Unfortunately, they were not the only enemy combatant. More popped out from behind other consoles or nooks and fired as well. A muted grunt from his left suggested one of the Marines with them had been struck.
"Keep one of them alive," Ethan shouted.
Derek spotted a man in a pilot uniform and fired. They dropped.
The firefight was over in minutes with most of their opponents dead and two wounded. The two survivors were bound up and dragged back to the docking bay where they were forced to their knees.
Ethan stood in front of them and looked back and forth. "Now which one of you are going to tell me where Emma Edgerton went?"
"Who?" one of the men said quickly. Too quickly.
"One of the pilots of Victory Squadron. Where is she?"
The man who spoke looked sidelong at his companion.
Ethan withdrew his pistol and aimed it at the head of the silent man. "Whoever tells me what I want to know first gets to live."
Derek squirmed. He didn't agree with that type of threatening, but he did not attempt to intervene. Today was not the day for good cop bad cop.
The man who spoke originally held up his hands. "All right, all right, I'll tell you what I know." He took a deep breath. "We arrived with the fleet and took over the station. I don't know much about what went on in space but I did hear some Federation pilots were captured. The Krai'kesh arrived and took off and the rest of the fleet left after that."
"The House Artois fleet?"
"Yes, sir."
"And where was either fleet going?"
"I don't know."
"Back home, back home," the second man squealed. I remember because I wanted to be on the ship to return."
"And where is 'home,'” Ethan asked, clenching a fist.
"Epsilon III."
"And the exiled daughter of House Artois was with the Federation pilots," the first man said, trying to one-up the second man in knowledge.
Selene, Derek thought. "Did she get taken to Epsilon III?"
The first man shrugged. “As far as I know everyone was taken to Epsilon III."
Ethan studied them. Derek imagined him trying to determine if they were lying. "What was House Artois doing so far outside the Corporate Sector?"
"Hostile takeover, sir. We were liquidating House Vivendi's assets and acquiring their operation."
Ethan groaned. "I always hated merchant-speak."
"Why do you think your uncle waged a war on them at one point?" John asked. "I mean, it takes a lot to make Jason angry, but they succeeded."
Ethan clenched his fist but lowered his pistol. "I can see how. All right, throw them both in the brig."
"Wait, you're not going to kill us?" the first man asked.
"Do you want to die?" Ethan asked.
"N...no," the second man said.
"Then stop questioning why we're letting you live." He waved at them. "Get them out of my sight." Two Marines dragged them aboard the Dauntless.
The group boarded and made their way to the bridge.
Contrary to her word, Ashley was not sleeping in her bunk but had fallen asleep in the co-pilot's chair. She awoke with a start as the door opened. "Oh, you're back. That was quick."
"Not many defenders," Ethan reported.
"And I did some awesome light magic stuff," John said.
Ashley patted John's arm while rolling her eyes after he was seated. "I'm sure you did, dear. Did you find the information you needed?"
Ethan spoke, "The idiots didn't know much, except where the traitor fleet went. And that the Krai'kesh were here."
"That seems like a lot. The Krai'kesh are working with the merchant families?"
"House Artois at least."
"Where did they go?"
"Back home to the Epsilon system."
Ashley cursed. "How are we going to get into the capitol of the Commerce Sector?"
"I'll figure something out," John said. "Don't worry."
"I'm going to worry until my baby girl is found," Ashley said.
"At least we know she isn't dead," Derek pointed out.
"Ethan said they were idiots. How would they know if she was killed and dumped out an airlock or not.”?
Her somber words dampened the mood in the room.
"We don't know for sure," Ethan began, "but it's a good guess they wouldn't needlessly kill an Eternal. If anything, they would use her as a bargaining chip to blackmail the Federation or something."
"True," Ashley agreed. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get to the Epsilon system."
"Here we go," John said and flew the Dauntless out of the docking bay.
Chapter 11 - Family Reunion
A void portal opened and the Goldstar emerged in the space above Epsilon III. Selene watched through the viewport as the planet neared and a feeling of dread settled in her stomach. Not dread for her - dread for the fate of Emma. What would the Krai'kesh do to her? Would they ever see each other again? The thought kept her from touching the fancy tray filled with food the servant brought earlier before exiting and re-locking the door.
The door to her cell opened with a swish. "The Lord Artois has requested your presence in the docking bay," a guard said. It wasn't a request.
Selene took her time turning to face the guard, who was standing in the doorway. He did not carry stun cuffs but held a stun baton at the ready. There went her thoughts of escaping. She looked down at her attire. Her freshly laundered flight suit clung to her. She could not say her brother was inhospitable. Servants at her beck and call, any food, drink or service she desired. Everything except her freedom. Her brother had not dined with her again after the night of her outburst. In fact, he hadn't contacted her at all.
The guards led Selene to the docking bay where her brother was dressed in a formal dress uniform, the logo of House Artois embroidered on his chest. His position in the family granted him an honorary captain's rank, though he had served no military time. She doubted he could even use a pistol with skill. He smiled when he saw her. It sent a shiver down her spine. "There you are." He frowned at her uniform. "You're wearing that hideous outfit?"
