Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five (15 page)

Brennae rolled over on the cot she had been assigned
for the away trip to Antilles. She had been allowed to go off world only
because Marcael had said if she was not allowed, he would not go either. It had
been a bluff of course. He was dedicated to doing the mission if it became necessary.
He was just sending a message and everyone had heard him loud and clear. She
hadn’t been able to stop smiling when her mother told her of Marcael’s
ultimatum.
 
Both councils and everyone on
Terraneu now knew how much Brennae meant to him. It was a very public
declaration of affection.

Brennae had then asked Marcael how he felt about declaring mate status
before the Antilles trip. She knew they had things to learn about each other
and some things they needed to work on, but his feelings for her were as
obvious as hers were for him. In the end, they had decided against taking mate
status because even though Marcael was confident that he would be back in six
months, there were no guarantees and he didn’t want to tie her down to his
memory if the worst were to happen. She thought it was sweet, but the logic
didn’t really make sense to her. If she felt like they were as close as mates
were, what would be the difference if they said it out loud? His stubbornness
was one of those things they needed to work on she supposed, because he had
remained convinced that it was better this way.

Sighing and rolling over again Brennae just couldn’t get comfortable. It
had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the probe would be going
through the portal in a few hours. The decision to do a mission was going to
depend on the results of that probe. Everyone was preparing for it to turn into
a mission for Marcael and his men, but Brennae was still holding out hope that
it wouldn’t be necessary.

“Are you going to be able to sleep?” She jumped at Marcael’s question.

“I’m sorry. Am I keeping you awake?” Brennae turned and wiggled up the
cot until she was face to face with him.

“No. I was already awake.” Marcael spoke softly since it was early and
voices carried from tent to tent.

Brennae couldn’t resist and moved her fingers against the soft hair at
his shoulder. “I know you say you aren’t worried about this mission.” She
began, “Are you sure you are feeling up for it?” Brennae bit worriedly on her
lip. “You only had a short time on Terraneu to build up your strength and the
single sun of Earth is not going to be enough to keep you healthy. Not to
mention if there was nuclear failure at any power plants, the sun may be
blocked by—”

Marcael gently kissed her effectively blocking what she would have said.
Breaking the contact of their lips, he sighed. “Sweet one we have talked of
this and nothing has changed. The scans will show if there is enough sunlight
to sustain us. I am confident everything will work out.” He pulled her against
him and kissed the top of her head. “If it comes to us going to Earth, I am
going to be able to get through the mission only because I know you will be
safe on Terraneu.”

Brennae had played with the idea of trying to get to Earth with Marcael.
She had considered jumping on the port pad at the last second, or hiding on
some of the equipment going through. Then she had quickly decided against any
of those things. She was an adult and making sacrifices for the good of the
whole was something she needed to do. Marcael would not be able to keep her
safe and do his job effectively if she was on Earth. Not to mention that the
armor they were going to be wearing would protect them. How would she feel if
Marcael or one of his men had to give up their armor to save her and were hurt
in the process? There wasn’t any value in trying to go on this mission, and
everything to lose.

Marcael trusted her to stay on Terraneu and that is what she would do.
She could always commiserate with Baylech’s mate Stephanie. Against all
arguments she tried, he had decided to join the away mission. He had sworn an
oath to follow Marcael and he was going to honor that promise. She had also
seen her cousin looking sideways at Colle when she thought no one was looking
too. She felt bad that Chloe hadn’t been able to come to Antilles. Whatever
relationship her cousin had with the handsome newcomer, neither of them had
fought to get her here. Brennae made a note to see if her cousin needed to talk
when she got back to Terraneu.

Brennae put her arm around Marcael’s waist and snuggled as close as she
could get. She would hold onto him, as long as time allowed, then she would
have to let him go.

*~*~*

           
Everyone gathered around the mission
table. Her uncle was giving an update on what the probe had found.

“The initial imagery shows some type of structure
built around the port pad. Although it has deteriorated with age and there are
holes in all four walls and the ceiling.” He pulled up a portable holographic
image that showed the building he was talking about. “There are slightly
elevated radiation readings, but all within an acceptable range.”

Brennae drew in breath through her nose and puffed it out through her
mouth. Marcael would be going to Earth, and her last hope that this wouldn’t be
happening was just dashed.

“We have shielded our equipment and your armor from the CEMPS.” Her uncle
continued, “The first priority is to get our targeting satellite launched. It
will find the CEMPS and destroy it, which should take no more than thirty days.”

“After the launch of our satellite the priority is going to be
reconnaissance.” Kneus looked around the room. “Our long distance probes should
give us feedback on all of the continents. Search parties on the ground can
give us an idea of the impact of the CEMPS on Scotland and if Marcael is
comfortable, the surrounding areas. Only go as far as you feel confident that
you are safe and will be able to make it back to the port pad.”

“Cat, you are the military expert from Earth. What training did they give
you for what would happen in an EMP attack. We can modify that to a global
scale.” Everyone turned his or her attention to Catherine.

