Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Tim sat in his office and thought about Deniece wanting to take the kids to see the space station. He wondered if maybe he could have a few of those clones Doctor Dell had shown him. If so, maybe he could have a few of them go ahead and get on the space station. Maybe even have a few follow Deniece and the kids through the MTS.

Tim reached over, picked up the phone, and called Doctor Dell.

Doctor Dell, in the clone lab, picked up the phone and said, "Doctor Dell here."

Tim explained to her what he had in mind and wanted to know if it would work. He sat there while telling his plan and wondering at the same time if he should tell Deniece about this or not.

Doctor Dell listened, then said, "Tim, the clones are ready, and yes, they could do what you are wanting. I'll have them dressed in different styles of clothing; I'll have them dressed and ready to go within ten hours. I will make sure that there are fifty clones, including somewhere around fifteen females."

No-Name was standing out in the common area, his optical sensors darting around the common area, processing the environment with a series of rapid clicks and whirs. His internal algorithms mapped out the layout, marking the exits and potential threats with precision and placing them in his memory bank.

Sarha's image appeared next to No-Name. Sarha asked, "What is your identity and where were you built?"

Wendy approached, seeing No-Name and Sarha together. She asked, "No-Name, did you do something wrong?"

Sarha pointed at No-Name and asked, "Miss Wendy, do you know this bot?"

"He's my friend! We talk all the time and play together. He was supposed to meet me at school, but I think he got lost again. He always gets lost!"

"All right, but keep him with you, please. A bot that is not under my control cannot be allowed to wander around," she said as her image disappeared.

"Did you get in trouble?" Wendy questioned No-Name, glancing his way.

"I was just standing here checking out the common area and she appeared wanting to know who I was and all those other questions."

Tim, sitting down at the dinner table, looked at Deniece and said, "Tomorrow, if you and the kids want to see the space station, I think it can be arranged. Is it going to be okay with Risfi going along?"

Wendy stopped eating and questioned, "Mommy, are we going to the Space Station?"

Deniece looked back at Wendy and said, "We'll see. Now finish your food." She then turned back to Tim and asked, "Is she a bodyguard?"

"No, she has been on some space stations before and is aware of how and where things might be."

"Thank you," Risfi said just before taking another bite of food. "This should give Deniece and me more time to get to know one another."

Wendy asked, "Can I bring a friend, please, Daddy? He said he knows the space station."

"Yes, you may take a friend," Tim said without thinking. He thought she was referring to one of her dolls.

Tim moved to the living room after finishing dinner. Risfi followed Tim into the living room. "Tim, is there anything I should be aware of?"

"Deniece doesn't need to know about the clones. You'll always be surrounded by clones wearing regional garb. They will protect you and keep her and the kids safe if anything happens."

"Why am I going?" Risfi asked.

"In the event that something goes wrong, it is your responsibility to ensure their safe return."

"I'll do that right away. Thank you." She walked back to the kitchen.

Tim sat down on the sofa and called Doctor Dell. "Doctor Dell," he said to the operator.

Doctor Dell, in the clone lab, picked up the phone and answered, "Doctor Dell, how may I assist you?"

"Tim here. I'm sending Risfi with Deniece and the kids to the space station tomorrow morning. Are the clones ready? Do they know what everyone looks like?"

"Yes, they have all been given the identities of everyone on board your ship through the ship's database programming. They have also been trained to surround the family without using any weapons."

"Okay, I'll see Deniece, Risfi, and the kids to the MTS," Tim said as he hung up the phone.

The next morning, in the living room, Deniece joined Tim on the couch. She said, "Two things. First of all, why are you allowing the kids and me to travel to the space station by ourselves? Next, what will I do for credits if the kids need to eat?"

"According to the reports I've received, the Space Station is a safe place. There isn't much of a problem. If there is any, it is shoplifting."

"Second, Miss C and Areyaka have set up the exchange system, and this is your credit stick. Credits total 50,000 for you."

Deniece kissed him while leaning in close to press her braless breasts against his chest.

"You better get a bra on before I mug you right here in the living room," Tim said with a smile as he acknowledged the emotion.

"You are correct, I'm sorry. I wouldn't want anything to happen." She turned and walked toward the bedroom and entered, where she put on a bra.

"Children, let's go," she called as she emerged from the bedroom. "Risfi, are you ready?"

Everyone exited their quarters, and No-Name was waiting for them in the hallway. Tim asked, "How did you get here?" and then turned to look around. "Sarha," he yelled.

