Enter Into Valhalla Read online

  The planet below consists of two major cities, and one smaller city around the lake system.

  First City is the location of The Hexagon, the bazaar, and various communities of settlers.

  Current location of Bethany Anne in response to the Ooken attack in the previous book.

  High Tortuga

  The planet Bethany Anne prepared for her exile. A safe haven, highly defended and hidden from knowledge.

  BA has a base on the northern continent, where the planet is populated. The southern continent is wild land.

  Bethany Anne has now left High Tortuga in Barnabas’ hands while she fights from Devon.

  QT2 System

  Site of the original Ooken incursion. Bethany Anne built wide-ranging defenses similar to those at High Tortuga and Devon. In addition to the battlestation QBBS Helena is the shipyard, where the fleet expansion is being managed from.

  Red Rock

  AKA “Fed Rock,” this mobile asteroid is home to the House of Arbitration, the seat of the Federation council.

  Red Rock travels the Federation, has a Gate connection straight back to Yoll.

  Qu’Baka

  Home planet of the Bakas. Under rule of Lu’Trein and the Seven. People are forced to worship the Seven.

  QBBS Meredith Reynolds

  Original seat of the Etheric Empire, and is stationed at Yoll.

  The Federation

  Coalition of planetary governments born after the Empress of the Etheric Empire stepped down. Governed by the leaders of the people from both the former empire and other peoples (such as the Leath), it is headed by General Lance Reynolds.

  While the Federation remains safe from the Seven for now, Bethany Anne finds it harder to keep her presence a secret.

  Moen

  Planet occupied by the Ooken. Bethany Anne sanctioned the people and cut the planet off from the rest of the Interdiction as a lesson after finding they collaborated with the Seven.

  Ships

  Shinigami-class:

  QBS Izanami (decommissioned)

  QBS Sayomi

  QBS Cambridge

  QBS Revolution

  Battlestations:

  QBBS Guardian

  QBBS Helena

  Superdreadnoughts:

  SD Baba Yaga

  1

  Devon, First City, Totto’s Restaurant

  Bethany Anne beat Michael to the last dab of tzatziki and popped the laden crust of handmade bread into her mouth with a satisfied smile. “Mmmm.”

  Michael smiled as he sipped his Coke. “Are you ready to order?”

  Bethany Anne shook her head, her nose wrinkling as she finished her mouthful. “I’m enjoying the bread. It’s always gone too soon.”

  “We can always get more.” Michael touched the button that would summon Leonardo. “It wouldn’t be the first time we came here and ate nothing but appetizers.”

  Bethany Anne smiled and reached to empty her glass. “I’m turning into a carb monster. I blame Leonardo, of course. The food here is too good.”

  The restaurant owner entered the private room and walked over to their table, beaming at them through his abundant mustache. “My favorite couple. Is everything as you like?” he shot a rueful glance at the empty platter. “Maybe I don’t give you enough food. More bread, yes?”

  Bethany Anne rubbed her stomach. “I think two starters is enough. Tell us about the specials, please.”

  Leonardo chuckled and replaced their Cokes before he scooped up the platter. “I think you are teasing, my lady. I will tell you and bring you the menu, then you will order again my beautiful bread, followed by chocolate mousse. Your husband will order a rare filet and sautéed vegetables.” He wagged a finger at them. “I know my regulars.”

  Michael snorted softly as he sipped his drink. “He’s right. We do this every time we eat here.”

  Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow, her mouth quirking to the left. “I regret it the next day.” She waved her hand at Michael. “Do you want to be married to a woman with an ass the size of a superdreadn—”

  Her voice trailed off when the aroma of flatbread fresh from the oven wafted into the room from the kitchen, then she sighed before throwing her hands up in defeat. “Who am I kidding? I can’t resist. Bring the bread, Leonardo. Thank you.”

  Leonardo grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling in pleasure as he backed out of the room with a small bow. “You are most welcome.”

