Lieutenant Sandra Rhom descended to the landing platform in the captain’s yacht. The vessel’s massive twin engines roared and then fell silent as the ship settled. Helena joined Rhom in the cockpit and they shot into space towards the Human flagship.
“Feels like we were just doing this, eh?” Rhom asked.
“After the first time, I thought I’d never become accustomed to flying up and down so much,” Helena said as she indulged the Human’s desire for idle chatter. “Now however, I don’t mind it so much.”
Rhom wanted to talk about something, but something held her back. Deciding not to pry, Helena waited.
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Rhom said, “I just want you to know that I don’t agree with what some of the other crew members are saying.”
Helena raised one of her eyebrows. “And what are they saying?”
“Can’t you just scan their thoughts?”
“I prefer to respect your privacy, as you call it,” Helena said.
“Well, some of the crew are resentful and suspicious,” Rhom said. “They don’t like the idea of an alien on the bridge.”
Helena sensed it now as they approached the massive form of the Jupiter. The crew even knew that Rhom approached now with their alien advisor, aboard the captain’s yacht. For reasons that bordered on petty jealousy, some of the crew and officers viewed Helena as a threat to them. She was an outsider given all the privileges they were denied. They also resented their new captain. Nathan wasn’t necessarily next in line for that command, but Admiral Stugardt’s clout was enough to secure Nathan’s promotion.
Helena stored each variable for meditation once she was settled in her quarters. This task was far from trivial and she lowered the chance for success every time she encountered some new Human twist. Everything would have been easier if Humans weren’t ruled by their emotions. Helena could conquer logic. Emotion gave her more trouble.
The Humans eyed her as she boarded the Jupiter again and Helena scanned their thoughts to ensure no violence was imminent.
“This way,” Rhom said as she broke into a jog. “They’re not wasting any time. We’ll be in high velocity by the time we reach the bridge.”
“They were just waiting for me?” Helena asked as she kept pace.
Rhom nodded. “Nobody’s taken on two battleships before. I think we’re going to need more of your magic from the asteroid field.”
Helena kept her thoughts to herself. She was confident she could win against what the Humans call “impossible odds,” but a part of her doubted. What if their insurrection ended before it began? Was she really skilled enough to coordinate such an attack?
Well, she thought, we will soon discover the limits of Heir Helena’s mental abilities.
Chapter 29
The Jupiter rattled from the impact of the torpedoes.
Captain Nathan Connor turned to Helena and said, “Are you sure about this?”
Helena examined the holographic tactical display showing the Jupiter’s position in relation to the two Proxan battleships and the myriad of support vessels. The battle was more impressive than their little skirmish back in the asteroids with the small Proxan frigates.
“The other ship has already powered-on their engines. They are returning to Proxan space to deal with our attack there,” Helena said.
“I get no reading from that ship, sir,” Lieutenant Sandra Rhom called from her station.
“Trust me, they’re leaving,” Helena said.
“Okay, helm,” Nathan said. “Bear down on that second battleship. Use Lady Helena’s mark.”
“We’re taking some serious hits,” Admiral Stugardt said, his face plastered with concern.
“Just a tad further,” Helena said. “Then we can take out our target’s engines. By then, the other ship will be gone and we can destroy this one.”
“Another salvo!” Lieutenant Rhom said.
“Come to gamma-one,” Helena said, pointing with the laser. “Fire batteries S7 through S19 at forty-seven degrees in three seconds. Two seconds. One second. Fire!”
The batteries fired and everyone on the bridge waited. Flashing lights backlit smoke from released pressure. Monitors flickered and nobody moved.
“Sir, torpedoes destroyed!” Lieutenant Rhom said with a sigh of relief.
“They’re sending everything at us,” Stugardt said.
Helena sensed excitement as the other Proxan ship winked from the display. It was gone.
“Now!” Helena said, pointing to a new spot on the map. “Come to bravo-seventeen, full thrust.”
“You’re doing a number on my engines,” Nathan said.
“They will hold,” Helena said. “They’re changing course to avoid us. Or, they will in a few seconds. New firing solution – bravo-sixteen, three seconds. Two second. One second. Fire torpedoes!”
“Torpedoes away,” Nathan said as he reviewed his monitor.
Helena waited. Smaller ships danced and winked out of the display as they were destroyed, but her attention remained fixated on the retreating Proxan battleship.
“Direct hits!” Lieutenant Rhom called. “Their engines are disabled, sir.”
“Continue the advance,” Nathan said. “Engage full.”
One of the weapon officers said, “Aye, sir.”
Helena watched on the holographic map as the Jupiter moved forward for the kill. Though she loathed violence, Helena felt a rush of excitement as they battered their opponent into submission. Perhaps she was more the tigress than she admitted to herself.
“Move the frigates in and take out their batteries,” Nathan said.
A communications officer relayed the order to the support craft and Helena watched as the small Human ships swarmed around the disabled battleship.
“Good work, people,” Nathan said. “Lieutenant, inform hangar bay four to launch marines. I want to secure that vessel as quickly-”
“Wait!” Helena said. She sensed urgency and deceit from the Proxan battleship. Something wasn’t right.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just… I need a moment,” Helena said as she closed her eyes and concentrated on the enemy.
