Realm I

by H. G Ahedi

  Emmeline didn’t like the way she called her a child. But she forced herself to focus. “Isotopes. Amino acids.”

  “Yes. What about the isotopes?”

  “What’s she talking about?” asked Argon.

  Anastasia shook her head.

  “Hush! Do not interrupt,” said Lady Vermont.

  Emmeline explained that she had found some data in Alexander ’s logs and compared the findings with the plaque, revealing that the plaque and Nemesis were linked. Silence fell over the meeting room. All eyes were on her.

  Dr. Kent covered his face with his hands. “Oh, shit,” he muttered.

  Tears gathered in Argon’s eyes, and Anastasia looked as if the life had been sucked out of her. Emmeline now realized why Delta had been so adamant about her discussing her findings.

  Lady Vermont’s face turned red. “You found an alien object on Earth that was linked to one of the most catastrophic incidents in the history of mankind, and you didn’t think to tell us!”

  “Please believe me. Please. I didn’t know what to do with it.”

  “You should have reported it to Dr. Kent! You should have told Commander Waters! You have direct access to the science committee. You should have reported this finding!”

  Emmeline buried her head in her hands and sobbed.

  The meeting room became still.

  “Child,” said Lady Vermont in an acidic tone.

  Emmeline regained control and looked up.

  “I would have spared you for your indulgence and your curiosity. Sometimes, children make mistakes. But I represent the law. Do you understand? You left the system without authorization. I cannot overlook the fact that you and Delta were on this planet, and as a result of an accident, she died. Your actions put lives at risk on Freedom.” Lady Vermont paused, considering her words. “I was almost ready to look past that, but your failure to share important information about Nemesis and the fact that you found your long-lost ancestor can’t be ignored. Do you understand how these facts come together?”

  For a moment, Emmeline forgot where she was. Her heart was pounding, her face was covered with sweat, and her palms were damp. She looked at Argon, who sat still. “Yes,” Emmeline replied in a small voice.

  “These facts will be presented during your court-martial. You have a right to legal representation or a plea. We are not unfair, but we will not tolerate ignorance.”

  “I want to submit a plea,” Emmeline said without thinking.

  Lady Vermont shook her head. “Child, this is not the final hearing. Get a legal representative. He or she will guide you. I also suggest, discuss this with your superiors,” she explained.

  “I want to submit a plea,” Emmeline repeated, still looking at her hands.

  “Choose your words very carefully, child.”

  “Emmeline,” said Anastasia, leaning forward. “Don’t . . .”

  “I’ve just realized something,” Emmeline said, ignoring her commander. “I’m a criminal. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I want to plea for my friends.”

  “Emmeline,” muttered both Argon and Dr. Kent.

  Lady Vermont remained calm. “Before you continue, do you know and understand the consequences of such an action?”

  “Of course, she doesn’t know. She’s not thinking straight!” shouted Argon.

  “Order in the court!” shouted Admiral Vince. “Cadet Argon Keston, if you do not behave, I will throw you out of this courtroom. The accused has the right to speak.”

  “I started this,” Emmeline continued. “They had absolutely nothing to do with it. I was the one who read those diaries and found the maps. All they did was support me. They shouldn’t be punished for believing in me.”

  “History of crime shows that although the accused is mostly responsible for the crime, the ones who ignore and support them should also carry the burden,” replied Lady Vermont. “If you take on this burden, the allegations against the Titan’s crew could be dropped. I cannot make any promises. But it will increase your sentence. You do not have to make this decision today. You do not have to make a decision yet.”

  “I have to make this decision,” Emmeline argued.

  Within a moment, everyone was on their feet, all speaking at the same time.

  The sound of the gavel echoed in the meeting room. “Silence!” shouted Lady Vermont. “I will have order in the court.”

  The voices died out, and everyone sat down.

  Emmeline looked at her friends and saw their concern and horror. “It’s not their burden to bear.”

  The other judges were about to speak when Lady Vermont raised her hand. “Do you know what you are saying?”

