by Ava D. Dohn
* * *
The Admiral of the Fleet, Gabrielle, was a most courteous host for General PalaHar. After lunching together, she had given him a tour of the main bridge, battle bridge, the two major hangar bays, and the forward armory and torpedo galleries. It was late afternoon by the time the two retired to the admiral’s private office and ready room.
PalaHar chewed on some mints and roasted fruit-nuts as he and Gabrielle conversed. After the official business of running a war was concluded, the general detailed his account of Mihai’s last council meeting, adding his insights and concerns regarding Anna’s veiled accusations against Terey being an enemy mole.
Gabrielle sat in thought, tapping her fingers on the highly polished teakwood table, her fingernails making a sharp clicking sound as she did so. PalaHar examined his long-time confederate and trusted companion. The war had hardened the woman. She never really smiled anymore. Indeed, there was always a serious, grave appearance about her. Still strikingly beautiful, the war had taken a powerful toll on the woman.
For nearly six thousand years, Gabrielle had carried the banner of the Children’s Empire. Until Mihai’s ascent to the throne, the admiral was the power in the land, and she was still the power behind the throne. Her service to the Empire and its constantly changing needs had ravaged her health. Chronic digestive illnesses troubled her, leaving her over two stone underweight. And the increasing headaches, especially bad since the Chisamore incident, sapped her of most of her mental communication powers.
The admiral raised her head, staring into PalaHar’s eyes, asking, “So tell me, please, how do I confront the evidence against Terey? I trust you fully, but I must tell you, Terey has become a person under suspicion, even among the flight crews.”
“But why?” PalaHar was surprised. “I, alone, have been commissioned to deliver to your ears and yours only the minutes of the king’s council meeting. I have told no one. In fact, I refused to send you specifics when asking for an audience with you, fearing unwelcome eyes or ears.”
Gabrielle sighed while placing a hand to her forehead. Pain was growing rapidly between her eyes. She motioned PalaHar to wait a moment while she downed a little powdery substance with some water. Setting the cup on the table, the admiral confided, “My brother, I am sick - so sick, I fear a stroke will soon take me. Still, I cannot afford to leave the bridge. Reports have come to me this very day that three more of Asotos’ fleets have been located near this sector. In only days, we will be engaged in another Day of Tears, I’m afraid.” She shook her head in helpless remorse. “I cannot afford to be sick at this time. I can not!”
PalaHar said nothing. This was no time to speak. Few were the confidants of the admiral in these troubled times. She needed to talk to someone, someone who would understand and empathize, someone who would keep things private. He asked, “What are you taking? Is it for the headaches?”
Nodding, Gabrielle answered, “It’s a concoction of toxic herbs. It makes me wretch once in awhile, and I won’t be able to eat for a day or two, but it should clear my head.”
“The odor on your breath tells me it’s from the strictnoisun plant.” PalaHar replied, warning, “Asotos has used a variant of it as a nerve agent.”
Gabrielle confirmed his suspicion, adding, “Few know of this weed and fewer still know the smell it leaves on your breath. And yes, I am aware of Asotos’ use of it. In fact, it was after my studies of his experiments I attempted it as a cure for my ills.”
PalaHar watched the admiral’s face. In only moments, her eyes cleared. The drug was already numbing the pain. Gabrielle would have an hour or so of reasonable comfort and then cramps, followed by bleeding from nasal and anal cavities, and then light paralysis in the hands and forearms. An overdose might hemorrhage her brain or constrict arteries, causing a heart attack as well as possibly interfering with involuntary breathing, suffocating her, should the woman become unconscious.
The general leaned forward and placed his hand over hers. “My dear one, ‘Daughter of the Hoarfrost’, ‘Keeper of the Crystal Skies’, there are other ways to deal with your disease. Allow me, please, a night to use my magic and see if your sickness is not reduced.”
Gabrielle’s composure was unchanged. Just a growing tear betrayed the admiral’s relief and appreciation for PalaHar’s offer. In a whisper, she replied, “Few are the men still alive who dare risk the despair dwelling in my mind. I once was called the ‘Princess of Fantasy’, the ‘Fulfiller of Dreams’. Now men fear I might seek them out for their attention. I have become like a leper - the walking dead - busying myself in the night to avoid lonely dreams.”
