by Gun Brooke
"Your aim was dead-on. You burned every circuit in their weapons array and destroyed the shield." Rae read from her computer. "They sustained a hull breach that reached across ten decks."
"I had to be sure," Kellen said. "I fired two torpedoes into the node."
"So you had long-range scanners but no way of communicating. How did you persuade Lieutenant D'Artansis to go along with the plan?" the admiral asked.
Kellen couldn't judge if he was pleased or shared his daughter's point of view. "I suggested this course of action, and she questioned me to see if I knew what I was talking about. She decided to trust my ability to fly the assault craft and target the node. We waited for the right opportunity, and shortly after the Emerald was severely damaged, she made the call. Lieutenant D'Artansis knew if we failed, the Onotharian ship would probably break through our shields."
"You did some brilliant maneuvering out there," Todd added. "I don't think I've seen anyone, except possibly D'Artansis, fly like that. You must have disengaged the computer to make your escape."
"Yes, I did. The computer wouldn't have allowed such a flight pattern." Kellen looked at Rae, exhaustion burning inside every bone of her body. "Please, may I go see Armeo?"
"One more question, and then you may leave." Rae placed the computer on the desk and leaned forward on her elbows, her fingers laced together.
Kellen did not avoid Rae's penetrating eyes. Instead she tried to shake off the fatigue that threatened to disable her. Absentmindedly she wondered if the medication she was still on was causing this extreme reaction.
"How did your father, a farmer and family man, have access to these blueprints?"
Glancing at Commander Todd and the admiral, Kellen hesitated, knowing her answer wouldn't go down well. "I can't share this information."
"You can and you will. It's vital. I need to explain to the Council how you, in their eyes a mere fugitive, can possess classified information."
Kellen ignored her sore muscles and shot up from the chair, sending it flying backward. Clasping her hands behind her back, she glared at Rae. "I'm bound by honor. I'm not going to compromise it."
"You are going to talk, Kellen. You don't have any other choice." Rae pressed her hands onto the desk and rose slowly from her chair. "Listen to me. This situation will continue to blow up in our face unless we have all the information we need to deal with M'Ekar and the Onotharians. We can't act blindly and expect to win!"
"And I can't betray my vows!" Kellen felt her nails dig into her cold, sweaty palms. "You expect me to go back on my word, to dishonor a sacred duty. You have no idea what you're asking. I cannot commit treason, Rae." Please. As much as Kellen wished Rae would relent, a part of her knew her spouse wouldn't give in. How could she make her understand?
"I'm not asking you to commit treason!" Rae exclaimed. "Damn it, Kellen. Listen to me. If you don't level with us, the Council will accuse you of espionage and demand we incarcerate you, maybe even extradite you. You'd be separated from Armeo, the very thing you're here to avoid!"
Kellen tensed. She had no way to explain, no valid reason to give them why her secrets must remain just that, secrets. Realizing she was holding her breath, she let it out slowly, wracking her exhausted mind for a way out. "This goes against everything I've lived by. For so many years, I kept my father's secret, knowing we were doomed if anyone found out the truth."
Rae's expression softened. "Your father is dead. You and Armeo are no longer on Gantharat. Would anyone back there be in danger if you revealed the secret?"
"Not immediately. Most of my father's associates were killed along with him when he went on his last mission. They were betrayed."
The admiral rose, took Kellen by the shoulders, and guided her back to the chair. "Please, take a seat. You were swaying," he explained. "Go on."
Kellen knew she had lost. She would never risk being extradited. Her mouth dry, she forced herself to speak, knowing she couldn't turn back. "My father was one of the leaders of the resistance. He led many successful missions against our oppressors."
Rae squinted, as if judging the truth behind Kellen's words. "Bondar O'Dal was a resistance leader?"
"Yes. He died when I was sixteen."
"I know. It's in your file. You've been on your own for a long time."
"Not all alone. I had Tereya. She was the reason my father had to take so many precautions." Kellen rubbed her aching temples.
"What was so special about Tereya?" Rae sat down again as well, still nailing Kellen with her resolute gaze.
