by Gun Brooke
“Almost there, madame.”
“For all divinity, call…me…EiLeen!” Growling the word and hating to sound so out of breath, EiLeen gasped as she nearly lost her grip of the ladder. Her foot missed the next step and she was trembling too much to regain her footing.
“EiLeen!” Dana suddenly gripped her calf, steering her foot to the next step. “Don’t let go. Can you feel the step? There?” She kept her hand firmly where it was.
“Yes, yes. I’m fine.” Clutching at the ladder, EiLeen continued her descent. Dana’s hand seemed to be what she needed to stabilize the tremors. Was she having an onset of nerves in her middle years? Ridiculous. Nerves? If she was infamous for anything, it was for inducing bad cases of nerves, not suffering from them.
“We’re here. Let me check the corridor. Something tells me they’re not stupid enough to leave our shuttle deck unsupervised.”
Unwilling to be left alone in the suffocating tunnel, EiLeen shook her head. “I’m going with you.”
Dana looked hesitant for a moment but then nodded. “Actually, I’d rather have you where I can protect you. Good point, Ma—EiLeen.” She smiled mirthlessly and motioned for EiLeen to once again move in behind her. “Stay close.”
That last order wasn’t hard to follow. Only a few centimeters shorter than Dana, Eileen not only felt safe with the fierce captain, but for the first time she didn’t become entirely volatile when someone else took command. Well, Dana did know her own vessel best and was officially in charge.
“I hear…something.” Dana leaned back, whispering. “Who or whatever it is, it’s getting closer. It sounds…off.”
EiLeen listened hard. Yes, something sounded off, all right. An eerie sound as if something slithered along the corridor made the small hairs on her arms and legs stand up. The flickering light in the corridor from the now-muted red-alert klaxons didn’t help.
“On three?” EiLeen suggested, half-joking, half-frustrated.
“Yes. We can’t stay here. They’ll find us sooner or later.” Dana raised her weapon and nodded grimly. “One, two, three!”
Dana going high, EiLeen low, they did a quick glance outside. At first EiLeen didn’t see anything, but then she lowered her gaze and the sight of the woman on the deck made her gasp.
“Ensign Saghall.” Dana hurried over to the young woman who was crawling along the bulkhead, clutching her leg. Behind her a trail of blood told the sad story of her nearly severed limb. “Keep a lookout for the intruders, EiLeen.” Dana fell to her knees next to the chalk-white, perspiring ensign.
EiLeen kept an eye on the corridor, but the only movement came from the ensign, who seemed determined to continue along the corridor floor. Not about to stand idly by when she was needed, she knelt next to Dana, not caring that her trousers now absorbed a fair amount of blood as well. “Ensign, stop, please.” She placed gentle hands on the young woman’s shoulders as Dana removed the ensign’s belt to place around the bleeding leg. “Your captain is helping you. My name is EiLeen and you’re safe with us. No, Ensign, please. You have to remain still. You’re hurting yourself.”
“Got to alert…the captain…intruders…” Ensign Saghall’s words were hardly intelligible because blood trickled between her lips at every syllable.
“I’m here, Saghall. See? Here.” Dana pulled the belt tight and the bleeding woman whimpered. She leaned over Saghall. “I’m here and you’ve done very well getting this far. Did they surprise you in the shuttle bay?”
“No. Deck two, Capt—” Saghall shuddered.
“She got here from deck two?” EiLeen looked over at Dana, who pressed her lips into a tight line.
“Elevator,” Saghall said, then closed her eyes and slumped to the floor.
“Damn. I can’t just leave her here. I have to risk alerting the medical staff.” Dana ran a hand over her face before she grabbed her communicator. “Rhoridan to the infirmary. Casualty, Saghall, ensign, on deck four. Immediate evacuation required. Life-and-death situation.”
“Aye, Captain, Lieutenant Irah here. We’re close already but have to move with caution.” The calm male voice over the comm channel spoke solemnly.
“Use caution, but hurry. Ensign Saghall is in a bad way.”
“There in two minutes, ma’am.”
