The Key

  Chapter 59

  "Kam." Jason smiled, watching his wife exit the shuttle. It seemed like forever since he had seen her last. She moved with the grace of a dancer, gliding across the deck toward him.

  Halfway to her husband, Kamira stopped and looked back at the shuttle. Stepping out of the craft was a younger man that had to be Corin Dante, carrying a small girl. He looked tired, but strong and confident as he walked up to Kamira. There was a look of concern on his face. Jason thought he knew why it was there, but wasn't entirely sure.

  Together, Kamira and Corin walked up to Jason. With a smile on her face and tears in her eyes, Kamira embraced her husband. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in tight before gently kissing her.

  "Welcome home." Jason whispered into Kamira's ear as they broke away to look at each other. She looked tired, but relieved to be back on Redemption. However his wife looked, Jason was glad to have her back at his side.

  "It feels like forever since we've been together." Kamira wiped absently at the tears on her cheek. "There's still so much we need to do."

  "You're preaching to the choir." Jason smiled. He knew that Kamira was right. There was still so much to do before he could really show Kamira just how much he missed her. "Who's this?"

  "Jason, this is Corin Dante." Kamira gestured between the two men. "Corin, this is my husband, Jason McWilliams, Captain of Redemption." She stepped back as soon as she finished the introductions, hoping that the two men would at least tolerate each other. Kamira knew that Jason didn't trust Corin, and that Corin didn't trust anyone.

  "I don't know whether to thank you or shoot you." Jason said, extending his hand.

  "I would prefer not to be shot." Corin gave a half smile as he grasped the other man's outstretched hand. "Besides, if you shot me, we wouldn't be able to help each other find our missing friend."

  Releasing Jason's grip, Corin glanced back to the shuttle. Brutus appeared in the doorway and ambled over to his friends. "Not to mention, Brutus might take offense to you shooting me."

  "What in the name of God is that?" Jason stared at Brutus. He had never seen an animal like him before. A cat the size of a Clydesdale, with silky tan fur stared at him, watching his every move. Only when Brutus was certain that Corin was not in any danger did he relax.

  "That sir is a Darwinian Sand Panther." Angel said flatly, as she appeared beside her Captain. "They are highly intelligent and very lethal. It is in your best interest not to make him mad."

  "I did tell you that Brutus was a big cat." Kamira interjected with a wry smile.

  "Yeah, this is Brutus. He goes everywhere I go. Now can we get down to business, or are we going to leave T'Sula out there to die?" Corin glanced back and forth between Kamira and Jason. He knew that he was pushing, but felt that it was needed.

  "Alright. What have we got?" Jason stared at Corin. His ire quickly came to the boiling point, but he managed to keep it in check. He thought that if Corin hadn't been holding a child, he would have hit him, despite the impending threat of the monster feline.

  "Not much Sir. The signature of the Ta'Reeth vessel carrying Commander Mir is all but gone. It's simply been too long since it left." Angel informed her Captain. "I'm not sure that I can adequately track it."

  "Then it's a good thing that I planted a tracking device on T'Sula." Corin said, shifting Mekala to his other arm. His gaze took in the spectacle of the hanger. His friend, Kamira, together with her husband after so long, and this ship that was the pride of the Resistance, was a lot to take in. He kept his face plain, showing no reaction to his news, as he judged the others around him.

  Jason stared in disbelief at Corin. He had only just met this man, and already he knew that there was more to him than he could initially fathom. Any mistakes and Corin Dante would be able to exploit them in ways that Jason didn't want to even think about. If Corin was in fact telling the truth about his exploits.

  Somehow, Corin had escaped an exploding planet, and along the way saved his wife and her cousin, while ejecting a combat armored and armed Marine Major from his ship. This man was either a worthy adversary, or a powerful ally.

  "Tracking device?" Captain McWilliams ventured. "Would you mind giving us the signature, so that we can track it?"

