“How long was I out?”
“Only twelve hours. You’re on the Claymore. I thought it would be better. Everything needed was here and you would feel safe when you woke up.”
A giant head full of teeth with a long tongue began licking my face. “Yes, Zuri was worried about you, too. She has kept me company the whole time.” I didn’t turn my head fast enough as Zuri dragged her tongue across my mouth. Turning my head only got my neck and ear slobbered on. “Zuri, let me talk to him for a little while. Then you can lick his face off.” Zuri snorted and lay her head down on the bed next to me.
“What’s happened? Tell me everything. Have the Khalnalax answered us yet?”
“They haven’t answered and nothing much has happened. Kimit and Jared took charge of the Privateers with a few words from Natalia and Sashet to assure their cooperation and they helped go through and further secure the ship. I believe you had ordered that.”
“I did. What about out there? Are there still any holdouts or have they all surrendered?”
“They are finished. I instructed the fleet to send boarding parties and secure the ships. If there are any problems, I will have Jared and Kimit’s teams go. Now, don’t worry about things. Let someone else sweat the small stuff.”
“Ha, don’t make me laugh. It hurts. Someone must have just said that to you recently.”
“Yes, Ronnie was here tending your wounds and I was . . . not very helpful. I think she knows all your scars and can tell the stories of each. It makes me kind of jealous. She said you would be fine and to calm down, and I knew you would be, with the all the nans, but I couldn’t help it. Deireadh almost was a problem. It wasn’t going to allow any intrusion, but it relented and allowed only enough exposure for her to examine the wounds.”
“Taz what about . . . her?” I didn’t want to say her name to Taz.
“The living ghost of your dead lover is also dead,” Taz answered. She didn’t look happy with the question. “Not by my hand, although I would have liked it to be. She finally fulfilled what she had been created for. Long overdue. She died almost instantly after stabbing you in your chest. She was flawed from the beginning. Now it’s over.”
“I didn’t see it coming. I knew it would someday, but I thought there would be a warning. I hoped when it did I would have my armor and weapons or maybe I could subdue her and hold her till it passed.”
Taz frowned, lowered her head and looked sad. I only then noticed she hadn’t brushed her hair. It was stringy, like it had dried where it hung. She wore a formal gown that looked out of place and was very wrinkled, probably from sleeping in it. She was in the bath and must have thrown it on to come with me to the Claymore, then never left my side.
I ran my fingertips up her arm and cupped her chin, lifting her head up. I gently stroked her lips with my thumb. “It’s not like that, not what you’re thinking. She was part of the family and I’ve lost three of them including her, almost four counting Genius, to this war. I know you didn’t like her. There were times I didn’t like her, especially in the beginning. Then I think I realized her existence was my fault. Someone hated me enough to make her, to toy with me and torture me, then kill me. I’m lucky it backfired.”
I started to tell her I loved her, but she leaned forward and kissed me before I could get it out. It seemed like she needed a little reassurance. Then she said, “I know you love me and you don’t think about certain things when it comes to our relationship. Oh, you think about everybody in your family. That, I think, is the problem. I am not in your family.”
“Have you seen Zora?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.
“She came to see you last night. She was concerned, as was everyone. We argued—almost fought—then Ronnie had Genius take her away.”
“And you said nothing has really happened while I was out. I have a number of questions I need answered just from that little revelation.”
“They will have to wait. I am going to clean up and change into something else. I will be back soon, my love. Don’t go anywhere.”
“No plans to.”
Taz had been gone for five minutes and I lay there staring at the ceiling. I felt my eyelids drooping and was asleep at minute six.
I dreamed of blue eyes and black hair, but it wasn’t Mira. It was Andrea. The farmhouse and barn on Anubis came into view and I longed for it. Even in my dream, I knew it had been everything I ever wanted. Andrea, Natalia, the Vander Hoyts, even Lorelei and Jen. We had the freighter and the Claymore. Some simple space truckin’, moving cargo here and there, would have been so easy.
