“The admiral is going to be very unhappy. I’m going to get Taz off the bridge right now. Get eyes on the message and see if there is anything we need to know.”
****
“Copy, Boss,” Genius said and turned to face Zora. “The captain and comm officer. He’s gonna get Taz off the bridge.” Genius left the message packet intact then copied the data.
“Tell him to leave them be,” Zora said forcefully. “I will handle this, but you had better send something or they will become suspicious.”
“No problem. I have just the thing.” Genius opened the directory and scanned down till he found the files he was looking for listed under ‘Snake’s dirty laundry.’ There were a number of vids that he had to clean off the ship’s computer because Snake didn’t know how to download worth a damn. He had been ordered to delete them; Benjamin feared Natalia may find them and he ‘didn’t want to have to kill Snake’ were his words. Snake had his own objections, citing he had rights and whined insistently, so in the end they were copied to a new location and deleted from the old. Now the Khalnalax would be treated to Donkey Dan Versus the Double D’s. A classic. He deleted the data from the packet, inserted the vid and transmitted.
“Why are you smiling? What did you send them?” Zora asked. She really wanted to know and the look on his face told her he was hiding something.
“Nothing, just some old files that were supposed to be deleted.”
Zora gave him the eye but didn’t push it. Genius was relieved he didn’t have to tell her and brought the spies’ message up on the screen. He noticed it was similar to the Cjittan language, but different. They were ballsy to not even try to hide it in code. They must have felt good about a Khalnalax victory, so much that they won’t have anything to worry about. Then again, they weren’t spies, just traitors. A spy plays the long game and would never compromise their mission with such a blatant message. There was no winning or losing to a spy, just the thrill of the intelligence game. Outmaneuvering was more satisfying; winning and losing was for the bureaucrats.
Some time ago, when it looked like he would be doing certain things, hacking a certain queen’s security, Benjamin had asked him to do, he wrote some programs for computer and verbal language translating or decoding. The nanites in their bodies were good and the more time you spent with a new language the easier it was to understand, but he didn’t have the time to sit and work the message through the nanites. His program would get most of it and save what it learned. It wasn’t a lengthy message, but it was longer than he would have thought. Zora surprised him when her hands came to rest on his shoulders and she began to knead his muscles. His head dropped forward as he drifted into a state of bliss. He had a few minutes; no need to stop her now.
“It looks to have completed the translation,” Zora said, bringing him back from the happy place he was visiting.
“Let’s see if there is anything we don’t know. Then do you think you could do that some more?”
Attack has begun. Five ships to one in zones of four. Queen Tazleaha, Minister Zora aboard flagship. Minister Zora agrees to replace the Regent . . .
Genius didn’t get any farther. An arm locked on his throat and pulled him and his chair away from the console. Instinctively, he pulled on the arm with both hands, but his mind was in shock. The woman he loved was trying to choke the life out of him. Just when he felt the pressure lessen, he felt a pinch on his neck, then the pressure increased again. His eyelids were heavy and his grip relaxed. The last thing he remembered was something soft on his cheek.
****
Zora slid her lips from Genius’ cheek to his ear. “I care about you more than you know but I can’t let you do anything to reveal my plans just yet.” She doubted he had heard her. Slipping her arms under his, she pulled him into the admiral’s quarters and laid him on the bed, rolling him to the middle on his back. Leaning over him, she double-checked that he was still breathing and kissed his lips. “I will explain when this is all over and I hope you will forgive me.” Right now, she wished it was different, but unfortunately the empire and duty came before affairs of the heart. She sat down in the chair and backtracked to the file he sent, replacing the message.
The file name was odd and meant nothing to her. She opened it then before her eyes she saw three humans: a male and two females. They wore clothes and talked strangely about nothing really, as if in a hurry to end the conversation. Zora slid her finger over the screen, advancing it. Both of her eyebrows shot up as she turned her head, trying to see it from different angles. Her cheeks flushed red. The sounds she knew but never had she heard them so vocal and rough. She spun in the chair to look back at Genius, thinking she would get caught watching, then felt embarrassed, distracted and foolish. He lay there just as she left him.
Closing the file, she sighed. He is an evil genius, she thought. She had never seen anything like that. Her people were not so chaste, so it must have been that it was recorded. She laughed softly. What would the Khalnalax think? No, that didn’t matter. What would they do? This could work out to be much better than the prank it was meant to be. It could be a distraction that would cost the Khalnalax valuable time.
Thoughts began to ease into her mind next, moving her off point. Did her future mate secretly desire the things she saw? She had moved through the file, stopping then fast forwarding, looking to see if it changed; maybe some message was hidden within it. There wasn’t. The scenes had only become more intense. Overall, she only watched a few minutes, but much had happened. She sighed again and jumped up out of the chair, sending it crashing across the room. There was no time to let her mind wander. Get hold of yourself Zora, she thought and ran to the bridge. Some Minister of Intelligence you are.
