A/N: Here's another chapter quickly on the heels of the previous. Thank goodness C27 required very little final editing. I'm pleased with how this one came together and hope you like it as well.
As promised, Warren and Ettwanae enjoy themselves, but new trouble looms on the horizon…
Chapter 27
"Let's run!" she exclaimed, her angelic face beaming.
"You mean fly." He couldn't help but smile at Ettwanae's child-like excitement.
"No, run – as fast as we can that way." She pointed to the horizon. "When you get to the end, jump! Follow me!" And with a laugh she was gone like a dart. He watched for a half second before tucking his wings tight to his body and taking off after Ettwanae. She was quickly leaving him in her dust. 'God, she's fast!' He kicked in the turbo drive.
Across the ground they sped, legs pumping, hearts joining in. He could hear her laughter as it rode the wind back to his ears, blending with the throoshing sound of the knee-high grasses whipping his legs. Faster and faster they raced headlong toward the rim of the high mountain plateau.
"Jump!" she shouted backward just yards from the edge. "Like this!" and with powerful legs she sprang into the air as the ground beneath her ended, and dove off the cliff like a base jumper, wings still held close. Warren, just two heartbeats behind her, trustingly followed her example. As they plunged toward the valley floor far below, he watched her tumble and twist and roll. Her laughter bouncing off the cliff face that blurred by. It was a joyous sound. Then he performed a few of his own freefall maneuvers and found himself laughing into the rushing wind as well.
Streamlining his aerial profile, he caught up with her and they locked eyes. Ettwanae's danced with the joy that only their kind of freedom could bring. Then she angled away as the ground rushed up. At the last moment, two pairs of wings snapped opened, grabbed air, and whooshed the valley vegetation in a vertical to horizontal sweep that ended with a tight upward soar on momentum's exhilarating ride. The wonderful leaving-the-stomach-behind feeling delighted their senses and tickled their insides.
"Whoopee!" Warren shouted. He couldn't help himself. The thrill excited his soul. This was where he belonged – romping in the sky. His eyes shot to Ettwanae. In the sky with her. He shuddered from need so powerful and so deep he thought he'd be sucked into its vortex. His soul longed for her…reached for the lithe form bathed in the Thael's red-gold sunlight…
"Catch me if you can!" she shouted mischievously and veered off sharply to the left.
He jerked as her challenge cut through the swelling emotions. With a left dip and powerful beats, the chase was on. Warren thought he was quick in the air. She was like lightening. Up and down, around rocks and vegetation, skimming the undulations of the terrain, he followed her. She dodged and darted, always just out of reach. At times, he caught a determined face as it glanced back at him and in the next moment, it was filled with wild excitement over an obstacle cut almost too close or when his hand nearly snagged her ankle. He focused his whole awareness on his quarry. Long, golden hair as it whipped in the wind and shone like molten gold. The white wings flashing with brilliance when the sun hit them the right way. He was transfixed on her body as it moved and turned with incredible grace and power as she pushed herself to her limits. A couple of times he almost had her, or had she slowed to lure him in? Then she was off again, a huge smile flashed as if to yell "slowpoke!"
She was wondrous – a beautiful being he might just like to spend eternity entangled around. Was that just lust talking? Aru? Feral mating drive? It may have started that way, but it was quickly becoming more. In spite of the barriers between them, almost despite himself, Ettwanae was becoming increasingly important to him each passing day.
Warren had been in love before, he knew the signs; knew the difference between lust and love. He wasn't in love. No, it was too soon to declare that, but in like? Yes, he was very much in like of Ettwanae. As he watched her gracefully slice the Thael winds, his heart whispered for more…more togetherness, more quiet moments with her in his embrace, more playing in the skies, more knowing her – just more. Then her laughter skipped along the wind back to him and his smile grew wider. 'Need to find a way for that to happen, and then see where it leads,' he decided. With a chuckle, he kicked in the afterburners to catch up with the woman who was throwing him that "slowpoke" grin again.
###
As Warren and Ettwanae disappeared beyond the plateau drop, Gatebi turned toward Flint. "Ever wonder what that must be like?" she sighed her question, looking longingly up at the sky.
Flint eyed his shipmate. Gatebi had voiced that question more than once in their year-plus together. "You have wing envy," he jabbed.
She leaned back against the rocks her and Flint had staked out near Volu's cloaked presence. They'd do as they always did – wait patiently on the ground while Ettwanae got her fill of the sky. "I admit it. Though to be accurate, I have flying envy. I'd take it with or without the wings."
"I'd go with no wings. They'd get in the way too much." Flint popped another sweet/tart odent berry into his mouth. They were his favorite fruit to date in his new space faring life. That reminded him. "Hey, Vo!"
Silence.
