Alutia Rising, Anniversary Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 1)

by Craig Gerttula

  Trent’s name had become taboo and no one besides the commander and, Daniel assumed, the vice-commander, knew his location. When he contacted the knight captain a few days prior, asking if he could visit Trent, the short response he received told him, in no kind words, that he was not to discuss Trent or what had occurred at his recruitment trial. Daniel had found the request for total silence odd, but when he was confronted by one of the NHA nobles who had accompanied Sir Simwa to Earth, who asked, rather rudely, about Trent's location, the secrecy suddenly made sense.

  Sir Simwa had recovered just as quickly as Vice-Commander Daiyu from the wounds suffered during the enlistment trial, and while being restricted to quarters until an official criminal trial could be convened, had launched a misinformation campaign against Trent, Knight Captain Quinn, and Vice-Commander Daiyu. His claims were completely preposterous, which Daniel knew since he was at the incident, but even so, they were so ridiculous he couldn't believe that anyone would actually believe them. But he quickly learned that he couldn’t be more wrong. The majority of TSB personnel, specifically the general crew, were enchanted by the ludicrous allegations, since the information came from highly revered members of the NHA nobility.

  The rumors stated that Trent, an Earthling who cheated during the enlistment trial, had attacked Sir Simwa without provocation. Then, as was Sir Simwa’s right and duty as a noble, he defended himself with lethal force. But during the incident, Knight Captain Quinn and Vice-Commander Daiyu interfered on Trent's behalf, forcing Sir Simwa to defend himself against their malicious attacks. These infractions by the TSB commanders were an even more grievous crime in the eyes of Sir Simwa, and those who supported him, then Trent’s initial assault. He even went as far as to state openly that he would deal with them both personally, after his unjust imprisonment ended, and Trent had been properly disposed of...of course.

  How anyone could believe such an outrageous story is beyond me, Daniel thought with a sigh, sliding past a large group of laughing crewman, who looked to be on their way to the entertainment wing, and entered the first open transport tube he could find, queuing his destination, the officer's barracks, before returning to his thoughts.

  There was less than 50 nobles on Earth, all, except Knight Captain Quinn, having accompanied Sir Simwa when he replaced the previous NHA Liaison, and each and every one of these nobles were sending priority requests for assistance to the ruling nobility of the Hulk'Zif Duchy.

  “Little do they know,” Daniel whispered, letting a smirk crawl across his lips.

  Unknown to these nobles, the Hulk'Zif Duchy no longer held jurisdiction over the special protectorate of Earth. That responsibility now fell to the newly formed Alutia Duchy, under the rule of the Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia. He knew this information would not stay secret for long, since the official announcement of Alutia’s formation would happen sometime within the coming weeks, and Duke Zehman, who was the current ruler of the Hulk'Zif Duchy, was well aware of this change.

  As Daniel's tube came to a silent stop, having arrived at his destination, he waved to an attractive young officer who exited the transport tube to his left.

  “Lieutenant Cody? How good to see you. I'm heading to dinner and having the company of your beauty would brighten this otherwise dreary day,” Daniel bowed with a flourish, instinctively falling into playboy mode. Lieutenant Cody blushed.

  “I'd be honored, Lieutenant Daniel, I'll meet you in front of Antonio's in an hour?” she kept glancing away as she responded, unable to absorb his intense stare, born of his piercing, baby blue eyes.

  “Of course, I will be waiting at your convenience,” Daniel responded, knowing that this would, indeed, be a very pleasant evening. He provided her another slight bow, winking when he caught her fluttering brown eyes, and started down the hall towards his room, trying to contain his boyish excitement.

  When he arrived at his quarters, he jumped into the shower and thought again about the review council, allowing the memory of the proceedings to flow freely.

  That’s it! Recognition came like a tsunami as he suddenly realized why every TSB captain and commander was present for the usually scarcely attended event, and the most likely reason for the knight captain's enthusiastic speech on loyalty.

