Connor's Gambit

By Z Gottlieb

Brad Johnson a lone witness to a UFO sighting becomes an alien target leading him to an off world adventure in which he must rely upon his skills to survive an intergalactic war between two space faring groups of aliens. As Brad understands his place in the universe, he learns one group threatens Earth's security and the other wants something entirely different. All Brad wants is to return home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Z Gottlieb
• Release date: Jan 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386230045

Book preview

Prologue

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Staring through the shuttle porthole next to him, Admiral Velslun Griken watched the fleeting dark shadows on the ground. Amongst the shadows flickered occasional streams of electrically powered lights from the primitive planet below. With the Fleet’s current conflict cycle, the stress he had long felt was now showing on his face. The Aneplé conflict was all he thought about lately. Without drastic change, the conflict and the stress would only get worse.

This was Griken’s fourth conflict. He feared not only were the repetitive battles getting old, but also the Fleet was not up to the challenge this time. The Council of Interplanetary Governors or CIG had sent him on this errand to this backwater planet to change the direction of the conflict. He doubted it would make a difference in the conflict’s outcome. Again peering into the porthole, he saw his grim expression harden into one of visible anger. Griken turned away and reclined, his seat automatically adjusting to his body’s new position. Yet he could not relax, thinking about why he was on this planet.

Griken closed his eyes, thinking about the treaty that was signed fifteen solar cycles ago between the CIG and the Aneplé Alliance after the last conflict. The treaty included a disarmament agreement, reducing weapons and platforms. However, the Aneplé insisted upon a treaty addendum listing key individuals to be demoted or retired. Victim number one on the Aneplé’s list was CIG’s Fleet Admiral N’Klaftin, Griken’s mentor, who questioned the wisdom of entering into the treaty.

Admiral N’Klaftin had been right. CIG was now suffering the consequences of the flawed agreement. The admiral had been close to predicting the future when he had said, It’s unlikely the Aneplé will accept the losses or terms in the treaty. It won’t be too long before they return. When they do, they will be ferocious.

Thinking about the recent damages and losses, Griken was furious with the bureaucrats at CIG who had allowed the Fleet to deteriorate to its current state. At least they were now recalling the more effective battle leaders whom they had previously agreed to discharge.

Griken had been tasked with convincing the admiral to return to the Fleet. He knew the admiral well enough to know it would take more than just Griken to convince him to return. The visit might be a waste of everyone’s time. In addition, since arriving at the planet, Griken had his own professional concerns on the wisdom of trying to convince N’Klaftin to return to the Fleet, especially since the admiral had chosen to exile himself to a primitive planet under observation. At least Griken now understood why he had not heard from N’Klaftin or his daughter, Nee. He derived his affectionate nickname for her from her last name rather than using the same name as her father. They obviously were not in a position to tell him they had settled on a planet that had not been announced yet. If they had wanted to maintain contact, they would have chosen a different planet that would allow easier communications.

Griken turned and gazed back out of the shuttle’s porthole. Other than the shuttle’s low-pitched hum, he found the shuttle uncomfortably quiet. Needing to distract himself, he turned his attention to the tablet on his lap and placed his index finger on it. A small hologram of the Rnuefcan System with its ten planets and satellites appeared above the tablet. He tapped and gestured through a few of the war-gaming maneuvers his staff had sent him.

Griken shook his head in frustration as he watched the ship icons exploding on his hologram. His concentration was definitely off. He was also failing miserably at attempting to keep himself busy before they arrived at their destination. Unable to focus on the upcoming deployment, he gave up and gestured to the hologram to disappear into his tablet. Griken checked his internal chronometer, and was relieved the pilot would have them at their destination fairly soon.

Commander Kiraine Janeque finished reviewing the Fleet notifications and turned back toward Griken. Admiral, I have prioritized the Fleet’s notifications that have arrived since our transit to this planet. I have forwarded a few to the Department Chiefs for action and your tablet for information. They do not require your immediate attention.

