Imelda didn’t respond right away. Zuri stood and faced me. For once she was almost expressionless. No snarl or growl. Still I grew apprehensive as we faced off. My helmet was down while we spoke and I couldn’t decide if I should cover up or not. Claws that would have been at home on a giant bird of prey clicked on the deck as she walked forward.
“Zuri?” I said. She paused for a split second then took two more steps. She looked down at the deck and I averted my eyes to follow her motion. With her next step, she bumped me in the chest with the top of her head. I let my gloves roll away and ran my hand through the hair along her neck.
“I’ll talk to Grubb and Buddy so they know what is happening.”
I have already summoned them, Imelda said.
Right on cue, they both walked in the hold but remained at the door. Couldn’t blame them. So far, the learning process with Zuri had been dangerous. “Both of you, come over here,” I ordered. They did, but were not in any hurry.
“Yeah, Boss, um, do you think that is a good idea? She might take your hand off,” Grubb said.
“I think Zuri is learning enough from Imelda that we shouldn’t have to worry about her mixing it up with the crew. Imelda has been able to communicate with her. Come to find out she is pissed about being locked up and having to shit where she eats and sleeps. I think we all get that, right? It’s my bad.”
“Nah, you couldn’t know,” Grubb said. “All of us are always learnin’ about each other. We always thought you were just some quiet kid wantin’ to be left alone. Then you whooped that freighter crew something fierce and things never seemed to end.”
“We never know what you’ll go and do next, but it won’t be boring. That’s for sure, Boss,” Buddy added.
I wasn’t ready for the sudden trip down memory lane, but it was a welcome thought. They had more years in space than I’ve been alive, but it was all human interaction. In their eyes, these last three years had to be crazy. They really were.
“Anyway, you two grimy old daydreamers, she will be free to roam the hold. Figure out a way to accommodate her needs. I know the Claymore wasn’t built to accommodate any of us, except Nedra or perhaps Harry, but we’ve done a good job so far modifying it. I’ll be here working with her for the next couple days and will send the others to spend some more quality time with her.”
“Not sure the others would be callin’ it quality time,” Buddy joked.
He was probably right. “Imelda has your back. Come up with something temporary for Zuri’s needs and then work on some ideas for something more permanent. Genius can help.”
“How are we supposed to know what it needs?” Grubb asked.
“Watch her. You’ll figure it out.”
“On it, Boss.”
“Zuri, come.” I had two days to work with her before we arrived at Idaline. I ruled out trying to teach her hand signals and if Imelda was right, giving her commands like she was a canine might just piss her off if she is that intelligent. In the end, I didn’t get a pooch. I added another name to the crew roster.
****
Admiral Cushda watched his fleet engaging the Khalnalax on all sides. The enemy corvettes were the only ships to move out of the Khalnalax formation and then it was only in short jumps. Moving closer to his fleet gave their shots more power, yet keeping within firing range of their own light cruisers so they didn’t lose the support.
“Captain, we are going to enter the battle. Transmitting coordinates,” Admiral Cushda ordered. “The fleet in that area has made a solid push and driven off the Khalnalax corvettes. If we can take out the cruiser and hold that section, our battleship attack force will have much better odds of reaching their target.”
“Received and entered, Admiral. Helm, make way. Weapons?”
“All weapons armed, power full, torpedoes ready,” the weapons officer reported.
The admiral’s heavy cruiser entered the battle with an eye on two ships: the Khalnalax heavy sitting off Idaline on their starboard and the light off their bow. Moving into the fray freed up their light cruisers to give more attention to the nimble corvettes they couldn’t shake. His corvette wing should enter the main battle soon. He had watched as the transports escaped destruction with the help of the additional escorts.
What’s Emperor Khalnalax playing at? he thought. Maintaining formation in a standstill against greater numbers didn’t make sense. The battleship failing to engage was also a mystery. Was it damaged? The formation could be a protective measure to buy time for repairs. Once complete, the enemy fleet would be free to move about.
