Forbidden

Chapter Five

No matter what Kahn said, Anna wouldn’t leave Alex with someone while she sat before the tribunal. Both he and his father had offered assurances that the boy would be safe and that she would most definitely get him back immediately afterward but she wouldn’t budge. Kahn supposed he couldn’t blame her. She had said it would take time to trust him again. Trusting him with her son’s life was most definitely last on her list and that was as it should be.

Fortunately, the child was asleep when the time came for his mother to face the man she would speak out against, and Anna carefully made her way to the witness box. She shifted Alex so that he lay on her shoulder, and the child grunted at the movement but remained contentedly asleep.

“We understand that on Earth there are hearings such as this and that the witness against the accused swears to tell the truth before the court. Is this accurate and something you recognize as binding to you?” The king presided over all tribunals and he was the one to whom it fell to determine the accuracy of each witness’s testimony. One thing he had always told Kahn was to find out what held the word of each species that entered the witness box and make them swear to it.

“Yes, sir.”

“Then, by your rules of court, do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”

Anna blinked. Kahn could see the surprise on her face at hearing the familiar words. Then she smiled. “I do. Of course.”

When asked to relay her experiences during the war, Anna painted a gruesome picture. She described the tortures her people endured individually, and what she had seen at the death camps abandoned near the Front. She gave an account of the equipment found at one of these camps, and there was no way it could have been anything other than Gothe’maran in nature.

Mikkril looked at her impassively as she relayed her account. Try as he might, Kahn could not read the man’s intent in his expression. He could have been merely a spectator for all the emotion he gave away.

Kahn noticed her embrace tighten on Alex as she told how he and her husband had been slain. There were tears in her eyes and on her cheeks, but her voice was steady and sure. She never took her eyes off Mikkril.

When the representative of Gothe’mar was finished questioning her, Mikkril’s representative stepped forward. Kahn held his breath. This would not be pleasant. He just hoped Anna could control that temper of hers. He smiled. Then again…

* * *

Anna didn’t know how in the world Alex had managed to sleep through the proceedings so far. Thank God he had though because she absolutely refused to let anyone else have him. Even for a second. She was so nervous, she just knew she’d wake him with her trembling.

Courage, tarae . I’m with you . Anna warmed at the encouragement from her lover. Lover! Man, she was in way over her head. His eyes were focused on her and she took courage from his words and his intimidating physical presence.

Gothe’maran courts were held in what looked like a very large cathedral. The “judge,” in this case the king, sat behind a very large desk to the left, and the accused sat in the middle of the stage. Each witness stood in a box facing both king and the accused. The “lawyers” moved around the space in between but were very careful not to obscure the view of the accused. From what Anna gathered, it was the right of the accused to not only face his accusers but to make them face him as well.

Now, it was Mikkril’s representative’s turn to question Anna. She had a feeling this wasn’t going to be pleasant.

“Ms. Garrett, you say your world was not in a civil war. Is that correct?”

“Yes, it is.” Apparently, Mikkril was sticking to the story that he had been trying to save Earth from itself.

“Then can you explain the events just prior to the arrival of the Gothe’maran warriors?”

Anna frowned. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”

The representative was a very tall man, almost as tall as Kahn, and he had obviously practiced using his height to intimidate. Anna was sure as hell intimidated.

He looked down his nose at her. “Do you expect the king to believe you can remember to the last detail the battle you just described but you cannot remember the effects of a nuclear blast on your own homeland?” He sneered.

A light dawned and Anna sat up a bit straighter. “I always assumed the Gothe’maran had set off that explosion. I think everyone on Earth did, too.”

For the first time since the trial had begun, he faltered. Unfortunately, he picked up smoothly. “Would it surprise you to know that bomb was set by a faction within your own country?”

Without hesitation, Anna shook her head and said, “No. It has happened before. Groups of radicals, or even one individual acting alone but in the name of a group, have performed such acts of terror before. It doesn’t constitute a civil war.”

“Yet your country was at war.”

“But not with ourselves.”

“No!” He pointed at Anna to emphasize his statement. “With a country vastly inferior in technology to your own. A war they had no hope of winning.”

Anna remained as calm as she could. “On paper, maybe. But if you’ll look into Earth history a bit, you’ll find that the group of countries in the region you’re referring to has a long, bloody history of war, dating back thousands of years. You’ll also find that such people usually find a way to beat technology and ‘civilization.’ They were doing plenty of damage, just in bits and pieces. They knew the one thing America would never stand for was her soldiers coming home in body bags. The factions who were left to do the fighting after the governments fell took out one soldier at a time. It adds up after a while.”

“But Earth is still fighting amongst itself. Do you deny that?”

Anna was getting confused. She reached for Kahn with her mind hoping he could feel her confusion and help her out. She couldn’t reach him this time. Damn.

“I suppose you could say that, yes.”

“You see, Your Highness! She admits it!” Mikkril’s representative was triumphant. “If it had not been for the Gothe’maran forces taking control of Earth, they would have annihilated each other.”

