Phoenix City, Saraya, Standard Year 404 after founding

  Tom sat somewhat awkwardly on the generously cushioned chair made of tufted linen, looking out at the oversized window. Saraya’s brutal sun streamed in but the generous air conditioning fully compensated for the heat. Tom didn’t know much about luxury, but even he failed to miss the understated wealth that was the very essence of the room. He took a hesitant sip of the filtered drink Sophia Hudson had offered him. As he expected, the drink was fantastic, bursting with the delicate flavors of citrus, mint, and the disinfecting note of liquor so strong it burned. There were three of them at the table. Glenda, looking unusually formal and sitting perfectly straight in her chair, and Sophia Hudson looking cooly elegant, her sharp and surprisingly expressive brown eyes studying him with intimidating intensity.

  “Thank you so much for coming, Tom.” Sophia smiled. “And for no better reason than to satisfy my avid curiosity.”

  Tom shrugged, taking another sip of his drink. Given Sophia’s status in President Lorelai Achly’s administration, he didn’t have much choice.

  “I told my aunt as much as I could.” Glenda said. “But although we were both on D12, you know Alanna so much better than I do. And following the announcement of her engagement to the son of the Tundran president, she just might be the most famous person on the planet.” News of James Hawk’s engagement went public on Tundra within an hour of his registration. It reached Saraya in under a day. And it was the kind of story that went viral. The already famous Sarayan traitor, an orphan, now engaged to the son of the Tundran president. Ever Lorelai Achly’s iron control over the news channels wasn’t enough to stop this story from getting out. Naturally, Sarayan journalists put a politically correct spin on the event. Somewhat uncharacteristically, they continued to choose pity and condescension over vengeance. The story all news agencies reported, in perfect unison, was that of a helpless orphan, seduced into betraying her people, her comrades in arms, and the very state that had so generously raised her from infancy. Gruesome stories of her torture and abuse at the hands of James Hawk were no doubt forthcoming.

  And Glenda had dropped some quiet hints, that this was in part her aunt Sophia Hudson’s doing. Helping to protect her niece and the rest of the D12 miners by association. Condescension was bad. But a message of vengeance against every orphan on Saraya, every Summers, and the miners of D12, would be far worse. So Tom was there, to be the good little soldier and back the story he instinctively knew to be the better story. The truth was irrelevant. Everyone at the table knew that.

  “It must have been lonely.” Sophia said, taking a sip of her own drink. “To have been on D12 for so long, so very isolated and far from home.”

  Tom nodded politely.

  “How did she take it, Tom? Was she… well?”

  Tom’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. “She was fucked in the head long before she came to D12.” He said, with what was, for better or worse, perfect honesty.

  “We ask a great deal of our soldiers.” Sophia said diplomatically.

  “She was on Titan.” Glenda said.

  “I can’t begin to imagine.” Sophia replied. “To see so many die, to be one of the very few survivors.”

  “She does tend to be a survivor.” Tom said, taking another sip of his drink.

  Sophia Hudson’s eyes narrowed slightly, focusing on his face. “Survival is a gift.” She said. “Do you think it’s a coincidence, that the lieutenant has survived where others have not?”

  “I think it’s a gift.” Tom said.

  Sophia Hudson’s eyebrows rose slightly, noting the slight shift from her meaning to Tom’s. It was unexpectedly smoothly done, for the rough edged miner, and Alanna Summer’s chosen second in command. Against her better judgment, Sophia Hudson became genuinely curious. It was her biggest weakness. “Tell me about her.” She said.

  “She wanted to save us.” Tom said. “So she did what she had to do. And paid the price.” He added diligently, smiling slightly when he thought about James Hawk, and the way he spoke of Alanna when they last met.

  “She is lost, I think.” Sophia took a sip of her drink. “Lost to us. Whether she is lost to herself” she studied Tom closely “is she lost to herself, do you think?”