“Admiral, a warship of unknown origin has arrived and is taking up a position behind Tormaline.”
“What do you mean unknown?” Cushda asked of the helmsman.
“Still searching, sir. Just switched to the archives.”
For the love of the Ancestors, we don’t need an unknown ship at our backs, Cushda thought. Is this what the Khalnalax were waiting on? The timing was suspicious regardless of their intentions. His mind raced, but his face showed only confidence.
“Helm, any ident on that ship?”
“Akelorian! It’s Akelorian,” the helmsman blurted out.
“They must be far from home. I only have a vague recollection of the race. Send me the file.”
The Akelorians had not ventured into any of the empires in Cushda’s recent memory. Allond or Trillond would have broadcast something. “Wing Commander, have two of your corvettes proceed to the far side of Tormaline and keep an eye on the warship lurking there. Its intentions are currently unknown.”
“It shall be done, Admiral.”
“The Dooja is requesting permission to withdraw. It is damaged beyond their ability to repair before the enemy destroys them,” the helm interrupted.
“Granted.” Puzzles within puzzles. Would there be more?
Cushda had no sooner given the order for the Dooja to withdraw when it exploded, a chain reaction that ripped the ship in two. It was the first and he knew it would not be the last.
****
I sat waiting for Kimit to answer my com. I had to talk to her before they arrived at Idaline. I wanted to keep her on the sidelines, keep the Black Scythe undamaged as well as the crew. They could transport and protect survivors. Her face appeared on his screen. They had about fifteen minutes to come to understanding. The Claymore’s lead decreased as they slowed to enter real space.
“Captain Kimit.”
“Benjamin?”
“One of my crew has informed me that she will leave if I don’t make amends for the situation I’ve put you in. I’ve racked my brain and only have come up with two scenarios.”
“That is two more than I would have given you credit for.”
“You wound me. Do you want to know which of my crew it is?”
“I already know. Cousin Nedra communicated her feelings about my actions before speaking with you. She was also displeased at the position I put you in.”
“She is pissed at both of us.”
“Yes.”
“Here’s the deal. We arrive in about five minutes. When we do, you keep the Scythe in reserve at a safe distance from the battle—”
“No! That I cannot do. My crew and I came knowing there would no doubt be a fight. We gave up everything to be a part of it. Our careers—our lives—are over.”
“Your lives as you know them are over but you could work with us. Give the Scythe back undamaged and move your crew to the Claymore.”
“Give up my ship!”
“It’s a thought. An offering to ease what’s coming. It’s your choice. I by no means am saying you have to. Just a suggestion.”
“I love the Black Scythe. I earned it.”
“And you threw it all away. But you’re not all to blame. My offer was rash. I enticed you and that’s why I’ll talk to and take punishment from the emperor, but only so much.”
“Are you sure? You would do that for me?”
“We’ll play it by ear. Do what you feel i
s best. I’ll not offer my neck, maybe a wrist or ankle.”
“Benjamin, I wish I could treat this as lighthearted as you. I disobeyed orders and my crew went along with me. I have been ignoring all messages from my superiors since we left Kanlost. We are in too deep for your words or an act of submission on our part to save us.”
“My lighthearted attitude is only a front, Kimit. You met Captain O’Shaughnessy. Aisling. I put her in a similar situation and it continues to get worse. Hoping to avoid repeating that situation is another reason for this conversation. That is honest truth.”
“I know a little about what you speak. That situation would not happen. I do not desire you to share my bed, but I would take orders from you. I believe you possess many good qualities. So, you see, Aisling and I are opposed. You and I could work together for just those reasons.”
“Welcome to the Privateers, Captain Kimit.”
“We are honored.”
“Once we send the Khalnalax home in pieces, I’ll need you to help me talk to Nedra. I can’t let her go.”
“I would rather you cut me to pieces than have that talk.”
