Clan, Honor, and Empire, page 7
part #3 of Clan Beginnings Series
Damn it, he didn’t want to do this. Just considering it made his hands shake. He thought he should wait for Rajhir’s approval. That would be the smart thing to do.
Flencik approached the main computer anyway. His tread sounded heavier and louder than he’d ever noticed it before. Damn if his steps didn’t actually echo in the vast space of the research lab. He waited for the other two men to look up and notice him, ready to veer off and walk out the door. Neither tech did.
Flencik reached the computer, his breath rasping as if he’d run a marathon. A tap on its interface brought it to life, showing him the main screen of the lab’s system. With another nervous look around the room, the Imdiko dipped into his pocket and fished out the passcard Jol had made. His hand shook so badly that Flencik stabbed it at the slot three times before he finally got it in.
The vid flashed small letters on the screen: Security Code Approved, Doctor Wyb, Unlimited Access.
Wincing as if he’d already committed a crime ... and perhaps he had ... Flencik quickly typed in a query for the files he wanted. It only took a second for them to come up, but it felt like an eternity.
Too nervous to search through the entries, Flencik highlighted them all to be copied. He figured that once he got home, he could delete the ones that were proprietary research and private patient records. Now that he was in Erow’s computer records, he wanted to get out fast.
Flencik once more checked on the two lab techs as he pulled out the file drive Jol had given him. He might as well have been on another planet for all the attention they paid to him. His breathing still sounded loud in his ears, and his heart raced as he plugged in the drive and inputted the command to copy.
The ten seconds it took for the files to load onto the drive spun out for another eternity. Flencik chewed viciously on his lower lip, urging the computer to hurry, hurry, damn it hurry. He even chanted it under his breath. Tension stretched his nerves taut until the Imdiko thought his sanity would snap in two.
Copying completed.
Flencik sagged in relief. It was done. He could take the file and get the hell out of the lab.
He spied a movement at the corner of his eye and jerked. Flencik’s heart threatened to stop as he saw a member of Erow’s security, a brute of a Nobek, only feet away and heading straight for him.
The doctor knew he’d been caught. It didn’t matter that the security guard Nobek Humri was looking all around the room rather than at Flencik. The man was a retired Royal Guard, too sharp to miss anything. Royal Guards were the best when it came to security. Everyone knew that.
The Imdiko still yanked the file drive out of the computer and closed the computer files, trying to appear nonchalant. He pulled the illicit pass card last and tucked it into his pocket with the drive as Humri reached him.
“Working late again, Dr. Flencik? You are a committed man.” The thick, guttural voice scraped against Flencik’s eardrums.
“Do you think it will get me a promotion?” Flencik tried to keep his tone light with banter, but he heard the trembly nature of his voice. He felt a film of perspiration coating his skin. Surely Humri would notice.
The older man wasn’t given to smiles, but he’d always been polite to Flencik. He shook his head at the surgeon now. In a voice that was almost fatherly, Humri said, “While your dedication is commendable, I think it will leave you lonely. A young Imdiko like you shouldn’t be slaving in here all night.”
The Nobek glanced at the main computer’s vid screen. Flencik couldn’t help but cast a guilty glance at it too. He stifled a groan at the floating hologram letters spelling out Session Terminated. They blinked accusingly at him. At the corner of his eye, Flencik saw Humri give him a narrow glance.
Flencik smiled weakly. “I guess I didn’t log out properly. Excuse me, Nobek. Computer, return to standby.”
Humri said, “You really should go home. You don’t look like you feel well. Is everything all right, Doctor?”
The computer went back to its default setting, leaving Flencik nowhere to look but at the Nobek next to him. He shoved his hands into his pockets to hide the way they shook. “I’m just tired. I got so caught up in what I was doing that I didn’t realize the time.”
Humri’s expression remained severe, which was normal for the Nobek. However, in Flencik’s state of mind, the guard’s demeanor seemed more threatening than usual. “There is such a thing as too much dedication. You have years ahead of you to make your mark, young Imdiko.”
Flencik got to his feet and nodded. “Thanks for the advice. I think I will call it a night.”
