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  Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. “Maybe it won’t be so boring with you there.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “You can wear something pretty to make it up to me.”

  Michael grinned back. “Sweetheart, you always look pretty.”

  Bethany Anne threw an energy ball at him. “Ass. Breakfast is almost ready. I can smell Alexis’ and Gabriel’s pre-mission pancakes from here.”

  “I smell burning batter,” Michael shot back, catching the ball and absorbing the energy. A soft chime rang out from the bedroom, and Michael went to see who was calling so early in the day. “Your father. Want me to take it? I have time before I meet with Addix.”

  “Give him my love,” Bethany Anne replied. She dressed quickly, then took a moment to slip her feet into heels, since she would be replacing them with her armored boots soon enough, and picked up the box.

  Michael sat at the small table by the bed, his shirt forgotten as Lance spoke. He turned his head when Bethany Anne entered. “You might want to hang on for a moment.”

  Lance waved. “Hey, Pumpkin. I thought you should know that you’re causing a few rumors with your spending habits.”

  Bethany Anne scooped her husband’s shirt up on her way past, then leaned over Michael’s shoulder to wave at Lance. “Oh, yeah? What kind of rumors?”

  Lance flashed a grin. “The kind where people are beginning to wonder just who the new player is.”

  Bethany Anne’s mouth quirked. “Let them wonder. It suits me fine.” She dropped Michael’s shirt in his lap. “Gotta run, Dad. Breakfast with the twins, and then a to-do list as long as my arm before I can leave for Moen. I’m done waiting for answers there.”

  Lance raised an eyebrow. “I’m glad to hear you’re getting some resolution on the issue. Don’t have too much fun, you hear me?”

  Bethany Anne broke into a grin. “I don’t know if I can keep that promise. This has been a frustrating few months, so the Ooken on Moen have it coming more than most.”

  Lance frowned at that. “Then give them hell, sweetheart.”

  Bethany Anne flashed a grin and reaffirmed her grip on the box under her arm. “You know I’ll do my damnedest.” Her nose wrinkled as she caught another whiff of burned batter. “I’d better move. First rescue of the day looks to be breakfast.”

  Her fears were unfounded. She arrived in the galley to perfect pancakes keeping warm under a cover on the breakfast bar and her angels scraping the source of the smell into a container.

  “All of the syrup,” Alexis told Gabriel. “She’s been up all night studying, and...”

  Bethany Anne smiled, waving a hand to clear the air. “I take it you two are burning down the kitchen for K’aia’s benefit. What good friends you are to risk Mama’s wrath so early in the morning.”

  Gabriel looked up from his drowning of K’aia’s breakfast, a grin playing over his face. “Mama can always turn off her olfactory senses if the smell is offending her.”

  Alexis snorted. “Or we could all stop talking about ourselves in the third person and eat.” She took the container from Gabriel and sealed it. “There, all gone. Where’s Dad?”

  Bethany Anne lifted the cover on breakfast. “He’s on a call with Grandpa.”

  The twins bolted for the bedroom, leaving Bethany Anne to roll her eyes while getting the plates out for breakfast.

  >>Bethany Anne, there’s a report from the G’laxix Sphaea you should see.<<<br />
  Bethany Anne scanned the report, her eyes flickering with the speed she read. “Damn you, Bart. I could have been there already.”

  Bethany Anne looked regretfully at breakfast and opened her mental link to Alexis and Gabriel. Say goodbye to Grandpa and come get your breakfast. We’re leaving in twenty minutes, and you will need to pick K’aia up from the arena. I have decided that the Admiral has a great deal to teach you all.

  Devon, First City, The Hexagon, Network Command, Michael’s Office

  Michael was still impressed by the effort Sabine had put into blending something reminiscent of Louis Quatorze style with modern conveniences for him when he’d asked her for a space to work.

  He was going to miss it when his wife came to the inevitable conclusion that settling on Devon was impractical.

  He adjusted his furniture while taking the time to consider his approach to the issue at the front of his mind while he waited for his next meeting.

