Chapter 185: 186

"I must admit," Jim Tompkins said, settling back comfortably in his cushioned seat. "This Valtorian tram is remarkable—a splendid example of alien ingenuity. Guess I"ll never learn how they"ve managed to harnass the power of the stars to fuel this thing. Stellar nuclear fusion. Well, this is just something completely amazing and well beyond my comprehension."

"Their technology far exceeds ours in a lot of ways, doesn"t it, Dad?" Jenny leaned back in her seat, slouching lazily until her back started hurting. "It"s funny though, you know. I had half expected to see robots and other weird machines around. I mean, other than those cool spaceships and laser guns. Of course, I"ve only seen a little of what they have here. Perhaps things are different in other parts of Valtor."

"I must admit. Valtor is not what I expected either. Some things even seem primitive, don"t they, Jen? And just look at the way these guys dress. I mean, except when they"re wearing those weird flight suits, they"re usually bare-chested and dress like warriors from long ago. You"d have to be blind not to notice the fine shape these men are in, too. Not that our military are any different. But these men are so much bigger...and brawnier."

Jenny removed her nose from where she now had it curiously pressed against the tram window and grinned.

"I know, Dad. Every guy I"ve seen here so far reminds me of Samson." She turned to Casina who was sitting quietly across from her. "Don"t you think so, Cas?"

"Mm hm," Casina agreed absently, her face blank as she stared out the window beside her. Amid the lengths upon lengths of mirror coating the seemingly endless tunnel, dark except for the shafts of sunlight shining through the peculiar, grated ceiling, was a brilliant underground display of sculptures and well-lit fantasy paintings that blurred purposely into one as the tram sped past them with incredible speed. However, Casina"s apathetic state made the marvels seem unimpressive as she lounged in obvious non appreciation against the cool glass beside her.

All she could think about was her first ride on the tram, with Uri. When they had left his retreat after their first night alone together, she remembered how he had brought her aboard and cuddled with her all the way back to TrCasinaar. The ride had seemed so magical that night, the moment so bittersweet that the present brought with it nothing except the pain of her memories.

At Casina"s lack of animated conversation, Jenny exchanged concerned looks with her father before lapsing into introspective silence. Something had to be done to pull Casina from her melancholy musings, but what? If allowed to dwell overmuch on her grief, she might become too self-absorbed to care about reality and about any of them. On board Le"pra Zh"r, Casina had brought everything under control, but now she seemed to have fallen into the brooding arms of depression. And although she and Casina had made up after their earlier argument, it didn"t seem to have made any difference. Casina barely paid her any mind at all, so wrapped up was she in her grief. Although it was understandable, it still didn"t make any of them feel any better without Dammen there to direct them.

"Casina?" Jim said kindly, leaning closer to give her arm an affectionate, fatherly squeeze, in an attempt to draw her from her torpor. He half-rose and leaned closer to her ear. "Try to put him from your mind awhile, at least until we can get things under control. I know it"s what Dammen would want. His duties always came first, didn"t they? Without you, the empire could fall completely. You are the only person here who can restore order. We cannot allow some scoundrel like this Menakam to destroy all that Dammen tried so hard to maintain. Without you, the people will have no one to fight for them. Who knows what could happen if you don"t at least try and take back what is yours." Jim studied her sad face a moment longer before reseating himself. As he did so, Casina tore her lackluster gaze from the window and gave him a halfhearted smile.

"I know, Jim." Her gaze fell to her hands, still folded uncertainly in her lap. "If only I had hated him, he would be easy to forget because then I wouldn"t have this ache in my heart."

As no appropriate response was forthcoming, the trio remained silent after that as they sorted through their own thoughts. As unsettled as Jim and Jenny were without Dammen"s guidance and protection, both knew they had to hide their true feelings and bolster Casina"s sagging spirits.

Around them, the hundred and more warriors selected to accompany Casina were discussing the seriousness of their situation, their tones low so that the Kaaniga and her friends would not overhear how little confidence there was in Casina"s abilities to lead them and overthrow Menakam from the throne of Valtor. Despite her proficient handling of the starship in getting them to Dammen"s private retreat in the mountains of Donar and ordering the transporting of several canvas modules, filled with military reinforcements, to the meadow just outside the cave entrance, many doubted that Casina could, even with their help, claim what was rightfully hers. Her intelligence was apparent, having witnessed for themselves what Casina was capable of doing while aboard Le"pra Zh"r. But they knew of her inexperience, and that is what bothered them the most. Her uncertainty and hesitancy when issuing orders at times served only to unsettle them.

Still, the men had been forewarned by the Altair of what could befall them if something were ever to happen to him. They just hadn"t expected anything to happen so soon. Also, they realized that Dammen"s death was the last thing Casina Brandon had ever expected so they really couldn"t fault her. All they could do was maintain their sworn allegiance to Kaanig Altair by standing behind and obeying the woman Dammen had chosen to rule beside him. Each knew they would die in trying to aide and protect her, out of respect for her and the master they had served.

