Jarvis nodded. “Unfortunately, you are not permitted to leave Terra at this time.”
Chapter 16
“This is total garbage,” Admiral Stugardt said over the holo-communicator.
Though Helena was permitted to receive the call, Rowe watched over her shoulder. Duronius eyed the Human and kept his ready violence below the surface. If Rowe made a move, Helena and Duronius would sense it.
“I have been quite agreeable throughout this process,” Helena said. “The false ambassador, The Chamber of Truth, and now this? What more must I do to prove my intentions?”
Clearly upset, Stugardt said, “I’ll see what I can do you get you a hearing or something. They’re not being reasonable.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” she said. “Oh, and did my gift arrive?”
Stugardt smiled and said, “Yes, Hillary has been beaming from ear to ear since it arrived. You didn’t have to do that for my granddaughter.”
“As my note stated, that is a royal fan fit for a princess,” Helena said. “It is very old and I was saving it as a gift for someone special on Terra. Make sure she knows how highly I regard her sweetness.”
“Again, thank you,” Stugardt said. “I’m heading to the Embassy right now.”
Helena nodded as the holo-image faded. She turned to Rowe and stared into his eyes. “You can leave now,” she said.
Rowe smiled as he removed the transmitter chip from the communication station. “I’ll just be needing this,” he said. “Council orders. No unauthorized communications.”
After Rowe exited the small living quarters, Duronius sat next to Helena and put his hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t let him rattle you,” the Centurion said. “He’s just a thug, nothing more.”
“I know,” Helena said, “which is why I’m so frustrated with myself. I should have seen all of this coming.”
“We’ll get through it,” Duronius said, “one way or another.”
“How are the men doing?” Helena asked, though she sensed their anxiousness and fear.
“I’ll talk to them,” Duronius said. “But I think they’re fine.”
Helena exhaled the breath she had carried around for the past few hours. “Thank you, Centurion. You have a calming way about you.”
Duronius nodded and resumed his watch near the door.
Closing her eyes and clasping her mother’s prayer beads, Helena allowed the maelstrom of thoughts to swirl in her mind for a few moments. She needed to talk with her father and sisters. So many things had changed. The existence of a second tellium star modified everything, as did Helena’s new knowledge of Human ways and Proxan anatomy. Should she try to sneak away? If she had a ship, the task would be a simple one. No, that would put them right back where they started – powerless and on the outside of a war they didn’t want in their skies.
Helena swam through the strands of time to the days when her mother was her teacher. How warm and safe those memories remained. An image materialized into view. Young Helena brushed her mother’s silver hair and asked question after question. Her mother was about to start a long trip around the cities of Antares to gain support for the emperor’s new religion which saw the deification of her family. Though the idea was set in motion by Helena’s grandfather, this act represented a major shift in Antaran religion. Then, Helena’s mother spoke to her. The quote rang in her mind as clear as a mountain echo.
“Win the people and you win the Empire,” her mother had said.
Helena opened her eyes. Of course! The solution was as simple as it was brilliant. Win the people. All she needed was someone with enough media clout to get some exposure. For that, Admiral Stugardt might still be of use.
“Duronious,” Helena said. “Can you fetch Rowe for me, please?”
The praetorian nodded and opened the door.
“The lady wishes a word with you.”
Rowe entered the room again, flipping the transmitter chip between his fingers. He stopped two paces away, raised both his eyebrows and waited.
Helena sensed a moral flexibility in Rowe that frightened her. He considered life as trivial as a piece of food caught between his teeth. There would be no reasoning with this man.
“Rowe, I wish to make another call to the admiral,” Helena said.
“Which one?”
“Stugardt,” Helena said. “I wish to catch him before he reaches the Embassy. There was something I forgot to tell him.”
Duronious caught her signal and moved closer to the door to block Rowe’s escape.
Rowe eyed the chip and then turned to Helena. “Sorry, only one call per day.”
“You can’t be serious,” Helena said. “I was just speaking to him.”
Rowe turned to leave, but Helena was faster. She snatched the chip at the moment where Rowe was most off balance. He reached for his pistol, but Helena anticipated that action. She chopped at his elbow, disabling the joint and delivered a swift kick to his throat. Rowe fell to the ground, unable to speak and clutching his neck with his one good hand. Duronious locked the door and propped the Human on a chair as one of the other praetorians removed Rowe’s pistol and dagger.
The fake ambassador Bergem taught Helena one important lesson. Don’t hesitate.
“Now you listen to me,” Helena said. “I’m going to make my call and you are going to watch. Blink once if you understand.”
Rowe blinked.
“Good. Now, sit there and don’t even think of trying to attack me. I can anticipate your actions before your brain can send the signal to your muscles. Further, it seems I’m better trained in hand-to-hand combat. I’d hate to break any of your bones, but I will if I must.”
Helena jammed the chip into the communicator and dialed Stugardt’s mobile device. Seconds later, the admiral’s face appeared on the holo-screen. He was traveling in an aircar.
“Lady Helena,” he said. “What can I do for you? I’m on my way to the Embassy.”
