Arkship Vengeance (The Arkship Saga Book 2)

by Niel Bushnell

  He felt a mix of emotions as he watched another arkship break apart. The last time he had seen such a giant die had been the Ark Royal Obsidian. It seemed like a lifetime ago he had awoken in his tiny lifeboat, his memories hidden from him. He recalled the panic he had felt then, not even knowing his name, trying to remember something about himself as the mighty vessel died. The Obsidian had been his home, and he had lost everything that day. All at the hand of Orcades Draig, his father’s secret son, a half-brother he had never met, until today. Now, he too was dead, and Wynn realized it was not satisfaction that consumed him, it was loneliness. The last thread of humanity that linked him to his father was gone. He did not rejoice, he did not feel happiness. There was only pity and regret.

  The arkship Vengeance flew past the Fenrir, just as it disappeared in a trail of explosions.

  ‘The Tateishi-Maru is away,’ Gofal said. ‘The Caerleon is powering up its Cube drive. They are accelerating to escape the shockwave.’

  ‘And us?’ Derward asked.

  ‘We will not outrun it. We can only hope we survive for long enough to get the Cube drive activated.’

  ‘The Draig arkships are also retreating,’ one of the officers said to Gofal.

  ‘All right,’ Gofal replied. ‘That just leaves us in the path of the shockwave. We must hope our engines prevail.’

  ‘I think I’d better get down there,’ Bara said, already leaving the flight deck.

  HOME

  The engine deck was in a state of confusion. Bara took a moment to take it in, to try to process the information. The three main cores of the engines seemed to be functioning well. Within design specifications. But she had helped to design those three beasts. She knew how far they could be pushed.

  Bara turned towards the control room, seeing a swarm of engineers through the glass. She walked up the steps and stood in the doorway, watching the frantic bickering. No one was in control. No one was in charge. There hadn’t been time to appoint a new Chief of the Engine Deck. She took a few seconds to listen to their arguments: they were all trying to maintain their own piece of the engine system. No one was looking at the bigger picture.

  ‘Hey!’ she shouted at the top of her voice.

  The arguments stopped, and the engineers turned to look at her.

  ‘Who’s in charge here?’

  No one replied.

  ‘Okay,’ Bara said. ‘Then I am. Speed of the shockwave?’

  One of the engineers – Bara thought she was called Coduri – checked her screen. ‘Nine thousand meters per second.’

  ‘And our current speed?’

  Another engineer responded. ‘Point six KMS.’

  ‘So, the wave is going to outrun us,’ Bara said.

  ‘We are accelerating,’ someone shouted optimistically.

  Bara shook her head, planting her hands on her hips. ‘Not quickly enough. We need to get clear of this debris, so we can fire up the Cube drive.’

  ‘There’s not enough time,’ Coduri said, sounding desperate.

  ‘We have to find a way. What’s the conversion rate at?’

  ‘Six BPPS. We could get that up to seven,’ Coduri replied.

  Bara joined her at the console, checking the multitude of readings. ‘Helicon wave generators can handle more. Go for nine.’

  Another engineer joined them, a short man called Isdair. ‘That will exceed the design spec. You’ll burn out the drive.’

  Bara stared at him, deliberately intimidating him with her fixed face. ‘Isdair, you’re right, but I wrote that spec, and it doesn’t matter if we blow the coils, as long as we get ahead of that wave. The Cube drive’ll do the rest.’ She didn’t wait for a reply, calling to the engineer at the wave antenna control station. ‘EM wave still stable?’

  ‘All green here.’

  She put her hand on Coduri’s shoulder. ‘Unlock all the safetys. Push it up to nine.’

  Coduri obeyed, and the others fell in line, working at their stations to force the arkship into a rapid acceleration.

  ‘Six point six BPPS,’ Coduri reported.

  ‘Plasma flow increasing,’ someone called.

  ‘Mag-field is still stable.’

  Bara checked the console. The wave was just twenty seconds behind them now.

  ‘Give me everything you’ve got!’ Bara ordered.

  ‘Seven BPPS!’

  ‘Plasma density exchange is fluctuating.’

  ‘Adjust the mag-field to compensate,’ Bara said.

  ‘Ion flow stable.’