  “Lost to everyone.” Tom said. “I met James Hawk.” He said suddenly, changing the subject. He didn’t want to talk about Alanna any longer, didn’t want to speak ill of her. Even though he knew it was why he was there, sitting at this table. Even through he knew she would have wanted him to. “It’s not just her.” He added, warming to his story. “Man’s got the kind of charisma that’ll get anyone to do what he wants. Lonely and messed up as she was, she didn’t have a chance.” He added with some reluctance.

  “Did you like her?” Sophia asked, her voice smooth. Sophia had always been a good listener, good at drawing people out when they least expected it.

  “Yeah.” Tom said, taking a bigger gulp of his drink. “Yeah, I liked her.”

  “Did you?” Sophia asked, turning to her niece.

  Glenda hesitated. Her aunt loved her, she knew that. Their families had been close, since she was a baby. If the conversation was being recorded, if Glenda’s answer would put her in danger, Sophia would not have asked. In a subtle way, Sophia was letting them both know that their conversation was private.

  “I liked her.” Glenda said. “And I admired her. It’s just… one mistake.” She looked over at Tom. “One choice, one mistake, and life as you know it is over. I liked her and I think it’s sad, that she’s lost to Saraya. Lost to… auntie?” She frowned as Sophia froze, her drink halfway up to her lips. “Is everything alright?”

  One mistake. Sophia thought, as her world spun. One mistake. One mistake and they can take more than you can begin to imagine. “Did you trust her?” Sophia asked suddenly, her gaze intense.

  Glenda and Tom exchanged a glance. Something in the atmosphere of the room had shifted, and they had no idea why. Sophia’s question had no apparent relevance to the story being reported across their news channels. No relevance to anything either of them could think of. And yet, Sohpia’s intensity was undeniable.

  “I trusted her.” Glenda said, picking up on her aunt’s mood. Aunt Sophia wanted the truth. “We all trusted her.”

  “I trusted her.” Tom echoed, returning Sophia’s intense gaze. “I trusted her with my life, and I’ve never made a better decision.”

  “Thank you both, for your time.” Sohpia stood up with uncharacteristic abruptness. “I truly appreciate it.” She reached out to shake Tom’s hand, clearly on autopilot and yet too polite to simply push him out the door.

  Tom nodded in return and headed for the door, giving Sophia Hudson one last glance over his shoulder as he walked out. The woman looked as if her entire world was falling apart. Pale as death with those unusually expressive eyes almost feverishly bright. “Ma’am, if there’s anything you need…” He hesitated, unsure of what he could offer and completely confused by her response.

  “You’re very kind, thank you.” Sophia said as she led them hastily towards the door.

  “What in the actual hell?” Tom muttered to Glenda under his breath as they walked out. Glenda shrugged in return, clearly as confused as he was.

  ---

  “They came for us. They came to old earth. They will come for us here.” Sophia frowned, skipping ahead “Try and see if you can touch me. If it matters. If there is anything left. Try me. They are coming for you. One mistake. One mistake and they can take more than you can begin to imagine. More than you ever thought you had. And it can go on and on and on. For years. For decades. For centuries. They are coming. They are coming. They are coming!!!”

  “One mistake.” Sophia repeated under her breath. She walked out the door without looking back. It was a Saturday but she walked towards her car, drove towards the Executive Office of the Sarayan president, walked through the semi deserted halls towards her office, shut the door, and sat at her secured work station, staring at it for a long, silent moment. She could only access the files from here. The old records. The old, old records. The ones that came with them, on their ship, from old earth, before all communications were cut off. The ones so classified few knew they even existed. One mistake.

  Transmission from old earth, received on ship, in transit, in the year twenty two before founding. In addition to the Russian Federation, China, India, and others, Germany was the first of Western European nations voting to join the Carda’an empire. As with the other nations, the practice of slavery remains voluntary. Parents can give up their children, individuals can choose to give up their own freedom, and all women convicted of a capital offense are tithed to the empire.