“First,” Helena said as she panned the camera to Rowe, “here rests the Human assassin sent to keep tabs on me. He wouldn’t let me make another call, so I was forced to subdue him.”
“Are you sure that was a good idea?” Stugardt said.
“To be frank, Admiral, I am just treating my captors as they have treated me. Open disregard and little respect,” Helena said. “And my time is too valuable to be wasted here.”
“I see,” Stugardt said. “This may make things more difficult with the Council.”
“Forget the Council,” Helena said. “I’m done with them. I’d really like to meet with you and your lovely wife, however. Perhaps for a late breakfast? I forget what you Humans call that meal…”
“Brunch?” Stugardt said. “Nadine would be thrilled. I’ll come and pick you up. Give me an hour?”
“Sounds perfect,” Helena said.
“Will you be alright until then?”
Helena turned to Rowe and said, “Oh yes. I think we have an understanding between us now.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, one more thing,” Helena said. “Please have Nadine prepare an interview for me on live broadcast, if possible.”
“Really?” Stugardt said. “She’s retired you know.”
“Does she still have connections to the media?” Helena asked.
“Sure, of course.”
“Perfect, have her give the interview to someone she knows then,” Helena said. “And tell them to announce it as soon as possible.”
“Okay,” Stugardt said, unsure why Helena was asking for this. “This may take longer to coordinate.”
“That’s fine,” Helena said. “We can have our brunch first, then interview afterwards. It’s very important that the interview is announced now, however. I want as many people watching as possible.”
“They may try to quash you,” Stugardt said. “The Council isn’t releasing many details about our alliance, though rumors have already been spreading.”
“I understand that we do not want
to reveal our tactical advantage yet,” Helena said. “I will not speak of my mental abilities. You have my word.”
“That’s good enough for me,” Stugardt said. “I’ll see you in an hour.”
The holo-image faded away and Helena turned to Duronious. “Gag him.”
As the Centurion gagged the Human, Helena said, “I’m sorry, but I just don’t trust you for the next hour. After that, you are welcome to join us and we will give you your weapons back. You can try to arrest me, but I’m sure the press would be interested to know why an unnamed assassin raised his hand against a diplomatic guest. You would be ruined, unable to resume your duties in the shadows. What need does Terra have for assassins who cause such a visible ruckus? They’ll just replace you, and I sense your work is the only thing you care for. I’m happy to see you back doing what you normally do after this is over. Just sit there and don’t get in my way.”
“We’re ready,” Duronius said as he applied the gag to Rowe.
Appearing as if nothing was amiss, Helena and her guards exited the suite and asked to be transported to brunch with Admiral Stugardt. Since Rowe usually slinked out of sight, the Humans didn’t think anything was wrong. After they confirmed the appointment with the admiral, they carried Helena to what she hoped would be her freeing speech.
Stugardt hugged her when she arrived and was full of nervous energy. He was fearful Helena’s actions against Rowe would worsen things. Nadine also worried for Helena and they exchanged few pleasantries while they hurried through their meal.
Then, with cameras broadcasting, Helena began her campaign to win the common people of Terra.
“And they gave you no reason for your detainment?” Nadine asked. Though retired, the former reporter arranged to be the interviewer for a rare alien exclusive. All the major networks carried the breaking news.
Helena shook her head and allowed false meekness to show on her painted face. “I met with the Human Council. We talked and arranged an alliance, as your broadcasts earlier in the week reported. Then, when it was time for me to return to my family – as Heir to my throne – I was detained by the soldiers you see behind me.”
The camera panned to the Human military presence. As Nadine remarked about the size and strength of the force, Helena reached outwards with her mind to the Embassy. She sensed the Council members rushing to their holo-sets, in shock over the interview. Let them scramble.
Nadine returned her attention to her interviewee and said, “I hear you’re making the best of your situation, though?”
Helena smiled for the camera. “Yes. I have already contacted the nearby hospitals. On my homeworld, I am an accomplished surgeon. Indeed, when the recent Human starship crashed into our capital city, I was in the emergency ward helping save Human lives. I believe you have video?”
Nadine nodded. “As you can see in the corner of your screen, this is footage from a hospital on Antares. You may recognize some of our navy men and women. There you are, Lady Helena. You can see the Heir of Antares, a royal princess, on the front lines in her hospital saving Human lives. Powerful images-”
“Yes,” Helena said. “So, I’m heading to Mercy Hospital in about an hour to talk with their chief of medicine. I brought along some formulae and other medical knowledge that my people have developed. I hope it can help the Human people. My people are only interested in sharing our knowledge with the Human Confederation. I wish I knew why the Council chose to keep me here against my will.”
Nadine frowned and faced the camera. “Talk to your local representatives. The Human Council’s treatment of off-worlders has shown a poor track record in recent years. We should be embracing our neighbors and learning from their technology and cultures. Watch me again tonight, as I’ll have footage of the Lady Helena at Mercy Hospital and beyond. She is an amazing woman and I hope to see her safely home sometime soon.”
“We’re off!” a representative from the network said. “Great story, Nadine.”
Helena clasped Nadine’s hand and said, “Thank you. I know this must have been difficult for you to arrange.”
