by Mike Smith
Glancing down at the conference table, Jon observed the small data chip innocently resting in front of him. Jason had put it there prior to his departure from the room. Delicately picking up the chip he observed it thoughtfully, resting in the palm of his hand.
He held no regard for the Confederation. The Confederation had been Sofia’s dream not his. Everything he had done for the Confederation in the past was for her – not them. Jon had dragged Sofia through hell to get her to Eden Prime. By some miracle, bloodied and bruised they had finally made it – alive, just. Jon had no intention of dragging Sofia through such events again. She had seen too much death and destruction in those few short months…
Jon slammed the chip against the table’s surface, the chips delicate membrane shattering, leaving a thin coating of fragments littering the table’s surface.
Chapter Eight
Five Years Previously
Altair V, Altair System
Jon brought the ‘Light down in a gentle descent along the terminator of the planet Altair V. Following their disastrous visit to Transcendence Jon had made the conscious decision to avoid any populated areas and had decided to land the ‘Light some distance from Carrington city, the main settlement on Altair. The plan, discussed during the short FTL jump from Transcendence, was to put the shuttle down just beyond the city, to conceal it, and then make their way using ground-based transportation to his family’s home.
Jon had purposefully chosen this time to begin the descent, as hopefully the setting sun along the terminator would help shield the shuttle’s re-entry from any observant eyes. Jon knew for a fact that sensors from the ancient orbiting docking control would be unable to track the descending shuttle.
Outside of the core-worlds Altair had been one of the first worlds settled. Located 16.7 light-years from Old Earth, it was one of the most visible stars from the birthplace of humanity. Unfortunately it had also been one of the most disappointing. As a type-A main sequence star with approximately 1.8 times the mass of the Sol star, it was also 11 times its luminosity. Combined with an extremely rapid rate of rotation it resulted in an extremely narrow ‘Goldilocks zone’, the zone where water could exist in a liquid form on the planetary surface and a breathable atmosphere could develop. Unfortunately only one planet in the system fell into this zone… just. With a wide day-night temperature variation of between -30oC during the night and up to 50oC during the day, life was difficult for the early colonists. Crops often failed due to the temperature range and the infrequent rains, with little mineral resources discovered on the planet. Were it not for the close proximity to the core-systems it was entirely possible that the system could have been completely abandoned. Instead the system managed to eke out a meagre existence from the frequent trade ships travelling between the core and rim worlds combined with some heavy industry and weak agriculture. With high unemployment, rampant crime, and few prospects, the rest of the Imperium looked down upon the inhabitants of Altair.
Jon had not been born into a well-to-do family. The eldest of two, he had spent most of his youth scrabbling in the streets doing anything that he could to earn some credits to help his family. His father worked as a mechanic in the small spaceport and his mother had balanced two jobs along with bringing up two kids. The likely outcome for the young Radec would have been a short education followed by longer hours in the factories, were it not for his parents. Desperate for their son to aspire to greater things, they pooled all their hard-earned wages and sent Jon to the Imperial Military College, the select school on Altair, where Jon’s situation only grew worse…
The buffeting of atmospheric re-entry awoke Jon from his internal contemplation. It had been many years since he had last been to Altair. Reducing power to the shuttle’s main engines and bringing the shuttle’s nose up slightly to reduce the air turbulence, Jon observed that Sofia had gone an even whiter shade of pale. Not having said much since their frantic escape from Transcendence, Jon was hoping to have an opportunity to talk, in private, at his home. Jon had been in enough combat to recognise the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Hopefully Sofia would confide in him and that he could help her, as Jon knew from personal experience that just keeping the feelings and emotions bottled up inside would only make the situation worse.
Turning back to the flight instruments Jon confirmed that the shuttle was in atmospheric flight mode, glancing out of the cockpit windows he could make out the lights of Carrington city ahead. Banking slightly to port, Jon angled the shuttle towards the southern tip of the city, as this was where his family lived. Activating the shuttle’s sensors he began to look for a good concealed landing spot. A dry riverbed 30 kilometres ahead seemed like the ideal location, and so Jon began the ships landing cycle.
*****
Being only a few hours after sunset, Altair time, Jon suggested to Sofia that they could walk the few kilometres to the city’s public transport system. From there they could obtain transport to his family’s modest residence on the outskirts of the city. After taking a few moments to conceal the shuttle, the young couple set off towards the bright lights of the city.
Initially the journey was easy going, as this close to the city the terrain was relatively flat, mostly consisting of well-marked hiking trails for the more adventurous inhabitants. Soon however, the sky started to cloud over, followed by a light rain, then a deluge! Jon had forgotten how changeable the weather could be on Altair and within moments both were completely soaked!
Cursing, Jon raised his eyes skywards, wondering what he could possibly have done in an earlier life to deserve such a continuous streak of bad luck. Allowing his gaze to wander, observing a gap in the cloud cover, he took in the magnificent star filled vista above them. With little heavy industry on the planet and still a distance from Carrington city the sky seemed to be alive with stars; Jon could easy pick-out the major constellations. He had forgotten what had drawn him to space in the first instance, sitting outside the city, on a path much like this one, staring into the night-sky, wishing on a star… wondering what adventures awaited, what Princesses he would meet… With a soft smile his gaze fell from the dark sky to focus on the soaked and weary woman walking at his side.
