Cassandra's Challenge Read online

  Cassandra’s learned all the ‘common’ knowledge of the laser system, the Chief with the Admiral’s permission is moving on to the areas more specialized for the Retribution. And while there have been no more ‘run ins’ with the Admiral, Cassandra does occasionally see him in the corridors. He gives her a quick glance then ignores her.

  “But you can turn it into a backup system with just changing out the chips here, here, and here.” Cassandra points on the schematic to the Chief.

  “Well yeah it’s possible, but look where it’s at. It’ll take a good hour to get the casings off to get to it. In an emergency, that’s too long. Besides we have a backup system.” The Chief argues.

  “Then what’s this access hatch and ladder for?” Cassandra argues back.

  “For once the casings are removed. You’re little enough you might fit but otherwise….”

  “Ah, ah, very funny, you know I used to be considered big.” Cassandra and the Chief have started to become good friends.

  “Only around a bunch of kids.” He jokes back. “Speaking of kids I’m supposed to ask you if Victoria can come for a sleep over next week, Amina having a couple classmates over.”

  Cassandra hesitates as she looks at Leander. While it’s true that Amina and Victoria were close friends Cassandra wasn’t sure Javiera is thrilled with it. “Let me talk to Tori, see how she feels, nights are pretty hard on her.”

  “She’s having problems?” Leander asks concerned, it’s the first he’s heard of it.

  “It’s just…” Suddenly the Alert sounds across the ship.

  “Alert Status One, repeat Alert Status One. We are tracking Regulian ships inbound!”

  “Stay in my office.” The Chief orders Cassandra, she hasn’t been trained in combat operations. As Cassandra gets out of the way, the engineering crew jumps into their assigned positions. Across the fleet hatches are secured, fighters launched. The sound of the Retribution’s guns reverberates within the ship. Cassandra closes her eyes praying that Victoria is alright, that Lucas and the Admiral are safe, her heartaches at the thought of any of them being hurt.

  Suddenly the Retribution shudders violently. Something has gotten through the defenses. In engineering, system alarms start going off.

  “Fuck! Get the backup system running!” The Chief hollers at Ensign Truple. “Do it manually!” Cassandra looks into engineering to see that the laser system has been compromised. That the backup hasn’t automatically kicked in.

  “Chief! What the fuck is going on down there! I need my lasers!” The Admiral voice booms through the comms.

  “Working on it sir! That was a direct hit on the system. We’re working on the backup now.”

  Cassandra can tell from the readouts that the backup isn’t going to come up, it was too close to the hit. Thinking about the conversation she’d just had with the Chief she turns to get what she needs. Leaving the office she tries to get find him.

  “Damn it Michelakakis I need those lasers NOW!” The Admiral’s voice demands. Deciding she can’t wait, Cassandra heads to the hatch on the upper level of engineering opening it a hand spins her around.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Leander demands.

  “Your backup system is fried! You know that! There’s another option.” She looks him in the eye.

  “You want to go into array, while it’s active and reroute the lasers?!?” Leander doesn’t know if she is the bravest or craziest woman he’s ever met.

  “How long can the ship last without those lasers?” Leander doesn’t respond. “That’s what I thought.” Climbing in feet first she starts down the ladder, Leander is right your average Carinian wouldn’t fit. Bringing the schematic into her mind’s eye Cassandra locates the first chip she needs to change, moving further down the ladder the second changes just as easily. The third she finds it’s a little more stubborn. With sweat running down her back she’s finally able to replace the chip.

  “Hustle up Chamberlain!” Leander yells.

  “Done! On my way up!” As the Retribution takes another hit Cassandra slips slamming her cheek into the ladder. “Shit!”

  “Admiral! Lasers are restored!” The Chief reports to the bridge.

  “Fire them!” The Admiral orders.

  Back in engineering Leander is pulling Cassandra out of the array. She’s sweaty, dirty, with a bruise forming on her cheek but otherwise fine. Closing the hatch they hear the lasers firing.

