Victoria's Challenge

  “I taught him the best I could with what we had in the shelter.”

  “Mom, I know. I told you I’m a doctor and I am, but I came onto the Retribution as an educator, a teacher. I have things that I can help Brett catch up.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, if you’re okay with it.”

  “Victoria that would be wonderful, he always has so many questions.”

  “He’s smart, there’s no doubt about that.” Smiling, she rises. “I’ll just go get some things and be back. Why don’t you rest while I’m gone?”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Shit Lucas, could you have done a little more damage?” Lorre slides out from under the Phoenix, covered in grim and grease.

  “I’ll try harder next time.” He squats down next to her. “How long do you think?”

  “Fuck I don’t know yet. I still need to track where you blew the lines then there’s the long range antenna, the lost shielding not to mention the burn marks.”

  “She doesn’t need to be pretty, just functional. The High Admiral wants us back.”

  “Understood.” Lorre runs a frustrated hand through her hair. “Unless I find anything else, my best guess is a week to make all the repairs necessary to reach Carina safely. But I’ll need to pull men from the Blades.”

  “No. Keep them on the Blades. We need to be able to defend the Fleet. Once that’s done, pull whoever you need.”

  “Yes sir.” Lorre slides back under the Phoenix.

  Stepping into the Phoenix, Lucas looks around. He knows the Admiral has been through it, pulling all the recorded data, having the Retribution’s specialists working on it to find a way to detect the Regulians new technology. Entering their private quarters, Lucas looks around. They hadn’t spent much time in here these last five days. Knowing it’s the last thing on Victoria’s mind, he starts gathering up their personal items. The Phoenix needs to be completely cleaned and decontaminated before it could fly to Carina.

  Pulling open the last drawer, he freezes. A bottle of Ollali Juice stares back at him. Oh, crap! Lucas just stares at it. He’d been taking it on the trip to Earth but with everything that’s happened since, he’d totally forgotten about it and today they’d made love not once but twice.

  How could he have forgotten? What if Victoria has conceived? Picking up the bottle, he sits down on the bed they’d barely slept in, staring at it. He has to tell her. Shit, she’s handling so much right now. How could he have added to it? What would she want to do if she’s conceived?

  A child… their child…. Lucas rubs his chest where his heart is pounding. Oh god, he wants it! Boy or girl he doesn’t care.

  “Major…” Hearing Lorre, he stands, shoving the bottle in the bag. He’d have to deal with that later.

  In the classroom, Victoria gathers up what she thinks she’ll need. She remembers what it was like to be thrown into a strange new world. To have to start back at the beginning. Maybe it would be easier for Brett. After all, he was starting at the beginning. Putting the bag over her shoulder, she heads back to medical.

  “Victoria!” The Admiral’s voice stops her.

  “Admiral.” Victoria smiles at him.

  “How are you today?” He runs a critical eye over her.

  “Much better, thanks. Any luck with the data?”

  “No, we’re still analyzing. Your family?” He turns to walk with her to medical.

  “They had a good night. I just gathered some things so Brett can start learning about Carina. He has a lot to learn.”

  “I’m sure he’ll do just fine, especially with you teaching him. There are quarters being readied for them when you and Magnes feel they're ready to be moved out of medical.”

  “Quarters?”

  “Yes, the visiting Dignitary’s Quarters.”

  “I…”

  “They are Royals, they will be treated as such.”

  Quinn watches her eyes start to fill. "Thank you, Quinn. It means a lot.”

  “No thanks necessary.” The older man clears his throat. “If you need anything else, let me know.” The Admiral continues on his way.

  Stepping into the private treatment area, Lucas finds Peter and Cyndy sleeping while Victoria is sitting in bed with Brett, working with him on a screen.

  “That’s good Brett, see you’re getting this.”

  “You really think I can learn all this?” Lucas hears the insecurity in the whispered question.

