“Is that the way in?”
The one-eyed pilot turned briefly.
“Looks that way. I’m getting landing signals from the big one on open channels. There are other craft already heading in.”
“Look!” Artemas said.
There was barely enough room for Xenophon to push into the back of the cockpit, but with Artemas there it was packed to bursting. Xenophon looked where she was pointing, but Tamara spotted it first.
“Ships.”
One dot expanded and then transformed into the shape of a Terran cruiser. Then came another, and then in seconds the entire Black legion was there. All three Titans appeared inside the centre of the force, and in the blink of an eye there were ships visible in all directions. The pilot tapped his ear and then faced Xenophon.
“Contact from Valediction, Dukas. Message reads they are sending delegations to the Phrygian command ship. The Strategos will meet you there.”
Xenophon seemed as surprised as Artemas at this news. She pointed at lights flashing along the hangar doors of the nearest ships. One in particular, a cruiser from Timasion’s contingent had already released two dromons.
“He’s in a hurry, isn’t he?”
Xenophon tracked the shapes as they left and then followed a long curved arc towards the largest trade ship.
“Typical. Even now he wants all the glory.”
Xenophon pointed in the direction taken by the dromon.
“Follow them in. It’s time we met Cassandra on her own territory. I’m sure Glaucon can’t wait.”
Tamara laughed from her position behind the gun control unit, but Artemas seemed less than amused. She gave Tamara such a look that the laughter stopped immediately. Luckily, a single small shuttle travelling out from one of Kallinos’ own ships took all their attention away.
“Yes, that looks like it,” said Xenophon.
The entry points were nothing like the hangars or landing bays used on either Terran or Imperial ships. Some of the dromons were already making for the nearest of the rings.
“Take us in, and quickly. I don’t what Timasion or any of the others getting aboard before us. They are as likely to open fire as they are to come to some kind of agreement.”
Xenophon stumbled back as the engines activated.
“Sorry about that. You might want to strap in. This is going to be a little rough.”
On cue, the craft spun about and accelerated towards the ring entry point. It pulsed with energy, but as they went through, the outer shield dropped and they were able to move inside. As soon as they were through, the shield reactivated and the next one opened up, revealing a deep shaft that moved directly inside the hull of the ship.
“Have you ever been inside one of these?” Xenophon asked.
Artemas shook her head.
“No, but I have heard of Paradiso before. It is known as the most decadent mobile facility in the known universe.”
Xenophon looked confused.
“Decadent?”
Artemas moved back to the steps of the transport section. As she walked down, she said something, but Xenophon could only catch the last few words.
“...find out when you get there.”
She stopped and turned back, blocking his path.
“Just remember who you are and why we are here. The Phrygians will use their charms to their own ends. Be wise, and think with your head.”
* * *
Trade Galleon ‘Paradiso’, Phrygian Convoy, Shattered Systems
Xenophon stepped out of the small captured raider and was astounded by what he could see. He had imagined a grand entrance with guards and artwork, much as would be found on his own Bactrian warship. But there were no dignitaries to greet them, just a triple layered precinct filled with open trading malls, market places, and facilities selling a great manner of wares.
“Incredible,” he said.
Lady Artemas was right next to him and looked about before stepping off the ramp. She walked as though expecting the ground to burn her feet.
“Is this not what you expected?” she asked.
Glaucon pushed between them.
“Hell no, this is not what I thought we’d find. According to the data spreading through the fleet, there are another four ships like this one in the trade fleet. We are going to be busy here, very busy.”
Xenophon tried to take his mind away from the exotic wares for sale and glanced back to their raider. In comparison to the garish lighting and signage, the ship appeared old and crude. He looked specifically at the painted imagery on its flank. He saw that Glaucon was now right beside him, and with his customary pulse cannon resting on his shoulder.
“Was that really necessary?”
Glaucon’s eyes were not on the raider, though. He was staring right ahead at the others that had already landing in the cavernous trade deck, as it was known on the ship. In front stood Kallinos, along with her modest escort of mercenaries, as well as Dukas Timasion and six of his own personal guard.
“Dukas, it is good to see you again. I take it you found my contacts satisfactory?”
There was something about the way he spoke that implied something unsavoury. Xenophon tried to imagine what it might be, then shook his head as he shuddered in discomfort.
“And you, Dukas.”
Glaucon pointed upwards, and Xenophon followed the direction to see another dromon dropping down inside the ship. This one was much more heavily armoured, and bore the lambda symbol used on all Laconian craft and armour. Xenophon shook his head in frustration.
Chirisophus.
He beckoned for Artemas to stay close.
“There are too many here already. We need to stay focussed.”
Artemas was heading towards those that had arrived, and Xenophon took three steps to catch up. As she performed the customary greetings, she looked directly at Timasion.
