Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) (20 page)

Maar snorted. “You are a tough nut to crack, Boon.” He stood up and walked around the desk. Resting back on the top, he glanced at them both and sighed. “Dival sent Aries here to meet us early so that we could prepare for our next assignment. We still have a day before we reach Ovvella, but our window of opportunity is limited, and I want everything in place before we get there. This crew, you included, needs some vacation time...” He leaned back and pulled another data recorder from his drawer. Tiva was about to protest when the captain held up his hand. “Everyone, Boon. Anyway, the Union and Ambassadors have been working on several plans to infiltrate this Triune Syndicate and gather information. As we speak, several of our Vexillum colleagues are attempting to make their way onto stations, spaceports, or ships that belong to or work with the Syndicate. The
Eclipse
was able to procure us a Kihlmaro Traker, at present it is on the flight deck being repaired.”

Aries stood up and paced the room. “Ms. Boon, the Ambassadors have asked us to find a suitable individual for a v-very risky, covert mission. While the Syndicate knows most of the species of crew, your planet is not involved with the Union thus your people are not known in the universe. Your history with the Vexillum is solid, and your s-skills are superior to many. We need someone who can blend in, gather information, and r-return without causing a scene.”

Tiva listened and kept her features neutral. The thought of an assignment alone was intriguing.

“Chief, you’re the best person on this crew to infiltrate them. You have the knowledge, stealth, and ability but the choice is ultimately yours.”

“You wish me to do this?”

“Yes, Ms. Boon, we think you have the b-best chance of g-getting the information we need.”

Nodding, slightly she looked at Aries. “How long will this mission take?”

“Unknown, m-maybe a week, or a month,” Aries replied.

“What will I be required to do?”

“You’ll take the Traker back to what we hope is a Syndicate base. Once there, we want you to gather intelligence, and if possible gain access to their main computer. Ultimately, we want you to download the core information and bring it back to us,” Maar answered.

“Do you think it will be that easy to gain access?”

Aries shook his head. “Most likely it’ll be a difficult task. If you encounter anyone, you will have to convince them that you are seeking asylum or came upon their cr-craft and brought it back using the navigation logs for reward. You will have to think on your feet and be deceptive, is that an issue for you?”

“No, it is not. I assume you will provide me with all the information I will need, correct?”

“Yes, of c-course.” Aries handed Tiva a small computer chip. “This will give you schematics of the vessel, a flight path, and floor l-listings of their headquarters. Trevo tells me you are proficient with various weapons, you will have to conceal whatever you b-bring, and you’ll have to leave the plasma gun behind.”

“I understand.”

“So you will do it?” Aries seemed more surprised than her captain when she nodded. “Brilliant!”

“This isn’t a cake walk, Boon,” Maar added.

“A cake walk, sir?”

He smiled and shook his head. “Sorry. It’s not going to be easy. We can’t protect you on this mission, you’ll be on your own.”

“I see,” she answered. The captain looked down at her and she nodded.

“After you are through reviewing the d-data on that chip, you will have to go see Doctor Hino. He’s g-going to insert a long range tracking device under your skin.” Aries handed her another small device. It was black, triangular, and fit in her palm. “This will send us an emergency signal, in case you r-run into more trouble than you can handle.”

Tiva nodded and took the device then slipped it into her belt.

“Once you leave the
Tolox
we will have you on the radar, we won’t be as near to your location as we would like, but at least one of our ships will be less than a day away at any given time.”

“Do you want to talk this over more before you decide?” Captain Maar asked.

“I will take the assignment.”

“You understand that t-this is not an order, that you are doing this of y-your own free will, and will be at risk for injury.” Aries stared at her.

“Yes.”

“You are aware that if you are uncovered as a member of Vexillum it is possible you may die?”

“I am.”

“And do you…”

“Mr. Aries,” Tiva interrupted. “If you have read my file you know that I have been trained to be a soldier, a protector, a warrior if you like. I know the dangers. I understand the risk. I will take the assignment.”

Camway Aries’ eyes fluttered slightly. He turned to Maar and began laughing. Tiva remained stolid when Captain Maar grinned at her. “I told you she would be perfect for the job.”

“And you were c-correct. The
Tolox
will be your primary back up. We will inform the senior staff while you visit with Doctor Hino. Do you have a-any other questions, Tiva Boon?” Aries sat back down, fiddling with his uniform.

“Not at this time. Once I review the full mission brief I may ask for more details,” she replied.

“Good, don’t spend all day on it, we should be at Ovvella base by shift end. I want you to relax a bit, maybe take a trip to Xatlonia before you depart. And that’s not a request, Chief.”

“Very well, Captain Maar.” She bowed slightly to both and exited the office. Sensing both their delight at the situation was easy enough, though something weighed heavily on the captain’s mind.

Doctor Hino completed the minor surgery to implant the tacking device. She picked her left shoulder, and was quite surprised to find no scarring or indication that she had a chip under her skin. Not in the mood for casual talk, Tiva thanked Hino and called the security teams to meet her for an update.

By the time she returned to her room, half the shift day was over. Outside her window, the Union escort ships surrounded the
Tolox
to ensure its safe return to Ovvella Base.

After checking the computer for an update on Neola’s space ship image and finding nothing that matched, Tiva headed to her bedroom to change and wash up. Several of Adam’s feathers were scattered on the sheets and floor. She couldn’t help but smile.