  Emmeline lifted her head. “Right now, I might be looking at spending the rest of my life in prison. If I take absolute responsibility, I may be condemned to death by madness. The tribunal introduced the law over a hundred years ago . . .”

  “Yes, it did. For madmen, for psychopaths, for criminals who have no conscience! Terrorists who massacred innocent people. They are sent to the Specter colony and their sentence is to relive their crimes and horrors, day after day. Their lives are prolonged by medicine so they can suffer like their victims. It is barbaric, dangerous, and controversial, but it has worked. The idea was to make an example to discourage criminal activity. But do you know that in the last century, this court has only served ten people that sentence? It does not wish to include a child on that list!”

  “That is not your burden to bear,” Emmeline cried out.

  Lady Vermont leaned close to the screen, and her eyes bore into Emmeline’s. “But it is. This court is adjourned!”

  Alternatives

  Titan, Deck 2, Meeting Room

  The preliminary hearing ended, and Emmeline was escorted back to her cell. The members of Titan gathered in the meeting room. Anastasia was still in shock. She couldn’t believe what had happened. Emmeline had condemned herself to save them, to save her. Why would she do this? She owed them nothing. Could it happen? Would Emmeline suffer just because her seniors were a bit lenient with her? Would she, her commander, just stand by and let a twenty-year-old suffer? Just because she was curious. Just because she couldn’t weigh the consequences of her action. She was young, inexperienced. This was insane.

  “I don’t believe this. They can’t take my lab!” shouted Dr. Kent above everyone else. “How the hell did this happen?”

  “What the hell is wrong with Emmeline?” Argon complained.

  “She feels guilty,” said Jacob.

  “Why?” spat Adrian. “You should be feeling that!”

  “Adrian,” warned Evan.

  Anastasia watched her world turn mad; her people lose control. There was chaos, distrust, and anger. Micah, Byron, and Clio stood silently behind Argon. Cyr stood with Anastasia, and Evan stood with Adrian. Dr. Finch, Aceline, and Mykel stood quietly in a corner.

  “What are we going to do? This is madness!” said Evan.

  “I think we need to do something,” insisted Argon.

  “Quiet!” Anastasia shouted. “Everyone, calm down,”

  “Comm—” Argon began.

  “The last time I checked, I am still in command, and you will listen to me!” Everyone fell silent, and Anastasia saw a hint of surprise on the admiral’s face. Yeah, I am still their commander, she thought. “Thank you. I know this is hard.”

  “This feels wrong,” said Adrian. Murmurs of agreement sounded around the room.

  “Commander, may I say something?” said Argon. “What gave them the idea that we did so well in the first battle? We barely survived it.”

  “It’s not what,” replied Dr. Kent. “It’s who.” He turned toward Jacob.

  The meeting room became silent, and all eyes turned toward the admiral.

  “Admiral Vince is right. Anastasia is overreacting. You all are! I just set things right. I had to.”

  “They sent ten Orias ships. Eighty men and women are dead, and four Earth ships are destroyed,” said Mykel.
“What if they send fifty more? Do you think we have enough resources to handle that?”

  “Admiral, they were scanning the perimeter,” said Anastasia. “That means they were looking for loopholes. Who knows? They might have transmitted that information to their headquarters. No, we’re not overreacting.”

  “You are under my command. You follow my lead. My orders. Understand?” Jacob yelled.

  “We serve no one but Titan and its people,” argued Micah.

  “Oh my God,” said Dr. Kent after a moment of silence. “It was your idea to replace Commander Waters and me!”

  Anastasia felt anger rise in the room. But she’d already known. For the last week, she’d often seen Jacob talking to people, and she was sure he was the one who had been misleading the Imperial Command. She didn’t think he was lying to them, but he wasn’t telling them the truth either.

  “Yes. It was my idea. If Titan was under my command, nothing like this would have happened. I should be in command,” Jacob declared.

  “Oh, really?” shouted Dr. Kent.

