“You have six Great Cats and seven of your own men. Admiral Godfries can supply more Great Cats if you need them.”
“I’m trying to keep them paired up with my guys. They’re new to our world, and we know the local issues better.”
She turned a suspicious stare on him. “Major, have you even called home yet?”
“No, Ma’am.”
“Why not?”
He looked a little sheepish. “None of us has any money, and we can’t Protect very well if we’re talking on someone’s phone, so we haven’t pressed the issue. Our families understand.”
She reached into her purse and pulled out a cell phone. “That’s the most pathetic excuse I’ve ever heard. Call her now, Major.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“And tell her to pack her bags. She’s coming here.”
Trexler leaned back in his seat, his eyes narrowing in thought. Then he grinned. “We have plenty of room, Terry. Bring the kids, too, and pass the word.”
“They’re in school, sir.”
“Why was it we’re fighting this war?”
“Uh . . . yes, sir.”
“Consider it your penance for breaking ranks up on the stage, even if it was the right thing to do.”
“Yes, sir.”
Family members began arriving a week later. Soon, all of them were there and the ship was a happier place.
Trexler and his entourage toured the world, showing off the spaceship, giving tours, giving speeches, and answering questions as openly as they could. No country that was willing to receive them was turned down. It was not unusual to visit as many as three in a single day.
Nancy Shaw took complete responsibility for their schedule, kept them up to the minute on global politics so they wouldn’t land anywhere unprepared, helped all of them prepare speeches, took care of any expenses, and just generally made life a lot simpler for everyone.
She insisted on occasional days of rest, and she was firm with that item on their agenda - their mission was too critical to allow mistakes due to fatigue. She always managed to find someone willing to donate a home on a sunny beach somewhere. Trexler, Krys, and Stven spent as many hours in the sun as they could, with Nancy by their side working on briefing papers while the rest of them studied what she had written. M’Sada and Tom O’Brien alternated watches on those days, the lucky one spending time in the sun. When it was O’Brien, he dragged Akurea Skvechavka’a from her quarters.
When Akurea was introduced to Trexler, he became very focused. He’d gotten so caught up in international affairs that he’d set the hypercom project aside.
“You’re still here?” he asked. “We need to get you to . . .” He looked a question to O’Brien.
“She’s knows a lot about what’s gone on, sir, but not all of it. She has to see the Queen before she hears more.”
He nodded, frowning. How could he have missed this? Her project was urgently needed. “We still need to get you to the scientists,” he said to her. “What’s the delay?”
“Sir, do you want the science, or do you want a working hypercom?”
“There’s a difference?”
“Yes, sir. I’ve been tasked by Lady Krys to bring a working hypercom to the fleet. I’m a nuts and bolts person, an engineer, not a scientist. The science will come, but later, after we’ve got working systems that you can use.”
“You can do that?”
“Not yet. I’m working on it.”
“How is the project coming, Commander?”
“Better, now that the Chessori sent those plans to you.”
“So they’re the real thing?”
“No, sir. Didn’t you know?”
“I guess not,” he answered, looking askance at O’Brien.
“Sorry, sir. There’s a message waiting for you when you find the time.”
“Certain messages should be hand delivered, Tom.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What’s in the message?”
Akurea answered. “They sent you the plans for their drive, sir, not the hypercom.”
Trexler smacked a fist into an open palm. “Darn. He stiffed me. We just got them started for home, you know. I guess I’ll have to call him back.”
“Who, sir?”
“The Chessori commander. I never did get his name.”
“No, no, no. This is perfect. If anything, tell him that his plans meet all your expectations. He’ll get home believing we don’t have a clue what we’re looking at. That’s what we’ve wanted all along. We don’t want them knowing we have the real plans.”
“Hmm. I see your point. I’m sorry you wasted your time on his stuff.”
“It hasn’t been wasted, sir. I couldn’t have asked for a better set of plans.”
“I think you’d better explain yourself, Commander.”
“My name is Akurea, if it pleases you, sir. I’ve been stuck on some symbology with the hypercom, Chessori symbols that I had never encountered, and it’s been a real problem. Even George has been stumped.”
“George?”
“Our AI, sir. He’s been helping.”
O’Brien broke in. “He’s not of Empire manufacture, sir. He was repaired and upgraded in a certain overhaul facility. He’s far more capable than any fleet AI. Remember what happened with the canisters?”
“How could I forget?”
“Lady Krys asked him to give it everything that he had, and she didn’t ask her crew for advice, she just did it. He actually took over the ship and our weapons. We were blind. The screens went dead and the only lighting was emergency lighting. I think the air conditioning might even have been turned off. He took out all those canisters on his own.”
Trexler’s eyebrows narrowed. “Tell me you’re joking, Tom.”
“I’m not, sir.”
Trexler looked thoughtful. “I wonder if we can get similar upgrades for the fleet?”
“I’m not sure it would be a good idea, sir. He can’t shoot at anything carrying intelligent life, but short of that limitation, he’s pretty creative. I’m not sure you want creativity on ships of the line.”
“Hmm. You might be right. I need to predict what each ship is going to do. We might be able to use that creativity on command ships, though.”
