Brianna (39 page)

Ban rose and stretched. He, like Char, wore only loose fitting lounging trousers.

“How is your lonely widow today, Ban?” Brianna asked.

Ban covered his heart with his hands. “Alas, fair Brianna, the lovely widow grew impatient for my return, so sought comfort in the arms of another.”

She shook her head. “What are we going to do with him, Char?”

Char rose and headed for the shower. “That, my love, is why the Hardan family was so happy when he decided to come with us. They didn’t know what to do with him either.”

Chucking Brianna under the chin, Ban dropped a light kiss on her forehead and said, “It is time to shake Marl out of his bed if he’s still there. We have preflight checks to run on our ships.

Enjoy your day, Coz.”

Brianna leaned back and mused silently on her current situation. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined the life she now led. Even though she missed her own family, she was now the pampered daughter of a powerful and rich merchant clan on a planet across the galaxy from her own, married to and pregnant with the child of a sexy alien who absolutely adored her. She’d been adopted into the royal family of another alien culture and managed to become bloodsister to a powerful family of aliens on yet a third planet. No one was capable of imagining this, not even Hollywood’s best scriptwriters.

Smiling, she pushed herself up out of her chair. She could hear the water splashing from Char’s shower, and she would so like to have her back scrubbed.

Early the next morning, Brianna climbed the wheeled stairway leading to the open door of Marljas’ warbird. Much larger than a Drakian interplanetary or spaceport shuttle, it was still small enough to enter a planet’s atmosphere and land.

“I have room for ten passengers,” Marljas told her as he led her to his command center.

Though Char had been uncertain, Marljas assured Brianna that, even though she was almost nine months pregnant, she’d be quite safe and comfortable in the command center of his ship. Char only agreed to her presence there if he could act as copilot. Brianna chuckled to herself. Marljas had been so obviously wary to allow a man as intelligent and space-savvy as Chardadon to see Gattan technology. He had only consented when Wendjas revealed that he had agreed, in principal, that their family and the Alalakan clan would begin a joint venture building interplanetary ships.

Sighing, Brianna shifted as her seat wrapped itself around Sighing, Brianna shifted as her seat wrapped itself around her. It certainly was comfortable! She watched as Char went through the last preflight checks with Marljas. Wendjas, Denieen, and their sons, as well as Kahn, Beti, Jenneta and Verna, settled into the passenger section of the ship.

As Marljas flipped some switches, she felt a slight vibration through her seat.

“Relax, Brianna, we’ll be lifting off shortly. If we were heading into space,” Marljas continued as he monitored his navigational and command computers, “you’d be able to leave your seat and walk around the ship. Since this flight to Benishan will be within the confines of Drakian atmosphere, it will be best if you remain seated. I wouldn’t want an unexpected wind gust dropping you on the floor. A baby has never been born in a Gattan warbird, and I don’t want yours to be the first.”

“Don’t worry,” Brianna said confidently, “this baby won’t come for at least three more weeks.”

Marljas snorted but said nothing. As far as he was concerned, Brianna looked ready to give birth at any minute.

Why Char was allowing her to travel and face the Ruling Council at all was a puzzle to him. On Gattan, dealing with Bakom would present no problem. A simple challenge would take care of everything.

Frowning, Ban watched the warbird lift off. He wasn’t happy having Brianna out of his sight, but he couldn’t be in two places at one time. “They’re off, Rodane. Is everyone aboard the
Wanderer
?”

“Everyone but us. We can leave whenever you’re ready.”

“Let’s go then. The
Wanderer
is the best we’ve got. Let’s see how she compares to a Gattan warbird.”

Rodane laughed with him. “Don’t be too disappointed when we don’t catch her, Ban. That technology of theirs is way ahead of ours.”

Ban grinned. “Don’t be too sure, Coz. I’ve made some alterations to the
Wanderer
since she left the Alalakan space yards. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

*

“Did you enjoy your vacation, Doctor?” Eliana asked as Bakom sat down in the copilot seat of the small shuttle she piloted.