****
Admiral Cushda watched the small screen in front of him instead of the large one, which he had turned off after turning his fleet loose. To sit and watch the fleet during the time it would take to travel could be agonizing. Not that he wasn’t watching at all, but he could use this time to take care of other things. He wanted to know what Reaper’s man had found out, if anything. He turned, finding Reaper standing against the back wall like a statue carved in polished black stone. He started to stand when the doors slid open and Minister Zora hurried in. Before he could take another breath, the Reaper had her by the arm. He sensed the queen moving past him, headed for the pair. If there was news, it could wait a few more moments. No need intrude on their personal conversation.
****
“Zora, do you have information for me?” I asked. It was clear she hadn’t expected me to be right at the door when she entered.
“Your suspicions were correct, now unhand me.”
“What did the message say, and why are you so red in the face? Have you two been back there screwing around?” Deireadh, I need you to keep an eye on her. She is agitated by more than my holding on to her arm. Try to hail Genius for me. Maybe they had an argument.
“He is still working on it,” Zora answered. “He has never seen coding like it before. I am ordering you to let me go and to stay out of whatever happens next.”
“Let her go, Benjamin,” Taz said, arriving on the scene.
“I was just about to. She says she will handle things. C’mon we are going to get off the bridge for a little while.”
“But I do not wish to leave.”
“Go with him, My Queen. It will be safer that way. Then you can come back. I will brief you shortly.”
“Zora, if he hasn’t finished decoding the message, then what are you doing here?”
She didn’t answer so I grabbed Taz by the hand and pulled her into the corridor before she could argue. My last glimpse of Zora, she had her pistol in her hand yelling for security.
“Do you know where the brig is on this tub?” I asked. “I’m assuming that’s where we’ll end up.”
She looked at me like I was an idiot. “Of course I do.”
“Good. Take us in that direction slowly. We will wait somewhere ou
t of the way.”
“There are supply rooms in every corridor. We can wait in one.”
“I wonder how much time we’ll have before they get there,” I said, my voice low and husky.
“Not enough, so don’t even try. You going explain to me what is going on?”
“I like my idea better, but it can wait I guess,” I said in my best dejected voice.
“There will be plenty of time for that on the way to Xanlos once we have won here. I promise.” Taz said the latter in a sultry tone.
Deireadh, I need eyes and ears the corridor.
Yes, Your Highness.
“Benjamin, I hope you do not suspect Zora of anything?”
“I think something is wrong and Zora is involved. Genius isn’t answering me. That doesn’t happen. Ever. Zora is arresting the captain and the comm officer for treason. My last glance, she was yelling and they were calm, with their hands in the air. I know I only saw a second, but it seemed off. They will be along soon and we are going to follow them.”
“The captain is involved? He has worked for the admiral for many years. I do not know the comm officer. How can this be? Are you sure?”
“Zora affirmed my suspicion right before telling me to stay out of it. But her vitals are off. She is always level-headed and cool under fire, but not right now. She is a mess of emotions and they gave up too easily.”
“How do you know? Are you sure? I saw she was winded and a little red-faced, but I assumed she been in a hurry to get to the bridge. As you said, you only witnessed a second of the confrontation.”
“Deireadh is monitoring her and updating me. Com Dela’maah and get an update on what she sees happening on the bridge, then ask her to check on Genius in the admiral’s quarters. Don’t tell her where we’re headed.”
I watched Taz until she started talking, then I sent a message to Binda on the Claymore. Get a team of four to the brig of the battle cruiser. We will be hosting anywhere from three to five in our brig. Be aware of possible pissed-off Queen and have a room ready for her. Are you watching the fleet movements?
There is a team ready to go. I know you too well, my friend. The Khalnalax have only just started to react. I believe they are screwed. The battleship worries me only because it a force unto itself. Your daughter asked about you. You should message her before they engage. If you don’t, you’ll have me to deal with . . . and Harry.
Copy that. Thank you for telling me.
I switched my com to message my daughter. Natalia, be safe and don’t take any chances. There is no need. The odds are greatly in your favor. Listen to Sash; she will steer you right. I love you. See you later when the smoke clears.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m messaging my daughter a few words of advice and that I love her.”
“That is sweet. What about me, do you love me?”
“Not really.” I moved in before she could respond and pressed her against the wall, locking my fingers in her hair. Pulling her head back, I covered her lips with mine. We parted when Deireadh interrupted to inform me my quarry was on its way.
“You’re such a liar,” she said between breaths. “There was a time when your little comments would have irritated and fooled me, but not anymore. Your queen doesn’t require such sentiment, but Taz would like to hear it on occasion.”
“Well, both of you are gonna have to wait just a little longer. Zora and the prisoners are almost here.”
Taz leaned up and whispered in my ear. “I won’t let you forget.”
“Do you ever?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dela’maah walked into the admiral’s quarters with a pistol in hand. The young lieutenant who had escorted them on their arrival was right behind her. He had met her in the corridor and began some idle chit-chat as she hurried toward her destination. The door was locked and, on her order, he opened it for her. The lights had been dimmed, but the lieutenant raised them enough to see. There was nothing out of place that she could tell in the first room. She motioned to the lieutenant to go to the meeting room while she went into the bedroom.
