Unchained (31 page)

Her blue eyes studied him, looking older and
wiser than her age. “So have I.”

“
I think we have much in
common,” Plass said.

Cidra’s expression turned cold. “I doubt
it.”

Plass remained silent. After what the d’Hont
did to her family, he deserved whatever she threw at him.

She didn’t give up. “You could escape to
another galaxy.”

Plass raised an eyebrow. “I could no more do
that than you could. We are both victims of Tausek and our own
moral standards.”

Apparently satisfied, Cidra pursued another
question. “You said instant death was too good for Tausek. What do
you have in mind?”

Plass smiled crookedly. “I thought he’d
enjoy working in the Thorite mines.”

Cidra nodded in approval and rose to
leave.

“
Will you join me for
morning meal tomorrow?” Plass brought his fingers to his
lips.

She turned to him. “Do I have a choice?”

“
Of course. I am inviting
you, not ordering you. I could arrange for a tour of the ship.” He
knew she’d jump at a diversion from the detention
quarters.

She pursed her lips. “Very well.”

Cidra headed toward the exit but stopped
just before the door with her back to him. Plass watched as she
clenched and unclenched her fists. “Were you there that night?”

Plass stilled. He didn’t have to ask where
she meant. Her home, her family, that night ten years ago. Even
though he owed her the truth, he couldn’t take the chance that she
might back out.

“
No.”

A deep sigh relaxed the tight muscles in her
back and she walked out, leaving him alone with the horror of the
past. Plass snarled when he realized Tausek had timed the Faulkner
massacre perfectly. The d’Hont were ripe for the kill, their hands
still dirty from burying their own loved ones.

When he opened his eyes again, smoldering
ambers of hatred remained. How long had Tausek perfected his plan,
setting the pawns in place, easing them toward the trap? How
cold-hearted could one man be that conscience didn’t alter his
course? Had he calculated the losses and found them acceptable?

Plass’ hate for the man grew by the minute.
He vowed to use the hatred fully.

If she hadn’t had a guard standing next to
her, Cidra would have remained frozen in place in front of her and
Grey’s detention room door indefinitely. She should have asked
Plass for another room. Two days in the same room with Grey would
destroy what was left of her soul. Reluctantly, she activated the
door and stepped onto the battlefield.

The lights were dimmed to near darkness, a
sharp contrast to the brightly-lit corridors. When the door closed
behind her, she stood in place and waited for her eyes to adjust.
She could hear his breathing. There was nowhere to hide in the tiny
room as she surveyed the lone chair and the large bed. That’s where
she saw him, lying on his back across the bed, his hands behind his
head. He didn’t acknowledge her, but she knew he was still
awake.

She stared at him. He was so beautiful, dark
and brooding. She loved his seriousness as much as his rare wit.
The smile that streaked across his face when he laughed, the
tenderness in his eyes when he touched her, the intelligence of his
mind when he worked. She loved him down to every fiber of his
being. Without a doubt, every one of those fibers hated her right
now. No words could cut through that hate tonight. The battle would
have to wait another day. The warrior within her was empty.

With a deep sigh, she walked to the opposite
side of the bed and laid down next to him, careful not to touch any
part of his sprawled body. Her body’s automatic reaction to his
familiar scent took her by surprise; it was oblivious to the mess
her mind had made of their relationship. She turned her back to
him, denying herself any further torment.

Defiant silence thundered. In one fell
swoop, the weight of the day crushed her. She fought back the tears
that burned her eyes, shoved the sob back down her throat. She
would live with her decision and the fact that he would never
understand or forgive her. But at least he would still be
alive.

As sleep drew its heavy blanket over her,
she wondered if she would ever forgive herself.

Decker paced as a streak of
curses came over the bridge comm unit aboard
Calíbre
. Barrios and Coon sat in
command chairs while Rourke ranted through the comm
unit.

“
When I get my hands on
that thick-headed bastard, I’m going to kill him,” Rourke said. “I
can’t believe he would get into a mess like this and not tell me.
Are you positive they are heading for Dakru?”

