Chapter Three

Anger heated Betra's gut. Careful , he cautioned himself. An argument would keep him from what he wanted.

"We always do something special for the children. You enjoy spending time with them."

"I do. They're a delight to be around. Their mother, not so much."

"Ancestors," Betra snarled, his anger matching his clanmate's dislike. "Why is this still an issue? You and Shalia do a wonderful job of ignoring each other."

"It's a problem because you don't ignore her."

"How can I? We have a history!"

"Which is where the trouble lies. You don't always seem to recognize she's your past." Resan flung his cleaning cloth to the floor. "We'll take the children hunting. No one else."

"Evelyn begged to go last time. She'll be devasted if she's left out again, and her parents will insist she's too young to go without them." Shalia's youngest daughter was a precocious four-year-old who found it easy to break her Uncle Betra's heart when she cried.

Her Uncle Resan wasn't immune to the tot's entreaties either. The Dramok was a hardass who wanted no offspring of his own, but he melted around Clan Seot's children.

He groaned at the thought of being on the receiving end of Evelyn's tears. "Damn it. We can't leave her at home."

"Five kids under the age of ten would be a lot for the three of us and your grandmother to handle in any case," Betra noted. "Anrel and Nayun handle themselves pretty well, but Jordan, Ejia, and Evelyn run everywhere according to…according to their mother."

"Fine. Invite Clan Seot along. But Betra," the warning tone was obvious, "don't expect me to go out of my way to be her friend. We don't like each other, and we never will."

Even though she once saved your life. Betra knew reminding Resan of the fact would result in a major fight, however. It irritated the Dramok to no end that he wouldn't be standing there now if it hadn't been for Shalia Monroe's heroics.

Besides, Resan had agreed to the arrangement. It was as much of a victory as Betra could hope for. Maybe, after so many years, the enmity between his Dramok and former lover would finally disappear.

"It'll be so good to see you and Oses! A hunting trip sounds fantastic."

Betra grinned at Shalia's enthusiastic reply to his invitation. "Do you think your clan can make it?"

"We're in the middle of the slow season as far as the cruise line is concerned," she said, referring to the ocean-going line of vacation ships her Imdiko Cifa owned. Shalia was in charge of vid promotions for Cifiler Cruises. "Seot said only last night he needs to take time off. That goes double for me. Larten would stop whatever he's doing to go on a hunting trip."

"Excellent." Betra beamed at her.

Shalia, appearing to stand before him thanks to the com vid, was as beautiful as ever. Ten years had passed since he'd first met the troubled young woman fleeing a dying Earth. She'd had a penchant for getting into life-threatening scrapes, often through no fault of her own. She'd certainly kept Betra and Oses on their toes and had brought them together as clanmates. In a way, Betra thought she'd had a hand in making Resan their Dramok too, though the eternally at-odds pair would have hotly denied it.

Maturity, motherhood, and career certainly agreed with her. Beyond her work at the cruise line, she also ran a fertility foundation, which provided Earther eggs to the many infertile Kalquorian women who wished to be mothers. Despite having five children of her own, she was in incredible shape. It was clear she'd kept up the workouts Resan had bullied her through during her stay on the ship.

Betra marveled for the millionth time that though they'd discovered an instant mutual antipathy, Resan and Shalia had done each other a lot of favors. He suppressed a sigh.

"I've missed you," he said.

Her smile was warm, reminding him of the occasions he'd earned it. Of the days and nights he'd been fortunate to have her love. "It'll be wonderful to spend a few days with you and Oses. We have a lot to catch up on."

How he wished they could have more. If he'd been a different man who could curb an insatiable wanderlust that kept him from putting down real roots, if she and Resan could have dropped the visceral dislike even they admitted they had no real reason for…

If only.

* * * *

After his com to Shalia, Betra went for a walk through the transport's crowded promenade. Resan had rolled his eyes at Betra's mumbled "be back soon," no doubt discerning his clanmate's troubled feelings after speaking to Shalia. Oses had merely gazed at him levelly. Betra imagined he had sensed his Nobek's understanding mixed with a note of judgment…and an unspoken plea for Betra to let it go.

The Imdiko knew he should. Hadn't he told Shalia his career was too important to leave the fleet for? Betra couldn't imagine another life for himself. Shalia and her oldest child Anrel, who'd been an infant when they'd gone to live on Kalquor, had deserved a real home. A clan who would adore them and give them everything they deserved. They'd found exactly that, and he should be thrilled to his marrow it had happened.

