The lieutenant, clearly not expecting this kind of hostility, stammered. Ofof course youre free. But it would bevery helpful for future missions if we could get your statement about what happened on this one. He shot a nervous glance toward Kell.
If thats acceptable, sir.
Kell held Maras gaze, and the concern and protectiveness in his eyes threatened to shatter her heart. You dont have to.
Where will you be?
Doing the exact same thing. Talking myself hoarse to a debriefing panel.
She turned to the lieutenant. Lets get this over with. She hopped down from the examining table and, even though all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around Kells long, solid body, she made herself walk toward the medical bay doors.
Mara.
She turned at Kells voice. He stood next to the exam table, with medical staff busily milling around, and yet all he saw was her, and all she saw was him.
Think about what I said. His voice was graveled, low. Its here if you want it.
If I want it . What was it ? Life with him? Joining 8th Wing? As she left the medical bay, his words resonated over and over within her, like the tolling of an ancient bell announcing either celebration or disaster.
She didnt see Kell again. The next few hours were spent in a small room with two 8th Wing officers, recounting every detail of the past few days. Mara left out some details, namely the times she and Kell made love. Those memories belonged to her and Kell. No one else. She hoarded them like gems, to be guarded jealously, possessively.
The 8th Wing officers listened and recorded her statements, asking her questions or requesting clarification of certain details. She had initially braced herself for antagonism, or sneering condescension. She was a scavenger. They were 8th Wing. Her clothes were grimy from battle. Their uniforms and insignias gleamed.
Yet no one made snide remarks. No one treated her poorly. If anything, she felt embarrassed to be the recipient of the officers unadorned praise. They marveled at her piloting ability, and how she fought side-by-side with Kell and Lieutenant Jur.
You distinguished yourself, Ms. Skiren, said a commander. And your actions went far beyond what any of us had anticipated.
Commander Frayne has also had nothing but praise for your contribution to the mission, a captain added.
At the mention of Kell, her cheeks heated. What did KellI mean, what did Commander Frayne say?
Hes still being debriefed. We cant discuss that. The captain studied a digitablet. But I can tell you that hes pushing hard for a special commendation for you.
Commander Frayne overstates my involvement. She didnt want that commendation, not if it meant shed earned it with her body rather than her skill.
Lieutenant Jur is seconding that commendation, said the commander. Do you disagree with them both?
Ino. Breath left her. She wondered briefly if the ships gravitational mechanism had gone off line, then realized it was her own equilibrium being unsettled. Rules and certainties as shed known them did not exist, leaving her to find new truths. About the world as she knew it. About herself.
After the interview concluded, Mara wandered around the ship, searching. She found neither Kell nor even Lieutenant Jur. When the ship landed at the 8th Wing base, she oversaw the unloading of the Arcadia , checked her ship for any damages, but even after she found everything to be in good condition, she lingered. Still no sign of Kell. He hadnt come out of the carrier ship.
Weve prepared special quarters for you, maam, an ensign informed her.
Ive got quarters on my ship.
These are a little more spacious. Besides, they come equipped with a water shower.
A water shower sounded like the Starfields of Eternal Bliss. Yet, even with this temptation, she was reluctant to stray far from the docked carrier.
The ensign saw her gaze straying toward the ship. Commander Frayne was escorted off the ship as soon as it docked.
Alarm prickled the back of her neck. Escorted off? Is he in trouble? Mara began to stride away exactly where she was heading, she didnt know, but if Kell needed help, she would provide it, however she could.
No trouble at all, maam, the ensign said, trotting quickly after her. But a mission like this, complicated and important as it was, requires a long debriefing before a panel of admirals. Standard operating procedure.
Her pace slowed as some of her righteous anger and determination evaporated. I see. How long do these panels last?
Could be hours, or longer. More than enough time to rest and clean up. Maam.
She glanced down at herself, seeing the blood and dirt covering her clothes. She probably did not smell particularly pleasant, either.
A water shower. A bed. Solitude. Time to think. She wanted and needed all of this.
Summoning her years of training, she gave the ensign a regal nod. Escort me to my quarters,
Ensign. However, she was no longer a princess, so she added, Please.
The junior officer led her through the base, and she found herself accepting congratulations and handshakes from many 8th Wing personnel. She felt inundated by faces and voices. Reaching her quarters was a relief.