December 2005

Protector of the Realm

The Supreme Constellations Series: Book One

By Gun Brooke

Available from Bold Strokes Books in December 2005.
ISBN: 1-933110-26-0

Chapters 1 - 3

Chapter 1

Rae Jacelon felt the frigate Ixis reel as a new blast from the smaller spacecraft’s torpedoes hit it, making her and all the officers on her bridge hold on to their computer consoles so they wouldn’t lose their balance.
“Open comm channels! Unidentified space vessel, this is Commodore Rae Jacelon of the Gamma VI Space Station. By not responding to hails by a SC Fleet spacecraft and committing an act of blatant aggression, you are in clear violation of our space.”
“So you claim,” a woman replied in Premoni, the intergalactic language of the Supreme Constellations sector. She sounded unimpressed. Her low alto voice revealed a faint accent, a soft slur of consonants that suggested she hadn’t learned the language within the SC.
“Take out their weapons array and propulsion system!” Rae seized the bar next to the captain’s chair to keep her balance when the alien vessel fired a new round.
“Shields down to seventy percent, ma’am.” The honey-skinned ensign at tactical clenched one hand around her console and punched in new commands with the other. “Firing torpedoes one and two now!” The space between them and the alien ship lit up.
“Report!” Rae ordered.
“Their weapons are down. The vessel’s dead in the water, ma’am.”
“Reestablish comm channels.” Rae rose from her seat in the center of the bridge and tugged at her short black leather jacket, its tall collar adorned with rank insignias. She kept her anger in control as she spoke.
“Unidentified vessel, examine your computer readings and look at the identification seal on our transfers. It confirms our identity and our capabilities. Lower your shields and prepare to be boarded.”
“We have video, Commodore,” the ops ensign reported.
The large screen on the far wall of the bridge flickered, and a woman’s face came partially into view. “This is the private vessel Kithanya. We have no intention of surrendering. Our shields are fully operational…”
Rae bristled and felt like kicking the wall with her tall black boot. She had suffered through an endless series of boring negotiations for the past two weeks and was in no mood to be diplomatic. If this woman was foolish enough to acquire outlaw status by firing her ship’s full array of weapons after being hailed, she would be sorry.
Impatient, she smoothed down her short red hair and said, “Yes, but you cannot win. Nothing in your arsenal can prevent me from tractoring you in. You are not above the law.”
“We have broken no laws.” The woman’s tone was dismissive, almost disdainful.
Seething at this unexpected insolence, Rae replied brusquely, “As a matter of fact, I can think of several. This is your last chance. Lower your shields.”
“No.”
“Congratulations. You’ve won a free trip to the Gamma VI Space Station. Enjoy the ride.” Rae bent down, straightened the knife-sharp crease in her blue trousers, and gave the next order to her tactical officer. “Reel them in. Let’s go home.”


“You and the boy in your care, Armeo M’Aido, will remain in custody until--”
Rae broke off as a transparent blue teardrop ran down Kellen O’Dal’s cheek. So the blue tears really existed. She had heard of them, but never seen them firsthand. Crystal clear, reflecting the light in her office, the solitary tear left a damp trail on her prisoner’s face.
“I understand if you are upset, Ms. O’Dal, but…”
“I am not upset,” Kellen O’Dal hissed. “Do not mistake my tears for signs of fear. I am furious!”
A security guard moved closer, but Rae motioned him back to his post by the door. She stared at the tall, proud Gantharian woman who stood before her in her office aboard Gamma VI. The expression in her prisoner’s brilliant blue eyes was impossible to read. Rae had never seen anyone go from volatile to complete blankness so quickly. It was like putting a lid on a volcano. And although she knew this woman was physically stronger than she was—in fact, stronger than any human, due to a denser, more tractile muscle tissue—she merely shrugged and circled her desk. She had stared down taller, more physically imposing individuals than Kellen O’Dal.
“I was trying to be civil,” Rae said forcefully. “The boy is in custody, awaiting his relative. You are a prisoner, waiting to stand trial for kidnapping.”
Kellen apparently tried to stay calm by clasping her hands behind her back and standing at strict attention. She breathed deeply and with obvious forced consistency. “I am not a kidnapper. His parents are dead, and his mother entrusted him into my care. He has lived under my protection his entire life, and I have raised him since he was five, when his mother was killed.”
“The Gantharian ambassador sent files less than an hour ago, stating you’ve kept the boy from his father’s relatives for seven years. It’s your word against that of a diplomat.” Rae folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the corner of her desk. She was curious to hear the other side of this story since she’d detected arrogance and a hint of threat in the ambassador’s messages.
“Commodore, you cannot trust Ambassador M’Ekar’s version of the facts. He is not from Gantharat. He’s an Onotharian.” Kellen spat the last word as if it tasted foul.
Rae scrutinized the impressive woman once more. Gantharians were blue-blooded in the truest sense of the word. Their blue-colored blood cells shimmered just beneath the skin, and the unusual tint enhanced the woman’s statuesque appearance. According to her file, Kellen was thirty-two Earth years, young for her race. Their life span was about thirty years longer than that of humans. A striking woman, she wore her blond hair in a long, strict braid down her back. A tight black leather suit accentuated her lean body.
Rae thought she detected a faint tremor in Kellen’s hands and wondered what caused it. Was it more of her impressive anger? Or is she afraid, or perhaps in pain? “Do you have proof of what you say?” she inquired.
“Only her last words! When she was dying, she asked me to raise Armeo, and until a few lunar cycles ago, nobody cared either way. I won’t give him up.”
The defiant retort seemed to mask other, underlying emotions. Rae rubbed her neck, where an all-too-familiar tension reminded her of countless negotiations with Onotharians wanting to cross the border into the SC. Situations like this one were always stressful. “Take a seat.” She pointed at one of the alu-carbon visitors’ chairs.
Kellen looked as if she was about to refuse, but relented and sat down, flinching as she extended her left leg in front of her.
“Are you injured?” Rae asked.
“I’m fine.”
“Very well. As you know, I’ve spoken with the boy. He’s obviously very fond of you and would be upset if you were apart. That’s why I haven’t confined you to the brig without him. Yet. Fact remains, by firing on my frigate and refusing to obey direct orders, you violated at least a dozen Supreme Constellations laws.”
“You were approaching me head-on. I had no way of knowing your intent.”
“We identified ourselves as an SC spacecraft.”
“You are not the first to present yourselves as representatives of the SC. I have come across several convoys of pirates with the exact same method of operation.”
Rae knew this was probably true. The Gamma outposts were eternally trying to stamp out the pesky space pirates who infested intergalactic space and made it dangerous for traders and other small spacecraft. “My people are searching your vessel right now. They’ll find any such incidents on record in the ship’s computer log, if they exist.”
“They will be there.” Again, an expression of anguish flickered over Kellen’s face.
Rae scanned the lean body before her for clues as to where the pain originated. She could see no outward signs, but she wasn’t going to take any chances. “Before we commit you to your quarters, I’ll send you and young Armeo through sick bay.”
“Your scans will come out negative. We carry no disease.”
“Perhaps, and our biological filter should’ve pick up any foreign agents already. However, we’re many light-years from the nearest medical facility. We can’t take any chances. Besides, someone needs to look at your leg.”
Kellen rose without permission, glaring at her. “Have your doctors scan us, then. They can’t be any worse than the bunglers the Onotharians allow to practice medicine on Gantharat.”
Acidic, aren’t we? Rae nodded toward the guard. “Escort Ms. O’Dal to Dr. Meyer. Pick up the boy on the way.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As she returned to her chair, Rae watched the proud woman leave. Her stoic appearance and the arrogance that bordered on hauteur were hardly the demeanor one would expect of a prisoner. And she showed no signs of gratitude for her decent treatment at Rae's hands. Puzzled, and somewhat concerned at the thought that O'Dal could be injured, Rae returned her focus to her work. She had no plans to allow her captive to prey on her mind; she had more important things to think about.