  “Of course you can!” Victoria grips his chin, making him meet her eyes. “You can do anything you want, Brett. You’re behind others your age right now, but that won’t last. Once you understand the basics, everything else will follow. Trust me, I went through it too.”

  “You did?”

  “She did.” Lucas walks over to the bed, leaning down he quickly kisses her. “Then she went and graduated the top of her class, four cycles early.”

  “Top of the class?”

  “Means she was the smartest person there.”

  “Wow…” Brett’s eyes get big, looking at his sister.

  “All you have to do is your best, Brett.” She takes the screen from him.

  “Hey, I want to keep going!”

  “No, now you rest, let it sink in some. We'll do more later. No argument!” She uses her best teacher voice.

  “Okay.” Sliding off the bed, she pulls the blanket up around him. Feeling Lucas’ hand on the small of her back, he leads her out of the room, stopping to dim the lights.

  “What’s wrong?” She raises worried eyes to his. He just shakes his head and leads her out of medical. Her mind is racing. What happened? He’s worried about something. She’s surprised when he leads her back to quarters. Entering first, she turns and waits. When he leads her to the couch, sits her down, only to stand, she raises an eyebrow.

  “Lucas, what’s wrong? Tell me.” Her eyes plead with him.

  “Victoria...” Lucas sits down on the table across from her, much as she’d done treating his hands, finding it hard to speak as he looks at her.

  “What happened?” Green eyes lock onto violet.

  “I haven’t protected you.” He refuses to let himself look away from her, sees the confusion in her eyes.

  “What do you mean? You always protect me.”

  “No I didn’t, Victoria. Since Earth, I’ve forgotten to take the Ollali Juice.” There, he’d said it. Victoria looks at him, realizing what he’s trying to tell her.

  “You’re worried I’ve conceived.” She can tell it upsets him. Rising, she walks across the room, trying to think.

  “Yes. I should have realized.”

  “We both were a little busy, Lucas, with trying to stay alive.” Victoria finds she’s angry. Angry that he would think this would matter to her.

  “That’s no excuse.”

  “What are you wanting me to say, Lucas?”

  She turns to look at him, he isn’t sure how he thought she’d react but it wasn’t like this.

  “Victoria, you have the right to be angry with me. It is my responsibility.”

  “I’m angry that you think it would matter!” Green eyes shoot to his. “That I would blame you!”

  Lucas walks over, gripping her arms.

  “You could have conceived! God Victoria, a child!” She sees his eyes change. “Our child.” His desire for the child is obvious in his voice.

  “Lucas, if you’d want the child then what’s the problem?”

  “Victoria…” He rests his forehead against hers. “A child with you…. but with everything going on, your family, your career…”

  “Lucas, we’d handle it. Together. A child of yours would never be a problem.”

  “You’re so little, Victoria.” He runs the back of his hand down her jaw. Now she sees his real concern. “To risk you.”

  “We risk every day, Lucas.” Sighing, he pulls her close, thanking the ancestors for her.

  “You need to take care of yourself, eat, rest.”

  “Lucas, we don’
t even know for sure. It will be awhile until we do.” She tips her head up.

  “How long?” His eyes demand, he watches her mind work.

  “A couple weeks at least.” They’ll be back on Carina by then.

  “Okay, you’ll let me know?”

  “You’ll be the first.”

  “Victoria, if there is a child… I want it, badly.” She sees the truth in his eyes. “But I’m going back on the Ollali Juice.” Nodding, she understands. He wants them to have time.

  “That’s your choice Lucas but it doesn’t matter to me.” Stretching up, she captures his lips, in a loving kiss. Pulling her against him, he deepens it.

  “I love you, Victoria.”

  “I know it makes me a very lucky woman.”

  “How are you feeling mom?” Victoria looks into eyes that seem brighter to her.

  “Better. Victoria?”

  “Yeah?”

  “When can I shower again?”

  The look in her eyes has Victoria laughing.

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “What’s so funny?” Peter looks at his two women.

  “Just girl talk, Peter.” Looking at her Victoria frowns.

