After breakfast, I went to my room to change for the Inquisitor Cadet Awards Ceremony. Terre was attempting to put together wardrobe selections for me, all of which were white. Phillip hovered. Neema had her arms around his neck and a sweet smile on her face. “Can I help?” Phillip asked.
“No, you are covered in jelly,” Terre said primly.
“I will take the Princess, Lord Svenson,” Pierce said.
“No! My Fip!” Neema said with a fierce scowl.
“Neema, don’t you want to go with Mommy, Daddy, and Fip to the party?” I asked.
“Party?” She took her arms from Phillip’s neck.
“Yes, the reporters will be taking lots of pictures,” I said. I knew how to manipulate my daughter.
“Pierce! Party!” Neema went with him eagerly. She loved the attention of cameras and cheering crowds.
I whispered in Phillip’s ear, “Maybe, if you ask nicely, she’ll lick all of that jelly off of you.” When Phillip turned red, I knew something was wrong with him.
“I’ll just go get cleaned up,” he said nervously. He tripped when he turned. I laughed and caught his arm.
Drex stood in the bedroom doorway and watched Phillip leave. From Drex’s expression, I could tell he didn’t notice anything odd. I turned myself over to Terre and let her dress me how she wanted. “So, what am I supposed to do today?” I asked him.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he stepped closer. “There has been a slight change of plans. You and your team will sit with the other cadets and walk to the platform when called. The Empress Neema will award the rank insignias.”
I tried to hide my disappointment. Terre straightened my hair so that it fell in a shiny, sleek curtain down my back and arranged a sparkling diamond tiara on top of my head. She chose a white lace calf-length dress with a full skirt and paired it with a white leather jacket and a pair of tan flats. She had chosen to wear a yellow dress that made her dark skin look creamy and rich. Again, I longed for Thalassa’s sun and the tan I hoped to get.
“You ladies are exquisite,” Drex complimented.
“Chirp!”
“Aww! Thank you both,” I said. Thunderdrop jumped to my skirt. In the sitting room, my jaw dropped. “Wow! You all look gorgeous!”
Yukihyo wore a sexy dark-grey suit. Nico wore his uniform with all of his medals and held Niklos, who wore a white romper. Neema wore a white top and ruffled white bloomers. Quaid was trying to lure her closer with a new doll. He and Eric wore their Galaxic Militia uniforms. Zared, Jazon, and Xavier wore their Omnes Videntes uniforms complete with all of their medals. Tracy wore a blue dress whose hem swirled at her ankles, and I was shocked to see Sparrow in a dress of light-purple. She had her arms around Gary, also in uniform.
“Rolf! Oh, please!” I begged with my hands clasped in front of me.
Yukihyo, Eric, and Quaid laughed knowing from experience what I wanted.
“Might I suggest the lawn?” Rolf asked.
I took Peter, also dressed in a white romper, from Lorca and went outside to stand on the grass.
“What are we doing?” Sparrow asked.
“Family pictures!” I yelled out to her. I kissed Peter all over his face. “I love family pictures.” Once we were all together, I yelled, “Terre! Hurry!”
“Me, your Grace?”
“Well, yeah.”
Terre walked over and stood near Sparrow, Xavier, and Gary. Phillip, who had changed into one of his best suits, repositioned himself so that he stood behind her. Jazon started making telepathic bets with his brothers about how Phillip might flounder with Terre next. I ignored them. My heart was close to bursting with happiness. Had Fitz and Luca been with us, it would have been perfect. The combined telepathic and empathic efforts of Yukihyo, Zared, and Quaid kept my feelings of loss at bay and kept me focused on my happiness, and the gratitude I felt for those who had become my family. We posed for a few pictures, and I made certain to get one of Sparrow, Tracy, and me.
“Dearest one, it is time for our departure,” Drex said. He offered me his arm. We formed a well-dressed parade of sorts as we walked along the Palace halls to the main entrance.
