“Captain Daiyu! Permission to use any means necessary to destroy the enemy super-capital and capitals! If you have to ram them to destroy them...do it!” Yukie tried to stand, but was forced back into her seat as the ABF Sasha shuttered from the unrelenting LPA fire.
“You heard the empress! Helm, set a course for the bow of the ABF Yulee and initiate full burn!” Regalia felt the blood drain to her feet. She turned to Donnlie, then her mother, both with faces pale and eyes of total fear.
“Yukie,” she whimpered, not wanting to die. But Yukie looked confident, a wide smile on her lips telling all around her that she would bring death to anyone who dared oppose her.
“Don't worry, Regalia. Trent designed this starship...it is indestructible!” the confidence that oozed from Yukie’s every word filled her own heart with righteous belief, and she felt her fear start to burn away.
The ABF Alutia accelerated rapidly, streaking around the moon, using its gravity to assist its rapid acceleration, on a direct course for the enemy starships that started to retreat around the moon's opposite side. She reached up and ran a hand down Donnlie's clammy cheek.
“Thank you for allowing me to protect you, Lady Regalia,” Donnlie said, tears dripping down his freckled cheeks.
“Thank you, Donnlie,” she responded in kind.
“Enough with the melodramatic goodbyes! We will survive! So just pay attention!” Yukie scolded, pulling Regalia's hand away and grasping it tightly in her own. So she is scared to, Regalia realized. The thought somehow made her feel better.
“Ok, Yukie,” she forced a smile and turned back to the CID projection and watched them close on the panicking NHA Super-Capital ABF Yulee. The 40 kilometer long starship started accelerating away, towards the second moon. But it was too late.
“All Hands! Brace for impact!” Captain Daiyu bellowed, her words echoing throughout the starships, as Regalia's world turned upside down.
*********
“Vin! How close!” Trent shouted as he rolled away from the repeater arc fire, making sure he was between it and Sasha.
“Marquis Rostil can be found beyond this door with his noble court. The final event is about to begin,” Vin's unemotional response sounded out of place over the excited chatter on their private com channel.
“Trent...we have to hurry!” Sasha pleaded from his side, voice frantic. He realized that, wanting to push on. But the Empress Guards were spent, most moving slowly and a few having been taken almost completely out of action.
The laser bolts that had been peppering their gorian combat armor nonstop were easily deflected, but the force of the constant blows was still devastating. So even though the suits might be invincible, the men inside were not. But that mattered little, he knew, having to spend a couple weeks in a medical tube was far better than the fate of the Alutia Guards who wore the standard tilitium combat armor.
“One more time everyone! Charge!” he started forward, the injured men and women of the Empress Guard following, then rushing past, into the crosshairs of the unrelenting repeater arc fire. As they fell, one by one, they began to crawl across the floor, unwilling to give up, unwilling to surrender. Sir Erio released a primal roar, pushing himself forward with his last once of strength to slide combat charges through the crenels in the fortification allowing access by the Don'Alutia Arcguards manning the positions, before collapsing. Muffled explosions sounded, then fell silent, telling him it was over. He sprinted forward, Sasha close behind.
“Alutia! To me!” Trent beckoned as he charged past the Empress Guards collapsed from pain and fatigue, and to Sir Erio’s side, who was slumped against the fortification wall.
“You did well,” he said to the old guard as they past, receiving a single nod in response before going limp.
Alutia Guard Commander Usa'Pol pushed forward, followed by ten guards who climbed through the hidden door in the side of the fortification. Trent and Sasha followed just behind, finding the enemy arcguards blackened corpses blanketing the ground before another golden door, showing an image of a handsome man grasping a golden world carved on its face.
“Are you ok?” Trent asked Sasha as they moved past the dead guards.
“Yes, but...but why is it so different?” Sasha responded.
“Incinerate charges...very deadly...very expensive...” he remembered Sir Seb'Losh explaining to him why they used the less effective, but much less expensive explosives, instead of the most, about the cost of a battleship's worth.
