Miri sighed and walked toward the door. Xalivar suspected his sister hoped her son would never be the kind of emperor he was. There had been many conquerors in the line preceding him, but Xalivar took special pride in his reputation as ruthless and arrogant. Except for Miri and Davi, no one dared question him on even the most routine of matters, and Xalivar liked it that way.
There would be no place for weakness in running an Alliance. One had to be firm and decisive, and given time, it would come as easily to Davi as it had to him. With the endorsement of the Council of Lords, Xalivar’s family had led the Borali Alliance for generations. It ran in their blood.
Xalivar turned back toward his private suite, ready for some rest after a trying day. Davi would have to get used to that, too. The days of a ruler were full and demanding. Perhaps the assignment he was about to undertake would serve Davi well. He’d never understood his sister’s insistence on using the nickname which even Davi himself seemed to prefer. The men in his line all had honorable names and Xander was quite respectable. He sighed, shaking his head. That too would have to change.
O O O
At breakfast the following morning, Davi joined Miri, Xalivar, and other distinguished guests. He sat next to Sinaia Quall, the Borali Alliance’s Ambassador to Vertullis—who was less of a diplomat and more of an overseer in this case. A short, dark woman with her black hair in a bun, she chatted with him about the situation there, filling him in on the background and details about the planet he didn’t already know. In the end, Davi found her charming and informative and appreciated the opportunity to get to know an important official on whom he could call if the need arose. Sinaia in turn assured him she would look after his well-being during his assignment there.
After he excused himself, Miri took him aside. His shuttle would depart in a few hours and he knew she wanted some mother-son time before he left. As they arrived in her chambers, she seemed overwhelmed with sadness.
“Mother, I’m worried about you,” he said, noticing for the first time new lines around her eyes, the distance in her stare.
“You’re worried about me? I think I’m the one who should be worried,” Miri said, refusing to meet his gaze. Her eyes reddened as if she were near tears.
“Why? I graduated near the top of my class. I have been through years of training preparing for this. Uncle has a lot of people looking out for me. I know I will make you proud.”
Miri smiled. “You’ve never done anything but make me proud, Davi. You know I adore you.”
Davi put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “And I you.”
She tousled his hair. “I wish your assignment wasn’t so far away. I like you close by.”
“It’s one planet away. Come and visit any time.”
“Of course, I will.” She smiled. “Do you have it?”
Davi gave her an inquisitive look. “What, mother? The necklace?”
She nodded as he pulled the chain over his collar and let it dangle on his chest. The necklace was round and silver colored with a blue-green crest at its center. The four sections of the crest bore distinct images: laborers, soldiers, farmers, and priests.
“Perhaps you could leave it with me for safe keeping—a remembrance of my son to comfort me in your absence,” she said, stroking it.
“You know how much it’s always meant to me. It’s one of the first gifts you ever gave me.”
“I know, son, but so many things can happen out in the field. If you lost it …”
“I won’t lose it, mother.” She’d always been very protective of the necklace, but she’d never before asked him to give it up. Davi was puzzled by the sudden change, increasing his worry.
“I would feel better if I had it with me,” she said, sniffling a bit.
“But you’ve always insisted I wear it. I don’t understand. Are you so worried I won’t come back?” Davi looked into her eyes, wishing he could find the words to ease her worry.
Miri rushed into his arms, embracing him. “Never say that! I can’t bear it!” She held him tight, her voice cracking.
“I’m sorry, mother. It was supposed to be a joke!” Davi held her, trying to reassure her.
“Never joke about such things,” she said with tenderness. “I love you, son.”
“I love you, too, mother.” He would miss these times with her when they were apart. Tears flowed from her eyes. Davi stood there and held her a while, the necklace pressed against his chest by her embrace.
