Three human vessels. At the moment they were not moving, but they were deployed for battle.
Ronan went immediately to Hraan’s side. The big shaaurin, who held double rank as Second of Line Arhan as well as ship’s First, turned to him with an open-jawed expression of concern.
“Have you hailed them?” Ronan asked.
“I sent for you first.” He glanced at Cynara. “It was my hope that you and Va D’Accorso might be of assistance.”
“They have not attempted to communicate?”
“No.” Hraan tapped his nails on the console. “They are in shaauri-ja. They must know we have the right and obligation to attack.”
“But why are they here?” Cynara appeared at Ronan’s shoulder. “Please increase magnification.”
The Third complied, and the image on the screen seemed to double in size. Cynara blew out her breath.
‘The Pegasus,” Ronan said.
“And two Concordat ships—corvettes from the Royal Navy, if I’m not mistaken.” She looked at Ronan. “They’ve come for us.”
“Do you know this?”
“I can’t think of a better explanation.” She addressed Hraan in careful Standard. “Aino’Ken, one of these ships is my own, which was to continue on a different assignment while I accompanied Ronan to Aitu. I ask your patience until we can determine its purpose here.”
“And the warships?” Hraan rumbled.
“I don’t know. If you’ll allow me to hail them, sh’eivalin, I will assure them that Ronan and I are safe, and advise them to withdraw.”
Hraan twitched his ears in agreement. The murmur of shaauri conversation ceased. Cynara addressed the open comlink, Ronan close at her side.
“Pegasus,” she said, “This is Cynara D’Accorso, aboard the Arhan vessel Suhtaara. Ronan VelKalevi is with me. The Arhan are on a mission of peace. Stand down, Pegasus, and advise your escort to do the same.”
Her voice echoed on the bridge. The comlink hissed. “Captain D’Accorso?” a familiar male voice said. “You are well, and not under any threat?”
“Very well. Scholar-Commander, stand down. All weapons offline, if you don’t want trouble with the people who own this space.”
“Acknowledged, Captain. I’ve advised the Persephoneans that you are not under threat.”
Cynara squeezed Ronan’s hand, and he returned the gentle pressure. “You have quite a bit of explaining to do, Adumbe,” she said.
There was a moment of silence. “Lord Damon Challinor is with us, Captain. He wishes to speak to you. Can you come aboard?”
“Stand by.” She closed the connection. “Damon?”
“I would not speculate,” Ronan said, acknowledging her amazement. He looked up at Hraan. “Sh’eivalin, I assure you that there will be no battle. Permit me to escort Captain D’Accorso to the Pegasus and inform her crew of her well-being. I will return.”
“It was our intention to deliver the captain to her own people,” Hraan said, “but the humans regard you as outcast, kin of my kin.”
“He’ll be safe,” Cynara said. “I give you my word as captain of the Pegasus. No harm will come to him among humans as long as I live.”
“Then you may go.”
Ronan bowed. Cynara avoided his glance, standing very stiff and straight behind the console. She opened the comlink.
“Pegasus, I and Ronan VelKalevi will come aboard. The situation remains delicate. Do not, I repeat, do not move from your current position or take any action that may be perceived as hostile.”
“Acknowledged, Captain. Lord Damon agrees.”
Cynara muttered a curse under her breath. “Va Hraan, we will go at once and see that the human ships leave shaauri territory.”
Hraan nodded, and Ronan took Cynara’s elbow. Her muscles were knotted with tension, yet even without the aid of telepathy he knew her condition had nothing to do with the present danger. It was he from whom she flinched, he who turned her face to stone.
Stone to bury her fear and preserve her pride. She did not wish him to leave her.
He did not wish to leave.
He released her arm and fell in step behind her. The two ve’laik’i escorted them by the swiftest route to a bay where a small passenger vessel was ready for departure.
Ronan took the pilot’s seat, and Cynara webbed in beside him. The passage between the Suhtaara and the Pegasus was swift and brief. Kord d’Rhian O’Deira waited for them in the shuttle bay, accompanied by Healer Zheng and An Lizbet Montague.