Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian (42 page)

Tiva was at her post before morning shift reviewing the reports from her team. She liked their efficiency. It appeared from the rest of the crew reports the
Tolox
was on the trail of the salvage ship. She didn’t understand the technical information completely, but Emerala and Raife were able to trace a particle used in their engine’s power source to track them.

While she had some time alone, she checked the status of her two messages. Neither had issues during transmission and seemed well on the way to their destinations. Praying word from her friends would lessen the troubles on her spirit, she hoped the news that returned to her was better than the deep darkness that already plagued her dreams.

The last one she remembered was of her father.

Kevler and Tiva stood together before the gates of Kinchar waiting for more Rebel attackers. Her mother and siblings were inside the palace and two elite guardians covered each entrance. Tiva’s sword was saturated with enemy blood, as were her clothes, hair, and skin. Every smile on the grounds faded. What once was laughter became tears. What once was joy was now sorrow. Side by side with her father, Tiva struck down and killed dozens of young men and women. She was fighting for her life, her very survival, and the safety of everyone in the palace behind her. Day and night, without rest, she fought for her land, her palace, her family, and her king.

The dream had changed midstream to her and Harer in the ship, talking. He had something on his mind.

“I am sorry this burden is upon you, Tiva.” He turned. “It was not my intention for such a travesty to happen.”

“Speak what you mean.”

“I lacked the strength to keep you safe, I have failed.”

“This was not your doing, Harer,” she began. “Your reign was just and peaceful. Whoever is controlling the Rebels is to blame.”

“But if the king cannot keep the peace, he should no longer remain in power.”

“That is not true!”

“So you would follow me, even if it meant your death? What of the people on Abennelp?”

“My duty is to you.”

“Mine is to the people.”

Tiva shook off the invading memory-dreams and returned her attention to the security panel. Reports from around the ship filtered in. Morning had arrived. The normal crew filed in. She sensed excitement in the air. B’abot never looked her way, uneasiness emanating from him. The crew seemed ready to close the gap between the
Tolox
and the salvage ship. Emerala waved as she stepped off the lift, Raife entering right behind her.

“Greetings,” Tiva said.

“Morning, sleep well?”

“Yes, thank you,” she lied.

“Right…”

Tiva shrugged, and sent her daily summary to Hill. Without looking up from her console, she felt something between Raife and Emerala. Though the feelings were different from what she was accustomed to, she sensed that they were in love. She was surprised, slightly, but glad. After all the things she learned about the people of the
Tolox
, the hardships and pain they had been through, it was nice to know some had found happiness. Not wanting to intrude, she closed herself off, but was still able to sense Aliri when she neared.

Their friendship and constant telepathic communication made her stronger than she ever thought possible. It was very hard, however, to block Aliri completely without concentrating.

“Sleep well?” Tiva said as Aliri moved to her console.

“I did. You didn’t, I see.”

“I do not sleep much.”

“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.”

Before Tiva responded, Hill and Maar entered. Everyone stood a little straighter, and worked faster when they took their seats at the center of the room. Knowing she had only a few short minutes until Hill would ask for reports, she finished the secondary check on the detention cells, and sent Ranndom a message to patrol the ship when he returned to duty.

Sending all the information to Hill, Tiva turned her attention back to her work. The salvage ship’s trail was losing its density. Emerala worked frantically to get power to Aliri’s sensors.

“I can shut down some of our back-up systems if you need more power,” Gigs’ voice said out of nowhere.

“Yes, that will help.” Emerala looked up. “All power converters not being used can reroute back-up power to the main sensor network. Aliri you can boost the frequency of the sweep with the extra energy.”

“Sounds good, I’ll start tweaking the bandwidth now,” Aliri said.

“Sir, I’m picking up a fluctuation in the particle reading, I think the salvage ship is either leaking coolant or has another ship with them,” Raife said.

“Yeah, there’s another readin’ on my sensors. I’ll try an’ clean up the data.” Jimmi tapped on his panel working just as hard.

For a moment, Tiva felt useless. The science aspects of their operations always left her by the wayside. She glanced over to Aliri and Emerala, both were concentrating on their displays. Gigs ran a diagnostic so her holo-form stayed offline. Raife and Jimmi were working on the secondary readings, and Captain Maar and Hill were reading reports.

“Captain, if I am not needed here I can patrol the ship or conduct a training session with the other security detail.”

“No, Boon, I want you here for the time being. Take your sensors offline after the sweep is finished and give Teer access to your station. If we tie both types together, we might get a better reading.”

“Yes, sir.” She did as told and monitored the internal sweep, and when it was complete, connected her station to Emerala’s.

The crew worked fast for the better part of the shift. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t identify the salvage ship, or its new, suspected escort. Captain Maar ordered the
Tolox
to maximum speeds. If they didn’t find out whom they were chasing via identification, they’d have to tail them to their destination and ask face to face. That was the plan, anyway.

The day ended with Tiva meeting her team. She scheduled training, something beneficial for all: weapons and combat. Feeling some sense of accomplishment, she retired to her room, and enjoyed a very hot shower. It was nothing compared to Calming in a pond, but it served a purpose. The warm droplets of pressurized water relaxed her muscles and rejuvenated her spirit.

When she stepped out of the lavatory, her stomach growled. She didn’t remember the last time she ate, and she was feeling so well after her shower that she wanted to maintain a sense of wellbeing. A good meal would keep her balanced. Changing into one of Harai’s jumpsuits, Tiva braided her hair, as usual, and attached her weapons in place before heading to the mess hall. Expecting it to be crowded as shift had recently ended, she was surprised to see only a few crew members inside eating.

