It was possible he simply didn't speak the common tongue, which wasn't unheard of with Brions. Yet somehow, Naima didn't think Braen would have sent someone who couldn't communicate with her.
The first button turned all the lights completely off, leaving her alone in pitch black. The second, to Naima's disappointment, didn't bring them back on. Instead, it made a small engine come alive in one of the rooms behind her that she hadn't even had the chance to explore properly.
The third was apparently a comm link because a voice suddenly said: "Yes, General?" as much as Naima could tell.
The voice was female and soft like silk.
A rush went through Naima, one she hadn't expected. In sharp contrast with the joy that had overwhelmed her against all reason when she'd been with Braen, a bitter jealousy raised its ugly head.
Get a grip, she told herself firmly. That was probably the bridge or med bay or whatever else a general needs on speed dial. I hope I didn't just make a booty call for Braen.
The fourth button made the door open with a satisfying whoosh. Naima felt ridiculously victorious. The young warrior on the other side of the door stared at her with an odd expression, apparently not quite as impressed.
"Are you alright?" he asked carefully.
"Yes, yes," Naima hastened to say. "Just these controls. I've obviously never been on a Brion ship before. Is there something wrong?"
"My name is Kerven. I've come to retrieve you on the behalf of the general. He requests your presence on the bridge," the warrior replied, standing straighter all of a sudden. "Come with me."
"Why?" Naima asked.
The man looked at her like she had suddenly lost her mind. Naima almost rolled her eyes.
Brions. Of course they don't question orders.
"Fine. Don't tell me."
For reasons she couldn't understand, there was a horrified look on Kerven's face all of a sudden. Saying no more, Naima walked out of her room and let the young warrior lead her to the bridge through complete darkness. She only tossed one look over her shoulder, taking in the sight of her messy bed one last time.
As they went, she was grateful for the assistance the man offered, not letting her run into walls. Even if his entire conduct was a little weird, constantly staying a few feet away from her like she was poisonous.
Naima put that down to Brion quirks. After all, she was much more concerned with Braen's request and the lifestone still lying in her pocket.
One problem at a time, she decided, as the huge double doors of the bridge opened for them.
She gasped in surprise, unable to hide her astonishment.
Naima had been on many space ships in her life. The job of a scientist, especially one specializing in mineral deposits and geology, meant she had to travel a lot between different planets and she had often hitched a ride on the vessels of others species. Every one of them was different and interesting.
For example, Palian ships were sleek, modest and pristine. The Chali trade fleet favored ships with their insides bared, going for the practical approach. They didn't look pretty, but they sure as hell worked like pure tech magic.
The Benevolent was nothing like that.
So far, Naima had only seen the dark corridors and her own quarters, but now she came face-to-face with the flagship's true purpose.
The bridge was bursting with action even in leisure. Every console was fitted for a clear purpose, the officers behind them looking like they'd been built into their stations. Strapped into a frame, they moved around, turning where they needed to see while never taking their fingers off the complicated keys on the screens.
In the middle of it all stood the command throne. As Naima stepped closer, it turned.
Braen took her breath away.
Up until that point, Naima supposed she'd only seen Braen as a person. A Brion warrior, sure, but still only a man.
In that moment, she finally saw the general for what he was, reigning over his kingdom. His flashing blue eyes traveled over her, his face stern and serious. The valor squares on the general's neck beamed a quiet authority, casting the strong lines of Braen's face in their cold glow.
He was, in a word, magnificent. When Braen rose from the throne, he towered over everyone present, including other warriors.#p#分页标题#e#
Naima felt a strong urge to run up to him and kiss him again. It was very hard to ignore.
"Come, Naima," he said, motioning for her to follow. "I contacted Audrey Price. She is waiting for you. We believe together you can give me a heading. Are you prepared to take the bracelet off?"
Up until then, Naima had tried not to think about that. When she was with Braen, it was easy to ignore or even forget the Fearless. The truth, however, was grimmer. She felt the presence of the monster at the back of her mind all the time, especially when there was nothing or no one to distract her from it. Silent, distant, but still there. Waiting and growing stronger.
