Neutral Space(54)

“Already done. Are you in a hurry to get somewhere?” Schmidt asked.

“I have a wife waiting for me. I’m leaving first thing in the morning. You’ve heard my demands you’ve seen my evidence what happens from here is up to you.”

“And if you and Trekes mysteriously die?”

“Then one of my other copies is broadcast. Never fear, general; there will be work for you for many years to come. Peace does not come easily after 200 years of spreading hatred and lies. There will be some resistance on both sides, and the government will need your help enforcing the new found peace. At least now you’ll know you’re fighting for something worthwhile.”

I left them with something to think about. Change took time, and it was going to be hard, but it was worth it in the long run. I hoped my children would never feel the loss of a sibling by the hate of a person they’d never met.





Chapter 22





I



walked the perimeter of the island that night entirely alone thinking of the time Kheda and I spent here. This is the place the war ended for us. It was only fitting that this is where it ended for everyone else. This was the place I realized everything the government told me was a lie. I remember looking at Kheda and seeing a woman and not a Kelsairan. She was someone to be loved, not hated. The war was over for me then, even if it was just with her. Over the next few months, my men could tell something was wrong.

My heart wasn’t in it anymore. I think that was the reason we were caught on that ridge. I knew then it was my fault and that’s why I stayed behind. That’s why I was captured, and that’s how Kheda came back into my life.

The next morning, I brought one copy to Pyia and Ms. Davis. Pyia took his and slinked away. Ms. Davis lingered keeping me trapped there. “The announcement is set for 13:00 hours today. The talks will be held here in three weeks. I hope you can join us.”

“I have a previous engagement,” I said simply not wanting to reveal that the babies should be coming around that time. I was afraid if anyone knew they’d come after us and we’d be on the run again. Ms. Davis looked at the pad in her hands.

“How did you get this?”

I sighed. “Months of my life trapped in a room behind computers.”

“Was it worth it?” What she really wanted to know is if Kheda was worth it.

“She means more to me than anything in the world.”

“I spoke with the president, and he apologizes for your treatment during this situation. He wants to…”

“Save it, I don’t need long-winded apologies. I need to get back to my family.”

“Are you sure you don’t have a little time to spare?” She was making a pass at me.

“I’m sure.” I walked away from her not wanting to stay a moment longer. I’d nearly made it on to my ship when I heard General Schmidt behind me.

“Aren’t you forgetting these?” he held out two pieces of paper. Our discharge orders. “General Ligas wanted to come as well, but it seems he didn’t want to lose Trekes especially not to a human.”

“Thanks,” I took the orders and headed inside.

“You’re going to be news in an hour. Oh, and Jackson, I want you to know I’ll have my best man tracking you down about the job.” I nodded. His best man was Jeannie. She’d find me every so often, offer me the job and I’ll refuse. In the meantime, I’d have an excuse to see her. Although, he didn’t know I knew Jeannie was MI. Even if he knew of our involvement, her job was classified. This would be a fun game of cat and mouse.

Sen was already at the controls waiting to take off. I sat down beside him and closed the hatch. “Do you want to see Kheda’s handiwork in action?” he nodded. Once we were out of Micea’s atmosphere we pushed the engines to the limit, he was impressed. This ship wasn’t meant to go this fast, and he knew it. We raced back to Aran but it was still a three-week trip, I could only hope I made it in time to see my children born. We watched the monitors as news came up about Kheda or me or any signs of the peace to come. It was just as Schmidt and Davis said.

The Kelsairans claimed I escaped Kras with a different Kelsairan woman, a big-time player never meant to get out. They said I killed her in self-defense when she tried to kill me. I’d supposedly been on the run since not knowing where to turn because of my supposed involvement with Trekes. She, on the other hand, had been sitting in Roteo exactly where they said she was supposed to go and this had all been a paperwork nightmare and case of mistaken identity. Trekes was released from prison for good behavior and been honorably discharged. The army gave me credit for time served in Kras and on the run, and my term of service was shortened by a year. I too was given an honorable discharge.

If I hadn’t been at the center of it all, I wouldn’t have believed it. I could only wonder what the public thought. It didn’t really matter. My name was officially clear, and so was Kheda’s. Her record would only say failure to obey orders and when it came to refusing to fire on innocents that were nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, our children and families knew the truth, and that was most important.

We set down on Aran a little under three weeks after leaving Micea. Aya was waiting at the secondary landing pad with a land cruiser. The first thing he asked about was his ship. I grinned at him and asked about Kheda. Sen climbed in behind us, and Aya sped off up the hill. Aya wouldn’t say much about Kheda, and he had me a little worried. I barely got my boots off before rushing inside.