by Mark Iles
Shore-side Jas threw her arms around Selena, then whispered, “I must talk to you privately, it’s urgent!”
“Jas, what’s going on? Do you know why Shadow’s so upset?”
“We can’t speak out here. Let’s go inside the ship, where it’s safe. I need to tell everyone.” In the wardroom, she told them quickly, “The Lenars have been killed, all of them from what I can tell—except Shadow, that is. It was a bomb, and nobody’s admitted responsibility. Some people, including Colonel Delmar, are saying it’s the Forerunners. It would have got Queen Miranda too, but she was late for the meeting.”
“A bomb? It can’t have been the ForeRunners, they’re all dead,” Selena said softly, “so who… Ah, you say the Queen was late?”
“Yes,” Jas confirmed. “She got held up at the last moment and handed the package over to that scientist fellow, Cox.”
“What package?” Selena asked.
“The cure for the Lenar illness. The Manta did it, Selena, after all of this time! They handed it over before they left. Everyone was so excited that the Queen was going to present it to the Lenars in person, in gratitude for all they’d done. But somebody tampered with the package and the Lenars, Cox and the Search Teams were all killed in the explosion—luckily for her, she’d been held up.”
Sorrow filled Selena and she swallowed hastily. “But the Queen survived, how very convenient.”
“The Lenars,” Jessica said in a stricken voice, “they’re dead?”
“Yup, all except for Shadow. I saw him running off through the crowds. Poor soul, I bet he can’t believe it. His people, killed right at the end of a war that had nothing to do with them.” There was a slight pause, and then Jas asked, “Where’s Singh?”
Selena’s team fell silent, as Jas repeated the question.
“He didn’t make it,” Selena replied. The team said nothing. Avoiding her gaze, they stood and made for the door, as Selena said, “Guys, go get some rest; I’ll see you in the morrow. Jas, why don’t you go home and knock us up some lunch? I need to see Colonel Delmar. I’ll be home after that, we can talk then.”
***
Delmar was waiting when Selena knocked on her door. “Ah, Dillon. I wondered how long it would take you to get here. Take a seat.”
“I came as soon as I heard about the Lenars. A bomb, I’m told, planted by the ForeRunners. How did you come by that information?” She ignored the invitation to sit.
“It’s the only obvious explanation.”
“That’s rubbish, we both know that the Sken exterminated them. They could detect the ForeRunners anywhere, and they did a damn good job of getting rid of them, so please, no bullshit, Ma’am.”
“That’s the official line, Commander. End of story.”
Selena slammed both hands onto the colonel’s wooden desk, making loose items jump. “Bullshit! The Queen’s mysteriously called away at the very last moment. Don’t tell me you believe that crap?”
Two anxious-looking guards popped their heads into the office, Delmar waved them away.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe, what’s happened is in the past. We have to move on, and the Alliance of Worlds needs both the Queen and this planet to do so. Let it go, Selena.”
“Like hell I will, she can’t get away with this! You have to do something.”
Delmar pursed her lips and slowly shook her head. “Like what, exactly? She rules this world! There isn’t much I can do except stage a coup and I’m not going to do that. I’m sorry, but you’ve been told what the official line is. Several worlds are already threatening to leave the A.O.W. We’re firefighting, Selena, and trying to save what we can.”
“Politics,” Selena replied, angry and frustrated, “they never end.” Simmering, she sat in the chair Delmar offered.
“Well, now that the enemy’s been defeated I’ve recommended you be released from service. You’ve done more than your fair share, and voluntarily served past your sentence. The powers that be feel that now would be a good time for you to retire.”
Selena clenched her teeth. “What you mean is, you want me out of the way too. I’m a threat.”
“That’s not the case.” Delmar’s lips pressed together. “Look, you’re a hero, something the Penal Corps haven’t had before. It’s damned embarrassing to have a convicted criminal in the limelight. Let’s face it, this force is made up of the worst of the worst, those who’ve been sentenced for horrendous crimes. We can’t have someone serving in a penal unit, when people everywhere worship the ground they walk on.”