Taz walked into the front yard, waiting with hands on her hips. She said I needed to come with her right away, so I walked down the steps and she took me by the arm, steering me to the road out front. We walked toward the diner in town where Adam worked slinging burgers and fries. The explosion rocked the ground under my feet, but Taz walked as if she didn’t notice anything. I looked back and the farm was gone. A mushroom cloud of flame and black smoke soared where it used to be. I tried to stop walking, but she jerked me around until we were face to face.
She smiled. How could she? They were all dead. I wanted to choke her. My hands closed around her throat, but she kept smiling and didn’t try to stop me. I squeezed but nothing happened. Then it dawned on me. It wasn’t an evil smile; it was a sad smile. “Benjamin, that is no longer your life. Finally, that chapter has come to an end. Everyone has moved on but you.”
No, no, no.
I felt the slap. It was skin on skin but not very hard. Just enough to wake me. It was dark and Taz lay on the bed beside me. I don’t know when she got there, but I scooted over so she had a little more room. “Are you cold? I feel cold.”
“You’ve been sweating. You had a nightmare.”
“I guess. I’m not sure what it was.” She looked like she wanted to ask questions but changed her mind.
“We have the Khalnalax council tomorrow. Will you feel up to walking back to battleship’s bridge with me to take it there?”
“Yes, and if I need it I have people who can help me.”
“Can’t I help you?”
“Of course, but I want Harry and Zuri both in full armor following us. Have the emperor brought to the bridge. I have plans for him.”
“Benjamin, the emperor is dead. You killed him. No one knew right away, but Zuri figured it out somehow. She alerted Dela’maah, who we left in charge of the bridge. It was discovered at the same time Mira attacked you.”
“I don’t remember killing him.”
“There were twelve holes, some overlapping, in his skull. Fragments and whole nans were imbedded in the brain tissue.”
“Huh, I guess I do remember now. I was going to kill him anyway, so he won’t feel anything tomorrow.”
“What are you going to do?” she asked, assuming the worst. She was right.
“We are going to hold a court, then an execution. They don’t know he is already dead. Then I have something else special to show them.”
“What is it?”
“I’m tired. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.” She squirmed and scooted up on the bed, then grabbed my head and placed it on her chest. Her fingers gently stroked furrows through my hair, which was better than any sleeping pill ever invented. It wasn’t the reaction I expected from her, but it had been a couple days of unexpected happenings.
I woke up the next morning alone and threw my feet over the side of the bed. There was no note or message blinking on the wall com. I walked over and pushed com to the bridge. Lorelei answered. “Good morning.”
“I need some clothes. Do you know where Taz is?”
“Someone is feeling better. Taz went to the other bridge. I’ll have someone bring you some clothes.”
“Just a clean thermal and socks is all I need. Thank you.”
“Deireadh, have you cracked the emperor’s armor? I need to get it before something else happens.”
I have. It will obey my command.
“
Ok, good. I’m going to put it in your storage container until we can reprogram it for Zuri.”
Shawna walked in carrying my thermal and socks. “Need any help putting this on?”
I laughed. “You just can’t help yourself, can you. How did you ever make it on the Warhammer? Aisling wouldn’t let you talk the way you do now to any of the male crewmen I’m sure.”
“Why do you think I came over to Team Reaper?”
“What would you do if I ever took you up on your offer?”
“Hopefully leave bloody fingernail marks on your back.”
I laughed, knowing she meant every word. “Have they got the hold on the battleship cleaned up yet?”
“They were still working on it when we left.”
“What do you mean when we left?”
“Taz ordered all the Privateers off the ship and to move our ships out in orbit around Tormaline.”
“I’m gonna kill her! Get back to the bridge, Shawna, and get her on the damned com.”
I put my thermal and socks on and called Deireadh. I was a little sore and it hurt to bend over, but walking wasn’t a problem. I headed straight for my quarters and grabbed both my railguns and ammo belt.
