K’aia was entirely aware of the stupidity of her plan, but at the same time, it was freeing to know that it was her stupid plan and not some slave driver’s.
If only Barien could see her now.
That morning she had thought of him while eating a breakfast of strange pastry and bitter juice under an awning in the bazaar, surrounded by every color and smell imaginable. He had always believed they would break free. She wished he was here to experience the First City with her.
Now she was just a face in the crowd, dwarfed on all sides by ships far larger than anything she’d seen outside of holovids.
K'aia was resigned to the fact that she probably wouldn't make it to High Tortuga this way. Still, she had to try. There was no life for her here.
She shrugged her pack to adjust the weight and walked past the gate, making certain she didn’t gawk. That was the fastest way to let anyone whose job it was to watch know you didn’t belong somewhere.
Nevertheless, it seemed she had managed to draw the attention of a couple of Guardians. K’aia put her head down and fought to maintain the same pace, hoping she was being paranoid and it was the Shrillexians ahead of her that they were heading toward.
No such luck. She turned, feeling a hand on her shoulder.
“Are you K’aia?” the female Guardian queried. “We’re looking for a Yollin named K’aia.”
K’aia was surprised to hear the human version of her name. She looked the Guardians over. They weren’t acting in a hostile manner, and they weren’t armed—but then, Guardians didn’t need to be armed. “What do you want? How do you know who I am?”
The one who had yet to speak looked at his wrist. “Yeah, it’s her,” he told the female before turning back to her.
“K’aia, the Queen has requested you join her. We’re going to get you there, but we have to hurry, or you’ll miss your ride.” He waved for K’aia to follow and set off back toward the gate at a brisk walk.
K’aia’s mandibles moved without making a single connection. Bethany Anne wanted K’aia to join her? She had thought her path lay in the military, earning her keep. Not as a hanger-on, pampered like some pet.
The female Guardian held out a hand. “I know it’s a lot, but we really have to get going. We’re gearing up for war and time is something that seems to be in short supply.”
K’aia nodded, feeling better at the mention of something she understood. She let her four feet carry her after the Guardians, who led her straight past the line and into the spaceport. Too overwhelmed to say a word, she trailed behind the Guardians while they showed her to one of the ships she’d been in such awe of just a few minutes ago.
She finally found enough of her voice to thank the Guardians as the ramp descended to take her aboard. “I’ll tell Bethany Anne how helpful you were when I get to High Tortuga. What are your names?”
“I’m Fletcher, and this is Thistlemar,” the female told her. “But you’re not staying on High Tortuga. Like we said, we’re at war. The Queen is on the move.”
K’aia nodded. One location was as good as another. “Will there be work for me there?”
Fletcher nodded. “There’s work for anyone who wants it. What do you do?”
The young Yollin’s eyes didn’t waver. “I’m a fighter,” she replied.
The Guardians snickered, and Thistlemar waved her on with a grin. “Then you’ll be just fine.”
QT2 System, QBBS Helena, Shipyard
Bethany Anne exited the Izanami and walked down the ramp to meet Admiral Thomas. “How are my ships?” she asked in greeting.
“It’s good to see you, too,” he replied. “Never let inane personal updates get in the way of a good ass-kicking.”
Bethany Anne waved a hand as she walked past him, a small smirk playing at the edges of her lips. “We know how we are,” she countered. “Busy. Later on, we might not be so busy. Now,” she rolled a finger in a circle, “my ships?”
Admiral Thomas had no retort for that. He escorted her to the roamer he had waiting to take them to the command center. “We have a total of seventeen battle-ready superdreadnoughts, plus all the ancillary ships to back them up thanks to Lance for coming through with the materials to build them.”
Bethany Anne nodded. “Giselle sourced a hell of a lot of it too,” she reminded him.
“Most of that went into building the shipyard,” Admiral Thomas informed her. “Lance was able to deliver a literal shitload of metal through the Interdiction for ship construction. Otherwise, we’d have stalled before we hit double digits.”
