In The Beginning, Gail Daley [red white royal blue .TXT] 📗

my family on board this ship. However, I make no promises for the future." She turned back to Captain Heidelberg. "Captain, I do request that this—person—be sequestered to her quarters or some other secure area for the remainder of our journey."

Captain Hidelberg scowled at Katherine. "You say this is a second attempt? When was the first one made?"

"On the planet before we left."

"Un-Huh. Very well, Lady O’Teague, since I am anxious to prevent any further incidents I will honor your request. I will accept your assurance that you will not further disrupt my ship, as I have always found that the word of a Lady of Vensoog to be absolutely trustworthy."

He stared angrily at Darla Lister. "One of the features left to us by our former military occupiers is a functioning Brig. Michelson, Moore, take Miss Lister down to the Brig and lock her in. Inform the cook to send her meals there."

"Donna DeMedici, I trust you have no objection?"

Donna DeMedici stood. "None, Captain, and I wish to apologize to you for this incident and to Lady O’Teague as well. I too am a guest on your vessel and I will abide by your decisions and ensure that the members of my clan do so. I assure both you and the Lady O’Teague that I will investigate this matter within house and take whatever disciplinary action is needed."

Lewiston had risen. "That’s it? She’s just condemned? Not even a trial?"

Captain Hidelberg eyed him. "I see you are unfamiliar with proceedings aboard ship, Mister Lewiston. A Captain’s Mast is a form of trial, and I have just passed Judgment." He added, "If you wish to dispute my Judgement, I assure you there is an adjoining cell down in the Brig where you can be accommodated."

"Enough!" Donna DeMedici snapped. "Did you not hear me accept the Captain’s judgment? Come, Lewiston, before I change my mind and ask Captain Hidelberg to put you there as well." She swept out the door, her back stiff with anger and embarrassment.

Once Katherine had collected her new family back in their suite and they had all been fortified with a restorative drink, she looked around at them. "Well, we survived it," she remarked. "And I think we can relax about Lister. Clan DeMedici at least for the time being will make sure she behaves. So, Juliette," she continued, "now would be a good time to let me in on just exactly why you kids have been following Darla Lister around."

There was an uncomfortable silence. The children all exchanged guilty looks and most of the adults surprised ones. Katherine sipped her drink and fixed her gaze on Juliette, waiting for an answer.

Juliette finally put down her chocolate and rubbed her hands together. At last, she said, "I knew something was funny after she played that trick on us at the toy shop. Then we overheard her and Lewiston talking about a weapons drop at the ball. I wanted to find out why, so we planted one of these," she held up a small flat object that changed color to match her skin, "on their boots so we could listen in on who they talked to and what they said."

"You have to be pretty close to be able to hear it though," Roderick put in. "That’s why we were following them around," Rupert finished his twin’s sentence.

Katherine held out her hand. "May I see it?"

Juliette handed it to her. Katherine held it up against her sleeve and it changed to blend in with the sleeve. "Ingenious. Where did you get them?"

Juliette blew out her breath. "I stole a bunch of them from Grouter when we left. I thought—I wanted—well I was pretty sure we could trust you, but we didn’t really know you and everyone was depending on me to decide so I—well I used them to listen to you without you knowing so I could be sure you were okay," she finished defiantly.

"Ah, and what did you decide?" Katherine inquired mildly.

The five younger children exchanged looks. "If you want us then we’d like to stay with you, if that’s alright," Juliette said.

Katherine laughed delightedly. "Oh, I want you, all of you." She turned to Corrine, "What did I tell you? A daughter after my own heart! Welcome, daughters and sons, Forever And A Day!"

"Forever And A Day," Corrine agreed, echoing the promise. Unexpectedly, Katherine found herself with an armful of children. She hugged them all fiercely, and then wiped her eyes.

"Glad as I am that is settled," Gideon remarked, "I would like to know what the children found out about Lewiston’s plans."

Zack frowned at him. "Why do you think he has plans? Other than finding a new home, that is."

"I heard some rumors. At the end of the action on Janus, there was chitchat going around that some of the displaced soldiers had tried a coup. I know he was investigated along with some other officers."

Katherine brought them back to what she considered was the more important subject.

"Well, I certainly think a forewarning about the Submit is worth passing on to my sister; she can pass it on to the DeMedici’s. However, I don’t want any of you children doing any more unauthorized surveillance, okay?"

"Okay," Juliette agreed. After a hesitation, the boys did the same.

A few days before their arrival at their new home, Zack and Roderick took a walk down to the Brig after Lewiston went to visit Darla Lister. While Zack engaged the crewman on duty ostensibly about the time of her release, claiming he wanted to make sure they wouldn’t be on the same shuttle, Roderick retrieved the button and recorder they had placed there.

Katherine frowned when they brought it to the family planning meeting after dinner that evening. "I thought you promised not to engage in any more spying?" she said.

"Actually," Zack replied, "I believe the word was ‘unauthorized’ surveillance. Gideon and I asked the boys to furnish us with a button and a receiver. We added a recorder as well so we know who