  He came back shortly with an antigrav serving trolley and laid out a number of small dishes in front of Bethany Anne. “I brought you a little taste of the menu to accompany your bread.”

  Bethany Anne smiled as she examined the variety of bite-sized offerings. “That’s so thoughtful of you.”

  Leonardo shook his head at Bethany Anne as he laid out Michael’s meal. “It is only right you get to taste all of what we have to offer.”

  “That,” Bethany Anne told him warmly, “is why we come back here.”

  Leonardo flushed with pride as he ushered the trolley toward the door. “Buon appetito,” he wished them, then closed the door behind himself with a soft snick.

  When the meal was almost over and the candles in the center of the table burned low, Bethany Anne sat back in her chair with a contented sigh. “This is so close to normal. Just you and me and good food. Can you even imagine that there’s a war out there?” She waved a hand to indicate the world outside their one-way window. “It’s so peaceful here.”

  Michael settled lower into his chair and stretched his legs out under the table. “I agree. We have too little time for ourselves when there is a war to be fought and children to raise.”

  Bethany Anne pressed her lips together, tapping a finger on the side of her glass. “Our own, and those we appear to keep acquiring. I’ve been thinking about this since John got back with Nickie. Do we really want to take Gabriel and Alexis with us to Qu’Baka?”

  Michael looked away for a moment. “Leaving them behind didn’t work out too well for us last time, did it?”

  “Which is exactly why we will make better arrangements for them this time.” Bethany Anne stopped tapping and frowned at Michael. “I don’t know what else we can do. Nobody gave us a manual for raising children of their ability and intelligence. I hate to admit it, but maybe we made too many concessions on the self-discipline side to account for their isolation.”

  “And their stubbornness,” Michael added, a dry laugh escaping him. “History repeats itself.”

  Bethany Anne narrowed her eyes at him. “Yes, well, they did inherit a double dose of the stubborns.” She sighed, lifting her hands. “We have only ourselves to blame, and I’m not even certain blame is the right word.”

  Michael paused for a moment before replying. “Yes…and no. We taught them to be independent and free-thinking. You cannot tell me we are bound by the same laws as the masses, and neither are they. To instill that limited mindset in them would leave them unprepared for the lives they both appear to be determined to lead as adults.”

  Bethany Anne didn’t disagree. “It’s just… Have we prepared them for that responsibility? Or have we focused too much on making sure they can’t be hurt? Deadly can still be stupid, and stupid gets people killed.” She paused to work her thought out. “The thing they are lacking is the discipline to lead. How many times could I have acted differently and gotten a better result? Less recklessly? That’s what I ask myself as a mother, and as a leader. How can we teach Gabriel and Alexis that?”

  “What are you suggesting, exactly?” Michael asked, realizing that her thoughts were running miles ahead of his. “You clearly have something in mind.”

  “I have a thought, yes.” Bethany Anne began her tapping again, this time on the tablecloth. “What they’re missing is the discipline to work within the constraints of an organization, right?”

  Michael waved a finger for her to continue. “I’m listening.”

  Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. “We had Eve write that six-year leadership pro
gram for Trey. We should have Alexis and Gabriel take the course with him. K’aia, too.”

  Michel sat back, thrown by the suggestion. “That’s a shift in stance I hadn’t expected to hear from you. That program will take them six years of game time to complete. Are you thinking of putting them through the aging process as well?”

  Bethany Anne lifted a shoulder. “What do you think? I’m not against it if we all agree. It would solve the issue of our family being separated every time we have to take care of some fucknut with a god complex, right?”

  Michael nodded slowly as he considered the idea. “I’m not against it at all. I would much rather have our son and daughter fighting by our sides than off somewhere we can’t keep an eye on them.” He snickered softly. “Besides, can you imagine their reactions when we offer them this opportunity?”

  Bethany Anne grinned. “I know, right? I didn’t want to punish them, not really. They acted bravely, believing we were in danger. I think the dread of waiting to be punished has been enough. I want them protected, but I don’t want them hesitating to make a decision.”

