Henry Gallant Saga 2: Lieutenant Henry Gallant (32 page)

“So make them.”

“Sure, but will Neumann be able to resume command by then?”

Mendel reached out and took hold of Gallant’s arm. He said, “Look, Henry, even if I’m a better surgeon than I think I am, I’m only hoping to keep him alive until he makes it back to Earth. Once he gets to the main military medical facilities on Earth, he’ll get the best medical care possible. At that point, he can start planning on recovering and possibly returning to duty. For now, he’s not going to be able to relieve you anytime soon.”

Disappointed, Gallant said, “I understand.”

Clearly there would be no escaping his responsibility to the
Intrepid.

Gallant fired retro-rockets, letting his tiny Hummingbird fall from orbit and plunge through the stratosphere toward Elysium. The rush of g-forces pressed against him. He let his mind relive with exhausting vividness the events of the past weeks.

He passed through white clouds as they swirled above the island-rich blue ocean. The panoramic journey seemed far too short when he set his ship down at the landing site at Hallo. He walked through the streets of the town he had previously found so inviting and felt a longing to remain in its splendor, but he knew this would be his final visit to the planet.

When he reached the town hall, he climbed the stairs and passed through the open doors. The open windows and doors let the warm fragrant tropical breeze flow throughout the rooms. There were no guards and few staff members about. He went directly to the president’s office. The door was open and Alaina was seated comfortably in a chair next to a table piled high with documents and reports. They were Wolfe’s secret papers that had been locked in his desk drawer. They were concerned with his arrangements with other Council members. No one’s eyes, other than his, had seen them before Alaina opened them and began reading. She was occupied reading one of them when Gallant entered.

She looked smart in a white blouse and a light-thread beige skirt. Her blond hair was pulled up and back, away from her face, exposing her glowing complexion and delicate classical facial features.

His heart beating apace, he said, “Alaina, you look wonderful.”

“Henry,” she said beaming with delight. “You always look so handsome in your uniform.”

For a moment, Gallant thought she would jump up and embrace him, but her restraint asserted control. And for a moment, he thought about stepping forward and embracing her, but like her, he suppressed the impulse.

For days he had envisioned their last meeting—their final farewell—now it had come and he felt unprepared.

Gallant said simply, “I haven’t said this before and it’s long overdue—congratulations, Madame President.”

He said it lightly, as if it were a casual compliment, lacking import.

“Thank you,” said Alaina, her face becoming troubled. “I’m still getting used to the title. It’s difficult to take it all in.”

Gallant smiled whimsically. “Elysium is in good hands.”

Alaina’s happy face returned, color rising in her checks.

“When do you leave?” she asked.

“Twenty-four hours.”

“I’ll be waiting for your return.”

“I doubt you’ll even notice I’ve gone.” Gallant shifted his weight, swinging his hands at his sides. He didn’t know what to do with them.

“Oh, I’ll notice.” She frowned, as if she was already feeling unhappy about that event.

Having failed completely to express his own feelings, he was helpless to discern hers.

She stood and crossed to him. “Well, there’s one thing I do know for certain.”

“What’s that?” asked Gallant, fixing his steely gray eyes on her.

“You’re
special,”
she said, touching his arm.

“No. Not so special—just different.” He stood there overflowing with regrets and vain frustrations.

“Why are goodbyes always so hard?” she asked, her sorrow suddenly finding its way into her quivering voice and moist eyes.

Gallant breathed, “They always mean giving up—what you want most.”

The words stunned Alaina.

He moved closer to her.

I’m leaving too much unsaid.

“What about us?” he asked.

“Us? Is there an ‘us’?” she asked. “I’ve my responsibilities—you have yours . . .”

Can I blame her?

Their unspoken pact with duty was a sad indictment—condemning them to a harvest of loneliness.

A small part of him clung to the notion they could still break the barrier dividing responsibility and desire. In his heart, however, he knew their separation was unavoidable.

Is this all we can allow ourselves?

He looked at her for a long second, and then with a despair born in denial, he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. She felt wonderful; eternal; unforgettable. He kissed her with all the passion he possessed—crushing the breath from her.

When at last he let her go, she took a deep breath and looked up at him.

Gallant said, “I’ll be back.”