Chapter 9

Chapter 9

C assidy had to better regulate her breathing or she’d hyperventilate. She hadn’t expected to see the man who claimed to be Gregory Ryan or validate he was in fact her father. There had been a severe flaw in their plan she just discovered.

“Are you all right, Cassidy?” Michael asked. “I know you said you were nervous, but you’re as pale as a ghost.”

She focused her attention on an object ahead of her and attempted to relax. There wasn’t a chance in hell she was going to have a panic attack in the middle of this restaurant. On top of the shock of seeing her father, she pondered whether or not to tell her crew and Branson about her discovery.

“I’m fine,” she said. With her answer, she was also trying to convince herself she could continue with her mission. “We’ve been so busy aboard the ship, I haven’t eaten today. Plus, I wasn’t expecting to have dinner with such an important man.”

Switching the subject of their conversion back to Michael would buy her some time before he focused solely on her again. She needed time to get control of her emotions.

Michael laughed. “Why do you think I’m important? I run the communication center aboard the station, but I’m far from being one of the power brokers who have recently arrived.”

How was she going to get additional information out of Michael without alerting him to her phishing expedition? She was here to gather as much data about this place as she could. At least her frayed nerves would eliminate the risk of Michael figuring out she was a spy.

“Well, you got me aboard the space station for starters,” she replied. “You also managed the impossible and got reservations at this restaurant.”

“Cassidy, we’re a commerce center,” he informed her. “Everyone is welcome aboard once we’ve cleared the ship for docking. To be honest, my cousin manages the restaurant.”

“This location isn’t on any of the recent navigation software updates,” she pointed out. “The communication from you was beyond a surprise to me. When one has traveled as much as I have, surprises are few and far between.”

They were shown to their table and the host pulled back her chair. She took her seat, the menu offered, and thanked the man for his assistance. There were a large number of languages she could choose from on the interactive menu, several of which she’d never heard of. Cassidy selected the Earth English option.

Her mouth watered at the selection she had to choose from.

“Do you see anything you like?” Michael asked.

“Everything,” she replied. “I’m starving. This is such an isolated location, where do you get your produce? Are you happy with your current shipping company? You should ask your cousin.”

Her date laughed for a second time. She didn’t think she was being particularly funny, but the more he laughed, the degree she found herself relaxing increased.

“You’re trying to drum up business for your employer?” Michael asked.

“Whenever I have the opportunity,” she admitted. “Galactic Solutions has very few contracts in this sector of space. If I can broker a deal, we’d be looking at some serious money. Plus, I think it would be an added bonus to come back here on a regular basis.”

Michael shook his head. “Beautiful and intelligent, you’re quite a package.”

Someone next to her cleared his throat, causing her gaze to travel to the man who interrupted their discussion. Cassidy felt her eyes immediately widen in surprise when she noted her father standing beside her.

“I have to agree with our communication director’s assessment.” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “My name is Gregory Ryan and it’s a pleasure to meet you. We have so few women visit our little section of the galaxy. As soon as I saw you, I knew I had to come over and introduce myself.”

She stared at the spot where her father had kissed her. Once again, blood drained from her cheeks.

In the dark restaurant, she couldn’t tell the true color of his hair. If her memory could be relied upon, his hair had been several shades darker than her own. He still possessed the light green eyes that occasionally appeared in one of her dreams.

“I’m captain of The Fury ,” she responded. “Michael was kind enough to invite me to dinner and I couldn’t resist stopping before continuing my trip to Terra Azul.”

In all likelihood, Gregory Ryan researched the crew of every ship that docked at the seemingly peaceful space station. If he was as smart as rumor had it, her father knew exactly who she was. She just didn’t expect him to seek her out.

“But you are so much more than a captain of a ship, aren’t you?” Gregory asked.

Cassidy alerted her crew to her being discovered and weighed the different ways she could respond to her father. If she’d been thorough, she would’ve planned for this scenario in their planning. For whatever reason, she didn’t mention meeting her father to her crew.

“ Reg and Oliver are leaving the ship and will join you in the restaurant, ” Titus informed her. “Commander Branson found a way onto the station and is planting the explosives. Quinn and Wendell are in the cargo hold working on an assignment for Branson.”

If she reacted outwardly to what Titus reported, Gregory would’ve figured it all had to do with their current discussion. He wouldn’t have a clue his space station was about to be blown out of the moon’s orbit or that she was in contact with her ship.

