by Linda Mooney
“What about internal bleeding?”
Ashter shook his head. “None that was detected, although some of her organs show signs of bruising. From the looks of things, Lieutenant Chambliss hasn’t had the chance to fully recover from her initial ordeal back on the planet.” The doctor gave her an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll have you right as rain in no time.”
“How long will it take?” she asked. “I need to get to Seneecia as soon as possible, before they take out their anger on Kyber. He won’t live through another attack like the one in the shuttle bay.”
Pfeiffer held up a hand. “The Seneecian Triumvirate have been notified about the false allegations that have been placed on Kyber. They’ve also been made aware of our discovery of Neverwylde. We’ve been told Kyber is currently in a medical stasis, and will remain there until his condition improves.”
“And then what? What’ll they do to him after he comes out of stasis? Colonel, I have to go—”
Again, the colonel waved off her protests. “I will be the first to admit that judiciary and governmental jets are slow to fire up. However, in this case, the GLP has already dispatched a ship from Saragotauri to rendezvous here within two days. At that time, you’ll be taken aboard to accompany members of the High Council to Seneecia. Oh, before I forget…” Reaching over, the man removed the translator from her ear. Holding it up for her to see, he gave her a wink. “Neat little gizmo, this translator. Not only can it translate, but it also records and transmits all conversations once it’s activated.”
Kelen raised an eyebrow in surprise, and Pfeiffer nodded.
“Yep. Even when you were unconscious, it caught every conversation that occurred within range around you. And trust me, Lieutenant, what we captured is enough to convict and send D’har Stek and D’har Plat to Orboros for a very, very long time. But the best part of all is that it caught the entire attack on you and Kyber from the moment your shuttle landed on the Var Yuheri. Unfortunately, there’s no video evidence, but the audio is sufficiently clear. Between that and the assault on you that occurred on the Bridge, there is plenty of evidence to get the GLP involved.”
The man placed a hand on the dome as it slowly lowered over her. “Rest and heal, Chambliss. I’ll take it from here. I promised you’d get to see Kyber again, so let me do my job to make that happen.”
She smiled in reply and allowed herself to drift back to sleep within the sterile mist. And this time, there were no nightmares.
Kelen spent the next two days in the medical bay while she waited for the Opredo to arrive to take her to Seneecia. By the time they docked, she was well enough to be transferred over.
Colonel Pfeiffer came to visit her shortly before she was wheeled down to board the ship.
“I am the bearer of good and bad news,” he told her. “Which do you want to hear first?”
“Give me the bad news and get it over with.”
“The bad news is that since you and your fellow crewmembers were found guilty in a military court of law, your commissions have been revoked and your ranks have been stripped from you. You are no longer part of the military fleet.”
Seeing her stricken expression of disbelief, Pfeiffer continued.
“And that’s all the bad news. Now for the good, and there’s plenty of that.”
She let out the breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. “You started with a gut punch, and now you’re going to kiss the boo-boo?”
“Something like that, yes.” The colonel grinned.
Frankly, she didn’t want to hear any more news, good or bad. For as long as she could remember, all she’d ever wanted in life was to be part of the Terran military fleet. She’d trained long and hard, putting in countless hours to hone her piloting skills in order to be assigned to one of the warbirds. To be told now that she’d no longer be a part of this…
“Kelen.”
The man’s gentle tone and the use of her first name made her look back up at him. She swiped the back of her hand over her eyes and listened.
“You’ve been busted down to corporal, and you’ve been reassigned to active duty with the science fleet. Specifically, the Arcturus.”
She blinked. The Arcturus was a renowned vessel, highly regarded and esteemed for its ventures into unknown space.
She may no longer be part of the military, but to gain this assignment would be considered a major coup in any field.
Pfeiffer snorted to see her expression go from devastated to stunned. “I was informed Captain Andolfi is in need of an extra pilot, and I was able to convince him of your abilities.”
“What… Do the others know? I mean, do they know they’re no longer part of the military fleet?”
He gave a nod. “They’ve been informed. In fact, they’ve all been given their new assignments. As soon as your dealings on Seneecia are done, you will report back here to Outpost Delta Six where the Arcturus will be waiting for you.”
Kelen took a slow, deep breath. Her body shivered involuntarily, and she wrapped her arms around herself as she digested this new development.
“The good news isn’t over yet, Corporal.”
Corporal. She’d been a corporal before, a few years ago, right after she’d graduated from the academy. Well, she’d just have to climb her way back up the ladder.
“Kelen, did you hear what I said? There’s more good news to tell you.”
“I-I’m sorry. I’m…”
“Still digesting it all. I understand. Here’s the rest of it, and I saved the best part for last.” His grin grew wider. “The rest of your fellow survivors of the Manta have also been reassigned to Arcturus. The ship’s been ordered to go to Neverwylde, and continue exploring and researching the planet and its inhabitants. Congratulations, Corporal. You’ve become a permanent part of human history.”
Chapter 30
Reunion
Kelen was allowed to be on the bridge when the Opredo reached Seneecia. Although she’d watched many vids regarding the planet and its inhabitants, seeing it in person was a whole different experience.
