November 30, 2361 AIA

P67

The lux settled down on the hotel’s private port in a blaze of light that drowned out every lamp on the roof. Bhrams kept his eyes shielded so that he’d still be able to see through the darkness of the evening once the engines were cut. The side hatch opened, and a lone figure emerged.

The two men approached each other.

“Mr. Bhrams.”

Bhrams felt a sense of relief flood into him. “Captain Vas. Thank you for coming so far out of your way.”

“Of course, sir. We do listen to our emergency channels.”

The older man shook his head. “I felt like a damn fool using it, but I had no idea how to get a hold of you otherwise.”

“It’s better that way.”

“Yes.”

“And an emergency is an emergency, Mr. Bhrams.”

There was a hiss and a low growl from the crate clutched in Teo’s hand. “Yes, Cuss. All this fuss is for you. Aren’t you proud?” He held out the cage. “Your emergency, Captain.”

“Thank you for taking care of her for so long.” Vas took the crate in hand and ignored the indignant yowling that resulted from the transfer.

“Jane—” Teo took a breath. “Jane was such an interesting woman. I wish I’d told her how much I enjoyed her company.”

“You heard?”

Bhrams nodded. “The Supremacy contacted me with the last details of her will.” He looked up at Vas. “Captain, do you know why she left everything to me? I know we were friends…”

“Isn’t that a good enough reason?”

“She had other friends, Captain. Including you and Miss Reyer. You certainly could have made more use of her legacy.”

With a half-smile, Vas said, “I don’t know that she would’ve approved of giving it to a bunch of rebels.” His smile faded. “Mr. Bhrams, she owed you a lot. She knew she did. Maybe that was her way of thanking you.”

“I don’t need thanks, and I don’t need any more money.”

“She left you more than that.”

“Yes, the lawyers are handling the rest.”

“The lawyers aren’t handling everything.”

Teo looked up when he heard the careful pitch in Vas’s voice. “No. My copy of the notes are safe.”

“And they’re legally all yours, Mr. Bhrams. Please look after them. And if you get the email—”

“I know what to do, Captain.”

“See? We still owe you. Thank you, Mr. Bhrams.”

Bhrams grunted.

“Is there anything that you do need?”

“A woman with a beautiful laugh to play poker with.”

There was a moment of silence.

“You loved her,” Vas said.

“I did. Not romantically—well, mostly not romantically. I’m not so optimistic. But I enjoyed her company.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Bhrams, I can’t help with that.”

Teo sighed. “No, I suppose not.” He motioned to the crate. “Can you please try to find that cat a good home? Someone that actually wants it? It would ease my guilt a great deal.”

“You don’t like cats?”

“I don’t mind cats. That’s not a cat. It’s a fiend from hell. But Jane loved it despite that, so I have to respect that affection. Otherwise, what does that say about me?”

“Don’t worry, sir. There’s already someone looking forward to her arrival.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

The two men shook hands. As Vas was walking toward his ship, he snapped his fingers and turned. “Mr. Bhrams, before I forget, Miss Cerva wanted me to give you her regards.”

For a moment, Bhrams was confused. Then he quickly turned his face down, but not before Vas caught a glimpse of his smile. When Bhrams looked back up, his face was once again placid. “Please return them in kind. I hope I can see her again one day.”

“I’m certain she feels the same.”

“You’ll look after her?”

“We’re doing our best.”

[https://i.imgur.com/6iM8gcI.png]

Four days later, on a planet very far from Gaoyun, Vas jumped down from his ship, a crate in hand.

There were three figures standing at the edge of the hangar, waiting for him. Jane broke away and ran toward him while Reyer stayed back with the dull gray figure of Idunno-bob.

“Cuss!” Jane cooed as she took the cage from him. “Oh, my hideous little kitty! Were you nice to Teo? Probably not. Butthead! I love you, my butthead! I’m so glad to see you.”

Reyer walked over to greet Vas. Since they were both half-watching Jane’s rather emotional reunion with her pet, Vas put his arm over her shoulder and kissed her head.

“Welcome home,” Reyer whispered.

“Do you love me, Alix?”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Reyer looked up at him, startled. “Yes. You know I do.”

“Promise me that we will never get a cat.”

