Aurelians are known for being merciless in the search for justice. I have to hope that the Lieutenant of the Aurelian Law Enforcement doesn’t fit the mold.
I walk down the stairs, keeping my pace slow to help calm myself. Gerard is waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He glances up at the Orb-Ring on my finger, then meets my gaze.
“I’m going to do the interview now,” I inform him.
“Do you want me to come with you, Lady Carani?”
He asks – he doesn’t just assume. That’s why I love Gerard.
“No. I need to do this alone.”
Gerard nods, respecting my decision.
“His name is Lieutenant Taggar. Hard to get a read on him. A strong man, full of pride – like all Aurelians – and he puts the needs of his Empire first in mind. The thing he speaks about most is making an example of Brennan – to show the universe that Aurelian Law Enforcement won’t go easy on those who turn Rogue. He’s committed to the reputation of his Empire.”
Make an example of Brennan.
This Lieutenant wants to show any planets currently considering Independence that Aurelian Law Enforcement takes kidnappings seriously. This Lieutenant puts the Empire first, and so I’ll need to find a way to turn that to my advantage.
A week earlier, the thought of being interviewed by a powerful alien warrior would have sent me scurrying to my room in terror. I’d have asked to do it over a comms-link, without even showing my face.
But now, I’ll face him with my head held high.
“Thank you, Gerard. My father – he won’t listen to me. I need to know that you will. Brennan didn’t go Rogue. He’s not fighting against the Aurelian Empire, and he isn’t evil. They aren’t how you think they are.”
Gerard stiffens. He doesn’t like what I’m saying. If he had his way, he’d slit the triad’s throat himself for what they’ve done to me.
But finally, he nods – begrudgingly accepting my word.
“I’ll try to keep an open mind, Lady Carani – but it’s hard not to hate the men who made me fail my one purpose in this world. I couldn’t keep you safe.”
I walk up to Gerard and pat his arm. “You’ve never failed me, Gerard – and you never will. I trust you more than anyone, Gerard.”
A faint smile comes to Gerard’s gruff face. He strokes his mustache to hide his smile, not wanting me to see his softer side.
But I do. I see the wetness in his eyes and I look away, not wanting to embarrass the proud, old warrior.
“Just call for me if you need me,” Gerard says, stepping aside to let me pass. I walk past him and into the dining room.
Lieutenant Taggar sits stiffly at the head of the table. He’s wearing the light blue, steel armor that denotes his rank – like the Captain had been wearing outside.
Two Sentinels stand guard at the corners of the room behind me. They’re dormant now, but at any hint of aggression from the Lieutenant, they’ll spring into action. I’ve got a feeling that my father has arranged for a mercenary or two to train their guns on the Aurelian as well; but if they’re doing so, I can’t see a single sign of them.
The Lieutenant stands as I enter the room. He’s a tall, lean Aurelian. The grey in his hair gives him a grizzled look. He steps forward, extending his huge hand. I shake it, feeling my own hand completely covered by his massive palm.
“I’m Lieutenant Taggar, of Aurelian Law Enforcement.”
He tenses – and I realize he feels the Orb-Ring in my hand.
We both glance at it – and then, just as quickly, step apart.
The Aurelian sits back down, and I take the far seat, all the way across from him.
“I want to start by apologizing for the actions of my species. The triad that abducted you brought shame to the Aurelian Empire. I promise you justice for that.”
His eyes dart down to the Bond Disrupter Ring, and I put my hands on my thighs, so the ring’s hidden beneath the table.
I pull myself up to my full height, mimicking Taggar’s confident posture.
“It’s not what you think it is,” I explain. “I’m not here to tell you to chase them down with guns drawn. I’m here to negotiate on their behalf.”
The Lieutenant nods slowly. His slate-grey eyes pierce me, as if searching for any clues in my expression that might give away what I might be thinking.
“So,” the Lieutenant muses, “they just let you go? I was wondering how you managed to get that Reaver flying, and escape.”
“Yes. They let me go. They were planning on turning themselves in, too. I convinced them to let me go first, to plead for the charges to be dropped.”
The Lieutenant’s eyebrows raise.
“Impossible. They took you from your home. They kidnapped you in front of a witness, and video feeds. These are serious charges, and we have them dead to rights. They’ll face the consequences of their actions, or the Aurelian Empire’s reputation will be tarnished permanently. Not only that – but we have investigations open on them for other crimes.”
The Aurelian Empire’s reputation? That’s all he cares about?
The Lieutenant is devoted to his species, and his Queen. I need to find a way to use that against him. I wish I could draw on Lazar’s intelligence. I even wish I had my father’s experience with negotiation tactics. However, instead, I’m all alone – and I must trust in myself.
Instead of anxiety crushing down against me, though, I draw on my inner strength – strength I never knew I had until today.
Before I can do anything else, I need to know who it is I’ve been Bonded to – for real.
I need to know the true nature of Brennan, Otho, and Lazar – without the Bond clouding my judgement. I need to know the depths of Brennan’s darkness.
“What did they do?”
Lieutenant Taggar pauses for a moment. Legally, he might not
