Jewels spent all day in a daze. She managed to hide from Dr. Cosmit who wanted to do a complete physical. She just wasn't up to it, not with the Military Disciplinary Committee hearing that evening, which brought on feelings of dread.
She spent the time wandering aimlessly while she tried to fortify herself for possible outcomes. She knew that no matter what, Maussey would make sure some type of corporal punishment would occur, of that she had no doubt. It was rather a matter of the severity of the punishment that he would choose that concerned her most.
She wanted to forget Maussey's eagerness to see her tried before the MDC. She was really wishing she'd never agreed to this assignment.
"Lt. Enbran, please wait up!"
Startled, Jewels stopped and turned to see who was calling her. She frowned when a brown-haired Private hurried over to her. When he got near enough for her to see his face she relaxed.
"Ah, Private Davis Blackthrone. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. I was lost in thought."
Davis grinned. "That's all right. I just saw you and wanted to say hello."
He blushed and Jewels was puzzled. "Oh. Well, hello." She gave him a sideways glance. Enlisted personnel usually were not this formal with officers. Any other person would cite regs. Jewels didn't care for ceremony and decided not to chastise Davis for his lapse of protocol.
Davis smiled. "I also wanted to tell you that I thought you were brave to have let those alien creatures touch you like that."
She stiffened. "Private, bravery had nothing to do with it. And for the record, our visitors are not creatures. They are aliens, but their physiology is close to ours with a few differences." She recalled those Gatoan features and grace, especially the Prince's physique; very fluid and lethal, yet some gentleness underneath that predator skin. Yes, a walking contradiction.
"Lieutenant?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry, I did it again, didn't I?"
"I wouldn't know. I think the aliens are dangerous and we shouldn't have brought them here. What if they get loose and hurt civilians?" He touched her hand, clutching it tightly in his hot grasp. "I mean, what if they are coming to enslave us?"
Davis' words earned him a glare from Jewels. She jerked hard and pulled her hand free of his. "Private, you need to get a hold of yourself. You're embarrassing yourself and the military by behaving in such a fashion," her tone was frigid, but she couldn't help it. His words incensed Jewels.
Davis reared back as if slapped. He gave her a hurt look. "I thought you'd understand."
His words baffled her and she sighed. "Look, Davis, I'm not sure what you thought I'd understand. I'm a telepath. That's why I'm used to being considered a freak, alien and a monster. I'm the last person that can cast stones at another because of differences. I have to go now. I have an appointment with Dr. Cosmit."
She wanted to get away from the Private. He was making her uncomfortable. Jewels brushed by him, intent on leaving, but he snagged her arm and yanked. Off balance, Jewels tumbled backward and into his arms. She wasn't fast enough to avoid the hungry kiss Davis ground against her lips.
::Get off me!:: She slammed the mental command into his mind and was rewarded with a howl of pain as he shoved her away from him. He stumbled back clutching his head.
Jewels staggered, found her footing and fell into a defensive crouch. "If you ever, touch me again without permission, Private, you will learn the meaning of the word monster," she snarled.
Davis threw her a venomous glower. "Don't worry, Bitch, I won't touch you again. Alien lover scum!" He whirled and stalked away.
She waited until he was gone before sinking to her knees. Shaken by his behavior she simply sat, trying to piece together what had caused the Private's irrational behavior. Finding none, she stood and jogged toward the north end of the base.
Jewels reached out, seeking the comfort of Jeremy's mind. If she could touch him, it would steady her. Distance, at least for her, was relative. She could 'hear' anyone she chose. She found his mind, brushed against it and hastily recoiled. Jeremy and Elenora were in the middle of some intense lovemaking. She felt her face flush.
She needed space and quiet to think. Things were becoming too complicated, even for her. She decided not to tell Jeremy about her run-in with Davis. Her anchor wasn't known for being tolerant of bigotry nor of men trying to take advantage of a woman.
* * *
Dimitri stood at his office window and brooded. He was taking a break from his UPO tour to rest at the European HQ building. The reports he had gotten from Fort Blackwater were not good. They hadn't expected Jewels to have such a hard time with the minds of the Gatoans. Nor for it to be life-threatening for her.
He could feel the beginnings of a migraine starting which only added to his aggravation.
"You know, Dimitri, giving the view an evil eye will not change things."
"Manroe, don't you ever knock?"
Behind him, Manroe chuckled. "Why should I, Mr. President? You, however, should be more aware. I might have been assassin sent to kill you."