Kellen gazed around sick bay, waiting for the chief medical officer to join her and Armeo where they sat next to each other on an elaborate-looking examination table. Two guards armed with laser-pulse rifles stood by the door.
“What’s going to happen now?” Armeo sounded more curious than afraid.
“A doctor will make sure we’re healthy and all right. It won’t hurt.”
Armeo looked at her with an expression of disdain that reminded Kellen of his mother. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“It’s natural to fear the unknown.” Kellen smiled fondly and let her gaze soften. “We don’t know these people, but they won’t harm you.”
“The commodore interrogated you,” Armeo pointed out.
“Yes, but she didn’t hurt me.” Kellen knew Armeo was worried by the rumors he’d heard about interrogations in the Gantharat System. “We only spoke together.”
He scooted closer. “Honestly?” His dark blue eyes, framed by straight, black eyebrows, probed hers.
Armeo’s face was thin below a shock of dark brown hair. Like his mother’s, his features were finely chiseled, and he also carried the Gantharian blue-blood cells, making his dark eyes blackish blue. Despite this coloring, his skin possessed a clear olive tint, which was inherited from his father, as were his broad shoulders and lithe body. He was lanky and tall for his twelve years, reaching almost to Kellen’s shoulder.
Knowing he was also emotionally mature for his age, Kellen took his question seriously. “Honestly," she insisted. "The commodore only asked me questions.”
The woman in command of this space station was unlike anyone Kellen had ever met. At first glance her form was unremarkable despite the flaming dark red hair, which seemed to be unusual for a human. She was shorter than Kellen, her eyes at the level of Kellen’s lips.
She was also immaculate and had dealt with Kellen by the book, so she obviously valued correctness and order. Even the way she spoke--her pronunciation clear, each word distinct--suggested the commodore was meticulous.
However, Kellen sensed Jacelon was not an ordinary minion of the SC. She guessed her age to be around forty human years, which, she surmised, was fairly young for someone to achieve such a high rank. The woman’s blue-gray eyes, piercing and relentless, never wavered. They kept looking at me, as if they could sum up my strengths and weaknesses by simple subtraction. Perhaps a worthy adversary in this mass of human weaklings.
The door hissed open, and a petite, wiry woman with short black hair stepped inside. Wearing a different version of a Supreme Constellations uniform, a light blue retrospun cotton shirt with the standard blue trousers, she strode up to Kellen and Armeo and gave them a brisk nod.
“I’m Dr. Meyer, CMO aboard Gamma VI. Call me Gemma. I hate titles.”
Taken aback by the surprising request, Kellen exchanged glances with Armeo, noticing the curious look in the boy’s eyes and hoping he wasn’t afraid of this new experience. The few times she had been forced to take him to one of the clinics on Gantharat, he had been traumatized for days afterward. Now Kellen was relieved to see him meet the CMO’s eyes without hesitation.
“I’m Armeo,” he said, extending a hand in the human way of greeting. “How do you do?”
Gemma, about to reach for a handheld computer, turned around and shook his hand. “I’m fine, thank you. Why don’t we start with you, Armeo? I want to make sure you didn’t bring any germs we weren’t prepared for. Also, you were in the middle of quite a scuffle in space, I hear. Were you hurt?”
“No, ma’am…eh, Gemma. I was strapped into my seat. Kellen’s orders.”
“Good.” Gemma took a scanning device from a tray. “Now, let’s see. Hmm, I detect scarring around your clavicle. I’d say you’ve been injured in the last year or so.”
Armeo blushed faintly and cast an embarrassed glance toward Kellen. “Yeah, and it was all my fault. Kellen told me to wait for her when I wanted to go riding on her new maesha. I didn’t listen to her. He threw me off and I landed on my shoulder.”
“What’s a maesha?”
“What you would call a horse,” Kellen replied. “Only much bigger.”
Gemma shot her a look. “Armeo’s clavicle hasn’t healed properly. Why didn’t you take him to a physician?”
“We have no physicians working with this kind of technology on Gantharat. And if they did exist, they would not be accessible to Gantharians. We have what you could call doctors, but no bone-knitters or derma fusers. Since I refused to have these idiots carve on him, it had to heal the old-fashioned way.”
“Didn’t you at least wear a sling, Armeo?”
He squirmed, the picture of guilt. “Yes…sometimes.”
Kellen raised her hand, ruffling the hair at the back of his head. “Sometimes, as in rarely, Armeo?” She felt her muscles relax marginally when he wrinkled his nose at her, looking so familiar in this stark alien setting.
Gemma shook her head and smiled. “Kids. You probably had to nag him about the sling the few times he actually wore it.”
She’s trying to act friendly, but I certainly don’t trust her. They were in the hands of people working for the woman she’d fired her torpedoes at. She mustn’t forget that. Their loyalties lay with Commodore Jacelon and the SC, not with a fugitive accused of kidnapping.
Kellen decided acting as if everything were normal in front of Armeo, making him feel safe, would help their case in several ways. If the Gamma VI commodore learned from her crew how wonderful Armeo was, Jacelon might be more lenient when she made her decision about Kellen’s fate. “Yes,” she replied, keeping her voice even. “He’s very active and didn’t want to wear bandages.”
“I guess you’re going to stay with us for a while. I can easily repair this if you want.” Gemma scanned the rest of his body. “Apart from the injury, you’re in great shape.” She punched a few new commands into the handheld computer, then turned to Kellen. “All right. Any injuries or illnesses I should know about?”
“No.” Wordlessly, she tried to communicate with Gemma by gesturing in the boy’s direction.
The doctor nodded. “Listen, Armeo, why don’t you go over there, to the main computer. I bet Ensign Dario can show you an interesting game while I finish.” She motioned for one of the guards to accompany the boy and turning her attention back to Kellen, said, “Go on.”
“Thank you. It’s nothing, but I don’t want to worry him.”
“I understand.” Gemma ran the scanning device across Kellen’s body. Reaching her left leg, she stopped, circling it over an area on Kellen’s thigh. “Remove your uniform. I’m detecting bacteria in what appears to be an open wound.”
“It isn’t necessary. I’ve bandaged it myself.”
“It’s infected, and I have no way of knowing how bad it is without an ocular inspection.”
“Very well.” Kellen straightened her back. “Could I have some privacy, please?”
“Of course.” The doctor tugged at a curtain, partly obscuring the other guard’s vision. “He can still see us, so don’t try to fool me, Ms. O’Dal.”
“I’m not.”
Standing up, Kellen unfastened her leather suit and peeled it off her shoulders and down across her hips. She couldn’t help but moan when it slid over the injury in her left thigh. She sat on the gurney, biting her lower lip to keep from whimpering when Gemma carefully peeled off the makeshift bandage.
“God,” the physician murmured. “And you call this nothing? What the hell caused it?”
“Ambassador M’Ekar’s way of dealing with me.” Kellen ground her teeth at the searing pain.
“This isn’t new. When did it happen?”
“When we left Gantharat twenty-two days ago.”
Gemma scanned the infected area of the five-inch-long wound. “It needs treatment. How could you let it become so bad?”
“I tried to keep it clean, but we have a limited supply of medications aboard the Kithanya.”
Gemma reached for an injection device. “This is for the pain and is also an anti-inflammatory. Further scans will determine which bacteria are causing this mess, and we’ll give you an intravenous infusion of the right medication to help you heal and make it possible for me to close the wound later.” She pressed the imbulizer against Kellen’s upper arm. “I can't believe you tried to clean this yourself. Without the right pain relief, it must have hurt like hell.”
“What, exactly, must’ve hurt?” a husky voice said from behind the screen.
“Commodore, come in and take a look at this.” Gemma took a step back.
Kellen did her best to conceal her annoyance when the woman in charge of the space station rounded the screen to join them. She was reluctant to show any sign of weakness, even if it was merely a wounded leg.
Commodore Jacelon looked at the wound on Kellen’s leg with a puzzling expression on her face. Kellen recognized anger mixed with something close to remorse, and she wondered why she would look at a perfect stranger with so much feeling. Perhaps she doesn’t realize how visible her emotions are to me?
“I can’t imagine how you’ve managed to move, let alone walk, with your leg in that condition.” Jacelon shook her head.
“Ms. O’Dal shouldn’t be on her feet at all until I’ve closed this wound. I'll admit her to the infirmary and—”
“No,” Kellen objected. “I can’t be away from Armeo. I will not have him incarcerated without me.”
Commodore Jacelon looked affronted. “I've thought about your situation and…seeing this,” she gestured toward the injury, “reaffirms what I've decided.”
Kellen raised an eyebrow, unable to keep sarcasm out of her voice. “Do go on, Commodore.”
“You’re in SC custody and so is the boy. We’d never throw a child into the brig--and we don’t do that to seriously injured people either. I will assign proper quarters for you both. Armed guards will be on duty at all times, so don't fool yourself that you can escape.”
“Why are you being so kind?” Kellen immediately regretted how she phrased the question, afraid she might sound as if she needed compassion from this woman.
“It may be hard for you to believe, but I’m not inhumane. A child's future is at stake, and by the looks of it, so is your health.” The commodore turned to walk away. Stopping before she rounded the screen, she shot Kellen a glance. “This is a gesture of good faith on my behalf. Don't let me down, Kellen. You won’t like the consequences if you do.”



