Victoria's Challenge (55 page)

"Amina
, tell them what you told me... about the differences."

"Between
what the filter detects and what we use now?"

"Yes."

"Well," Amina looks to the High Admiral who reluctantly nods. "Right now, we detect the Regulians because of the trail their warp leaves behind before it dissipates. The cyclotron system is a pulse system making it nearly impossible to detect."

"I know this
," The High Admiral says impatiently.

"Uncle William
, the filter detects the
energy
pulse
of the Guardian.” Lucas suddenly sits straight up in his chair, his eyes shooting to Victoria.

"Like the
Regulian
energy pulse?” Lucas questions.

"Yes!
” Victoria shoves her fist in the air, finally someone understands.

"What are you talking about?
” Amina looks from Tori, to Lucas, to the High Admiral. “What energy pulse?”

"You know about the last Regulian attack on the fleet
?” The High Admiral quizzes.

"Yes.
” Amina nods to the High Admiral.

"What you don't know
,” the High Admiral continues, “is that the Regulians were able to produce and maintain some type of energy pulse that made them invisible to our scans."

"What?
” Paling at the thought, Amina blindly reaches behind her for a chair, not realizing Barek has moved to assist her.

"Victoria
was able to record it as she passed through it, but no one can figure out what it is,” William continues as if she hadn’t interrupted.

“Can I see it
? The recording?” Turning a screen, William pulls up the data to show Amina.

“That’s not a cyclotronic pulse
,” Amina immediately replies, turning her head slightly, she frowns, there is something familiar about it.

“How can you be sure?
” Barek demands.

“The wave is
too concentrated,” She immediately replies. “See, there’s almost no break.” Amina points, as if he should understand. ”It would take a massive power source to produce such a wave.”

“Like a ship?
” The High Admiral prompts.

“A ship?
” She looks at him startled.

“If there was a ship
, that’s only job was to project that wave, would it be possible?” Amina is silent for several minutes considering what the High Admiral’s asking. Watching as more data scrolls by.

“Project it…
” She frowns at the thought. “It would be a very strange looking ship, more of a transmitter really,” she says more to herself. “It would have to travel out in front of anything it was trying to shield and its effective area would be narrow. Anything traveling behind it would have to be extremely close, maneuverability would be an issue.” Lucas gives his father a sharp look, this it is exactly what they’d seen.

“C
an your filter detect it?”

“No
,” Amina reply is immediately and definite, she doesn't notice the High Admiral’s disappointed sigh. “But I could have one for you in a day or two.”

“What?!
” William can’t hide his shock. “We’ve had the best Coalition minds analyzing this for nearly three moon cycles.

“To
reproduce it.” Amina nods understanding. “I don’t need to do that, just isolate it, that’s entirely different.”

“Amina.
” The High Admiral slowly walks around his desk. “Can you really do this? Lives are at stake here.”

Swallowing hard
, Amina looks from him back to the screen. There
is
something so familiar about the pattern. Suddenly realizing what it is, her eyes fly to Tori.

“What?
” Victoria asks, she knows her friend’s looks.

“
It’s a radio wave…” she whispers. “Like you told me used to be on Earth. The ones we use to recreate when we'd get in trouble, so we could still talk to each other. It’s modified of course, extremely amped up, but that’s what it is.”

Victoria’s eyes widen
, looking at the screen.

“So that’s how you
two did it,” The High Admiral mutters. “It drove Cassandra and Javiera crazy.”

Barek and Lucas watch
as the girls share a smug look.

“Can you
create a filter to isolate it?” The High Admiral demands, pulling them all back to the matter at hand.

“Of course
,” Amina answers confidently. “Now that I know what it is, it shouldn’t really even need a filter. Your current systems just need to scan at a much lower frequency. You're looking for the wrong thing. If you let me run the data through the program dad and I developed for the turminan filter, I’ll be able to give you the exact frequency. Along with a safety range for any possible deviations.”

All three
men look at her stunned while Victoria just smiles. Men… even Carinian ones, tend to underestimate their women.

