Earthman Jack vs. The Secret Army (Earthman Jack Space Saga Book 2)

by Matthew Kadish

  Seqis gestured toward the door. Jack nodded to each of the Vanguard and then made his way into Anna’s room.

  Chapter 7

  Jack entered the room to find Anna at the other end with her back to him. She was by a golden-tinted glass wall, which looked out over the capitol, the view stretching on for miles and miles. She was wearing a golden trimmed red robe, which was belted around her slender waist. Her blonde hair was braided into a long tail down her back, and she wore a holographic crown on her head.

  By her side was an older man with wavy salt-and-pepper hair and a white beard, which almost hid his bulbous neck. He and the Princess were speaking softly. Jack looked around the room. The walls were a dark mahogany. The space was well furnished, with a bed and sofas and vanities. But everything was so formal and proper. His mind flashed to the small, colorful, and cozy room Anna had created on the Earthship. It was nothing like the room in which he now stood. In a strange way, Jack felt like he was in a museum, filled with things that weren’t meant to be touched. It didn’t even smell like perfume, or anything he’d come to associate with Anna. All told, it just felt… wrong.

  “Um… hi?” said Jack.

  The man and Anna both turned upon hearing Jack’s voice. Anna smiled at him, but Jack got the sense it was a sad smile for some reason. The man walked toward Jack, a large grin upon his face. “Earthman Finnegan,” he said with a bow. “It is a privilege to meet you. I am Director Uleeg Casgor.”

  Jack vaguely remembered the man’s name from his quick study session. “Right, you’re like… the President of the Empire or something?”

  A slight hint of indignation flashed across Casgor’s face before his warm smile returned. “One of five ‘Presidents,’ I guess you could say,” he replied. “The Empire is far too large to be ruled by one person. I sit on the Directory and oversee the governing of one-fifth of the Empire.”

  “So… you’re like a co-President?” asked Jack.

  “I’m a Director,” said Casgor flatly. “I direct – people, places, things, all of which span thousands of light-years of Imperial territory, and all of which are under my purview. It is my job to keep them in sync with the laws of the Empire, and to enact laws that benefit them. I answer only to the Princess and my peers.”

  “You’re a big deal. Gotcha,” said Jack.

  Casgor sighed, and then forced a smile. “We have asked you here today to make you an offer,” he said. “One which we feel not only reflects what you have achieved in service to the Empire, but also our immense gratitude and appreciation.”

  “Cool,” said Jack. “What are you offering?”

  “First and foremost, Princess Glorianna will be officially recognizing you as a Hero of the Empire,” said Casgor. “It is the most prestigious title an Imperial citizen can receive. Only twenty individuals throughout history have ever been awarded such an honor. By accepting it, you will immediately have a place in the history records and will be famous far and wide throughout the known universe.”

  “Fame is good, I guess,” replied Jack.

  “As a recognition of the sacrifice your people made, we will also be inducting Earth, posthumously, into the Empire,” stated Casgor. “This will be an honorary invitation for you to be a part of our government. It will also grant you, as an Earthman, the full rights and privileges of an Imperial citizen.”

  “That’s… pretty cool,” said Jack, wondering what all those rights and privileges would be.

  “We will also be erecting a memorial dedicated to your people, your planet, and your victory over the Deathlord fleet. It will be displayed prominently here in the capitol, so that your race may be celebrated by all members of the Empire, and their sacrifice never forgotten.”

  “Wow,” said Jack, genuinely impressed. “Thanks!”

  “Finally, the Regalus government is prepared to offer you reparations.”

  “Reparations?”

  “Though we know nothing could ever compensate for the loss of your planet and your species, the Princess has made it clear that she feels she is responsible for leading the Deathlords to Earth,” Casgor said. “Thus, the Empire accepts full responsibility for the events leading to Earth’s destruction and is prepared to compensate you monetarily as a way of making up for the role we played in such a tragedy.”