  One mistake, Sophia whispered. It could be a coincidence. It could easily be a coincidence. The connection was distant, attenuated… there were a million alternative explanations. She simply couldn’t think straight. She needed a second opinion. Unthinkingly, she walked back out, locking herself in her car and getting on the road before picking up her phone and calling Daren.

  “Sophia.” His calm, smooth voice came through over the line. “It’s wonderful to hear from you.”

  “And you, as well. Thank you for taking my call.” Sophia said automatically. She had so many reasons to be grateful to Daren. His handling of the D12 fiasco continued to be a gift sent from heaven. Alanna Summers’ engagement led to even more unwanted attention, which Daren steered away from her and her niece with his typical finesse. She would always be grateful to Daren.

  “Of course, always. What can I do for you?”

  Sophia opened her mouth to explain. No words came out.

  “Sophia?” Daren repeated. “Are you all right?”

  “I…” Sophia stared at the blur of trees, painfully blue sky, and the poured concrete road as they passed before her eyes. No words came out.

  “Sophia.” Daren repeated. “Is something wrong? Do you need help?”

  “No.” Sophia swallowed, her throat painfully dry. “No. I’m sorry I…” Her mind froze, simply refusing to function. “You see” she took a breath “what you said about Tundra, attacking us. It’s rather gotten into my head, I’m afraid. I’ve been having nightmares.”

  “I’m sorry. I truly am. You needed to know, but I am sorry for any concern it may have brought you. Tell me what I can do to help.”

  “Nothing really, it’s nothing.”

  “Sophia.” Daren paused. “You called me. I’ve known you a long time. And I know you had a reason.”

  Black spots appeared in front of her vision, blocking out the light. Sophia gasped for breath. “I have to go.” She said. And then she hung up.

  By the time Sophia pulled into her driveway, Daren was waiting. He was standing quite calmly, leaning against the wall to the side of her door. His perfectly proportioned face with those razor sharp cheekbones turned towards her as she walked out of her car. Sophia had a sudden flashback, seeing him in her doorway, soaked by Saraya’s poisonous rains, and looking entirely unperturbed. She drew a breath. “Good afternoon, Daren.” She said calmly.

  Daren smiled, his eyes searching hers. “You seem better.” He said.

  “I am.”

  “What happened? I was concerned.”

  “Nothing happened.” Sophia walked past him, unlocking her door with hands that were perfectly steady, her voice calm. “You’ve thrown me off balance, I’m afraid.” She continued. “The weakness is, of course, my own. And for that, I apologize. There was no need for you to come out.”

  “Sophia, if there is anything you need…” Daren stepped forward, clearly intending to walk past her, inside her home.

  Sophia stood in the precise center of her doorway. Polite, but impossible for Daren to move past without shoving her aside. “As always, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your support, Daren. And I apologize most sincerely for bothering you. I think I need some time. Some time alone.” She added, her voice firm.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Daren cocked his head slightly. For one long, drawn out moment, they stood facing each other as the heat of Saraya’s sun beat down. Sophia remained in the doorway, grateful for the cooling breeze of the air conditioning behind her. She did not move.

  “Of course.” Daren said finally, nodding gracefully, falling back on his usual impeccable manners. “As you wish. And if you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to call.”

  “Thank you.” Sophia nodded, still remaining in her doorway. She did not move, continuing to stand and watch as Daren walked back to his car, seemingly unbothered by the brutal heat of the Sarayan sun. When he was back inside his car with the door shut, very carefully, she stepped back and closed her front door, leaning against it.

