Vordol's Vow: Rising Sons, #2

Vordol’s Vow

A Rising Sons Novella

By

Dena Garson

Vordol’s Vow

Copyright © 2017 Dena Garson

Edited by Deelylah Mullin

Cover Art Photo Copyright: hannatv/Depositphotos.com

All rights reserved.

The L.S. Quantum and its world was originally created by author Jayne Fury for the SFRShootingStars.com anthology, Cosmic Cabaret, published October 2017 - April 2018. Vordol’s Vow was first published as part of this anthology.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental.

ISBN: 1-945075-10-4

DEDICATION

As always, this is for my boys.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I was honored to have my novella included on the Cosmic Cabaret project. The ladies with SFRSS (Speculative Fiction Romance Shooting Stars) work hard and are extremely talented – they deserve so many kudos!

Be sure to read the other books from the set:

Selene Grace Silver - Razer's Edge

Jayne Fury - Stars Shining Bright Above

Rosalie Redd - Star-Studded Love

Kat Vancil - A Dance of Fallen Stars

Cathryn Cade w/a C.J. Cade - Catch a Falling Star

Athena Grayson - Forbidden Alliance

Cailin Briste - Educated by the Master

Kerry Adrienne - Starlight

Jenna Lincoln - Comets and Caviar

Tessa McFionn - Midnight at Andromeda's

Blaire Edens - Hide and Peek

Diana Rivis - Star Searchers

- 1 -

PITANNAH Lorento finished working the rest of her shift in the dining room. The crowd remained fairly light but that would change in a few more days—once guests arrived for the annual Quantum Burlesque Talent Search. Soon the ship would be full to bursting with intergalactic celebrities, news personalities, and performers.

For the last six years she hadn’t missed a broadcast of the competition. The glitz and glamor that had dazzled her for so long was within reach. It was a dream come true to have the opportunity to enter much less compete.

She chewed on her thumb nail. Could she really do it? She had a routine and she had most of the entry fee. All she needed was a couple more costumes and a little over a hundred credits. If she didn’t enter, when would she ever get another chance?

She was still thinking about the glamorous lives the previous contest winners had gone on to live when she reached her cabin. Her two closest friends, Daloya and Trenna, were waiting for her. What’s up?

Trenna pushed away from the wall where she’d been leaning. We thought you’d be off shift about now.

Just finished. Pitannah used her Identiband to unlock her door. The three of them piled inside the tiny cabin. I guess you two aren’t working this evening. Did you guys want to go eat?

Yes, but we can wait a little while, Daloya said. We wanted to talk to you about something first.

Pitannah dropped her apron onto her dresser. Okay. Something in Daloya’s tone gave her pause as if whatever they wanted to talk to her about might be upsetting. She sat on the edge of her bed and looked at them expectantly.

Well… Daloya glanced at Trenna who nodded encouragingly. We have been thinking.

And plotting, Trenna added.

About…? Pitannah pulled one of her boots off.

About you entering the talent search, Daloya answered.

Pitannah froze and looked from Daloya to Trenna, then back to Daloya.

We know you’ve been debating entering and we think you should do it, Daloya told her.

Trenna nodded enthusiastically.

We’ve both seen you dance. You have a natural talent for it, Trenna told her.

And your background in ballet is a bonus, Daloya added.

But—

You’ve done Burlesque, Daloya cut off Pitannah’s objection.

You said you made a lot of extra credits when you danced for that club while we were at University, Trenna added.

Yeah, but—

So why not use this as a chance to show off what you can do? Trenna asked.

Daloya waved her hand in the direction of the upper decks. Let those stuck up Quantum Stage Managers see what they’ve been missing out on.

I just can’t believe Cipolla has never noticed your talent, Trenna muttered as she flopped into the chair. Then again, he probably saw it but didn’t want his precious Bubbles to worry about any more competition than she already has for the lead spot.

Pitannah held up one hand to stop their list of reasons why she should. You’re right. I have been considering it. But my first problem is that I’ve only got one costume and it’s not very good. Nothing like they use on a stage like this one.

Not a problem, Daloya reassured her.

Pitannah’s brows rose. It is a problem. The costume is half of the performance.

We have that covered, Trenna said smugly.

How did they have that covered? Costumes didn’t fall from the stars. Had they lost their minds?

What are your other objections? Trenna asked with a smirk.

Even if I manage to round up one great costume, I’d really need three for the contest. She shrugged. Assuming I made it that far.

Daloya pooh-poohed her concern away. Go on.

And my fans have so much dust on them I’m not sure the feathers would stand up to the use.

You can use mine, Trenna told her. Remember that set I got from Violet DeLight a couple months ago? Gorgeous! I’d love to see you put them to good use.

