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

by Craig Gerttula

  “Only one man is responsible for this, for the failure of your perfect plan, for the destruction of the TSB Earth Base, for everything that has gone wrong since he arrived, Daniel, and you know who this man is, Daniel, you know him quite well, indeed, Daniel,” the voice explained. It’s right, I do know, he seethed, why haven’t I realized it sooner, he wondered. But that didn’t matter anymore.

  “Trent, I will make you pay for all you’ve done,” he cried towards the voice, which laughed wickedly in response, filling him with a lust for revenge that would only be sated when the Earthling known as Trent lay dying at his feet.

  Chapter 23

  Trent hobbled slowly down the central corridor of the fleet command center onboard the ABF Alutia, with Sasha pressed against one elbow and Tiana the other, suppressing his dignity at having to be supported by the two lovely ladies. Each step was met with piercing pain. But he could endure. He had too...for Sasha.

  Earlier that morning, Medical Officer Quo'Moy had grudgingly provided him a potent biological nanite supplement that for one day of semi-mobility would require at least another week of recovery. Unless, as the medical officer so elegantly explained, he and Sasha stopped acting childish and allowed him to submerge Trent in a medical tube for a week. A chill rippled across his flesh at the thought.

  He knew his reluctance to be tubed had to do with the lingering psychological effects from the incident at TSB Earth Base. When he'd been placed in a medical tube for almost two weeks to regenerate his arms and partially alter his genetics to match NHA standard, which is when his translation and BC node were grown, and his genes altered, providing him a younger appearance. But his only memories from his time locked within the medical tube were horrific nightmares wrought with debilitating loneliness, total despair, and unspeakable pain. Plus, the idea of being submerged in one of those ellipsoid “coffins”, isolated completely from the outside world for an entire week, went against his very being, and he would grasp happily onto any opportunity to avoid it again. So when presented a choice, he was more than content to take the much longer, less medical tubed alternative, of bed rest and nanite treatment.

  But that was only one of his present troubles.

  When he awoke that morning, ready to start mentally preparing for the pain that he knew would come from attending today’s important command meeting, he'd found Sasha cuddled up against him. Her arms and legs were wrapped tightly around him, with her head resting peacefully on his chest, a full-length nightgown covering her entire figure. The gown, however, was very thin, and he'd spent the first hour after waking trying to ignore the softness pressed against his side, and the leg that gently rested upon his manhood.

  When Vickie, Tiana, and Regalia arrived later, a noticeable tension permeated the air. He assumed, at first, it may have been born of Tiana. But she no longer glared at him with the same disgust that had been so prevalent the night before. Instead, she only looked upon him with veiled suspicion; it’s a start, he mused.

  This new tension, however, arose between Vickie and Sasha. Whenever their eyes met, a cold contempt flowed from Vickie's gaze, forcing Sasha to blush and turn away. But it wasn’t only Sasha Vickie looked at differently. The slight lust and playfulness he’d become accustomed whenever her eyes beheld him, was replaced by unabashed desire. The look reminded him of a starving lioness ready the pounce on a dead gazelle the moment the lion finished dining on his portion.

  He sighed, garnering glances from the two lovely ladies at his sides. He shook off their concern with a thankful smile. Best to keep out of it, he reminded himself, especially an argument between ladies.

  An ornate doorway outlined with carved flowers and inlaid with sparkling gems appeared around the bend. Upon its face stood a symbol he recognized as the Alutia Duchy’s crest, a reddish-purple tiara wrapped in rose vines, with stunning red roses blooming on each of the tiara’s three peaks. At the moment they were about to reach the point of no return, Trent forced the entourage to a halt, concerned looks again rising from the women at his flanks.

  “Sasha, you should go first. I'll walk in on my own after,” he explained, not wanting to show his weakness while by her side. She stared at him for a moment, obviously thinking to rebuke him.

  “No, you shall accompany me as I enter,” she said sternly, leaving no room for debate. Trent sighed, then nodded, realizing it best to follow her lead in these noble matters. Sasha glanced around him to Tiana, who smiled her understanding, releasing Trent's arm, and moving behind to join Vickie, Regalia, and the escorting battleguards. Sasha took a step forward, pushing her elbow to her side while placing her hand to the fore. Trent stared in confusion, not sure what she was expecting him to do, when an elbow nudged his back.