“Good night, Doctor.” Humri stood aside to let Flencik pass.
The Imdiko gathered his belongings and shuffled by. As he moved towards the door leading from the lab to the corridor beyond, he was sure the Humri would shout at him to halt at any second. The Nobek would demand he tell him what he’d been doing on the computer. Flencik felt the man’s stare burning a hole into the back of his head, watching his every move. It made him feel clumsy, and he stumbled once on his way out.
Flencik winced, knowing Humri would insist on knowing why he was so nervous. When he heard laughter instead, Flencik jerked his head up and turned to stare in the direction of the sound.
Humri and one of the lab techs were talking to each other. The Dramok tech was snickering over something, possibly a joke the guard had shared. They weren’t paying Flencik any mind at all, not even looking in his direction.
His heart hammering, Flencik made it to the corridor. As he hurried to the shuttle bay where his vehicle awaited, he had the feeling that he had just escaped utter doom.
Flencik didn’t relax until he was in his craft and joining the traffic pattern in the velvety black night sky of Kalquor. Only then did he experience the first sigh of relief. He’d done it. He’d gotten the files.
Yet there was no triumph in the aftermath, no sense Flencik had accomplished anything. Even if his actions had been for the right reasons, the Imdiko knew him playing at being a hero had begun and ended only minutes ago. He was not meant for anything cutthroat, nevermind something as mild as stealing files. His chuckle sounded more like a moan at the thought of rescuing the Empire from a real threat.
No, Flencik’s moment of bravery was well past. He swore to himself that not even the promise of accolades or medals would entice him to ever do anything like that again.
Chapter 4
On the second morning as a Royal Council aide, Rajhir showed up for work half an hour early. He wanted to impress Ospar with his dedication. His hopes fell a bit on that score when he found Ospar and Jol were already in the office.
Yet his spirits lifted again when he saw Imdiko Flencik had come in as well. The doctor smiled at his entrance. Rajhir couldn’t help but return the sweet expression despite not being much of a morning person. The Imdiko was so sunny to be around.
Ospar’s usual beam was as hard to resist. “Good morning, Rajhir. It’s good to see you here early.”
Pleased his effort had been recognized, Rajhir bowed. “Good morning, Councilman, Nobek Jol.” Real warmth trickled into his tone as he bowed to the young surgeon as well. “Hello, Flencik. No, don’t get up on my account. What brings you back so soon?”
Flencik stopped in mid-rise from his chair. His face reddened a little as he looked at Rajhir, and he dropped his gaze. “I, ah, had an opportunity at work last night to get those files you were all interested in. I was just dropping them off.”
As Rajhir blinked, Ospar looked proudly at the Imdiko. “Excellent work, Flencik.”
Rajhir would have sworn Flencik was too scared to do such a thing without knowing he had to. He recovered from his surprise however. “I take it everything went all right? No problems?”
Flencik snickered self-consciously. “I scared myself worse than anything else. I’m not cut out to be a spy, apparently.”
Jol softened his fierce visage with effort. He too seemed impressed. “You did well, Doctor. I couldn’t have asked for better, and now you’re done with it.”
Ospar added, “We’ll go over everything you brought us and see what conclusions we come to. Whatever we find or don’t, you are a credit to the Empire, Dr. Flencik. Thank you for this service.”
He stood up tall. Both he and Jol bowed deeply to the young Imdiko. The respect seemed to fluster Flencik. He stood and bowed clumsily in return. He gave Rajhir a little wave and started to back out of the private chamber.
“Okay. Thanks. I’d better get going. Good luck in your investigation, Councilman.”
“Ospar,” the elder Dramok insisted.
Flencik nodded. “Ospar. Okay. Bye.”
“Goodbye, Flencik.”
Rajhir wasn’t ready to let the big Imdiko out of his sight. Catching Ospar’s eye for permission, he said, “I’ll see the doctor out?”
“Please, Rajhir. As soon as you return, I want to go over next week’s schedule.”
“Yes, Councilman. Doctor, if I may?”
Flencik smiled at Rajhir. “Sure. That would be great.” He blushed red, apparently hearing the enthusiasm in his own tone.
