Blood of Denebria (Star Sojourner Book 4) (24 page)

“After what you and your team accomplished, Jules, your wish is my command.” I heard the chuckle in her voice.

“Well, sir…I mean Madame, there's a bunch of BEM babies Huff and I left inside cubicles back at the BEM HQ in the desert. They're OK for now. But I don't think their feeding tubes will hold out much longer.”

“Are you talking about BEM babies or Denebrians?” she asked.

“BEM babies, Commander Ca Prez. They had no part in this madness.”

“Of course not, Jules. We're in communication with the BEM Brother Leader. I'll relay your message to him and give one of their ships time to gather up the children.”

I exhaled a breath. “Thank you, sir! I mean –”

“Why don't you just call her
commander
?” Joe said.

She laughed. “Never mind. I can send a hovair to pick up your team, if you wish.”

“Well,” I said, “I want to bring my horse back to Earth with me.” I bit my lip. “Is that allowed?”

“Jules, you and your team can probably have just about anything you wish. In fact, I would like to invite all of you aboard my ship for a fine dinner. Afterwards, you will be debriefed.”

“That's great, Commander. There's not much left here for us to eat.”

“If I recall, you are personally partial to mock steak.”

“Mock steak?” I asked incredulously.

“That's what I said. Mashed potatoes.”

“Mashed… Dripping with butter?”

I can arrange that. And a salad. How would that suit you?"

“Oh.” My mouth was watering. “Would you happen to have mud pie, and roasted eyeballs for Huff?”

“Mud pie? Roasted eyeballs. I'll have to ask the chef about that.”

“Commander.”

“I'm still here, Jules.”

“The BEM people are starving on Tau Ceti.”

“Yes. We're aware of that.”

“Is there a way the Worlds Alliance could bring them into the fold?”

“We're working on it, Jules. Anything else you'd like to solve right now?”

“No, that's all.”

“Then I'll be expecting you and your team once your horses are stabled and cared for.”

“Thank you, Commander.”

“Thank
you,
Jules.”

Joe shook his head. “Can't help wishing my daughter Al had waited one more year for your maverick ass to make it back to Earth.”

I smiled. “She waited too long already, Dad.”

“No.” He sighed. “Not long enough.”

He started toward Northwestern Village.

We followed.

The sun was high in the sky, burning down with warm hands of light on my shoulders.

And, after all, tags, the sun is but a morning star.

END

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