  “Nice work Chamberlain.” Leander doesn’t want to think about what might have happened if she hadn’t of been there.

  “You would have found a way.” Cassandra says, not realizing his thoughts. “Do you think the girls are okay? I’m not sure how Victoria is going to handle this.” Worried eyes meet his.

  “Reese knows what to do. Once the fighting has stopped they’ll release the kids. Javiera will go pick up Amina, I’ll can call her and have her get Tori too.”

  “No, I’d better go.”

  “You need to clean up first.”

  “What?”

  “You’re a mess Chamberlain. After we’re done here you head to quarters, Javiera will pick up both girls and drop Tori off. That will give you time to clean up.”

  “You’re sure she won’t mind?”

  “It will be fine. Why don’t you go see if you can figure out how to fix the main laser system.” Walking away the Chief doesn’t see Cassandra’s jaw drop. Closing it she heads to the laser control station.

  On the bridge the battle is winding down, with the Regulians taking heavy losses.

  “It doesn’t make any sense Quinn. They’re attacking as if we’ve stolen something.”

  “I agree this wasn’t some border skirmish.”

  “I want damage reports all vessels, and get the Michelakakis up here, I want to know what happened to my lasers!”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Chamberlain!” The Chief calls out, seeing her slide out from under a control panel he walks over shaking his head. She has a nasty bruise growing on her cheek. “I’m heading to the bridge, finish up there and head to quarters. Javiera will be by with Tori in about an hour.”

  “Okay Chief, thanks.” She slides back under the panel. Still shaking his head Michelakakis heads to the bridge.

  In his command center the Admiral is reading damage reports, the Sentinel has received the most damage, as if it was being targeted, while the Retribution, even when its lasers went down, was basically left alone. The Chief approaches the command center.

  “Sir.”

  “What happened to my lasers, Chief.”

  “Admiral, it shouldn’t have been able to happen. One of the Regulian hits sent a Buric shock through engineering. It basically fried the laser system.”

  “But it didn’t affect the backup.”

  “Actually sir, it fired that too.”

  “What! So how did you get my lasers back on line?” The Chief looks the Admiral in the eye.

  “I didn’t sir. Chamberlain did.”

  “Chamberlain.” The Admiral says quietly.

  “Yes sir. I’ve been bring her up to speed on the Retribution specifics, as you authorized.” Leander thought it might be good to remind the Admiral. “We’ve been discussing this other potential back up, but because of its location I considered it infeasible.

  “Why?”

  “Admiral, it involved replacing three circuits in the array. To get to it you have to remove the casing that alone takes at least an hour. In a situation like we just had it’s too long.”

  “How did you manage it then?”

  “Chamberlain was able to fit in the array with the casing on.”

  “With the array active?” The Admiral’s voice icy.

  “Yes sir, she was able to replace the circuits, thus reestablishing the laser system.”

  “Her status?”

  “Admiral?”

  “Was she hurt, Chief.” The Admiral’s voice is deadly.

  “Sir, a couple bumps and bruises. She’s currently
working on main laser system trying to bring it back on line.” At the Admiral’s look he hastens to add. “She knows the system Admiral. She’ll get it back up faster than anyone on the ship, including me. By now she should be heading to quarters. She wanted to clean up before Javiera brought Tori home.”

  “Dismissed Chief.” The Admiral turns back to his damage reports.

  Cassandra fixed the laser system. She entered an active array. She was injured. With his mind racing he pretends to read his reports. She’s found a champion in the Chief Engineer. He hadn’t touched her in seven days. She’s hurt. The Chief said bumps and bruises. He needs to see for himself.

  “Colonel, you have the bridge.” The Admiral leaves to find out for himself.

  Knocking on Cassandra’s hatch he discovers it’s not secured. Entering he secures the hatch and hears the shower shut off. Moments later Cassandra comes out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel.

