Want to Go For a Ride In My Spaceship?: The Nathan Daniels Saga: Act 1 (Parts 1, 2 &3)

by Sam Lippert

  “I agree with you, Highness,” Marag responded. “However, the doctors say your interaction with others must be limited for a few more days, so as not to overload your healing neurons.”

  “How about sending Winette to attend to me, then? That would certainly make me feel more at home, and I would have someone to talk to, at least.” This would be a perfectly reasonable request from the Princess, even recovering from Tenguary Fever, there would be no reason for her to believe the girl was not aboard.

  “I am sorry, Highness, but your handmaiden was very distraught after the assassination attempt. As you know, she had been training for a position with Imperial Intelligence after your wedding. After you 'fell ill' she activated her commission early, hoping to be of use in uncovering the plot against you. I know her company cannot be replaced, but sadly I do not even have a member of the crew that is available to even provide a basic level of service.”

  “I will get by, Marag,” Remi replied. Impressed that the less than subtle General was utilizing the second most subtle way to lie: stick as close to the truth as possible. “I notice we are en-route to Axis. What is our purpose for visiting there of all places?”

  “Simple finances, my Princess,” was Marag's response. “Your mother has given us access to a royal account there, to pay for the expenses associated with our extended time...”

  “Speaking of Mother,” Remini interjected. “Will you arrange a call for me to her over n-wave? There seems to be some problem with my terminal's ability to interface with the ship's n-wave transceiver.” The general's face went pale. “I would like to reassure her that I am recovering well.” She watched Marag reach into the pocket of his uniform, obviously activating the release of Twilight gas into her suite. In seconds she would have to feign unconsciousness. One last request to get in.

  “Also, I would like you to arrange dinner for me with the Governor of Axis.”

  “I will see what I can do, Highness.” Marag literally caught her as she pretended to pass out.

  *...*...*

  Omany stepped in and out of the dreams of all of the remaining crew of Kurufet Rising, but was only able to find one more person that could be counted on to help him and the Princess: the Intelligence agent that had been passing information to Mory, Devka Jardinay...

  She had been assigned as a 'deep cover' operative, tasked with infiltrating the anti-peace movement. She was to report on their activities, attempt to determine their leadership and funding, and to act, when possible without compromising her identity, to limit the effectiveness of the movement's actions.

  The movement was known to be strongest within the Kalifet military, so a position was crafted for her within the Navy. It had taken close to a year for her to be recruited into a resistance cell, but when she, along with the other members of her cell, was assigned to the Kurufet Rising, she knew that her work had paid off. It was even more apparent when it was revealed that General Marag had personally selected this particular crew. Unfortunately she could not risk contacting KII HQ with the information until she knew what the exact nature of their mission was, for fear that her cover would be blown.

  The raid on the Nola had come 'out of the blue,' and at the time of the raid she had not even known that Princess Remini had been aboard! Yes, she was an intelligence agent, but nothing in her training or current life as a pretend traitor, had led her to even suspect the Princess might be a passenger on a trading vessel. On the day of the raid she was the one sent by Marag to ensure Captain Daniels was dead. She had felt that keeping him alive fit the parameters of her mission, as the Captain was obviously important to the Empress, otherwise he would not have been trusted with the safety of her daughter. The likelihood that her treachery would be uncovered before the crew of Kurufet Rising was in custody was slim.

  Once the Princess was aboard, Devka had taken the chance and reported the events to her supervisor via encrypted n-wave, and the report had been passed to the Empress. In response to her communique the parameters of her mission had been modified: she was to aid the Princess in escaping once they reached Axis and place Kurufet Rising on lock down. Imperial Intelligence agents would be available to aid them at their destination...

  Even after nearly forty years wearing the Verstaten robes, Omany was still sometimes shocked by what a person could reveal in their dreams.