Oooo. And I have a couple pair of gloves you can use, Daloya added.

I bet we could get others if you need something different to match your costume. Trenna practically bounced with enthusiasm.

Daloya scrunched up her nose. Assuming you want gloves, that is.

Trenna swatted at Daloya. Of course she wants gloves. That’s almost a requirement, right? Right up there with pasties.

And then there’s my routine. Pitannah got up and began to pace. My best is good but I’d need to work out some variations in order to accommodate the stage.

What do you mean? Daloya asked.

"The stages I’ve performed on have been traditional curtained backdrop. The one here at Quantum is in the round."

Daloya frowned. So?

So, you don’t interact with the audience the same way.

But, you could handle that, right? Daloya was always the optimist.

Yes. I’d just need a little practice. She tapped the side of her leg. I’d also need to pump up one of my other acts in case I moved into the finals.

You’ve been around a lot of great shows this last year, Trenna pointed out. Surely you’ve seen some good examples and little things you could incorporate into your own to freshen it up.

Yeah, Pitannah grudgingly admitted.

We can help you practice this week, Trenna told her.

Yes. We’ll be your audience, Daloya agreed.

What about my shifts during the contest? Pitannah asked. I just got moved into the evening slots where the better tippers are. I need to keep my slots if I’m going to get paid. She gestured wildly. And what about the money? You guys know I need to send everything I earn that I can’t function without to mom and Lexiani. They’re going to need every credit we can scrape together for mom’s procedure. If I enter this contest I’m risking money that mom really needs.

Daloya grabbed Pitannah’s hand. In a gentle voice she pointed out, You do realize that if you won the contest you’d have enough credits to pay for your mom’s procedure and put some back for any other emergencies, right?

Pitannah froze. Really? She quickly ran a few calculations around in her head.

Plus you get to meet Ms. Ruby. The Grand Dame herself, Trenna added. She’s offering to mentor the winner of the show for six months. Trenna’s smile widened. That alone would guarantee you a headline spot in any Quantum show.

Pitannah flopped onto the edge of her cot. Enough credits to pay for the procedure and save a bit back? That would be a dream come true.

So, what do you say? Daloya asked.

Pitannah cringed. Her mother really needed those credits and if she didn’t win the contest they would be short this month. It was a big gamble.

Daloya and Trenna sat on either side of her. We thought it might be an issue for you so we took up a collection to cover your entry fee. If you can pitch in the last thirty credits, you’re good to go.

Pitannah’s mouth fell open. You took up a collection?

Daloya nodded. Me and Trenna and a few of the other girls believe you can do it. That you’ve been overlooked for too long and just need a chance to prove yourself. So we all saved our tips for the last few weeks.

Oh, and Maricelle won a jackpot in the casino the other night, Trenna interjected.

So if you go check your credit balance you’ll see a little extra, Daloya told her.

Pitannah blinked back the tears pooling in her eyes. I don’t know what to say.

Say you’ll do it. Trenna elbowed her in the ribs. That you’ll win this damn competition for all of us and that when you’re a famous star you won’t forget about us little people.

Pitannah wrapped her arms around her two best friends. I could never forget you guys. She squeezed them. Besides, if I get famous, you’ll be right there with me. I’m not letting you guys go for anything in the universe!

- 2 -

VORDOL scanned the room of reporters from his position just behind Ms. Ruby Rose. Their trip to Quantum had gone smoothly, now he just needed to get her through the press conference. Once they were safely out of the spotlight he would be able to relax. A little anyway. In truth, he never relaxed. He was paid to stay alert and keep his clients safe.

While all his clients were important, keeping Ruby safe was personal for him. She was a long time-friend of his foster mother, Sela Rovnitov, and he considered her the great-aunt he never had. Thanks to Ruby’s part in the Terridine War, protecting her wasn’t always easy. Many Terridines had not forgotten how she helped the rebels smuggle key information out of the capital. Information that helped them break the federation’s hold on their supplies and support—thus winning their independence. Peace had been declared years ago, but grudges remained.

Ever since they arrived, he’d felt tingles at the back of his head. His internal warning system always told him when there was a threat but he didn’t spot anything out of place. When the Quantum spokesperson pulled Ruby into the spotlight to face a crowded room of reporters and unknown personnel, Vordol had almost called the conference off. The only thing stopping him from dragging her out of the room was Ruby’s assurance that she was fine.

For the most part, it was a boring ordeal. Most questions remained centered on her hopes for this year’s contest and news of previous winners. But since he had been unable to personally secure the room, he couldn’t stop scanning every face in the crowd for threats.

As soon as he received the signal from Ruby that she was ready to move along, he prompted his men to take their place at the door so they could control the