  "Of course." Corin glanced down at Mekala. "But first, I need to make sure that everyone is being taken care of. Then I'll give it to you."

  "Angel, please make sure that our guests are comfortable. I want fresh clothes, beds, the whole deal." Jason turned back to look at Corin. "After you get cleaned up, I'd like for everyone to join me for dinner, in my private dining room."

  "Thank you Captain." Corin replied, uncertain how to express the gratitude he felt. It had been a very long time since anyone had shown him any hospitality.

  "You're welcome." Jason turned to Angel again. "As soon as we can bring Mr. Dante's ship aboard, I want it done. We can effect repairs enroot. That is, if it's alright with Mr. Dante."

  "It's o.k. with me." Corin shrugged. "Let's get underway, and get T'Sula back."

  "Fine." Jason almost turned to leave with Kamira in tow. "But before we can go anywhere, we need to know where to go. I need the signature for the tracking device."

  Corin took a deep breath. Finding T’Sula was his responsibility, not Jason McWilliams'. He gritted his teeth, then dug in his pocket and pulled out a tiny cylinder. He held it out on the palm of his hand and showed it to the Captain.

  "The frequency matches this. You should be able to get a good reading on it anywhere within thirty light-years." everyone within sight of Corin's hand turned and watched as the indicator lazily flashed a dull red.

  "Angel?" Jason asked the A.I., and then indicated the device.

  "One moment Captain." Angel paused as she scanned the tracking device. "He's telling the truth. I have analyzed the tracking signature and am currently searching ..." her expression went momentarily blank. "I have located the signature Sir. Setting course. Shall I leave orbit?"

  "No. Bring Corin's ship onboard first, and then engage the new course." Jason glanced about the faces of his comrades. "We're about to go after the Ta'Reeth. Get ready."

  "Angel, how long before Vengeance is onboard?" Kamira asked, breaking the silence.

  "Vengeance will be in Hanger Bay three in approximately twenty five minutes Commander." Angel turned to Corin. "Is that satisfactory?"

  "Yeah. It is. Could you let me know when it's aboard?" Corin stared at the hologram. He had known about Angel, but actually interacting with her was a new experience for him. She was there. He could see her, and he could hear her, but he wasn't sure if he could touch her.

  "I will." Angel answered before turning her attention back to her Captain. "Sir, the others are here."

  "Thank you. Please have them meet us in my dining room." Jason sighed. Things were starting to fall into place. He just had to make certain that the timing was right. Keeping his timetable in mind, Jason turned to the others. "Alright, we don't have a lot of time people, so please make it quick."

  Angel led Corin and Mekala while Kamira went with Jason. Brutus waited for a moment before he followed Corin down the now cramped corridors. Redemption's crew scattered at the sight of the big cat, diving into open doors in the hope of not angering the feline.

  "Captain Dante, your ship should be operational soon." Angel spoke as she led him to his new quarters. "I hope that our repairs are to your standard."

  "I'm sure they will be." Corin was only partially paying attention to what the Hologram was saying. He inspected Redemption with his ocular implants as they went, learning more about the ship with each passing step.

  "Captain Dante, I would appreciate it if you would not use your implants while onboard. They are beginning to interfere with my security protocols." Angel had stopped in front of Corin, blocking his path. She fixed him with a stern look and planted her hands on her hips.

  "Really? You're that sensitive?" Corin almost smiled. "I had no idea. Yeah, I'll turn the
m off for now."

  "Thank you. Now, let's proceed. Shall we?" Angel turned and led the way once more. "You will need to keep Brutus on a short leash while on board. My crew is not reacting well to his presence."

  It wasn't much further before Angel stopped and opened a door. She didn't wait for Corin before she stepped inside. Corin followed and set Mekala down. The room was large enough for two beds and dressing stations, with just enough room left over for Brutus to lie comfortably on the floor. Tucked between the two dressing stations was the door to the shower.

  "You will find clean clothes in the drawers." Angel told them as she readied to leave. "If you have any problems or questions, just ask for me."