Quickly cleaning the collection of feathers, Tiva undressed and slipped into the shower. Again, she checked her shoulder, amazed that the implant was invisible. As she washed her hair, her mind began to wander. Scenarios and ideas filtered through her head, and by the time she realized she ought to be in the command center for her shift, her fingers were pruned; an hour passed.

Lifting the wrist-comm to her lips, she called for the captain.

“Maar speaking, what is it Chief?”

“I am through reviewing the mission information, do you require me on duty?”

“That isn’t necessary, we are docking at Ovvella in less than three hours. You’re off duty, make plans for some fun.”

“Yes, sir.” She frowned and fell back on her bed. Tiva didn’t enjoy stretching the truth, but felt it was necessary. She’d been so occupied with getting things in order before her covert mission, she had completely lost track of time. It was times like these she missed Gigs terribly. At least the AI had kept her on schedule.

Before wrapping herself up in a soft towel, she brushed and braided her hair, then sat down at her desk to begin the true review of the mission details. The chip Aries gave her contained all the information he had mentioned, and various bits of incidental data she would need.

She read over the data until her vision began to blur. Ovvella Base was in the distance, and the general mood around the ship was happier than it had been in months. Taking a break, Tiva retrieved her old uniform from the bottom drawer of her vanity. If she were to convince whoever crossed her path she was alone and bringing the craft back to where it belonged, she knew she couldn’t wear the Union uniform. Clothing from Base or Uucor was recognizable, the one thing she could do was mend her guardian uniform and wear it. Not since her first day aboard had she even looked at it. The pain was still too close to the surface, but she pushed it back and kept it at bay.

Unraveling the fabric, she lifted the tunic to see the tattered cloth she once wore proudly. The guardian patch gone, the toggles destroyed or missing, holes the size of wounds she was lucky to survive filled the arms and back. When she lifted the pants, she noticed an odd weight. Surprised, she stood up and held the pants full length. The right bottom leg drooped; something was latched on to it.

Tiva grabbed the cuff and felt the fabric. “By the spirits!” Quickly, she turned the clothing inside out, and a smile lit her face upon seeing her father’s dagger caught in the hem of the pants. She retrieved the weapon from its entanglement and sat back down on her bed laughing. The sheath was missing, but the blade was still in good shape. She had the dagger on the king’s ship, but when Harai brought her belongings, she didn’t think to check her clothing for hidden weapons as her Timbur was more valuable at the time.

Jumping off the bed, she took out a small stone from her drawer and began sharpening the blade, smiling the entire time. Knowing she needed a sheath, she sent a quick message to Adam’s room to call her when he returned, and hoped he had something that would fit.

Once all the claws of the Timbur and the dagger were up to her specifications, she mended the larger holes in her uniform. Leaving several of them for appearance, she checked her work thinking she did a decent job. Unable to match the toggles, she replaced them with buttons from another outfit. She placed a stray piece of fabric on each shoulder, only to cover the missing guardian patch, and steamed it clean before hanging it to dry.

Her heart sank. She spent all her childhood dreaming and praying for the chance to wear the uniform. When she finally did, she wanted more. She wanted the highest honor a guardian could have, elite protector. Now, she was the secret, unprepared, and reluctant heir to the throne; blood-leader of the people of Abennelp.

The chime on her door echoed through the room tearing her from her somber thoughts. She placed the dagger on the bed and went to answer the door.

“Looking sharp, Tiva.” Adam grinned when the door opened. Tiva looked down and felt her markings blush.

“I was preoccupied…” She stepped aside to allow him entrance. He found his way to the couch, and flared his wings before sitting. “Let me change, I will be right back.”

“Don’t change on my account…”

“I wish to have your opinion,” she said as she entered her bedroom and tossed the towel aside. “I am sure you heard about the newest mission.”

“Yes, I have,” he replied.

She fastened the pants in place and pulled the tunic over her head. “What did the captain say to the crew?”

“That we’ll be supporting a ‘special ops’ mission remotely while studying some new star grids gathered by the Union.”

Returning to the living area, she met his eyes. “Adam, I am going on the mission.”

“What?”

“Captain Maar and the new crew commander Camway Aries asked me to take the assignment.”
“Who’s doing what now? Camwho? Why you? How come you didn’t discuss this with me first?”

“I did not think I had to…”

“Tiva, don’t you think it’s too soon to be going off on your own to some strange part of the galaxy…into enemy territory no less?” Rubbing his thumb against the middle of her palm, he sighed then met her eyes. “You told me those Rebels won’t stop looking for you. God knows what they did to you, you won’t even tell me. If you go on this mission alone, I can’t be there with you. What if they find you again?”

“Adam,” she said softly and touched his cheek. “This is something I need to do for the Union, this crew. They have done so much for me. I will be fine, the Syndicate knows nothing of Abennelp, and they are not looking for me.”

“Tiva…” She pressed her finger against his lips for a moment, but he continued. “You have to be careful, really careful, m’lady. I wish I could let you take Cala with you, but she’s too big to hide.”

“Yes, she is, but thank you for the offer. I do need a sheath for my dagger, however. I just found it in my belongings…” She grinned and pulled Adam into her room to show him the weapon. “I thought I lost it, along with my sword, but it was caught in the hem of this uniform.”