The Face of Earth

by Kirsty Winkler

  Agnar went to the bridge to join his crew. Sharra was there, manning one of the science consoles. The rest of the crew was dispersed around the room employed at various tasks. Equaria sat at the communication console, idly watching the forward viewscreen. As soon as she noticed Agnar’s arrival, she immediately jumped up to greet him.

  “How does it feel to be free of morals?” She was grinning wickedly at her self-perceived wit, waiting for his reaction.

  Agnar rubbed his neck, relieved to feel only the smoothness of skin. “Absolutely wonderful. And I have you to thank for knowing when to disobey orders.” He looked at her sternly and shook his finger in mock disapproval. “But don’t make a habit of it.”

  Equaria laughed and returned to her seat, and Agnar sat down in the captain’s chair. He sank into the cushioned seat with a satisfied sigh. “Ahhh. It’s good to be the Captain.”

  Sharra timidly cleared her throat. Agnar turned and noticed the questioning look on her face. “Yes? What is it, Sharra?”

  Sharra hesitated, unsure of her standing in the crew. “Ah. What will happen to Karina?”

  Agnar pondered that for a moment. “As the last living Earthling, she’s worth her weight in quarinium.” He looked intently at Sharra. “You’re concerned because she’s your friend, correct?”

  Sharra flushed and looked at the floor. “Yes,” she answered quietly.

  Agnar stared at her a moment longer before speaking, and then it was to Equaria. “Watch the bridge.” He turned back to Sharra. “Come with me.” Equaria raised her eyebrows at this, but since it wasn’t her business to question the captain, she shrugged and returned her attention to the viewscreen.

  Agnar led Sharra to her old quarters and palmed the entry plate. Karina was sitting in the chair, but when she heard the door open, she jumped up, ready for round two. Agnar closed the door and locked it. He turned to the women and pointed to the bed. “Sit,” he commanded. He took the chair Karina had just vacated and sat down. He looked up at Karina and Sharra, who were still standing. “Well?” They looked at each other and sat down.

  Agnar set his chin against his clenched hands. He looked gravely at the two confused women. “Do you remember how you removed the halabands?”

  Karina and Sharra spoke at almost the same time. “We were eating,” Karina started, Sharra interrupting with, “They just came off.”

  Agnar put his hand up to stop them. “They came off when you drank the Stelairian.”

  Sharra looked puzzled. “Do you mean the Stelairian brandy?”

  Agnar shook his head. “No, I mean the Stelairian. He was in a fancy green bottle with metal trim.” Agnar’s voice took on an educational tone. “Ancient Stelairians discovered how to change their DNA to cure aging. When they gave birth to the next generation, that change was passed on, and continues to be passed on today. Stelairians stop aging when they reach adulthood. Since they don’t age, they don’t die of old age. They only die if they are killed. If they die, they can somehow be transformed into a fluid with life-enhancing properties. Other species who drink this fluid will extend their life spans thousands of times longer than is typical for their species. It makes them extremely healthy, and prolongs their youth.”

  Agnar paused and looked at the women. Karina looked disgusted at the idea of drinking a dead person, but Sharra looked thoughtful. “You two drank him,” Agnar continued. “You will live in health and youth for thousands of years.” Karina’s expression changed to match Sharra’s. “Think about what I’ve said. Both of you will live much longer than you expected. You might want to take that into consideration when making decisions.”

  Agnar stood, indicating that the lecture had ended. “Sharra, when you’re ready to return to the bridge, call me on the comm. Karina, I’ll bring you dinner in a couple of hours.” With that, Agnar left, and Sharra and Karina found themselves locked once more in Sharra’s old suite.

  Karina felt a little awkward in Sharra’s presence. After all, she was more or less a traitor. They sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment, and then Sharra spoke softly.

  “I am sorry, Karina.” Karina just stared ahead, saying nothing. Sharra sighed. “I was hoping you would understand my decision. After all, I did not have many options.”

  Still hurting from Sharra’s betrayal, Karina didn’t look at her when she spoke. “You could have stayed with us.”