Good, I’ll review them when we return to CIG space, Griken responded. Have you heard anything new on the situation in the Elstanis Sector? Commander Janeque’s home planet was located there. The Sector’s planets were centers for agriculture and had been categorized as having little strategic value to the Aneplé. Given its distance from the Aneplé borders, the sector had been left unprotected. There had been no indication the planets were at risk. Both CIG and the Fleet were taken by surprise when the Aneplé chose to attack the system and easily overwhelmed the planets’ defenses with minimal force. The Fleet responded to the incursion by sending two squadrons to the sector to reclaim the planets.

Kiraine, barely holding her voice steady, Admiral, the news is not good. The squadrons have been unsuccessful in dislodging Aneplé’s foothold in the Elstanis Sector. It looks like a loss of near thirty-five percent tonnage at this time.

Griken looked at his aide’s reflection on the windshield, staring intently at her pad. Pain filled her voice. While he didn’t have specific information on the commander’s family, the Aneplé were infamously cruel in their mistreatment of prisoners, whether military or civilians. The Aneplé’s interest in the agrarian planets baffled Griken. Commander, when we return to the battle cruiser I’ll ask Intelligence, off the record, if there is any word on the status of the civilians. Griken was aware Kiraine had already heard of her family’s disposition when she self-reported the Aneplé contact. She shared with him that she had been told they were alive and in good health at the time. The unwanted contact had made it clear her family’s continued good health would depend upon her actions in the future. The Fleet’s responses to the Aneplé’s current activities had been one disaster after another. Elstanis looked to be no different. Griken didn’t want to dwell on the Aneplé contact’s insinuated threat to his aide.

Thank you, sir, Kiraine responded quietly.

The pilot announced, Admiral, I have located our targets. They were not at the designated landing site. The primary target is in the middle of a body of water. I’m currently hovering over him.

That’s odd, thought Griken. The station commander had assured him the pilot had sent advance communications and the admiral would be expected at the normal landing site, not someplace surrounded by water. Can you land near him? Griken asked while staring down into the blackness below. He wondered if the pilot or his aide could see anything below them through the front windshield.

Sir, I don’t recommend a water landing at this time. I can’t guarantee it would be safe. I don’t have enough familiarity with this body of water to know if I have the appropriate safety equipment. The sensors aren’t showing anything remarkable in the area other than a small watercraft. I’m concerned about the lack of lighting in the area.

I can’t see a damn thing back here. Can either of you see anything through the front windshield? Griken took a deep breath, filled with frustration. If this mission was that critical, the station should have provided him with a fully equipped shuttle. Is there an area nearby where you can land safely? Griken continued to look out of his porthole.

Sir, there are several areas nearby where I could land the shuttle, but they are not secure. I can, however, provide you with a visual, the pilot offered.

Follow protocols, Griken ordered as he turned to face the screen attached to the back of the pilot’s seat. Griken could not believe what he was seeing. This was going to be a catastrophe.

His aide, who was monitoring the sensors, asked, Sir, do you think a rescue is needed?

Griken was not sure what was stranger, seeing the former Fleet admiral sprawled out on a chair holding a box, unconscious and oblivious to the shuttle, or considering if he should rescue him. As odd and disturbing as the sight was, he wasn’t convinced the admiral needed rescuing at this time. N’Klaftin looked visibly aged from living on this planet; he may have shut down the rejuvenation function in his chip. What an utterly foolish thing for him to do, since breaks in rejuvenation occasionally resulted in long-term damage related to aging. Griken had a fleeting thought that CIG was crazy to want him back, but he wouldn’t know for sure until he met with the admiral face to face. Griken wondered if going native had taken a toll on the admiral. This really could be the end for the old dragon. Commander, are you getting any readings on his vital signs?

Admiral, he appears to be sleeping. However, there is a native next to him on the craft.

This is getting better and better, Griken thought before he barked the order, Wake him up, now.

Sir, you want me to wake him up? the pilot asked.

Yes. Now, Griken ordered again, frustrated he had to repeat himself.

The pilot turned on the shuttle’s bright landing lights and held them on the admiral for about thirty Earth seconds. Commander Janeque observed, The pilot’s actions appear to have elicited a response. Admiral N’Klaftin’s vital signs are currently normal.