At once, Sarha appeared and said, "Yes, Tim."

"How did he get on this ship?" Tim inquired while pointing at No-Name.

No-Name came up to Tim and asked, "Sir, could I answer that question?"

Wendy moved to No-Name after exiting their quarters. "I see you've met my friend, Daddy."

Tim stood there looking confused. "How did he get on this ship, and what do you mean your friend?"

"If I could, Sir," No-Name said.

"Someone, please call security. Sarha, answer me! How did he get on this ship?"

Wendy started to cry, "But, Daddy, he is my friend."

"My husband, relax and let the bot respond to your questions," Deniece said.

After spotting the tears, Tim glanced at Wendy before turning to the bot. "OK, but how did you get on this ship?"

"Sir, this little lady first offered to be my friend; do not hold it against her. I entered your ship the way that I did. I followed your group as they walked back. I merely assumed that this was a brand-new Space Station component."

"Can my friend stay? I like talking to him," Wendy said as she ran up to Tim and wrapped her arms around his leg. "He answers my questions really good, and I understand everything he says! Please, Daddy, pleeeease?"

"Do you have a name?" Tim inquired as he regarded the bot.

"No sir, you called me No-Name on the station. I'll go with that if it's okay?"

"Can Sarha scan your memory data to check you out?"

"There is a hook-up right there if you want." He made a motion toward the door while pointing at it, hooked himself in, and remained motionless.

"Tim, he's a pretty amazing bot. There is no evidence to support the notion that he was brought here or that he is under observation."

"You're welcome to be Wendy's friend and stay with her," Tim said after moving to No-Name.

"Thank you, Sir." No-Name walked toward Wendy. "Wendy, I appreciate you being my friend."

"Ewww! You're all dirty!" she giggled, wiping her hands on her shirt. "You need a bath, No-Name! Like, a really big bath!"

When Tim stepped into the lift, Sadris rushed up and yelled, "Where is everyone going?"

"Father is letting us travel to the Space Station; would you like to join us?"

"Yes, I have never visited a space station; how is it?"

David now asked, "Father, can Sadris go?"

"Sarha, could you please ask Sadris's mother if Sadris can go to the space station with David?"

"Tim, she said, if you believe Sadris will be OK, it's fine."

"Let's make our way to the MTS before the entire ship wants to go with you," Tim said as he turned toward the MTS location.

Once there, they waited for a few people to go in front of them at the MTS. "Where would you like the children to go, sir?" asked No-Name.

"They are free to travel anywhere as long as it is not a dangerous area," Tim replied.

"Yes, Sir, I think it's unlikely that you'd let them leave without providing any security. Am I not right?"

No-Name was looking around them when Tim noticed it. "You're right, and I ask that you protect them."

No-Name noticed the people in front of them as they turned to look at the kids before they entered the MTS. With the exception of the faces, he observed that they were similar, placing this data in his database.

Wendy took her mother's hand in hers before entering. Everyone else walked behind them.

No-Name started scanning the area to see if anyone else matched the two people in terms of appearance. There were, but they stayed away from his group.

As they exited the MTS and moved toward the main walkway, No-Name was monitoring the area around the group.

Some people would walk by them while they were moving, then stop by a store to stand and watch their reflection in the store's windows. Meanwhile, they were being passed by another group moving in the opposite direction. Others would briefly trail behind them before proceeding forward.

Wendy pointed excitedly at a man standing nearby. "Mommy, look at that man! He looks like us but he's all different colored!" she said loudly, bouncing on her toes.

"Wendy, it is not kind to point at other people," Deniece said.

"Wendy, he is a Krid, a humanoid with almond-colored skin. He is a frequent visitor," No-Name informed her.

According to No-Name, who kept tabs on these groups and did his best to count them, fifty people were watching over the children and Deniece.

Wendy inquired, "Mommy, why are there so many different kinds of people here?"

"Honey, a space station is for different people to come and exchange, buy, and sell their goods."

"Oh, you mean like our ship's stores."

"Yes, this is the same thing, only bigger and with many more people."

David and Sadris walked away from the group, asking, "Mother, can we go look for some toys?"

The store they saw on their right was being blocked by three people who stopped David and Sadris after they had gone five steps. Risfi swiftly moved to David's left side, heading him and Sadris back toward Deniece.

After scanning the three people and determining that they matched the physical description of the others, No-Name said, "Deniece, there is a nice toy store just ahead on your right. It has a lot of toys for kids of all ages."