"Yes. As a reminder of who I am and that I am a prisoner here." She was tempted to recite her name, rank, and serial number any time she was asked to speak while on Epsilon III but decided against it. She was not a prisoner of war, for the Federation and Commerce Sector were not at war. Would anyone even come for her, a lowly pilot?
He pursed his lips. "I should have had the servants burn it instead of launder it. You are not a prisoner, dear sister."
"The locked door said otherwise."
He tutted. "A safety precaution, that's all. I didn't want any of the crew getting any ideas and trying to harm you."
"Mmmm hmmm," Selene said, not buying any of his bullshit. "I presume you asked me here because we are going down to the planet now?"
"Yes, Father wants to see you right away."
Selene rolled her eyes. "I bet he does. Am I free to say no to the invitation to see him?"
"Why would you want to do that?" He cocked his head to the side.
Gee, I don't know, because the bastard disowned me? Instead she said. "He's probably a very busy man and doesn't have enough time to see me."
"Actually, he has a one hour block of time set aside for you."
"How generous."
"I thought so."
Of course you did, Selene thought.
The guards ushered her toward the transport and she stomped aboard. Her brother followed her into the transport and it took off toward the surface of the planet. She couldn't help but look out the viewport while they descended - it was better than staring at her brother or the floor. The world hadn't changed. The cities were still where she remembered, the poor still lived in their ghettos surrounding the cities. If anything, the ghettos had spread out further while the towers had gotten taller, if that were possible.
"Does it bring back memories?" her brother asked.
It did, though proba
bly not the memories he was thinking of. Unbidden memories rose in her mind. Memories of scampering through the streets of the city and sneaking out through old sewer pipes into the ghetto. Some of her best friends had lived there. Until her father found out and walled the pipes up. He would have wiped out her friends too if Selene hadn't begged her mother to intervene, an action which had earned her mother a beating. But her father had relented after realizing what he had done to his wife. She looked at her brother for the first time since entering the transport. "Yes. We were so naive." Her mother did her no favors shielding her from her father until she was older. It only caused more shock when she learned her father was not a busy but caring father and was instead a busy cold-hearted bastard who ruled her mother through fear, intimidation, and threats.
Silence returned to the shuttle and minutes later they landed at the private landing pad jutting out of the side of Artois Tower, near the top. A dozen honor guards wearing ceremonial open-face metal helmets, armor, and cloaks awaited her brother's return. They certainly weren't there for her benefit. Her brother descended the ramp first. The guards saluted him.
Selene followed, the two guards who had accompanied her from the Goldstar behind her. Did they think she would run now, with nowhere to run? The honor guard did not react to her presence and lowered their arms, though one remained saluting a few seconds longer than the others. They probably didn't even recognize her. She tried to avoid looking at them for fear she would recognize some of them from the past but her eyes drifted to the one who had been slow to cease saluting. She found a grizzled face, gray beard and gray eyes looking at her in return. The man gave an imperceptible nod. Selene racked her brain, trying to place the face, but could not in that moment. She did maintain eye contact and return the nod, though.
The honor guard fell in behind Selene and her brother as they passed into the Tower. Polished crystal floors reflected the glow lamps hanging from the ceiling and their footsteps echoed due to the vaulted ceilings. They walked for a few minutes before her brother turned to the right at an intersection. Selene followed and ascended steps to where two massive doors stood closed. The guards pushed them open as they approached and Frederick strode into the throne room as if he owned the place. Perhaps he would, one day.
The throne room. A pompous declaration of power from a by-gone era. Her father fancied himself a king, though a king among seven other kings in the Commerce Sector. The throne room reflected his tastes in the black stone pillars and walls that seemed to suck happiness from the air. Selene immediately felt a bleakness within her.
A throne room wouldn't be complete without a throne, of course. At the far end of the room her father occupied his throne. He looked older, with a full head of gray hair and a gray beard, but, as she neared, she saw his eyes were still the same cool, analytical, callous eyes she had come to know all too well.
"Father," Frederick said, kneeling. "Thank you for seeing us. I know you are busy. Selene has returned.”
Her father flicked his eyes from Frederick to Selene, his face impassive.
Selene resisted the urge to squirm, or to say something. What would she say? What could she say? Thoughts of reciting her name, rank and serial number rose again. Better to keep her walls up than let them down and allow the chief negotiator of her family exploit her.
"So my errant daughter returns," he rumbled. "Have you come to apologize for your insubordination and beg my forgiveness?"
She was surprised he acknowledged her as his daughter. She took a deep breath. "No, Father. I am here as a prisoner of my own House, against my will."
Her father nodded. "I assumed as much. You wear the markings of the Federation," he observed.
Selene puffed up her chest a little. "I am an officer in the Federation and a fighter squadron leader."
"She accompanied the Federation force which arrived during our takeover of the Vivendi property, Father," her brother explained. "We neutralized the squadron she was in,"
"You mean murdered my squad-mates before my eyes," Selene interjected.
"And brought her here when our allies wanted nothing to do with her."