  ---

  Daren walked back into his home and looked out over the pond, thinking about Sophia. With genuine reluctance, he pulled out his computer console. He had been recording Sophia’s access and system usage forever, although he rarely checked. It struck him as intrusive, and in somewhat bad taste. But she was one of very few people in the solar system who knew of the existence of Carda’ans on old earth. The only one likely to remember or pay any attention to the ancient records. It was necessary, to keep an eye on Sophia. And so he did. To a degree. He paused, staring at the screen for a long minute. He pulled up the records. “Shit.” Daren said eloquently. He wanted to go for a swim. Getting up, he was halfway out to his pond when he paused. The sun was shining. The visibility over his home, was excellent. Humans, did not swim in Sarayan ponds. Not unless they were deeply suicidal. “Shit.” He said with feeling, and continued walking into the forest as the Sarayan sun beat down on his back.

  The Grey Serpent, Tundran Space, Standard Year 404 after founding

  She was lying in her bunk on the Gray Serpent, with James by her side. The bed had expanded to fit them both. “If you don’t come back alive, I will make sure every Sarayan on that station dies.” James whispered into her ear. “And you will watch every one of them burn and turn to ash, for what they have done.” Captain Arden said. “The president does not approve of your association.” Major Miller’s voice added. “You have no loyalty, no home, no family. Used by everyone before you’re tossed aside to die. You are nothing. You will always be nothing.” Bernard whispered, making her shudder. “Our Ship.” Tony’s dry voice interjected unexpectedly. “The Tundran ship.”

  She turned to James. “Would you use me to win?”

  “I use everything I have. Always.”

  “I know.”

  “I still saved your life. I still saved you.”

  She turned away, trying to block out his presence, the sound of his voice, the warmth of his body next to her. The way he made her feel things she never thought she could feel.

  “You will serve your masters well, until they toss you aside. That’s what you were made for.” Bernard whispered.

  Alanna woke up, staring at the ceiling of her bunk, trying and failing to fully process the events of the previous day. Her hip ached, but not so much that it would prevent her from sleeping, and it felt better this morning. A flesh wound. Because Bernard had missed. And captain Arden wanted her to serve on this ship. Absent mindedly, she reached out to trace the top of her ear, feeling the rough texture of Avalon gold. The early morning hush, the cadence of sleepy voices as the early risers went about their rounds, staying quiet for the benefit of those who were still asleep. The louder voices as the stragglers caught up. And then the renewed hush as the crew’s sleeping quarters emptied out and everyone went out to do their jobs. Curling up into a tight ball, Alanna turned towards the wall and ignored the silence. She truly, sincerely, from the bottom of her heart, did not want to get out of that bunk.

  The knock came a few minutes later. “It’s ten in the morning. Get the hell up.” Tony Sicaro’s pleasant voice came through the privacy screen.

  Alanna’s stomach lurched unpleasantly. With a deep sigh of regret, she pulled on her uniform in the privacy of her bunk and stepped out. Because apparently, she must always, always wear her uniform. “What the hell do you want?” She asked sourly. And immediately felt guilty when she saw the look of genuine concern on Tony’s face. “I’m fine.” She added. “Just a bit tired.” The guilt settled in with greater weight when Tony held out a cup for her. Expecting coffee, she was surprised by the scent of ginger tea. Surprised, but pleased. For some reason, it was exactly what she wanted.

  “Feeling like an ass?” Tony asked.

  “Yes.” Alanna admitted.

  “What did the captain want?” He asked, lowering his voice.

  “To offer me a job.” Alanna said, taking a sip of her tea.

  “Let’s talk in the training room.” Tony offered, leading the way.

  He didn’t even bother turning on the simulation this time. He just sat across from her in the darkened room. “What job?” He asked.

  “A job on her ship.”

  “Weren’t you dead set against serving?” Tony reminded her. “What about your principled no kill policy? What about all your worries, and not entirely unfounded ones, that Captain Arden and the president will get you killed? They won’t stab you in the back or have one of our people shoot you, Alanna. They’ll just keep sending you on the most dangerous missions they can find, until you actually die. Because until you’re dead, you can change your mind about James. You can’t be seriously considering this. It’s a mistake.”

