by Brian Dorsey
“Yes, Lieutenant. Pass word to the frigate to send a spin message to the ProConsul. Inform her that the Council should be assembled in a few days.”
“And then—”
“We kill them.”
***
Astra Varus smiled as she looked across the table toward Prince Vali. She’d forced herself to offer up her body to him, knowing the Doran’s were driven as much by lust as by power. At first, the thought had turned her stomach but it didn’t take long to find out why Doran’s had become so popular in the Recreation Houses. Despite the pleasure Prince Vali had given her, Astra’s focus was still on her own goals. “How is your dinner, Hector?” she asked.
“Very good, Astra,” he replied. “I believe I have acquired a taste for Humani delicacies.”
“Perhaps,” she replied with a coy smile. “Then I am sure you will enjoy dessert.”
“ProConsul,” came a voice away from the table.
“What is it, General Vispa?” asked Astra without turning to see the General at the entrance to the dining area.
“Please excuse the interruption but we have received a message from Commander Skye,” reported Vispa. “Her team has contacted the Head Councilwoman and she expects all Council members to be on Port Royal in a few standard days.”
“Excellent,” replied Astra. “Prince Vali,” she turned her gaze back to her diner companion, “is your fleet in position?”
“They are within a standard day’s jump of Port Royal, awaiting the command.”
“Very good. Once my people have eliminated their leadership, they will wreak havoc with their defenses from inside.”
“My brother is very pleased with your offer,” replied Vali.
“Well…” Astra paused, turning toward General Vispa. “Is there anything else, General?”
“No, ProConsul.”
“Then you are excused.”
“Of course, ProConsul,” grumbled Vispa.
After General Vispa exited, Astra returned her attention to Vali. “As I was saying, Hector. I am pleased King Vali sees the opportunity Port Royal offers.”
Vali laughed. “And he also sees that it will also draw us into direct conflict with the Akota in addition to our current fight with the Siksika and Numinu.”
Astra stopped chewing. “I—”
“Don’t worry, my dear,” said Vali. “I have long argued the need to obtain new territory, wherever it is available. I am assuming this offer—like that of your body—is to serve some need of your own as well.”
Astra swallowed hard. He was no fool so she wouldn’t play him as one. “Well, Hector. I do believe you are getting something—out of both offers.”
“That I am, Astra. And don’t worry about me interfering with your plans…at least at this time. The taking of Port Royal will add valuable resources to the Kingdom and specifically my family. The Southern King has been questioned by the nobles about his resistance to supporting Xen requests to expand the war—”
“Requests?” asked Astra.
“We both know what a Xen request actually is, but King Tal is dragging his feet and forcing the North to carry the brunt of effort. The nobles, both North and South, are growing tired of it. Some have even talked of unification of the Kingdoms under one family.”
“Which could make you the King of the South,” said Astra. She and Vali were from different cultures and subspecies, but they were like minds.
Vali raised his drink. “We all have our ambitions,” he replied.
“Yes, we do,” said Astra, raising her glass.
“Care to tell me yours?” asked Vali.
“I do not,” she replied with a smile. “At least not yet.”
“I feel in the end, my dear Astra, we will either become inseparable allies or bitter enemies.”
“Is that not true of all lovers,” she replied. “But it makes for a much more passionate union.”
Vali laughed. “Very true…but I feel our breakup may be more…what do you Humani call it…dramatic than others.”
***
“I think you can do better than that,” said Councilman Mortimer Coppertree.
Coppertree had spent the last two standard weeks negotiating a mining agreement with the warlord Ibri who controlled a small moon orbiting Tango 8. The moon was rich with titanium and durumite; if the deal could be brokered, then the Association wouldn’t have to pay mercs to take it or split the profits with the Akota or Humani.
Ibri let out a groan. “You know I could trade directly with the—”
“You don’t want to do that,” interrupted Coppertree, “regardless of who you were going to say.”
“And why is that?”
“You know you don’t want that. Once those bullies get involved you’ll find your little world crawling with Terillians trying to cram equality down your throat or better yet, the Humani will just park a battle cruiser in orbit and force you to turn over power to them.” He stopped to refill his glass and let Ibri ponder the options he had just presented. “Now is that worth a few percentage points?”
Ibri slammed back his drink. “And what if they show up anyway?”
“Once we have brokered a deal, the Association guarantees little to no involvement in your affairs by either the Humani or the Terillians. Our agreements with both sides allow us autonomy to make such deals…it will be honored.”
“Fine,” sighed Ibri. “I can use the quick money…”
Coppertree was distracted by a communicator beacon flashing on his wrist. He looked down to read it: ‘Message Status: Urgent. Return to PR immediately due to security risks. Under advisement from Humani security team, a full assembly will be required to learn all the details. Return with all haste.’
Coppertree looked up from the message and then toward his security guard. “We must go,” he said. “Important Council business.”
“Do we have a deal?” asked Ibri.
“Uh…yes. Of course,” replied Coppertree. “I will send you the agreement and the first 10% of the payment for your first delivery will be sent upon signature.”