  Omany's spirit met with Remini's in his quarters where he reported his findings. The pair were deep in thought, and Omany had already developed several workable plans, although he chose not to share them with the Princess. The current situation provided an outstanding opportunity to let the Princess take the lead in planning their escape.

  “The way I see it,” Remi voiced her thought processes. “Getting you off the ship is the easy part. I am sure that Marag is quite anxious to be rid of your body, but in such a way that does not tip Mother off as to your untimely 'demise.' Will your friend Mory be willing to help with that?”

  “Although I believe it is premature to be calling the young man my 'friend,' I know he will do what is requested of him.”

  “I also have an idea of how we can use this Devka to get me onto Axis. You said she is currently the ship's purser, right?” Omany nodded. “The difficulty will be communicating the plan to her. I can't do it for fear that Marag will find out, and if you do it she will learn more about Verstaten than would be advisable.”

  “Do not worry, Princess,” the old man said. “There is much about the Ways that even you do not know.”

  “Now, that just leaves the cargo...” The pair continued to plan well into the night.

  CHAPTER X

  Nathan was brooding on the Nola as repair crews were hard at work. Normally he would have saved the credits and done the work himself, but thanks to his accounts in Axis, time was far more important than money. Besides, he was far too concerned with Remi's well-being to do the work properly. The last thing you wanted when doing spaceship repairs was to be distracted.

  He had even decided to spend the extra credits to upgrade the systems that needed to be replaced. Well, truthfully, 'decided' was a rather strong term to use. It turned out that the only components available in the Consortium that could be adapted to the Nola were state-of-the-art. Pricey, but the two week wait for less expensive electronics was unacceptable.

  Paying for work crews was not the source of Nathan's ill temper, nor was it not having any real information as to Remi's whereabouts. The source of his frustration was the Empress herself. With Tranda's help, in the last twenty-four hours Daniels had placed three n-wave calls to the palace on Kurufet in an attempt to speak with Her Highness. Each time, the call went something like this:

  “Kalifet Imperial Palace, how may I direct your call?” Each time he had gotten a different operator, but the opening line was the same.

  “This is Nathan Daniels, I would like to speak to the Empress.” He said, putting on his best 'polite' face.

  “I'm sorry, the Empress does not take calls on this channel, is there someone else who can help you?” The operator would say, with a tone absolutely dripping with fake understanding.

  “Can you tell me what channel I can use to speak with the Empress?” He always used a very measured tone here, knowing that to express any anger or frustration would result in even less action on the part of the operator.

  “Only the Empress herself can give out that information. Is there any other way I can be of assistance?” The operator would bat her eyes and smile, as if genuinely trying to be of assistance.

  “Can you please take a message for Her Highness? Tell her this is Nathan Daniels, I can be reached in Nexus, and it is extremely urgent that I speak with her.”

  Three n-wave calls, three nearly identical conversations ending in three messages, and Nathan had no way of knowing if the Empress was just ignoring him or if the messages were not even getting to her. Hence his brooding.

  He was in the process of getting up to go take his frustrations out on the work crew, which was probabl
y ill advised, when his comcard chirped.

  “Daniels,” he said as he activated the card. Tranda's perfect features peered at him from the surface of the device.

  “Nathan, if you were serious about the Empress of Kalifet actually caring about your gnat-like self, I may know why she isn't returning your calls.” The Saffronite had a wicked grin, Nathan knew from hundreds of hours of Janga that Tranda was about to call his bluff. “It appears that the Kalifet royal yacht Kurufet Rising has just requested permission to dock at Axis. Could it be that you have simply been calling the wrong location, you obsessed fool?”

  “Tranda, I could kiss you!” Nathan was suddenly not so broody anymore. “Can you get me on an n-wave link with that ship?”

  “I could, but then I wouldn't get to experience your humiliation first hand when you are once again denied access to Her Highness.” The smirk on Tranda's face was almost unbearable. “Meet me at the shuttle dock, I have bought us tickets on the noon run to Axis. A personal appeal is much better than n-wave, don't you think? That is if you have the stomach for it. Afterward, we'll see if you still feel the same way about that kiss!”