O O O
The small temple attached to the Palace was empty, as expected, when Miri led Davi through the Royal family’s secret tunnels. As instructed, a priest had prepared libations and vestments and left them at the altar for the Royal family’s use. Davi couldn’t remember the last time he’d been here, and he knew his mother didn’t come often either. But today, she had insisted they offer prayers and tribute for his safety and success before his departure, and so they’d come.
The priests kept the temple clean, free of dust and other odors, though Davi’s nose did detect the few types of incense that had been burned recently in tribute. The altar consisted of a small, marble platform with a triple staircase leading up to it, all broad and wide with overarching ceilings as befit one coming into the presence of higher beings.
Miri led him straight to the altar and knelt, motioning for Davi to her side as she began putting on one of the two ornate robes in preparation for their offering.
Davi put on the other then knelt beside her and joined her in the traditional recitations that preceded any proper offering. “Nehes, nehes, nehes, Nehes em hotep, Nehes em neferu. Nebet hotepet. Weben em hotep …” Together, they recited the ancient words any Boralian learned from birth, and Davi gently lifted the carafe of red wine, holding it ready for when Miri wanted it.
Miri’s recitation sounded sincere and passionate, but Davi had enough trouble remembering the words that he couldn’t quite manage to muster even a semblance of emotion in support of his mother. But she didn’t look at him or offer comment.
After the opening indroit, Miri accepted the carafe and launched into specific prayers, asking the gods for wisdom, strength, courage, and protection for Davi. She poured the libations on a small dish she’d set centered on the altar cloths, her eyes closed and head bowed, and Davi bowed similarly, but kept his eyes open. He had long ago given up devotion to his people’s religion, which seemed far more like silly ritual to him than anything profoundly spiritual or connected to another realm. He just didn’t feel anything when he participated in it. It was all ritual motions, words, and actions, but he experienced no spiritual connection to go with it, no matter how hard he tried. Still, it comforted Miri, so he did his best to project a spirit of support and love to honor her as she prayed.
Would any of this matter? He asked himself and then heard Miri reciting the closing words and joined her in offering the traditional four-fingered salute to the pantheon.
Miri’s shoulders sank with her sigh as she finished and looked over at him, warmly. They embraced, holding each other for another moment, then slowly stood and headed back into the passages that would return them to the Palace.
Whether any of it had been worth the effort for spiritual aid, Davi had doubts, but the confidence it gave his mother was more than worth the time. He hoped it would carry with her throughout the days ahead after they parted. He let his love for her flow back through the embrace. At least he could offer her that.
O O O
Davi and Farien arrived at the starport a few hours later, their gray uniforms neatly pressed, and shook hands with Yao. He’d shared so many fun times with his friends, and Davi knew he’d miss having them around. After a few moments, he pulled Yao aside. “I need you to look after mother for me.”
“Of course. Anything I can do? Is she upset because you’re leaving?”
Davi sighed, raising his hands in the air as he took a deep breath. “Yes. More than I expected. She seems more weak and frail than I’ve ever seen
her. I’m not sure why.”
“She’s always adored you and kept you close. I’m sure this is hard for her,” Yao said.
“It’s hard for me as well, but she’s really broken up about it. She even asked me to leave the necklace with her for safe keeping.”
Yao’s eyes widened and he took an involuntary step back. “The one she’s always been after you to wear? Did she have a bad dream about something happening to you?”
“I don’t know. She wouldn’t say. Just check on her for me, will you?” Their eyes met and Davi saw recognition there of his depth of concern as his hand reached down to touch the crest where it rested beneath his uniform.
“Every day, if you want,” Yao replied, eyes locked on Davi’s.
Davi clapped him on the shoulder. “I don’t think it’s necessary, but I trust your judgment.”
Yao smiled and they embraced. “You take care out there, okay? I want to hear all about your adventures,” Yao teased.
“Oh yeah, and you make sure those future cadets are up to standards, all right?”
Yao laughed. “I’ll be as hard on them as I was on you two.” He twisted his face into a fierce expression.