“Not without a comprehensive study, sir. You might just dig yourself a big hole. Fleets don’t like creativity. You need predictability. Besides, it sounds to me like you’ve been plenty creative without the help of someone like George.”
“So what does all this have to do with the hypercom, Akurea?” Trexler asked, turning back to her.
“I know how our drives work, so I was able to decipher the Chessori plans. George measurably speeded that process up. As you can imagine, the hypercom has some similarities to our drives. After all, both of them are dealing with hyperspace. Some of the symbols that we’ve been unable to decipher have shown up in the hyperspace drive plans. Since we know how the drive works, we’ve translated the symbols and applied them to our understanding of the hypercom.”
Trexler shook his head to clear it. “I’m not sure I understand what you just said. Are you telling me that the Chessori sent you a translation key to the hypercom?”
“Essentially, yes, sir.”
“And he has no idea,” Trexler breathed. Then a big grin lit his face. “Call me Ray, all of you. Are the steaks ready to go on?”
“After you tell me what the hypercom is,” Nancy Shaw interjected.
“Sorry,” Trexler said. “I didn’t mean to treat you like you weren’t here. It’s a system that, if it works, will let us communicate between star systems. The Chessori developed it, and they’ve given it to the Rebels. It’s a tremendous advantage for them.”
He turned back to Akurea. “I know I asked, but I didn’t get an answer. Why are you still here?”
“Because there’s no better place for me at the moment. I’m relying heavily on George’s help. Until I’m done, Resolve is the best place for me.”
�
��If Resolve is called away, I want you off the ship,” Trexler demanded. “We need to get you and the plans to the Queen.”
“Why not let me work here – on Earth? I hear you’re developing manufacturing facilities here.”
He frowned. “I don’t think they’re that advanced yet. They’re just installing things that are made elsewhere. Let me give it some thought.”
“I’m thinking about the safety of the system, sir. We only have the one Chessori computer, and what place is safer than Earth? It might be safer to move manufacturing people here than it is to move the system somewhere else.”
“The scientists and engineers that we’ve been working with come from an unusual world. I’m not sure they’d fit in very well here. I’ll give it some thought. But remember: until you hear otherwise, when Resolve leaves, she leaves without you.”
* * * * *
From Europe, they visited parts of Russia, China, Africa, Japan, other countries in the Far East, Australia and New Zealand, then South and Central America, ending up in the United States. Some countries would not let them in, and Trexler worried about them but he did not try to force their hands. State dinners were an every night affair. He worried about his weight, but he discovered early on that Nancy always met with the chefs, insisting on small portions for the two of them. The Protectors normally ate on the ship during the many short flights, but when that was not possible, Nancy arranged for their meals as well, insisting on food they recognized and usually enjoyed.
Krys seldom accompanied Trexler when he left the ship, but she greeted everyone that came aboard. Visitors were invited into her quarters, a suite of rooms that Ellie had used for many years as she traveled the Empire.
As they neared the end of the trip, the families were sent home and Krys called Nancy to her quarters. “You’ve been a great help to us, Nancy. I know Ray is pleased.”
She smiled. “Thank you. I wish he’d tell me that, but I doubt that he will. He’s quite focused.”
“To our benefit. You like him. It shows.”
“It does?”
“Even through my blindness it shows. We’re nearly done here. What are your plans?”
“I’ll go back to the White House and sit in my little office. After life on this ship, it suddenly seems mundane.”
“Do you have a family?”
“Two grown children. I was a little too driven for my husband. He left long ago.”
Krys nodded. “My man is hundreds of light years away, gravely injured.”
“Oh, My Lady, I didn’t know. Why are you here?”
“It was necessary, but I’m anxious to get back to him.”
“You’re strong, My Lady. Much stronger than me, that’s for sure.”
“No. In that you are wrong. I’m frightened out of my wits most of the time. I’m not a warrior.”
“Everyone is secretive about you. All I know is that you’ve been through terrible trials. Your bravery is not questioned by anyone.”
“It’s not bravery, Nancy, it’s duty. The call to duty runs strong in my family. My brother is a Knight, also. Do you know what it means to be a Knight?”
“Not really.”
Krys smiled. “Well, truthfully, I’m not certain either. We don’t exactly have job descriptions. Maybe I can explain it another way. Do you know how many Knights there are?”
“You told us there were never more than a hundred, but with hundreds of thousands of worlds and trillions of people, that’s hard to believe.”
“To the best of my knowledge there are eight at the moment. Ray would have been the ninth, but he refused.”
“I know. He was right to refuse, My Lady.”
“He’s rarely wrong, from what I’ve heard. He’s a member of the Queen’s Inner Circle. Did you know?”
“No. What’s the Inner Circle?”
“A very small group of her closest advisors. All of her current Knights are members. Ray is the only other.”
“Oh, my. He knows her, then.”
“They know each other well. From what I’ve heard, they’ve become great friends.”
“We’re speaking of very private things that take place at the highest levels. Why are you telling me this, My Lady?”
“The Empire has a job for you, Nancy Shaw. I’m calling you to your duty in the name of the Queen.”
“I . . . don’t understand.”
