He walked to the front of the room, taking a closer look at the students as he moved up the aisle. They look like kids, all of them. Most can’t even be my age yet. Of course, he’d started flying at sixteen and graduated from the Academy at twenty-one. For some reason, he found himself feeling so much older now.
Stepping behind the podium, he turned and smiled. “Welcome class. Good to see so many future pilots here!” He turned to Tela: “And one very talented pilot already. How many of you have ever done any flying, besides, of course, Tela?”
Tela frowned as a few trainees in the back raised their hands, but none he knew by name.
He swallowed, moistening his suddenly dry throat and glanced around. Several others were looking warily, even angrily, at him. “Okay, we have our work cut out for us. Without fighters to train in, we’ll be doing a lot of training on the simulators and then using skitters to get you used to the speed and feel as much as possible.”
Brie raised her hand.
“Yes, Brie?”
“Skitters don’t fly,” she said, a puzzled look on her face.
Davi nodded. “Well, yes, that’s true, but they do handle similarly to fighters.”
Dru raised his hand.
Davi nodded at him.
“What about laser target practice?” Dru asked. “They don’t have lasers either.”
“Alliance skitters do,” Tela interjected. Davi smiled at her in appreciation but she just looked away again.
“We’ll have to do it all on the simulators for now,” Davi said.
Brie raised her hand again.
“Yes?” Would they always be like this?
“When are we getting fighters?”
“I don’t know.” He was beginning to wonder if giving some of these people access to fighters would be a good idea. They seemed too eager. Brie and Dru looked disappointed at his answer. “There’re going to be a lot of things we’ll have to figure out as we go along.”
Several of the trainees sighed, frustrated. “How do we know they’ll ever allow us to fly them?” a dark-skinned cadet said from the back row.
“That’s what I’m here for,” Davi answered as everyone in the room waited with anticipation for his reaction.
“Yeah, right,” the cadet next to the other said, smirking at their buddies. “A Borali Alliance officer training workers against his own people.”
A few other cadets chuckled in agreement.
“Not just a Borali Alliance officer! The Prince himself!” said the dark-skinned cadet. Now even Tela and Dru were giving Davi suspicious looks.
“Jorek! Virun! Cut it out!” Nila scolded, frowning at them.
“Look,” Davi said, “I’m on your side. Why would your leaders send me here, if they didn’t trust me?”
“Did your Uncle order them to?” Virun said with a smirk as his friends laughed.
Davi sighed. For the first time, he found being known as a Royal made him very uncomfortable. He fought the urge to snap back, instead chuckling and smiling at Virun. “Without the resources of the Borali Alliance, we do face some challenges.”
The cadets mumbled in acknowledgement, some still staring at him as if he were to blame.
“However, when I was in flight school, we also didn’t have experienced pilots in the class either, and you have the good fortune to have two.”
He looked at Tela again, who shot him an annoyed look. What did I do now? Several of the others were looking at her now. She looked uncomfortable, shifting behind her desk.
“Okay, well, perhaps we should cover a few basics of flight first.” Going to leave her alone and hope she gets over it. For a pilot, she seems kind of sensitive. Hope she has the endurance to do this. He made a note to keep the question to himself, flipped on the laser board, and began lecturing.
An hour and a half later, he wrapped up what he thought was a pretty decent lecture on the basics of flight and the trainees dispersed. He found Tela waiting for him in the corridor, eyes fuming.
Might as well confront this head on. “Tela, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to apologize to you for offending you when we landed yesterday—”
She didn’t even wait for him to finish. “Don’t single me out in front of everyone! They’re already intimidated enough and they’re my friends.”
“Look, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I really meant it as a compliment. You’re a very good pilot. You can help them learn.” The heat rose in him just being near her.
“As what? Teacher’s pet? They’ll resent me for it!” She was clearly not appeased.
“Well, to be honest, if you were going for teacher’s pet, you’d have to be nicer to me,” he joked. She didn’t even smile. What is it with this girl?
“You fighter jocks are all the same,” she said. “Or maybe it’s just you princes!” She stared at him, disgusted, then turned and marched up the corridor.
Davi had to run to keep up with her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Over-confident braggarts, who think all you have to do is come in the room and the women will start swooning,” Tela snapped.
“Wait a minute! We don’t really know each other. I’m not like that at all,” Davi said, trying to hide his own growing irritation. She was making so many assumptions which just weren’t true. Sure, women had been impressed by his Royal status, but he’d tried not to take advantage of it. Then he remembered the girls at Bar Electric. Most of the time.
“Yes, you are. I’ve been around your type my whole life!”
“Really? You know some other princes?”
She scowled and rolled her eyes, hurrying off again, but he grabbed her arm.
“You really are something, aren’t you? Judging people without even bothering to get to know them? It seems to me I’m not the one here who’s full of himself!” He sighed, regretting the outburst, even though it was true.
“Oh stuff it up your flight suit, air jockey!” She turned and stormed off, leaving him disconcerted. He’d never had problems talking to women before. Why this one? And why did it turn him on so much?