"If you two do that again, we'll head straight back to the ship," Deniece warned the two boys as she called them back to her. "Do you understand that you must remain with Risfi and me?"

"I'm sorry mother, we won't do it again," David said, lowering his head, and looked toward Sadris and smiled.

"Where did you say that store was, No-Name?" Deniece questioned, casting a glance at him.

Before the group started making their way to the store, six of the people No-Name now recognized as the guards entered the store.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look at that! It's a big lizard walking on its back legs!" Wendy shouted, pointing and tugging on her mother's sleeve. "Can lizards do that? It's so cool!"

"Wendy, please not so loud!" Deniece said. Her face started to blush as she saw the Lizard looking toward them.

"That's a Sellan, and his race has been coming here for roughly 100 years," No-Name said, making sure that Wendy knew who he was talking about.

As Deniece arrived at the store, she saw that there weren't many customers around the doorway. She told the kids, "Each one can buy one toy. Don't be throwing them around! Now go look at the toys and be careful."

When No-Name scanned the shop, he noticed two people standing by the back doors. He stepped back from Wendy and continued to scan. Two individuals remained absent: a male and a female.

"Mommy, I need to go potty," Wendy yanked at the side of her mother's pants.

The two missing guards emerged from the restrooms at that precise moment. They made their way to the front of the shop and began conversing with those there.

Now that they had exited the restrooms, No-Name had everyone accounted for.

Deniece turned toward David and Sadris and said, "Why don't you both go to the restroom, so we wouldn't have to stop again."

No-Name moved to the middle of the store to check if anything had changed. At this point, Risfi was conversing with the four security personnel stationed in front of the store. His knowledge was based on what he observed. He now understood that Risfi was aware of the guards.

He made his way to the storefront and approached the five people there. They split apart from one another. Two left the store and went elsewhere. "Deniece and the children are protected by fifty of them? Is that not so?" No-Name asked Risfi.

Risfi was astounded that a bot could have both that knowledge and the count. "Yes, how do you know this information?"

"I am able to keep track of a lot of things. I haven't done this in a while, but Wendy is what you would call a friend. So, I can and will do my part to keep her safe. If I sense something I will say Alert. It appears that she or the others are about to suffer some sort of harm from something or someone."

After giving a head nod, Risfi turned to look for the kids.

After exiting the restroom, Deniece turned to look for Risfi, discovering her and the bot at the front door. "Kids, gather your toys and bring them to the counter," she said as she walked to the counter.

A man that had been inside the store ran into Deniece and smashed against her breasts as they were leaving the toy store. He faced Deniece before glancing at her breasts and saying, "Sorry, they felt nice. Enjoy your day." He left the store and turned left after exiting.

"Sorry, he moved too quickly for me to get between the two of you," said Risfi. "Do you feel pain?"

"Yes, they hurt a little, but they've been smashed before. In a moment, I'll be all right."

A flash of memory--Deniece recalled Tim's first time making love to her and then lying on her. Although his weight on them hurt, she found it enjoyable to hold him in her arms.

"Men," Risfi said with a sigh, her finger absently gesturing toward Deniece's chest. "They only know how to grab and smash. That's why they need gentle handling."

Deniece caught Risfi's gaze and raised an eyebrow. "I bet you think you know how to handle them properly, don't you?"

"Given the opportunity, yes." Risfi grinned while looking Deniece in the eyes.

Deniece scanned the area for the children, then nodded toward the heart of the station. "Let's check out what's over there."

They arrived at the station's center where an enormous fountain stretched upward through five decks. A colored liquid cascaded through a series of scupper bowls, each overflow precisely channeled to the tier below. At the fountain's base, vibrant blossoms--larger and more exquisite than any Deniece had seen before--drifted lazily across the surface.

The fountain's tranquility shattered when No-Name's voice cut through the ambient hum of the station. "Alert! Shooter on third deck!"

The fifty clones moved as one, converging around Deniece and the children in a practiced defensive formation.

Risfi's body slammed into Deniece, arms wrapping around her as they tumbled to the ground. The crack of a weapon echoed through the main lobby.

Through the forest of clones now forming a protective barrier around the children, Deniece could hear Wendy crying for her. She turned to Risfi, whose face had gone tight with pain. The realization hit her--Risfi had taken a bullet meant for her. "Where are you hit?" Deniece demanded, hands already searching for the wound.

"Left shoulder," Risfi grimaced, blood seeping between her fingers as she clutched the wound. She struggled to her knees and eyes frantically scanning Deniece. "What about you? Are you hit?"

