Cassandra's Challenge Read online

  So if she strips way all the crap that’s been going on since the Regulians attacked, striped back the layers, what’s really important to her. Her first thought is, ‘William’. Could she let herself trust that? Could she not?

  Staying in bed is no longer an option. Getting up she wraps the blanket around her. There is only one place she wants to be. There’s the light and she moves to it. Standing in the doorway she sees him, he’s her light, just him. Sitting at his desk with his back to her, walking over she touches his back.

  William is so deep in thought that he doesn’t realize Cassandra’s behind him until he picks up her scent a moment before she touches him.

  Turning in his chair he’s floored. She’s standing in front of him wrapped in a drooping blanket that exposes bare shoulders, moving between his legs she sits. Pulling her closer she nestles into him, the blanket falling away

  “You should be sleeping.” He caresses a bare thigh.

  “Bad dream.” She rests her head on his shoulder.

  He should have realized, with everything she’s been through, the attack, the destruction of Earth, not only saving, but caring for her niece, trying to find her way in a new world, and then him on top of it, how much is one small woman able to take. Putting a hand on her cheek he pulls her in close.

  “Cassandra.” Sighing her name he kisses the top of her head.

  “Just hold me for a minute, I’ll be okay, and you can get back to work.”

  William isn’t getting any further then he had before in figuring out the translation, his mate needs him and that takes priority. Shutting down the comm center he cradles her in his arms as he moves into his private chambers.

  “You still have work.” She mumbles.

  “No I don’t.” Laying her on the far side of the bed he quickly disrobes pulling her close. “Sleep Cassandra, I’ve got you.” Without hesitation she wraps herself around him, her utter trust humbles him, together they fall asleep.

  Hours later his secondary line rings, instinctively he picks it up.

  “Zafar.”

  “Admiral?” Leander quizzes. “I’m looking for Cassandra.”

  “Hold on.” Realizing this has to be about Victoria he nudges her, “Cassandra, its Leander.” She’s instantly awake reaching across him for headset.

  “Leander what’s wrong?” Her voice is panicky.

  “Victoria had a nightmare. We’ve tried to calm her down but…”

  “I’ll be right there!” She tells him sliding across William. Dropping the headset as her feet hit the floor. “Shit I should have known better.” She mutters pulling on clothes.

  William follows her, pulling on his clothes he listens to Cassandra berating herself.

  “Stop. Cassandra stop!” He grabs her arm. “You couldn’t have known.”

  “I should have!” Sitting she pulls on her boots. “She’s been having nightmares ever since the attack. They haven’t been as severe lately but still.”

  “You aren’t going to be any help to her beating yourself up.” Looking up she realizes he’s fully dressed.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Going with you.” Standing she just looks at him then sighing nods.

  “Okay.”

  At Michelakakis’ hatch with William at her side she knocks, Leander opens the door almost immediately.

  “Cassandra, she’s in here.”

  Stepping back he lets her in. “Admiral” William nods, as he watches Cassandra rush over to the softly sobbing child lying on the couch, Javiera moves to the side.

  Sitting down, Cassandra puts a gentle hand on her back as she softly whispers, “Tori, it’s alright, I’m here.” Tori opens red rimmed eyes and is instantly in her arms, her sobbing increasing.

  “Shhh, it’s ok baby, it’s ok. I’ve got you, your safe. Come on stop crying.” Cassandra is cooing to her, rubbing a hand up and down her back as she holds her tightly. “Look at me Tori,” Cassandra tucks her hair behind her ear, “Come on, look at me.”

  As Tori raises tear filled eyes Cassandra frames her face with her hands, looking directly into her eyes. “You’re safe!” Her voice is urgent voice. “It was just a bad dream. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Fire,” Victoria whispers in a pitiful voice. “I couldn’t get out of the fire Aunt Cassie.”

  Pulling her close with a fierce hug she tells her, “We got you out Victoria remember. We got you out.”

  Victoria looks up, “You, the Admiral, and Lucas.”

  “Yes, you’re safe.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise. Now should we get out of here so the Michelakakis’ can get some sleep?” Nodding Victoria closing her eyes, laying her head on Cassandra’s shoulder as she goes to stand William steps up.

  “Let me take her.” William says softly as he kneels down reaching for Victoria. “She’s too heavy for you.”

  “I’m not sure she’ll let you.” Victoria opens her eyes to look at him.

  “Victoria is it ok if I carry you?” He waits.

  Watching him with unblinking eyes Victoria slowly lets go of Cassandra’s neck and holds her arms out to him. Standing William pulls the small body close, feeling her arms wrap around his neck.

  “Leander,” Cassandra starts.

  “It’s ok, we’ll talk later.” Nodding she follows William.

  Opening the hatch to their quarters Cassandra secures it once William is inside. Stepping around him she goes to the bed pulling back the covers.

  “Lay her down over here.” She whispers. Victoria’s fallen into an exhausted sleep on the walk over. Gently laying her down William removes her arms from around his neck. When he eases back Cassandra pulls the covers up around her. Victoria opens exhausted eyes.

  “The Glitter Man was there.” She whispers and Cassandra freezes.