Griken was relieved, but he questioned the protocols the pilot had followed and wondered why she didn’t send an encrypted message to his chip. Good, get us out of here. I want you to land at the original landing coordinates and remain in stealth mode when you land. I’ll wait for the admiral to show up.

Yes, sir, the pilot responded.

Kiraine stared at the monitor watching N’Klaftin and the native quickly shrink as their vehicle flew away from the lake. Kiraine wasn’t convinced the answer to the Fleet’s problems would be Admiral N’Klaftin. Nonetheless, the Fleet needed a shot in the arm.

Chapter 1

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The light crisp breeze continued to cool the clear night air, giving Brad Johnson an unobstructed view of the night sky. Staring at the vastness of space, he couldn’t imagine a more perfect viewing condition. Well maybe if he was viewing it from the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii or in his Cessna. As far as he was concerned, this was almost as good, considering his location to the nearest town. Brad leaned back in his chair and stretched his shoulders back as he yawned. If he weren’t careful, the soft wind whispering past him and the easy rocking of his boat, Miss Lily, would lull him to sleep. Brad smiled thinking how fortunate life had been for him. He couldn’t ask for anything more. He had a great family, a boat, a plane, and a company he owned with his wife and brother-in-law.

Brad glanced at the ripples across the dark lake. Either the fish were not interested in his new lures or the lake hadn’t been fully stocked with fish. While it would have been nice to have caught something, his father had taught him night fishing was more about spending time with family and friends and savoring the cool nights; a respite from the day’s oppressive heat. Sitting on the boat was his therapy. It allowed him to recover from work with its constant phone ringing and emails. At the lake, his mind could relax and meander through the worlds of what ifs. He never felt his time on the lake was wasted; his better-patented ideas came to him while just staring at the sky either on the lake or on the golf course near his home.

Brad could have spent all night on the lake. He glanced over at his brother-in-law, Connor, asleep in a chair a few feet away with the spotlight precariously balanced on his lap pointing down toward the boat’s deck.

Sighing, Brad recognized it was time to call it a night, especially when his safety net of an extra set of eyes and ears was not functioning. Their wives, who had set up a mini-camp near the pier with their children, were probably ready to go home too. The four of them rotated the parental duties to give everyone lake time. Tonight happened to be Connor’s and his turn. He treasured the nights when his wife Shinny and he would fish together, but those evenings often didn’t result in many caught fish, either.

Brad wasn’t upset at Connor for trying to catch a few winks. Thinking about the thirteen years he had known Connor, this was one of those rare moments when he wasn’t working. Brad suspected Connor, always planning, working hard, was watching and waiting for something. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what the something might be. So, he chose to believe Connor’s attentiveness was related to expanding their business. Since high school, when he met Connor and Shinny, Connor’s twin sister, who was now his wife, Brad had known they were both overachievers, working constantly at every task they took on. Over time, Brad came to realize Connor’s overachieving was more than just making sure a job was well done. Brad hadn’t understood Connor’s attitude in high school. Over time, as he became more aware of Connor’s abilities, he learned to view it as a combination of a special type of awareness and take-charge personality. Connor’s ability to plan, along with his need to follow up on everything straight to the finish, were key components of his personality. In the process, Connor swept up Brad, dragging (or was it pushing?) him along. Brad refused to put much thought into it. Trying to analyze something that didn’t need to be analyzed would just give him a headache.

Not wanting to spend any more time on the lake, Brad stood up and stretched his 6’4" frame. At times, his size seemed overwhelming especially when Connor, who was equally as tall as him were fishing together on his small boat. He pulled in his line quietly to let Connor get in a few more winks. He laughed quietly, thinking how Connor and Shinny seemed different when he first met them. Both of them came across smart and industrious, but oddly ignorant of common things. How he laughed at Connor’s disappointment upon learning the drinking age was twenty-one—six more years before he could legally have a beer—or never having heard of trick-or-treating. At the time he had wondered what planet New York was on, if the drinking age was fifteen and there was no trick-or-treating.