"My father carried an ancient title, part of our family for a long time, now passed down to me."
"What are you talking about?" Rae asked, new lines around her eyes making her look as tired as Kellen felt.
"My father was a Protector of the Realm, a duty and honor I've tried to fulfill since his death." Kellen was surprised at the relief that flooded her system after she disclosed her long-kept secret. She could see the confusion on Rae's face and the understanding that slowly dawned in the admiral's eyes. Almost nauseated from unburdening her secret, whether the others understood the magnitude of it or not, she slumped back in the chair. She searched Rae's eyes for a reaction, but the commodore looked over at her father, who seemed stunned.
"Oh, my God," Ewan Jacelon inhaled. "Armeo. I should have realized..."
Kellen nodded. She knew it was time to tell the rest and experienced both dread and relief. If nothing else, this would make everyone see how important it was that Armeo remain with her. Wouldn't it? "Yes. He's the reason... the only reason, ever since his mother died."
"And you're the only one left of your kind, of your dynasty, aren't you?" the admiral mused out loud. "Your adamant protection of Armeo. It all fits."
"What are you talking about?" Rae demanded, her eyes now a stormy gray.
"Rae, I ask you...may I go to him now?" Kellen whispered. She barely managed to remain erect in her chair. "I need to reassure him."
"Of course." The admiral stopped his daughter when Rae looked as if she was about to say something. "Commander Todd, I need to talk to the commodore. Would you escort Ms. O'Dal to her quarters?"
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you," Kellen whispered, unable to read the set features of her wife. "Until later, then," she said.
"Yes." Rae looked discontented. "I don't know how long I'll be."
With a feeling of defeat, Kellen walked toward the door. She gripped the door frame with an ice-cold hand and looked back over her shoulder, unable to resist a last glance at Rae, who didn't meet her eyes. Instead she was leaning over her computer, punching in commands at a furious pace.
Kellen left the commodore's office and tried not to limp too badly on her way to the elevator. Her bodyguard followed at a respectful distance, and for once, she was grateful for his presence, since she wasn't sure she'd make it all the way to their quarters.
Rae could see from her father's expression that something out of the ordinary had occurred. "All right, can you tell me what all that was about?"
He was silent for a moment, as if assembling his thoughts. Then he said, "Over the centuries Kellen's title, Protector of the Realm, has belonged to those who shielded the Gantharian royal family in times of trouble. Only my interest in the history of alien worlds made me recognize its significance. If her father bore it before her, and lived a clandestine life as a mere farmer, he was protecting someone at the time."
It didn't take Rae long to understand. "Tereya." She stared at her father.
"She must have been the last of the O'Saral dynasty. Presumably they all perished during the first year of the occupation."
"And now, Kellen protects Armeo," Rae murmured. "Damn."
"It's her sacred duty. These families lived clandestine lives. Nobody knew exactly who they were, and they became almost mythical figures in the Gantharian lore. A Protector was almost as illustrious, almost as fairy-tale inspiring, as the O'Saral Royales themselves. It is important that we keep Kellen's secret at
the top-level security clearance."
"I see. She must have been thinking of that today," Rae murmured. "To be away from him during a fierce battle, aware if we lost, she might lose him as well." Rae thought of Kellen's exhausted appearance earlier. The last of the Protectors. How utterly alone you've been for so many years, Kellen. To think that Kellen was only sixteen when she shouldered the enormous responsibility, with no one to turn to, was mind-boggling. How can I make you see that you have me now? Will I ever earn your trust?
"It's starting to make sense, isn't it," the admiral said. "The ambassador's perseverance, the backing he receives from the Onotharian government...for a mere boy, we thought." He stared at Rae, shaking his head. "Not a mere boy at all, but a prince of two kingdoms."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Thoughts whirled in Rae's head while she watched the sleeping boy. His tangled hair framed a face totally relaxed, as he had finally fallen asleep after Kellen had sat with him for over an hour.
"Was he very upset? I tried not to frighten him when he asked for you and you weren't here."