“As the man that made first contact, perhaps you should take command of the trade operation for the supplies and prisoners. The prices for captives have been agreed, but not the exact price on food, fuel, and supplies.”
Timasion and Xenophon were equally surprised, but Xenophon could tell she was up to something. Normally, he would have kept quiet, but it was already obvious to him this was her way of keeping the man out of their way.
Good work, play to his ego.
“Lady Artemas, what are you doing? We agreed the prices, and it should be us...”
“No,” said Timasion, enjoying the irritation on Xenophon’s face, “I would be honoured to conclude the arrangements with Cassandra’s trade delegation.”
“Would you now?” said a familiar voice.
They all turned around to face the fully armoured form of Chirisophus. He was a big man as it was, but inside his spatharii armour, and with his great plumed helm, he was a veritable monster.
“Lady Artemas and the Dukas were just suggesting I complete the trade agreement, as I started previously.”
Chirisophus looked carefully at Xenophon. He knew the man better than Timasion did, and he also knew when Xenophon really was angry, and when he was just playing. He decided to go along, if for nothing else than to see what happened.
“Then go to it. I do not intend staying an hour longer than necessary.”
Timasion grasped the Laconian’s arm in the customary grip behind the wrist and then he was gone. Kallinos stepped in, much to the Strategos’ irritation. The mercenary looked rather amused at what she had seen.
“Excellent. Perhaps with this being taken care of, the rest of us can look to obtaining tactical information from Cassandra.”
Timasion was already long out of sight when a small group of the maidens approached. Any crew or workers nearby automatically dropped to their knees as they passed. The Terrans watched in silence as they approached, stopped, and then beckoned for them to be followed. Chirisophus looked to Xenophon.
“This Cassandra, can we trust her?”
It was Lady Artemas that answered him.
“Yes, until we are no longer of use to her.”
Chirisophus walked up to the maidens and stopped in front of the nearest pair. Compared to them he looked like a barbarian monster, a great savage that was armed to the teeth, there for combat and nothing more.
“Where is your mistress, Lady Cassandra?”
The two maidens looked at him and turned their back to him. He looked back to the other Terrans, his face contorted in anger. More worrying was that he was already lifting his right hand and preparing to activate his blade.
“What? What is the meaning of...”
“Strategos!” Xenophon said, inserting himself between the two groups.
The blade was now fully extended, but with Xenophon in the way, there was no way for them to see it.
“They have been modified to serve the Lady Cassandra. They cannot speak.”
Chirisophus laughed aloud at that. He deactivated the punch blade, and it returned to the mount inside his armoured glove. Xenophon breathed a sigh of relief at managing to avoid a scene before one of them had made even a single trade exchange.
“Any race that willingly submits in this way is worthy of nothing more than all the contempt we can muster. Even the Medes would not fall so far from grace to do this.”
Now he turned his attention to Lady Artemas. She failed to take the bait, much to his irritation. He shook his head and indicated for Glaucon and Xenophon to come in nearer to him. Artemas and Kallinos joined them even though he had not requested them to do so.
“Timasion will start the trade in a matter of hours, that I am sure of. This border problem, what can she tell us?”
Xenophon turned around and implied they should start moving. Glaucon was first away, and his small retinue of spatharii fell in around him. They marched smartly and quickly drew a crowd. Chirisophus followed, but showed no interest in those around them.
“Well?”
Xenophon pointed off into the ship.
“We have directions from Cassandra’s advisors. She is preparing herself and will meet us in her recreational lounge.”
Chirisophus’ brow creased at the very mention of such a thing.
“Lounge? Xenophon, I have little interest in playing games with a siren. I want tactical information.”
“And you shall have it, Strategos.”
CHAPTER NINE
Trade Galleon ‘Paradiso’, Phrygian Convoy, Shattered Systems
The recreational lounge was perhaps the least useful name for the place that Xenophon had ever heard of. No sooner had they entered it, than it was clear the place was a well-disguised briefing room. It was large, with a tall ceiling equipped with a beautiful dome; the view of space spoilt only by a Terran warship that blocked out most of the stars. It was one of the battleships taken in the fighting immediately after Cunaxa, and still bore its original markings. Only four of Chirisophus’ guards came in with them and filed to the side of their commander’s flanks to form an honour guard. They were well dressed, as always, and each kept their eyes well away from examining the room or anybody inside it.
Artemas stepped close to Xenophon, and he could see she was concerned.
“What is it?”
“This ship, this woman. You must be careful. She has a reputation, one that even you cannot avoid. She will find that which is most valuable to us, and exploit it.”
He tried to reassure her, but words would not sway her. So instead they spread out inside the lavish interior.
“Look,” said Glaucon.
