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  * * * *

  Meredith folded their items and stowed them into travel sacks while she waited for Chowd to return. So much had happened in the last few weeks. Peace with the Ru’Edan was on its way, and most of all, of importance to her personally, she and Chowd had finally come to an agreement about their relationship.

  She’d experienced shock and pleasure to see how well the senators had accepted his decision, and she suspected she hadn’t been the only one. Then the reality of the situation had descended. They’d never really expected him to accept the role. Perhaps they had wanted a way of testing his loyalty. To see if he really would change sides.

  The door slipped open, and Chowd stood there, a broad smile on his face. Jod Svan’Er waited behind him, face averted as Chowd stepped forward, reaching for her. Meredith reveled in the zing of awareness as his strong fingers framed her face in a way that made her stomach flip-flop. The touch of his lips on hers ignited the fire within, and she wanted more. The brief interlude came to a quick end as he pulled away, his eyes shining, truly happy in a way she had only glimpsed during their lovemaking.

  Chowd grasped the bags from her, hefting them over his shoulder. “Come on, let’s get on board and start the journey home.”

  Home. The Elector felt more like home than her parents’ house had for a long time. Not that she didn’t love her parents, stars knew she adored them, but the time for making her own way had long since passed. Up until now, though, she hadn’t had a home of her own. Instead she had existed in her suite on Aenna and had never bothered getting an apartment on Earth, preferring instead to return to her parents. No, she had no single place that felt like home to her, at least not like the cabin she shared with Chowd on the Elector.

  “Yeah, let’s go home.” The words filled her with warmth and a longing for her own bed. Sure, she was aware of the grave danger ahead. Who knew how long it would take for them to complete their next mission, or when they would be safe from Crick Sur Banden? But she promised herself to make the most of every minute they had together.

  Meredith glanced over her shoulder, taking one final look at the room where her life had finally come into focus before turning toward the corridor and her future. With Chowd.

  They moved down the hall, the sound of footsteps absorbed by the floor coverings with Jod Svan’Er, head of the guardians, trailing in their wake. She’d caught sight of the broad smile on his face. If she didn’t know better, she would say he relished the opportunity opening before him too.

  They entered the customs area where they’d first boarded the station, voices calling to them, and she looked around to see most of the team members wearing smiles like hers. The transfer took place, and crewmembers accepted the designations of their previous cabins. They remained just as uncomfortable and spartan as she remembered, but the spirits were high, even among their newer Ru’Edan comrades. Jod informed them that he had handpicked the Ru’Edan members of the crew based on their ability to accept new situations, and their skills had gone over very well with the Elector contingent.

  Each day traveling back to the Elector they spent working with the new team members, teaching them about the functions of the ship, translating directives, and forming connections while training in various combat skills. The training needed to turn them into a cohesive unit.

  Finally the ship halted within hailing range of the Elector. Chowd hailed Duvall, and they waited in the quiet on the bridge for the Elector to answer. The screen cleared, and then Duvall’s face, wreathed with a smile, filled the viewing screen.

  “Barsha! It’s great to see you all back. When do you make the transfer?” His eyes twinkled.

  “Soon. Did you receive a directive from Admiralty?” Chowd kept his query brief and to the point.

  “Yeah. Bring ’em aboard.”

  Chowd nodded to the waiting Elector crew. Meredith released the arms of her seat, feeling the sting as the blood rushed back into her fingers. Her nerves had quivered and shook while she waited for the official response to the agreement that would form a unified task force between the Ru’Edan and the Empire.

  “Right then,” Chowd said. “We’ll head directly to the shuttle. A second shuttle will travel with us to carry the new crewmembers. I have split both teams into two to make the transfer as easy as possible. We plan to launch in around half an hour.”

  “Fine. I’ll meet you in the cargo bay within the hour. McCord out.” With that the feed dissolved.

  The ambassador unstrapped himself from the safety harness, as did the rest of the crew, and stood before moving toward the captain.