  Jack glanced at Anna, who was gazing off to the side as Casgor spoke. It made Jack sad to know that Anna still felt guilty over what had happened. “Okay,” Jack said. “How much money are you going to give me?”

  “Based upon the population of your planet, the emotional suffering you’ve endured, and the level of your achievements in support of the Empire, we’ve decided upon a figure of five hundred billion digicredits.”

  Jack’s eyes grew wide. “Five hundred… billion?” he said, shocked. “Is that a lot? Digicredits aren’t like pesos are they?”

  “I’m unfamiliar with pesos,” replied Casgor. “I can assure you it is a substantial sum. The average upper-middle class Imperial citizen earns around two hundred thousand digicredits a year.”

  “Whoa,” said Jack. “So… I’m rich?”

  “Extremely,” said Casgor. “Provided you agree to the terms upon which these rewards are granted.”

  Something about the way the Director said that made Jack uneasy. “Okay,” said Jack carefully. “What do I have to agree to?”

  “Nothing too substantial,” Casgor said. “The first is that we would like permission to analyze this wondrous spaceship of yours. We understand the ship is Earth property and that it responds only to you, and we have no wish to lay claim to it. However, it would be invaluable to the Empire to get a chance to inspect its technology. We would like your cooperation in doing so.”

  “That seems fair,” said Jack. “I wanna help you guys out as much as I can.”

  “Excellent,” replied Casgor with a smile. “Then you should be amenable to our next request. The story of what actually happened in regards to the destruction of the Deathlord fleet presents certain… problems for our government.”

  “Problems?” asked Jack. “How can the destruction of Planetkillers be a problem?”

  “It’s not so much that they were destroyed, rather, how they were destroyed,” said Casgor. “We do not wish to diminish the role you and your companions played in this incredible adventure you had. But we feel it would be far more beneficial if the universe at large believed the Empire played a larger role in what occurred, and that those responsible for the victory were not so… how should I put this… unorthodox?”

  “You want me to lie about what happened?” asked Jack, astonished.

  “No,” replied Casgor. “We want you to present a different narrative than what actually occurred to the public, for their own good.”

  “Sounds an awful lot like lying,” muttered Jack, wryly.

  Casgor sighed, then smiled at Jack like one would a child who kept asking stupid questions. “Jack,” he said. “There are certain… political realities at play here that you are not fully aware of. We know what we are asking of you doesn’t seem right, but it would be far more advantageous for the Empire than the truth would be. By agreeing to this, you’d actually be saving a great many lives, and would be assisting the Empire immensely in our war against the Deathlords.”

  “But, my friends…”

  “We have already approached your companions about this,” Casgor replied. “They have all agreed to this deal. Each will be handsomely rewarded for their part in protecting the Princess and destroying the Deathlord fleet. And, coincidently, none of them wants any credit for it. The only one left in this equation is you, and we are hoping you will see the wisdom in this course of action.”

  Jack hesitated, eyeing Casgor suspiciously. He looked at Anna, who didn’t seem to want to meet his gaze. “You agree with this?” Jack asked her.

  Anna finally looked at Jack, hesitating a moment before speaking. “Director Casgor,” she said. “Would you give Jack and me a moment alone, please?”

/>   Casgor bowed. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

  After Casgor left, Jack turned to Anna. “I don’t like that guy,” he said.

  “Like him or not, he is one of the rulers of the Empire,” replied Anna.

  “I thought you were the ruler of the Empire?”

  “I’m a figurehead,” said Anna. “I act as the head of state within the boundaries of the Imperial Constitution and hold certain reserve powers, but the government is officially run by the Directory in the name of my family. Technically, I don’t even sit on the throne yet, so I have even less power than that.”

  “Surely you have enough power to tell that guy to kiss off.”

  “Jack, he would not be presenting you this offer if I did not agree with it,” said Anna.

  Jack shook his head. “Why lie?” he asked. “What good will that do anyone? Why can’t we just say what really happened?”

  “Like Director Casgor said,” replied Anna. “There are certain political realities that must be taken into account.”

