The Prodigal Emperor (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 3)

by Kal Spriggs

  “I'm not sure it was something as coherent as that,” Lucius said sadly. “He apparently orchestrated his wife's murder and established a shadow organization within the Fleet. His goal was to oust me, but I think part of what he wanted was simply to prevent any kind of offense, to preserve the Fleet and to hole up at Faraday.”

  She shook her head, “I had no idea, Lucius. I've said it before, I try to avoid reading people's thoughts unless it is necessary. Even then, if someone is focused enough, they can avoid giving away their secrets unless I really dig into their minds and most people notice that. I had no reason to suspect him.”

  Lucius just nodded at that. “Well, we're still dismantling parts of his organization back at Faraday and I'm not entirely certain that we'll ever identify all the members. He made a move to seize power right after they kidnapped Kaylee. At this point, we've lost something over three thousand personnel, with the worst losses in our officers and senior enlisted.”

  “I'm so sorry, Lucius,” Kandergain said. She stepped forward and embraced him again and he put his arms around her. It felt awkward and he realized that some part of him hadn't really expected to see her again.

  “We're out of practice,” Kandergain said with a snort.

  “You left rather suddenly, as I remember,” Lucius responded.

  He felt her stiffen at that. “I did.” She sighed, “I'm sorry for that too... but it seems like I've always something to do.”

  He understood, yet it felt too hard to even say those words just now. “You have an adopted daughter, now,” he said instead. “Patricia Stark, she’s the daughter of Kaylee’s nanny… who died defending our daughter.”

  Kandergain’s eyes filled, “I…” she shook her head, “I’m certain you’ll love her like our own daughter. For that matter, I am grateful for her mother for being there when I could not.” They stood in silence for a long moment as they both tried to find the way to bridge the emotional gap between them.

  “What are you going to do about our daughter?” Lucius murmured finally into her shoulder.

  “I've got a team that I put on it,” she said. “That was what I’ve been working on the past few months. I needed to contact them and they were… a bit hard to find. Reginald knows them, they're the best. If anyone can, they will bring her back, Lucius, I promise.”

  Lucius didn't respond, he just clung to her for a long while. He felt used up on words and emotionally exhausted. For now, it was just enough that he had Kandergain in his arms again... and that she told him it would be alright.

  ***

  Chapter XIV

  Nova Roma System

  Chxor Empire

  May 17, 2404

  “I want your analysis of this, Fleet Commander Kral,” High Commander Chxarals said.

  Kral nodded, even as he schooled his expression. He had spent so much time among the humans that emotional expressions had become almost second nature.

  A single slip now, though, would not only result in his death, but the failure of the entire plan.

  “I find it a little too convenient,” Kral said as he pointed at the drugged human, “that he knows the time and location of their Emperor's arrival.” The human, Jacobo, was one of the two that they had managed to capture alive. The other one, Marco, had already been executed. From what Kral had seen of both their files, quick deaths were more than warranted.

  “This is easily explained by the fact that he is one of their logistics caste,” High Commander Chxarals said. “He would have to know such information, if only in a general fashion, in order to plan the movement of their resources.”

  “If this is true, then the humans have violated the terms of your ultimatum, High Commander,” Kral said. He measured the words carefully, his tone as emotionless as possible.

  “True,” Chxarals said. “And I am tempted to enact retribution upon the humans as I threatened... yet our Empire is low on resources and in need of the system's shipyards to repair and refit our ships. I would not hesitate to do so, otherwise. Also, I find the information that Emperor Romulus is the one behind this rather than the humans of the United Colonies. This suggests a rift in their alliance, if we can exploit that, then we might divide our enemies to better destroy them.”

  Kral felt no surprise to hear Chxarals admit that he planned to destroy the humans of the United Colonies. The fact that his ultimatum had offered them peace did not matter, promises were only important if they could be enforced. Like most Chxor, a lie was just as good as a truth, so long as one wasn't caught by a superior in the process.