“Quite, my dear Eliana,” he answered as he settled himself comfortably. “There’s nothing like a solitary retreat to bring one’s self back into alignment. Now tell me, have our plans born fruit?”

“The Council sent the letter you left with your allies when it was known Alalakan brought the specimen to Drakan. Your handpicked Academy guards accompanied the Council’s messenger.”

“Good. The specimen has been returned then,” he said smugly.

Eliana took a deep breath.

Bakom in a rage was very unpleasant.

“No, the woman didn’t return with the messenger. The Alalakans have decided to challenge your right to her. Your guards remained at the Alalakan estate to monitor their movements and will return to Benishan with them to stand before the Council.”

Bakom was quiet for a long moment. Then he began to laugh.

Eliana turned her head and watched her superior with surprise. This was not the reaction she had expected.

“In my wildest dreams, I had never imagined that the Alalakans would be so stupid,” Bakom crowed delightedly. “Not even they have the power to flout Council laws.”

“Perhaps they have a plan.”

“My dear Eliana, no plan can supersede the laws of the Ruling Council. The specimen is not proved to be human.

There’s no way around that simple fact.”

Eliana began flipping switches. “Do you wish to be taken directly to the Academy, Doctor?”

Bakom’s laughter had been replaced by a thoughtful expression. “Damn Odam and his choice of accomplices. I could use him now,” he muttered. “You’re right. The Alalakans wouldn’t challenge Council laws if they weren’t planning something. But what? I’ve taken every possible move they could make into consideration. There’s nothing they can do. Council laws are clear, with no vague interpretations to support a defense.”

He shook himself out of his reverie and smiled. “I must make one stop before we go to the Academy, Eliana. Since Odam was fool enough to get himself arrested, I’m going to rely on you to take his place. You’ve served me well, and now there will be further responsibilities for you. Land at these coordinates,” he said as he punched them into navigation.

Eliana nodded but said nothing. The long years with Bakom were finally paying off. Dr. Sendenton would be very pleased.

*

Char rechecked his instruments. “That’s interesting.”

Marljas glanced at him. “What?”

“ The
Wanderer
is approximately fifteen minutes behind us and gaining.”

Marljas frowned and rechecked his instruments. “That’s impossible,” he muttered. “Even at the subspace speed we’re traveling, he should be at least thirty to forty minutes behind us.

Have you been withholding information about your ships?”

Char didn’t miss the suspicious note in Marljas’ voice. “I have no idea how Ban has caught up to us. As far as I knew, there was nothing as fast as a Gattan warbird.”

“It’s Ban,” Brianna interjected. “He told me he’s been modifying his ship ever since he took possession. That’s why he turned down your offer of a new ship.”

Char’s expression grew thoughtful. “Ban will have to have some conversations with our engineers. Has he told you anything specific, Brianna?”

Brianna snorted. “Has he told me anything specific? Do you honestly believe I would understand anything he did tell me, Char? I’m a biologist, for goodness sake. What would I understand about the dynamics of interplanetary travel even if Ban tried to explain it to me, probably with words that have no equivalent in my language?”

Char grinned at Marljas. “No help there. You’ll have to wait until we weasel Ban’s modifications out of him.”

Marljas grunted. Ban’s modifications were very interesting. If he could make them to his own ship, no one in the galaxy would catch the
Scrathe
.

Char’s voice interrupted Marljas’ musings. “We’ll be in sight of Benishan in ten minutes. When do you want to begin prelanding checks?”

“In a few minutes. Benishan tower has us on their screen, but have made no move to contact us.”

“They’re sure we’ll be flying on to the Gattan landing near your embassy,” Char said with a grin.

Marljas sighed. “I don’t know how I let you talk me into this, Char. The Gattan tower has tried to contact us twice already.”

“Why don’t you let Denieen talk to the tower? Won’t there be less of a hassle that way?” Brianna asked from where she sat.