“You gave that good-looking Gantharian woman her own quarters?” Rae’s longtime second in command, Commander Jeremiah Todd, looked stunned. ”What could possibly warrant that after she damn near blasted you out of space?”
“We apprehended her with a child in her care.” Rae cut her vegetables into smaller pieces and speared one with a fork. As usual in the mess hall the food was passable, but little more. The rations included in the SC officers’ credits left a lot to be desired in texture, taste, and composition. The giant BaDalchian asparagus was decidedly thready, and chewing it provided ample time to ponder her response. Glancing around, she was grateful that the officers’ mess hall was almost empty, with only a few young ensigns occupying the bar at the far end of the room.
“A child she abducted,” Jeremiah pointed out.
“Allegedly abducted. We don’t have all the facts yet.”
“What are you saying?”
“Since we apprehended Ms. O’Dal and Armeo, I’ve heard from Ambassador M’Ekar’s attaché regarding ‘formal inquiries,’ as he calls it, stating a long list of reasons for us to more or less shoot Kellen O’Dal on sight and ask questions later."
These so-called diplomatic questions had set her on edge with their overbearing attempts to dictate her actions. She would never do anything except follow SC laws to the letter. M’Ekar seemed to disregard whose jurisdiction Kellen O’Dal and young Armeo were under. She attacked another innocent vegetable, then dropped her fork impatiently. “There’s something more here than the good ambassador is leading us to believe, if you ask me.”
Jeremiah gestured at her with his glass and came dangerously close to spilling his water. “You might be heading for a diplomatic minefield, Rae. The Onotharians have governed Gantharat for almost thirty years, and the Supreme Constellations Council members are divided regarding their right to do so.”
“I know. Earth leaders, for instance, have never fully acknowledged the Onotharian right to form a cabinet on Gantharat. Theoretically we’re supposed to stay apolitical in the service, but I think our Council does great harm by not making up its mind.”
“I couldn’t agree more. So, what’s this woman’s story? I hear she’s quite striking.”
Rae gave her next in command an exasperated look. Jeremiah was the best XO she had ever had, but he was an unrepentant womanizer whose affairs were legendary. Oddly enough, though, all his exes defended him if anyone dared criticize him in any way.
“She seems adamant about the boy.” Rae sipped her beer. “She would have skipped the infirmary altogether to stay with him if I hadn’t given them their own quarters. I don’t know how they do it on Gantharat, but she thought we’d throw both of them in the brig.”
“The child too?” Jeremiah sounded incredulous.
“Yes. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Her injury was the most painful-looking thing I’ve seen in years. Sure, I’ve seen bigger wounds, but they’ve been clean, new. This was infected, and together with the fact her blood is blue…it was ugly.” She shuddered, then gave a regretful smile. “Sorry, didn’t mean to spoil your meal.”
“I was done." He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Sounds like she’s not a stranger to toughing it out.”
“Yeah. Still, it’s hard to achieve that kind of self-control. I don’t trust her.” Rae raised her hand as Jeremiah opened his mouth to speak. “No, don’t get me wrong. She’s probably an honorable person deep down, but as long as that child’s in danger of being handed over to the Onotharians, she’s a loose cannon.”
Jeremiah still looked doubtful. “Did she appreciate being given special quarters?”
Rae folded her hands under her chin, leaning her elbows against the table. “She seems very suspicious of our motives, as if she sees hidden agendas everywhere. Who knows? Perhaps for good reason.”
“You like her.” Her XO’s voice softened, becoming personal.
Rae flinched, nailing him with her eyes. “What do you mean? I’m trying to stay objective despite the fact she almost blew us up. You know me. I don’t let personal feelings affect my actions.”
“Kind of hard to stay objective when a child’s involved and it’s one woman against the entire Onotharian fleet.” Jeremiah’s face darkened. “From what I’ve heard, they aren’t exactly famous for being big on mercy. And I find another fact curious. The latest tactical report says long-range sensors picked up twelve vessels heading our way. I don’t like it.”
“I know. Overkill, if their sole intention is to reclaim a little boy. They maintain they have the law on their side, so why send a whole flotilla? Speaking of laws, we’ll know soon enough if they’ll stick to the treaty they signed with the SC.” Rae doubted it, thinking of the obvious arrogance in the messages she had received. “They will need to downsize to two ships if they want permission to approach.”
Gamma VI, one of ten space stations located in the outer perimeter of SC space, boasted an extensive firepower and a vast fleet of ships. Together with six Betas and three Alphas located in three rings around Earth and the thirty-four other Supreme Constellations home planets the installations protected Supreme Constellations space. However, as the final outposts between the SC homeworlds and intergalactic space, the Gamma stations were vulnerable. No more than two ships from any planet outside the SC were allowed within a two-light-year radius of the space stations without the station commodore’s authorization.
“And I take it there’ll be no exceptions to policy?”
“Damn straight, there won’t.”
“All right, then.” Jeremiah grinned, raising his beer. “Here’s to policy.”
“To policy.” Rae lifted her glass and met his in a toast. She knew her strict adherence to regulations and protocol was renowned, and she guessed Jeremiah looked forward to rejecting the Onotharians if they insisted on approaching Gamma VI unlawfully.
“By the way,” Jeremiah asked, “what kind of quarters did you give Ms. O’Dal and the boy? It’d be tough to keep security tight enough around our regular guest quarters.”
“I thought of that, so I put them in one of the VIP suites. It’s fully monitored. Besides knocking out the around-the-clock security officer, she’d need a verified handprint and retina scan to leave the corridor.”
“Do you expect her to try something? You have that cautious look on your face.”
“I do?” Rae let her finger trace the rim of the glass as she thought about the mysterious alien. “You know what? She seems exhausted, despite her determination to keep the boy safe. As long as she believes we won’t merely hand the child over, she might just behave.”
“And when she realizes she and the boy have become pawns in a diplomatic chess game?”
Rae didn’t hesitate. “That’s when we’ll see the true nature of Kellen O’Dal.”