  Knight Captain Quinn wasn't one to sit on his laurels and allow others to take control of a situation. He may not have as much sway within the NHA as Sir Simwa or his nobles, Daniel had to assume, but he was highly respected by the TSB officers. So in using the after action review council, the only venue that permitted the legal dissemination of the closed record of the incident, provided him an opportunity to head off any possible insurrection with those directly in his chain-of-command who may have heard Sir Simwa’s absurd accusations.

  It’s brilliant, he realized, and even though he hated the man with a passion, Daniel had to give credit where it was due.

  Carefully, he slipped into his dress blue and whites, running a hand through his wavy, dirty blond hair one more time, before he rushed to the door. He paused, having almost forgotten the tiny packets of silver powder, Noble's Delight, an intense aphrodisiac that would all but guarantee the long, exciting evening, he was expecting.

  *********

  Waves of goosebumps rippled in the catillian’s wake as it scurried across Sasha’s back, tickling her relentlessly with its many tiny fingers and fur. She gritted her teeth, grunting a relieved sigh when it finally paused, a piercing shock telling her it had decided her left butt cheek was the best location for its next feeding node.

  Why can he not choose to place them in areas so I can sit? She sighed, continuing her restless pacing around her luxurious sitting room within her apartment, onboard her private starships, the ABF Princess One.

  Tiana and Regalia only glanced in her direction when she paused, content to lounge on the ornate couch, covered in lush rose silk, which curved around a projected external viewport displaying a nearby red giant whose outer layers were being slowly stripped away by an encroaching black hole. Though neither seemed intrigued by this wondrous sight, instead, they both had their noses in their cups, which held Etique, a very popular beverage native the Tidelia Earldom, with a gentle, perfume like fragrance and a soothing, sourishly sweet taste.

  At the far end of the sitting room, before a wooden door with the Alutia Crest carved on its face, stood Guard Lieutenant Lia'Sil, who, true to her word, had kept all security record systems disabled, and forbid the male guards from entering her apartment for the last six days. Her vigilance permitted Sasha to move about freely without fear of being seen naked by a man manifesting itself...well, at least not as often, she noted.

  During the first day of bonding with her catillian, Sasha had been extremely embarrassed by her nudity. Thankfully, her companions were beyond courteous, providing her plenty of extra space. From the second day on, however, as she started becoming more comfortable moving about unclothed, the games began. Tiana took the lead, treating her like some sort of exotic sculpture that needed constant appraisal. While her servants, though less obvious, would whisper and giggle in the corners whenever she became too overly accustomed to her nudity.

  Even worse than the servants and the ever playful Tiana...well maybe not worse, but just as bad...was the catillian itself. For some reason she would never fully understand, the catillian chose to do its bonding during the most random hours. It would, thankfully, rest from time-to-time, curling up within her bosom for a few hours. But when it awoke, it would release one of the most annoying squeals Sasha had ever heard, similar to the sound of a herd of 100,000 wild goxin screeching an alarm for an approaching predator. It would continue, relentlessly, until she stood, allowing it unfettered access to her entire unclad being.

  I know it is every girls dream to have their own bonded catillian, but what if they actually knew what was require, she shook her head at the thought.

  Seeing little else to do, she continued her nervous pacing, trying her best to patiently wait for the catillian to remo
ve itself to his bed. At that moment, like her thoughts were transmitted to the tiny critter, it quickly scampered up her back and over her shoulder, causing a giggle to slip past her lips. It then, mercifully, curled up within her bosom, releasing Sasha from her torment...at least for time.

  She sighed with relief, plopping her fatigue ridden body down on the couch beside Tiana, which she regretted immediately. A mischievous hand slid over her hip, landing tenderly on her inner thigh, the mischievous girl leaning close, blowing lightly into her ear.

  “If you keep parading your sexy body in front of me, Sasha, I may think of becoming a paramour or romantic, since it’s so difficult to resist your allure,” Tiana whispered seductively. Sasha pushed her, and her roaming hand, away in one motion, causing a delightful giggle to escape her lips.

  “Regalia, please do not follow the example of this...this...vixen!” Sasha snapped, pointing accusingly at Tiana while looking to the blushing Regalia, who was covering her eyes while peeking through the gaps in her fingers. She almost followed by saying Regalia should use her as an example, but realized it might not be a good idea, given she was parading her naked body around her apartments, just like a paramour. Though someone more appropriate immediately came to mind.