[https://i.imgur.com/6iM8gcI.png]

Tate had chosen the furthest, darkest corner of the makeshift bar to seclude himself in. He wasn’t expecting anyone to be looking for him, so it took him a moment to realize there was someone standing nearby. He looked up from the half-consumed beer he’d been studying.

It was Vas.

“Captain,” Tate said. Part of a smile pulled up his cheek. “If you’re looking for Reyer, she’s not here. I think she’s still with Jane.”

“With Jane?”

“They were trying to get Cuss settled in.”

“Alix offered to help with that?”

“She didn’t know any better.”

Vas motioned to the chair next to Tate. “May I join you?”

“Absolutely.” Tate laughed. “I take it you know better?”

The captain lowered himself into the chair. Sunny, the Rising’s professional bartender, had been forced to take over a common room since the abandoned building the Rising had appropriated hadn’t come with a tavern. The lounge chairs and small tables looked more suited to a coffee shop than a bar.

“Oh, I know better,” Vas said. “How’s Jane?”

Tate bent his head to the side as he considered. “The good doctor is adjusting.”

“Have they finished arranging her contract?”

“Yes. And god help us if Sarge ever decides to become a lawyer.”

Vas tried to subdue his smile. “No one would survive.” He leaned back in his chair. “Good for Jane. And good for us. We’re lucky to have her.”

Tate glanced at him. “What news on your front, Captain? How was the meeting?”

Adan rubbed his forehead. “I should’ve picked up something to drink before I sat down.”

“I’ve got it.”

When Sunny saw Tate’s raised hand, he scowled. The bartender wasn’t trying to be disagreeable, but there were a limited number of expressions that fit on the man’s surly features. Joseph pointed to Vas, then returned his attention to his companion.

“I don’t envy you, Captain. Whatever else, I certainly don’t miss the debriefings.”

Vas grunted.

Sunny came over and placed a beer in front of him. When he saw the captain’s face, the bartender grumbled, “Anything stronger?”

“No, but thank you, Sunny. You’re a prince among men.”

Sunny snorted and left.

Vas picked up the beer. “The good news is that I was able to hunt down all the materials needed to repair Lynx. So there’s that.”

“Ciro will be thrilled to hear it, but I can’t imagine the generals cared very much.”

“I didn’t mention it to them. Maybe I should have. It couldn’t have made anything worse.”

“That bad?”

“They like the new ship!” Vas announced with mock cheer.

“The Colibri?”

Vas had been about to drink, but he lowered his glass. “Ciro and Alix already got that in the ship records, didn’t they?”

“I’m afraid so, Captain.”

Adan swore.

“You don’t like the name?”

“No, it’s—I’m sure it’s a fine name. It’s just…” Vas swallowed some beer, then sighed. “I guess she’ll do fine.”

“Did you learn anything about the Golondrina?”

“She’s long gone.” The captain put his beer down on the short table between them. “Everything was seized. But Jane was good about losing her notes.”

Joseph almost choked on his beer.

Vas went on, “I think the quote was, ‘Maybe someone in the Supremacy will finally read them.’”

“Ah!” Tate grinned. “That makes sense.”

The two men sat back and relaxed. Tate tried to give Vas some space—the captain certainly looked like he needed it—but Joseph was restless. Despite his best intentions, another question came tumbling out.

“And the senator?”

Vas hesitated, then finished raising his glass to his mouth. Over the rim, he said, “Kumar really is dead. I got to the body. I read the reports. Everything was in order. The generals say they believe us, but the assembly is furious.” Adan clenched his jaw to suppress his rising frustration. Unable to talk, he shook his head and took a long drink.

“Do you think the xenos took Kumar over?” Tate asked

“I don’t think so.”

Tate waited for Vas to explain.

“She’s too well known, and the Supremacy has her body. If she’s seen walking around, it would cause comment.” Vas paused. “And the hole wasn’t in her head.” The captain tapped a finger on his chest.

When Tate laughed it sounded hollow. Vas knew exactly how Tate felt and why you had to laugh.

“Devi Kumar,” Tate said. “We had Senator Devi Kumar in our pocket. We were so close. We might have been able to end the whole damn war with what we had on her. Can you imagine?”

Vas forced a huge swallow of beer down his constricted throat. “I can’t—I don’t. Not now. She’s gone. All our allies are gone.”

“So we’re back to the old game?”

“We never left the old game.”

They both fell silent.

