Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(25)

"She is most competent," Val agreed. "She added her shields to mine to protect the tents and their inhabitants," he added.

*

Notes—Colonel Hunter

"These are the satellite photographs," James said, handing his tablet to me so I could look at the huge crater in Quebec, where pristine wilderness used to be. The dark pit was made more prominent by the heavy layer of snow that surrounded it.

"Matt says they barely had time to get those people out of there before everything exploded," I shook my head at the damage. "If the Canucks hear of our involvement," I blew out a breath.

"So everybody's all right? Cori, too?" James asked.

"They appear to be fine," I said. "I just heard from Leo—he says no hearing damage, even, so Cori and Val had some serious protection going on."

"I miss seeing her every day," James said. "I haven't had good cookies in more than a year."

"I never thought I'd consider the days at the mansion as the good old days," I said. "But you're right. I miss seeing her all the time, too."

"Nathan wants to move up our wedding date—just in case," James shifted uncomfortably.

"So Corinne can come?" I asked.

"Yeah. We want her to stand with us, as a member of the family," he said.

"You know she will—if it's at all possible."

"Do you know where she'll be—where she'll go—when this is over?"

"I have no idea where the Larentii homeworld is," I said. "Ask her. She'll be more likely to tell you than me, I think."

"Why?"

"Corinne has always considered you the son she wanted," I sighed. "Rafe, too. They'd protect you with their lives, unless I'm much mistaken."

"I wish there wasn't a problem with Rafe," James dropped his gaze. "You know he'll go nuts if he figures out who she is, now."

"You want both of them there at the wedding, don't you?" I was beginning to understand James' dilemma.

"Yes. Nathan's family will be there—I want Cori and Rafe there as mine."

"Let me talk to Shaw—perhaps he can present this to Corinne and Val. They may be able to come up with a viable solution."

"I just worry about the wedding turning into a disaster if Rafe goes nuts," James admitted.

"I see your point," I said. "Meanwhile, ask Director Michaels for a meeting. We probably should inform the President of our involvement with a newly-formed crater in Quebec. We should also investigate the types of explosives used. Get Captain Finch on the line—I want to speak with him."

"Yes, sir."

*

Corinne

"Nothing left of the Snowcat except burned, twisted wreckage," Opal reported when she reappeared. "It looks as if it were controlled remotely—at least there at the end. The driver and his pet Sirenali may have made a run for it before the explosives detonated. "

"So, they wanted everybody to pile out of the tents and then boom," I mimed an explosion with my fingers.

"Looks that way. The Snowcat was armed with remotely controlled guns, too, if my hunch is correct."

"So if the explosion didn't work?" I guessed.

"That's my guess, too," Opal agreed.

"I find this fascinating—the lengths some humanoids will go to just to kill others of their kind," Val said.

"It's frightening," I said. "We lost Nick and Maye and I still miss them," I added. "Besides, are Lyristolyi and Sirenali considered humanoids?"

"If they spend more than half their time in a humanoid guise, the Larentii consider them humanoid," Val said. "Although in the Archival Index, they have a coded description that any Larentii can decipher easily. It indicates that they have at least one alternate shape. The Saa Thalarr are also listed as such."

"I ran across some of those," I nodded. "Thanks for clearing that up."

"I regret that I was not there to meet you upon your arrival. I would have enjoyed showing you the Archives and answering your questions."

"They're all fine," Rafe strode out of the house and chose a chair nearby. "Thank you for saving their lives," he nodded to Val and me. "Sergei and Katya didn't need that blow."

"I'm glad we could do something about it," I said. I was also glad Val and I had gone without the others, but I didn't say it aloud. The explosion as it happened around us was terrifying enough, and we'd been shielded throughout.

"Honey," I turned to Val, "I need sunlight."

"I, too," he agreed. "Come, I will transport us."

*

Ilya

"How are you feeling?" Opal asked. "Any bad dreams or unexpected rages, lately?"

"They disappear almost before they can form—on both counts," I replied. "Do you have an explanation for that?"

"None at the moment," she shrugged.

"That's—Rinnelar. She's," I couldn't get the words past my lips.

"I believe Val has devised a way to keep the obsession from manifesting," Opal said. "If I were you, I'd be glad about that."