She frowned. “Only the youngest of all the children desires my attention. He makes my heart merry. But, alas, I have needed to surrender Zadar up to the daughter of earthling men. His last loving touch was many months ago.”
Placing her other hand over PalaHar’s, the admiral confided, “I have needs, too. But to the men of this world, I am no longer a woman. I am their untouchable leader.”
PalaHar’s affection was carried on his reply. “To me, you are still the ‘Queen of Fantasy’. Never has a woman pleasured me more. Were I to live but one day longer, I would consider my life satisfied if the previous night was shared in your arms. There is not another person like you. In my eyes, an eternity with you would be too little time.”
Gabrielle blushed and shyly replied, “Already your medicine is having a cure. My heart pains me less; I breathe easier, and the distress in my mind has diminished. A night with you will act as a great cure. But what would a week bring, or even a month?” She sighed again. “Well, we at least have a night…maybe two.”
PalaHar smiled. “Be patient but a moment and the coming evil battle will have passed. You and I shall then immerse our spirits in the mineral lakes of Diamond Ridge. I will sing you my ‘Ode to the Eagle and the Flying Hare’.” He grinned. “I just made it up on my trip here.” Then, closing his eyes he smiled and let out with an, “Mmmm… mmm… mmm. We’ll soak all day and dream all night. Whatcha’ say? Do I have a take on my offer?”
Gabrielle could only smile and nod. How wonderful it would be to rest from her duties! The vision of a week or two away from the front lifted her spirits. She tingled inside. A rush of newfound energy filled her head, nearly making her giddy. But the reality of the moment refused to give up the helm. It soon forced its attention back upon the woman. The vision of delights faded until all but its shadow was gone. Her concerns about Terey returned.
“So, you asked me about Terey.” Gabrielle said sadly. She went on to explain, “Terey and Sirion were in a medical bay, a few days ago - the same Sirion from the Prisoner Exchange - and were having a rather loud discussion about Tizrela’s demise. Terey went on about other commanders and where they should have been at the time of attack on the fleet when Tizrela died. Well, as I have gathered, there were two communications officers present, visiting an injured comrade, who overheard the things she said. They shared with others that information, as well as news of coded communiques coming from MueoPoros to someone on the Sophia.”
PalaHar’s face reddened in anger. Gabrielle silenced him. “I have seen to the discipline of those officers, but it does Terey little good. And, truth be said, evidence is stacking up against the woman. Her mysterious disappearance on the planet, not being able to give a specific location of the crash, or able to tell us the name of the unit or names of the engineers assisting her have not been helpful for her defense of innocence. And, besides that, there have been other reports reaching my ears concerning Mihai’s last meeting before you got here.”
Curious, PalaHar asked for details. Gabrielle was apprehensive, not desiring to cause unnecessary upset, but finally surrendered to his need to know.
First, she reassured him, “I trust you completely, and let me also say, there is no question in my mind of Terey’s honesty and loyalty. I, too, am aware of her inv
itation to the Council of Eighty but, unlike you, know the reason for her absence. And it wasn’t convalescing from her injuries while serving on the Chisamore.”
She instinctively glanced around the room, making sure there were no other people there. “Mother confided to me that she used Terey’s accident as an excuse to engage certain parties who shall remain nameless…” she winked, “so their absence at the Council of Eighty wouldn’t be brought into question. Mother concluded the issue over Terey’s acceptance into the Eighty would quickly be settled upon her return to Palace City. Then she and Mihai could have a private audience with Mother.”
“But alas, it didn’t transpire. Someone managed to get under Terey’s skin. You know how quickly she reacts to supposed insults. Someone got to her first - a person or persons she deeply trusted.” Gabrielle shrugged. “In the end, Terey went off in a huff and Mihai didn’t bother to consult with Mother, trusting instead in someone with smooth speech and winsome words.”
Gabrielle addressed the leaks. “I have no proof who’s responsible for the breech of information. If I did, let me assure you, I would force an official inquiry. Still, the damage is done. Only two days after the meeting, while Terey was missing, the gossip was already spreading through the fleet that Terey was under investigation for treason and you were coming to head up a committee to look into it.”