  “Anna—”

  “Jack,” interrupted Anna. “Do you trust me?”

  “You know I do,” Jack said.

  “Then agree to do this, for me,” she said. “It’s what’s best for everyone.”

  Jack’s gut was telling him not to, but he trusted Anna and wanted to help her. He sighed, relenting, and nodded his head. “Okay,” he said. “If this is what you think is best… I’ll do it. For you.”

  Anna finally smiled, a look of relief on her face. “Thank you,” she said. “It means a lot that you still have so much faith in me.”

  “In you, yeah,” said Jack. “These government guys, I’m not so sure of.”

  “They’re good men,” said Anna. “All of them are smart and capable. They understand things you and I are still unable to grasp. My Empire… it’s so big and complicated that without people like them it would break apart. If they say this is the best course of action, then I have to believe them.”

  Jack nodded. “Did you tell them about Khoruhar?” asked Jack.

  “Not just yet,” Anna replied. “That’s actually the primary reason I wanted to see you.”

  “The primary reason?” said Jack with a smile. “I guess it’s too much to hope that you just missed me?”

  Anna had to bite her lip to keep from returning his grin. “I’ve been thinking a lot, about everything we’ve discussed over the last month,” she said. “And… I don’t think you should pursue this quest of yours, Jack.”

  Jack’s smile disappeared, replaced by a look of confusion. “What do you mean?”

  Anna sighed and turned away. “You’ve already done so much… more than was ever asked or expected of you. You’ve suffered so much loss… endured so much pain… all because of me.”

  “Yeah, but none of that matters,” said Jack. “Not when we have a chance to fix it.”

  “If it can be fixed, I assure you it will be,” said Anna. “I will have the very best the Empire has to offer on this issue. I promise you that.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “The problem, Jack…” Anna replied, looking as though she were having trouble saying the words, “is you.”

  “Me?” Jack said, confused. “How can I be a problem?”

  “Because I know you’ll insist on searching for this Khoruhar. And I don’t want you to suffer any more than you already have.”

  Jack couldn’t prevent an exasperated chuckle from escaping him. “How is me saving my planet and everyone I care about going to make me suffer?”

  “Can we actually do any of that?” asked Anna pointedly. “Resurrect planets that have been blown into bits? Raise the dead as though nothing happened? What about any of that makes sense to you?”

  “Hey,” replied Jack. “I’ve seen temples at the center of planets, aliens that can rip people’s souls from their bodies, zombies, evil tornadoes, multi-dimensional prisons, and omnivorous space bugs. Making sense has nothing to do with this anymore. I don’t know how it’s possible, but there’s gotta be a way.”

  “There isn’t,” replied Anna flatly.

  Jack gazed at her in disbelief. “How can you say that?”

  “Because there is nothing to suggest that it is true,” said Anna. “For ten thousand years my family has been unlocking the secrets of Ancient technology Jack. Ten thousand years. And not once, in all that time, is there anything that would suggest what you’re talking about is possible.”

  “Anything is possible. Isn’t that what the Paragons teach?”

  “Possible does not mean probable,” replied Anna. “As much as I would like to believe you, I simply cannot bring myself to do so. Not when it comes to the sake of your well-being.”

  “What the heck does this have to do with my well-being?” asked Jack. “What about the well-being of my mom? Or my friends? Or everyone else whose lives we can save? This isn’t some fantasy I dreamed up – this is real! And I was given this information! Me! That means I have to be a part of it, doesn’t it? I’m supposed to do this! I want to do this! And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen!”

  Anna shook her head in frustration. “Since I was six cycles of age, Jack, I have searched the universe for something… anything… to save my people. I have trained, studied, researched, and travelled from one end of the galaxy to the other, trying desperately to decipher the clues the Ancients left for us, hoping beyond hope that they left something behind I could use to stop the Deathlords from further destruction.”

  “Yeah, and you found it,” said Jack. “It’s my ship!”

