CassaFire (21 page)

“
I want to know what you intend to do next,” Orellen demanded, his fist coming down on the table. “Everyone in Ktren is terrified of another explosion that might very well take out half our population in a rockslide.”

“
Sir, I don’t think that’s a possibility,” Seheller countered, his gaze shifting to the commander. “This was an isolated incident…”

“
Isolated incident?” bellowed the prefect, his face flushing red. “Two of my men are dead!”

“
Prefect Orellen,” said Korden, his voice ringing with authority. “We are equally distressed over this incident. I don’t want a repeat of yesterday’s explosion either. I am going to maintain a full security team on site while we search for answers. Officer Seheller, your men are to exercise extreme caution. Understood?”

“
Yes, sir.”

“
The High Command expects a full report by tomorrow morning,” the commander announced, glancing at his computer pad. “They are contemplating sending a flagship as well, to secure the area.”

That news surprised Byron. He wondered which flagship would grace the skies of Tgren and for how long. Perhaps he could secure replacement parts for his Darten.

“
Officer Progar, what is the status of the injured?” Korden asked, turning to the senior medical officer.

“
Two men are critical, including Ullen, whose mind is still unresponsive. The other four are recovering. On the surface, five of the men have already been released from the Ktren facility, and the other three should be discharged by tomorrow morning.” The man paused and shook his head. “Considering the condition of those we received here on the Rennather, it’s a miracle we didn’t lose more men.”

Korden glanced at Byron. “We have the response time of our senior pilot to thank for that small mercy. Not to mention the safe transport of the injured by several pilots, including one of your own, Prefect Orellen.”

The Tgren man nodded, although the praise appeared to do little to ease his aggravation. Byron did not look forward to the return trip to the surface.

The commander requested further information on the items recovered from the site. Another officer filled him in on the details, giving a list of the salvaged equipment. Korden stressed again that those working the site were to proceed with caution before he dismissed the men.

“
Commander, I would like to see the remaining Tgren in your medical facility before I return to the surface,” the prefect announced as the men rose to their feet. “Ullen’s family would feel better if I confirmed his condition with my own eyes. They fear he is already dead.”

“
Of course, Prefect Orellen.”

Byron retreated from the room, his thoughts grim. He returned to his shuttle to await the prefect. The hanger chief intercepted the pilot and informed him of additional passengers. Byron noted two scientists and a security guard on the list, all destined for the alien site. He would have to make several stops before he could visit Mevine.

Entering his shuttle, he surveyed the condition of his ship. After a long day of ferrying men back and forth from one location to another, he’d collapsed in his quarters on Tgren late last night. Byron had forced himself to rise early this morning and scrub the streaks of blood from the shuttle floor in anticipation of the prefect’s ride to the Rennather. His ship was now clean, but he’d run out of time to visit Mevine. Byron still wanted to check on his friend.

At least I didn’t have to clean the ship by myself, he thought, a smirk crossing his face. Athee had arrived shortly after he began and scrubbed the floor at his side. The bloodstains were a grim reminder of yesterday’s tragic event, but somehow, her presence had made the job bearable.

Byron’s three new passengers arrived first. He helped them secure their belongings and fasten flight harnesses. The prefect had protested the confining device, transferring his fury over yesterday’s incident to the harness, his first flight into space, and at any individual within earshot. Byron hoped their return flight would be more pleasant or at least quieter.

Orellen arrived moments later, his security guard in tow. Byron greeted the man as he entered the shuttle. The prefect hesitated, his eyes on the other three passengers. Byron caught a flicker of annoyance, which did not surprise him. It was the anxiety in the man that caught his attention. For all his irritated bluster, Orellen was afraid to ride again within the confines of the main compartment. Clenching his fists, Byron decided to offer the man something far more appealing than the cargo hold.

“
Sir, would you prefer to ride up front?” he asked, gesturing toward the cockpit. “Your niece always enjoys the view from the co-pilot’s seat.”

Orellen cast him a suspicious look before gazing into the cockpit. Byron sensed curiosity. The prefect turned to his guard and told the man to take a seat with the others. Byron assured the Tgren was properly fastened in his harness before returning to the cockpit to assist Orellen. The man was absorbed with the view outside the main window. The prefect did not protest the restraints this time. Byron took his seat and prepared for liftoff.

“
My niece has spoken highly of your training sessions,” the prefect offered as the shuttle passed through the second set of doors.

“
She’s an outstanding pilot, sir,” said Byron, his gaze fixed on the stars beyond the hanger bay.

“
Yes, she is, but I was referring to your psychic sessions together.”

Orellen’s interest in the matter surprised him. “She has learned to master her abilities quite well, sir. Her telepathic skills are exceptional. In addition, Athee has assisted with numerous jumps and understands the concept of teleportation to my satisfaction.”

The shuttle entered space, curving away from the Rennather. Byron reached for the teleporter and its energy pulsated in his mind. Visualizing his destination, his mental powers matched that of the unit. Byron performed the jump without error. Emerging over the valley, he heard the prefect gasp. He struggled to contain the smirk that appeared on his face. At least teleportation impressed the man.

“
My niece can do that?” Orellen asked in astonishment.

“
Yes, sir. She’s performed the maneuver on her own on many occasions.”

The prefect shifted in his seat, his attention on Ktren as they approached the city. “Shame she’ll have no use for that talent.”

Yeah, it is a shame, Byron thought. It would be many years before the Tgrens achieved that level of space flight.

He dropped the prefect off first before flying to the alien ruins. Crews had set to work on cleanup this morning, and battered equipment lay strewn across the ground outside the cave entrance. At some point today, he and Garnce would return the damaged items to the Rennather. It seemed he would endure another long, hard day.

