Victoria's Challenge

  Kayden raises guilty eyes to him. “Put it in the other ugly vase.”

  “It’s a great hiding spot daddy.” William has to bite his lip to not outright laugh at his youngest.

  “You’ll be the one to tell your mother Kayden.”

  “Yes sir.” Standing, William carries Willie, letting the older two walk beside him as they enter the Palace.

  “Majesty, the High Admiral has returned home.” Javiera whispers in her ear. Cassandra nods slightly still listening to Assemblyman Stannic, her heart lightens.

  “I understand your concerns Assemblyman Stannic but understand me. The House of Knowledge will help the other Houses whenever there is a need. We have been blessed by the Ancestors, we will not hoard those blessings.”

  “Those blessings were earned by others, Majesty, by squandering them on those unworthy, rewards them for being complicit.”

  “The House of Growth was not complicit. They did everything possible to prevent this disaster, had we been there earlier, it still would have happened. People will not suffer needlessly, not when the House of Knowledge can help and I squander nothing, Assemblyman Stannic.” With a nod, she dismisses him. As the door closes she looks to Javiera.

  “That’s it, Majesty.”

  “Really? Thank the Ancestors and you, Javiera, go home, and give Leander and Dell a hug for me.”

  “I will. Ignore Stannic, he’s an idiot. Make sure you rest and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Marat, head of the Queen’s security, personally escorts her back to the Queen’s wing. Looking from the extra guards to him, she raises an eyebrow.

  “Orders from the High Admiral Majesty.” He’s been with her long enough to know her looks.

  “Thank you, Marat.” Cassandra walks through the outer rooms and formal living room before she stops. Turning, she looks around the room. Something’s missing. Scanning one more time, she zeros in on the large vase. There used to be two. Walking over, she sees the lumps under the rug, lifting it, small pieces of vase, looking into the remaining vase, larger pieces. This is obviously the work of her boys. Shaking her head, she moves on.

  Entering the family area, she stops. There he is, her life mate, her husband, watching as their sons play. At 7’1”, he is tall even by Carinian standards. His thick dark hair is grayer then when she met him nine cycles ago but that is the only thing that’s changed, he still makes her breath catch, just by being. Sensing her, he turns. Walking to her, he pulls her close, giving her a deep kiss.

  “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too.” Resting her head on his chest, she relaxes, taking a moment, sometimes they were hard to find.

  “So which one did it?”

  William smiles into her hair. “Saw that already, did you?”

  “At least it was the ugly one.”

  “That’s what Jacob said, seems they were playing catch.” He lets Cassandra hear his enjoyment of his sons’ antics.

  “In that room of all rooms, well, what do you think?”

  “Air shoes?” Nodding she agrees, at this rate they won’t fit them by the time they got them back.

  “How are you feeling? You’re not doing too much, you’re resting?” His hand moves to her protruding stomach.

  “I’m fine. She’s been very active today,” She moves his hand so he can feel his daughter kick. “Especially during my meeting with Stannic.”

  “Stannic.” William stiffens, his voice going cold. “Stannic was here! In the Palace! Were you alone with him?”

  “William?” Her eyes shoot to the boys and then back. “What’s wrong?”

  “Were you alone with him?” he demands.

  “No, Javiera was with me the whole time. What happened? What don’t I know? Has Victoria been attacked again?" she demands.

  “No. Everyone’s fine.” He reassures her, taking a deep breath. “But something has happened. Something we need to discuss but later, after the boys are in bed.” They made a point of having 'family only’ time whenever possible. Only emergencies were allowed to interrupt it and Cassandra knew if this were one, William wouldn’t hesitate to tell her.

  “Okay, later.” Arm in arm, they go to their sons.

  At the knock on his door, Magnes looks up from his report. “Enter!” Seeing Victoria enter his office, he sets it aside.

  “Victoria, is there a problem?”

  “No, everyone’s fine, better than fine, your treatments have done wonders.”