He sighed. "Hey, Volu!" Flint called, sing-songing her name.
"Yes, Flint?"
"How's our stock of odent berries? Been awhile since we got any."
"We have a small reserve."
Gatebi gave Flint an accusatory glare. "If our supply is low, there's only one person to blame."
Flint swiped at her without really trying to make contact. "Then consider it added to the list. Humans need fruit. Somethin' bad happens if we don't get it – an illness called scurry or somethin'."
"My last scan showed you in perfect health, Flint," Volu noted with a barely discernable indignant bristle.
"Yeah, well, like to keep it that way. I'm still growin' and need good nutrition." A smirk crossed Flint's face and another handful of odent berries found their way into his mouth.
Gatebi shared one of her highly rationed laughs. "Growing wide, you obviously mean."
Flint huffed. "Hardly! Anyway, War and Twae are gonna be a while and the company here's kinda annoying," he complained with an accusing eye. "Vo, you up for another round of LanicWorld?"
A flick of the hand communicated Gatebi's bafflement. "Do you ever tire of playing that game?"
The Human rolled his eyes. "No-o-o. Best game ever. Me and Vo created the next gaming mega hit. Totally rad! When I get back to Earth, I'm gonna sell it and make zillions!"
"So instead of enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, you're going inside and play a PI game?"
Flint headed inside Volu. "God, Gabby, ya sound like my mother!"
"The name is Gatebi," she threw at his back mostly out of habit as the Human disappeared into the ship.
###
By the time she finally alighted on the far side of the plateau from Volu, he had decided she was joyous life. All during their chase, her love of flying and the freedom it offered came through in her laughter, expressions, and radiating delight. He had once been like her, but that joy died piece by piece within him as life dealt him blow after blow, culminating in its death when he lost his real wings. In the ensuing years, the joy resurrected in bits and fits, but never with the intensity of his younger years. Not until he returned to Earth from Sat'rey and focused on healing his battered soul did he rediscover most of the joyfulness. He had settled for being nearly there; of almost finding his old self. He accepted that he'd done too much, seen too much, to truly go back.
Yet during the past half hour with her, all the horrors he endured, all the pain suffered, the last vestiges of darkness in his soul were left behind. He felt young again – almost giddy with happiness as he tore through the air, hell-bent on snagging the elusive woman who managed to stay just beyond his fingertips. For a little while, Warren was once again overflowing with the simply joy of being alive.
There she stood, eyes cast up, watching him come in for a landing. She was beautiful beyond any he had laid eyes on before. Her spirit called to his. She was true Esserru – healer of souls, the Turzent word meant. Perhaps Ettwanae could help him take the final step in permanently repairing that last, scarred part of his own spirit.
###
"Wasn't that fun!" she exclaimed, feeling childlike in her delight. Just the two of them, playing in their element, exchanging laughter and the sheer wonder of being free within the embrace of the heavens. 'Perfect! This is so perfect!' she told herself. As he landed, she closed the gap and risked the longing that couldn't be satisfied to throw her arms around his neck and rest her cheek on his shoulder. "I love you," she declared, then instantly regretted it. He didn't feel the same. Would he ever?
Lifting her head, she looked up into those crystalline-blue eyes that mirrored her own to see what they would reveal. They were smiling; he was smiling, and his arms tightened around her. "I am honored," came the response, and she couldn't stop the disappointment. Then need began to stir, but she would tolerate it if she could stay right where she was. He decided otherwise and all too quickly, gently extricated himself.
"You're right, that was fun. More fun than I've had in the air in a long while. Thank you for that." The words were warm and gentle. "You, Ettwanae, are quite the speed demon – land or air!"
"Speed demon?" She wasn't familiar with the term.
"Someone who is fast and loves being fast."
She giggled. It was an accurate description. "That's me! You're no laemor yourself."
"Okay, my turn. What's a laemor?"
She slunk down and moved her arms and legs in a slow-motion, crawling-like impression away from Warren. "A ve-r-ry slo-o-o-w animal found on Saii." She turned back, continuing her mimicry. "In fact, they are so-o-o slo-o-ow," she was nearly next to him, "their prey often doesn't notice the movement until it's too late!" With that she pounced, tickling and poking his sides. She was rewarded with laughter and feigned fighting that ended with her whirling around to sprint away, but she wasn't quite fast enough. Grabbing her from behind, he pulled her in tight, pinning her arms to her body.
"You'll not escape!" he snarled in a low, threatening voice, lifting her so her feet no longer touched the ground.
She was helpless with laughter. For a few precious moments, she forgot the pain, the urges, what they couldn't have. Then he quieted and set her down only to spin her around to face him. In a blink of an eye, his mouth encompassed hers, their tongues dancing. The kiss deepened; he press hard into her. Ettwanae clamped her arms around his back, sliding her palms up between the wings and then grabbed hold at the base of each wing.
