ExtremeCircumstances (11 page)

They got out of bed and had time to shower and dress before
an escort showed up. He and Gates followed the young soldier down the long
corridors in silence. There really wasn’t anything left to say. Except, of
course, declaring the reason his heart raced whenever Gates was near. And he
wasn’t sure he was ready to do that. Not just yet at least.

“Thank you.” The words slipped out of Julian just as they
stopped in front of a closed door.

“You don’t owe me any gratitude.” Gates looked away from him
before pinching the bridge of his nose. “This is all my fault. If I’d done my
job—”

He couldn’t let Gates finish that sentence. “You did your
job.” He placed his hand on Gates’ shoulder. “And you did everything you could
to protect us.”

“It wasn’t enough.”

There probably wasn’t any point in arguing with him. He’d
lost a team. Julian couldn’t change that. But he could put it into perspective.
“We were set up to fail, Gates. But we’re still here. This mission isn’t over.
Not yet. It ends on our terms.”

Gates took a deep breath and then nodded. “I don’t know
what’s waiting for us on the other side of the door, but I’m glad I’m walking
through it with you.” Gates paused as the escort scanned his ID badge. “I know
this isn’t the time or place but—” Gates froze and his face paled as if he’d
just been hit.

Julian didn’t need to hear the words to know what Gates was
about to say. The truth echoed in his own heart every time he looked at Gates.
And he might not have been ready to say it a second ago but he was now. Seeing
Gates scared silent by the truth made him accept his own fears. “I love you
too.”

Gates took a slow breath before he smiled and nodded. “Let’s
end this.”

They opened the door and he took a second to steady himself
before crossing the threshold. Julian scanned the people sitting around the
large conference table but when he didn’t find his father he was filled with
disappointment. Which surprised him. He’d been angry, hurt and had outright
hated his father over the years but he’d never been disappointed by him.

“Please, come join us.” A man in full dress uniform gestured
to two open seats across from him. “I’m Colonel Speck and I’ll be officiating
the debriefing.”

Julian instantly recognized the voice of the man who’d come
to visit him the day before but he refused to react to the information. If
Colonel Speck wanted to play cloak-and-dagger Julian would let him think he’d
won for the moment. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

He and Gates took their seats and two glasses of water were
placed in front of them.

“We’re here, as I’m sure you all know, to discover what went
wrong with mission Covert Defenders.” Speck looked around the table as he
spoke, his stare locking with each and every person’s gaze until he reached the
end of the table. Julian was intrigued to find that the man who sat on the
outskirts of the group was blatantly ignored by Speck. Judging by his
impeccable suit, Julian was willing to guess he wasn’t military. Which had to
make him the government suit Speck had talked about yesterday. “We’ll start
with you, Gates. Please give a detailed accounting of everything that
happened.”

Julian tensed next to Gates. This was it. The moment of
truth. With Julian’s father a no-show, would Gates still have the nerve to go
up against the powerful man sitting across from them?

Gates squeezed Julian’s thigh just above his knee and then
he started to speak. With each word and each sentence, Speck’s face grew
redder. And by the time he reached the part of the story about the compound and
the stasis chambers, the colonel was sputtering. Still, Gates continued on. He
didn’t stop or falter once in his story. Sitting next to him, Julian had never
been so proud of anyone in his life.

As soon as Gates finished his recounting, Speck turned to
Julian. “Would you like to refute this account or add any details?”

“No sir. Commander Gates gave an accurate and complete
accounting of what happened, sir.”

Speck squirmed in his chair but he apparently wasn’t ready
to let them off that easily. “Am I correct to assume that neither of you saw
any insignia on the shuttlecraft that destroyed the planet?”

“You are correct. We did not see any insignia, sir,” Gates
answered smoothly.

“Then how can you be certain they weren’t Coalition shuttles?”
Speck’s mouth twitched as though he was trying not to smile at the move.

It was Julian’s turn to answer now. “Because last night a
military official came to my room and threatened me. He wanted me to lie about
the mission. Tell you that our team never reached the compound. The way I see
it, if it were a Coalition cover-up the officer who visited me must be in
league with them. He’d have to be a traitor.” Julian kept his attention focused
on Speck as he spoke. “He kept his face in the shadows, but I think I would
recognize the voice if I heard it again.”

Speck paled as several of the other military officers in
attendance started to whisper amongst themselves. “I’d be careful throwing
words like ‘traitor’ around, son.”

“I’m not the one who brought the Coalition into this. And
don’t call me son.” Anger made his voice tremble. He and his father might have
had their differences and, yes, they’d spent most of his youth fighting but his
father had always valued integrity and honesty. And Julian could respect him
for that if for nothing else.