“Should I give the order, Captain?”
“Hold a minute,” Nathan said.
Then, Helena opened her eyes and said, “Get everyone out of there!”
“What?!”
“Get your frigates out of there and move us to alpha-twelve,” Helena said. “The Proxan ship is overloading their power core. They are going to explode in under thirty seconds.”
“A self-destruct device?” Stugardt said, punching in orders to some of the frigates.
“Helm, you have your coordinates,” Nathan said.
Moments later, the Proxan battleship imploded. The shockwave washed over the Jupiter. Lights flickered. Everyone rushed to their consoles.
“No major damage,” Lieutenant Rhom said.
“Well, that was interesting,” Stugardt said.
“We’ve never been able to destroy one before,” Nathan said. “Lesson learned.” He faced Helena. “You just saved hundreds of men and women under my command. Thank you.”
Helena grasped the rail for support. Keeping tabs on thousands of minds and scores of spacecraft proved to be a taxing exercise.
“Are you okay?” Stugardt asked.
Helena nodded. “Just a little woozy.”
“We can mop this up,” Nathan said. “Why don’t you head to your quarters.”
“Yes, I think that is a good idea,” Helena said.
As she walked to the lift, the entire bridge crew stood and applauded. Apparently, she had just secured them their first major victory in the war.
Exhausted, Helena fell into her bunk and closed her eyes. However, she remained connected to the bridge in case they needed her. She focused on Nathan’s mind and sensed him approach a few hours later.
“May I enter?” His voice crackled through the intercom.
“Of course.”
> The door slid into the wall with only a few minor groans. Excited and full of caffeine, Nathan crossed the threshold and beamed.
“Would you like to hear the response from Admiral Leighton?” he asked.
She propped her head on her elbow and said, “Certainly.”
Though she valued her privacy, she couldn’t deny the captain entrance into her quarters. Perhaps she might finally be able to allow him into her heart – a feat she couldn’t accomplish on Caledonia. Or, was she maneuvering herself into a position where she could more easily destroy the Jupiter when the time came?
She remained in her cot while Nathan recited the content of the communication from the admiral.
“He reports that the rest of our fleet won their first battle with ease. Valeria’s ship, the Kraken hunted the lone Proxan defending battleship and dealt serious damage to it. That ship won’t be joining the fight anytime soon.” Nathan tapped the screen of his datapad and continued. “The communication station is already in place and we obviously have full signal back to Terra. He reviewed the replay of the battle and he personally commends your skill as a tactician. He sends along his apologies for not trusting you at first and he wishes us swift speed to the front lines.”
“How much damage did we suffer?” Helena asked.
Nathan sighed. “And here’s the bad news. We took some heavy hurt chasing down that Proxan ship. We’re going to need a few weeks before we can join the fight again.”
“I’m sorry. I felt the destruction of that ship was worth-”
“Are you kidding me?” Nathan said. “It was well worth the damage we sustained. We just evened the odds today. That’s huge.”
Helena smiled. “I hope we proved more than that today,” she said. “Is the rest of the fleet pressing the attack to disable Proxan communications?”
“Yes,” he said. “It looks like Valeria is spearheading the assault in the Kraken. The Waterloo and Minotaur are also heading for their targets.”
Valeria, Marcella, and Claudia. Helena hoped they could avoid harm.
“The rest of the fleet is securing our beachhead, if you will,” Nathan said. “We should be with them in approximately fifty-two hours. Then, they can press forward to their targets. We will defend the communication station and points inward while making our repairs.”
“That sounds like a wise plan,” she said.
Nathan studied her for a moment and said, “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want me to send for a doctor?”
She smiled and hoped her feelings weren’t painted on her face as clearly as her Gima tattoos. “I am a doctor.”
“Oh yeah.”
“I just need some sleep,” she said. “Wake me if I’m needed on the bridge.”
“Yes, milady.”
As Nathan departed, Helena’s heart scolded her sense of propriety. She wanted to ask him to stay. For some reason, the thrill of combat sent her emotions into a whirlwind. She craved more excitement and, for the first time, she admitted to herself that she was ready for more from Nathan as well.
Chapter 30
“How are you doing, really?” Helena asked her sister. Though she could see Terentia’s face through the holo-link, Helena couldn’t read her sister’s emotions. They were close enough, but Terentia held her mind locked. Good girl.
Keeping her face even, Terentia said, “I am fine, thank you, my sister. The battle was intense, but the Mars was only providing support. Valeria and Prisca were in the most danger. I feared for them.”
“You are doing well,” Helena said. “I am very proud of you.”
Terentia tilted her head and said, “Thank you, sister. I am still meditating on the lesson you taught me before we left Antares. Everyone went through that?”
“Yes,” Helena said. “Mother gave the test to Valeria, Prisca and myself. Then, she taught me how to administer the test and I have been doing it since. At first it was very taxing for me. Now however, I think I have mastered that skill. Well, with my sisters at least. I have yet to attempt such a thing on an unwilling target.”