I am. I just wish we could have had longer than nine months. I wish we could have had a lifetime.

The intervening years hadn't changed his feelings in the slightest. Usually, he could accept fate's dictate. But as he neared another visit, the old regrets crowded in. He found himself flailing in a sea of memories and wanting what he'd let go.

For her sake. For Anrel's sake. I did the right thing in sending them on. Why can't I—

Betra's morose thoughts cut off as he caught sight of a gorgeous human female, who was winning the attention of the off-duty Kalquorian crewmembers crowding the promenade and its complement of shops and attractions. Charity Nath, her shining chocolate hair framing an exquisite face, was a vision indeed. Her lush, curvaceous figure stunned several men to a standstill.

Betra hurried to her, his gaze sweeping for her fellow Earther refugees, who were cleared to frequent the promenade at the moment. He saw none, thank the ancestors. He had to restrain himself from grabbing her arm and dragging her from the promenade anyway.

"Matara, this isn't your scheduled hour for recreation in this area. Allow me to escort you to your quarters."

Her smile was sweet and cajoling. "Aw, Imdiko Betra. There are numerous friends to make at this time of day. Tons more excitement. I hardly saw anyone when I came in the middle of the afternoon yesterday."

"Which was the idea. If anyone recognizes you—"

"Don't you know Charity Nath is dead? Everyone thinks so." She was barely paying attention to him, her greedy gaze sweeping the crowds and shopfronts, gauging where the most fun was to be had.

Betra felt a pang of sympathy. Charity was young, at the age where she was testing the waters of adulthood, chasing formerly forbidden attractions. She was due the enjoyments a woman in her early twenties should be indulging in freely.

There was no denying his responsibility as her liaison, however. "Everyone thought Borey and Hope Nath were dead too. They now know your sister is a member of Clan Piras and suspect your father didn't die either. Sooner or later, your picture will surface, and you'll be identified. Please, you must return to your quarters now."

Her fa?ade of sweet appeal vanished, replaced by an impatient scowl. Betra was suddenly reminded of Shalia when she'd first boarded the transport nearly ten years prior despite there being no true physical resemblance between the women. Charity was apparently capable of changing her attitude just as quickly as Shalia had been.

"It'll be a matter of days before we reach our destination." Charity spoke in the firm tone Betra had heard from Resan and other Dramoks. "No one is outing me on such a short trip."

"You'd be surprised how quick circumstances can change," Betra argued. He realized he probably would have to physically remove her to her section of the ship. Which brought the concern of how those passing and watching them with interest would react, especially if she struggled or shouted for help.

"Nothing of the sort can surprise me, I'll have you know. Listen, nursemaid, I've faced danger you can't imagine—"

"Is there a problem, Liaison?" Oses' cool, rough voice sounded behind Betra.

Charity's eyes widened at the sight of the huge, muscled warrior. Oses was impressive, more so than a number of his fellow Nobeks, and not merely for his incredible physique. He had a forceful stare, greater than any Betra had ever encountered. His glare alone was capable of cowing most.

Charity recovered, or she pretended to. She snorted. "I should have figured you'd bring backup."

Betra fought off a scowl. Why did the majority of Earthers and unclanned Kalquorians equate the Imdiko classification with pushovers? He almost resented Oses in that instant for commanding the immediate respect Betra often had to fight for.

"I was escorting Matara Charity to her quarters. There was some confusion as to when she's free to leave her safe area to explore the promenade," he told his clanmate.

"I see. I'll help you see her to where she should be. Matara?" The Nobek bowed and gestured in the direction she was to go.

Charity pouted, but she offered no further argument.

Once they'd returned her to her aunt and uncle's presence…voicing a careful reminder to all as to when the young Matara Nath was cleared to roam the ship's public areas…Betra and Oses set off for their quarters.

"Your walk happened at an opportune moment," the Nobek observed.

"I have a feeling she'll try her luck again. Can you assign someone to keep an eye on her? I hate to keep her a virtual prisoner while she's aboard our ship—"

"It's for her own good." Oses suddenly smiled, his rough features softening.

"Remembering your misguided youth?" Betra guessed and chuckled.

"Unfortunately for my pride, yes. Those were tempestuous years. At least I didn't have to fear people hating me simply because of my name."

"No doubt you gave them plenty of reasons to come for you."

"Every chance I got."

The two men laughed and continued to the small quarters they'd happily called home for so many years.