He was preparing to leave when a low humming sound began overhead, a sound similar to an incandescent light bulb filament about to blow out. Brad was perplexed since the sound wasn’t natural to Miss Lily or any other boat docked on the lake. He looked around trying to figure out what was making the sound. As the humming increased in intensity he looked around the lake again. He had a gnawing feeling someone was watching them, although the lake looked as empty as when they had first arrived. Brad was about to wake Connor up and ask him what he thought of the sound, when he looked up at the sky. He gasped.

An airborne wedge floated directly over the boat, illuminated with an eerie green light that was pulsating with the humming. The soft translucent green lighting of the wedge was not reflecting on the lake. Brad did a double take; was what he was seeing real? He couldn’t be sure it was ever possible for light to be contained in a specific area, but that was the reality before him.

What was that thing? Brad pulled his ball cap off and craned his neck further back trying to get a better view. It wasn’t any type of American military aircraft, unless it was experimental. A foreign power probably wouldn’t fly this far inland, as there were no military facilities nearby. He wasn’t aware of any aircraft that looked like that or could hover like that. Okay, a helicopter could hover like that, but that definitely wasn’t a helicopter. It didn’t have any rotors. From the shape and the way it was hovering, he wondered if it was even from this planet.

Mesmerized, Brad stared at it for a few more seconds. Was he crazy thinking it might have come from another planet? He needed to wake Connor up and get him to look at it. Just as he moved toward Connor, something landed with a loud thud on the deck, followed by an intense white light from the object in the sky that shined directly into his eyes.

Oh, shit, yelled both Brad and Connor.

Brad squinted and turned toward Connor. Did you see that thing in the sky with the bright light?

Of course I saw the light. I dropped the damn spotlight on the deck. The light from the flashlight blinded me. Connor squatted on the deck feeling for the spotlight that had switched off as quickly as it had turned on. Are you okay? Did the light flash into your eyes, also?

I’m fine, other than my eyes hurting. I wasn’t asking about the spotlight. Did you see the light in the sky? Brad asked, emphasizing the words ‘in the sky’. The aircraft in the sky that looked like a flying green wedge. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Did you see it?

Connor rubbed his eyes. I don’t know what you are talking about and I didn’t see anything, except the spotlight falling from my lap and the light shining into my eyes and blinding me. Before that, I didn’t see much either because I must have dozed off.

What about the hum? Did you hear that? It was loud and unnatural for the lake. I can’t believe you didn’t hear the sound, Brad exclaimed in disbelief. Are you okay? Is that what woke you up?

What hum? There’s no hum now. Connor stared at Brad. I didn’t see anything either until the spotlight fell off my lap and blinded me. Frankly, I was in a deep sleep and didn’t hear anything either. He stood and pointed the spotlight toward the lake to test it. He turned the light on and off and back on. It looks like the light is still working. Connor turned the light off.

As the spots in his vision diminished, Brad looked at Connor with amazement, standing in front of him holding the dark spotlight. How could he have missed the aircraft or whatever the hell it was? Connor, just look up and you’ll see the aircraft that I just saw, Brad stressed, peeved at his brother-in-law’s rare moment of obtuseness.

Staring at the sky, Connor shook his head, indicating he saw nothing. Where did the aircraft come from? Which direction did it go?

Brad looked back at the sky but saw only the night sky with all the stars in place. I don’t know. Whatever it was, I’m not making it up, and I know what I saw. I saw an object that looked like a flying wedge with a greenish cast, hovering over us, making a loud humming noise. It was unlike anything I have ever seen before. It must have flown away. Brad turned in a circle, staring at the dark sky looking for the object, wondering how it could have moved as quietly and as fast as it did. Then again it had appeared with virtually no warning.

Brad, I’m not doubting you or what you saw. I just didn’t see anything earlier and I don’t see anything now.

Could you take the boat in? I’m a little shaken by the UFO or whatever I saw. Brad wasn’t sure what bothered him the most, the sudden appearance and disappearance of the UFO or Connor’s nonchalant attitude. Connor acted as if he didn’t believe him. Brad questioned whether he saw anything or if his brain had decided to jump off a cliff. His mind would sometimes wander, but never could he remember a time when both his vision and hearing were so severely affected.

