CassaFire (17 page)

The Darten shot across her field of view.
Distract them. Head into deep space.

Obeying his command, she pushed the engines to maximum capacity. The rogue ships pursued the shuttle, drawing closer with each passing second. Byron stayed with her and she kept him in her sights on the radar. The Darten increased speed and shot across her canopy. Before Athee could react, the fighter vanished.

Her attention shifted to the radar. Byron’s ship materialized behind the two ships. Athee yanked on the throttle and veered to the left to provide him a clean shot. When she looked at the radar again, both ships were gone.

Stay here,
Byron thought.

Still shaking, Athee agreed. She rotated the shuttle to face the Rennather, determined to be ready if needed. Byron’s Darten accelerated as it raced toward the ship. She could see the remaining three rogue ships firing at the craft, their laser blasts bright against the blackness of space.

Another ship became visible near the Darten. She gasped. Athee pressed on the throttle, propelling the ship forward. The vessel changed direction and Athee recognized the other shuttle.

About time! she thought, slowing her ship to gentle drift.

“
Who’s flying the other damn shuttle?” Garnce exclaimed over the com.

There was no verbal response, but Athee sensed Byron had relayed the identity of the occupant using his mental voice. Considering the fury that had consumed in his earlier thoughts, she was grateful to have missed that exchange.

Byron destroyed one more rogue before the remaining two ships beat a hasty retreat. He pursued them for a moment, his tiny fighter moving at top speed. The enemy vanished from view before he could catch them. Exhaling the breath she’d held for what seemed like hours, Athee slumped in her seat.

“
What are you doing in that shuttle?” cried Garnce, his voice indignant over the com.

Athee straightened her posture and grasped the throttle. “Someone had to help Byron!” she charged, accelerating toward the Rennather.

The other shuttle circled closer. “You idiot! Do you even know what you’re doing?” the man demanded.

“
Garnce!”

Byron’s angry retort silenced the man. Athee glanced at the radar and realized the Darten now flew below her.

“
All ships, return to the Rennather at once!” bellowed Korden, his voice filled with fury.

“
Garnce, help me guide her in,” Byron said. The Darten swung out beside the shuttle.
Athee, can you land?

Licking her lips, she focused on the approaching hanger entrance.
Yes, I can land the shuttle.

Let Garnce guide you. Match his speed and trajectory.

The second shuttle moved into position on the other side. Keeping pace with the vessel, Athee guided the ship into the hanger. Their speed decreased and Byron’s ship shot ahead of the shuttles. She felt a moment of panic as he raced toward the far wall. The Darten’s runners touched the surface, reducing the headlong flight of the fighter. Athee had no time to contemplate his sudden stop as Garnce’s ship dropped closer to the floor. Emulating his actions, she brought the shuttle to a hover in front of the first set of hanger doors. Once through both sets of doors, Athee returned the shuttle to its previous location and set the craft down with a gentle thump.

Athee attended to the systems, shutting down each one with care. The moment the cockpit fell silent, she slumped in her seat. Forcing her fingers to release the throttle, Athee stared at her trembling hand in disbelief. Jumping into the battle to help Byron had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now she realized the recklessness of her decision. She was lucky to be alive.

Open the door,
Byron instructed.

The chill in his voice scared her worse than the rogue fighters. Fumbling with the harness, Athee rose to her feet. She stumbled to the hatch on shaky legs and pressed the button. Byron stood a few paces from the shuttle, body rigid and fists clenched by his sides. Eyes narrowed to mere slits, his scowled threatened to tear through her soul. Athee couldn’t recall a time when he appeared more furious. And despite his habit of shielding, anger poured from his thoughts.

The commander wants to see us right now.

Without waiting for her answer, Byron strode toward the exit. Athee had to move fast to keep up with his long gait. She felt the presence of the crew as they walked across the hanger, but she kept her eyes averted. She refrained from speaking and shielded her thoughts.