  Nathan had to admit his friend had a point.

  * * *

  Nothing.

  That was the answer Marag had received when he made the inquiry concerning the balance in the numbered account that had been financing his covert activities. He was able to draw on the Kalifet diplomatic account for the required air and water fees that were necessary to gain permission for Kurufet Rising to dock, but restrictions placed on that account would not allow for those funds to be used in the manner necessary for the ship to disappear.

  The last time he drew on the account there was literally tens of millions of credits available! What could have happened to reduce the account to zero? Had his anonymous benefactors withdrawn their support? Had someone else with access to the account taken all of the money? The only other person he knew with access to those funds was...

  Marag activated the n-wave, entering a private code.

  “Sokolov,” the voice came from the speaker as the Rathshelliam Admiral's features appeared on the screen. “Marag!” the old man chuckled, “If you keep this up, people are going to talk!”

  “This isn't funny, Sokolov,” the general responded in his usual taciturn manner. “What the hell happened to the funds in the account?”

  “How in blazes should I know, Marag?” The admiral rolled his eyes, then continued as if dealing with a small child. “Even you, with your limited capacity for imagination, should realize we are not the only two individuals with access to that account.”

  “Of course, Sokolov.” The general hated when others claimed things were 'obvious,' especially when he felt they were not. “I just thought that, since you have been doing this longer than I, you might be privilege to more information on the matter.”

  “No, old friend, I am not. Same as you, when I need money, it is there. I do not question the gift horse, as they say.”

  “You know as well as I that we are not friends.” The truth was, Marag hated the man. But circumstances were what they were. “Never-the-less, what do I do? The account is empty, and I need money, and a rather large amount of it at that.”

  “Still unwilling to kill the girl, eh?” Marag turned red with anger and opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the Admiral, who chuckled. “Relax, old friend, it was a joke!”

  “Not funny in the least, Sokolov,” the General said, barely controlling his anger. “I am in a bind, and I can't figure a way out of it.”

  “You really do have no skill at improvisation, do you?” Or a sense of humor, the Admiral thought. “Let me see if I can guide you to the solution I came up with as soon as I was aware of your predicament. What was the nature of the vessel you 'liberated' your princess from?”

  “A small merchant ship, but you know that.” Marag was annoyed. He hated being condescended to.

  “Of course, of course! I know the answer to all of these questions, I am merely employing the Socratic Method to teach you how to think like a field commander, like your father.” Marag became more enraged as Sokolov continued, how dare the Rathshelliam scum bring up his father! “Was there a cargo aboard this ship?”

  “Yes, a variety of fine artwork. Probably worth millions in New Rome credits.” Marag was still flabbergasted as to how Daniels had managed to turn a cargo from a pre-industrial planet into millions in fine art. “But, I wouldn't know the first thing about selling such a cargo, especially without attracting unwanted attention.”

  “Once again, Marag, you are thinking conventionally.” Sokolov rubbed his head. The headache that inevitably came from dealing with this 'general' was beginning to manifest itself. “Vegas, being what it is, is rife with lenders willing to accept virtually anything of value as collateral for a loan, provided you leave the items with them. Usually they will only give you twenty to thirty percent of the actual worth, and the interest rates are high, But this is of no consequence if you do not actually intend to pay them back.”

  Now that it had been spelled out to him, Marag was surprised he was not able to think of it himself. But, that is how it always was.

  “Even at thirty percent, I will not have enough to do what needs to be done!” Again, Marag felt as if the answer was just out of reach.

  “I have heard you are a decent Janga player.” With that final comment Sokolov broke the connection and ordered a pain reliever from the infirmary.

