Victoria's Challenge

  “Where is she? Get that bitch in here!” Entering the treatment area, Magnes finds chaos. A security guard is down. Another has his weapon pointed where Gabo is being held by Reymont, a stunner at her throat.

  “Let her go, Reymont!” The guard orders.

  “Fuck off! Where is she?” he shouts.

  “What the fuck is going on!” Magnes demands.

  “Where’s Chamberlain!” Reymont turns but keeps Gabor between him and the guard.

  “Chamberlain isn’t here. Let Gabor go,” Magnes tells him.

  “Then get her here!”

  “The Retribution is a big ship. It’ll take some time to locate her.” He tries to calm Reymont.

  “Don’t you fucking patronize me! Get that bitch here or this one dies!” Reymont turns as the doors to medical burst open. Security surges in, followed by Lucas and the Admiral.

  “You fucking liar!” His eyes swing back to Magnes. “If he’s here so is she!” Reymont’s nods at Lucas. “She’s got five seconds or she’s responsible for killing someone else!” Gabor cries out as he presses the stunner deeper into her neck.

  “I’m right here.” Victoria’s slipped out of the office, unseen, during the commotion. Now she steps around Magnes. She blocks out the fear she sees in Gabor’s eyes, concentrating on Reymont.

  What does she think she’s doing! Fear grips Lucas’ heart.

  “You bitch! You think you can just walk away after killing Jager! Go out drinking and dancing after killing my son!”

  “I didn’t kill either of them.” Victoria’s voice is calm and controlled as she steps to the left, her eyes never leaving him. She needs him to turn so someone can get a shot.

  “You think you’re so fucking special! That you can do whatever you what! Telling Cade you understand what he was going through!”

  “I did understand.” She moves a little more. “Let Gabor go, she has nothing to do with this.”

  “Do you think I’m stupid?” He turns just slightly. “She’s your friend. You don’t deserve any!”

  “Why?” She’s going to keep him talking, trusting Lucas and the Admiral to take him down.

  “Because you don’t belong here, you bitch! You’re not even a Carinian.”

  “That may be true, but I didn’t kill Cade. You did!” Victoria’s rage is easily heard.

  “Fuck you!” Reymont turns more but not far enough.

  “No! Fuck you, you son of a bitch!” Victoria steps angrily towards him. “Cade didn’t self-terminate, he was injected with Xyphrine! By you! Then you brought him in and let him die! You’re nothing but a piece a shit! You murdered your own son, and now you’re hiding behind a woman! Jager at least had the guts to take a direct shot!”

  Reymont howls in rage and whips the stunner away from Gabor’s neck. Shoving her away before turning the stunner on Victoria. It’s the opening the guards have been waiting for. They take Reymont down then instantly surround him.

  “Gabor!” Victoria drops to the floor next to her friend. “Gabor.” Victoria whispers, putting a hesitant hand on her shoulder.

  “I’m okay.” Gabor lifts her head. Her face is pale but steady eyes meet Victoria. “The guard?”

  “I don’t know. Come on, let’s find out.” Hands are there to help both women off the floor. Victoria doesn’t need to look to recognize Lucas’ touch.

  Magnes is with Ensign Niles who is just coming around. “You’re going to be fine Ensign.”

  “Report, Ensign!” The Admiral demands.

  “Sir?”

  “I want to know how the fuck this happened! How did your prisoner get your stunner? Why were you in medical?”

  “Admiral, we responded to a disturbance call on the flight deck.” He grimaces when Magnes presses on his shoulder. “Upon arriving, the prisoner was being restrained by several members of the flight deck. Reymont was obviously drunk, sir. We put restraints on him and were enroute to the brig when he started to double over, complaining he was going to vomit. Since we were near medical, we brought him in.”

  “Is that procedure, Ensign?” The Admiral’s tone is deeply cold.

  “No sir, but under the circumstances…”

  “What circumstances Ensign?”

  “Sir.” Niles looks uncomfortable and not from the stunner hit. “Before he doubled over, Reymont, I mean the prisoner, was screaming and yelling about how his brother had been murdered, his son killed, about special treatment for some.” Niles looks at Victoria and Lucas. “How he was being attacked because he was willing to speak the truth.”

