Chapter 230
Wrong FootThe shuttle’s interior was laid out with two rows of seats running down either side, a bench across the back, and two forward-facing seats flanking the cockpit door. Functional. Military. Definitely not a combat shuttle. It was the kind designed to move navy personnel to and from deployments.
Alexander sat in the middle of the back bench. Which was apparently where everyone had decided he belonged.
Khalida occupied the seat to his right, close enough that their arms almost touched. Her aide sat beside her, engrossed in her work despite the tension. To his left, Maximilian sat with his arms folded and his eyes closed, the picture of composed indifference.
Raelene had taken the seat to Maximilian’s left, pressed against the wall. Like the rest of them, she hadn’t expected a trip into space, and was traveling without most of her gear.
Directly in front of him, Julia stood with her arms crossed. She wasn’t sitting. She was standing in the narrow aisle between the two rows of seats, feet planted, shoulders squared, positioned between him and the two Tier 3s at the front of the cabin. Body blocking.
To Julia’s right, Hjordis sat with one leg crossed over the other, her expression a mask of casual disinterest. A warm, pulsing energy radiated from her in steady waves, washing through Alexander and the rest of their allies around them.
Sindre sat on the opposite side of the aisle. One of his personal barriers shimmered faintly around Alexander, so thin it was almost invisible. Everyone else had one too. It just felt somehow even more personal in his case. Like the Northern Shield was making a point.
Talia sat in the row ahead of Sindre, watching the front of the shuttle where the two military superhumans sat.
Kitty and Bardot stared back at the rest of them, flanking the cockpit door. Kitty looked bored. Bardot, like he was enjoying himself.
Alexander sighed.
Getting everyone onto the shuttle had taken twenty minutes of arguing. In the end, the compromise was simple. He sat at the back. Everyone else did whatever they wanted. And what they wanted, apparently, was to form a wall of superhuman bodies between him and the two people who had casually mentioned killing him on a landing pad.
He appreciated the sentiment. He just wished it didn’t make him feel like a child being walked to school.
“Khalida,” he said.
She turned her head slightly. “Yes?”
“Why are you sitting right next to me?”
“Because if the United Earth Space Force kills the ruler of Dubai and one of Earth’s designated representatives of the Galactic Council Arbitration Authority, it will create a diplomatic incident of such magnitude that no amount of military power could contain the fallout.” She folded her hands in her lap. “Simply put, I’m making them think twice by virtue of proximity.”
Alexander stared at her. “That’s… actually really thoughtful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Please don’t make me regret it.”
He turned to his left. “Sindre.”
The Northern Shield glanced at him over the rim of his glasses.
“Why do we all have your barriers?”
Sindre shrugged. “Accident.”
Alexander looked at Hjordis. “And you? What’s with the healing aura?”
Hjordis didn’t look up. “What? I’m not doing anything.”
The fire pulsed through him, warm and steady, easing even joint stiffness he hadn’t noticed.
He glanced past Julia to where Talia sat near the front, barrier shimmering, tablet in hand. “Talia? Why are you sitting up there?”
“Better lighting.”
Alexander leaned back against the bench and rubbed his face. Then he looked up at the one person who hadn’t bothered with an excuse.
“Julia?”
She didn’t turn around. “This isn’t a joke, Alex. You can’t expect us to be as casual as you after they threatened you.”
“It wasn’t even a real threat. It was almost flattering, even. They were just making it clear how seriously they’re taking us.” He leaned to one side, peering around Julia toward the front of the cabin. “Right, Kitty?”
Kitty’s gaze shifted to him. “No. I will kill you if you do anything suspicious. Anything at all.”
Alexander blinked. Leaned back. “See? Nothing to worry about. I am the least suspicious person here.”
Nobody responded to that.
“Even if it’s only just been established, you are a leader of the Compact, Alexander.” Maximilian’s voice came from beside him. He didn’t open his eyes or turn his head. “The government and the military need to understand that if they threaten any member of the Compact, they threaten us all.” His chin lifted, eyes opening as his gaze settled on the two figures at the front of the cabin. “To be clear, Commander Bardot. Lieutenant Kathleen. We will use every resource at our disposal to defend our members.”
No one argued with that.
Kitty and Bardot shared a look.
Bardot scratched the back of his head. “I feel like we got off on the wrong foot.”
Khalida shook her head. “You don’t say, Commander? While the original message was vague, I got the distinct impression that the Councilor and the Admiral were extending an invitation. A very politely worded request, in fact.” Her voice cooled. “I will be raising a formal complaint with both of them once we arrive.”
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Bardot leaned down toward Kitty and whispered. Not quietly enough. “We’re definitely getting in trouble.”
Kitty closed her eyes. “Yes, Commander. You are.”
***
The meeting room was larger than Alexander had expected.
An oval table dominated the center, ringed by chairs upholstered in dark blue. The Compact’s delegation occupied one end. Alexander sat at the curve, Maximilian to his left, Khalida to his right, Sindre beside her. Talia, Julia, Raelene, Hjordis, and the Sheikha’s aide filled the seats behind them along the wall.
The far end of the room was standing room only. More uniforms than Alexander had ever seen gathered in one place, arranged in neat rows along the back wall. They looked like a mix of officers and analysts.
Kitty and Bardot stood against the right wall. Backs straight. Hands clasped behind them. Silent. For once, they looked like actual military personnel.
Alexander found the transformation unsettling.
A door at the far end slid open. Three figures entered.