CassaFire (22 page)

At last, the pile of equipment whittled down to nothing. Byron secured the final piece, his muscles protesting the effort. He wanted nothing more than to wash off the black soot and enjoy a decent meal. The hanger crew would attend to this final load and Byron decided they could clean the shuttle as well. He did not feel like scrubbing his ship twice in one day.

Returning to the main compartment, he found Athee sweeping sand and grit out the open hatch. She paused in her efforts as he approached and leaned against the shuttle wall. Her face boasted several dark smudges where she’d wiped her face with a dirty sleeve. Feeling the itch from soot in his hair, Byron suspected his appearance fared no better.

“
One more trip,” he announced, his voice as tired as his body. “And tomorrow, if anything remains, Garnce gets the honor.”

Athee blew a long strand of hair away from her face. “How did he get out of it today?”

“
He’s been busy ferrying people back and forth,” replied Byron, grasping a handle overhead. “Claimed there was no need for both shuttles to get dirty.”

“
And you bought that excuse?”

“
I didn’t feel like dealing with Garnce today. He would’ve made this job miserable for all of us.”

He brushed aside his hair and glanced at his helper. Athee gripped the broom in both hands and offered a tired smile. Byron managed to return the gesture, grateful for her assistance.

“
Want a good dinner when you return?” she asked.

Byron laughed. “You have enough energy to prepare a meal?”

“
No, but I have enough energy to locate one.”

“
You’re on, then.”

He returned to the Rennather, renewed energy coursing through his body. Byron informed the hanger crew they had less than an hour to unload and clean his shuttle. His stomach already rumbled from lack of food. Byron didn’t want to delay the prospect of a good meal any longer than it took him to clean up and report to the commander.

Korden cautioned him to remain on alert. Any evening transports would fall to Garnce unless they were overwhelmed with requests. After a day of backbreaking work, Byron was relieved. It provided some uninterrupted time with Athee as well. It surprised him how much he looked forward to sharing a meal with her this evening.

Damn it, she’s getting to you, he thought as he entered the hanger. When did you become so gullible?

Sir?

Mevine’s hesitant voice was just above a whisper in his mind.
Yes, Mevine?

You wanted to know when I was released. They’re transporting me to the Cassan facility in a few minutes.

I’m heading back to the surface now,
Byron answered. He reached his shuttle and the crew chief informed him it was clean and ready for flight.
I’ll meet you there.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

And then maybe I can finally eat, he thought.

Mevine was waiting in the central hallway when Byron arrived. The young man’s bag was slung over his shoulder and his good arm lay wrapped around several rolls of bedding. He straightened his back as Byron approached. The movement caused two blankets to slip from his grasp.

“
I’ll get those,” Byron announced, retrieving the bedding from the floor. Mevine would never make it up the stairs without assistance.

“
Thank you, sir,” the young man stammered.

Byron led the way to his room. The smell of food emanating from the kitchen and small dining hall taunted his senses. He’d notified Athee of his arrival time, explaining the need to get Mevine settled in his quarters. She’d agreed to meet him at the facility and he expected her in a few minutes. If dinner resided more than five minutes from the facility, Byron was certain he’d drop from starvation.

His quarters were small, but there was room for Mevine’s makeshift bed. Byron helped him unroll the padding and blankets. Noting the boy’s trembling shoulders, he asked Mevine if he’d eaten.

“
No, sir, I haven’t.”

“
I’ll show you to the dining hall then,” said Byron. “And we’re off duty, Mevine. Drop the sir.”

“
Yes…” the young man said, his mouth closing before the word could escape. Byron smiled and patted his good shoulder.

“
Come on.”

Once on the first floor again, Byron directed Mevine down a short hall. The sound of voices and clanking dinnerware was obvious now. “All the way to the end. You can’t miss it.”

Mevine hesitated, his brows pulled together. “You’re not eating?”

“
I’m taking my meal elsewhere tonight,” he answered, giving Mevine a gentle push toward the dining hall.

His friend’s eyes displayed puzzlement. Byron kept his expression neutral, hoping to avoid an explanation. To his dismay, Mevine’s face broke into a mischievous grin. An image of Athee escaped the young man’s thoughts.

“
Go on!” Byron said, unable to suppress a guilty smile at Mevine’s lucky guess.

He stepped outside and squinted at the final rays of sun poking over the horizon. The Cassan security guard nodded and stood at attention as Byron strode past the man. After yesterday’s incident, the Cassan facility was now guarded in case of Tgren backlash or protest. The people of Ktren had remained calm and civil thus far. Byron hoped the trend would continue. They didn’t need a riot.

Athee waited at the bottom of the steps. Attired in a dark green tunic and matching, calf-length pants, her appearance was a vast improvement over this afternoon. After viewing himself in the mirror during his final trip to the Rennather, Byron suspected she entertained similar thoughts about him.

“
Hungry?” she asked, smiling in eager anticipation.

“
I’m starving. And if I have to travel farther than two blocks, you’re in trouble.”

“
Good thing it’s just around the corner.”

As promised, their walk was short. Athee led him into a single story building covered in vines with tiny blue flowers. The interior boasted a similar design painted on the walls, with a kitchen to their left and several round tables to their right. In addition to small bulbs in the ceiling, candles residing on tables and affixed to the walls bathed the room with an inviting glow. A large set of double doors opened onto a covered courtyard out back. Byron noticed more tables surrounding a small fountain. However, what struck him was the smell. The most delicious aromas drifted from the kitchen, causing him to salivate in anticipation of a flavorful meal.

Athee greeted the owners, who cried with delight to see the young woman. She requested a table in the courtyard and Byron noticed the curious stares of the other diners as they passed. He wondered if it was the presence of a Cassan or the identity of the man accompanying the prefect’s niece that drew attention. He pretended not to notice and followed Athee to their table.