  “You know the prisoner, Ensign? Tar questions. “Personally?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “So instead of taking him to the brig, as ordered by a superior officer, you let your personal opinion influence you and brought him here.”

  “Sir, I was trying to give him a break. He’s taken some hard hits lately.”

  “A break! For a man who injected his own son with Xyphrine!”

  “What?” Niles pales.

  “Castel!” Tar turns to the other guard. “Is this your report?”

  “Sir, up to giving him a break. I know it isn’t procedure sir, but we were walking right by, it seemed… expedient to bring him here first, get him checked out.”

  “You’re expediency nearly got two women killed! Master at Arms!”

  “Sir!”

  “I want these two on report! A full investigation of their conduct and a full review with all security on the proper handling of prisoners! Is that understood?”

  “Yes sir!” The Master at Arms salutes.

  “Magnes, status on Reymont?” The Admiral demands.

  “Critical.”

  “I want him restrained at all times, no one in alone with him. Understood?”

  “Yes, Admiral.”

  “Gabor,” The Admiral’s voice softens. “Hof is on his way. You’ll return to quarters, rest until your statement is taken. Understood?”

  “Yes, Admiral.”

  “Victoria.” He looks to her. “What you said about Cade, you have proof it wasn’t self-termination?”

  “I’d just shown her the final report Admiral, when this happened,” Magnes speaks first. “I felt she had the right to know.”

  “I want a copy sent to me immediately!”

  “Yes, Admiral.”

  “Major.” He looks to Lucas. “It seems your instincts were right on, a good thing to have.” Tar turns, leaving medical.

  The walk to quarters is silent but once the hatch is secured, Lucas explodes.

  “What the fuck did you think you were doing?” Grabbing Victoria’s arms, he gives her a hard shake.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Reymont didn’t know you were there! There was no reason for you to risk yourself like that!” Lucas can’t forget the fear he’d felt when she stepped out from behind Magnes.

  “He had Gabor,” she says as if that explained it all.

  “But he didn’t have you! You put yourself in his sights.”

  “Yes and I’d do it again. I knew all I had to do was get him to turn, and the guards would take him down.”

  “He could have hit you first!”

  “It was a necessary risk.”

  “No it wasn’t!” He pulls her to her toes. “You won’t risk yourself like that again!”

  “You will not tell me what I can and can’t do, Lucas Zafar! You risk yourself every day flying a Blade! Do I tell you that you can’t?” Victoria’s eyes rage into his. “I love you but that doesn’t mean you control me, that I’m going to change who I am for you!” She rips herself away from him, striding across the room. “I’ll do whatever I consider necessary.”

  Lucas doesn’t move. Is that what he’s doing asking her to change? To change for him? He loves her for who she is and her unfailing courage to stand for what she believes in. It just scared the hell out of him.

  “Victoria.” He walks over, gently rubbing her arms. “I’m not asking you to change. I love
who you are.” He turns her to face him, tipping her chin up. “It scared me, seeing you standing there, knowing I couldn’t protect you. There have been too many times I haven’t been able too.” The eyes that meet his, while angry haven’t shut him out.

  “I know and I’m sorry! But Lucas every day you go out in a Blade. Risking yourself and I can’t protect you. I have to trust you. Trust that you’ll come back safe.” Lucas closes his eyes, resting his forehead against hers and realizes she’s right. He has to trust her, trust in her abilities, her judgment.

  “You’re right.” He sees the shock in her eyes. “Yes, I can admit when I’m wrong.” He gives her a slight smile. “I love you. I trust you. I know you can handle just about anything but not by yourself, not anymore. I’m here now and it’s my right to protect you.”

  “Okay.” She caresses his cheek. “As long as it works both ways.” Nodding, Lucas gives her a hard kiss that quickly deepens.

  “Major Zafar to the flight deck. Major Zafar to the flight deck.”

  “Your job is calling Major.” Victoria breathlessly tells him.

