Victoria's Challenge (25 page)

“Thank you
, Uncle William… I need you to know… No matter what you decide...I love you, you are my second father.”

“And you are my first daughter.
” As he disconnects, Victoria leans back in her chair.

“Lucas, take your life mate home.” Quinn tells him.

“Admiral…
” Victoria starts.

“Victoria, there’s a lot that needs done
. A lot that needs decided.”

“I know.
” She looks into the eyes of the man that had protected her second father. “I…” She doesn’t know what to say so she just acts. Walking around his desk, she leans down to hug him, kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you… you didn’t have to put up with all this.”

“Victoria,
” Quinn carefully hugs her back. “I hope you’re not insulted, I’ve never had a daughter, but I’d be honored to claim you as mine.”

He sees tears well up in her eyes.

“The honor is all mine, Quinn, I’ve truly been blessed with the men in my life.”

“You deserve it after Audric
,.” he tells her gruffly. “Lucas, get her out of here. You’re both off until the High Admiral reaches his decision.”

Nodding
, Lucas puts an arm at her back. “Come on, Victoria. We need to leave.” Seeing she doesn’t want to, his hand firms on her back. “Let’s go finish moving you.”

“It’s mostly done.”

“Victoria’s moving into your quarters?” Tar questions.

“She will be.”

“You’ll make it official.” Tar and Lucas both know it will protect her.

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ll sign off on it. Now go, I’ve got work to do.”

“Thank you
, Quinn.”

Walking down the corridors to the Retribution, Lucas keeps her close. He can’t not, and he doesn’t care who sees or what they say.

“Lucas…
” Victoria looks at him as he has her all but plastered again his side.

“Don’t
. Don’t ask me to give you space.” He frowns as someone looks to stop them. “I can’t.” Entering their quarters, he secures the hatch then pulls her into his arms.

“Did you really think I’d let you go without me?
” He presses her against the hatch.

“I didn’t think at all
. I couldn’t. Lucas…. Oh God…” Gripping him, she starts to tremble. “It all happened so fast. They are alive Lucas. I know it, as sure as I know you’re holding me.”

“
Shh… it will be alright.” He whispers into her hair.

“Will it
? Will Uncle William agree it’s worth the risk? Because Lucas, I lied.” Emerald green meets violet.

“What did you lie about
? Stop! Don’t you pull away from me!” His grip tightens. “What are you lying about?”

“No matter what he deci
des, I’m going. On the Phoenix, a Raptor, or a Blade, I have too.”

“Vic
toria….”

“Lucas do you believe me when I said you freed my soul by loving me
?” Her eyes plead with his.

“Yes
,” he whispers.

“Then believe me, if I don’t at least
try
, my soul will die. They
are
alive. I’m as sure of that as I am that you love me. If I’m too late….”

“
We
won’t be, Victoria. We’ll get there, to Earth.” He’d thought he’d understood how much this meant to her, but when she absolutely broke down in his arms, he realized he didn’t have a clue.

“Victoria
…
look
at me.” Finally, she raises overflowing eyes, his bore into hers. “You are
mine
, I am
yours
. You will never go anywhere I can’t follow. We’ll go to Earth. Dad won’t deny you… what… because to do so would be like denying Cassandra and he’s never done that, not when it matters and not when it’s you.” Lucas gives her a somewhat indulgent smile. “You’ve had him wrapped around your finger since you were nine.”

“You’re confusing me with Aunt Cassie.”

“No I’m not, and he confirmed it today. You
are
his daughter, no matter what is ever said about it. He loves you that way.”

“I k
now that. But for him to risk…”

“That’s what love is, a risk.”

“But it shouldn’t be, not for him, not because of me. He has his own children to worry about.”

“Victoria
… do you really think he sees a difference.”

“I
… no… he doesn’t. But Lucas to risk
you
…” Her fear obvious.

“You won’t go without me
, Victoria.” Lucas’ eyes harden. “Promise me.” When she doesn’t immediately answer, he gives her a hard shake. “Promise me!”

“I promise.
” When he doesn’t immediately relax his grip, she touches his cheek. “I won’t lie to you Lucas, I love you.”

