The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles Book 2: Talyss

Heath Douglas walked gingerly onto the bridge of the Rea Cheveyo and eased into the captains chair. Hed sat in the chair before.

Hed sat in the chair and dreamed of the day it would be his. And now it would be.
It was not the sweetest of victories. Heaths possession of the chair came at a great personal loss. The man who still had claim to that chair was the best friend Heath had ever known. Theyd have one more flight together, and then Ian Logan would step off the Rea Cheveyo and into a new world.

Heath was happy for Ian, truly. Ian had found that one special woman and was smart enough to know it and brave enough to embrace her future as his own. Ians lady, Kiana ni Jamallan, was the ruler-elect of the planet of Adonica.

Heath did have hope that with the reforms Kiana envisioned, hed be able to visit Adonica from time to time and see his friend. And he did plan to make it plainly understood that if the naohm-elect or her husband needed transportation anywhere in the Cygni Omega sector, theyd better call the Rea Cheveyos newest captain.

He listened to the bridge chatter. The crew wouldnt be informed of Ians decision to resign his commission until they returned to the Jericho Bruis Space Station. Those higher up needed to be told first, and the next captain of the ship officially announced.

Heath had no doubt about who would be named. He was eligible for his own command, knew the Rea Cheveyo and her crew, and was already berthed on her. The only concern he had was who his first officer might be.

Mara St. Yves was his first choice, but shed never leave operations. She loved ops. The crew had gone through a major shakedown when Ian got the Rea ten months ago. Thered been several ships in the fleet getting new captains at the same time, and central command still hadnt processed all the transfer requests of people wanting to follow a particular captain to a new assignment.

Heath looked over his shoulder at Ripley Parker. Ripley had been Ians sidekick since their school days. Ripley was going to take the news hard. Heath hoped the man would stay with the Rea Cheveyo. For the record, Parker was a communications and navigation wizard.

Off the record, Ripley Parker was a computer hacker of extraordinary talent.

Heath had the sinking feeling he would need to rely on Ripley when the commander-in-chief of the Cygni Omega sector, Graham Dayshaun, worked out a plan to settle a few problems in his backyard.

Commander, the captains on the com link.

Thanks, Ripley. Ill take it in the office. Heath rose and entered his soon-to-be office. He opened the com link. Ian, youre alive.

So far, smartass. Hows our ship?

Purring like a kitten, Heath replied. Hows Kiana?

Likewise. The naohm-elect has requested we stay one more day. Shes also given permission for a small scientific survey team to shuttle over and gather information on flora and fauna.

Really? Thats a good place to start, I suppose. Heath was surprised. The Adonicans were not the most welcoming of races when it came to humans.

Since we have nothing on record about Adonica they didnt supply, I think so. People will know the team is off in the wilderness and be more curious than frightened.

She means to do it, doesnt she?

Yep. Kiana wants to open Adonica and allow all Adonicans the chance to leave the planet and return. Its a big reform, but I think it will work. Ian paused, then continued. The people here are ready. Most of them, anyway. Kiana knows it will take time.

Just making it legal gets people thinking.

You sound like her. I have to go. Im about to be formally presented to Naohm Yatai ni Geani and explain myself and my actions in corrupting the naohm-elect.

Heath laughed. Oh, that wont be difficult. Shell take one look at you mooning at Kiana and tell you both to go away and leave her be.

Ian grinned. I hope so. One more day, and then Ill be gone for three months.

Heath heard the sadness in Ians voice. He and Kiana had already endured a long separation. At least this time, they knew theyd be together at the end of it.

Okay, my friend. Ill get a team ready. You send up the location of their landing site. Ill put us in a long departure count, and you go explain yourself.

Ian snorted. You make it sound easy. Hows it feel to sit in the chair and know its yours?
Im shaking in my boots.

* * * *

A day later Heath was behind the captains desk when a morose Ian returned to the Rea Cheveyo. Heath took one look at his friend and tried to be sympathetic.

Cheer up. Its not like before. At least this time, you know shell be there when you get back.

Yeah, I know. But she cried this time.

Hmm. Heath quickly grabbed his redi-memo and handed it to Ian. He didnt want to even think about a womans tears.

Ships status is green. We have a little blip on the long-range scans that has me curious. Heath rose and motioned for Ian to take his chair. Ian hesitated, but sat.

This is just off the direct flight path to Jericho Bruis. Ian scanned the information. Do you want to investigate?

How fast do you want to get to Earth and back? Well get better scans as we go. It may be nothing. Heath was already calculating scanning-to-speed ratios in his head.

I want to get back in a hurry, but wed better take a closer look. Ian placed the redi-memo on the desk. Do you have any idea who youll ask for as your first?

I have an A-list. Its pretty short. Bonnie Dennis is my first choice, then Arleigh Conrad or Berkley Rice.

Ian nodded. Bonnie would be good. But shes just agreed to do a year on the Monument to oversee that crew putting itself back together.

Bloody hell. Well, shes perfect for that job. That crew needs a soft, steady hand to recover. God, what a thing to happen. I guess I tend to forget how dangerous it can be out here.

We all do, until something like that happens. Ian leaned forward. I hate to tell you this, but I think Jordan should transfer over there. They need his expertise.

