Victoria's Challenge (54 page)

“I owe you an apology then, the High Admiral is correct. You did exactly right but understand this… “ Peter looks from one man to the other. "I will have no qualms about taking either of them out given the opportunity."

"Understood
." William responds. "So this is what I need you two to do."

Gad can’t hide his smile as Degas lands at his father's private retreat. Soon, Degas will pay for the way he's treated him, with his life. The idiot really thinks he's going to let him wait away with his father's codes. His father would kill
him
if he even thought he knew them.

"Let's go Gad, I want to get my credits and get out of here."

"Sure Degas, no problem.” Gad quickly nods as he moves to the hatch. Outside will be his father's people, and they will take care of Degas. Opening the hatch he leads Degas to his fate only to freeze as a dozen stunners point at him.

"Keep coming
, Ensign.” Sergeant Paa orders.

"What is
this?” He demands, stumbling forward when Degas gives him a hard shove. “What's going on?”

"Ensign Stannic, you are under arrest for the dissemination of classified information,
desertion and conspiring to assassinate Queen Cassandra."

"What
! Wait! No!” He looks frantically around for help.

"You will be presented to the High Council for sentencing and punishment."

"No!” Gad pales. "It wasn't me! Truly! It's my father! He's lost his mind!”

"Are you willing to testify to that Ensign?
” Tibullus steps from the shadows. "Before the Assembly?"

"The Assembly?
” Gad pales even more.

"Yes, High Treason must be presented to the Full Assembly.
”

"High Treason!
” Gad squeaks. "What High Treason?"

"The giving of classified information to the Regulians is High Treason
, Ensign."

"We never
... he never... I never...” Gab stutters.

"Are you willing to go on record
, Ensign?” Tibullus demands.

"He'll kill me
," Gad whispers.

"Take him to the High Council
, Sergeant.” Tibullus turns to leave.

"No
! Wait! Promise I won't be tried for High Treason. That you’ll keep my father from killing me and I'll tell you anything you want to know!” Gad quickly sacrifices his father.

"You'll tell me
everything
!” Tibullus rounds on him so swiftly that Gad takes a startled step back from the rage rolling off him.

"Yes...
yes of course."

"One lie Stannic.
” Tibullus holds up a finger. "One thing left out and we're done, and you stand beside your father!"

"Sure...
of course... anything you say, Colonel."

"Then sit down.
” He gestures to a chair. "We'll start with how you learned about the turminan filter."

"The Guardian leaves in one moon cycle, you have three weeks to get your affairs in order doctor then you need to report.” Victoria taps a few keys. "I am transmitting your orientation packet as we speak, read it. It contains the transport and assignment orders you will need to get on the Guardian. Welcome aboard, Dr. Uecker.” Removing her headset, Victoria leans back in the chair stretching. It's been an exhausting few weeks with nearly nonstop interviews for the positions on the Guardian, but now it was done, the last position filled. Spinning in her chair, she's surprised to see Lucas leaning against the wall, watching her.

"Hi
," Smiling as she stands.

Straightening
, Lucas moves to her, they've both been so busy, they've had little time together, except at night but that's going to change. He just finished notifying the last applicant for the Guardian and it seems Victoria has too, now they can concentrate on each other. Pulling her close, he seals his lips to hers.

"Hi
," he replies, minutes later, against kiss swollen lips, he'll never get enough of this woman, the way she responds to him, the unfocused look in her eyes that only he can put there. Resting his forehead against hers, he silently thanks the ancestors.

"Wow
. What brought that on?" she asks breathlessly.

"I missed you.
” His simple admission is rewarded with a brilliant smile.

"I missed you too
. I didn't think I'd see you until tonight."

"Finished the last of the assignments for the Guardian and decided it was time to see to things here."

"So did I… just finish that is. What did you need to see to here?” A sassy look comes to her face at the thought.

"That too.
” Lucas gives her a hard kiss. "But first, we need to set the date for the wedding. Barek will be on planet in five days, so I'm giving you seven to get ready to be my wife.” He smiles as her tears fill her eyes before widening in shock.

"
Seven! How am I..."