Once they stepped into the telepod, Athee felt the need to say something.
Byron…

Don’t!

She glanced at him. His eyes remained forward and posture closed. Fury no longer emanated from his thoughts. In fact, she couldn’t sense anything coming from the pilot. His mental shields were locked into place, sealing her from his mind. Feeling helpless, Athee shifted her gaze. She clenched her teeth in frustration.

They entered the commander’s office and his disapproval slammed into her body like a physical blow. Korden rose from his chair, his dark eyes locked on Athee as she approached. She paused at a respectable distance and prepared for an uncomfortable scene.

“
You were given orders to power down the shuttle,” the commander stated in a voice that implied she was not to speak. “You do not possess the training or clearance to fly a Cassan ship. And yet you risked your life, and the lives of others, by teleporting the shuttle out of the hanger bay and engaging enemy fighters. You further risked my only fighter pilot in the process, not to mention the shuttle.”

Athee held her own, but his tone sent chills down her spine. She wondered what her uncle would say when he heard about the incident.

The commander sat down. “I’d like to know how you learned to fly that shuttle in the first place,” said Korden, his accusing eyes falling on Byron.

“
Sir, I watched Officer Byron’s actions every time we were in the shuttle,” she offered in a quivering voice. Byron was already furious with her behavior. Athee didn’t want to aggravate her instructor further by implicating his involvement.

The commander’s attention returned to Athee and he hesitated, contemplating his next words with care. “Well, as of this moment, I am grounding you. No more training in our shuttle. You are not to set foot on a Cassan ship again. Do I make myself clear?”

Athee’s heart sank as he spoke those words. “Yes, sir.”

“
You may possess unique skills, but that does not give you unlimited freedom on this ship. I don’t care if you can teleport to the other side of Cassan space. I will not have you endangering my crew. Understood?”

“
Yes, sir,” she answered, her thoughts returning to her uncle. “Sir, will the prefect be notified of my actions?”

Korden leaned forward and scowled. “If your uncle knew what had transpired here today, it would jeopardize our races’ relationship. I can’t let the actions of one brash Tgren destroy everything we’ve worked so hard to build. The prefect will not be notified.”

“
Thank you, sir.”

“
Officer Byron, you will escort Athee to the surface at once. Any further psychic training will be performed on the ground, understood?”

“
Yes, sir.”

“
Dismissed!”

Byron was silent as they returned to the shuttle. Athee tried to keep her emotions shielded, but the turbulence in her mind made it difficult. The commander’s words still pressed against her chest. He’d called her to task for her rash behavior and revoked all privileges. The scolding was expected and the punishment just, but the loss of flights aboard the Cassan ship tore at her heart. She relished the hum of the teleporter in her mind. Now she’d never feel it again.

Several hanger personnel surrounded Byron’s shuttle. He asked if there was any damage preventing a flight to the planet’s surface.

“
Cosmetic only, sir,” the crewmember replied, patting the shuttle. “Just a score mark on the roof. All systems check out, though. She’s good to fly.”

Byron entered the ship and Athee followed. She almost ran into him when he stopped, his body blocking entrance to the cockpit.

“
You’re riding back here,” he said, indicating the two rows of passenger seats.

Stung by his refusal to allow her in the cockpit, Athee dropped into the seat closest to the open hatch. Byron waited until her harness was secure before exiting the craft. Puzzled by his behavior, Athee leaned to her left and peered out the hatch. The pilot strode across the hanger to his Darten. Several crewmembers were examining the craft’s exterior. A man with a computer pad approached Byron. They circled the ship and paused near the tail section. She recalled Byron’s comment during battle that he was losing fuel. Even at that distance, Athee noted damage on the Darten’s surface. His little fighter had taken a beating.