Somewhere down there was Kyber. And if the Seneecians were to be believed, he was reported to be doing well.
Doing well. It was all the information they would give her about him or his condition. She had no real idea what she’d find when they arrived.
It’s all about to change, my love.
In the short three days it had taken for the ship to travel here, she’d used that time to heal. She’d also watched many of the transmissions Jules sent out from Neverwylde that Colonel Pfeiffer had relayed to her. With every passing hour, more and more astonishing facts were revealed. And with each new discovery, the gravity of what the Seneecians had tried to perpetuate became more damning. One in particular had shaken her to the core.
“You’re not going to believe this.” Jules was almost bouncing when he recorded this bit of news. “Remember how we discussed the possibility of the Prai Mer Principle actually existing? That living tissue could be transported through space?” His grin broadened. “It does exist, Kelen! We actually freaking did it! We transported through space! How do we know that? Because we found out the fire temple is on the other half of the planet! That means we had to travel through space to get there!”
“Corporal Chambliss, we have been given clearance to land,” a voice behind her said, breaking into her thoughts.
She turned to see the Bakkian ambassador standing a few meters away. She nodded. “Thank you, Ambassador Chuv. I’ll report immediately to the shuttle bay.” She took one final look at the planet looming closer and closer in the ship’s main viewscreen, then followed the Bakkian to the lift tube.
She caught a glimpse of herself in her new uniform when she passed a burnished plate in the corridor. The bold black with blue and green stripes on the sleeves identified her as being assigned to the science division. The emblem above her right breast was that of the Arcturus. And the chevrons on her shoulder, her rank of corporal. If she closed her
eyes, she couldn’t tell any difference in the jumpsuit she wore now, and the one she’d worn when she’d been assigned to the Manta. Neither did it matter. As long as she was able to go back into space, she’d be happy.
Sixteen of them descended to the planet’s surface—herself, three ambassadors, and nine armed guards in the event the Seneecians tried to pull anything. The three crewmembers who manned the shuttle remained with the craft. Fortunately, the committee of Seneecians waiting for them were free of weapons, as also were the phalanx escorting them.
“Corporal?” Ambassador Chuv murmured to her. Kelen gave a nod, letting him know the three men awaiting them were the same three people whom she’d viewed on board the Var Yuheri. The men she’d been told were the Triumvirate.
The ambassadors approached the three men and exchanged a few words. Kelen was aware of the multitude of eyes that continued to glance her way. It wasn’t unusual for members of the Bakkite Grand Council to come to Seneecia. But this time the ambassadors weren’t there to represent Bak Dur Bak. They had been appointed by the Galactic League of Planets to go to Seneecia regarding the amount of incriminating evidence being built against the planet. But having a Terran be included among them was unheard of. “In fact, you’ll be the first Terran to set foot on that planet in over sixty years,” Colonel Pfeiffer had informed her in his last transmission to her.
These Seneecians knew why she was here. They knew her intent. The best part of all was that they couldn’t stop her. She would claim Kyber Nau as her Confirmed, and whisk him off this world that wanted nothing more than to see him dead.
Initially the charge had been treason, based on the initial claim that Kyber had used a weapon on D’har Plat during a Tooth and Nail. But when video evidence had proven otherwise, a second claim of complicity with the Terran enemy had been leveled by the now dishonorably discharged D’har. It was that claim, compounded with the revelation that Kyber had taken a Terran as his Confirmed, that had convicted the four Seneecians. Kleesod, Gaveer, and Massapa were all pronounced guilty in absentia.
But because they had not been found treasonous, that verdict was not one that demanded the death penalty. It demanded exclusion. Expulsion. In short, Kyber was to be evicted from Seneecia, and neither he nor any of the others would ever be allowed to set foot on their home world again.
Kelen wasn’t here to be reunited with her husband as much as she was here to take him away from this planet.
She presented herself military style, remaining silent and aloof until the moment when she was directly addressed. In truth, her stomach was tied in knots, and the palms of her hands were sweaty. She had no idea what she’d find when they finally led her to Kyber. She had no idea what would be left of the man she had fallen in love with, was still deeply in love with, but it no longer mattered. They had the chance to live their lives together and she’d accepted the challenge for the both of them. All that remained was discovering whether or not Kyber was physically and mentally capable of coming with her.
“Corporal Chambliss.” Ambassador Chuv waved a tendril in her direction. Kelen quickly moved up even with them. “The Triumvirate has agreed to release Kyber Nau in our care. They have brought a conveyance to take you over to where he is being held, so you can inform the prisoner.”
She gave the ambassador a wide-eyed stare. “He hasn’t been told he’s being freed?”
“He has been told nothing. Not even that you were coming.”
Which meant Kyber was totally unaware of the events that were taking place.
She boarded the small four-seater skiff. Other than the driver, she was alone, but she knew nothing would happen to her. This planet had been dealt too many hard blows economically, governmentally, and militarily ever since the truth about Neverwylde was revealed. She knew the Seneecians were anxious to be rid of Kyber and her, the sooner the better, so they could go on with their lives. Or so they believed. The only problem with that—and what the Seneecians had yet to acknowledge—was that the GLP would never let them forget their duplicity.