“Where are Momma and Papa?”
“They are arriving separately. We need to arrive with the cadets.”
We loaded into transports and were driven in a procession to a large military base devoted to inductees of the Inquisitors Branch. “What are each of the different buildings?” I asked.
“Those at the back of the property are the barracks,” Drex said. There were four, three-story buildings.
“There must be lots of students.”
“Recruits are separated by age. In the first building, ten, eleven, and twelve-year-old students are housed, and so on. Young males, from nineteen to twenty-one, reside in the last building.”
“Is this where you lived from the time you were ten until you graduated?”
“Yes, dearest one.”
“Drex and I have that in common,” Eli said.
I tried to see all of the mysterious place that I could through my window. I ran my hand over Thunderdrop’s abdomen. Curiosity and nervousness fought for control of me. Curiosity won and began to morph into excitement, even though Momma was the one getting to preside over the ceremony. The transport carrying us veered away from the others and to the back of one of the large, white stone buildings.
“Aren’t we sitting with the others?” Tracy asked.
Drex said, “No, Lady Ponidi. You and your team will sit with the cadets.”
Tracy turned her solid black eyes to me. I shrugged at her. Sparrow quietly observed. “Are you okay?” I asked her.
“Yes. Daddy is impressed with my lab.” Sparrow smiled at us. For her, it was an extravagant display of emotion.
Tracy and I each squeezed one of her hands. “Gary is so proud of you,” I said.
“Yes, that’s what Xavier was just telling me. It makes me feel squishy, right here,” Sparrow said as she pointed to her chest.
“I felt squishy when we were taking family pictures,” I admitted.
“So, did Jazon,” Tracy said.
“Seriously?” I asked as I leaned forward.
“Chitter chitter!”
“Sorry, Thunderdrop.”
My spider crawled up to my shoulder where I wouldn’t squish him.
Tracy laughed. “I’m in trouble for telling you that, so I might as well continue. The three of us, all of the children, and Andy make my husband a gooey puddle. That mean, stoic expression he keeps plastered on his face is as fake as fake can be. Likewise, if anyone were to try to hurt us, well, I wouldn’t want to be that person.” Tracy laughed, assumedly from whatever retaliation Jazon silently threatened.
“Chirp? Chirp?”
“Oh, yes, Thunderdrop. We all love you. Jazon considers you to be more of an equal than as someone to be coddled and protected. You are a brave warrior.”
Thunderdrop blinked his eight eyes at Tracy and perked up.
“Thunderdrop has saved me many times. He grows from being my spider baby into my trusted companion and protector.” I smiled adoringly at him.
“He’s your best friend. Isn’t he?” Sparrow asked.
I gazed into his black eyes. “Yes, Thunderdrop is my best friend. He has my complete trust, love, and undying loyalty.”
“Chirp chirp chirp chirp,” Thunderdrop said as he wrapped his front legs around my throat.
“I want for us to feel that way about each other, too,” Sparrow said decisively.
“I’d like that.”
Tracy wiped at her eyes, and said, “Me, too.”
Drex looked at all of us oddly. “Well, then. Shall we?”
“See you inside,” Nico said.
Yukihyo had a funny smirk on his mouth.
“Females,” Zared said.
The three of us scowled at him and followed Drex from the transport. I bent back inside and kissed each of my babies before joining them. Then, our transport drove back around to the front of the building. Drex led us inside and through reinforced doors that slid open in a whoosh of cold air. The Inquisitors standing inside saluted as we walked past. Several sets of dark eyes followed us as we walked along the corridor and into a large auditorium. Drex showed us to the end of a line of cadets, right behind Cadet Cedrenus.
“Teagan, you, Sparrow, and Tracy will follow Cadet Cedrenus’ lead and sit where he indicates.” With that, Drex kissed my cheek and walked away.
Including the three of us in our dresses, there were thirty-six of us in line. The cadets wore unadorned black uniforms and appeared to range in age from eighteen to twenty-one.