"Don't tell me you haven't already been planning, you told me you talked to Kia."

"I did but..."

"We have one moon cycle before we leave
. I'm giving you one week for the ceremony then we're heading to the cabin for at least a week... two, if we can manage."

"The cabin
...” She smiles at the thought of just the two of them at the Zafar cabin. "Can I do the leap, since I'll be a Zafar then?"

Lucas pales at the thought of her
attempting the leap. "You're going to be too busy to do that.” He captures her lips, stopping her protest.

Cassandra silently reads the report Peter has compiled under the High Admiral's orders. That this could be going on in her
own
House. To her
own
people and she not
know
! The two names listed were people she trusted. For them not have come to her... devastated eyes look to Peter.

"This wasn't your fault
, Cass."

"Why didn't they come to me?
” She whispers. “I would have helped them."

"
I
know that and
you
know that, but apparently
they
didn't. Stannic had them before they could get to know you. Not everyone is as strong as you Cass.” Looking at her, he pauses. "I've always felt guilty about that, about how you got that way."

"What?
” Cassandra's eyes fill with confusion.

"I should have stopped dad from sending you away.
” Guilt ridden eyes meet hers.

"Peter
...” Rising Cassandra wraps her arms around her brother, realizing he's regained nearly all his size. "There wasn't anything you could have done. You had your own life by then, a unit to get back too. No, let me finish.” She stops him as he opens his mouth. "It hurt, I won't lie, you left, Grams... she cried whenever she saw me and dad... he couldn't even look at me. He spent all his time in the barn with his furniture. When he sent me to boarding school... it was almost a relief, at least there, I wasn’t a reminder of everything lost.”

"Cass
..."

"But we worked it out
, Dad and me, Grams too. It took time but I always knew he loved me, just as I knew you and Grams did. We just needed time, time to heal, and thankfully, we got it. I don't think I would have had the strength to survive everything that came after if we hadn't. If I questioned it for even one second, it had to happen for us to be
here... now...
so I'm at peace with it.”

“If you’re at peace with it
, then I am.” Peter gives her a hard hug before stepping back. “There's something else you need to see.” He hands his Queen the file on how Gad found out about the turminan filter, knowing it will upset her more.

“Turn.” Kia orders, watching the flow of Victoria’s gown with a critical eye. This gown is extraordinary and she wants it perfect. She and Cyndy have been working for weeks to recreate her union gown with the subtle changes Victoria wants. It will be unlike one ever seen before.

Victoria smiles indulgently at Kia
. She knows she’s been working her magic yet again. The mirror reflects the ivory velvet gown, with off shoulder long fitted sleeves that opened into bells at the elbows, revealing her forearms. The bodice is fitted to the waist then drapes away at her hips, pooling on the floor. Kia embellished the bodice with clear crystals and a belt made of deepest violet to ride low on her hips before it follows the drape of the gown to the floor. Turning, she finds the laces in back match the belt.

Looking to
her mother, her smile widens. Cyndy has gotten so much better since their arrival on Carina. Short curls cover her once bare head, making her look so young. She is wearing one of Kia's creations that enhances the curves she's regained, in beautiful House of Knowledge blue.

“Dad’s going to go nuts when he sees you.”

“I know,” Cyndy agrees, running her hands over the hips that have once again filled out. “I can’t wait.” Smiling, she looks to Amina in her violet dress, it not only coordinates with hers but also represent
her
House, the House of Protection.

“And then there
's you…” Victoria looks at Amina.

“Me?
” Shocked eyes look to Victoria. “No one is going to be looking at
me,
” Amina immediately denies.

“Oh I don’t know
,” Victoria teases, trying to put a smile on her friends face, she’s been distracted and quiet all day. “Barek is going to be there.” To her shock, Amina’s eyes fill with tears. “Amina! What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.
” She waves a hand. “I’m sorry, I…” She can’t go on.

“Amina
, tell me!” Victoria quickly moves to her friend, stopping only when Amina’s eyes fly to Kia.

“Kia
, are we done?” Cyndy asks, instantly understanding Amina wants privacy.

