“You’re my King?” Havlock heard himself saying.
“I am. Get over it. I just wanted to tell you that a couple of choices I’ve made have simplified our lives, mine and Ellie’s, and I’d like to share them with you.
“By all means, Sire.”
“First, there’s no higher position within the Empire than Queen. That’s a fact of life that will not change, but I’m solid enough in our relationship that her amazing position does not threaten me. We have private lives and public lives. In private, within our family, we’re equals. In public, I am not the slightest bit hesitant to put myself in second place. The Empire works because the Chosen occupy a very special pedestal, and I take every opportunity I can to reinforce that pedestal.
“Second, I might be ignorant compared to the those of you with an Empire education, but I'm not stupid and I’m capable of learning. I suspect Atiana is every bit as capable if not more so. For the Empire, my ignorance is sometimes an advantage, and hers might be to you. I question everything, and sometimes I see a clearer path through the morass of issues. I guess I’m saying your differences can become roadblocks, or you can use those differences to create synergy, to grow your relationship.”
“I hear you, Sire.”
“Sire . . . hmm. Look, you and I will be working closely together during the coming years as we try to guide two worlds through their emergence. Unless we're in a formal setting, I need you to call me Mike.”
"Sire, I'm with my King and my Sector Governor. Can it get any more formal?"
Mike grinned, knowing exactly how Havlock felt. "Actually, yes it can. This is a working meeting and we're the workers. Got it?"
"Uh, yes, Sire."
"Say it, Gar. It's Mike."
"Mike.”
When they reached Struthers’ cell, a marine opened the door and the three of them entered a well appointed, large room that resembled private quarters more than a prison cell.
Struthers stood up from his desk to greet them. “I don’t recall your making an appointment,” he said with a straight face.
"We're here for information," Mike informed him.
"What could I possibly know that you haven’t already pried from me?"
"We're looking into some projects you authorized, secret projects."
Struthers slumped and flopped back down in his chair. "Oh, that old stuff?" He waved a hand through the air. "I've forgotten."
"We might be able to make it worth your while," Mike said.
"How? I'm not stupid, you know. I’m well aware of what the Queen has in mind for me."
"How long do you think you'll last?" Mike asked.
Struthers looked at his missing arm, an arm Mike had shot off and an arm only slightly re-formed by his Rider. Without the assistance of a tank, it would take his Rider years to restore the arm. He shifted his gaze back to Mike. "Does it matter?” His gaze went to Seeton whom he knew, then to Havlock. "Who are you?"
Havlock looked to Mike with raised eyebrows. When Mike gave him an almost imperceptible nod, he took a leap of faith that Seeton’s promise of support was real.
”I'm the one who might help you level the playing field,” he said. “How would you like to have your arm repaired before facing your ultimate challenge?"
Struthers' eyes flashed to Mike for confirmation.
Mike didn't hesitate. “In return for hard facts, nothing less,” he said.
Struthers stared at him. Clearly, the arm was an important issue to him. ”You’re toying with me."
"Am I? Test me," Mike countered.
"What are you looking for? We had lots of secret projects."
"Actually, it might have been one of Juster's projects,” Mike replied. "Part of your agreement with me was that you reveal everything."
"I have. I can't reveal what I don't know."
"Reveal what you suspect and I'll consider the arm," Mike rebutted. Struthers stared at him for so long that the air in the cell actually seemed to chill. Mike finally said, "Come now. You're better than this."
Struthers’ chest swelled as he nodded. "About time you acknowledged that. What sort of project?"
"All of them,” Mike said, looking to Havlock with a question.
Havlock was ready. ”To get your arm back, I need a comprehensive list. I’m particularly interested in secret projects that had to do with gleasons and the Chessori.”
Struthers leaned back and stared at the ceiling for a while. “You know the results of our project with the gleasons. We successfully managed to hire 200 of them. We had several projects trying to figure out how the scree worked. Is that what you’re looking for?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I don’t see why—you’ve already figured it out. We had to keep those projects deeply hidden since it would have been a disaster for the Chessori to find out—our scientists had to sacrifice some Chessori during their studies. I wish we’d been as successful as you,” he said to Mike. “Sadly, we got nowhere. I can’t give you names and places—I never knew them. There will be files of course, but they won’t be easy to get to.”
“Nothing else on the gleasons?” Havlock asked.
“I’m not aware of any specific scientific projects, if that’s what you mean. We recruited them, though I pitied the people who had to do the work. The price was a pittance, just an emerging world, but that didn’t require a scientific project, we just needed to ensure their cooperation. The gleasons delivered on their end of the agreement and so did we.”
“I’ll need a list of any names or locations you can remember,” Havlock said. “It has to be good enough to earn you time in a tank for the arm.”
“I can’t give you details since I never knew them. Juster might remember. What I can give you is my personal codes for accessing secure files. The last I knew, those files were on Triton.”
“I’ll check them out before we continue this discussion about your arm, so be complete.”
“You make it sound like a stay of execution.”
Mike interjected. “No stays, and we pay only for results. I might give you an extension while we check out your data, and good data might take a while to sift through, but if the data is poor, it won’t take long to figure it out. It’s your call. Give us the proper codes, and you’ll have a little more time.”