Opening a drawer in her desk, Delmar pulled out a cream-coloured bottle and two glasses. She poured them both a measure and pushed one of the glasses towards Selena. “Belarian Milk Brandy, try it.”
“I can arrange for you to be released on any world you wish, but as you know, our regulations state you can’t be released here on Capulet. Besides, we both know it would be a grave mistake for you to remain here. This Queen of yours doesn’t forgive easily.”
Selena frowned. “No choice, huh? Very well, I’ll tender my resignation to Admiral Van Pluy. No doubt it will be activated on my return to Loreen.”
Delmar studied her for a moment, then said, “Maybe sooner. Look, off the record, pressure is being brought to get rid of you, and I expect you can guess who the main culprit is. Personally, I hate to see you go. You’re a damned good soldier.” She swallowed her drink, watched Selena do the same, and held out her hand.
Selena shook it. “I’m not gone yet, Colonel. I’ve a few things to do first. There’s Jas to sort out, of course.”
“That’s fine. As it happens, the Magellan will be here the day after tomorrow and I’ve already asked them to drop you off at Loreen. I understand from Jas that the locals there have built you a residence. It looks quite beautiful in the image she showed me. She was quite enthusiastic about it.”
“Was she?” Selena said with a frown. “Her coming with me isn’t part of the plan, or anything we’ve discussed.”
“Well, I suggest that now might be a good time to do so. I’ll arrange for the Magellan to pick you up from the forest outside the city, so the Queen won’t see it and suspect anything. With luck, you’ll be gone long before she knows anything about it.”
***
Selena ordered her unit to gather in the dining room of the Vampyre, where they’d be assured of privacy. The stared at Selena in astonishment, as she told them she’d been advised to resign and intended doing so. It was Kes who broke the silence.
“Have you given up your quest for revenge? This isn’t like you at all.”
Selena shrugged. “With Aunt May gone, the Queen and the Admiral are the only so-called relatives I have left. There’s been so much death that I think it’s time to draw a line and let everyone live in peace, to try and come to grips with all that’s happened. Franks and Amanda are waiting for me on Loreen. They could do with a friend, what with Hope going missing. I quite fancy the fish farm there now.”
Jessica snorted. “A fish farm, you? Don’t make me laugh.”
“Everything’s different now,” Selena replied. “The Sken have gone back to wherever they came from; the ForeRunners have been … erased, and the Manta are all but finished. As for the Lenars, well, enough said about them. There’s an old saying—'It’s time to give peace a chance’ —and I guess that’s unlikely to happen with me hanging around.”
“What about Jas?” Jessica asked.
“I’ve spoken to the orphanage and they’re happy to take her. I guess that’s the best place for her, she’ll be with her friends. She’d grown quite attached to Singh, and hasn’t forgiven me for what I did.”
“Have you actually spoken to Jas about any of this?” Kes inquired.
“Not yet. I’m on my way home now, but thought I’d let you guys in on what’s happening first. I know the genocide of the Lenars is on all of our minds but, like the colonel says, there’s nothing anyone can do. The Queen’s won. The Alliance needs her, and the population of C
apulet on their side.”
“Jas deserves better,” Jessica said. “She cares for you a lot.”
“I’m doing what I can.”
Kes studied her, his eyes narrow and shrewd. “Anything you’re not telling us?”
Selena looked at him, her face blank. “Like what, exactly?”
***
Sweat trickled down Selena’s face from the damp, musky warmth of the forest. Brilliant sunlight streamed into the clearing, in which she sat on the rough bark on the bole of a fallen tree. Like many others, it had been placed there in years past as a crudely crafted seat.
On all sides trees, bushes and bramble strained towards the clear, light-blue sky. There was the promise of summer in the buds pushing their way up through the fallen leaves.
