“You think we should check there first?” Natalia asked and laughed.
“Has to be close,” Sashet answered.
“That is the lower shuttle bay,” Joon offered from the back.
The shuttle circled the World Eater once then approached the shuttle bay. Entering, she found a spot where they could land that was free of any large debris. The shuttle bay looked like a war zone. Opening the ramp, they exited to begin their search. Two privateers guarded the shuttle while the rest began searching for any sign of Reaper or anything worth taking. Natalia tried her father’s com with no luck. Doon saw a strange shadow. It looked like legs resting against the wall. Moving closer, he saw an arm laying on the floor. He recognized the armor. He turned, looking for his sister or the daughter Natalia. Picking up a piece of debris, he threw it so that it landed in between them. He waved his arms and hoped they’d understand. They did. Natalia outran Joon, but only by a few steps. The others were alerted to their find when they saw them running.
Five people rapidly cleared the debris off the body. No one spoke for a couple breaths. When someone did, it was one of the privateers guarding the shuttle. He warned of people approaching. Natalia turned to look at the same time as everyone else. Four Cjittan and two Khalnalax were running toward the shuttle. The privateers guarding the shuttle drew their weapons. A word from Sashet, then Jewels and Broken made a run to aid their guards.
“Captain, I’m going to get the shuttle and bring it here. We need to move him as little as possible. I’ll flip it around and we can load him right in,” Natalia said. Sashet just nodded her ok, lost in thought.
“Natalia!” Jewels said. “We need to go now. They say the Eater is going to explode.
“They want to go with us,” Broken added.
“Everybody in, now! Broken, Jewels, cover them with your weapons. Any of them look at you wrong, you shoot them and throw them out,” Sashet ordered.
“Aye, like them orders,” Broken said, his smile jagged.
The privateers didn’t need to be told twice. Everything they scrounged was loaded quickly. “Broken, Jewels, get my dad. Be gentle, but hurry.” Natalia was trying to hold it together. “Captain, call the ship and give the order to meet us. Anybody know how much time we have?” Natalia accidently moved the shuttle. The ramp scraped the floor.
“Easy girl,” Jewels said from the back.
No one answered, then Natalia heard a pop. “She asked you a question,” Jewels said.
“We aren’t sure. The core was shutting down, then the explosion took out everything, including the safeties.” Natalia heard feet on the ramp, a little rustling, and then Sashet sat next to her.
“Get us out of here,” Sashet ordered. Natalia accelerated hard again and took a moment to look over her shoulder. Her father lay on floor with his head in Joon’s lap. “What? You think I would leave him behind?”
“No, Captain. I just needed to see him. Someone shut that damn ramp.”
“You know two of our passengers are Khalnalax.”
“I saw. I don’t think they will be a problem, and if I’m wrong I’ll shoot them myself.” Natalia watched a ship approaching on her console. It passed overhead and settled in front of them. The rear ramp opened and she accelerated, pushing Sashet back into her seat. She passed through the force field then slammed to a halt. Sashet gave her the eye and a long stare for the ill treatment of her shuttle and her body.
“Welcome home, Captain,” the bridge announced over their com.
“Full acceleration. Put as much distance as you can, then take us up and out of here at the first opportunity.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Chapter 23
“My queen, we will rendezvous with Minister Zora and the fleet within the cycle.”
“Thank you, Captain. Bring her on board then place us in the middle of the formation. This will be my flagship.”
“Thank you, my queen. I will announce the Minister when she arrives.”
The room was quiet after the Captain’s announcement. Tazleaha was distracted, looking at her messages. Looking for one in particular that wasn’t there. She frowned and felt foolish. He may not have even read her message yet. Or maybe he had and didn’t want to respond. The frown grew.
“Tazleaha, stop torturing yourself,” Dela’maah said.
“Who says I am?”
“The deep lines on your face and the hard look in your eyes. I’m sure you messaged him, your actions say it’s so, but you need to give everything some time. You broke it off with him and sent him on an impossible mission, in my opinion. There could be many reasons why he has not replied. None of them wrong. You just need to be patient.”
“There is something I need to tell you,” Tazleaha said softly. She wanted to change the subject and get something off her plate. “Sit down next to me.” Tazleaha watched her face, never taking her eyes off her.
“What’s wrong, Tazleaha? You don’t look well.”
“Benjamin killed your brother out of revenge. Your brother attempted to poison and kill Benjamin’s friend and crewman, Binda of Trillond.”
Dela’maah sat motionless, lost in thought. No emotion, her face a blank canvas.
“Would you excuse me? I would like to go to my quarters.”
“I wanted to tell you before now, but there were complications.”
“I understand. I will return shortly.” Dela’maah eased up from her seat and walked out the door.
****
Dela’maah went to her quarters and lay down. She had not been close to her brother. He had caused more heartache than joy for her over the years. The rift between her and Tazleaha was partially his fault. Tazleaha’s lover, though, would feel her wrath one day for his deception that had caused her pain and torture at the hands of the pirates. She tried to process how much time had passed. Her mother would still be mourning; he was her favorite. It was odd her mother hadn’t sent her a message to inform her of his death.
She would continue to give the whole matter—including revenge—some thought when possible. Right now, she needed to work with Tazleaha and Zora more closely. She felt she would not have to worry again about being assigned to the outer rim because of Tazleaha’s anger with her. The rift was healing. By the time she would be ready to confront Benjamin, Tazleaha’s feelings will have cooled for him and she would not interfere.