Connor reeled in his fishing line. Sure, I’ll take the boat in for you. Did you catch anything? Connor knew Brad had seen something. The description worried Connor and he had a hunch, but he wasn’t going to say anything until he had more information. He would check the flight paths on flightradar24 and use a special application he had downloaded to identify the aircraft Brad had described.

I didn’t catch any fish, just a glimpse of a strange aircraft, if I even saw it. Brad reeled his line in toward the boat.

Why did you say that? I believe you saw something. You need to stop questioning yourself just because I didn’t see or hear it.

You’re right. I wonder if Shinny and Nan saw or heard anything. I’ll call them once we are on our way and ask them. I’ll also have them pack up the camp and meet us at the trucks with the children.

Chapter 2

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Brad pulled his pickup truck into the driveway, looking at the dark house in his rearview mirror. Connor and Nan probably wouldn’t be home with their twins, Sarah and Ben, for at least another fifteen to twenty minutes. Nan had mentioned she needed to pick up a few things at Wal-Mart and observe the activity in the store. Brad wanted to know what she was observing at Wal-Mart at this time of the night, but over the years, he had learned it was better to ignore Nan’s idiosyncrasies. Connor, Shinny and he had met Nan in Boston while they were attending MIT. At that time, Nan was an art student at Boston University, in many ways she was Connor’s perfect match. Nan had moved to Boston from California, but Brad sometimes wondered if in fact she came from the same town in New York as Connor and Shinny. She made similar errors about life in general. Brad often excused himself to avoid laughing out loud and embarrassing her. Connor seemed to love the way Nan, in all seriousness, defended Santa Claus as having been real, as if she were defending an anthropology dissertation in an oral examination. Connor supported her, saying she had a point: Why would an imaginary individual be associated with a birth of a real individual? Brad laughed; Connor really had it bad for Nan. He was glad the relationship had worked out for them. Asking the question would only have opened him up for another anthropology dissertation on Wal-Mart shoppers. Coming from Nan it could be humorous, but that was the last thing he was in the mood for now. His family acted blasé in response to his claim that a UFO flew over his boat, as if it were an everyday occurrence. It was odd they were not going to let a small thing like a visit from a UFO stop them from their pilgrimage to Wal-Mart. He loved his wife and brother and sister-in-law, but at times, their offbeat mannerisms threw him completely off kilter.

Brad, are you okay? You seem oddly silent since seeing the aircraft flying over the lake, Shinny asked apprehensively, as she gathered her backpack, seeming to wait for him to talk to her.

I’m fine, just unsettled being the only one that heard and saw the UFO. If they didn’t see or hear it, could it have been a figment of my imagination? Brad asked himself.

No one doubts you. We believe you saw something, she reassured him. I’m not sure I understand why you are so upset.

It isn’t every day a person sees a UFO. It would be nice to have someone else confirm the sighting. Otherwise a person could begin to feel crazy like I do, right now. Brad stared in the rearview mirror at their sleeping son, Teledane. Shinny had insisted on naming their son after her father, Teledane. At first Brad was reluctant to give their son such an odd name, but he agreed when they decided his nickname would be Dane. He remembered Connor saying since Brad was naming his son after Shinny’s father; he wanted to name his own children after Brad’s parents, Benjamin and Sarah. Brad thought at the time Connor’s reaction to the name Teledane was odd. Didn’t Connor have the same father as his twin sister? He was going to ask Connor, but Shinny gave him the let it go look, so he did. Yet again he had been surprised by their reactions.

Shinny wrinkled her brow at Brad’s confused expression. Are you okay?

Brad ignored Shinny’s question. He needed to get a grip and think this through on his own. I’m fine. Could you put Dane to bed? I need to go to the golf course and stare at the sky a little more. I’ll take care of the gear either later tonight or tomorrow before I go to the office.

Would you like some company? I could ask Nan to watch Dane for a few minutes when she returns and join you.

