Galaxy's End: Book One by LeRoy Clary (popular ebook readers txt) 📗

Stone pelted them both with compliments. She said mysteriously, “Only one more thing to check on.”

She took us back in the direction of the crew’s quarters. She said to Bert, “Please have the marines assemble in the dining room and ask the passengers to vacate it long enough for us to meet as a group.”

I’d forgotten about them. During our inspection, they hadn’t been visible. It occurred to me that they might be sleeping because of the time-difference observed by the planetoid and the Dreamer.

Bert pinged without answering. That was enough to tell the captain what she asked was done. I said to her, “Can I ask what the meeting is about?”

She spoke over her shoulder as I imagined her stance becoming more erect, her back straighter. “The marines report to the admiral and probably have orders they cannot share with us. That is as it should be. However, I am the captain of this ship until we arrive, and they will understand that.”

When we reached the door to the dining room, she pushed it open harder than necessary. Inside stood four marines wearing working uniforms of heavy material. They were ramrod straight, standing two-by-two, eyes focused directly ahead. An officer stood facing them. None so much as flinched as the door flew open and slammed into the doorstop.

My eyes took in the scene instantly—then found the officer. He wore two bars on his shoulders, the insignia of a lieutenant. I knew him. It was Lieutenant Anders, the young, handsome soldier who had escorted us on our arrival at the base.

He was beautiful.

My face burned. My mouth felt as if it was filled with dry sand, and at the same time, I reached a hand to my hair to smooth any strays.

He saluted and snapped something about reporting as ordered.

His eyes were on his men, two humans, one husky marine that looked more human woman than not, and one that looked female, but her legs were far too long for the rest of her body. Her exposed skin was a light shade of gray.

To my disappointment, Lieutenant Anders didn’t look my way.

Captain Stone nodded and told the lieutenant to stand at ease. He repeated the order and as one, his men spread their feet apart the same distance and their hands went to rest on the small of their backs. There were no weapons in sight, but I suspected there would be some in their cabins.

Captain Stone didn’t invite them to further relax. She spoke to all. “You have your orders and I expect and demand you carry them out. However, there is one item that will be clear. I am the captain of this ship. Even where the position is temporary, I am the captain. That is equivalent to being queen, emperor, dictator, admiral, and monarch all rolled into one. Do you understand?”

Despite the captain being in a temporary position and a female civilian, they all answered as one, “Yes, sir!”

It was as if they all thought her hard of hearing because they shouted. She said, “Lieutenant, you may dismiss your men. Would you please remain behind?”

He called them to attention and dismissed them. Within a few heartbeats, they were out the door. Lieutenant Anders’ eyes finally found me. He smiled.

My knees didn’t buckle. My breath came fast and hard. A sweat broke out. Despite all that, I hissed, “G-good to see you again.”

Captain Stone was watching me closely and I knew I would receive a private lecture about shipboard etiquette or fraternizing with the military, or a related subject that would warn me away from the lieutenant. She said, “If the two of you will sit, I’ll round up a steward.”

We were alone.

He looked at me.

I looked at him.

He motioned to a table and we sat facing each other. Finally, he said, “How are you doing?”

It was my turn. Time to dazzle him with my brilliant conversational response. “Okay.”

That was it. All that came out of my mouth. Okay. I wanted to say more and didn’t dare.

He saved me. “Me too. This is a little awkward for me, I confess. I asked the admiral to appoint me to the position.”

“Because of me?” I blurted.

His hesitation told me I’d misread the situation. I’d balled it up. He said, “Partly. The rest was the opportunity to explore. To do something unique. As marines, we do a lot of equipment and uniform inspections, guarding entryways, weapons practice, and not a lot else. This is a chance to make my career.”

Partly? He said the word to placate me. Even if he was serious, I was only worth part of an excuse.

Captain Stone returned, a steward in tow. She took a seat beside me.

I said, “Captain, I have some urgent duties to attend. May I be dismissed?”

She looked confused but nodded.

I scurried out and found my way to my cabin where I only cried half the night and beat my pillow with my fist a hundred times. Well, maybe two hundred.

I fell into a deep, sleep that was restless. That sounds odd, but what happened was the sleep was deep after my emotional outburst over making an utter fool of myself. However, dark dreams repeatedly woke me, most of them concerning fighting alongside the four marines and slimy aliens who took over the Dreamer.

Lieutenant Anders stood aside and judged my amateur attempts to fight off the intruders. I was not particularly good at it.

When I woke, I went to the fresher and spent more than my usual time inside despite telling myself to act in my usual manner. Forget the marines. I had other things to do. What, I didn’t know, but they wouldn’t involve a certain lieutenant.

While I slept, we had left. We’d already cruised in normal space to the nexus and entered. The shift in