They moved to the side of the golden door and waited as 20 more Alutia Guards poured through behind them, taking up a semi-circular formation, preparing for another ambush. He looked to Sasha, then to Alutia Guard Commander Usa'Pol, who both nodded.
“Vin, open it,” the door swung open and the guards rushed through, Trent and Sasha walking in, hand in hand, just behind.
The Don'Alutia Court, or Coliseum as it was referred too, was enormous and looked just like a coliseum. A walkway of exquisite blue and green carpets circled just above the seating area, with stairways intermittently placed that descended into the luxurious seating areas below, towards a large PDU in the center of the Coliseum. Almost every seat was occupied by richly dressed nobles, laughing and drinking gaily, a pleasant, almost calming, music and aroma filling the air. Trent zoomed his vision in on the massive projection being displayed by the PDU, finding a circular platform that looked like a giant gear hovering over a very bright light source. It almost looked like a tiny sun. On the gear shaped platform stood four individuals covered in filth, clothing torn. He recognized three immediately.
“Tiana...Vickie...Georigi...” Sasha whispered, her voice trembling, grasping at his arm with the extra strength afforded her by their combat armor. Trent gritted his teeth, allowing her to release her tension on him as he continued studying the scene below.
The three nobles, and a lady he did not recognize, were standing perilously on narrow protrusions that grew from the edge of the platform, holding onto what appeared to be s single handle. Varying lights of differing colors flashed and circled the center of the platform, occasionally, one vanishing.
He zoomed in further, seeing that Vickie, whose dress was so torn that she was almost completely naked, stared blankly away into the distance, appearing to ignore Sir Georigi. Sir Georigi appeared to be ignoring Vickie as well, staring lovingly at the red haired woman on the plank to his right. Something must have happened, he thought, or maybe they couldn't see each other? Both thoughts made little sense and he shook them away, being unimportant. He would ask after this was resolved.
His gaze turned to Tiana, who was deathly pale with her right arm wrapped against her body. She must have been injured and the growing pressure on his own arm told him Sasha had realized the same thing. Before he could say anything, someone moved to their side.
“Sir Trent?” Alutia Guard Commander Usa'Pol asked, noticing that the nobles in attendance seemed to ignore the presence of the Alutia Guards moving through the walkways and down the stairs, taking up positions. Trent scanned the Coliseum once more, verifying what he felt from the Eye of the Emperor when he first entered, that they all were cold.
“Follow my lead,” he aimed his combat arc at the ceiling and fired, the rest of the guards who'd taken up position throughout the Coliseum doing the same.
“Rostil!” he bellowed, amplifying his voice above the low murmurs of confusion rising from the nobles, many of who were obviously under the effects of mind-altering substances.
An ornately dressed man stood, wearing clothing and adornments of pure gold, surrounded by many scantily clad women, who giggled and fawned over his chiseled physique.
He stared up at them as if they weren't there, were nothing. “Who dares interrupt my event! We have just reached the epic finale!” the man shouted as he threw the women aside and stormed up the steps. Trent pushed ahead, but was overtaken by Sasha, who charged towards Marquis Rostil and grabbed him by his golden coat to pick him up with ease.
�
��Free my ladies!” Trent almost fell back at Sasha's command, her voice of such ferocity that Marquis Rostil went stiff.
“I know not who your ladies be! Release me immediately you wench!” Rostil trembled like his voice.
“The ones in the image,” Sasha kept her voice calm, commanding.
“Oh, those, I see...I am sorry, but it is too late. Unless... of course....they win, then they will live,” Rostil responded, having found some of his backbone. “Now, you will release me so I can oversee this most joyous moment!” the marquis demanded, appearing to be detached from reality.
“How do we release them?” Sasha growled.
“The door will open when the winners are chosen!” Rostil responded, returning to his previous boisterousness. Trent placed his hand on Sasha's shoulder, letting her know he had an idea.