“Excellent. I—”
“I am sorry, Mr. Ibri, but I must leave immediately.” He turned toward his guard. “Let’s go.”
Coppertree quickly rose from the table and made his way to the exit of Ibri’s villa. Once outside he turned toward his guard. “There is a significant security risk to the Council,” he said. “We must return to Port Royal at once.”
***
“What is the risk?” asked the guard. He could tell the Councilman was unsettled.
“I don’t know. Apparently we are to return for a full assembly of the Council.”
“If there is a real threat, why would the Council gather? Shouldn’t you disperse?”
“I would think so but apparently a security force from Alpha Humana has arrived on Port Royal and recommended a full assembly before they provide the details of the threat.”
“That doesn’t…” The guard paused. “And we were alerted of this threat from the Humani?”
“Yes, Dan-Lee,” replied Coppertree. “So we should listen.”
“We should,” replied the Phelan warrior. Dan-Lee knew enough of Humani treachery to know something foul was afoot. But maybe this would be his chance to get one step closer to his revenge against the Ragna family. Although the Elite Guard had waged the genocidal war against his people, it was under the order of the former ProConsul Ragna and it was his lineage that most deserved his wrath. And it would only be sweeter if he could take out a few Guardsmen along the way.
***
Stone watched as Martin illuminated the 3D model of Port Royal. With Hydra II into its jump toward Port Royal, it was time to go over the attack one last time. The focus brought on by the start of the mission had been good for him. The last few weeks before he had left Luta-tunkan had been filled with tension. He and Mori fought more than not. Martin had turned into a robot. And the few times the two had been in the same room, Stone could feel the hate betw
een the two radiate like a two stars on a collision course.
“Hydra II will be here,” continued Martin, “while Katalya and Magnus, designated Wolf—”
“That’s original,” quipped Orion.
“Designated Wolf,” repeated Martin with a cold stare toward Orion, “will move to this security checkpoint and drop the beacon. After the first jump, we’ll blast the security gate, pick up Katalya and Magnus, and then jump to here.” She pointed toward a location near the center of the Administration Polis. Once we’re at the Council Hall, we’ll insert in two locations. Team Alpha will consist of Marshal Stone, Staff Sergeant Shara, myself, and Sergeant Crowdog. We’ll insert here at the West end. The Akota will provide cover and pickoff anyone trying to get out while the rest of us enter the building and move east. Bravo will be Captain Littledove, Thay, Katalya, and Magnus. Katalya, you will provide cover while the others enter and move west. Hopefully, we’ll meet in the middle. From there we’ll move to the west and embark.” She looked up from the display. “Any questions?”
“Secondary evacs?” asked Littledove.
“Here and here,” replied Martin, pointing to two locations on display. “But if we’re not in and out fast, it probably won’t matter. We expect less than 50 guards at the Hall given the distraction from Crow’s fleet, but every minute after they know we’re there that number will grow.” She turned toward Stone. “Sir,” she said flatly.
“The key will be timing,” said Stone. “Once we dock, we’ll send the signal for Admiral Crow’s orbital destroyers to commence their jump. It will take them exactly two standard hours from their staging point. That will give Katalya and Magnus more than enough time to make it to the security gate. We will synchronize time when the signal is sent. Katalya and Magnus, drop the beacon at time 1:50 and move back to a safe position.” He turned toward Orion. “When Crow’s ships hit orbit, they will open fire on batteries outside of the main city. We will detach from our mooring at 1:58 so they can’t lock us down. After the firing starts, we’ll make the first jump.” He stood from his chair. “Remember, if this mission fails, thousands of our brothers and sisters will die taking Port Royal.”
“If there are no more questions…,” said Martin. “…we will be entering Port Royal orbit in less than fifteen standard hours. Prepare yourselves.”
***
Martin stared at the top of her bunk.
They would be at Port Royal in less than eight hours and sleep eluded her. Her frustration with Stone’s tolerance for Mori had begun to affect her performance. And she was sure Stone knew it too. Her father would have told her to do her duty and stay out of her commander’s private life. But her father had also kept the biggest secret in the galaxy from her. Once she’d opened the door to her history with men, her mind ran through the usual list of frustrations. Jackson had torn her heart apart and put it back together so many times…then he died. And then there was Stone. She had once idolized him. But her hero worship had been destroyed when she thought he’d turned on his people. Then, when she found out the truth, her guilt over doubting him had been somewhat tempered by the hopes he would become the man that would someday lead their people out of Xen tyranny.
But that Akota savage had a spell on him.
“Damn it,” she cursed under her breath as she slid her legs out of her bunk and hopped onto the deck. ‘Time for another late night walk,’ she thought as she stepped into her trousers.
She activated the door and stepped into the hallway.
Standing in front of her was Stone.
“Shit,” she cursed.
“What?” replied Stone.
“I’m sorry, sir. I just—”
“Can we talk?” he asked.
“Sir, it’s late and I just need to get some things off my mind.”
“I understand, Emily but this is important,” said Stone.
He hadn’t called her Emily since their argument outside his office before they had left Akota territory. “Yes, sir,” she said.
