“We now have a written message asking us to cease fire.”
“Natalia, let them know it’s their lucky day,” I ordered. “Lorelei, let’s proceed with the intention of running. Even if we can beat them, I would rather not take the chance of a lucky hit on their part.”
“The ship that’s hiding could be cloaked,” Natalia reminded me.
I tapped the ship-wide com and spoke. “It could be cloaked, and that would mean it’s Cjittan—slower than Genius getting to first base with Zora.” I tapped it again to shut it off.
“At least I don’t have to stun her and tie her up in my room,” Genius fired back.
“Well you might want to add that to your list of ideas of how to get her in bed,” I answered. “I’m sure it will be the only idea you’ve got so far.”
“Enough!” Lorelei snapped. “Focus, children. We aren’t even out of the solar system and you’re goofing off.”
“Hey, I’m ready,” I protested. “Just waiting on you to get us there.” I turned to Genius, all business.
“Genius, get the drives online,” I told him. “I get why they have rules about using the drives so near to a planet’s gravity well, or in this case, the capitol planet, but we may need to just rip a hole and get the hell out of here.”
“Boss, they don’t have rules; there are laws, scientific and judicial,” Genius said. “It’s a bigger deal than, say, kidnapping a queen. Kidnapping a queen doesn’t rip a hole in space, or open a wormhole, where if it got out of control it could pull planets out of orbit, or cause a black hole, or all sorts of world-ending catastrophes.”
“Genius, you’re so stupid. What do you think is going to happen when I set her free? It’ll be exactly like that.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. I’ll have the drives ready for you, but we have to be farther away from everything. Lorelei, why aren’t you telling him what he should do?” Genius clearly hoped she would take the lead.
“He plopped his ass down in the captain’s chair and started telling everyone what to do. Let him figure it out,” Lorelei said, not really projecting a sharing mood.
“Everyone, shut it!” Natalia ordered, getting their attention. “We’re about to find out whether we’ve been freaking out over nothing.”
“So far so good,” I said as we began getting a visual.
“Oh shit!” Nedra said, which freaked me out.
“‘Oh shit’ is right! What is that doing here?” I asked as I saw it.
“We are so screwed,” Lorelei added, shaking her head.
Chapter 5
“We’re receiving a message,” Natalia said. “I think you better not screw around with this one, Dad.” She was looking at me, waiting for me to give the word.
“Go ahead, put it on the screen,” I said, sounding like someone took the wind out of my sails. The screen flickered with a visual.
“Benjamin, it’s so good to see you!” Captain Dakkon said, giving me a genuine smile.
“Something wrong with your battle cruiser, Captain?” I asked. “It wouldn’t look good if I had to pull you back to Allond.”
“No, nothing like that. I was just waiting for you,” Dakkon said. “The emperor said you stirred up some trouble for yourself and to proceed to the border and wait. Then, before I knew it, I had orders to report to Queen Tazleaha and apprehend you—peacefully, if possible. We are friends, are we not? Come to my ship and let’s get this thing straightened out. Then we can eat and drink and make our ancestors proud.”
“Dakkon, you know I’d trust you with my life and my crew if we were allied against a common enemy, but I’m afraid that your orders will change again and I’d rather not be helpless to do anything about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you talked to Tazleaha today?”
“No, not since yesterday,” the captain said. “We have been keeping a silent vigil.”
“Well, she is tied up in my quarters right now. So if you’re supposed to take your orders from her, I would rather you not be able to talk to her right now.”
“I thought you and the queen were mated, future secure.”
“It’s complicated, Dakkon,” I said. “One little thing leads to another, then it’s all blown out of proportion.”
“Ha! Isn’t that the way of it with headstrong females!” he said, shaking his head.
“You’re telling me.”
“Cousin!” Nedra scolded, jumping in. “Although my loyalty lies with Benjamin, Tazleaha is not totally to blame. Mistakes have been made on both sides. Some aren’t even known yet, and when they come to light the situation will further degrade.”
