Protector of the Realm (47 page)

Grabbing a lever, the crewman used his entire body weight to open the door. The decompression tore at him as all air left the shuttle bay. The crewman, Owena cursed under her breath for not remembering to ask his name, hung by the lever as his body slammed against the bulkhead.

Suddenly he lost his grip, sliding along the wall toward the open door, with his safety line taut behind him. His waving hands found a fire extinguisher and clawed at the hose until he got a secure grip and held on.

“All assault craft. Deploy.” Owena heard her voice grow darker. “As soon as the last one’s out, close the doors. I don’t want to hear the automatic closing mechanism isn’t working.”

“Understood, ma’am,” the ops ensign replied smartly. “I’ll see to it myself.”

Owena stared at the brave man on the screen, his body slamming repeatedly into the wall as the smaller ships passed him. She bit down hard on her lower lip. “Medics, stand by. We have a casualty in shuttle bay two. Await recompression.”

*

Kellen reached underneath Rae’s shoulders and legs, lifting her gently and placing her on the floor, where Ensign Hammad had arranged another mattress. The two women fastened belts around the unconscious form, securing her to the bulkhead.

The
Liberty
lurched. Consoles in the corridors outside the mess hall exploded, and this time the DVAs went off-line. Kellen became airborne, shielding her head before she crashed into the ceiling. Grabbing hold of the light fixtures, she held on, turning and twisting to see if Rae was all right.

Rae was hanging from the three belts, the infusions ripped from her veins. Blood trickled from her arms and legs. Blessing the fact they had strapped the bedding and blankets around her, Kellen slowly made her way toward the outer bulkhead.

Another explosion reverberated through the ship, propelling Kellen through the mess hall. The tables were attached to the floor, but chairs tumbled around the room. Desperate to get to Rae, to protect her from the flying objects, Kellen let go and jumped. She landed on her feet close to Rae, but as she reached for the table next to her, for leverage, the
Liberty
reeled again.

“All hands prepare for impact.” Owena’s voice over the comm system was grave. “We’re on a collision course with an asteroid. The ship is out of control.”

It was instantly dark when the lights went out. Her outcry became a whisper when Kellen found the first belt around Rae beneath her fingers. Holding on, she inched herself up along Rae’s body, covering it as the universe went crazy around them.

*

Owena squinted through the smoke and muted light from an emergency source. “Reroute all power to the main deflector. We need to keep the shields up!” Coughing, she slapped the communicator on her shoulder. “Grey to de Vies. We’re not going to make it, Captain. Almost all systems are failing. What’s your status?”

“We’re right behind you, Lieutenant.” The man sounded adamant even through the static. “We’re not leaving your side. Get the
Liberty
under control, Lieutenant!”

“We’re trying, sir.”

She watched Leanne’s hands fly, struggling with the controls. The
Liberty
twirled past the asteroid with only twenty-five meters to spare.

“Damn it, D’Artansis, you’re going to sever the ship.” Alex’s voice crackled over the comm system.

“She just saved our asses…sir,” Owena said through hard-gritted teeth. “Please, Captain, stick to the plan. Get your part of the evidence back to
Gamma VI
. You can still outfly them.”

“There’s still a chance for you, Lieutenant Grey.”

The main view flickered to life. “We have visual, Lieutenant.” The ensign at ops hung on to her console, clutching at the titanium bar. Owena glanced up, cold dread filling her.

“Damn. Do we have long-range sensors?”

“In a few seconds, ma’am.” A brief silence. “Onotharians attacking from two flanks. We’re caught between them and a dense part of the asteroid belt.”

“It doesn’t matter. Check your readings again. Tactical?”

“Oh, God, ma’am. A ship’s decloaking. They’ve brought reinforcements.”

A jolt rocked the already battered ship as a tractor beam locked onto the
Liberty
. D’Artansis’s hands danced across the helm. “I can’t break free, Owena!”

“Try sending a tachyon pulse through their tractor beam.”

“We don’t have enough power to do that,” the tactical officer responded.