Deniece patted herself down. "No, I don't think--"

"That man who bumped into you earlier," Risfi interrupted, pointing with her good arm. "He marked you. There's a bright red spot on your blouse."

Deniece yanked down her zipper to inspect the mark. In the seconds it took to examine herself, understanding dawned. She tore off the blouse in one fluid motion and flung it away.

Despite everything, a wry smile tugged at her lips. "Thank god I didn't skip the bra today," she muttered.

A voice wailed across the bridge of the Star Gladiator 1. "Red Alert! Red Alert. This is not a drill--I repeat--this is not a drill! All personnel to battle stations."

Tim bolted from his office, nearly colliding with a crew member as he rushed onto the bridge. He sat down in the captain's chair, eyes scanning the main viewscreen. "Status report!" he demanded, puzzled by what he saw. No enemy vessels firing upon the planet or the space station. "What the hell is happening?"

"Sir," the communications officer's voice cracked, "we intercepted a transmission to the King. The space station isn't under external attack--it's being hit from inside."

Tim gripped the armrests, mind racing. "Who would--why attack the station internally?"

"Any word from Deniece?" Sarha cut in, her eyes betraying her fear.

"Areyaka's hacking their security feeds now. We'll have eyes inside momentarily," said a voice from the front of the bridge.

The main viewscreen flickered before splitting into multiple camera angles from throughout the station.

A madhouse unfolded before them--panicked civilians stampeding through corridors, security personnel with weapons drawn. Bodies lay crumpled on blood-slicked floors while terrified survivors scrambled for shelter behind whatever barricades they could find.

Tim's eyes darted between feeds, searching frantically for any glimpse of Deniece or the children.

"Sarha, raise the station commander. Ask if they need assistance." He turned to the three commanders standing nearby. "I want your teams combat-ready in five minutes. Everyone wears red armbands for identification."

The commanders exchanged glances, nodded sharply, and vanished through the door without wasting breath on unnecessary acknowledgments.

Tim continued scanning the feeds, fingers drumming against his thigh.

"Tim," Sarha called, "I have Commander Reyes on channel three and he said yes."

"Tell him about our red armbands and have our reaction team at the MTS immediately." Tim rose and moved quickly toward the lift. "I'm heading down."

Minutes later, he emerged at the MTS bay where his crew and commanders stood assembled in full tactical gear.

Areyaka intercepted him as he entered. "We've located Deniece and the children. They've gathered quite a crowd around them for protection." Her expression darkened.

"Risfi appears to be wounded. I'm sending medical personnel with your team."

"Sarha," Tim activated his comm, "I need you down here. And have the clone warriors report to the MTS--all hundred of them."

He addressed the waiting commanders with cold precision. "Each of you will secure one deck. Check every room and even the closets. I want at least one or two of these individuals alive for questioning."

Pauline handed Tim his sidearm and ammo belt, the weight of the loaded magazines reassuring in his hands. "Stay in pairs," he instructed the team. "Nobody goes anywhere alone."

Shanae was first through the MTS, out onto the space station's MTS location. She checked the area, checking corners before calling "Clear!" and pointing right. After the team assembled, Tim gathered them close. "Stairwell's fifty meters out and to the right. We need to move up one deck."

The team moved to the side out of the way so the clone soldiers could come through the MTS.

Tim held up a hand as the clone warriors began filing through the MTS and pointing for them to move left. Their commander approached him directly.

"I need your unit with me," Tim said quickly. "We'll sweep each commercial area. Leave two soldiers to guard any civilians we find."

"Understood, sir. My soldiers will execute your orders precisely," the commander replied with a crisp nod.

Shanae led the ascent, taking the stairs two at a time. The burst of gunfire made her freeze. As she checked through the stairwell door, she spotted a gunman stalking a station security officer from behind.

She moved like a shadow, crossing the open ground in a low sprint. Her hand clamped over the attacker's mouth as her knife slid between his ribs, finding the heart with precision. The body slumped silently to the deck.

The security officer spun at the sound of the soft thud, weapon raised.

Shanae pointed toward her red armband as she gestured toward the stairwell, then pointed back toward her red band. Understanding flashed across his face--reinforcements.

He resumed his defensive position as Tim's team emerged from the stairwell in tactical formation, weapons ready. The security officer's tension visibly eased when he spotted the red armbands marking them as friendlies.

Tim advanced along the left corridor, weapon raised, checking each doorway carefully. Behind several storefront barriers, terrified civilians huddled together.

