Cassandra's Challenge Read online

“As well as can be expected, I actually think Tori is handling it better the Cassie.” Lucas knows the storm has past.

  “Cassie! Why the hell are you calling her ‘Cassie’!” William demands.

  “I guess I picked it up from Tori.” Lucas shrugs, walking over his father’s desk he opens a drawer taking out the bottle containing Carinian ale and two glasses. Opening it he pours some into each before walking over to his father handing him one. William raises an eyebrow as he taps his glass to William’s.

  “It’s been a hell of a day.” William looks at his son, proud of the man he’d grown into.

  “I’ll second that.” Taking a drink he walks over to his desk and sits.

  “Anything I can help with?”

  “No, mostly reports to write.” William knew how much his son likes reports.

  “Then I’m going to catch some shut eye.” Lucas finishes his drink setting the glass on the desk. “You find anything I need to know you’ll call?”

  “I’ll let you know.”

  As Lucas leaves, William leans back in his chair thinking about the Regulian transmission they’d decoded. The Glitter Man told Tori she wouldn’t ‘take’ his light. But the Regulian transmission said they were ‘looking’ for the light.

  Something they were going to use to get what they wanted, otherwise they would destroy it. Whoever the Carinian traitor is they wanted it bad enough to give the Regulians Carinian technology to track a little girl.

  A little girl, on a planet, that wasn’t on any Carinian star chart. Earth is closer to Regulian territory then Carinian. How would he have found out about her? What made her so special? Light. Imperial Light.

  William writes up his report then decides Lucas is right. It’s enough for one day. Getting into his bed alone he lifts the pillow that carried Cassandra’s scent and laying his head on it goes to sleep.

  Turning the corner from the classroom Cassandra runs straight into Lucas.

  “Whoa,” He grips her arms to keep her from falling. “You okay?”

  When she looks up at him he’s startled at what he sees. She looks even more exhausted then the night before.

  “Cassie, what’s wrong.” He pulls her aside lowering his voice. “Did Victoria have another nightmare?” He’d hoped the removal of the thread would end them.

  “No, no nightmares, she had a great night’s sleep. She couldn’t wait to get to class to see her friends.” Cassandra nods towards the hatchway. “I just dropped her off.”

  Lucas releases the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Stepping back they start walking.

  “Limits, Lucas.” She mutters.

  “Understood.” He replies. “So if she had a good night why do you look like crap?” Cassandra stops in the middle of the corridor. There is no way she’s telling him that after one night she couldn’t sleep without his father’s arms around her.

  “Why Lucas Zafar I didn’t realize you were such a sweet talker.”

  Stopping Lucas, realizing what he just said and starts to turn red. “Look, I didn’t mean… it’s just…” He stutters.

  “Yes?” She stares at him trying not to grin.

  “You just look tired and if it was a good night…Oh hell I’m just digging deeper.” Cassandra starts to laugh, he looks at her grinning. Turning they see the Admiral standing several feet away.

  William hadn’t slept well. Her scent isn’t enough now that he’s held her. This morning he’d decided they would talk, he’d cleared time. Going to her quarters discovering them gone hadn’t been a good start. Now he finds her laughing in a corridor with his son. She should be laughing with him! As Cassandra looks at him she stops laughing.

  “Admiral.” Lucas speaks first noticing his father’s stillness.

  “Lucas, you on patrol today?” His eyes never leave Cassandra.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Shouldn’t you be preparing then?”

  Knowing when he’s been dismissed Lucas looks at Cassie seeing her eyes locked with his father’s.

  “Yes sir.” Cassandra turns to look at Lucas.

  “Thanks for the compliment.” Lucas gives her a quick grin leaving the two of them in the corridor. Turning back to the Admiral, Cassandra discovers she’s ready for a fight.

  “Something I can do for you Admiral?” She asks walking towards him, her eyes unreadable.

  William falls into step beside her. “We didn’t finish last night. I’ve cleared time this morning.”

  “Cleared time. How nice.” She replies testily.

  The Admiral gives her a frigid look that she ignores. Others in the corridor don’t, hastily getting out of their way.

  Within minutes they are in the Admiral’s ready room. As soon as the door is secured Cassandra turns ready to tell him what she thinks about him ‘clearing time’ for her, only to find herself crushed between his massive chest and the bulkhead.

  William can no longer control his desire. Before she can speak her mouth is ravished, the fight she’s ready for changing into passion. Groaning into his mouth she struggles to get her hands free to grip his back, matching his desire.

  Releasing her mouth he attacks all the sensitive points on her neck he’d discovered earlier. Cassandra goes wild in his arms, she has to have him.

  William!” She pleads wrapping her legs around his waist. Turbulent violet eyes blaze into uncontrolled blue and what he sees has him ripping her pants down, loosening his.

  “Please William! Now!” She begs and with one thrust he enters her to the hilt.

  “YES…” She groans throwing her head back pumping her hips against his.

  William knows he’s out of control but he can’t stop. The look in Cassandra’s eyes, her desire for him, his need for her, has driven him to this point. He returns to her mouth ravaging it, taking the last of her breath. Her entire body tenses imploding around him, her scream captured by him mouth. Seconds later he follows her, empting everything he is into her.

