Free CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3) by Shae Mills Page B

Fremma. He would not harm you, for it would sever my link to him.”
    Fremma smiled wryly. “You forget, my Lady, about our Lord God’s fierce protectiveness of you. He squashed the Galactic Empire overnight because of what Ticees did to you.”
    “Ticees raped me, Fremma. You merely concurred with my suggestion. That is completely different.”
    “And wiping the existence of RIBUS 7 from the history books and sending the Empire to its knees are also totally different, my Lady. The loss of RIBUS 7 would be akin to slapping a fly on the wall, relatively. At the very least, he could castrate me for this.”
    Chelan’s eyes widened. “He would not do that and you know it. If Ticees escaped such a fate, so shall you.”
    Fremma thoughts were catapulted back in time to the Emperor’s fall. He had wanted so badly to relieve the man of his genitals that it had taken Dar to prevent the deed from happening. The men of the Empire did not maim their victims, but Fremma had been willing to make an exception. Fremma looked down at Chelan. “No, but he could conceivably kill me.”
    Chelan shook her head. “Look, when we first came to Iceanea, I asked him if he would grant me my wish of returning to Earth, and he said yes.” She looked up into Fremma’s concerned eyes. “And we both know this plan is more than reasonable. Zane agreed. So consider this my wish granted.”
    Fremma gave her a weak smile. “Somehow I don’t think this is what Korba had in mind. But upon giving that some consideration, maybe my Lord will let this whole change in venue slide.”
    “Fremma, he knows what supremely competent Commanders both you and Zane are. He will, therefore, see the wisdom of this plan. I will come to no harm on Earth, plus I will get to see my family once again. All the bases are covered. He will understand. You will see.”
    Fremma smiled once again. “I pray that you are right, my Lady.”
    Chelan smiled back. “Now scram. I know that you are supposed to be on the Bridge while fledgling engines spread their wings. Korba won’t understand if you put a ding in his precious RIBUS 7 on her maiden voyage. And besides, I need some sleep. After today’s excitement, the morning will come all too soon for me.”
    Fremma stood and lowered her gently to her feet. His fingers stroked her pretty pink cheeks. “I wish I could stay with you tonight, my Lady,” he whispered.
    Chelan hesitated as she looked up into his passionate eyes. “Maybe you can.”
    Fremma kissed her briefly. Then he shook his head slowly. “It is best that I do not. Not until any kinks in the new drive are worked out.”
    Chelan smiled. “Then I will see you in the morning.”
    Fremma backed away from her. “I look forward to that, my Lady.”
    Chelan watched as he turned in a flurry of black and left. “So do I,” she whispered. “So do I.”

Chapter 7

    Fremma sat in the command chair on the Bridge, watching the readouts scroll by. Tarn looked back at him over his shoulder. “She is performing superbly, Sire.”
    Fremma smiled at him. “That she is, Commander. She is one beautiful ship. And with the new armaments—”
    “Sire!” the helmsman called out. “High-speed fighter on direct intercept course.”
    Fremma sprang to his feet. “Distance!”
    “Five hundred million light-years and closing fast.”
    Fremma and Tarn’s eyes meet. Fremma looked up at the central screen. “Identify.”
    There was silence for a moment. “Imperial, my Lord. Long-range fighter. No call numbers displayed.”
    “Communications!” roared Fremma.
    “None, Sire.”
    “Identify the pilot!”
    “Negative, Sire: no body readouts. Everything is shielded.”
    “Shields up!” ordered the Warlord brusquely. “Bring weapons to bear.”
    Tarn gasped. “Weapons? You know as well as I who pilots that vessel!”
    Fremma whirled to face his First Officer, the Warlord’s eyes igniting with a hot blue flame. “I know nothing of the kind. This is an Imperial battle