Michael shifted in his chair. He couldn’t begin to understand the drama playing out before him. Because of her father’s status, Michael didn’t attempt to join the discussion and come to her aid.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” she responded. “For ten years, I’ve captained The Fury . My record speaks for itself if you’re looking for reliable deliveries.”

Her father’s eyes glared at her. If he was expecting a tearful family reunion, he was going to be sorely disappointed. Other than the anger in his eyes, she didn’t see any outward signs of how he reacted to her all-business response.

“How is your mother?” her father asked.

“Dead, for the past twelve years,” she responded. “She never got over my father’s death or what now appears to have been his abandonment of her.”

Too bad her father didn’t possess neurotransmitters. She would’ve loved to hear what he was thinking. There was no warmth in his eyes or depicted on his face. Nothing to indicate his pleasure at being reunited with his long-lost daughter.

“Even as a young girl, you never took after her,” her father commented. “It would be presumptuous of me to take credit for the success you’ve achieved. Like father, like daughter.”

She glanced at Michael whose eyes were as large as saucers. He probably would’ve preferred to be anywhere but where he presently was.

“Everything I’ve accomplished is because I worked hard,” she said. “I raised myself which produced in me a tremendous work ethic. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I’m on a date. If I remember correctly, Michael, you said I was beautiful and intelligent.”

Her father chuckled. “Enjoy your dinner, Cassidy. Save room for dessert when you join me at my table. Michael, I will expect you to deliver her to me after you’ve completed your main course.”

After relaying orders, her father left them in peace. Michael appeared as disturbed by the interchange as she was.

“I’m sorry you had to witness that,” she said.

Her hand shook uncontrollably as she brought the water tumbler to her lips. She managed to get several sips down her parched throat.

He flagged down their waiter and ordered them both a double bourbon. She nodded her approval when he sent her a questioning glance.

“I’m not trying to get you drunk,” he admitted. “We’re well past that. A stiff drink seemed to be called for after what occurred. Did you know your father was aboard the station when you accepted my invitation?”

She could understand how he could perceive he’d been used. After all, she had manipulated him to get her aboard the space station. But she was innocent of the nefarious plans he must be concocting in his head.

“I saw him as we entered here,” she admitted. “My mother told me he’d died, when in fact, he’d abandoned us. I was initially nervous about our date, but that didn’t cause me to almost lose my cookies. I recognized him immediately, even after all the years that have passed. He’s not a good man.”

She whispered the last sentence. Her eyes were cast on the glass of water on the table. She couldn’t look Michael in the eyes. Her play acting had become very real.

Michael reached over and took possession of her hands. “He’s a very dangerous man. I can’t cross him. After dinner, I have to deliver you.”

Her appetite was long gone. “I understand and certainly don’t blame you. Maybe we should just drink dinner.”

Their double bourbon’s arrived. They both downed the contents and Michael ordered two more drinks and a couple prime rib dinners. She didn’t object to his selection or ordering for her.

“We don’t want you to be intoxicated when we meet with your father,” Michael said. “The beef will help balance the alcohol you’ve already downed. They should bring a variety of breads for us to choose from and our salads shortly. This date didn’t turn out as I expected.”

That had been an understatement.

“You don’t have to stick around if you’re uncomfortable,” she said. Cassidy wasn’t about to tell him she had reinforcements on the way and bombs were being planted on the station.

“My mother raised me right,” Michael said. “You don’t abandon the girl you ask out when things get rough. As soon as you stepped onto this space station, you became my responsibility.”

A small smile appeared on her face because of what Michael said. She’d have to make sure he got off the station before all hell broke loose. But in the meantime, she had to deal with her father.

***

With each bite of the flavorful, incredibly tender prime rib she took, Cassidy formulated a plan. The shock had worn off and she was ready to take action to free herself. If she was lucky, Reg and Oliver should arrive before she and Michael had to join her father.

While they enjoyed dinner, she noted several large ships docked to the space station through the restaurant’s enormous windows. She imagined security had their hands full and her rescue team had been delayed. They couldn’t bully or push their way onto the station because of the covert nature of their assignment. Cassidy just had to hold it together until she found herself again on The Fury’ s bridge.

“I don’t think either of us could’ve eaten any slower,” Michael commented. “We must have set some kind of record. Your father has waved us over. The longer we keep him waiting, the angrier he’ll become. He wields a lot of power on this station and has men everywhere.”

Cassidy downed the last of the bourbon in her glass and rose. She couldn’t postpone the inevitable any longer. Reg and Oliver weren’t going to make it in time to rescue her. If she was Branson, she would have redirected them back to the ship in preparation for the explosions that were about to destroy the base.