All looked up at the sight of a flight of Terran dromons overhead. The open dome above their heads allowed them to see everything, down to the marking on the craft themselves. As they left, a cruiser followed them. Xenophon recognised it as one of Timasion’s light cruisers, so recently assigned to him. He looked back down, doing his best to forget the man seemed to want to usurp or surpass him at every point. A mist pushed out from the right and floated up, creating a ghostly image of an arch.
“This is incredible, truly incredible,” said Xenophon.
He’d seen all kinds of architecture before, but this was something unexpected. The floor was made up of a rising series of concentric circles, each one the same width and rising by just a few centimetres. Some of these rings were actually covered by a thin sliver of water, barely discernible, but it was there.
“Yes,” said Glaucon, “A little ostentatious for a trade galleon, don’t you think?”
Xenophon grinned.
“True. But don’t forget, these trade fleets are more like mobile cities or the caravans of old.”
He looked to Artemas.
“How long would one of these fleets be in open space, normally?”
Artemas laughed, a soft, yet gentle laugh.
“The trade fleets often never stop. They travel from place to place on the path of the ancient trade routes, their security guaranteed by each satrap, or else they travel elsewhere. The goods and services they provide can often equal an entire star system from the Core Worlds.”
“Fascinating,” Xenophon said.
In the centre of the ever-decreasing circle, and in the centre of the room, sat a large physical model of a fortified world, surrounded by circular tracking markers and coloured shapes. Water pumped out from the top and ran down the sphere to then drip onto the floor. The fluid didn’t splash on impact but vanished into the smallest of the rings.
“What is this stuff?” Glaucon asked.
He bent down and touched the ring nearest his feet. As he lifted his fingers, the fluid vanished as if absorbed by the air alone. He turned to the others but received no more than a shrug from Chirisophus and Xenophon. Lady Artemas ignored the rings and approached the sphere. She moved her head from side to side to examine it.
“I have not seen this sight before. It is not one of the Core Worlds.”
Xenophon joined her, though his knowledge of Imperial installations was far less significant than hers. The first thing that drew his eye was the number of fortified facilities across the surface. There were kilometres of walls joining them together.
“This is a siege defender’s dream.”
As he said the words, they were almost sucked from his throat, leaving him sounding breathless.
“Just look at it. There are oceans, not discernible cities, just massive defences on an industrial scale.”
He turned around and faced Glaucon and Chirisophus.
“This planet is built for a job, and one job only. It is a fortress to capture and bleed an enemy into submission.”
Glaucon nodded at the thing and stepped close to examine it.
“Looks like the Eternal Fortress all right, or whatever else they call the damned thing.”
They looked at it carefully, examining the peaks and structures. Apart from an idea of how the Fortress looked, it told them little if anything about its capabilities. Xenophon reached out and touched the surface and was surprised to find it was made of some type of unusual metal. He tapped it and a gentle echo came back.
“Hollow metal. Interesting.”
Glaucon also touched it, but he seemed less impressed with the shape.
“So, why does she have a metal model of the Fortress? Isn’t this supposed to be some kind of great state secret?”
“Perhaps,” said Xenophon. “But have you ever seen it with your own eyes before? This could be any fortress. Recall the Gates of Cilicia that we fought our way through, or the fortified world of Cunaxa. The Median Empire is home to a hundred similar worlds.”
A faint echo, something akin to a whisper, travelled through the open space.
“Strategos Chirisophus of Laconia. Your reputation precedes you,” said Cassandra.
There was no sign of her, but as they waited, a foot appeared as if from nowhere. A thin beige mist, cleverly hiding them from view, covered the walls of the large circular room. Again Chirisophus raised his hand, and Xenophon had to place his own on the weapon.
“This is as expected, trust me.”
“Lady Cassandra, I presume?”
She slowly walked closer and didn’t stop until he could smell her fragrant body. She then leaned in and extended her hand for him to kiss. He did so dutifully and then checked with Xenophon that this was still as expected. After receiving a nod, he continued.
“My subordinate by the name of Timasion is already dealing with your...”
“Yes,” interrupted Cassandra, “I know. My quartermaster is taking care of that. I, on the other hand, will take care of you.”
She stepped back and pointed to the shape of the Fortress.
“I have detailed information on the Fortress’ capabilities. It armour, garrison, and of course...”
She looked to Glaucon.
“...its formidable weaponry.”
The Strategos appeared to relax, but the voluptuous form of the Phrygian was far from finished. She moved to the side of the object and ran her hands seductively down the metal surface. Glaucon pointed to the Fortress.
“Why would you have information on this facility? Surely this is important intelligence for the Empire only?”
Cassandra moved around the world, almost like a dancer swirling around a pole.
“Terran, I get any information I want. I get...anything I want.”
She turned to the globe and then removed her hands.
“This is just a structure, one of thousands in the Empire. It has little interest to me, and I have no need to visit it.”
The Eternal Fortress (Star Legions Book 6) Page 14