Nodding
, he releases her, turning he sees her bag on the floor.

“You packed?”

“Just my clothes, there’s still some things but not a lot, it can wait.” Walking past him, she drops on the couch.

“Why wait?”

“Hmm?” She gives him a distracted look. “If we’re leaving for Earth, there’s really no point.” Sitting down next to her, he tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.

“You’re not changing your mind are you?”

“Changing my mind… about moving in with you? No!” Turning, she sees the question in his eye, the insecurity. Straddling his lap, she frames his face. “No Lucas, this is where I want to be, with you. What’s left in my old quarters is just
stuff
, class work, some visuals, nothing that matters. That’s all I meant.”

Leaning down
, she kisses him. He is the most important thing in her life, for him to doubt she wants to be with him is intolerable. Working his jacket free, her quick fingers pull at his shirt until she finds skin.

Gripping her
hips, he pulls her against him, letting her know he’s fully aroused. As she frees him, he groans then quickly works her pants down.

Watching his eyes turn slightly wild
, she slowly takes him in, a seductive smile on her lips as she starts to rock against him. It’s the smile that pushes Lucas over the edge. Twisting her under him, he fills her completely.

“Lucas!
” The pace he sets has her gasping as he takes her up and over.

“Again!”
he demands, continuing to drive into her. Gripping her hair, he pulls her head back attacking her neck.

Victoria can’t breathe as her body starts to tighten again
. “More Lucas! More!” This time when her body explodes, he’s with her.

The arrival of the Phoenix creates a stir in the fleet, especially when there are only pilots
and an educator aboard. It’s the High Admiral’s private transport, the fastest personal transport in the galaxy, capable of speeds comparable to the Coalition’s fastest ships, including the Retribution. Rumor has it, it’s faster. Queen Cassandra had her specially designed the High Admiral to cut down on his time away from her.

In
medical, Victoria packs a supply bag, trying to anticipate what her family may need. Magnes silently watches. He can sense something big is up.

“A
re you going to tell me why?” he finally asks as she closes the bag.

“
Better if you don’t know.” Victoria hesitates as she turns. “I want to thank you, Dr Magnes, and know I am still considering your suggestion.”

“That’s good
. We’ll talk more when you get back.” When all she does is turn to leave, he grips her arm. “You are coming back, right?”

“I have every intention
of. See you soon.” Giving him a tight smile, she heads to the flight deck.

“Dodge, is everything prepped?”

“Yeah
, it is. When are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“I’m not
. You’re in charge of the squadron. Keep them sharp.”

“I will, until you
get back.” When he gets no response, Dodge grabs his arm. “You are coming back, right?”

“That’s the plan.
” Lucas watches Victoria stride across the flight deck towards them. Her stride steady and confident. “Get everything you wanted?” he asks taking her bag.

“Yeah
. Hi Dodge.”

“
Tori.”

“Ready?
” Dodge watches as Victoria takes a deep breath and nods.

“Yes
. See you later Dodge, tell Lorre bye for me.”

“Tell her yourself.
” He nods behind her. Turning, she sees Lorre approaching.

“Leaving without saying goodbye?”

“I didn’t know you were back on full duty. How are you feeling?”

“Good
. So what’s going on?” When no one answers, her eyes sharpen. “Tori?”

“
It’s family related. I can’t say more than that.” She gives her a hard hug. “Keep Dodge in line while we’re gone.”

“That
, I can do.” Victoria sees the concern in her eyes, gives her a reassuring smile, she turns and enters the Phoenix.

“Command, this is the Phoenix ready for departure.” Lucas watches as Victoria secures her harness in the co-pilot seat. Her eyes steady as they meet his.

“Phoenix
, you’re cleared.”

“Affirmative command
. Hold on.” He tells her than engaging the engines, launches the Phoenix.

In
command, Admiral Tar watches the screens. “Navigator, initiate sequence Blind Eye.”

“
Yes sir.” As the sequence runs, screens and sensors across the fleet shut down. Lucas engages the Phoenix’s warp drive and flies into the Relinquished Zone.

