“Well, look who’s here!” said Sergeant Hendricks in a cheerful voice. “Sleeping beauty has awakened and graced us with his appearance.”
At his words, the others in the galley stopped what they were doing and stared at Richard. All was quiet for about three seconds. Then the room erupted in a cheer which echoed throughout the ship. Soon, Richard was swamped by short bodies pounding him on the back and thanking him for deeds he could barely remember. If it wasn’t for the presence of Tia, Matthew, and Sergeant Hendricks, Richard would have been overwhelmed. Fortunately for him, his friends succeeded in wrestling him away from the others and taking him back into his cabin. Once there they brought him up to speed.
According to what they’d been told by Terrie, once Richard had levitated the black destroyer safely to the ground, he’d passed out into a deep sleep. Actually, it had been more of a coma than sleep, because he’d been out for a full six days.
Sergeant Hendricks told Richard as soon as Sergeant Ron had rescued the children he’d returned to the planet and landed next to the heavily-damaged destroyer. Once there, Sergeant Ron and Sergeant Hendricks had begun overseeing the stripping of any compatible weapons and equipment on the destroyer. Since none of the black destroyer’s crew was left alive to argue, Sergeant Ron had claimed salvage rights to the black starship.
“But that ship’s huge,” Richard said. “Even if it’s been six days, how’d you do the salvage with just our crew?”
“Well, Rick, old buddy,” said Sergeant Hendricks practically beaming. “We freed 178 prisoners from the destroyer, and they were all very grateful, I can tell you. Even that dragon you rescued can’t do enough for us.”
Tia must have seen the confused looked on Richard’s face because she spoke up. “With the help of the magic users among the prisoners you freed, Sergeant Hendricks has been able to replace half of the Defiant’s weapons with their magic counterparts. According to Margery’s and Nickelo’s calculations, if we alternate firing magic and our standard weapons, we can break through even the strongest dreadnaught’s shields given enough time.”
“Yeah,” said Matthew getting in on the conversation. “We’ve even got one of the destroyer’s fighters working. It’s loaded in the wing pod in place of our destroyed Zipper.”
“What?” Richard said struggling to catch up. “We’re in the physical dimension. Even if the magic stuff you salvaged works now, surely we won’t be able to maintain it. Unless someone forgot to brief me, none of us are magic users.”
“No, were not,” agreed Sergeant Hendricks. “But several of the gnomes are, and so is Comstar.”
Richard remembered the dragon had mentioned Comstar. Based upon the dragon’s information, Comstar was the elf he’d freed.
“And,” interjected Tia, “Comstar and some of the gnome magic users have offered to remain on the Defiant to help operate and maintain our confiscated magic equipment.”
Matthew grinned. “Grandfather says the Defiant is going to be the toughest ship its size in the galaxy. He says the next time we come up against a black ship they’re the ones who’d better watch out.”
“Well, with 188 souls onboard counting the dragon,” Richard said, “we’ll be walking on top of each other. That may limit our fighting ability some.”
“Relax,” laughed Tia. “Sergeant Ron’s not as foolish as he’d like to make people think. We’re on our way now to drop most of our guests off on their new home world. Margery and Nickelo found an uninhabited planet on the far side of our galaxy where magic works. We’re dropping most of the dwarves and gnomes there. Comstar and six of the gnomes are going to remain onboard to take care of our magic weapons and other equipment.”
“And six of the dwarves are staying as well,” added Matthew. “They don’t do much magic, but Comstar says they’re tough fighters. They’re staying on as our security team. Comstar says they’re itching to get a chance to strike back at their former masters.”
There was much more, but eventually Terrie came and told Richard he’d received an emergency call from Gaston Myers three days earlier. Terrie said he’d told Myers that Richard was in a coma. Myers had made Terrie promise he’d have Richard call as soon as he regained consciousness.
