“No more hiding,” I sign excitedly to the others. Krish may be interested in being friendly with Corrina, but I am more pleased about the idea of being able to roam the base and the station more easily. It would be nice to leave our guards behind as well, but for now I am content with the idea of spending time outside of our chambers again.
???
All three of us are dressed and waiting when Curran arrives at our door the following morning. “This is going to be interesting,” he says with a chuckle as we follow him down the hallway. “I’ll warn you – there are two council members who are implicated in Lianov’s files. We’ve got security personnel standing by to secure them. But I need you three to try not to kill anybody.” He is silent for a moment and then he mutters, “Not sure why the Commander thought it would be a good idea to have you present.”
“You do not want us there?” Krish asks.
“I don’t want any more trouble for Corrina,” Curran admits. “But she thought it would be good for the rest of the council to see that you three can control yourselves. Don’t screw this up. You especially,” he says, pointing a finger at me. I hiss at him silently. “Yeah, yeah,” Curran continues. “Save it for later. Right now, Commander needs you to show off some of that legendary strength and composure she keeps talking about.”
I cannot help the small smile that graces my lips at his comment. It is good that Corrina recognizes my strength. It is good that she does not think me weak because of the effect the motivator had on me. Just as it is good that she speaks directly to me instead of talking around me or about me as if I cannot understand. This pleases me more than I would expect. I have rarely cared what others, besides my brood brothers, think of me. Perhaps it is because she is the leader here. That would make sense – it is good to be respected by others’ leaders.
My thoughts are interrupted when we reach the chamber. Two guards stand on either side of the doorway as we follow Curran inside and find seats. There are only a handful of creatures in the chamber besides us, and we are the only non-humans present. One of the councilors mutters under his breath when he sees us, but I cannot understand his words. From the description that Krish gave us, I suspect it is the human named Vertage.
I scent Corrina a moment before I hear her voice. “I’m glad you’re here,” she murmurs. She nods at Krish and Zann before taking a seat next to Curran. I am not disappointed that shechooses to sit next to her second-in-command rather than me. She is probably still concerned about appearing too friendly with any of us until this hearing ends.
A moment later, Corrina stands and addresses the council. “The report from the Fixers is being sent to your devices now,” she says, gesturing at the rectangular object each councilor is holding. “I think you will find the evidence compelling.” There are murmurs among the council members as Corrina sits back down. I see her nod at a guard standing near the opposite entrance to the chamber and watch as that human disappears through the closed door.
The murmuring grows in intensity and then some of the councilors begin to glance at one another. One of them, a male with thinning brown hair, stands suddenly. “Excuse me,” he says as he hurries through the door at the far end of the chamber. There is a commotion and then shouting erupts.
“This is absurd,” Vertage exclaims. “Fabricated lies to deflect blame from her own failures,” he says, standing and pointing a finger at Corrina. “Surely none of you believes this nonsense.” He glances around the council, but no one responds to him. “I’m not just going to stand here and let that woman ruin my name like she is trying to ruin Lianov.” He stares directly at Corrina. “You will not get away with this.”
“Councilor Vertage,” says the soldier who had disappeared through the opposite door. “I have a team waiting to take you into custody until a hearing can be scheduled.”
“This is outrageous,” Vertage hisses, though I notice he does not attempt to fight the soldiers. I sit silently as the soldiers lead him away, and it is only in my thoughts that his blood flows beneath my claws.
“This council needs to fully review the information we have been provided,” says an older female. “But based on what I have seen so far, the accounts of Commander Hammish-Sun and others is accurate. The haleens do not appear to represent any threat, and Lianov’s death – while regrettable – was an isolated incident resulting from a series of unfortunate and risky actions on his part.” There are murmurs of assent around the room, and I see Corrina’s shoulders visibly relax. “A formal ruling will be forthcoming, but I do not personally need anything additional from the Commander or others to formulate my decision. We thank you for your time, Commander,” she says with a nod. Corrina stands and offers a small bow. She spares me a glance and a nod before leaving the room. Curran moves to follow her and motions for us to join him.
A few minutes later, we are gathered in Corrina’s office. “Give me a few minutes,” she tells the dark-haired man sitting at the desk when we arrive. She closes the door to her office and then turns to face the rest of us with a grin.
Chapter Twenty-One: Zann
“Honestly, that was a little anticlimatic,” Curran says with a chuckle.
“Oh fuck you,” Corrina says with a laugh. She falls back into her chair with a sigh. “I finally feel like I can breathe again,” she murmurs.
“You have had trouble breathing?” I ask. Corrina glances at me and laughs again. It is a different sound from our own laughter, but the sound is pleasing.
“Just another expression,” she replies. “Sit, sit,” she says, gesturing at me and my brood brothers. “I know it’s not the same kind of justice that Lianov got, but I hope you are at least somewhat satisfied with the outcome.”
“If the others will be punished, it is acceptable,” I reply, seating myself on the floor. Krish sits beside me while Davix settles into one of the chairs. “What happens now?” I ask.
Corrina leans back in her chair. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt to tell you – it will soon be news all over the station. In addition tohis implication in Lianov’s illegal activity, Vertage is connected to another unpleasant matter involving threatening the younger brother of one of our soldiers.”
I straighten immediately. “They hurt a child?” I hiss.
“Not physically, no. And really, it’s Wilkes who is more traumatized by the events. But the child is safe now.” I relax at Corrina’s reassurance.
“And have you decided on Wilkes’ fate yet?” Curran asks.
“I’m getting there,” Corrina replies. “For now, I just want to make sure that they are and will remain safe for the immediate future. Luckily, Vertage lacks much of the discretion and planning of his late collaborator. And the thug he hired to threaten Wilkes and his brother is very happy to name names if he thinks it will make things easier for him.”
Davix snorts, and I watch him sign something to me rapidly. I nod in agreement. “This person sounds as if he is completely without honor or loyalty. But he will receive lesser punishment because of it?”
“Not exactly,” Corrina replies with a smile. There is a mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she glances at Curran. “I’m recommending that Almensen hear the case.” Curran laughs loudly in response. “Almensen is particular unforgiving to those involved in crimes affecting children,” Corrina explains with a grin. “Anyway, you three don’t need to hide out in your chambers anymore,” Corrina concludes.
“And you can be friendly and visit with us and take us to see the station now?” Krish asks eagerly. I share his excitement at being able to spend time with Corrina again.
“Why not?” she replies. “I’ve probably earned a day off.”