  “Place your hand under Sasha's in the same fashion,” Tiana whispered into his ear. He nodded, stepping forward, trying his best to hide the pain and not stumble; having little luck at both.

  As he placed his hand under Sasha's, she grasp it tightly, holding it, and him, steady with a strength that always surprised him. But at the same moment, the pain coursing through his limbs multiplied, attacking in waves. Sasha must have sensed him start to falter, striding quickly towards the waiting doors with a regal grace. Trent tried to match her step, forcing the pain away. This is no time to show weakness, he scolded, it being imperative he prove himself worthy of this goddess he loved so.

  The ABF Battleguards flanking the entrance came to attention. They adorned formal red and black uniforms that reminded him of those wore during the Napoleonic wars, with a rose red undercoat and pants, and a black lapel embroidered with rose vines of silver. They saluted, crossing their arms before their chest, then marched ceremoniously to the center of the double-door, flinging them open in such a way Trent hoped no one stood beyond.

  “Presenting,” the battleguards cried in unison while marching in, “Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia and Sir Trent!” Everyone present in the packed command strategy room stood.

  The majority adorned similar dress uniforms to the battleguards, but of a much more elaborate design. While others wore the blue and white dress uniforms that Trent recognized as officers of the TSB. A square wooden table, that shimmered crimson, sat in the rooms center, with five seats on each side and rows of additional seating lining the walls behind. His gaze followed the red and black stripes that crisscrossed the floor, then ran vertically up the walls to the domed ceiling high above, intricately carved with a depiction of the Alutia Crest. Impressive, he thought as he followed Sasha towards their seats. Trent let his gaze wander to the faces of those present, able to locate a few he actually recognized.

  Knight Captain Quinn and Vice-Commander Daiyu, who he recalled from his enlistment trial, sat to the right with a small group of TSB officers lining the wall behind them. To the left, he recognized Knight Admiral Bhool, who he'd met briefly when he awoke for the first time onboard the ABF Alutia, flanked by two other ABF officers in similar uniforms, but embroidered with gold instead of platinum. Directly across the table from the empty seats where Sasha was leading him, sat a single man, again, in a similar uniform to Knight Admiral Bhool, but embroidered with a reddish-purple alloy he didn’t recognize. A single vein pulsed wildly on his forehead, almost hidden by his straight, silver flecked black hair that rounded his head, like he wore a caldron for a hat. The man appeared on the verge of bursting, waves of anger seeming to warp the air around him.

  Sasha moved gracefully towards the head of the table, her red and black formal gown flowing elegantly, like she walked atop a crimson sea. He moved alongside her, trying to match her grace, but still found it difficult to move smoothly in the tight red noble doublet, cut low at the neck to reveal the skin tight black undershirt he wore beneath. The matching black trousers, which felt like they were constructed from plywood, gripped the sides of his thighs relentlessly, providing a clear view of the embroidered rose vines that swirled down to his red and black boots.

  When he first adorned his new ensemble, he thought he lo
oked ridiculous. But Sasha and her ladies had assured him he looked dapper. He thought at the time they were just being nice, but something peculiar had occurred. A sensation he could only describe as a tingly warmth, flowed into his mind, convincing him the ladies were being completely honest. As the morning progressed, he noticed this peculiar sensation repeat, finding it originated from the Eye of the Emperor whenever he met or listened to someone speak.

  Two feelings had become quite pronounced: the warm tingling, like stepping out into the bright morning sunlight, and an icy chill, like jumping into a glacial lake. The first time he experienced the latter, he almost collapsed. Luckily, Sasha and Tiana were able to hold him steady. They passed it off as a momentary weakness, but Trent knew there was more to it than that, the cold sensation having washed over him when they'd shared a tube transport with a young TSB crewman whose expression went dubious when he learned Trent's name. It felt like Eye of the Emperor was trying to tell him something, but he just couldn't figure out what.

  Sasha flowed into the oversized, cushioned chair that stood almost three times taller than all the others. Trent sat stiffly at her side, forcing his pained limbs to bend, like the movement was unnatural.