'Oh, goddess, I want this!' she called out to her deity. 'Please!'
"We…must…stop," he managed between hungry kisses. "Shit!" and he pulled away harshly.
"No, no! Don't stop," she pleaded trying to take his mouth once again. He let her on the third try. She couldn't get enough fast enough. The taste, his breath, smell. She found the sweet spot on his wings with her thumbs and he jerked and inhaled sharply. His arousal pressed against her.
Suddenly, he pushed back, breaking her embrace, and held her at arms length. "No, we can't do this," he pleaded in a breathless voice. "Remember what will happen."
Ettwanae wanted to scream in frustration. "I want you! Can't we just try? We know what to expect; maybe it won't be so bad now that we know," she begged.
He dropped his hands and backed away. "But Volu said-"
She cut him off. "I know what Volu said, but I want to try again. Maybe not now, but soon." Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly while extending her wings about half-spread and then letting them fall back into place to release the sexual tension. Clamping down on the urges that had nearly swept her away, she reopened her eyes and locked onto Warren's. "Right now, I just want you to hold me."
His expression was tired and pained, and it made her heart cry. Was the constant pull to bond wearing him down already?
"I don't think that's a good idea at the moment," he replied with a defeated sigh.
The joy of moments ago was slipping away. 'Ettwanae, you're such an idiot! Why did you spoil everything?' she berated herself. Tears threatened, but she steeled herself against them. She needed to salvage what had been a perfect outing.
"Then perhaps we can play a game to take our minds off things? It's something Baumpa and I used to do when we visited the country." She couldn't be certain of his next expression, so she pressed on. "See the clouds? We'd look for patterns…see if they form images." She scanned the sky and then pointed to a particularly interesting cloud formation in the rusty firmament. "Like there. That one looks like a Turzent spacecraft. See how the outline resembles a battleship?"
She watched him as he studied the cloud, noting how the soft breeze teased his hair. "You're right, it does," he nodded. "That part sticking up in the center is like the bridge deck."
"And the little clouds – they're fighters."
"No…too big, I think. More like small cruisers. Probably part of an armada."
She sat down on the ground. "Some of the Emperor's forces going to defend us against a Commonwealth invasion force. They are a formidable opponent, but the Emperor will lead our warriors to victory once again, just like he did before."
Warren settled in next to her, legs stretched out before him and leaning back on hands planted slightly behind him. He scanned the sky. "Look!" he said pointing suddenly to another cloud. "There's the Commonwealth battle carrier."
"It's so big!" she exclaimed in feigned fright. "Do our ships have a chance?"
His eyes took on a distant look, but they didn't seem focused on the heavens. "Ztar will figure out a way, just like he did in the battle for Phagiulu System."
Ettwanae jerked. "I remember that battle – it's famous! The comnet news talked of it for weeks. It was one of the rare times Baumpa and I watched any war news. We had all but lost the fight, they said, but then the Emperor arrived. He laid a trap for their battleship and defeated the Commonwealth fleet. Everyone said it was a brilliant victory."
Warren nodded knowingly. "I know. I was there."
She inhaled sharply. "You were there? At Phagiulu?"
"On the Emperor's ship, the Mi-Lartui."
Ettwanae was stunned. She'd had no idea that Warren had been with the Emperor so long ago. "But I thought you became Royal Court only a couple years ago?"
"True, but I was with…I've known Ztar for roughly six imperial years."
"Six years," she echoed. It was a long time. Were they companions all those years? 'Does it really matter?' she asked herself. 'He's here with you now, regardless of how long he was with Ztar. It does add to why Warren is so trusting of the Emperor.' When she glanced his way, Warren was giving her a curious look.
"Does that bother you?" The question was to the point.
'Does it?' She looked away quickly. Ettwanae didn't want it to, but six years? Yet how many were spent as bedmates? Maybe she shouldn't jump to conclusions. How could she find out without being impolite? She just couldn't bring herself to ask bluntly. Then he chuckled lightly and she turned back his way.
"I can guess what you're wondering. Ztar and I were companions for a little more than five standard years, Ettwanae. I left him to return to Earth about a year ago."
His openness invited more questions. "You love him?" she asked, watching his reaction closely. A slight change in expression passed over his features and the eyes reflected something she couldn't interpret. The blue orbs held hers and she felt as if he was reading her soul.
"We're very close. I do love him, but not the kind of love you're asking about."
"But you're soulbound to him!" The words blurted out before she thought; they sounded almost accusatory – not how she meant it at all. She held her breath.