O O O
Bordox had searched the entire planet for Xander with little to show for it. He had no idea why Rhii was helping the workers. There’d been a rumor when they were at the Academy about Xander being found in a courier, a worker child, and he’d helped spread it, but Bordox never really believed that. It was Xander Rhii after all. The little Prince had always been soft. What Bordox couldn’t fathom was how he’d survived five years at the Academy. Bordox had what it took. Rhii didn’t. Now, Rhii’s actions proved his success at the Academy was a fluke. The Prince had sailed through on his family name, charming the faculty and administration, or, at least, revealing their hypocrisy. Bordox knew he was ten times the soldier Xander Rhii would ever hope to be, and on this mission, he would prove it.
He arrived early for his appointment with Zylo at the Regional Office of the LSP. They’d decided to put their heads together and regroup. But Bordox was wondering if a head butt might not be the best plan. Zylo’s intelligence was worthless. Every lead he’d provided had turned up a dead end. Bordox was doing all the work, and he wasn’t about to bust his butt to see Zylo get all the credit. It always worked that way with higher-level officers. The lower level guys did the work, while the higher-level guys got the glory. Not this time! This was his chance to show Xalivar, the High Lord Councilor himself, who the best soldier in the Alliance really was. At last, Bordox would get the recognition he deserved!
Zylo even seemed to feel sorry for Rhii. Bordox wanted to laugh when Zylo expressed sympathy for the little rat. Pathetic loser. Such softness would never get in Bordox’s way. He made his way to the conference room where Zylo was already waiting for him. Sigh.
“We’ve generated a bunch of new leads for you,” Zylo said, tossing a memory card across the table at him.
“I hope they’re better than the previous garbage you guys sent me,” Bordox said.
Zylo didn’t bother to
hide his annoyance. “Intelligence gathering is not an exact science, especially when it comes to workers. They have no reason to cooperate with us. We do our best to fill in as many of the pieces as we can before we send the data to you. Your tactics haven’t helped the results.”
Bordox stared at him, hiding his contempt. Not more of this bleeding heart softie crap! “We’re trained to use whatever it takes to complete our mission,” Bordox said.
“No wonder the citizens call you Death Squads instead of LSP,” Zylo said.
Bordox fought to control his anger. That was a moniker used to cut down and disrespect men who served a higher cause in Borali society. Bordox hated that moniker. His anger won and he exploded: “If you don’t want to work with me, feel free to request reassignment! I’m sure Lord Xalivar will be very sympathetic!”
“Watch your tone! I’m your superior officer!”
Not for long! “Are we done yet? I have work to attend to.” Bordox stood and moved to the window, looking out across the city at the great view. Someday maybe he’d be in charge of an entire planet, an assignment far worthier of his talents. He knew he deserved more than cowing down to idiots like this.
“Xalivar gave us the names of two officers he wants us to monitor,” Zylo slid a photo pod across the table.
Bordox grabbed it and looked at the pictures. Farien and Yao! He hated them, too. “Nothing but low-talent hangers on who followed Xander Rhii like puppies at the Academy.”
“One of them is an instructor at Presimion Academy,” Zylo noted as Bordox turned back to the window. “I assigned top operatives to keep watch on the one stationed on Vertullis. The Legallis office will handle Presimion.”
Bordox made a silent note of the fact that Farien was still around. I think I’d better go pay him a visit myself. He didn’t trust anyone else. None of them had the talent he had. Better to make sure what needed to be done got done right. “Shouldn’t we question them?”
“The High Lord Councilor already did. He wants their activities monitored in case the subject makes contact,” Zylo said. “I assigned our best operatives.”
I’m your best operative, you fool! It’s why the High Lord Councilor assigned me to find his nephew not sit on some inconsequential wannabes like them. How could Bordox continue to tolerate even weasels like Zylo failing to recognize his true abilities?
“He wants you to coordinate monitoring of all passenger traffic at the starport. Everyone who comes and goes from this planet is to be monitored, their records checked thoroughly. Someone’s hiding him, and we need to find out whom.”
This guy ought to be a worker, with a brain like that! “I’ll take care of it. I’d also like to pay another visit to some of the workers we already interviewed. There’s a woman and a girl who know more than they told me.”
“You can do what you want with whatever time you have left after the starport’s in order,” Zylo said, standing. The meeting was over.
Thank the gods! Such a waste of time being here with this idiot! I have my destiny to fulfill! They both headed off in opposite directions.
O O O
The trio met Miri in the back room of a little-known restaurant on the outskirts of the city. Arriving separately to avoid drawing attention to themselves, each used separate entrances to ensure they wouldn’t be seen together.
Restaurant staff escorted them to a private room in the back, where Miri sat waiting for them. They gathered around a long table, waiting for her to explain. Instead of the usual white robes they wore to official meetings, each wore comfortable cotton slacks and shirts. Miri had never seen Lord Hachim, who took particular pride in his official role, dressed like a civilian. He looked awkward. Tarkanius and Kray appeared more relaxed. All of them knew her, but Lord Kray, one of the few females on the Council, was Miri’s childhood friend.