“Kimit, don’t be a coward.”
“Coward? Look who’s talking. You’re the one asking for help. Afraid to go alone. I’ve known her far longer than you, Benjamin. She ruled the emperor’s palace with an arm like a whip and a tongue sharp as a sword. Even Xamand was hesitant to go against his steward in matters of his household.”
“I have good, no, excellent companions surrounding me. I don’t want to lose any of them. I guess I’ll leave it up to you to decide when the time comes. Get ready for battle, whether you participate or not. Kimit, it’s almost time.”
“We were ready the minute we left Kanlost.”
****
Emperor Khalnalax sat on a throne elevated above and behind the captain. It hovered in place now but could just as likely show up above any of the crew if he chose. It seemed to make the idiots nervous, so he usually maintained position near the captain. Unlike other ships, his flagship, the battleship Bane, contained no seating on the bridge. No one sat in his presence. They would stand, unwavering in their duties to him and his empire. He watched them work and scrutinized their every move. This one scurried from one place to another and that one remained in one place. Others weaved in and out. It was all a dance. They danced for him, to his music. His time during the voyage to Idaline had been used for planning and he had paid little attention to his crew until now. Now he needed to watch. If a weakling was working on his bridge, he had to know.
The crew would do their part or suffer the consequences. He would have victory as was his right. If this crew failed to give him his victory, they would all die as traitors of the empire. That was how it was done since the founding of the empire. Failure meant death and victory meant glory. His glory. He would let them bask in it.
“Captain, a Cjittan heavy cruiser has entered lane one. They are in range,” he heard the tactician announce.
“No, it is not time yet.” The captain turned and faced him, knowing he heard. He awaited an answer.
“It is not yet time. We draw them in like thieves to a mountain of gold.”
“It is not yet time,” the captain echoed.
“They have no idea of our capabilities,” Khalnalax continued. “I know many of you thought your emperor mad to fire our weapons aimlessly on the planet Idaline.” Anyone agree and I’ll kill them. “And I do confess to have enjoyed the power of our latest cannon, but now I have a direct knowledge of that power and what it is capable of.”
Slowly scanning the bridge personnel, he waited for one of them to question, even if it was just with their eyes, but they were smarter than that and kept their eyes averted and heads down.
“Good, then you all understand. The Cjittan are cowards and confused but they will take the bait.” They didn’t understand anything about the glorious plan he had devised with his new minister’s help. His fool of an uncle would have never worked such a strategy. He was glad he shot him.
“Emperor, the fleet has destroyed one of the Cjittan light cruisers and another ship has entered the system. It is an Akelorian warship,” the captain announced.
“So, the Akelorians have come to watch us conquer Cjittan,” Khalnalax mused. “Good. They should worry.”
“Cjittan corvettes are moving to rejoin the fleet. Ground command reports the Cjittan transports have arrived. They await your orders.”
“They can proceed. I care nothing what happens on the planet. If, by some miracle, they were to defeat our forces on the ground, we will just kill them from the sky after we turn their pitiful navy to slag. The World Eaters will grind their bones to dust when they arrive. Let them all play and have their fun.”
“Your will, My Emperor.”
“Captain, have refreshment brought. It is about to get very exciting!”
Chapter Seventeen
I stood naked, staring at my face in the mirror. Zuri shared my reflection, just watching. She didn’t pant like a dog or let her tongue hang out drooling, no, she looked like she was staring at a meal. At least she didn’t stick her nose anywhere it didn’t belong. I knew it was a strange time for a shower, but a few more days in my thermal and it could stand on its own. Ordering Deireadh off so I could shower, it hadn’t gone back to its container. It rolled in waves to the bench seat along the wall and rebuilt itself in my exact image. Bastard even turned its head and looked at me. There were new possibilities knowing it could do that. Some of them might be fun.