  “We thank you for your hospitality and hope that the goddess bestows safe travels and a cycle of goodwill upon you.” The Ru’Edan ritual words of farewell were met with deep bows and similar sentiments. Then the ambassador left the bridge, and the crew traipsed behind him.

  * * * *

  The team chattered as they boarded the shuttle. The trip from the mothership back to the Elector felt like it was made in near record time, probably because the spirits of the Elector’s crew were high.

  Once they’d disembarked, the second shuttle disgorged its passengers. Chowd’s men hurried down the stairs of the second shuttle as the Ru’Edan guardians wandered more slowly into unfamiliar territory.

  Duvall waited with a smile on his face. “Ambassador, good to have you back here. We intend to rendezvous with the Star of Ishtar as quickly as possible then continue on toward our next mission.”

  The ambassador merely grunted, his behavior once more cool toward the crew. He now avoided Meredith completely. While on one level, Chowd felt pleased that she would be spared his amorous attention, the dismissal of her and her skills sat poorly with Chowd. He felt the professional slight keenly and wondered for an instant if there had been a more politically appropriate way to deal with the situation, but he pushed the thoughts aside. It was too late to change it now.

  Duvall turned to him. “I’m glad to see everyone back in one piece. First introduce me to your new team members, then we’ll set up a debriefing.” His voice was calm, but his eyes narrowed on the shadows of the bruises still on Meredith’s face. “And we’ll talk later,” he told his sister.

  “Captain? I have some things to deliver to the security suite. So if you’ll excuse me...” With a quick turn, Meredith left the hangar.

  “Captain Duvall, this is Guardian Jod Svan’Er. He’ll remain with us until we have completed our mission to hunt down and neutralize Crick Sur Banden and his rogues.”

  Jod strode forward, hand extended in a human gesture of goodwill. “Captain McCord, over the years, we’ve heard about you and your team. It is indeed an honor to make your acquaintance.”

  Duvall looked at him, and Chowd considered just how enigmatic the man truly was as he smiled and shook the hand of the Ru’Edan. Duvall countered Jod’s comments with a dry, “Well, I don’t know about that.”

  Mellissa stepped forward to take over. “Guardian Svan’Er, allow me to conduct you and your men to your cabins. I have arranged for members of our crew to help you find your way around. I do hope the accommodations will fit your needs appropriately.”

  Jod looked back with a smile before gesturing to his people, who followed Mellissa from the hangar.

  “Fill me in on what happened quickly, before there are any interruptions, Chowd. Don’t leave anything out.”

  Chowd accepted Duvall’s cold words, quickly running through everything that happened, not sparing details when describing Meredith’s abduction and escape, the offer of a place on the Senate, and the failed attempt on the ambassador’s life. He also described the conditions of food and accommodation aboard the mothership, and together they laughed, making their way toward Chowd’s cabin.

  “I think we need at least an hour to sort ourselves out, along with a quick handover from my security staff, then I can meet with you?”

  Duvall nodded. “That works. My office. I’ll alert the senior crew and...What did you say his name was? Ju
de?”

  “Jod. He’s the son of the high senator, so it wouldn’t hurt to get him used to our way of doing things.”

  “Yeah, I’ll beep him and get Jemma and Raven to show him to my office. One hour.” With that Duvall strode away, and Chowd entered the cabin, dropping his small bag to the floor as he moved toward his desk.

  He was in the middle of taking a video report from his second when the door opened, revealing Meredith, travel bag slung over her shoulder. He could only watch from the corner of his eye as she looked at him in silence then to the floor where his bag lay. He grimaced as she collected it with a smile and carried it to the bedroom.

  His second hurried through the last stages of his report; not that much had occurred, but the stocktaking of the armaments, munitions, and catching up of paperwork, which always seemed to get pushed aside for later. Chowd had requested its completion while they guarded the ambassador and Ah Run had attended to the task. Chowd smiled at the harassed quality in his second’s voice as the screen turned black. He rose and headed to the bedroom, stripping as he went, and entered the sanitary unit.