“I’ll have your father bring the program
," The High Admiral finally speaks. "I want this all done within the Palace, under the tightest security. We’ve had enough leaks lately and no, I’m not referring to you, Amina,” he quickly reassures her. "There's more going on here then you know."

"Alright
. I just need a place to work."

"You'll have it
. Victoria.” He looks to her standing next to her friend. "You were right to interrupt but...” He holds a finger, stopping the smile that is about to break across her face. "Don't do it again. You and Lucas will have enough hurdles because of Cassandra and me without giving them more reasons."

"I...
” Victoria opens her mouth to argue but realizes he's right. If it had been anyone other than Barek in the room, things could have gotten very sticky, very fast. "I'm sorry. I was angry about Gad and when I realized Amina would understand the Regulian data, I just reacted. I know better than to storm past Hadar. I'll make sure I apologize to him."

"Do that
. Now go finish your Union plans. Amina, I'll contact you when the program is here."

Peter and William are speechless as Victoria stands before them, glowing in the beautiful Union gown Kia has created. Peter remembers gown from his own wedding, remembers sliding his hands up the bell shaped sleeves to pull Cyndy close.

Victoria
turns, revealing the violet laces along her back. Cyndy’s had been ivory and he had quickly undone them once they had been alone. Peter decides not to think about Lucas doing the same.

William finds that yet another Chamberlain woman
has left him speechless. Cassandra does it daily with her love and strength but on the day of their Union, she had stunned him. She had worn House of Protection violet instead of House of Knowledge blue. Seeing Victoria wearing it tugs at him in a way he had not expected. She is stating for all to see with whom she stands.

“You look beautiful
, baby.” Peter is the first to move.

“Thank you daddy.
” She gives him a quivering smile. “Uncle William?”

“You’re stunning
, Victoria.” He walks over to kiss her cheek. “I’m not the least surprised.” He smiles at her wistfully, touching her cheek. “Only yesterday, you were asking to call me Uncle.”

“And you were begging me to take you swimming.
” Peter touches her other cheek. “Now you are about to walk down the aisle to the man you love, and the only one I would ever consider worthy of you.”

“
He loves me, daddy. The way you love mom.” She looks to her second father. "The way you love Aunt Cassie. I know I will always be first with him…he will always be first with me.”

Lucas shifts his weight from one foot to another as he waits.

“I can’t believe you’re nervous.
” Barek grins, standing next to his friend.

“Where is she Barek?”
he asks.

“Getting ready
, I would assume.”

Jotham watches them indulgently
. They remind him so much of him and William. Related by birth. Friends by choice. They truly are two of the finest Carina has ever produced. A smile cracks his face when Lucas shifts again. William had been the same way, waiting for Cassandra.

“Are you sure you want to do this
, Lucas?” Jotham forces back a smile as startled eyes turn to him.

“Of course I do!
” Lucas cannot believe Jotham can even ask that. “I’ve waited nine cycles for this day.”

“Then relax.
” Jotham's smile breaks free. “Your wait is over.” He nods to the entrance of the garden. Lucas whips around and his heart stops.

T
here she is...
his heart whispers. The only woman he will ever love. Standing between his father and hers, she is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. Looking at her, he is stunned. His eyes fly over her, falling to the violet belt before moving back to her love filled eyes. She is wearing violet.
His
House color, stating for all to see where her loyalty lies….with him. Not Cassie. Not the House of Knowledge. Without conscious thought, he moves to her.

William
sees the stunned look on his eldest's face as he realizes what Victoria is stating for all to see. Remembers feeling the same way when Cassandra had done it.

“Hi.
” Victoria says softly when Lucas stops in front of her. Without a word, he leans down to capture her lips in a reverent kiss that has every woman sighing. Pulling back, he sees tears fill her eyes.

“I love you
, Victoria Lynn.” He gently wipes the happy tears away with his thumbs before stepping back, looking to the men flanking her. Slowly, Peter and William take the hand from their arms and extend them to Lucas, but as he takes them, both hesitate. Lucas quickly looks from one to the other. Reluctantly, they release her and her tears flow again as she looks at them, the men who had raised her.