“
Absolutely,” Decker said.
“Two days from now. We’re following Grey’s personal signal, behind
them by about thirty minutes.”

Rourke mumbled in disgust. “How bad is
it?”

Decker sighed. “Bad. I’ve heard a nasty
rumor that Tausek is planning a self-worshipping military
celebration with Cidra’s dead body as the big entertainment.”

Rourke swore. “So tell me if I’ve got this
right. Grey and Cidra were captured by the d’Hont and are now being
held in a d’Hont Class One cruiser heading to Dakru. All the d’Hont
are going to be there for a military celebration. So basically, we
are taking on the entire d’Hont force in their own home.”

Decker winced. “Yeah, that’s about it.”

Rourke launched into a sardonic drawl,
“Well, how difficult could it be to rescue them? Dakru only has the
best military force in the galaxy with kick-ass weapons and an
impenetrable planetary defense. And there’s what, three of us? No
problem. When do we start?”

Shifting in his chair, Decker piped up. “I
didn’t say it would be easy. You don’t have to help us. We’re
prepared to handle it ourselves.” He ignored the identical
horrified expressions on the faces of Barrios and Coon.

Barrios reached out and snagged his arm. He
whispered low, “Speak for yourself, Decker. I, for one, want all
the help we can get.”

Decker waved him off and concentrated on the
angry mutterings emanating from the comm. Not that the final
outcome was ever really in doubt.

“
I’m in,” Rourke finally
grumbled.

Decker relaxed. “Great. Thanks. Thanks, a
lot. Now. All we need is a plan.”

“
What?” Rourke
boomed.

Cidra wondered how it had come to pass that
she should share a morning meal with her sworn enemy. Her mind was
still grappling with the events of the past few days. Emotions
warred within her, rising one by one to be addressed by her
overwhelmed brain. The stress of tackling it alone was wearing her
down.

Melodious, benign music
drifted lightly around her and Commander Plass as they ate alone
in
Expunger
’s
domed executive dining area. The mottled blue-green and gold walls
were a welcome departure from the sheer monotony of gray and silver
in the rest of the ship. High golden stools ringed an impressive
raised center table, topped with a polished black stone
slab.

Plass watched her as he ate. She appeared
reserved, wary, and tired. No doubt, the conflict with Stone was
the reason. She needed to be rested and ready to face Tausek in
less than two days. Plass realized he’d have to work fast.

“
Is your meal
satisfactory?”

Cidra startled but collected herself
quickly. “Fine. It’s fine.”

Plass raised an eyebrow when she laid down
her fork and turned to him. “What’s going to happen once we get to
Dakru?”

Plass reached for his
drink. “
Expunger
will remain in orbit around Dakru, directly over the Capital
City. You, Lieutenant Fiske and I will take a transport to the
surface. Major Berman and his men will land their ships at the
city’s outer slave bays. Major Holtz and his forces will remain
aboard
Expunger
.”

“
And once we land on
Dakru?” Cidra persisted.

“
You will be brought to
Tausek’s chambers located on the top floor of his tower
building.”

Cidra looked him dead in the eye. “And you?
Tausek knows you have turned against him. He will arrest you the
minute we land on the planet.”

Plass met her gaze. “Correct. This entire
plan is contingent on your success. Lieutenant Fiske will see to it
that your conversation is broadcast. Once it airs, I should be
released.” Noting the skepticism in her eyes, he added, “If not,
Major Berman’s units will protect you.”

“
You don’t believe that any
more than I do.” She snorted slightly. “I have no delusions,
Commander.”

Plass waited for her to back down from the
plan. She didn’t.

The dining quarter doors opened, admitting
Grey and Lieutenant Fiske. There was a momentary break in Grey’s
step when he saw Cidra.

“
How was your tour,
Captain?” Plass asked.

Grey narrowed his eyes at Plass, knowing
he’d been set up. “Most impressive, but I’m sure you already knew
that.”