  And who, Kral thought, would Chxarals worry about being caught by?

  “Of course,” Kral said. “How would you like me to proceed?” He didn't look at the comatose prisoner. He had already seen the execution order signed by Chxarals.

  “As my senior Fleet Commander, I'm appointing you to command the orbital defense of Nova Roma,” High Commander Chxarals said. “I will appoint Fleet Commander Chxum to similarly command the defense of Nova Umbria. I will take the remainder of our forces and coordinate the attack on the human base in this system.” While Fleet Commander Chxum wasn't one of Kral’s people, he had managed to transfer several squadrons to his forces at Nova Umbria. They would possibly be enough to seize orbit if they struck with surprise.

  Kral was surprised that things had worked out so beneficially, but he didn't allow any pleasure to touch his face or voice. It wouldn't do to ruin things, after all. “High Commander, are you certain that you should engage yourself in what should be a relatively minor engagement? What if the humans of the United Colonies seek to take advantage of your absence?”

  High Commander Chxarals dismissed that with a negative gesture, “No, it would be illogical for the humans to coordinate such an attack. While it would make sense for them to sacrifice a smaller force to annihilation, such as Emperor Romulus, in order to seize a vital objective, they have not shown that level of intelligence or coordination thus far. Indeed, if they do engage your forces here, I fully expect you to follow through on your orders and eradicate all life on Nova Roma, just I expect as Fleet Commander Chxum should do the same at Nova Umbria.”

  “Yes, High Commander,” Kral said. “What else do you require from me?”

  “The departure of a significant portion of our forces here might cause some unrest in the rebellious elements of the humans. I want them rounded up prior to our departure. You may utilize orbital resources to store them prior to departure to labor mines and camps elsewhere in the Empire.”

  “Of course, High Commander,” Kral said. He felt a bit of dismay at the thought of the innocent humans he would have to round up, probably under High Commander Chxarals' attention. Worse, it would be hard to safeguard them once the attacks on the orbital defenses got underway, he knew. Combined with the fact that he had to arrange to transport the rebels clandestinely into position to conduct their attacks...

  Or perhaps I can accomplish two tasks with one effort, he thought. If he moved the rebels as “prisoners” into position to conduct their attacks and positioned weapons to supply them, then he wouldn't need to worry about innocent civilians at all... so long as the attack went off with proper timing.

  There was some risk, he knew, if labor transports arrived before the scheduled attacks... but Kral knew just how limited cargo hulls had become in the Chxor Empire. It was not inconceivable that it would be weeks or months before transports would be available. It was a risk, but Kral felt it was worth it... and he had no doubt that most of the rebel leaders would agree.

  “Yes, High Commander,” Kral said, “I will engage my full efforts to removal of the rebel population.”

  ***

  Theta Station, Nova Roma System

  (Contested)

  May 20, 2404

  “I'm glad you've finally arrived,” Emperor Romulus IV said genially as Lucius and the others stepped into the narrow conference room.

  “Glad to be here,” Lucius said in return. He hadn't been quite certain wha
t to expect of Theta Station. On the one hand, Emperor Romulus II and his successor had both been known to spare no expense for projects they found important. The massive Imperial Fleet and the ornate Imperial Palace had been two examples of where they had spent extravagantly and obtained incredible results, but there were other examples of millions of Solari spent on projects designed only to honor the family's hubris or to fill the coffers of one of the noble houses.

  At the same time, Theta Station had been built in secret, a bolt-hole for the Imperial Family to retreat with their loyal supporters in case of rebellion or coup. The fact that it hadn't been brought up as one of Emperor Romulus IV's assets suggested not only that he hadn't trusted Lucius enough to share it, but also that the station might not be all that game-changing.

  And from what Lucius had seen so far, the station fit both expectations. On the one hand, it was a well-kept secret. The base had clearly been put together in stages, some sections were probably taken from decommissioned stations and ships while others had been built from prefabricated installations. It was rugged and solid, designed to remain ready despite years or decades of inattention.