Bethany Anne made a mental note to send her father a thank you gift. “What about the crews to run all these new ships?”
Admiral Thomas grinned. “Peter has been a godsend. The training program for new arrivals from the Federation is running well. It helps that the recruits are mostly young Wechselbalg who turned up at Devon looking to blow off some steam.”
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. “So, what…they got planetside and found that Devon is just a bit wilder than they were anticipating?”
“Pretty much spot on,” he agreed cheerily. “Giselle hasn't stopped singing Peter's praises. He had Tim send teams down to round them up before they get hurt or killed, then he gives them the option to be shipped home or come out here to harden up some.”
Bethany Anne’s pressed her lips together in amusement. “Good. The last time I was on the Meredith Reynolds I thought there was getting to be a surplus there.”
Admiral Thomas shrugged. “There haven’t been too many requests for transport back to the Federation.”
They reached the transfer station, and both sat back to enjoy the show the universe put on for everyone who used the transfer rail.
Bethany Anne looked back to take comfort in the sight of her fleet. She was momentarily struck by the endless backdrop of stars, allowing her gaze to wander until the roamer pulled up in the station at the other end.
They left the rail and the roamer crossed the transfer station floor, rolling to a stop in one of the elevators.
Bethany Anne tapped her fingers on her armrest. The admiral noticed her eyes flicking back and forth, too fast for him to follow. He assumed she was reading through the status reports of every ship while they waited for the elevator to get where it was going. She stopped and looked up at him. “Looks like the three of you have everything sewn up here.”
Admiral Thomas nodded as the roamer exited the elevator and crossed the concourse. “We’re operating well as a team, and the station is settling into a rhythm. It’s good.”
“You'll be operating even better once Jean gets here.” Bethany Anne looked out of the window. “You did get my message about making room for her, right?”
“I did,” he chuckled. “Qui'nan wasn't too pleased about sharing her space at first, but she came around when Jean's equipment started arriving yesterday.”
Bethany Anne's mouth twitched. “I'll bet. I expect Michael will arrive sooner rather than later. I know my husband all too well.”
Admiral Thomas chuckled dryly. “I don’t know about that. I’d argue that it's Michael who knows you.”
Bethany Anne spotted a note from Qui’nan. ADAM, what is Qui’nan trying to say? It looks like production at the shipyard could be higher.
>>She appears to be voicing her disappointment that the shipyard isn’t being used to its full capacity,<< ADAM replied.
Bethany Anne pressed her lips together. Hmmm…
>>Bethany Anne?<<
One minute, I need to deal with this.
“Is something the matter?” Admiral Thomas inquired.
“I’m just working out how many more ships you can turn out once I leave.”
He frowned. “I have no idea what you mean.”
“Well,” Bethany Anne drew her words out, “I get that you had to keep production tight while the station was under cconstruction. However, construction is expected to be completed any day, so I can expect an immediate increase in yield. Yes?”
Admiral Thomas tried to swallow the lump in his throat. “Technically, the station is still under construction,” he pointed out. “And I did have something of a resource nightmare up until the point Lance came through. But yes, we can increase production now.”
Bethany Anne dismissed the report. “By a third.”
Admiral Thomas sighed, bitching to the gods inside his head. His Queen rarely missed opportunities to increase production and reduce the time one had to accomplish anything. “By a third—providing our supply chain remains intact.”
The roamer pulled up in an alcove that was lined with the vehicles, and they got out and headed for the elevator to the command center.
Bethany Anne nodded. “Fair enough.”
>>Bethany Anne?<<
Bethany Anne held up a finger to Admiral Thomas. “It’s ADAM.” What’s up?
>>The SSE ladies have found one, maybe two more splinter worlds.<<
She frowned. Only maybe?
>>Saffron and Savannah located the planet, but they can’t get close. This colony knows how to use their technology to its fullest.<<
Bethany Anne thought on her feet. How would you like to take another joyride?
