by M. K. Eidem
“Yes, Majesty," she told him.
“How long?” Jotham questioned.
“Sire?” Stephanie raised a questioning eyebrow at her King.
“How long until the Guardian gets there?” Jotham elaborated.
“Twelve hours, Sire.”
Jotham sat back in his chair and sighed. “Then all we can do right now is wait and pray.”
“Majesty, I believe it would be best if the Royal Family were recalled to the Palace until we know.”
“You think that’s necessary?” Jotham asked Stephanie.
“With all due respect, Majesty, if the worst has happened,” Stephanie had to fight to get the next words out, ”and Ethan is dead, Kasmira and the boys are going to need to be with family when they find out.”
Jotham nodded his agreement. It was another of the many things he was still learning about having a larger family. They gathered during times of trouble.
“My mother will also need to be informed," Stephanie told him quietly.
“No.” Jotham gave her a sharp look. “We tell her nothing until we know. I won't have her upset for no reason.”
Stephanie opened her mouth to argue then shut it. They'd all known situations like this were going to occur and it was time to prove she could separate her professional life from her personal one. If it had been anyone other than her mother, she wouldn’t hesitate to follow her King’s order. So she would.
“As you wish, Majesty," she conceded. "You will be remaining in the Palace until we know for certain?”
“Yes, I want to be close to Jacinda when we find out."
"And the reason you will be giving her for the family being in the Palace?" Stephanie prompted, knowing her mother would question it.
Jotham realized he hadn't thought that far ahead. "I'll have Safford prepare a special 'family' meal and tell her it was to surprise her."
While Stephanie nodded, she knew that wouldn't fool her mother for long, not when Ethan wasn't there. “Then I will leave you to that and go contact the other Captains to alert them of the change. I will also make sure the household staff is notified they will be arriving."
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Ethan sat on the floor of the mine and tried to comfort the sobbing child in his arms as the impact from another bomb shook the walls. So far, Troy's repairs were holding. The only damage reported was in the area closest to the surface, and it was minor. He'd never been involved in an actual Regulian attack before. His cycles in the Coalition had been spent surveying the vast number of uninhabitable planets within its boundaries for mineral deposits. Not out with the Fleet. His respect for his sister and every other Carinian who served on the border rose dramatically.
"It will be okay," he murmured to the boy that reminded him so much of his second son, Roland.
"Prince Ethan."
Ethan glanced up to see his grimy dust covered Captain standing beside him and knew he probably looked just as dirty. "What is it, Burk?"
"It would be best if we moved you deeper into the mine," Burk told him.
"If it's best for me then it would be best for everyone,” Ethan responded starting to stand.
"The tunnels narrow the deeper you go. There isn't enough room for everyone," Burk told him.
"Then start moving the women and children there," Ethan ordered as the boy clung to him.
"But, Sire," Burk protested.
"No buts, Burk. Get them moving. Come on, son. Let’s see if we can find your parents."
"Ean!" The anguish-filled voice echoed through the tunnel, and the boy responded.
"Mama! Over here!"
"Ean! Oh, Ean!" The woman squeezed between the bodies that separated them and ripped the boy from Ethan's arms. "Oh, thank the Ancestors! I thought I'd lost you!" Tears ran down her face as she covered him with kisses. "Are you alright?"
"He's fine, ma’am," Ethan reassured her. "Just a little scared when he couldn't find you."
"I can never thank you enough..." she trailed off, her voice breaking.
"Ethan," he supplied, "and no thanks are necessary. I'm just glad you're both okay and found each other. Now," Ethan started to guide them down the tunnel. "We're moving the women and children deeper into the mine."
As the women and children moved further into the mine, Ethan began to notice that the impacts seemed to be lessening. He looked at Troy and saw he had noticed too.
"The Coalition has arrived?" Troy asked hopefully.
"That's possible but unlikely." Burk was the one to reply.
"Unlikely?" Troy looked at him in disbelief. "Why?"