  On the other, it was packed with weapons and equipment that showed a mix of furious effort and complete lack of forethought. One entire cargo pod held laser target designators for infantry... which would be of little or no use without aerial or orbital support and the sensors to use the laser targeters... which weren't present on the station. Another example were thousands of stockpiled fission warheads... whose high explosive charges had been left installed and had degraded to the point of being hazardous to handle and useless for triggering the nuclear warhead.

  The stockpiles of small arms, light and medium weapons, on the other hand, were perfectly functional and came with sufficient supplies of ammunition that they had fully equipped the rebel forces on both Nova Roma and Nova Umbria.

  Emperor Romulus IV looked around the table and he gave a confident smile. He looked better than he had in months, Lucius realized. Coming home had given him hope at resolving the occupation of his homeworld and had let him feel as if he had finally accomplished something.

  “We've noticed an increase in message traffic this morning as well as movements of Chxor vessels and a consolidation of Chxor ground forces,” Emperor Romulus IV said. “I've also seen a message from Fleet Commander Kral, who says that High Commander Chxarals intends to take personal command of the attack here.”

  Lucius smiled a bit at that. It was what they had hoped for, since Chxarals seemed to possess just enough arrogance that he would trust his own judgment over the initial reports from his people. While their original plan called for the Dreyfus Fleet to oppose the Chxor, their current plan should work in their favor.

  Lucius looked around the table and his gaze settled on each of the commanders in turn. Admiral Collae looked the most out of place in his gray-green Colonial Republic uniform. He looked tense, as well, though some of that must come from the fact that the others at the table didn't trust him. Still, his stern, stone-like face showed neither fear nor worry.

  Tommy King sat back at his ease, a slight smirk on his face. Lucius wondered if that was humor at the fact that the notorious pirate had somehow been rehabilitated or just at the the fact that they trusted him. Lucius knew that his people were somewhat less eager to be here, but Tommy seemed to have them in hand.

  Commodore Pierce looked somewhat less sanguine, but the mercenary commander was here with all of his military strength. While Lucius had been impressed by the man and his mercenaries so far, he felt uneasy at the age of his dreadnoughts and the Hammers he had to support them. Still, Commodore Pierce's efforts in the combined training they had conducted on their trip through shadow space had convinced Lucius that his people were well trained and capable. He also commanded the military ships sent by Halcyon, an interesting decision made by Harris Penwaithe before their departure. I wonder that he didn't ask his brother Garret to command them, Lucius thought, or if he worries that his brother might come back too much the hero.

  That left Lord Admiral Valens Balventia and as Lucius's gaze settled on him, the other man gave him a smile. Lucius returned the smile, though he felt a bit of wonder at the fact that they had ended their rivalry so completely. Part of it was that they were here to free their homeworld, Lucius knew, but part of that came from the fact that there were no more secrets between them. The baggage from their respective families was no longer a burden to them... there was only the defeat of the Chxor.

  “Right, then,” Lucius said with a respectful nod at Emperor Romulus IV. “As it stands, we have a rather smaller force than we originally projected for this.” He sighed, “Our capital ship strength is far, far lower than we had projected, but that is compensated by our overall fighter strength being far higher overall. Given the intelligence from Kral as well as observation from Emperor Romulus's forces, I'd estimate that we have between twenty-four and forty-eight hours before High Commander Chxarals launches his attack.”

  Silence met that statement. It was one thing to approach a battle with seven hundred dreadnoughts in consideration of how to engage and destroy them... it was quite another to hear that thirty seven hundred enemy warships were on their way sometime in the next two days.

  “It seems we are committed, then,” Admiral Collae said, his gruff voice hard. “I've questions, then, about the initial deployment we discussed for my forces.”