Looking at the clock
, Tar waits. “Navigator, initiate sequence Open Eye.” All sensors and screens reengage.
‘May the ancestors watch over you.’
Tar sends up a silent prayer.

On the Phoenix, Victoria lets out a deep sigh.

“Okay?
” Lucas gives her a quick look.

“Yeah, I guess I just kept waiting for something to go wrong
, for Uncle William to change his mind.”

“That wasn’t going to happen.
” Checking the sensors, he puts the Phoenix on autopilot. “Let’s get something to eat. You didn’t touch first meal.”

“I did too,
” she denies.

“Only to push it around your plate.
” Releasing his harness, he turns his chair. “Come on, she’s fine for now.” Holding out a hand, he waits for her to do the same.

Putting
her hand in his, she lets him lead her back into the living area of the Phoenix. They’re quiet as they eat, having already discussed everything in depth in the three day waiting for the Phoenix. All except one thing.

“Are you going to tell me?
” Victoria pushes her plate away waiting.

“Tell you what?”

“Why the locator’s off?” He should have realized she’d notice.

“It will keep the Regulians sensors from picking us up.”

“The Coalitions too.”

“Yes.”

“That’s not regulation.”

“None of this is
. If we run into trouble, we’re on our own.”

“Unless we activate the locator.”

“Yes, but the Regulians will pick it up before Coalition forces can assist.”

“Okay.
” She looks at him. “So, are you going to let me fly her?” The light in her eyes tells him she’s serious.

“You want to fly the Phoenix?”

“Hey, I flew her before you did.”

“So you did, let’s see what you can do.”

“Oh trust me, I can do a lot.” The sparkle in her eyes tells him she isn’t just talking about flying.

“I always trust you.
” However, she did surprise him. She’s a natural pilot, at ease with the controls, knowing when to make slight adjustments.

“You’re good.”

She smiles at him. “I had a good teacher although I think I gave him a few more gray hairs.” Lucas laughs, thinking about his father teaching Victoria.

“I’ll have to ask him.”

Over the next few
days, they fall into a routine, each flying for so long, eating meals together, sleeping, loving, talking and learning more about the other. Entering the Earth’s solar system, Lucas can feel her tension growing.

“Relax, we’ll know soon enough.
” Picking up her hand from the controls, he kisses it.

“I know
that’s why I’m tense. What if I’m wrong?” Desperate eyes look into his.

“Are you?
” His steady look calms her.

“No
. I’m not.” Turning back to look through the windshield, she watches Earth grow. “Oh God Lucas, look at it!” The once blue planet is now a swirling mix of sickly greens and yellows. It’s moon no longer round.

“We’re going to have to be careful, there’s still a lot of debris floating around
. It’s a wonder the probes were able to get through at all.” Slowing the Phoenix, Lucas scans the area for a safe route.

“Start scanning, locate where the cabin was
, then we’ll figure out a path to it.” When he receives no reply, he turns sharp eyes to Victoria, finding tears rolling down her cheeks. “Victoria!” He knows she’s hurting, but now is not the time. “Come on baby. Scan the planet.”

“Yeah, okay.
” Turning her chair, Victoria starts the necessary scans. Part way through there’s a scrapping sound outside the Phoenix’s hull. Alarm’s go off.

“Fuck
! Missed one.”

“We’re okay.
” Victoria checks her readouts. “All systems are operational.”

“It hit something.
” She double-checks her readouts.

“Antenna
. Long range. We’re fine.” She can sense Lucas’ frustration. “We’re fine, let it go.”

“We aren’t going to be able to put the Phoenix into orbit and leave
with all this debris.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Setting her down on the moon, there’s less chance of a hit.” Victoria scans the moon.

“There’s a spot towards the south that’s clear.”

“Have you found the cabin?”

“Yes, we’ll need to go in near the pole, work our way down.
” Nodding, Lucas turns the Phoenix towards the moon. Landing he cuts the engine.

The silence is deafening
. Turning, Lucas looks at her, waiting. Meeting his eyes, she sees all his love and concern, for her.

“I love you
, Lucas. I’ll been fine no matter what we find, as long as you’re with me.” Nodding, he rises, holding out his hand.