"Because unless the Coalition had a Battle Ship en route to or from the border, our closest help is twelve hours away."
"I thought they assigned patrols because of the mine collapse," Troy said.
"Once it was discovered the Regulians hadn't attacked, the patrols were canceled, and our escort wouldn't have been enough to stop a Regulian attack force."
"Do you think those men are still alive?" Ethan asked quietly.
"Doubtful," Burk wouldn't lie to his Prince. "But they would have done as much damage as they could to the Regulian ships before they were destroyed."
Ethan tipped his head back and sighed as the weight of it settled on him. He knew that if it hadn't been for his cavalier attitude, those men would still be alive. He hadn't believed his last minute trip to Nuga would affect anyone else, not like this. Last minute trips weren't uncommon for him. He liked to be a hands-on executive. Burk had tried to dissuade him, had argued that as a Prince, more time was needed to make sure the proper security was in place. Ethan hadn't listened, and men had died because of it. He wasn't sure how he was going to live with that.
"I should have listened to you," Ethan said quietly, his gaze meeting Burk's.
"You should have," Burk agreed, "but in this instance, it wouldn't have changed what happened."
"What do you mean?" Ethan asked.
"While the High Admiral arranged this escort quickly, it would have been the same if we'd given the normal twenty-four to thirty-six-hour notice. We would have still been here when the attack started, possibly on the surface. Maybe that's what the Regulians were waiting for."
"What?!" Ethan looked at him in shock. "What are you talking about?"
"The Regulians are always looking for a chance to kill a Royal. They think it will weaken us. It’s why there are strict protocols for Royal space travel. If the Regulians had somehow heard you were here..."
"But it was a last minute trip," Ethan reminded him.
"Which means you're probably not being targeted, but it must be considered."
"Ancestors, Burk, how was I unaware of all this?" Ethan demanded running a hand through his hair, releasing a shower of dust.
"Because you are new to being a Royal. It will take time to adjust to all the changes, Sire."
"Which is what you were trying to inform me of when I ignored you," Ethan sighed heavily.
"Yes, Sire." Burk didn't try to make it easier on Ethan. He needed to learn protocols were in place for a reason.
"Don't let me do it again, Burk. You have my permission to tell me I'm an arrogant foabhor."
"It will be my pleasure to do so." Burk's dust-covered expression remaining completely impassive pulled a mirthless laugh from Ethan.
"I believe it will. Now, what's your take on why the bombardment has stopped?" Ethan asked.
"From my experience with the Regulians, it means they've accomplished their mission."
"What?" Ethan frowned at him.
"Regulians aren't free thinkers like we are. They follow strict orders. They don't stop until they complete those orders or are unable to."
"Because they're dead," Ethan said quietly.
"Or they've been incapacitated, either their body or their ship," Burk told him.
"So if they've stopped on their own it's because..."
"Those were their orders," Burk finished for him.
"But why?" Ethan let his frustr
ation be heard.
"I don't know. Maybe to prove they could get this deep into the Coalition space. Maybe to cause a distraction, pulling a ship from the border. Who knows when it comes to the Regulians?"
"Well that's reassuring," Troy sneered slightly then flinched when Burk's gaze pinned his.
"If you know better feel free to share," Burk bit out.
"I..." Troy stammered.
"Captain," Woodrow's voice filled Burk's ear.
"What is it, Sergeant?" Burk demanded, tapping his mic.
"Comms are coming back up."
"We'll be right there." Burk turned to Ethan.
"What is it?" Ethan demanded.
"Communications are coming back up. We need to let the Coalition know your status."
"You mean that I'm alive," Ethan expanded.
"Yes. I'm sure by now the House of Protection has been informed you've been out of contact."
"Been informed... you mean my family’s been informed that I might be dead?!" His horror was easily heard.
"That I don't know," Burk told him. "As you have a House of Protection detail with you, the first to be informed would be the Commander."
