Southern Cross by Windstar

Emily grimly smiled as she took another look at a different report. A surprisingly small majority
of the Senators from North America were Democratic or Republican. Good, guess it's not only a
two party system anymore. They better wake up to that fact real fast though.
The buzz from her com panel interrupted her thoughts. Flicking the pad back onto the desk top
with the others, she pushed the accept button and raised a questioning eyebrow as her
uncomfortable com officer looked back at her.
"Yes, Mr. Evans?"
"Uh, Ma'am, I have a com for you."
Blue eyes narrowed by a fraction of an inch as she took in the nervous behavior. Some of it was
because she'd chewed him out earlier, but there was more to it than just that.
"From whom?"
"It's a com from Southern Cross' Guardian, Ma'am. Guardian McGrath would like to speak with
you."
It would be so easy to accept that com, to speak with Julie. She'd apologize for ignoring the
younger woman for the last few days, and for ever doubting her. It would be so easy, yet so very
difficult; too difficult for the First Guardian, for Emie, to even attempt. The dark place in her
soul where her hate resided wouldn't let her.
"Tell her…"
The First Guardian stared at the view port behind her, taking in the silent beauty of the stars.
Swallowing she continued, damning herself for taking the coward's way.
"Tell her that I'm busy."
Chapter Eight
"Busy?"
"Ah, I mean, yes Guardian, the First Guardian is busy."
"Fine."
Snarling, she disconnected and stood, pacing behind her desk. She'd gone around having
Webster make the com call for her, and had simply used her bond with her ship self to initiate the
call. It wasn't as if Webster didn't have anything else to do at the moment, as the young man
helped set up a tactical net between all of the recently bonded human Guardians. The last of
whom had only bonded two days previous. The entire newly assembled Guardian fleet was
scheduled to begin war maneuvers in two days.