  ‘Eight BPPS!’

  She could feel it through her body, a surge of energy that made the arkship seem as if it was alive, a giant beast that had awoken from its slumber.

  ‘Solenoid red light. We can’t keep this up for long.’

  ‘Confinement variation.’

  ‘Rotational transform showing signs of collapse.’

  Bara grimaced. ‘Just a little longer!’

  ‘Nine BPPS!’

  ‘Matching shockwave velocity!’

  ‘Cube drive?’ Bara checked.

  ‘Twelve seconds to transit. Stand by.’

  ‘Mag shear!’

  ‘Coil four just went offline.’

  ‘Field instability. We’re losing it.’

  The arkship began to shake, a terrifying force that seemed to penetrate every surface. Bara held onto the desk and glanced at the Cube drive station.

  ‘Cube drive is green!’ the engineer shouted.

  ‘Go!’ Bara cried. Immediately, she felt the dizzying displacement of Cube transit. The walls distorted, taunting her equilibrium, then it returned to normal.

  ‘ST bubble is stable, all in the green,’ Coduri said with a relieved smile. ‘We are clear of the shockwave.’

  Bara straightened, looking at the engineers, thanking them with her smile. ‘Check your systems. Full engine shutdown and diagnostic. Well done, everyone.’

  A ripple of applause passed through the control room, a collective sigh of relief.

  Bara couldn’t help but laugh. She looked out to the engine deck and she knew she had found what she was looking for. This was where she belonged. This was her home.

  REFLECTIONS

  Wynn lowered himself into his seat at the table in the War Room. He smiled at the others, trying to hide his discomfort. The wounds were healing, but they still caused him pain.

  ‘It will be at least another six weeks before you are back to full health,’ Gofal said. ‘You really should be resting.’

  Wynn laughed. He wasn’t fooling anyone. ‘You’re right, but a little exercise is good for me. I’m not overdoing it, I promise.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Gofal said, tilting his head. Was he scanning him? Was he checking to make sure his prince was well enough for this meeting? Probably. Wynn raised his eyebrows, knowing there was little to be gained by opposing Gofal’s concern.

  Next to him, Bara chuckled. ‘You nurse him too much, Gofal.’

  ‘It is an old habit,’ the bot replied. ‘Forgive me.’

  Wynn joined in Bara’s laughter. It had been too long since they had been able to relax enough to share a smile. But the last few days of peace and solitude had begun to calm their collective anxiety. They were remembering how to relax.

  ‘I think it’s time we started, don’t you?’ Derward said formally. He was different now, burdened by what had happened, by Reader Mallory’s betrayal. The weight of responsibility had hardened his features, stealing the humor from his face.

  ‘Yes,’ Wynn said, straightening in his chair. ‘I’ll begin with a general status update.’ He activated the holograph and the center of the table lit up with a three-dimensional image of the Cluster. ‘Our position is stable.’

  ‘Finally!’ Bara muttered.

  ‘It took longer than expected due to the damage to the Vengeance. We are deep inside the Mercury Ring. The gas density here means we are quite well hidden. Now that our orbit is stable, the plan is to remain here for the next few weeks while we
undergo repairs.’

  Bara cut in. ‘We can’t do everything out here.’

  ‘We’ll do what we can, at least until we can determine the fate of the Draig fleet. After that, we’ll dock at Solcor. We should be able to complete any outstanding repairs there, and refuel.’

  ‘And the Caerleon?’ Derward asked.

  ‘It will stay with us. Both ships are in need of extensive repairs. We are safer together for now. In time, the Caerleon will move to the trading routes so that we can replenish our supplies.’

  ‘I thought we would have heard something about the Draig fleet by now.’ Derward said.

  Gofal replied. ‘We know that some of their arkships were badly damaged. We must assume that they have joined the rest of their fleet to undertake repairs. With Orcades dead, and the Fenrir destroyed, there is something of a power vacuum at the top of the House of Draig.’

  ‘He had no heirs?’ Bara checked.

  ‘None that we know of. There does not seem to be any clear successor to him.’

  ‘Valine,’ Derward said, clenching his fists. ‘She was one of his commodores. He made her Admiral of the Fleet not long before the attack. She also took an oath which makes her a daughter of the House of Draig. She is Draig now, even if she doesn’t carry the name. She will be in command.’