  “That’s only because of the excellent work you did before getting them to me. I still have a hard time believing they survived when I re-read your initial readings. To be honest, they shouldn’t have, between the radiation, the malnutrition and the dust infiltration, none of them should have, the Ancestors were watching over you.”

  “I think you’re right Dr Magnes and that one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “Tell me what it would take to set up a burn unit here on the Retribution. I know the actual treatment processes. However, I've never been involved in the logistics. Everything was established in Camotes, I just utilized it. You’ve had cycles to think about this, I need your input to approach the High Admiral.”

  “You’ve made your decision.”

  “Yes, this is where I need to be for personal and professional reasons. Therefore, we’re going to make it the best burn treatment unit ever seen, one that even Camotes will envy.”

  Magnes smiles at her

  “Well then, let’s get to work.”

  Working through the paperwork that’s piled up during his absence Lucas groans. He hates paperwork.

  “It only gets worse.” Looking up Lucas finds the Admiral standing in front of him.

  “Nice to know.”

  Quinn sits down chuckling.

  “I want to meet Vagi.”

  “Yes sir, I’ll get him, Lorre’s got him working on cleaning parts.”

  “Cleaning parts? I thought he had talent.”

  “He does but he still has to earn his spot, and he’s found problems with ten percent of the parts.”

  “Really? Have you asked what he knows about Stannic?”

  “Yes sir. He stated that Stannic never told him anything about the Guardian, just as Kee and Laiza said. He was nothing more than a tool to Gad, not worthy of anything but his disdain. I believe him.”

  “How the fuck do these people get into the Coalition?”

  “They cheat their way in.”

  “So it would seem. Get the boy.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Vagi!” Lucas yells above the noise.

  “Sir?” Vagi looks up from the pile of parts he’s cleaning. Lucas notices he has them separated by what repairs need to be made to them.

  “My ready room, the Admiral wants to speak to you.”

  “The Admiral?”

  “Yes.” Lucas decides to give the boy some advice. “Just be honest with him, Vagi.”

  “Yes sir.” Entering the ready room, the Admiral has assumed Lucas’ seat behind the desk.

  “Private.” Both stand at attention.

  “Admiral, sir.”

  “I’ve read Major Zafar’s report and his recommendations. What I want to know is why the fuck I should keep you on my ship! Why should I trust you Private?” The Admiral demands.

  “I… sir… Admiral.” Vagi takes a deep breath, collecting his thoughts, and then looks him in the eye. “Sir, I’m the best mechanic you’ll ever have.” Quinn raises an eyebrow at the statement.

  “That’s pretty cocky Private, especially considering who you’re up against.”

  “Not cocky Admiral, confident. I was taking apart and fixing things before I started being educated. I took apart my mother’s recycler when I was four and once I put it back together, it had an efficiency level of ninety-five.”

  “How long did it take you?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “To put it back together.”

  Vagi flushe
d chagrined. “Four days sir.”

  “At the age of four, you took apart a recycler and rebuilt it to ninety-five efficiency in four days. You expect me to believe that, Private?!!”

  “I’m not a liar! Sir! You can contact my father, he’ll tell you.”

  “Not your mother?”

  “No sir.” Vagi’s tone is subdued. “She was killed in the Regulian attack on Nuga in 49.”

  “I’m sorry Private, 49 was a bad cycle for the Coalition.”

  “Yes sir, it was but my skills will help make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

  “Really...”

  “Yes sir, one of the reasons for all those losses was the Coalition’s inability to make timely repairs to their ships, I can fix that.”

  “Not short on confidence are you Private?”

  “Not when it comes to fixing things, Admiral.”

  “And what about your ability in choosing friends?” Quinn challenges.

  “If you are referring to Stannic and his friends then you are mistaken Admiral. They aren’t mine.”

  “But you assisted them so they could have careers in the Coalition. Careers they didn’t earn and certainly didn’t deserve. Positions that someone more qualified should have had. Positions that affected lives, Private.”

