by M D Cooper
“EM signatures on the enemy hulls,” Scan announced.
“All ships, fire on those cruisers,” Antaris ordered just as a surge of beamfire streaked toward the SDL ships.
Shields lit up across both forces, and he glanced at Pharis. “You helped, but this is still going to be settled the old-fashioned way.”
Her face fell, but as he studied her expression, the former heiress’s eyes widened in surprise. “Maybe not,” she said, pointing at the holotank.
Antaris turned and sucked in a sharp breath as a dozen strange ships materialized in between the two fleets, blocking much of the beamfire. Their shields lit up as they absorbed shots from both sides, taking no damage whatsoever.
“Who the—“ Kell began, when a call came in on a broadcast frequency.
“This is Tanis, Bastion of Star City, here at the behest of our friends Terry and Cyrus of Gallas. All ships, cease fire, or be fired upon.”
“Cease fire!” Antaris ordered, glancing at the comm officer to ensure that the message had been relayed to all ships.
The man nodded, and the commodore turned his attention back to the holotank.
Indicators showed a single Gallean ship fire at an SDL vessel. The beams struck their intended target, doing minor damage, but it barely registered compared to what happened next.
Two of the new ships, each no longer than five hundred meters, fired a dozen beams each, wiping out the offending Gallean vessel’s shields before landing precise shots that burned away the craft’s beams and railguns. The final shots tore through its engine bell housings.
A similar event played out closer to Serenity, where several of the newcomers sat between Perry’s ships and the Thermodesian vessels.
“I won’t say it again,” Tanis’s voice came across the bridge’s audible systems. “Everyone stand down, or we’ll do it for you.”
A few seconds later, another message came in from a small craft rounding Serenity’s bulk. It was the Star Ember.
“Hey, everyone,” Cyrus’s voice came over the comms. “Hope we didn’t miss anything important.”
“Shit, Cyrus,” Pharis muttered. “You could have given us some warning.”
“Not my idea,” he replied. “We’re coming in to dock. We can talk in person in a few minutes.”
Antaris turned to Pharis. “Well, I think we weathered the worst of it.”
She nodded slowly, a look of worry on her face as she regarded the new ships. “Or we just created a new problem.”
LAST DITCH
STELLAR DATE: 01.02.8939 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Laurentia Estate, Acadia, Serenity System
REGION: Orion Freedom Alliance, Perseus Arm
Kristina stared up at the night sky, silently cursing her brother for abandoning her. Instead of protecting his homeworld, his house, he was off with that party girl airhead from Gallas, playing at being important with their Defense League nonsense.
With him had gone no small number of Acadian ships, and those who remained were of questionable loyalty. Already her troops were stretched thin across the world, putting down uprisings, and hunting down ringleaders who were inciting the people to violence.
She had half a mind to have the ships fire on hot spots, but the fear of another house seeing that action as an indication of her losing all control of Acadia stopped her from such rash action.
The sounds of weapons fire echoed across the hills, coming from sporadic fighting in the coastal city to the south. Her estate guards assured her that it was under control, just a few small bands. The estate was secure, and the best course of action was to weather the attack. Once the people grew hungry enough, they’d fall in line.
What was even better, Houses Mesophis and Charlemis were in shambles, both suffering widespread rebellion. That meant Nebracken had weaker targets than Acadia, and all she had to do was present a strong front.
More weapons fire caught her attention, as it sounded much louder, and her gaze turned to the winding road that led up to the clifftop estate. There were flashing lights halfway along the route, and more shots echoed through the hills.
“Sigmund?” she called over her shoulder. “What’s going on down there?”
The advisor stepped out of Kristina’s office and onto the balcony. “The watch commander has informed me that it’s just a small group. Nothing to worry about. We’ve dispatched more than enough troops to take care of them.”
Kristina drew a deep breath, wondering how she’d manage to sleep with all the chaos on Acadia, and so close to her home.
How did Mother keep things in line for so long?
Movement in the treeline below the balcony caught her attention.
“Wait…we have patrols this close too, right?”
Sigmund glanced down at the trees and nodded hastily. “Of course, my lady, but perhaps we should step inside.”
Nodding nervously, she allowed him to guide her back into the office, closing the door just as something struck the glass.
“What the—” She stopped as a siren sounded. “What does that mean?”
Her advisor’s face drained of color, and he placed a hand on her arm. “They’re inside! I don’t know how. Come, we must get to the tunnels.”
“I’m not running away!” Kristina wrenched her arm free. “This is my home. I’ll not be chased off like some vagabond.”
“Please,” he implored. “This doesn’t mean we’re surrendering Acadia, we can go to the bunker, or your southern home, it’s far more remote. There just must be more of them out there than we anticipated.”
Kristina clenched her jaw, imagining throngs of people rushing through the estate’s halls, stealing and destroying everything.
“Fine. But we’ll be back.”
“Absolutely.”
They walked out of the office and into one of the estate’s lavish halls. Four guards stood in the passage, each looking a sight more nervous than made her comfortable.