As the men occasionally glanced her way, they could do little but wonder at the Kaanig"s reasoning in choosing to permanently mate with an outworlder when his empire was at stake. What was it the Kaanig had seen in Casina that they were not yet aware of? Had Dammen been so smitten with her rare beauty that he had lost all common sense when he had made such a major decision that affected the entire galaxy?

Casina shifted self-consciously in her seat, aware of the many eyes upon her and of the continual murmuring going on around her. She guessed what was being discussed and could only duck her head as insecurity and timidity washed over her. She and her companions knew of the alien unrest but were helpless to say anything worthwhile in her defense. All felt Casina was not ready for command, but what was she supposed to do? It was Dammen who had chosen Casina to rule with him, not the other way around.

Before more could be said among them, there came a loud grating noise and a jerking movement as the tram began slowing.

"We"re stopping," Jenny said, crinkling her face as she tried peering out the window. "Darn! It"s too dark to see anything. You"re sure the tram only goes as far as the palace, Cas?"

"Yes, on this route, but…"

A sudden, loud commotion near the cab entrance immediately drew the passengers" attention, and the warriors instantly crouched to arm themselves against unwelcome intruders or attack.

"Stay low, Majesty!" one shouted in Kathian as several men surged forward to investigate, shielding her with their bodies as they blocked her view of the main door. Bracing themselves, the men watched as the door automatically slid open the moment the tram stopped. At once, a man bounded inside with the swiftness of a falling star, startling them all.

"Hold, men!" came a familiar voice, in Kathian. ""Tis I—Jeiel Vernier!"

"Cambra!" several voices shouted at once, in disbelief. "We thought you captured…or dead!

What has happened?"

"Hold now," Jeiel laughed, waving them and their questions aside. "I must see the Lady Casina

first."

"Here…Cambra!" Casina raised a tentative hand. "I"m here." She rose and moved carefully through the crowd of towering giants who allowed her passage. Stopping to look up at the handsome cambra, she found herself tongue-tied.

"My lady," Jeiel said. "I am pleased to see you safe and unharmed."

Unable to reply, Casina suddenly moved to throw her arms about his large frame, hugging him tightly.

"Majesty," he said softly, pushing her away and bowing reverently before her. "I am yours to command."

"How came you to be here?" Casina said at last. "I had heard—"

"I was able to free myself, Majesty. I came here straight away, hoping you were wise enough to do the same."

"And what of Menakam?"

"He has overrun TrCasinaar, and his men are everywhere. We must act quickly if we are to get inside before we are detected. The entire palace staff has been imprisoned, so Men"s people could be anywhere."

"Do they know about the tram system?"

"I think not, Majesty. Not yet. It has always been a well-guarded secret. Please, let us make haste."

Taking her arm, he moved to escort her from the vehicle but paused when he saw the

Tompkinses seated in the back. Casina peered up at him curiously. She followed his gaze, watching as his dark eyes paused overlong on Jenny. She witnessed Jenny flush uncomfortably beneath his intense scrutiny. Jim was also surprised at their exchange, and a slight smile curled his lips as he observed them.

"My lady," Jeiel began, switching to English, his eyes now scanning the car. "Where is Ganymede Remera?"

"I made him stay behind, on Le"pra Zh"r." Jeiel nodded.

"And your friends there? Would you like them to accompany you?"

"I doubt that their staying here would be a good idea, Cambra. They, too, must be kept safe."

Aware now of the secret attraction between Jeiel and Jenny, Casina glanced at Jenny, then again at him.

"Um, would you mind doing that for me?"

Jeiel looked at her a moment, his expression inscrutable, then nodded.

"By your command, Majesty. I will keep them safe."

"Thank you." She gave his hand a grateful squeeze before turning to her friends. "Come on, guys. I guess it"s up to us to reclaim the throne." With that, she followed Jeiel, who assisted her from the tram. Then she stood aside, casting wary glances about, as she waited for everyone else to disembark.

The Tompkinses waited for the bevy of armed warriors to file past them before following. Jim climbed down the steps first, his daughter last. Casina noticed that Jenny held back purposely until her father had gotten off. Then both Jim and Casina watched with considerable interest as Jenny slowly descended the steps to exit the tram. Both were curious to see just how much help she needed from Jeiel in doing so.

Although it took the brunette longer than was necessary, it was apparent that Jeiel was impatient to be about his duties for he merely extended a hand to Jenny to help her from the last step. Then he quickly removed himself from any further contact with her and hurried to lead the group away towards the various tunnels, lying at the subterranean level below TrCasinaar, several hundred feet - criminas - from the tram.

Miffed by Jeiel"s easy dismissal of her, Jenny frowned with rejection and plodded unhappily behind. She had wanted to thank Jeiel this time for assisting her, but it seemed he had had enough of her previous shows of ingratitude. He had not even bothered to look back.