>>Probably about as much as you would like a new pair of shoes.<<
Bethany Anne chuckled at the excitement in his voice. Saddle up, then. You’re on. Get me the intel on both of those planets.
>>I’ll have Jean get my ship ready.<<
You should take Loralei if she’s up and fighting again.
>>Yeah, because what I need is more ammunition to feed the SSE rumor mill. It’s a shark tank, Bethany Anne.<<
ADAM.
>>Yes, Bethany Anne?<<
You’re not making any sense.
>>Sorry, but you’re female. You know how terrifying you all are.<<
ADAM.
>>Yes, Bethany Anne?<<
There was a pause before she finished her thought.
Be careful out there.
High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Hangar 001, QBS G'laxix Sphaea, Twins’ Quarters
Michael put his head through the door adjoining his and Bethany Anne's quarters and told the twins, “I have to take care of a small matter before we leave. Would either of you care to join me?”
Gabriel shook his head, still absorbed in his artwork. “I'm good here, thanks.”
Alexis jumped down from her bunk and dropped her book on the nightstand. “What’s the problem? We're due to leave in an hour.”
“Not a problem,” Michael clarified. “We are collecting our final passenger. This shouldn’t take too long, and then we can be on our way to join your mother.” Michael withdrew his head.
Gabriel looked up, having gained interest for half a second. His head dropped a second later, however, his interest waning just as quickly.
Alexis half-jogged to catch up, falling into step beside her father. “Who is the passenger? I just checked with Phyrro and everyone is aboard already.”
Michael indicated a place farther along the long corridor that linked the series of almost identical doors. “Not everyone. There was a last minute addition to the list, someone who helped your Mom and I free some slaves not too long ago.” He snorted softly. “I suppose it would be more like ten years from your perspective.”
“Oh.” Alexis frowned and changed the subject. “Dad, is it weird for you and Mom that our ages are all messed up?”
Michael’s brow furrowed as he glanced down at his daughter. “How do you mean?”
Alexis took her time with the answer. “Well, Gabriel and I were talking last night about how you and Mom see this world and the game world as completely separate, so to you, we've only been alive for nearly six years. But we’ve experienced fourteen.”
Michael pointed to the next door along. “I have not given it much thought. You and Gabriel are simply teenagers now. I have lived long enough that a mortal lifespan passes in an instant,” he snapped his fingers, “and yet to some of our friends, even we are like mayflies.”
“Mayflies?” Alexis asked.
Michael nodded. “Earth insect. They live their entire adult lives in just a few hours. My point is that when you have a span of centuries instead of decades in front of you, a few years here and there is arbitrary as long as you are living them to your best ability.”
Alexis tilted her head, standing aside for Michael to verify his identity for the door. “I don’t get it,” she admitted with more than a little frustration.
Michael smiled fondly. “You will in time.”
Alexis huffed. “Why can’t we use the Vid-doc to fast-forward to then?”
Michael’s smile widened. “Because that would be cheating, wouldn’t it?”
She made a face. “I suppose so.”
Michael laid a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “It was okay when it was necessary to save your lives, but living inside the game world is not an option for the rest of your life.” He pushed open the door and they entered an office that looked down on one of the hangars.
Alexis dismissed the aversion she had for the crowd below. Instead, she looked over the rows of ships. “They’re coming in on a public transport?”
“You are made entirely of questions today, Alexis.” Michael held the door until she was through and then ensured it was locked behind them. “Stay close.”
Michael led Alexis to the floor below and around the edge of the crowded docks to another office, where he instructed her to wait outside for a few moments while he spoke to a pair of people wearing loose-fitting shipsuits whom she identified as Guardians.
Alexis reluctantly took a seat on a bench made for the four-legged outside the door, next to a Yollin who looked just as happy to be outside the office as she was. She turned around on the padded seat to face the window and kept her eyes on her father, thinking to lipread what he was saying.