  "I do have one question." Corin stopped the Hologram. "How real are you?"

  "I'm as real as I need to be." Angel answered, placing her hand firmly on Corin's shoulder. "Your ship will be onboard in ten minutes. You should be getting cleaned up for dinner."

  "Yeah, thanks." Corin looked down at his shoulder as Angel disappeared. "That's weird." he muttered under his breath, rubbing the spot where Angel's hand had been.

  Corin turned to find Mekala. The girl had wandered over to the beds, and was climbing up on the one to the right. She giggled as she leapt up, and bounced on the bed, sending the pillows flying in all directions. Not satisfied with only the pillows flying off, she jumped again and again, until the bed was a complete disaster. Only when the bed was in complete disarray did she jump down, and begin again on the other bed.

  "How am I going to get you cleaned up little one?" Corin picked Mekala up and gave her a light hug.

  "Bath!" she screamed with a smile on her face. "Bath!"

  "O.k. a bath it is." Corin grimaced to himself. He had no idea what he was going to do. There had never been a need for him to learn how to bathe a child before, and he was not ready to do it now.

  "I hope you know what to do, because I don't." He smiled as best he could, taking the girl into the showers. He hoped that there would be some kind of tub to use, but seeing as Redemption was a war ship; he had little hope for such amenities.

  He was right. There was no tub, only a commode, a shower, and an over sized sink.

  "Well, the sink it is." Corin actually smiled though. This was a new challenge for him, but it was one that he wouldn't have given to anyone else. "Do you know what we need Mekala?"

  "Soap!" she squealed in excitement. "Soap!"

  "O.k., we have soap." Corin took a fresh bar of soap out of the shower. "What else?"

  "Water?" Mekala asked quietly.

  Corin turned the water on in the sink, checked the temperature, and let the basin fill. "Do you know what else?" he asked her gently.

  "Me don't know." Mekala looked dejected for not knowing what else she needed. "Sorry."

  "It's o.k. You don't have anything to be sorry about. You're a big help." Corin gently squeezed her, giving her a hug. "We need a wash cloth, and a towel. Can you find them?"

  Mekala's eyes lit up as she spotted the wash cloth and towel hanging on a rack. She nearly fell out of Corin's arms, trying to get the last two items she needed for her bath. Corin set her down, and she scrambled over to retrieve the items.

  "Bath time!" She squealed as she handed the towel and wash cloth to Corin. He felt his connection with Mekala growing deeper by the second, and it scared him. How was he going to make sure that she was safe? How was he going to take care of her? He had no idea.

  Corin helped Mekala out of her torn clothes, and into the bath. He tried to be gentle, and make the bath fun for her, while he kept it short. When she was done, he gently dried her off, and dressed her in new clothes. He stumbled through as best he could, then quickly showered and dressed.

  When Corin stepped out of the shower, Mekala was playing with Brutus. She had climbed onto the cat's back, and to Corin's amazement, was gently tugging on his ears. Brutus twitched his ears, shook his head, and glared at Corin before simply lying there, and letting Mekala know when he had had enough.

  Corin shook his head, and then called for Angel.

  "What can I do for you?" Angel asked, materializing in the center of the room.

  "We're ready." Corin sighed. "I was hoping that you could guide us to where we need to go."

  "Of course. Follow me." Angel motioned for Corin to follow, and quickly exited the room.

  The walk was brief and silent. Corin carried Mekala, and Brutus followed behind. Corin's mind raced in the silence. He wondered about T'Sula, and his ship. He worried about what was happening, and he worried about Mekala's safety. By the time they reached the dining room, his nerves were shot.

  Angel opened the door and admitted Corin, Mekala, and Brutus. Jason welcomed them with a smile and introduced the others sitting at the table.

  "I'm glad that everyone could make it tonight." Jason smiled. "Unfortunately this will be a working dinner. We have a lot of work to do, and not much time to do it."