Free Twin Stars 1: Ascension by Robyn Paterson Page B

you, Lieutenant- it’s about the service.” She sighed. “I’ve defended a lot of men and women in the last year, and it’s been the same thing over and over. The brass is looking for people to be made examples of- people they can come down hard on. They want everyone to know the penalties for “creative thinking”; because they’re scared they can’t hold on much longer. Or, to use an old saying- they’re looking for a chicken to kill to scare the monkeys.”
    “And I’m the chicken,” Tysen said sourly.
    “Exactly.” She waved the image of the prosecutor away and gave him a sympathetic look. “I hope I’m wrong about this, but I don’t think this time is going to be any different.”
    “So, do you have a plan?”
    “I few of them,” she brightened. “But first, I need some cream for my coffee. Let me order some, and we’ll get started…”

    * * *
    Tysen’s mother had been a piano player of some note in her youth, and while she hadn’t kept it up through the years, the habit of playing the piano when something was worrying her was a strong one she often fell back on. Thus, Tysen was in no way surprised when he returned home to hear the soft sound of piano music drifting through the house from the back sitting room.
    Making his way quickly through the large home, Tysen found his mother sitting at the antique baby grand that had been a gift to her from Tysen’s grandfather on her sixteenth birthday.
    “Mother! I have excellent news!” He said enthusiastically, getting a stern look in return. His mother gestured at a nearby sofa where Hariet lay sleeping beneath a hand-woven blanket in the gentle afternoon suns.
    “Oh, sorry!” He raised a hand in an apologetic gesture, then stepped in close and whispered- “Mother, I have news. I was just in contact with our ship’s surgeon and he said he’ll be willing to arrange for Hariet’s operation with one of his colleagues at a veterans hospital in Castle City.”
    His mother’s eyes widened. “Really?” She whispered back. “Tysen, that’s wonderful!”
    He nodded, then after hesitating a moment he added. “We will have to pay him privately, of course. Cash only.”
    His mother made a dismissive gesture. “I’ll sell the horses, that should pay for it.”
    “Mother,” Tysen cautioned. “You only have two of them left, and one is Hariet’s.”
    “What good is a horse she can’t ride?” She reminded him. “No, we can get her another one later. Right now, what’s important is that Hariet can have her operation.”
    They both looked at his sleeping sister for a time, and then his mother looked up at him. “Any news from your lawyer?”
    Tysen nodded. “Yes, my part in the hearing is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I’ll be taking the stand just before second lunch, when they’re done questioning my crew.”
    “Don’t worry,” she told him. “I’ll have your best suit prepared.”
    “You will do nothing of the sort!” He said with mock seriousness. “I can take care of my own clothes- thank you very much! No, you just worried about sister, and I’ll take care of my own needs.” Then he paused and added. “Oh, and I’d prefer it if you and Hariet didn’t come to the hearing.”
    He watched her carefully- he expected resistance on this point, but he’d already thought it through and decided that he didn’t want to put them through any more stress.
    “Why ever not?!” His mother exclaimed, acting much as he’d expected.
    “Mother,” Tysen dropped to one knee beside the piano bench, taking her hands in his, and looked up into his mother’s soft blue eyes. “I know you want to support me, but this may not be pleasant. Lieutenant Clews thinks they may be a bit rough on me, and I’d prefer you not see it.”
    She gave him a pained look, and then finally sighed and nodded. “I see.”
    “Mother,” he gave her a reassuring grin. “Don’t worry. We have an excellent case. This will be over before you know it.”
    * *