Free Command Decision (Project Gliese 581g #1) by S.E. Smith Page B

Cassa. If it wasn’t, I would stay, but it is more dangerous to do nothing this time.”
    Cassa’s eyes burned as she stared up at her brother. While Pack was old enough to go off on his own, she was worried what the growing unrest would do to their family. Turning her head, she blinked away the tears before she turned back to gaze up at him.
    “Promise you’ll be careful,” she replied in a quiet voice, lifting her hand to touch his cheek.
    “I will. I’ll let you know what is going on if I can,” Pack said, turning away.
    Cassa watched as he walked away. A part of her feared it would be the last time she saw him. What concerned her was the fact that deep down she knew he was right. The Legion was spreading like a disease through the star system. The Gallant was run by a group of old men who were powerless to stop the new force that had risen up quickly, swallowing up the smaller regions before moving to the larger ones.
    “When I get old enough, I’m going to join the Gallant, as well,” Jesup said with a voice filled with envy.
    “I hope by then, this will all be a distant memory,” Cassa whispered, watching as Pack strode off with his friends toward the village. “Come, we have to find out how much help we will have this harvest. You’ll have to work, as well.”
    “Aw, Cassa,” Jesup complained, kicking at a clump of dirt.
    “No arguments,” Cassa retorted in a firm voice, even as her lips twitched in amusement. “You can help protect me from the Legion troops.”
    Jesup grinned up at her and nodded. “Always,” he laughed. “I’ll race you to the house.”
    Cassa watched as Jesup took off at a run. With a shout, she raced after him, knowing she would never catch up. She slowed as she neared the house, glancing up at the sky as another ship took off; this time leaving from the rural port near the village. Pushing away the fear threatening to overwhelm her, she turned and entered the small building that she called home.
    *.*.*
     
    Later that evening, Cassa slipped out of the house for some fresh air and some time to reflect on what was happening. Her father hadn’t talked much during dinner. Jesup on the other hand, had. Most of it had been about the Legion Battle Cruiser that had flown over the valley.
    The house seemed empty without Pack there. Normally, her two brothers kept the meals interesting with their lively talks of what was happening in the village and at the desert Spaceport. Her father had allowed Jesup to go with him on his visit last month and her little brother had talked non-stop about everything he had seen.
    Cassa ran her hands down the off-white, long sleeve tunic that covered her dark brown trousers. Bending down, she picked up the coat that she had placed on the low rock wall. It was chillier than she expected with the breeze. She pulled it on before she sat down on the edge.
    Staring out at the vineyard, she turned her head when she heard the quiet sound of footsteps approaching. A soft smile pulled at her lips when she saw it was her father. She sighed when she saw that he was moving slower than normal.
    “It is a beautiful evening,” she murmured, turning to gaze back up at the stars.
    “It is,” Jemar responded as he came to a stop next to her.
    “Sit,” Cassa said affectionately, patting the space next to her. “You’ve overdone it again. You need to let us do more.”
    Jemar released a soft sigh as he sat down beside her. “The Spaceport is in an uproar. Everyone was trying to get out before the Legion Battle Cruiser arrived,” he replied, pulling his pipe out of his front pocket and filling it. “Those with unaccounted trade did not want it confiscated.”
    Cass was silent for a moment before she turned to look at her father. Concern tore at her. The Gallant Order had kept the peace for centuries. The Legion was relatively new in comparison, but it had grown fast and strong under the command of the new director. Even in the isolated valley that they lived