“Yes
, Madame Chamberlain. I will return with the gowns tonight after the final alterations are complete.” Quickly gathering the gowns, Kia leaves.

“Now Amina
, tell us what’s wrong.” Cyndy sits next to the young woman that has collapsed on the couch.

“I...
I betrayed the Coalition,” She whispers then breaks down in Cyndy’s arms.

"What?
” Whatever Victoria thought could be wrong, it wasn't this. "That's ridiculous! Who’s saying that?" she demands. "You'd never do that! Come on, we’ll go talk to Uncle William.” Moving to stand, Amina's next words stop her.

"I already have
... yesterday... he's the one that told me..."

"Told you what honey?
” Cyndy tucks a piece of hair behind Amina's ear, there is no way this sweet girl could have done what she claims. She's smart, loving and loyal.

"That Assemblyman Stannic found out about the turminan filter because of
me
.” She tells them between sobs.

"Wait
! What?” Victoria's totally confused. "What's a turminan filter?”

"It's a way to detect the signature
of the cyclotron propulsion system.” Amina tries to get herself under control. “Dad and I developed it."

"And?
” Victoria asks.

"Stannic found out about
it because dad and I were careless," Amina finally admits.

"Bull shi
t!” Victoria immediate response startles Amina. "You're never careless when it comes to your work, neither is your dad!"

"But we were
.” Amina argues back. “We were sitting in our garden talking about the filter, about what it could do. That's how Gad found out."

"Gad...
” Victoria's eyes narrow as she whispers. "What was Gad doing there?"

"He wasn't
. He had surveillance set up on the house, recording everything. His father found the recordings."

"Gad
had you under surveillance... because of me.” Victoria pales at the thought. "Because of what happened with me."

"What happened to you
, Victoria Lynn?” Cyndy demands her eyes going hard.

"It
isn't your fault, Tori!” Amina immediately tells her.

"He wanted too
...” Tori can't go on.

"
Victoria Lynn Chamberlain
what happened to you?” Cyndy doesn't shout but her tone can't be ignored. Tori looks to her mother.

"Gad
Stannic attacked me when I was at school. He is Assemblyman Rogue Stannic’s son, a powerful Assemblyman in the House of Knowledge. I took him out with one of dad's moves."

"He tried to rape you.
” Cyndy whispers.

"It never got that far
, mom.” Victoria immediately reassures her. "He grabbed me and I put him down. There were visuals of it so he couldn't deny it and have his father make it go away.” She turns to Amina. "That's why he went after
you
, because he knew it would hurt
me
."

"That's what Gad told Tibullus when he interviewed him
, but
that
doesn't matter. What
matters
is that he learned top secret information because of
me
!” Amina tells her.

"Of course it matters
! You’re not to blame for this! There's no way you could have known you were under surveillance, you were in your own garden, for god's sake!"

"I know but..."

"No buts, Amina," Cyndy tells her firmly. "Tori's right. You had every right to believe what you and Leander said was just between the two of you, just like we do in the palace. That someone took advantage of that, for terrible reasons, is not your fault. No more than it is Tori's for Gad attacking her. Which by the way,” sharp eyes turn to Victoria. "You should have told me about sooner young lady."

"It was cycles
ago, mom, and until Gad showed up on the Retribution, I never gave him another thought. I should have realized he wouldn't let it go."

"No
, Tori, if you won't let me blame myself for this then you can't either. No one knew they would take it this far.” Amina squeezes her friend's hand.

"He was on the Retribution?
” Cyndy doesn't try to hide her anger.

"Yeah, Lucas found hi
m on his flight deck. It pissed him off but it wasn't until he started spouting off classified information that he had him arrested," Victoria tells her.

"That's how Barek found out about him stalking Amina
," Cyndy connects the dots.

"That's what it sounds like
," Victoria agrees.

"Leander must be enraged.
” Cyndy looks to Amina. “I know Peter will be."

"Dad was
. They've put a security dome around the house," Amina tells them.

"Good.
” Cyndy nods, knowing what that is.

"Uncle William knows
? Aunt Cassie?” Victoria frowns, thinking.

"Yes
. They are gathering Intel against Stannic but wanted us to know.”