His eyes did not waiver and she was immediately uncomfortable. A sudden sense swept through her that there were volumes of untold story behind the relationship – the feeling was so much more than a guess, it was a knowing that Warren and Ztar's story was not at all as it appeared on the surface.
A quiet sigh escaped him, the shoulder movement giving it away more than the sound of a breath. The crystalline-blue depths released her and Warren looked at the horizon. "It's complicated, Ettwanae. The soulbound business was not intentional – I told you that. I have no explanation why that occurred. I love Ztar as a brother, yet it's not quite that either." He shook his head. "Hard to describe. Maybe there's no word for what he and I shared in the end. Just know that our relationship is over. He has Jharda now and they belong together. All is as it should be."
She searched his face. There were little clues in his words – 'in the end,' 'all is as it should be.' What were those clues saying? Perhaps one day, he'd share, but not that day…it came through clearly in his tone.
She smiled widely. "He was very fortunate to have you in his life, but I'm glad you're in mine now." Ettwanae hoped it was the right thing to say to ease the tension.
The handsome features softened. Reaching over, he touched his fingers to her chin and cheek and she couldn't stifle a little shudder. "I am glad, too. Someday, we'll really be together. Until then, I look forward to more days like this one. I had a wonderful time."
She thought she saw a little tearing in his eyes, but he turned his head up to the sky too quickly. "Looks like the Commonwealth ship has been defeated." The cloud was breaking up.
"Emperor Ztar wins again," she proclaimed, her voice sounding hallow. The words shedding light on her internal questions, but Warren seemed oblivious.
"Oh, I think he had a little help…" A sly smile crept across Warren's face and she wondered just what happened on the Emperor's cruiser that famous day.
###
To them, their shopping list was long, but to the stores master of Gnaza Supply House, it was a small order. The Thaelan purveyor dealt with much larger ship's orders every day. And as Ztar promised, the LinCreds card was waiting for them.
Ettwanae and Warren waited patiently as their purchases were pulled by robots from the huge warehouse and loaded into the skimmer they'd rented from the supply house. Warren had no idea how many credits were on the card or what a credit could buy. When the stores master gave them the final tally, it meant nothing to him. He looked quickly to Ettwanae with a look that said, "Sound right?" She gave him a subtle nod.
With the skimmer loaded and on course to Volu, Ettwanae gave him a disapproving look from the co-pilot's seat. "We need to teach you about credits. You didn't have a clue back there, did you?"
"Hey, give me a break. Royal Court members don't have to worry about money. It's an all expense paid ride."
She shook her head. "Royalty or not, you need to learn what things cost."
He laughed. "Then you'll have to be my teacher."
"Oh, no. That Gatebi's department. She's responsible for ship's stores."
Warren was disappointed. He'd like to have had the lesson from Ettwanae. Still in all, spending any amount of time with the Eshaaru swung between being unbearable to mildly uncomfortable. Even being together in the confines of the skimmer for the short trip was made his libido stir. Luckily, Volu wasn't that far away. Perhaps his financial tutorial was best lead by someone else.
###
Later, with the goods stowed and the skimmer sent on its automated way, Warren sat in the galley for his version of a light snack. The trip to town had worked up an appetite, not that it took a lot to do so. As he downed a heaping plate of food, he contemplated with anticipation his first night on the new mattress they'd purchased to replace the makeshift sleeping pad. Anything would be better than layered blankets and old clothes formed into a mattress. He ordered the softest, most luxurious mattress they offered. After giving it a quick test drive once they'd maneuvered it into his tight quarters, he felt it held promise. It nearly didn't fit, but even if it took up the entire room, he would sacrifice everything else for a decent night's sleep.
His daydreams of sleeping bliss were interrupted when Gatebi entered, approached him, and extended her hand, palm up. Warren was puzzled.
"Hand it over. Ettwanae says you are too naïve to have a LinCreds."
Warren stopped in mid chew, eyebrows raised. "What?"
"Someone who doesn't understand the imperial momentary system should not be trusted with access to it. Give me the card."
Stunned didn't begin to describe his reaction. "I will not. Ztar issued it to me. It's activated by my bio-sig and only my bio-sig. The card stays with me."
Gatebi's hand dropped to her side. "How you could have lived in the Empire for all these years and not learned…" Her head shook in disbelief. "At least let me teach you what you don't know. It's important to understand what things cost and how to handle imperial credits."
Warren sat back in his chair and locked eyes with the impudent Alcab. "I'm CEO of a multinational corporation. I can read financial reports and spot questionable accounting better than most CPAs. My personal portfolio rivals that of many small countries. I can finagle a takeover bid from my easy chair. I don't think I need a lesson in finances," he rattled off with air of superiority. You can't run a multi-billion dollar, international company on good looks alone. 'Wel-l-l, maybe...' he smirked internally.
