Page 63 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
Rodion frowned. “The connection is sporadic. He shows up around the kingdom and then disappears.”
“Is someone transporting him?”
“It’s possible. They may know the security sphere patterns since there’s no footage. I recommend we alter their behavior and have them patrol areas at random. However, I will need your permission to do it.”
“Granted.”
He smiled wide. “Thank you. That will allow me to do what’s needed.” He paused. “Is there something else?”
“Yes,” I snapped. “First Father is furious. I don’t believe he blames Caan for this, but he’s gone, and this works against him… us. The only way it would be more suspicious would be if he claimed he bombed us.”
“Balo?”
I haven’t seen him in person, only what you showed me in the videos.” There was the temptation to visit my brother, but I was uncertain if I could control my temper. He and his mate were away from the blast. A few minutes earlier would have killed them both if they didn’t leave the chamber.
Gooseflesh rose along my arm. Bombing your own area was an excellent way to divert suspicion. I shared my feelings with Rodion. His face was impassive, but I knew he arrived at the same conclusion.
“My job is to investigate. I will see who may be involved and present my discovery.”
His head jerked up, and I presume the implant gave him information. “Two men,” said Rodion. “They saw them.” His security orb flickered with quick lines and two men: one a Soturi and the other smaller one a Dara formed. The same ones who dove with us.How strange.I was about to contact them when other security orb floated by. A second later Rodion’s orb glowed green with a message.
“Back,” said Rodion as he stepped in front of me. My chest went out when the hologram changed into a darkened image of Caan. My eyebrows rose as I saw his richer tan almost as dark as Taleen. From the surroundings, he was at the beach where we left to go to the cabin. I listened while he explained his plan. Relief slowly ebbed into frustration as he mentioned escaping on the barge.I could have protected you.
The time stamp showed on the video, and I read the barge’s identification.
“He’s going into Matros’ kingdom,” said Rodion softly. “His father will be executed.”
I slapped my hands together in quick succession. “Watch Balo and notify me if he leaves. Prevent him if you can. Send a message to Matros. Order, beg, or do what you must to ensure they are all safe.”
Rodion smiled wide. “Absolutely. You have my word.”
***
Chapter Thirty-Five
CAAN
“What will you do to him?” I asked from my hoverchair to Peter who looked at the video screen. Somewhere in the kingdom, Nate was imprisoned behind a bright purple force field within a featureless grey room, except for the bed.
Peter’s brown hair was naturally unkempt, and the normally attractive Omega looked like he hadn’t slept in days. A man with high sharp cheekbones and earth-brown eyes now had a gaunt, pale look. Grey-purple medical orb’s hovered around. So far they hummed low, and I didn’t hear the worrisome high pitch.
His eyes narrowed. “I had wondered what I would do if I ever saw him again. I could have visited Earth, but never did. My Pa and my sister with their folks came plenty of times.” He didn’t answer my question, but he continued talking. “I’ve been kidnapped by the aquatic Ryba and helped them, and the Volardi make peace, met the Emperor of a galactic empire, delivered children, but I never went back… almost like I was afraid his spirit was still there.” His breathing stopped for a moment, and I saw the telltale shake. I knew that face. Nate had it when Matros leaped out of the ship, and now the situations were reversed. “I assumed they did something with him,” he continued, “my old government – America. They wanted to get in good with the Volardi. Taking care of somebody like him could only help.”
“Somebody like him,” I repeated.
His voice rose. “It’s the nicest description possible. You know the story?”
I nodded that I did.
“Do you forgive him?”
“Do you?” I asked.
“You’re in our kingdom. I asked the question.”
This wasn’t the battle to fight, so I answered.“Sometimes I wonder if there’s anything formeto forgive. He didn’t attack me, he just left me behind. Between the two, I know which I’d prefer. He was a disappointment that’s for damn sure.” I explained to Peter how my other father died earlier and the forced circumstances of my birth. I think he knew it already, but he listened.
“I wouldn’t give him the forgiveness shell,” he said. “Truthfully, I imagined killing him. Matros certainly did back on Earth. I-If he wasn’t there, if I didn’t choose to be a Volardi mate, he would have attacked me. That’s the kind of man he is.”