In no hurry to talk to his brother, Richard took his time getting to the Defiant’s cockpit. He was stopped several times by gnomes and dwarves alike along the way as they gave their thanks. Even the elf, Comstar, shook his hand, although a little coolly. Richard had a feeling the stiff elves rarely let their emotions go to extremes.
Once Richard finally arrived in the cockpit, Sergeant Ron gave him a few additional facts. Probably the most interesting thing was that the dragon Richard had rescued could manipulate the energy in the hyper-drive in such a way that the energy recharged itself. According to Sergeant Ron, as long as the dragon decided to stay onboard, the Defiant would never need to worry about having to overhaul its hyper-drive. For all intents and purposes, the Defiant could now make an unlimited number of jumps. No other starship in the galaxy would be able to match the Defiant’s mobility.
Once Sergeant Ron was satisfied he’d given all the pertinent facts, he departed to let Richard talk to his brother in private. After the Defiant’s captain departed, Richard had Margery put in the call. He was pretty sure he knew the ‘emergency’. Undoubtedly, Councilwoman Deloris wanted a current status report on his search for an alternate source of DNA gas.
Well, she can want all she wants, Richard thought. It will be a cold day on Sirius when I tell anyone the source of the DNA gas. I’ll be damned if I let anyone profit from the life force of sacrificed dragons. What’s done is done, but no more.
Once Margery completed the call, a holographic image of his brother, Gaston Myers, appeared on the console. Richard was shocked by his appearance. The normal harshness of his toad-faced brother was gone. He seemed more like a man in a daze than the TAC officer who’d made his life a living hell during his years at the Academy.
Chapter 55 – Bearer of Bad News
_____________________________________
Gaston Myers stared at the holographic image before him. It was Shepard. Gaston had never liked the man. He had no wish to talk to him now. However, his mother had made him promise, and so here he was. He would do his duty.
“I know what you want,” said the holographic image of Shepard. “You can tell Councilwoman Deloris I’ll get my report to the council later. I’ve been in a coma in case you hadn’t heard.” Shepard paused before adding in a snide tone, “My apologies for the councilwoman’s inconvenience.”
Gaston felt his temper trying to flare to the surface, but with pure force of will he kept it under control. His father, the Commandant, had also been cursed with a temper. But over the years, his father had learned to tame it. His father had taught him to do the same. Still, Shepard’s remark against Diane grated on him to no end. She deserved better. Shepard had no idea of the stress Diane was under or her plans for the betterment of the Empire. It was only through great effort he was able to control his voice when he finally replied.
“You’ve been out of the loop, Shepard,” Gaston replied through gritted teeth. “After a series of early retirements from the Imperial High Council, the council unanimously voted Diane the Imperial High Empress of the Intergalactic Empire. Only the Empress can protect the Empire from the multiple threats facing it.”
The holographic image of Shepard took on a confused look. “Err…, empress? The Empire hasn’t had an emperor or empress in hundreds of years.”
“Well, the Empire has an empress now,” Gaston said with a sense of pride. “And she’s the Empire’s only hope. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll show proper respect.”
The look Shepard gave made Gaston want to reach out and punch the hologram, but he refrained. He was chief of security for the Empire now. He needed to control his temper for Diane’s sake. Besides, he’d made a promise to his mother. He needed to keep his word and be done with it.
“But
that’s not why we’re talking,” Gaston said doing his best to keep a normal tone in his voice. “I promised Mother I’d tell you personally.”
“Our mother?” said Shepard. “What does she–”
Gaston’s temper slipped.
“She’s my mother,” Gaston replied angrily. “There is no ‘our’. You stole my father. I should’ve been the one with him at the end, not you. And then you stole my mother. She should’ve been more concerned about my feelings at the last instead of yours. But instead…”
The look of shock in Shepard’s eyes made Gaston catch himself before his emotional outburst went too far. He mentally kicked himself for losing control. The Commandant had taught him better.
