Bones of Empire (41 page)

He'd never seen a shifter half morph before, but knew Verafti couldn't revert to his true form without losing his right hand, thereby placing himself at a tremendous disadvantage. Cato was grateful for the helmet as he fell, hit the back of his head on the concrete floor, and felt the fake Alamy pin his wrists. Then her teeth were at his throat as she brought her right knee up between his legs. Cato felt an explosion of pain as the quickly gathering darkness threatened to pull him down.

 

 

As Verafti charged off the stage and threw himself at Cato, Demeni was already getting up off the floor. Like Cato, Shani couldn't fire the shotgun without running the risk of hitting Alamy as well. So she dropped the weapon and ran forward. Shani had had the opportunity to kill
both
Alamys and wasn't entirely sure why she hadn't as she jumped onto the stage.

Unlike the other two, Alamy's wrists were tied to a ceiling-mounted hook, which meant she couldn't escape. Demeni morphed into her true form and turned in her direction. Blood was dribbling out of the hole in her shoulder, but the Sagathi was in no way disabled as she threw herself at Alamy.

Time seemed to slow as Shani entered the gap. Not for Alamy, but for the man who loved Alamy and could never be happy without her. The pistol was out, and about to come into alignment, but not soon enough.

Demeni stopped. Her right hand went back. Razor-sharp claws cleaved the air. Shani felt something tug at her throat. She saw a curtain of blood spray the stage and “felt” Demeni's bloodlust. The lights went out of focus. Shani fell
through
the floor. Or that was the way it felt. There was no pain. Just a wistfulness. Why Alamy? Why not
her
? Then it was over.

 

 

As Alamy reared back, blood dripping from her razor sharp teeth, Cato saw his chance. The pink-tipped breast was only inches from his mouth. He bit into her nipple, heard Verafti scream, and threw the shape shifter off. Then, ignoring the pain where his neck had been ripped open, Cato scrambled to his feet.

What looked like Alamy stood as well, one hand cupping her bloody breast, as Cato drew the second pistol. He had already fired once and missed by the time Verafti shifted into the form of an Esselon Dire Beast.

But the second, third, and fourth bullets were on target as the vicious carnivore took to the air and launched itself at Cato. There was a mighty splash as it fell, twitched once, and lay motionless in the water.

That was when Cato looked up, saw Demeni step in front of Alamy, and knew there wasn't time to save her. Or so it seemed until Alamy brought both of her bare feet up and kicked the shape shifter in the chest!

Demeni toppled over backward and was still in the process of falling when Cato shot her four times. Each bullet threw up a geyser of blood, until the Sagathi landed and the water seemed to explode. Demeni's eyes stared sightlessly into the bright lights, and as
she
died,
another
shape shifter died, deep within her body.

Cato pushed the visor up as he made his way onto the stage. His knife made quick work of the ropes on Alamy's wrists. Then she was in his arms, sobbing convulsively and shaking like a leaf. “You came! You really came. I prayed that you would. . . . Then I prayed that you wouldn't, knowing they would try to kill you. I'm so sorry.”

Cato held her close. “There's nothing to be sorry about,” he said gently, “other than the fact that it took us so long to get here.”

“Shani saved me,” Alamy said sadly, as she turned to look at the Xeno cop's body. “I didn't think she liked me—but I guess I was wrong.”

“Yeah,” Cato said regretfully. “I'm going to miss her. Come on. . . . Let's get out of here.”

“Not yet,” Alamy said firmly, as she bent to scoop up one of Shani's pistols. Then, gun in hand, she shot both shape shifters once in the head. “There,” she said, as the echoes of the second shot died away. “Now I'll be able to sleep at night.”

“Good,” Cato said. “Jump on my back . . . I'll carry you out of here.”

Alamy wrapped her arms around herself. “Are people waiting up above?”

Cato nodded. “
Lots
of people. Out on the street.”

“Then I need some clothes.”

“We'll find something on the floor above,” Cato predicted. “It's my guess that you and the goddess Rahati are about the same size.”

More than three months had passed since the harrowing night under the streets of old town in Kybor, the restoration of Imperial rule on Therat, and the subsequent arrival of a naval battle group. Unfortunately, war with the aliens was still extremely likely, but thanks to Emperor Brunus, the Empire had strong leadership and was more prepared with each passing day.

All of that was important, but not as important as the ceremony about to take place on a raised platform in front of the smartly uniformed 3rd Legion. The much-celebrated organization of which the Xeno Corps was part.