“Damn! Grey to de Vies. Do you have the Onotharians on your sensors?”

“Yes, Lieutenant.”

“Get out while you can, Captain.”

“We’re not leaving you…”

Owena bristled, and the stressful situation made her growl. “Now’s not the time for heroic actions, sir. Get the
Freedom
out of here. You still have a chance! It’s your duty, sir. Don’t let this mission be for nothing.”

Captain de Vies’s voice came through the static loud and clear. “I’m sorry to inform you, but it’s too late. We’re caught in the same tractor beam. We’re entering the Onotharians’ ship as we speak.”

Owena swallowed against an ever-growing lump in her throat.
Oh, shit.
“Plan B, then, Captain?”

“Yes, Lieutenant.” De Vies sounded matter-of-fact. “It’s been an honor, Owena. Don’t delay. Godspeed.”

Owena unbuckled and rose from the chair. “All hands. We’ve reached the point of no return. At least we’ll take some of them with us.” She pressed a sensor to open a small hatch on the elaborate armrest. Icy blue diodes flickered in alien patterns. She held her index finger above the smaller sensor inside. “Initiating self-destruct sequence in 3-2-1. Engage.”

“Self-destruction sequence initiated. All hands to escape pods.” The computerized voice resonated throughout the
Liberty
. “Three hundred seconds and counting.” Kellen raised her head, horror filling her, quickly followed by profound sadness. They didn’t have time to reach escape pods. They would enter the Onotharian ship’s cargo doors any minute.

Kellen curled her body around Rae’s, closing her eyes as she awaited the blast that would end their lives. Her thoughts flew to Armeo, and she tried to transmit her feelings for him through the light-years between them. “I love you, Armeo. I love you and Rae and…I’m sorry. I let you down…I’m so sorry. Forgive me?” She hid her face in Rae’s hair, all her fury gone, feeling only deep regret.
I tried, Armeo. I swear on my parents’ sacrifice, I did my best. I’m sorry it wasn’t enough.

As tremors shook the ship when the tractor beam sucked them toward the massive Onotharian vessel, Kellen pressed her lips against Rae’s forehead, suddenly seeing images of her father riding his favorite
maesha
, Dinster, across the green, billowing fields behind their estate, the chain of mountains towering in the distance. Sunlight flooded the idyllic scenery. Kellen cupped her lover’s cheek as she squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart full of wistful love, Kellen’s mind went almost blank as she anticipated the nothingness when the tachyon-mass drive overloaded and turned them all to space dust.

“One hundred and thirty seconds to self-destruct and counting
.
”

Owena clutched the armrest of the chair. The faces around her on the bridge, solemn, sad, but collected and panic-free, regarded her closely. She could not afford to fall apart during the last half minute of their lives.
Do they need any last words from me? I hope not, because I don’t know what to say.

Leanne abandoned the helm and walked the few steps over to her. “I guess professional decorum is a moot point, Owena,” she said huskily, a slow smile on her face. Leaning down, she brushed a tender kiss across her lover’s lips. “I love you, darling. We’ve had fun this last year, haven’t we?”

“We’ve had the best of times.”

“You’re my heart.”

“I know. I knew I’d come to love you, the moment I saw you.” Owena had to tell Leanne. She couldn’t send Leanne to the afterlife without knowing just how she felt. “I was afraid…to let you close, but now…I’m glad I did. I adore you.”

Leanne’s tears began to flow. “Oh, damn the stars, Owena. I love you. And yes, I wanted more time with you too. I wanted to show you Corma.”

Owena tried to smile, her own tears resisting gravity by clinging to her eyelashes. “In the next life. I’ll find you. You have my word.”

“I know I do. Now…speak to the crew, Owena.”

Owena instinctively recoiled. “What does it matter?”

Leanne cupped her cheek, her eyes gentle, all-seeing. “It matters.”

“A hundred seconds to self-destruct and counting.”