Byron took his time and Athee started to fidget. Her nerves had settled, but the confines of the harness caused her to grow restless. Leaning over to peer out again, she noticed Byron crossing the hanger. The pilot’s long stride revealed his aggravation even more than the scowl on his face. Sitting straight in her seat, she waited quietly while he boarded and closed the hatch. Without even so much as a glance in her direction, Byron entered the cockpit. He prepared the shuttle for flight in silence.

Athee sensed the teleporter as they jumped. Her heart ached to share the experience; however, she didn’t dare tap into the device. As the hum faded from her mind, she wondered if that wouldn’t be the only thing now silent in her thoughts. What if Byron never spoke to her again? The commander forbade training on the shuttle, but what if the Cassan pilot ceased all psychic instruction? The loss of access to the teleporter now paled in comparison to the absence of Byron’s voice in her head.

The shuttle came to a gentle rest and Byron shut off the engines. The absence of sound sent a shockwave through Athee’s body. Fighting to control the emotions that swelled within, she unfastened the harness with trembling fingers. Free from the restraints, she leaned forward and stared at her shaking hands. Byron entered the main cabin and light flooded the shuttle as he opened the hatch. The finality of the moment was the crushing blow. Unable to hold back the tide, Athee covered her eyes and let out a sob.

She kept her tears brief. Aware that Byron continued to wait by the door, she lifted her head. His arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall of the shuttle, affecting an air of closed indifference. The pilot stared out the hatch and did not meet her eyes as Athee rose to her feet. Troubled by his lack of response, she made one last effort to reach out to the man.

“
Byron…” she began, her voice cracking from the effort.

“
We’ll discuss it tomorrow,” he answered, not bothering to turn his head.

Shoulders slumped in defeat, she moved toward the open hatch. Pausing at the open ramp, Athee glanced at Byron, but his eyes remained fixed on the open desert beyond the runway. Grasping the frame of the hatch, she lowered her chin in shame.

“
I couldn’t just sit there and listen to you die,” she whispered.

Athee didn’t wait for a response. There wouldn’t be one anyway. Bolting down the ramp, she trotted across the runway and into the closest hanger. Athee ignored those she passed, too caught up in her own agonizing thoughts. She’d lost an incredible opportunity, although it paled next to the possible outcome of today’s battle.

I didn’t want to lose you as well, Athee thought, muffling a sob as she ducked out of the hanger.

Chapter Nine

Feeling better after an hour on the grav court, Byron retreated to his quarters. He wanted to enjoy a meal on board the Rennather before returning to Tgren. After yesterday’s incident, he was in no hurry to depart either. What awaited him on the planet only represented more stress.

He was finishing his meal when Korden requested his presence. Byron wondered if the commander wanted to discuss Athee’s reckless shuttle flight in detail. He prepared his thoughts for such a conversation. After a good night’s sleep, he felt rational and able to converse on the subject.

Korden was on his feet when he arrived, and Byron remained standing. “You wanted to see me, sir?”

“
Yes,” the commander answered, setting his computer pad on the desk. “The crew chief informed me that he may not be able to repair your Darten.”

Byron nodded. “I spent several hours with him this morning, assisting with the repairs. The real issue is the fuel tank and our lack of proper replacement parts on board.”

Korden’s eyebrows rose. “That type of damage usually results in a large explosion and a short memorial,” he offered in a fatherly tone. “You were damned lucky yesterday, Byron.”

Garnce should’ve moved his ass faster, Byron thought, shielding his accusation from the commander. Shifting the blame to his fellow pilot would not fix his ship.

“
And you weren’t the only one,” the commander added.

“
Sir, I apologize for leaving her in the cockpit when those ships attacked,” Byron announced, prepared to accept full responsibility. At least Athee had hidden the source of her extensive flying knowledge. “I had no idea she’d do something so stupid.”

“
The problem is that we’ve allowed her too many liberties,” said Korden, sinking into his chair. “Damn, she teleported right out of the hanger bay. Not sure if I’d credit that to exceptional talent or blind luck.”