Plass looked pleased. “Yes,
I did.
Expunger
is
the most advanced starship in the fleet. A pleasure to command.” He
motioned to two stools nearby. “Please join us.”

Fiske stepped forward. “Nothing for me, sir.
I’ll wait outside.”

Cidra cleared her throat and addressed Fiske
directly, “If you don’t mind Lieutenant, I would also like a
tour.”

Fiske shot Plass a surprised look. Plass
gave him a nod.

“
Perhaps later today would
be better,” Fiske began hesitantly.

Cidra slid off her stool. “Actually, now is
a perfect time.”

She turned to Plass. “I would appreciate it
if you could assign me to another detention cell, Commander.”

Plass nodded. “Of course.”

She turned back to Fiske and flashed him a
stellar smile. “Lead the way, Lieutenant.” She followed him out the
door.

Grey was livid. How dare
she act that way toward a d’Hont—cavorting with the enemy? She
practically threw herself at the man. She was
his
mate. A rage he couldn’t name
tightened every muscle in his body.

Plass said nothing as the tension built in
silence. A meal was served unnoticed to Grey.

“
She is a remarkable
woman,” Plass said.

Grey raised his eyes slowly to Plass’.
“What...is that supposed to mean?”

Plass continued, “Intelligent, strong,
striking. And more courageous than anyone aboard this ship.
Wouldn’t you agree?” Plass took a bite of food.

“
So?” Grey’s tone was
clipped and barely restrained.

“
So much promise. It’s a
shame to see it destroyed.” Plass shook his head. “She will never
survive facing Tausek alone. He won’t let her leave his quarters
alive. She knows it.”

Grey snapped, “You bastard. How can you send
her?”

“
I have no choice. Her
sacrifice will save countless lives.” Plass shrugged. “Besides,
she’s sending herself. How can she do otherwise? This is her
destiny, her charge.”

As Plass spoke, anger swamped Grey. This
mission would end up killing her. That was the part that gnawed at
him. The part he couldn’t accept or condone. She had made the
choice knowing it would drive them apart, knowing it would destroy
their future. When all she had to do was walk away.

Plass was saying,
“After
Expunger
is
in orbit over Dakru, you will be allowed to contact your ship. They
can pick you up anytime.”

“
No, they won’t,” Grey
mumbled.

“
Did you say something,
Captain?”

Grey glared at him. “Cidra’s not going to
face Tausek alone.”

Plass gave him a pointed look. “I don’t
think she wants your help.”

Grey stabbed a piece of food with his fork.
“You let me worry about that.”

“
This the stupidest idea I
have ever heard,” muttered Barrios. “No one is going to believe
that we are entertainers, much less musicians.”

His round face was propped in his hands as
he eyed the comm unit in the center of Grey’s office.

“
What do you expect on such
short notice? You’re lucky my people work fast,” Rourke’s irritated
voice came through the unit. “Can you think of another way to get
down on that planet in one piece?”

“
But why a band?” Barrios
questioned in exasperation.

“
Every available performing
act in the sector is being recruited to play Dakru for this
celebration,” Rourke answered. “Hangtime is a popular new group
from Vaasa. Three male band members. We fit their general
descriptions close enough to pass. We can’t ask for more than that.
It’s a perfect cover. It will position us in the middle of the
capital city. We can even smuggle our weapons inside the
equipment.”

Decker tapped on the table in thought. “When
was this group scheduled to arrive?”

“
Tomorrow afternoon. A day
early to setup,” Rourke reported.

Decker nodded. “The timing is right. We
won’t raise suspicions by arriving unexpectedly. When will your
ship reach the coordinates we agreed upon?”

“
We’ll arrive early
tomorrow morning,” Rourke stated.

Decker said confidently,
“
Calíbre
will join
you mid-morning.”

“
And the d’Hont cruiser?”
Rourke asked.

“
Unless they change their
minds, tomorrow morning just before us,” Decker said. “What are we
going to do if the real band shows up? Our cover will be
blown.”