CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3) (9 page)

Chelan released him and was practically airborne with excitement. “To Earth,” she squeaked.

Fremma nearly staggered backward. “Earth,” he repeated in astonishment.

“Yes, Earth. What enemy of the Empire would think to look for me there? In addition, you would be fulfilling your mission while adhering to Korba’s directive that I not be put at any risk. By your dropping me off on Earth, I avoid any exposure to battle. And it will serve as my temporary sanctuary. Let the powers that be think I have gone with Zane to Keros or wherever. You take me to Earth. And when you are finished with the Balatesian system, you pick me up.”

“But, Chelan,” Fremma protested, “Korba would still—”

“No, he wouldn’t! What’s he going to do, Fremma, lop your head off?”

“Yes! Or something similar.”

“No! You are one of his best, and you would not exactly be violating any orders or directives from him. And you would be serving my wishes concurrently.”

“I would be violating all his orders, and so would Zane!”

“No, he wants me relocated.”

“He wants you relocated to
Keros
.”

“And you think my plan is without merit?”

“But you don’t understand—” Fremma suddenly became silent, the ridiculous suggestion instantly transforming into a possibility. Exhilaration ensued, and Fremma felt a rush of adrenalin shoot through him. “There are some flaws surrounding your rather simplistic suggestion, my Lady, and much has to be planned. But what you put forth just may be viable.”

Chelan sprang at him, throwing her arms about his neck. “Oh, I love you, Fremma! All will be okay. You will see. No one would ever suspect that I am on RIBUS 7. And to the Palace Command, I am off to Keros. Once I am on Earth, no one would be the wiser. It is perfect. I will be safe there. After all, how can anyone scan for one little Earth woman among billions?”

Fremma held her tight while he tried to tame his raging thoughts. Dropping her off on Calley was the least of a long list of logistical problems. And though he relished the thought of taking her along, getting her beyond Korba’s grip was going to be a nearly insurmountable hurdle. If the Emperor sought immediate retribution for Chelan’s scenic tour to the sanctuary of her choice, Korba could hop a long-range high-speed fighter and catch RIBUS 7 in no time. From that point on, both his and Chelan’s futures would be far from certain. And even if he could get the RIBUS out of range before Chelan’s change in plans was noticed, Fremma still had to face the Emperor at some point. Even though he was essentially following Chelan’s orders, he was disobeying Korba’s, and Fremma knew Korba would hold him solely accountable for all the potential fallout.

But Fremma closed his eyes against any dismal thoughts. Right now, not only did he have to process all the ramifications of this abrupt change in what was already a chaotic situation, he also came to the sudden realization that he could have the beautiful alien woman in his arms for an unexpected and extended period of time. Right away he knew he would do anything to keep her with him for as long as he dared, and for as long as Korba permitted. All the other problems pertaining to Calley could be worked out during the six-month trip. But even that did not matter at the moment. As far as he was concerned, all that did matter was Chelan and her wishes, and he would grant them all if he could, as long as she was safe.

All eight engine rooms roared to life and RIBUS 7 was catapulted from Iceanea’s outer atmosphere. Once the massive battleship was clear of the solar system, the new drive system was engaged, folding both time and space, and she sprang into another dimension.

Fremma rounded the Bridge one last time, scrutinizing the displays and readouts. The new propulsion system was performing admirably so far, and he took a deep and calming breath.

Tarn watched his new Commander from under his brows but chose to remain silent for the moment. Finally, Fremma looked to him and spoke. “You have the command, Tarn. I will be in my quarters if you need me.”

All eyes on the Bridge suddenly landed on Tarn in uneasy anticipation. Tarn hesitated momentarily and then dared to ask his question. “When will you inform Korba of our passenger?”

Fremma glanced around at the edgy crew, their stillness an indication of their concern. Fremma mulled over the dilemma. “I am not sure,” he confessed. “That is what I propose to discuss with my Lady right now.”

Fremma’s navigator swiveled in his chair and faced his Warlord directly. “If I may be so bold, my Lord. Korba may choose to rain down his wrath directly on this ship once he hears the news. And that could be soon. It will not be long before he checks in with the Imperial Palace to find out that his Lady is on the wrong ship, going in the wrong direction.”

Fremma kept his features indecipherable while he juggled all possible scenarios, each one weighed against the strength of his friendship with the mighty yet deadly Emperor. “I can honestly not predict our Lord God’s reaction to the situation. But I assure you that RIBUS 7 is safe from all forms of retribution while the Lady Chelan is on board. Regardless, I want all eyes and patrols to scan for incoming fighters throughout the trip. Special attention must be paid while passing the Zeon sector. I want no unauthorized approaches by any vessels, no matter what their call signs or their stated business. If the Lady Chelan is removed from this ship, a feat attainable only by someone as brilliant and cunning as our Emperor, then it may well be that we become one of the largest and most spectacular novas in space.”

“Why is the Zeon sector so important?” Tarn asked.

“Because RIBUS 14 patrols that area right now. Orders from Korba could turn her into our executioner. No link with her has been authorized. If one is to be established, it will be a warning to us all. If everything goes as originally planned, we should pass that sector with no communication at all. Just remember that while tending your posts. Every decision you make should be based on the fact that the Empress must remain on board this vessel at all costs.”