Turning my head from side to side, I looked at more than a month’s worth of hair growth on my face. I couldn’t remember my last shave, but it was before they cut my hair off. Cutting my hair had been totally uncalled for, but Dr. Matthews was doing his thing, treating me like he would any other patient and attaching sensors to my head. My nanites would have fixed everything, relieved the pressure on my brain without the doctor’s help. Either way, it was done and I was thankful. Thinking about Dr. Matthews made me wonder what the Warhammer would do after Idaline. I didn’t recall any messages from the rest of the Privateers since they left Kanlost. But there was no reason they should, I guess. It was Binda’s job. She would deal with them. I saw something at the edge of my hairline. Light pink lines were barely visible when I ran my fingers through my hair. I couldn’t feel anything as my fingers glided across them. The skin was almost perfectly smooth, no ragged scars.
I should do something about this mess on my face. Reaching in the locker, I took out my clippers and went to work. Tumbleweeds of hair rolled off and hit my chest, and what didn’t stick continued to the deck. I was alone except for Zuri and Imelda, who was resting in the superstructure where years ago she had made her giant bed of webbing. She rearranged it every so often, moving the entrance, changing the shape. Probably just bored. Deireadh didn’t count. Could I possibly get through my shower without someone showing up to talk? Doubt it. It was almost a forgone conclusion someone would show up. At least Zuri didn’t speak.
Beard gone. It only took a minute and the faintest aroma of singed hair dissipated. They weren’t really clippers. The name just stuck, like so many others from the past. A micro laser between two arms attached to a handle rolled on small wheels across the skin. It left a small amount of growth behind.
Time to hit the shower. Zuri followed and sat down, which reminded me again how long it had been since I’d showered, since she had never seen it done. “You may not like this.”
The water sprayed and Zuri jumped back, growling in surprise. “You may not know me when I’m done. The idea is to clean the funk off, which is the only smell you’ve known me by.” She stopped growling after a second or two and walked back and sat down. In the process, it became a little crowded under the shower. She seemed to like it, though, and began snapping her jaws at the water flow.
“Would you like your own? Let me turn this one on.” Zuri followed but then walked right back. “You stay here then I’ll take that one.” The sh
ower door opened and closed.
“Here you are. You’ve got fifteen minutes,” Snake said.
“That’s an eternity. Remember back when we had two minutes to shit, shower and shave?”
“What’s the mutt doing?”
“Probably something you should be doing.”
“What day is it?”
“Dunno. Who cares? It’s always black out there.”
“Well I took a shower on Saturday.”
“Saturday last?” I asked. Couldn’t decide if I wanted to know.
“Dunno. Just remember it was a Saturday.”
“You’ve got thirteen minutes get in here. That’s an order.”
“But Boss, we are about to go into battle.”
“The great thing about it, Snake, is you can take one when the battle is over, too. C’mon. The rest of the crew will appreciate you for doing it.”
“I don’t know. Maybe when we’re done.”
“Zuri, bring him to me.” Zuri growled then tried to spring, but lost her footing on the wet floor. The shower door banged before she could find any traction.
“Hold, Zuri. We’ll get him later.” Shutting both showers off, drying and slipping into a clean thermal took about two more minutes. Zuri took off at a brisk trot and shook off a couple times. She must have felt good.
“Let me wipe you down with this towel and we’ll put your armor on.” She sat next to me as I wiped her face and tried to dry any water from inside her ears. That was a no-no eliciting a deep rumble in her chest. Giving up on that, within minutes she was in her body armor. “Stay near me and the rest of the team,” I said, slipping the com Genius made on her then the armored head piece. She was black as night and all teeth, claws and spikes.
“Benjamin, this is Captain Lorelei. If you want any input on what happens in the next couple minutes you need to get your ass up here . . . and thanks for showering.”
“On my way and . . . you’re welcome.”
“Think you can get Snake to shower? I’ll orbit the planet once to give him all the time he needs.”
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two) Page 23