They hadn’t lain on the golf course together in a long time. As much as he wanted her to join him, she would be a distraction. He wouldn’t be able to think about what he saw and what it meant, if anything. He needed to be alone to clear his head. With that thought in mind, he looked at his wife. I just need a little time to myself. I should be over this sighting issue when I return. If I’m not, just kick me in the rear, because I need to get back on track.

Shinny smiled. Mm, kick in the rear might be too rough. Maybe we can come up with something we both can enjoy. Shinny was aware of her husband’s confusion and wanted to comfort him. She knew from his detailed description of the aircraft that he wasn’t crazy, but she didn’t want to consider what it could mean. Earlier Connor had pulled her aside and said he would look to see if there was anything on the Internet and check other sources he could access with his special clearance. He was certain it wouldn’t be too long before he had an answer.

Deal, confirmed Brad, smiling as he reached over and quickly kissed her on her lips. I’ll get Dane out of his car seat for you.

Brad got out of the truck, and opened the cab’s back door and unbuckled Dane. Come on, sleepy boy, time to get you into bed.

Daddy, will you read a book to me tonight? Dane yawned.

No, tonight’s Mommy’s turn and you know she is a much better story reader than me. Brad handed Dane over to Shinny. I’ll take the shortcut behind Connor and Nan’s house. I don’t think I’ll be too long.

Shinny watched Brad jog across the street and disappear behind her old house, thinking Connor was right about him. Brad was young and innocent from her perspective, and a good match for her. He was kind, loyal, and, by current standards brilliant. Interestingly, Brad also complemented Connor in many ways. He never resented Connor’s overbearing personality, and that was saying a lot when it came to Connor.

Both Connor and she needed to share the family secret with Brad soon. The secret might have remained intact longer, but Nan, who shared the same secret, had been prodding her to say something ever since Dane’s conception. She was waiting for permission and the right time. Shinny cringed, knowing there would never be a right time when it came to Brad. She knew Brad well enough to know he would be hurt she had kept the secret for as long as she had. She hoped when she did share the secret he wouldn’t wait too long in forgiving her.

Brad, bothered by the strange reaction of his family, felt alone. He couldn’t understand why he was the only one who saw the UFO. He lay down on the grass near the twelfth hole and looked up into the sky, hoping to see the UFO or whatever that aircraft was again. However, the view of the stars from the golf course was no different from what he saw from his boat, giving him no indication he would ever see the UFO again.

For him the golf course was as calming as the lake, and had always provided him with a sense of peace and quiet and a place for him to recharge. Unlike the lake, the golf course was his personal refuge. The exception had been the first time he invited Shinny to join him. That evening had been as peculiar as this night.

He closed his eyes, re-experiencing every detail of that earlier evening, a year and a half after he returned from Boston with Connor, Shinny, and Nan.

Brad had valued his time at MIT. He had looked forward to joining a company leading IT innovations. However, both Connor and Shinny wanted to return to their sleepy town upon graduation to start their own Internet security business. After four years in greater Boston and with dozens of job offers, Brad thought working for one of the big IT companies would be more challenging and rewarding. But once again, Connor was right. They answered only to themselves.

Shinny supported Connor’s plan to return home to start a company. Brad could never say no to Shinny, and was willing to follow her and give her more time to settle down. Everyone in town, including his parents, thought that one day he would marry Shinny. However, Brad never believed it was a forgone conclusion, and he wasn’t sure she was interested in a long-term commitment with anyone. Shinny didn’t date in high school or in college. She used Connor as the messenger, letting Brad know not to ask if he didn’t want a no. Connor told Brad Shinny thought he was too young for her, which puzzled him, as he was two months older than Shinny. When he asked Connor what that meant, Connor shrugged and said women, as if that would explain everything.

His parents had just sold the house to him and left the area. He grabbed his lucky blanket and asked Shinny to join him. The blanket, a Johnson Tartan plaid, had an alternating pattern of blue and green squares. His parents had given him the blanket when he was a child, explaining to him how lucky he was to have a plaid that symbolized his love for the lake and the golf course.