  “I’m going to go talk to Magnes for a minute.” Turning, she leaves the room.

  “What do you need Tori?”

  “Quarters have been prepared for my family once they’re cleared from medical.”

  “I’ve been informed.”

  “I’d like to move them tonight if you’re in agreement.”

  “Your mother is still having some problems.”

  “I know but she asked when she can shower again.” That has Magnes smiling, it’s a good sign. “There’s no way we can separate them, they’d never allow it. Dad and Brett are doing well, they need some space to move, build up their strength.”

  “Let me evaluate her again, if her lungs are at least eighty percent clear, I will agree.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Hey, good news, you guys.” Three heads turn towards her. “Private quarters have been prepared. Dr Magnes has cleared you to be moved to them.”

  “What’s wrong with these?” Peter asks.

  “This is medical, dad, not exactly the quietest of places. Your quarters will have space for you to move around, plus a living area and private bathroom with a shower.” She smiles at her mom. “Dr Magnes feels mom’s lungs are clear enough that there won’t be any problems.”

  “When?” Brett’s eyes are full of excitement.

  “Once we get you ready. I can get three chairs and we can be on our way.”

  “Chairs?” Peter asks.

  “To move you, your quarters are next to the Admiral’s. It’s a ways away.”

  “I can walk.”

  “Dad, I realize you’re getting stronger but if you walk the entire way, it will exhaust you. Then how are you going to help mom?” She inserts quickly.

  “Peter, let Tori handle this.” Cyndy looks at him. “She knows what she’s doing, you have to trust her.” Peter stares at his wife, into the eyes he loves, eyes that are getting stronger every day, because of Tori. Nodding, he looks at his daughter.

  “We’ll do what you want.”

  “Alright then, three chairs coming up.”

  Security in place, the corridors of the Retribution are cleared for the movement of the Royal family, to the Dignitary’s Quarters. Once inside, the Admiral hands Tori the security codes.

  “You know how to change them?”

  “Yes, Admiral.”

  “Mr. Chamberlain, Madame Chamberlain. I hope you are comfortable here until you can proceed to Carina. Tori, if you need anything, let me know.”

  “I will, thank you.” Nodding he leaves.

  Securing the hatch, she turns to find her family's eyes wide as they stare at the living area of their new quarters.

  “Tori, this is so nice,” Cyndy whispers. Victoria grins, if they think this is nice wait until they see the palace.

  “Let me show you the sleeping quarters and bathroom, then you can rest if you want before third meal arrives.” With the tour done and Cyndy settled in bed and Brett on the couch, Victoria turns to her father. “You don’t want to rest with mom?”

  Peter looks at his sleeping wife then his daughter.

  “We need to talk.”

  “Okay… let’s go into the other room.” When Peter closes the hatch, she raises an eyebrow.

  “What’s going on with your mother?”

  “What? Dad you’ve been involved in every step, you know what’s going on.” Confused green eyes look at him.

  “Not that. She’s keeping something from me, something you know.”

  “Dad… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You two… it’s the looks, the ‘it’s girl talk’. She used to tell me everything.”

  “Dad, that’s just…” She blushes. How is she supposed to tell her father that her mother had guessed she and Lucas had made love?

  “What?”

  “It was something personal, a woman thing. Mom just hasn’t had that in a long time. She’s not keeping things from you.” She is though, her physical condition, she doesn’t want Peter to see her naked.

  “Would you tell me if there was?”

  “That would depend.” She’s not going to lie to him. “If mom asked me not too and I didn’t think you needed to know, I wouldn’t tell you.”

  “Fuck that! She’s my wife.”

  “And she my mother!” Victoria turns, taking a deep breath. “Dad, if you think some things wrong, then ask mom, I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

  A knock on the hatch keeps Peter from responding.

  “Dad, let me show you how to open the hatch.”

  “I know how to open a fucking door!” When he tries, he can’t.

  “I secured it.” She tells him is a quiet voice. “So you’d feel safe.” Walking over to the security pad, she enters the code. “Try it now.”