“What do you mean ‘the last’?” asked Shepard. “Is Mother all right? Has something–”
“My mother is dead,” Gaston said. The pain of saying those words was almost too much to bear. His father and he had been aloof to each other most of their lives. But his mother was his mother. Her loss was almost more than he could bear. Gaston swallowed his pain and continued. He had no desire to bare his soul before Shepard. However, he had to keep his promise.
“Mother passed away in her sleep six days ago,” Gaston said trying to sound matter-of-fact.
“Mother’s dead?” said Shepard. “I’ll be there as quick as I can. I’ll–”
“Don’t bother,” Gaston said making no attempt to keep the harshness out of his voice. “As per Mother’s wishes, her body was disintegrated three days ago. Like the Commandant, Mother said she had no desire for monuments. There’s nothing for you here. Mother made me promise I’d tell you personally so you didn’t have to hear about it on IEN or one of the other news agencies.” Gaston paused a moment before saying, “Well, you’ve been told.”
Gaston waited for Shepard to speak. When no words came from the hologram, Gaston decided to change the subject. His duty to his mother was completed. Now his duty was to Diane.
“Did you find any information on another source of DNA gas?” Gaston asked. “The Empress will want to know.”
“What…?” said Shepard sounding a little dazed. “Gas? Err… no.”
Alarm bells went off inside Gaston’s head.
“Don’t lie to me, Shepard,” Gaston said. “You’ve never been good at it. What did you find out? Diane…, err…, the Empress, needs the DNA gas. If you know something you’re not telling, you best spit it out. Otherwise, I can guarantee you’ll regret it. Diane is already irritated with you. Councilman Jenkins told her all about your little altercation on Trecor. You’ve made a powerful enemy in the councilman. Don’t make the Empress one as well.”
Allowing a moment for the words to sink in, Gaston eyed his ex-student. He hated to admit it, but Shepard might come in handy. He was a good fighter in his own way. Diane had made it plain she hoped to use him to further their cause if Shepard was willing.
“Listen, Shepard,” Gaston said determined to set his personal feelings aside for the greater good. “The Empress is now the most powerful ruler in the galaxy.”
“Really?” said Shepard in the insolent tone Gaston had come to hate during their years at the Academy. “The most powerful? I’ve got a feeling some Crosioians might disagree.”
Anger bubbled up inside Gaston. “That wiseass mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble someday, Shepard.”
Gaston noticed the corners of Shepard’s mouth move as if he was either going to smirk or give some flippant remark. To Gaston’s surprise, his ex-student did neither.
Maybe he’s matured over the last year, interjected Gaston’s battle computer.
Gaston didn’t believe it for one second. The man’s attitude continued to grate on him
“Is there anything else?” asked Shepard. “Or are we done here? I’ve got things to do.”
“So that’s your answer to the Empress?” Gaston said. “You want me to tell her you refuse to tell her what you’ve learned? You’re even dumber than I thought.”
Shepard’s hand reached out and touched something off to the side of the holograph. The holographic image of Shepard flickered and then disappeared.
Gaston stared at the empty holograph platform for several seconds. Diane wouldn’t be pleased.
Maybe now she’ll abandon the idea of using Shepard, Gaston thought. The Empress doesn’t need another wizard scout. She’s got me. I’m all she’ll ever need.
Chapter 56 – The High Priestess
_____________________________________
The area around the Tree of Light was crowded with nearly the whole population of Silverton. It had been a thousand years since the last ceremony to select a new high priest or high priestess. Most of the applicants were middle-age or younger. The new high priest or high priestess might hold the office for a very long time indeed. It could well be another thousand years before the next such ceremony. Few elves wanted to miss the chance to participate in such a momentous occasion.
Jeena surveyed the elves standing in the clearing around the ceremony area. Except for the crying of a few babies, the crowd was unusually quiet. She took a moment to look at the ceremony area itself. Twelve recharging stations were evenly spaced around the Tree of Light. The recharging stations were shoulder-high stones located just within reach of the tree’s longest branches. An applicant stood by each of the stations. She was at the two o’clock station.