“
Thank you, Uncle William.” Sliding her hands from Lucas’, she frames William’s face, gently kissing his cheek. “For having Lucas. For helping him become the man, he is today. The man I love. For loving me and letting me be a part of your family.” Tears flow unashamedly down the High Admiral’s cheeks at her words.

Turning she looks to her father
. “Thank you, daddy, for never giving up on me. You showed me what true love was. That it stands in good times and bad. That it never lets go. Not once it has touched you. I’ve found that, daddy. Thanks to you. With Lucas. He loves me like you love mom and I’m holding on, I’ve got a good grip.” Kissing his cheek, she feels his arms wrap tightly around her before releasing her so she can turn to Lucas and her future.

“Thank you.
” Lucas looks to each man and knows they understand him. Taking Victoria’s hands, he leads her to their future.

Jotham smiles as Lucas and Victoria walk towards him. The ancestors have truly blessed them this day. Showing them that nothing is impossible if you love. He wishes Lata was here to see this… when a breeze gently touches his cheek, he realizes she is.

“Family and friends, we are here this day, to witness the Union
of this man and this woman. Do you, Lucas Matthew Zafar accept this woman, Victoria Lynn Chamberlain, as your wife? To love, honor and protect her until you meet the ancestors.”

“I do
. I will never lose my grip.” Jotham raises an eyebrow at the addition.

“And do you
, Victoria Lynn Chamberlain, accept this man, Lucas Matthew Zafar, as your husband, to love, honor and protect until you meet the ancestors?” He learned with Cassandra that ‘obey’ was not something the Chamberlain women agreed to.

“I
will and beyond.” Victoria smiles up at Lucas, this day is perfect.

“Zafar! Where is my son?” The harsh voice has all heads turning. Lucas quickly pulls Victoria protectively behind him. Barek steps in front of Amina.

“Stannic!
” Cassandra is furious. "What are you doing here?” Angrily, she stands to confront him, only to have William step between them, protecting his family.

“Stannic…
” Peter snarls, spinning around, his eyes turning deadly as they zero in on the man that has brought so much pain to his family.

Stannic stares
with disdain at the smaller man moving towards him. He knows who he is and shows him no respect. He and his worthless family deserved to die on Earth.

"Assemblyman Stannic
to you,
alien
.” He sneers. Dismissing Peter, he turns his attention back to the High Admiral. "What have you done to my son, Zafar?” He moves confidently forward, knowing the High Admiral cannot touch him.
He
is not in the Coalition and the Queen… well she's female, as for the others, they are from the House of Protection... they know they cannot touch another House’s Assemblymen. Therefore, he is shocked when suddenly he's jerked off his feet from behind. His eyes fly to the enraged ones of the Queen's brother.

"How dare you!
” Stannic bellows. “I am an Assemblyman!
No
Carinian may touch me!” His eyes widen when the man raises a fist.

“But I’m not
Carinian,
now, am I?” Peter replies with a menacing smile.

"Peter
, no! You can’t!” Cyndy grabs his arm, stilling an arm that has regained its full strength. Stannic smirks, at least one of these aliens realize how important he is.

"Cyndy?
” Peter questions roughly, his eyes never leaving Stannic.

"
Not with that jacket on. Blood is a
bitch
to get out.” Her soft voice is a sharp contrast to the harsh words. “Take it off
then
kick his sorry ass."

"Of course
, pixie.” Peter quickly drops the stunned Stannic, handing his jacket to Cyndy.

“No one screws with my family
, ass hole.” Cyndy glares at Stannic before pulling Peter down for a hard kiss. “Take out the trash, baby.”

“With pleasure
, pixie.” Peter smiles, reaching for Stannic again, his first swing sending the Assemblyman flying through the garden’s entrance.

Victoria watches in disbelief as her father slugs Stannic but she won’t say she’s sorry. How had he gotten into the Queen’s private garden?

