Her little friend whined mournfully and stared at Dek a long moment before jumping up to nuzzle her face. Then the StarDog turned and walked to the rock face, her head down and fluffy tail dragging. She looked back at Dek one last time…and was gone.
Dek tilted her head back and gazed up through the break in the cave roof to the distant stars glittering in the blackness above.
“Lieutenant Commander, come in. It’s high time we talk.”
There was no malice in General X’s voice, but her internal response was automatic. Her alert flares went up and she braced herself for news that might be very, very good…or very, very bad. “Yes, sir. It’s time.”
He was seated in Commander Tapp’s chair, behind Commander Tapp’s desk, but the man himself had already left for an unknown destination.
“I take it I’m about to learn my fate.”
General X arched both brows at her question. “I wouldn’t put it quite that way.”
“How would you put it then, General?”
“Oh, but you are a direct one.” The general sported a tiny smile. “We’re not here to tell you your fate, Dek. We’re here to let you decide it.”
“We?”
The door to SecCom opened, and Sno Telon walked in, his StarDog parked on his shoulder, jabbering softly.
He was supposed to have left on the morning shuttle. What was he still doing here?
Sno’s gaze touched briefly on hers. And then he gave her a cautious—and encouraging—smile. The same sort of smile he’d gifted her just a few moments before they’d tumbled into bed back in the villa.
Her world went a little off-axis and the stars did a major spin around her head. It was all she could do to remember how to breathe when the air left her lungs in a rush.
“We,” the general nodded to Sno, “are here to offer you two alternatives.”
She studied General X then chased it with a quick glance at Sno. “Continue. Please.”
“I’m entirely prepared to promote you to commander of Site D. Since you’ve served this site faithfully for many calendars, and are privy to the discovery of a new life form at this location in addition, you’re the logical choice. And the best one.”
“Thank you, sir. So the work here can continue without funding from Purmia?”
“That problem has been sorted out. In fact, the work here will not only continue, it will be expanded into other areas of research, as I’m sure you can imagine.”
“The Juggernaut,” Dek acknowledged.
“Yes.” General X shifted in his chair. “That species has the potential to be a greater threat to the known galaxy than the Alliance itself. The possibility of that swarm returning en masse will have to be factored into all our future long-range planning.”
“At least we know they’ll be coming now, sir, at some point in our future.”
“We have our Agent-StarDog team here to thank for that,” the general said. “Otherwise, we’d have never known the threat was out there. Nor would we have discovered some vital facts about the history of this planet.”
“Very true, sir.” Dek made eye contact with Sno before turning her focus back to the general. “I very much appreciate your vote of confidence and the offer of this leadership position, but…where will it leave Major Remm?”
“The major is a good officer, Lieutenant Commander, but you’re better. The command is yours if you want it and Remm will be promoted to your old slot.”
“Thank you, sir.” She’d been waiting to hear those words for three long calendars. So why were they sounding so flat to her ears now?
“Don’t give your answer just yet,” Sno cut in. “You need to hear the other option.” His steadfast look lingered on her face a few heartbeats too long to be professional.
“That being?” Dek asked.
“The Network is initiating a new program,” the general explained. “Specifically, we’ll need partnering agents for our new StarDog project. From what Agent Telon tells me, you and his prototype bonded quite effectively. Not everyone has the aptitude for this kind of work, but he believes you’re perfectly suited for it. I trust his assessment. In addition, your prior service to Network Intelligence makes you an ideal selection for this other leadership role. Should you accept, the two of you would be working together to develop Agent-StarDog teams, and to head up this new initiative—”
“I accept,” Dek blurted.
Sno’s head swiveled her way. On his shoulder, Cassie let out a squawk then cooed and clicked in her own happy little StarDog language.
“I don’t need your answer this moment,” the general clarified. “You can take a few days to think it over.”
She looked directly into Sno’s eyes. “I’ve already decided.”
The general eased back, visibly surprised by her definitive response. “Very well then. Excellent! Agent Telon’s transport leaves for Carduwa first thing in the morning, but there’s another scheduled—”
“I’ll be packed, sir.”
General X folded his arms and studied each of them silently. “Then I believe all that’s left to say is congratulations. I’m confident this will be an exciting new program for the Network.”
“I agree,” Sno responded, never breaking eye contact with her.
“Very exciting,” Dek agreed. “I can assure you I’m prepared to work around the clock on this new partnership.”
“I have no doubt,” the general replied, rising from the desk. “I suppose the matter is settled then. I’ll be flying back in three days to meet with you both on Carduwa, where we’ll initiate the program planning. Meanwhile, I suggest you get some bunk-time ahead of your trip. Your transport leaves Site D at dawn.”
“Yes, sir,” Sno and Dek responded in unison.
They saw the general to the door and turned to face each other as it closed behind him.
“Sorry.” Dek edged nearer. “Sorry for thinking we’d never have a chance. Sorry for thinking everything I wanted was right here.”
Sno rested his hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to explain. You said ‘yes’ when it really counted. I just wasn’t sure you’d be willing to leave Site D.”
“I wasn’t,” she answered softly. “Until I realized the best thing that’s ever happened to me was because I left Site D.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She reached up to brush the dark hair back from his temple. “Last night, Cassie came to say goodbye. After she left, I did a lot of thinking. And I realized I was just like the Juggernaut. Life washed me into a deep pit and I formed a shell around my heart to survive. And that’s all I’ve been doing since. Surviving. Not really living. Never connecting with another soul. Not until you.”
He leaned closer until their lips just brushed. “Glad I happened along.” And then he kissed her wholly…long, slow, and deep.
“You heard the general,” Dek whispered against his mouth. “He said we should get to bed.”
“You’ll get no argument from me,” Sno said, smiling. He opened the door and Cassie erupted in a series of happy trills as they started up the path toward her quarters, side-by-side.