“Lorelei, how far are we from the battleship?” I yelled into the com.
“Three hours.”
“None of you thought to wake me when she started ordering everyone around?”
“She told the Privateers they wouldn’t get paid unless they did what she said. They’re former pirates. They did what she said. She also led us to believe that you knew about it. I can see that wasn’t exactly true.”
“Turn the Claymore around. I want to go back and at least show my ass.”
“They are tracking all our ships. If anyone deviates, no one gets paid. That includes Aisling and Kimit’s people.”
“I’m taking the fucking shuttle. They aren’t tracking it. Maybe they won’t notice it until I get close.” I walked past the med bay, grabbed Deireadh’s container and went to the hold. Thirty seconds later, the shuttle doors were open and I loaded up. I heard claws clicking on metal and saw Zuri come in the door.
“Lorelei, what about Natalia and Sash? They were on the flagship.”
“Sashet’s stinger picked them up on the way out. Binda is here and keeping track of our fleet and Nedra is keeping eyes on the combined Cjittan and Khalnalax ships.”
“Benjamin, I just want to caution you,” Binda said, taking over the com. “You and Taz just managed to reconcile. You’re angry. Your actions and what you say could ruin everything.”
“We risked our necks and what do we get? Threatened to not get paid while they take all the ships and leave us with nothing. Don’t talk to me right now, Binda. Lie down, Zuri. This might be a little rough. Shawna, any word yet?”
“No, they are jerking me around.”
“Look through my files and send me the file named fuck off and die.” I laughed months ago when I named it, knowing I would use it for something like this.
“Sending, and I have her now on the com.”
“Thanks. I’ll see all of you later back on the battleship.”
Taz and Minister Zentos were both on the screen on the bridge of the battleship when my screen came on.
“You two look smug. You are feeling pretty good about whatever deals you made?”
“We came to some agreements. Enough that we can move past this and begin rebuilding.”
“That’s nice. Speaking of rebuilding, I want to show you two assholes something.”
“Benjamin!”
“Shut up, Taz. Seems like we are destined to just a glimpse of happiness before it’s gone. Look at this.”
“A World Eater,” Zentos said.
“You didn’t destroy them all?” Taz added.
“All but one. Told you that already. Zentos, how many Khalnalax do you think live in your capitol city?”
“I’m not exactly sure. Tens of millions in and around it, I would think.”
“Look at this. I have the coordinates for the capitol locked in. Helm, can you verify for them?”
“They are coordinates for the spaceport at the royal palace,” the helmsman answered.
“Thank you. Adeen is ready to send it on my command. In addition, all the safeties are bypassed. It’s not going to rip into real space a million miles away and make the slow trip home. It will rip in a hundred thousand miles out then—you’re gonna love this shit—the drives will accelerate to max speed and they aren’t going to shut down until they explode on impact.”
“I can’t let you do that. All of those innocent lives,” Zentos said, his face a deep crimson.
“What about all of the people on Kanlost and Idaline? They were innocent. They didn’t do anything to deserve what happened to them. I would have thought the queen would remember that, but it must already be forgotten.”
“But we’ve agreed to reparations.”
“Good for you. You’re about to be down a few million taxpayers to help you pay your blood money.”
“Benjamin, you have to stop this. Please.”
“Taz, I am just happy I can walk today after the way you broke it off in my ass while I slept this morning. No worries, though, I have one for you, too. I know the coordinates for your spaceport at the palace on Xanlos by heart. We found a big something floating derelict in space and got it going. Something your people lost a long time ago. I’ll be happy to give it back now.”
Taz’s white face couldn’t get any paler.
“What? You never wondered where the real battle armor of the last Cjittan king to rule like a man came from, or my exotic pet?”
Zentos was yelling at Taz but she only had eyes for me. They were sad, crazy eyes like someone was about to have a breakdown.