EiLeen had kept her fingertips on Saghall’s neck and was growing rapidly concerned. “She’s weak. Very weak, Dana.”
“They’ll be here. We should move on to the shuttle bay area, but…” Dana paled. “I can’t.”
“Neither can I, so just take a deep breath, Captain.” EiLeen spoke Dana’s title with a gentle, teasing tone, wanting to reassure her. Another out-of-character action. How odd.
“I think I hear the med staff. Watch Saghall.” Dana raised her weapon and directed it toward the elevators. “Guess they would have to use the elevators to move fast enough.”
The door opened farther down the corridor and a security detail moved out first, looking relieved at finding their captain and their wounded crewmate.
A tall, burly man hurried over to them and took charge. “Damn it, Saghall, what have I told you about doing stuff like this?”
“Sorry?” Saghall looked up. “Captain?”
“Here, Ensign.” Dana bent over the woman. “Yes?”
“Just…watch out. Strange weapons. Unknown. Weird-looking…”
“Understood, Ensign. Now let Dr. Irah take care of you. I expect to see you well on the road to recovery when I return.”
“Yes, Captain.” Saghall closed her eyes again.
“And we have to hurry.” Dana stood and extended a hand to EiLeen, who studiously ignored it and jumped to her feet as well. She wasn’t old enough that she needed help getting up yet.
“We better hurry. They might have picked up on you alerting the infirmary.” EiLeen raised her hands, palms forward. “I know. It had to be done.”
“Let’s go. Be careful, Irah.”
“And you, Captain.” The doctor nodded grimly before focusing on his patient.
EiLeen was relieved that the door to the shuttle bay was only a short distance away. When it closed behind them, Dana punched in a command and spoke rapidly. “Computer. Place a security seal on this door. Senior staff access only.” A long beep confirmed her command. “Good. That will delay them if they try to enter while we’re still here.”
Following Dana, EiLeen found herself standing next to what had to be the smallest shuttle known to SC space. “Are we going in that?”
“No arguing. Trust me.” Dana opened the back hatch and motioned for EiLeen to get in. The interior appeared marginally larger than the exterior, but it would still be a cramped space for two people. Especially when one of them was used to her own suite while traveling.
“Strap in,” Dana said, continuing her terse orders. “We have to be really, really quick if we’re going to get the head start we require.”
EiLeen knew it was fruitless to argue and strapped herself into the co-pilot seat. As soon as she heard Dana click her harness closed, the shuttle was hovering and the wide doors opening just enough to let them through. Stars lit up the interior with a cool light that made Dana’s hair look like the Imidestrian silver brooks.
“So, they need to see us leaving but not have time to react too fast and gain on us.” Dana spoke in a muttering voice. She punched in more commands and then leaned back and briefly closed her eyes as they shot through the opening. “Imagine that only a few hours ago, my main concern was that you had insulted a man at the captain’s table.”
“He had it coming.” EiLeen looked in dismay at the state of her clothes. “For all divinity, please tell me this dinghy has computers strong enough to replicate?”
“Yes. It may be small, my Queen, but it’s more fully outfitted than any of your own ships, small or big.”
Grinding her teeth at the deliberate use of her former, and so loathed, title, EiLeen unfastened her harness and stood. “Then I will clean up and change. I may be running for my
life and trying to save the Koenigin passengers, but I see no reason to look like a space pirate’s third harlot.”
“For stars and skies! Has anyone ever told you how annoyingly shallow you can act?” Dana flung her hands in the air.
“Several people have. And frequently.” EiLeen smirked and entered the miniscule restroom. Gazing at her reflection, she made a face. Yes, a vain, shallow, and luxury-loving bitch. She had cultivated this image for years, yet it stung when the bitter words fell from Dana’s lips.
Only when she had recycled her torn and sullied clothes and stood in the cleansing tube, did she realize how Dana had worded her accusation. “…how annoyingly shallow you can act?” Not be. Act. There was a difference. Could it be that Dana realized she was acting, that there was more to the former queen she seemed to loathe so much than the fancy clothes and taste for luxury?