Two glasses of Jtal were placed before them. Byron allowed his companion the honor of ordering. She promised he would enjoy her selection.

“
I’d eat anything at this point,” he told her, lifting the glass to his lips.

“
The food here is excellent. You won’t be disappointed.”

Byron stretched his sore legs. “I appreciated your help today.”

“
It was no problem,” she answered, clasping her fingers together on the table. “I’m tired, but hard work never scared me.”

“
Surprised you’re not tired of my company.”

Athee beamed, her eyes bright. “Not at all.”

Feeling self-conscious, Byron reached for his drink. The sentiment is mutual, he thought.

“
How is Mevine?” she asked.

“
No worse for wear and eager to return to work.”

“
That was nice of you to let him stay in your quarters.”

“
He refused at first, but I told Mevine he had no choice. Besides, the boy would’ve been miserable crammed in that tiny office with a dozen other men.”

“
He really admires you.”

Spoken with conviction, Athee’s observation caused him to smile. “I know. He admitted he wanted to be a pilot because of me, too. Probably a good thing he chose another path.”

“
I can’t picture Mevine as a pilot,” Athee said with a laugh.

“
He’d never make it through training,” Byron stated. “No, Mevine’s better as a linguist. Just needs some confidence.”

“
Is that part of the reason you’re friends with him?”

Byron shrugged. “I know how he feels. It’s tough when no one believes in you.”

“
Was Bassa the first to believe in you?” she asked.

His eyes dropped to his drink. Athee already knew Bassa’s name. She might as well know the importance of his friend.

“
Yes,” Byron admitted.

Her hand came into view and Athee’s dainty fingers wrapped around his. Byron looked up and she smiled.

I believe in you,
she thought.

Athee’s open mind revealed the depths of her certainty. It had been years since he felt such genuine faith. Resisting the urge to shield, Byron smiled and returned her gentle grasp.

Thank you.

He caught more stirring in her thoughts, but the arrival of their dinner broke the connection. The enticing smells were overwhelming and Byron’s thoughts shifted to his empty stomach. After a long, hard day of work, this meal would taste like pure bliss.

Conversation continued while they ate and focused on lighter topics. Recalling the festival, Byron realized he enjoyed Athee’s company even without the possibility of physical pleasures lurking in his mind. Her spirit was intoxicating. He forgot the day’s troubles in no time. She was a genuine person, something he didn’t encounter often, and Byron wanted to relish the experience. They lingered at the table long after their empty plates vanished and the building emptied of patrons.

Night had fallen when they stepped onto the street. Athee stretched her back and stifled a yawn.

“
I feel the same way,” Byron told her. After a good meal, he was ready for sleep. He hoped Mevine didn’t snore, or the lad would discover his bed in the hallway.

Officer Byron!

The commander’s mental voice startled him.
Sir?

I need you to collect Officer Seheller and return to the Rennather at once.

He was exhausted, but not about to question the order. Not when Korden’s tone suggested a dire need.
Yes, sir. I’m on my way.

“
What’s wrong?” said Athee. She taken several steps before realizing Byron was not at her side.

“
I need to return to the ship,” he explained. “Are you all right walking home by yourself?”

“
Of course. What happened?”

“
The commander didn’t say.” Byron grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you for dinner. Best part of my day for sure!”

He returned to the Cassan compound. Officer Seheller met him on the steps and suggested they take one of the transportation carts. Byron despised the awkward vehicles, but he was too tired to run all the way to his shuttle. Seheller had apparently driven on several occasions and guided the noisy cart through the streets in record time.

Once on the Rennather, they were told to meet the commander in his office. They discovered Korden, Anceptor, and the senior security officer waiting. The heavy mood in the room, not to mention the commander’s grave expression, alerted Byron that something was indeed very wrong.

“
Men, we just received word that we’ll soon have company,” Korden stated. “Long range scanners picked up a large craft in quadrant 637-118 bearing down on our location. At its current speed, it will arrive in less than two days. A flagship has been dispatched to intercept. Until we hear otherwise, we are to assume hostile intentions.”

Byron’s exhausted mind snapped into focus at once. The Rennather was armed, but it wasn’t strong enough to defend the entire planet.

“
Why would an alien vessel target Tgren?” the security officer asked. “These people aren’t a threat to anyone.”

“
Perhaps they seek Tgren’s resources,” Anceptor offered.

“
Or perhaps the appearance of this vessel isn’t a coincidence,” stated Korden, shifting his attention to Seheller.

“
You think it’s connected to the alien site? But why now? It’s been there over a thousand years.”

“
Maybe the events preceding the explosion triggered it,” Byron announced in a low voice.

Everyone’s attention shifted to Byron. Seheller began to disagree but the commander’s voice drowned out his protest.

“
That is a very real possibility. Officer Seheller!” said Korden, turning to the scientist. “I want to know everything your team has accessed so far, especially the information on Detrena’s computer pad. I want to know why that alien device exploded after scanning the Tgren, and if it did indeed send out a distress signal. Understood?”

“
Yes, sir.”

“
No more equipment goes to the surface, either. If we’re forced to evacuate, we won’t have time to retrieve more than our personnel without starting a panic among the Tgrens.”

The news unsettled Byron. “Are we going to warn them, sir?”

“
When we know more, we’ll meet with Prefect Orellen. No need to alarm his people without just cause. In the meantime, we’ll form a contingency plan for evacuation and focus on the data from the alien site.” Korden punched two buttons on his computer and peered at the screen. “The flagship will reach the vessel by morning. Once they’ve reported their findings, I’ll call a meeting with all officers and the prefect. Another flagship should arrive here tomorrow as well. High Command is taking no chances.”