For Duty (Antaran Legacy Book 1)

by Matthew C. Plourde

  “She thinks we’re-”

  “That’s just silly,” Helena said when she understood Rhom’s hasty departure. Ever since Caledonia, the crew had made their assumptions about Helena and the captain.

  “I know, right?” Nathan said, though his desires were easy to read.

  He wanted her in a way that made his heart burn. Shocked, she retreated from his mind as quickly as she entered. For a reason she couldn’t describe, she didn’t want to invade his personal thoughts so casually.

  “I’m here to report back for duty on the bridge,” she said.

  “Oh. Right. Thanks for your help in the medical ward. Dr. Manningham sent along his admiration of your skill. From what I hear, the doctor isn’t easy to impress. I appreciate your willingness to help my wounded crew.”

  “I’m most at home in a hospital,” she said. “It was my pleasure.”

  “Well,” he said as he accessed the table’s holographic projector and datalink, “the past few days have been very positive. Your sisters succeeded in destroying all Proxan communications along the front lines. As you predicted, the strike was swift and decisive. The Proxans have retreated to their strongholds and they are licking their wounds.”

  “Licking?”

  “Oh,” Nathan said, “it’s just a figure of speech. They are recovering from the assault.”

  “Ah.”

  “We’ve stayed put here at the beachhead,” he said. “The final ship we have – the Bastion – remains in orbit near Terra to defend our core worlds. As you know, none of your sisters are stationed aboard the Bastion.”

  Helena nodded as she examined the data displayed on the hologram. Everything was falling into place. Once the Proxans were destroyed, Helena and her sisters would carry out the second part of the plan which included the destruction of the Human fleets and the tellium stars.

  “You know,” Nathan said, “the gym doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Care to join me?”

  “I’m not-”

  “Do you know how to box?” he asked quizzically.

  Confused, Helena said, “Box? Oh yes, I think I saw a match on the wave while I was at the Human Embassy. Violent sport.”

  “It’s not so bad,” he said. “Many of the officers enjoy it as an outlet. It’s a great way to blow-off some steam. I can teach you.”

  “I’m not sure that’s safe-”

  Nathan smiled. “You won’t get hurt, I promise. It really is-”

  “No,” Helena said playfully, “I didn’t mean for me. I meant, well, after the chess match and volleyball… I’m not sure your manly psyche could handle another defeat at my hands. I’d be devastated.”

  A few of the nearby officers caught the exchange and snickered. Apparently, Captain Nathan Connor had a reputation for winning and it amused them that Helena was the one person to hand him so many defeats. Humans sometimes enjoyed laughing at the misery of others.

  Such a curious race, Helena thought.

  “We don’t need to hold a match,” Nathan said. “I mean, this isn’t like chess where you can outthink me. I’ve been boxing for years. It wouldn’t be fair.”

  “I understand if you don’t want to challenge me again so soon after Caledonia,” Helena said.

  Why was she goading him into this? What could she possibly gain? Her decision to distance herself from him was a wise one as she seemed to unravel every time she talked with him. She wasn’t herself.

  “Yeah, Captain,” one of the officers said from his table, “we understand too if you are afraid of her. We won’t tell anyone.”

  Now everybody in the lounge was watching. Helena would have felt pity for Nathan if she didn’t know him as well as she did. He could handle himself.

  Straightening, he said, “Okay, My Lady. I didn’t intend to turn this into a competition, but since you insist. I’ll see you in the sparring ring in fifteen minutes.”

  Helena glanced at the time display on the table and said, “Very well.”

  News of the match spread throughout the Jupiter and almost every off-duty Human crowded into the gym to watch. Helena allowed Nathan to teach her how to don her boxing gloves and secure them to her wrists.

  “See what you’ve done?” Nathan asked as he finished securing her gloves. “I’m not even sure everyone here is off-duty.”

  Lieutenant Sandra Rhom assisted Nathan with his gloves and rang a bell. “Round one!” she said.

  Nathan advanced and asked, “So you know the rules?”