The lights were off, but just enough light bled in for her to see a silhouette lying on the bed. She didn’t want to turn the lights up and find that Genius was dead. She didn’t want to have to tell Tazleaha, who would have to tell Benjamin that another one of his precious people had been killed. She remembered how he reacted to the deaths of Buddy and Grubb. The lieutenant startled her by turning the light on.
“Is he dead?” he asked, but didn’t seem to want to move any closer. Dela’maah stepped forward, touching the body, first the arm which felt cool, not cold, and then placing her hand on his chest.
“He is breathing,” she replied, then gently tried to move the body to check for wounds. His neck, across his throat, was red. She had an idea what caused that. Thinking about it further, she found it hard to believe someone walked in and got the drop on Genius. “I need to notify the queen at once.”
“Commander, I would not recommend it if you want to live. My orders are to keep you here.” Dela’maah looked up from Genius and saw the lieutenant’s change in demeanor. The shy officer looking to please everyone had disappeared and in his place was a colder being with a pistol pointed at her chest.
“Is this the admiral’s doing? Is he backing a usurper to the throne?”
“The admiral? That old fool is as loyal as they get. They would never have approached him to join us.”
“So it’s the regent. She covets what is not rightfully hers and looks to take out the opposition. Well, she is in for a fight and the people will not stand for her now that they know the queen is alive and well.”
“But the queen will not be alive and well. I can say no more. Sit down and put your hands on your knees.” He motioned to the overturned chair with his pistol then moved a second chair across from her but far enough away she couldn’t do anything without getting shot. She complied and they sat in silence. With the admiral on the bridge and most likely taking over the captain’s duties, she didn’t think anyone would come to his quarters for hours.
****
Admiral Cushda gave the order to move the flagship closer to the fleet yet maintain a safe distance. The remainder of his bridge officers and crew were on edge and he was sure rumors were already circulating through the ship. He did his best to hide his emotions and concentrate on the battle about to play out on the screen in front of him. An officer who had been a part of his command since commissioning, one he had been proud of, who he thought might one day replace him, was on his way to a cell. A traitor and spy for the Khalnalax. He couldn’t fathom it.
“Admiral, shall I turn on the large screen for you?” He heard the question, but it had sounded like a whisper. He stared at the screen next to him, unable to focus on anything.
“Admiral, the screen?” He looked up in the direction of the voice. His weapons officer was turned around, looking at him expectantly.
“Yes, and power all weapons.” She smiled a sad smile as she turned back.
“Helm, maintain distance and speed,” Cushda ordered, watching the screen. Then he remembered he had already given that order. The enemy had only just begun to move in response to their attack. That raised a number of questions in his mind. The five Privateer ships were bearing down on a lone corvette, just as planned. The two larger Privateer ships fired multiple times, targeting the same area of the enemy ship in a coordinated effort, overwhelming the corvette’s shields and damaging the ship. The three smaller Cjittan stingers in a tight, straight-line formation caught the fleeing ship, hammering it with all weapons as they passed. The two larger ships then followed, firing again. Never slowing down, they moved on to their next target.
The Khalnalax ships on the far side of the formation remained in place, as if whoever was in command was still expecting an attack from all sides. The light cruiser was the last of the enemy ships in the first attack zone, and it only had moments left. Five against one with the intent to de
stroy made for quick results. The larger ships of the pack, as Reaper called attack wings, concentrated on the shields while the smaller waited for the opening in the shields. In the interim, they provided defense against torpedoes. Now a large, unguarded area was open to attack the battleship, but the plan was to wait and stay out of range of its weapons. The Cjittan currently had only one damaged ship, but there were sure to be more. With each minute, the enemy would be more prepared or possibly adjust to an aggressive plan of attack. Either way, as Reaper put it, the numbers are what they are. Five on one is a bitch. His fleet would lose some of the momentum they started with, but once they cleared the second zone, if the Khalnalax hadn’t started a retreat by then, they wouldn’t have the time or space to do it later.
Looking at zones three and four, each consisted of one corvette, one light and one heavy cruiser. The Cjittan fleet would take some losses, but he couldn’t imagine facing the battleship with less than twenty ships after the Khalnalax support ships were defeated. The Privateers and ten ships were headed for zone three and the remaining fifteen were finishing up zone two. He had time to leave the bridge for a few minutes and go to the brig. He had to talk to the prisoners himself. It would clear his mind of the questions he had, but also pose new ones.
The admiral stood up and was startled by the beast who stood at the same time. It had been lying behind his chair.
“I will return shortly. Notify me immediately if there are any changes in the Khalnalax defense.”
“Admiral, is now a good time for you to leave the bridge?” the weapons officer asked. She looked concerned and with good reason. The officer in charge just didn’t leave during an operation. She was also the only one to voice any concerns or questions. A lot had happened, starting with the arrival of the queen to the arrest of the captain and comm officer. There were dangerous strangers on board the ship and keeping quiet seemed the best idea. Even if the other officers chose to remain silent, she could not.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two) Page 35