Chapter 50

Ellax

W hat could I do?

My mind whirled as I spun to walk away.

"Sir?"

The Admiral's voice was so full of authority that it sliced the fog of my mental confusion, halting me.

"Allow me to assist you, sir," he said.

I heard a faint creak, caused by the moving joints of his body armor. Full body armor worn by the Elite was marvelous technology indeed, offering protection from stabs, shots, and even falls. Wearers had been known to survive some blasts and explosions, depending on how close they were to the discharge. Every joint on the armor moved with the full capability of the wearer's body. However, there were always the slightest noises. I heard them behind me now.

"Elder Ellax," he insisted. "If you are in a straight, there is no one better to assist you."

I stood there, gazing firmly at the blank wall, my lips shut. I wanted to speak. I wanted to unburden myself and request help. He was right. He and his crew were experts at this sort of thing.

Sirena's message was clear. She had Lorelai. She had my wife. I could not risk such an operation going wrong. Never mind my own life. I could not—would not—risk Lorelai's.

"No, Admiral," I finally replied, my voice hoarse with the force of my feelings. "No one can help me in this. I thank you, though."

With that, I strode on, fully intending to walk away from this massive vessel, board my own, and return to Asterion.

Sirena had won.

Guilt swarmed me as I walked away from the meeting, more or less leaving the wild humans to their fate. Fear also swamped me for Caide, for my daughter-in-law.

If anything, reason inserted itself, you could request the Admiral to look after Caide and Delle. Perhaps his team could request they visit me here on Asterion before the strike.

I turned to make this request of the Admiral, only to feel myself bumped ferociously from behind. The blow was enough to knock my phone from my hand, sending it flying. It skidded across the shiny grey floor, headed for the wall, until the Admiral dove for it, snatching it up.

" Zyet ," I swore.

"My apologies, sir."

Major Barak moved into view. "The Admiral summoned me. I was moving too quickly, I failed to see you."

Failed to see me? He was a huge lout, but how had he failed to see me?

Frustrated at the situation, frightened for my wife, irritated by the physical touch, I opened my mouth to swear at the Major, warning him to take greater care, when the Admiral interrupted my tirade by saying,

"This is the reason you're changing your vote? Your wife is in danger? And you, as well?"

What?

Ire at Major Barak forgotten, I spun back to the Admiral. He was holding up my phone. The message from Sirena, along with the photo of Lorelai, was on the screen.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, my breath hot in my lungs, the temperature spiked by fear and fury. "You had no right to take my device."

"And you had no right to keep this from me." The Admiral, unbothered by my fury, strode forward, dropping the device into my outstretched palm. "I understand your concerns, sir, but you have the best strike force in the entire Instersteller Coalition at your disposal. Whatever is going on, I am offering you our services. We can put this to rights."

Major Barak edged around to flank him as he stood there, facing me. He radiated a calmness I dd not feel. Then again, it wasn't his mate whose life was at stake.

"Allow us to help you," he urged.

"It would be an honor, sir," Barak quietly agreed.

Do as I want, or she dies. And I will find a way to eradicate you, as well. You are not the only male Council member with whom I could unite my power.

The ugly words swam before my vision, as did the image of my beaten, bloodied wife. In my ears, I heard the screams of wild humans, cut down by the strike force, by Abidah's aircrafts. Caide would not want that. Delle would not want that. Caide and Delle would never leave her species, rebels or not, and hide out on my home planet while other humans were butchered.

Lorelai would not want that. She would rather risk her life than allow thousands of innocent humans to be wiped out.

Resignation took hold. I'd been about to do the cowardly thing and walk away from my duties as a Lead Advisor. But these officers were right. I had a duty to my wife, yes. However, stars helping me, I would not be derelict in my duty to the people under my jurisdiction, either. Even if it cost me my own life.

Humbly, I said, "Thank you, Admiral. Major. I don't know what can be done. However, I accept your offer of assistance. I am open to your advice on how to proceed."

Battles in the political arena I could wage with dexterity and skill. Battles in the city streets, in warehouses, in hostage situations…those were not my expertise. I accepted that, and the Admiral accepted the challenge. He had me tell him everything I knew, which was not a great deal, then said,

"First things first. Major, are you prepared to record a message from the Elder and myself, bring it to the Lead Advisors, and ensure they watch it? We will have our say in the decision affecting Earth's wild humans, regardless of Elder Sirena's plot."

Already, I could see where he was going with this. We affirmed our testimony, and the Major delivered it, while we returned to Asterion to seek my wife. There was an issue, however.

"Sirena has threatened that she has other males under her control," I said, "and she will turn them against me. I am not concerned for my own life, yet I fear the possibility of a traitor. Also, I think my fellow Lead Advisors may not wish to listen to the Major," I pointed out doubtfully. "No offense to you, sir."

I wasn't sure how Major Barak would accept the remark. While a high-ranking officer on a specialized military team, he did not hold the same weight with the Lead Advisors as his commander. Rather than be offended, he chuckled, a deep sound in his chest that resembled an animal growling.

"If they think they can ignore me," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "they are more than welcome to try."

I considered briefly, then nodded my head.

"Fair enough," I replied.

His intimidating presence might be precisely what I needed to have my message heard, my vote counted.

"Sir, would you prefer me to use a little…persuasion?" he now asked the Admiral, rolling out his shoulders in a way that inferred he was not above using his prodigious size and strength as an intimidation tactic. Even to arguably the most powerful people in the entire Coalition.

My gaze darted between the hulking Major and his commanding officer. His face was hidden by his helmet, of course, yet I could have sworn something in his posture and the angle of his head betrayed humor.

"Whatever you feel is best, Major," he replied. "Whatever you think is best." To me, he added, "We will face the issue of a potential traitor as soon as the threat to your wife is removed. The Major will remain in the meeting chamber to be certain no one leaves and no one communicates with anyone on the outside until he hears from me."

He turned his helmet to face his subordinate. "You have my full permission, Major, to utilize the squad to carry out my orders. If they complain, tell them exigent circumstances permit it, and all will be explained as swiftly as possible."

"Duly noted," Barak agreed. Then, "Let us be on with the message." He flicked open a shield on his wrist. Beneath was a communication device. Lifting his arm, he twisted his wrist to aim it directly at the two of us. "I'll record and share your message with this. Let's get on with it. I have a species to protect. You have a female to save."

Mentally, I raced to rehearse the words I would speak to the Council. I'd had no time to directly prepare my speech, but this was far from the first time I'd had to deliver an impromptu message. Nothing had ever hinged more heavily upon my powers of persuasion than this, and yet…there was a strange peace in knowing I would have my say and then leave it in this officer's hands and the will of the stars.

My mate needed me.

And I would go to her.

Hold on, Lorelai, I thought, even as I gazed directly into the small rectangular screen, surrounded by the shiny green body armor on the Major's wrist. I am coming.

I am coming.