“Stay here
, Victoria.” Lucas orders. Jotham nods that he will protect her as Lucas moves to back up Peter. Suddenly, only women and children are left in the memory garden and the sound of flesh hitting flesh permeates the air. Ignoring Lucas’ order, Victoria moves towards the entrance.

“Victoria
, no,” Jotham orders. While he knows he can’t personally become involved in the fight, he wants to, oh how he wants to. Quickly stepping around Victoria, Jotham blocks the garden's entrance, making sure he can see while keeping the others inside.

"
Crouch down a little, Jotham," Cyndy demands, she has pushed a chair up behind him but even standing on her tiptoes she can't see over the King. “I can’t see a thing.” She shoves at his shoulder.

Jotham looks at the tiny woman in shock
. Who would have thought someone so small and fragile looking could be such a spitfire. Looking to Victoria, he realizes he should have known.

Peter advances on the man currently shaking his head on the ground, ignoring those forming a circle around them. Peter had learned a great deal about Stannic when he searched for his spies in the Palace. His parents had been commoners who worked within the House of Knowledge under Yakira's mother. It had been there, in the Palace that Stannic learn just how much power an Assemblyman could have, especially if he had the ear of the Queen.

Stannic had
become powerful during Yakira's reign, thanks to his friendship with Audric. Cassie exposing Audric and taking the throne changed all that. Stannic lost his power base and had to rely on threats and intimidation to maintain his status of Assemblyman. Peter was going to end that.

"Get up Stannic.
” He orders.

"You'll pay for this.
” Stannic spits out slowly rising. He had been the best fighter in his Academy class back in the day and while it's been a few cycles, he has no doubt he can handle this puny
alien
.

Peter smiles as Stanni
c moves into a fighting stance. He wants nothing more than to teach this foabhor a lesson, for Tori, for Amina and for every other person Stannic’s terrorized. Peter waits for Stannic's first move. He doesn’t have to wait long.

Stannic lunges at
the smaller man sure that his size will overpower him. Peter simply twists and steps aside at the last second to bring his elbow down sharply on Stannic’s back sending him to the ground again.

"
Is that the best you've got Stannic?” Peter taunts, smiling as rage fills the eyes that whip up to his. "No wonder your son is so pathetic."

"You know
nothing
about Gad!” Stannic rises quickly this time, striking out with rusty moves that Peter easily blocks.

"I know
he attack my daughter.” Peter swings for the first time, connecting with Stannic's jaw causing him to stumble backwards. "And she put him down.” Every man there hears the pride in Peter's voice.

"The little bitch got lucky!
” Stannic spits out, blood dripping from his spilt lip.

"Not hardly.
” Peter circles Stannic, taunting him. "Then he went after Amina and failed there too."

"No
, he didn't.” Stannic grins evilly thinking he knows something they don't.

"You mean
because you found out about the turminan filter?” Peter sees the shock spread across Stannic's face. "We know all about that Stannic. About your spies in the Palace
and
you forging Coalition documents. You have broken both House of Knowledge laws and Coalition ones. Gad told us everything, saving his own ass, it seems he has no more loyalty than you do."

"You lie!
” Stannic sputters, his face turning red. "My son would never betray me!"

"
Kayden nallag death to the traitors descendents.
” William’s voice, while quiet, carries a father’s rage.

Stannic looks at William in shock
. That is his passcode. How had the High Admiral gotten it? If he had it than he has access to his files and if he has access...” Stannic pales at the thought. He has to get out of here! Looking at the men surrounding him, his eyes move from Barek to Leander, to Lucas, the High Admiral and then the entire Queen's Guard before returning to Peter. That is his way out, Stannic thinks, through the Queen’s brother.

Peter sees
Stannic’s mind racing as he realizes he’s trapped. Stannic thinks that he, Peter, is the weakest link, he is not.

“Bring it Stannic.
” Peter challenges, setting his back foot, bracing for Stannic’s attack.

Stannic’s first swing is fast, faster than Peter expect
s and he blocks it with a forearm, then spinning Peter knocks Stannic's feet out from under him with a leg sweep.