“I’m sorry. Did I hit a nerve? Oh, that’s right. You’re
Colonel Black’s child.” Speck paused for a moment as if waiting for the other
people to start paying attention to him. “I’m surprised he isn’t here today.
What kind of father leaves his only son to face a hearing alone?”

Julian’s back became stiff. “You’d have to ask him to know
for sure. But I’m guessing a father who trusts his son to do the right thing.
One who doesn’t need to control every move his child makes.” Defending his
father felt weird but he couldn’t let Speck use his history with his father
against him. Besides, as he said the words he found he secretly hoped they were
true.

“Or maybe one who is tied up in red tape because a military
officer made sure that this hearing was above his security clearance.” The man
at the end of the table stood as he spoke and then picked up a folder.
“Regardless, Colonel Black’s status doesn’t affect this man’s statement.”

Speck’s mouth dropped as he stared at the government official.
“I was merely—”

“Trying to get him to lose his temper and make his statement
seem less credible. I know.” He took a couple of measured steps toward Speck.
“But that’s not going to happen. You see, I believe them.”

“What you believe doesn’t matter, Representative Lee.” Speck
turned to face the congressman but he remained seated. “This is a military
matter. Not a civilian one.”

“We both know what was in those chambers.” Lee moved until
he was standing next to Speck and then slapped the folder down in front of him.
“And that not only concerns me, but it also concerns the legislative committee
that I founded and head.”

Julian had no idea who Representative Lee was. He’d never
heard of the man. But the conversation was starting to get interesting.

“What I’d really like to know is, where are those chambers
now?” Lee stared down at Speck.

“They weren’t recovered.”

“Like hell they weren’t. If these men were recovered, so
were the Subservients. And I want to know where they are.”

“Even if there were stasis chambers on that planet, and even
if there were Subservients in those chambers, they’d be above your security
clearance.”

Lee opened the folder and pulled out a piece of paper. “Not
according to the prime minister.” He handed the paper to Speck. “You have one
day to turn over the current location of the Subservients or you’ll be facing
court-martial. The charges will be treason.”

Speck’s focus swung to Julian and Gates. “You did this.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Colonel.” Lee pulled two more pieces of
paper out of his folder and handed them to Speck. “Real men don’t place blame.
Besides, these two men are no longer your concern.” He slid the two pieces of
paper across the table to them. “In light of their service, the prime minister
has given them both an honorable discharge.”

“But what will we do?” Julian picked up the discharge papers
and stared at them in disbelief.

“You will be working as military attachés for my office.
There’s going to be an in-depth investigation into this mess and I’m going to
need a couple of people with the expertise and experience to help me get to the
bottom of it.”

Gates broke his silence to say, “But the stabilizing
injections.”

They’d die if they didn’t continue getting the metabolic
stabilizer. And the military hadn’t been very generous with it in the past.
Once a soldier left the military he was on his own.

“I know someone who can fix that for you.”

“Really?” Gates’ eyes squinted warily.

“She’s the best damn scientist the government ever hired.
She was so good they actually arrested her.” Lee studied both of them for a
second. “Are you with me?”

“You’ll make sure everyone knows what happened to my men?
You promise?” Gates reached over to grab Julian’s hand.

“And I’ll make sure whoever gave the orders is held
accountable. I swear it on my life.”

“We’re with you.” That Gates included Julian in the
pronouncement didn’t surprise Julian. From now on whatever they faced, they
faced together.

Lee nodded and then picked up his folder. “Good. Then we
should leave. We have a busy day ahead of us.”

In a stunned stupor, Julian followed Lee out of the room.
And thankfully Gates followed him. “You really have the power to court-martial
Speck?”

“I don’t but the prime minister knows people who do. And
those people have pledged their support.” They made their way through the base
with efficient ease. “Do you have anything you need to get before you leave?”

He thought about it for a second but then realized he
didn’t. “This wasn’t exactly a home to me.”

Gates nodded in agreement. “I have an apartment off base. All
my stuff is there.”

“Good.” They turned the next corner and Lee ran a keycard
through the security scanner. “The prime minister might have some powerful
supporters, but that doesn’t mean everybody is on his side. The sooner we get
out of here, the better I’ll feel.”

“Seems like a lot of trouble to protect some chambers.”

“No. It’s to protect what’s in them.”

“The Subservients?” The name felt foreign on his tongue.
“What exactly are they?”

“Your replacements. Only a hundred times more dangerous.”