  Jacob nodded. “You are delusional. I’m trying to save you. I fought for you. I saved you. I am saving you! You’re nothing without me! Don’t you agree, Captain Lockhart?”

  Anastasia couldn’t believe her ears. All eyes turned to the captain.

  “Depends on what and who you’re fighting for,” replied Mykel.

  The meeting room turned cold.

  Jacob’s face reddened, and the two men glared at each other.

  Anastasia stepped between them. “Admiral, I understand. Titan is not your home, and you may not have the same attachments as we do. Please give me some privacy with my people? I’d really appreciate it.”

  “You’re kicking me out?”

  “I’m their commander. This is a very delicate matter, and right now, I need to speak with them. Privately.”

  The admiral shot a disapproving glare at Mykel and walked out.

  “Who the hell does he think he is?” said Adrian.

  “The most powerful man on this station,” replied Mykel.

  “It feels like they’re trying to tear us apart,” said Adrian.

  “They are!” Argon shouted.

  “Please. Stop. Everyone.” Anastasia raised her hands. “We will not lose our heads. We will not argue. We will not do anything rash. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?” She waited.

  Everyone except the captain and the doctors stood at attention. “Yes, ma’am!”

  She felt a bit better already. “Good. Dr. Kent, develop a plan to save your lab. We need it. You boasted about having some influence in the science committee?”

  “I do.”

  “I recommend that you use it. Make it fast. Something tells me the admiral is already working against us. Lieutenant Olson, I want you to compile a thorough report of everything we’ve done for the last couple of months. You’re not going anywhere!”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Argon, find a good representative for Emmeline and then . . .” She paused. “First of all, who can talk some sense into her?”

  Everyone looked at each other.

  “Arthur,” said Dr. Kent.

  It was a good idea; Emmeline was deeply attached to her father. “Of course. Argon, urge Arthur to talk to her. Stupid girl.” Anastasia took a deep breath and controlled herself. “Okay. Let’s not forget the Orias.”

  “The perimeter is secured,” said Evan. “I think . . .”

  “Now. Ships?”

  “Still short,” Evan said.

  “Prometheus?”

  “I can’t disobey a direct order from the Imperial Command,” said Mykel. “I have to go.”

  It felt as if gravity had suddenly become stronger in the meeting room, and the temperature rose. “We understand,” said Anastasia. “It’s nice to know you have our backs.”

  Mykel smiled.

  Dr. Kent folded his arms. “I don’t like it. She’s the most powerful ship. We need you.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll get back ASAP,” assured Mykel.

  “Now, who can study the piece?” Anastasia asked.

  Everyone’s faces turned blank. They looked at each other. She turned to Dr. Kent, who blinked several times.

  “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

  Anastasia bit her lip. “Maybe we can look at that later. Argon, until then, it stays in your possession. Do not give it to anyone without my authorization. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “What about the probe from Freedom?”

  “Nothing. It’s gibberish,” Dr. Kent said, throwing his hands in the air.

  “What do you mean?” Anastasia asked.

  “We’ve got the data but can hardly make any sense of it. And I am sorry. I can’t focus! If the circumstances were different, I would ask Emmeline to look into it. But that may not be possible now.”

  Anastasia hung her head. “Cyr, work with the doctor and see what you can find. Any luck with the debris?”

  “I’m glad to say yes!” replied Cyr. “We’ve found what appears to be a data module. We’re now working to integrate it with our systems.”

  “Good. Just be careful. It’s alien technology. Make sure it’s safe before initializing any data transfer.”

  Cyr nodded.

  Anastasia turned her attention back to the group. “We have some challenges ahead, but we need to stick together. Please, please don’t do anything rash. Everyone, I urge you to try not to piss off the admiral.”

  They nodded, trying to control their amusement.

  Soon, everyone began to leave, and Argon approached Anastasia. “Whether or not we keep our heads together, Emmeline’s life is ruined.”

  Her heart sank.