  Lucas watches the boy’s confident attitude crumble under the Admiral’s attack.

  “I betrayed not only the Coalition but my father and myself, Admiral. I knew Stannic didn’t deserve his placement, knew he couldn’t handle it, but I allowed it so I could have mine. I’m no better than he is. A self-serving foabhor.”

  Behind him, Lucas raises a shocked eyebrow as he looks at Quinn.

  “Would Stannic or his friends admit the same, Private?”

  “Fuck no!” Eyes glare at him. “Sorry, Admiral.”

  “Why wouldn’t they, Private?” Quinn asks softly.

  Lucas sees the minute Vagi quits debating with himself and just says it.

  “Kee and Laiza would never admit to anything, not unless Gad told them too, and he’d only do that if it made him look good. As for Gad, he’s never admitted to anything in his life. His father takes care of all his problems. Except for the Victoria incident, that one he couldn’t cover up but he softened the blow.”

  “And how did he do that, Private?”

  “Gad was supposed to take an aggression management course and a thousand hours of service. He did none of those. His father paid others to do it for him.”

  “You can prove that?”

  “All someone has to do is look at the records. He couldn’t have completed that many hours of service in one moon cycle.”

  “No he couldn’t, I’ll look into it.”

  “You’ll never touch him, his father will see to that.” Defeated eyes meet Quinn.

  “His father isn’t dealing with cadets now is he?” Quinn sees the first flicker of hope in the boy’s eyes. Once again he’s standing tall.

  “No Admiral, he isn’t.”

  “Then report back to your assignment, Private. If you think of anything else concerning this, you come to Lucas or me, do you understand, Private? No one else, we’re going to end this.”

  “Sir, yes sir!” After a quick smile, Vagi returns to his duties.

  Quinn looks at Lucas. “Your instincts were right again, that boy is special.”

  “He is, he’s cleaning the parts and separating them by what repairs they need.”

  “Really.”

  “He impressed Lorre with his repairs to the Blade.”

  “Hard to do.”

  “Yes.”

  “Lucas….”

  “What is it, Quinn.” He sees the regret in Quinn's eyes.

  “I can’t let you go back to Carina with the Chamberlains.”

  “What?!” Quinn can tell he didn’t expect this.

  “I need you here, both as a pilot and because of the Stannic issue. It can’t be seen that we are giving you special treatment, the type of treatment we are condemning Stannic for.”

  “He’s committing treason! Not protecting his life mate and her family!”

  “I know but you’ve got less than two cycles left on this tour, then you go back free and clear, you’ll have all the time you need.”

  “Shit Quinn!” Lucas takes a deep breath, getting control of himself.

  “You knew that this could happen. That it would happen if she pursues her career in burn victims. She’ll be on Carina and you’ll be on a ship.”

  “I know…. I just wanted to be there for her, helping her handle everything going on with her family.”

  “I know but Victoria is strong. She’ll handle it, I’ve talked to William about this, and he agrees, you need to be on the Retribution. I’m sending extra guards on the Arrow if that helps, all loyal to the High Admiral.”

  “You’re concerned Stannic has supporters on the Retribution?”

  “Not really but I won’t chance it either. Not with the Chamberlains, not with Victoria.”

  “Thank you, Quinn.”

  “None needed. She’s mine too, you know.”

  “Yes I do.” Lucas nods.

  “That said I’m going to let you break the news to her. I can’t take her tears or her rage.”

  “Coward.” Lucas smiles at him.

  “In this…. absolutely.”

  “Barek!” Victoria smiles as she approaches him, giving him a quick hug. “I didn’t know you were still on board.”

  “For a few more days at least.” Turning they walk.

  “Good. So you’ll have third meal with us and meet my family.”

  “Victoria, I’m honored, really.” Barek tells her. “But do you think now is the time? There will be an official meeting later.”

  “I know that but they’re going to meet so many that they will start to blur. You’re not only Lucas’ best friend, you’re one of mine and I don’t want you to be a blur.”