  Michael covered Bethany Anne’s hand with his. “This is a good solution. They are children to be proud of, but they have no business on a battlefield. Not yet. They’re too young and reckless. Too raw. Taking the ship proves that.”

  Bethany Anne nodded. “Mm-hmm. That’s what got me thinking of the training program. They need to get some real-world experience.” She tilted her head. “Well, as real as it can be without them being put in real danger.”

  Michael gave Bethany Anne a knowing look. “That’s what we designed the Vid-doc system for. They will complete their training while we take care of Lu’Trein and the Seven. Our children and their friends are blessings, but can you imagine trying to ride herd on the four of them while we’re on a hostile planet?”

  Bethany Anne almost sprayed them both with Coke. “Good Lord, no.”

  “What about K’aia?” Michael mused. “She is adamant about remaining at her current level of enhancement.”

  “Understandable. She’s in peak condition for a Yollin.” Bethany Anne tilted her head in consideration, then waved a hand to dismiss it for now. “That’s for Eve to figure out in the programming once Alexis and Gabriel have made their decisions. Our concern is deciding where we are going to hide the Vid-docs so nobody can get to the children while we are away. Otherwise, we can forget about it and send them to High Tortuga.”

  Michael chuckled dryly as an idea came to mind. “There’s always your go-to. The Hexagon has an underground vault.”

  Bethany Anne smiled. “It does? Perfect. Every time I turn around, the kids have extended the place. How deep is the vault?” She dropped her napkin on the table and got to her feet. “Never mind, we’ll check it out before we go back to the ship.”

  Michael followed suit, silently wishing he’d kept the information to himself until morning. “I’ll let Sabine know we require access to the vault while you settle up with Leonardo.”

  Bethany Anne took Michael’s hand as they left the restaurant, and they stepped into the Etheric to avoid traffic around the bazaar.

  She touched her head to Michael’s shoulder as they strolled through the mists. “Dinner and a walk home. You’re being awfully romantic. It’s almost a shame I’m leaving for QT2 in the morning.”

  Michael smiled regretfully. “I had thought to spoil you a little more, but it will have to wait until you get back. Are you still planning to collect Barnabas’ party for the gala?”

  Bethany Anne nodded, her mind on surprising Jean. “Just as soon as I’m wrapped up at QT2. I want to spend some time with the Collective, and I have to check in at the shipyards. Shouldn’t be too much trouble.”

  Michael snorted softy. “That’s if the unexpected reappearance of their Empress doesn’t give everyone a heart attack.”

  Bethany Anne shrugged. “I lead from the front, you know that.” She paused, her expression pensive. “Hiding doesn’t suit me. Besides, it isn’t going to be necessary for much longer. They’ll get used to seeing my face again soon enough. I’m thinking the gala is the perfect time to get everyone used to the idea.”

  Michael chuckled dryly. “If they survive the initial coronaries.”

  “It’s not going to be so bad.” Bethany Anne bumped Michael with her hip, a playful glint in her eyes. “Quite frankly, I miss that sudden silence when I walk into a room. Parenting is a gift and all, but our children are so unimpressed by us, I feel almost human again.”

  Michael laughed along with Bethany Anne. “Although they have no issue being awed by everyone else. It is rather humbling,” he admitted. “I think the reaction at the gala will give them a different perspective.”

  Bethany Anne found herself warmed from head to toe at the prospect of their family coming together. “I expect to have to pry Jean out of her workshop, even though all she wants is to get here for Nickie. So, I get to go from one end of the Interdiction to the other. Besides, it makes sense to play Empress’ taxi, since most of the family will be leaving their ships behind with their seconds-in-command.”

  Michael frowned. “Maybe we can arrange to hold the next gathering at High Tortuga. Meet in the middle.” A wistful expression passed over his face. “I never did get to host that barbecue.”

  Bethany Anne rolled her eyes. “You could always host a barbecue on Devon. I think you just want to go on another hunt.”