  Alanna shrugged, and drank more of her tea.

  “You let him get in your head.” Tony said, accusingly. “I knew you would. I told you he would try. And you let him.”

  “Bernard didn’t say a single word that wasn’t in my head already.” Alanna said. “Well except the part about something being on the Sarayan station. No idea what the hell that was. Where is he, by the way?”

  “Dead. Bit through the veins on his wrists and bled out during the night.”

  “Creative.” Alanna said.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have told you. Might give you ideas.” Tony responded, somewhat sourly.

  “I have a gun now Tony, I can take the civilized way out.”

  “Sure. Or you can just sign up to fight on Captain Arden’s ship. Because why rush? Why are you doing this?”

  Alanna shrugged, looking down at her feet as they stretched out in front of her, the still unfamiliar black Tundran uniform encasing her legs. “Did you tell James what happened?” She asked. “With the interrogation?”

  “Of course I did. I sent him the video.”

  “Ah. Thanks for that, Tony. Thanks a lot.”

  To her surprise, Tony’s response was a grin.

  “What?” Alanna asked with a frown.

  “You care.”

  “I care about what?”

  “You care what he thinks.”

  “Well.” She shrugged, looking back down. “I might care some.”

  “Why are you considering this?” Tony repeated. “You know it’s insane.”

  “It’s not anything Bernard said.” Alanna replied, somewhat defensively. “It’s what James said.”

  “Because he threatened to kill people?”

  Alanna hesitated. “He scares me.” She admitted reluctantly.

  “Alanna, everyone scares you. I scare you, Gregory scares you, Sean. The captain definitely scares you, as well she should. Hell, you hid it well, but Dev scared you.”

  “Dev plays the young and innocent better than most, but he’s a prison guard. He’s faking at least half of it.”

  “I know he is.” Tony shrugged. “Dev was special forces before he left the army.”

  “Of course he was. And I was a POW in a Tundran prison. You’re all scary. What did you expect?”

  “You’re not a POW now. Tell me Alanna, back when you served on your beautiful Saraya, no one scared you then?”

  “What’s your point?”

  “You have to trust someone, sometime. Don’t make a mistake.”

  Alanna nodded, avoiding his eyes.

  Tony shook his head. He’d done what he could. “Come on.” He said, getting up and holding out his hand. “We have to get the head.”

  Alanna looked at his hand doubtfully. “I’m not sure what that means.” She said.

  “It means, I have to go get a bone drill from the doc and cut off the damn head. I promised Danil.”

  “You’re not serious.”

  “Of course I’m serious. Promises made have to be kept, Alanna.”

  “You don’t have a pike!”

  “Danil already said he’ll accept a pipe. And the captain said not to let it drip on her ship.”

  “It’s a human head Tony, it’s gonna drip.”

  “That’s what I said!”

  “What did she say?”

  “She said we’ll think of something and she has full faith and confidence in our abilities, or some shit to that effect. God damn but I miss James.”

  Alanna laughed. She couldn’t help it. “What will you do with the head on a pipe once you have it?” She asked.

  “Well, the Sarayans are in the docking bay. So we’re going to send the head out to join them. You know, give Bernard a chance to return to his people.”

  “You could space the head.” Alanna offered. “It won’t drip for a while, not once you freeze it down to absolute zero.”

  “See, that’s why we like having you around, Summers. You bring good ideas to the table.”

  “I try.”

  ---

  “It’s obviously going to drip when you mount it on the pipe.” Greg said, taking the leading role in supervising operation Bernard’s head on a pipe.

  “This is why, traditionally, we used a pike.” Tony said.

  “Will the doctor’s bone drill cut the pipe?” Alanna asked. She was drinking more ginger tea, and trying very hard not to look. Tony had already cut off the head, but apparently, their work was far from over. The logistics of this operation were surprisingly complex.

  “Hmm, cut the pipe into two sharp points?” Tony nodded. “I like it, let’s try that.”

