citadel Specialist. He used his skills to gain access to my station via illegal means. The trail of disaster and fraud is metres long.”
Olwick nodded. “Where is he now?”
“I have brought him home so that his own people may care for him. So that our people may care for him instead of him ending up in Janial.”
She stood and faced him, but it was the bride that cleared her throat. “I accept your offer to act as Olwick’s second. Thank you.”
“You are more than welcome, Yevika.”
Olwick nodded to her. “Are you ready to walk?”
“I am. I even wore my best formal and comfortable boots.”
Yevika grinned. “I wish I had thought of that.”
“Well, strike the gong and start the walk. We are with you.”
Illuma stepped to one side and let the bride and her brother take the lead. She would protect the rear.
The gong at the end of the walkway was rung, and the procession began.
She walked behind them, and since she was already off tradition, she sent tendrils of mist to the sides to keep the crowd back. It would be her first warning that someone was coming in. With effort, she kept the mist nearly invisible.
She protected the Lurings every step of the way to the ceremonial park. When the groom took the bride by the hand, her job was over and she faded into the crowd, joining her parents.
The rest of the ceremony went like clockwork.
Two hours later, the bride and groom had completed all the rituals and were bound for life. After that, the party started.
The Ambrehars stayed together in one place as everyone wanted to meet Illuma, and they marvelled over Lumina.
It was part of the social requirement of being from a wealthy, noble family on Breethin. She smiled tightly at her fiftieth lord who wanted to know how long she would be in town so that he could call on her.
Her father tapped her on her shoulder and gave her the nod that told her she had fulfilled what she needed to do. Illuma quietly faded back and snuck away to the buffet table.
She filled a plate and found a dark corner, nibbling at the tasty treats that she could only get at home.
“You really arrested my brother?” Olwick Luring appeared at her shoulder.
“I didn’t arrest him; I just kept him from getting away and handed him over to the local constabulary. Oh, and I numbed his talent for a while.”
“We were not properly introduced. I am Olwick Luring.”
She inclined her head. “Illuma Ambrehar.”
“The Nishan?”
“Half Nishan. Did you know that your brother was using your face and your name off world?”
Olwick looked shocked. “He was doing what?”
“He was using your name to debauch women and con men along with his talent.”
Olwick’s pretty features twisted. “It sounds like Deenar.”
“It definitely was. He tried his wiles on me, but I am not susceptible.”
“Fortunate for you.”
“For him as well. His last contact tried to kick him to death.”
Olwick sat next to her, and he sighed. “It sounds like he hasn’t changed.”
“No. It is too bad. The Citadel can always use folks with a charm talent.”
Olwick shook his head. “I wish I could help you, but there are no other talents of his nature in the family. My personal branch of power lends itself to assessment rather than manipulation.”
“Assessment?”
“I can look into a soul and know what I need to about a person. It is not an assessment I do lightly.”
“So you know what your brother is.”
“I do. I have always known and always hoped for better for him.”
“You always hope for better, but you have to give in and accept that folks will do what they feel is best for them in the moment. Sometimes, they look to the future, but usually, they concentrate on the now.”
He chuckled. “It seems you have given it some thought.”
“I have a lot of time to think while I am at work.”
“How long have you been with the Citadel?”
“Four years. They recruited me after I finished my last growth spurt.”
He looked her over. “Late bloomer?”
Her face did something she wasn’t used to, and she barked a rusty laugh. “You could say that.”
Her smile was one of amusement. She could feel the facial muscles pulling in a way she hadn’t felt before. It was a happy memory that had created a smile. The two things had never gone together before.
She wanted to touch her face, but her hands were busy with the plate and a sandwich. Illuma tried to memorize the feel of the laugh and emotion connected, but she wasn’t sure she could remember it.
He extended his legs and settled back. “How is Citadel Lowel? I took a course there last year. Iara was most hospitable.”
“You did?”
“I was finishing my own tour with the Citadel, and education is the biggest perk.”
She blinked. “You were in the Citadel?”
“I was an interrogation specialist. When my contract was over, I came home. Deenar was already gone.”
She blinked. “Wow, and we know what he was up to. Well the last six months of it anyway.”
“You tracked him back that far?”
“I did. While he was at the station for treatment.”
“What was he there for?”
Illuma sighed. “He came in to get his face reset to his original. He stopped being you in other words.”
“Well, if he is in custody here, I will go in and find out what he has been up to.” Olwick paused. “Thank you for your help today.”
“It was my pleasure to help fix a problem I created. I normally don’t get to follow up on any of my work until the event is over.”
He cocked his head. “What do you do for the Citadel?”
“I assist field agents with concealment and camouflage when they go to worlds that are not friendly to alien incursion.”
“How?”
“Medical and topical application of science.”
“So, no details.”
“No. Not unless you are on my table.”
He grinned. “That sounds like an invitation.”
She started in surprise. “Um, no, it is a fact.”
He laughed. “We will see
. Now that Yevika is wed, I am no longer needed here as guardian.”
“Are you saying that you will be back in the Citadel?”
“I am saying that I am no longer required to be on watch for males trying to get to Yevika in order to get her inheritance.”
A smile flicked across Illuma’s lips. “You vetted her fiancé seventeen different ways, right?”
“Of course. I also had a one-on-one meeting with him and scanned him for any subterfuge. He is a stable man with a good plan for his future that doesn’t include any unnecessary risks. I trust him with my sister, and now, I can relax and work on my own life.”
“Was that an issue before?”
“Family comes first.”
She looked over to where her parents were dancing with other guests. “Yeah, I can see your point.”
Chapter Four
Illuma settled back into her routine on Incognito Station with a few changes. She played Breethin music from the com system and occasionally danced with her bots while she had down time.
It had been a really good wedding, and Olwick had kissed her before she left. It had been a polite kiss on her hand, but it had still been a kiss. It was her first.
Her parents were enjoying a second honeymoon, and she was happy to be out from under all that warm affection. She loved them, but it was overwhelming.
The com chirped, and the music lowered in volume.
“Incognito Station, how may I help you?”
“This is Hremak at Citadel Lowel. We are sending you a new assessment officer. He needs to be kitted out for a Kremall colony.”
She whistled in her mind but spoke professionally. “That is a two-day job.”
“It is. He is ready for it.”
“Send me the files. I will have everything ready when he arrives.”
“They are on their way. Glad you are back. No one does the same job that you do, Specialist Ambrehar.”
She could have said, I know; it is a special skill set that I inherited from my parents, but she said, “I will be waiting. Com off.”
She wheeled over to the incoming system and looked at the scans of the biology that she would be working on.