  “That’s not the point,” said Anna. “Look at what it took to find your ship. What it has cost in terms of lives and suffering. Because of me, Earth is gone and I must shoulder the billions of deaths that are my responsibility. The only thing that lies down this path is hardship, and disappointment, and loss. That is not something I would wish upon you.”

  “I can handle it.”

  “I am the Blood of the Ancients, Jack,” Anna said. “I know you don’t fully grasp what that means, but I do. If I struggle and suffer so much with their mysteries, then any quest you think you must pursue will be a thousand times more difficult.”

  “Not if I have your help,” said Jack.

  “And that is exactly what I am offering you,” said Anna. “Don’t you see? I’m trying to save you from going down a path that is not meant for you. If there is something that can save our planets, I promise you, I will find it. But I want something different for you. Something better.”

  “Better?” scoffed Jack.

  “A normal life,” replied Anna. “Jack, I want you to be happy. I want you to go to school. Make friends. Meet a girl.”

  “I’ve already met a girl,” said Jack, looking at Anna unflinchingly. Maybe it was his anger or frustration with the conversation, but at that point, Jack had decided he was beyond caring about being afraid to admit his feelings to her.

  Anna blushed and turned away. “A girl who can give you what you want. What you deserve.”

  “I deserve you,” said Jack flatly. “I want you.”

  Anna met Jack’s gaze, a look of surprise on her face. Not about the revelation, Jack could tell, but about the fact he’d actually had the courage to finally say it out loud.

  “You talk about having a normal life,” said Jack. “But normal doesn’t exist for me, not anymore. Normal died along with everything else on Earth. Everything except you.”

  Jack stepped toward Anna, but Anna raised her hand to keep him from getting too close. “Jack…” she said.

  “If you want me to be happy, be with me,” said Jack. “You are what I want. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”

  “I am not that girl you knew on Earth,” said Anna taking another step back.

  “You are,” said Jack, not letting her retreat. “I know you are.”

  “No,” said Anna, forcefully. “That girl never existed. That was an act, nothing more.”

  “I d
on’t believe that,” said Jack.

  “Believe it,” insisted Anna. “I am Princess Glorianna of Legacy Prime, heir to the largest Empire the universe has ever seen. I have a duty to my people, a duty to my ancestors, and a duty to the future of all who place their trust in me.”

  “You’re Anna Shepherd,” said Jack. “You’re the same girl who loves chocolate milkshakes, silly stories about growing up in River Heights, and boring old history books. This Princess thing, this is the act. I’ve seen who you really are, and nothing you say can change that…”

  “Jack—”

  “Anna, I love—”

  “I’m engaged to another man.”

  Jack coughed, the words he was about to speak suddenly catching in his throat, choking him. He stepped away, his brain numb from shock, not sure he’d correctly heard the words Anna had just spoken. “You… huh?” sputtered Jack.

  Anna sighed. “My parents arranged it when I was two cycles old,” she said.

  “You… but… huh?”

  “I am a Princess in direct succession to the highest seat of power in the universe, Jack,” explained Anna. “Alliances through marriage have been a part of Royal life since the Empire began. And now that I am heir to the throne, my engagement is even more set in stone.”

  Jack stumbled back, finding a seat to plop down on. His mind raced, and he looked at Anna with confusion, an empty feeling of incredible sadness creeping throughout his chest. She sat down next to him, placing her hand atop his, as though that would help comfort him somehow. “I didn’t tell you, because… well, I just didn’t know how,” Anna said softly. “I wanted to, but I was having so much fun, and… and I was afraid it might ruin things between us.”

  Jack was quiet for a moment before speaking. “Do you love him?” he asked.

  Anna smiled sadly. “He’s a good man,” she said. “You’d like him.”

  I hate him, thought Jack bitterly. It wasn’t right. After all he’d been though, all he’d done for her… only to find out in the end that he couldn’t have her was the height of unfairness. Jack could feel his chin quiver with emotion and he turned away, afraid he’d start to cry.