“My lady, are we going to the escape tunnels?” one asked.
They were all younger sons from minor houses. They had little future outside of the Guard and weren’t much above the commoners, but a mob would just see them as a part of the problem.
“Yes.” She gave a curt nod. “Now let’s go. I don’t have all day.”
Seemingly relieved that they weren’t going to have to face off against a horde of invaders, two of them moved down the passage, leading the way, while the other pair followed behind.
The tunnel access was several levels below, deep in the seaside cliff that the estate was built into. Unlike the public port that sat at the base of the cliffs, the escape route led to an underground launch facility a kilometer to the north.
The sound of gunshots echoed down the hall, and the guards dashed to the nearest staircase, clearing it quickly before gesturing for her to follow.
Six levels down, they opened a rather utilitarian door and moved out into the passage, where another pair of guards waited.
“Are we leaving?” one man asked.
“Yes,” Kristina confirmed. “We’re going to the southern estate.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” the other guard said, drawing on Kristina and her escort. “We’ll turn you over to the rebels and be heroes. Better than going into exile with someone who thinks their life is worth so much more than ours.”
The statement was like a gut-punch to Kristina, and she took a step back.
“Don’t even try it,” one of the highborn guards said.
“Down!” Sigmund shouted and crashed into Kristina, knocking her to the floor as shots rang out all around.
She felt a wave of panic threaten to overwhelm her, but held it in, reminding herself of what she’d seen Jessica and Cheeky do.
I can protect myself, too.
A body hit the ground next to her, and she grabbed the pulse pistol that skidded across the floor, rolling onto her back and firing at one of the guards who had challenged them.
He fell to the deck
, and two of the highborn guards—all that remained—stepped forward and fired at the downed man’s head.
Sigmund struggled to his feet. “We must keep moving, my lady.”
Kristina rose wordlessly, still clutching the pulse pistol. She looked down at the fallen man she’d shot, unable to avoid seeing the gore oozing from his crushed skull, and nearly retched.
Someone put an arm around her shoulders and moved her away, propelling her down the passage. At the end was a thick steel door. It was sealed with only a small panel next to it for access.
Kristina felt a moment of panic as she realized that she’d never tested whether this code had been changed from her mother’s biometrics.
Shouts came from behind them, and the two guards fell to the rear, firing suppressive rounds down the passage as Sigmund and Kristina raced to the exit.
She placed her hand on the panel, and relief flooded through her as it lit up and requested her private tokens. Passing them over the Link, she tapped a foot impatiently as the massive door began to retract its bolts.
More weapons fire came from behind, and she turned to see the first and then second guard fall, a dark mass of people pouring out of the stairwell and advancing down the passage.
“Stop!” she shouted, not knowing what it would do, but hoping it would provide enough time to escape.
A shot hit the wall next her, and Kristina froze, while behind her, the door had begun to open, moving outward.
The angry mob was close enough to make out their faces, see the whites of their eyes. It was impossible to tell the rushing sound in her ears apart from their cries as she realized there would be no chance to—
“Get back, my lady!” Sigmund shouted. “Get in the tunnel!”
She stumbled backward into the passage, and turned to the panel that would close the door, when a staccato blast echoed down the passage, and the panel exploded in a shower of sparks.
Out of options, the lady of House Laurentia stood frozen in place, watching in horror as the mob continued its advance.
“Please, you don’t have to do this,” Sigmund pleaded as some of the weapons trained on him.
“You’ve had your time,” one of the women said. “Join us or get out of the way.” Her glower turned sinister. “Or we’ll get you out of the way.”
Sigmund glanced over his shoulder at Kristina.
“It’s okay,” she told him, finally summoning the courage to speak. “You did what you could.”
It was the opening Kristina needed to make a run deeper into the tunnel.
She’d only made it two steps when the gunshot rang out. Another step forward, and she was on the ground, staring up at the ceiling.
As though she were an outside observer, Kristina touched her abdomen. The skin was ruptured from a high-powered pulse blast, blood oozing from the tears in her flesh.
“I—” She tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come out. Her lungs burned, and it seemed like a pile of bricks was resting on her chest.
More shots rang out in the distance.
“About time!” someone—Sigmund, perhaps—shouted.
There was a flurry of activity around her. Hands pressed down gently. She couldn’t track the movements, but her surroundings changed. She was in the tunnel, being carried.
She caught the insignia of Acadian uniforms. More guards must have shown up; too late to make a difference, but she felt better knowing that not all of them had abandoned her.
Her vision faded in and out, or maybe it was the light. She sensed moving out of the tunnel and into a larger area, and then a tight space closed in around her.
“It’s going to be okay,” a soft voice said.
She didn’t know if she believed them, but it gave her comfort as the rest of the world faded to darkness.
ALLIES AND ARMISTICES
STELLAR DATE: 01.02.8939 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Laurentian Wind, Serenity System
REGION: Orion Freedom Alliance, Perseus Arm
Tanis’s pinnace settled into a cradle next to the Star Ember, and she rose from the cockpit, running a post-flight over the link while waiting for the internal pressure to match the Laurentian Wind’s bay.