  “Yeah.” Trying to regain some control, he eases her away. “I’ll see you at third meal.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” With a last hard kiss, Lucas leaves their quarters.

  Punching the bag, Victoria tries to burn up some anger. She can’t get her mind around it. Why? Why had Reymont done it? Cade was his son. How could he have injected him with Xyphrine? How could he have sent him to such a dark place? She doesn’t understand! She punches harder.

  “Victoria?” Hard angry eyes turn to Lorre, fists still raised. “Whoa… hey I’m friendly.” Lorre takes a quick step back.

  “What?” Victoria looks down and grimacing, lowers her fists. “Sorry, was in a zone.”

  “I shouldn’t have interrupted.”

  “No, it’s fine.” Victoria bends, putting her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. “I needed to stop.”

  “I heard about what happened. I thought you’d like to talk.”

  “I don’t know that there’s much to talk about.” Rising, she looks at Lorre and sees only honest concern. “I don’t understand it. Can’t get my mind around it.”

  “You can’t always understand everything.” Lorre hands Victoria a towel. “Look, we don’t know each other very well, but I’ve seen you in action. You’re passionate about what you do, believe in it. You take failure personally, even if it isn’t you that’s failed. You didn’t lose Cade. You never had a chance with him. You aren’t to blame for Jager’s fixation on you. You didn’t ask for it. All you’ve done is help, the kids, the injured and the Major, but sometimes it’s not enough. Sometimes, shit just happens.”

  “I don’t believe that.” Victoria wraps a towel around her neck. “I believe every choice a person makes effects everyone else. You may not know when or how but it does. Something I did caused Jager to think I was interested. That belief caused him to attack me. That attack got him put in the brig. If he hadn’t been in that cell, he wouldn’t have been injured and killed in the Regulian attack.”

  “You don’t know that,” Lorre argues back. “Wait, hear me out. I’ll agree that every decision we make effects everyone else but that said, Jager made his own decisions. Bad decisions that led him to be in that cell at that time. His decisions, Victoria.” Lorre is somewhat shocked at the pain she sees in Victoria’s eyes.

  “What could I have done to change it?”

  “Nothing. You’re only responsible for your decisions. Don’t make life harder by taking on everyone else’s.”

  “Is that what I’m doing?”

  “You’re trying to control your life because so much was taken away from you as a child. You feel responsible. You’re not. Others made those decisions too.”

  “I…” Victoria isn’t sure what do say. She’d never thought about it quite that way before.

  “No one knows you better than you do, Victoria. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt.”

  “That Blade finally done, Tank?”

  “Yes sir Major.” Tank can’t wait any longer. “Major… about Reymont.” Seeing the banked fury in the Major’s eyes, he has to swallow hard. “I should have gotten him off the flight deck, sir. I’m sorry. I knew he was drunk.”

  “He’s responsible for himself.”

  “Sir, yes sir, but what he was saying… sir, no one believes him. We stand behind you, sir.”

  “I… thank you Tank. Have a good evening.” Turning, Lucas heads to his office.

  Sitting behind his desk, Lucas leans back closing his eyes to think. Today is the first day of his and Victoria’s life together. It had been eventful. The last time he’d felt so helpless was when Victoria had been poisoned. She’d told him he’d been one of the reason’s she returned, because of her love for him.

  She feared for him. Every time he went out on patrol, she feared he wouldn’t come back, but still, she made sure he was able to get back into a Blade, knowing it was what he wanted. He could change that. She’d never ask it of him but he could. Is he willing to change, to make their lives better? Would it really be a sacrifice?

  “Lucas?” Opening his eyes, he finds Dodge standing in the hatchway.

  “What’s up?”

  “Nothing, just checking in before I call it a night. I’m meeting Lorre for third meal. You and Victoria want to join us?”

  “1800?”

  Dodge nods.

  “Sounds good. See you there.”

  Entering their quarters, Lucas finds Victoria sitting on the couch, reading a screen and frowning. A beautiful smile breaks across her face, seeing him.

  “What are you working on?” Leaning over, he gives her a deep kiss. When he would have pulled away, she keeps him close, her tongue teasing his. Soon, he’s pressing her into the couch.