  The water turned off, the sound of the final drips that never seemed to go away filling the air as he entered the small room just as Meredith left the shower cabinet. “I would have left the water running, but you looked busy and I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “You didn’t. I’ll just be a minute. When you’re dressed maybe you could arrange a coffee for us before we attend the meeting?”

  She moved into the cabin, the slight flare of her hips tapering down to softly rounded buttocks drawing his eyes as he fought to concentrate.

  “You know we could always forgo the coffee and see what we have time for instead.” Her cheeky grin flashed over one shoulder, and he discarded the idea of a shower for something far more satisfying.

  * * * *

  The expanded senior crew entered the office. Meredith watched the newer members find seats at the table as Duvall entered, a frown marring his face. Meredith knew something big was coming.

  The young ensign who usually delivered foodstuffs stood there, dispensing coffee, tea, and water to the gathered crew. Once everyone was served, Duvall waved him away, and he left the room, the door of the office sliding closed behind him.

  “Door, lock with override only by me or senior crew.”

  This is new. Her stomach dipped as Chowd gripped her hand beneath the table.

  “The Admiral wishes to address us.” He pressed a button, and a holographic transmission rose above the table.

  The Admiral cleared his throat, his face tense. “Before I begin, I would like to extend a welcome to the Ru’Edan members who are joining us in the taskforce. This is indeed an occasion I never thought to see in my lifetime.”

  He paused for what seemed like forever, and Meredith squirmed in her chair, waiting for the news of their mission. While she had a vague outline, the detail would make clearer exactly what was required of the Elector and her crew.

  “I have received a communiqué from the Ru’Edan Senate. Their information shows that Crick Sur Banden has made for Otega, a planet in the Pavo-Indus supercluster. We know that for many years he used that as his permanent command base, with a range of other haunts that he frequents. However, after an attempt on his life, he abandoned it.”

  The Admiral spoke slowly and with deliberation, and a cold feeling of pre-sentiment flickered through Meredith.

  “All reports point to his return. It could be that he has munitions and rogues, or he could be running. Indications make us believe he has returned to Otega as he’s been weakened to the point that his power base is questionable now. From what we have been able to glean through our contacts, there has been an attempt at a coup, which was spectacularly unsuccessful.”

  He scratched his head, and looked gravely at the crew gathered around the table.

  “We know that his mental state is fragile at best, resulting in manic and paranoid episodes, likely related to his addiction to the chemical, Xeradax. We are aware that he has executed members of his medical teams and his immediate second. Intelligence we have received from our Ru’Edan friends also tells us that many of the scientists and others he has forcibly held made their escape some time back and he’s taken that information badly. Given that we believe his mental condition is highly unstable and that there is a move afoot to mutiny against him, we, the Ru’Edan Senate and the Admiralty, feel that this is the best time to mount an assault. To be clear, all and any force necessary is acceptable, including the use of deadly force.”

  Meredith gulped, realizing the importance of this mission.

  “Therefore, your orders are to make your way forthwith to the supercluster, find, and once and for all neutralize the threat of Crick Sur Banden. I’ve instructed Captain McCord to make arrangements for all non-essential staff and, of course, the ambassador to immediately transfer to the Star of Ishtar. The Ishtar should be within range to make the personnel transfer within the next twelve hours. The Elector will take on a small squadron of six fighters to bolster your current numbers. Warrant Officer Gentry, you are to remain aboard the Elector and offer any and all assistance required.”

  He looked them in the eye and she saw the sorrow and regret. Meredith’s stomach curdled.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I take this opportunity to wish you all the best. This is singly the most dangerous mission you will undertake for the Empire. As such, please ensure that any documentation of succession is complete and undertake the transfer of personal effects to the Star of Ishtar. The fate of the alliance between our worlds is in your hands now. Good luck. Elphin out.”