Connie, bringing up the rear, ducked into each occupied store to assess injuries and calm the survivors. "Security detail incoming," she announced softly. "Two soldiers will remain here until evacuation teams arrive."

Gunfire echoed from the central plaza. Tim edged around the corner and spotted the situation. Multiple shooters on the second deck had station security pinned down near a store entrance.

He steadied his sidearm, acquired the nearest target, and squeezed. The sniper dropped. Tim's team dispersed in coordinated movement patterns, flanking the remaining hostiles.

Below, a battered security officer noticed their red armbands and felt relief wash over him. "Reinforcements have arrived!" he called to his squad. "Hold your fire on the red bands!"

The clone commander relayed Tim's orders. They began their sweep, moving from store to store. After securing the first two stores, they left two-man guard teams behind. At the third storefront, movement caught their attention--civilians inside.

The commander dispatched two soldiers into the store to check. When they failed to report within thirty seconds, he rushed through the entrance.

A gunshot echoed just as he crossed the threshold. On the floor lay a man in civilian clothes, blood pooling beneath his head.

The commander's eyes flashed with anger. "Soldier, explain why you--"

"Sir," one of the civilians interrupted desperately, gesturing toward the corpse. "That man wasn't a hostage. He was among those who aspired to seize control of the station."

"He grabbed my daughter, held her in front of him when your soldiers entered," an elderly woman said vigorously. "He saved us! The bastard was going to use her as a shield."

The commander's expression softened. "Understood."

He turned to his soldier. "Good instincts. Maintain position here."

To the civilians, he nodded respectfully. "You're safe now. Evacuation teams will arrive shortly." He gestured to his remaining squad and moved toward the next storefront, weapon at the ready.

From the third story, Tim could hear gunfire. He felt a sharp pain in his arm. He said, "Shit." He turned around, spotted the idiot who had shot him, and shot him dead in the head.

Gunfire exploded everywhere. Tim thought, 'These assholes had been planning this--they were too organized, too ready.'

Two of them ran toward some civilians by a store.

Tawni crouched behind a support beam in the middle of the mall. Those two were heading straight for innocent people. She stepped out and raised her hands.

"Hey!" she shouted.

The flames started small--just little sparks dancing on her fingertips. The two gunmen were almost at the group of scared people.

"Can't let this happen," she muttered, and let the flames go.

The flames shot forward like angry bees. They got bigger as they flew--orange, then white-hot. The men felt the heat hit their backs. When they turned around, their eyes went huge.

"What the--"

The fire ate them up. They screamed, then nothing. The flames returned back to Tawni like they were attached by invisible strings.

Connie watched the fight and up on the second deck, she spotted a sniper picking off anyone who moved. The sick bastard just gunned down a whole family--mom, dad, and their kid.

"Pauline," she called out. "See that piece of shit with the rifle?"

Pauline looked up at where the shots were coming from. "Yeah, I see him."

"Want to teach him a lesson?"

"Shit yes." Pauline grinned. "How close can you get me?"

"Give me six feet of space and I'm good to change."

They ducked behind a corner. Tim saw them moving around and frowned. "What are you two planning?"

Pauline jerked her thumb at the sniper's position. Tim understood.

Connie grabbed Pauline's arm. The world blurred, and suddenly they were on the second deck. Six feet behind the sniper, just like planned.

Pauline had maybe two seconds before he'd notice them. Her body twisted and grew, bones cracking, muscles bulging. In a blink, she was eight feet of pure white gorilla fury--1,300 pounds of pissed-off primate.

She reared up on her hind legs and beat her chest, letting out a roar that echoed through the whole damn station.

The sniper whipped around when he heard the roar. His face went white as a sheet. He'd only seen something like that in zoos and videos, but now this massive beast was right there.

Pauline wagged her finger at him like he was a naughty kid.

Before he could even think about running, her giant hand clamped around his leg. She yanked him up like he weighed nothing. The sniper's rifle clattered to the deck.

"No no no--" he screamed as she dangled him over the railing.

Pauline pointed down at the security guards, then at the sniper. Then she shoved him sideways, holding him out like a piece of meat.

One of the guards below saw his chance. "Payback time, asshole!" He took aim at the sniper's shoulder--didn't want to kill him, just make him hurt.

The shot rang out. The sniper howled.

"My turn!" Another guard yelled.

Shot after shot. The sniper writhed in Pauline's grip. Each time a bullet hit him, she'd bring him close to her face and give him a little squeeze--just tight enough to hurt.