“Be calm, Nedra,” Dakkon told her. “I am no fool. This is Benjamin we are talking about. Do you feel his actions were honorable, though I would assume extreme?”
“Yes, cousin,” she said. “Our Binda of Trillond was attacked and poisoned by cowards. The cowards have paid for their crime with their lives. One was cousin to Tazleaha and the other was husband to our own ambassador from Cjittan. Neither are aware of what has befallen the attackers.”
“But Tazleaha suspects?”
“Of course she suspects,” Nedra said. “She has spent months with him, and before the poisoning, he beat them both in front of his people and hers. They were suitors and made their challenge at the same time. We feel the attack on Binda was revenge against Benjamin.”
“Cowards are cowards, no matter their reason,” Dakkon said. “Orders are orders, Benjamin, and you are correct—if they changed, I would have to obey. But if my ship were to have a problem that required diagnostics, it would take at least six full duty cycles to complete, and possibly even more time to repair. Once that is accomplished, then I would have to follow my orders and begin searching for the Claymore. Maybe in that time, tempers could be soothed and a compromise could be found.”
“Dakkon, they want to take Binda and drug her. I can’t let them do that. She hasn’t regained consciousness from her previous ordeal. If it were Nedra, would you still call me a friend if I let them take her against her will and do things that could possibly harm her? Follow your orders, my friend, but know that in this there will be no compromise. I hope you understand.”
“Let me speak with Xamand. I am not sure what facts have been made known to him. He may have a solution, and you know he is fond of you, Benjamin. He would not let Tazleaha harm you if your actions were justified. I am not convinced she would harm you anyway, but your relationship with her might never be the same.”
“I think you’re right,” I said. “Take your time fixing that big tub of death and destruction, and thank you, Dakkon. I hope I don’t see you soon.”
“You’re funny, Benjamin. I hope our paths don’t cross until you have made your peace with the Empire of Cjittan and its queen. Safe travels, cousin Nedra. I can see you are happy and have chosen well.”
The screen went blank and Natalia shut it off. “We have a reprieve, so let’s make the best of it,” I told the room. “The three of you, put your heads together and let’s see if we can outsmart that very smart captain. I’m going to check on Binda and Taz and have the guys stand down.”
****
“Xamand! How are you, brother?” Dakkon asked, after making a connection.
“It has been a long day. Do you have news?” Xamand said.
“I spoke to Benjamin and Nedra. They were fleeing Cjittan, as was expected. I am curious about the request you received for aid. What reasons were given for involving us?”
“First, it has to do with the Claymore being so much faster than anything in their fleet. Second, it was hoped we could influence Benjamin to see reason before the situation becomes worse.”
“What is the situation they spoke of?” Dakkon asked.
“The most recent was delivered to me not long before your call,” Xamand answered. “They suspect him in the disappearance of two of the queen’s suitors, who happen to be important citizens. Zora, the minister of intelligence, showed me
a recording of Benjamin and the two males in question during a meeting. It looked to me like he taught them a lesson, which, in accordance with their archaic system, is acceptable.”
“Well, I can assure you they are as good as dead, but not for the reason you were given. They poisoned the Trillond female Binda in an act of revenge. She lives but has not recovered. Benjamin dealt with them.”
“Yes, if that is the case then I’m sure he did,” Xamand muttered.
“He and Tazleaha are at odds over the Trillond female. She had the vision of the Khalnalax, and Tazleaha wants to use drugs on her to try to induce another vision. She has not recovered from the poisoning yet, and Benjamin is opposed to his crewmember being subject to such an experiment. I did not get all the details, but Tazleaha is on the Claymore right now, bound as a prisoner in Benjamin’s quarters.”
“What did our cousin have to say about the situation?” Xamand asked.