Fremma studied the crew. “Only a select few of my personal security forces, my officers, and each and every one of you on this Bridge know the true situation, that the Lady Chelan is on board. It is imperative that this information remains absolutely classified for the entire duration of this mission. You are my best Bridge personnel, and I have no doubt you will protect my Lady’s agenda no matter what the fallout with his Lordship.”

Tarn and the rest of the crew nodded their understanding.

Fremma turned and left the Bridge, heading for the Command Center. Upon his entering, the main chair swiveled around and Chelan smiled up at him. “Good evening, my Lord. We are safely underway, I see.”

Fremma nodded and took the chair next to her. “We have to talk about Korba. All the top officers at the Palace were alerted to your departure and told of the sensitivity of the information surrounding your relocation, but they all assume you are with Zane on RIBUS 5. How long it takes Korba to learn of your trip diversion is contingent simply on how long it is before he checks in on you. Once he realizes—”

“Fremma,” Chelan said. “I have already sent a coded communiqué of the highest military classification to him explaining my decision and absolving you of any blame. He will receive it within the hour.”

Fremma sucked in a deep breath. “My Lady, the tour of duty to which RIBUS 10 is assigned, combined with our trajectory, puts us, very shortly, within extremely close quarters with one another. You may have just accelerated the fate of my crew and myself. Should Korba choose to abort your journey, he could be here within a couple of days.”

Chelan stood. “I understand that. I have thought it all through.” She moved over to Fremma and sat down in his lap, curling up like a contented Persian kitten. “This new plan is sound. Besides, he knows my feelings for you, dear Fremma. He would not harm you, for it would sever my link to him.”

Fremma smiled wryly. “You forget, my Lady, about our Lord God’s fierce protectiveness of you. He squashed the Galactic Empire overnight because of what Ticees did to you.”

“Ticees raped me, Fremma. You merely concurred with my suggestion. That is completely different.”

“And wiping the existence of RIBUS 7 from the history books and sending the Empire to its knees are also totally different, my Lady. The loss of RIBUS 7 would be akin to slapping a fly on the wall, relatively. At the very least, he could castrate me for this.”

Chelan’s eyes widened. “He would not do that and you know it. If Ticees escaped such a fate, so shall you.”

Fremma thoughts were catapulted back in time to the Emperor’s fall. He had wanted so badly to relieve the man of his genitals that it had taken Dar to prevent the deed from happening. The men of the Empire did not maim their victims, but Fremma had been willing to make an exception. Fremma looked down at Chelan. “No, but he could conceivably kill me.”

Chelan shook her head. “Look, when we first came to Iceanea, I asked him if he would grant me my wish of returning to Earth, and he said yes.” She looked up into Fremma’s concerned eyes. “And we both know this plan is more than reasonable. Zane agreed. So consider this my wish granted.”

Fremma gave her a weak smile. “Somehow I don’t think this is what Korba had in mind. But upon giving that some consideration, maybe my Lord will let this whole change in venue slide.”

“Fremma, he knows what supremely competent Commanders both you and Zane are. He will, therefore, see the wisdom of this plan. I will come to no harm on Earth, plus I will get to see my family once again. All the bases are covered. He will understand. You will see.”

Fremma smiled once again. “I pray that you are right, my Lady.”

Chelan smiled back. “Now scram. I know that you are supposed to be on the Bridge while fledgling engines spread their wings. Korba won’t understand if you put a ding in his precious RIBUS 7 on her maiden voyage. And besides, I need some sleep. After today’s excitement, the morning will come all too soon for me.”

Fremma stood and lowered her gently to her feet. His fingers stroked her pretty pink cheeks. “I wish I could stay with you tonight, my Lady,” he whispered.

Chelan hesitated as she looked up into his passionate eyes. “Maybe you can.”

Fremma kissed her briefly. Then he shook his head slowly. “It is best that I do not. Not until any kinks in the new drive are worked out.”

Chelan smiled. “Then I will see you in the morning.”

Fremma backed away from her. “I look forward to that, my Lady.”

Chelan watched as he turned in a flurry of black and left. “So do I,” she whispered. “So do I.”

Fremma sat in the command chair on the Bridge, watching the readouts scroll by. Tarn looked back at him over his shoulder. “She is performing superbly, Sire.”

Fremma smiled at him. “That she is, Commander. She is one beautiful ship. And with the new armaments—”

“Sire!” the helmsman called out. “High-speed fighter on direct intercept course.”

Fremma sprang to his feet. “Distance!”

“Five hundred million light-years and closing fast.”

Fremma and Tarn’s eyes meet. Fremma looked up at the central screen. “Identify.”

There was silence for a moment. “Imperial, my Lord. Long-range fighter. No call numbers displayed.”

“Communications!” roared Fremma.

“None, Sire.”

“Identify the pilot!”

“Negative, Sire: no body readouts. Everything is shielded.”

“Shields up!” ordered the Warlord brusquely. “Bring weapons to bear.”

Tarn gasped. “Weapons? You know as well as I who pilots that vessel!”

Fremma whirled to face his First Officer, the Warlord’s eyes igniting with a hot blue flame. “I know nothing of the kind. This is an Imperial battle cruiser, one of the most prized and sought-after vessels in the galaxy. And on her decks is the Empress, to be guarded at all costs! What I do know is that we are being overtaken by an unidentified hostile fighter that refuses to acknowledge our hails. She is nowhere near capable of downing the RIBUS, but her weapons could inflict serious and preventable damage. As long as the Lady Chelan is on board this vessel, I take no risks. Is that understood?”