“All hands, this is your…acting captain.” Owena found new strength in the love so abundant in Leanne’s serene eyes. “We almost made it. We can follow our ship down and know for certain we took several of their best fighters, and one of their prized ships, with us. I want to…” Her throat convulsed and she bowed her head, swallowing against the onslaught of emotions. “I want to say, it’s been an honor to serve with you all. You’ve made a tremendous effort, each of you. On behalf of the commodore, I want you to know we couldn’t have asked for a better crew. Grey out.” She whispered the last words.

“Sixty seconds to self-destruct and counting.”

Leanne kneeled before Owena. “I’m not afraid.”

“I am.” Owena took Leanne into her arms, feeling the petite body tremble against hers, or perhaps it was she who shivered. “I dreamed of more time with you.”

Leanne’s face lit up with the softest, most loving, of smiles. “And I’m grateful for every single moment, which was more than I ever expected. I never thought I’d find anyone like you.”

“Oh, Leanne…I love you.”

“I know. I love you too.”

“Ma’am,” the ops ensign said, “the Onotharian vessel is trying to hail us.”

“Which one?” Owena raised her head from Leanne’s shoulder.

“The one that decloaked.”

“We’re not interested. There is nothing they can say…”

“Owena, they might…”

A boom resounded through the
Liberty,
interrupting Leanne. Owena realized they had docked inside the Onotharian vessel’s shuttle bay, or possibly its cargo bay. “Guess we’re inside,” she murmured. “Well, the blast from our self-destruct will destroy this ship.”

“They’re still hailing us,” the ops ensign reported.

“Damn it. Why not? Audio only.” Owena awaited the ensign’s go-ahead sign. “Lieutenant Grey of the Supreme Constellations vessel the
Liberty
to Onotharian vessel. The game’s over.”

The computer almost drowned out her voice. “Fifteen seconds to self-destruct, and counting.”

“Commander Todd to the
Liberty
and the
Freedom
. Disengage self-destruct sequence. I repeat, disengage self-destruct sequence
.
This is an SC rescue operation.”

Reacting instantly, Owena did not allow herself to consider if it was a trick. She was only vaguely aware of the impossible in what was happening.
If I’m wrong, I can reinitiate and weld the doors shut before they realize it.
Slamming the all-stop button on her right console, she opened a comm channel to the
Freedom
with her other hand. “Grey to de Vies. Cancel self-destruct. I repeat--”

“I have, Lieutenant. We heard them too.” Alex’s voice was hoarser than usual.

Owena awaited the computer’s confirmation with her heart hammering painfully in her chest, drawing all of her energy. The seconds ticked by as the computer kept up the countdown for a few more agonizing seconds. “…five, four, three…” After a brief silence the emotionless female voice spoke again. “Self-destruct sequence cancelled
.
”

Taking a deep, trembling breath, Owena ripped the communicator from her shoulder. “Lieutenant Grey to Commander Todd. Jeremiah, do you care to explain this?” Her voice sounded harsh even to herself, and tears formed in her eyes and blurred her vision.

“I’d love to, Owena. Can it wait until we have you safely in our shuttle bay?”

“Of course.”

“Why do you have the conn? Where’s the commodore
?
”

“She’s wounded and unconscious, sir.” Owena rediscovered her formal attitude toward a superior officer. “Ms. O’Dal and Ensign Hammad are tending to her around the clock.”

“Glad we showed up, then. We have a fully equipped infirmary aboard this vessel
.
”

“See you soon, Commander. Thank you.”

She heard Todd clear his throat. “You’re welcome, Lieutenant.”

Leanne resumed her position by the helm, supervising their entrance into the shuttle bay of the
Kester
’s sister ship,
Ursa
. Glancing at Owena over her shoulder, she gave her a broad smile.

*

M’Ekar regarded the couple facing him. Not sure if he was supposed to be flattered to be in the company of two Jacelons at the same time, the Onotharian remained seated, knowing full well his action was a serious faux pas in the presence of a human woman.

“We finally meet face to face, Admiral.” He gave a regal nod. “I have had the…pleasure of your spouse’s company for endless days now. I can’t possibly think of anything else to say.”