  “In fact...if you need an example to follow, keep an eye on Guard Lieutenant Lia'Sil, she is a fine role model for any young lady,” Sasha raised her voice loud enough so Lia’Sil could clearly overhear her.

  “Thank you, Your Grace. But Lady Regalia would be best to follow your example...unless she wants to join the services when she comes of age,” responded the guard lieutenant, voice full of modesty. Sasha smiled and was about to continue, but the Lia’Sil cleared her throat, causing her to pause.

  “Your Grace, I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but Knight Admiral Bhool requested that I remind you to check your messages. She thought you may have overlooked the need during the stressful time of bonding,” her tone became professional, allying none of the cordiality that was previously present.

  “Now that you mention it, I have been rather preoccupied,” Sasha stared accusingly at her now sleeping catillian. “Did Lady Bhool provide any additional details?” Sasha asked, wondering what couldn't wait until she was officially grand duchess.

  “Yes, Your Grace. As you know, when a new duchy is formed, the galactic king holds governorship until the official transfer ceremony. It is customary, however, that as soon as the choice of the noble who will become duke or duchess of the new duchy is made, they shall immediately be provided all the decision making powers for said duchy, even though it has not been officially transferred,” Sasha was puzzled for a moment, trying to wrap her head around the guard lieutenants words.

  “So, in simple terms, I am still responsible for the duchy even though it has yet to be officially handed over to me?” Sasha smiled, finding a strange enjoyment in untangling the guard lieutenant’s explanation.

  “Yes and no, Your Grace. Minor decisions are still handled by the royal administrators, but major issues are forwarded to you...and it seems that a major issue has arisen,” Sasha sighed, realizing that the announcement she just heard would most likely end her carefree days. Would it be a blessing or a curse? She couldn't wait to find out.

  “Thank you, Lia’Sil. I have a moment now, so I will peruse my messages. Could you thank Knight Admiral Bhool for me and please, if you are willing, stay on duty for just a little longer, in case I have any additional questions,” she knew it was about time for Lia'Sil to change shifts, having been on duty for the last 10 hours. But having someone of her knowledge present would be a definite boon.

  “It would be my pleasure, Your Grace.” Satisfied, Sasha turned back to her ladies-in-waiting.

  “You two have no reason to stay and I doubt I will require your input. Feel free to leave if you like,” Sasha said flippantly, knowing their responses before she made the statement, but still felt like being a little snooty.

  “What? And leave you to make the wrong decisions? I think we'll stay...right Regalia?” responded Tiana, a sly smirk spreading across her lips, with an accompanying nod from Regalia. Sasha forced a frown, knowing Tiana had seen through her, and decided not to pursue the game any further. Instead, she stroked her sleeping catillian, finding the gesture relaxing, and accessed her private BAP with her BC node.

  She was surprised by the sheer quantity of messages waiting, all within the last two days. There were two special level military messages, the highest noncombat military priority, and 160 level one civilian messages, the highest level priority that ruling nobles were allowed to use outside of imminent threat of invasion. She decided to ignore the level two and three messages, cringing at their ever growing numbers, and decided to start by accessing the two special level military messages. But as she skimmed the senders attached to the level one messages, one suddenly caught her mind.

  The message was from Duke Zehman, the current ruler of the Hulk'Zif Duchy, who had generously provided a large portion of his own territory for the Alutia Duchy. Thinking the duke would provide her an accurate and reliable gauge of the current situation, she decided to access his message first. After queuing her request, the message began flowing into her mind.

  “Dear Your Royal Highness Sasha,” she was slightly disturbed that he didn't use her new title, but let it slide since it still wasn't official, “in the recent realignment of the Hulk'Zif Duchy, the administration of the special protectorate of Earth has fallen to the newly formed Alutia Duchy, which will soon be under your rule. As such, I no longer have authority to deal with matters that arise therein without your consent. For this reason I contact you now, in the hope you will consent to immediate justice and allow me to deal with a most heinous of crimes purported against one of my honorable nobility.” Sasha paused the message, her interest perked.