  Barek’s throat tightens, knowing Victoria’s sincere in her feelings for him. She’s one of the few who has never approached him as a prince, a future King.

  “Alright, you win. What time should I be there?” His reward for letting her have her way is a beautiful smile.

  “1800.” Separating to go their own ways, she stops him with a hand on his arm. “And Barek, dress casual, they’re meeting a friend, not a Prince.” Once he nods, she releases him.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  At 1800, Barek knocks on the hatch and after several moments it’s opened by a small boy, very thin with patchy black hair trimmed short and curious brown eyes.

  “Hello,” The boy speaks first.

  “Hello, I’m…”

  “Barek!” Victoria appears behind the boy. “Brett, this is my friend Barek Tibullus, he’s going to have third meal with us.”

  “He is?” Brett has never eaten with ‘guests’ before.

  “Yes he is. Why don’t you let him in?” They both step back, allowing Barek to enter.

  “Barek…” Lucas walks across the room greeting his friend, holding out a glass of ale.

  “Lucas. Thanks.” He takes the glass.

  “Thought you could use it after dealing with those little foabhors today.” Barek nods, agreeing.

  “What’s a foabhor?” Brett asks, startling both men who look down at him then to Victoria.

  “Don’t look at me, you said it.” Raising her hands indicating she’s not going to help them, Victoria walks over to pour her own glass.

  “Well….” Lucas looks to Barek who just shakes his head. “It’s not really a very nice word, Brett. It means prick.”

  “What’s a prick?”

  Victoria laughs, watching the two men struggle.

  “Ummm….”

  “What’s going on?” Peter walks out of the sleeping area.

  “Lucas is trying to explain to Brett what a prick is.” Victoria’s eyes are sparkling.

  “Really?” Peter crosses his arms across his chest, giving Lucas a hard look.

  ??
?Sorry Peter, it slipped out.”

  “But what does it mean?” Brett demands.

  “You don’t need to worry about it, son.”

  “How am I supposed to learn, if you don’t tell me anything?” Brett demands, reminding Lucas of Tori.

  “Brett,” Victoria finally steps in, totally understanding. “It’s a word used to describe someone who’s not very nice.”

  “Oh.”

  “I tell you what, if we’re together and there’s someone I think is a foabhor, I will let you know.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  “Welcome.”

  “And if you use that word in front of your mother, you’re going to be in big trouble.” Peter warns his son.

  “OH!” Brett finally understands. “Okay, I’ll just use it around the guys.” The three men give each other knowing looks as he walks away.

  “Peter, I brought some Carinian ale, would you like some?”

  “Ale?”

  “Cassie says it tastes a lot like Earth whiskey.”

  “Hell yes then, it’s been ages.” While Lucas is getting the drink, Peter looks over Barek.

  “Dad…” Victoria goes to make introductions but stops as her mother enters the room.

  Barek doesn’t know what he’d thought Victoria’s mother would be like but it isn’t this. She’s small, smaller, than small, and he isn’t sure it’s because she is so underweight. Her head is wrapped in a beautiful cloth that has Victoria written all over it. Looking to Brett, he realizes she’s lost her hair from the radiation but it doesn’t detract from her beauty. She is a testament to what Victoria will become.

  Peter steps in front of Cyndy, blocking her from Barek as he continues to stare at his wife.

  “My apologies.” Barek immediately says. "I meant no offense, I’ve just never seen someone so…”

  “Short?” Victoria interjects trying to break the sudden tension.

  “I prefer vertically challenged,” Cyndy speaks for herself as she steps around Peter.

  “I was going to say tiny, like a sprite,” Barek says softly.

  “Sprite?” Cyndy asks.

  “It’s a mythical creature on Carina mom, like a pixie on Earth.”

  “Oh well, that’s true enough.” She smiles at Barek. “Peter, relax, you’ve called me a pixie for years, cycles.” Just that easily, the tension is gone.