They walked out into the sun and Julian could breathe again.
“A hundred times more dangerous?” It didn’t seem possible.

“Telepaths, telekinetics and soldiers who are
indestructible.”

“Oh my.” Gates winked at Julian as he smiled seductively.

“I’m glad you think this is funny.” Lee glared at them both.

All traces of humor disappeared from Gates’ face. “Look, I
appreciate what you did for us back there, but I don’t think you heard a word I
said. I led a mission where I watched my men being devoured alive by spiders. I
held one of my men as he bled to death in my arms. I sent my men ahead to be
gassed to death by their own military. And now, when I’ve finally made it off
that hellhole, I find out everything I just endured was because the military
found an adequate replacement for me.” Gates shook his head. “You’ve got to
admit it’s kind of funny.”

“It won’t happen. I won’t let them become weapons. I gave my
word.”

Gates nodded. “A man hell-bent on keeping his word. I can
respect that, Mr. Lee.”

Lee smiled. “That’s good to know. We’re going to be working
together and against the odds. Respect is a good start. And call me Jasper. All
my friends do.”

Gates stared up at the ceiling. Julian slept soundly next to
him. His arm was thrown over the man’s body with his hand resting over his
heart. He did this every night. Lay motionless in the bed and felt his lover’s
heart beat steadily. Maybe to anyone else it wouldn’t seem like a miracle. But
since they hadn’t needed the metabolism-stabilizing shots in the past month it
was a miracle to him. He wasn’t overly comfortable with the other developments
surrounding the surgery however.

“Go to sleep.” Julian’s voice was heavy with exhaustion as
he barked out the command.

“I will.” He smiled despite himself. “Eventually.”

Julian rolled over to face him. “What’s keeping you awake?
Do you not want my father to come to supper tomorrow?”

“Please. After he tipped off Representative Lee about the
debriefing? He can move in with us if he likes.”

Julian chuckled and then snuggled closer to him. “Then what
is it?”

“Another entire squadron of enhanced soldiers disappeared
this week.” He hated reading the weekly reports that landed on Lee’s desk. They
were never good news.

Julian shuddered next to him. “Do you think they were sent
on a suicide mission?”

“No. I think they were recruited by the Coalition.” He
sighed as he remembered his own time on a Coalition base. Lee had never
outright admitted it but Gates was pretty sure the doctor who performed his and
Julian’s surgeries was a member of the rebel group. “Their willingness to
stabilize modified metabolisms is costing the military thousands of soldiers
every month.”

“Is it really their willingness to help or the military’s
refusal to that’s costing them soldiers?”

Julian had a point. If the military just fixed the problem
the soldiers wouldn’t have to pick between their health and their allegiances.
“Still—”

“Look, Gates.” Julian ran his hand down Gates’ side in a
comforting stroke. “I think it’s beyond amazing that you’re still loyal. It
shows you have faith and are committed. Both qualities I adore in a lover. But
after what they did to us, I say if modified soldiers want to switch sides,
more power to them.”

“But what happens when all the modified soldiers are
fighting against the military that made them?”

“I’m a soldier, not a philosopher. But I’m guessing the
military will wise up and start allowing the procedure before it comes to that.
It’s the only option that makes sense.”

“Just because it makes sense doesn’t mean the military is
going to do it.”

Julian tipped his head back and then kissed Gates softly.
“You’re right.”

“There’s a storm coming. I can feel it.”

“Then we’d better enjoy the quiet while it lasts.” Julian
rolled Gates so his back was flat against the bed. “I can think of a couple of
ways to enjoy our time. All of which require you to be wearing less clothes.”
He nuzzled his neck before he pulled Gates’ shirt off and then he pushed down
the pajama bottoms and briefs Gates wore.

“Really?”

As soon as Julian had managed to push Gates’ remaining
clothing down to mid-thigh he began working his way down Gates’ torso in a
series of kisses. The rough stubble on Julian’s chin rubbed against Gates’ skin
and the sensation made his stomach clench with raw hunger. “Damn. That feels
good.”

Julian smiled against him. It was just a whisper of a touch
but with the sensitive state of Gates’ body he couldn’t help but feel it. “Know
what would feel better?” Julian’s warm breath flowed across him with the
question.

“What?”

He slipped down his lover’s torso until he was positioned
between Gates’ thighs. “This.” He nuzzled Gates’ cock. The contrast between the
soft touch of Julian’s hair as it whispered against his dick and the harsh
texture of his stubble was enough to make Gates buck his hips against the
mattress.