  Cassandra is a quivering mass, relying on William to hold her up. Breathing heavily, he pushes off the wall carrying her to the closest chair.

  Sitting with her across his lap he gently caresses her bare left leg. Turning she kisses his neck, the simple act causing him to lose the breath he’d just caught.

  “Cassandra…” He whispers in her ear. She nestles in closer.

  “William, I’m not sure what just happened but …” He stops her with a kiss. He needs to be honest. Easing her back he looks her in the eye.

  “Cassandra, you are my life mate. That’s what this is. It’s not leave, not a one night stand.” Her eyes widen. “I don’t know what you call it on Earth, if you have something like it.”

  “Soul mates” Cassandra’s voice is quiet, not breaking eye contact. Victoria had been right. “It was a rare thing on Earth.”

  “It’s rare on Carina too.” Framing her face with his large hands he continues. “I wasn’t looking for this, but now that I’ve found you I’m not letting go.” His kiss is possessive.

  Cassandra reaches a hand behind his head returning the kiss. His words touching that place deep inside her she kept guarded. Here is the one who could leave her defenseless while still protecting. Her heart had recognized him from the first moment on the Raptor. It’s her head that’s been trying to catch up.

  William ends the kiss trying to read all the emotions in her eyes. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “William… I…” She breaks eye contact.

  “Honesty, even if I don’t like it. It works both ways Cassandra.” He reminds her of what she’d ask for in a relationship. Looking back she sees the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. She’s stunned to think she could cause any uncertainty in this confident man.

  “William, I don’t know what to say or even how to say it.” He stiffens beneath her. “I can’t get my thoughts organized.” For her that’s unheard of.

  “Just say what you’re thinking.” He insists in a stilted voice, he’s hand stilling.


  “I can’t, it won’t come out right.” She needs to get up, she can’t think straight in his arms. As she tries he puts a restraining hand on her still naked hip.

  “I need to get up William.” When he doesn’t move his hand she looks at him with pleading eye. “Please.” Slowly he removes his hand.

  He silently watches as she fights with her pant leg getting dressed. He fixes his own clothing but remains where he is. When she starts to walk away he grips the armrests to stop himself from pulling her back.

  She turns back to face him, frustration causing her to run both hands through her hair, what she sees in his face stops her cold. With distance between them her mind is clearing and she realizes she could hurt this man, that her lack of response has hurt him. She needs to give him what he’s given her. Truth.

  “William, I want this. I want this with you. Whether we call it life mates or soul mates it doesn’t matter. It’s real. It also scars me.”

  William in the process of getting up freezes, “I scare you?” A fist tightens around his heart.

  “No! Don’t be an idiot. Why would you even think that?” Her immediate and vehemently denial releases the grip on his heart.

  “I am a bit larger then you,” He says walking towards her.

  “No you stay right where you are.” She says putting up a hand. “I can’t think straight when you touch me.”

  Ignoring her, he grabs her outstretched hand pulling her into his arms. Grinning he says “Don’t think.” And proceeds to kiss her senseless. When he finally lets her up for air she can only lean on him.

  “William, we need to talk.” She says softly. “Please.”

  The comm center ringing has Cassandra easing out of his arms. He walks to his desk picking up the headset.

  “Zafar.” She watches his eyes change becoming the Admiral.

  “Tell them to do what they can until we get to Rodham for more extensive repairs.” He puts down the headset.

  “Looks like you’re out of ‘cleared’ time.”

  He walks around to lean on his desk watching her. “Not quite.”

  “I’m not something to be ‘fit in’ William.” Her temper over the whole thing is coming back.

  “I never meant to give you that impression.” His own temper is starting to rise.

  “Really, well you did. Between you and Lucas I’m not sure which ones insulted me more.” She flings back.

  “Lucas.” William says quietly, but Cassandra doesn’t hear him.

  “I am too sure. It’s you since it’s your fault in the first place.” She gives him a simmering look, finally noticing his stillness. Standing he moves towards her.

  “What did Lucas say to you?” He demands gripping her arms pulling her up on her toes, she watches his eyes go icy.

  “Oh calm down, it wasn’t anything major. He just wanted to know why I looked like ‘crap’, okay.” William’s eyes don’t change. “And it’s your fault!” She pokes him in the chest with her finger. “So don’t be going off on Lucas for stating the obvious. I already reamed him for it.”

  “What did I do?” He asks confused, trying to calm down.

  “You made it so I can’t sleep without you!” Her eyes shoot flames at him. “Victoria finally sleeps the whole night without a nightmare and I’m the one awake. I missed you damn it.” She thumps him on his chest. William swoops down silencing her with a kiss, her fiery response instantaneous.

  “We’ll take care of that tonight.” He tells her releasing her mouth, trying to catch his breath he eases her back down. Cassandra rests her forehead on he’s chest trying to find her voice.

  “That’s one of the things we need to talk about.” She tips her head up. “William, I can’t stay here.” Seeing his eyes flare she puts a hand on the side of his face. “I won’t leave Tori alone. You know that. She can’t sleep on your couch.” With his eyes calming she finishes. “You know I’m right.”

