Free Microsoft Word - FortunesFool.rtf by Kat Page B

you are a soldier."
    Dave nodded. "I've been fighting on the rim for twenty years. I've
    had my fill of war. And we're too well matched. This'll go on forever if we don't come to some kind of truce at some point. I'm hoping you'll be
    the man to do it. If so, God speed, Emperor."
    The young man shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not emperor yet."
    Adele smiled softly. "But you will be. I hope you'll remember us
    then. I hope you'll know there are many humans who would welcome
    peace with your people."
    The boy looked skeptical, but held his tongue. After a moment, he
    bowed. "I thank you for your counsel. What are your names?"
    Adele laughed, apparently caught by surprise. "I'm Adele Senna and
    this is Colonel David Hellerby."
    The man nodded. "You have my thanks." They moved down the
    corridor to the ramp before he spoke again. "Are you not mates?"
    David chuckled as they walked. "We only met yesterday, but I have
    every intention of keeping Adele with me for the rest of our lives. If
    she'll have me." She gasped and looked at him with an expression of joyous surprise that boded well for his chances.
    The other men shook their heads and grinned. "It's easy to see you
    are destined mates," the oldest one said with a twinkle in his eye.
    "Congratulations."

    * * * *
After they'd handed their prisoners over to station police, Adele and
    David reported to the command area to find the CSS officers had been
    revived and were quickly regaining control over all station systems.
    Adele signed off on the logs, turning command of the station back to its rightful leaders. They had things well in hand when Dave suggested he
    and Adele seek out The Rabbit Hole to check in with Alex and the men.
    Aside from a short comm assuring Adele that her Aunt Della was
    fine, the spec ops warriors from the bar had faded away once order was
    restored. Only the young soldier, Timothy, stayed with the station cops, 62
    FORTUNE'S FOOL
    being lauded for his role in freeing the men who now processed the
    jit'suku prisoners for trial and most for eventual deportation.
    Only the ringleaders, those who had killed or committed other
    crimes during the attack, and those with previous warrants would be
    detained, since there was little loss of life on the station. The rest of the crew would probably be sent back to their own galaxy after an initial
    holding period while the evidence was sorted.
    Timothy was the hero of the action and both Dave and Adele were
    happy to see the pride on the young man's face as he was thanked and
    congratulated by the station commander. Officially, Adele, Dave and
    Timothy were going to be credited with assisting the station police in
    repulsing the jit invaders. Dave had cautioned Tim and Adele not to
    mention Alex or the other men and they seemed to understand Alex and
    his team were something that needed to remain secret.
    When Dave and Adele walked into the bar, they were greeted with
    raised glasses and cheerful words. Adele's aunt rushed over and hugged
    them both.
    "Thank you, David, for protecting my niece."
    "My pleasure, ma'am. And she did more than her share. Without her
    command codes, the job would have been much more difficult." He
    couldn't help the pride that crept into his voice.
    "Congratulations to you both," Della said with a tear in her eye.
    "You are going to be so happy on Earth, sweetie." She hugged her niece while Dave was caught a bit short.
    "You saw us on Earth?"
    Della nodded vigorously. "On a lovely parcel of land in the Middle
    of North America. With a beautiful family of your own."
    "Family?" Dave croaked.
    "Yes, my dear nephew." Della took his hand in both of hers and stroked the back comfortingly. Her voice dropped even lower as her next
    words floored him. "They were wrong when they said you could never
    be a father. You will be, David. Several times over. With my Adi." Tears filled the older woman's eyes when she looked up at him. Her smile was
    almost angelic.
    "Earth?" Adele asked.
    Dave focused on