Gabriel's Ghost (48 page)

Megan Sybil Baker - 236

Dark, infinite eyes turned from the starfield and studied me. “I did so because you asked.”

“So? That—”

“You risked your life, and mine, to save him. If I were him, I’d take that as a very encouraging sign.”

“He was my C.O..”

“He was also your husband.”

Pain arced through me, but I didn’t know if it was his, or mine. “Sully—”

“Hush.” He laid his finger on my lips. “Sully knows. Gabriel’s confidence waxes and wanes like Sylvadae’s summer moon. And we’re both extremely tired right now.”

So was I. So were we all. It had been an exhausting progression of events, physically, mentally and emotionally. Even more so for Sully and Ren. As if on cue, the readyroom door slid open, and Jodey Bralford, the
Loviti’s
first officer, stepped in.

His smile was genuine. Jodey and I had always gotten along. “Brother Ackravaro? We have a cabin with hydro-spa ready for you. I apologize for the delay.”

It hadn’t been fifteen minutes since we’d come on board—perhaps ten since we’d been given clearance to depart Marker. With Philip in sickbay, Jodey was in command and, until we left Marker, had more serious things on his mind than a cabin with a tub. Ren’s weakened condition wasn’t yet life-threatening.

Still, Jodey had always been the epitome of efficiency. Ten minutes was unacceptable to him.

Ren stood, a little unsteadily. Verno held out his hand. “I’ll go with you.”

Jodey was of stocky build, and only a few inches taller than I was. He glanced at the rising Taka, to the tall Stolorth, no doubt thinking that Verno was in a better position to help, should Ren collapse. “Excellent idea.”

“We’ll be fine here,” Sully said. The readyroom had a replicator, a sani-fac and a comfortable pair of couches along the far wall. They suddenly looked very comfortable.

Jodey’s eyes narrowed slightly. I’d no doubt he’d heard what had happened, what Sully was, but was too much the professional to express it openly. I caught the change in his expression only because I’d known him for several years.

“Actually, Captain Bergren, I’ve been asked to bring you to sickbay.”

For a moment my heart froze but then logic kicked in. If Philip had died, that’s the first thing Jodey would have stated. And his demeanor wouldn’t be so outwardly calm. He was a professional, career military, as I was. But he was also one of Philip’s close friends.

“I’ll finish your tea while you’re gone.” Sully took the mug from my hand. He arched one eyebrow, winked at me. But it was a show, for Jodey’s sake. I felt nothing from him, no warmth, no teasing caress.

Then:
Go see Guthrie. Remind him that he owes me. Remind him.... that he doesn’t own you.

I touched his hand, then followed Jodey into the brightly lit corridor.

Philip’s second in command said nothing until the lift doors closed in front of us. “It’s good to see you safe, Chaz.” He slanted me a glance. “We’ve been worried. I know some of what you’ve been through.”

“Philip’s awake and talking, is he?”

His affirmative nod didn’t surprise me. Sully, no,
Gabriel
had restored much of Philip’s strength. The excellent facilities in the
Loviti’s
sickbay probably wouldn’t have all that much to repair.

Megan Sybil Baker - 237

“Philip’s very concerned.” All formality was dropped. It was just Jodey and I and a quietly humming lift. “He thought,
we
thought you should let Doc Draper run a few tests.”

As if being
ky’sara
to a
Ragkiril
was a disease.

“He can help you,” Jodey continued, when I didn’t reply.

“I’ve a few bumps and bruises, but nothing to bother Doc about, Jodey. Thanks, anyway.” I flashed him a smile.

His answering one was tinged with sadness. And that bothered me. I don’t know completely why, but it did. I guess, no, I know it felt as if in allying myself with Sully, I’d lost Jodey Bralford’s respect.

That was something I didn’t want to happen. He’d been one of the few, besides my own crew, who’d voiced opposition to my arrest, who’d been emotionally supportive during the trial. He was one of the very few who’d bothered to keep contact with me afterward, while I was in prison, awaiting transfer to Moabar.

The doors opened. “On a different note,” he said as we stepped into the corridor, “I have some good news.” His voice was bright, but a shade too bright, as if he knew his opinions of Sully affected me. “I’ve been offered a captaincy.”

“Jodey!” I ignored the fact that the corridor outside sickbay was dotted with
Loviti
crew. I threw my arms around his broad form and hugged him. “Congratulations!”

