He contemplated my response. “I understand. That is a logical reaction to trauma.”
“Yes, it is.”
We remained unmoving for what felt like hours. I relaxed and sniffled, my tears ceasing.
“You’re good at this,” I observed.
“I would not believe that under normal circumstances.”
“Why?” I asked with genuine curiosity.
“I have only brought comfort to one female before this moment.”
I assumed he meant a girlfriend, wife, or lover. I was wrong.
“My sister,” he explained, and I heard a slight catch in his voice.
“Valtus?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
He grunted as I closed my eyes, exhaustion claiming the last of my coherent thoughts.
Chapter 4 – Valtus
The bridge was a flurry of activity as the crew of the Vindicator prepared for the return voyage to my home planet of Vindar. The noises of the warrior’s voices, the ship’s creaks, holomap indicators as they bleeped, and data entry faded into the background. All I heard and knew was the sweet, soft voice of the female from the med bay.
Kacie Hargrave.
She snared my attention from the moment I brought her on board. In truth, since I broke down the door on Cryton and found her in distress. My body ached with the need to return and confirm that she was no longer upset. Her nightmare, as Kacie called it, was a manifestation of her experiences. Horrid, painful moments that hurt inside her heart. That was upset. I knew this feeling, but I didn’t tell her of my painful past.
Some things were not meant to share until the right time.
Motok returned to the bridge and I stood off to the side, allowing my Commander to view the crew. Everything was in control. I always made sure complications were handled swiftly. I was Motok’s First, a position I was proud to serve.
“The female is definitely my Venya’s sister,” he disclosed, standing next to my side. “I don’t know what to make of this. Who was the female on that video we confiscated? Was it only propaganda? Why was such an effort made to conceal the truth?”
I never turned in his direction but answered in a low voice laced with venom. “I assume it was to cover any evidence of their treachery or participation in the slave trade. Rymar and Bly didn’t act alone.”
“As much as I wish that were untrue, I must say that you are correct.”
“There’s something else I found when browsing those files that we finally decrypted.”
“Oh? What was it?”
“They’ve stumbled upon some kind of experimental gene modification. It’s far advanced, even for our scientists.”
“What does it do?”
“I’m not sure yet but it was used to alter the female’s DNA, voice, and physical attributes on the video to clone Kacie Hargrave. I wasn’t certain until we found her on Cryton. I believe they were testing the mod’s success.”
“Cloning is mediocre at best. It’s never fully successful.” Motok was correct. “How do you know this for sure?”
“I didn’t until today. I had my suspicions before we landed on Cryton. Before we left the planet, I set up a remote download of their database. I hoped to gain a little Intel. I was able to salvage more than I anticipated.” Most of the previous evening I scanned the data. Once I left the med bay, I was unable to sleep. My body kept prompting the urge to return to Kacie and I fought the impulse until it faded.
“And?”
“This goes far beyond the High Council. Members of the Galactic Conclave are also involved. I have placed all the data I gathered in your personal files. View them once you’re able and alone. Keep it safe. I only have a few copies.”
“What are you saying?”
“You should know that I plan on pursuing this as far as I can. I won’t stop until we find the full extent of both the High Council and the Conclave’s involvement and the identity of the individuals responsible for funding this level of betrayal and violation of the Cardinal Edict.”
“I understand and I agree. You have my full support, Valtus.”
I nodded, clenching my fists behind my back. “I will seek vengeance on Kacie’s behalf.” My voice nearly faltered and I swallowed hard. “And for my sister. I regret that I must submit my resignation as your First.” I met his shocked gaze. The reaction was expected. He didn’t know I planned to leave the crew when I found the Intel I had been searching for and it suddenly surfaced. “I can’t ask you to follow me into that kind of danger. You have a child on the way. Your Venya needs you. You must remain Commander of the Vindicator.”
Placing a hand on my shoulder, he squeezed. “I can’t stop you, but I wish you would reconsider. You’re needed here. What of Kacie’s reaction? What will she think when you abandon her to seek your revenge?”
I flinched, my eyes narrowing. “I will explain. Kacie will understand. I know she will.”
“There’s not a thing I can do to change your mind, is there?”
I shook my head, removing the pin that designated my rank. I placed it on his palm before standing straight, my voice loud and clear as I spoke. “It has been my greatest pleasure serving with you and the crew of the Vindicator.”
The warriors nearby heard and several stood, surprised by my words.
I strode away with my head held high, headed toward the medical bay where I would inform Kacie of my plans. The comm device that I gave the female would allow us to connect whenever I was in range. I would do so as often as possible. Although I turned in my insignia, I owned multiple devices and would use them often. When I packed, I would retrieve a few from my personal chamber.
“Cosmos help me,” I muttered under my breath as I entered the med bay and found Kacie’s bed empty.
Where was the female? Was she harmed? Moved to another pod on the ship?
Sixty decks comprised the Vindicator’s interior. It would take time to locate where she went. I stomped out of the med bay and down the sleek halls of the ship’s cool interior.
Stopping in my personal quarters, I was surprised when Motok hailed me via the ship’s generic comm system as soon as I arrived. Then I remembered I wasn’t wearing my pin.
“Valtus?”
“Yes, Commander?”
“Before you leave, I’d like you to debrief with my brothers.”
That was a common request. I always discussed mission Intel with Motok, Orion, and Rexnor. “Of course. I will await your hail.”
“Good. Put on another Veeten pin. I hate tracking you down.”
“As soon as we finish this call, Commander.”
Mumbling, his voice was cut off as I heard the click that confirmed he disconnected.
Pulling up the personal logs on the ship’s database, I searched until I found Kacie. Each soul on board the Vindicator was given a personal heat signature that could be located via the ship’s central computer. Officers had complete access at all times. Kacie was in the pod designated for the captured females. Relieved, I left my chamber and headed to deck fifty-four. Arriving outside the door to the chamber, I paused as I heard several female voices speaking all at once.
The low hum reminded me of a time long ago when my sister would meet with other females on Vindar. She enjoyed their gatherings. I often walked her to and from these excursions as I didn’t approve of her traveling any distance alone. Braxtharian males were protective of their females. We cherished them as well as our offspring. In our society, they were coveted and protected until a worthy male assumed this role through a mate bond.