It is more than a guess.
Just think how lucky you are, Deireadh. I’m not one of those no-personality Cjittan. Back to work.
“Comms, I want a live feed with Regent Renji on Xanlos. Tell her it’s Emperor Khalnalax calling,” I ordered. “I also need one with the council the minister is talking about. You tell them it’s Minister Zentos and they all need to be present. Lorelei, have Mira bring the empty container I have in my room to the emperor’s quarters. I’ll send an escort for her.”
I looked around the bridge then pointed. “You five, go to the Claymore and escort Mira to the emperor’s quarters. You’ll have to get directions.” Five warriors from Kimit’s team headed out the door and didn’t even question the order. I liked that. “Everyone might as well relax until we get our first response. Kimit, you and Jared designate two teams to go through the ship picking up weapons. Anyone gives you any problems, deal with it. You have my permission. The rest of you, go about your business until we get our first return call.”
I took my foot off the emperor and pulled him over next to Zuri, who cocked an eye at me and stretched. She was another one who was settling in to her role. Deireadh had left some nans to help speed her recovery, which seemed to be working. “Zuri, if he wakes up, don’t let him move.” Her answer was to slide over and lay her front legs across him. “Minister, show Queen Tazleaha and myself to the emperor’s quarters. Dela’maah, you have the bridge.” Taz gave me a look. “I need to talk to you in private. Comms, make sure to notify us as soon as soon as a feed comes in. C’mon, Your Highness.”
I was tired and wanted to rest. It was mostly my brain. There was already something working behind the scenes with Taz and the minister, but I couldn’t do anything about it just yet. I knew the emperor’s quarters would be the nicest on the ship. We followed the minister, not to the room above the bridge I destroyed with the mines but to something nearly palatial. It was clear the ship had been modified after the fact to accommodate having the emperor on board and was totally out of place on a warship. Another thing I hadn’t expected to find was a small adjoining room complete with servants.
“Would you like me to dismiss them?” Zentos asked.
“No, order them to serve the queen. A hot bath, some food and clean clothes.” He gave a slight bow and smiled, then followed them into the other room to explain their new duties.
Taz walked around the apartment. That’s what it really was; calling it quarters was misleading. She stopped to examine works of art and sculpture. I had no idea about any of it. To me it was a lot of crap in the way. One of the servants indicated that the bath was almost ready. Taz followed, continuing her appraisal of everything she saw around her. I was three steps behind, quietly watching to see if she fell in love with anything. Her observations were reserved and I began to wonder if that was for my benefit. So I wouldn’t have any idea of the value of all the crap.
“He has quite a collection of pieces from many cultures, not just Khalnalax,” Taz said as we made our way to the bath, which was part of the open concept. Nothing was private. A dining area, sitting area, bed and bath were next to each other, a large desk with bookshelves behind it was near the servants’ quarters. What a waste. I would have it all crated up and give it to Taz then take the servants’ quarters as my own and make the rest into a gym.
“Had.”
“What?”
“He had a collection. Now he doesn’t have shit. I’m going to have this all crated up and pushed out the hold into space.” I was joking. I loved the look on her face when she thought I was serious about doing something really stupid. Sometimes she’s right. “Kidding. It’s all yours now.” But I’m keeping the ship.
Three female and one male Khalnalax were standing at the bath waiting on her. I looked them over and found them unremarkable, with no emotion and slack-faced. They all held something, except for one of the females. She began helping Taz undress. The male held a stack of towels. One female held a robe while the other offered a tray of scented oils for Taz. I watched her clothes come off. Everything was right with the universe for a few seconds.
I decided to check in with the weapons recovery team while she slid into the tub. “Kimit, you and Jared having any problems?”
“None. You know there is no way of knowing if we are getting all the weapons without a search of the whole ship section by section.”
“I know. Are you getting what you think you should, compared to the number of the crew you see?”
“I’m going to say no. Maybe half.”
“That’s a problem. I’m going to have the Privateers board and then we will do a more thorough job. Maybe not everyone was issued a weapon.”
“It’s possible. They are cooperating.”
“Yeah, that’s a little too good to be true. Do this: if you go into a section with ten crewmen and they don’t turn over ten weapons, ask why then start stunning them till you get an answer you believe.”
“Benjamin, it is possible not all are authorized to carry a weapon, like you said.”
“It is possible, but I don’t know that for sure and neither do you. We will find out. If not immediately, then after a few bodies start hitting the floor.”
The doors slid open on the other side of the room and Mira walked in with her five escorts. “If you cannot reach me, com Mira or any of the five guards that went with her. They are here now and I’m going to keep them.”
“Understood.”
“Mira, bring that over here by the tub.”
Taz was naked in the tub but it didn’t stop the dirty look she gave Mira when she walked in. She slid down under the water then came up. Her wet hair stuck to her skin. She would ignore her now.
Deireadh, get in your box. I’m going to join the queen.
I was surprised, no backtalk, no advice, just a silent slithering across the floor and into his container. Taz had her eyes closed, enjoying the hot water and scented oils. I stripped, touched her shoulder for her to move forward and slid into the water behind her. Lifting her semi-weightless body up, I pulled her against me, wrapping my arms around her waist.