  “What? Where?”

  “In the dream. He was there, watching. He’s trying to find me Aunt Cassie.” Frightened eyes look into hers.

  “No Tori, no. He’s not coming for you, you’re safe! It was just a dream. A bad dream.”

  “It’s the Glitter Man.”

  “He’ll never find you Victoria.”

  “He said he’d always be able to find me.”

  “When Tori? When did he say this?” Cassandra’s voice is urgent.

  “Back when he took me.” She replies a single tear falling from her eye. Cassandra doesn’t know what to say.

  William silently listening speaks up. “I wasn’t there last time Victoria. Neither was the Retribution or Lucas. He won’t be able to take you from us. You’re safe here.”

  Cassandra and Victoria both look at him.

  “You’re safe. I promise.” Cassandra swallows hard as she turns back to Victoria.

  “You see, you’re safe. The Admiral promised you. Now sleep. I’ll be here.” Victoria closes her eyes and is instantly asleep.

  Standing, William pulls her quietly across the room and into his arms. She rests her head on his chest.

  “Who’s this Glitter Man she’s talking about?” Cassandra puts a hand over his mouth her eyes dart back towards the bed.

  “Shhhh….Not here. If she wakes up and hears us talking about it…” Her eyes plead with his.

  “But he’s real. Not something she’s made up?”

  “He’s real.”

  “Ok.” He puts a hand under her chin so she’s looking at him. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. You need to get more sleep.” He quickly looks around the quarters they’d been assigned. “Where do you sleep?”

  “With Tori.” He lets out a large sigh.

  “We really haven’t been taking very good care of you have we?”

  “We’re fine, the bed is huge. It’s more than enough for the two of us.”

  He lets it drop, because if he has his way, which he damn sure plans on having, they wouldn’t be here for long.

  “Tomorrow, come to my quarters, we’ll have third meal and talk.”

  “William,
I need to stay with Victoria.”

  “Both of you, 1800, I’ll have Lucas can join us. Then you’ll tell me what’s happened to Victoria.”

  Cassandra nods knowing he’s right, he needs to know. “Ok.” Leaning down he gives her an urgent kiss.

  “Secure the door behind me.” He orders. In the corridor he waits until he hears the locks engage before turning.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning Falco is standing at attention in the Admiral’s ready room. Leaning back in his chair William’s eyes bore into hers.

  “Explain.”

  “Admiral last night at 1900 hours I entered your ready room with what I considered vital information on the Retribution’s navigational system. Once inside I encountered what I considered unauthorized personal. I identified myself, stated my business, demanded to know hers, she refused, I informed her I was calling security.”

  “What makes you think you have the right to demand anything from someone in my ready room?”

  “William,” Falco starts.

  “It’s Admiral, Senior Chief!” He cuts her off. Falco stiffens her face turning red.

  “Yes sir! Sorry sir!”

  “Finish.” He orders.

  “Sir, the woman was coming out of you private quarters, which is off limit to all personnel. I believed she was possible there to cause harm being who she is.”

  “And who would that be Senior Chief?” The Admiral asks leaning forward in a deceptively quiet voice.

  “Sir, she’s that refugee from Earth. She can’t possible have any business in your private quarters! When she refused to disclose her reason for being there I informed her I was calling security.”

  “Then why didn’t you?”

  “What?” Falco is thrown off.

  “You didn’t call security. You called me in the communications room. How did you come by that information?” The Admiral fires at her. Falco doesn’t respond.

  “Answer Senior Chief!”

  “Sir, I was informed of your location by the woman.”

  “That tell you anything Senior Chief?” He demands.

  “Sir, I didn’t know that’s where you were until I confirmed it, sir.” Falco is starting to sweat.

  “Why the secure line?”

  “Sir, I was protecting the Admiral’s reputation.” He leans back in his chair waiting. “Sir, a refugee was able to gain access the Admiral’s private chambers. I knew you didn’t want that to be common knowledge on the ship.”

  “Now you know what I want my crew to know? Is that what you’re telling me Senior Chief?” Falco realizes she’s sinking herself.

  “No sir.”

  “What did you discover as a result of the call Senior Chief?” William demands, drilling the point home, Falco’s attitude towards Cassandra is rubbing him wrong.

  Falco swallows not wanting to say is out loud. “That the refugee had permission to be there, sir.”

  “And you didn’t!” He finishes for her. “Understand this Senior Chief, Cassandra has permission to be in my quarters, at any time. You do not. Is that understood!”

  “Yes Sir!” Her hatred for Cassandra grows.

  “You have no reason to be in my ready room unless so ordered here. Is that understood Senior Chief?!?”

  “Yes Sir!”

  “Dismissed!”

  “Sir!” Falco salutes the Admiral and turns to escape.

  “Senior Chief,” She turns back slowly. “Where is this vital information?”He asks raising an eyebrow at her.

  “Sir?”

  “The report you said is the reason you were in my ready room.”

  “Sir, I left it on your desk.”

  He spreads his hands across his desk. “Where?”

  “Sir I left it right in the middle, the refugee must have taken it.” Falco can’t bring herself to say the name.