  “No, I could not. It would have put all of you in far more danger. I did not know Agnar was planning to betray you to the Yalsan authorities. I realized that once he freed us, Haron would be next to come after me, and I could not bear to be responsible for putting my friends in the way of harm.”

  Karina looked at Sharra, overwhelmed. “We’re your friends?”

  Sharra laughed. “Well, you are, anyway. I do not know about your two fly boys.”

  Karina frowned at the thought of Tresar and Flavoi, wondering where they were and if they were okay. Sharra caught her mood and quieted.

  “I am sorry about that. There was no convincing Agnar to let them go after what happened on Bitowa. I wanted to warn you, but I never had the chance.” Another thought crossed Sharra’s mind. “Oh! I have to tell you, Agnar means to sell you.”

  Karina was shocked. “What!”

  “He said that as the last living Earthling, you are worth your weight in quarinium.”

  Karina was thrown off balance by this new word. “Quarinium?”

  “It is a precious and nearly indestructible metal. Bitowa has the greatest share of it, which is one of the many reasons why my father is so powerful.” She gestured around her. “This ship is made of it.”

  Karina was barely listening, growing angry at Agnar’s gall. “Sell me? Sell me? Who does he think he is? My life is my own, he can’t sell me!”

  Sharra became a bit hesitant at Karina’s fury. “Ah . . . well, he thinks he is Agnar, the most notorious pirate in three quadrants. And he is right.”

  Karina snorted. She looked Sharra right in the eye. “So, if you’re my friend, you’ll help me get away.”

  “I . . . I cannot. Please do not ask me. I should not have told you, but I did so for the sake of our friendship.”

  “There must be something you can do,” Karina pleaded.

  Sharra pondered for a moment. Then she brightened as an idea came to her. “Do you still have the necklace Tresar gave you to hide you from sensors?”

  “Yes; I’m wearing it.”

  Sharra grinned. “Then here is what we do . . .”

  * * *

  When Agnar opened the door to let Sharra out, Karina was pacing the room like a caged animal. She glared at him and said something under her breath, and continued pacing. Sharra slipped out past Agnar’s large frame. Agnar stood poised, ready to enter the room to see what was bothering Karina, when he felt a light touch on his arm.

  “She is angry, Captain. You should leave her alone for awhile,” Sharra suggested.

  Agnar looked into Sharra’s dark eyes and sighed. “I suppose you’re right,” he said, shutting the door.

  Agnar and Sharra turned and went back to the bridge. They walked in silence until Sharra cleared her throat to get his attention.

  “Yes, Sharra? What is it?”

  Sharra acted as if she were hesitant to speak. “I have a request, sir.”

  Agnar tried to set her at ease. “You can ask me anything, Sharra. You’re part of my crew now and have a right to speak your mind.”

  “Well, that is just it, Captain. I do not feel like I am a part of the crew. And knowing I will live a very long time has made me rethink my decision. I do not think this is the life for me.” Sharra paused.

  “And your request?” Agnar asked.

  “I would like to be returned to Bitowa, sir.”

  Agnar grinned. “Now that Haron’s dead?”

  Sharra looked surprised. “He is dead?” She shook her head. “It has nothing to do with Haron. I would not have married him anyway. I am stronger now, and not so much under the thumb
of my father.”

  Agnar smiled, remembering the desperate princess and comparing her to the strong woman who walked with him now. “Your father won’t be pleased with you for releasing me or losing your ship. Are you sure you want to face him?”

  Sharra stopped and drew herself up to her full height. She was as tall as Agnar and could look him straight in the eye. “I am a princess of Bitowa, eldest daughter of the emperor, and heir to the throne. He will listen to me whether he wants to or not.” She stared at Agnar, daring him to disagree.

  Agnar laughed. “Very well. I’ll take you back.” He entered the bridge and addressed his crew. “Set course for Bitowa. Sharra wants to go home.” The crew looked nervous but followed his order immediately.

  Agnar decided that he may as well feed Karina now, since he wouldn’t have the time once they reached Bitowan space. “I’m going to eat,” he informed Equaria. “Call me if there’s any problem.”