Assuring the senior security officer that he would return soon, Byron flew to the Tgren city. If he didn’t visit Mevine this morning, he wouldn’t have an opportunity to see him until tonight.

Byron found the young man pouring over his computer pad notes. Mevine offered a broad grin and gestured to his pad.

“
I didn’t lose any data,” he said, relief radiating from his thoughts.

“
That’s good,” Byron replied. “Considering the state of the equipment I just observed at the site, you’re fortunate.”

“
I’d noticed a similarity between the alien symbols and the Tgren’s written language. I’d entered the data and run the information through all encryption codes minutes before the explosion. I thought I’d lost all of it.”

“
But you didn’t?”

“
No, sir. And several of the Tgren letters match new alien symbols, so I may be on to something.”

Byron smiled and offered his friend a nod of congratulation. He noticed a small basket on the bed beside Mevine. Peering inside, Byron realized it was full of Tgren sweets. He pointed at the basket.

“
Who brought you the treats?”

Mevine glanced at the basket and grinned. “Athee. She said it would make me feel better.”

And maybe put some weight on your frame, Byron thought. “That was nice of her.”

“
Want a piece?” the young man said, offering the basket to Byron.

“
No, those are for you to enjoy.”

Mevine leaned back against his pillow. “They said I can leave this afternoon. But no one is to stay overnight at the site. Officer Seheller said we were to seek lodging at the Cassan facility in town.”

I wondered why there was so much activity in the building this morning, Byron thought.

“
I wish I could’ve secured a room last night,” Mevine said with a frown. “I heard it’s already three men to a room and they’re sticking latecomers in a downstairs office.”

Byron shifted his position and exhaled a deep breath. He liked his privacy, but his friend’s plight tugged at his conscious.

“
If you need a room, you can stay in mine,” he offered.

“
Sir, I can’t do that!”

“
You’d rather sleep in an office with a dozen other men?”

“
No, but…”

“
Mevine, are you refusing the generosity of a senior officer?”

Spoken with authority, Byron’s question had the desired effect. The young man stared at him in surprise. Mevine wrestled with the idea a moment before Byron sensed his compliance.

“
No, sir,” he murmured.

“
Good, then it’s decided.”

Mevine’s brows came together. “Sir, I haven’t earned the right to share a room with a senior officer, certainly not one as prestigious as you.”

Byron smiled and patted his arm. “You’re not. You’re sharing a room with a friend.”

The tension drained from the young man’s face. He thanked Byron repeatedly.

“
I need to return to the site,” said Byron, overwhelmed by Mevine’s outpouring of emotions. “Let me know when you’re released, all right?”

Byron returned to the alien site, his thoughts preoccupied with the young man’s reaction. Mevine soaked up friendship like he was dying of thirst. Had no one ever expressed kindness toward the boy? Had Mevine never experienced the camaraderie of a good friend?

I didn’t have a real friend until I met Bassa, Byron thought. Considering how much that one relationship had changed his life, the least he could do was mentor Mevine.

He approached the thin landing strip. Byron caught site of a Tgren plane overhead, hugging the mountainside. It pulled away from the rock and performed a tight arc. He set the shuttle down and glanced up once more at the plane. Barreling down on his location, the craft’s wings dipped from side to side. The small plane skimmed low as it flew over the shuttle, its rumble loud enough to shake his ship. Byron grinned and shut off the shuttle’s engines. Only one Tgren pilot performed that maneuver.

As he exited the ship, the tiny plane rolled to a stop not far from his shuttle. Byron waited while the pilot cut the engines and emerged from the aircraft. The ever-present wind caught Athee’s hair as she approached, pulling it away from her face. She offered a grin and Byron responded in kind.

“
Waiting for me?” he teased.

“
I was surveying the mountain for rockslides or any other visible damage,” Athee admonished, slapping her gloves together. “It appears the blast was confined to the control room. It didn’t damage any of the rock plates.”

Byron nodded. “That’s good news. I just visited Mevine. He’s doing better. I appreciate the basket of treats you dropped off for him.”

“
Hopefully he’s eaten some of it.”

“
I think you’ve finally discovered his weakness. Maybe the boy will gain a few pounds while on Tgren.”

“
Officer Byron!”

He turned toward the speaker. His eyes caught the large stack of burned and twisted metal that was once science equipment. Byron’s gaze continued to drift to the pile of damaged items as the science officer informed him it all needed to be returned to the Rennather. It would require several trips to transport all the equipment.

“
And I’m sorry, Officer Byron. We can only spare one person to help load the shuttle,” the man announced.

Byron’s shoulders sagged. Two men working on that pile would require all day to load the damaged equipment. He was about to protest when Athee’s voice rang in his head.

I’ll help you.

You helped me this morning. This will be some damned heavy lifting.

I don’t mind.

Byron knew it would do no good to argue the point further. Besides, he preferred her company. She bolstered his confidence and reminded him of forgotten joys. He just couldn’t reveal how much he enjoyed Athee’s presence. His feelings toward the Tgren woman were already far too transparent.

Outfitted with heavy gloves, the three of them began loading the shuttle. Byron located several thick cargo blankets. He used the padding to protect the floor and walls. Soot and debris fell off the damaged equipment, covering both the shuttle’s main compartment and those carrying the loads. Byron discouraged Athee from lifting the heavier items although she was more than willing. The Tgren woman’s frame was slight, but it contained an amazing amount of strength and stamina. Her consistent work ethic kept Byron plodding forward, determined not to drop before his petite helper.