I was genuinely pleased for him. It was an honor that was long overdue.

“The
Nowicki
doesn’t have the reputation the
Loviti
has, but she’s a good ship.” He motioned for me to precede him through sickbay’s wide double doors, and reassumed his first officer’s demeanor as three med-techs turned, noting our arrival. “Captain Guthrie’s in trauma room 3, Captain Bergren. If you’ll come with me?”

Doc Draper briefly clasped my hand as we met up at the door to Philip’s room. “Captain,” he said.

“Come in, Chaz.” Philip’s voice, even weak, held a tone of command.

A biomesh regen unit covered part of his chest. His left arm was tattooed with medbrooches. He held out his right hand. I clasped it. “Burke’s denying all involvement,” I said as I took the seat next to his bed.

“I’m glad to see you’re alive, Philip.” His mouth quirked into a teasing grin as he said the words I hadn’t.

“I am glad to see you’re alive,” I repeated.

He squeezed my hand. “I know about Burke. I saw his delightful disclaimer. Not unexpected, considering who he is. And what he owns.”

“And who he owns?”

“Thad intimated as much, yes. It’s something I’ll have Jodey check into, before he transfers. He told you, I take it?”

I grinned. “Couldn’t happen to a nicer overly-efficient man.”

“He thinks highly of you. He’s... worried. As I am.”

“The reason you’re worried is the reason you’re still alive. Did you tell Jodey that, too?”

“That’s not the issue here.”

“I think it’s part of it.”

“Good deeds don’t change what he is, Chaz. What he’s done to you. You don’t fully understand—”

“I do.”

Megan Sybil Baker - 238

“You don’t. He’s placed a filter around your mind.”

“Well, it’s not working right now because I’m hearing every word you say.”

“Are you?” He shifted his hand, held my fingers more tightly. “Did you hear what I said to you in Thad’s office? A captaincy could be yours. Jodey’s leaving. My duties as admiral preclude the daily running of this ship. The
Loviti
, Chaz. I’m offering you the
Loviti
.”

Captain of an Imperial destroyer. For a moment, for very brief moment, I felt the pull, the thrill of those words.

“Once I clear things with Tage, I’ll have the authority to make that offer.” Philip’s voice interrupted my reverie.

“I appreciate whatever you can do with Barrister Tage. But your offer... no.”

“Is that your answer, or his?”

“Mine!”

“It’s not. It’s his answer, not your answer and I’ll tell you how I know, Chaz. Don’t pull away. Listen to me. Listen to me because your life may depend on it. It’s his answer, his desires, not yours. The look on your face when I made you the offer told me you wanted to accept, you want to be captain again, to be where you belong. But then you tell me no. Why? Ask yourself why.” He released my hand.

I sat back in my chair, suddenly angry, insulted by Philip’s belief that I didn’t know my own mind. Of course I did. “I’m flattered you’d consider me for a captaincy. But that doesn’t mean I have to take it.”

“If he weren’t on this ship, you would.”

“Philip, that’s nonsense.”

“Prove it.” He reclaimed my hand, uncurling my fingers from the arm of the chair. “We’ll meet up with his ship. Let him leave, with just the Stolorth and the Taka. Stay on the
Loviti
a week. Spend some time with Doc Draper. If after that, you still want to be with him, I’ll deliver you personally.”

Something that felt like fear trickled through my senses. It was small, distant, barely discernible. But it was there.
Sully?

“Chaz!” Philip yanked my arm. I blinked, shook my head. And for a moment, had no idea where, or who, I was. Then it came back to me, flooding over me. Moabar, Sully, Ren. Gregor, Marsh. Berri Solaria.

Gabriel.

“Let me think about it,” I said.

Philip said nothing until I’d almost reached the door. “One week, Chasidah Bergren. One week. Prove it. Not to me. To yourself.”

Fear. I felt it more strongly.

Only fools boast they have no fears.

* * *

Sully turned from the viewport when I walked in. I wondered if he’d been standing there since I’d left to talk to Philip. It had been over forty minutes. Fifty, actually, because I hadn’t gone straight back to the readyroom from sickbay. I’d stood in a recessed section of the ship’s corridor for ten minutes, just thinking, and listening to my mind think back.