  Getting back late to quarters Cassandra knows she needs to move. Victoria can’t see her like this. Pulling a towel around her she walks into their living area freezing when she sees she isn’t alone.

  “Admiral…” Is all she can get out, how had he gotten in? She can tell he’s assessing her.

  Looking at her he sees that while she is ok, she has a major bruise forming on her right cheek.

  “Is there something I can do for you?” She hitches the towel up.

  “You left your hatch open.”

  “Oh.” Looking behind him she sees the hatch is now closed. As he approaches she stiffens.

  “You’re hurt.”

  “Just a bruise,” Cupping her jaw he gently rubs his thumb across her cheek. “Admiral.”

  “Shhh…..” Seeing the confusion in her eyes he’s relieved he isn’t the only one.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I think it should be self-explanatory, especially to someone who can fix the Retribution’s laser system.”

  Looking up at him she states the truth. “You don’t like me.”

  “You’d be wrong.” Putting an arm around her waist he pulls her close, letting her feel how much he likes her. “Does that feel like I don’t like you?”

  “I…”

  “Let me explain it this way,” Leaning down he gently kisses first her bruised cheek, then her lips. Changing the angle of the kiss he increases the pressure, fully aware of the difference in their sizes.

  Monetarily stunned Cassandra quickly finds herself responding. At her response William lifts her by the waist so their bodies are more aligned. When the towel begins to slip he groans easing her feet back to the floor looking at her.

  “You need time to adjust to all these changes, but never think I don’t like you.” He runs his thumb across her slightly swollen lips, never breaking eye contact. “We need too...” He doesn’t get to finish as the hatch opens. He quickly turns shielding her, only to find Victoria entering the quarters. Cassandra quickly readjusts her towel.

  “What are you doing here?” Victoria demands walking towards him.

  “Checking on Cassandra.”

  “Why?” Stepping around the Admiral she sees Cassandra’s bruise, “What did you do to her?” She turns accusingly to the Admiral.

  “Victoria! Stop! The Admiral would never hurt me. You will apologize! Now!” The two Chamberlain women stare each other down.

  “You didn’t hurt her?” Victoria looks to the Admiral.

  “Never,” He replies. “Men don’t hurt women.”

  “They can.” Victoria persists.

  “Not Carinian men.” He insists. There was something more behind this. Victoria stares intently into his eyes.

  “I’m sorry than, it was wrong for me to accuse you.” The Admiral raises an eyebrow. Victoria turns back to Cassandra. “What happened?”

  “I fell down during the attack. You know me and my big feet.” Cassandra looks up at the Admiral and he realizes she doesn’t want him to say anything.

  “Then why is he here?” She jerks her head at the Admiral.

  “To make sure she’s okay.” Tori stares at him very seriously.

  “You worry about her too?” Cassandra rolls her eyes, the Admiral squats down so he is at eye level with Tori.

  “Yes I do.”

  “Good.”

  Standing he turns back to Cassandra, “We’ll talk later.”

  Cassandra says nothing as he leaves.

  Chapter 3

  Over the next few days the Admiral makes a point of stopping by engineering, checking on the laser status. Looking in his eyes Cassandra sees… something, she’s just not sure what to make of it. How different are relationships between men and women on Carina then Earth? She doesn’t know and has no on to ask.

  Amina’s sleep over arrives and while Victoria is excited, Cassandra’s concerned.

  “You’re sure you want to do this?” She asks one last time as they walk to Michelakakis’ quarters.

  “It’s going to be fun Aunt Cassie!” Tori’s eyes sparkle.

  “Okay then.” Arriving, the hatch opens to Amina’s excited face.

  “You’re here! Come on, I want to show you my room!” Victoria turns gives Cassandra a quick hug and is gone. Cassandra looks to Javiera.

  “If you have any problems I’ll either be in engineering or my quarters.”