  “Yes, Captain,” Equaria replied.

  Agnar left the bridge and went to the refectory where he gathered a tray of food before heading to Karina’s room. When he opened the door she was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Agnar entered the room and set the food on the table.

  “Are you hungry, Karina?” he asked, helping himself to a plateful. Karina ignored him and continued staring at the ceiling.

  He shrugged, finished his meal, and left the remaining food on the table. She would get hungry eventually. He locked the door behind him and returned to the bridge.

  Karina sat up the minute he left and went to the table. She finished the food, then returned to lying on the bed. She could feel the vibrations of the ship better that way, and she waited for them to increase to indicate that they were entering an atmosphere. She wanted to be ready to set Sharra’s plan in motion.

  When they arrived at Bitowa seven hours later, Agnar was sitting in the captain’s chair on the bridge. He watched the forward viewscreen intently, nervous at his proximity to his enemy. Sharra had laid out a plan to get the ship in and out of Bitowan space unscathed. He hoped it would work, since he didn’t want to end up a prisoner again.

  As they approached the planet, they were contacted by the Bitowan military, who recognized the ship as Bitowan. Sharra stood regally in front of the screen. She had changed out of her trousers and into one of the dresses stored in her quarters. She had to look her best if her plan was to work. As soon as the officer saw who he was addressing, he patched Sharra straight through to the palace. Emperor Varton appeared on the screen, reclined on his throne. There was a threatening undertone to his voice when he spoke.

  “Sharra.” He frowned at his daughter in displeasure at her behavior.

  Sharra’s tone was equally cold. “Father.”

  Agnar’s crew held their breath, anxious to see how the situation would play out. Emperor Varton’s eyes took in everyone on the bridge. They stopped for a moment on Rathor, and narrowed. When they reached Agnar, who sat casually in the captain’s chair, they almost closed to slits. Rage was barely contained in those eyes, but his voice was calm when he spoke. “I see you have taken up with thieves, daughter.”

  Sharra didn’t even flinch. “Circumstances have changed my view on some things, father. I would speak to you in private on such matters. You may hold these people and this ship as a token of my filial devotion.” Sharra waited patiently while her father pondered.

  “Very well. You know where to dock.” The emperor gestured to someone off-screen and his face was replaced by the view of the planet below. There was a collective sigh as everyone on the bridge released their breath at the same time. Then they laughed as the tension broke.

  Agnar smiled. “Well done, Sharra. We’ll wait for word from you.”

  Sharra wasn’t smiling. “It is not something I wish to do, but it has to be done. Our people have been living in isolation too long.” She turned to Rathor. “Are you ready?” Rathor nodded and followed her off the bridge.

  Agnar gave instructions to his pilot on where to land, and then also followed Sharra. He caught up with her just as a slight bump signaled their landing. “Are you sure about this, Sharra?” Agnar was concerned with the danger they would all be in if this didn’t work, but excited about the possibilities if it did.

  Sharra was quite composed despite the fact that she was about to face down her father. She looked levelly at Agnar. “I am sure.”

  “Good luck to you, then.” Agnar palmed open the door, allowing them to disembark. A large group of Bitowan soldiers surrounded the ship and an armed escort waited to take the princess to her father. Agnar mock saluted them before closing the door, leaving Sharra and a very nervous Rathor in the hands of their people.

  They were taken to the throne room and left alone with the emperor, who was lounging on his throne. When he saw Rathor, he sat up. “You said in private, daughter,” he spat.

  Sharra bowed. “Rathor is kin, father.”

  “He is no kin of mine. The fact that he and I share the same mother is irrelevant considering that his father is a Yalsan cur.” Emperor Varton glared at the man whose appearance was a younger version of himself.

  Rathor smiled evilly. “Come now, brother, I am sure we can be friends.” His tone was facetious but his manner threatening as he moved toward the emperor. The emperor tried to stand, but Rathor held him down on the throne.

  Emperor Varton turned to his daughter. “Sharra, what is this? Have you turned traitor?”

