Ice and Peace (15 page)

“I wouldn’t have passed that class without your help. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Those days were simple. The only thing we had to worry about was not pissing off the company commander.”

“I miss that simplicity.”

“Me too.” Gadison sipped the scotch. “At the academy, they prepared us for what it seemed like every eventuality but nothing prepares you for this. You just have to experience it to know what it’s like. You remember your first CS cruise?”

Keegan chuckled. “I remember it well.”

Gadison shook his head. “I lost my lunch, my dinner, and my breakfast for the next day.”

The two laughed raucously.

“I remember thinking, ‘God, why I am here? I could be back home sitting on the beach somewhere,’” Keegan said “And then my duty officer, walked up to me, handed me a towel to wipe the slobber off my face. He looked at me, and I’m sure I was as green as the slime on the side of a boat. He smiled and said, ‘Son, now you’re a man.’”

Gadison smirked. “Did you feel like one?”

“I felt like the bottom of his shoe.”

“But you know, at the end of that cruise, I did feel like one. Because I knew I did it, and it didn’t do me. What about you?”

Keegan poured him another glass of Scotch. “The same thing.”

The two clinked glasses and drank another round.

“Last I heard, you were on a DRS. In signals,” Keegan said.

“I was. Good at it, too, but it’s a hard life. I knew I couldn’t do that for too long. Besides Intel offers better hours.”

“Married?”

“Yep. We have two teenage girls.”

“Congratulations.” Keegan sighed, put his glass aside.

“Thanks.”

“What’s your wife’s name?”

“Elizabeth. She’s talking about adding an extension onto the house. I have no idea why. I guess to spend more money.”

“Maybe….” Keegan imagined a girl of his own with Caitlin. She’d have his wife’s dark skin and thick hair, along with her fiery spirit, but now, where did their argument leave him?

“We’re already considering where the girls will go to college. My oldest wants to attend the academy, too. We have a couple of years before that happens. But my wife still worries.”

“What about you?”

Gadison smiled and looked down. “I worry, too.”

Unlike Gadison’s wife, his own was right here, yet she seemed so far away. They hadn’t had a civil conversation in ages, and when he’d hoped to, she’d thrown a bunch of bull at him. He missed her and wanted to be with her. Except he didn’t have the luxury to show her his desire, to show her how important she was to him. He had no choice but to keep away.

Going down to see her in the cryo quarters unexpectedly was like the pope visiting a leper colony—it was a big deal. And he didn’t want it to be. He just wanted some privacy. Some time alone with her where they could be themselves. No rules, no regulations—living like they had at home.

“This whole thing is getting pretty damn hot,” Gadison commented. “Doctor Rimmer, the facility, this whole mess.”

“Yep.” Keegan finished the last of his drink and set the glass aside. He was at his limit. “Has she been awakened?”

“No. Doctor Roesner or whatever its name is could be hiding in one of a million places here. And the handful of people we have is just not going to cut it. We need more help.”

“What do you suggest?” Keegan asked. He had been thinking the same thing earlier.

“It’s your ship.”

Every moment Jenny Roesner remained free, she was a threat to his crew. “I'm going to inform the crew. We'll broadcast her image on the monitors. At least she won't be able to catch any of them off guard.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Gadison said, downing the last of his drink. He placed the empty glass on the table next to the bottle of Scotch. “I know we haven’t caught her yet but I’m going to radio Wacian command for permission to enter their territory.”

“You do that.” Keegan yawned, deciding to rest a couple of hours and worry about everything else later.

Rising, to his feet, Gadison gave Keegan a wobbly, half-handed salute. “Alright, I’m going to bed.”

“Night,” he replied through half-closed eyes.

***

Caitlin walked through the empty corridor to her husband’s cabin. She was tired and frustrated with the ire transpiring between them. Their time together was too precious for this to go any further and if he wasn’t willing to make a move, she was determined to do it for him.

Stopping in front of the door, she looked around. The halls were empty. At least she wouldn’t have to explain her presence to anyone. Placing her ear against the door, she listened and heard nothing. She turned the handle to the hatch and heard it click. Opening the door, she entered his darkened room.