  It was but a moment’s work to exchange his usual guest chair for the one he placed in front of his desk. Like all the rest of the furniture, it was sourced from local artisans, upholstered in plush fabric, carved and gilded to perfection—and also suitable for the four-legged visitor he heard making her way toward his office.

  He nodded amiably when the spymistress entered. “Good to see you, Addix. Have a seat.”

  Addix’s mandibles twitched as she settled on the guest chair and adjusted her light robe around her four legs. “You wished to see me?”

  Michael pushed a holofile across the desk toward her. “I have an assignment for you that may require some travel. How do Ixtalis do in low temperatures?”

  Addix chuckled. “Quite poorly, traditionally,” she replied. “However, I am not much for tradition, and I find myself without distraction these days. What is the assignment?

  Michael laced his fingers on the desk. “I want some concrete information on the Bakas. They make up just over forty percent of Devon’s population, and we’ve got nothing except hearsay and supposition. They could be a useful ally in this war—if they are indeed allies.”

  “You don’t trust them?” Addix inquired.

  Michael raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know them. Bethany Anne and I intend to change that once the Moen issues are resolved. In the meantime, we would like you to monitor the situation until we can get to it. ”

  Addix ran her fingers over the arm of her chair, tracing the carvings. “The Bakas are extremely secretive about their culture and sensitive to questions about it.”

  Michael nodded. “I am aware of that. However, the nominal leader is a potential ally. Bethany Anne and I would like you to reprise your role as our children’s guardian as a way to protect the heir.”

  Addix’s mandibles dropped open in shock. “You are joking. I would, of course, be honored, but how does that fit with protecting the Bakan heir?”

  “Our information so far is based on my mind reading of the heir and his cousins. Trey, the name he appears to prefer, is a member of Alexis’ and Gabriel’s training group. He and his mother may be holding onto power by a thread, but until we learn whether an alliance is possible, I believe Trey especially to be at risk.”

  “You suspect they intend to have him murdered?”

  Michael rubbed his chin in thought. “His cousins harbor no thoughts of it. In fact, they are mostly apathetic about everything. However, they are currently acting as his guard, and their fathers all stand to gain from his death. I do not think it would hurt to be cautious, which is where you come in.”

  Addix tucked the holofile into her pocket. “Not a problem. It will be an opportunity to pass on my knowledge to the students.”

  Michael tilted his head. “I suspected you would enjoy the chance to teach again.”

  Addix chuckled, her mandibles tapping in amusement. “I will wrap up my other current assignments and make myself available to Tabitha at the earliest opportunity.”

  Michael shook his head fondly. “Good luck. We leave for Moen as soon as Bethany Anne is done building the city’s morale.”

  Addix headed for the door. “Victory be with you all.”

  Michael’s mouth quirked. “Victory cannot fail to be with us while Bethany Anne leads the charge. Oh, and Addix? You will be remaining onworld for a while, The Lady Princess will be reassigned. You may requisition a ship for personal use.”

  Addix’s mandibles twitched in anticipation. “I believe the Sayomi has been docked at the Guardian recently.”

  “I wouldn’t get your heart set,” Michael told her. “John loves that
ship almost as much as he loves his wife who built it for him, so he won’t leave it here when we depart for Moen. One moment.” He opened the message that had interrupted him. “I have to go. Bethany Anne is about to leave.”

  “Good…bye.” Addix shook her head at the empty air Michael had been occupying as the word left her mouth and left the office, grumbling to herself about not making more time to train in the Vid-docs. “I really must learn how to do that one of these days.”

  Devon, First City, The Hexagon, Training Center

  K’aia

  K’aia ducked the downswing of Trey’s staff but did not move fast enough to avoid being clipped on the upswing. She turned her body to protect her rear legs from further attack and whipped her braid at him, scoring a direct hit to his chest plate. “Point each,” she panted, twisting as she stepped into her next technique.

  The three Bakas at the side watched with indifference.

  “Your cousins are kinda rude,” K’aia complained. “Don’t they want to support you?”

  Trey dodged K’aia’s staff, hurling himself three feet clear of the floor to land in a roll on K’aia’s vulnerable side. “Those assholes are only here because my mother made them come. Like I need an honor guard who benefits if I die.”