Chapter 2



Kellen moved restlessly on the bed, tossing off the covers since they felt too heavy on her injury. The CMO had been to see her a few hours ago, but the pain relief had worn off and her leg felt worse than ever.
Pressing her lips together, she tried to stay calm and quiet. Armeo was asleep in the next room, also used as the sitting room, and she didn’t want to disturb him. He had been through enough the last few weeks and needed to rest.
She forced back a moan and tried to shift onto her uninjured side. The new position worked for a while, but eventually the throbbing ache became unbearable. As she sat up in bed, an unexpected movement in the doorway startled her.
“Are you all right, Kellen?” Armeo asked.
She knew the anguish was visible in her face. Had it been anyone other than Armeo, she would have made every effort to mask her pain. “Actually, I’m in agony. Maybe the doctor would give me something more for the pain if we paged her. I’m keeping both of us awake.”
“Let me call her. I can use the communication console on the desk next to my couch.” Without waiting for permission, Armeo hurried off.
Kellen tried to rise from the bed. If the CMO had to be called, she’d rather do it herself, so she could make her condition sound less serious than it was. But the pain was severe, and she sank back down with a groan.
Armeo returned a moment later wearing a familiar broad grin. This was how he looked when he thought he might be in trouble. “I thought I pressed the correct commands on the machine. I’m not sure what I did wrong.”
“What did you do, Armeo?”
“I pressed the command for sick bay, and then I don’t know what happened, but the commodore responded.” He shrugged, obviously trying to look casual. “She told me not to worry. She would take care of things. She didn’t seem angry. She was nice.”
Kellen tried to remain calm. She couldn’t afford to let Commodore Jacelon see her succumb to pain. Granted, the commodore knew about the wound, but so far, Kellen had remained unfazed by it in Jacelon’s presence. “Did you tell her I need more medication?” Slowly she sat up, breathing evenly so she could remain in control and not show just how bad it was. I have endured pain before, and I can do it now. Some more of the medication and I’ll be fine.
“I did. She said she knew you must be in pain. Do you think she’s a doctor as well?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Kellen muttered, unable to stop her sarcastic comment.
The door in the outer room hissed open, and Kellen could hear voices talking quietly before it closed. Putting a hand on her knee, she tried to will her leg to stop trembling.
Commodore Jacelon stepped into the bedroom, squeezing Armeo’s shoulder as she passed him. “Good job, kid. You did the right thing to page sick bay,” she said.
“So I did do it the right way,” the boy exclaimed. “Are you a doctor too, ma’am?”
The commodore gave a wry smile. “No. We had several casualties tonight. Since Dr. Meyer is busy taking care of them with her staff, I answered your call.”
“Will they be okay? The people that were hurt?”
“Eventually. Gemma is a very good doctor. We’re just lucky the trader made it here in time.”
“Pirates?” Kellen asked, her voice husky from pain.
“Yes.” Jacelon approached her, placing a bag on the small nightstand. Blue-gray eyes examined Kellen thoroughly while she pulled out an imbulizer. “Here, roll up your sleeve for me.” Jacelon loaded a small metallic vial into the device, and it sank into place with a low hiss.
“It isn’t necessary. I think Armeo may have overreacted a little. I’m quite fine.” Kellen said in a low voice, out of earshot of Armeo, who lingered by the door. She looked straight at the commodore, determined to not let any of the almost unbearable pain show.
“I’m sure you’re a resilient woman,” Jacelon said in an objective tone. “But since I’m here, why risk it becoming worse?”
“I said it isn’t necessary…” Kellen’s eyes landed on Armeo, who had begun to look concerned. “Really. I can manage without your expensive SC medication.” She forced her voice to be strong, not about to show her weakness in front of the other woman.
“But Kellen…” Armeo approached the bed. “You were in so much pain just before the commodore came. You almost had tears in your eyes.” His eyes grew moist and his chin trembled.
Jacelon remained silent, waiting with the vial containing the pain relief in her hand and a faintly mystified expression on her face.
“Very well. Since you’re already here” Kellen gave in as the injured muscle began to spasm beneath the bed sheets. “It’ll calm Armeo down. He’s worried about me, about our situation.” She felt the commodore’s warm hand cup her elbow and press the cold imbulizer against the inside of it.
The quick, stinging sensation when the drug entered her vein was nothing. Instead, the strong hands adjusting her soft thinlinnen shirt unsettled Kellen for some reason she couldn’t understand. “Thank you. Armeo was very concerned, or I wouldn’t have allowed him to disturb the doctor.” Kellen was determined to keep her voice from trembling. Pain was one thing, weakness another. She didn’t trust anyone here, and certainly not the one who sat on all the power.
“I know. And he didn’t disturb me.” Jacelon reached for the bag. “Gemma asked me to check the wound while I was here. She’s concerned about it.”
Kellen looked pointedly toward Armeo, who still stood just inside the doorway. Jacelon followed her glance. “You must be tired, Armeo. Why don’t you go back to bed? Tomorrow, I’ll personally introduce you to our teacher. I thought while you’re on the space station, you should attend school. Several of the kids who live here are your age.”
Armeo’s eye brightened. “Really? I can go outside the quarters?”
“With an…escort accompanying you at all times, yes,” the commodore cautioned.
“Did you hear that, Kellen? I can go out and—” He suddenly stopped and swung around. “But you can’t. You’ll be here all alone when you’re sick.”
“I’ll be fine.” Kellen pushed herself farther up onto the pillows, the pain thankfully starting to ease. “I can rest while you’re in school. Now do as the commodore says and go get some sleep.”
“That’s right,” Jacelon said. “Hop into bed and I’ll take care of Kellen, all right?”
“Yes. Good night, ma’am.” He all but saluted the commodore, and Kellen easily interpreted the look of reluctant admiration on his face.
Armeo hugged Kellen, and she kissed the top of his head. “Night, Armeo.” Her lips felt numb. Is it the medication? The pain reliever was definitely making her dizzy. Fighting against an overwhelming urge to reach out for support, she pressed her palms onto the bed to steady herself.
“Okay, lie back down on the bed,” Jacelon suggested. “Let’s have a look at that leg of yours.”
“Why do you persist being so nice to us?” Kellen lay down, flinching when she tried to raise her leg back up on the bed.
The commodore assisted her with gentle hands, somehow easing the pain by her mere touch, and began loosening the bandage. “You’d rather I treated you harshly?” When Kellen did not reply, she continued, “You’re hard to figure out, Ms. O'Dal. But I don't punish children for the peculiarities of adults, so you will be well treated while you are on my craft. However, I don’t trust you. You might decide to grab Armeo and run, and even if I might sympathize with your situation, I cannot allow that.”
Jacelon examined the injury carefully before she dressed it again with a clean bandage. “It doesn’t look worse, at least. The interactive antibacterial suspension sometimes takes time to kick in, especially when the patient isn’t within the normal demographic for this method. Hopefully by tomorrow you’ll start seeing an improvement.” She pulled the covers up. “Want to tell me how it happened?”
Kellen looked up into sharp, intelligent eyes. Their calm, unwavering expression made her think for a moment it might be possible to trust Jacelon, and she detected nothing but honest interest in the husky voice. The medication took the pain away, and with it, a little of her resolve to remain aloof.
“Take your time.” Jacelon sat down on the edge of the bed.
Kellen knew the details she disclosed would be superficial, easy to check. She would still be safe. “Three weeks ago, several Onotharian men came to the estate and told me they had come to get Armeo, to take him to Ganath, our capital city,” she said, finding she spoke more slowly than usual since her tongue did not quite cooperate. “They tried to emulate civil servants, but I could see they were OECS.”
“What does OECS stand for?”
“Onotharian Empire Clandestine Service. Armeo’s father was half Onotharian, but I had not heard from his relatives since his mother, my friend Tereya, died. I thought they weren't interested in him.”
“Are you related to Armeo at all?”
“Not by blood. His mother, Tereya, was my adopted sister, my best friend all through school and later at the Gantharian Academy of Pilots. That’s where she met Armeo’s father. Zax was a wonderful person, and despite all our hatred and prejudice against the Onotharians, we adored him. Tereya and Zax fell in love, and the three of us shared a great friendship. We were the best pilots in our squadron.”
“So you served in the Onotharian space force?”
Kellen made a face, wincing at the question. I only joined for one reason, and I’m not about to tell you that, Commodore. Armeo’s heritage, and the information regarding my sacred duty, cannot fall into the hands of strangers, no matter how benevolent. The day I have healed and can move more freely and protect Armeo, we will escape. “No, it didn’t turn out that way. We graduated, and when it turned out Tereya was pregnant, the two of us resigned. I had to stay with her…her pregnancy was not an easy one. Zax stayed on to fulfill his contract.”
“What happened to him?”
Kellen swallowed. “He was killed six lunar cycles later. Tereya went into labor when they notified us. I was there when Armeo was born. I helped raise him and, when Tereya lay dying in my arms five years later, I promised her he’d always have a home with me. I’m all he knows.”
Jacelon nodded slowly. “And how did you provide for the boy all alone during the past seven years?”
Kellen made sure she sounded calm and matter-of-fact. “I possess two skills. I’m a pilot for hire and I write music.”
Jacelon looked surprised, then gave a broad smile. “Music? What kind of music?”
“Classical, folk music…anything that speaks to me. I’ve become quite famous, and I’m afraid that’s what led Hox M’Ekar to my doorstep. Well, not him in person, naturally. He sent six men, and if it hadn’t been for my training at the academy, Armeo would be lost to me now.” Kellen closed her eyes briefly. “They carried laser-pulse weapons. Their leader fired and Armeo tried to protect me. I had no choice but to throw myself on top of him. The pulse cut across my leg. At first I thought he’d severed it.”
She inhaled deeply at the memory. Flickering images, flashbacks, of how she tugged Armeo with her, running toward the barn. The boy, white-faced, scared, screaming her name when more men appeared behind the stables. Searing laser-pulse beams split the air around them, and Kellen had feared any one of them would hit Armeo in the chest.
The doors to the barn jammed for a terrifying moment before they relented and let her and Armeo in. They ran toward the ramp leading into the Kithanya, and it was when they were almost by the large hatch that the leader of the OECS unit stormed in after them, laser-pulse rifle raised and aimed at her. Armeo tried to get in front of her, to shield her with his smaller body. Only by brute force did Kellen manage to toss him halfway through the hatch and herself on top. That’s when the pulse hit.
At first she’d felt no pain, only numbness, and she used every bit of her strength to ignore what had just happened and struggle into the ship, pushing Armeo ahead of her. Calling out to the computer, she had initiated the emergency boot sequence, which meant locking all exits and then slingshoting the Kithanya more or less through the roof of the barn and into orbit.
“How did you escape?” Jacelon asked.
“Several lunar years ago, I used some of my credits to buy a small spacecraft. It was pretty run down when we brought it home, but Armeo and I restored it…”
“And fitted it with quite the weapons array,” Jacelon noted.
Kellen shrugged. “Yes, apart from the attack, we lived on occupied land. The Onotharian patrols would consider it a crime to own a heavily armed ship, of course. But I did what I had to do to get us out alive. Wouldn’t you have done the same thing?"
Jacelon fell silent, her expression reflective. “If I had a child in my care, I might. I can relate on a different level too. I’m responsible for the people on Gamma VI and those who inhabit the space around here. I’m prepared to use brute force to keep them safe as long as I abide by SC law.”
Kellen realized she was slurring her words and losing her ability to pronounce Premoni properly, but she couldn’t help herself. “Unlawful or not, the weapons came in handy when we kept running into bands of pirates.”
“And this happened three weeks ago? You must have traveled at maximum field-distortion drive to get this far.”
“I was trying to reach SC space before the Onotharians caught up with us. I had to. I can’t possibly get a fair trial on Gantharat.” Kellen yawned. “I’m sorry. It’s the medication.”
“I’m glad it’s taking effect.” The commodore rose. In a gesture that seemed close to tender, she tugged the blankets up around Kellen. “I can’t guarantee the outcome, but this is my space station, my jurisdiction, and I’ll make sure the Council considers everything you’ve told me.”
Kellen wanted to believe her. She sensed compassion in Jacelon’s gaze and warm hands, and something else, a hint of steadfast integrity. But she had learned the hard way not to trust anyone, especially someone like the commodore. Only by remaining on her guard, not confiding in a single soul, had she and Armeo managed to get away from that last close call. She was not about to relax her stance.
Feeling drowsy and weak, she cursed herself for giving in and allowing Jacelon to administer the pain relief. It could be the last mistake she ever made. “Understand this, Commodore,” she murmured huskily, the medication beginning to take over. “I can’t let them take him from me. Armeo’s too good for them…He knows nothing about their world.”
Jacelon looked as if she was about to address what Kellen had just said but, if so, she changed her mind. “Try to get some sleep, Kellen. The ambassador’s vessels will be right on the perimeter of SC space tomorrow.”
Kellen closed her eyes as sleep began to overtake her. “Armeo…”
“Is safe. Rest now.”
The last thing Kellen heard was the door open and close when Jacelon left.