Priest Tobias, Priestess Aldriss, and Priestess Kanteria were at the eleven, twelve, and one o’clock stations. Those were the positions of honor as befitted applicants of their rank. Although she was also in a position of honor due to her title of priestess, Jeena didn’t kid herself. Her experience was only that of a tenth-year acolyte.
Standing beside the other recharging stations were eight of the most senior acolytes. Even the most junior of them had been training for the priesthood for over a hundred years. If not for her unearned rank of priestess, Jeena knew she would have been standing in the crowd instead of participating as an applicant. That would have been fine with her.
Near the twelve o’clock station was a mound of raised earth. The dais served as a platform for the elven lords of the Council of Light. Both her adoptive mother, Lord Reale, and her adoptive father, High Lord Trenadine, stood on the dais with the six other elven lords. High Lord Trenadine stood at the center of the line of lords. Lord Reale stood to his right. The position to the left of her adoptive father was empty. With the death of High Priest Questor, that space was empty. Whoever the Lady of the Tree chose to represent her on the Council of Light would automatically fill the empty spot and assume the duties of an elven lord as well as that of high priest or high priestess.
High Lord Trenadine nodded his head at Chief Forester Mistros, “Let the selection ceremony begin.”
The chief forester picked up the Staff of the Lady of the Tree from a stone table which had been placed near the front of the earthen dais. He turned and walked to a position at the farthest edge of the Tree of Light’s branches. Once there, the chief forester knelt and presented the Lady’s staff towards the massive tree. No words were spoken, but none were needed.
A large branch stretched outward from the tree and took the Lady’s staff from the hands of the chief forester. As Jeena watched, the branch passed the staff to a higher branch which passed it on to another. Soon, the bright-blue light from the gem on the end of the Lady’s staff could be seen glowing at the very top of the Tree of Light. The intensity of the light increased with each passing second.
Although there was no wind, the branches of the tree began to sway. The swaying increased as the branches started moving as if in time to unheard music. The tree’s movement was almost a dance. After a few minutes, the branches began passing the staff downward in a spiraling motion. Around and around the tree went the blue light as the staff moved at an ever-increasing pace. Before long, the branches began passing the staff so quickly the blue light became a solid ring of blue encircling the tree.
How can the branches move so fast
without breaking? Jeena wondered. She began to fear the Tree of Light would damage itself in its dance.
Jeena lost track of the location of the staff. The blue streak of light around the tree moved ever downward until it was at the level of the lowest branches. Suddenly, the tree stopped moving. The ring of blue light disappeared. It was replaced by a single bright glow of the blue gem on the top of the now stationary Staff of the Lady of the Tree.
Jeena felt her legs weaken. She reached out with her right hand to steady herself against her recharging station. She blinked her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. She wasn’t. There, not an arm’s length above her head was the Staff of the Lady of the Tree.
The branch holding the staff lowered and placed the Lady’s staff in her right hand. With the staff’s touch, Jeena felt it respond as if it was coming home to an old friend. Jeena felt something deep within her respond back.
In the stillness of the night air, High Lord Trenadine spoke.
“The Lady of the Tree has chosen. Welcome, High Priestess Jeehanathoraxen. May your reign be long and fruitful. May the Lady nurture you and grant you wisdom.”
The crowd erupted into a cheer. Smiling elves began running in Jeena’s direction.
This can’t be happening, Jeena thought. There must be a mistake. I’m just a tenth-year acolyte.
No longer, said a voice in Jeena’s head. I have chosen.
Jeena bowed her head as she accepted her fate. The Lady had spoken. Who was she to argue? For better or worse, she was now the High Priestess of the Lady of the Tree. Jeena would do her duty to the best of her ability.
That is all I can do, Jeena thought. That is all anyone can do; their best.
Wizard Omega (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 4) Page 50