Trinity
“I wanted to know you’re all right, obviously. But I need to hear from you what’s going on down there. We have a plan. I’m going to use myself as bait to lure the assassin to me in the palace. I’m going to be all over the news in a few hours. But if you need to reach me…” I looked at Prime Nial. “Is there some way they can use their NPUs to get ahold of me?”
“I’m afraid not. The communication must be initiated from a central command point.”
“Back to plan A,” Destiny said. Plan A was a series of designated meeting places and times that we’d set up prior to our transport to Alera. It was risky, and a pain in the ass, but we’d make it work.
“Okay. Plan A. Talk soon. Stay safe, please.”
“Midnight?” Faith asked.
“Right,” I confirmed. I’d tell Leo the rest later. “Be safe. Don’t do anything stupid. Okay?”
“We’ll find Mom. You just keep the planet from tearing itself apart. And don’t worry about me. I’ve got an ion blaster in a thigh holster. Being a nun has its perks. Bye!” Destiny said, then disconnected.
“Don’t worry about us, Trin. Love you. Stay safe and we’ll all be together again soon.” Faith dropped off next.
The call ended and the pent-up energy I’d felt talking to my sisters burst like a water balloon, leaving me deflated and tired.
Leo held his arm out as if he somehow knew I was sad to say goodbye. Maybe I did miss them more than I thought. We were all in danger. I wouldn’t feel completely content until all of us, including Mother, were safe. I went to him, hugged him.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. Everyone, but Jessica. “You can’t make your first big splash wearing that.”
“There is nothing wrong with her attire,” Ander said, the first time he’d spoken since we’d entered the commander’s office. Man of few words, that one. He went to the door and called for Commander Karter, who returned promptly.
“Only if she wants them to think she’s a battle-ready warrior coming to kill everyone. And that’s just for her big-screen debut. When she transports, she needs to be… in the role.”
The guys stared at Jessica as if she were speaking another language, even though their NPUs processed English. Just not that kind of movie star slang.
Jessica walked toward me, hand curled under her chin as she inspected the cream and brown uniform I was wearing. It was standard issue for civilians, here on the ship. Or so I’d been told. And to be honest, it was comfortable. Jessica, however, looked appalled. “No. No way. You need a dress with sparkles. You need diamonds and bling. You have to do something with that hair. It’s gorgeous, but a ponytail isn’t very royal, you know?”
Shit. She was right. I was so used to wearing whatever I wanted, I hadn’t given it much thought. Never had been big on playing dress-up when I was a child. It had seemed like a waste of time. Especially when little Destiny would come in and tackle me in her exuberance for defense training. Fighting in a dress and heels was not fun. “She’s right. I can’t wear this. I need to be seen as a princess, not as some random Earth girl.” I looked at the commander. “How do I fix this? I doubt you have ball gowns and tiaras on this ship.”
He straightened, his shoulders wide, his voice filled with pride. “We have multiple S-Gen units programmed to provide anything you need.” He looked very pleased with himself. And, apparently, he really, really loved this ship.
“The long name is Spontaneous Matter Generators. Like 3-D printing but a thousand times better. They can make anything. Seriously.” Jessica looked at my boots. “Even glass slippers, Cinderella. Come on.”
She took my hand and tried to tug me out of the room. I turned to look at Leo and made Jessica wait.
He came over. “Go with Jessica. She will not take you far. While you are Trinity Jones, my mate, in here, and for me”—he tapped my forehead and then the center of my chest right over my heart—“you must look and act like Princess Trinity for everyone else.”
“But—”
He kissed my forehead. “You are safe and I will be awaiting your return. Go.”
I nodded, realizing I was acting silly. I let Jessica pull me from the room then, Ander on our heels. Leo and Prime Nial remained to speak with the commander, clearly trusting Ander to watch over us.
How much trouble could we get into on a battleship? Really?
Turned out, a lot. Turned out every female on the ship wanted to be part of the process. I was stripped and lotioned, my hair twisted and coiled, curled and combed as a parade of women brought me samples of their favorite gowns from their home planets. My make-up was done, with Jessica’s oversight. Since she was from Earth, and she looked gorgeous all the time, I trusted her to make sure they didn’t turn me into a clown. Seemed that females from all over the universe liked to dress up, when the occasion called for it.
This was… fun. Lighthearted before the chaos I knew was to come.
We’d only been there for an hour when the door slid open and a young woman I’d never seen before entered with a squeal and threw herself at us. She was petite, a couple inches shorter than me, with long, straight black hair and striking green eyes. She was human. More than that, she had commander’s bars on her uniform just like Karter’s, a Prillon mating collar around her neck, and an adorable toddler girl on her hip. A very human little girl who looked like she was about two years old.
“Oh my God!” The woman hugged Jessica, then me, then Jessica again. Then me. “I’m Chloe. Chloe Phan. Los Angeles! I can’t believe there are more Earth girls on this ship!”
She sounded so excited, I hated to disappoint her. “Earth girl, yes. On this ship? Not for much longer. I can’t stay. I’m so sorry.”