Mr. M’Indo, the ambassador’s attaché, was obviously displeased. A short, bony man with a distinctly protruding nose, he stood by an elaborate desk in an equally impressive room and twisted his long, skinny fingers around each other. He restated the ambassador’s demands and glared at Rae from the large computer screen in her office. Nearly paper-thin, the screen sat on slim titanium rods and almost hovered above her desk as she placed her left index finger on the fingerprint scan.
“We must have proper escort when we enter Supreme Constellations space,” the attaché demanded. “The ambassador is dependent on his cruiser, four destroyers, and seven frigates.”
Rae tapped her fingers on her thigh beneath the desk and addressed the pompous little man. “Listen to me, Mr. M’Indo. Your nation has signed a treaty with the SC that clearly states that no nation may approach any of the Gamma stations with more than two vessels. This safety precaution is nonnegotiable.”
“So is the ambassador’s request that you make an exception. The treaty also states that you as a commodore can do so.” The Onotharian smiled smugly, clasping his hands behind his back and rocking back and forth on his feet.
“I don’t see why he needs such a large entourage.” Rae slowly crossed her legs as she sat in her command chair in her office, making sure she looked relaxed and confident in order to irritate the attaché. Her office was located behind circular transparent aluminum walls in the heart of the triangular mission room on deck 1. Outside, twenty-two traffic controllers and security officers worked at their consoles. Rae studied the view screen. The Onotharian seemed frustrated, his jaw muscle clenching and releasing over and over when she did not yield to his demands.
“You show a remarkable disregard for the ambassador’s situation. We have enemies out there, exiled Gantharians who would stoop to anything when it comes to using terrorist methods to make political statements.”
Rae knew he was partially correct. Outside the SC, small cells of Gantharians resorted to violence as they struggled to free Gantharat from Onotharian occupation.
“So far they have only targeted military installations. Why would they care about a personal matter like Ambassador M’Ekar’s?” She feigned innocent puzzlement.
“Because he’s a prominent figure in the Onotharian administration on Gantharat. They might see this as ample opportunity to strike against him and what he represents.”
“We have an excellent and well-equipped security force at the station,” Rae assured him. “If the ambassador wants to discuss the matter of Kellen O’Dal and Armeo M’Aido, he’ll abide by SC laws, exactly like everybody else.”
M’Indo sighed, a quick puff of air, and looked irritated. “I think you are making a great error in judgment, Commodore. I will forward your position to the ambassador and get back to you shortly. I will also remind you, when and if the ambassador comes aboard the station, he enjoys diplomatic immunity.”
Biting back a harsh suggestion regarding what M’Ekar could do with his diplomatic immunity, Rae spoke curtly. “Until later, Mr. M’Indo. Jacelon out.”
The screen flickered momentarily before it showed an overview of the space station. Looking at the triangular concave structure, Rae saw ships of all shapes and sizes arrive and embark, delivering goods and people or taking them away. She had commanded Gamma VI for eight years and loved most aspects of the job, especially the encounters with people passing through and the tactical challenges of outsmarting pirates in her ongoing struggle against them. The view calmed her and helped clear her mind, as usual. Nothing was as breathtaking as the vastness of space around them.
Her communicator beeped, a low, husky two-tone alarm, and she tugged it from its place on her left shoulder. “Jacelon here. Go ahead.”
“Terence de Brost here, ma’am. We have a situation in the school quarters.”
Rae uncrossed her legs and rose quickly. “Have you alerted security?”
“Eh, ma’am? It’s not that kind of situation. Are you free to pay us a visit?”
Terence was a civilian who had worked as a teacher and librarian at the station since before she took command. He was a well-read, versatile man who came across as low-key with his gentle voice and thoughtful way of speaking. However, Rae had seen him lead classes in the martial arts and was well aware he could be lethal.
“On my way. What’s this about? Oh, don’t tell me. It concerns Armeo M’Aido. Right?”
“Yes, it does. Thank you, Commodore.”
Rae strode out of her office, handing over the conn to a dark-haired lieutenant standing at the tactical station. “I’ll be in the school quarters.”
“Aye, ma’am,” he replied smartly, saluting before he switched his screen to overview mode. “I’m relieving you, Commodore.”
Rae walked to the closest rail gate, located to the left outside the mission room. The rail system, consisting of tubular cars, would deliver her only minutes later at the school, which was situated between the residential and commercial sections of the station. Gamma VI could house 1,200 permanent residents—and four times that many temporary residents in hotels and aboard moored ships.
Divided into three sectors--military, commercial, and residential--the station comprised forty-five decks and three major ports. Deck 1 hosted the mission room, with the commodore’s office located in its center.
The commercial area boasted several shopping areas, which catered to trade between homeworlds. A multitude of restaurants offered a variety of cuisines from the different Supreme Constellations worlds. Hotels were prosperous, especially their casinos, since gambling had become legal five years earlier.
The residential sector’s lower decks served as housing for the lower-ranking military staff and the permanent residents working in the private areas. Rae resided on deck 3, and so did her XO and a few other senior staff members.
She stepped out of the car two stations and two minutes later, crossing an intersection full of people before she entered the school. Only seventeen children resided on the station, but occasionally generational ships would linger, and then Terence would work long hours to prepare lessons for them all. Right now the children, ages six to sixteen, were working in small groups at different projects.
She saw Terence waiting for her at the entrance, and he waved her over while he walked toward his office.
“What’s up?” Rae asked when the doors to the inner room closed behind the two of them.
“Armeo arrived this morning with a security guard, and Dorinda and David immediately introduced him to the class. They’re both his age, and he seemed thrilled and settled into their group easily.” Terence scratched the back of his neck, a gesture Rae recognized as signifying Terence’s he’s uneasiness. He looked regretful. “It’s my fault, Commodore. I should have realized…”
“Go on.” Rae wondered with increasing concern why the seasoned teacher looked so distressed.
“This particular group is studying trials and legal procedures in various parts of space. Since the six children in this group all belong to different homeworlds, they find this topic particularly interesting and were helping Armeo catch up when suddenly Dorinda came and got me.” Terence paled and slicked back his thinning gray hair. “Armeo was sitting by the computer, shivering all over. For a moment I thought he was going to be sick.”
“Oh, God. What was wrong?”
“Because he’s quite intelligent and curious, he looked up the different punishments for the same crime on several worlds. When I saw the screen, I noticed he was reading about Onotharat’s punishment for abduction and kidnapping. He must’ve figured out what his guardian is suspected of.”
Icy fingertips tapped down Rae’s spine. “And?”
“It’s an ancient, barbaric law, and it’s incomprehensible why any nation would cling to such cruelties. The punishment for these offenses is death by starvation.”
Slumping into the teacher’s chair, Rae felt her lungs cave in. Forcing oxygen back in, she steeled herself at the images her imagination sent flickering through her mind. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, ma’am. I double-checked while Dorinda took care of the boy. He seemed to respond well to her, so I decided to keep him here until I spoke to you.”
“I should have researched this, but I haven’t had time yet,” she said, angry at herself for not studying this case as meticulously as she usually did. “Damn.”
“I know. It’s unfathomable, ma’am. It also brings another question to mind.”
Rae could read his mind. “Heavens, yes. Does Kellen O’Dal know? And what will she do now that the boy knows?”
“I don’t envy you having to deal with that.” Terence regarded her with kind blue eyes. “Will you take Armeo back to his guardian?”
“Yes, I have to tell her what happened.” Rae rose from the chair and looked through the window facing the classroom. “What’s Armeo’s educational level?”
“He seems to be keenly interested in math and research. He’s well educated in all general subjects for his age. Whatever the circumstances, Ms. O’Dal has provided him with a proper education. He’s also polite, with excellent social skills, and his sense of humor has struck a chord with his peers. If we hadn’t been studying this particular subject, he would have probably enjoyed his first day at school thoroughly.”
