Chapter 35

The King sits back with his eyes closed and a frown on his forehead. Opening his eyes analyzing me he leans forward. "You are Alderox." He lean some more. "Do you see anything more? What about what you saw that one planet after another shall burn, a crimson fire?"

He stands and walks to the window. "The return of the Red Army is without doubt going to happen. Somehow you are the embodiment of the leader."

How can this be that I could be this ancient warrior. "Look, I don't know what exactly all this means and how or what part I play here. The one thing that I can be sure of, is that I won't lead some bloody galloping crusade across the Galaxy."

"Some roads must be taken." He looks at Jahní. "Many times the choice is not ours."

"That is bull crap!" I counter. "You always have a choice." That is the one thing that cannot be taken from you. You choose the path you follow. The King disagrees with me; I can tell he does. I will not be forced to take the road that will lead to so much death and destruction.

He sits back and decides it's time for a change in the conversation. "Now, about the immediate situation. The two of you can not be seen together." I brace for the worst case scenario. "I understand the power of pledging and that it is a driving force."

"But, you did this without any consent from me. Jahní, you did this out of love?" He narrows his eyes at her. "Yes, you did, but you had a second motive." Jahní looks away from her father and even me. Her father I could understand, but why me?

"Yes." She turns to me. "I don't think it would have made a difference, because I would pledge myself to him no matter the circumstances." She smiles at me then returns her attention to the King. "I won't deny that I knew that this would leave you with no choice. All my life I was taught that duty comes first, but when it comes down to it... I am selfish."

I consider her words about duty, honor and responsibility. Those are the same things I was taught as well. With Jahní, I can't think straight.

the desire is great, and I'm not strong enough to resist.

"Captain." I look to the King. I must ask to limit your time with my daughter, for your sake as well as hers." Yeah, I'm sure your worried about me the off worlder, and whatever else you call me.

"Limit? To how often and how long?" That's not my idea of beneficial, at least not to me. "I mean she is by my understanding, my wife."

The King does not react well to that statement, and seems to get a bit huffy. "Listen to me Captain; she is your wife because the two of you ran away, for nearly five days." He starts to pace the floor by the window. I notice that the rug is worn out in that spot, so he does this quite often.

"You are a guest on our world, and I could have you thrown off our world never allowing you permission to land here again." He looks at Jahní and she has a defiant expression, that makes him turn from her. "Don't look at me like that. You remind me of her too much."

"Her?" She asks sarcastically, which is not normal for Jahní. "You mean my Mother. I resemble her and I'm glad that I do, so you may never forget what you did." He turns reluctantly to her and suppressing his emotions, but I see that this is a soft spot for him.

"You would use that against me?" He asks the pain clearly heard in his voice.

"We will not be made to suffer, as my Mother did. I won't allow it." Jahní stands up weakly; I immediately offer my support which she gladly receives. "I can leave when I wish, for I have many places to chose from to live."

"Enough!" He shouts. "Very well, but I must insists that you limit your time together, to avoid being seen." He adamantly repeats to us.

Jahní and I exchange glances with an understanding of our mind set. "Let us see each other twice in your week for two hour each time, please." I ask humbly knowing that he could squash this in a heartbeat.

"Our week?" He looks puzzled.

"Yes. Your week is nine twenty seven hour days, so I plead with you just two times for two hours each visit." He looks at us debating within himself the possibilities of our getting caught.

He sighs watching us carefully. "Very well." Jahní and I take of our hands smiling at each. "However, if you're discovered it will have to end with no future discussion." He makes sure to lock eyes with both of us, so we understand. "I will now lay out a plan for this to be successful."

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The King explained his plan, and about an old tunnel that connects the palace to the Embassy. Also how it needed to be unsealed and checked for safety reasons, to make sure that will not collapse.

This waiting is always troublesome. It's like hurry up and wait, when a scramble order would come over and we'd sit on the tarmac. Then it would get shut down and we would be told to stand down.

But, finally Lahí shows up and takes me to where the tunnel is. "Now, Antonio you just go straight through then you will come to a steel door. You must unlock it with this." She hands me a key. It's not like the keys we're familiar with, this is an electronic key of some type.

"It is very old the technology of this door, though it still functions." She adds.

"Thank you for your help." She inclines her head and leaves. I've waited over two weeks for this and I'm not waiting anymore.

"Ant." I stop in mid stride. I turn around seeing Mandy standing there. I wonder for how long she's been there. "Are you really going see HER?"