Nadine dismissed Helena’s concern with a wave of her hand. “You saved my husband. Plus, I’m appalled at how you’ve been treated.”
“I think your government believes they have the biggest stick, so they use it to push the little planets around,” Helena said.
“Well, thanks for the footage from your homeworld,” Nadine said. “That’ll get the people all stirred up.”
Admiral Stugardt emerged from the cluster of cameramen and technical specialists. Helena sensed urgency in his manner.
“The Council has already called me,” Stugardt said. “And Admiral Leighton. They’re pretty angry at you two.”
Nadine smiled and closed her eyes. “Music to a reporter’s ears.”
“They ordered those soldiers to escort you back to the Embassy. By force, if necessary,” Stugardt said.
Nadine opened her eyes. “Really?” She turned to her crew. “Keep those cameras online!”
By now, a throng of onlookers gathered in the public square where the interview had taken place. Helena chose the location, as she suspected the Council would make that order as a counter. She decided to take her time walking towards Nadine’s aircar to give the people a chance to see what would happen.
“Well, I would like to keep my appointment at the hospital,” Helena said. “Are you up for this, Nadine?”
Nadine furrowed her brow in a determined stare. “Are you kidding me? This is what I live for!”
“Honey-” Stugardt said. He was unsure open defiance was a good plan and Helena sensed his fear.
“They know you don’t control me,” Nadine said as she took Helena’s arm. “Do what you want to do, Greg. You know this is wrong and so do I. I’m going to fight it with Helena.”
Stugardt sighed. “Just be careful.”
Nadine led Helena to her aircar with the press close behind. The gathered onlookers followed them and voiced their support. Then, the soldiers advanced.
In one smooth motion, Nadine turned to the camera and said, “Is this how our Council honors the freedom of the press? By arresting us for telling the truth?”
Helena projected her voice over the crowd. “Why would your soldiers assault me?” Helena said, touching each mind and implanting a subtle suggestion to peacefully resist the soldiers. Marcella was better at this than Helena, but she knew enough to be dangerous. “I have done nothing wrong.”
Though she didn’t want to use them as shields, she sensed the Council would back down to avoid a scene. Sure enough, a group of citizens broke from the crowd and sat in the path of the approaching army vehicle. The cameras rolled as the vehicle came to a stop. Soldiers dismounted and stepped over the civilians.
“And they still come for her,” Nadine said to the camera. “I have sources telling me that I am to be placed under arrest as well. Where have our freedoms gone?”
A soldier from the truck called to the advancing force, “Stop! We have orders to cease.”
The men hesitated and Helena sensed Rowe hidden in the truck. He was livid. New orders came directly from the Council. They were pressured by several influential lobbies and representatives to stay their hand for now. Of course, those other parties didn’t know about Helena’s abilities. That didn’t matter. She had accomplished the first part of her plan. Now, the hearts of the Human people were open to her. Helena smiled when she thought of how easy those hearts would be to win.
Chapter 17
“On behalf of the Human Council, please accept our apologies and our wishes for a safe and swift journey home,” Ambassador Jarvis said, more to the cameras than to Helena.
Helena nodded and said, “I accept your apology for this misunderstanding.”
With the cameras finally off, Helena felt relief wash over her weary heart. Three days of constant public appearances, speeches, and technology sharing physically and mentally wore her down. Nadine was a trooper through everything and capture
d every moment for the growing crowds behind their holo-sets. On the fourth day, the Council caved and allowed her passage home. When they saw that Helena did not divulge her secret about the Antaran’s mental discipline, the Council agreed she was acting in good faith. Admiral Leighton arranged for the Jupiter, the Human flagship, to carry her to Antares. To Helena’s delight, Captain Nathan Connor greeted her when she disembarked from her shuttle.
“Good day, Captain,” Helena said, ignoring the rest of the welcoming party.
Yes, it was reckless, but she felt her heart quicken at the sight of him. Her physical attraction to the Human was undeniable. Though Helena hoped it was controllable. She probed his thoughts and found the interest mutual. Their last meeting at the restaurant solidified his feelings. Helena had replayed that night in her mind more than once over the past few weeks.
“So here we are,” Nathan said. “I’d like to officially welcome you aboard the Jupiter, where Admiral Leighton has assigned you as my senior tactical advisor. Helping you in your task will be Admiral Stugardt, but he will not be joining us until we depart Antares. My orders allow for one week on Antares, will that be enough time, My Lady?”
Helena smiled and said, “That is very generous. Thank you, Captain.”
“We will transport your sisters back to Terra where they will be brought to their assignments,” Captain Connor said. “Is everything as you expected?”
“Yes.” Helena wanted to say more, but she held her words. She didn’t want to seem too chatty with him.
“I also understand that a Human agent will also be aboard,” Nathan said. “This man, Rowe, will be allowed frequent contact with Terra and he is to monitor your transmissions? Is that correct?”
Helena boiled, but she didn’t allow the emotion to surface. “That is correct. The Council wishes to keep apprised of my activities.”
“We’ll make sure he doesn’t get in the way of your duties,” Nathan said, winking at her. She melted. Nobody had ever shown her this much attention. She was the heir to her empire. She was untouchable.
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