“We need to fix this.”
“I don’t understand what you mean—”
“Just stop it,” interrupted Stone, almost pleading. “If you have any respect for me at all, you’ll drop the attitude.”
“Fine,” she huffed. “It’s not that I don’t respect you. I…” She let out a frustrated laugh. “If I didn’t respect you I wouldn’t be—”
“So pissed at me,” said Stone.
“Yes,” she replied. “But I don’t want to have the same fight again.” She lifted head toward the overhead and let out a heavy breath. “I have to focus on the mission.”
“I understand,” replied Stone. “That’s why we need to solve this before we land.”
Martin’s stomach tightened and she shifted her gaze to the floor. “I don’t know if we can.”
“I know the trouble between you and Mori is only because you’re afraid she is trying to change me to fit her own needs.”
She looked up toward Stone. “I do,” she said. “If you know, then how can you let her do it?”
“Truthfully?”
“Yes,” she exhaled.
“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I wish I did…but I don’t.”
She had never seen him so…lost. “Sir?”
Stone leaned against the bulkhead and put his hands on his waist. “So much has happened so fast.—the news of the Directive and of the First Families’ collaboration with Xen.” He looked directly into her eyes. “Don’t you feel lost now that you know the truth?”
Martin laughed. “I’ve felt lost my whole life.” Her slight smile turned to a scowl as she continued. “Everyone I’ve ever cared about one way or another has let me down so, honestly, when I found out the truth that was the first thing in a long time that made sense…it justified my hate for them.”
“But it was different for me…I knew the First Families had their faults but I believed there was an underlying good in the order of things. When that belief was shattered, I felt empty…and she filled that void.”
“But she’s filling that void with poison,” replied Martin, stepping toward Stone and placing her hand on his forearm. “Don’t look to her to center yourself…look toward those of us—other Humani—that are willing to fight for our people.”
“I do…but I have feelings for her.” He placed his other hand over hers. “And she does want to do what’s right for her people…and she thinks the Humani are part of her people.”
“Only if they accept her version of what we should become…shouldn’t we decide?” She exhaled heavily. “Isn’t that the whole reason we’re resisting the First Family rule?”
“Yes. And I’m not saying you’re wrong, but the conflict…and my feelings for her—”
“Do you love her?” She swallowed hard, her stomach in freefall. Martin stepped away from him. Why did she ask him that?
“I do—I don’t know. I thought I did…but now it’s just so hard and we fight about the future so much.”
“Listen to someone who knows. If it feels too hard, then it’s too hard.” She closed her eyes. She shouldn’t be talking to a superior about these things, but she had to tell him. Martin opened her eyes again. “Do you know how much I wanted it to work with Hugh?”
“I know you loved each other.”
“I did…and I wasn’t unsure like you are. I felt it in here,” she continued holding her hand to her chest. “And here,” she added sliding her hand to her stomach. “And we were still doomed to fail.” She focused her gaze on him, staring deep into his eyes. “Where do you feel it?”
“I…”
“Probably right here,” said Martin, pressing her index finger against his temple. “Stop thinking and feel.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he sighed.
“I am,” replied Martin, letting her hand slide down to his cheek before quickly pulling away. “But tonight is not the night to focus on the homefront, sir” she said, refocusing herself. “What would you tell a private worr
ied about matters at home the night before a mission?”
“That if they didn’t lock it down and focus on the mission, they would never get back to deal with the problems at home.”
“Then you should do the same, sir.”
Stone sighed and let a weak smile form. His eyes looked into hers and her stomach tightened again.
“You’re right, of course,” he said. “Thank you.”
“That’s my job, sir,” she replied, turning her head to break their gaze. “Now you should get some sleep; we’ve got a busy day tomorrow, what with all the shooting and whatnot.”
“Yes, ma’am,” replied Stone, giving her a mocking salute. “And thank you.”
“Goodnight, sir,” she said. “Now go.”
Martin waited until Stone turned the corner of the passage before letting her torso fall against the bulkhead and gently bouncing the back of her head off the wall. Her stomach felt like it was floating; she wouldn’t sleep tonight. “Fuck,” she mouthed. “What are you doing, Emily?”
Chapter 8
Daria Vae read from a book of Humani poetry as she watched Octavius and her son, Marcus, play on the floor. Looking up from her book, Daria saw her husband, General Taris Vae enter the room.
She could see he was troubled.
“What is it, Taris?”
“We are to be deployed soon,” he replied.
Daria slowly closed her book. This was not she first time she had heard these words, nor would they be the last. Such was the life of a soldier’s wife. But this seemed different.
“For how long?”
“I do not know?”
Daria saw there was more to her husband’s troubled look than another deployment. “What is wrong?” she asked.
“Something is not right about this assignment.”
“What do you mean?”
“Marshal Stone’s entire division is being sent to Echo system to deal with more Followers of the Word.”
“Is it the Followers that trouble you?”
“No,” replied Vae. “They are fanatics but that is not it.”
Daria rose, placing her hand on her husband’s arm. “What?”