Page 56 of Desperate Measures

“On our next visit, remember who you are instead. You’re a wanderer, my Imdiko, incapable of sitting still in one place for more than a month. Even for her.”

“And she deserves better than me.”

“Not better. You’re the best Imdiko she could have hoped for, other than your urge for endless exploration. What she deserves isn’t better but different, thanks to who she is.” His hand brushed Betra’s. “Sadly, love doesn’t cure all. It takes more than love for two people, not to mention a clan, for a relationship to work for everyone concerned.”

“Was I too awful this time?”

Oses’ lips curved in a slight smile. “It wasn’t your worst. No harm done from what I saw.”

Clan Seot had reached the hatch of the shuttle. They turned and waved. The children’s piping voices chorused goodbyes.

Betra’s chest squeezed tight as Shalia disappeared in the vessel. Gone again, returning to where she belonged. As he would.

Oses’ arm lowered from waving to the group. “It’s perfectly fine to love her. You just have to keep it to yourself, like a precious treasure.”

“I’ll try. I promise. I won’t lose my head on the next visit. She has her life, and it’s wonderful.” Exactly what she deserved. He vowed he wouldn’t stand in the way of it.

* * * *

Alpha Space Station

“The farm planet.” Charity spoke through numb lips to Dramok Deram as they sat in a nondescript office. She had the idea he’d borrowed an unused space to break the news.

“We think Haven’s the safest place for you right now.”

He knew the decision made her unhappy. It was in his consoling tone and gentle expression. She did her utmost to hold anger and disappointment at bay. There were mercenaries who’d be coming for her thanks to the bounty put on her by Earthtique factions on Mercy and New Bethlehem.

All because I survived the Holy Leader. All because of Hope, Dad, and Clan Piras. And stupid Kalquor, for allowing asshole Copeland to live.

She swallowed her bitterness and reminded herself it was wrong to blame her family and Hope’s clan for her current predicament. Kalquor as well. They’d saved her in so many respects.

“You’d think I’d be safer here, surrounded by Kalquorian fleet personnel.” Her protest was weak. The decision had been made, and she’d do better to accept it and move on.

“You’d think so,” Deram sighed. “The Darks and the rest of the galaxy realize you’re here, though. We’ll be able to smuggle you to Haven with no one the wiser.”

“Until some cowpoke recognizes me and runs his mouth to his buddies in some redneck bar. Haven may be a bunch of hayseeds, but it has access to the news vids, you know.”

“We’ll alter your appearance. Different hairstyle, lenses to change the color of your eyes, maybe slight surgical alteration, which can easily be undone when this nonsense is finished. My Imdiko Hadlez is an extremely gifted surgeon where such is concerned, having been a medical officer on a spyship. Our crew had to avoid detection at all costs, so you’ll be in good hands.”

“Holy shit.” She gaped at him. “What about Aunt Ruth and Uncle George? Are you giving them a big makeover too?”

Discomfort made Deram shift in the hover chair next to hers. “Charity…they’re staying here. Their continued presence will give everyone the idea you haven’t left, at least for a little while.”

Her jaw dropped. “I’m off to Cow Patty Planet by myself?”

“You’ll stay in the home of a clan who’ll watch over you. You’ll have to do chores on their farm to keep up appearances, but they understand you also need to continue your studies. It won’t be horrible.”

“Sure it won’t.” Charity fought off tears. She was an independent woman and all that shit, but to trade Aunt Ruth and Uncle George for total strangers? Her last vestiges of family since Dad and Hope had run off to save the galaxy?

“I’m sorry.” He was. She could tell. It didn’t matter. The situation hurt her heart.

What had happened to the orphanage in Galactic Council space told her how grim the situation had become. Devastated or not, Charity had no choice but to go along with the plan.

Put on those big girl panties, Nath. The only path out is through.

“I’ll need boots. Tall boots to wade through Haven’s oceans of cow shit,” she said.

“They have horses, kestarsh, and ronka too. There’s no safe place to put your feet. Maybe a snorkel?”

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