Swirling the loam with her feet, she breathed in the earthy aroma, knowing without doubt that she’d miss all of this when she finally left this world for the last time. Clouds of insects droned and myriad multi-coloured birds swooped, feasting upon them before alighting on the branches around her, from where they sang in chorus. Others hopped and rummaged, tossing aside pieces of bark and undergrowth to snatch at unlucky prey. Selena was glad man had brought them to this world, if only to try and control these damn midges. She waved a hand to dispel them, drinking in the scenery.
The others would be here before too long, she realised. She’d walked the wet city streets for the last time last night, watching the rain dribble down the outside of the poorer quarters windows like tears cast by the planet itself, perhaps if in sorrow at the loss of the Lenars. The city could have turned on their impeller fields, to deflect the rain, and she was glad that they realised the importance of the downpour cleansing the city, as if it were washing away blood and bad memory.
Memories came of playing hop-scotch as a child. One square, two squares, one square, two—a game passed down through generations. In her mind, she could hear her mother calling to her through the dusty, busy streets of her memory for them both to go to the games arena with Aunt May. Then suddenly Mother was climbing up atop a monument, looking down into Selena’s eyes before falling...
“I hear you’re leaving. Not even going to say goodbye?”
The words broke her reverie. She raised her head to see Queen Miranda walking towards her in a snowy trouser suit, hand weapon belted at her waist. A dozen or so guards, weapons at the ready, accompanied her.
“So much safer for the both of us if I wasn’t here, don’t you think?” Selena replied, watching as the monarch’s guards fanned out and covered her with their assault rifles. “You had to be here and have the last word, huh?”
Miranda snorted. “You didn’t think I’d let you just walk away, did you?” She slapped at the side of her neck, lips curling distastefully as she looked at the palm of her hand. “Damned midges! You can see why I don’t come out here this time of the year.”
“Yeah. Well, I guess it’s a lot safer than it used to be. What with the Lenars all dead, thanks to you.”
“Me?” the monarch’s eye widened in feigned shock. “I don’t know what you mean, they were killed by a bomb planted by the ForeRunners. A tragedy, I know.” She sighed theatrically and shook her head, closing her eyes and briefly fanning her face with the back of one hand. She opened her eyes again and studied Selena, a half-smile curling one side of her mouth. “Oh, do excuse the guards, won’t you? One has to be so careful these days.”
Selena said nothing.
Still watching her, Miranda said carefully, “Your friend Baron tried to kill me. Did you know that?”
“I heard, but he was no friend of mine. It was you who put him in touch with me, remember?”
The queen’s coal-black eyes continued to watch her, as she carefully weighed up every word Selena spoke. “He was a revolutionary, just like you.”
“Like I used to be. I no longer have any dealings with them.”
“So you say.”
Selena laughed and said, “For what it’s worth, I have no intention of killing you. Even though I know you murdered Aunt May, and I still hold you responsible for the death of my parents—not to mention the Lenars.”
“Aunt May, hmmm. Well, I did warn you what would happen if you returned after our last little discussion. As for your parents, we’ve been over this so many times it’s become boring. Do you honestly expect me to believe you’re not going to try to kill me, after all that’s happened?”
“That’s what I said, and my word is my bond.”
Miranda studied her. “Swear on your family.”
“What family? Oh, very well. I so swear. You’ll also note, I hope, that I came here unarmed.”
“Yes indeed, I had you scanned. You are full of surprises, aren’t you? Very well, let’s walk,” Miranda gestured with one hand for her guards to remain where they were, and tapped her holstered weapon, saying, “Don’t try anything stupid, now will you. Damn!” She slapped again at her neck.
“I’ve given you my word.” Selena fell in besides the monarch and, as they walked, she asked, “So, what are your intentions now? Apart from ensuring my demise, no doubt.”
“To rebuild the destroyed cities and make this world prosper, of course. Like you said, everything has changed. The universe is a far more dangerous place than it used to be, and humanity can’t afford to be seen as weak or divided anymore. What’s left of us needs to come together, and I’ll do what I can to ensure this happens. Of course, the only problem I have left … is you.”