The smile Mikkril gave her was pure evil. He obviously thought he had won a victory. And from the way the king was nodding his head, he just might be right.

“Your Highness.” Anna looked to Kerrek. “I’m confused.”

Mikkril’s counsel barked a laugh. “You’re human. It does not surprise me.”

Kerrek speared him with a look. “Darkin, you will keep quiet when I am addressed or I will have you removed. Further, you will not insult any witness in this tribunal for any reason. Such shows disrespect by you and the one you represent.” Kerrek’s voice was quiet but even more menacing than Kahn’s could be. “I will take any such action in the future as a personal insult.”

The tribunal went dead quiet. Anna wasn’t sure of the significance, but Mikkril paled and so did his representative. After one last menacing glare at Darkin, Kerrek returned his attention to Anna. “You wish to pose a question, Ms. Garrett?”

Anna looked warily at Mikkril before answering. “Yes, sir. Are our definitions of civil war the same?”

The king’s eyebrows rose a fraction. “I’m not sure I see where you’re going, Ms. Garrett. A civil war would be when a planet or empire is divided and separate sects fight amongst themselves for control of the government or to form a government of their own.”

“But you see this as being separate sects within the same government?”

“Of course. What’s your point?” The king looked annoyed, and in a race that gave away very little through facial expressions, that meant he was most likely very annoyed.

“Well, sir, Earth isn’t ruled by one government. Each country has its own form of government and there are literally hundreds of countries in the separate continents.”

The whole room came alive with murmurs. Anna looked behind her to find Kahn, wanting his reassurance. As she did so, she heard excited whispers being exchanged, and Kahn didn’t look happy at all. Unfortunately, when she turned back around she could see that Mikkril looked very pleased indeed.

“Silence!” the king roared. “I’ll have order in this tribunal or I will excuse everyone in the viewing gallery.”

“Your Highness.” Mikkril’s delegate again. “I ask you to dismiss the charges. It is obvious that Mikkril De’Kar understandably misunderstood the goings on of Earth. He was only trying to protect Earth from itself.”

“Absolutely not. There is still the matter of the genocide he ordered.”

“A misunderstanding as well, my king. He was not committing genocide but trying to get the populace under control when they refused to stop the bloodshed.”

“That’s a bit of an overkill, don’t you think?” Anna said dryly.

“Ms. Garrett, I’ll give you the same warning about speaking when I’m spoken to. I am in control of this tribunal.” Kerrek’s emotions were really showing now, and he looked livid. Which likely meant he was ready to commit murder. “I’ve had about enough of your double talk, Darkin. It is clear to me that Mikkril is responsible for the bloodshed on Earth.”

“But, Your Highness! He was only trying to save lives. Theirs as well as those of the Gothe’maran people. His methods might have been a bit harsh, but they were working. Earth ceased fighting itself. Given time, he would have added Earth to the Gothe’maran empire, thereby adding females to breed fighters. Our warriors would not have to battle to expand the empire and the Gothe’maran people would be the envy of the entire universe!”

“To my knowledge, this empire has never encountered a planet as divided as Earth.” Kerrek’s tone said he had heard enough. Anna held her breath. This was it. “And yes, I can see how one might mistake Earth’s squabbles as a sign of government upheaval, but the killing of women and children has never and will never, ever be condoned. For any reason. General Kahn spoke here about how he liberated a so-called ‘death camp.’ His report was chilling even for a race that has thrived on war and bloodshed in the past.” He now looked at Mikkril, his eyes chillingly angry. “Mikkril, if there is ever a need for war, Gothe’mar will defend itself with its own warriors, without breeding a race of slaves for that purpose. That you both are using this as a defense for your actions shows you are not honorable.”

Kerrek took a deep breath, obviously not liking what he was about to do. “Mikkril, you are found guilty of all the accusations against you. For your crimes, you will forfeit your life. For forsaking your honor and tarnishing the honor of my son and therefore myself, the king, your death will be prolonged and most painful. My son and I will decide your fate within the day.” Picking up a previously unused gavel, he said, “So be it.” And slammed the instrument against the desk with a resounding whack .

* * *

Kahn looked into the eyes of his half uncle as his father pronounced his judgment. Absolutely nothing. Mikkril gave away nothing of what he thought or felt. It wouldn’t be like Mikkril not to try something violent. No man who had so brutally murdered children would go quietly to his death.

Anna clutched her child and seemed to turn her concentration to the sleeping boy, kissing the back of his neck as his head lay on her shoulder. Mikkril lunged for her, but she didn’t turn to face him until it was too late.

* * *

Anna! Kahn’s voice inside her head snapped her to attention. Mikkril was almost upon her. With one mighty lunge, the evil man grabbed for her. Anna tried to swing away from him, putting herself between Mikkril and Alex, but her movement was too late. Mikkril had already gained a solid hold on Alex and her momentum only served to rip her child from her arms.

Her anguished shriek filled the hall and she threw herself at Mikkril but he was ready for her attack. He backhanded her as she approached, once again using her momentum against her. With a battle cry he darted up the steps toward the back of the hall, Alex, now awake and screaming in fright, tucked under one arm.

