“He’ll be back any day.”
“We’ll wait if we can. Let’s see what the others think. Trexler is going to go ballistic.”
“Does he have time to go with you? Can he afford to be away?”
“Can you imagine him not going?”
“I don’t know. He’s a big picture kind of guy. He’ll go where he’s most needed. I like him, and I’ll miss him if he goes. As usual, I’ll be here alone.”
“You’ll have Otis, and you really must get to know Josh. You’ll like him.”
“We’ll see. I might make some plans of my own.”
“Traveling plans?”
“Maybe. We’ll see how the meeting goes, then I’ll decide.”
He took her in his arms. “But you won’t decide on your own, will you.”
“No, my love. I’ve learned to listen to my counselors. And don’t worry. I have almost 600 Protectors to keep an eye on me.”
“I’d be happier if it was a thousand, ten thousand.”
She snuggled into his chest. “I’m getting low on Knights Pins, and I won’t have the means to add to my supply until we’re back on Triton.”
“Maybe you should just start giving out one Pin. Val and Reba would be happy to part with one, or maybe both of them if that’s what you need. The Pins are helpful, but they’re both strong enough to accomplish things without them.”
“We’ll see, but I won’t send a Knight out without at least one.”
“They’re not Knights because of the Pins, My Lady.”
She smiled. “You speak true, First Knight. I’ve chosen my Knights well, and I’m pleased with each of them, though I fear for them, as well.”
When Tarn and Krys returned, Ellie was ready. She gave each of them a hug, then put both hands on Tarn’s shoulders. “Do you have your locket, Tarn?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“I’d like it back please.”
Tarn stared at her, not understanding. Krys’ hands went to her mouth, and tears started cascading down her cheeks. She knew what this was all about.
Ellie repeated her request. “I’d like it back, Tarn.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’m sorry if I disappointed you.”
She took the locket, and it disappeared into one of her pockets. “You have not disappointed me, Tarn Lukes. Quite the opposite. You are the Guide, you have answered the call, and you have acted bravely and rightly on my behalf. The time has come to Name you for who you are. Will you kneel before your Queen?”
“Your Majesty! What if I’m wrong?”
“To be Named a Knight is a call to greater sacrifice in my name, as you know. When a Knight errs, and they do, he acts to correct the error. It’s a difficult thing for some, and for them it’s part of the sacrifice I demand. You have it within you to do so, I know you do, Tarn, and I’m counting on you to be true. The Empire is counting on you to be true. Now will you kneel and swear fealty to your Queen?”
Tarn didn’t need any help, but Krys went to his side and helped him down anyway. She planted a very wet kiss on his cheek as tears continued cascading down her own.
“Tarn Lukes,” Ellie intoned as she placed her hands on his head, “by your actions you have proven your value to me and your Empire. Krys’ visions may be the stuff of legend, but your interpretations of them have given clear direction to admirals, Knights, and your Queen. Entire strategies are now based on your interpretations of these visions, and I believe your interpretations are true. The Empire will be forever in your debt. Do you swear continued fealty to my crown?”
“I do, Your Majesty.”
“Stand, please.” She turned to Krys. “I’m running a little low on Pins. Are you willing to part with one of yours for a while?”
Krys lifted shaking hands to a Pin on her collar, but she couldn’t release it. Mike stepped up to help, then placed it in her hand. She passed the Pin to Ellie with trembling lips. Ellie placed the Pin in Tarn’s hand and closed both of her own hands over his. She closed her eyes for a time, then opened them and released Tarn’s hands.
“Open the Pin, Tarn.”
He passed his hand over the Pin, which snapped open to reveal her countenance. She closed the Pin and attached it to his collar, saying, “With this token, I knight thee, Sir Tarn, Knight of the Realm. Your word is my command on all worlds of the Empire.” She kissed him lightly on the cheek, then he was smothered in Krys’ kisses.
Chandrajuski returned, and they had their meeting. Mike would go to Earth ahead of Buskin to get things started. Trexler, as much as he felt compelled to go, could not. Chandrajuski had decided he’d waited as long as he could for word from Admiral Korban on Orion III. If he was going to take a stand there, it was time to get moving, and Trexler was his senior Terran admiral. If the Chessori were encountered, Trexler had to be there.
Chandrajuski’s gaze moved to Buskin. “We cannot risk losing Earth under any circumstances. Your fleet is probably larger than my own. I hope it is enough, because my ships are fully allocated to the coming battles.”
“Timing is everything, sir. I’ll face a thousand fully-manned Chessori ships. We’re talking at least two-to-one odds here, and at present I only have a very limited number of Great Cats to go up against them.”
Trexler spoke. “You need reserves. So do we. If the reserves are fast ships, they can remain here to protect Parsons’ World, and they can be called quickly to reinforce whoever needs them.”
Chandrajuski nodded and turned back to Buskin. “You need someone to show you the ropes after you get to Earth, and Mike can’t stay long.” He turned to Trexler. “Should we take someone from here, or should we recruit someone there?”
“Ray has already agreed to give me two admirals,” Buskin interrupted. “I’d prefer them already trained.”
M’Coda had joined the meeting along with Trexler. They both looked at each other and said at the same time, “Godfries.”
“Who’s he?” Mike asked.
“The best admiral I have,” Trexler replied without hesitation. “He’s needed here, but now he’s needed there even more. Earth deserves the best we have. He won’t have fast ships, and the cat’s performance will probably not be up to ours when the scree is factored in. He’ll be operating at a significant deficit.” He turned to M’Coda. “Will you consider staying with him to help develop tactics?”
“If necessary. I don’t think it is. He’s pretty sharp.” He turned to face Buskin. “Do you need me there, sir?”
“I’d like to have you, but I think you’re needed here. I have more admirals than I know what to do with. They fled their sectors with their ships, and among them are some excellent, creative leaders. We’ll manage. Our tactics are going to be a lot different than your own.”
“You’ll need to keep us informed,” M’Coda advised. “The day may come when your forces are called to assist us.”
“And you might be coming to my assistance. I don’t want to face a thousand Chessori by myself.”
“Let’s get Godfries in here,” Mike decided. “He needs to know the whole plan.”
While they waited, Ellie broached another subject. She looked to Otis. “Krys is going back out, and I want to add to her Protection. You might not have heard, but she suffers physical injury from the scree. Jake is already at work creating a new Rider for her. The Rider will, I hope, help with any injuries she sustains. She has a good crew, but she only has three Great Cats for protection. Can you spare a few more?”
“I have 600 Protectors who are idle at the moment. How about two teams of Terrans and cats?”
“Oh, that would be wonderful, Otis. Thank you. Hmm, I’m not sure if her ship can carry that many people.”
Trexler leaned forward, his hand thoughtfully rubbing his chin. “I haven’t met her, and I’m vague on what her mission is, but I know your Knights deal with matters of great import to the Empire. Are there more Chessori in her future? Would she benefit from a Terran crew?”