Chapter 4. Circling back


    Steam hissed as Galba tipped water over the hot rocks.


    Lucian took the towel from his shoulders and wiped his face. "There is a


    chance we might not be able to get through the Valkyrie''s cloak."


    "The reason we are here Lucian, is the Aenides - and she is exactly where


    I want her to be. The Valkyrie is an opportunity that''s too good to pass


    up exploring."


    "Are other members of the Senate aware of what you''re doing out here?"


    "Just a small circle of like minded individuals."The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Lucian shook his head. "Has there ever been a Senator that could even


    lie straight in bed"


    Galba put a towel over his face and lay back. "The dead ones probably can."


    *


    From an overhead gantry, Galba and Lucian watched the boarding


    vessel being prepared and loaded. "There is an eight man boarding team,


    plus yourself and Ithaniel."


    Lucian noticed his brother tapping his fingers on the guard rail.


    "Something on your mind?"


    Galba stopped tapping. "I want you to keep an eye on Ithaniel."


    "You want me to babysit him?"


    "No, nothing like that."


    "What then?"


    They watched Ithaniel on the deck below organising some gear.


    "I don''t trust him. I have a vague feeling he''s only telling me what he


    wants me to hear."


    "As opposed to what Galba?"


    Galba stepped back from the railing. "You''re missing the point."


    Lucian thought that his brother had stopped short of saying more.


    "You should go down and meet the boarding team."


    "Where are they from?" Lucian asked. "I don''t recognise their cloaks."


    "They''re not legionnaires."


    "Mercenaries." Lucian said sourly.


    "The main role of the Legions now is civil law enforcement."


    Lucian sighed. "Sometimes I think my garden is the only place in the


    entire fucking Imperium that makes any sense."


    Galba smiled. "How have you managed to stay alive for so long."


    Below them Ithaniel carried some of his equipment onto the boarding craft.


    "The squad leader is some-one of note - Ahmeena."


    "The one and only." Lucian said.


    *