  “Rules?”

  Sighing, he said, “Just don’t hit below the belt.”

  “Fair enough,” she said as she swept his feet from under him with her leg and pounced.

  Rhom rang the bell a few times and everyone burst into laughter.

  “Bet you weren’t expecting that, Captain!” someone yelled from the crowd.

  “You lose again!” someone else shouted.

  Helena stayed her elbow and realized she had violated the rules.

  “May I just get the rules from your memory?” she asked.

  “Please do,” Nathan said.

  Moments later, they were both on their feet again and Helena understood the sport better than when they started. Apparently, she was only allowed to use her gloved fists. How boring!

  Rhom rung the bell again and Nathan advanced on her again.

  “Mind your feet,” he said. “While on the defensive, position your feet like this.”

  Helena knew all about footwork. She was a renowned fencer in her youth and she doubted the Humans could offer her any new insight. However she allowed Nathan to direct her.

  “Good,” he said. “Now, if you want to throw some jabs, position your feet like this.”

  He shuffled forward on the balls of his feet and threw a few mock punches.

  “See?”

  Helena nodded.

  “You’ll need to mind your hips and shoulders for a more powerful punch,” he said as he demonstrated a few options.

  “I think I get it,” she said.

  They kept their distance from each other for a few moments and the crowd grew restless.

  “I think they want us to start hitting each other,” Helena said.

  Nathan smiled and obliged by throwing a few weak punches in her direction.

  “You’re not moving at full speed,” she said.

  “I just don’t want to hurt you,” he said.

  “You won’t.”

  While he hesitated, Helena decided to force the matter. She stepped forward and attacked with a few swift punches. Nathan blocked a few but was soon cornered under her assault. She landed some punches to his ribs and the side of his face and he pushed her away. For some reason, that was allowed by the rules.

  Sufficiently goaded, he advanced and launched some full-speed punches. Helena was already in his mind reading his attack and calculating trajectories. She was able to bob, weave and block her way through his assault and she prepared her counterattack when the bell rang.

  “You didn’t even touch her!” someone yelled from the crowd.

  “Helena for Captain!” someone else yelled.

  Defeating him in chess with her mental abilities was warranted. But she wasn’t sure she could humiliate him in front of his crew. The match could be fairer if she allowed.

  She walked to his corner of the ring and whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ll stay out of your mind for this one. If nothing else, you deserve a fair fight from me. For once.”

  He raised his eyebrows and asked, “Are you sure?”

  Helena winked and returned to her corner. She had never given him the credit he deserved. Without her advantage, she wasn’t sure she could have beaten him in chess. She respected him too much to pry her advantage in front of his crew.

  The bell rang again and they met at the center of the ring. This time, Helena relied on her reflexes and vision to anticipate his attack. He advanced and landed a few punches to her midsection. She wasn’t sure if he was holding back again, but her r
ibs burned from the beating.

  She whirled to avoid being cornered and landed a devastating roundhouse. Taking advantage of the blow, she assaulted his face and body with swift jabs and barely legal uppercuts. He blocked one such uppercut with force enough to throw her off balance. She realized too late his follow-up would knock her over. She turned her face to avoid the brunt of the blow, but she did end the exchange on her back.

  “Damn,” she breathed.

  “Are you okay?” he asked as he kneeled next to her.

  She pushed herself upright and said, “I’m fine.”

  “You’re bleeding. I shouldn’t have-”

  “When can we start again?” Helena asked, eager to correct her mistakes.

  “When you’re ready,” Nathan said.

  Helena immediately renewed her attack but soon found herself cornered by Nathan’s superior technique and strength. Though she guessed he was still holding back, she couldn’t break through. The bell rang again and she decided to admit defeat before she got hurt. Humans seemed to be a tad more durable than Antaran princesses.

  “I concede,” Helena said to Nathan and the crowd. “Your skill at clobbering another person is remarkable. Does anyone have a towel to throw?”

  “No need,” Nathan said with a wide smile.