Only it didn't really matter. She was going to help in any way she could. Since that morning, Naima had taken it upon herself to put the interests of their mission above everything else. That’s what her father would have done, and he would have been right for it. The galaxy was at stake and the least she could do was make sure she did her best.
All this feminine nonsense about feelings and love could be dealt with later. Especially when she knew for a fact that there was no way she and Braen could have a future together. It helped steel her resolve, even when she was face to face with the warlord.
Though, for a moment, the concept of her being able to ever hurt him seemed entirely ridiculous.
She nodded.
There was a strange look in Braen's eyes but the general didn't comment. He turned to a small holoprojector in front of them, hanging over the map of the Galactic union .
Naima recognized the woman who appeared on the projector at once. If there had been any doubt in her heart at all, it was gone then. She let out a sigh of relief.
So I’m not going crazy after all.
Audrey Price smiled, waves of silvery-blonde hair falling over her shoulders. She looked determined and happy, but Naima's first impression was that she was tired.
Then Audrey's eyes looked right at the lifestone hidden in her pocket and Naima's heart froze. The moment seemed to last forever. Naima found herself glancing at Braen before returning her attention to Audrey. She doubted Braen would be too angry at her for keeping the stone to herself, but it wouldn't be good either. Yet Audrey said nothing and in the next second, she looked like nothing was wrong.
"You must be Naima," Audrey said, smiling kindly. "I'm very glad General Braen has managed to find you. Your position is excellent, too. Verien is far enough from you so that our directions shouldn't overlap too much. Are your men ready, General?"
Braen answered with a curt nod. Naima noticed he hadn't taken his eyes off her for a moment.
"Alright then," Audrey went on. "Try to concentrate on the Fearless, Naima. I know it's not what you want to do, but we must hurry. I can feel it growing stronger in my mind."
"I do too," Naima replied softly.
It was easy to ignore at times, but she couldn’t deny that the presence had been growing and growing. Her nightmare the previous night was a clear sign of that.
Braen's glare was sudden and expected. It turned into deep concern within a moment. A flash of guilt went through her. She wished she could have trusted the general more and subsequently given him more, but they had only met and already too much had happened between them. Regardless of the attraction she felt for the man, she had to keep a cool head.
The lifestone seemed heavy in her pocket, reminding her that stakes were high and until she knew the players, she was better off keeping some things to herself. For the sake of everyone, herself included.
"Let's begin then," Audrey said.
Naima saw a flickering on the holoprojector as someone came up to Audrey, staying near her. She guessed it was Tieran, the Palian commander who had killed the Fearless the last time. As she removed her own bracelet, Naima felt Braen move closer too.
The shock of cold came first. Then the Fearless saw Naima. Saw both of them, in fact. She could sense the creature's confusion, if only for a moment. It was so much stronger than them. It cut through her defenses like a hot knife through butter, seeing her intentions.
She felt it laughing. Laughing.
Through a haze of pain and ice and the Fearless' hunger intruding into her head, Naima heard Audrey's voice saying something. She couldn’t quite make out the words. Braen's arms came around her and his touch helped her focus, her muscles instinctively relaxing.
Looking at the map was painful, but she pointed at the Fearless' location as accurately as she could, letting her senses lead her. All the while, she felt like she was standing in the coldest place in the universe, slowly being circled by a predator she had no hope of controlling. Only the man behind her, with his strong arms around her, kept her from the very real and reasonable emotion of panic that was welling up inside of her.#p#分页标题#e#
Then Braen closed the bracelet around her wrist and it was over. Looking at the holoprojector, Naima saw Audrey breathing heavily, but smiling, a matching bracelet around her wrist as well.
"Good," Audrey said. "Very good for our first try. Your officers can calculate now, General?"
She was taking it far better than Naima was.
Must come with practice, Naima thought with a hint of bitterness at the notion that she’d be doing this often.