“Do you want the war to end, Vas?”

Adan looked up at Tate.

Joseph’s head was bowed over his glass. “It’s something someone asked me once. When I talked about the end of the war, he laughed and said we’d be out of a job. Why would he want that? He said that there were lots of people who felt the same, only they wouldn’t admit it.” Tate pushed the last of his beer away. “What about you?”

Vas shrugged with only one shoulder. “I never really thought about it. A few days, the rest of my life—it didn’t matter. When I joined, I thought I was going to be in it until the end.”

“And now?”

“Now all I want is a long stretch of peaceful days.” The captain was almost whispering; Tate had to strain to hear him. “And I want to live long enough to see them.”

“Do you ever think about quitting?”

“Oh, yes. Every now and then. Well”—Vas made a dismissive gesture with his hand—“more now, anyway. But I won’t.”

“Why not?”

“I guess I’m still young and dumb enough to let my life be ruled by my ideals.”

Tate’s face screwed up as he tried to calculate. “How old are you, Captain?”

“Right. So I’m still dumb enough. Besides, she—” Vas cut off his own sentence by taking another swallow of beer.

“No. Go on. Who else are you going to say it to? Her?”

Tate’s sly smile made it seem like he already knew what Vas was going to say, so there didn’t seem to be much point in holding back.

“She’s still willing to live this life with me.”

“And that makes a difference?”

“All the difference.”

Tate and Vas raised their glasses to each other in a silent toast that neither felt the need to articulate.

After they finished the last of their beers, the captain said, “What about you, Tate? Do you want the war to end?”

“I think so.”

Tate didn’t seem to want to elaborate.

After a while, Vas said, “It must be strange being back here.”

“You have no idea,” Tate said. “I don’t know how Sarge does it.” He glanced at Vas. “She must really love you.”

Adan was nowhere near drunk enough to deal with that comment. Especially coming from Tate. He raised his hand to order another round, then forced himself to look at Joseph. “What do you mean?”

“It must be hard for her to be here.”

Vas waited until Sunny had left the drinks before he answered. “It was, at first. She said it was good to be back—god knows, there were enough people happy to see her—but I think it was also hard on her because she was constantly reminded of what she couldn’t do anymore.”

“But now?”

Vas used his drink to hide the hint of a proud smile. “She’s a really good mechanic. She likes it.”

Tate grunted with satisfaction. “I could see that. She was always good at making things.”

“Bombs?”

“Mostly bombs.” Tate picked up his own drink. “I’m glad she’s found a place.”

“Do you have any plans for what you’re going to do?”

“Come on, Captain,” Joseph groaned. “Give me a break.”

“Has someone been bothering you about it?”

“Only everyone.” Tate thought for a moment. “Everyone except Sarge. Dr. Jane’s taking it for granted that I’m staying on to be her assistant.”

“Oh. Well then, obviously the choice is out of your hands.”

“Did you know three people have already requested to transfer over and work with her?”

“I didn’t think we had that many closet nerds.”

“Do they not know? Should I warn them? It’s the most mind-numbingly tedious work in the galaxy! And if you don’t get it exactly right—” Tate used a finger-gun to feign blowing away his frontal lobe.

“But Jane wants you to stay?”

“She says training new assistants is annoying.”

Vas stifled a laugh. “Well?”

Tate hesitated, then shook his head. “I don’t think so. It’d be hard for me to be here.”

“Are you thinking of going back to Hugo?”

Silence.

“You know no one would blame you,” Vas said. “You’ve more than earned your rest.”

Tate’s lips twitched up on one side. “Yeah, it’s a stupid galaxy. You think all you want is peace and quiet, but then—it’s not all you think it is.” He tapped the edge of his arm rest. “I’ll figure it out. It may take me a few more beers, but I’ll figure it out.”

Vas stared at his drink for a long time. Before he spoke, he glanced around to make sure no one was nearby. “There is something else you could do, Tate.”

Joseph leaned back and regarded the captain.

“It isn’t a mission,” Vas said. “You wouldn’t be rejoining the Rising, and any help we offered would have to be minimal.”

“Then who would I be doing it for?”

“For me. For us—all of us. This is me and the Rising asking for your help.”

The answer was slow in coming.

“Tell me about it.”

“This first thing you need to know is that it would be dangerous,” Vas said. “Very dangerous.”