“She didn’t contradict Benjamin, except to advocate that Tazleaha was not completely in the wrong,” Dakkon said. “I think that had more to do with their relationship than the charges against him.”
“That is likely true. She has chosen a soldier and wants him to be a prince. She should know he despises what they represent.”
“He feels there is a wedge driven between them, and it is possible that they are no more. If that is the case, she may want his blood and want us as her sword. The prophecy is more important than her misguided vengeance. Benjamin must live to face the Khalnalax and his fate, or the final chapters of three empires will be written in dust. Be careful of the information you receive in the future, brother.”
“Yes, I am aware now. Benjamin has no idea of the prophecy, so we must continue to aid him. I will not be lied to or manipulated. Follow Benjamin, but do not engage, regardless of the orders you may receive. Have Queen Tazleaha contact me if she is unclear on where we stand.”
“Yes, brother. Rest peacefully. I will be in contact if anything notable happens.” Dakkon wasn’t sure he believed in any prophecy. Xamand thought Benjamin was the stranger from another sun and stars who would topple an empire, obviously not their own. It was thought by the scholars the Cjittan empire would be the one to fall to him. It had been Xamand’s belief from the beginning and he had been guiding events toward its fulfillment.
****
Binda slept peacefully, which was disturbing me more and more. It had been almost three days since she ate or drank. I would get some answers at my next stop, or someone else would not be eating or drinking.
No, I need to watch my temper, I thought. It won’t help to antagonize Taz more than I already have. I entered my quarters and turned the lights on, but just enough to be able to see. Taz had her eyes closed, so I pulled a chair over and sat down. I needed to think about a number of things. I was going to have to cut her restraints so she could eat and take care of her needs. I didn’t think I had ever asked her to promise me anything, but maybe she would take an oath seriously. Then again, if she didn’t give a shit about me and my crew, it would mean nothing.
I had closed my eyes while I weighed the options, and when I opened them she was staring at me. I didn’t say anything and I didn’t flinch either. I would let her be the first to look away.
“You stunned me?” she asked slowly.
“I did.”
“Where are we?”
“I don’t know,” I answered.
She studied my face. “I can believe that,” she said after a moment. “Do you have a plan, or are you just going to aimlessly travel my empire until you are caught?”
“Binda still sleeps and I want to know the truth. If she dies, it will seriously affect our relationship.” I tried to smile but my face didn’t cooperate. She wasn’t going to get answers until I got some.
“Does the humor help?”
“It would if it were funny, but I’m having a very hard time right now.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“That I can believe also,” she said and winced. I could tell she was stiff and sore.
“Tell me what I need to do for Binda and I will cut you loose.”
“So we will bargain information for what?”
“The necessities, to start,” I told her, gesturing at her constraints. “Food, water, toilet, no restraints and no access to the ship. You will stay locked in my quarters, away from my crew.”
“And what else might you want, if I have no information to help Binda?”
“Then I want to know why? And think about this before you open your mouth, because that’s more than one question.” I stood and slid my knife out of the sheath, stepping toward her. Her eyes reflected concern for the first time. She had been tied up and uncomfortable, but never scared, until now. I put my knee into the mattress, leaned down and grabbed her by the hair. “It’s a bitch being helpless, isn’t it?” I hissed in her ear. I let go of her hair and grabbed her face, squeezing her cheeks and forcing her mouth open. “Being forced to do something against your will,” I growled, then let her go and cut the piece of blanket holding her hands and feet. “Consider that an act of goodwill toward our future conversations.”
I stepped into the corridor and found Ronnie on her way to Binda’s quarters. My knife was still in my hand and I saw her notice it immediately.
“Anyone in there need medical attention?” she asked, giving me the eye.
“No. Look,” I said, holding the knife toward her. “No blood.”
“You could have cleaned it off.”
I opened the door. Taz was stretching her legs and trying to get comfortable. “See? No blood, yet!” I said, loud enough to for her to hear.