Michael spotted her attempt and raised an eyebrow. He waved a finger and the window blind snapped down abruptly, making both Alexis and the Yollin jump.
“Dammit,” Alexis muttered softly to herself. “How am I supposed to find out what’s going on if he keeps figuring out I’m listening?”
The Yollin chuckled. “You could always ask me,” she offered. “Since I’m the one they’re talking about. Might as well get used to this translation software they put in on the way here.”
Alexis turned on the bench to get a better look at this Yollin they had sidetracked for. “You’re the mystery passenger?”
The Yollin nodded and turned to face Alexis. “The name’s K’aia. What’s yours, and why are you with Michael?”
“I’m Alexis. You know my dad?” She lifted her feet onto the bench and crossed her legs to get comfortable. “Tell me how you ended up here. Where are you from?”
K’aia looked at the door of the office where Michael and the Guardians were, discussing her like some adolescent who hadn’t been taking care of herself since forever.
“Oh, they’ll be ages,” Alexis assured her with a wave. “And I really am interested. Dad told me you helped him and Mom free some slaves?”
K’aia shrugged. “I was one of those slaves until about a year ago. I escaped and ran into your parents, and we all freed the rest of the slaves in the mine.”
“So that’s how they know you,” Alexis wrapped her arms around her knees and leaned in to listen. “Tell me everything. What are you going to the Helena for? Are you here to fight in the war?”
K’aia nodded. “If I can.”
Michael’s shadow crossed them. “I have a more suitable role in mind for you, K’aia. That is, if my wife agrees and if you wish to take it on.” He looked distant a moment. “However, the ship will leave without us if we remain here talking.”
Alexis jumped up from the bench. “Yeah, no. Let’s go before that happens. I want to see Mom.”
Kael-ven did not leave without them. Michael walked briskly ahead while Alexis and K’aia followed, chatting as girls did—in his limited experience.
M
ichael received another message from Kael-ven as they boarded. “Alexis, I’d like you to show K’aia around the ship. Take her to her quarters and then get settled in.”
Alexis nodded and smiled at K’aia. “I’d be happy to. How many Gates away is QT2?”
Michael rolled his eyes in amusement. “More questions? Save them for later. Kael-ven needs me on the bridge.”
“This is the weirdest day,” K’aia confessed once Michael had left.
Alexis looked at her potential new friend. “In what way?” She gestured to K’aia to follow her in the opposite direction.
K’aia shrugged. “Just… I’m on the G’laxix Sphaea, one of the most famous ships in the galaxy. I definitely didn’t expect your parents to take time for me personally.” She snorted. “I still think of your mother as the Empress, and yet here I am.” She raised her hands and turned her upper body to indicate the corridor.
“If you’re here, it’s because you deserve to be. My parents don’t have time for hangers-on.” Alexis shook her head earnestly. “I hope you didn’t call my mom ‘Empress’ to her face.”
K’aia nodded, her eyes wide. “Oh, that was exactly what I did.” She broke into a chuckle. “Believe me, she set me straight on that pretty much as soon as I met her, but she is still the Empress to me.”
They got into the elevator side by side, and Alexis gave the level she wanted.
Alexis grinned at K’aia. “We will go to your quarters, but I’m going to introduce you to my brother first. Otherwise, he’ll just complain for the next hundred years that I left him out.”
K’aia nodded. “That sounds good, but it’s been a long day. Can we do it quickly?”
Gabriel was packing away his art supplies when Alexis and K’aia reached the twins’ quarters. He was more than surprised to see a Yollin he didn’t know come in with Alexis.
Alexis jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “This is K’aia. She’s the mystery passenger traveling with us to the Helena.”
Gabriel nodded. “Hey, I’m Gabriel. Where are you quartered?”
K’aia shrugged. “I just got here. I have no idea.”
All’s Fair in Blood and War (The Kurtherian Endgame Book 4) Page 8