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“Rokai, I don’t have time for this!” Bart exclaimed.

“Wait, was she involved?” Rokai asked, realizing he might not want to help find someone that threatened his new nephew.

“No! Mirilla would never harm anyone, much less a newborn or anyone from the royal family,” Bart shouted.

“Mirilla?! They suspected Mirilla? Mirilla wouldn’t do anything like that!” Rokai insisted.

“Her brother did. He set it up to make it look like she’d been involved, then when his plan fell apart, he disappeared.”

Rokai shook his head. “Mirilla is searching for Mir’ Ahn. And Mir’ Ahn is hiding among those who are as unscrupulous as he.”

“Exactly. Please help me. If you can find her and she won’t see me, that’s fine. Help her get to safety, let her know that she is not under suspicion so that she can safely go about her life and Iwill not ever bother her if that’s what she wants. But I will forever protect her.”

“Or better yet, bring her to you so you can tell her,” Rokai said.

“If she’ll cooperate. But right now, I’m actually more concerned with her safety.”

“What are the limits?” Rokai asked.

“There are none. Do what you did to those who harmed Rosie if you want to. Destroy a fucking port or even the whole fucking station if you have to. I don’t care at this point. If you can help me find her, you’ll receive immunity — from everything past and future!”

“Oh, yeah, Vennie did say that.”

“Then why did you act like he didn’t?” Bart demanded.

“I got distracted! Besides I needed you to say the words.”

“Will you help me, Rokai? These people will talk to you. You’ll be able to get information I’m sure I’m being denied.”

Rokai looked at Rosie, she nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes. I need you to send me details on where you’ve been, where you think she’s been, everything.”

“I’ve been asking about her and about Mir’ Ahn. What’s strange is that about fifty percent of those I ask deny having seen her, but they admit to having seen Mir’ Ahn. What was weird is that Mir’ Ahn was asking about other Cruestaci warriors, with his own description.”

“Did he ever show his face?” Rokai asked.

“No.”

“It was Mirilla, not Mir’ Ahn,” Rokai said. “She’s searching for Mir’ Ahn dressed as a male. The little bits they could see indicated minor things about her appearance so they thought he was asking about another warrior that looked like him.”

Bart stopped speaking as realization hit him. “How could I not see that?” he asked.

“You’re too close. Too emotional. I’m going to advise Re’Vahl he’ll be on duty until I return, and to get my ship loaded. I’ll be leaving here in thirty minutes. Send me everything you have so far, everywhere you’ve been. I’ll find her, Bart. No femaledeserves to be treated as she has, especially by her own family. Hopefully she’s safe, but if not, I will need that promise of immunity.”

“You have immunity. Do whatever is necessary, Rokai. I’ll meet you and we’ll go together,” Bart said.

“Yes, because standing beside the Chairman of the Unified Consortium Defense will make those I’m trying to force information from into believing I’m still the same male they feared.”

“I can’t just sit back and wait!” Bart declared.

“Then go continue your search for Mir’ Ahn, but do not even imply that you’re with me,” Rokai said.

“Yeah, perhaps you’re right. I have received word of a few sightings of Mir’ Ahn. I’ll look into those. But you keep me informed!” Bart said before ending their connection.

Rokai turned back to Rosie and leaned over, kissing her passionately. “Our getaway will be delayed a little longer than I anticipated, my Rosalita.”

“It’s okay. We’d have had to wait until Kol and Kron and everyone returned anyway. It’s important that you find this woman. We’ll have plenty of time for our getaway later,” Rosie said.

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