“On second thought, Taz darling, I really like the ship we found and I’m keeping it. There are probably other things I might find to turn into a pet, or just make my own. You’re off the hook but I owe you one. As soon as I find the right ship I’ll send it your way, special delivery. Zentos, you’re shit out of luck. I guarantee you’ll be able to see the crater where your capitol used to be from space if the ash and dirt clouds are clear of the atmosphere by then. Just so both of you know, this isn’t over by a long shot. I’ll see you both soon. You can count on that.”
I cut the feed and leaned back in my pilot’s chair. “What do you think, Zuri? They’re shitting themselves, aren’t they. Not what they expected. Taz will be on the com soon trying to get Zora or Lorelei or anyone to verify what they heard.”
Zuri stared back. She seemed to understand, or I imagined she did.
“Lorelei, no one is to take any orders from Taz. Period. That goes for any giving her any information, too. We aren’t going to sit around Tormaline either. Tell Binda to get the fleet moving toward Dratma 6. We will join up with Adeen and Privateer families and get out of Cjittan space. Make sure everyone knows we will get paid one way or another.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a sore loser? She knew you were up to something and moved to block it.”
“Really, that’s what you think? If so, then I just countered. She could have all the rest of the Khalnalax fleet. I only wanted the battleship and the emperor’s armor.”
“She is the queen and wanted it too. You lose.”
“Has Binda given everyone their orders?”
“Yes, they are all changing course.”
“Come and pick me up then. I’ll start heading your way. If you want to take her side, you go work for her.”
“Good, I’m glad you’ve calmed down. You’re crazy, Boss, attacking a battleship with a shuttle and a railgun. I’m not gonna work for her. Just pointing out that she outmaneuvered you.”
“Don’t need you pointing it out. Besides, what was she going to do? Blow me up? I’m sending Adeen a message. She’ll know what to do. This is just how it is, Lorelei. I’ll always be a rogue and she a queen and neither the twain shall meet.”
Chapter Thir
ty-One
I knew what I said to Lorelei was true. It started with the freighter left behind by a crew who tried to kill me on Anubis and led all the way to the events of the last couple days. If I fought and won, then I wanted the spoils. I wanted the rewards for being the one who lived through the life-and-death struggle. I didn’t want them all, just what would further my own agenda. Taz was getting plenty.
“Benjamin, there is a ship bearing down on you. It just ripped in and is accelerating,” Lorelei yelled. It stopped my musings. “It’s the Akelorians. I didn’t even notice when they had left Tormaline, where they’d been since we got here.”
“Damn, I see it now. It’s on an intercept course. Try to get them on the com and see what those little bastards are doing. Lorelei? Lorelei? Aw, shit.” Suddenly there was no answer.
I felt the vibration and the shuttle drives whine and I shut them down. I knew what it was and there was no reason to burn the drives out. The shuttle turned on its side and Zuri fell, hitting the wall hard. The shuttle righted itself and I called her over, then wrapped my arms and legs around her. It was a snatch and grab and we were the prize. Not only that, but they were doing it at speed instead of slowing down. I shut everything off and waited for the shuttle to come to rest. I was too curious to get too angry, although the fire from earlier was still smoldering.
A little time passed, then we came to a jarring halt. They must have dropped us onto the deck. I unbuckled and grabbed my weapons out of the rack. There was a metallic pounding on the door, so I opened it, sticking the railgun out first. The little sawed-off runts were scurrying everywhere, all except the dozen who stood waiting for me. All but three had weapons pointed at me. The three held out their arms in hoping I understood they didn’t want trouble. If they didn’t want trouble, they shouldn’t have picked me up. Two of the three were the ones involved in our meetings after Mira returned with them. Maybe they thought Mira was with me and wanted to abduct her.
“Mira isn’t here. She died three days ago,” I said, looking at each of them in turn.
“We do not seek the pretender, but the news you bring is most satisfying.” I remembered how she duped them and how I scared the shit out them. So, this was pretty ballsy on their part.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two) Page 43