"He was angry at me for not telling him before I went to perform the test flight," Kellen admitted. "He can be quite protective."
Rae motioned for Kellen to join her in the living room. It had been a long day, and only when she was certain the security detail was in control of the alien ships did she leave the mission room in Jeremiah's capable hands. She was going to relieve him early in the morning.
Backup forces were on their way from the Gamma V and Gamma VII stations. The SC Council had deployed military as well as diplomatic vessels. They would reach Gamma VI within three days, and it would be up to Rae to hold the fort until then.
The ambassador was under house arrest aboard his own vessel. Apparently called the Kester, but still officially referred to as Onotharian 1, the ship had a seriously damaged weapons array and shield emitter. Rae had informed the ambassador that one well-aimed torpedo would blow him and his flagship off the space chart, which she would not hesitate to do unless he fully cooperated.
Now she turned to her wife, mixed feelings fighting for control. She sensed barely harnessed turmoil behind Kellen's blue eyes. "Let's sit down and talk," she said. "I've been on my feet all day."
Kellen sat down, ramrod straight and by no means relaxed. She was still dressed in the flight suit and looked every bit the toughened space pilot.
"I believe your initiative saved the station," Rae said quietly, "and the lives of many of my crew members. Thank you."
"I went against your orders." Raw emotion pervaded Kellen's voice.
And this bothers her all of a sudden? "Yes, but Lieutenant D'Artansis made the call to go along with your plan. She, as a senior officer, is supposed to use any advantage while engaged in battle. Her decision was controversial, but still by the book."
Kellen squinted, fatigue making her pale, her skin shimmering a faint blue. "You're not angry anymore?"
Rae paused to study the strong features of the woman next to her. Kellen looked as if she was reluctant to exhale. "From a professional standpoint, no. I'm in awe of your courage and grateful for the outcome. On a personal level..." She searched for the right words. "You scared me, Kellen. You vowed to obey orders and to stay safe. When you went ahead and did exactly the opposite, I had no idea witnessing you risk your life would be so hard."
"I had to do everything I could to save the station. I have a duty toward Armeo, but it was more than that. I saw the frigate implode and knew people were dying. Leanne was very brave to take a chance on my plan. It was a split-second decision for her. And yes, we could have been killed." Kellen bowed her head for a moment.
"So you can understand why I was upset?"
"You counted on me to obey orders."
"That's the technical part of it." Rae gave a wry smile. "And yes, I did, against my better judgment, since I'm slowly getting to know you." She hesitated but then reached for Kellen's hand. "It was gut-wrenching to watch you out there, but I'm proud of you."
Kellen clenched her teeth, her jaws working as her eyes filled with blue tears. "You are?"
"Yes."
"I..." Kellen's tears spilled over, running down pale, blue-tinged cheeks.
"Damn, you must be exhausted." I've never seen her cry like this from anything else but fury. This is different. Very different. Rae raised her free hand and wiped them away. "Don't cry. You're safe and so is Armeo, thanks to you. Relax. Right now, this minute, everything is okay."
"You don't understand. Eight people from this station are dead because of Armeo's presence. If I hadn't brought him here..."
"Shh, don't. You didn't bring him here, remember? I did." Rae scooted closer, framing her wife's face with her hands. "Tomorrow I'll be busy all day, taking care of this mess, but right now everything is fine." Acting on impulse, Rae leaned in and kissed Kellen's trembling lips gently. "Trust me." She brushed her lips over Kellen's mouth again.
Suddenly limp, Kellen let her head fall onto Rae's shoulder, and she buried her face against her neck. "I trust you," she sobbed quietly. "I do."
Rae ached inside at the pained tone, and she understood it had taken all of Kellen's courage to say the words. Is it fatigue speaking, or does she mean it? Rae detected something raw and true in Kellen's choked voice. "Tomorrow we'll talk more about your past and Armeo's heritage. My father briefed me about some of it, but you'll have to fill in the blanks. Right now we need to go to bed. Come on." Rae circled Kellen's waist, frowning when her spouse flinched. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"Just sore," Kellen admitted. "The G-forces from the shock wave were really heavy."