  “She’ll be sentenced to life,” Argon continued.

  Anastasia nodded solemnly. “If only she’d told us about Nemesis and Alexander. We could have controlled the damage.”

  “I don’t think she realized it was important. It wasn’t intentional.”

  “I believe you. What we need is to make sure the jury believes her.” Anastasia hoped her words gave him some comfort, though his face remained thoughtful and pale. “I know what you’re going through,” she told him. “Please, just be patient.”

  He nodded and left.

  Anastasia remained behind for a few minutes to compose herself. Two months ago, she’d wanted to leave Titan, but now she wanted to fight for it. The idea of being dismissed or demoted by the Imperial Command for overlooking the actions of a naive girl seemed ridiculous. She turned and realized that Mykel was still there.

  “How are you doing?”

  “I’m doing great. How about you?” Anastasia replied sarcastically.

  He smiled. “Nice try. I know you better than that.”

  He stepped closer. She wished he wouldn’t. He held her hand and said, “I know you hate it when I leave.”

  Anastasia was surprised. It had never occurred to her; he knew.

  “I know you need support right now,” Mykel continued. “I don’t know if you need me . . .”

  “I need you,” she replied. “In command of one of the most powerful ships.”

  “You’ll understand, then. I have to go.”

  She felt like crying, but instead, she smiled. “You always leave.”

  “And I always come back.”

  Anastasia checked her memory. He was right. For the last decade, he’d made every attempt to stay in touch with her. She was married and tried to remain as formal as possible. She felt he had returned to her. Since the day Prometheus won the battle against the Orias, he had never left her side. He was back in her life. Was she ready to return to his? “Mykel, now isn’t the time.”

  He smiled. “It never is. Anyway, mark my words, if the admiral keeps troubling you or Titan, I’m going to punch him.”

  Anastasia rolled her eyes. “No, you won’t. You’re too sensible for that.”

  “I think the Imperial Command is being naïve.”

  �
�Tell me, Mykel, when was the last time they lost control of something?”

  His eyes met hers.

  “They’re scared,” Anastasia said. “They’re afraid because they couldn’t control or predict this. For a long time, they’ve been sitting on that planet, writing procedures and processes of how everything should be. This mythical device and the portal came as a shock to them. Then there is Emmeline. They figure, they can’t control her and they don’t like that. And then there are people like the admiral. He is feeding the Imperial Command with wrong information and making the situation worse by pinning down the only person who could actually crack the puzzle.”

  “He has turned this investigation into a personal agenda against Emmeline to gain control over Titan,” said Mykel.

  “I believe you. I think I saw it coming. He thinks he can resolve everything if he’s in command of this station. He thinks he can set an example by condemning Emmeline.”

  “Huh!”

  The doors to the meeting room opened, and Aceline stepped in. “Oh, am I disturbing?”

  “Not at all,” said Mykel.

  “I have something I really need to discuss,” Aceline said. “Captain, it’s about the planet you call Proserpina.”

  “Yes, what about it?”

  “In your reports, you said that you think the species there died of natural causes.”

  “Yes. We think an asteroid hit the planet and eradicated all life. That’s not uncommon.”

  “Are you sure?” Aceline asked.

  Mykel nodded. “I’m pretty sure it was an asteroid.”

  Aceline looked worried.

  “What is it?” asked Anastasia.

  “The captain took some rock samples from the surface. We separated the samples, which we thought were from the asteroid. Captain, the samples of the meteorites are made of the same components as Nemesis, except one isotope is different. The isotope in the meteorites is O-16. In Nemesis, we detected O-17.”

  Anastasia felt as if Titan shook a little.

  “What? Are you sure?” asked Mykel.

  “We cross-checked the data seven times!”

  “Are you telling me there are more of them out there?” asked Mykel.

  “I don’t know,” Aceline replied. “We analyzed Aluminum-26, which can be used to detect the age of the meteoroid. According to our readings, that asteroid hit the planet almost hundred and fifty years ago.”