“Taz?” Ronnie asked, “are you in pain? Do you need anything?” Taz shook her head.
“Come on,” I said as I closed the door again. “I checked on Binda twenty minutes ago and she was still sleeping. If you messaged the doc back on Cjittan, do you think he would answer you?”
“He may,” Ronnie answered slowly. “He isn’t like the others. Why don’t you have Taz message him?”
“I asked for her help with Binda. She’s in there trying to figure out what she wants to trade for it. If we find out on our own, then she will have no leverage.”
“You know, you could try a different approach,” Ronnie said. “She screwed up, but it’s not like you never have. Leave your knife out of it and use some kindness. She still loves you—it’s not something she can just shut off.”
“Stop it,” I replied shortly. “Go check on Binda and message the doctor. He doesn’t need to know where we are or anything other than what we need to know.”
“I’m not stupid, so don’t talk to me like I am,” Ronnie snapped.
“I’m sorry, Ron.”
“You better be. We’re out here in unknown space, flying by the seat of our pants, and all we have is each other. So get your shit together.” She walked away, leaving me to think about my next move.
I went back into my quarters. Taz watched me as I walked in the room, and for a second time in so many minutes, I took out my knife.
“I want answers,” I said. “But I won’t do it this way.” I cut the bindings on her legs, rolled her over and cut her wrists free. I sat on the edge of the bed, took one of her arms and massaged her hand and wrist, then reached across and did the other. She just lay there, looking at me.
“You still have clean clothes in my wardrobe, if you want to shower,” I told her. “I’ll go get you something to eat and drink.”
“Thank you, and thank Ronnie for me,” Taz said quietly.
“You can thank her later. I’m not sure if this was a good idea or not, but her opinion of me is important and I’ve found over the years her intuition is almost always correct.” I left without another word while she lay there, rubbing her wrists.
I returned twenty minutes later with water and a salad. I’d had to make it myself; I wasn’t going to bother Adam just to put some leafy green stuff in
a bowl. I had seen her eat enough of it to get the right combination, and it was my luck she liked a simple oil and vinegar. She was combing out her wet hair and sitting at my small table. That was something else I had watched her do many times. I placed the food on the table, took off my belt and knife and lay down on my bunk. The last two nights I had slept in the chair in Binda’s room. Right now I just wanted to stretch out and relax.
I listened to the sound of her eating as I lay there. A little small talk would have been nice, but she chose to remain quiet and I ended up dozing off.
I woke to find her staring at me from the chair. My face itched around my nose and mouth. She watched me scratching. I closed my eyes again, not wishing to wake up.
“I was very angry with you,” she said softly.
“That’s good to know,” I said. “I was hoping that wasn’t just slightly angry or a little angry. You’ve been angry at me before, but I don’t remember you threatening to kill me. Or maybe you did, I don’t know. It happens a lot, but I understand the heat of the moment. Maybe you wanted to at the time. The question is, do you still want to?” I opened my eyes again, looking straight at her.
“No,” she said. “I’ve had some time to think while I was trussed up like a wild animal for the slaughter!”
“I get that, but you need to understand that no one saw you that way,” I said. “Besides, it’s an effective means of securing a prisoner.”
“That is little consolation to a queen.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “If there is a handbook I need to read then give it to me. I’ll highlight the chapter that says I can’t hog-tie a pissed-off queen.”
“There is no book,” she snapped. “It’s something you should already know. You call it respect and value, but show me very little.”
She might have a point, I thought. “Look, it’s been a really bad three days,” I said quietly. “Bad dreams, poison, kidnapping, revenge, and escaping a capital planet.” And it’s about to get worse, maybe. I waited for her to process it all.
“Kidnapping?”
“It’s what we call taking someone against their will,” I explained, gesturing to her surroundings. “You’re here and I don’t think you wanted to tag along.”
Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison 4: Empires at War (Part One) Page 8