Page 72 of Star Champion

The assistant swabbed the crook of her elbow. “PET only.”

“They’re looking for the presence of illegal performance enhancing tech—bots—in your body,” Klark explained.

“I don’t blasted believe it,” Skeet blurted out.

“Tatam Lesok needs an attitude adjustment,” Xirri growled. “Loser.”

Klark waved a hand at the players to quiet them.

Jemm remained silent and grim as the blood was taken. Was this how it would end? Klark wondered. Everything they had worked so hard for demolished by a sore loser?

Meanwhile the med assistant ran the blood through a small machine. The room went silent as everyone waited for the results.

Using bajha skills, Klark attempted to empty his mind of mounting dread. Not a gender test, he told himself. PET bots only. He knew Jemm was free of those.

“He’s clean,” the med assistant said. “No presence of PET in the blood.”

Klark exhaled and exchanged a thankful glance with Jemm as cheers and some foul language exploded from the direction of the appalled and now relieved team. To be accused of using PET was rare, and an insult. It showed just how much Jemm’s wins were shaking up the league. Well, they were going to have to get used to it. Champions like Tatam Lesok would have to adjust to a changed world of play, now that Sea Kestrel was leading a resurgent Team Eireya as a real contender for the elusive Galactic Cup.

Team Eireya racked up more victories. Two weeks after the debacle with the Lesoks, excitement peaked when the team hosted the B’kahs in the home arena on Chéyasenn, and scored enough for the cumulative scores to go in Team Eireya’s favor. They were celebrating in the locker room when Klark announced, “A special word from His Majesty the King,” and displayed the call from his father, King Rorrik, to the large viewscreen on the locker room wall.

Jemm’s heart swelled with pleasure as she savored the sight of Klark beaming as his emotionally distant father congratulated him, and the team. She saw the resemblance between the men, but whereas the king was relaxed, Klark seemed to be bracing himself. Jemm could feel the tension in him from where she stood. It angered her. Did thisVashking not realize the level of man he had raised? Sure Klark may have stumbled in the eyes of his clan, but who hadn’t made mistakes? He was a hero in her eyes.

“You’re doing a great job with the team, son. All the Vedlas stand behind you and look ahead with much hope to the remainder of the season.” Then the regal-looking man cast his gaze around. “Where are you, Mr. Aves?” he inquired.

Several teammates’ hands landed on her back to push her forward so King Rorrik could better view her. Jemm bent forward in a bow. “Your Majesty.”

“You are the most gifted bajha player I’ve seen in a lifetime of following the sport. Your teammates are certainly a fine and talented group on their own, but with you at the helm, the Galactic Cup is in our grasp.”

Jemm answered with a bashful nod. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am nothing without the rest of the team.” She did not like being singled out. No player alone could win the Galactic Cup. Although it could very well come down to her in the final, Cup-winning match against a yet-unknown opponent, it took a whole team to get there. But who was she to correct a king? She could not believe a king was speaking with her, and in such a familiar way. She couldn’t wait to tell Ma, Button, and Nico.

The king’s voice boomed. “It’s just what we Vedlas have needed. Now, carry on and get ready for those Dars next week.”

She bowed again, and then the screen went blank.

“Sir Klark.”

Everyone turned at the sound of Coach K’s voice. Jemm saw his sour expression and the two officials dressed in suits and cloaks standing behind him. Her heart filled with dread.

“More complaints have been lodged,” Coach said, his face red with anger. “Accusations of PET usage by the team.”

“This is an outrage,” Klark said, glowering at the officials. “Who lodged the complaints? The B’kahs? After being trounced?”

“Not only the B’kahs. The league has been fielding complaints from several teams about Kes Aves and PET.”

“But you tested Aves, and he tested clean,” Klark pointed out.

“I know, Your Highness.” The official sighed. “But, the controversy is growing. I’ve asked the league surgeon to do a complete physical exam. That will put the matter to rest once and for all.”

Jemm’s legs gave out. She sat down hard on a bench, her body quaking with adrenaline.

Klark was silent. There were no words. No defense.

There was no way out.

“If your player is clean, sir, and I have every confidence that he is, then you have nothing to worry about.”

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

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