She waited allowing her eyes to adjust. The barest hint of light coming from the console on the wall afforded her an opportunity to see the outline of her husband on the bed. From his position, she could tell he was sleeping.

She walked over to his bed and sat on the side of it. Caitlin raked her hands through his short, soft salt-and-pepper hair. The haggard lines around his eyes gave her a start. She could only imagine how much stress he faced, running the Blanchard. As she gazed at him, she fell in love all over again. He truly had her heart.

She leaned forward and kissed him. She giggled, detecting the aroma of Scotch on his breath. Just like a man to wind down after a long day with a drink.

“You’ve been drinking, Medoro,” she whispered playfully as she ran her finger across his cheek and smiled when he turned toward her.

“So I have,” he replied with a raspy voice. His eyes blinked open, and the corners of his lips curved upward.

“I’m glad you’re awake.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her down beside him.

“I came by to apologize,” she whispered.

His warm, calloused hands stroked her arms in comfort. Without thought, she pressed her lips to his.

Keegan groaned and tightened his grip. “I love you so much. Don't ever doubt that.”

Relief pierced her. How he could love a cryo and not give up on her amazed her more than anything. “I love you, too.”

“I’m sorry—” he began.

She placed a finger against his lips. “You were fine. It was me. I was the jerk because I didn’t understand.”

“No I’m the one at fault.” He reached over and turned on the light on the nightstand. “I’ve been so insecure about this damn job I was taking it out on you.”

She shook her head. “I should have been more understanding. I was so wrapped up in myself, I didn’t take the time to think about you.”

“Caitlin, you are the most important person in my life. Don’t ever forget that.”

Happiness rose inside her. Her love for him welled up in her heart. Caitlin slipped her fingers underneath his shirt. She stroked his muscled chest and ran her fingers through its soft hair. It had been too long since she had been this close. Too long since they had been together. She needed his touch. She longed to feel safe in his arms. She kissed him hungrily. He placed his hands on her waist, lifted her up, and lay her on the bed beside him.

Unbuttoning her shirt, he exposed her breasts. Her nipples tingled under the machinations of his warm tongue. He at nipped her neck and chest. Her heart raced as he pulled her to the center of the bed and quickly tossed her shirt aside.

Caitlin reached for him but he pulled away, a devious glint in his eyes.

“How quiet can you be?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.

“Let’s find out.”

Chapter Nineteen

The first one inside her husband’s briefing room, Caitlin waited for the others to arrive. Before she left his bunk, Medoro had asked her to join them because he believed it was important for her to know what was going on. Not a part of the command staff, she was surprised to hear his request.

Commander Gadison arrived looking as fresh and polished as a newly minted officer. The epitome of an Intel officer—neat, clean-cut and with a gaze that made her swear he was hiding something. She stood at attention. He waved her off and extended his hand.

“Ms. Driskoll, I’m sorry about the other day.”

She shook his hand. “I understand.”

“I would like to offer my sincerest apologies regarding any misunderstanding.”

A day ago, his apology would have meant so much to her, giving her the validation she craved. She was glad she no longer needed it, though it was still appreciated. “I fully accept.”

“Thank you.”

Keegan entered, followed by Hollis. He glanced at her as if to see if she was all right. She nodded ever so slightly and watched him relax.

“We are two sectors away from Wacia,” Keegan said not bothering to sit, “and they have yet to give us permission to enter. Commander Gadison, you will rectify this situation?”

“I will,” he replied.

Caitlin beamed at the strength in his voice.

“General, is there something you'd like to add?”

Hollis stepped forward. “I must stress the sensitivity of the information we are discussing. It must not leave this room. Recently, a sensor sweep picked up this cipher in the CIC.”

She held up a small, penny-shaped object and handed it to Keegan.

“We don’t know how long it’s been there but we know for sure our location has been compromised. This is undoubtedly connected to Specialist Falco’s murder. She was an operations specialist in the CIC. Colonel, have there been any reports of any vessels on our six?” Hollis asked.