It has been difficult to wait, but Mandy has thrown all kinds of jabs in my direction this entire time. "Yes, I am going to see Jahní."

"I could order you not to go. But that would just complicate things." Mandy puts her hands behind her back looking at me. "I hope she's worth it. Because you've put this entire mission at risk, with your little escapade."

"I hear you, but I will accept full responsibility for my actions here." She won't have any problems with me, or Jahní. "Just don't get involved and things will be quiet, as long as you don't make a stink over it."

She lifts her head in a pride full manner; she's less emotional now and more officer. "Stink you say? It's you who's made a stink around here getting involved with an..."

"Don't you say it Major, because you're out of line." She catches herself. "Officers do not involve themselves with the personal matters of a subordinate, or a superior." She was going call her an alien. I won't stand for it!

She nods blinking trying to come up with an excuse. "I'm... sorry. Just stay out of trouble." She turns leaving. Maybe I was to hard with my response, but I will defend Jahní. From anyone.

I head to the entrance of the tunnel and slip the key in unlocking it. I push it open and it's a bit stiff, but I get it open. Once through I close it, so no one comes up behind me. I sure don't want to be surprised.

I move quickly with a purpose, to get to Jahní. The lightning is not the best, but this is a simple tunnel with no off shoots or openings. The walls are pretty smooth and looks like it was well maintained before. It's a good forty minute walk and finally I reach the door on the other end.

I unlock the door stepping through it opens to a staircase, which I begin to climb then. They seem to go on forever, and I begin to wonder if the King pulled one over my eyes. Suddenly I run into a landing and another door; I slip the key in and it unlocks.

Once through I look around and it seems familiar, as I move on I realize exactly where I am. I approach an all to familiar door. I put my hand on the security reader unlocking the door; stepping through Jahní looks up from the book she's studying putting it down running into my arms.

"How have you been? Are they treating you well? No one is saying things to you?" I ask her all these questions, since I'm so concerned with her well being.

She looks at me and kisses me. "I'm fine. Lahí is with me almost all the time, and she tolerates nothing not even the slightest remark." I can only imagine her reaction, to some guard speaking out of place.

"I'm glad."

She tilts her head noticing my mood. "My love, what is wrong?" The concern in her voice is clear as day.

"Tomorrow I have to head up to the Helios and make sure everything is in order." I see the look in her face of sadness. "Hey, it's only the space port. I won't be far and it will be a couple of days."

She smiles at me looking at the one thing that has changed, which is the addition of a bed. Not an overly large one. "Then we should not waste to much time don't you think.?" Her suggestions is perfect.

Two hours is such a short time to be together, but we will respect the Kings wishes. We are by the door as we say our goodbyes and it just breaks my heart to do this. I know that keeping my word will give us these fleeting moments.

I head back down the stairs and through the tunnel, till I reach the Embassy. I get to my room and prep my small gear bag for the trip up to the Helios. A knock at my door causes me to pause, and I rub my chin not really looking forward to an interruption.

I open the door and it's Hal. "Skipper, everything good Sir?" He asks.

I smile. "Yeah it's all good. How about you?"

He nods. "It's going good Skipper. This place is better than I thought it would be." He says really cheerfully. It seems strange to see this side of him.

"Well that's good." I look at the time. "Gunny, I gotta get ready for tomorrow." He nods. "Maybe I'll swing by and we'll get up there and make sure the ship is running tight."

"Yeah, sure thing Skipper." He turns and heads back to his room. I finish packing and hit the sack for the night, because it's going to be a busy couple days.

The next day I'm up at the crack of OH dark thirty showering and getting into my utilities. Grabbing my pack I step out and head for the Gunny's door. I knock on his door and wait for a bit. I look at my watch and it's been a few minutes. It's concerning so I walk in and I surprise him with a female I his bed!

"Geez Hal I'm sorry!" But when I look at the girl it's a Majah-tu woman; oh Lord we have a problem. "Lahí?" She uncovers her head and that's when I see a glint on her finger. Oh my... "Is that what I think it is?"

She puts her hand under the blanket. "Captain please let me explain?"

I look at the Gunny, and I notice that his ring is all but invisible. How the hell is it doing that? "Skipper, I can explain..."

"Hal, you can do it on the way up to the Helios. I'm sorry Lahí, but it's important that we go." She looks at Hal with the same eyes as Jahní looks at me. I look at my watch and sigh. "You got twenty minutes." I walk out shaking my head. The King is really going to hate us.