Rajhir fought to hide a grin. Seeing Flencik get flustered over him was so much fun. He enjoyed being the Imdiko’s crush.
The corridor the morning after Application Day seemed astounding in its emptiness. A few aides scurried here and there, busy on whatever assignments they worked on. A couple of blue-robed councilmen walked slowly down the hall’s length, their voices low as they conversed. After yesterday’s crowds, it was like looking at a ghost town.
Rajhir and Flencik left Ospar’s chambers, heading towards the in-house transport. As he hurried to keep step with his long-legged companion, Rajhir put his earlier amusement away.
“You didn’t wait for my call.”
The Imdiko glanced at him, blinking at the disapproval in Rajhir’s tone. When Rajhir met his gaze, Flencik colored again, this time with shame.
“I – I had the perfect chance to make those copies. I wasn’t sure I’d get another.”
“I was worried about your safety. I was going to tell you to go ahead with copying the files, but I wish you would have waited.”
Flencik’s brow creased. “Why?”
Rajhir shook his head. “I told you I don’t know Ospar that well. I wanted to be sure you weren’t risking your career on a fool’s errand.” He scowled.
Despite the look Rajhir gave him, Flencik looked pleased with his concern. “That’s very kind of you. You’re put out with me, aren’t you?”
Rajhir halted and Flencik did the same. The Dramok put his hands on his hips and looked up at his bigger companion, searching the doctor’s open, trusting face. What he saw there bothered him.
He said, “Flencik, I realize you’re only a year younger than me. Your test scores say you’re more intelligent too. Still, you seem too damned innocent, like a youngling half our age. You’re naive as hell. I don’t like that you didn’t wait for me to confirm copying those files was worth the attempt. That wasn’t smart on your part.”
Despite Rajhir’s censure, Flencik grinned. “That’s very Dramok of you to say such a thing.”
The Imdiko’s smile was giddy, as if he delighted in getting Rajhir’s stern attention. He was obviously infatuated, and Rajhir decided Flencik indeed was perfect to satisfy Gegra with.
Folding his arms over his chest, still displaying disapproval but letting a hint of flirtation appear, Rajhir said, “I’m upset with you, Flencik. Perhaps you’d like to make it up to me?”
Several emotions flitted across the Imdiko’s expression, each interesting to Rajhir and easy to read: worry, hope, and suspicion. The man truly had no guile.
Settling for caution, Flencik answered his challenge with, “It all depends on what you have in mind.”
“Dinner. Tonight.”
Flencik’s grin lit his face once more. “Okay.”
Rajhir let the last of his stern reproach ease. “Good. I’ll tell my parents’ kitchen staff to make extra.”
Flencik’s smile dimmed immediately. “Oh. No, no, I just remembered. I have plans tonight. Maybe some other time, but thanks.”
He turned and began walking to the transport again, leaving Rajhir gaping. The Dramok recovered and hurried after Flencik, trotting to pass the big man and stand in his way. He made the doctor stop.
“What just happened?”
Flencik refused to meet his gaze. “I told you—”
Rajhir interrupted him. “I heard what you told me, and I’m calling bullshit. You don’t want to eat with my parents?”
The Imdiko still wouldn’t look Rajhir in the eye. He shuffled nervously and said, “I’m sure they’re fine people. I just – they might get ideas about us and we’ve just met. I don’t know anything about you, Rajhir. It’s not proper.”
Rajhir looked closely at the other man. Something about what Flencik said – or maybe it was the way he said it – still had the Dramok calling bullshit in his thoughts. It bothered the Imdiko that Rajhir had wanted to take him to his parent clan.
Yet Flencik was right about Rajhir dragging him before Clan Gegra so soon. He had never done so with his other dates, because one didn’t introduce new love interests to parents until something serious was happening. Rajhir was in danger of scaring the Imdiko off with such a proposal.
Something else occurred to Rajhir as he studied the nervous-looking doctor. Bringing Flencik home just to give Gegra the sense Rajhir was obeying his father’s dictates wasn’t fair to this Imdiko. That he had been ready to use Flencik in such a way brought a sense of shame to Rajhir.