When they'd all had their revenge, Pauline reared back like she was shot-putting. With every ounce of her 1,300 pounds, she hurled the broken sniper into the fountain. He smacked face-first into the water with a satisfying splash.

The gunfight kicked off again. Tim saw a crowd of people standing near a store, but they were facing the wrong way--they had their backs to the gunmen.

'That's weird,' he thought.

He moved closer to see what was going on. Four of them were standing there with bullet holes in their backs, but they weren't falling down.

"Hey," Tim called out. "You okay?"

One turned his head. "Sorry, Commander. Please move to the wall."

That's when it clicked. These were his fifty clones, protecting Deniece and the kids.

Tim worked his way around the crowd until he reached the wall by the store. The clones parted to let him through. In the middle of their protective circle, he found everyone--Risfi, No-Name, Deniece, and the kids.

"Daddy!" Wendy threw herself at him, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so scared!"

Tim scooped her up and looked at Deniece. "Everyone okay?" Then he noticed--she wasn't wearing a shirt. Just a bra. "What happened to your--"

"Some guy put a tracking mark on my blouse," Deniece said quickly. "Had to ditch it." She pointed to Risfi, who was slumped against the wall. "She's hurt bad. Bullet got her shoulder."

Just then, Doctor Dell appeared with six clones forming a wedge around her.

"Doc?" Tim was confused. "What are you doing down here?"

She knelt by Risfi. "Heard someone needed a doctor."

"Shooter on deck five!" No-Name's voice cut through the chaos.

Risfi threw herself at Deniece again. The bullet meant for Deniece's heart tore through Risfi's other shoulder instead. This time, she didn't get back up. She just lay there, bleeding.

Tim looked up and spotted the bastard. Without thinking, he crouched and launched himself into the air. His body shot up like a rocket. He hit deck two, glanced at the broken railing, and jumped again.

Deck four. Deck five. Same height.

He landed behind the shooter just as the man took aim again. "Need to be faster," Tim muttered.

The world slowed down. Tim moved like lightning, appearing above the sniper in the blink of an eye. He grabbed the guy by his collar and yanked him up.

The shooter spun around, eyes wide. Saw Tim grinning at him. That smile was the last thing he'd ever see.

Tim's right hook connected with his jaw. Then a knee to the gut. Air rushed out of the shooter's lungs. Tim shoved him through the railing, wedging his arms between the bars so he hung there like a broken puppet.

Tim leaned over and looked down. On deck two, the rest of the attackers were on their knees, hands up.

Commander Anden-Aipas was waiting when Tim dropped back down to deck two. "Tim, what the hell was that? One second you were on the ground floor, next second you're five decks up tossing some guy off a balcony."

Tim shrugged. "Got impatient. You know how I feel about people shooting at my kids."

Tim came back to find his family. The fifty clones had spread out now, replaced by his team and some of Braxlid's people holding shields around the fountain area.

Tim picked up Wendy and gave her a quick hug. "Let's get mommy a new shirt," he said.

"Yeah!" Wendy nodded, looking back at her mother.

"Excuse me, where are your women's clothes?" Deniece asked as they walked into the store.

The store manager's face turned red when he saw her. "Uh, sorry, my employee ran off during the shooting. I can show you where everything is though."

"Thanks. I need a new bra too." Deniece started to unhook the back of hers.

The manager's eyes went wide. He cleared his throat and looked away quickly. "Um, what size would you need?"

"36DD, I think." Deniece held up the old bra. "Does that sound right?"

Tim stepped between them, shooting the manager a look. "Just point us to the women's section. We can figure it out from there."

The manager pointed down an aisle, still not quite looking directly at anyone. "Third aisle down, everything's organized by size."

Deniece came out of the store wearing one of the new blouses. She carried a bag with two more shirts and three new bras inside.

"Feel better?" Tim asked, still holding Wendy.

"Much better," Deniece said, adjusting the collar of her new blouse. "That manager was helpful once he stopped staring."

Tim chuckled. "Yeah, I noticed. Ready to get out of here?"

Two women moved closer to Deniece without saying anything. Their eyes kept sweeping the area, checking for threats.

Deniece stared at them. These were the people who'd taken bullets for her and the kids.

One of the women waved someone over. A man stepped forward from the group.

"Who are you?" Deniece asked. "Why are you here protecting us?"

The man looked uncomfortable. "We're security clones, ma'am. Tim sent us to keep you and the kids safe. You weren't supposed to know about us unless... well, unless something went wrong."