"At this point I wouldn't have objected." Dimitri turned around to stare at the other man. Manroe was in his usual black and gray uniform with shades covering his eyes. "You know I don't like it when you hide your eyes."
Manroe shrugged. "Deal with it. You might be comfortable with staring at them, but I don't need you any more distracted than you already are."
Dimitri sighed. "You said she's the best and that she could do this. So far I'm not seeing much in the way of results. I did, however, receive a request from Larry that the Gatoans wish to speak with psionics."
"Oh? Or do they have one particular one in mind?" Manroe asked with a smirk.
Dimitri paced before answering. "I get the sense that they may have our young Lieutenant in mind. Larry would have told them that she's out of their reach. I don't think that will deter them for long. I need a game plan here, Chris."
Manroe twitched and went still. Dimitri felt the heat of his gaze and it raised goosebumps.
"We have a game plan. You just have to be patient and stick to it." Chris held up a hand. "I know it's hard, but if we interfere, things will end...badly."
Dimitri flexed his cybernetic hand. "How bad?"
"Enslavement, death, loss of freedom and eventually extinction."
He felt a chill at Manroe's dead tone. "It's a strong possibility, if she fails. This is why I hate your ability. Too many what-ifs. Makes my head ache. I don't know how you even stand it."
"I've learned how. I also know that hope, love and courage are game changers. That's why if we stay to our course, we will triumph and keep Earth and its people safe."
"You've never led me astray old friend. And I'm too old to start doubting you now. I'll keep up on the news from the base. I shall agree that the Gatoans can speak to a psionic. I think Colonel Lingley will do just fine in that role."
"As you wish. I must be off, my friend. People to terrify, wrongs to right. You know how it is," Manroe joked.
Dimitri laughed. "Yes, I do know, don't I?"
Manroe grinned and vanished from view.
Dimitri turned and went back to gazing out the window. He hoped that the possibility they strove for would, in fact, become reality.
* * *
Jeremy lay curled around Elenora. She had found sleep, but he could not. He had been surprised to feel Jewels' mental touch during his lovemaking. Before he could find out what she needed, she was gone and had thrown up a barrier between them. She might not be able to shield herself from thoughts, but she could keep an anchor out of her head if she chose to do so.
He kept envisioning Jewels' reaction when he told her the news about his anchor status. It wouldn't be pretty and it would hurt their relationship. Carefully he untangled himself from Elenora and left the bed. He needed space. He donned his uniform and was heading for the door when his vid comm buzzed.
He cursed under his breath and hurried to answer it, grateful that it was installed in a room away from the bedroom. He wasn't prepared for the person on the other end and didn't conceal his surprise. "Mr. President!" He snapped to attention.
"At ease, Colonel Lingley. No need for formality. It is I who should apologize for calling at this time. I have new orders for you."
Jeremy relaxed. "That's good to hear, Sir. I know that Jewels and I are looking forward to getting off this base."
"Colonel, those orders have not changed. The order I'm about to give you is for you alone. Not your partner. And she is not to be made aware of this either."
"I don't understand, Mr. President." Jeremy kept his expression polite, but inside he was getting angry. Nothing good came of trying to keep one's partner in the dark.
"The Gatoans have requested that they be allowed to speak to psionics. They strongly hinted that they wanted another crack at Lt. Enbran, but I don't think so. Instead, you will answer their questions. They have a Level 3 clearance. Treat them like any foreign ambassador. Use your judgment, Colonel. Don't give them information that can be used against us later."
"Do they know they will be speaking with me, Mr. President?"
"I wanted to inform you first before having their liaison tell them. You will be joining them tomorrow for an information session."
"Yes, Sir." Jeremy nodded and waited.
"That will be all, Colonel Lingley."
The screen went dark and Jeremy glared at it. What kind of game was the President playing now? He didn't like it, but orders were orders. He left the room and paused outside the bedroom. Elenora still slumbered. He smiled. Soon he could tell her the words she needed to hear. But duty first. He left and walked toward the aliens' quarters.
Jeremy was almost there when he saw Larry hurrying toward him. "Liaison Mellen, I was told that I would be speaking with our guests tomorrow."
"Yes, Colonel. Tomorrow evening would be best."
"Now that we have that settled, I've got reports to catch up on. Good day, Mr. Mellen." Jeremy didn't give the nervous liaison a chance to add anything as he briskly strode away, his thoughts on Elenora and Jewels.