"It would have been better for you to throw her to the Krai'kesh, Frederick."
"Father...I thought you would be pleased," Frederick stammered.
Her father turned an angry gaze upon Frederick and clenched his fists. "Why would I be pleased, you fool? I disowned her and banished her. Yet here you are, dragging her back as if she is still my daughter. I should string you up for your stupidity, but I will save the rope."
Dear old dad, Selene thought, always thinking about the savings. He didn't become a trillionaire overnight, she reminded herself. "If you let me go, Father, I will be happy to depart from this place."
Her father's gaze turned icy again as he glared at her. "No. I promised you when I banished you that you would face death if you returned. Your brother may have brought you back but the result is the same. You will remain here as my prisoner until your punishment can be carried out."
A bead of sweat dripped down her forehead. Her father was going to kill her? For certain? "Father, you can't..."
Her father swiped with his hand. "Enough! Guards, take her to the dungeons. There will be no lavish accommodations in my house for traitors."
Two guards, one of them the one with the gray beard, came up next to her and pulled her away. She resisted and shouted "You are the traitor! You betrayed all mankind to the Krai'kesh. How could you?"
Her father held up his hand to forestall the guards. "You petulant child. Our house is a house of survivors. We survived every war between the Federation and the Empire or between the Federation and anyone by being useful to the winning side while remaining neutral and taking from our rivals when the opportunity presented itself. It is a logical analysis that the Krai'kesh will win this war. I am siding with the winner, daughter, and you and anyone who stands in their way will be crushed."
"And what then?" she asked. "When the Federation and Empire lie in ruins you don't think the Krai'kesh will come for you?"
"They have promised me all the planets I desire in exchange for my aid."
"And you trust them?"
"More than the Federation which banished us to this corner of the galaxy."
"Because of our greed! We nearly tore the Federation apart once before. Of course they would banish the merchant families!"
Her father waved away her observation. "Bah. What's done is done. The Krai'kesh will soon stand victorious and House Artois will stand with them. Take her away."
At first Selene dug in her heels, forcing them to drag her, but finally she got her feet under her and turned to face the direction they were going. "I can walk," she snapped. "And I know the way." She turned her head as she walked. "Your arrogance will be your undoing, Father."
"Perhaps, Daughter, but you will not live to see such a thing."
Selene went to the elevator and descended to the basement level, the guards watching her like a hawk. They were waiting for her to make a move so they had an excuse to rough her up. She knew their types. The dungeons hadn't changed since she was a child running down those halls. Artificial black stone covering durasteel supports lined the walls of the hallway. A cell on the left was empty. One of the guards pressed a button on the console next to the door and the force field deactivated. The other shoved her inside. The force field reactivated. Selene didn't bother touching it - she knew what the electrical shock emitted by those fields felt like after the time her brother locked her in a cell by accident.
***
A few hours later, as Selene tried to doze on the hard floor of her cell a voice came from the hallway. "Selene?"
She sat up. Her mother stood outside the force field, watching her with wide eyes. One of the guards, Ralph, stood to the side, watching her with suspicion. "Mother?" she asked with disbelief. "Is it really you?"
A tear slid down her mother's cheek and she gave a smile. "Yes, my darling, it's me."
"I wou
ld hug you but..." she beckoned to the field.
"I know, honey. I know. I will try to talk to your father, get you to better..."
"No," Selene said, her voice firm. "I will not have you risk your own life just to make mine a little more comfortable."
"I can't just stand by and watch my daughter die," her mother said.
Selene flicked her eyes toward Ralph and back to her mother. "What you're talking about is treason. My father decreed I am to die. Leave it alone, Mother."
Her mother's eyes went wide, but Selene believed she got the message. It wasn't safe to discuss the matter around the guard. She should have realized that, but she wasn't the savviest person in the galaxy. In fact, Selene's father had forbidden her mother from participating in knitting circles and other social gatherings with the other wives for fear she would undermine his strategies unwittingly after one disastrous occasion.
"I understand," she replied. "If you're resigned to it, I will say my goodbyes. You were always a bit odd, but I loved you. I pray you find peace in the after-life."
Was she truly saying goodbye? Had Selene's innuendo gone over her mother's head? Did she not realize she did not want to die but did not want to discuss treason with a guard present? Or was she being convincing for the sake of the guard. Selene couldn't tell. It has been a long time away from home.
"You were always kind to me, Mother. I'm sorry for being such a disappointment to you."
Her mother smiled sadly and shook her head as if to disagree with her. More tears streamed down her cheeks. No, Selene realized her mother was not ignorant - she did not want her daughter to die. She would do whatever it took, even lie, to save her daughter. "Good bye, Daughter." She turned and walked away.
The guard gave Selene another dirty glance before following her mother. Had he been convinced that her mother was resigned to her daughter's death or did he still harbor suspicions? Only time would tell.
***
A day later Frederick came to visit her. He awoke her from a restless sleep. "Hello, Selene. I trust you are being treated well."
Ruin: A Seven Stars Novel (Dark Tide Trilogy Book 3) Page 12