Page 38 of Advance and Retreat (Dark Empire #6)

C assidy swept breathlessly into Emperor Clajak’s office. She didn’t protest when Degorsk took Jackie from the sling to cuddle her to his chest. The baby gurgled at him, her eyes attempting to focus on her father’s doting face.

The Imperials and the rest of her clan wore far more serious expressions. “Please sit, Dr. Hamilton,” Clajak invited, motioning to the conference area in the corner of the room.

“I doubt I can calm down enough to,” she confessed. She looked around. “My emperors, my empress...I thought the secretary-general had arrived on Kalquor.”

“He has.” Clajak exchanged a glance with Tranis. “We have concerns about giving him sensitive information, which is what you asked us to gather for.”

“He isn’t Dark-ridden?”

“No, but he’s keeping ‘his’ Dark as a sort of... pet .” Clajak fairly spat the word.

Tranis offered her a tight smile. “We don’t think he’s compromised, but he has a great deal of sympathy for the Dark. We believe he’s trying to spiritually mentor it.”

Cassidy was too dumbfounded to respond.

“Mereta continues to be important to our efforts,” Jessica said, shooting Clajak a warning glance. “Other planets and resistance fighters will rally to him when they hear of the events on Jedver. We’re simply being cautious at this point.”

Cassidy nodded her understanding. They were using Mereta as a mere figurehead.

“You said you learned something from your research that could improve our situation?” Egilka prompted. He was fairly dancing in his eagerness to hear good news.

“Not my research. The Other returned. It’s ready to help us.”

Their thunderstruck silence was deafening. It was several seconds before Lidon spoke. “I thought they believed our fight against the All was pointless.”

“No, just unlikely to succeed. They’re able to see every possibility since time is happening all at once for them.”

“I don’t follow,” Bevau scowled.

“Everything we do, every act we undertake, opens endless iterations of the future. The Other can see all of it. Don’t ask me how; I can’t begin to comprehend it,” she warned when several mouths opened. “Because the smallest action can change the future’s trajectory, the possibilities are endless.”

“The butterfly effect,” Jessica said.

“Exactly. The Other proposes to examine the most likely prospect for us to win against the All. They’ll tell us the steps to follow to destroy it.”

“Can it really be so simple?” Clajak asked, his tone cautiously hopeful.

“It isn’t simple in the least,” Egilka replied. “Get one seemingly insignificant detail wrong, and whatever we’re trying to accomplish could easily fail.”

“Someone outside our activities could do something trivial to alter our plans enough to wreck them,” Cassidy added. “If that happens, the Other can advise us on how to try to correct the course, but it could be we fail and have to try another route entirely.”

“In other words, the Other can’t offer us a sure thing.” Degorsk was holding Jackie tight to himself, as if to protect her. “Just a few chances, at best.”

Egilka drew a deep breath. “Earlier, the Other told us what we’re doing now is doomed. I’ll gladly exchange guaranteed failure for a few slim chances.”

“Right.” Clajak nodded to Cassidy. “Dr. Hamilton, where do we start?”

“With interdimensional travel. Who wants to go on a trip?” She grinned at their shocked expressions.

* * * *

A lpha Space Station

“You can’t leave. Not on a mission as stupid as this. Tell him he can’t leave, Rihep.”

Kuran kept his expression bland as Stacy ranted to his clan leader in their quarters.

Rihep’s intense stare told the Nobek he might do as she wished.

The usually easygoing Dramok simmered seldom-seen anger.

His attempt to maintain the composure he was famous for was obvious in the slow, controlled rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

“The attacks on her will keep coming, my Dramok,” Kuran said when he intuited Rihep was ready to hear him.

“On others as well. I received a report of an attempt to kidnap the younger sister of Admiral Piras’ Matara on Haven recently.

The Earthtique members of Mercy’s and New Bethlehem’s governments won’t stop until they’ve killed or detained those who oppose them.

Our promised Matara is at the top of the list of those they wish dead. ”

“All the more reason for you to stay here and guard her. And what the hell is this about leaving within the hour? I mean...fuck, Kuran.” For once, Etnil wasn’t making jokes. His features were stricken at the thought of his clanmate leaving on such a hazardous mission.

The warrior managed a slight smile for his Imdiko’s obvious affection.

“They came for you too. I wasn’t able to stop them then, and it nearly cost you your life.

” His gaze shifted to Rihep. “It’s the only way to halt the threat to my clan.

To Earth too. These people will stop at nothing to return the humans to tyranny. Capturing them is doing my job.”

“Admiral Tranis has already said he’d disavow any knowledge of it. You won’t have backup if things go wrong.” Stacy wasn’t yelling, but her voice was rising.

