Protector of the Realm Read Free Page A

command, Commander Jeremiah Todd, looked stunned. ”What could possibly warrant that after she damn near blasted you out of space?”
    “We apprehended her with a child in her care.” Rae cut her vegetables into smaller pieces and speared one with a fork. As usual in the mess hall the food was passable, but little more. The rations included in the SC officers’ credits left a lot to be desired in texture, taste, and composition. The giant BaDalchian asparagus was decidedly thready, and chewing it provided ample time to ponder her response. Glancing around, she was grateful that the officers’ mess hall was almost empty, with only a few young ensigns occupying the bar at the far end of the room.
    “A child she abducted,” Jeremiah pointed out.
    “Allegedly abducted. We don’t have all the facts yet.”
    “What are you saying?”
    “Since we apprehended Ms. O’Dal and Armeo, I’ve heard from Ambassador M’Ekar’s attaché regarding ‘formal inquiries,’ as he calls it, stating a long list of reasons for us to more or less shoot Kellen O’Dal on sight and ask questions later."
    These so-called diplomatic questions had set her on edge with their overbearing attempts to dictate her actions. She would never do anything except follow SC laws to the letter. M’Ekar seemed to disregard whose jurisdiction Kellen O’Dal and young Armeo were under. She attacked another innocent vegetable, then dropped her fork impatiently. “There’s something more here than the good ambassador is leading us to believe, if you ask me.”
    Jeremiah gestured at her with his glass and came dangerously close to spilling his water. “You might be heading for a diplomatic minefield, Rae. The Onotharians have governed Gantharat for almost thirty years, and the Supreme Constellations Council members are divided regarding their right to do so.”
    “I know. Earth leaders, for instance, have never fully acknowledged the Onotharian right to form a cabinet on Gantharat. Theoretically we’re supposed to stay apolitical in the service, but I think our Council does great harm by not making up its mind.”
    “I couldn’t agree more. So, what’s this woman’s story? I hear she’s quite striking.”
    Rae gave her next in command an exasperated look. Jeremiah was the best XO she had ever had, but he was an unrepentant womanizer whose affairs were legendary. Oddly enough, though, all his exes defended him if anyone dared criticize him in any way.
    “She seems adamant about the boy.” Rae sipped her beer. “She would have skipped the infirmary altogether to stay with him if I hadn’t given them their own quarters. I don’t know how they do it on Gantharat, but she thought we’d throw both of them in the brig.”
    “The child too?” Jeremiah sounded incredulous.
    “Yes. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Her injury was the most painful-looking thing I’ve seen in years. Sure, I’ve seen bigger wounds, but they’ve been clean, new. This was infected, and together with the fact her blood is blue…it was ugly.” She shuddered, then gave a regretful smile. “Sorry, didn’t mean to spoil your meal.”
    “I was done." He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Sounds like she’s not a stranger to toughing it out.”
    “Yeah. Still, it’s hard to achieve that kind of self-control. I don’t trust her.” Rae raised her hand as Jeremiah opened his mouth to speak. “No, don’t get me wrong. She’s probably an honorable person deep down, but as long as that child’s in danger of being handed over to the Onotharians, she’s a loose cannon.”
    Jeremiah still looked doubtful. “Did she appreciate being given special quarters?”
    Rae folded her hands under her chin, leaning her elbows against the table. “She seems very suspicious of our motives, as if she sees hidden agendas everywhere. Who knows? Perhaps for good reason.”
    “You like her.” Her XO’s voice softened, becoming personal.
    Rae flinched, nailing him with her eyes. “What