  By the end of the transmission, Meredith’s mouth felt dry, and she reached for the glass of water in front of her, noting that her hand shook slightly.

  “Are you okay?” Chowd had leaned in, his eyes concerned.

  “Honestly? I don’t know. I’m scared silly.” What else was there to say? She wished she could cry or scream, but she felt cold. Strangely detached from the realities that loomed.

  “I have made arrangements for papers to be brought in,” Duvall stated. “At this time, given the gravity of the mission we are about to embark on, I would ask that you prepare any final messages and wills, so that in the event we are unsuccessful, they may be sent to families. I will ensure that these are transferred to the Star of Ishtar for circulation as appropriate, should there be a loss to the Elector.” The words echoed through the room.

  The young ensign returned, bearing paper and pens in the tradition of the Admiralty, ensuring that the families would have a tangible last communication with family members lost in battle. His eyes were red-rimmed as he laid the items before the members of the crew, and Meredith knew he had already prepared for what was about to come. He placed extra sheets in the middle of the table and withdrew once more.

  She glanced around the table where the crewmembers were either bent over the parchment or leaning back, eyes closed, as if lost in thought.

  “I don’t...” She looked at Chowd.

  His face was grave as he returned her look. “Write from the heart, my love.”

  Taking a deep breath, Meredith picked up her pen.

  Dear Mum and Dad, I hope you never read this letter...

  * * * *

  The mood on the ship had dropped to its lowest. The crew scurried here and there, removing their personal effects and transferring desk screens and readers. Others checked the life capsules, making sure they had adequate oxygen, armaments, munitions, and life-sustaining supplies. Engineering staff checked the hibernatory settings of the pods, ensuring that each was adequately provisioned, and double-checked for oxygen and remote location sensors.

  There wasn’t an inch of the Elector that went uninspected. Duvall walked the halls and ordered anything suspect to either be repaired or replaced.

  On the night before departure, Meredith lay quietly in the bed. “Chowd, what are our chances?”

  He rolled to his back and exhaled with
a hiss. “I don’t know. The one thing I do wish is that you weren’t here.”

  She bit her lip and frowned. “I’d rather you weren’t either. But when we joined the Admiralty we knew chances were that we’d see action at some point.”

  “I just... I want you safe, Meredith. If only we’d had more time.”

  She laughed. “Well, I did try before.”

  He sighed at her arch comment. “Yes. You did.” He gathered her close and they slept until morning, wound around each other.

  The following day was the same. No one stood still. Even the kitchen staff kept busy, preparing meals and placing them in the feeder chutes for those remaining on board. No one knew how long the mission would take, but the atmosphere told Chowd that everyone shared the knowledge that this was a life-or-death mission.

  He checked and rechecked rosters and the results of the inventory check, redeploying his crew, making decisions on which Elector crewmembers would stay and who would transfer to the Ishtar. Duvall and Grayson had requested he attended to those matters while they dealt with other aspects of the mission. The whole time he worked he wished he could ask Meredith to leave. That decision wasn’t his to make though.

  Meredith sat in the security office, checking and rechecking every transmission she could find, looking for holes and loops in the little they knew. So damned little. He racked his brains, making notations on the pad beside him. The memories of nearly twenty years ago were probably faulty, he admitted silently, but it might give them some edge, so he continued making small notes.

  Once the Ishtar came within hailing distance, Duvall called the entire crew together in the cargo bay. Red-eyed members of the crew assembled in the hangar. Jemma suited up, ready to fly the shuttle back and forth. Duvall stepped forward to address the crew, and a cold hush fell over the area. Everyone, including the new Ru’Edan crew, stood waiting in silence.

  “We have assembled for one final time. You are all aware of the gravity of our mission. Those who stay behind have been chosen for specific skill sets. Those who will transfer to the Star of Ishtar leave, not because they have nothing to offer, but because this mission needs you to continue on a different path. As a crew, we have come together, taken a new and untried craft, and set a standard much higher than any other ship in the Admiralty has ever before achieved.”