  Michael smirked as he lifted his hands. “You’ve got me. It is always good to have quality time with our children. I will take them—but it will have to wait until we return from Qu’Baka. Their training is too important.”

  Bethany Anne took his hand. “You could take them for a short trip while I’m taking care of picking everyone up for the gala. You have a couple of days.”

  Michael made a soft sound of discontent. “I would, if not for the preparations I have to make for them to be left here with Tu’Reigd.” He released Bethany Anne’s hand and slipped his arm around her waist as they walked. “We will have our time soon enough.”

  Sabine was waiting in the reception room by the great glass doors when Bethany Anne and Michael stepped out of the Etheric. She folded her arms around her middle, annoyed by being woken up when she had to be up for work in a few hours. “It’s a little late, don’t you think?”

  Bethany Anne walked past, ignoring Sabine’s bitching. “Michael tells me you have a vault here.”

  A line of confusion appeared between Sabine’s eyebrows. “Um…yeah?” She glanced at Michael, who simply shrugged. “Yes. I had it built to house my weapons collection. Why?”

  Bethany Anne headed for the elevators without pausing to wait for Sabine. “I have something I want to keep hidden while we’re on Qu’Baka. I want to see if your vault fits my purpose.”

  Sabine sighed. “I should have listened to Tabitha. She told me you were going to do that. This way, the elevator to that level is hidden.”

  They exited the elevator into a short, wide corridor with a thick metal door that covered the entire wall at the opposite end.

  “Nice construction,” Michael remarked, admiring the smooth integration of the ten-by-fifteen-foot vault door with the excavated corridor. “You will have to give me your contractor’s details.”

  Sabine winked and stopped to tap at the control panel set into the wall halfway along the corridor. “I had a few of Tim’s guys do it as a side job. You know Guardians work for beer and pizza, yes? They also got season passes to the Hex Games. One moment, please.”

  Bethany Anne waited while Sabine fed her breath into a small tube that popped out of the control panel. “’Hex Games?’”

  “A new venture,” Sabine explained. She stepped back while the vault door swung open. “It’s more Mark’s and Jacqueline’s thing. I’m enjoying my teaching role.”

  “You’re still working at the weapons range?” Michael inquired.

  “I am.” Sabine looked back as she led them into the vault. “I’ve been taking the
recruits through their proficiency tests. It suits me to take a step back from the entertainment side of the business.”

  Bethany Anne left them to catch up, heading straight through the first chamber into a small closet-like space that led into a second, rather larger chamber.

  Michael found his way to the second chamber a moment later. “This looks suitable.”

  Bethany Anne nodded in satisfaction. “I agree. No need to build.” She flashed a bright grin at Sabine. “I need this space for a few months.”

  “What exactly do you want to hide?” Sabine asked. “I’m agreeing, of course. But I am curious what you have that requires this much space.”

  Bethany Anne opened her arms. “What else? Our children—and K’aia and Trey.”

  “In their Vid-docs,” Michael clarified, much to Sabine’s relief.

  “Not a babysitting assignment, then?” She wiped an imaginary bead of sweat from her brow. “That’s a relief. Those two run rings around us all.”

  Bethany Anne tuned their conversation out as she focused on the space and its possibilities for creating a cocoon none could enter without permission. ADAM, what do you think? Can we get a nano-curtain around the vault?

  >>We can get one around anything. All it takes is the time to write the code that controls the nanocytes.<<<br />
  How long will that take?

  >>Oh, none. TOM and I finished unraveling the code from the curtain in the factory and sent it over to Eve a day ago.<<<br />
  Bethany Anne had heard all she needed to. Tell Eve I want her here and set up before I get back from High Tortuga.

  >>Done.<< ADAM came back a few moments later. >>She will be ready to leave in eight hours. She’s not too happy about being left on High Tortuga.<< He had debated whether Bethany Anne needed the information, but forewarned was forearmed, as far as he could see.