“As you should
,” Cyndy informs her. “But now, we'll let them handle it."

"Amina
... why do you need a different filter for the cyclotron system?” Victoria asks.

"Hmmm, what?
” Amina looks at her confused.

"The fleet can already detect warp signatures
," Victoria reminds her.

"Well yeah
, but those are totally different. Don't you remember? We talked about this once? Warp signatures are like your jet trails were on Earth, traceable until they dissipate."

"
The Cyclotron system isn't like that?"

"No, it's a pulse system
, so it has no trail, making it nearly impossible to detect."

"But you were able to...
detect it."

"Yeah."

"Come on, we need to talk to Uncle William.” Victoria pulls her up.

"But
...” Amina looks to Cyndy confused.

"Go!
” Cyndy orders, understanding what her daughter’s thinking.

"Is he in?” Victoria demands, surprising Hadar as she storms into the High Admiral outer office, dragging Amina behind her.

"Yes
, but he's in a meeting with Lucas and..."

"Perfect
," She cuts him off, heading for the door.

"But
...” Hadar stutters trying to cut her off. He isn’t quick enough.

"Tori
... what do you think you’re doing?” Amina whispers urgently, as Tori pushes open the High Admiral's door. "You can't just barge in..."

"Yes Victoria
. What exactly
do
you think you're doing?” The chill in the High Admiral's voice would have stopped anyone else, not Victoria.

"
We need to talk to you about what Barek discovered.” Looking around the room, she realizes not only is Lucas here, but so is Barek. "Good your here.” She nods at him.

Lucas frowns at Victoria
, she knows better than this. It doesn’t matter who she is, there are rules. He decides he'll let the High Admiral handle it.

"Gentlemen, we'll continue this discussion later.
” William quickly disconnects his comm.

"I'm sorry
sir.” Hadar stands in the doorway, wringing his hands nervously. No one has ever gotten by him before.

"It's alright
, Hadar. Close the door," William orders before turning hard eyes to Victoria.

"Yes sir."

"Now, Victoria, you will explain exactly
what
is so important that you interrupt a
classified
meeting."

"Classified?
” Her eyes widen as she finally understands what she’s done and looks to Lucas who nods ever so slightly. "Look, I'm sorry, but this is important."

"Victoria
, I realize you're upset about what's happened to Amina and Leander, but it's been handled," The High Admiral tells her.

"Upset
! Damn right, I'm upset.” Her anger over what could have happened instantly returns. “I should have made sure that little foabhor was singing soprano permanently.” Lucas and William both flinch, understanding the saying.

"Singing soprano?
” Barek questions, looking from Lucas to William, puzzled by their reaction.

"I'll fi
ll you in later," Lucas mutters.

"But that's not why I'm here
. I’m here because of what Gad discovered. The turminan filter."

"
How do
you
know about it?” The High Admiral demands. The pointed look he gives Amina has her shrinking.

"Amina and I tell each other
everything,
" Victoria tells him dismissively. "We always have, but she only told me about the filter today because she was so upset that
you
think she betrayed the Coalition."

"What!
” William surges to his feet. "I
never
said that! Never
thought
that!” Rounding his desk, he stops in front of Amina, putting a gentle finger under her chin, tipping it up, so she has to look at him. What he sees breaks his heart. "Never Amina. Not in a million cycles," He tells her gently.

"But
..."

"No, this is on Gad and his father, not you and yours
," William reassures her.

"Barek?
” Victoria looks to him, knowing without her saying it, that Amina's worried she's betrayed her future King.

"No
. The High Admiral is correct, Amina.” Barek tells her. “You were never to blame for this."

"Than
k you," Amina whispers.

"Good
. Now that that's settled, we can get to what really brought us here. Tell them Amina."

"Tell them?
” She looks at her friend, totally confused. "Tell them what? I have no idea why you dragged me half way across the palace."

"
The turminan filter, what it does."

"But..."

"Victoria, we know what the turminan filter does. Now if that's all.” William turns back to his desk.

"Of course you
know
what it does," Victoria agrees. "But do you know what it
does
?"

"Victoria
...” His tone warns he’s not in the mood for games.