  ‘What do you know of her?’ Wynn asked.

  ‘Very little. But she is ambitious.’

  ‘Do you think she’d talk to us?’

  ‘Peace talks?’ Derward asked, sounding surprised.

  ‘Yes.’

  He raised his eyebrows. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘We have to try.’ Wynn said. He was determined not to repeat his mistakes. He had let his desire for revenge cloud his judgement, and he had taken his people to the brink of destruction. He thought of Tanis, and his emotions threatened to break past his fixed expression. He refocused his thoughts, asking, ‘How are the refugees you brought aboard?’

  ‘We have two hundred and twelve,’ Derward said.

  ‘Two hundred and thirteen,’ Gofal corrected him. ‘Leena Virtanen was born during the night. A healthy – if small – baby girl.’

  New life. Wynn smiled. It was a good sign.

  ‘Most have had a medical check-up now,’ Derward continued. ‘Plenty of dehydration and malnutrition, but they should bounce back now that they’re getting a decent diet. They’re finding their voice again.’

  ‘They want to know what’s going to happen to them?’

  Derward nodded. ‘Some consider themselves prisoners-of-war and want to return to a Draig arkship, some want to stay.’

  ‘They are not prisoners,’ Wynn insisted. ‘Once we’ve made contact with a Draig arkship, we will discuss their transfer, if that’s what they want. Anyone who wishes to stay can apply for Kenric citizenship. But there is no rush. As long as they do not affect the security or safe running of the Vengeance they are welcome here.’

  ‘They are placid enough for now,’ Derward said, ‘but it will not always be so.’

  Wynn sighed, understanding the reality of the situation. ‘We must show them that we can be friends.’

  ‘They are grateful, for now. Their immediate concern is their empty stomachs. Once that is sated, their thoughts will turn to larger matters.’

  ‘Noted,’ Wynn replied. He took a breath, hesitating to move on to the next item on his pad. It felt too soon to replace the dead, but it had to be done. ‘The Lord Chamberlain . . .’ His emotions betrayed him. He felt Bara’s hand on his, reassuring him, supporting him.

  ‘The memorial service was very touching,’ Gofal said, filling the silence.

  ‘You are my friends,’ Wynn continued. ‘You call me Wynn, but to the rest of our people I am their prince. Cam Tanis was a friend, a trusted advisor. He knew when I was Wynn and when I needed to be Prince Halstead. He was loyal . . . a true Kenric . . . the best of us.’ Wynn composed himself, clearing his throat. ‘Prince Halstead needs a Lord Chamberlain, and I need a friend and advisor to help me through the coming weeks and months. I am still young . . . and I need help now more than ever. So, we must appoint a replacement for our fallen comrade.’

  ‘I have prepared a shortlist of potential candidates,’ Gofal said, offering a pad.

  Wynn did not take it. ‘Gofal, my friend . . . there is no one wiser, no one better suited to the role than you.’

  Gofal hesitated. Wynn had never seen him lost for words before, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

  ‘Wynn, I’m not sure you are well.’ Gofal said at last.

  ‘I am well enough to know that I am right. I want you to be my Lord Chamberlain.’

  ‘No . . . no bot has ever held so high an office.’

  Wynn stood, holding out his hand. ‘You are no bot, Gofal.’

  Gofal stared at the hand, his eyes flickering, then he stood and took it. ‘With grace and humility, I accept.’

  ‘Good. I’ll need your help in the coming negotiations. I heard back from the Li Zhang family this morning. They’re grateful for our help in defending the Tateishi-Maru and wish to discuss a potential alliance.’

  ‘That bodes well. I will begin research immediately.’ The Lord Chamberlain Gofal said, looking oddly proud.

  ‘And speaking of key positions . . .’ Wynn said. ‘I have finally persuaded Bara to accept the post of Chief of the Engine Deck.’

  Bara sighed, looking self-conscious.

  Derward banged on the table, a grin finally breaking his stony expression. ‘Congratulations, both. These are wise choices, Wynn.’

  ‘I do not feel wise, Derward. I should have turned to my friends for their help sooner. All I wanted was to make Draig pay for what he had done. Now that he’s dead . . . well, I see how similar we were.’