  Sharra pulled a halaband out of her sleeve. “I am sorry, father. There is no other way.”

  The emperor eyed the halaband. “Fool girl! Do you really think our people are so obtuse as to take orders from someone wearing that?”

  Sharra nodded to Rathor, who pulled up the emperor’s long sleeve to expose his upper arm. Sharra wrapped the halaband twice around his biceps. The emperor froze as the tendrils sunk in and traveled up his arm to his spine. He went limp and Rathor let him go. His sleeve fell, hiding the tattoo completely.

  “No, father, I do not. That is why Rathor was kind enough to let me test it on his arm. Apparently it can be up to a forearm length away and still be effective.” Sharra looked pityingly at her father. “I had this very halaband on me, father. I know what it is like to be a prisoner. I am sorry to do this to you, but I do not want to kill you and I think the time has come for me to rule. You will step down and announce me as empress.”

  There was defeat in the emperor’s voice. “Yes, daughter.”

  “Call assembly now,” Sharra ordered.

  Once the emperor’s advisors arrived, he stood and announced his intention of giving Sharra the throne. Sharra would henceforth be the Empress of Bitowa and he would be the Father Emperor.

  Sharra sat regally on her father’s throne and gave her first orders as empress. She gestured to Rathor. “This is Rathor, half brother to the Father Emperor. He has been outcast because he is the son of a Yalsan.” She paused for effect and looked around. “I decree that no child shall be punished for the crimes of his parents. Therefore Rathor is reinstated to the royal family, and along with the Father Emperor, will be my most trusted advisor.”

  The advisors murmured, “Yes, Empress.”

  “I have given my ship as a peace gift to the Yalsan Agnar, who is now under my employ. See that he is given the respect due to a general.”

  The advisors paled, but once again replied with an affirmative. Sharra called Agnar and informed him of Bitowa’s change in power, wishing him luck on his journey. He bowed and wished her long life. Sharra smiled and sat back on her throne with a glint in her eye.

  * * *

  Agnar relaxed as they left the Bitowan System behind. He stood up and stretched, yawning. His stomach growled loudly, eliciting snickers from the crew. Equaria laughed. “Get some food and rest, Captain. I’ll see to the bridge.”

  Agnar smiled and left the ship in her capable hands. As he headed toward the living quarters, he wondered what to do about Karina. When he arrived there and opened the d
oor, she was pacing again. She glared at him and said something under her breath, and continued pacing. He sighed and closed the door to give himself a moment to think. He rubbed his temples with the thumb and middle finger of one hand, and leaned against the wall with the other. Then he shrugged and palmed open the door again. Karina glared at him and said something under her breath, then went back to pacing. Agnar’s eyes narrowed. He closed the door, then opened it again. Karina repeated the performance exactly, muttering and pacing.

  “Daughter of a horned zenothar!” Agnar cursed and ran though the hologram, dispersing it. He glared around the room for several moments before noticing a small crack in the wall. He managed to get a finger in it and force it open. A thin passageway wound between the walls to a ladder leading down. He followed it, barely fitting through the small opening. It led to a tiny room with a hatch door in the floor. There was a thick window in it, showing a small air lock. Agnar snorted, thinking how easily he had been fooled. “Sharra,” he growled, and headed back to the bridge. With all the trouble women had caused him recently, he needed a vacation.

  Agnar strode onto the bridge and ordered, “Set course for Bellos. We have a shipment to pick up there and deliver to the Kytor System. Since it’s illegal to transport goods to them, the pay will be excellent.” The crew obeyed without question, and Agnar left the bridge and headed to the refectory for a meal. He knew where Karina was, and how to avoid detection on Bitowa when he went to retrieve her. He would have to wait until their guard was down, though. He figured he may as well take care of other business in the meantime.

  CHAPTER 16

  Karina made her way through a narrow passageway and down a ladder to a small room with a hatch door in the floor. Through a window in the door she could see the personal air lock Sharra had described. She opened the hatch and lowered herself into it, closing the door behind her. Then she waited for the engines to fall silent to let her know they were on the ground.