Michael came to stand beside her and they walked to her father’s table hand-in-hand. It surprised her how Michael’s proximity to her had helped to garner her courage.

There was only a single chair available when they reached the table. Michael pulled it out for her and positioned himself behind her. He placed his hands on her bare shoulders communicating to her father he planned to stay. How she wished those hands belonged to Branson.

“Did you enjoy your dinner?” her father asked.

“I could’ve cut the prime rib with a fork,” she commented. “The chef perfectly seasoned the beef. It was probably the best meal I’ve ever eaten.”

Her father chuckled. “Considering the amount of time you spend on your ship, I’m not surprised. Is there a man in your life?”

Anger brewed within her. He hadn’t earned the right to ask such a personal question.

“I imagine you know the answer to that,” she said. “As soon as you knew The Fury approached, you researched who was aboard the craft. Thanks to you, I can’t maintain a long-term relationship. At an early age, I learned that the male of our species doesn’t stick around.”

“You’re quite breathtaking when you’re all worked up, my child,” her father said. “It will be quite amusing to watch my junior officers compete for your affection.”

Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. Did he actually think she was going to stay with him? Out of the corner of her eye, she noted several men closing in on her position. Michael tightened his grip on her shoulder. She didn’t know if the action was to make her feel protected or a means to hold her down if she attempted to leave.

“What are you talking about?” she asked. “After dessert, I’m returning to my ship and continuing my mission.”

Her father folded his hands together. “I’ve contacted your employer and purchased the cargo you’re carrying. They appeared quite excited about the potential business relationship we can forge. You’re to remain here until new orders are delivered.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. Galactic Solutions was aware her cargo consisted of Cosmic Consortium commandos, one of which was planting bombs as they conducted their discussion.

It was only a matter of time before multiple explosions would destroy the station and she was helpless to leave her father’s side. There were worse things to die for than continued peace in the galaxy. There was a high probability she wasn’t going to survive this mission. What she didn’t understand was why she wasn’t angry or upset about the fate that awaited her.

“You can buy my cargo or even my time, but that’s the extent of what you’ll get out of me,” Cassidy informed her father. “That fateful decision you made all those years ago severed any relationship between us.”

Rather than getting angry, her father smiled. “What you don’t know, my girl, is quite alarming. It was your mother who ended our marriage with her wanton behavior. I tried to gain custody of you but my profession pretty much eliminated any chance of me winning. Your mother was quite an actress. Maybe you need to look at her through a different lens.”

“And joining the Insurgency Alliance?” she asked. “How did that come about?”

As soon as she asked the first question, she knew she’d made a fatal mistake. There was no way she’d know about his alliances unless she was tied to Cosmic Consortium intel through her employer.

Her father waved over one of the men who had been standing behind him. “I want the station locked down. No one gets off or on. All areas need to be swept for explosives. Michael escort my daughter to the quarters reserved for her. Two guards will accompany you to protect my rebellious daughter.”

She struggled as Michael pulled her to her feet. How could she have read him so wrong? Her father had set a trap and she’d stumbled into it blindly.

The two guards who joined them were armed. She knew they weren’t there for her protection. The real question was whether they’d shoot her if she attempted to escape.

“Things have escalated here, Titus,” she communicated with her pilot. “As soon as Commander Branson, Reg, and Oliver are aboard, you need to get the hell out of here.”

“You will be tracked through your neurotransmitters,” Titus informed her. “Once you escape, go to the far eastern portion of the station. There will be less damage there. We’ll have enough time to rescue you before the station falls out of orbit.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she replied. “Once those bombs go off, we’ll be cut off and don’t you dare risk my ship attempting a doomed rescue. That is an order, Titus.”

The volume of murmurs increased as people reacted to her being pulled out of the restaurant. She wasn’t going to make Michael’s job easy. As opportunities arose, she kicked and clawed at her captor.

“If you knew how many men we have on this station, you’d stop your struggles,” Michael said as he tightened his grip on her upper arm. “Even if your ship is full of commandos, you’d be out manned. Your father has given you a chance to be on the right side of history. We were both too young to understand what the war was about. Together we can bring the right humanitarian changes to the galaxy.”

She didn’t know or care what Michael was offering. Based on her understanding of history, humanitarian rights and the Insurgency Alliance’s agenda were mutually exclusive. Radicals rarely understood the consequences to building the Utopia they envisioned.

An explosion caused her to lose her footing. Michael steadied her as a second explosion caused them to hit the floor hard. One more explosion was coming and it could very well tear her apart.