Cassandra's Challenge (76 page)

“High Admiral Valerian’s office.” Valerian’s
assistant answers.

“This is Zafar, put me through.”

“I’m sorry Admiral he’s not receiving your
calls.”

“Put me through Lanier, or your nephew will be
facing Royal treason.”

“What!”

“You got him into this Lanier let’s see if the
High Admiral will get him out.” Seconds later Valerian comes on the
line.

“What is it Zafar!” Valerian demands.

“I’m calling to see what you want me to do with
your spy, High Admiral.”

“Excuse me!”

“Ensign Paa. The one you order to report to you
the movements of the Royals in the House of Protection.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about Zafar.
That would be treason. Palaces’ are sovereign ground. The Coalition
has no power there unless asked by the Monarch themselves.” The
Admiral watches Paa pale.

“So you’re saying you didn’t order Ensign Paa’s
to report the movements of Princess Cassandra and her niece to you.
That you didn’t give him a personal comm,” he picks up the second
comm on his desk. “Didn’t receive reports from him?” He scrolls
through the comm, seeing transmission times.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. If you
insinuate anything else I’ll destroy you.” The High Admiral is
furious that he’s been found out. “Paa is
your
problem, do
with him whatever you want.” Valerian ends the transmission.

“There seems to be some discrepancy’s
Ensign.”

“Sir, I swear to you sir, the High Admiral gave
me orders.”

“He specifically said, ‘I order’, to you.”
William hammers him.

“I…no…he said he wanted my help…that it would
help save lives.”

“And
he
gave you the personal comm.”

“No my Uncle did, he came to the Palace, the day
we arrived and gave it to me.”

“All this
after
I gave you the option to
not be involved.”

“The High Admiral said I would be more useful
here.”

“I’m sure he did.” William looks at
Cassandra.

She’s been listening, while no one else in the
room is surprised that Valerian has denied everything, Paa is
shocked and devastated. Valerian has just destroyed the young man’s
belief in his commander. He is no longer the innocent young man
he’d been just a short time ago. While her expression doesn’t
change William can see the sadness in her eyes.

“Princess.” The Admiral brings all eyes to her.
“Your opinion.” Paa’s head whips around and she sees she’s not
wrong. He’s pale with a lost look on his face and looking at her
like she’s his executioner. She walks forward to stand beside the
Admiral.

“The High Admiral is an ass hole.”

“Agreed,” The Admiral’s eyes flash at her. “But
with regards to Ensign Paa.” Cassandra gives him a considering look
then turns her attention to Marat.

“Chief Marat,” His eyes lock with hers, she can
see the guilt. “Would you explain to me why you chose Ensign Paa to
be part of the security force?”

“Princess, Ensign Paa while young was at the
head of his class at the Academy. He showed a natural ability in
the security and defense. He excelled on the Retribution and with
his heritage an obvious choice.”

“His heritage?”

“Paa’s grandfather was High Admiral, before
Valerian Princess.” Colonel Tar answers for Marat.

“You knew him Colonel?”

“Yes Princess. He led by example. He was killed
in battle saving multiple crew.” There was no doubt of Tar’s
respect for Paa’s grandfather.

“So Ensign Paa’s subterfuge is totally
unexpected.”

“Yes Princess.”

“Lieutenant Zafar, you’re opinion.”

“Princess, I’d never met Ensign Paa until our
arrival on Carina. I’d heard good things about him on the
Retribution, from people whose opinions I trust.”

“So you’re finding out he’s been reporting the
Valerian on the movement of myself and Victoria surprises you.”

“Definitely.”

She turns her gaze to Paa. It’s obvious to her
that the High Admiral has chosen his patsy well. A young, still
idealistic man, who is trying to follow in his grandfather’s
footsteps, who up until a few minutes ago, believed the current
High Admiral was like his grandfather, honest and true. One no one
would ever suspect.

“Admiral.”

“Yes Princess.”

“Paa’s uncle.”

“He is not blood. Ensign Paa’s father was High
Admiral Paa’s only son. Lanier married Hargrove’s third
daughter.”

“You knew the High Admiral personally.”

“Yes Princess, he was a good High Admiral, a
better man.”