  ‘You and Draig?’ Bara said, disgusted.

  ‘We both wanted to protect our family. We turned our back on the Church, on those closest to us, all for a single-minded goal. For Draig it was a misplaced belief in his birthright, for me it was revenge. Sol! I even named this arkship Vengeance! I was blinded by that one purpose. But, no more. From today, this is a place for our family, it is a home for our future. We are Kenric and we endure! Vengeance is no longer needed. So, I will rename this arkship in honor of family, after my mother, Evanine.’

  ‘The arkship Evanine,’ Gofal said slowly, as if he was testing out the name. ‘Yes, it is a good choice.’

  ‘And this room,’ Wynn continued. ‘We have no need for a War Room. From now on this will be our State Room, where we will meet to discuss more peaceful matters.’ He smiled, feeling stronger. ‘I made you all a promise once, that I’d make things right again. I thought I knew how to do that.’ Wynn looked into Bara’s beautiful eyes. ‘I know now I was wrong, and I’m sorry that I didn’t listen to you. I hope that, in time, you can forgive me. But the promise still stands. I promise I will make our future better . . . through peace our family will prosper.’

  CONFESSIONS

  The Lupaus sat in its berth, a top-heavy ship, blackened and bruised, barely space-worthy. A newly-installed cockpit jarred with the older hull, making the damaged sections look worse than actually were. Wynn stared at it, doubting if it was capable of lifting off its pad without leaving part of the hull behind. He was certain that Derward would be its last owner.

  ‘We have other ships,’ Wynn called as he approached the craft. ‘You could take something better.’

  Derward put down the diagnostic tool he was using, and turned to greet him with a smile. ‘This little ship is all I need, thank you.’

  Wynn looked up at the skin of the Lupaus, watching oil drip from an exposed pipe to form a dark puddle on the dock side. ‘If you’re sure.’

  ‘Yes, I am. Alone today? No royal entourage?’

  Wynn opened his arms. ‘Just me. I’m not Prince Halstead for a little while.’

  ‘And you’re early. I’m not scheduled to leave for another hour.’

  Wynn hesitated. ‘I . . . I wanted to be here before the other
s arrived. I need to see you alone.’

  ‘Me? I’m flattered.’ Derward seemed lighter today, as if his worries had been lessened by his decision to leave. Even so, a hint of grim determination remained. He was a man burdened by his past.

  ‘Can we talk?’ Wynn asked.

  Derward wiped his hands on a cloth. ‘I’d invite you inside, but there’s not much space.’ He glanced around at the pad. ‘This okay?’ He pointed to the far side, where the edge of the platform overlooked the vast hanger bay.

  Wynn shrugged. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do.

  They sat on the floor, their legs through the railing that marked the perimeter of the pad. The hanger bay stretched out before them; they were on one of the higher levels, on a platform that jutted out over the main floor far beneath them.

  ‘This reminds me of that time we met on Icarus, high above the Vengeance. Remember?’ Derward said.

  Wynn laughed. ‘Feels like a lifetime ago.’

  He let his eyes wander, passing from ship to ship; cargo carriers hauling supplies between here and the Caerleon, repair ships preparing for their next shift outside, fighters and scouts, just returned from their latest patrol. Everywhere there was activity.

  Almost everywhere.

  At the far end of the hanger bay was Lexica. Bara’s ship sat in darkness, its adventures curtailed by her promotion. He smiled, knowing she couldn’t leave her ship for long. She’d be back on board soon enough, tinkering, making additions and repairs. Lexica was Bara’s last link to her past, and Wynn would never want her to let that go.

  Beside him, Derward pulled out a small bottle from his pocket and handed it to Wynn. ‘I was going to give you this when I left, but now seems like a good time.’

  Wynn took the bottle, inspecting it. There was no label on it, nothing to identify the dark golden liquid inside. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Icarus whiskey,’ Derward said with a knowing smile. ‘Over sixty years old, fermented in real wood caskets. Real wood!’

  Wynn unscrewed the lid and sniffed. The smell was powerful, an aromatic mix of fruit and spice.

  ‘Go on,’ Derward encouraged him.