“Some of the governments of Earth were equipped to handle different types
of EMP’s. Nuclear, Non-Nuclear and Solar to name a few. There is a chance that
those governments may have survived and are still operating. Although with the
looks of that building over the port pad, I wouldn’t say that is very likely.
If they are in operation, it is probably limited to small areas. I don’t think
twenty years is enough time to have gained much ground on the CEMPS.” Catherine
shrugged, “At any rate with over seven billion people, you can expect a lot of
the population will have perished. There would have been a lack of water, food,
medicines and just the daily amenities people were used to. I think you could
expect, with the rise of disease and violent uprisings, a loss of at least
ninety to ninety five percent of the population in the last twenty years.”

Brennae looked at the women around the table. All of them had the last
few days to work out in their minds how much Earth would have changed. She saw
her mother grab her father’s hand and give it a squeeze. Her aunts and the
other women all did a similar thing with their mates. The loss of life was
staggering and Brennae could only guess at how that generation of women was
feeling.

“We have all the data we need. I would like to get my men through the
portal and settled on Earth as quickly as possible.” Marcael moved to gather
his men.

“We will send the equipment first, that should only take about thirty
minutes. Then we will be ready for you.” Kneus walked away with his son Knalech
both of them had their heads bent over a tablet running numbers yet again.

Everyone broke off into different groups. Marcael and his men were busy
re-checking their gear. She knew he was obsessing over the small details
because those things could be what got them into trouble. All of the team
members going on this mission had learned Earth English in order to communicate
with the natives if it became necessary. Brennae knew that the primary mission
was supposed to be to destroy the CEMPS and gather information. They had been
floating on the lazy river when she had asked Marcael what they were supposed
to do if they came across survivors. He had told her they would only interact
if it was life threatening and that they were not expecting to bring anyone
back in six months.

“The women currently on Terraneu were all either hand selected for their
adaptability and temperament, or born here. How do you think the remaining
Earth natives would fit in here? It will be up to the council to decide on what
to do in six months. There will be a lot of decisions to make then I am
afraid.” Then he had gone underwater and knocked her off her flotation device
so that they were both soaked.

Standing there waiting for the men to leave for Earth had to be the
hardest thing she had ever done. Then it was time for Marcael to go and she
realized she could happily have waited another lifetime. Her heart squeezed
painfully as she thought of everything she wanted to say before it was too
late.

“Marcael...” Brennae had a huge lump in her throat and she was having
difficulty talking around it. “I want you to take care of yourself.” She had to
stop talking before she started crying.

“I will.” Marcael looked at her and she saw the mischievous gleam in his
eye. “Do not go having any fun while I am gone.” Brennae knew he was trying to
make her laugh to keep her from crying.

“I am going to have so much fun with you gone. You didn’t want to claim
mate status, so I’m not waiting around for you.” She teased him back.

His face got soft and he smiled sadly, “Yes…you will.” He kissed her and
she held on for dear life. It wasn’t that long of a separation and he was very
skilled at this kind of mission, so why was she so anxious about him going? For
some reason she wanted to scream at him to stay. Earth could figure itself out,
it wasn’t their problem.

“Marcael.” Colle said from behind them. “It’s time to go.” He looked
sadly at her and nodded good-bye. “Tell Chloe that I’m sorry. She’ll
understand.” He adjusted his gear one last time and walked with Marcael to the
port pad. He turned on the pad and raised her hand to wave one last time. Then
his team was gone and the rest of Terraneu now had a six month wait.

Brennae turned to help break camp when she saw that her family was all
standing behind her.

“He’ll make it back Brennae.” Her mother reassured her. “I know he will.”

“Thank you mother.” She tried to smile but failed.

“He has the best reason in the world to stay safe.” Her father offered.

“I suppose you think that reason is me?” Brennae joked half-heartedly.

“You?’ Her father smiled, “No. Your family is the best reason. We all
threatened him with dire consequences if he hurts you. Not coming back from
this mission would definitely fall under that category.” He laughed softly at
his own joke.

Brennae couldn’t help it she laughed as well.

“Seriously though Brennae,” her mother nudged her father aside, “Marcael
is crazy in love with you and he will make it back. You just have six months to
wait, and then he will be home. ”

“Will he mother?” Brennae asked earnestly, “What happens if there are
other missions to Earth. You don’t think Marcael won’t volunteer for those as
well?”

“Your father is training another team so he would not be asked to go
every time.” Her mother grabbed her hand and squeezed, “A lot can happen in
that time to change a person. Just be patient and get through these six months.
We will take everything one step at a time.”

“I never did understand your Earth sayings mother.” Brennae teased.

“Yes, you do.” Her mother just walked away. Over her shoulder she said,
“You are your father’s daughter Brennae. You made everyone proud by standing by
Marcael and letting him do this mission without making a scene or trying some
crazy way to go to Earth. Your Aunt Mairi would have jumped on the port pad
naked to go with Knollig.”