Cassandra heard the respect in William’s voice
for the late High Admiral, had heard it in all their voices. Yes,
Valerian had chosen well, the fucking jerk.

Ensign Paa sees the Princess’ eyes harden and
knows he’s finished. He deserves to be, he’s shamed his
grandfather’s memory.

“Ensign Paa.” Cassandra waits until he makes eye
contact. “I said it earlier. The decision regarding you is a
military one. Admiral Zafar will make that decision. That being
said,” She turns to look at William. “If it’s your decision that
Ensign Paa stays part of the security force I will not oppose it,
but he has no contact with Victoria.”

“Understood Princess.” He gives her a slight
nod. Nodding back she gives Paa one last look then leaves the
room.

Paa stands shocked at the Princess’ comments and
exit. Turning his eyes to the Admiral’s he realizes he’s not clear
yet.

“Sit Ensign.” The Admiral orders. “Marat, remove
the restraints.” As he does Paa rubs his wrists.

“Can you work the schedule so Paa’s never
alone?”

“The only place for that is exterior door
security Admiral.” Marat answers.

“He is issued no comm, no weapon.”

“Yes Admiral.” Paa’s eyes widen, he doesn’t
understand what’s happening.

“Colonel?”

“I agree Admiral.”

“Lucas?” William realizes his son is going to
have a hard time with this.

“He stays away from Victoria.” Paa sees the
deadly look in Lucas’ eye.

“Yes, and Cassandra.” The Admiral allows Paa to
understand the closeness of his relationship with the Princess. “I
would like a few minutes alone with Ensign Paa.” The Admiral looks
at the three men in the room.

“Shut the door Quinn.” The Admiral stares down
Paa as the door shuts. “Does Valerian have anyone else in the
security force?”

“No sir, I’m sure of it.”

“Why?”

“Because the High Admiral told me I was vital in
the protection of the Coalition.” The Admiral nods.

“Understand me Ensign. If you endanger my family
again, I won’t care who your grandfather was. Your family will
never find your body. Do you understand?”

“Yes Admiral.”

“Report to Marat.”

“Yes sir.” Paa rises quickly heading for the
door, than stops and turns back to William.

“Why?”

“You’re questioning your good fortune Ensign?”
The Admiral raises an eyebrow.

“Yes sir.” Paa stands at attention. “I gave you
my loyalty then betrayed it. I reported locations of Royals. The
Princess knows this. Why am I not being arrested?”

The Admiral leans back in his chair. It took a
great deal of inner strength for Paa to stand there, after
Valerian’s betrayal, and question him. It shows he’s already
learned that to accept blindly is to be blind.

“You’re not being arrested because the Princess
sees something in you. She understands that Valerian used you, than
abandoned you. She realizes he chose you
because
of who your
grandfather was. That you would believe what he told you because of
that. He used your youth and inexperience against you.” The Admiral
stands.

“She’s not that much older than I am Admiral.
That was one of the High Admiral’s reasons for her using you.”

“Cassandra uses no one.” He stares at Paa. “I’ll
tell you something not that many know Paa. Cassandra’s father and
brother were both members of shock troops. She understands how the
military works, knows that not all those in command should be
there. She’s giving you a second chance, she’s not trusting you,”
William gives him a hard look. “Chances are you’ll never be trusted
by her again. But she’s not going to destroy you for doing what you
honestly believed was right. She could, but she won’t. She believes
in justice, that the innocent shouldn’t pay for the guilty.
Dismissed.”

“Yes sir.”

He finds Cassandra alone in their suite.

“Tell me.” He walks up behind her, his arms
going around her as she stares out the window.

“What did you decide?” She counters.

“He’ll be standing guard with no comm, no
weapon. You didn’t have to give him a second chance.”

“Neither did you.” She turns in his arms. “Fuck
Valerian. Paa is an innocent.”

“Yes he is, now tell me.”

Cassandra looks up at him. “After you left, I
couldn’t get back to sleep. Someone is a hell of a kisser.” She
gives him slight smile

“Thank you.” He smiles back at her.

“But suddenly I had this
need
for fudge
torta. Your son is somewhat demanding.”

“You had a craving?”