  Lucius cocked an eyebrow at that. They had positioned his three converted 5-class dreadnoughts to the flank, along with his entire investment of cruisers. Lucius had felt that the mobility of the cruisers would allow him to turn the Chxor flank, while the three wings of Patriot-class fighters based on the converted dreadnoughts would give him the firepower to savage the enemy dreadnoughts once he broke through the enemy's cruiser screen.

  “I feel that my fighters would be of greater use in the initial attack,” Admiral Collae said, “rather than retained for the flank attack.”

  “We don't want to let the Chxor know how much we have in position until they are fully committed,” Admiral Balventia said.

  “Admittedly,” Admiral Collae said, “However, the Chxor tend to overlook fighters in regards to combat strength. I think, particularly if the opening salvo of my missiles are lighter, that might allow us to utilize Commodore Pierce's Hammers to greater effect later in the battle, when the enemy dreadnoughts are more vulnerable.

  “True,” Lucius nodded, “but if your fighters are going to be in position for that, your carriers will be more vulnerable.”

  “They're big ships, with extensive defense screens and heavy armor,” Admiral Collae said. “Also, I've left some of the original energy armament in place, so I'm prepared to allow the ships to be in the line of fire. Especially if that allows them to conduct combat reloading for their fighter squadrons to allow a faster engagement of the enemy.”

  “Very well,” Lucius said, “we'll shift appropriately. Commodore Pierce, your Hammer wing can go on the left flank.” He updated the layout on his own datapad and then looked at Emperor Romulus IV. “My Lord, do you have anything to say?”

  The Nova Roma Emperor stood. The young man took a moment to compose himself, “Thank you, all of you, for coming. This battle will determine the fates of billions of people... and I know all of our lives are on the line. We may not win,” he let out a ragged breath as he said that, “worse, we may fail the people who are counting on us... but I don't think that will happen.”

  “When the time comes,” Emperor Romulus IV said, “I think that we will face the enemy with courage and honor.... and that we will destroy them.”

  Lucius smiled along with the others... but he also felt more than a few pangs of worry. This battle would decide the fate of billions. This wasn't a frontier world or an empty system, this was Nova Roma, the jewel of human space. This was his home, his people... and Lucius just hoped that he could live up to the reputation that his people had given him.

  His mind went
to Admiral Dreyfus's last words. His talk about the defeats that had so terrified him and his anger at Lucius for failing. Would this be one of those defeats? Was that why he had so opposed Lucius in recapturing the system?

  No, Lucius thought, I will not be haunted by the ghosts of battles I haven't even fought yet... I am the master of my future.

  ***

  “Your girlfriend is cheating on you,” Heller growled at Garret.

  “I'm his fiancé,” Abigail said and stuck out her tongue at the other woman, “and I am not cheating.”

  Heller growled something in her native tongue that Garret didn’t quite catch. It was partly in good humor he knew... but only part. That even Heller was effected by the tension that pervaded the entire fleet worried Garret. The normally unflappable mercenary had been short-tempered and even more sarcastic than usual.

  Garret actually regretted holding the poker game. Most of those who had shown up had grown increasingly irritable as the game went on. As a case in point, Jude Derstile threw down his hand and stared at Garret. “Sir, what are we doing here?”

  Garret stared at him with shock. “We're playing cards.”

  “I don't mean here,” Jude pointed at the makeshift card table. He waved his hand around as if to point to the entire star system, “I mean here. What are we doing at Nova Roma? How did this go from an in and out mission, to privateering, to whatever that last battle was, to somehow helping to reinstate the blasted Nova Roma Emperor? I've been with this company for years, and while we've toppled a few tyrants, we've never helped put one back in power.”

  Garret grimaced. In truth, he didn't much disagree. The Emperors of Nova Roma, besides their peculiarity of assuming the name of their predecessors, had become infamous for their ambition. Emperor Romulus II had set out to conquer threats, but his son had expanded that to any system nearby that he could take. Under his reign, Imperial Security had developed a fearful reputation, especially as his empire had gone into decline.