Noticing the way that her hair was plastered to the side of her face, rivulets of water running down her face, her drenched flight suit hugging her curves closely. Jon was mesmerised by the sight, wondering how he had spent so many years in her company but only recently recognising how astonishingly beautiful she was.
Looks like both of my wishes came true, Jon thought.
It was only a short distance further, trudging through the thick mud that the path had become, until they came to the edge of the city proper and Jon quickly found a public communication terminal to call for transport to his home. When the transport arrived it was only a brief journey to their destination and before they knew it, they were disembarking from the taxi in a small up-market suburb of the city. While the houses were built close together, it was obvious from the street that the owners took pride in their homes, with all being neat and well maintained.
Assuming that this was where Jon grew up, Sofia looked around curiously with a hint of nervousness, following him towards one of the well-maintained homes.
Recognising the nerves in her expression, Jon caught Sofia by the hand and in a reassuring tone whispered. “Don’t worry. I am sure my family will love you!” It was only after he had uttered the words that he noticed the Freudian slip; fortunately Sofia seemed not to notice as her attention was solely focused on the approaching door. Activating the announcer, Jon waited patiently for somebody to open the door. The thought suddenly crossed his mind.
I hope they’re at home!
Fortunately he needn’t have worried as only moments later the door was opened by his mother. Her puzzled expression rapidly changed to delight upon recognising her son. “Jon?” She asked confused for a moment as she had not been expecting him. “Jon!” She exclaimed again in delight, enfolding him in a rib crushi
ng hug. “Ryan!” she called back into the house. “You get out here right this instant!” The sounds of doors opening and closing could be heard, along with some grumbling when Jon’s father rounded the corner and froze at the sight of his long absent son. His expression of shocked disbelief suddenly changed to delight and he enfolded both of them in a huge hug, not even giving his mother the chance to release her hold on him.
It was only while enfolded in their loving embrace that Jon truly allowed himself to relax. The last week had been a nightmare of battles, dramatic escapes and running for their lives. Continually looking over their shoulder to see who might be chasing them.
Suddenly, Jon remembered Sofia. Looking at her, he watched her observing the scene closely, with such yearning in her eyes. Remembering the recent loss of her father, and losing her mother when she was only a small child, Jon suddenly felt very awkward surrounded by the love of his family. Gently detaching himself from their embrace he reached behind him and slowly dragged Sofia into the light, both parents stilled at the sudden sight of Sofia and Jon awkwardly introduced her.
“Mum, Dad, I would like you to meet… Sofia,” Jon explained with difficulty, only at the last minute deciding not to mention her full title and family name. He knew that he would need to give a full explanation later, but thought it was better not to have that conversation on their front door step. “Sofia, my father Ryan,” Jon introduced, “and my mother…Irene.” Both pairs of eyes swivelled to focus on Sofia before turning back to him with inquiring expressions. Internally Jon sighed to himself, this was far too close to an introduce-the-girlfriend-to-the-parents-for-the-first-time conversation than he was entirely comfortable with and he knew that his parents were leaping to some wild assumptions, but now was not the time to have this discussion.
His mother was quick off the mark, and inviting Sofia into the house before he could get one more word in edgeways, leaving Jon on the doorstep facing a very bemused father.
Recognising the weary expression on Jon’s face and his soaked clothes, his father added sympathetically. “Why don’t we get a drink while the ladies get acquainted?” Jon could only nod in agreement before entering their home.
*****
Seated, Jon gratefully accepted a towel to dry himself and a glass of Scotch from his father, momentarily warmed by the smoky drink easily sliding down his throat. His father was momentarily taken off balance, when Jon motioned towards the bottle for a refill. Jon had never been a heavy drinker.
“You want to tell your old man what is going on?” His father asked perceptively, recognising that the weary expression on his son’s face was not just a result of the long journey.
Trying to think where to start, Jon simply stated. “The Emperor is dead.”
Recognising the bleak expression on his son’s face, his father inquired. “I assume that he did not pass away quietly in his sleep…” Jon simply shook his head and started to recount the story from the beginning.
It was sometime later when Jon concluded the narrative with their arrival at his parent’s home. His father just stood silently for a moment before peering down at his own empty glass.
“I think I’ll join you in another drink,” he stated, pouring himself a generous helping and refilling his son’s glass, which was also now empty. “So after almost 500 years, the rule of the Aurelius family has finally come to an end,” his father murmured aloud.
“Maybe, maybe not,” Jon replied peering thoughtfully into his glass, swirling the smoky drink around the glass.
“I forgot, Marcus has or had a daughter.”
Jon could never get this head around his father referring to the Emperor by his first name. “Has,” Jon corrected his father’s earlier statement.
“So where is she now?” His father inquired innocently, as Jon had only mentioned Sofia in passing while recounting their escape from the Imperial Star. Unfortunately his father noticed Jon’s eyes flicker towards the sound of his mother and Sofia in the adjoining room.
