Toemeka knew he was right. So farshe’d only been involved in things that didn’t involve risk. Atleast she hadn’t thought they involved risk until today. If shewent with Erling she’d be embarking on a hazardous mission, puttingthe child she carried in danger. But what choice did she have with somuch at stake? “What’s the mission?” she asked.
“To steal codes and otherstrategic information from a Raptor base on planet Flo Shah. TheCoalition has intelligence that the aerial attack on Borko will beginsoon. They want exact information plus intelligence to stop thetakeover of Jaipar. I’m flying to the Jaipar space station to pickup a stolen Raptor ship for the mission.”
“At least let me go to thespace station with you. We can analyze the mission together.”
He nodded. “I could use yourinsights.”
Toemeka smiled, pleased he hadn’tsent her back to the infirmary. It wouldn’t be as easy to get himto agree to let her come on the mission.
12
Jaipar Space Station
At the space station, Toemeka andErling went over the mission in a small, high-security room while thestolen Raptor ship was given false registration numbers.
“The Raptor base on Flo Shah isexpecting two computer operators,” Toemeka said, uneasy about themission. “A man and a woman.”
“I’ll make up some excuse asto why I came alone.”
“It will make them suspiciousright from the start. It’s better if I go with you.”
Erling leaned back in his chair,frowning. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“The mission’s too dangerousfor you to go on alone and, as you pointed out, there isn’t anyoneelse here who’s trained to do the job.”
“You need more time torecover.”
“The bullet just grazed myshoulder. I’m all right.”
“It more than grazed yourshoulder and you also took a bad fall.”
“This is a desk job, Erling.We’re stealing information, not blowing up buildings. With thecover we’ve been given, we shouldn’t have any trouble breakinginto their computer system.”
Erling drummed his fingers on thetable. “The last two agents sent to Flo Shah disappeared. It can’tbe that easy.”
The hairs stood up on the back ofToemeka’s arms as a premonition of danger swept over her, and shehesitated a moment before saying, “It never is, but we work welltogether. It’s too dangerous for you to go alone. You need backup.”
A look of resignation entered hiseyes. “I guess you’re right. Let’s go change into Raptor flightsuits.”
Once in the cockpit, Toemekawatched Erling check the control dials on the large console. As iffeeling her gaze, he looked at her. She smiled back at him and said,“Just like old times.”
“Do you miss the excitement?”
“Sure, sometimes. More thanthat, I miss doing work I feel is really important.”
“It’s good to have you as apartner again. I just wish I felt more confident about this mission.”
Erling flew the ship through theopen hatch and shot into the sky. Toemeka settled back in her seatand tried to relax enough to sleep. Her body was exhausted, but hermind raced. A lot could go wrong on the mission. What had happened tothe last agents?
King Zanton and Queen Koriannstayed up late into the night, entertaining guests from Haklute.Koriann tried to pay attention to the conversations around her, buther thoughts kept coming back to Erling and whether Toemeka was ableto stop him from leaving on the mission.
Koriann was glad when the last oftheir guests retired, she was exhausted.
Zanton clasped her arm as shestarted to leave. “Stay awhile. We rarely have a chance to bealone.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m tired.I should have cancelled the dinner after that sniper shooting.”
“Why were you with Fenian?”
“He was my bodyguard.
“You should have used someoneelse.”
“He’s also Toemeka’s friendand former partner.”
“I don’t like you being withhim.” He drew her close and covered her mouth with his in apossessive kiss.
She submitted to his attentions,smelling the brandy on his breath and suspecting he was intoxicated.She wished it was as exciting to be kissed by him as it was whenErling kissed her, but instead she just wanted to escape. He finallyreleased her; she bid him good night and hurried upstairs to herroom.
Her handmaiden Chandra was asleepin a chair. She awoke with a start and straightened her uniform. “I’msorry, Your Majesty. I fell asleep.”
“You should have gone to bed,”Koriann replied, touched by her dedication. She owed Chandra so much.On the night General Bhandar had attacked the palace and killedKoriann’s family, Chandra smuggled her out and brought her toEmbrosa and Leyran. After rescuing her, Chandra had continued servingKoriann during the ten years she was in hiding.
Chandra unzipped the back ofKoriann’s evening gown. “It makes me feel better when I knowyou’re safe. That sniper could have killed you. There’s a traitorin our midst.”
“The sniper wasn’tnecessarily a traitor. He could have been one of Samrat Condor’smen. Chandra, I’m concerned about Major Fenian. He told me he wasleaving on a mission. I didn’t think he should go alone, so I askedToemeka to persuade him not to go. Will you see if she succeeded?”
Chandra raised an eyebrow, thenlifted the dress over Koriann’s head. “I’ll check into it, butI think you’re in love with the Major.”
“I’m not in love with him;I’m just concerned about him. He’s important to the survival ofour country.”
“It’s not my place to sayanything, but Major Fenian is a better man than King ZantonDuborginact. Sometimes it’s better to follow our hearts,” Chandrareplied, slipping a nightgown over Koriann’s head.
“Not another word. Just getgoing. I won’t sleep until I know he’s safe.”
After Chandra left, Koriannnervously paced the sitting room. Before long the door opened andZanton walked in, carrying a bottle of brandy and two glasses.
“I thought you might belonely,” he said, walking over to her.
“I already told you I’m tiredand not up for company tonight.”
“You look lovely.” His eyesswept over her satin nightgown.
“Please leave.” Shesuppressed the urge to order him out, wanting harmony between them.
“I thought you might like anightcap.”
“You know I don’t drink.”
He poured himself a drink and putthe bottle on the nightstand. “You’ll have to learn to if you’regoing to be my wife.” He swallowed down the contents of the glass,then set it down while his eyes devoured her.
She snatched her robe off thecouch. He clasped her wrist preventing her