“You’re right. That is better.” He had to gasp between the
words and he held the sheet fisted in both hands but he still managed to speak.
He counted that as a victory.

“And this.” Without any other warning, he took Gates’ cock into
his mouth. He alternated between sucking on the head and running his tongue
over the tip in a random pattern that left Gates panting. “You like?”

This time Gates couldn’t say anything. His thoughts were a
jumbled mess and his heart raced at an almost painful pace. But his silence
didn’t seem to upset Julian. “I thought so.”

The arrogant remark threw just enough ice water over Gates
that he was finally able to react. In a quick move he pushed Julian back and
then switched positions so he was now on his side and was level with Julian’s
hip. One small push and Julian rolled onto his side so his cock bobbed in front
of Gates’ face. That was the view he wanted.

“I think I know a couple of things that you enjoy as well.”
Gates started at the base and ran his tongue up the length of Julian’s cock.
His lover shivered at the touch and the reaction spurred Gates on. As soon as
he got to the tip of Julian’s dick he sucked the man into his mouth. He loved
the way Julian’s cock felt. It was solid but the silken skin slid over his
tongue like aged scotch.

Julian punched his hips forward, forcing Gates to take more
of his dick into his mouth and Gates greedily took every inch Julian offered.
“Fuck, man.” Now it was Julian’s turn to pant for breath. “I thought I was helping
you go to sleep.”

Gates moaned and pulled back so Julian’s cock slid through
his lips. The friction pushed his desire to new heights. When Julian’s dick
slid out of him completely he smiled up at Julian. “If you think I could sleep
through you sucking me off, you’re insane.”

Julian smiled back at him and then stretched out so his face
was level with Gates’ dick again before he licked Gates’ cock slowly. Gates
might not have planned on being in the sixty-nine position when he switched
roles but he was glad Julian wasn’t wasting the opportunity. “Not during.”
Julian wrapped a hand around the base and then started stroking him slowly.
“After.”

The slow slide of calluses against his skin made Gates break
out in goose bumps. Julian knew how he liked to be touched, kissed, even fucked
at this point. But Gates knew all of Julian’s cravings as well. Julian
preferred a firm touch. He wrapped his hand around the base of Julian’s cock
and held him as he started sucking on Julian’s dick again.

Welcoming warmth enveloped him as Julian took him back into
his mouth. All the tastes and textures swirled in his mind until he couldn’t
differentiate between them any longer. His body tensed and his head felt light
with the need to come. But he refused to surrender to the release building
inside him just yet. He wanted Julian to come before he gave in.

He took Julian so deep that he brushed against the back of
his throat. With a soft moan he sucked hard enough to hollow out his cheeks.
Julian shivered and then released Gates’ dick so he could call out Gates’ name.
Warm come flowed down Gates’ throat as Julian writhed in pleasure next to him.

When Julian had finally stilled, Gates allowed himself to
lick his cock a few more times and then rolled over on his back.

“Whoa there, tiger. I haven’t finished with you yet.”

“Thank god.”

Gates closed his eyes and let the sensations take over once
again as Julian’s tongue trailed up the length of his cock. “You have a very
talented tongue.”

“So I’ve been told.” Julian’s mouth brushed against his dick
and Gates could imagine the man smiling. But then Julian sucked him into his
mouth and it was all he could do to grab hold of the sheets and enjoy being the
center of Julian’s attention.

His balls tightened against him and his body stiffened as the
desire buried in the pit of his stomach became so heavy it almost hurt.
“Please, god.” His hips bucked up with the need to come.

Julian slid one finger back to Gates’ anus and rimmed him
lightly.

“You’re killing me here.” Gates’ voice was harsh as the words
were pushed through a tight jaw.

Julian chucked softly and then pushed the finger through the
tight ring of muscles as he sucked on Gates’ dick. It was just what Gates
needed to find the release he so desperately craved. He called out as his body
convulsed with the power of the orgasm. Julian’s throat tightened around the
head of Gates’ shaft as he swallowed his come. The sensation drew the climax
out until Gates didn’t have the energy to do anything but lie on the bed, a
panting, boneless mess.

The tickle of kisses feathered against his thigh woke him
from his stupor. “Have I told you how much I love you recently?”

Julian smiled as one eyebrow quirked in question. “Love me
or my mouth?”

Gates hauled him up so their bodies were snuggled together.
“Does it really matter?”

“Nah.” Julian winked. “I’m totally in this for that cock of
yours.”

“I can live with that.”

As he finally drifted off to sleep, Gates found the coming
storm didn’t seem as close as it had a moment ago. Whatever life threw at them,
they could weather it together.