“Then let’s go get your family.
” Slipping her hand in his, she lets him lead her to the Raptor.

“There,” Victoria points to his eleven o’clock. “There’s less turbulence through there.”

“
Got it. Is your harness secure?”

“For the third time
,
yes
. Stop worrying about me.”

“Never
going to happen. Hang on.” Hitting turbulence, Lucas has to tighten his grip on the controls to stop them from flying out of his hands.

“Crap, I thought that would be clearer.”

“It was it just closed up.”

“It’s spiraling, there
! Two o’clock. Try and follow it down.” As he does, the Raptor stops shuddering. Working her sensors Victoria tries to figure out where they are.

“Talk to me
, Victoria.”

“Texas, we’re over Texas
. We need to go straight for about ten minutes. It’ll put us close. I need to recalculate a couple things. The Earth’s tilted a little, I need to compensate.”

Trust
ing her, Lucas flies the Raptor. Looking at the surface, he remembers how lush and alive it had been when he’d flown over it before, just nine cycles ago, before the Regulian attack. How would he feel if this was Carina he was flying over?
His
home, he was trying to find.

It’s so easy to forget what Victoria is going through
. She makes it easy. He needs to be more attentive to her she’s going to need him.

“Eleven o’clock for three minutes, that’ll put us over Chester, you should be able to see the mountains then.”

“Victoria, long range visibility sucks.”

“It’ll clear.”

“How can you know that?” His eyes flash to hers to see she’s stopped relying on the instrumentation and is looking out the forward dome.

“I just do
. There, see, there’s the start of the outline.” Following her finger, he sees she’s right. They were getting close.

“Aim for the middle peak
. That’s where the shelter is, in that mountain.”

Trusting her
, Lucas turns the Raptor, slowing its speed.

“Where’s the meadow Victoria?”

“There.” Victoria points to a spot that looks exactly like the surrounding landscape. Barren. Except for one large boulder. Setting the Raptor down, they wait for the dust to settle.

“Is your helmet secure
?” Lucas turns to look at her in her enviro suit.

“Yes.
” Reaching out, he touches her cheek, then lowers her shield himself.

“Comm check
,” Lucas talks into his mouthpiece.

“I hear you.”

“Good.” Lowering his own, they repeat the procedure. Standing together, they go to the Raptor’s hatch.

“You’ll stay close to me
, Victoria. No arguing.”

“I wasn’t going too
. We need to head towards the boulder. I need to know.” Nodding, he opens the hatch. Stepping out, he stirs up the fine powder that’s barely settled. Turning back to her, he waits. Victoria stands in the hatch of the Raptor, the land is barren with no signs of life, and the only sound she hears is her heartbeat.

“Victoria.
” Jumping, she sees Lucas’ worried look, she’s not alone, this isn’t a dream.

“I’m okay.
” She gives him a quick smile. “You’re here. That way.” She points to the boulder. Together they move towards the boulder.

Rounding the boulder
, Lucas sees nothing, no markers, no graves, but Victoria continues forward, stopping when her foot kicks something. Kneeling down, she waves her hand, moving the dust to find what she’s searching for, pulling out a piece of wood. With trembling fingers, she wipes it. Standing she turns back to Lucas.

Watching Victoria turn with a piece of what looks like wood
, his breathing stops. ‘Victoria Lynn Chamberlain’ He reads. Shocked eyes shoot to hers.

“Victoria
...” He watches the smile start to form on her lips then suddenly it feels like he’s been hit by a stunner. Behind Victoria, three figures emerge, one carrying a gun, stepping forward to protect Victoria, he’s suddenly looking up at a sick yellow green sky.

“Lucas!
” Dropping the wood, Victoria rushes to his side, immediately she sees the blood soaking the leg of his suit. “No!” Pressing her hands against the wound, she tries to stem the flow.

“Behind you!
” Lucas struggles to get up. Turning, Victoria sees the three figures approaching, one carrying a gun.

“NO!
” Victoria slides in front of him, on her knees, hands spread wide. Realizing they can’t hear her, her fingers fly to the release on her helmet.