Youre just a fountain of cheer, arent you? Heath shook his head. Every certified pilot on the Monument had been killed when her fuel system was compromised and a massive explosion occurred. One hundred and twenty-one members of a two-hundred-ninety-nine-person crew had been lost.

If you want my opinion, Id go with Rice. Arleigh Conrad has been passed over for his own ship too many times. Hes bitter.

Heath sighed. Hed had a run in with Conrad on Luna, but he chalked it up to the man having a bad day.

Okay. Berkley Rice it is if hell accept. You want to call Kiana and say goodbye?

No. If I talk to her, Ill never leave. Ian activated his computer station. Get us underway, Commander. Send Ripley in just before he goes off shift.

Aye, sir. Heath gave Ian a small salute and returned to the bridge. Ripley had his head together with Andie James. They spoke in conspiratorial whispers. He walked up behind them.

Dont listen to him, Andie. Hell lead you astray.

Too late. I just learned some very interesting facts about our computers. She grinned at Heath.

That scares me. Better take your station. Were ready to go.

Andie hustled down to navigation and began pressing buttons.

All departments are green, Commander, she reported.

Then lets get to Jericho Bruis, Lieutenant James.

Andie keyed in a sequence, and the Rea Cheveyo broke orbit, banked left, and gathered speed. Jericho Bruis was forty hours straight ahead at six-light speed.

Heath sat quietly while the bridge crew worked their duty stations. The normal crew chatter would resume in a quarter-hour or so, and then hed have them start a closer scan on that little blip.

Once that was accomplished, he turn the bridge over to Ripley. It was time he went for a captains walk. Just to see what it felt like.

* * * *

Talyss of Warlonah Keep, and lately of the spaceship Warlonahs Glory, was brought out of her reverie by the excited voice of her science specialist.

Talyss, that LAW ship is headed right for us!

Talyss walked calmly over to Variss and looked at her long-range scan. By the Oracle! It was true. The Rea Cheveyo was headed right at them.

Shes still hours away. Bring thrusters online. Move us away from her projected flight path, but do it slowly. She may not have seen us. The ship vibrated under Talyss feet as Variss followed her instructions. They began to drift.

Watch her, Variss, and be ready. If she adjusts her course, we will abandon our wait and go to Jericho Bruis. It cannot be helped.

Talyss, we cant. People are depending on us.

I understand. But better they miss one shipment than the LAW find out what we are doing.

They might die!

A few may. But if we are caught, more will as the result of their own stubbornness. Obey me, Variss. Talyss turned and walked away from her friend. It would serve no purpose to continue to argue.

The fur rose on her arms. She couldnt wait. Shed given her word not to reveal her friends plight. Talyss turned to her second-in-command.

Flinnen, we are leaving. Full power. We are going to the space station now.

There was a murmuring of dissent on the command deck. Talyss stared at Flinnen. She knew he had strong feelings about what they did. He finally nodded. Talyss released a breath she hadnt realized shed been holding.

Why did this have to be so hard?

She was not as detached as her attitude implied. She commanded this ship. The responsibility for it and its crew was hers. Her duty was to keep focused on the larger picture, the safety of all. She made her decisions with the bigger view in mind.

Ill be in my quarters. If the Rea Cheveyo increases her speed, do likewise. I want to be at the station and under Jericho Bruis customs protection as soon as possible.

That wont make any difference.

Variss, it will make all the difference. I have investigated the captains of the LAW ships that patrol our space. Ian Logan is unlikely to demand to board and search this ship if station personnel have allowed us to dock. He will go through channels and obtain the station commanders approval. But he will watch us, and so we must be careful of him.

Flinnen looked at her, visibly unhappy.

I have seen those reports. Graham Dayshaun trusts him. Logan may not insist on personally boarding us, but he will file his report.

And it will say what? Flinnen, adjust our flight log to show a problem with our navigation control and a subsequent repair. When we realized we were off course, we powered down, and then drifted even more while correcting the problem. We are now continuing to Jericho Bruis to deliver our cargo, per our manifest.

Flinnen nodded. Variss was not satisfied.

What was the League of Aligned Worlds doing at Adonica for four days? I dont like it.

I dont know, Variss. Not all of what happens in our space need concern us.

Thats just it. It is our space. But it has been taken from us. Others claim it, and others agree.

The Oracle tells us that all the heavens belong to us. That is an extremely large territory for us to control. Perhaps one day, in a distant future, we will truly be heirs worthy of it all. But for now, in this time, we are not. The Oracle has often said, It is not come. We should be content and allow the Oracles visions to mature.

Meanwhile, people die!

The beginnings of a headache throbbed at the base of Talyss skull. She spoke with the authority of her position, that of heir to Warlonah Keep and all of Warlonah holdings.

We all will die, Variss. If this ship is impounded, what help will we be to anyone? Im going to my quarters. Notify me immediately of any developments.

Yes, my lady, Flinnen replied.

Talyss stepped into the downtube and slowly freefell four decks. She caught the bar and swung out. Her quarters were just a few steps away.

Sanctuary. The quiet twilight of her cabin was blessed sanctuary. She uncovered the crystal of the Oracle. Its glow bathed the room in sunset. More than anything, Talyss wanted to sleep. She rarely did when she was out on the ship. Someone always required her time and her presence.

She needed to rest. She had to be alert, sharp, when they docked at Jericho Bruis.

Just in case Variss was correct and that LAW captain had been made curious.

Running in Fear: Escaped