"How many credits to buy a box of the zante you love so much?"
'Shit.' She had him dead to rights.
"Well?" She crossed her arms and tapped her foot in an all-too-human gesticulation.
"I don't need to know minutia. All I need to know is that the card has enough credits to cover our needs."
"For someone who portends monetary suaveness, you don't offer a very persuasive argument."
His interest was piqued. Gatebi was showing another side of herself. "And I suppose you are a financial wizard and will enlighten me?"
"I can show you the fundamentals of what keeps commerce flowing in the Turzent Empire, obviously something your indoctrination failed to include." The words were harsh, but he detected a Mona Lisa-like smile at the corner of her mouth. "Then you'll know how much your addiction to zante is costing us."
Now Warren had her. "Us? Don't you mean the royal coffers? Remember who our benefactor is."
The slight smile left her face. "Irrelevant. You come from wealth. In my experience, wealth breeds excess. We are poor, Warren. Our resources are finite regardless of our recent windfall. We cannot predict where the future takes us. What is on your card may need to last a very long time. Foolish indulgences or extravagant spending from ignorance by one of us jeopardizes the welfare of all of us. It is my job to ensure we have enough to eat. I take my responsibilities seriously. Either join me for an education or turn the card over to me to manage."
'She found out the price of the mattress,' he concluded. Ettwanae had visibly cringed at its cost. 'Is that what this was all about?' The price of a good night's sleep he could defend, but he'd take the dressing down in stride. Happened before and would happen again. The Alcab made valid points, and her attitude came from a concern for the wellbeing of her shipmates. Commendable. Slightly irritating, but commendable.
He stood and gave her his best I'm-impressed-and-willing-to-hear-more face. "Very well. I will meet you in the gathering room with the card. Be warned, though, I've been known to ask a lot of questions," he cautioned with a grin.
She gave him a quick nod and whirled to head down the corridor.
'Gatebi's got spunk under that reserved, bookish demeanor,' he admired with a quiet chuckle as he dutifully headed for his lesson.
A standard hour later they emerged from the gathering room. Warren came away with a few interesting pieces of information. First, Ztar had been extremely generous. Gatebi nearly fell off her chair when his PI revealed the exact balance on the LinCreds. There was also a message embedded in the card that Warren was a little embarrassed that Gatebi saw, but he didn't think she had time to read the whole text before he snatched the PI away.
"My most treasured Archangel, know that my love follows you wherever you travel," it started. That much Gatebi likely caught. The reference to 'most treasured' brought back warm memories of the night Ztar dubbed him that. "I hope the credits on this card are sufficient for your needs for quite some time. On the other hand, knowing the large quantities of food you consume, if your shipmates eat similarly, the funds may be drawn down more quickly than anticipated." Warren had let out a stifled laugh at that, piquing Gatebi's interest, but he did not reveal the source of his amusement. "Comm me with any request – I am always here for you. After all you gave to me, this is the very least I can do in return. May the gods watch over you and keep you safe. Lovingly, Ztar."
The simple message tugged at his heart. He did love the big guy. It still amazed Warren how dramatically his and Ztar's relationship had changed from that horrible day when Ztar ripped him from Earth to make him his indentured bedmate.
During the lesson, he had learned what several of his favorites cost, some of it surprising expensive, other items relatively inexpensive. Dison, good Dison, was fairly expensive, while the so-so variety was very reasonable, likely accounting for the popularity of the sweet-fiery liquor. Warren assumed he had only enjoyed the good stuff as he couldn't imagine Ztar had anything but the best. Zante were cheap, probably equating to the price of donuts on Earth.
"See," he'd told Gatebi, "my so-called addiction won't eat us out of house and home!" That had made her grin despite the saying being Earth in origin.
Warren had already known the fundamental's of the imperial monetary structure from his early days with Ztar when he spent hours surfing the comnet. Any planet entering the Empire had to relinquish their monetary system. A standardized currency with a single valuation made commerce in the far-flung empire far less complicated. The communications network that worked via subspace for nearly instantaneous transmission was the backbone of the system. Warren had realized years ago that without subspace communication, an interstellar empire of any expanse was improbable.
Gatebi taught him the finer points of buying goods within the Empire. Bartering was common on many planets, especially in private transactions. A few worlds, however, maintained their cultural beliefs that bartering was an insult to the seller. On other worlds, not bartering deemed the buyer either naïve or a fool, and usually the latter. Negotiating took many forms, and a savvy buyer or seller would learn those idiosyncrasies beforehand.
Warren breathed a sigh of relief that he and Ettwanae hadn't screwed up the purchase in Nuunce. Bartering was not common at restocking houses that serviced spaceports; the price was generally the price.