Megan Sybil Baker - 239

“He offered me command of the
Loviti
.” I rested my hand on the high backed chair Verno had occupied earlier. “But then you know that, don’t you?”

“I felt something upset you.”

“Then you also know he said you filter all thoughts coming into my mind.”

“No.” He looked tired, as tired as I felt. But he didn’t look angry. And I wasn’t sure if I were or not. And if I were, I wasn’t sure at whom: Philip, for his accusations; Sully, for silently prying; or myself, torn between believing Philip and not caring that Sully pried.

“I felt something upset you,” he repeated, more softly this time. “But I didn’t listen in. And I don’t, in spite of what Philip says, filter your thoughts. Or form opinions for you.”

I sat in the chair I’d been swiveling. “But you have, in the past.”

He closed his eyes briefly. “On the
Karn
, when Ren was dying?” he asked when he opened them. They were as dark as the darkest parts of the starfield behind him. “Yes. And on Dock Five, to protect you from Trel. Circumstances left me no choice. But I told you on Dock Five, as soon as I could. To do otherwise would be repulsive to me. And as much as an insult to myself as to you.”

I nodded.

“So,” he said, “did you accept his offer?”

The readyroom doors swooshed open as I started to answer. Jodey Bralford strode in, a datapad in his hand, a grim expression on his face.

“This just came in.” He held up the datapad. “Phil—Captain Guthrie said you should see it.” He darted a glance to Sully. It was the first time he’d looked at him since coming into the room. “Both of you.”

“Trouble?” I swiveled, stood.

“Darius Tage, First
Barrister
Darius Tage just released a statement.” He stressed the man’s title but he didn’t have to. I knew the name. Everyone in the Empire knew the name of Prew’s venerable senior advisor. And a longtime family friend of the Guthries. The man who could clear my name. Who might even be able to return to Sully his rightful inheritance.

Jodey shoved the datapad toward me. “Son of a bitch has come out in solid support of Hayden Burke.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

“Tage?” I plopped back down in the chair, disbelief and dread churning through me.

“Cousin Hayden’s pulling in favors.” Sully’s voice held a distinct sneer.

“So it seems. You’d better read it.”

Tage’s statement quoted an independent investigation that had confirmed rumors that the mercenary outlaw, Gabriel Ross Sullivan, had faked his own death two years prior. Sullivan was described as ‘dangerous and delusional,’ and new information now revealed he was a ‘known honeylace addict’ with violent tendencies. Out of respect for the family, this information had always been kept quiet. But today’s events necessitated its release.

The Sullivan family, this new information stated, had institutionalized their son, Gabriel, in attempts to cure his honeylace addiction. But after eight years in a clinic run by the benevolent Englarians, he’d escaped, later resurfacing as a ‘career criminal.’

It was believed he was behind the recent terrorist activities on Marker, not only assisting the Farosians, but in a personal vendetta against his cousin, Hayden Burke.

There was no mention that Sully might also be a
Kyi-Ragkiril
. It was possible Tage and Burke didn’t know. Lazlo, Berri Solaria and most of the other Crossley Burke operatives were dead, or in custody. There was no one to inform Burke of his cousin’s true form as a shapeshifter.

But Burke owned people, possibly people still on Marker. He’d damn near owned my brother. It was also possible Burke knew, but was just waiting for the right time to reveal it.

“They’ll be looking for you,” Jodey said.

“Hayden’s been looking for me for two years. He’s found me only because I felt it was time.”

“But Tage?” I turned toward Jodey. “Why would Darius Tage ally with Burke?”

“We don’t know.” Jodey sounded distinctly troubled. I knew he was speaking for Philip as well. “But maybe it’s time to tell you what we do know.” He paused. “Something very ugly is happening in the Empire. It’s one of the reasons I accepted the command of the
Nowicki
. We need people, we need the right people in command of the Fleet.”

Jodey’s tone disturbed me almost as much as my frisson of fear had earlier. “What are you saying?”

He sighed, ran his hand through his short-cropped dark hair. “I’m saying that one of the first things Philip told me when I saw him in Marker’s med-station a few hours ago, was ‘it’s started.’ It’s started.”

“But he didn’t know about Burke. When Thad told him—”

“We didn’t know who. Or rather, we didn’t know which of several ‘whos’ have been behind an undercurrent we’ve been aware of for some time. Burke was on the list, yes, but there were others we felt would make a move, first.”