  “I would like to thank you all for coming,” Sasha gazed around the table at her subjects, nodding when appropriate, “Now, since time is short, let us begin where we previously left off. Knight Admiral Bhool, Knight Captain Quinn, if you could please provide full status updates on the current operations we-,” a forced cough caused Sasha to pause. The entire room turning to the furiously flushing ABF officer seated alone, directly across from Sasha. Overwhelming cold flowed into Trent’s mind, momentarily repressing the pain, as he stared at the man.

  “Your Grace, I am very disappointed that you improperly provided orders to my officers and crew without my authorization. I told you, quite clearly, I would have a plan for resolving this issue today, but you saw fit to undermine my authority in this matter!” he said, words awash with fury, banging his gloved fist upon the table to drive home his point. Trent felt the cold sensation subside, but only vanish completely when he looked away from the man.

  “Knight High-Admiral Baric, you forget yourself. I provided orders to my people, including the commander of the Alutia Battle Fleet, Knight Admiral Bhool,” Sasha responded through clenched teeth, Sir Baric exactly the man she had described him to be. Trent resisted the urge to squeeze her leg in support.

  “Excuse me, Your Grace, but you are mistaken!” Sir Baric fumed. “I was assigned as commander of the Alutia Battle Fleet by your brother, Crown Prince Kohan, with the blessing of King Johan!” Sir Baric shouted, his words full of self-righteousness.

  It’s the same, Trent knew, having seen this all before, seen the exact same reaction from another entitled noble who threw a fit like a child when someone dared question his authority. Trent glared at the fidgeting officers seated along the wall behind Sir Baric, more than one with a hand resting near a holster. He moved his own hand under his noble doublet, checking that what lay hidden beneath could easily be drawn, planning to do whatever was necessary to avoid a repeat of the enlistment trial on Earth.

  “Again, you forget yourself, Sir Baric!” Sasha smacked the table, “I am the Grand Duchess of Alutia and have the right to assign my own commanders after I assumed my responsibility! Since you, sir, were assigned after I had officially assumed control of the Alutia Duchy, you are no more than a common battle group commander that must report to Knight Admiral Bhool, no matter if you were assigned by my brother, father, or the emperor himself! Do I make myself clear?” Sasha said, voice trembling with frustration laced with anger.

  “You are quite mistaken, Your Grace,” Sir Baric refused to back down. “The Alutia Duchy is still under the jurisdiction of the king and since the official transfer ceremony has not been completed you are bound by the king's judgment. In which case, I am the highest authority in the Alutia Duchy until you have been officially seated!” The throbbing cold tingle exploded into his mind, clearly emanating from the choker around his neck, the moment Sir Baric spoke. A sudden understanding filled him, like knowledge of its meaning had always been there, but he’d just forgotten.

  “He's lying.” Trent spoke the words that came to his lips before he had a chance to think on their consequences. The ABF officers seated behind Sir Baric gasped, while the knight high-admiral himself contorted with rage, turning his hateful glare on Trent, the shadow of Sir Simwa shimmering alongside.

  “How dare you!” Sir Baric slammed the table while exploding to his feet. All eyes turned to Trent, including Sasha’s, who stared at him with a look of utter astonishment. Trent turned to her and pointed to his choker. Her eyes went wide with sudden understanding.

  “How dare you, sir!” Knight Captain Quinn responded first. “You are in the presence of the holder of the Star of Terra, an award for bravery equivalent to the King's Nova. He will be heard,” the room trembled, and more than one of those present cowered in fear.

  “My honor has been questioned and I-.”

  “Sir,” Knight Captain Quinn banged both his fists upon the table, interrupting Sir Baric mid-sentence, “you disregarded your honor when you insulted Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia. I will remind you of one thing you may not have been informed,” his tone dropped an octave. “You currently stand in a special protectorate that is under my complete authority. At times of emergency, I have the right to request assistance from the local duchy. But I, and I alone, have total authority within the special protectorate of Earth,” he paused for dramatic effect, “and I have given my total support to the Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia, no matter if the authority of the Alutia Duchy has been officially transferred from the king or not. So she, Sir Baric, is currently the highest authority in this star system.” Sir Baric glared at Sasha, unwilling to face Knight Captain Quinn’s wrath, face still contorting in a way that told Trent the man probably wasn’t even listening. However, a few of the ABF officers seated behind Sir Baric dared to hold Knight Captain Quinn’s gaze, but flinched like they were trying to stare into the sun itself. Satisfied, Quinn turned to Sasha, nodded, then returned to his seat.

