Neutral Space(12)

It was pitch black and safe to move. I helped Kheda dress, then stumbled with her to the corner. I sat down next to her and whispered sorry in her ear once again. She took my hand in hers and sat there in silence for a long time. I told her the lights would come on soon, and they’d take her away. Then I got up to lean against the wall hoping to look like I was gloating.

I expected to see her curled into a ball when the lights came on. Instead, she staggered to her feet and waited for the guards. They arrived only moments later and grabbed her by the arms. I thanked god Salea was with them, he at least could be trusted. She leaned on a guard, acting as though I’d hurt her but kicked one of the men on the ground on the way out. They told me to go to dinner as they began pulling men out.

“What went down this afternoon?” Dan asked as I sat down across from him.

“She’s here,” Dan stared at me. “I had some dirt on one of the guards, and he arranged a meeting. It was supposed to be in private but…” I shrugged.

“I’m sure we’ll hear about it soon enough then.” Dan leaned in.

“I’m anxious to hear what they say as well.” I looked to Dan “She took out six men including two Kelsairans.”

“And we wondered how she earned her reputation.”

“My idea won’t last long. We have to get out of here, or they’ll kill her or worse.” I whispered to Dan.

“Have you lost it? We’re on Kras. There’s no getting out.” His reply was urgent but just as discreet.

“Want to come with me.”

Dan grinned. “You bet your life I do.”

That night I was restless. I was worried about where they’d taken Kheda. I was cursing myself for what I had done. What if all I had accomplished was to show someone else how to take advantage of her? My mind was racing, and the siren was blaring before I realized it. It was time to face another day.

I went to breakfast like usual, and she was nowhere to be seen. I sat down across from Dan as the line died away. Halfway through the slop, they fed us, the room fell silent as she strode into the room. She was dressed in a black t-shirt and black pants. Her prison-issued boots looked two sizes too big, but I didn’t think that would make her any less efficient at killing anyone. She went through the breakfast line ignoring the catcalls and snide comments. One man spit on her, and she backhanded him. He lost a tooth, and she never looked up from her tray. At the end of the line, she looked up at the sea of men.

“Major,” I called and stood up. God, what was I thinking? I pointed to the empty chair beside mine, and the room buzzed. I sat back down and waited. She came over with a sneer and sat down. It was the same look of contempt she’d had when she disappeared into the crowd on the trade ship.

“Jack,” she spat.

“Where’d they take you?” I asked quietly.

“Solitary.”

“Eat quickly they’ll take us to the mines soon.”

“I’m going to the hospital ward. I have to work there two days a week.” She whispered as she scanned the room.

I nodded and noticed the guards waiting for her. “Don’t let any of the guards get you alone.”

“Teesa’s already told me which can be trusted.” Good old Teesa, but oh was she going to be furious with me.

I looked up and notice Jim staring at her. “That’s Jim, Dan, and Crow. My cellmates; we stick together for safety.” She nodded before glancing up at the guards. She got up without finishing her breakfast. “Don’t wear yourself out in the mine. I’d hate for you to be too tired to put up a fight.” Dan watched her leave as did half the room. The other half was staring at me. This wasn’t what I had planned.

The entire day in the mines, I heard rumors all of them untrue. Some were about what happened last night others were about my non-existent relationship with Trekes. I was humiliating the one woman I ever cared about all in the hope of protecting her and I had a sinking feeling it wasn’t going to work. I needed to speak with her but how was I ever going to find the privacy. I went to my cell that night after I didn’t find her at dinner. Dan, Jim, and Crow were still in the mess hall playing dice. I don’t know what they were playing for, but they seemed to be having a good time. I sat down on my bunk and put my head in my hands. As if I conjured her into being she appeared in my door. I looked up surprised. She shut the door and crossed the room.

I grabbed her roughly fearing she was a dream. Her arms slid around me, and she lay her head on my shoulder. “You brilliant man.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“You unwittingly made them think we are in a tratari relationship.”

“I don’t know what that is.” I looked at her confused.

“One where you must earn the right to take me.”

“That certainly explains your comment, but I don’t like it. What if someone else gets the same idea?”

“It’s not that simple. I get a say in it too, and after I took down six men well, this at least will buy us time.”

“I spent all day fearing what you’d say to me.” She smiled up at me. “Kheda I,”

“You can’t call me that either. No one is supposed to know that name. It died the day I joined the army.”

I nodded. “We have to find a way to escape.”