Sparrow whispered, “I feel overdressed.”
An officer ordered, “Quiet.”
Sparrow narrowed her eyes at him, but he stared her down. My cheeks heated. I was the shortest person in the line. I wondered if Tracy and Sparrow felt as out of place as I did. On an officer’s command, the cadets began to march into the auditorium where they filed down rows to stand before their chairs. I couldn’t see the stage because of the tall males in front of me, but I could see the people in the stands to either side of us. To the left, I saw Yukihyo, Nico, Quaid, Zared, the children, my Omnes Videntes, Grandmother, Aunt Seyla, Uncle Kagan, Kane, and everyone else. Next to them were General and Mrs. Tereas, Aya, Adina, Ashura, their husbands, and children.
In my mind, I heard, “Do not wave. Stand up straight and look forward.”
I did as Zared instructed. Realizing that all of them had come to show their support was surreal. The stands were filled with parents and family members. Any spare seats were filled with uniformed Inquisitors. My head began to feel like a balloon. I focused on breathing, so I wouldn’t faint. The auditorium quieted.
A male began to speak. It was Inquisitor Cormac Gordian. “Always, it is a great honor to award deserving young cadets for their skill and ingenuity in service to the Empire. Before you today are trainees who have excelled in evasive and interstellar travel and tracking. They are at the top of their classes and were hand-selected to participate. Each team was entrusted with a stealth ship and assigned an objective, either to find their target across Parvac space or to capture a team before it could do so. The students before you have learned to captain a vessel, defend it, evade discovery, track invaders, and offer medical assistance. The youths before you are some of the finest of the Empire. Of them, three teams proved themselves to be exceptional, so much so that with us today are our beloved Emperor and Empress.”
I could just see the top of Papa’s head and then his hand as he waved to the crowd. Everyone in the stands stood and saluted before being seated. An officer motioned for all of the cadets to be seated. Even with all of them seated, I struggled to see.
“Team Bishop, approach,” Cormac ordered. Three cadets in the first row stood and marched smoothly to the stage. Then, as one, they dropped to their right knees in front of Momma. Cormac said, “The cadets before you were the first to complete the mission and in doing so set an academy record.”
Momma attached rank insignias to each of their collars. Then, she gave each of them a kiss on the cheek which made me jealous. The cadets rose, the people in the stands applauded them, and then they marched back to their seats.
“Team Flavian, approach.” Three more cadets marched forward. “The team before you captured two separate teams, preventing them from reaching their objectives. Fine job,” Cormac said with a pleased grin. Like the other team, they had gone to their knees before Momma. I began to feel proud of myself simply for participating. Then, Cormac said, “Team Probus, approach.”
I froze.
“Get up!” Zared silently ordered.
I stood and heard the swishing of skirts that alerted me that Tracy and Sparrow did the same. Somehow, we made it to the stage and dropped to our knees as the males had done, although our skirts hid our legs from view.
“The team before you was the second to complete its objective. However, had they not rescued a team in distress, aided a commanding officer in a medical crisis, and towed a stealth ship to port, they might have beaten Team Bishop’s time,” Cormac announced. Momma approached but paused. Then, Cormac said, “It is a great honor to accept the first members of the Materfamilias Caste to the Inquisitor Academy.”
Momma bent forward, and her hair swayed toward me. She met my eyes. “I have never been prouder of my daughter.”
I muffled a sob and blinked rapidly as she awarded me the rank of ensign. Tracy seemed to share my shock. Sparrow had the calm demeanor of Kaoti, and I envied her of it. The three of us stood and turned as the others had done. My family cheered the loudest. After we had returned to our seats, I saw Galina. Tears streamed down her face as she stared at us. Adini smiled at me with what I thought might be gratitude.
Then, the ceremony was over. Tracy, Sparrow, and I followed in line behind Cadet Cedrenus into a reception room where food and drinks were being served. Momma and Papa met us there. I got hugs and kisses before they began interacting with other parents and the Inquisitors.