She didn’t need the equalization, but she’d learned from her parents that not everyone was used to seeing an AI frame that looked as natural as a human. Making her true nature apparent from the outset wouldn’t serve her well.
Once it was close enough, she opened the airlock, ignoring the slight puff of air as she stepped out onto the ramp and walked to the ship’s deck. Antaris and Pharis were standing near its base, looking up expectantly at her; the military man peering into her craft while the politician studied her face.
“I’m alone,” Tanis said with a wink as she reached them, extending her hand in greeting.
“That’s a valued sign of trust,” Pharis said, taking her hand first.
“Or supreme confidence in my own abilities,” Tanis gave her an exaggerated wink as she shook Antaris’s.
The commodore gave a strained smile. “I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse.”
“Maybe a bit of both,” the AI replied with a laugh, then glanced to her left. “Terry! It’s so good to see you again.”
Tanis stepped to the side and opened her arms as Terry jogged toward her and took her up on the embrace.
“I have no idea if we do hugging reunions or not,” Tanis said with a wide grin, “but as Jessica’s daughter, I feel like physical contact is necessary at times like this.”
“Wait,” Pharis said, directing Tanis’s attention back to her once she’d released Terry and was shaking Cyrus’s hand. “You’re Jessica’s daughter? Does that mean you were here in Serenity a few months ago?”
“No,” Tanis shook her head. “Where I was is complicated, but suffice it to say that I’ve been around a bit.”
“You do look a bit like her,” the former heiress said. “But how did you come to control your own fleet? And how are your ships so powerful?”
Tanis placed a hand on Pharis’s shoulder. “While Serenity regressed, Star City advanced. Through a rather surprising series of events, I’ve found myself in a leadership position there. These destroyers are just a few spare ships we had and were able to rush over here.”
“Are they crewed?” Antaris asked. “Do we need to arrange for any supplies?”
“No,” Tanis smiled at them. “I’m the only person here from Star City. I’m controlling all the ships.”
Antaris looked confused, while Cyrus’s mouth fell open.
“Shit…” he whispered. “You’re an AI!”
“Bingo,” Tanis said. “Hmm…there are a number of ships taking off from Gallas’s northern regions. They look like civilian craft.”
“Roger’s ships,” Cyrus replied with a grim smile. “I don’t know exactly what he’s up to, but I trust him.”
“Do they need aid?” Pharis asked.
Her brother shook his head. “No. I think this is something that is best handled by his people alone.”
Pharis looked concerned, but then schooled her expression. “Very well, shall we at least move to a more comfortable location? I imagine you two must be tired,” she said to Terry and Cyrus before turning to Tanis. “And you…do you need anything? Power?”
Tanis laughed. “I’d love a BLT if you have the ingredients. Coffee will do in a pinch, though.”
“I think that can be arranged,” Pharis said. “Then we can discuss how to put an end to all this fighting.”
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS
STELLAR DATE: 01.03.8939 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Willing and Able, Mesophis, Serenity System
REGION: Orion Freedom Alliance, Perseus Arm
Roger gripped the arms of his command chair as his small fleet approached Mesophis, home of House Nebracken. Somewhere on that sta
rs-forsaken world, the house scions Lorana and Silvan had taken a dear friend captive, treating her as nothing more than a resource to be exploited.
When Cyrus had first come to him with talk of an idealistic crusade, Roger had written it off as wishful thinking from a spoiled scion. But all that had changed in recent days, as that wishful thinking began to turn into a very messy reality.
Now, after over a week of nothing, he’d finally received a message from Toni, and it was not a good one.
I can’t believe I didn’t follow up with her…
The guilt from knowing that she’d been imprisoned by Silvan Nebracken was only mollified by the knowledge that payback was coming.
Nebracken wanted a mobile force that also had the ability to get their war efforts back on track? They were going to get it.
“They’ve given us clearance to land at their estate port,” Shira said from the comms station. “Just us, though. Our other ships are being directed to the commercial and military ports.”
“Good,” Roger said. “Make sure everyone gets ready, but doesn’t move till they receive the signal.”
“You got it, boss. We’ll be ready to make this war a reality.”
Roger nodded solemnly as the ship began its final approach.
After so many years of being relegated to the dark corners of society, he’d forgotten that he had no idea what real freedom tasted like. Not just for him, but for everyone living in the cracks that the great houses of the Ordus were content to ignore.
No more. Today, we finally get what we’ve earned.
* * * * *
Jeslan strode across the landing pad with Lorana on one side and Silvan on the other. The Nebracken heiress and scion were smiling broadly, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of elation as well.
Her own world was in ruin, but with Pharis abandoning her post, and their mother abandoning all responsibility, Gallas would be easy to take, then Acadia soon after. The last two moons, Yucana and Teros, wouldn’t hold out against the combined might and resources of three others.
Though the uprisings sparked by her fool of a sister had been unexpected—and concerning, for a time—they had served Nebracken well in weakening their adversaries.