  “Everything will be fine.” Javiera reassures her. “You go enjoy the time to yourself.” Javiera hesitates. “Cassandra, Leander told me what you did with the Laser system.” Cassandra waits saying nothing. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “A ship without lasers is unprotected. My husband and daughter are on this ship. So thank you. You didn’t have to go into that array.”

  “It needed done.” With that she leaves feeling Javiera’s eyes on her. Nearing engineering she meets up with Ensign Truple as they talk Cassandra laughs.

  In engineering the Chief is talking to the Admiral about the possibility of allowing Cassandra to work on the laser tracking system.

  “It won’t take her long to get up to speed. She sees our systems differently. I think she’ll find ways of improving it, like she did with the lasers.”

  “What’s she say about it?”

  “I brought it to you first Admiral.”

  “Get her in here. Let’s see if she thinks she can handle it.” The Admiral demands impatiently while inside he’s glad for a reason to talk to her.

  “She’s not here sir. Amina’s having a sleepover, Cassandra took Tori to it.”

  “So that’s why you’re still here.” The Admiral grins, Leander grins back.

  “Five little girls, I think it will be quieter in a launch port.”

  “You might be right. Bring it up to her, let me know.” Rising he leaves, disappointed that he won’t see her. Thinking about Cassandra alone tonight the Admiral walks down the corridor to find her laughing with Ensign Truple. His face turns to stone.

  “Ensign Truple! Nothing to do?” His tone is harsh.

  “Admiral, sir, huh, I’m on my way.” Truple makes a hasty retreat leaving Cassandra with the Admiral.

  “Cassandra I need to speak with you. My ready room.” As they walk to the Admiral’s quarter’s neither speaks. William is wondering how he could become so jealous, so quickly all because she’s laughing with another man. This woman pulls at him in a very basic way, stretching his renowned control. Cassandra enters the room first, moving towards his desk while the Admiral secures the door.

  “I’m not sure what…” Turning she finds him right behind her, for a large man he moves quietly. The Admiral puts an arm around her waist, a hand behind her head and lifts her up for a passionate kiss.

  Cassandra’s stunned. Will she ever understand him? With her senses reeling all she can do is grip his powerful biceps and hang on.

  Walking her backwards, he sits her on his desk to slip between her thighs pressing his erection against her stomach. When he changes the angle of the kiss she starts to understand the passion
hidden in him, and finds herself responding. Hooking her ankles around his thighs she pulls him closer.

  Breaking off the kiss William buries his face in her neck. He hadn’t meant to move this fast, but seeing her laughing with Truple made him feel the need to mark his territory.

  “William….” She groans.

  Going still, he captures her face in his hands. She’s never said his name before.

  “Again,” He demands looking her in the eye. “Say it again!”

  “William….” She whispers gazing up at him with passion drenched eyes.

  His control snaps, the sound of his name on her lips has him needing to touch her, all of her, to join with her. He strips off her shirt as she undoes his jacket. Shrugging it off, he rips his t-shirt over his head. Pulling her off the desk, his mouth descends. The feel of skin against skin causes Cassandra’s thighs to tighten trying to bring him even closer. Never breaking the kiss William enters his private chambers going directly to his bed.

  Cassandra is on fire, she’s never felt like this. Her entire life her intellect has ruled her actions, everything thought out, calculated. Her emotions always controlled, only her family penetrates the barrier she maintains. But here, with William, her emotions overwhelm her, she can’t control them, she needs more and William is the only one to give it to her.

  Slowly lowering her onto the bed William works on her pants, slipping them down slim hips that remind him just how small she is, he needs to regain some control. Breaking off the kiss he eases back looking at her lying naked on his bed. His bed! Running large rough hands up her quivering body he realizes he’s wanted her since he’d first felt this strong woman’s tears in his hands. Standing he watches her, as he removes his remaining clothes.

  Cassandra is in awe that his size and girth matches the rest of the man. The thought of them together starts a trembling deep inside. Kneeling on the bed William braces a massive arm on either side of her head sinking down for another passionate kiss.