“Do us a favor and be harder on them, okay?” Davi said with a grin. He glanced over at Farien, who frowned, pacing beside the shuttle ramp. They both laughed and shook hands one last time.
“Let’s get this show rolling,” Farien said, glancing at his watch. “Let the adventure begin!” He clapped them both on the back. Yao shook Farien’s hand before he and Davi boarded the shuttle.
As the shuttle pilots prepared for launch, the engines hummed and ignited. Contrasting with the shuttle’s white exterior, the interior was light gray. The cockpit held two black chairs facing a transparent blast shield, surrounded by controls. It was separated by a bulkhead from the passenger compartment which contained four rows of seats—two lining each exterior wall and two back to back down the center. Each had its own safety harness. The sole decoration was a large Borali Alliance emblem centered above the seats on the ceiling. The cabin smelled stale, used; not fresh and clean like the royal shuttles always did.
Davi strapped on his safety harness and began mentally reviewing what he knew about Vertullis and his new assignment. From what he’d been told the planet’s capital city, Iraja, was far from impressive when compared with Legon, but Iraja was also one of the Borali Alliance’s major starports and the key shipping and receiving point for agricultural products in the solar system. His heart raced in his chest. He’d never been off planet before.
The thirteen planets in the star system all varied in size and shape, the outermost and innermost planets being the smallest. Three of the larger planets had several moons. Vertullis had two. While Vertullis, Tertullis, and Legallis alone had atmospheres suitable for human life, due to Borali scientists’ determination and skill with terraforming, all but one of the system’s planets had been inhabited, though some with populations consisting only of a few workers and military personnel. The planets revolved around the two suns, Boralis and Charlis, in an unusual orbital pattern due to the effect of the twin gravities. Because of the limitations in terraforming science, the four planets nearest to the suns had been surrendered as viable habitats for humans. Of the thirteen planets, Vertullis was the sole planet which had a surface containing fifty percent forest, and it had one other distinction. It remained the only planet in the solar system whose native citizens weren’t free.
Slavery was a subject on which he’d never formed much of an opinion. He valued his own freedom, and human beings, to him, had always seemed deserving of such freedom. But he had never met a Vertullian. He had no idea what they would be like. Perhaps after spending time there, he would understand better. They might be great troublemakers, lazy, even subhuman as he’d been told. Throughout history, they’d been the enemies of his people, but beyond that, he decided it would be best to wait and see. Regardless of what he thought of them, Davi determined to treat them with fairness and dignity. He had read stories of abuse by past supervisors and guards, and he would not allow such things on his watch.
The shuttle accelerated, forcing him back against his seat as pressure closed around his head and chest. He took deliberate slow breaths as he’d been trained and looked straight ahead, trying to relax. He hadn’t been on a shuttle since his early days at the Academy, and even though he’d flown VS28 starfighters in training, he’d never been out of Legallis’ planetspace. Whatever else happened, he figured it would be an interesting challenge.
As twinkling stars filled the windows and the shuttle settled into its flight path, Farien snored beside him. Chuckling to himself, Davi leaned back and glanced out at the black void of space. The blue tinged globe he’d always consider home receded rapidly as the shuttle broke orbit and arced off away from its surface. He’d never seen the planet from space before. It was far more spectacular than any of the pictures he’d seen. A new phase of life was beginning. He’d been dreaming of this for a very long time.
Chapter Two
There has to be something better than this! Two weeks behind a desk shuffling papers is not what I had in mind!
Since arriving on Vertullis, Davi’s only excuse to get out of his office had been occasional forays to check on operations. His days consisted of report after report from subordinates and superiors: requests for upped production times, reports on incidents involving workers or fellow soldiers, etc. Despite his responsibility for numerous squads of men supervising farm workers in the region south of Iraja, his big adventure had turned out to be anything but.