  “Yes, your right” He replies, kissing her palm. When his comm center rings again she slowly pulls her hand away letting him move around his desk to answer.

  “Zafar.” He picks up the headset, watching her walk away. “I’ll be there shortly.”

  “You need to get going Admiral.” Turning she finds him still behind his desk.

  “Come here.” He holds out his hand, walking over she takes it. Pulling her in front of his comm center, he puts her thumb on what Cassandra has come to know is a security panel. He enters a code.

  “Say your full name

  “Cassandra Qwes Chamberlain.”

  William raises his eyebrow, he hadn’t known her full name. The console beeps at him.

  “William?”

  “You now have access to my quarters, our quarters. You only have to put your thumb on the security pad at the door. Say one of your names, it will be recognized.”

  “Why?”

  “I know we have things to work out Cassandra, but I want you here. I need you here, you and Victoria. I want you to feel secure. These quarters will be secured when no one is here, the only time they will be unsecured is if I’m having a meeting. You will be able to tell by the light on the security pad. This is your home. You’ll both be safe here.”

  “Okay.” Is all she can say.

  “I want you to come back tonight, you and Tori. We’ll eat, talk, figure things out.” He waits for her to nod. “So what are you doing today?”

  “I need to get back down to engineering work with the Chief on your defense system. I’ve been busy for the last few days.”

  “Yes you have, and you will continue to be.” He allows himself one more kiss. “I need to get to the bridge. Tonight, you’ll both be here?”

  “Yes.” She agrees as they walk to the hatch. As the Admiral opens the door, Cassandra steps away. With one last look she steps through hatch heading to engineering. The Admiral watches her go then turns to the bridge, neither see Falco standing in the shadows.

  Cassandra’s day is productive in engineering. Leander has studied her ideas for speeding up the defense systems response time agreeing it is possible. It would take some time to implement but will be highly effective.

  Leaving engineering she heads to the classroom to get Tori. Down the corridor from the room Falco steps out, confronting her.

  “I know what you’re doing!” She hisses. “I’m going to stop you! Then he’ll see what you really are!”

  “Cassandra? Is everything alright?” Javiera asks. Falco looks at her then walks away.

  “It’s fine Javiera.”

  “What did Falco want?”

  “Nothing.” She walks to the classroom. As the two women approach the door opens children come spilling out, Victoria and Amina laughing.

  “Aunt Cassie! Can we go to the play room? Everyone’s going!”

  “Oh really? What about homework.”

  “Later… please???” Cassandra looks at Javiera and seeing her smile agrees.

  “Ok but after dinner, its homework.”

  “Ok.” The two girls skip ahead as the women follow.

  “You look tired.” Javiera says.

  “You know I’ve heard that a couple times today.”

  “Is she okay?” She nods to Victoria.

  “She slept really well last night. I’d say the best since… well since.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “What?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it ever since we talked yesterday. I don’t know how I would cope if Carina was suddenly destroyed along with nearly my entire family. I know I wouldn’t handle it as well as you. As alike as our cultures seem to be there are differences, those have to be hard.”

  “We’re working on them.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m not helping am I.”

  “You’re trying, that’s something. Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Where do you eat?”

  “What?” Javiera gives her a confused look.

  “I’m having trouble getting Vict
oria to eat enough. The food is different enough. Last night we had cnaipini sicin which she loved. But I didn’t see any this morning.”

  “Where are you eating at?”

  “Deck G”

  “Well there’s your problem you need to bring her to Deck F. She’ll love the food and will get to see Amina.”

  “Okay, we’ll try it tomorrow.”

  “What about tonight?” Cassandra looks at her.

  “We have dinner plans.”

  “Really?” Javiera letting the subject drop.

  Back in quarters Cassandra tells Victoria they are going to eat in the Admiral’s quarters again. She looks up at her, “Is it going to be like last night?”

  “I don’t see why it would be. He might ask some questions but there shouldn’t be much else.”

  “Will Lucas be there?”

  “I don’t know. So go clean up and we’ll go.”

  Approaching the Admiral’s quarters Cassandra can see the red light on the security pad. Walking up she put her thumb on it and says her name. The door unlocks, Cassandra pushes it open. They enter to find the ready room empty, the lights on low.

  “Let’s go back to the private quarters Tori. We’ll get started on your homework.”

  On the bridge the Admiral sits at his command post dealing with his normal duties while coordinating repairs for the damaged battleship. Looking at the time he realizes he hasn’t informed Hutu that Cassandra and Victoria would be there again tonight. He picks up a headset contacting his cook.

  “Hutu, there will be three for tonight.” The Admiral informs him. “Yes like last night. At 1800.” He disconnects not realizing he’s been overhead and goes back the communications report. As 1800 draws near Quinn approaches the Admiral.

  “What is it Quinn?”

  “Communications picked up a transmission heading into Regulian space, same channel as before, in Regulian.”

  “Origin?”

  “Unable to determine.”

  “Fuck!”

  “Yeah.”

  “What did it say?”