The Untold Story of Lady Robby Coffman: A Prequel to the Evolution Series

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Act Eight: Unspoken Promise

After leaving Hagues’ solar system, Robbie sat on the foot of her bed peering at the media wall in front of it. Letting out a soft breath in relief, she felt as if she could breathe easier now, free from the duties of the counsel. The past few years have been a whirlwind of change, not only for the people of Hague but herself as well.

Now, their fledgling military wore a standardized uniform and everyone swore an oath of allegiance to Hague and the people. For the first time, they were now all free and unified as one. Something she wished her mother could have seen.

There was more to do. The work to free themselves remained unfinished. The last strings of Earth had yet to be cut and the only way for that to happen was to engage the outer system’s planets along their back borders.

There were still several houses left of the old families tied to Earth on Hague. And some now had got elected into the new government council of Hague.

Reaching up, she unfastened her uniform coat before throwing her arms out falling back onto the bed. Her slate-gray eyes peering into the ceiling as her mind drifted into nothingness. She could still hear the soft rumble of the ship and the air circulation fans in her room as body felt vertigo and queasiness of entering a jump.

“Captain?” The loud baritone voice of Commander Durrani boomed inside her cabin, making her groan, picking her legs up, curling up on to her side in the bed.

“For the love of god. What?” She cried out, rubbing her face, taking in a deep breath and releasing it.

“Excuse me?”

Letting out a short, exasperated groan, she sat up, dropping her feet on the floor. “What is it, er, Commander Durrani is it?”

“Yes. Can you please come to the bridge as soon as you can?”

Falling over onto her knees, she rubbed her eyes before standing back up, putting her feet back into her uniform boots, uncaring to tuck her pants into them properly, leaving them shoved up to her knees. Walking to the door as it opened, she found Karla turning around with raised eyebrows wide eyed.

“What gives? You said you were going to take a nap.”

Rolling her eyes, walking past Karla as she laughed seeing her face.

“Ah, Commander Durrani. Guess you have to hold his hand?”

“I will not hold his hand. He requested me to come back to the bridge for what I do not know.”

“To hold his hand.”

Robbie stopped as Karla bumped into her, still laughing behind her.

“You have read his record too, you know. And you also approved his transfer along with myself. He is a decorated officer and one of the first group of graduates from our naval academy. He was the best out of that class. We all know he’s a skilled fighter. He brings a wealth of skills and knowledge, not to mention his tactical acumen to our ship.”

Stepping around beside her with her arms fully clasped behind her back. Karla nodded, still pursing her lips, stifling a laugh.

“I’m not holding his or anyone else’s hand, so will you please knock it off.” Robbie looked over at her as Karla drew in a breath, expanding her chest, then let it out, nodding.

“I know. And yes, I’m still upset that they passed me over for a promotion. I accept the fact he is my superior along with you, but I am,” She paused as the smile left her lips. “Still upset about it. I understand my position is unique in the military and this title as your personal guard is honorary. However, I feel my experience should have earned me the chance to serve as your second in command.”

Turning and reaching to grab her. Robbie turned her body towards herself and placed her hands on her shoulders. She nodded, eyes cast down. “I know. But the board was right in what they said. You have the experience. Just not the command experience needed that is necessary for the position.”

Dropping her head, Karla swallowed, looking at the floor as Robbie squeezed her shoulders.

“Don’t let it bother you. Besides, you will have plenty of opportunities to prove yourself and get that promotion, Karla. The only genuine question you need to ask yourself is, can you separate yourself from me?”

Grinding her lower lip in her teeth, her eyes rose to greet Robbie’s.

“You know how hard that will be for the both of us? I am not blood, but in my heart you are my older sister. And it would take god to tear me from your side.”

Letting out a soft breath, Robbie lowered her head against Karla’s, reaching up concurrently as the two held each other’s heads peering at one another.

“I know, and I feel the same.”

Releasing each other, they turned walking to the bridge. As they entered, they found the Commander standing up by the pilot and navigator chatting as the three peered into the holographic projection in front.

Noticing them step onto the bridge, he turned, walking towards them. Karla made a face as her eyes rose to meet the large man who stood almost seven inches higher than her. His thick muscular body and barrel chest gave him an intimidating appearance. But it was his demeanor that said otherwise.

“Captain, Lieutenant Commander.”

Robbie nodded at him, trying not to smile, but her face heated, feeling it blush. He was appealing, knowing his abilities and his size were attractive. As she licked her lips, feeling Karla grind her left foot with hers, bringing her back.