  Helena felt content as she walked with Nathan and Rhom to the locker rooms. The crew showered Nathan with praise and connected with their new captain for the first time. He was their hero and Helena felt like he needed that win.

  “You know,” Helena said, stopping the group. “I think I’m going to hit the pool for a few laps.”

  “You have a bathing suit under there?” Nathan asked.

  Helena nodded. “It was part of my plan and then we punched each other for twenty minutes. I guess I forgot. Yeah, I need to take a swim for sure.”

  “Have fun!” Nathan said.

  As Helena leisurely lapped the pool she detected a conversation between Rhom and Nathan. Their words carried to her as if she was in the same room with them.

  “Captain, the sexual tension between you two is pretty obvious,” Rhom said as she shed her clothing in front of him.

  Humans had no sense of propriety.

  Doing the same, Nathan said, “I don’t know what you mean, Lieutenant.”

  “C’mon, Captain! What happened down on Caledonia?”

  “Seriously, nothing,” he said. “Helena is a perfect lady.”

  “I see the way you look at her,” Rhom said. “I wasn’t sure the feeling was mutual as she’s a hard one to read. But after watching you two today, you may as well been having sex in the ring.”

  “I think you’re seeing things-”

  Rhom shook her head. “I don’t know. You two are awfully chummy lately.”

  “Is that so bad?”

  Helena marveled at how casual the two spoke to each other.

  “No, I like her,” Rhom said. “I just don’t want to see you demoted again.”

  “And what is she’s ‘the one?’”

  Rhom groaned. “Not that destiny crap again,” she said.

  Nathan winked and ducked into the showers. Though she enjoyed watching the naked Human through Rhom’s eyes, Helena severed the mental link. She decided she couldn’t indulge herself too much.

  After her refreshing swim, Helena returned to her quarters and rested her head on the soft pillow. Her sleep was interrupted when the intercom crackled to life.

  “Lady Helena?” Lieutenant Sandra Rhom said through the speaker.

  “Yes, Lieutenant?”

  “We just received word of a Proxan counterattack,” Rhom said. “The captain requests your presence on the bridge.”

  “Tell him I will be right there,” Helena said.

  A counterattack? So soon? The move didn’t make sense. The Proxans either had a surprise for them or were acting upon some bit of information unknown to her. Helena wrinkled her nose in disgust at both possibilities.

  Chapter 31

  The bridge buzzed and swirled with activity. Officers and crewmembers called information to each other. Consoles displayed scrolling information. Lights flashed. A quick scan on everyone’s surface thoughts revealed they were preparing to depart.

  Helena found Nathan at the main tactical display. He was studying a playback sent to them by the Bastion.

  “My Lady,” he said. “I have something to show you. The Bastion is defending a planet which was the target of a heavy Proxan counterattack. We’re prepping to leave now, but I want to get your input.”

  Helena watched as the holographic scene played. The Bastion defended the planet and surrounding stations from three Proxan battleships. It appeared as though the Human captain was holding his own against the invaders, though the situation would not remain in their favor for long.

  “What’s so important about their target?” Helena asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Nathan said. “There’s a research facility there. But militarily, it’s not very strategic.”

  “Three battleships. The Proxans must find it important,” Helena said. “What kind of research?”

  “Pulling that up now,” Nathan said. “Looks like commercial polymers and compounds. Nothing military or secret.”

  “What else is there?” Helena asked. “There has to be a reason for such a large assault force.”

  “Here, I’ll send it to your screen,” Nathan said.

  “We’re ready, Captain!” Lieutenant Rhom said.

  Helena blocked the chaos in the room and focused on the data readout of the planet. Why would the Proxans attack here? Nathan was correct – it made little strategic sense. So, if the goal was not a tactical one, what was behind the attack? Helena poured through screens of data as the Jupiter hurtled through space. Nothing of significance presented itself.

  Moments later, the Jupiter dropped from high warp and the tactical holo-map immediately flickered to life. The Bastion was almost crippled and only two Proxan battleships remained. The image of a Human captain winked open at Nathan’s terminal.

