Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
When the cavalry finally arrived, Arin was the one to operate the mobile airlock, going back and forth between the Arawen and the Silvermist until Torin, Jeral, and Kail were safely onboard the surveillance cruiser.
Arin’s suspicions had been right. After all the guards had been killed, they’d holed up in a safe room, thinking they could hide from a Kordolian warrior.
At first, Arin had wanted to torture the expressionless female agent until she got some genuine emotion out of her, but upon seeing how the woman had cowered in fear every time Rykal stalked past, Arin realized she wouldn’t get any satisfaction out of it.
E1 was a defeated woman, and Arin couldn’t find anything more to say to her. In this case, revenge wasn’t sacred; it was pointless.
Besides, there was enough evidence on this ship to damn the lot of them. Arin would hand them over to the Federation, ensuring everything went through the proper channels.
Even though she didn’t entirely trust the Federation to be transparent after what she’d seen onboard the Silvermist, she had to try and respect the processes of her nation.
Otherwise, there would only be lawlessness and chaos, especially now that she had her own lethal Kordolian, who seemed to do certain things on her behalf.
When Arin opened up a line to the FSS Marcia, Rykal was sitting beside her, and the other warriors were lurking in the background, their hard gazes fixed upon her.
“Arin.” Her mother appeared, and this time she was in her chambers, having lost her severe military jacket.
“Mom.” Arin hadn’t called her mother that in years.
“I thought you were… I mean, the escape pod’s signal just winked out, just like that.” Her mother’s normally pristine hair was disheveled, and the crisp white shirt she wore was unbuttoned at the collar. Underneath her eyes were deep, dark circles.
“My encounter with Nonhuman Affairs didn’t go so well. It wasn’t just a routine debrief. Did you know anything about that?”
“No.” General Varga’s eyes widened as she glanced uneasily at the Kordolians surrounding Arin, particularly at Rykal. “What happened? I thought it was just going to be a routine debrief and interview before they returned you to the Marcia.”
“It wasn’t that simple. I won’t go into detail right now, but there are some very shady agencies operating within the Federation.
I think you should send some of your people to scour this ship and confiscate all available data.
I don’t know how well the military communicates with Nonhuman Affairs, but you might find some of the information quite useful, and rather incriminating. ”
“Of course. I’ll do that. But… are you all right, Arin?” Alison Varga had dropped the military facade, and now genuine concern for her daughter shone through.
Arin hadn’t seen her like this since she was a small child; the last time she’d seen her mother vulnerable like this had been the day her father had left.
She’d been six years old.
Arin could have chosen to be cold right now, like her mother had been to her for so many years.
She could have given in to all her pent-up anger and resentment, but instead, she offered her mother a small smile.
“I am fine,” she said quietly, reaching out to squeeze Rykal’s hand.
It wasn’t much, but it was a start. They had years of conflict to resolve, and that would take time.
It had only taken an alien invasion, a Xargek infestation, a few nuclear missiles, and a near-death experience to get to this point, but Arin was ready to make inroads.
After all, life was too damn short.
She’d learned that today.
General Varga was staring at the two of them, and Arin realized she could see them holding hands.
Oops. She’d done it without thinking, because being around Rykal was starting to feel so damn natural.
But if her mother noticed, she didn’t give any indication.
She nodded stiffly towards the Kordolians.
“I have to extend my thanks to all of you. Your efforts to get the people of Fortuna Tau to safety have saved a great many lives. You’ll be pleased to know that the Senate Committee has made its decision and that the Federation will co-operate with your mission to rid Earth of the Xargek.
An escort will assist your transfer to Naea, and once on the ground, you’ll receive logistical support from us. ”
“Took you long enough,” Rykal muttered under his breath. Arin stamped on his foot. He grinned.
Silly idiot.
“So I’m not in trouble then?” Arin winced, expecting a reprimand.
And there was still the trail of bodies Rykal had left behind.
As an alien operating in space, he didn’t come under Earth’s jurisdiction, but the carnage would definitely make some people on Earth very uncomfortable if news of it got out.
An uneasy expression flitted across her mother’s face. “I only have so much influence in the military, Arin. After the incident with Admiral Davis, my currency is all but spent when it comes to you.”
Arin only half-understood what her mother was talking about.
“So I’m going to be in trouble?” Had her mother actually tried to help her two years ago?
She’d always thought the general had been part of the problem, because she hadn’t objected at all when Arin had been shipped off to the mining station; she hadn’t even been there to see her off.
But perhaps her mother had cared more than she’d thought.
“Honestly, I don’t know. You broke protocol.
There’s usually a consequence for that. I’ll try my best to make them understand, but there are quite a number of people in the upper ranks who detest you for what you did to the admiral.
They’re looking for any excuse to kick you out of the military. I can’t make any promises.”
Arin sighed and waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it.” She had a plan to resign before the higher-ups could slap her with a dishonorable discharge.
After all, she was hopelessly compromised.
She’d been sleeping with the enemy, and that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.
As the comm ended, Rykal turned to her, a spark of interest glimmering in his golden eyes. “What’s this I hear about you offending some big-shot? Tell me more.” He grinned conspiratorially, flashing his fangs. For some reason, the idea seemed to please him.
Arin gave him a wry look. “It’s old news.
Back in the day, when I was a young officer looking to make a name for myself, an asshole called Admiral Davis thought he could force his way into my pants.
He found out that he couldn’t, and in the process, he ended up with a broken nose and two black eyes.
” She grinned. “And that’s why you found me on Fortuna Tau. I got exiled.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.” Rykal returned her smile with his own fierce look.
“For numerous reasons, of course, but most importantly, because I would never have met you if you hadn’t given the man what he deserved.
I would kill him for you, but it sounds like you’ve already dispensed your own brand of justice.
” He stroked her bare knuckles in admiration, ignoring the disbelieving stares of his fellow warriors.
A warm glow spread through Arin in response to Rykal’s obvious approval.
He was right. Even though she’d been treated unjustly on that fateful day, being sent to Fortuna Tau had turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
She’d actually come to like the role; she’d been promoted on her own merits, and now, she’d met Rykal.
“Strong hands, strong heart,” he whispered, “and just perfect for me.”