“None.”

“I wouldn’t trust that to last,” she remarked.

He switched on the console in front of them. “We’re broadcasting this image on all the ship’s monitors as we speak, along with a warning not to engage her but report her whereabouts. Security has been ordered to kill her on sight.”

So that’s the bitch who’s been giving my man hell
. Caitlin fumed.
That’s my job, not hers
.

“Don’t worry, Colonel, we'll get her,” Hollis added.

“I have no doubt about that,” he replied.

A blast rocked the ship, throwing Caitlin against a nearby wall and making the others scatter and fall like rag dolls.

“What was that?” she asked, getting to her feet.

“I think her friends are here to pick her up,” Gadison replied letting go of the desk he leaned on.

Sirens blared in the distance. It was a proximity alert. “Not if I can help it,” Keegan replied and pressed a com nearby. “Bishop, is Doctor Rimmer awake? We’re close to Wacia, and I’d rather have her walk out than rolled out.”

“Yes she is. She’s in my office. I thought it best she wait there for now.”

“Sergeant!” Keegan barked.

A Marine with a holstered weapon came in from the main waiting room. “Alert a security team to the main infirmary immediately!” Keegan pointed to the face on the remaining screen. “If that woman shows her face anywhere near there, shoot first, ask questions later. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I want her down, not just wounded. Down. You got that?”

“Yes, sir.” He saluted.

“Get to it.”

“What about the bad guys on our ass?” Gadison asked.

“Leave them to me,” Keegan snarled, pushing past him.

Chapter Twenty

“What’s our status?” Keegan asked Commander Berger.

The bridge buzzed with activity.

“Advanced radar caught an enemy ship the moment we came out of CS,” he replied. “It looks like they’re trying to neutralize us before we get to Wacian territory.”

Keegan’s jaw tightened. If they thought he would so easily give up his ship, they were dead wrong. “Shields?”

“One hundred percent.”

“What system are we in?”

“Ceros.”

“One thing’s for sure. The Wacians are not going to let us in with them on our tail. Prepare to launch a full spread.” Keegan took his place at the conn. He prayed Caitlin found the spy soon. And he knew she would succeed. “Get me the tac officer.”

“She’s on, sir.”

“Webb reporting, sir.”

“Commander, I want bazookas on the launch and ready to go.”

“Aye, sir.”

The bazookas were attack crafts with hull-penetrating shells. They were hell on a ship’s exterior. Hopefully, they would slow down and put the fear of God in the ship chasing them.

***

“Check every nook and cranny on this floor,” Caitlin whispered to Nico. “If it moves, shoot it first, ask questions later. Pass the word operator style.”

“We’re looking for that chick on the monitors?” Jesswan asked.

“That’s right.”

“She must be real bad news.”

“Killed a couple of people.”

“Do you want her down or dead?” he asked readying his weapon.

“Dead. Don’t even bother with down.”

“Dead it is.”

“Pass it on.” Caitlin tensed her jaw. There was no way that thing was getting off this ship alive. Not if she could help it. The last alien she battled tried to kill her and had killed all of her friends. She wasn’t going to let that happen again. She did not want to see any more faces in her dreams.

They combed their area and found nothing then extended their search to the adjacent wing. One of her team members called to her from a small storage room at the end of the hall. The room was a cluttered mess with a nest of clothes and empty hypo-syringes scattered about.

Caitlin swore silently, disgusted the thing had been under her nose the entire time.

“What’s that nasty smell?” one of them asked.

“I don’t know.”

She saw no other entries or exits. Another blast buffeted the ship; she braced against the frame of the door.

“Mosely.” Caitlin called to a member of her squad.

“Yes, Chief,” he asked, checking his weapon.

“Stay here. If she returns, shoot her. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Chief.”

The nest of clothing was situated directly under the cold air register. Looking at the syringes, Caitlin now knew exactly where to find her. If she needed to stay cold, there was only one place outside of the cryo quarters that could help the fugitive. She and the others headed for the ship’s main infirmary.