He was able to snatch a few personal tidbits about his refrained tutor. Her full name was Gatebi Eudara. She was full-blooded Alcab of parents who were financially comfortable and doted on their only child. As scientists for the Alcab planetary government, much of their work was classified and they rarely spoke of it in anything but generalities. Gatebi's interests did not include science, much to her parents' chagrin. Gatebi loved to read, but not the latest advances in science or technology. She loved fictional adventures of daring escapades. It was the chance to satisfy her longing for adventure, to see new worlds, and perhaps do something important that kept her at Ettwanae's side after Hydeera. That was as much as he could pull out of the young woman.
Still puzzling was why Gatebi was on Hydeera. What was it about her the Etagllot wanted? No answers from the Alcab. She held to her declaration of ignorance as to their interest in her when he gently probed.
He left the gathering room with the LinCreds card still in his possession. Gatebi stated that he might be capable of managing it on his own as long as he educated himself to local trading customs before making future purchases. Warren came away with one final impression. Gatebi was very protective of her brood. As eldest of the trio, she had taken on the role of mother hen. Warren was a challenger to that self-appointed role. He would need to remember that if he and Gatebi were to have a friendly relationship.
###
Flint had pestered to go into Nuunce for a taste of the nightlife, but Warren vetoed. Instead, Warren got in one last flight before seven days of confinement. As the sun set over Nuunce, Volu snuck through Thael airspace to begin the next leg of their journey.
That night, Warren sunk into the softness of his new bed, pushing aside thoughts of the coming long days of internment. "Ah-h-h-h," he sighed aloud in happiness. "Finally, a decent night's sleep!" The mattress didn't quite match the one back at the estate or the magnificently soft and seductive ones he and Ztar had shared, but it was close. "Feels a little like Ettwanae's," he found himself thinking, though hers was totally organic – part of Volu and it formed around you like the best memory foam mattress you could imagine. "Too bad Volu couldn't grow another bed." But since she was fully mature, that was not possible, the living ship had explained.
Visions of Ettwanae in her bed came without invitation and stirred his libido. With a huff to dispel thoughts of things out of reach, he tried lying face up – the ultimate test for any mattress when you've got a couple of large wings sticking out of your back. The longer he laid there, the more he knew long periods in that position would not be completely comfortable, but short stints would be okay. Happy with his purchase, he maneuvered onto his side and fell into the deepest sleep he'd experienced since joining the feisty group.
###
"What do you mean they want to question Archangel in a triple murder investigation? Why? He had nothing to do with any murders. That's ludicrous!" Ztar was outraged. Tchutchka Centrus authorities were insane.
"My Emperor," Stjarmas'de began calmly, "they are following evidence from the scene. A feather was found. The analysis clearly shows the DNA as Human. As the only known Human with feathers beyond the Earth System, they are asking to speak with him."
"Archangel would never kill unless his life was peril." Ztar knew to the depths of his soul that was truth.
"That may very well have been the case. The victims were armed and found in a dead-end service alley."
Ztar's fear for his former companion ratcheted up several notches. Was the dead trio part of the Etagllot? Had Archangel been forced to kill to protect himself? Questions whirled. "When did this happen? Have the victims been identified? Any other evidence that Archangel was involved? What about witnesses? Was anyone reported to have been with Archangel?"
Stjarmas'de raised a hand to indicate the need to pause. That irritated Ztar slightly – he was being hushed. "Emperor, my staff is sending you the investigative report at this very moment. Many of the answers you seek are there and more. It may be best to read it for yourself and not rely on my interpretation, though I will happily recount it if you desire."
Ztar shook his head. The legal counselor knew him well and his preference to do exactly as the man suggested. "I will read the report as soon as we're done, but I want some answers from you right now, the first being how did the Tchut obtain comparative DNA to determine the feather is Human? Earth is a quarantined world."
"From the data-mining when the planet was first added to the Empire. A large volume of genome data was collected on the species at that time and added to Military Intelligence's knowledge base. Tchut law enforcement has the security clearance to access that data. The Human genome profile is available due to the unusual status of their planet – a quasi non-contact world. The request to compare the DNA found at the murder scene against MI's genome library was very much routine. No one could have anticipated those results would point to a member of our Court."
Ztar cringed at double-edge sword of a freer Empire. His infant imperiocratic government was still revealing its pros and cons. In this instance, the sharing of information formerly held to tight control was putting a member of Ztar's Court into question. Planetary authority to tap into vast resources once limited to Military Intelligence was an outcome of the new imperial constitution and intended to aid in apprehending criminals who tried to escape from one planetary system to the other. All law enforcement agencies now had access to MI's vast criminal databases and species profiles to aid their efforts in identifying suspects in an interstellar realm that allowed free movement of its people.