  * * *

  “Don't you think calling the Empress three times is a bit excessive?” The whispered voice came from a rather striking young woman who had taken Tranda's seat next to Nathan on the shuttle when the Saffronite had gone to use the head. Nathan was more than a little shocked, as the woman resembled Remi in tone and mannerisms, but that was where the resemblance ended. This woman was as least a head taller, pale, with freckles and short cropped red hair. Nathan found it more than a little odd that he now compared each new woman he met to the Princess.

  “Excuse me?” Not really his best response, but he had been taken aback by the woman's opening query, and the fact that he felt like he was sitting next to a woman that both was and was not his love.

  “You have attempted to contact the Empress of Kurufet three times in the last twenty-four hours. That would be considered excessive even if you were a head of state!” Of course, the chiding put him more in mind of the Empress than her daughter.

  “I have information which I believe that the Empress would find important.” At least this time he was able to piece together a coherent sentence.

  “Let's see... Is it that your ship was attacked and boarded just under a week ago? Or that Remini and Omany were removed from the Nola by said boarders while you were left for dead? Or, maybe, that the assault was carried out by Kurufet soldiers, but made to look like it was done by the Rathshelliam? Or, possibly, that the Princess is being held aboard the royal yacht Kurufet Rising, which is docked at Axis as we speak?” Nathan's eyes widened as the unknown woman posed her final rhetorical question. Could he be so lucky as to actually be on his way to Remini?

  “Well,” he sputtered, “All but that last one.” Nathan had not felt so 'dressed down' since Mother Superior had first found an 'adult' magazine in his room at the orphanage on New Rome.

  “Obviously you underestimate Kalifet Imperial Intelligence, of which I am a member.” Her voice was still hushed, pitched so that only Nathan could hear her, even though the shuttle was quite crowded.

  “Anyone can claim to be an intelligence agent. Why should I trust you? I don't suppose you have any sort of identification?” Not that Nathan had any reason not to trust the woman, as she had information that would have been difficult to obtain for anyone not a member of KII, but he always found it helpful to actually ask the question.

  “My name is Winette, long time handmaiden to Princess Remini. I was stationed here in the Consortium when Remi left with you aboard Nola. As for credentials, as an intelligence
operative stationed outside of the Empire, I have none. Other than standard issue passport and diplomatic papers. She tapped her comcard and flashed an Ident that said 'diplomatic liasion.' I hope that my use of the Princess' familial nickname is enough to engender a level of trust with you.” Winette looked directly into Nathan's eyes for the first time since she sat down. He had to admit, the chances of her not being who she claimed were rather slim.

  “You continue to have my attention, Winette.” If the woman was who she said, she would certainly have Remi's best interest in mind, if she was not, Nathan was reasonably sure he would figure it out before it was too late. “Why has it taken two days for you to contact me?”

  “The Empress received information from a KII operative aboard Kurufet Rising about the abduction of the Princess from your ship, by the trusted head of the Royal Guard shortly after it happened. The report stated that Omany was killed attempting to stop the boarding party, you were left aboard Nola after it had been completely disabled, and you were presumed dead by General Marag, although the operative knew this was not true. You owe the operative, Devka, your life, by the way.” Winette paused and gave Nathan a look that told him she took that debt very seriously. “The operative was told to render assistance to the Princess if possible.

  “I was contacted and placed on alert, as this would be your likely destination were you to manage to repair the Nola yourself. Sadly, I did not know you were in Nexus until you placed your first call to the Palace.” Winette looked quizzically at Nathan. “How did you manage to get aboard without my knowing? I had all of the Consortium's n-wave traffic monitored.”

  “Due to the condition of the Nola, I had to make contact with the station using old-style EM radio.”

  “That explains it! I didn't even think of monitoring EM! I'll have to make note of that for future reference.” The operative took out a small electronic device and made some notes. “Anyway, it was my job to keep tabs on you and keep you out of trouble. There is a plan in motion to liberate Remi, but if Marag finds out you are alive it could jeopardize the whole thing.” The operative looked towards the front of the shuttle where she saw Tranda moving down the aisle towards his currently occupied seat.