  “Jupiter – we are glad to see you!” the other captain said through the holo-communicator.

  “What’s the situation, Captain Hoode?” Nathan asked.

  “The Proxans came in heavy and attacked several civilian targets,” Captain Hoode said. “Then, we arrived and two more Proxan battleships joined the fray. I think they just meant to draw us out.”

  “Where is the third ship?” Helena said.

  “Who is that?” Captain Hoode asked.

  “This is the Lady Helena,” Nathan said. “My senior tactical advisor.”

  “I see. The Antaran?”

  Nathan nodded.

  Captain Hoode disappeared for a moment as he barked an order to his crew. Then, he returned and said, “The third ship jumped away, but not before capturing a passenger liner.”

  “Can we get the passenger manifest?” Helena said. That liner must have been their target.

  “Sending it over to you now,” Captain Hoode said.

  “Okay, Bastion,” Nathan said. “We’re still a bit battered, but we’re joining the fight.”

  “Glad to have you with us,” Captain Hoode said.

  Helena studied the tactical situation. The Bastion was in trouble and the Proxan ships seemed unconcerned with the Jupiter for the moment. Reaching out to the Proxan minds, Helena sensed that their mission was complete. The liner was, indeed, their target. The Bastion was just an added bonus if they managed to destroy it.

  Once the Jupiter advanced, the Proxans decided it was time to leave. Helena weighed her options. This was the perfect opportunity to see the destruction of the one Human battleship which didn’t have one of her sisters aboard. Could she afford to make this large a ‘mistake’ in front of the captain? Would he view it as a mistake and not intentional?

  Helena made her decision.

  “Come around the other side of the planet,” she said.

  Nathan narrowed his eyes and said, “That’ll take long
er.”

  “They are retreating,” Helena said. “This will give us the chance to run the closest one down.”

  “And risk the destruction of the Bastion?” Nathan said. “I don’t think so.”

  “Tell Captain Hoode to maneuver to kappa-nine,” Helena said, hoping Nathan wouldn’t recognize the blunder. “That should buy them time.”

  Nathan examined the holo-display for a few moments. He eyed Helena and said, “That’s not a good move. I don’t like it.”

  “Trust me,” Helena said, her voice and gaze even.

  Nathan kept his eyes on Helena. His heart was conflicted, but he yielded.

  “Lieutenant, tell Captain Hoode to maneuver to kappa-nine,” he said. “Helm, swing us around the bottom of the planet. Mark gamma-one, full burn.”

  “Aye sir!”

  Helena watched as the ships lumbered into their new positions and the Jupiter swung low. The Proxans sensed the mistake and resumed their assault on the Bastion. As Nathan called for more speed, Helena’s heart thumped against her chest. Would the Bastion hold? Would Nathan see through her actions?

  Stugardt burst from the lift and ran to the tactical station.

  “I’m sorry, Captain,” he said. “I was in the engine room. What’s our situation?”

  Nathan glanced at Helena and said, “Tenuous. The Bastion is in real trouble.”

  “Two Proxan battle fleets, I hear?” Stugardt said.

  “Yeah,” Nathan said. “They sacked a passenger liner.”

  Moments later, the Jupiter emerged on the other side of the planet and the Bastion was gone.

  The bridge fell silent as everyone looked from the tactical display to the forward viewport. Shock and grief filled the room. Helena’s heart shriveled as she felt the pain from everyone aboard. Thousands of deaths were on her hands.

  “Sir! I have a firing solution on the closest battleship,” a weapon officer called.

  “Take it down,” Nathan said, his mood turned dark.

  What did she just do? What was this sinking feeling of despair she felt in her heart? Why couldn’t she repress the emotion? Was she strong enough to destroy the Jupiter when the time came?

  Stunned, Helena stood like a still image as the bridge crew of the Jupiter shouted orders and reported their status. Alarms blared and lights flashed, but Helena’s mind remained locked in the moment of the Bastion’s destruction.