Pre-FTL and other planets declared non-contact were another matter, though. To protect species who were oblivious to intelligent life beyond their own world, data collected regarding those civilizations was classified and not available to anyone but Military Intelligence. Earth was an exception. While not truly pre-FTL and its leaders well aware that the galaxy teemed with sentient races, it was on the no contact list as agreed by both Earth and Imperial leaderships. Humans were deemed technologically ill-equipped and psychologically unprepared to become full-fledged members of an interstellar community. As such, information about the planet was more readily available beyond MI. The mere fact that Archangel was on Ztar's Court almost demanded that be the case. Difficult to argue a total blanket of secrecy over information about a planet that had some members who traveled freely in interstellar space and held a royal position in the Imperial government. Hence, Human genetic data was part of the general genome library.
'Damn the Gods!' Ztar cursed silently at the Sat'rey deities with whom he had a love/hate relationship. "When did this happen and how did they die?"
A frown crossed his top legal advisor's face. "Roughly five imperial days ago. As to the cause of death, that is the odd part. The autopsy declares strangulation and blocked blood flow to the brain as joint causes of death, but there were no external marks around the throats of the victims, though the airways were clearly crushed."
"But no one had them by the throat?"
The man gave a single nod. "That appears to be the case. How that was accomplished hasn't been determined, though there are theories."
A sickening feeling hit Ztar in the pit of his stomach. He knew of a way. Telekinesis.
Stjarmas'de continued his assessment. "The Tchut will insist on jurisdictional privilege to send their investigators to Earth or to another agreed upon location to question Archangel. I recommend a meeting on Earth with me present. Archangel's best legal position is to remain on Earth. With its non-contact status, cross-jurisdictional privilege is greatly limited, yet the planet is a not the typical hands-off world. Tchut authorities will likely press that point. While I foresee a demand to question, given Earth's legal status, no actions can be taken by the Tchut without the High Court giving specific permission to do so."
Cross-jurisdictional privilege – another result of the new government. Crimes and criminals that crossed territorial boundaries fell immediately under MI's Imperial Civil Security jurisdiction, but if the originating law enforcement agency requested, they would become full partners in the investigation – a change from old imperial law. Prior to the constitution, planetary security forces had no authority beyond their own star system. The civilian arm of Military Intelligence previously handled all cross-system investigations. Under the new rules, everyone involved was learning how to work as a team when jurisdiction lines were crossed.
Ztar nodded in agreement. "Your plan is sound. However, it assumes I can reach him. Archangel is…traveling. At this moment, I have no idea how to contact him, except possibly through Charles Xavier."
The legal counselor edged closer to his PI and his suddenly furrowed face grew larger on Ztar's screen. "Traveling is a vague term, my Emperor. Is there something I need to know?"
"Only that he is on a sojourn and will be gone for an indefinite time."
"Off planet?"
"Yes."
"What happened to his PI?"
"Disabled. The situation is unusual, Stjarmas'de," was all Ztar would give the counselor.
Black Sat'reyan eyes held Ztar's in an unwavering gaze. "If Charles Xavier can contact Archangel that needs to be done immediately. We don't want to give the impression our Court is stalling. And, the comnet news is already sniffing around the story, but thus far Archangel's name has not leaked."
Ztar's heart skipped. "I will put Jharda's office on alert. Her department must be prepared should that happen. I assume Gtar-Cro already knows of this."
"He was briefed an hour ago. Once MI realized Tchut authorities had found Human DNA, he and I were informed. As soon as I received a copy of the investigative report from his office, I commed you."
"The Tchut report is detailed – not a summary?"
"Correct. For them to gain access to MI's DNA database, they had to submit a full case report with Civil Security."
Ztar checked his PI. "I've received the report. Jharda is to receive it as well." Stjarmas'de nodded. "The three dead…men?" Again, his counselor indicated affirmative. "You said they were armed."
"Yes, each carried a phase weapon. One stun shot had been fired."
"So whoever killed the men could have been acting in self-defense." Ztar's was relieved. "Self-preservation is a valid legal defense."
"Yes, my Emperor, but fleeing the scene and not contacting Tchut authorities of the situation are suspicious actions at best."
"But if the person who did this feared for his life…" He was not ready to say Archangel was responsible.
"Then the first place they should have gone was the Tchut Security. That is what they will argue. These are some of the reasons we must reach Archangel as quickly as possible. The longer he remains out of contact, the more speculation will take over."
Stjarmas'de was right. "If we cannot reach Archangel, how long can we stall?"
"Without creating suspicions of doing just that? Two standard days at most, in my opinion. It would be conceivable that a member of Court is out of contact for a day or two, but longer than that becomes dubious, particularly under the circumstances. I will tell them simply that Archangel is traveling and is not checking his PI regularly – a common practice when one wishes to get away from everyday troubles and burdens."