Deniece glanced around at the bullet holes and blood on the deck. "Yeah, I'd say something went wrong." She looked back at him. "Thank you. All of you."

Three commanders approached Tim. "We think we've got everyone accounted for," Commander Anden-Aipas said. "With the station commander's okay, we'd like to leave some troops here."

"How many casualties?" Tim asked.

Anden-Aipas looked at the other commanders. They held up fingers, counting silently. "Twenty wounded, no deaths."

Tim spotted the clone commander and waved him over.

"Yes, sir," the clone commander said as he approached.

"What's your name?" Tim asked. The other commanders watched them.

"They call me Reagan, sir."

Tim gestured to the others. "Reagan, meet my commanders."

"Sir, my troops are helping with the wounded," Reagan said. "We're also handling the bodies. Anything else we can do?"

The commanders exchanged glances before Anden-Aip as spoke. "Could you spare some people for patrol duty on Deck 5?"

"Done," Reagan nodded.

Tim looked at all of them. "I want a full report by noon tomorrow. Include any recommendations you have."

The Queen and King walked through the castle corridors. She walked silently, hoping tonight might be different. Twenty nights had passed since he'd last touched her.

Twenty nights.

She remembered that beach on Tim's ship. When her husband saw that three-breasted alien, he'd gotten excited for the first time in months. She'd pleased him there, but he gave her nothing back. Her body ached for him.

That night, he'd managed once--just once--before rolling over and falling asleep. She'd spent two hours alone, finishing what he couldn't.

Her thoughts drifted to Tim and her daughters. The memory made her stomach twist--watching them both with Tim, taking his... essence for the nanobots. For a moment, even she had been impressed by what she saw.

They rounded a corner, and she stopped. The courtyard below was beautiful tonight. Stars filled the clear sky, and the full moon cast everything in silver light. A young couple sat by the pond, holding hands.

She remembered sitting there with the King years ago. How they'd duck behind the bushes, desperate for each other. How he'd make her feel like she was flying.

The young woman below looked up and waved. The Queen waved back, smiling sadly.

The King put his arm around her waist. It felt more like duty than affection now.

The girl waved again. The Queen raised her hand to wave back when pain shot through her neck.

"What--" she gasped, stumbling backward.

The King grabbed his own neck, eyes wide with shock. They fell together, the courtyard spinning above them.

The sound of two bodies hitting stone echoed through the empty corridor.

A soldier rounded the corner and stopped. He was supposed to escort the King and Queen to their chambers. What he saw made his stomach drop--both royals lying in pools of blood.

Training kicked in. He pressed his hand against the King's neck wound and blew his whistle hard.

The officer-in-charge arrived with more guards. A door opened down the hall and a doctor rushed out.

"Don't move him!" the doctor shouted. He ran back for his bag, calling over his shoulder, "Get the head nurse! All the nurses! Now!"

The officer pointed at a soldier, who took off running.

The doctor knelt beside the King. "Keep that pressure steady," he told the guard. His hands moved quickly, checking for other wounds.

The officer looked out the window at the courtyard. Two guards on the castle wall, but no one else. Too quiet. He turned and saw more soldiers filling the courtyard below.

"You two," he said to nearby guards. "Watch every direction."

They moved into position while the rest started searching rooms.

"Do you know what Princess Tabitha looks like?" the officer asked one soldier.

"Yes, sir."

"Find her. Bring her here."

The soldier headed down the hall just as a woman came around the corner. When she saw the blood, she screamed and collapsed. A nurse behind her caught her.

"It's the Queen's maid," the nurse said, helping her up. "Where are the princesses?"

"Tabitha's in her room," the maid gasped. "Tammy's off-world."

The nurse left the maid against the wall and spotted the soldier heading for Tabitha's room.

"Wait!" she called.

The soldier stopped.

"The princess might think you're here to arrest her. She could kill you before you explain."

The soldier went pale. He hadn't thought of that.

The doctor checked the King first, then moved to the Queen. Her wound went through one side of her neck and out the other. The bleeding had stopped. She'd recover fine.

Back to the King. This was the problem.

The nurses arrived and took over from the soldier. "Thank you," one whispered. "You probably saved his life."

The doctor examined the wound carefully. The bullet went in the front right side of the King's neck and exited near his spine. A millimeter closer and he'd be dead or paralyzed. Maybe both.

Now they had to move him without making things worse.

"Should we call Tim's crew?" the head nurse asked quietly.

The doctor looked up. "Why? What can they do?"