His father’s eyes went as wide as saucers. “You cannot be serious!” he exclaimed. “You brought her here? An Imperial Princess? Daughter of the Emperor?”
“What the hell was I meant to do?” Jon hissed in frustration, almost spilling his drink. “We have the entire Imperial Navy chasing us, half seem to be intent on killing us, and the other half, who knows? The Praetorians are no more, and on-top of that we seem to have a bounty on our head, so every bounty hunter and mercenary in the Imperium is out to get us. I didn’t know where else to go…” Jon exclaimed in a despairing tone.
Ryan peered down at his son, ashamed. He had just been taken by surprise and had not meant the harsh-words spoken. Patting him reassuringly on the shoulder he said. “You know that you always have a place here, and whomever else you want to invite. After all, you did buy the house for us, so it’s yours just as much as it is ours!” His father exclaimed with a warm chuckle.
With the reassuring touch and warm words, Jon looked up in thanks, before asking softly. “What do I do now?”
“Well the first thing we are not going to do is tell your mother about the Princess,” his father stated firmly. “Hell, your mother spends days cleaning the house whenever we have guests from the ‘old neighbourhood’, if she found out we had an Imperial Princess here she would be cleaning into the next decade,” Jon smiled at his father’s humour, deciding that urgent decisions about what to do next could wait until the morning.
“Do you have anything to eat?” Jon inquired desperately. “We have been living off emergency rations from the shuttle for the past week. I’m famished!”
With a hearty laugh his father clapped his hand on his shoulder and stated. “Let’s go and see what your mother has planned for dinner.”
*****
Sofia looked around curiously, not sure what to expect from Jon’s family. She was still embarrassed at not having given them a thought in the past. Sofia remembered, uncomfortably, more than once mocking Jon about having no life when she came across him while roaming the Imperial Star when lonely. Whenever she encountered him, he was always busy with reports, eating alone or checking on their security. She repeatedly urged him to get a hobby, or get a life she remembered was her favourite term. Now walking though his childhood home she wondered if he had also been very much alone, she could never remember seeing him with anyone, aside from fellow officers, issuing orders. Looking back on the time, Sofia remembered that he had always made time for her, while the other officers and Praetorians seemed to go out of their way to avoid her. She wondered if it was this, back so long ago, that had drawn her interest to the young Commander.
Picking up a photo that was resting on a shelf, she noticed the young boy, with the grey eyes and dark hair, wearing an instantly recognisable serious expression. It was another thing that she associated with the Commander, he almost never laughed or smiled, she wondered what happened to him to cause him to permanently wear such a grim expression. Her sight was instead drawn to a young girl at Jon’s side. She guessed that she was a few years younger than Jon, his sister, she assumed, as both children had almost identical features, except the girl had a wide smile, as if she had just trounced her older, more serious brother.
Remembering Jon’s mother, she turned to face her, the picture still in her hand. “Jon’s sister?” she asked motioning towards the picture. Sofia was taken aback when instead of the proud smile that she was expecting, Irene’s expression slipped and a sliver of sorrow crept into her expression.
Taking the picture gently from the younger woman she looked at it for an instant before explaining. “Yes, our younger child Catherine, she passed away when she was still young. This was the last photo that we have of the two children. They were always close and Jon was never quite the same after she passed away, we think he blamed himself.” Irene continued to look at the picture fondly before putting it back safely on the shelf.
“Jon was involved in her death?” Sofia asked shocked.
“Of cour
se not!” Irene replied firmly. “Catherine died from a genetic disorder, Tay-Sachs disease. There was nothing that Jon could do.”
Surprised, by this news, Sofia replied confused, “I thought that we could cure all genetic defects now by gene regeneration therapy.”
“Yes dear,” Irene replied patiently. “But such a treatment is hugely expensive and is only available on the core words. The medical centre on Altair does not offer treatment and we…we could not afford to send Catherine for treatment.”
Sofia looked around at the neat and tidy house, with the plush furnishings, remembering the pretty neighbourhood asked, confused, “But how can you afford…?”
“We did not buy this house dear,” Jon’s mother explained. “Jon purchased this for us a few years ago. Our old home, was…” Irene paused for a moment, “let’s just say it was not such a safe neighbourhood and Jon worried about us.”
Sofia was astounded, looking at her surroundings in a new light. Jon had purchased this for them? But how? She remembered her earlier recollections of Jon on the Imperial Star, always alone, never leaving the fleet, never… spending anything. Suddenly Jon’s past began to make more sense, but still it did not explain everything. While this home was certainly no palace, it was still a substantial purchase and while Sofia had no idea what a Commander in the Imperial Fleet earned, she doubted that it was enough to buy this in just a few years. So where had Jon got the money for this? Borrowed it? Looking at the proud woman in front of her and having known Jon for a few years she doubted it. They would have been too proud to ask. Ashamed, Sofia realised that a few years ago she would have just laughed in Jon’s face if he had asked her for money, although the money to purchase such a house was a drop in the ocean for her.