Pleased, Rae filed Terence’s report away for future reference, knowing Kellen would need all the plus points they could sum up when M’Ekar arrived to claim him. Having provided Armeo with a good education and appropriate social skills were important points in her favor. “I’ll return him to his quarters now. Thank you for contacting me, Terence.”
She found Armeo with his perpetual guard sitting on one side of him and a girl with a long blond ponytail on the other. The girl was gripping his hand and talking to him quietly. Looking up, she smiled at Rae, her relief obvious. “The commodore’s here now, Armeo. She’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry.”
Rae inhaled deeply at Dorinda’s unreserved trust in her, unexpectedly touched and hoping she’d never let the girl down. “Hello, Dorinda. I’m going to escort Armeo back to his quarters. He’ll be back in class tomorrow, all right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The small, slender girl rose and stood close to Rae. “He was very upset. Can you help them, Aunt Rae?”
Dorinda, the daughter of her closest friends, usually called her Aunt Rae only when they were in private. The small slip betrayed her genuine concern for Armeo. “I’ll try, Dorinda. You’ve been a good friend. I’ll remember this.”
Armeo was silent on the way back. Rae noticed that he looked pale, which emphasized the faint bluish tone of his skin. When she looked into his dark eyes, she could easily recognize his Onotharian heritage in his oval-shaped irises, common among his father’s people. More so, something new, a burning anguish, or perhaps anger, made his unusual irises sparkle.
“You would never let that happen to Kellen, would you?” Armeo suddenly said huskily.
His desolate tone, tinged with a futile hope, was almost more than Rae could bear. Unprepared for the emotions surging through her, she acted without thinking, taking Armeo’s hand and squeezing it. Rae couldn’t remember feeling this mix of tumultuous emotions ever before. The thought of Armeo fearing for the life of his guardian, the only mother he knew, stung deeply.
“I’m sorry you stumbled upon this information,” she said, biting the inside of her cheek at how formal she sounded. “It’s an awful punishment. I’ll do everything I can to make sure this doesn’t happen to Kellen.”
“It shouldn’t happen to anyone.” Armeo scowled. “It’s horrible. If I can return to Gantharat when I’m grown, I’ll make sure it’s forbidden.”
A little perplexed at the boy’s solemn tone of voice, Rae noticed that he didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he walked closer to her, and it took her a moment to diagnose the sudden ache in her heart as profound tenderness.
When they entered the living area, Rae released Armeo's hand and gently nudged him toward the bedroom door. He stepped just inside, lingering by the doorway. Rae stood back a little, out of sight. Kellen sat propped against the pillows with a computer close to the bed. Apparently deep in thought, she stared at the screen.
“Kellen…” Armeo’s voice was barely audible; still the tall blonde flinched.
“Armeo? What’s wrong?” Kellen made a move to get out of bed, but fell back onto the pillows with an expression of pain. Instead she reached out for the boy with both arms.
“Is it true, Kellen? Can they sentence you to death?” Armeo whispered, refusing to step closer. “Can they?”
For the second time, Rae watched brilliant blue tears rise in the other woman’s eyes. Anger and distress were so transparent in her face, Rae was awed. If she had ever doubted the Gantharian’s feelings for Armeo, she now put those trepidations to rest, witnessing how quickly Kellen switched from the stoic aloofness she confronted everyone else with to being openly wracked by conflicting emotions in the boy's presence. “Please,” Kellen whispered, “I don’t know who told you this, but you have to understand that I couldn’t share something so awful with you. You know it’s my duty to protect you, child.”
“I’m not a child anymore!” Armeo’s voice was harsh. “I can deal with reality.”
Kellen slowly lowered her arms. “Maybe…but maybe I couldn’t. I couldn’t face telling you this, in case it…”
“It’s like lying, Kellen.” Armeo’s voice broke. “Not telling the whole truth is like lying.”
Rae found it difficult to witness the pain in the other woman’s eyes. The torment reflected something inside herself, a dull resonance from the countless times of being the one to make the hard decision and later be the bearer of devastating news. Unable to remain passive anymore, she moved into the room and rested her hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“Armeo, calm down. Trying to protect the ones you love by not scaring them isn’t lying. Surely you know Kellen would do anything to keep you safe and happy?” She glanced up at Kellen, who seemed frozen in place, her blue eyes the color of dark fjords. Still, it wasn’t hard to distinguish the pain behind the frosty appearance.
Armeo went rigid under her hand. “Do they have a case against her? Can they do this to her…because of me?”
“I won’t lie to you. Ambassador M’Ekar thinks he has a strong case against Kellen. He believes she kept you without having the right to do so.”
“It’s not true.” Armeo whirled around and faced her with tears of fury in his dark eyes, his back ramrod straight, chin raised. “I was young when my mother died, but I heard her make Kellen promise to keep me when we sat with her at the clinic--several times. I heard it!”
Looking over Armeo’s head, Rae saw that Armeo’s words affected Kellen profoundly. She flushed a faint blue and clutched the bed linen, twisting the down-woven sheets as she apparently struggled for composure. Her obvious inability to harness the look of utter distress on her face pierced the layers of Rae’s professionalism. Suddenly she felt a totally new urge to protect someone instead of something.
“Kellen, listen to me carefully,” she said. “I know it’s hard to stop once you start running. It’s difficult to trust anyone. Something tells me this is what’s going through your head right now. But if you stay, I’ll do my best to make sure you get a fair trial. The ambassador may be powerful on Gantharat, but he’s out of his jurisdiction here.”
“You can’t give me any guarantees,” Kellen growled. “You heard. Armeo knows what will happen if I’m found guilty. The SC will extradite me to the Onotharian authorities, and they will force Armeo to go back to live with strangers. It goes against everything--and trust this: I will not go back on my word or disgrace my word of honor.”
Letting go of Armeo, Rae walked up to the bed and sat down next to Kellen. “I hear you. However, you’re under Supreme Constellations jurisdiction, and since this is a Gamma space station, special laws apply. If you want guarantees, you have only one option. Have faith in my advice, and Ambassador M’Ekar can’t touch you.”
Rae’s mind reeled as she gazed at Kellen and tried to make sense of the unfamiliar emotions flooding through her. She wasn’t sure what was going on and, automatically recoiling, she slipped back into the comfortable role of authority, distancing herself from her turbulent feelings. “If you go along with what I’m about to suggest, you and Armeo can never go back home. At least not for a long time.”
Kellen wiped quickly at her wet cheeks. Her long hair hung loose like a golden cloud around her well-developed shoulders, and her thinlinnen shirt clung to her tall, lithe body. Temporarily incapacitated and obviously distraught, she still radiated a feline strength, her eyes relentless when she locked them on Rae. “What are you talking about? What would Armeo and I have to do?”
“Anyone who enters SC space, no matter their origin, can ask for political asylum. And until an SC court of law evaluates and resolves your situation, nobody can do anything to you.”
“No, we can’t…” Kellen began to object but stopped when Armeo walked up to the head of the bed.
Tears as clear blue as his guardian’s welled up in his eyes. Taking deep breaths, he wiped moisture from his cheeks. “I’m scared, Kellen,” he whispered.
“Come here.” She hugged him tightly and rested her chin on his dark hair. “For now, we’re safe, Armeo. We’re safe.” Lifting her gaze, she looked at Rae with shimmering blue eyes. “Let’s say it was possible. Where would we go afterward?”
“Once they grant you asylum, you can apply for citizenship among any of the homeworlds within SC.”
Armeo stirred in Kellen’s embrace. “Remember what you said when we left Gantharat?” he said huskily. “That we had burned our bridges and might never return. I have accepted it--for now. This could be our chance, Kellen. Listen to the commodore.”
Rae could detect a tone of hope in the increased animation of his voice, and it stirred something old and forgotten, a longing for closeness with another person that made her almost dizzy as she tried to navigate around her rampaging emotions.
She decided to support Armeo by leveling with them. ”You were right in your assumption, Kellen. With this threat hanging over your head, you can’t return. Not now. But you and Armeo can still have a life and a future together.” She hesitated, then placed her hand over Kellen’s, wondering at herself for being so uncharacteristically spontaneous. “It just can’t happen on Gantharat.”