Alamy was seated next to Chief of Staff Isulu Usurlus, along with half a dozen senior officers and as many politicians, all of whom were present to honor Centurion Jak Cato.
Her
Jak Cato.

As Alamy looked out over the glittering troops to the lake and the crater wall beyond, she felt a tremendous sense of pride and wonder. Because somehow, unlikely though such an outcome seemed, she had been elevated from sandal maker to the head of a household on Corin. A place where even slaves such as her could earn a modicum of respect.

Alamy's thoughts were interrupted by a blare of trumpets as Tribune Hathis completed his introduction, and Emperor Brunus Emor stood. He was a sturdy man, who had fought on many worlds, and was much loved by his troops. There was a noise similar to rolling thunder as thousands of fists made contact with brightly polished chest plates.

The real Brunus smiled as news cams hovered all around him—and the giant images on screens to either side of him smiled as well. “Greetings,” Brunus said as he looked out over the assembled legionnaires. “The men and women of the 3rd have had many proud days, the defense of Maago, the charge at Cylon, and the taking of Tygo being excellent examples.

“But
this
day, and
this
victory are especially noteworthy, as are the actions of Legionnaire Valentine Keen, Section Leader Yar Shani, and Centurion Jak Cato. Together, they tracked two dangerous criminals to an enemy-held planet where, with assistance from Governor Arrius and his valiant resistance fighters, Centurion Cato and Section Leader Shani led a successful assault on the Vord battle cruiser
Annihilator
.

“That accomplishment alone is worth celebrating,” Brunus continued, “but consistent with the 3rd's motto ‘never give up' these military police officers went on to find, battle, and ultimately kill two escaped criminals. Unfortunately, both Legionnaire Keen and Section Leader Shani were killed in action. But it is my honor to call Centurion Cato forward to be recognized by a grateful Empire.”

 

 

Cato heard his fellow legionnaires pound their chests and felt slightly dizzy as he stood and crossed the platform to the spot where the Emperor was standing. Like it or not, he could “feel” what Brunus felt, which was a genuine sense of pride. He was about to bow when the Emperor preempted the move with a soldierly forearm-to-forearm grip. “Centurion Cato,” Brunus said formally, as Usurlus appeared at his side, “it is my pleasure to award you the
Legion of Honor
. As you know, it's the highest decoration that a member of the military can receive for actions above and beyond the call of duty.”

Cato felt a profound sense of embarrassment and pride as he bent his head so that Usurlus could place the ribbon and medal around his neck.

“Furthermore,” Brunus continued, “I would like to be the first to congratulate you on your promotion to Primus Pilus with responsibility for all Xeno Corps operations on Corin.”

That announcement was sufficient to elicit another round of chest pounding from all of the assembled legionnaires, except for Tuso Inobo, who, having been left in place up until that point, had been hoping that his failures would go unpunished.

There were posthumous medals for both Keen and Shani as well, both received by saddened relatives, some of whom had been brought in from distant planets to take part in the ceremony.

 

 

Alamy watched the entire thing with tears brimming in her eyes as memories of both Keen and Shani came flooding back, and was therefore somewhat distracted when her own name was called. “Now,” Brunus said, “it is my honor to welcome a new citizen into the Empire. Would CeCe Alamy please come forward?”

Alamy was frozen in place, but a smiling Usurlus was there to help her to her feet and escort her over to the podium. She knew how to curtsy, having served Governor Nalomy on Dantha, so she did so, and might have held that position forever had Usurlus not been there to take her elbow. “You can straighten up now.”

Brunus smiled understandingly. “CeCe Alamy, on behalf of Primus Pilus Cato, it is my pleasure to announce that your freedom has been restored and that you are a full citizen of the Empire, with all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities attendant thereto, including the opportunity to pay taxes.”

That got a good laugh from all of those on the platform as Brunus gave Alamy a scroll certifying her citizenship. “Now,” he said, “I believe Primus Pilus Cato has something to say.”

Tears were streaming down Alamy's cheeks as Cato stepped forward to take both of her hands in his. He looked very handsome in his crested helmet and ceremonial armor. “CeCe Alamy,” he said, as hundreds of thousands of people looked on, “will you marry me?”

Alamy's answer was forever lost in the thunder that followed. But there was no doubt about the look of joy on her face—or the passionate kiss that followed. So the next thing the citizens of the Empire heard was the Emperor, who turned to one of the hovering cameras and grinned. “I don't know about you,” he said, “but I think Primus Pilus Cato is a very lucky man.”