He took a breath. “You’re right. I’m being an ass for suggesting such a thing. Dinner out for two then.”
Flencik thought about it, and then bobbed his head. “Okay. That will do.”
“Good. Do I impress you with the fine dining I can afford, putting my excellent breeding on display? Or would you prefer I take you where I can feed you huge slabs of meat a man of your size requires, then get you drunk, and maybe take advantage of you later?”
Flencik’s mouth fell open. His gaze ran down the length of Rajhir’s body and back up again. His face turned blood red.
Then the Imdiko bellowed laughter, the sound echoing down the corridor and making people nearby pause. Rajhir chuckled at his companion’s mirth. Flencik had a wonderful, rolling laugh that shook his entire body. It lit his face, making him twice as handsome as before. Something in Rajhir’s groin tightened to see it.
Well hell, maybe he’s not the only one suffering from infatuation. I really do like this guy.
When Flencik recovered enough to speak, he shook his head at Rajhir. “By the ancestors. You are determined to keep me off-balance, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely. Where am I taking you tonight, Imdiko?”
Flencik threw his hands in the air in a gesture of surrender before starting towards the transport again. “Somewhere relaxing, not snooty. But don’t think that means I’m agreeing to be bedded. I still don’t know you well enough. You seem a bit demanding for my tastes.”
Rajhir gave him a narrow look but remained quiet until they reached the transport. Once they were there he said in a strong tone, “I think you might like a demanding Dramok, Flencik. If that’s the case, you will definitely like me.”
Flencik paused for an instant, still smiling like it was a joke. Rajhir didn’t miss how the Imdiko’s eyes widened however, or the fact that he swallowed hard before speaking. “No, I don’t like demanding men that much. I prefer equal give and take.”
He stepped onto the transport. Rajhir prevented the door from shutting right away. Flencik was not going to get the last word, and he was certainly not leaving thinking Rajhir wasn’t the one in control.
Looking into that gentle face, Rajhir said, “Damn. It’s going to be a shame if I have to punish you on our first date because you lied to me. You know, you aren’t so big on your knees, which is where you want me to put you.”
Flencik’s mouth dropped open again. Before he could say anything, Rajhir added, “We’ll discuss your true submissive tendencies over dinner. I’ll pick you up from the medical center this evening.”
He punched the door closing mechanism, shutting Flencik’s spluttering off. With a huge grin eating up his face, Rajhir headed back to Ospar’s office.
Tonight had originally been about getting his father off his case, but Rajhir was now looking forward to spending time with Flencik. He thought tonight would turn out to be a great deal of fun.
* * * *
Rajhir had never been so eager for a night to come: one, because he was sick of organizing Ospar’s immense collection of files that covered intel on every important person within the Empire; and two, because the more he thought about spending time with Flencik, the more excited he got.
The moment the workday ended, he raced to his shuttle. Flencik’s shift started and ended slightly later than Rajhir’s, and the Dramok got to Erow Medical Center a few minutes before the doctor was to finish for the day.
Erow was an anomaly on Kalquor in that it was a free-standing facility rather than built from the natural landscape. It had been constructed on a small island off the mainland owned by Imdiko Gen, who also owned Erow itself. Despite the facility being man-made, there had been an effort to make the facility as organic in appearance as possible.
The main part of the facility housed the public rooms and recreational amenities. It was the largest portion of the clinic that showed, a semi-circular domed structure with grass growing up the sloping sides and flowering foliage on the roof. The rest of the center had been made to look like hills and rocky outcroppings, covering the whole of the island. From the air, Rajhir could see winding trails and ponds. It looked like a serene paradise from his vantage point. Flencik hadn’t been kidding when he’d characterized Erow as having a country club-like atmosphere. Rajhir had been to resorts that weren’t half as nice.
With five minutes to spare, Rajhir docked his shuttle. He parked in the large visitors bay off the main building. The bay was fashioned to look like a cave on the outside. Inside, it was a state-of-the-art facility, as sleek and modern as the shuttle bay in the housing complex where he lived. There was even a crew available to clean visitors’ shuttles while they were parked. Fancy, indeed.