  “This disturbs me greatly, Sir Baric. I am tempted to call a Program to oversee this meeting and verify you do not continue knowingly misrepresent your knowledge of my authority. It seems you are already aware, but once the decision is made on whom will rule a newly formed duchy, this noble will assume authority during an official transfer ceremony overseen by the king, or, Sir Baric, when said noble enters the new duchy for the first time to assume control. I'm sure you were already well aware of this fact, but I thought it wise to remind you.” Sasha said, her voice freezing the very air around them. She had clearly regained her composure after Trent's unexpected declaration. Her gaze turned to him, smiling with such warmth that the momentary chill he felt at her previous words vanished. But then she looked away, back to Sir Baric, her expression shifting once more to the authority of command.

  “Now...Knight Admiral Bhool, what is the status of the cordon over the infected areas?” Knight Admiral Bhool, who had been glaring at Sir Baric, expression unreadable, turned back to Sasha.

  “Your Grace, the barriers are fully in place,” a projection of Earth appeared above the table, two spots in southeast Asia highlighting red. “The first infection area, in sector SEA-695, covers an area of 235 square kilometers, while the second infection area, in sector SEA-543, surrounds an area of 532 square kilometers. There have been no detected infections beyond these barriers. So as of this moment, the infection appears entirely contained,” Knight Admiral Bhool nodded to the officer at her side.

  “Your Grace, I regret to inform you that we did incur some significant losses in sector EA-695, 1034 to be exact. The creatures had moved farther from the infection’s epicenter then we originally anticipated and the containment teams came into direct contact with HDP infected humans,” the officer, with short cropped black hair and a smudgy face, like it was slightly concave, sou
nded noticeably disturbed by the news he was delivering, and Trent could guess why. Being transformed into one of those “things” was a fate far worse than death.

  “Thank you, Knight Admiral Bhool, Vice-Admiral Sys’Kol, it wounds my heart dearly to hear about the loss of so many brave men and women. Please have their names sent to my servant, Gil’Da. I would like to personally contact their families and award them all appropriate honors.” Trent reached under the table to squeeze Sasha’s leg, no longer caring about the possible repercussions. “Knight Captain Quinn, did you have any luck dealing with the local populous?” Sasha asked, the melancholy that tinged her previous words draining. Knight Captain Quinn turned from his persistent glaring at Sir Baric, who still refused to meet his gaze, though his expression had turned to one of unnatural smugness.

  “Yes, Your Grace. We were able to insert false reports with the local news services that explained away the starships as a corporation testing a new holographic technology. There is much skepticism and conspiracy theories still circling the Earth’s data net. But it appears to be working. We will continue feeding false reports to keep their eyes turned inward.” Relieved nods greeted the knight captain’s words.

  “That is great news. Thank you, Knight Captain Quinn. Knight Admiral Bhool, if you haven’t already, I need you to send a request to the crown for additional battleguards, I leave the exact numbers to your discretion. We need to clean out the contained areas and start our search for the ASU infiltrators as soon as-,”

  “That will not be necessary,” Sir Baric interrupted, “I have already been in contact with Crown Prince Kohan and he has already approved my plan to deal with this situation,” an arrogant smirk crossed Sir Baric’s lips.

  “I am sorry to hear that, Sir Baric, but that does not matter. You seem to have forgotten, once again, that I am the one in charge here. A plan has already been decided upon and is being implemented effectively as we speak.” Sasha responded, noticeably distraught. Trent couldn’t tell if it was because Sir Baric had decided to enter the conversation once more, or the fact that he had completely abandoned all formalities. Trent slid his free hand under his noble doublet, carefully sliding loose what he hoped he wouldn't need to use.