“Now I’ve got you,” I whispered, moving the wet hair behind her ear and kissing her cheek.
“Do you think this is a good idea when you don’t have the ship under your full control?”
“I think this is a great idea, anytime, anywhere, and there are five Allond warriors outside the door and Mira is right here.”
“Send the blue-eyed abomination away. I don’t want her watching us.”
“I would rather she stay. She can sit across the room near the entrance. How’s that?”
“I don’t like it, but I’m sure you have your reasons.”
“I do, our safety being the foremost. Are you still angry with her for what happened on Idaline or are you a little jealous or both? She was just following orders. My orders. You should never ever be upset with my people. They do what I tell them, so it’s all on me. You know that.”
She pushed up on my thighs in an effort to break my hold, so I let her go. I assumed I pissed her off. Turning on me, she rose, giving me a glorious view, put both hands on my head and pushed me under. She tried to hold me there, but I squirmed away. A second later I was wiping water from my eyes. “Mira, could you sit over by the door? Give us at least an hour and don’t go anywhere.”
“You’re presumptuous,” Taz said, looking me straight in the eyes.
“Is that anything like crazy?”
“No, but that applies, too. You’re crazy if you think we are doing that with her in the room, period.”
“But we will be under the water. She can’t see anything and I promise not to scream your name at the top of my lungs . . . no, that’s your thing, sorry. So, we’ll be under the water.”
“No.”
“Later?”
“Maybe.”
“I’ll take a maybe, that plus an empty room later equals bingo!” Then the bridge called Mira.
“Benjamin, th
e Regent of Cjittan has responded and is asking for the emperor.”
“That was quick. Have them forward the feed here and ask how she responded so fast,” I yelled, even though she was walking toward us.
“I should get out and dress before I speak to her.”
“Like hell. You’re going sit right here and let me do the talking,” I said, wrapping my arm around her waist and holding her tight.
“Benjamin, this is one reason why my people would never accept you and why we cannot be mated. There is protocol and decorum that should be adhered to. You walk on it and treat it as if it’s shit on the bottom of your shoe.”
“Look at you getting your humanisms going. Would you marry me, Taz? Could I just be your husband? Stay at home and till your garden, plow your field, smack your ass when you walk past. Then when someone talks shit about you and invades your space, personal and empire, I kill ‘em. Wouldn’t that be grand?”
My proposal must have rocked her world because she just stared at me smiling and shaking her head. Or she thought I was crazy.
“You are crazy and don’t think I don’t know what you’re wanting to till and plow. But . . .”
“Crazy it is then. Put Renji on the screen, Mira,” I yelled and Mira laughed. Taz looked mortified.
Former Ambassador, now Regent, Renji was smiling for the first five seconds. Her face contorted and looked like melting wax. The color, which wasn’t much to begin with, drained just as fast.
“Renji, all the times you’ve talked to Khalnalax, did you get to see this bath area?” I asked, purposely leaving off both of their titles.
“I most certainly didn’t,” Renji hissed.
“So, you have talked to him quite a bit? Thanks for admitting that. How do you like our battleship? Your friend is dead and I have control of what is left of the Khalnalax fleet, I have control of the Cjittan fleet, and then there are my Privateers.” I paused to let her try to work shit out.
“When we conclude our conversation, your queen is going to doll herself up in a beautiful gown and make sure every corner of her empire knows she is alive. While she is doing that, we are setting course for Xanlos and I’m bringing ‘em all. If that’s not enough, Admiral Cushda is going to make sure the queen’s navy at Xanlos knows the queen is alive and, if they are smart, they should capture and hold you and any other traitors till we get there. You follow me so far?”
Renji shook her head yes with no verbal reply. She seemed to be going into shock. “So, in an effort to keep this short and sweet, if I were you I would pack some panties and lipstick and get the fuck out of there. Please. I really do want you to run. It’s not going to be easy for you, believe me. My people love a good game of hide and seek and we will kill anyone who takes credits from you to provide you with any kind of aid. Grandma always said make sure you have clean underwear on, but I would say the panties are optional as the only way you’re gonna get any help is wearing the lipstick and no panties. You understand what I’m telling you.”
Renji looked like she wanted to tell the naked woman next to me in the bath something. She was working her jaw, but no words came out.
“If you’re thinking about apologizing and begging for your life, forget it. No one here gives a rat’s ass about your life. If I were you, I would be off planet tonight. I’m coming for you and you already know what happens when you cross me. Just think. You’ll be with your husband soon in hell. Goodbye, Renji.”
I motioned for Mira to cut the feed, then the screen went black. I lay back and closed my eyes. The water was getting cold, so I yelled for the servants to add some more hot water. The four of them came out at the same time, each one carrying a weapon. The three females had knives and the male had a pistol.
If adding hot water wasn’t their job, all they had to do was say so.