Her aunt had been standing a few feet away and heard her name. “What did
I do?” She hurried over with Aunt Catherine and Aunt Gwen close by. “Did you
just slander my name?”

“Mother just said you would have jumped naked on the platform to be with
Uncle Knollig.” Brennae teased. She had heard the story of her aunts’
courtships with her uncles a lot over the years. In her Aunt Mairi’s case, her
Uncle Knollig had been hard to catch. The jumping naked from the bushes story
was one of her favorites.

“That is probably true.” Her aunt laughed heartily, “I can’t pretend
indignation over that one, but at least I wouldn’t have shot him like Cat to
keep him here.”

“I only ever shot Kneus once.” Her Aunt Catherine huffed, “Am I ever
going to live that down?”

There was a chorus of “No” around the group and her aunt laughed, “Well
at least I don’t still cause riots with the way I tie my dress.”

“I love the way Mairi looks.” Knollig hurried to defend his mate, “I
wouldn’t change a thing about how she ties her dress.”

Everyone walked laughing and joking to clean up the camp. When they were
finished and it was time they made their way to the port pad to Terraneu. It
was while she was saying good-bye to Zerxix that she got a surprise in the form
of a pitch black, female baby sacath. The Antillean hunters had found its
mother deceased and brought the sacathie to their camp. They knew that Brennae
was the sacath whisperer and would be able to help the infant.

“She’s beautiful.” She gently held the sacathie against her chest and ran
her fingers into its soft pelt. “I love her!”

Now she had something to keep her busy for the next six months!

“What a hellhole!” Colle groaned. “I was missing
Terraneu after the first day, imagine how I feel now that we’ve been here a
month.”

Marcael just inclined his head. He had missed Brennae the moment they
left Antilles. He knew it was going to be hard, he just had not realized how
hard. The only thing keeping him moving on this mission was that it was only
six months for crying out loud. He had done thousands of years of service to
Knuan. He could do one hundred and eight days on this rock.

The first thing on his mission list was to launch the targeting
satellite. That was done the first day and now they just had to hope it found
the CEMPS. So far, the monitoring equipment was not showing any success on that
end. They were getting back some good information from the long distance probes
though. As far as he could tell, there were pockets of life all over Earth,
including the island they were on. Thus far, they had not found anyone in
Scotland. However, Mairi’s grandfather Callum McPherson had told him, “Some
Scots would be hard to find if they didn’t want to be found.” Therefore, if
they were in hiding there were good at it. He would continue to send men as far
out as they dared and see if they came across anyone eventually.

“What is the radiation reading tonight?” Colle moved to sit with him.

“The numbers are still climbing but remain within tolerance levels.”
Marcael read the information off the display then waited for Colle to settle
before he asked the question he had been asking every night for a month.

“Are you going to tell me about Chloe?” He knew there was something
happened between the two, but Colle had refused to say what was wrong. His
friend must have been tired of avoiding the question because he finally
answered.

“I care for her and want her as my mate but she is happy with the rules
that allow the females to date as many males as they want.” Colle sighed, “She
is young and not ready to settle down with one partner.”

Marcael was silent for a moment taking in his friend’s response. “Does
she have another that she is dating besides you?” He was sure he would go mad,
or commit murder if someone else touched Brennae. After having nothing to call
his own for so long, he would go crazy if he had to share her. She was all that
was soft, pure, and good in his life and he needed her more than the two suns
of Terraneu. He would have to remember to tell her that when he saw her again.
Make that
if
he saw Brennae again he thought. Looking again at the
radiation readings, he sighed then returned his focus to Colle.

“There is another she is dating. As long as they don’t claim mate status
the rules allow for them to date others and that is a good thing.” Colle
muttered unhappily.

“How can you say that if it is causing you such misery?” Marcael asked.

“The freedom of choice is what I want for Chloe. She has to
believe
that I am the one mate she wants for the rest of her life. If I can’t make her
feel that conviction to commit to me...then I am not the male for her.” Colle
looked at Marcael, “I hope you realize how lucky you are to have found what you
have with Brennae. It is not something that everyone has.”

Marcael knew what Colle was saying was true. The regret of not signing up
for housing at New Haven hit him hard.

“Don’t go getting all depressed on me now.” Colle jested with him. “When
we get back to Terraneu we will have another chance with our women.” Marcael
noticed Colle’s eyes went to the radiation readings and then back to his.

“Yes.” Marcael inclined his head. “When we get back.”

Before they could talk further, there was a shift change. Baylech and
Mallex were returning from patrol. There was nothing new to report. There was a
sudden dinging sound from one of the computer systems and they all rushed to
see what it was saying. The report they saw was the best news imaginable. The
targeting unit had fired on and destroyed the CEMPS. Everyone around the camp
cheered and Marcael finally let himself smile. One mission accomplished, now
all they had to do was keep going for another five months.