They moved down the corridor to Juster’s cell. In all the time he had been prisoner, Juster had only been willing to talk with Mike. Mike struck a potential deal, though the price was different.
“My sister has yet to see me,” Juster said. “I deserve a visit.”
“From the Queen? Hardly,” Mike said. “She’s washed her hands of you. Be grateful for what she gave you.”
“She hasn’t given me anything. My deal was with you.” He brought a hand to his face and rubbed his chin. “To answer your question, I knew the day might come when we faced the Chessori as adversaries. I had several projects working on solutions to defeat the scree. None of them had succeeded by the time you arrested me.”
“Where were the projects?”
Juster scrunched up his face as he mused about the power he’d once wielded, then looked back up at Mike. “I don’t remember, nor did I particularly care. I had bigger problems. All I wanted was results. I never got around to inspecting the facilities, but I can tell you that we sent thousands of scientists and engineers and construction workers. These were big projects.”
“Tell me where they are and I’ll deliver your message to your sister.”
“Deliver my message and I’ll point you in the right direction. I’ll accept a promise from her, but I can’t guarantee you results. I have no idea what damage was done to my private records on Triton when my guys pulled out. Our worst case scenario called for our files to accompany whatever leadership survived to a new headquarters. My personal files might have gone with them or they might actually have survived on Triton since only I could get into them. I have no way of knowing.”
“If they took them, who would have them now?”
“Bring me a promise, and I’ll give you my personal codes and tell you where they might be. That’s the best I can do.”
* * * * *
They left the cell block, each of them deep in thought. When they reached street level, Mike said, “Juster sounds like our best bet. We’ll play along with both of them, but I have a feeling Triton will be a dry hole.”
Seeton agreed. “Bruston’s in charge there during the reconstruction. If there’s anything there, he’ll find it.”
Mike nodded thoughtfully. “If the rebel leadership took the files when they left, I wonder if it’s time to take them out once and for all. We let them get away from Triton—we weren’t ready for an all-out fight then—but maybe we are now.”
“The Imperial Marines would love to get their licks in, Sire,” Havlock said.
Mike nodded. “I know, and they might get their chance this time, but there are a lot of factors to consider. Assuming we can locate the rebel base, we’ll have to deal with any Chessori there first. They’ll be on the ground and they’ll be out in space. We’ll need ships, probably a lot of them, but most of them are tied up readying for another attack against Earth. Those that aren’t are supporting Waverly as he routes the Chessori from worlds the rebels have refused to give up. What we need more than anything else is intelligence.” He turned to Seeton for confirmation.
“You’re asking me, Sire?”
“Why not? Everyone else does. You have a knack for making a hard job look easy.”
“In that case, I couldn’t agree more,” Seeton said. “I can set up a small operation, maybe include some Terran Protectors and a few marines. I think we both know who will lead it.”
Mike smiled. “Josh is pulled in more directions than I am. How wrong he was to ever consider retirement. He might want Akurea’s help on this one. She specializes in underground operations.”
He turned to Havlock. “Your focus is Tranxte. We’ll do our best to find this world of yours, and when we do we’ll probably turn that part of the operation over to you. Fair enough?”
“Sire, it’s more than I hoped for.”
“It’ll be at least a year and probably more,” Seeton said. “Maybe a lot more depending on Reba’s need for resources as she tracks down the Chessori. Just know that truth is a two-way street, Gar. We’ll keep you informed as things progress, and you keep us in the loop as well.”
* * * * *
Havlock spent a few hours that afternoon with Seeton, then returned to Resolve to collect his people and leave. His skimmer stopped at several inspection points, the last just under the rim of Resolve’s hull. From there, Protectors waved him through and he walked the rest of the way. He strolled up the ramp with his hands in his pockets, nodded to the two Protectors at the top of the ramp as he passed, and headed for the central shaft.
He called George just before stepping into the central shaft. “George, I’d like to see Sir Stven if he’s available.”
“He’s on the bridge, Gar. He says come right up.”
Stven was just removing his helmet when Havlock stepped onto the bridge. O’Brien, one of the pilots, was the only other person on the bridge. Havlock raised an eyebrow at the minimal staffing but did not feel like it was his place to comment.
Stven understood. “I’ve given some of the crew shore leave,” he said. “This port is about as secure as anyplace in the Empire. What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to thank you for your guidance before I leave.”
Puffs escaped from both nostrils, large puffs. “You’re leaving? Surely not!”
“I am, Sire,” Havlock said as he waved futilely through the air. “I know you’re expecting an influx of people for this trip of yours to Lianli, and I get the feeling it will be pretty hectic around here. I’ve arranged for rooms in the city for my people.”
“But you’re going with us,” Stven said.
“No, Sire. We need to get back. Seeton’s preparing a fast squadron to take us. They won’t stay long at Tranxte, but they’re bringing a lot of food and weapons.”
“Gar, Lianli is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
“I’m not saying this decision is easy, but people, lots of people, are dying every day on Tranxte. I’m not taking a vacation until that ends.”
