“Absolutely certain I don’t need to know,” the scientist added.
Swede chuckled. He extended his hand to Ben. “I never thanked you for calling us when Price and Robertson’s chips failed. We might not have discovered the bodies in time.”
Fortunas shook his hand, but protested, “It was Cassie who noticed the medical distress beacons. Robertson must have had to re-key himself as Price to leave the
Hudson
. When Ryan shot him, it showed as Price being in the location, but the medic alert came from Robertson’s chip. Price’s chip was already sending independent alarms to the medical bay. I couldn’t make heads or tails of any of it, but she saw the pattern immediately.”
“Clever little pixie,” Captain Hill opined.
Ben’s eyes twinkled. “With claws. Never forget the claws.”
“
You
be sure never to forget them, she’s your problem now.”
“Who’s his problem, sir?” Maggie walked up beside them, Cassie trailing a few steps behind.
“Clara, Cassie and Ginny. A veritable bevy of screeling pixies, you’ve left me with.”
Both women looked at Ben as if he’d gone mad. He indulged them by waggling his eyebrows.
“Do try for some gravity, doctor. We have a funeral to attend.”
***
“Captain Hill, my Ambassador will accompany you to your home planet.”
Brett nodded to the camera. “In order to finalize a new treaty for the settlement of Dremiks, I understand.”
Khanaa clicked twice. “No, Captain. As the Inheritor’s guardian, you are the only human who can legally ratify this agreement. Teriwyn travels with you to ensure your safety and to learn more of your people. I will be personally insulted if my ambassador is not returned to me, Captain. “
“I will not insult you, Majesty.”
“Good journey to you, Captain. Please bring yourself and your lady back to Kigva for a visit. We have much to discuss.”
“You will let me know if you find my brother?”
Khanaa jerked her head back. The computer did not try to translate her clicks, but it did do a fine job with her words. “I will. Those Valtoza damaged my ship. They offended me. It is not
wise
to offend me.”
“I should think not.” Brett smiled. “I look forward to visiting you again, Queen Khanaa. Farewell.” Captain Hill terminated the connection and looked over at Commander O’Connell. She leaned against the wall of his office, chewing her lip. He cocked a brow at that, then, jerked his chin over his shoulder.
“Come on then, Maggie.”
They rode the lift to the bridge, each absorbed in thought. She snuck a glance at his face. He resumed his typical stoic expression. She knew, now, that his lack of visible emotion denoted a deep well of pain and guilt. She wanted to reach up and stroke his jaw, but knew he would flinch at such a public display of affection. With an uncertain future and an uneasy crew, they had to be coldly professional.
“What now?”
Brett rubbed a hand over his tired face. “After I check in with the chief and Swede, I’m going to quarters for four hours sleep. I’ll relieve you on the bridge after that. In the next few days, we’ll work up a schedule for pilot rotations. I believe it’s high time Ensign Chi received his flight certification.”
She nodded in agreement. “I’ll examine those charts Khanaa gave us. We can probably shave some time off the trip using their jump nodes.”
The captain nodded. “Just be sure to—”
A wry smile appeared on her face as she interrupted him. “I know, sir. We’ll follow all safety regulations. No rule breaking, I promise.”
Brett’s smile lit up his face and made his eyes dance, much to his second-in-command’s consternation. As the door of the lift slid open, and the entire bridge crew turned to look, he stepped closer to Maggie. One hand gently lifted her chin. He bent his head and kissed her softly on the lips. Smiling at her stunned expression, he whispered:
“Let’s make our own rules.”
Acknowledgements
The very existence of this acknowledgement section would be in doubt were it not for my loving family, supportive friends, and tireless editors. If you found this book to be enjoyable, well written, and well formatted, you need to know that the following individuals made that possible. If, conversely, you hate the very existence of this book, you can only blame the author.
For reading multiple drafts of this book and being patient enough to give feedback even when they most likely wanted to ignore me for life, my eternal gratitude to Ed Albrecht, Jon Potts, Teresa Hardesty, Connie Huddleston, and Mark Davis.
For reading the first draft way back in 2005 and saying, politely, “You can do better”, special thanks to Sean McDaniel.
For their constant affirmation, years of friendship, and lending me their names, thanks go to the Call of Fate sisterhood
For spending countless hours formatting the e-book and print versions, and always being there to listen, credit goes to Maridean “Kigva” Maples.
Jon Potts and Kirk Lunsford put up with my obnoxious requests for cover art and produced two very exciting covers. Although I chose Kirk’s work, Jon’s was every bit as impressive.
My mother taught me to read, constantly begs me to take up writing professionally, and is—through her strength, perseverance, and intelligence—a constant inspiration. I’m grateful too, for my father goading me into action by telling me I couldn’t do it. (Yes, Daddy, I know you do it on purpose.)
Finally, all my love and gratitude to my husband, Mark Davis. He never gets jealous when the voices in my head drown him out, takes care of the kids when I “just have to get this chapter finished”, and gently points out the plot flaws in my disjointed ramblings (Which way is “up” in space?). Wherever we go, darling, we make our own rules.
About the Author
Cassandra Davis (Amy to her friends and family) was raised an army brat: constantly traveling, making new friends every four years, and surrounded by a unique military culture. In the seventh grade, she complained to her English teacher that she’d read every fiction book in the library. The teacher handed Cassandra a blank notebook and told her to write her own stories.
After working as a US Senate aide for four years, Mrs. Davis became a stay-at-home mom and author. She now lives on the Northern California coast with her husband and two sons.
You can follow her on Twitter
(aCassandraDavis)
, Facebook
Cassandra Davis, Author
, and the web at
www.cassandradavis-author.com
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