Chapter Thirty
It was hard to tell what the four servants were thinking. They looked like they had been lobotomized when I first saw them, and they still looked the same. There was no sneering or name calling. No emotional outburst or waving of blades to back up threats that weren’t being made. The male servant motioned for Mira to stand near us. He didn’t say anything at all. Mira walked over and took a defensive position behind me. At least that’s what I thought she was doing till I looked up and she was looking down into the water smiling.
“Mira, really? I got Crazy Carl and the Cutlery Queens ready to cut my naked ass up and you’re taking a time out for a peep show? You’re the assassin; assassinate them.” Mira just laughed. She evidently felt no threat from them.
“Look, I’m sorry,” I said, going for sincerity. “If you’ll point out where the hot water is I’ll turn it on myself and not bother any of you again.” No response. “If you wanted a pay raise, it’s better not to go with knives and pistols right out of the gate. Just ask for it.” Nothing. “How about a paid vacation?”
I shut up because they didn’t seem to get any of it and they still didn’t show any hostility. I decided if I had to fight I was going for the guy with the pistol. No way in hell I’m fighting three women with knives while I’m buck naked.
“I’m going to be serious now—”
“It’s about time,” Taz butted in.
“Deireadh, your king is in danger. Assist me.” I watched the container. What looked like a giant anaconda slithered out. Like the snakes you find deep in the swamp that eat hogs, deer, alligators and other big-ass snakes. It moved silently across the floor and raised up as if to strike, when four small spears shot out and stopped right before impaling themselves into the servants’ flesh and bone.
“If I were you four, I would give up my weapons. Then one of you fetch me some towels and heat up the water for the queen. When that is done, tell me what the hell is wrong with you.”
“Is he dead?” the female who spoke earlier asked. She held the knife in front of her like it was almost too heavy for her.
“He as in the emperor? Not yet, at least, I don’t think so. I beat him and left him lying on the bridge under guard. He is finished.”
She turned the knife blade toward herself and the other did the same. “We are not going back,” she said, finally showing some emotion. “We wish to stay with the ship and serve its new master as long as it does not return to Khalnalax.” Her hand was shaking. It took some strength to turn a knife on yourself. If you didn’t do it right the first time, it wasn’t within most people to drive it home a second time. I didn’t need the four of them flopping around on the floor bleeding all over my new gym.
“You are free to do as you please. Give Mira the pistol and the knives and when I have time we can discuss it later. If you don’t, Deireadh will kill you before move a muscle.”
“Truly?”
“Yeah, but I need you to show me where everything is at if you’re going to walk out the door. If you would, please.” Her arm fell to her side and the others followed suit. I kissed Taz and got out.
“I’ll get your towels,” she said, then laid her knife on a table, walking away. The others laid their weapons next to hers and went about their business. One of the other females moved to the far end of the tub. Taz sighed and went under the water again.
Mira gathered the weapons from the table and walked past me. The servant returned with a stack of towels, had to be at least ten. I reached for one; her eyes grew wide and she opened her mouth, but I didn’t hear a word. Pain shot through my whole body starting in the middle of my back. An arm wrapped around my waist, a leg slipped behind mine and I was thrown to the floor.
Mira straddled me, raising the knife above her head. I reached for her arm, but she batted it away. My other arm wasn’t responding. She brought the knife down fast and hard. Her fist thumped against my chest; the blade sheathed inside me. I sat up, part reflex and part reaction. I grabbed her throat, but her body was already going limp. Then I knew I was just holding her up, so I let go and she fell forward, catching herself before her head hit my shoulder.
Taz was yelling f
or the Allond warriors to come in. I could hear the servants crying somewhere in the background. I pushed Mira away and saw two blue eyes under her black hair looking at my face. The lips began to move. The pain in my back and chest was overwhelming now. Every nerve was on fire.
“I did it, Benjamin,” she said, her lips parted as if trying to smile. “I’m sorry.” Then the weight lifted. She was gone. Long, wet, platinum hair covered my face. I felt Tazleaha’s hands, lips, touching me and something moving on my legs and arms.
There was nothing.
****
I woke floating in space. Nothing else could be so black. That couldn’t be right; I was alive, not frozen solid. I was alive—or was I dead and my spirit was wandering? I heard voices and was even more confused. It was Taz. She was saying something. Then I remembered blue eyes. Pain struck me like an emotional knife. Betrayal, anger, sadness, sliced through me with a dull edge. Mira. Lights began flashing, blinking on and off.
I failed you, a voice echoed inside my head.
Deireadh?
Yes.
Am I dead?
No, but you were gravely wounded, too much blood loss. You will recover, though, and it will be as if it never happened.
Maybe for my body, but I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
I understand. My failure will not be forgotten.
No, stupid, you can’t be with me every second of the day. I was thinking about Mira. When I regained consciousness, I was angry, but it’s already fading. It’s my fault. I’ve known all along this could happen and still I kept her around. Like having a poisonous snake for a pet.
Think of the results of your decisions later, My King. Your queen has been by your side since you were struck down. She deserves your attention, not the ghosts of the past.
I was shocked. Literally. Something Deireadh did sent electric shocks into my head and I was fully awake. My eyes popped open wide and there she was leaning over me.
“You’re back,” she said, smiling, her hand stroking my head.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two) Page 42