She repeated her trust in Terey, but then added, “It is better to cage the toothless snake than to risk a stampede in a herd. I removed Terey from active flight duty. Needless to say, the only reason she hasn’t bolted is because I ordered it. She is an obedient soldier, I must say. Never the less, I don’t know how long I can contain the brewing storm in the woman’s heart. Even now she takes her meals in her cabin, only leaving it for roster duty.”
PalaHar was cautious, knowing Terey all too well. “How can you be so sure she won’t slip out on you?”
“I secured her fighter, putting a standing guard over it twenty-four hours a day.” She answered, then, as she again tapped her finger on the table, explained, “That includes the computer system the pilot carries when flying. There is no way our girl would leave that behind. It has over four hundred years of her growing symbiotic relationships with the ships she’s captained recorded on it. No, she will not risk losing that.”
PalaHar cautioned, “Do be careful, for I fear our girl doing something unpredictable, even rash. I’m afraid she will not wait for exoneration, but seek some way to prove her innocence and loyalty.”
“What more do you suggest I do, General PalaHar?” Gabrielle queried. She leaned forward in her chair and placed a hand on his knee. “I won’t lock her in the brig, or even consign her to her cabin. She is innocent, and we both know it. My guilt already haunts me because I feel responsible for taking her aboard. I wanted her fighting skills and readily accepted her request. I should have forced the woman to work things out with Mihai.”
Folding her arms across her chest, Gabrielle, admiral of the fleet, shook her head, declaring resolutely, “Terey is a free woman and can come and go as she sees fit. I hold her fighter here, in abeyance - something I can do because it belongs to the Navy. If she were truly guilty of all the crimes implied against her, I still would not stop her flight. No, my dear brother, I will not make her a prisoner of the Children’s Empire. I owe her too much to act so wickedly against her.”
“Then allow me some time with the woman.” PalaHar requested, taking Gabrielle’s hand. “I can show her my support…yours also. It will also give me opportunity to see just how she’s taking things. Maybe I can fill her in on the last meeting.”
This met with Gabrielle’s approval, but she warned, “Don’t mention Anna’s name or any others for that matter. We have no proof. I’m afraid to stir the pot at the moment. Anna has a lot of loyal supporters in the fleet. If word got out of our criticism of her...well, I don’t need contention in the fleet at the moment.”
PalaHar nodded his reassurance, stating he would not mention any names or imply guilt. He was starting to explain more concerning his feelings regarding the matter when he was interrupted by a sharp rapping on the admiral’s door.
After being hailed by the admiral, a nattily dressed bridge officer hurried into the room, tipping her kepi in salute, excitedly declaring, “Admiral, we have an urgent message from the barkentine, GrizBokk. It has picked up an open channel signal from the RananAhot, requesting a guided escort to the fleet. The GrizBokk, along with the cutters Rhapahaddon and ShigGhen have answered the request and, unless otherwise ordered, shall meet up with the RananAhot and its support ships, and escort them here.”
Gabrielle was puzzled. “Isn’t the RananAhot the king’s ship?”
The bridge officer confirmed.
The admiral thanked the officer for delivering the message so promptly then approved the GrizBokk’s actions. After finding out the approximate time of arrival of the RananAhot, she politely dismissed the officer.
After the door was again closed, she whipped around in a near rage, fire blazing in her eyes. “Shit! Shit! Shit! That’s all we need now, our king and chief magistrate coming for a little visit, just as the entire enemy navy is preparing to drop in on us! What a fool thing to do! And to broadcast across a god-damned open channel?! What in Hell does she want?! To invite Asotos in for a cup of god-damned tea?!”
She slammed her fist on the table, then in frustration grasped her head with both hands. “Ohhhh! I’m dying…or wishing so!”
PalaHar stood and walked around and behind the admiral. He began to gently rub her shoulders while singing a soothing healing song. Gabrielle gradually relaxed, eventually dropping her hands into her lap and letting her head slump forward. After twenty minutes or so, PalaHar heard a deep, rhythmic breathing. His companion was almost asleep.
He bent down and cooed in her ear, “There are nearly seven hours before your mistress arrives. Let me, please, work what magic I can in the fleeting time that remains before her entrance. Should I succeed, you will be a much better host than at the moment.”
Gabrielle groggily nodded, moaning her pleasure at his touch. He helped the admiral up and, half-walking and half-carrying the woman, assisted her to her cabin.