Cosmic Kiss

“War? Why are we preparing for war? And what does that mean for Earth?” Armando asked his mate.

“Don’t worry for Earth. We will protect it at all costs. You can even go back to the surface for the duration if it makes you more comfortable.”

“Thank you. I’ll need to prepare and deliver a briefing But I’ll stay with you.” Armando said firmly. Though he wouldn't have expected it weeks ago, the Genoshian had really grown on him as a trusted friend with the potential for far more.

Alex tried and failed to hide a smile at his words. He wanted nothing more than his mate at his side during until this threat was over. He continued his debrief. “Lady Frost, Master Genlen and their information networks have determined that we are under imminent threat of invasion by the Ragus, our closest and largest enemy.”

“Why do they think that?”

He opened the table top as a series of electronic files. “Here is all of their evidence. I’ve looked it over. It seems solid.”

Armando leaned forward eagerly and began to peruse the files. “And what does that have to do with Charles and Lehnsherr going missing? And has Admiral Shaw been located yet?”

Alex sighed heavily. “This doesn’t leave this room."

"Classified, got it."

"We have reason to believe Shaw defected and may in fact be responsible for The Admiral and his consort disappearing.”

Armando was floored. “An admiral defecting? What repercussions will that have throughout the federation? Are we at risk of another takeover or civil war?”

“We certainly hope not. Acting Admiral Azazel is working to bring the situation under control. He trained under Shaw for a time but requested a transfer after a particularly violent incursion on an older colony. So he has many friends remaining within the Southern fleet.”

Armando’s frown deepened at this news. “Are we sure we can trust him? I mean he did work for Shaw, is there any chance he could be an inside man?”

Alex frowned. “I hate to think it but it’s something we have to keep in mind. Also, Lady Frost has a connection to Shaw as well. He led us to believe she was his mate. This was several federation years ago, mind you. He called it off after it was really too late for such a thing to occur. It was quite a scandal at the time. She remains unmated.”

“So what does this mean? We’re getting our information from people who may be working with Shaw?” He was trying not to panic at how very wrong this could all go. Could have already gone. 

“That does seem unlikely, but yes.” Alex agreed bleakly. "We just have to remain vigilant. Trust your instincts," he tried to reassure his mate. 

~~

Erik felt unaccountably nervous for a being only one jump from Federation space. But something felt off. It couldn’t be Shaw. He had kept him heavily dosed since capturing him. Charles was also on edge he’d been pacing, rubbing his hand absently over his abdomen for hours lost in thought.

“Something doesn’t add up,” he finally said, coming to sit on Erik’s lap in the captain’s seat.

Erik smiled, “Is that why my mind is unsettled?”

“Sorry,” he blushed sheepishly.

“It’s alright. You’re right of course. Something about Shaw’s plan is nonsense. We are missing a major piece to the puzzle. We need to reach the Federation and find out what’s going on before the rest of his trap can spring.”

“Do you think we’ll make it on time?”

“We have to. There’s too much at risk-” he cut of  sharply as an alarm sounded on the bridge. The both jolted at the sound, Charles looking wide eyed and Erik looking grim.

“What is that?”

“The ships radar detector.”

“Have we been spotted?”

“No, or if we have we haven’t been hailed.” Erik assured him.

“Then what is it?”

“We’re picking up ships, a great number of them surrounding us.”

Charles peered around but saw nothing but the curve of the moon they were hiding behind. “Where?”

“They’re cloaked and not close enough for you to see at any rate, but it looks like a fleet just jumped into this system.”

“But we’re only one jump away from the Federation,” Charles said, horrified.

“Yes, we are.” Erik began setting the dials on the first jump drive with a new sense of urgency.

“Erik, what’s going on?”

“It looks like the Ragus are preparing for an invasion. We have to get back as soon as possible and let them know we’ve been betrayed.”

“You think this is the piece we’ve been missing? A double cross?”

“It makes some sense,” he said, carefully lifting Charles off his lap and preparing the controls on the second jump drive. “Shaw expected to have years out here with us as his captives, deep in Ragus territory. He couldn’t do that unless he has some sort of deal with them. Then he planned to return as a hero. Likely either by betraying the Ragus in turn or affecting some sort of treaty that will give them some Federation territory. Unlikely unless we’re years into a war with heavy losses and no end in sight.”

Charles was horrified,“He would see millions of his own dead just to keep you as his mate?”

“Billions is more like it. On both sides. And it would appear so.” Erik wondered if this could have been avoided if Shaw had just approached him openly and been able to accept his rejection.

“That would make him an entirely different sort of person, Erik. This isn’t your fault. His obsession with you is…unlike anything I’ve ever seen. He’s pathological. I can’t even get a good read on him. I’ve found information on his Ragus contacts and a timeline of them, but the private details are still beyond me.”

“Not for long, dear, you've done well for a new telepath with no real training." Erik's mind practically glowed with pride over his achievements. "Once we get him in front of a tribunal we’ll know everything. Meanwhile we have to get out of here. I need to keep you safe and let the Federation know what Shaw has done.”

“Alright,” Charles said shakily, taking a seat and strapping in.

Erik paused for a moment, chest filled with fear/anger/impatience. He wanted to keep Charles from excessive worry, but knew he had to tell his mate what they were up against. “They’ll know when we jump. They’ll see it flare on their radar, there’s no hope for it. They may send a tracking ship after us and we will be jumping into the territory of the Southern fleet so we’ll need to make a double jump back to the main fleet.” It would be stressful on their bodies, especially Charles’ as a human in his condition but they had no other options left.

Charles paled at the thought of being chased. Of being in Federation territory controlled by those loyal to Shaw. Of possibly leading their enemies back to Earth. But there was no choice with so many lives on the line. He reached over and squeezed Erik’s hand tightly grateful they were in this together. ~We can do it. Let’s go~

He could only hope they made it in time.

~~

Moira was on edge. The material Armando had provided during their hours long briefing was grim. They had barely been inducted and already they were heading off to war. Not that any humans would be involved.

Except maybe for Charles where ever he might be.

“It’s kind of a relief that all this is happening,” Sean said from behind her, even his customarily high spirits dimmed by the news.

She turned to face him with a slight frown. “How?”

“At least we finally know where Charles is,” he said, not looking up from the files they were perusing. Armando was heading back to Earth within the next few hours to meet with the Federation Governors and leaders from human governments. It was nerve wracking, but it must be done.

“How do you figure?” the agent asked, sharing a look with Moira.

“Well, wherever there’s trouble, there’s Charles.” Sean said prosaically.

Moira’s eyes widened at his words because they were so very true. Armando sprang to his feet, a new surge of energy filling him at Sean’s words. “We need to put Genlen on alert to track any movement in and out of the Federation if possible.”

“There must be usual traffic patterns they track,” Armando agreed readily, already typing out a message to the small alien. “We can investigate anything unusual and hopefully have a least a few minutes of advance warning before an attack occurs.”

“And hopefully get Charles back. Albert has been pining.” Sean informed them primly.

“Well, we can’t have that,” Moira chuckled at the fact that he could still be so concerned with the emotional needs of a kitten while they were on the brink of galactic war. It was nice to be reminded of the simple things. The reasons they were fighting at all.

From the look on Armando’s face, he felt the same way. Sometimes she thought recruiting Sean was the best decision she’d ever made.