  Alanna closed her eyes as the screeching noise of metal on metal filled her ears.

  “It worked.” Tony said a few very long minutes later. “But it’s still dripping. Like I told the captain, it’s a goddamn human head. It’s gonna drip.”

  “Maybe we should have cut it off inside the airlock.” Gregory said helpfully.

  “Yeah.” Tony said sharply. “Yeah, maybe we should have. Thanks for that, Gregory. Really helpful shit. You might have mentioned that earlier. What the hell do we do with it now?”

  “Also, someone has to carry the pipe.” Gregory pointed out. “The damn thing won’t stand on its own.”

  “Where’s a nice castle wall when you need it?” Alanna mused out loud.

  “This was your idea, girlie.” Gregory snapped. “There’s a reason we don’t do this on spaceships. Goddamn Sarayan barbarians.” He added, not at all under his breath.

  “I didn’t mean it literally!” Alanna yelled, her back still resolutely turned to the entire scene. “Only Tundrans would be crazy enough to take it literally and…”

  “I took it literally.” Danil said.

  “Shut up, Danil.” Everyone said nearly in unison.

  “Why don’t you just put it on an antigrav platform, heat up and twist the base of the pipe to keep it stable, and use a towel to soak up the blood?” Danil said, quite unexpectedly.

  There was a collective pause.

  “That might work.” Gregory admitted reluctantly.

  Fifteen minutes later, they were all sitting by the air lock. Bernard’s head, somewhat precariously balanced on a pipe and a makeshift base that resembled a macabre Christmas tree, floated in the opened airlock behind them, exposed to the near absolute zero temperature of open space.

  “How long is this going to take?” Gregory asked, stifling a yawn. He was getting less of the good drugs, and his stomach wound hurt like a bitch.

  “How long do you want to leave it up?” Alanna countered.

  “We can space the head again, can’t we?” Danil asked. “It can be re-frozen.”

  “No.” Alanna said firmly. “No, we cannot. You heard the captain, once it starts to drip, it’s gone.”

  “Then let’s leave it out for a while.”

  They all sat back down.

  “Who’s James?” Danil asked.

  Alanna shook her head.

  “Come on lieutenant.”

  “Lieutenant commander” Tony and Gregory said in unison, with Danil correcting himself close on their heels.

  “Why don’t you tell your young friend about James Hawk, Alanna?” Tony raised an eyebrow at her.

  “The president?” Danil asked in confusion.

  “He’s not the president.” Alanna snapped.

  “Not yet.” Gregory muttered.

  “Who is he, then?” Danil asked insistently.

  “He’s just… someone.” Alanna shifted against the wall. “I’m hungry.” She said.

  Tony reached into his pocket and tossed her a ration bar. “Your Sarayan friend got paid.” He said.

  Alanna shrugged. For all she knew, Tony was lying. The captain hadn’t mentioned it, apparently leaving it to Tony to be the messenger.

  “He says five hundred grand is five hundred grand. I don’t actually know what that means.”

  Alanna smiled. “It means he got paid.” She said. And made sure she knew about it. Some things, the Tundrans couldn’t fake.

  “You two sure have a lot of inside jokes.” Tony observed.

  “Who…” Danil began. “Oh, never mind.” He finished, closing his mouth in response to the deadly look Alanna shot his way.

  “Danil knows who it is.” Gregory said. “Why is it a secret?”

  “Because if Saraya finds out what he did…” Alanna shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Then it’s Bernard brig time?” Gregroy asked helpfully.

  “Yeah, it’s a lot like that.” Alanna said grimly.

  “I got paid too.” Danil announced. “And not just the head on a pike. I got the money.”

  “Good.” Alanna said, somewhat mollified.

  “And I gave you half.”

  “You what?”

  “I gave you half. Call it a finder’s fee. That’s what your ‘Sarayan friend’ would call it.”