* * * *

Earth II

Antonia Nichols, a woman who'd recently moved to Earth II from the Earther-Kalquorian farming colony of Haven, stepped in the governor's office. She returned the secretary's bright grin. "How's it going, Todd?"

"Great, Ms. Nichols." Todd, his unruly hair ruffled in photogenic waves, waved at his boss' closed office door. "The governor's meeting with Nobek Kuran and Chief Adams is going a little long."

"Call me Toni, Todd. Ms. Nichols is my older sister, the bigtime politician." She winked at him as she took a seat. "I'm only a former schoolmarm to future farmers."

"You don't look like any ‘schoolmarm' I've come across," he laughed.

Before she could thank him for the compliment, the door to Governor Stacy Nichols' office opened. Earth II's newly installed security chief Michael Adams emerged and greeted Toni. His smile was its usual close-lipped mild acknowledgement. Handsome to a fault, but a bit too serious for Toni's taste, his tone was warm. "Good morning, Toni."

"See, Todd? That's how it's done." She grinned at Mike and offered her hand. "Can I express my formal congratulations, Chief Adams?"

"Condolences are also accepted," he chuckled as he accepted her handshake, his teeth flashing in an outright grin for a change. "The training wheels are off. Hopefully I won't screw things up."

"Not a chance." Todd's voice was quiet. Perhaps he hadn't meant to be heard because he flushed when Mike looked his way.

Toni didn't miss how pleased Mike appeared to be at Todd's remark. "Well, I'll do my best. Chief… former Chief Kuran says he has faith in me. His confidence means a lot."

Gazing at Todd's badly hidden admiration, Toni couldn't help herself. "Any plans to celebrate, Mike?"

"Not really. I've been doing the job with minimal input from Kuran for a few weeks now, so it'll be just another day at the office."

"But surely a nice lunch? The new Italian place in mid-town is great and not overpriced. Oh, what's the name?"

"Violi's," Todd supplied. "I love it."

"Yeah? Would you be up for it this afternoon? Around one?" Mike invited.

"Sure! Great." The secretary lit up like a Christmas tree.

Her work as matchmaker done, Toni left them to figure out the rest. She swept into the still-open door of her sister's office.

"What are you doing on this planet, Nobek?" she barked at the muscled Kalquorian standing close to Stacy. "I heard they evicted you already."

Kuran chuckled. His ruggedly handsome face was more so when he was in good humor, as he apparently was that morning. Toni was surprised. Because Stacy was his clan's intended Matara once she eventually left office, Toni had expected him to be grouchy about the changing of the guard.

Nobek Kuran of Clan Rihep, which included Dramok Rihep and Imdiko Etnil, wasn't quite the quintessential Nobek, in Toni's estimation. He was better. The majority of his breed were unequivocal tough guys who based their warrior self-images on how many asses they'd kicked.

Kuran was no pushover, but he owned the easy attitude of someone who didn't feel he had to prove himself. His aura had the feral stamp of a Nobek, but it was balanced by concern for others. Particularly Stacy and his clanmates. What could present as savagery in lesser men was kept under careful control. He had a sense of humor too…desperately needed since his Imdiko clanmate was a constant cutup.

He glanced behind Toni at the open doorway. Mike was finally taking his leave, and Todd watched him go, his lips stretched in the smile of a man who'd gotten everything he'd ever wanted. "Have those two finally moved from meaningful glances to the next step?"

"They just needed Cupid to give them a little push." Toni preened, pleased with herself.

"Cupid, huh? Would she be the same Cupid who told me most men weren't worth the effort?" Stacy arched a brow at her.

"For me . Todd and Mike might be good for each other, but my standards are exceptionally high."

"Your standards verge on impossible."

Toni made a face at her older sister. The governor of Earth II looked smart in a skirt suit, the hem of which probably bordered on unprofessional for some critics. Downright scandalous for the judgmental Earthtiques, the vocal minority who caused trouble whenever they could.

Toni doubted Kuran minded the sight of the sleek, brown legs Stacy displayed. Her sister was a beautiful woman, her tight black curls framing high cheekbones and piercing dark eyes. It felt a trifle uncomfortable seeing Stacy in such a way. Toni wasn't jealous, which was odd because they looked a lot alike. Somehow, what she saw in the mirror was attractive rather than arresting, which Stacy definitely was.