"Jharda's office is to keep to the same explanation. Gtar-Cro already knows Archangel left Earth a while ago and has chosen to remain out of contact."
"May I ask why? This is a serious situation, Emperor. The evidence that Archangel was at a murder scene is powerful. I need to know everything you know until I can speak with him. Tchut Security has already requested Archangel's genetic profile. We have legal grounds for denying that request only until they lodge formal charges."
Ztar had vowed not to reveal that Archangel was with Eshaaru. He would keep that promise unless it risked Archangel's liberty and no alternatives remained. Right now, they were far from that being the case. "I can say only that he travels with friends on an archeological search. Where that journey is taking him, I do not know."
Stjarmas'de's face revealed that he caught Ztar's attempt not to lie. "What one is willing to say and what one knows aren't necessarily the same, but I will not press further at the moment. After you speak with Xavier, I request that you report to me immediately. Archangel's PI – is he using that at all or not?"
"He told me only in emergencies."
"This qualifies, but if he's deactivated it, then there's no way to reach him unless Xavier was given another avenue. If we are unable to make contact, the Tchut will request authority to initiate a tracer on his PI."
Ztar nodded. It would be standard practice. However, Archangel's PI was a civilian model in looks only. Gtar-Cro upgraded the device to military intelligence level after Ymoz. "That will do them no good. Archangel's PI is secure from standard tracing."
Stjarmas'de gestured understanding, his reaction showing little surprise. "A wise procedure I assume was taken after the Ymoz kidnapping."
"Probably should have been done sooner, but you are correct."
The lawyer gave Ztar a knowing look. "Gtar-Cro's PIs offer unique features unknown beyond MI," was all that had to be said.
Ztar nodded acknowledgement. "I will try Archangel's PI on the off chance he responds, then comm you as soon as I reach either him or Xavier."
With that, he severed the link to the counselor and turned his attention to the waiting report. By its end, Ztar had many more answers, and they weren't comforting. The murders took place in a commerce/tourist district in the City of Im on Tchutchka Centrus. The three victims were as yet unidentified at the time the report was filed. Cause of death was suffocation and inhibited blood flow to the brain with not a mark on the outside of the bodies. No one witnessed the act. The feather found at the scene was clearly of Human origin as matched to Earth's own genome data and clearly showed mutated strains of DNA. There was no forensic evidence of anyone else at the scene. A witness stated that two people flew away, one carrying the other. Nowhere was there a mention of white wings.
'Odd on two counts. If Archangel was indeed there, why no mention of wings? And if he was with an Eshaaru, why again no mention of wings and why was one carrying the other?' Ztar knew Archangel was capable of strapping his wings close to his body to disguise himself. 'Was Archangel the one being carried? If so, who was the flier? A flier with no wings? Or at least no visible wings,' Ztar walked himself through the possibilities. 'Personal cloaks? Image inducers weren't common – extremely expensive and easily thwarted by sensors – but it would explain the report. As an advanced race, visual deception should be child's play for the Esserru.' Ztar felt he may have the explanation for the witness's observation. The disturbing part was it fit all too well with Archangel being involved.
DNA evidence was difficult to argue against, but Ztar knew Archangel was not a killer unless his or someone else's life was in immediate jeopardy and no other option was available. As deadly as Archangel could be when pushed, he was not telekinetic. He could not strangle without touching the victim. But Tchut authorities would be looking at the second suspect for that ability. Were Esserru capable of such actions? He'd request research for any reference of telekinesis in legend.
As he prepared to send an urgent message to Archangel's PI and then comm Charles Xavier, his heart was heavy. "Oh, my Archangel, what is happening with you?" Ztar's greatest fear was Etagllot, but the galaxy is a dangerous place. Had Archangel's traveling companions placed him in new danger? What did Ztar not know? As soon as he completed the first two comms, his third would be to General Gtar-Cro, whom Ztar knew would be expecting the call. They must try to intercept Archangel on Thael.
Moments later, military comlink satellites across Turzent space sent their signals, mindlessly attempting for hours to connect with a single PI in all imperial space. Finally, the link attempt halted. Not one satellite received the acknowledging handshake.
###
A/N: Did you think the murders on Tchutchka would simply go away? Nope. The shit's just beginning to hit the fan.
Preview: Flint gets his first training lesson from Warren. Passion wrests control of Ettwanae and Warren in a weak moment, and if I decide to include it in C28, the team reaches Neu.
P.S. Any words of encouragement or feedback are appreciated. Things are very quiet out there in review-land. I'll keep plugging away as Soulbound's visitor count remains a healthy number. Just wish someone would step up and post even a quick "Hi – I'm reading" message.
Til next time!