  K’aia gaped at him, taking the end of Trey’s staff in the gut for her lapse in concentration. “You’re kidding?” She saw he wasn’t. “That sucks. Wanna ditch them when the twins get here?”

  Trey considered the offer. “Not worth it. Mahi’ would end up childless, and I can’t do that to her.”

  K’aia chuckled. “What makes you think you’ll die?”

  Trey met her eyes solemnly. “I don’t think, I know. Mahi’ will tear me limb from limb, and then what will she do without me? No, I’m a good son. I’ll stay behind.”

  K’aia wasn’t completely sure Trey was joking. “Your mother terrifies me and I haven’t even met her. Did she give you permission to train here or are you sneaking around still?”

  Trey nodded, panting as he worked to avoid K’aia’s staff. “Yeah, she agreed. It took some persuading, especially after she found out I had lied upfront about having her permission to train here. She’s going to meet with Baba Yaga to discuss a formal alliance against the Ooken.”

  K’aia scored three points in quick succession. “That’s pretty huge. How did your family take it? From what you’ve told me, they don’t sound very progressive.”

  Trey snorted. “I believe you call that an ‘understatement.’ My uncles weren’t pleased, and my cousins couldn’t believe it. I’m pretty sure they only came here with me last week so they could run to their fathers. Doesn’t take a genius to work out they wanted to see me get punished for making contact with humans.”

  K’aia was about to comment on Trey’s bravery in breaking tradition when she heard Gabriel and Alexis. She found that since her enhancement, she was aware of the twins before she saw them, one of the many benefits of her upgrade in the Vid-doc. She took a step back and feinted with her staff, then took Trey’s feet out from under him with a sweep of her foot.

  The Baka landed on his back in a puff of orange robes and sand, ignoring his cousins’ laughter. “Dammit, K’aia! Every time! No fair.”

  K’aia extended a hand to help Trey to his feet. “You’ll get used to hearing what humans think of fighting fair.” She nodded at Gabriel and Alexis, who had just entered the arena. “I better get going.”

  Trey’s cousins glared at the humans and turned their backs.

  K’aia made an obscene gesture at them. “Seriously, they need therapy. I hope their faces get stuck looking like an explosion in a genitalia factory.”

  Trey cracked up at the mental image. “How is that even… You know what? Who cares, I’m making a break for it.”

  “Good man,” Gabriel cut in.

  Trey narrowed his eyes at Gabriel, scrutinizing his features. He sniffed the air, and realization dawned. “I know who you are! Well, I don’t, but I think I met your father yesterday.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Are you Baba Yaga's young?”

  K’aia cut Trey off before his curiosity got the better of him. Maybe the kid did need a guard—to save him from himself. “Hey, you’re early…and you’re in armor. Are we going somewhere?”

  Gabriel nodded, offering a fist for Trey to bump. “Yeah. We were sent to get you and meet the ship out front. Your gear is onboard.”

  Alexis looked at Trey, who was in the process of collapsing his staff. “Do you want to come with us?”

  Trey flashed two rows of strong white teeth. “Does Baba Yaga have a short fuse?”

  Alexis snorted at the Baka’s enthusiasm. “You’ll find out about Baba Yaga’s fuse. We’re headed to Moen with her.”

  Trey’s shaggy face twitched with disappointment. “Offworld? For real? Oh. You’re not kidding.” He sighed. “You know, I will just wave to you all as you leave this time. I’ll save it for when I’ve been training for more than a few weeks, huh?”

  “You sure?” Gabriel asked skeptically.

  Trey nodded. “Yeah. I thought you were sticking around Devon. Like I said, next time.”

  “You’ll have to work on your mother,” K’aia commiserated.

  Trey grinned. “Sure.” He walked off, his posture a little downcast until he saw Addix talking to Hirotoshi, then he veered in that direction to investigate with all of his usual enthusiasm.

  K’aia rolled her eyes at her new friend’s distractible nature, smiling as she turned to follow the twins out of the training area. “He’s a nice kid. Bit of a space cadet, but whatever.”