Was being the younger sister who ardently admired her sibling why she couldn't recognize herself as being Stacy's equal, even in a matter as insignificant as looks? Stacy had ever been Toni's measuring stick, the ideal to aim for. While Toni had plenty to be proud of, she still felt like the kid sister, racing after the shadow of something she'd never reach.

She shook off the sensation with effort and spoke to Kuran. "Speaking of high standards, did you find a job to replace the glamorous position of Earth's security grand poohbah?"

As a Kalquorian, Kuran probably had no idea what a grand poohbah was, but he was smart enough to figure out what she meant. "I've been coronated emperor of Alpha Space Station. Don't worry. I won't insist you bow until you visit me in my throne room."

Toni managed to keep from bellowing laughter as Stacy did. Instead, she gave Kuran her best "are you kidding me?" stare, usually reserved for a certain ridiculous Imdiko, whom she named. "You have been clanned to Etnil for too damned long."

"Probably, but he's threatened to chain me to the wall if I try to leave him," he chuckled. "To answer your question, I'm assigned to oversee a segment of the planetary defense systems from outside aggression. Considering the empire is now at war against the Darks, which we fear will eventually target Earth, it's a big responsibility."

"The fleet already had a little heart-to-heart against the Tragooms when they tried to sneak a peek at our defenses." Stacy grinned. "They won't try it again any time soon."

"Same for Mercy and New Bethlehem," Kuran said in a low voice, his gaze flicking toward the still-open door where Todd might overhear. "Of course, they have no idea we were there, nor are they aware of the Tragooms' brief presence a day's travel from them."

"How is it on Mercy these days? They won't let extraterrestrial news agencies near the planet, and I don't trust what reports they broadcast themselves." Toni huffed at the Earthtique-leaning government that had recently scandalized its way into violent riots.

"It's quieted down," Stacy sighed. "The flu-like illness they're dealing with has taken the starch out of them. It's hard to pretend a pro-alien contingent is trying to overthrow the government when everyone's sick in bed."

Toni detected a false lightness in her sister's tone. Stacy wouldn't lie to her, but she didn't necessarily tell her everything about ongoing political situations either. She was forced to carry heavy burdens thanks to public office. Regret tugged at Toni's heart. She'd been Stacy's confidante in the past. Her elder sibling knew Toni would cut her own vocal cords before sharing secrets, but Clan Rihep had assumed her old role. Rightly so, but Toni was sad to become a lesser source of support.

She brushed it off. "How are the refugees from the Galactic Council settling in?"

"Very well." Stacy beamed. "Not to sound Machiavellian, but my bid to win the governorship has experienced a generous push from the new voters."

"Excellent. I need to head to campaign headquarters and beg for an assignment."

"I have another job for you, one right up a teacher and school administrator's alley."

Toni narrowed her gaze at the gleam in Stacy's eyes. "Oh?"

Her sister nodded to Kuran, who said, "It seems an Earther orphanage based in the Galactic Council's territory, dating from Armageddon, was somehow overlooked by Earth, Kalquor, and the GC itself when all Kalquorians were ordered to leave council space and we determined Earthers should evacuate too."

"A whole orphanage? I suggest you fire the accounting staff." A thread of anger colored Toni's words.

"It's in a far-flung area of the Galactic Council, but yes, heads should roll over them being missed. Especially since the orphanage's staff includes about a dozen Kalquorians, mostly Nobek protectors."

Toni whistled. "How many children?"

"About five hundred."

"Why are there Kalquorians there? Far-flung or not, the GC's border patrols would have kept the orphanage safe from attacks."

Stacy explained. "The Kalquorians were initially put in place to defend the children back when the orphanage was on Europa. My understanding is the men have long-term relationships with the predominantly female staff. Plus, they regard themselves as parents for those who haven't been adopted or fostered."

"I've heard it said, the children and adults see themselves as a family, rather than merely as dependents and staff," Kuran offered. "In any event, the Kalquorians ignored the order to vacate GC space when they learned of it. They won't budge unless the whole orphanage is moved elsewhere."

"Here," Toni guessed. "They're being brought to Earth."

"Secretly, at least if the Kalquorian fleet can sneak them from enemy territory."

"I heard the border is nearly impassable for your people. How are they going to manage to evacuate an entire orphanage?"

Stacy and Kuran exchanged a glance. Toni was once more reminded of how she'd been edged out of her sister's innermost confidences.

"Never mind," she told them, plastering an understanding smile on her lips. "We don't discuss the unspeakable. How do you figure me into the equation once they show up? I take it the orphanage has their own teachers."