"Did you see Gemma?"
"No, the physician aboard the Ajax scanned me and gave me a...a fresh ticket?"
Rae couldn't resist smiling. "A clean bill of health. I think you need a hot, soothing aqua shower." Rae helped her stand up. Walking into the bathroom, she punched in commands for hot water, setting it to waterfall mode, and then turned to Kellen. "There you go. I'll have a shower in the guest bathroom while you enjoy this one." A shadow flickering across Kellen's face made her hesitate. "Yes?"
"Would it be presumptuous if I asked you to stay?" Kellen blushed faintly. "I don't want to be alone."
"No, not presumptuous at all. Need some help?"
Kellen nodded. "If you don't mind."
"Here. Let me do this, then." Her breath catching in her throat, Rae reached for the locking mechanism on Kellen's collar. Without hesitation, she tugged at the fastener at the front of the flight suit. She pushed her hands inside and eased it down, sliding it off her wife's shoulders.
Rae was secretly appalled when she saw the bruises where the safety straps had dug into the flesh. "Oh, God, Kellen." Going down on her knees, she pushed the flight suit down slender legs, glancing at the scar from Kellen's previous injury. To her relief, it looked no worse than it had that morning. As she unbuckled the soft velvet-hempen pilot boots, Rae spoke gently. "Here, step out of them. That's it, and then the suit." She pushed it off Kellen's feet. Looking up, she saw how her spouse shivered in her underwear. "Into the shower you go."
Kellen reached to pull the gray thinlinnen top over her head. She managed to lift the fabric halfway, only to stop, moan, and lower her arms. "I'm too sore." She tried again and failed, looking utterly dismayed.
She's like me. Hates needing help... or someone. "Let me do it." Rae stood up and eased first Kellen's right arm inside the thinlinnen top and then the left. She tugged it over her head and ripped it off, tossing it toward the recycling hamper, where it would enter the station's elaborate system of reprocessing.
Distinct blue-black bruises marred the lean-muscled body, drawing exact lines where the straps had pressed into the pale bluish skin. Disregarding any signs of embarrassment on her part, Rae tugged down Kellen's SC Fleet-issued disposable briefs, throwing them the same way as the shirt with a flick of her wrist. She nudged Kellen toward the shower.
"Stay in there as long as you nee
d. I'll be here when you come out."
Kellen nodded and stepped into the shower stall. Hot water sprayed over her muscles, and her facial expression changed into one of bliss as she closed her eyes.
Rae found it impossible to move. Watching through the glass wall, she saw Kellen merely stand there, her face turned up into the streaming water that cascaded down strong, feminine curves. Her eyes feasting on the breathtaking sight, Rae began to undress. She shivered when cool air reached every part of her. Carefully, Rae entered the shower stall and stood close to Kellen, without touching her. "You're so sore. Let me help you wash your hair."
Blue eyes snapped open. "Rae?"
"Expecting someone else?" Rae removed the hair clips from Kellen's severe twist. Placing them on the narrow shelf to her right, she untangled the long tresses and let them fall onto Kellen's shoulders. She filled her palm with shampoo before returning it to Kellen's head, where she worked up lather, then rubbed her wife's scalp gently and watched the brilliant eyes close in pleasure. "How does that feel? Good?"
"Yes."
Taking some body soap from another dispenser, Rae slipped her hands down to Kellen's shoulders, mindful of the bruises. She slid the silky soap along Kellen's arms, and slowly the wiry muscles relaxed. "That's it." Rae traced the shoulders again, stepping closer to reach her back. "You better turn around."
Kellen complied wordlessly, as if she put all her trust in Rae. She rested her palms against the wall while Rae soaped and massaged every inch of her back. Moving her hands to Kellen's hips, she had to bite her lower lip to not moan out loud as she inadvertently brushed against the rounded bottom before her. Rae slowed her motions and allowed her hands to spread the foam over the generous curves. Unable to resist, she squeezed the cheeks while pretending to wash them thoroughly, her hands becoming more insistent than she intended.