"My sister," Ethan said quietly.
Burk inclined his head. "She would have informed King Jotham. It would then be his decision on who else was informed."
"Shit! Get me to the Communications Room. I need to let my family know I'm okay."
Chapter Fifteen
"Sir, we have an incoming comm from Nuga."
"Let's hear it," Captain Lucas Zafar ordered.
"This is Captain Burk at Mining Station One on Nuga, reaching out on an open line for assistance from any Coalition ship in the area."
"This is Captain Zafar of the Guardian, Captain Burk," Lucas responded. "We understand your situation and are currently en route. What's your status?"
"Captain, we are currently at Attack Level Two." Burk knew Zafar would understand that meant that while they were no longer currently under attack, hostiles could still be in the area.
"Understood. Are all primary targets secure?" Lucas asked.
"Yes, all structures are sound, minimal damage or loss of life."
"Good." That relieved a great deal of press for Lucas. "Immediate needs once we arrive?"
"Only standard procedures for attacks like this." Lucas heard a muffled voice demanding something. When Burk spoke again, he sounded disgruntled. "I would also request to be informed of what ships you find upon your arrival."
Lucas frowned, why would Burke want to know that? Suddenly he realized it wasn't Burke, it was Ethan. Ethan who was new to the ways of Royalty was concerned about their escort.
"I can do that. I'll contact you again once we're in orbit. Guardian out." Lucas disconnected and immediately entered a code on a secure line. Leaning back in his chair, he waited.
"What have you got, Captain?"
"High Admiral, we have reestablished communication with Nuga on an unsecured line. The Regulians have broken off their attack. Unknown why. Our long-range scans reveal two Regulian ships heading for the Relinquished Zone at a high rate of speed. If we alter course, we can intercept."
"No. The Fleet can do that. Proceed to Nuga and secure it," the High Admiral ordered.
"Yes, High Admiral. Captain Burk informed me that all primary structures were sound with minimal damage or loss of life."
"Good." The High Admiral tone was clipped. "How long until you arrive?"
"We're two hours out."
"Two hours?" The High Admiral didn't need to expand his question more than that for Lucas to understand.
"We're testing the actual rather than theoretical limits of the cyclotron propulsion system," Lucas informed him.
"And?" The excitement in the High Admiral's voice was easily heard.
"She's extremely fast, even faster than tests predicted. It has cut our en route time by a third."
"There have been no ramifications?"
"None. Every system is running well within normal parameters."
"That's good to know. Any other ships show up on your scan?"
Again Lucas knew what his father was asking without saying it. "There were no other contacts, High Admiral. Burke asked about that too, I believe at Prince Ethan's request. I informed him we'd check upon our arrival."
"Understood," the High Admiral said, the loss of those men weighing heavily on him. Contact me when you've recovered Prince Ethan and his remaining detail."
"I will. Will you be informing King Jotham?"
"Once the Prince is secure, I will notify his Commander." With that, the High Admiral ended the comm.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Stephanie stood in the garage as the limisins carrying her nephews and sister-in-law arrived at the Palace. She closed her eyes for a moment knowing she needed to focus. Otherwise, her family would know something was wrong.
The forced smile on her face became more natural as her nephews exploded out of the limisin, Kasmira calling after them in exasperation.
"Boys! What have I told you?" But the boys just ignored her and ran toward Stephanie.
"Hi, guys." She leaned down to hug each of them before straightening to give one to Kasmira who had caught up.
"I swear." Kasmira returned Stephanie's hug before looking down at her sons. "When your father gets home, we're going to sit down and have another long talk about how you two act in the Palace."
Stephanie's stomach clenched at Kasmira's words, but her expression didn't change. "They're just being boys, Kasmira."
"Boys who don't listen to their mother," she complained.
"Well, we can't have that. Shall we have Turk take them down to the detention cells until they learn their lesson?"
"What?" Eliron asked, paling. "There are d... detention cells in the Palace?"