“Oh, just a really big one. So I went down to
the kitchen to get a slice. I overheard Paa talking to Valerian. He
didn’t see me.”

“You were in the kitchen alone?”

“Just me and the fudge torta.”

“You should have called Hutu.” William’s eyes
are hard.

“It was early there was no reason to bother
him.”

“There became one.”

“William….”

“You could have been hurt.” He grips her
arms.

“That kid wasn’t going to hurt me.” Her voice is
dismissive.

“Kid! He’s a highly trained member of the
Coalition.” William gives her a slight shake.

“That may be but he’s still a child, at least he
was until Valerian betrayed him.”

“He’s only four cycles younger than you.”

“I haven’t been that young and naive since my
mother died.” Cassandra rests her hands on his chest, letting the
beat of his heart comfort her.

“Did you ever get your fudge torta?” He pulls
her close knowing it still hurt her, her father sending her
away.

“No.” She looks up at him, pouting slightly. “By
the time everything settled Victoria was up. I didn’t think it
would set a very good example to have it for breakfast, I got
loblolly instead.”

William can’t help but smile at her, “I suppose
I could be convinced to have Hutu send you up a piece.” Her eyes
sparkle into his.

“Really?” Sliding her arms up his chest she
pulls his head down. “What would it take to ‘convince’ you?”

William crushes her to him. Things could have
gone very differently in the kitchen, he could have lost her. Her
and their son. Breaking off the kiss he frames her face with his
hands.

“You’ll rest.”

“What?” Cassandra’s mind isn’t fully
engaged.

“After the fudge torta you’ll rest.”

“That’s blackmail.” She frowns at him.

“Yes it is.” He’s not the least apologetic.

“I still need to get through Kyle’s Intel.” She
argues back.

“Fudge Torta….” He dangles the temptation.

“Sometimes you are just mean.” She smiles to
soften her words. “Get me the torta and I’ll lay down for
awhile.”

“Until 1300.”

“William!”

“That’s the deal.”

“And hard headed.” But she knows she’s lost.

Kyle’s been able to compile a great deal of
information in a short period of time. She’s impressed, it’s
through and well presented. Standing she walks over to the window,
letting her mind filter through it, not noticing the darkening
skies.

So long ago….it started so long ago….all because
of a birthmark. Sabah’s birthmark that she’d passed on to her
daughter and granddaughters. That the Regulians had documented when
her grandmother had been abducted, over fifty years ago. That Olah
discovered when he was translating the data from the captured
Regulian ship, captured by William during the Battle of Fayal data
that Olah passed on to Prince Audric.

Prince Audric, born on Messene, the planet were
Royals went to get away. Born to commoners, both his parents
working as servants. For some reason Queen Hestia, Yakira’s mother
had taken a liking to him. She’d paid for him to be educated,
trained. During that time he became friends with Vane, Yakira’s
intended. He’d been climbing with Vane when he’d had his
‘accident’. It had been blamed on faulty equipment. The man in
charge of the climb had sworn that the equipment was brand new and
in perfect condition, he’d inspected it himself. Several weeks late
he was found dead, an apparent suicide, the note he’d left stating
he could no longer live knowing he’d been responsible for Vane’s
death.

But the most interesting thing she’d learned was
that Audric had a genetic condition. A very rare condition found
only in those born on Messene, it affected his eyes. In certain
lighting they would seem to ‘sparkle’, or ‘glitter’ to a two year
old.

Turning from the window she walks back to the
comm, pulling up a picture of Audric. He’s standing beside Queen
Yakira, their son next to his mother, their daughter in front. A
very stiff formal picture with no one touching, while there’s no
doubt the children are brother and sister neither child resembled
Audric. Interesting. Would Victoria recognize him? Does she put her
through it?

She’s done so much better since the thread was
removed. No more nightmares with the Glitter Man. She’s gotten a
little slice of her childhood back. She can ran and laugh with
Amina, even with the destruction of Earth, the death of her
parents, she’s finding joy. Does she put her through it?

“You’re thinking awfully hard.” William walks
over to see what she’s staring at on the screen. “The Royal
family.”

“Hmmm.”

“What are you thinking?”