“I’m an ensign. I’m an ensign.” I tried to see the pin on my collar, but had to satisfy myself by touching it.
Jazon swept Tracy up into his arms. Galina ran to me and threw her arms around me. Then, she gave into a hard cry. I held her until she calmed.
“I’m so proud of you, Aunt Teagan. They let you in! Maybe, I can be somebody. Will they let other girls in?” Her eyes were filled with striations of pink, orange, and grey, the colors of hope I assumed.
“Is this young person interested in joining our ranks?” a male voice asked.
Galina stared up at the Inquisitor with wet eyes. “Yes, sir.”
He bowed to Adini and saluted her husband, Lonon Treves. “Let’s speak in my office.”
Galina looked desperately up at Adini. She smiled and nodded. They followed after the Inquisitor leaving their other four children with me, Tracy, and Sparrow until Mrs. Tereas came for them. I saw a recruiter speaking to Tracy and Jazon. She shook her head and blushed. Another one had approached Gary, Sparrow, and Xavier.
I heard her say, “I’m pleased to be an honorary member, but I have my own assignment for the Empire.”
He smiled at her and bowed.
I held my arms open to Neema, who ran to me with a smile on her face. I had done it. My little girl would have a chance to be what she wanted. Thunderdrop blinked at me from his perch on Eric’s shoulder.
“I am proud of you, Lady Wife,” Yukihyo said.
An Inquisitor approached us, bowed to Momma and Papa who had joined us, and asked, “Princess Probus, do you wish to join our ranks or remain an honorary member?”
My world became still and quiet. “Join?” Desperately, I had wanted acceptance into the Galaxic Militia. Now, I was being offered a chance to become an Inquisitor.
“Tegan’s foremost duty is to the Imperial family. Those duties take precedence over all else,” Papa said.
“Yes, Emperor Probus. However, she might work toward being our first female graduate. Permanent field work would not be considered, but there are other avenues at which she might excel. Testing would make that determination.”
Papa nodded.
“I don’t want her being sent on any dangerous missions,” Momma said adamantly. “I want that understood.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
I whispered, “I would like to graduate. It might be difficult, but I’d like to try.”
“Very well. Once you have returned from Thalassa, you will be given your course of study. I can place you on an accelerated program.” He bowed to us and excused himself to begin the arrangements.
I hugged Neema to my chest.
“Come along, my darling. Our ships await,” Papa said as he led Momma out on his arm.
Yukihyo placed a kiss on my temple. “I have never sensed such happiness from Galina,” he said.
“She will be the first little girl to enter the academy,” Nico said.
My husbands ushered me out to our transports.
“Chitter chirp clack chitter.” Thunderdrop showed me an image of his octopus.
“Sue?” I asked for him.
“On-board,” Zared responded.
Yukihyo took Neema from me just as I was swept off of my feet and spun around in the air. I started screaming and laughing as Uncle Kagan blew raspberries on my neck.
“Kagan, put her down. I can’t get to her all of the way up there,” Grandmother said. He minded, and Grandmother placed her hands to either side of my face. I looked from her white hair to her pale-blue eyes. “I couldn’t be any prouder of you, not because of what you did, but for whom you did it. Whenever you need help with your assignments, I will make cookies, and you will come to me.”
“You mean it?”
“Oh, yes. Who do you think helped Kagan and Kane? I’m no slouch. Even though I abhor space travel, I understand the workings of the Warrior Caste. Now, go to your ship. We are traveling in Kagan’s warship and will meet you there.”
“You’re coming with us?” I squealed.
Grandmother nodded. “I want my own picture of four generations of Valen women together on the beach. It will go nicely in my sitting room. Kagan, send that Medical Officer of yours to me with sedatives immediately.”
“He will meet you in the sitting room, Mother,” Momma said. She put her arm around Grandmother’s back and rolled her eyes at me.
I chuckled.