Protector of the Realm (4 page)

“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.”