Helena glanced over her shoulder at Rowe. The blue glow from the holographic projector gave him a sinister glow in the otherwise dim room. He seemed disinterested as he fidgeted with a small electronic device.
“I think I realize the truth behind the test,” Terentia said. “Now I must analyze what that truth means to me.”
Helena nodded. “It took me three years. Don’t rush to your conclusions, sister. Allow your thoughts about the experience come naturally to you. Organically, as Claudia would say.”
“I will. Thank you, sister.”
Back to business, Helena said, “I understand you are leaving in a few hours for your target – a Proxan communication hub and refueling depot.”
“Yes. The captain has already requested my presence on the bridge,” Terentia said. “So, with a heavy heart, I must say farewell for now.”
Helena smiled and touched the holographic image of her sister. Terentia mimicked the gesture.
“Be safe, my sister,” Helena said.
“You as well, Heir Helena.”
Terentia’s face winked away and Helena repressed her tears. What were they doing out here in space playing warrior? Could they really succeed? Now that the plan was in motion, Helena realized the myriad of uncounted variables. Emotional variables. This was no small task. Helena sighed and turned to Rowe.
“Why are you still here?” Helena asked.
Rowe shrugged and removed his feet from her table as he rose to retrieve the transmitter chip. “My orders stand. So until the Council tells me differently, you’re stuck with me.”
Helena sensed the man was telling the truth. The Council was too far away for Helena to attempt to discover their motives. If there was anything more to the situation, she couldn’t sense it.
Rowe scratched his black face stubble and said, “I guess they still don’t trust you. And neither do I. On my planet, we would brand you a witch and hang you.”
Helena gazed at the assassin and said, “How very enlightened of you.”
“God didn’t make you,” Rowe said. “But I have an idea who did. When this is over, maybe I’ll do some freelance work for the Church. I’m sure they’d love to know the truth about you and your sisters… of what you are capable.”
Helena delved into Rowe’s mind and he stepped backwards as his eyes widened. He sensed her presence. She discovered a religious fanaticism present in the man that could prove dangerous. Helena misread his moral flexibility before. Rowe wasn’t without a conscious. Instead, his religion sanctioned even his most brutal of deeds. In the name of his god, he could do no wrong.
Helena leaned towards him and bore into his eyes. She said, “If you threaten me or my sisters again, I will kill you.”
Rowe opened the door and paused. “Be careful with your threats,” he said. “You never know who may be listening.”
Helena detected an active recording device under his jacket. What did he hope to accomplish? His mind was alive with possibilities and ideas. He aimed to bring her down, but he wasn’t sure how.
Nathan met her in the corridor and eyed Rowe as he disappeared around a corner.
“Is he still causing trouble?” Nathan said.
“No,” Helena said as she turned her face away from him.
He put his hand on her shoulder and attempted to catch her eye. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said.
His voice was tender, concerned. “You can tell me-”
She looked into his eyes and said, “I just miss my sisters. Talking with Terentia… I’m sorry. You shouldn’t be burdened with my problems.”
“Terentia is your youngest sister, right?”
Helena nodded. “She has the type of heart that forgives the moment it is slighted,” she said. “It is the kind of perfection I have strived for ever since I recognized the quality of her character. She welcomes you without saying a word, and you want to stay forever. She is my
father’s greatest joy. And mine as well.”
Without another word, Helena rushed to her quarters. She couldn’t allow Nathan to see her weakness and the tragic truth – she would defy her emperor for her sisters. Why did she allow him to even see a portion of her vulnerability? Why was she making so many mistakes around him?
She realized she needed to distance herself from him again, so she spent the next few days in the Jupiter’s medical ward tending wounded crew members. Some of the thrill of battle wore away when she saw the price many Humans paid for their victory. However, she couldn’t allow pity into her heart. The Humans were her enemy.
After their victory and Helena’s time tending wounded Humans, the crew warmed to her presence. The sideways glances transformed into warm smiles and appreciation. They realized how valuable she was.
After a few days apart, Helena encountered the captain in the officer’s lounge. She knew he was there, but she rationalized that she needed to resume her duties on the bridge now that the Jupiter was close to full strength again.
The forward lounge on the Jupiter shared all the concepts from the lounge on the Venture, but added some luxury. For starters, it was larger. Instead of bolted titanium, the walls were paneled with a dark wood. Soft lighting illuminated the important areas and left some booths shrouded in intimate darkness. Music drifted from the corners of the room at an acceptable volume and the serving staff remained out of sight unless needed.
“Lady Helena,” Nathan said. “Won’t you join us?”
Lieutenant Sandra Rhom scarfed the last few bites of her food and mumbled, “I was just leaving.”
As Helena sat she said, “There is no need for you to leave us alone, Lieutenant.”
Rhom glanced from Helena to Nathan. “Gym,” she said. “I must go to the gym.”
After another moment of awkwardness, Rhom rose and headed for the door.
“That was odd,” Helena said as she keyed her order into the table. Another salad sounded good to her.
For Duty (Antaran Legacy Book 1) Page 19