Never had Davi so wanted to blast off an e-post to his Uncle begging him to pull strings and get him out of there! He cringed at the thought of how his uncle might respond. Xalivar never responded well to any sign of weakness. Davi’s head hurt from thinking about it all. Either my head’s going to explode or I’m going crazy.
The communicator beeped. A major from Administration had invited him on a tour to show him around. Finally, a chance to get out of this office! Davi pushed his chair back from his desk like a rocket and stood, hurrying to meet his host.
He met Major Isak Zylo at the shuttle port near the administrative offices. As Davi appeared, Zylo smiled and extended his hand.
“Pleasure to see you again, Captain.” Short with broad shoulders, Zylo’s light skin seemed bright against the grayness of his uniform. His red hair and beard were both sleek and well groomed.
“Please, call me Davi. I think there’s no need for such formalities among officers when they’re alone,” Davi said.
Zylo smiled, an impressed look in his eyes, and relaxed noticeably. “Indeed. Call me Isak. Shall we be off?” As Davi nodded, Zylo turned quickly led him aboard the shuttle. Moments later, the doors closed.
Unlike the shuttles Davi had flown in before, this shuttle had been designed for in-atmosphere tours like theirs. Except for the thin framework, its top half consisted of transparent materials several inches thick, enabling passengers to enjoy an almost three-hundred-and-sixty degree view of the world around them. Davi and Zylo sat on swiveling chairs atop a raised dais in the center of the shuttle, enabling them to turn in any direction at a moment’s notice with just the flick of a foot. The Ensign piloting followed a major artery out of the city and headed toward the agricultural fields to the south. Now that Davi had set the informal tone, Zylo looked totally relaxed, but Davi found himself nervous and excited. His stomach fluttered and his throat grew dry. Ironic, given that usually others were more unsettled in his presence than he was in theirs.
Downtown high-rises slid past as they left the starport then gave way to residential neighborhoods. Houses of all shapes, sizes, and colors surrounded them, the streets here noticeably less hectic than those of the city center. The constant chattering of people mixed with music blasting from electronic billboards floating overhead. Moments later, they reached the outskirts of the city and the landscape changed. His ears filled with the sound of his and Zylo’s bre
athing, the shuttle’s flight computer, red zinga birds’ gentle singing and eight-legged insectoid amblygids’ chirping, forming a pleasant drone.
As they entered the agricultural region, buildings stood further apart amidst great stretches of farms and grazing land. Transportation corridors ran throughout linking buildings to each other and to the capital. Workers tended herds of gungor and daken, while others ran harvesting machines.
From what he’d seen, the Vertullians lived up to none of his expectations. The workers didn’t seem lazy or troublesome or at all subhuman. Instead, they performed their tasks as if they enjoyed themselves and required very little supervision. If there hadn’t been soldiers guarding key points and supervising some of the work sites, he might not have even remembered the Vertullians were slaves.
As Davi watched the workers, Zylo smiled. “Have you had much experience with workers?”
“Not really,” Davi said, turning back toward his companion. “Nothing beyond some reports.”
“Ah, yes, the workers’ reports,” Zylo said, his voice rising in pitch as irritation flashed in his eyes. “‘The quotas are unreasonable and unfair. The Alliance’s demands are abusive.’ You shouldn’t give much credence to most of what they say. These people love to complain.” He shook his head, his mouth crinkling with disdain at every word.
“You think there’s nothing to them?”
“I think we should expect nothing less from a people like the Vertullians,” Zylo said.
The Major’s defensiveness puzzled Davi. He’d studied the history of animosity between the Vertullians and his own people, and from what he’d read, it seemed his people had often provoked the Vertullians. In any case, they’d never put up much of a fight. Conquered time and again throughout history, they’d fled the Earth and settled on Vertullis when their ship developed an engine problem. Upon discovering who their neighbors were, they tried to forget the past and sue for peace, but the Legallians conquered them again. They’d been slaves ever since.
The Worker Prince Page 4