“Hmm. I have to concur on that point, but as for leaving the ship, you can’t. Your people are in sick bay adjusting to their Riders.”
Havlock blinked, then blinked again. “Sire? You convinced them?”
“I didn’t have to. The vision Krys had of you three dying was all the convincing any of them needed. They came to me yesterday and told me they were ready. Atiana had a special request—she wanted the offspring of a dragon’s rider if possible. My Rider complied. Galborae received a Rider from Otis, Milae got one from our doctor, Kori got one from our Terran medic who’s also a Protector, and Hawke got one from our head Terran Protector, Terry Washburn.”
Havlock’s brow furrowed. “Does everyone on this boat have a Rider? I didn’t think there were that many around.”
“Actually, if they could be sold they’d be the single most valuable commodity in the Empire. You know we’ve been exploring Chessori space this past year. It’s not for public knowledge, in fact it’s an Imperial Secret at the moment, but as amazing as it seems, we discovered the home world of the Riders.”
Havlock went internal considering the implications of such a find. When he came back to his surroundings, he asked with a trace of awe, “How do you decide?”
“Who get’s them? We’re not deciding. It’s a matter for philosophers, not me and my crew. In the meantime, everyone on this ship is repeatedly exposed to danger, and we frequently deal with sensitive issues. Riders are wonderful advisors. We made the decision to equip our people as fully as we could. We made the decision for your people on the same grounds.”
Havlock shook his head. “The implications boggle the mind.”
“That they do. Your Rider is ready when you are.”
“Uh, whose . . .”
“Mike wants you and the Teacher to have Riders who’s hosts are from Earth. He expects to be comparing notes with both of you on a regular basis during the coming years. Jake, his Rider, has already fissioned. I understand he’s anxious to be rid of the creature.”
“Really?”
“Really. Riders produce carbon copies of themselves. They find it annoying to have another Rider who thinks and acts exactly like themselves sharing the same host. If you’re ready, Mike will meet you in your quarters.”
* * * * *
So Havlock got his Rider. His adjustment was a lot faster than his friends from Tranxte, and he was able to be there when they woke up. He was sitting beside Atiana’s bed in sick bay when her eyes fluttered open. She was lying on her side, and the first thing she focused on was him. Their gazes held for a time, then she reached a hand out to him. He stood up and took that hand, then leaned down and kissed her forehead. She didn’t let him get away with that. She put her arms around his neck and pulled herself up to him, burying her head in his neck.
She surprised him by forming words carefully in Galactic High Standard, the language in use throughout the Empire. “I had no idea. Stven truly gave me a gift I will treasure forever.”
“So you’re getting along. I’m relieved.”
She relaxed her hold on him and sank back into the bed for a moment, then sat up. “I went into this with misgivings, but Stven was right. How could we not get along?”
“When you’re ready, I’d like to go into the net so I can meet her.”
She smiled warmly. “I’d like that. So would she, though she already knows Jake, your Rider’s parent.” She reached out to him again and he put his arms around her. She kissed him on the lips, a long, lingering kiss, then moved away a couple of inches and stared into his eyes. “I want to get used to this.”
“I hope you will.”
A gruff voice sounded from the next bed. “Easy, Gar. She’s my queen, you know.”
<
br /> A smile split Havlock’s face. “She’s mine, too. Didn’t you know?”
“Well, I guess I did.” Galborae got out of bed and joined them, putting his arm around Havlock’s shoulder. He looked to Atiana and said, “I once told you I could never call you Atiana, that you were my queen and always would be. That hasn’t changed, but after this, I think the six of us are linked. Not the same as I’m linked to Limam, but we’re linked. He leaned over and kissed Atiana on the forehead.
In turn, she wrapped one arm around his neck, keeping the other around Havlock. “We’ve met on the net and I know you for who you are, Galborae. We need to get Milae, Kori, and Hawke into the net with us, then we’ll be complete.”
Chapter Twenty-five
They said their goodbye’s to everyone on Resolve two days later, leaving with only a backpack each. Everyone wanted to stretch their legs, so Hawke commandeered an air car at the spaceport terminal, chose a destination a few miles away from their hotel in the heart of the city, and they were off.
Atiana and Milae were new to the city and new to the sky knights’ civilization, so their eyes stayed pretty much filled with amazement. Havlock gave Atiana his arm and she took it gratefully.
Six gzeikolts, massive 300-story planned communities housing thousands of families, businesses, and almost anything else people needed in their daily lives, dominated the skyline. Most residents never felt the need to leave the city, and in truth many rarely left their gzeikolts. Narrow at the bottom, blossoming out at the top like an upside down pear, these bulging, irregularly shaped buildings stood out clearly even from space. Each one had been artistically decorated with patterns that computers changed from time to time. Gossamer thin bridges connected the gzeikolts at various levels, making the heart of the city resemble a fairyland.
The skimmer dropped them a mile from the nearest gzeikolt and they set off on foot. Pedestrians crowded the boulevard, though people gave them a wide berth.
Havlock glanced at Hawke and caught him looking back with a smirk. “I think we look a little rough, sir.”
Spirit of Empire 4: Sky Knights Page 37