  When he does, it opens smoothly to a large golden-skinned man carrying a tray with three covered plates for second meal.

  “Dad, this is Kip. Kip, my father, Peter Chamberlain. You can put it on the table Kip, thank you.” After setting it down, Kip lifts each cover checking the food.

  “Orders from Hutu.” He smiles at Tori’s raised eyebrow.

  “Who’s Hutu?” Peter demands.

  “Kip’s uncle. He’s the personal chef for Aunt Cassie and Uncle William.”

  “He stressed I needed to double check the trays after what happened before.” Kip tells Victoria.

  “Thank you, Kip, I appreciate it.”

  “I didn’t bring you anything. What would you like?”

  “I’m fine for now, I’ll wait for Lucas.” Nodding, Kip turns then pauses, looking at Peter.

  “Problem?” Peter looks at the larger taller man.

  “No, no sir, it’s just… it is truly an honor to meet you, sir, a real honor.” Giving him a slight nod, Kip leaves.

  “What is it with everyone?”

  “I told you dad, you’ve never been forgotten. Do you want me to show you how to secure the hatch?” Sighing, Peter nods and watches the coding.

  “You can change that if you want, to anything you want. You’re in control here, dad.”

  “I’m sorry.” He walks up and pulls her close, kissing the top of her head. “You’ve gotten taller.” Tori smiles up at him.

  “Only compared to mom, I’m considered very short on Carina. Kayden’s nearly as tall as I am.”

  “Kayden?”

  “Aunt Cassie’s first born. He’s a couple moon cycles younger than Brett.”

  “And he’s almost as tall as you?” Peter’s eyebrow’s raise.

  “Dad, Uncle William is over seven feet tall. He’s tall, even by Carinian standards. I expect all of the boys will be tall.”

  “All?” At his question, Victoria realizes she’s told her mother but not her father about their enlarged family.

&n
bsp; “Dad, sit down a minute.” She leads him to a couch. “Aunt Cassie married Uncle William a little over nine cycles ago. Kayden, their first son was born seven months later, he’ll be nine soon. He was followed by Jacob, six and Willie, almost three. Aunt Cassie has conceived again, a girl this time, although they don’t want that known yet. I’m guessing she has about three months left.”

  “Why don’t they want anyone to know?”

  “Because she’ll be the heir to the throne.”

  “What?”

  “Only female’s rule the House of Knowledge, Aunt Cassie’s daughter will one day be Queen. There will be great speculation and joy at this birth. And great risk.”

  “Risk?”

  “Dad… Aunt Cassie is the Queen there is no doubt. Her birthmark settled that but there are still those that don’t accept her, they won’t be happy that the heir has been born. They want her power for themselves, people like Audric.”

  “Who’s Audric?”

  “Audric is the Glitter Man. He was the husband to Queen Yakira. She was the trustee to the throne until Aunt Cassie challenged her for it. Audric destroyed Earth so he could keep the power he’d obtained by their Union.”

  “Union.”

  “Marriage. It’s called a Union on Carina.”

  “She’s happy? Cassie is?”

  “She loves her husband, dad. He was willing to sacrifice his career and reputation, long time friendships, to protect us. He’s a good man, reminds me a lot of you and grandpa. You’ll like him.

  “He’s Lucas’ father.”

  “Yes.” She gives him a considering look. “Dad, why don’t you rest?” Holding up a hand, she cuts him off. “Then, once you’re all awake, I’ll show you all some visuals and recordings. That way, all three of you will know the same thing, can ask questions.”

  Peter thinks about it then nods. “That would probably be best. I’m going to go lie down with Cyndy.”

  “I’ll be back in a couple hours; I’ll secure the door from the outside.”

  Entering the flight deck, Victoria finds a busy place, Blades are in various states of repairs, parts being removed and replaced. Everyone involved with his or her assigned task and in the center of it all is Lucas, giving orders, making sure everything is getting done.