Vinni smiled at her as she sat at the bar and ordered a sandwich and fruit juice.

“Good evening, Ms. Boon,” Hill appeared in the chair next to her.

“Greetings, sir.”

“Having dinner I see. What’s on the menu?”

“I do not know sir, I only ordered a sandwich.”

“Ah, have you tried the Bitaarian pie? I hear it’s excellent.”

“No, sir. I have not. I must be careful with my intake of alien foods; some things have adverse effects on me.”

“Oh, well if you just sample things you might find your tolerance grows with time.”

“Thank you, I will bear that in mind,” she said and nodded. Vinni placed the platter and canister of juice in front of her and she gathered them and rose from her seat.

“Enjoy.” He smiled as she walked away.

You need to interact more, Tiva. It is the only way you will grow.
Aliri was not in the mess hall, but near.

There are only a few people here, most I do not know. If you are free, will you join me?
Tiva answered, standing in the middle of the mess.

I have company, perhaps another time. Mingle, Tiva, make a new friend.

I will try.

Someone touched her shoulder. Caught off guard due to the thoughts in her mind, she dropped her juice then grabbed the hand of the person behind her.

“Hey, whoa!” Hill said and blanced himself as Tiva bent his wrist back and pulled his arm toward the ground. Her eyes went wide; embarrassed and no longer seeking company, she released him and stepped back.

“I’m sorry, sir, you startled me. I was speaking with Aliri and not paying attention.”

“You were what?” He glanced at her confused and searched the mess hall.

“Engaged in a telepathic conversation with Aliri…I did not mean to harm you
, sir. I am not used to people walking behind me except to attack, it was a reflex.”

He grinned and rubbed his wrist again. “No, it’s my fault. I should know better than to sneak up on a member of security. I just wanted to know if you were staying in the mess.”

“I am heading to the arboretum.”

“Well have fun then.”

“Thank you.”

It was the middle of the night. She had just fallen asleep when the wrist-comm beeped, forcing her awake. Leaping off her bed, she waited for the voice of the caller, but nothing came. She sat, rested her hands on her lap, and watched the device. Maybe the call was a mistake, or perhaps someone was in trouble. Tiva opened her mind to the crew and ship. Unsure of how focused she was while tired, she lowered every guard. Hundreds of emotions filled her, not since her first day of guardian training with Zenid had she felt this much…the day the king spoke in her mind, the day her cousin Towt died.

Pushing aside the painful memory, Tiva focused on the crew. Many were happy, in a state of slumber or relaxation. Sensing a few negative charges, she centered on them trying to connect. As her mind sorted through the various people, her body shook, she was pushing herself too hard. She didn’t stop, honed in, and sensed someone else. She called to Aliri,
Come, I need you now.

Aliri tried to respond, but Tiva blocked her out. She found the target, the one that was different from all the rest.

“Boon, what’s wrong?” Gigs voice said.

“I need Aliri.”

“She’s coming, she thought you were hurt, what’s wrong?”

“Quiet your tongue.”

“I don’t have a tongue, not really.”

“Gigabyte!” Tiva said and lost all concentration. She rose from the bed and immediately collapsed on the ground.

“Boon!”

Tiva pulled herself to a sitting position. “I am fine, I stood up too quickly.”

“What the hell is going on?” Aliri said, rushed into the room.

“She was all weird and tripping out or something and then she just fell. I think she’s sick.”

“I am not sick, Aliri, I need your strength, there is an ominous threat near,” Tiva said.

“Are you sure?”

“No, but my wrist-comm beeped a few moments ago, yet no one called. I worried someone might be in danger so I opened my mind to the crew…I sensed something, but was interrupted.”

“Don’t look at me, she told me to come here.” Gigs pointed to Aliri with fear in her eyes.

“My comm chirped too. We can search together, if it will suffice your curiosity, it was probably another malfunction,” Aliri said and sat next to Tiva on the floor. She took both her hands and held them loosely. “Close your eyes and do what you were doing, I will help when I feel you start to struggle.”

Tiva reached out again, lowering her barriers and safeguards. Probing the minds of the people around her without invading their privacy was a hard task, but she learned well.

Guiding Aliri through the crowd of feelings, she located the one that gave her pause. Tiva pushed forward, trembled as her vulnerability was very high, but kept herself together.

Do you notice it?
Tiva’s thoughts asked.

I do, but it’s not clear. It could be a dream from one of the crew.

No, it is much more than that. I am picking up deception and planning.

Tiva forced the last shield of her mind down and found the culprit. She felt a powerful pull. It was as if her mind was moving beyond the room and ship. Her body shook harder, Aliri’s grip on her hands tightened.

Raise your shield.
Aliri said.

I cannot, the draw is too strong.

You must!

Aliri released Tiva’s hands and gasped for breath.

“Ri!” Gigs rushed to her side. “Are you okay?”

Tiva’s head throbbed despite the soft carpeting she was resting upon. Everything within her view was fuzzy. She
’d allowed her mind to open fully, had Aliri been a man who was courting her, they would have broken her emotional barrier and bonded their minds just by the strength of the connection they held. It was powerful and unexpected. Tiva had no idea the effect sharing the ability would have, and from the scream of Gigs, Aliri was not prepared either.

“I’m okay, I think,” Aliri said pulling herself up. “Tiva, are you hurt?”

Unsure what to say, Tiva remained silent and shook her head. Slowly she pushed off the ground and clawed her way back onto the bed.