Rebel's Quest by Gun Brooke Page B

surmised, hated, to let anyone see her face. Still, this new working relationship with Paladin might change that. Soon she’d have to trust her, a respected member of the resistance, with her secret, and Andreia shuddered at the thought. This cloak-and-dagger routine had become second nature over the years, and the mere thought of revealing herself to anyone made her skin prickle.
    She swung her chair around to face her desk. “Desk light on, point-nine illumination.” She began to pull up reports and other documents on her computer, proud of how she, with Ily’s help, had managed to outfit her Onotharian state-of-the-art piece of technology with enough Gantharian seals to ensure that the resistance could decode the messages. The resistance worked with far less advanced equipment, having progressed almost not at all during the twenty-five years of occupation . Andreia loathed how the people she considered her countrymen suffered under the oppression of the people whose blood ran through her veins.
    If she could only figure out how to mobilize the Gantharians, to ready them for the war the Supreme Constellations was about to engage in for their sake. Andreia scrutinized several documents before she saw a possibility. Energized, she straightened her back and leaned closer to her computer screen. Daring? That was putting it mildly. Doable? Perhaps. Worth a try? Definitely.

Chapter Five

    Roshan attached the Class 1 transmitter to her belt and pulled her jacket down to cover it. Boyoda hadn’t called yet, and Roshan had to return home before dawn. Traveling these roads during the day was too risky.
    “So you’re the chosen one,” a voice said behind Roshan as she put her gloves on.
    Roshan glanced over her shoulder at Temmer. “Seems like it.”
    “I couldn’t help but notice that Vespes skipped my presence when he volunteered you. I’ve been a member of the senior staff longer than you, after all.”
    Roshan didn’t know how to tell Temmer that Vespes probably considered her too old, and perhaps too indecisive. Her skill as a medical planner was indisputable, but her tactical skill in combat wasn’t as astute. Perhaps Temmer’s brilliance only soared when she thought about saving lives.
    “True, but only by a few lunar cycles,” Roshan agreed. “Vespes nominated the person he felt was best for the job. And you know my allegiance is rock solid.”
    Temmer frowned. “You seem tired and a bit…off, after the last turn of events, though. Sure you’re up for this? Boyoda’s bound to ask you to do magic.”
    “Then that’s what I’ll do.” Roshan injected dead certainty into her voice. She knew when to sound self-assured, and this was one of those times.
    “Fine, then.” Temmer turned her palms up.
    A muted beep from the transmitter at Roshan’s belt interrupted them. “Excuse me.” As Roshan walked away, she peeled her right glove off and pressed a button on the transmitter, engaging the inserted earpiece. Made of 95% human membranes, it wouldn’t show up on scanners when she entered secure buildings. “Paladin.”
    “Boyoda. I need your input. Vespes just contacted with me with his decision on which course of action we’re going to proceed with.” Boyoda’s voice sounded scrambled and low-pitched over the audio link. “I’ve come up with some initial planning factors and estimates that need to be fleshed out. This mission will take some ingenuity and, of course, will be dangerous.”
    “What’s new,” Roshan said. “Everything I’ve done in the resistance has been dangerous, more or less.”
    “More, rather than less, Paladin, I’m sure.” Boyoda was quiet for a while. “I need to transmit these documents, and they’re for your eyes only. I’ll encode them, but after you’ve read them thoroughly, destroy them.”
    “Affirmative, Boyoda.”
    “Excellent. Class 1 transmitters have a memory chip, if I’m not mistaken.”
    “No, you’re correct, Boyoda.” Roshan thought she