As waiters took their orders, Miri passed around memory cards. After the waiters had served their beverages, the door closed, and Miri stood, smiling.
“Thank you all for coming. I called you here because we’re all loyal to the Alliance, and I have important information about recent events which should cause you concern.”
“Why are we meeting all the way out here and not at the government center or in the Palace?” Lord Tarkanius asked.
“Because this involves highly confidential matters, and I ask you to keep it that way, until we’ve determined a course of action,” Miri said.
They all exchanged looks wondering what she was about to say.
“You’ve all known my character and loyalty to my family. So you’ll understand what I am about to say comes out of deep concern for both my family and the Alliance.”
“Of course, Miri,” Lord Kray said. “What’s going on?” She sipped from her Talis, a warm beverage brewed from beans grown on Vertullis—somewhat like the old Earth beverage coffee.
“I don’t know how aware you are of the situation on Vertullis,” Miri said, “but events have taken place which, I believe, have created a crisis there. These events have occurred with the full support and consent of the High Lord Councilor and have resulted in treatment of the workers which I believe is unacceptable. These memory cards contain evidence I wish you to review relating to these events.”
“Are you saying there has been mistreatment of workers?” Lord Hachim asked.
“Mistreatment, subhuman conditions, and abuses of power,” Miri said, nodding. Please gods let them believe me.
The three Lords exchanged looks of both surprise and concern. “The workers are not like us. We all know the history of their attacks against our people,” Lord Tarkanius said.
“Yet the Borali Alliance has always stood for fair treatment of those under our rule,” Miri said. “We set certain standards, which are not being upheld now under my brother.”
“How much does your bringing this to our attention have to do with the murder charges your brother asked us to reinstate against your own son?” Lord Hachim asked, leaning back in his chair and watching her for a reaction.
Xalivar asked them to charge Davi? It hit her hard hearing it, though she tried not to let it show. “My son was charged because he questioned the Borali Alliance’s treatment of workers. He documented a long line of abuses, bringing the evidence to Xalivar, who was not receptive. Anyone who questions my brother is at risk. He refuses to respond to inquiries. He believes the workers are subhuman, lower than animals, unworthy of trust or respect.” And most other people, too.
“Many in the Alliance would agree with him,” Lord Tarkanius said, sipping his Talis.
“Then how can we blame the workers for calling us tyrannical?” Lord Kray asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
“Xalivar is consolidating his own power, taking on more and more responsibilities himself and relying less and less on your counsel,” Miri said, hoping they’d noticed.
“He appears before the Council to make regular reports,” Lord Hachim said.
“The Council began meeting every two months instead of monthly at whose request?” Miri asked.
The three Lords exchanged a look. “The High Lord Councilor requested it, due to increased obligations,” Lord Kray answered for them.
Miri nodded. “I believe Xalivar wants to make the High Lord Councilor more like a kingship and less dependent on the Council. He has become more and more powerful and makes more and more decisions alone. If the Council doesn’t take action soon, it will be too late.”
“He has done nothing the Council doesn’t approve of,” Lord Tarkanius said, leaning forward in his chair.
“You’ll change your opinion after you’ve viewed these memory cards,” Miri said with anticipation.
“What are you proposing?” Lord Hachim asked.
“I believe it may be time for a change of leadership … for the High Lord Councilor’s office to be returned to someone who respects both its powers and its limits,” Miri said.
As expected they looked shocked to hear this from her. Stiffening and locking their
eyes on hers, they examined her as if trying to determine how serious she was, but Miri made sure her expression never wavered.
“We will, of course, consider the evidence on these memory cards with great care,” Lord Tarkanius said, leaning back in his seat again after taking a final sip of his Talis.
Miri smiled. “Thank you. Please keep this meeting confidential until we’ve had a chance to discuss your reactions.”
They nodded. “Of course we will,” Lord Kray said. “Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Miri.”
“I love the Alliance and respect the Council,” Miri said. “It is my duty.”
“The Council has always appreciated your faithfulness,” Lord Hachim said as they stood, placing the memory cards in their pockets.
Miri watched as they departed one at a time, leaving her alone. She knew the risks of revealing this to the Council, but she had grown increasingly concerned about Xalivar’s activities after learning what Davi had uncovered on Vertullis. Xalivar’s refusal to be questioned about it by her or anyone else had convinced her that someone had to step up and call him to account. She was in the best position to do so.
She’d chosen the members of the Council to which she gave the evidence with great care. She knew their influence on the Council would help her case. She would wait for their response, and continue gathering evidence. In the meantime, she had a plan that would bring the abuses to the attention of the public.
Xalivar had asked the Council to charge Davi with murder! My gods, how could he do that? His betrayal was the last straw. Any second thoughts she had, faded away. Fine. If Xalivar had no loyalty to her or his family, so be it. She would not feel it necessary to be loyal to him. The Borali Alliance itself was more important, and she knew in her heart even their father would disapprove of Xalivar’s excesses.
Chapter Seven
Xalivar had always had a soft place in his heart for his sister, but these days she was driving him mad—going on and on about Davi this, Davi that. Xalivar had a lot of responsibilities besides babying his worrywart sister.
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