"They've got better equipment. And if something goes wrong..." She shrugged. "Better them than us."

The doctor didn't like passing the buck, but she had a point. "Call Tim. See what he can do."

In Princess Tabitha's bedroom, the nurse and soldier showed up. They both inhaled deeply before knocking on the door.

'Who would be at her door at this hour of the night?' was Tabitha's question as she lay in bed. She stood up, donned a robe, and stepped to the door. She opened the door a crack.

The nurse approached Princess Tabitha with a question: "Princess Tabitha, may we speak to you?"

To see if there were any other people present, Princess Tabitha slightly widened the door. She could make out the soldier's expression. When she turned around, she noticed the same expression on the nurse's face. "What's wrong?"

"Princess Tabitha, you must accompany us," the nurse said shakily.

Now Tabitha felt there was something wrong. "Why? Tell me, what's wrong?"

"Your parents have been shot!" the soldier said in a low voice, showing some more confidence.

When Tabitha's eyes grew wide, she retreated and collapsed to the floor.

"You might be fortunate that she doesn't kill you," the nurse said as she turned to face the soldier.

Both helped the princess stand up.

Tabitha got to her feet and walked to the door, still shaking. "Are they alive?"

"Please move quickly, Princess," the nurse advised. "We lack sufficient knowledge to draw that conclusion."

"Where are they?"

"They are not far from their chambers."

Inquiring as to their well-being, Tabitha ran toward her parents' bedroom.

Tim sat at the table, sipping his coffee while the women chatted.

"Captain, pick up any intercom!" The voice was shaking.

Tim stood up. "This is the captain."

"Sir, they need our help. The king and queen have been shot."

Tim's coffee mug nearly slipped from his hand. "What?"

"Both of them, sir. The doctor's asking for assistance."

"I'll be at the MTS. Send whatever they need." Tim ended the call, stunned.

The women stared at him, waiting.

"Someone shot the king and queen," Tim said.

Shocked silence. Then Deniece spoke up. "I thought the Queen was supposed to be immortal or something."

"Maybe, but if the King dies, she can't rule properly. Someone knows that."

Tim turned to Dr. Dell. "Want to come with me? Bring Nancy?"

"Yes, please. I don't know how bad it is."

Nancy jumped up and ran to get the medical bag from Tim's room.

"Sarha, get us to the MTS," Tim called out.

They hurried through the corridors. The MTS was already set up with two medical beds. They stepped through into the castle.

A soldier waited for them. "This way, sir." He turned and started walking.

Tabitha rounded the corner and saw her parents on the floor. She froze, screamed, and ran toward them.

"You can't touch them!" The doctor and head nurse grabbed her arms, holding her back.

"Call Tim! Get the med beds!" Tabitha yelled.

"We already did, Princess. They're on their way."

"Tim!" Tabitha spun around, hearing his voice.

Tim pulled her into a hug. "Dr. Dell's here. She'll help them."

"I'm Dr. Dell," the newcomer introduced herself. "What happened?"

The palace doctor looked grim. "Both shot in the neck. The Queen's bullet went straight through--she'll be fine. The King's came out near his spine."

Dr. Dell knelt beside the King. The bleeding had stopped. She gestured to the nurses with the med beds. "Put them both on beds."

Nurse Nancy approached the King. She raised her hands, and they began to glow blue. The light spread over the King's body, surrounding him completely.

Tabitha moved closer to Tim. "What is she doing?"

"I'm not sure," Tim admitted, watching the blue glow. "But they've helped me before. Trust them."

Slowly, the King's body lifted off the ground, floating in the blue light. Nancy guided him onto the med bed. The glow faded.

Everyone stared. A nurse had just lifted their King with magic.

Nancy turned and did the same for the Queen.

"Patient stabilizing in five minutes," Dr. Dell read from the King's bed display.

"What about my mother?" Tabitha asked.

Dr. Dell checked the Queen's bed. "Stable. Full recovery in 52 hours."

Tim turned to Tabitha. "You need to stay here. Be their Queen."

Tabitha was quiet for a moment. "But I want to be with them." She looked around at all the worried faces. Her people needed leadership.

"Can you do it?" Tim asked gently.

The palace doctor stepped closer. "The people would understand if you came with us. But your parents would want you to take responsibility."

Tabitha's shoulders sagged. She looked defeated but determined. "I'll stay. But Tim, you have to keep me updated!"

The commanding soldier ordered his men to clear a path. Tim and the medical team wheeled the beds toward the MTS.