“You will open this door now...or you will die,” Trent raised his combat arc to the man's head and he began to squirm.
“It..It's impossible! The door is programmed not to open until the game is finished!” Rostil searched desperately for someone to come to his aid, but the surrounding nobles sat silent, being held in their seats by the Alutia Guards now stationed throughout the Coliseum.
“Vin...” Sasha whispered. A circular portal opened in the floor adjacent the large PDU.
“How...” Rostil stared in disbelief.
“Because the Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia deemed it so,” Trent said lightly, or so he thought, forgetting he still had the amplification function activated. But it didn't matter, and he ignored the rumbling murmurs of the few nobles who tried to make a run for it, only to be unceremoniously knocked off their feet by the Alutia Guards. Sasha threw Sir Rostil aside, into a row of dumbfounded nobles, and placed her hand forward. He moved to her side, taking her hand, and they rushed down the steps.
“You did well, my love,” he whispered.
“Of course, my duke. I've learned from watching the best,” their bond exploded open with her love and pride, he quickly responding with his own admiration, that yes, this amazing woman was his wife, his love.
The hole that opened before him looked familiar, bringing back memories of their time on Earth and their harrowing escape from the traitors loyal to Sir Simwa. They looked to the Alutia Guards who surrounded them. Trent released his repel line, Sasha doing the same.
“Sir...ma’am?” an Alutia Guard he didn't recognize asked in confusion from their side.
“Just hold on,” he wrapped his arms around Sasha and jumped, ignoring the desperate cries from their guards and the sudden gasp of horror from Sasha.
“Trent...she's falling...” the words echoed in his mind as they plummeted into darkness.
*********
Tiana swayed as her vision danced, trying desperately to hold onto the only solid object within her universe, keeping her mind and body from tumbling off the narrow plank; the small handgrip.
As soon as she and Vickie separated, each moving down the specified plank, an invisible barrier had appeared behind her. So no matter if she tried to flee back to the center of Wheel of Destiny, it was useless. Her time was growing short.
She glanced to Vickie, who couldn't tear her own gaze from Sir Georigi when they'd first arrived. But he ignored her and she had been forced to turn away, realizing he had forgotten her, forgotten their love. Now she hunched, eyes glazed, none of her normal fire present as she seemed to stare at nothing, her hope, Tiana's hope, gone.
But Tiana found her worry disappearing as well, knowing her own strength was fleeting and preparing to leave her at any moment. The throbbing pain that filled her with every heartbeat threatened to draw her already fading mind away, into the sweet embrace of dark forgetfulness. But she held on, fighting for her life, unable to fully accept the inevitable. She turned her attention back to the dots of light that continued to rotate around the center of the platform.
The moment she and Vickie had finished moving into their positions on the Wheel of Destiny, hundreds of multi-colored lights began circling the platform's surface. Occasionally, one would vanish, while the rest would continue slowly on. Tiana assumed they had something to do with their fate, a timer counting down to the moment of their doom, of her last breath. Another light vanished.
What had I done to deserve this fate? Her mind cried. Why had I been made to suffer for no fault of my own? It continued. Am I actually at fault, or does the fault lay on someone else, someone I loved? Yes, that was it, she realized. Sasha and Trent, it is their fault, they were responsible! They should be ones suffering, not me! They should have to fight for their lives, not me! They should be the ones who were about to die here, not me!
“Is that how you really feel?” the kindly voices in her head asked.
“Yes,” she responded with her thoughts.
“Do they not suffer already for their beliefs?” the kindly voices responded.
No! Tiana wanted to shout, that she was the only one to suffer because of their thoughtless actions, their mistakes. But the voice forced her to think, use her rational mind. They do suffer, she suddenly remembered, but why should I suffer alongside them? She asked herself. I love them, yes, but enough to go through torture of this level, of this degree, to give my life for their beliefs?
“Yes, they suffer, but why should I with them?” her thoughts answered for her.