“Nor do I,” Krys said, hanging her head. She lifted it, saying, “I wish Tarn was here. He always figures these things out.”
Nancy remained silent, and Krys understood. “Do you know how old I am?”
“No. You appear young, but your exploits are those of someone much older than you look.”
“I’m 30 years old, and I am the source of much of our intelligence concerning the war.”
“That’s . . . possible?”
“Ray makes it sound like I’m a spy or something, but in most cases I’m not. I’m a courier, just as I’ve been here on Earth. Most of what I do is carry messages. In the process, things sometimes happen, but those things are not important at the moment. Do you know what a Seer is?”
“I’m not sure. Bedtime stories sometimes refer to witches who see the future.”
“I hope I’m not a witch.”
Nancy hesitated, something she seldom did. “You’re frightening me, My Lady.”
“Join the crowd. It frightens me, too. I am a Seer, Nancy. I have visions, visions of things that will happen in the future. Most of them are of things that are crucial to winning the war. Every one of them has come true. I had a vision of you.”
“Surely you jest. I play no part in this war.”
“But you will. Every one of my visions has been of someone who plays a critical role in our success.”
Nancy stepped away, then turned back, her words sharp. “What am I supposed to do?”
“I don’t know. In my vision you were with the Queen. Your heads were together as you studied a document before you. I sensed nothing unusual happening. You did not appear to be under any stress or danger.”
“You saw me with the Queen . . . the Queen who’s somewhere out there in the galaxy, not here on Earth.”
“Yes. There’s more. My visions are often accompanied by words, words that are always in the form of a riddle. These are the words:
Triton calls, the Queen holds, the twin dares, the unseen hunt.
Nancy shuddered. She had no idea what the words meant, but they sounded ominous. “What does it mean?”
“I don’t know. Tarn will figure it out.”
“Who’s he?”
“My man, and the Guide.”
Nancy blinked. Too much was on the table all of a sudden. “What is Triton?”
“A world. The Queen’s home and the seat of our government.”
“And you’re telling me it’s calling me?”
“I am, but I don’t know how it calls. The Queen is not welcome there at the moment.”
“I’m not a twin.”
“I am. I wondered, at first, if this vision was for me or my brother, but I’m certain it’s not. It somehow applies to you. The mention of the unseen is what bothers me most, Nancy. The word ‘unseen’ appeared in another vision. It applied to gleasons, the most feared creatures in the galaxy. They are virtually invisible until wounded, and they are lethal beyond belief.”
“And I’m somehow mixed up with them? What am I supposed to do, fight them?”
“If you are the twin, it appears that you will dare them.”
“Dare them to do what? Do I look like I’m the daring type?” Nancy answered, a note of shrillness sounding in her words.
“I can’t answer your questions, Nancy, but I’m a Knight, and I speak true. Will you answer my call?”
“No! I’m a lawyer. I push paper, not weapons. I don’t believe it. Any of it.”
“I can’t say that I blame you. Will you speak with Terry before you decide?”
“Why?”
“He, too, did n
ot believe, but he does now.”
“I’ll honor your request, of course, My Lady,” Nancy said formally. “I’ll speak with him tonight after we’re done with this meeting, but he won’t change my mind.”
“He might. In fact, I know he will, because you will, one day, be with the Queen. This is important, Nancy. We have been spreading a message for the last two months, a message that calls on people to give all that they are. You’ve helped us spread that message. Now it’s your turn. My call to you is the same as a call from the Queen.”
“Strong words, My Lady, but I cannot accept your call. I beg you to release me from this obligation.”
“I, too, fought the call. I would release you if I could, but I cannot, and I will not. Talk to Terry. His story will be . . . persuasive.”
* * * * *
Nancy never got the opportunity to talk to Washburn. Trexler’s last stop was in central Iowa. A motorcade of local cars and vans, and a car hauler for Stven, was carrying them back to the ship when they suddenly came under attack. The first indication they had was firing from the Protectors. Bullets riddled the armored van he and Nancy were in, then the van was suddenly blown into the air. When Trexler came to, Resolve was just settling into position across the road. His Protectors and Secret Service agents stood guard around him while Sergeant Jacobs and a local ambulance medic worked on Nancy. Jacobs turned baleful eyes to Trexler.
“It’s bad, sir, very bad.”
Trexler tried to rise, but a Protector held him down. “You’re hurt, sir. The threat is taken care of. Why don’t you just lie still for a while?”
Trexler knew he had a broken leg, and possibly a broken arm and a few broken ribs, but his concern was for Nancy. “Resolve has a medic station. Get her in there, and tell O’Brien to lift for my cruiser as soon as she’s aboard.”
“We’ll get you both in there, sir,” Jacobs said as he bent back to Nancy.
Trexler called Stven to his side. “Take care of her, Captain. I’m staying here.”
“Admiral, go with us. Your cruiser will have the best medical care available.”
Trexler knew he was not in any condition to make decisions, but he knew he could not flee Earth under these terms. It would send the wrong message. “No. This is political. You of all people know what I mean. Who else is hurt?”
Voice of the Chosen (Spirit of Empire, Book Three) Page 8