  “Really, why would Cassandra do that?” William says in a neutral voice, making sure he emphasizes her name.

  Falco’s jaw tightens at the name on William’s lips. “Sir I’m sure it is to throw suspicion in my direction, to discredit me in your eyes.”

  “Why would Cassandra want to do that?”

  “For having access to your ready room, sir.”

  “YOU DON’T!!” The Admiral erupts, standing he sends his chair into the wall. “DO YOU UNDERSTAND SENIOR CHIEF!”

  Falco cringes under his rage, “Yes sir!” She finally gets out.

  “Have a copy of that report sent to the bridge by 0900! DISMISSED!”

  Falco hustles out of the ready room.

  Cassandra is trying to give Victoria a normal morning, or at least as normal as they are on the Retribution.

  “So now that we’re done with breakfast, what do you want to do?”

  “Can we go to the play room?” An area on the ship in the family section that kids can go and hang out. “Amina said they were going there today.”

  “Sure if you want.” As soon as they arrive Victoria sees her new friends.

  “Is it ok if I go?” she asks.

  “Go.” She tells her. Seeing Javiera, she walks over to sit by her.

  “I have to thank you for last night.” She begins.

  Javiera waves a hand at her. “No you don’t, I’m just sorry she had such a terrible dream. I didn’t even think about it. She seems to have adjusted so well to all the changes this last month. But it has to have taken a toll on her, you too.”

  “Yeah, we’re working on it.”

  “She slept ok the rest of the night?”

  “Yeah, she only ever remembers bits and pieces the next morning.”

  “Makes it easier on her, harder on you.” Cassandra says nothing.

  “Look Cassandra.” Javiera looks over to see that the kids are occupied, than turns to her. “I’ve been an officer’s wife for close to ten cycles. Before that I was on several ships, following my father. So I know my way around, if you have any questions about procedures, who’s who, why things are done certain ways you can ask me.” She looks her in the eye. “And I don’t gossip, what you ask or tell me stays between us.” Cassandra remains quiet.

  “I realize I should have offered sooner but to be honest, I wasn’t sure I was going to like you.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Leander thinks you’re great and normally I’d just trust that but…”

  “It’s another woman he’s talking about.” Cassandra finishes for her. “And not a Carinian woman who knows what’s allowed and what’s not”

  “Exactly!” Javiera smiles at her seeing she understands. “But I’ve gotten to know you, seen you with Victoria and understand more. I think we could be great friends.”

  Cassandra is a little amazed. “That would be nice, but really I thought after last night…”

  “Please, all kids have nightmares. Victoria’s are unfortunately based in reality.”

  “Yes.”

  “So some night soon we’ll try another sleep over.”

  “She’d like that.”

  “So would Amina, Victoria’s her bestest friend.”

  Back in quarters Cassandra sits Victoria down on the couch.

  “Tori, we need to talk about last night.”

  “I’m sorry Aunt Cassie.” Her sad voice breaks Cassandra’s heart.

  “No! No, Victoria, you have nothing to be sorry for. Look at me Victoria,” She raises her eyes. “Nothing.” Watching to make sure she believes her Cassandra goes on. “I need to know what you meant about the Glitter Man looking for you.”

  “He said he’d always be able to find me.” She whispers digging at her right arm, something she’s always done when talking about her kidnapping.

  “When?”

  “When he had me.”

  “Tori, you never said that before.” Cassandra looks at her seriously.

  “I just remembered it Aunt Cassie.” She starts to cry softly.

  Gathering her in her arms Cassandra stops the digging. “Shhhh, its ok honey. Shhh. Is there anything else you’re remembering?�
�� Victoria shook her head. “Okay but if you do, anything Victoria, you need to tell me, okay?”

  “Okay.” Time to change the subject.

  “Guess what we’re doing tonight.”

  “What?”

  “We are going eat third meal with the Admiral.”

  “Where?”

  “In his quarters.”

  “What are we having?”

  “I don’t know we’ll have to be surprised.”

  “We’re surprised a lot.” Cassandra laughs.

  “Yes we are. Why don’t you go get cleaned up so we’re ready when it’s time to go.”

  “Okay.” Giving Cassandra a quick kiss she jumps down.

  William’s day continued at a somewhat less confrontational rate. The report delivered didn’t really say anything. Before he confronts Falco again he wants to think on it. He contacted High Command on secure channels relaying the information they’d obtained and his suspensions. He made contact with Lucas telling him about supper, and he notified Hutu of the number for supper and that one was a child.

  Cassandra and Victoria arrive outside the Admiral’s quarters. “So who’s going to knock you or me?” Cassandra’s suddenly nervous.

  “I will.” Victoria knocks on the hatch. The hatch opens almost immediately.

  “Lucas!” Victoria squeals jumping at him. Catching her he swings her up. Cassandra smiles entering behind them.

  At the end of the corridor Falco watches as the hatch opens and the two refugees enter the Admiral’s quarters, the woman smiling. Jealously is raging through her. Who does this person think she is coming between her and the Admiral? He is hers! She would have to pay! Falco turns and walks away.

  Inside the ready room Victoria chatters away to Lucas giving Cassandra a chance to see a table’s missing.