Marljas nodded. “If ‘hassle’ means what I think it does, that might not be a bad idea. At least they’ll think twice about ordering me there since Denieen is a highly ranked female.”

Flipping the switch that opened the intercom to the passenger section of his ship, Marljas said, “Denieen, Gattan tower is demanding an explanation as to why we haven’t filed a landing plan with them and why they had no idea we were coming to Drakan in the first place. Would you like to talk to them?”

“It’ll be my pleasure, Marljas. Send it back to the transmitter here.”

Wendjas’ laughter was cut off abruptly as Marljas opened a channel to his sister-in-law.

“Can’t we listen, too?” Brianna asked, eyes sparkling.

Marljas grinned. “Sorry, Brianna. I need the other channel to contact Benishan tower. You wouldn’t want to run into another ship, would you?”

She had no chance to answer because Marljas flipped another switch. “Benishan tower, Gattan warbird
Scrathe
requesting landing coordinates.”

“Warbird
Scrathe
, this is Benishan tower. Have we heard correctly? You want coordinates here?”

“Correct, Benishan tower.”

“Are you experiencing mechanical difficulties? The Gattan landing field is only five minutes beyond us.”

“We have no difficulties, nor do we wish to fly to the Gattan field. Will you give us coordinates or not?”

A new voice came out of the communicator. “This is Major Widnasted don al’ Patinetr. Who is piloting your ship?”

“I’ll take care of this,” Char stated. Flipping the communicator switch in front of him, he snapped, “Major Widnasted, this is Alalakan don al’ Chardadon. I suggest you send us those coordinates, or you will experience firsthand just how much damage a Gattan battle laser can do.”

“Alalakan don al’ Chardadon, I had no idea. We’ll send coordinates immediately.”

“The Medirian ship
Wanderer
is approximately ten minutes behind us. I want it berthed immediately next to the
Scrathe
. All other ships are to be kept away. A squad of Alalakan security should be at the field gate. Send them to our pad immediately.”

“Yes, Sir. Everything will be done as requested. Benishan tower out.”

Marljas eyed Char with new respect. Recognition of his voice alone had gained them what they requested. He flipped a switch and acknowledged the transmission. “Coordinates received, Benishan tower.” Flipping the switch off, he continued, “They’re putting us at the far end of the field, Char. I hope you’ve made arrangements. It will be a long hike to the terminal.”

“The transports are waiting. We’ll completely bypass the terminal.”

“Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” Brianna mused out loud. “I never pictured myself being whisked away from a private aircraft in a limousine.”

Brianna’s comment caused Marljas to glance at Char. “I’ll never get used to it.”

While Char was giving instructions to the drivers of the six hovercraft that waited for them, Brianna and the others waited patiently as Ban and his passengers crossed the landing pad to join them. The Medirians, Sheala, Rodane, and Fionilina had flown in with Ban. Char’s parents would shuttle into Benishan on the following morning. Brianna’s “guards” would be released after the council meeting.

“We’ve plenty of room in our townhouse for you,” Jenneta said. “Please feel free to accept our hospitality.”

“We’re honored by your invitation, Jenneta,” Denieen answered. “However, we must go on to the embassy. We don’t want to snub the ambassador and his wife. Marljas will stay with you, if you don’t mind. The wife of the current Gattan ambassador to Drakan was godmother to Sosha, the girl Marljas wished to marry. Both she and her husband blame him for her disappearance.”

Jenneta nodded. “He’s one of the family.”

Char rejoined the group. “Take the first craft, Wendjas. I’ve instructed the driver to take you to the embassy.”

Denieen gave Brianna a quick hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.

Watch Marljas for me. Gattan women keep their men out of trouble.”

“How in the world do you manage that?”

Denieen grinned. “I’ll begin your instruction tomorrow.”

“Brianna meets with the Federation ambassadors tomorrow afternoon, Deni. I’m afraid you’ll have to put off your visit until the following day,” Char said with humor.