Chapter Four
Dana double-checked the long-range sensors and saw that the decloaked ships that had surrounded her beloved Koenigin now were in pursuit, but at a reasonably safe distance. She overviewed the autopilot settings before she finally relaxed. Rubbing the back of her neck, she moaned.
“You should clean up. It’s remarkable what it does to revive the spirits.” EiLeen’s voice from behind her made Dana jump.
Turning around, she took in the vision of the woman she had to protect until she could deliver her to Admiral Jacelon. Dressed in a light-gray coverall, EiLeen still managed to look poised and elegant. Her short hair lay in stylish waves around her face and she stood as if on display on some podium. Such dignity had to come naturally to her after being the leader and constantly in the public eye for so many years.
“Sounds wonderful, but I can’t leave the helm. They’re in pursuit.” She hoped she didn’t come off as too acerbic.
“I do know how to read sensors and pilot a shuttle,” EiLeen said, sounding bored. “It will take you only a few minutes.”
“You know how to pilot a star shuttle?” Dana knew she sounded disbelieving, but the idea that any royalty piloted anything was too much.
“Yes.” EiLeen offered no explanations but sounded confident.
“Please.” She stood and offered EiLeen her place. “It’s not that I think you’re exaggerating, but perhaps I should make sure you—”
“Sensors are there. Our guests are far enough away to not cause too much worry.” EiLeen let her fingertips grace the console. “We’re traveling at optimal speed for a shuttle of this type, and you’ve set the weapons array on standby to be brought online within seconds, should we need it. You can leave.”
Dana had opened her mouth to tell EiLeen just where she could tuck her superior attitude, when she saw a faint sparkle of amusement in her eyes. Suddenly hard-pressed not to burst into undignified giggles, Dana nodded curtly. “Fine. I’ll only be a minute.” She squeezed by EiLeen, involuntarily inhaling the typical scent of cleansing agent and something that had to be EiLeen’s own. The dark, faintly woodsy fragrance fit her well, and the stars only knew where she had kept it. Did the woman carry perfume oils in her pockets?
Efficient as usual, Dana tore off her clothes, entered the cleansing tube, and felt the hum of the sonar waves run through her body and rid her of the sweat and grime that crawling around the inner parts of the Koenigin had bestowed upon her. She grudgingly had to concede that EiLeen was right; it did feel better, much better, to be clean. About to replicate a new uniform, she thought better of it and chose the same gray coverall that EiLeen wore. It was softer and wasn’t as tight or confining as her uniform. Realizing that the hairclip she used to put her hair up in its usual low bun was broken, she replicated elastic and created a simple ponytail. Not about to admit any form of vanity on her part, Dana was secretly proud of her long, blond hair and reluctant to cut it even when it was a chore to maintain.
She returned to the small bridge and stood watching EiLeen. How infuriating she was, and how utterly beautiful. EiLeen was studying the helm console with complete focus, her brow marred with a few wrinkles as she concentrated.
“What’s our status?” She let EiLeen remain in the pilot’s seat and took the navigation officer’s seat right next to it.
“Same distance to the pursuers. All systems are functioning. Nothing new.”
“Then we have some time before we decide where to set down and get you to safety.”
“And apprehend these…these thugs.” EiLeen turned darkened eyes to Dana. “They’ve shown nothing but callous determination. An SC asteroid prison seems too lenient.”
“That’s what we have to offer. We can’t disregard the directives of our legislators.”
“I know. I merely keep seeing that young woman, Ensign Saghall, dragging herself along the corridor soaked in her own blood. I’m sure these fools could not care less about her and potentially ruining her life. If she survives that type of blood loss.”
“The Koenigin’s medical staff is highly skilled to deal with trauma. If they got her there in time, they’ll save her.” Dana realized she was trying to convince herself as much as EiLeen. “I know seeing such wounds in real life can be hard.”
“I’ve seen my share of wounds, but it’s gut-wrenching to realize these criminals were after me and are hurting innocents in the process. I sincerely hope they left your ship alone once they realized I’d escaped.”