  “I like him,” Alexis stated.

  Gabriel nodded in agreement. “Me too. He can come train with us if things go well with his mom and ours.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty awkward while we have to hold him at a distance. It felt kind of mean.” K’aia sniffed the air, feeling hungry now that her workout was done. “You two smell like sugar.” A loud growl came from her abdomen. “The good kind.”

  Alexis dipped into her bag and retrieved the container within. “Your stomachs are telling me you haven’t eaten yet. Your nanocytes need fuel, you know. It’s a good thing we brought you some breakfast. Here, eat up.”

  K’aia took the container and tucked into the pancakes as they made their way out through the main arena. “Nice and crispy, just the way I like them. Mmmm. And that’s almost enough syrup.”

  Alexis wrinkled her nose. “You know sugar rots your insides, right?”

  “Not now that I have nanocytes.” K’aia licked the spoon clean. “Yum. Did you two see the leaked vids from Moen?”

  “Yes, we did,” Alexis told her. “It was me who leaked them. I hacked Network Command to find out what’s really happening, and decided the people needed to know what’s going on there.”

  K’aia covered her mouth with the back of her hand. “Which is what, exactly?”

  “You out-logicked Phyrro,” Gabriel interrupted before Alexis could answer. “You shouldn’t think ADAM doesn’t know about it. I don’t want to be there when Mom and Dad find out you were responsible for the leak.”

  Alexis raised a finger. “I out-logicked—which is not a word, by the way—Phyrro, and I made a deal with ADAM,” she corrected. “We’re good. Besides, nothing in the vids we were allowed to access covered those poor aliens being used as living shields. It’s disgusting!”

  K’aia’s appetite vanished. “It happens all over. This planet was a dangerous place to live before your mother put a leash on the mercenaries.” She dropped the spoon into the container as they passed under an arch into the atrium and dumped the whole thing into the nearest recycling port. “That’s the reason I went so far to find your parents again—to be there for people who need help and do what I can to make it right. Tell us what else you know.”

  Alexis shrugged. “I don’t see us getting off the ship at all, but sure.”

  Alexis was stopped in her tracks by the crowd gathered in front in Hexagon Plaza. “That
’s pretty much everyone who trains or works here. What’s going on?”

  Gabriel pointed out a number of faces none of the three recognized. “Those look like they came from the bazaar side of the building.”

  Alexis touched her fingers to her collar, activating her armor’s helmet. “Mom must be making a speech. Come on!”

  Gabriel did the same before they all exited the great glass doors into the crowd, K’aia moving to guard Alexis’ and Gabriel’s backs without a second thought.

  The crowd parted at the sight of the two fully-armored humans.

  Alexis picked up K’aia’s moment of discomfort. K’aia, you’re not disguised. You can’t be seen with us—Mom's rule.

  For my protection, I know. I’ll be watching. K’aia walked out of the door alone and slipped into the crowd independent of Alexis and Gabriel. She made her way toward a group of fellow trainees who were headed for the center of the plaza, where the Izanami floated overhead. There aren’t many four-legged Yollins on this planet. It’s not difficult to work out who I am, even in full armor.

  Yes, Gabriel agreed. But the point is to keep the mystery, or Mom will take us all off guard rotation and we’ll be back in the classroom before you can say, “Pepsi, please.”

  Alexis raised her eyebrow. Only until we bat our eyes at Dad. He’ll help us get around Mom if she gets overprotective.

  I’ll get by. I’m just sore about missing out on being part of the show. K’aia tuned the twins out as they left her behind, hearing Trey’s chatter behind her.

  Trey fell in beside K’aia. “I heard Baba Yaga’s ship is here.” He glanced shrewdly at K’aia. “You think she’s going to speak?”

  K’aia nodded at the ship casting its shadow over the plaza. “The twins told me she would be. I have the duty, or I would stay to keep you company.” She made sure to keep any pity she felt for the lone Baka out of her voice.

  Still, she empathized, and she liked the kid. Alexis and Gabriel wouldn’t be the only ones to welcome him into their group with open arms if talks went well.