  “Did the captain suggest you do that?” Tony asked, his voice deceptively mild.

  “No. She just told me what Alanna did. That she negotiated for me. Best negotiator in the solar system, right here.”

  “I can give back the money.” Alanna said, looking over at Tony. “What’s your problem?”

  “No problem.” Tony said. “Just an observation. You know what she’s doing.”

  “Giving me options?”

  “You know what they’re doing.” Tony repeated. “You’re too valuable to kill.”

  Alanna nodded. There was truth there. Tony had told her to prove her worth. And he had been right. If she tried to run and hide, President Hawk would have killed her. And if by some miracle she survived, no one would be offering her any jobs. Now, she was too valuable to kill. So, captain Arden and the president were quietly giving her other options, to get her away from James.

  “What’s he like?” Gregory asked. “This special Sarayan friend?”

  Danil shrugged, looking away. Alanna was right, and he wouldn’t put anyone back on Saraya in danger.

  “Come on. Give uncle Gregory one hint.”

  “Just tell us if he’s someone Alanna’s other special friend James Hawk needs to worry about.” Tony said.

  “Good looking sort of guy, is he?” Gregory asked.

  Danil choked slightly, and began coughing.

  “I think it’s time to pull in the head.” Alanna said, ignoring him. “It’s gonna get mummified if we leave it out too long.

  “It’s perfect.” Danil said, looking at the head a moment later, with bloodthirsty delight.

  Alanna turned slightly to make sure her back was to the head. She had zero interest in seeing it.

  They were getting ready to return Bernard’s head to the Sarayans when Tony stopped them. “James is calling.” He said. “You need to talk to him.”

  Alanna shot a confused look in his direction, but before she had the chance to say more, Tony enabled the holographic function on his wrist comm, and Alanna was looking at James, his now familiar gray eyes looking back at her.

  “The time delay…” She began.

  “Less than two seconds.” Tony said.

  Alanna swallowed. James, was close. Very close. “Hi.” She said eloquently, finally looking back at his image.

  “You’re alive.” James said, staring back at her.

  “Well, you know.” Alanna shrugged awkwardly. “Orders.” The blinding smile James shot her in return warmed her all the way down to her toes.

  “Bravery and valor in the line of duty.” James said. “As always. I like your new uniform.”

  I didn’t choose it. Alanna thought. I didn’t even want to wear it. And I hate you. But she didn’t say it. Looking at the glow of approval in his eyes, the words stuck in her throat.

  “Darling, is that a human head behind you?”

  Alanna gasped in horror, turning around to find Bernard’s head staring back at her. One of the eyeballs had exploded, but the other one was still there. “I…”

  Gregory clutched his stomach. “Stop.” He grunted as his body shook with laughter. “Stop, it’s a stomach wound. I need… I need the doctor.”

  “It’s a long story.” Alanna said, turning away from both Gregory and the head.

  “Will you tell me all about it?”

  “Does it have to be now?”

  “Soon. I want us to talk in private. Tony will set it up.”

  Alanna just stood there, uncharacteristically lost for words.

  “Really?” Danil said somewhat drily, looking over at her. “You’ve been celibate for what, a decade?”

  “Danil, for the thousandth time, shut up.”

  “Sicaro.” Gregory gasped, still clutching his gut. “Leave the Sarayans to their fun and walk me to the medbay, will you?”

  Tony hesitated, looking somewhat less amused as he glanced over at Alanna. “Come find me as soon as you’re done. We need to talk.” He said, before turning off to follow Gregory as he headed towards the medbay.

  “She doesn’t know, does she?” Gregory asked as soon as Alanna and Danil were out of earshot.

  “I don’t think she knows.” Tony admitted.

  “How is that possible? Everyone knows. The entire planet knows. Hell, most of Saraya probably knows they’re engaged. Everyone in the solar system knows.”

  Tony scratched the back of his neck and shrugged. “We’re working on it.” He said.

  “Work fast.”