Chapter 3



Jeremiah turned to face Rae when she entered the mission room early the next morning. “Commodore, we have a bit of a situation.”
Another one. Go figure. “Report.” She strode up to her next in command where he stood in front of a view screen.
“Ambassador M’Ekar still insists we allow his ships to approach the station. All twelve of them.”
Rae snorted with contempt. “He must be mad. Doesn’t he realize we’ll enforce the laws? Request denied.”
“It isn’t that simple. As you know, the ambassador has connections in high places within the SC Council.”
Leaning against a railing behind her, Rae glared at Jeremiah and felt her jaw tighten. “And he thinks this makes him exempt?” she huffed. “Not unless he has a declaration from the Council. But it does complicate our lives.”
“We just finished the background research you requested. Perhaps the report contains some useful information we could use to persuade the ambassador to be more…diplomatic in his approach.”
“Good idea.” Rae led him into her office and motioned for him to sit. “Go ahead. Begin with Kellen and the boy.”
“Kellen O’Dal graduated from the Gantharian Pilot Academy with honors and moved to the countryside with her friend, Tereya M’Aido, the spouse of Zax M’Aido. A few months later Zax was killed in the line of duty, but the follow-up investigation was inconclusive. At the same time Tereya gave birth to Armeo, a Gantharian/Onotharian hybrid. The two women stayed in the countryside and brought the boy up together until Tereya died in a vehicle accident when her son was five.”
Jeremiah looked up at Rae, and she could tell from his pensive expression that he suspected something. “No one witnessed this accident, and the subsequent investigation was also inconclusive.”
“Two parents gone, both of their deaths unexplained. Go on.”
“Ms. O’Dal enrolled Armeo in a nearby school, where he did very well, especially in science and math. She’s never tried to conceal his whereabouts.”
“So far, everything she’s told us checks out.” Rae tugged a lock of her short red hair as if she were trying to uproot the truth. “Now, the ambassador. Why is he so interested in this boy? Are they related?”
“The ambassador’s late wife was born a M’Aido. She was from a very wealthy family, with long-standing political connections. The M’Aidos have long served in the Onotharian government.”
“Hmm. The ambassador could be using the M’Aido name to pressure us. Go on.”
“M’Ekar’s wife died seven years ago and…” Jeremiah looked up from the computer screen. “Quite a coincidence.”
“Same year as Armeo’s mother,” Rae mused. “Interesting.”
“Only four weeks later, actually.”
Rae leaned forward on her desk. “Kellen risks capital punishment for running with the boy.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe she would do that unless she had a very good reason.”
“The political complication is tricky. If M’Ekar circumvents your authority…”
Rae knew Jeremiah was right. If the Council decided to extradite Kellen, she would starve to death in a prison cell on Gantharat, away from the boy she’d raised.
“I need to discuss this with Kellen. I told her she’d be safe if she applied for asylum. Now I’m not so sure. The M’Aido name carries a lot of weight, and I’m sure the ambassador intends to use it.”
Jeremiah nodded. “You can’t let it happen, Rae.”
“I wish I could think of an alternative solution.” Rae closed her eyes briefly and pictured a scene with Kellen that she’d rather avoid. “I’ll go talk to Kellen again. How about approaching one of the civilian lawyers? He might see things from another angle.”
“Good idea.” Jeremiah brightened, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I have a friend in the new business section who just moved to the station. He owes me one, and he can keep a lid on things.”
“Excellent. Report back soon.” Rae rose from her desk.
Jeremiah rose also, but stopped halfway to the door. “By the way, about those ships…”
“I haven’t forgotten. If the ambassador brings them into our space without proper documentation, he’ll find a warm welcoming committee.”
“In other words, you’ll blow him out of the skies.”
“Damn straight.”
“So much for my career.”
“Cheer up. It hasn’t come to that yet. And you can always look back at your career and say it was short and eventful.”
“Thanks, ma’am, I’ll remember that,” Jeremiah said with a pained expression.
Rae had to smile. “Dismissed.”
Jeremiah walked out of the center office, leaving Rae to gather her thoughts. She didn’t look forward to disappointing Kellen.



Because Kellen’s leg didn’t hurt so badly, she could sit at the desk in the other room. However, her head was spinning from trying to absorb all the research she had done since four o’clock that morning, when she couldn’t sleep. Armeo was back in school, having insisted on rejoining his new friends. Kellen was proud of how he’d bounced back.
A rattle came from the other side of the room, and the door hissed open. Commodore Jacelon stepped inside.
“Kellen, I’m glad to see you up and about. How’s the leg?” She strode up to the desk and leaned her hip against it, her arms folded.
“Much better, thank you. Dr. Meyer was here an hour ago. She seemed pleased.” The sight of the commodore made Kellen’s stomach clench. Uncertain why the other woman spurred such a reaction, she forced herself to appear unfazed.
“Good. May I sit down?” Jacelon gestured to a chair next to Kellen, who hadn’t realized it was up to her to grant the Gamma station’s commodore the privilege of sitting.
“Forgive me. Of course.”
Jacelon sat down, leaned back, and crossed her legs. “This morning Ambassador M’Ekar asked to bring his entire fleet of ships here, despite our laws.”
“Surely he can’t do that?” Kellen felt her tongue betray her as her mouth went dry. Licking her lips, she pressed herself hard against the backrest of the chair.
“Normally he wouldn’t, but the ambassador may have some connections tied to the M’Aido name. His late wife was a M’Aido.”
“I know. She was Zax’s aunt. They had very little to do with each other because Armeo’s father settled down and married on Gantharat. Zax’s father was a colonel in the Onotharian space force.” Kellen examined the impenetrable expression on Jacelon’s face and suddenly recognized it as similar to her own reflection sometimes. At once she felt uneasy. “Something has come up, hasn’t it?”
“Ambassador M’Ekar has a connection high within the SC Council and won’t hesitate to use it.” Jacelon leaned against the desk on one elbow. “I’m sorry, Kellen, for getting your hopes up yesterday. He might persuade the Council to extradite you even if you do apply for asylum.”
A cold hand dug its nails into Kellen’s heart, and sudden vertigo made her cling to the armrests of the chair. “Armeo would be devastated.” She felt furious yet afraid. “I’m forced to beg, for his sake, Commodore. Can’t you do anything?” Swallowing hard against the dryness in her mouth, she stared at the other woman and forced the next word over her lips. “Please.”
“Yes, I can,” Jacelon assured her. “I’ll be damned if I’ll turn over a woman and her foster son to someone out to destroy them, no matter who they are. Kellen, listen to me. Why is the ambassador so determined to get his hands on Armeo?”
“Armeo is the last in the M’Aido dynasty. He’s the heir to all their assets, including a seat in the Onotharian government once he’s old enough. The M’Aidos were almost royalty on Onotharat for centuries. When the family died out with Zax and his aunt, I knew the Onotharians would hunt Armeo down if they knew of his existence too early. I never meant to rob him of his inheritance, Commodore. I merely wanted him to be old enough to take care of himself before he claimed it.”
During a brief silence, Kellen watched the different pieces fall into place in Jacelon’s mind. “So if he were under the ambassador’s influence, M’Ekar’s power would increase…”
“Tenfold. More than tenfold.”
The two women looked at each other in silence. “And any influence you have on Armeo is diametrical to the ambassador’s interests.” Jacelon nodded as if she was thinking carefully.
“Armeo deserves to grow up and be loved for who he is, not because of his heritage or his political usefulness.” Kellen tried to rise from the chair, but the searing pain in her leg forced made her to utter a muffled cry and lean forward, holding on to her thigh.
“Don’t move,” Jacelon ordered. “What did you do? Let me look at it.”
Kellen glanced up at the other woman and saw nothing but concern in her eyes. “It’s not necessary. I just moved too quickly, that’s all.” She dismissed her pain with disdain.
Jacelon apparently wasn’t about to be rebuffed. “I know you’re resilient, but don’t turn down help when it’s offered, Kellen. Let me see. You didn’t tear it, did you?”
Her hands trembling, Kellen slid the loose-fitting retrospun cotton infirmary trousers down her hips, awkwardly leaning from side to side to get them off. Jacelon leaned over her and lifted the bandages to examine the wound on her upper thigh. The soft touch didn’t surprise Kellen, who had felt how careful Jacelon was two nights earlier, but today it created a totally new shivering sensation that startled her, although it faded quickly.
“Oh, it looks much better. Did Gemma say when she would close it?” Jacelon smiled warmly up at her in a way that caused a faint echo of the shivers to appear.
“Tomorrow, probably, if it improves like it has been. She assured me it would be much less painful after the derma-fuser treatment.”
“Gemma is wonderful at emergency medicine.”
“She’s a true professional,” Kellen said as Jacelon covered the wound up again. “She’s never made me feel like a prisoner, and she’s very considerate of Armeo.” Still surprised and suspicious of any perceived friendliness, Kellen had to admit the CMO had not made any untoward remarks or hinted at Kellen’s situation as a prisoner.
Kellen found she missed the warm and careful touch when Jacelon let go of her after she helped her pull up her baggy trousers. Not counting Gemma’s professional touch, no one had touched her like that for a very long time. With care and kindness, but anyone can fake that. She couldn’t allow herself to relax around Jacelon. A commodore in the SC was only a short step away from a promotion to admiral. Playing Kellen for a fool, and using her, could be part of a career shortcut plan.
“Your status might change soon, since all the evidence so far backs your story. I know you don’t have the freedom to roam the corridors, even if you could actually walk, but these quarters aren’t so bad, are they?”
Looking seriously at Jacelon, Kellen wondered if she realized how eager to reassure she sounded. “These quarters are more than sufficient. It’s a relief to be able to stay with Armeo and not be confined to the brig.”
“That’s what they would have done to you back at Gantharat or on an Onotharian prison asteroid?”
“You’ve heard of their prison asteroids?” Kellen was surprised that the commodore cared enough to find out about the harsh conditions of a subject nation.
“My lieutenant provided me with extensive research. I’m aware the asteroids orbit one of the moons, which in turn orbit Gantharat. The Onotharat penal system is appalling and nothing the SC Council condones. I guess that’s one reason why Onotharat is not a full member yet. We have diplomatic liaisons, but that’s all.”
“I’m sure the Onotharians would see it as a political triumph if they could use the M’Aido name to gain membership. The ambassador has great ambitions.”
“I’m starting to understand that. I’m going to--”
A distinct beep came from the communication device attached to Jacelon’s shoulder. Pulling it to her lips, she spoke quickly. “Commodore Jacelon. Go ahead.”
“Commander Todd here, ma’am. Are you free to talk?”
“Not quite yet, Commander. I’ll let you know when I’m back in the mission room. Jacelon out.”
Turning toward Kellen, Jacelon reached out halfway, only to let her hand fall back down again. “I’ll have to go take care of this. Hopefully Commander Todd has found something that will help your situation.”
Kellen felt a mixture of emotions surge to the surface as she leaned back to regard Jacelon. She knew she had let her guard down more with this woman than she had done with anyone in a long time. She felt terrified, since it was too great a risk, and relieved at the same time to allow another adult to take charge, if only for a moment. “May I ask you something, Commodore?”
“Go ahead.”
“I fired my weapons at you, and you had every right to be angry when you brought me aboard the station. Why do you go out of your way to personally assist us?”
Jacelon sat quietly for a moment. “A great injustice is in progress. One woman and a little boy against twelve spaceships. Armeo’s testimony and your own, together with the facts my staff dug up. The barbaric capital punishment Onotharat employs. Armeo losing the person he sees as his parent. These things all play a role.” Jacelon shrugged. “I can’t sit idly by.”
“This might cause you problems professionally. You may step on toes belonging to someone powerful.”
Jacelon smiled, waving a dismissive hand in the air, an elegant gesture. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Now, I have to leave. Get some rest and hurry up the healing process.”
How utterly attractive she looks when her arrogance manifests itself like that. Kellen’s foolish heart picked up speed at the sight of Jacelon’s smile. She rebuked herself for being nearly fooled by a few kind words and a simple smile. The Onotharians were not this subtle. This woman also wanted to control her and Armeo. She just used a different tactic. Kellen nodded, as if in submission. “Good idea. I’m tired.”
As Jacelon helped Kellen raise her leg onto the bed, Kellen reluctantly absorbed the feeling of Jacelon’s kind hands.
“Thank you, Rae,” she murmured without thinking. Seeing the other woman’s surprised look, Kellen bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry. Commodore.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Jacelon’s smile appeared again. “You can call me by my first name when we’re alone, all right?”
“Thank you.”
“Sleep now. I’ll come by later.”
As Kellen obediently closed her eyes, she heard the door close. Examining the possibility that the commodore might find a way for her and Armeo to stay together, she put her arm over her eyes and breathed deeply to relax. Jacelon’s resourcefulness utterly impressed her, but she didn’t reflect on her ingenuity or humane attitude. The way she touched me, smiled at me…Why should it matter? Such things have never been important to me before and they aren’t relevant now. If she’s warming up to me--so much the better. Kellen had spent the day devising several backup plans. Because her duty toward Armeo was all-important, she needed to be able to act immediately if she had a chance. She also had to regain her strength. As long as Jacelon thought she was incapacitated and grateful for any favor, Kellen would have the advantage.