  She vaguely recalled learning the name Earth in her childhood studies, but wasn’t able to remember exactly why it had been provided the rare standing of special protectorate. She queued a query to the BAP, hoping the starships immense database contained information on Earth. But, strangely enough, the query was returned as unrecognized. She considered accessing the rest of the message, but another idea struck her.

  “Lia'Sil? Do you know anything about the special protectorate of Earth? It appears I am now responsible for its oversight...and I think I should have a greater understanding of the rules governing its administration,” asked Sasha, trying not to sound too much like the ignorant traditionalist nobles she'd grown to despise in her youth.

  “Yes, Your Grace,” to Sasha's surprise, Lia’Sil blushed, noticeable even from across the room, “my...my fiancé was actually a member of the Terra Space Battalion before being transferred temporarily, then permanently, to work with the supply company responsible for covertly delivering goods to the TSB.” Sasha gasped in surprise and Tiana suddenly began to bounce in place, a mischievous grin plastered on her lips.

  “Now everything is starting to fall into place. Do tell, Lia'Sil?” Tiana jumped on the opportunity for some juicy gossip and Sasha knew she would have to reign in her lady-in-waiting before the conversation started down the wrong path. She placed her hand gently on Tiana's leg, causing the girl to twitch in surprise, turning towards her with a confused look.

  “Tiana, we can discuss that at another time. For now, I need more information about Earth...this is important.” She continued holding her friend’s gaze, whose drooping eyes and trained pout did little to sway Sasha’s heart. Seeing this, Tiana thought better of voicing her complaints and just fell back into the couch, crossing her arm in resignation.

  “Go on, Lia'Sil, but keep in mind, I will need a full briefing about this fiancé of yours at a later date,” Sasha smiled briefly, suddenly remembering her nudity as she uncrossed her legs, causing a blush that matched the one covering Lia'Sil as she corrected herself.

  “Yes, of course, Your Grace. I’ll start from beginning,” Lia’Sil cleared her throat. “Earth was colonized around 25
,000 years ago,” Sasha barely kept from chocking as she sipped from her cup of Etique, knowing galaxy 189 had only been officially colonized for the past 5600 years, “by order of the then emperor of the NHA,” Lia’Sil paused, looking to the recovering Sasha, who nodded for her to go on. “This emperor, as stories tell, wanted to conduct his own experiment on early human development and evolution. So he decided to send out an expedition that included around 100,000 pre-developed humans, raised in complete isolation, with no genetic modifications, education, or technology, with the goal of leaving them on a virgin world much like Planet Origin,” Lia'Sil paused, gathering her thought.

  “Do you mind coming closer? I can hear you fine...it is just awkward to have a conversation with someone from across the room,” Sasha chimed in before Lia’Sil could continue.

  Without complaint, she marched quickly across the room, coming to attention adjacent the projected viewport, which now displayed a star speckled darkness. Sasha pointed to an open seat on the sofa. Lia’Sil paused, apparently reluctant to sit, but gave in quickly when Sasha raised her eyebrows.

  “As I was saying, Your Grace,” Lia’Sil started as she sat herself on the farthest edge of the couch, obviously still hesitant at the committing such a “severe” breach of protocol, “the emperor had decided to arrange an expedition to deliver these pre-developed humans to an uncolonized planet similar in makeup to Planet Origin. As you probably have learned, around that same time, the Great Galactic Discovery was taking place and tens of thousands of galaxies were being discovered every year. The vast majority were only provided a cursory scan, while staying, for the most part, completely unexplored with just their universal location codes being catalogued. The emperor chose from these galaxies one that was similar to galaxy 1, which we now know as galaxy 189, and sent the expedition through its founding SJS gate with orders for the research vessel to return after locating a suitable planet and delivering their charges. Though they were further instructed to complete an initial 50 year study of the pre-developed human’s integration into the environment, before returning with the location of the test colony so a permanent research organization could be created,” she paused, looking to Sasha who, like Tiana and Regalia, was hanging on Lia’Sil’s every word.