"Of course, where else did you think we put those that cause trouble in the Palace?" Stephanie asked blandly.
"But... but..." Roland stuttered. "We're..."
"Even Princes have to listen to their mother," Stephanie told them.
"Really?" Eliron asked.
"Really, just ask Prince Barek."
"We will."
"Until then, what do you say to your mother?" Stephanie encouraged.
"We're sorry, Mom." They turned to face her as they spoke.
"You're forgiven. This time. But your father will still be talking to you."
"Yes, Mom."
"Well now that's all settled, shall we go see your grandma?" Stephanie asked. "I'm sure she'll have some snacks waiting for you in the garden. Turk and Landon, if you'll accompany us, the rest of your men can go off duty until further notice."
"Yes, Commander."
The boys behaved perfectly as they walked the corridors of the Palace, the aura of the place obviously still impressing them. If Stephanie were honest, there were times it still impressed her. She nodded to the men standing guard at the doors of the King's Wing, and they opened them.
"Can we stop in and see King Jotham?" Roland asked. The King had shown them his office the last time they were visiting and said they were always welcome to stop by.
"Not today, Roland," Stephanie told him. "The King is in a meeting, and Grandma is waiting. But you'll see the King tonight at last meal."
"Oh, okay."
Stephanie noted the guards that were placed at discrete intervals as they continued on to the King's private rooms. They were there on the off chance a threat was ever able to get this far while giving the Royal Family a sense of freedom within the Wing. Only in a Royal’s private rooms would they be completely alone.
"Wait here," Stephanie ordered Turk and Landon when they reached the doors to the King's private rooms. Then without knocking, opened them and gestured her family through.
"Eliron! Roland!" Jacinda's happiness was easily heard as her grandsons ran into her arms. "Oh, I've missed you." Looking up, she gave her daughter-in-law a sheepish smile. "You too, Kasmira."
Kasmira just laughed.
"I know, Jacinda, although I have to admit I was surprised by the sudden invitation."
"As was I. Jotham only said he wanted the family to have last meal together tonight. Would you know anything about that, Stephanie?" Jacinda asked her daughter.
"I only know what you do about the meal, Mom," she told her skimming around the truth.
Jacinda's eyebrows drew together slightly. She'd been involved with politics for too long to not catch the little nuances of things not said. But she wouldn't question her daughter further right now, not with her grandchildren present.
"Well then, I guess we'll just have to wait until last meal to find out. Boys, there are fudge chip wafers out in the garden if you'd like some."
"Wafers!" they exclaimed and ran for the garden.
"Boys!" Kasmira yelled after them then muttered. "The detention cells are sounding better and better."
"As if my grandchildren could ever deserve the detention cells," Jacinda told them righteously. "And by the way, how did you ever hear about those?"
Kasmira was more than willing to throw Stephanie under the transport and pointed to her sister-in-law.
"Stephanie!" Jacinda looked to her in shock.
"Oh, as if you and Dad never threatened us with the cells growing up," Stephanie reminded her.
"I did," Jacinda admitted, "but these are my grandchildren!"
"So you're saying there's a different set of rules for grandchildren?" Stephanie raised an eyebrow at her mother.
"Of course there is," Jacinda said it as if everyone knew that.
"If you say so, Mom. Look, I have to go. I'll see you both tonight at last meal." Nodding to Kasmira, she kissed her mother's cheek then left. Turk and Landon fell into step beside her as she started down the corridor.
"I want you two to get some much-deserved downtime while you can. Kasmira and the boys won't be leaving the King's Wing anytime soon." Landon and Turk looked at each other but said nothing. "Things might get dicey here later. If it does, I'm going to need to heavily rely on you two."
"You can count on us, Commander," they told her.
"I know, and thank you." She nodded to the guards as they opened the exterior doors. They didn't speak again until they reached the Guard Wing. "Go settle in. I'll notify you through your earpiece if you're needed."