  “Lucas.” Victoria slides her hands under his shirt, caressing his back.

  “Victoria…” Lucas frames her face, sees her desire but he also sees fatigue. Sitting up, he pulls her with him. “Did you have second meal?”

  “What?”

  “When did you last eat?”

  “I…”

  “That’s what I thought. Come on, we’re having third meal together. That way I know you’re eating.”

  “But…” She can do nothing but stand as he pulls her off the couch. Lucas silences her with a hard kiss.

  “If you won’t take care of yourself, I will. That includes eating. Dodge and Lorre are meeting us.” Opening the hatch, he pushes her out.

  “Aren’t you glad you accepted that amendment?” Victoria gives him a frustrated look as he urges her down the corridor, a hand on her back.

  “What?” It’s then Lucas realizes he’s all but hauled her out of their quarters. “Yeah, I’d say this qualifies.”

  “Maybe I’m not hungry.”

  “Maybe you’re going to need your energy tonight.” His look tells her she won’t be sleeping.

  “Oh…” While she feels the heat rise up her neck, her eyes glow at the thought. “I’m holding you to that. Hi Lorre, Dodge.”

  Third meal is full, heads turning as the four enter. Victoria feels the weight of the eyes but ignores it. She’s used to it. Picking up a tray, she finds she’s in Kip’s line.

  “Hey Kip.”

  “Hey, Tori girl, how you doing?”

  “I’m doing. So what’ve you got tonight?”

  “For you, I’ve got something special. I’ll see you at the end of the line.”

  “Well, okay…” she finds she’s talking to his back.

  “Victoria?” Lucas watches the exchange.

  “That was weird.” Shrugging it off, she picks out her food.

  “You need more than that.” Lucas frowns at what she’s taking.

  “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not as big as you. I don’t need as much as you.” Lucas hears Dodge snicker behind him.

  “Here you go, Tori girl, made special, just for you. Hutu told me I’d know when you
’d want them.”

  “Hutu?” Opening the bag Victoria feels her eyes start to fill. Blinking rapidly, she gives Kip a radiant smile. “Thank you Kip.” When the others finish, they find a table. Lucas looks from the bag to Victoria. Knowing he’s wondering, Victoria opens the bag.

  “You know it’s been a really crappy day, so I think we need to start with desert first.” Reaching into the bag, Victoria pulls out a fudge chip wafer, handing one to each.

  “Fudge wafers? As in with real fudge?” Lorre takes one reverently.

  “Yeah, I’m a bit of a choc-o-holic.” Victoria looks slightly embarrassed. “Hutu knows that. He must have told Kip.”

  Lucas watches as her eyes close with pleasure as she takes a bite. He’d forgotten how much she’d liked them as a child. He wouldn’t forget again.

  “I remember the first time you had these.” Lucas smiles at the memory. “I thought you and Amina were going to eat yourselves sick.”

  “At the Union. Yeah, Javiera finally took the plate away from us. I couldn’t get Hutu to sneak up anymore.” Smiling, Victoria finishes hers. “That reminds me, I need to contact Amina, her birthday’s coming up.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Starting classes at Montreux, engineering.”

  “Really?”

  “Hmm, she’s great at designing new systems.”

  “This is Michelakakis’ daughter?” Dodge asks.

  “Yeah.” Victoria tells him.

  “It seems strange that she’s that old already.” Dodge suddenly realizes everyone’s staring at him. “What?”

  “She and Victoria are the same age, Dodge.” Lucas informs him.

  “Really?!!” Dodge looks at Victoria. “I hadn’t realized that.”

  “Sometimes, Dodge, you are an idiot,” Lorre chimes in.

  “Hey!” Smiling at them, Victoria continues eating.

  Walking back to quarters, Victoria is lost in thought. It’s been good that Lucas had gotten her out for third meal. She needed to be around people, to talk about normal things. It had been good to joke around after everything that had happened. She needs to contact Amina. At the hatch, she watches as Lucas enters the code 16-03-5254, why is that so familiar? Suddenly she realizes what it is.