“You should not, but you choose to, out of love,” anger erupted from a place deep inside her, flowing through her flesh, calling forth a hatred for the kindly voices.
“That is a lie!” her mind shouted.
“It is not,” the kindly voices replied.
“Why would I choose to suffer? It makes no sense!” she cried again, trying to make the voice understand.
“For love...love of your lady and love of her husband...and jealousy, lost in a heart of confusion. You suffer to punish yourself for your perceived betrayal of their trust,” the voices told. Her mind shattered and all rational thought left her.
“But not like this,” she whimpered.
“All suffering is the same, no matter if it is emotional or physical. Just ask for release and it shall be granted,” the kindly voices assured, filling her with a warmth that waited patiently to embrace her, but only if she let go of her suffering.
“Please...I don't want to suffer anymore,” she begged, but no answer returned.
The rotating lights moved faster, vanishing in quick succession until there was only one remaining. It began to slow, then appeared to pause before her a moment before moving on to Vickie, where it stayed for two heartbeats, but again, moved on, stopping in front of Sir Georigi's plank. After a moment, the plank began to recede into the platform, bringing Sir Georigi to the safety of the center.
Three orbs appeared, one of red before the barrier leading to Lady Wedra, one of black before the barrier leading to Vickie, and one of blue before her own barrier. It took her fevered mind a moment to realize what they were. Sir Georigi had been provided a choice. Two people would be allowed to survive, and Sir Georigi would be the one to decide. Tiana's last hope faded.
Vickie's expression was stone, hiding all emotions as Sir Georigi finally stared in her direction, as if he had a word locked between his lips. But Vickie turned away before he could speak it, looking at Tiana with unshed tears in her eyes, which were alive again, though showing only hopelessness. Tiana tried to force a smile. But it wouldn't come; their lives were at their end.
“I'm sorry...” Sir Georigi's lips moved, but no sound touched Tiana's ear, as he reached for the red orb. The plank containing Lady Wedra receded. She rushed into Sir Georigi's arms and the two embraced, kissing deeply. Tiana's heart cried out to Vickie, who had turned back to the scene, tears now streaming down cheeks white as freshly fallen snow, watching her love embracing Lady Wedra.
The main platform began to move away, detaching from the remaining planks and floating towards the near wall of the giant pit. Tiana’s plank began to tilt as the handhold receded. She fought to hold on, goi
ng to her knees and trying to grasp its rounded edge, unable to let go, unable to accept her fate.
“Let go, let go of your suffering,” the kindly voices instructed.
“I don't want to die,” she cried, seeing Vickie start to slide off her plank, body limp, tears streaming down a face that had accepted the end.
“If you want release...let go...” the voices were firmer this time, and finally, she obeyed.
Ash squeaked his love as she began to slide down the plank and towards the final death that lay far below.
“I...I don't want to die...”
She slid off the end.
*********
“Get on my back and hold on tight!” Trent shouted as they broke through the ceiling of the giant hole, heading straight for the “artificial” star in its center. The shading feature of her combat armor allowed her to clearly view the scene of horror unfolding far below.
The main platform had detached, Sir Georigi and the woman she did not know standing in its center as it floated away, leaving Vickie and Tiana on the narrow planks that had begun to tilt. Vickie started sliding first, seeming to have given up hope, not even trying to avoid plummeting into the star below. But Tiana still held on tight, fighting with the last ounce of her strength.
It will be close. Just as the thought filled her, Tiana let go and started sliding the moment Vickie plummeted towards the “artificial” star.
“Trent!” she shouted, panicked, as he angled their bodies straight down, igniting his combat suit thrusters to give them a boost beyond terminal velocity, closing the gap quickly.
“I can't save them both,” his words were pained as they shot past the tilting planks.
Calm filled her, and an understanding. She knew what she had to do.
“Sasha!” Trent cried out as she released him, aiming her body towards the falling Tiana and activating her suit thrusters.
The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2) Page 73