“Of course. It’s the nature of the spy business,” Kuran said.

“But it’s not fully sanctioned by the admiral, my Nobek.” Rihep finally spoke in his typical mild tone.

“Not contradicted either. He understands the stakes, which go beyond assassination attempts on other leaders. I’m not going alone.

Nobek Selt is accompanying me, as well as a couple others.

We’ll contact fellow spies on those colonies.

I’m not playing the lone avenger.” Though he would have if the situation had been otherwise.

Stacy shook her head and turned her back on him.

“Who’ll be in charge of Stacy’s safety while you’re gone?” Rihep asked.

Relief filled Kuran at the unspoken agreement to let him go.

“Dramok Deram is in charge of the spy contingent until I or Admiral Piras return. Deram plans to have two phased bodyguards in Stacy’s vicinity at all times while she’s on Earth or outside our quarters when she’s on the station.

Chief Adams on Earth, since he’s unaware of the Kalquorian presence we maintain there, also has an armed detail watching her when she’s planetside. ”

“It sounds like the bases are covered.” The steely glint returned to Rihep’s eyes. “I expect you to return as quickly as is feasible. I understand you might do so bearing a few marks of honor, but I insist on my clanmate coming home in one piece.”

“As you command, my Dramok.” Love filled Kuran’s heart.

Etnil insisted on a hug. The Nobek held him tight, wanting his clanmate to feel what he meant to him.

“Don’t get killed, okay? I drive people crazy. I need you here to stop me from getting my ass kicked hourly.” Etnil’s voice caught.

“Wear your running shoes until I get back.” Kuran teased after swallowing the knot in his throat. He turned last to Stacy. “Will you send me off without a word, my Matara?”

“I should. I’ve never been so mad—” A sob interrupted her, and she swung around. The next instant, she was in his arms, her face buried in his chest. Her words were muffled, but he deciphered them. “I won’t forgive you if you don’t return.”

“I love you too.” He kissed the top of her head.

She yanked herself free and went to Etnil, who held her as she cried. The Imdiko and Rihep gazed at him, their eyes bleak.

Kuran took it as his cue to go. He picked up the travel bin he’d set by the door and left.

––––––––

S tacy’s tears tapered off just as the door announce buzzed a few minutes later. “Who’s expecting company?” Rihep asked, pulling loose of the knot the trio had formed in the wake of Kuran’s departure.

“Must be one of those ass-kicking types I told Kuran about,” Etnil muttered, swiping at his eyes.

Stacy shook her head, drying her own wet cheeks. “I doubt it’s for me. Better not be. I’ve had all I can take where surprises are concerned.”

The buzz sounded again.

Etnil made as if to dash for the door, his usual shenanigans taking hold. “I’ll be your shield, my Matara. No one will get past me.”

Rihep grabbed him by the shoulder and restrained him. “Security is posted outside. Kuran told us they wouldn’t let anyone who doesn’t have clearance get this close. Who is it?” he called.

“You sure took your time to answer. Did you have to chain Etnil up in the basement to keep him from doing something dumb?”

Stacy’s heart leapt. It was her turn to hurry toward the door. “Come in, Toni.”

She was set to hug her sister the instant she walked in, but the woman who entered first brought her to a standstill. Stacy squealed in little-girl delight. “Mom! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? This is wonderful!”

“Mother Rosa is here!” As the women embraced, Etnil wrapped them both in his arms and lifted them off the floor. “Join in, Toni. Let me see if I can hug you all at once.”

The youngest Nichols shook her head. “Lunatic, your arms aren’t that long.”

“Ah, you want me all to yourself.” He waggled his brows suggestively as he set Stacy and Rosa down.

“Only when there’s a cliff nearby to push you off while I have no witnesses.” She laughed as they engaged in their usual banter.

Rihep took his turn to hug Rosa while Toni halfheartedly tried to ward Etnil off. As usual, he swung her in circles until she threatened to puke on him.

Stacy ignored their shenanigans. “Mom, what brings you to Earth? Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine, so don’t fuss over me. I’m here because the Nichols clan needs to have a talk. I thought it best we do so in person.”

“Am I a Nichols? I want to be a Nichols. I bet you have the best secrets.” Etnil carried Toni close, his expression eager like a puppy.

Stacy glanced at Rihep. The Dramok plucked Toni from his Imdiko and set her next to Rosa, out of Etnil’s reach. “You and I are going shopping for a nice dinner in honor of Matara Rosa’s and Toni’s visit. No argument, or I’ll drag you around the station’s market area in a headlock.”