He shook the blanket open and gestured for Shinny to have a seat. Mademoiselle, please select your seat.

Shinny sat toward the center of the blanket with her silhouette washed in the starlight. She rested her elbows on her bent knees and looked up at the stars. He sat as close as possible to her without touching her, imitating her position. He stared at her profile thinking it had been over nine years with never an indication she was interested in a relationship with him. He wondered why she even agreed to join him that evening. He assumed it would be just another uncomfortable evening with her. He had coached himself to avoid any relationship conversation.

Shinny, do you ever wonder if there are others in the universe?

She continued to stare at the night sky. Not really. I’ve seen all the Star Wars movies.

At times, Connor and Shinny would make the queerest statements and completely throw Brad off balance. This was one of those moments. He was lost. I’m not sure I understand what you are saying. What do the movies have to do with considering if there are other intelligent life forms in the universe?

Between Star Trek and Star Wars, the prevailing thought is that there is other intelligent life in the universe. Even if the films are based on a fantasy or wishful thinking, there usually is a source for the fantasy or legend indicating it was based on something real. Therefore, it would not matter what I thought since it is probable these stories may have originated from several different experiences or contact with life forms originating from other planets.

Brad rolled his eyes, thinking she was spending too much time with Nan. In general, he could understand how the theory would stand with many of the stories that had stood over time. However, he was sure it wouldn’t apply to these movies and felt he needed to change the subject as quickly as possible. He stared at her beautiful profile. At times she left him breathless, as if he were viewing a precious work of art. I like that you have grown your hair out. It’s beautiful.

Thank you.

Why did you keep your hair short for as long as you did? He ached to run his hand through her hair. He held back from touching her, concerned how Shinny might react. He could see her either running or breaking his hand. The breaking his hand wasn’t an exaggeration, and he hoped she would stop short of breaking it, though he figured it would only hurt for a few days. Shinny was the most physically fit person he knew. She was constantly exercising and practicing numerous martial art styles. There had been a few times in high school when the football players harassed her or other girls, and failed to heed her warnings to back off. Even though a few towered over her six-foot frame, they would quickly find themselves on the ground crying in agony. He would not have believed it had he not seen it for himself. It didn’t take too long for word to spread through the school and for the boys to become more respectful of the girls in their school.

The shorter hair was easier when I was working.

Brad rolled his eyes in bewilderment again, Working, what work? You just started working a year and a half ago when we started the company. You were in high school, then college before that.

You’re right, she sighed. It was just easier in the past to keep it short. I seem to have fewer things to worry about now.

Brad watched Shinny continue to stare upward. He wished he could see the expression on her face, in her eyes. Shinny exhibited a strange mood and he wondered what she was thinking. She was completely still, a motionless statue. He remembered wondering at the time if she was even breathing.

How is having your own home working out for you?

Brad was surprised by the question and embarrassed, thinking he talked about the house a number of times at work, but obviously, she had not been listening and he was perplexed with her asking about it then.

It’s been different from when my parents owned it. I don’t think I appreciated the constant maintenance and cleaning they did, but I am getting used to it. I moved into the master suite and it has been a nice change, having the bigger room.

Can I move in with you?

Whoa, where the hell did that come from? Brad asked himself. Did he even hear her right? Excuse me, what did you ask?

Can I move in with you? Shinny turned her head to look at him. It isn’t comfortable living with Connor and Nan. They need more privacy and Connor doesn’t need my protection anymore.

What are you talking about? Your brother never needed protection. He may not have had the same interest as you in the martial arts, but he was 6’4 when both of you moved here and started high school. He could take care of himself, countered Brad in surprise. He always thought her devotion to her brother was at times excessive but it never occurred to him she would have this over the top" commitment that included protecting her twin brother. Maybe it was a maternal reaction to losing their parents before they moved here.

I know it seems odd, but I made a pledge to protect Connor. It never occurred to me it would no longer be necessary until recently.

Brad sat silently. He wasn’t sure how to respond. As odd as it was, he didn’t know if he needed to know more about what she had just declared or not. He ignored it. "Have you thought about looking for your