She stared out over the Seneecian landscape as they zipped over the paved roadway. The planet was structure-heavy, with little to no greenery or vegetation present. Their buildings were massive and elaborate. Many curved and swooped upward, as if a madman had based their designs on curls of smoke.
A few Seneecians rode in similar conveyances, but many walked. It was easy to discern the civilians from those in the military by their clothing. Apparently the enlisted ones were expected to wear their uniforms on a daily basis.
A passing cloud momentarily shielded her from the blue-white glare of their double suns. Judging from where they hung near the horizon, she guessed it was either early morning or would soon be dark.
The skiff rounded one graceful looking building and approached what appeared to be an amphitheater of sorts. Concentric circles rose in the air, and through them she could see people sitting or walking among them.
The driver slowed, then set the skiff down. “This is the hospital,” he informed her. He gave her no further instructions. Obviously the man wasn’t happy with his assignment and wanted very little to do with her. Mentally shrugging, Kelen climbed out of the skiff and walked toward the building adjacent to the circles.
She barely made it inside when she was immediately met by a Seneecian guard and one who wore an emblem she recognized. Smiling up at the blue-gray furred man, she addressed him. “Honorable Ambrun. I am here to see Kyber Nau.”
The physician looked surprised, but quickly recovered. “Kyber Nau is out on the patio. We were notified you were removing him from our care. He is able to leave when you are ready.” The man pointed to a doorway on the other side of the building. Through the semi-transparent walls she spotted the amphitheater.
“Before I go, how is he doing? Can you give me an update as to his health?”
Unlike Ambrun Goolith, this one gave her a cold stare. “Kyber Nau is able to leave when you are ready,” he repeated. It was quickly becoming obvious that these people wanted Kyber and herself gone from the facility as soon as possible.
Thanking him, she turned to head for the door.
The knots in her stomach tightened with every step she took. Her throat was dry, and her head was starting to pound. These next few minutes were crucial. Would Kyber remember her? If he did, would he ever want to have anything to do with her anymore? She had no idea what she’d find when she exited into the amphitheater. Would he blame her for what had happened to him?
A deeper, darker possibility rose like a sickening shadow. What if there was little left of the man? What if all she found was a shell? A beaten, defeated shell? She had no idea how badly he’d been beaten. He could have sustained serious brain injuries, leaving him a vegetable.
Curling her hands into fists, she stepped through the doorway and paused to scan the area for sight of a black figure.
There, a scant dozen meters away, the man she loved sat hunched over on one of the tiers. His arms were wrapped around his middle, his head bowed. From this angle she could tell he was much thinner. There were still bald patches all over his body where his fur had been ripped away.
Slowly, she walked toward him, waiting to see if he’d look up at her as she approached him. She got within a couple of meters when she stopped. He seemed to be dozing, completely oblivious to her presence. Kelen opened her mouth to call his name, when he finally lifted his head to stare straight at her. A bright blue sterile patch covered the socket where his eye had once been. His face had healed, but the attack had left several thickly ridged scars across his cheeks, nose, and forehead.
“K-Kelen?”
Tears burst into her eyes. Sobbing, she rushed over to him and threw her arms around his frail body as he struggled to his feet.
“Kelen, my one.” His arms wrapped around her and he buried his face in her neck.
She clutched him as she wept, as he wept. How long they stood there in a tight embrace, she had no idea. She was with him. They were
together. And together they would remain for as long as they lived.
Chapter 31
Neverwylde
“Watch. Dia Mose is about to drop.” He tightened his arms around her as they waited. The blood red moon lifted itself above the tops of the buildings. For several seconds the orb appeared to tremble. Then, suddenly, it fell. Kelen gasped, and he smiled.
“It looked like it was about to land on top of those roofs!” she murmured and glanced back at him. “Will it fall again?”
Kyber shook his head. “No. They only do it once, but they fall every evening.”
“Will each moon do that?”
“Yes. All of them. Do you want to stay and see?”
“Please. We have time.”
He laced his fingers through hers and she lifted his hand to kiss the knuckles. They were alone out here in the amphitheater with the circular benches. The others had gone inside once the suns had gone down.
“You look good in black,” he murmured, nuzzling the back of her head.
“Yeah, well, now we look like a pair,” she half teased.
“And your hair is shorter.”
She couldn’t tell him how it had been sliced away. She couldn’t tell him the extent of the injuries she’d suffered. He didn’t need to hear that. Not yet. Maybe later, when he was ready and well enough to hear the details. Much, much later.
“It’s easier to manage when it’s short,” she remarked. “But I can grow it back out again if you wish.”
“Do what is best for you.” He dropped a kiss to her shoulder. “When do you have to leave?”
Kelen smiled. “We leave when we’re ready.”
“Maybe I should ask how long can you stay? I mean, how long will you be on Seneecia?”
She turned around to face him and tenderly cupped his scarred cheek. Lifting her mouth, she kissed him, and he drew her closer against him. He felt so fragile, no longer the strong muscular warrior he’d been. Yet she was certain that, given time, rest, food, and love, he would recover fully.