"True, but the law dictates instruction for children on Earth must adhere to certain standards. It'll be up to you to determine if the orphanage falls in line. If not, you'll work with the administrators to bring them up to date in a reasonable timeframe. Bigger picture, you'll be responsible for making sure they have the resources they need, including beyond the educational sphere." When Toni gaped at her, Stacy asked, "What's wrong?"

"Setting aside the scope of this undertaking, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Stacy chuckled. "It's a major job, but yes, I'm about to propose something even bigger."

"Okay. I'm probably not ready but tell me anyway."

Stacy leaned back on her desk and met her eyes. "The refugees coming from the Galactic Council are the tip of the iceberg. Thanks to the trouble on Mercy, we're receiving a deluge of immigration requests."

"Considering it's a free-for-all there, I'm hardly surprised." Riots had erupted after a plot by corrupt government leaders had been revealed. The colony's infrastructure had vanished overnight.

"Requests from New Bethlehem are flooding us too. People have had enough of the Earthtique viewpoint and governments similar to what we had on the original Earth. They're clamoring to come here, where they won't have to fight every minute of the day to keep the freedoms they've enjoyed since we were forced to leave our home world."

Toni glanced at Kuran to see his reaction. The ruling regime on old Earth had been the reason most of its major cities had gone up in nuclear blasts, but it had been the Kalquorian invasion that had unwittingly set them off. Armageddon, and the war between the two worlds preceding it, was why Earthtiques continued to despise Kuran's race.

His return gaze was equanimous. Having faced his fair share of dislike from those he'd worked to protect until relinquishing the job to Mike Adams, he'd no doubt made his peace with the situation.

She winked at him and gave Stacy her attention. "Let me get this straight. You want me in charge of getting these incoming children up to speed as far as Earth's educational standards are concerned?"

"Before these latest events, we had a twelve-person committee overseeing education. It was all we needed since we had projections of arriving students and educators. Our scheduled resident intake parameters were settled, and we had a plan."

"Which blew up when the Darks absorbed the GC." Toni swallowed the uneasiness in her gut.

Stacy huffed her agitation. "We can't put off granting asylum to refugees from the Galactic Council and Mercy. We need entire departments to settle them, and we need them now. I'd like to put you in charge of education."

Toni gaped at her. "In charge?"

"You not only taught on Haven. You led the education board."

"For a small region, Stacy. A single district. This is an entire planet." And I was happy to let that job go.

Her career in education had been a placeholder until she'd figured out just what she wished to do for the rest of her life. Toni had never considered it her calling. She wasn't quite sure how she'd ended up with over a decade of teaching under her belt.

"You spearheaded several enhancements that ended up being implemented on the whole colony. You set up a fast track for gifted students, as well as an intensive training college for educators who teach the intellectually disabled. Test scores doubled in most of Haven's regions once your global learning initiative was put in place." Kuran finished his recitation by bowing in respect.

As much as Toni preferred to downplay her achievements, she couldn't. Despite the supposed temporary nature of her job, she'd worked too damn hard to accomplish what she had for Haven's children.

"Your education committee head might be unhappy to be replaced," she protested.

"He's stepping down due to health issues. No one else on the committee is vying for his job…so they certainly won't apply to run an entire department." Stacy smirked.

"Boy, you have an answer to everything, don't you?"

"I knew you'd resist. If I didn't think you could do it, I wouldn't ask."

"Sounds more like you're insisting," Toni groused, but her heart warmed to have Stacy's approval, if not the ball and chain she was fitting to her ankle.

She needs me, and I haven't decided where my future lies. What else am I going to do?

Putting aside her uncertainty, Toni asked, "How close are you to maxing out your current school facilities and supplies?"

"Currently, we're ready for the next five scheduled transports of new residents."

"Which doesn't come close to what you'll actually require as these refugees pour in."

Stacy shrugged, but she grimaced. "I'll sign off on whatever funding you need. Buildings, curriculum, supplies…the legislature has already earmarked the funds and asked our allies for additional support."

Toni glanced at Kuran. "Earth's digging in the empire's wallet again?"

He grinned. "As long as the fleet continues to pay me, you can have Kalquor's treasury for all I care."

"Fine. I suppose you want me to start right away, your governorship?"

"You can have lunch first." Stacy beamed.

"You're all heart, boss." Toni kept her tone light despite a sudden urge to cry.