Riding back to the mission room in the rail system car, Rae thought about her own reaction to Kellen’s pain. When the alien woman cried out, Rae had almost jumped out of her skin and her chair to come to her aid. Her sudden urge to comfort Kellen unsettled her. Rae was used to keeping an empathetic and protective distance from the individuals in her care or under her command. This compulsion to erase anguish from a stranger’s eyes, and to console a distraught child, was simply not her method of operation. Distracted, Rae stepped out of the rail car and headed for her office.
Wearing the SC fleet uniform for twenty-four years did not make it only her work. The fleet was her life. At one point, a dismissed lover had in frustration and anger told Rae that she wore her uniform around her heart as well.
For a few seconds, for the first time in years, I forgot about my uniform today. The notion startled her, making her lengthen her stride as she walked briskly toward the door where the security guard on duty called out, “Commodore on the bridge!”--an ancient tradition since the tall-ships era more than four centuries ago. Nodding to her crew, Rae entered her circular office, setting the aluminum walls to semitransparent. Still a little on edge, she wanted some privacy while she read her messages.
Several messages from official SC sources were flickering on her computer. But before she read them, she paged Jeremiah on a secure line.
“Todd here, Commodore.”
“Report.”
“I’ve spoken to my friend, who’s an expert at civilian law when it crosses over to military law. He’s not very optimistic about finding loopholes in the military law.”
Rae bit back an impatient reply. “What does he suggest?”
“We switch our attention to civil law.” Jeremiah’s voice held an odd tinge. “My friend has one suggestion which can keep Ms. O’Dal and her foster son within SC space, but it’s controversial.”
“Go on.”
“If she marries a citizen of a Supreme Constellations homeworld, she immediately gains citizenship, and with that comes SC protection and the right to try a custody case in any of the SC sectors.”
Rae wasn’t sure she’d heard the commander right. “You’re kidding.”
“No. But she has to act right away. If she stays more than a few days longer without getting married, she risks extradition. M’Ekar is pulling his strings with several of the Council members who want Onotharat to become a full member because of its natural resources.”
“Damn. And Kellen is caught in the middle of this crap? How the hell do we solve this situation?”
A brief silence. “I think you have to tell her, Rae.” Jeremiah’s voice softened, and his use of her first name, unheard of during duty shifts, made it clear he knew how this situation troubled her.
“Yeah. I know. Of course, we’ll have to prove the marriage is for real, not just a means to an end.”
“Yes, it has to last more than five years. And the happy couple needs to live together during this time.”
Rae tucked her hair behind her ears, something she’d done since her younger days when she was nervous or excited. “Any suggestions?”
“For potential spouses?” Jeremiah sounded surprised. “I could offer, I suppose.”
“You’re not serious?” Rae balked at the idea.
“She’s one of the most stunning women I’ve ever seen. A man would be lucky to have such a wife.” Jeremiah sounded way too serious for Rae to merely ignore him.
“You don’t even know her. As far as I know, you haven’t even talked to her once.”
“The language of love is universal. I’m sure I could--”
“Jeremiah!” Rae groaned out loud at her next in command. She never could quite tell when he was joking. Am I entirely devoid of humor? That’s what Father always says.
“Rae, I’m kidding. She’s not really my type--too tough.” Jeremiah laughed, which flustered and annoyed Rae.
“How droll, Commander.”
Jeremiah stopped his needling. “How do we solve it, ma’am?”
“Are you sure this is her only chance?”
“Yes.”
“All right. I’ll take care of it. Send all the relevant documentation to my personal computer station.”
Rae signed off and stared out the view port. Outside, vessels moored and debarked; people of all species and races went through Gamma VI, the last bastion between the SC and interplanetary space. As the highest-ranking military official, Rae commanded not only the station but also eight sectors of the surrounding space.
However, her usual burden of responsibility seemed easy compared to the current dilemma. No matter how hard it was to make clear-cut decisions involving the destiny of a multitude of people, she preferred them to her current emotional turmoil when dealing with Kellen O’Dal.
She watched a ship large enough to be a generational vessel dock with Gamma VI’s longest extendable tube. The captain was skilled at his job; the vessel gently made contact, and long cables emerged to hook themselves to the space station. Once the ship was attached, the crew and passengers could safely go through the bio-filter screening and enjoy what Gamma VI had to offer.
Rae’s thoughts returned to her current situation. She was willing to bet a credit or two that the alien woman would try to escape once she learned of the limited options.
Rae couldn’t put it off. It was time to discuss marriage with Kellen.

To read the rest of the story, buy the book, which is available in December 2005 from Bold Strokes Books!

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