Heedless of the pain that exploded through her skull, Anna scrambled up the steps after him, her only thought to get to Alex. An arm around her waist restrained her, and she fought it like a wildcat.

“Let me go! Alex!” she screamed over and over, a mad, hysterical scream. It was just like the nightmare she’d lived for over two years. In her dreams, she was never able to get to her son.

“Please, madam. Let the general take care of this.” She didn’t know this man, but he was wearing the uniform of the Gothe’maran. Anna looked around her and saw that Kahn and Kerrek were both racing after Mikkril along with a host of soldiers.

Kahn, please save Alex. She willed him to hear her. She wasn’t yet as sure of the bond as Kahn was but put all her faith in it and in Kahn.

She stilled. Trust Kahn to save Alex? Did she? Only a couple of hours ago she thought she would likely never trust Kahn with Alex’s life. She had to get to Alex, no matter what. No matter who was trying to get him back for her. She would not lose him again!

* * *

Kahn raced down the back steps into the bowels of the great hall, his father just behind him. Mikkril might not live long enough for that long, painful death he had coming. How Mikkril thought stealing Alex would help him he had no idea. Maybe a quick death was what he wanted. Kahn growled as he tried to devise ways to take out Mikkril without harming Alex. The trick was to get Mikkril close. Kahn had to make sure he either had a clear view of him or that Mikkril put the child down. Anything else would put Alex’s life in jeopardy and that was something Kahn would not even consider.

Destabilizer in hand, Kahn rushed through the dimly lit passageway, listening for any sound that might indicate which way Mikkril was headed. When he stopped at an intersection, his father stopped at his side. “Do you hear the child, Kahn?”

“No… wait!” Kahn tilted his head. “There. A muffled cry. Left.”

Without another word, both men sprinted down the hall as quiet as the warriors they were. It didn’t take long before they could hear more.

“Are you sure taking the Earth whelp was a good idea?” Darkin. For him to be there so fast, this had to have been planned.

“It was the only way I could be sure I’d make it out of the hall alive. Kahn would never risk hitting a child, no matter what race it is.” Mikkril’s voice oozed contempt.

“Its cries will lead them right to us. You’re a fool, old man!”

“So… silence… it!” Mikkril hissed through his teeth.

Kahn rounded the corner just as Darkin raised his own destabilizer and aimed it at the now screaming infant.

“NO!” With a battle cry he fired at Darkin, hitting him square in the chest. The man howled in agony, his clothing burning away, then his flesh. In moments, Darkin was nothing more than a pile of ash.

Behind Kahn, Kerrek fired at Mikkril but his shot went wide and was absorbed by the wall. Mikkril shot at Kahn, just missing his head, as he snatched up the child and sprinted down the corridor. He had to get to Mikkril before he made it to the spaceport just outside the Judgment Hall. If that happened, he would lose Mikkril in the crowd.

Fortunately, someone had thought of that. Mikkril had just reached for the door adjoining the spaceport when it burst open to reveal about twenty warriors. Caught, Mikkril turned around and looked at Kahn.

“You have me, Kahn,” he said, menace dripping from his every word. “But I have the Earth bastard. Guarantee me safe passage out of the empire and I’ll spare its life.”

“I cannot do that. You have been fairly tried and sentenced.” Kahn’s voice was hard, but reasonable. “Have the honor in death that you forsook in life.”

“Will the little Earth bitch forgive you when she finds out you could have saved her son?” He sneered. “I bet she won’t be so accommodating between the sheets. I’m doing a service to the empire by getting rid of both of them. You could have never taken her to mate anyway. The people would not stand for it.”

“Your words are for nothing, Mikkril. I will kill you, the child will live, and Anna will be my mate and the future queen of Gothe’mar. There is no other option.”

“There are always other options!” Mikkril was obviously losing his control. Kahn knew he had to do something fast or Alex was as good as dead.

“Not this time.” Kahn fired.

* * *

“Alex!” Anna pushed her way through the crowd of warriors that surrounded her as she chased after Kahn. She was just in time to see him drop Mikkril with a single shot to the head. She moved as quickly as she could, but Kahn reached Alex first, catching the child as Mikkril’s grip slackened. The large man toppled to the floor minus his head, shoulders and most of his torso.

Kahn’s mind was blocked to her, but she could see his rapid breathing and the pulse beating frantically at his throat. When he handed Alex to her, his hands shook.

Anna hugged her child, soothing him as best she could, and watched Kahn. He had fallen to his knees when he made the dive to catch Alex. Now he sat flat on the ground, arms braced on his bent knees. He was still breathing hard as Anna cautiously approached him.

“Are you all right?”

Kahn looked up at her, anguish on his face. “Alex?” he croaked.

Anna blinked. “He seems to be fine, but I’ll feel better about it once I get him to the doctor. I need to make sure.”

“Thank the Universe.” A smile played at his lips. “Let’s see to Alex.”

“Yes. Then we need to talk.”

“Of course, tarae .”