“What is it you want to share with me?”

“We have come across a ship crossing into our space from the Aristaeous system. We checked its identifiers and its heavy freighter owned and registered to Blue Freight from EnMassara. Its route and paperwork are all in order.”

Raising a brow, feeling somewhat annoyed, Robbie stepped around him, walking up to the large projection finding the ship’s blue silhouette. “You brought me up here to tell me about a legal ship traveling on its designated route through our space?” She turned to give him a frustrated glare as he licked his lips.

“And a ship that is owned by EnMassara, one of the few worlds outside of the Amethyst that we have trading agreements with?”

He shook his head as both eyebrows rose, waiting for an explanation from him.

“He’s broadcasting.”

“Broadcasting? He who?” She walked back to him, still glaring as Karla pressed her lips together, looking away, knowing she was about to let loose on the new commander.

“The captain of Blue Six.”

“The captain? And who is the captain, did you say?”

“A Kerry Vorcek.”

The color drained in her face as everything around her seemed to cave in. Her eyes drifted away, then she took a step back, slowly turning to look at the projection with disbelief. “That is not possible.”

Arian nodded. “It is. We double checked and contacted the shipping company via an interstellar relay system. A,” he walked over to his station, tapping a few screens, spinning back to face her. “Kerry Akihiro Vorcek.”

Karla lunged forward, grabbing her as she leaned on her for a moment, shaking her head.

“No. He’s dead.” She stood up, turning around as her eyes watered. “You said he’s broadcasting? Put it on!”

Suddenly, his voice filled the bridge with incoherent babbling. She remembered as fell back into Karla’s arms who struggled to hold her up. Robbie thrashed her head.

“It can’t be. I saw, I saw him kill him. It can’t be him.” She whispered, feeling the warm, wet tears run down her cheeks.

“Shut it off.” Karla barked.

“What the hell is happening?” Arian asked, walking up to them, confused.

“Return to your station.” Karla snapped as he threw his hands up.

“Now Commander. Just do it!” She yelled, turning with Robbie helping her walk the short distance to the captain’s chair, easing her into it. Shaking his head, Arian walked back to his station, sitting in his chair.

“How is it possible, Karla? He’s dead. You saw his body. You saw what my father did.” Robbie breathed, trying to control her breathing in-between sobs.

“I don’t know. But it sounded like him.” Karla said, shaking her head. “And he was from EnMassara.” She reached over, touching the controls of her chair’s armrest, activating the four extra panels. They deployed from out under the sides of her chair. Karla leaned over them, her fingers tapping out of a series of commands.

“What the hell are doing?” Robbie croaked, watching her arms and fingers move around from over the side of her the left screens by the armrests.

She didn’t answer as various communication links appeared in a series, then the last one appearing. EnMassara. Kerry’s name typing out then entered as a query, making her heart skip a few beats. Then, she gasped as his upper body appeared clothed in the uniform of Blue Freight systems on one. His trade mark smile, the disarming grin ripping her heart from her chest. She threw herself back into the chair, closing her eyes and rocking her head back and forth.

“It’s him.” Karla said softly, reconfirming it.

“Shut the fuck up!” Robbie screamed. She covered her face for a few moments, breathing deeply. Then, dropping them, she turned to peer at his face. He was older now, his shaggy brown hair still omnipresent in a state of messiness, but now had a light brown beard. His face was fuller, gentler, appearing, but still just as handsome as she remembered. It was the eyes that drew her to peer at them. There was a life in them that would pull you in, make you helpless as he held you. Knowing that you were always safe and always loved.

Turning to gaze at the front tactical display, she stared at the ship. Her forefinger sliding over the communications icon on the right of her armrest as his voice now filled the space closer to her from her chair. Listening to him for a few minutes, she closed her eyes.

Karla stood up, taking a step back away. “What are you going to do?”

Robbie remained motionless for a few more minutes before opening her eyes and wiping at her face. “Nothing. He may live as he freely chooses. We will watch over him when he crosses our space. For what he has done, it will be our promise to him.”

Karla nodded as Arian walked back up behind her.

Robbie looked up at him.

“Do you want us to intercept?”

“No. Just stay out of his sensor range but close enough to keep watch over him.”

“Keep watch?”

“Yes.”

“Aye. May I ask why?” He raised his hands up halfway.

Robbie sank back into the chair, looking around, then back to him. “I will tell you later, Commander. For now, just carry on your duties.”

Arian looked over as their eyes met, seeing the pain in them. Nodding silently, he turned on his heel heading back to his station.

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