“I thought you might think that the case,” Selena replied, coolly. “Colonel Delmar will no doubt have told you that I’m leaving the service, retiring back on Loreen. It’s a one-way trip. I have no intention of coming back, or planning revenge. I have far too many bad memories of this world.”
“Well, you know I can’t take that risk,” Miranda said, glancing back towards her guards several hundred yards away. She froze, eyes widening, shock evident on her face. Seeing them all laying on the ground, she said, “What the...”
“A little trick I learned from you, dear Stepmother. You’ll recall that when my team and I tried to assassinate you all those years back, an airborne agent knocked us all out. I’m not affected because I took the antidote before you turned up, and what you thought was an insect bite a few moments ago was actually a frozen slither from a sniper rifle containing the antidote. Fired from someone I employed some time ago for just such an eventuality. Don’t worry, it will have dissolved without trace and cause you no harm. You see, I wanted you conscious.”
The Queen snatched at her pistol but never made it. With a roar, Shadow leapt from the shade of a nearby tree, his jaws crunching into her forearm. Miranda screamed as his teeth severed tendons and crushed bone. Collapsing to the ground she clutched at her ruined arm, and crawled away backwards from the Lenar, her face filled with terror. Shadow circled her, his eyes intent. “You swore on your family!” she shrieked.
“Indeed, and I intend to keep my word. I said that I wouldn’t hurt you and I haven’t, but Shadow here has a somewhat severe and personal grudge to settle. You killed his people with that bomb, remember? Unfortunately, for you that is, you didn’t get all of them, no matter what you were led to believe. Shadow was with me at the time, and a mere handful of his kin hadn’t attended the meeting— because, oddly, they didn’t trust you. But, yes, they are the last of the Lenars.”
“I told you, that bomb was planted by the Forerunners. I never tried to kill them!”
“Oh Miranda, do give me some credit,” Selena said. “I know it was you. Poor Cox. You tricked him into carrying that bomb, telling him it was the cure from the Manta for the illness that was killing the Lenars. How lucky for you that something came up at the last minute, so that you weren’t there when the bomb exploded. But you forgot about the listening posts that Jenks had set up. It was easy to check where the signal to detonate the bomb came from, your palace. That’s attempted genocide in anybody’s book.”
“Just so you know,” Miranda snarl
ed. “It was the cure, alongside the bomb. It’s now aerated and will immunise any of them that are living. A splendid irony, don’t you think?”
“So, you admit it.”
“If I must.” Miranda’s pain-filled smile only enhanced her rodent-like features.
“There’s something seriously wrong with you, Miranda.”
“Why, thank you.”
Just then a slim, dark-haired elvish figure walked out of the trees. A sniper rifle was gripped in her right hand, the barrel resting across her left. The Queen’s eyes widened. “You,” she gasped.
Selena frowned. “You two know each other?”
“Oh yes,” the Queen gasped, clasping her injured arm as Jessica put down the rifle and picked up the Queen’s side arm from where it had fallen. Miranda smiled as Jessica slowly turned the weapon towards Selena’s face. Her right sleeve was semi-rolled up, displaying the tattoos on her arm. “By the way your friend, Lieutenant Roberts here, actually works for me.”
“What?” Selena gasped. Stunned, she stared at Jessica, unable to take it in. Shadow continued circling the Queen, ignoring the assassin completely.
“I’m afraid so, Selena. I’ve been working for Queen Miranda for some time now,” Jessica said. Then, with a faint smile, she pulled the trigger.
Selena was thrown backwards as the bullet tore through the top of her left shoulder, exiting from her back with a spray of blood as she fell.
Jessica slowly strolled over to Selena and looked down into her eyes. She smiled. “The Queen paid me to shoot you, not kill you.” She held out a hand and helped Selena to her feet.
“What? You idiot, you’ve misunderstood. Shoot her!” Miranda snarled.
“I already have… My apologies, Selena. The Queen obviously researched our entire team. She found out about my past, even down to my assassin code name, Charlotte, and hired me to ‘shoot’ you, which is kind of ironic considering you wanted me here anyway.