That was Dana’s fear as well. “I might be able to reach the ship via subspace communications.” She turned to the console and punched in a few commands. “Shuttle One to the Koenigin. Come in.” Waiting for a moment, she repeated the process. “Koenigin, this is Shuttle One. Do you read?”
“—nigin. L’Ley here, Captain. Secure channel implemented.”
“Excellent. Status report.”
“Sweeping the ship for hostiles as we speak, Captain. From what internal sensors suggest, they all took off after you. Are you all right, ma’am?”
“We’re fine. Staying well ahead of the enemy. What about Ensign Saghall?”
“I regret to inform you that Ensign Saghall didn’t make it. She’d lost too much blood. I’m sorry, Captain.”
Dana heard a muffled gasp behind her and turned around. EiLeen was pale now, her breathing erratic. “I’m sorry to hear this, Commander. Ensign Saghall will be missed. Very much so.” Dana swallowed hard. “So young…”
“Yes. She was. I have taken steps to notify next of kin and prepare for the return of her remains. What a complete and horrible mess. This is a cruise ship, for stars and skies.” L’Ley’s distraught tone came through, even though she clearly tried to stay collected.
“Agreed. I’ll try to contact you every hour on the hour. In the meantime I expect you to return to our closest emergency port. As soon as you can safely do so, file a subspace report to SC Command.” She stopped talking when EiLeen briefly touched her arm. “Yes? You have something to add, Madame Maxio?”
“Commander L’Ley. This is EiLeen Maxio. When you contact SC Command, you must give the details only to Admiral Ewan Jacelon. It’s imperative that you understand this.”
“Ma’am?” L’Ley’s voice showed trepidation as well as confusion. “Captain?”
“Sound advice,” Dana said, frowning at EiLeen. “Contact only Jacelon until we know what we’re dealing with.”
“But you need backup ASAP, Captain.”
“We do.” EiLeen interrupted, looking unperturbed. “That said, if you talk to the wrong person within the SC, you might as well be signing our death sentence. There’s far more at stake than you realize, Commander. Do I make myself clear?”
“Captain?” L’Ley sounded as if she was torn between being cordial to former royalty and thinking said royalty was being a presumptuous busybody.
“For now, Commander, I second Madame Maxio’s suggestion.” Glowering at EiLeen, daring her to object to her choice of words, Dana closed the subspace communication link. She studied EiLeen, secretly amazed at how confident the woman appeared. Here she was, being pursued by ruthless people w
ho clearly didn’t care who they hurt to get to her, and she wasn’t above issuing orders as if she were still the reigning queen of Imidestria. “Now, tell me how you can presume to give my next-in-command orders.”
“I know about the positions that your Commander L’Ley and one of your chefs hold within the SC Fleet. You’re not just a cruise-ship captain, as admirable as that can be, but you hold the same rank within the fleet.” EiLeen tilted her head, her narrowing eyes studying Dana closely. “Same goes for L’Ley and the chef.”
“Why would you dream up something like that?”
“Because as an intelligence operative, I have top security clearance.” Leaning back in the pilot’s seat, EiLeen smiled enigmatically. “And before you call me delusional, I’d suggest you check in with Jacelon at the first opportunity to corroborate this. He’s the one who…hmm, drafted me.” She chuckled. “I wasn’t all that hard to persuade, as I was beyond bored with doing nothing after my abdication. When Jacelon pointed out how the SC could benefit from using me and my network of powerful friends, I agreed to go through the training. That’s one of the reasons we need to return to Revos Prime.”
“God. You’re a spook?” Dana slumped against the backrest. “So, what is it you have, or know, that these fools chasing us are after?”
“It’s not what I have. It’s what I mean to hand over. I promise you, all will be revealed.”
“And you’re not going to tell me now?”
EiLeen shook her head, now with a cautious expression in her eyes. “I can’t be careful enough. I know you’re trusted, and certainly your actions speak volumes about how dependable and dedicated you are. That said, you don’t have high enough clearance for me to brief you.” She shrugged but didn’t look very apologetic.