She walked back, her face clear of tears. She needed Zora. Together, they could convince Tazleaha to wait and increase the ships accompanying them to Idaline. Six ships did not stand a chance against the Khalnalax when they invaded the Idaline system and took both planets. If the queen and Zora, her next in line, were captured or killed, it would leave a hole in the monarchy and possibly result in civil war. It would be a knife in the heart for the Empire of Cjittan. Tazleaha’s Allond guardian barred her door.
“The queen is resting, Commander Dela’maah. She instructed me to tell you; wait for Minister Zora and greet her when she arrives. Then bring her here to the queen’s quarters.”
“Understood. I’ll return after the minister arrives.”
****
Aisling O’Shaughnessy had read the message from Benjamin at least three times.
Benjamin said he loved and thought about us often. Did he think about me more than the others? Probably not or he would have sent a personal message. He didn’t include E’Aria—that said something. He is so damn frustrating! When they kidnapped me, he came for me and the kidnappers paid a terrible price for that mistake. I guess it’s hard to compete with a queen who can offer you everything. The crew voted and they were leaving Trillond for Cjittan to join with the privateers. Now just to let them know they were on our way.
“Connection established,” the automated voice said.
“Captain O, is that you? Sorry, of course it’s you.” Shawna said.
“Hello, Shawna. You look good. I guess that pirate is taking care of you?”
“Not sure which one you’re talking about. I’m surro
unded by them.”
“Benjamin, of course.”
“Ha, I’ve been trying to get him to take care of me since I met him.”
“I’m sure you have, but he has that covered in spades.”
“Not so sure that’s true. Don’t know for sure, but something might have changed.”
“Shawna! Enough gossip. The captain will be here any minute,” Nedra warned.
“Nedra, how are you?”
“Healthy and satisfied, Captain O’Shaughnessy. There have been some changes since you last spoke to any of us but the Admiral and Captain will explain.”
“Admiral? I guess there have been. You still with the extra-large man with four arms?”
“Oh yes, Captain.”
“So did Benjamin give himself the rank of Admiral?”
“He is still just Reaper or Benjamin. Now that you ask, I’m not sure what position he fills in our little coalition,” Shawna said, scratching her chin.
“Enforcer works,” Nedra said.
The bridge doors opened. Binda and Lorelei arrived. Lorelei sat at the helm and Binda took the Captain’s chair.
“I hope we haven’t kept you waiting too long, Captain O’Shaughnessy?” Binda asked.
“No, just catching up with Shawna and Nedra.”
“What was reference to enforcer that I heard walking in?” Binda asked.
“Admiral, the Captain was inquiring about Benjamin and thought that the Admiral rank might have been appointed to him. I said he had none, but possibly enforcer would work.”
“Aisling, Benjamin put Binda in charge of our little coalition of pirates, soldiers and large beings,” Lorelei explained. “The pirates had elected an admiral right before Benjamin went all Reaper on them, but Natalia killed him. We are about three hundred souls and Binda is our new Admiral.”
“He did it without discussing it with me, but I am happy he has the confidence in me to lead. I should tell you, Aisling, that we work for Queen Tazleaha. Benjamin sold her on an idea from your Earth’s history: privateers.”
“I’m familiar with it. We have been running freight with the Warhammer for over a year now and my people are bored. They need to feel like sailors and soldiers again. This war you find yourselves in seems like the ticket for us.”
“Join us, then, Captain Aisling O’Shaughnessy of the Warhammer. The war has just begun and the Cjittan have some catching up to do, but I feel it won’t be long until the odds are evened up. We would be honored to have you, your crew and the Warhammer fighting alongside of us. Shawna, send the Warhammer coordinates for a rendezvous near Kanlost.”
“Kanlost? What lies on that heading?”
“A man, his daughter and one of our ships are taking back a planet lost to the enemy.”
“Guess who, and I know you’ve seen him naked. You need to spill it next time we have drinks,” Shawna interrupted.
“Shawna, focus,” Lorelei warned.
“Sorry Captains. Coordinates forwarded to Warhammer.”
Binda gave the beautiful human captain a measured stare. “Aisling, we haven’t received a report from the captain of our ship at Kanlost, nor do I have any idea what we will run into there or along the way. Prepare your people, my friend. You go to war.”
****
“Someone get a hover. We need to get him to medical,” Natalia yelled.
“We don’t have one. We are going to have to do this the old way and pick him up,” Sashet said.
“Jewels, Broken, would you two pick him up please?” Natalia asked.
“Sure, we will get him there,” Jewels answered.
“Sashet, do we have a doctor?” Natalia asked.
“We have one, but he probably isn’t what you’re used to.”
“Got to be better than nothing,”
“If you say so,” Sashet answered, holding back a laugh.
Jewels and Broken lay Benjamin on the table in their small med center.
“If he dies, I want the rifle and the armor,” Broken said.
Jewels gave him a look. “It will go to his kin and she can decide what happens to it.”
“We could help her decide.”
“She’ll kill you deader than the black and won’t waste a breath,” Jewels said.
“Thanks, now wait outside,” Sashet said, eyeing her two crewmen.
“Aye, Captain,” they said in unison.
“She will kill us if we touch anything belonging to Natalia,” Jewels said. “She likes the girl. She won’t let anything happen to her.” The pair walked away.
Natalia walked in with Joon and Doon in tow. She immediately began unbuckling and unzipping the armor off her father. Sashet held Benjamin up while they pulled it down his shoulders and then finally off at his feet. They all winced when they saw his legs, which were purple with broken bones protruding. Oddly, there was little blood.
“Is he the same species as you, Natalia?” Sashet asked.
“Yeah. But he has had some enhancements compliments of the Queen of Cjittan and the Alliance. His blood must be clotted so he doesn’t bleed to death.”
An old Cjittan man, stooped and walking slow as old men do, stopped to survey the situation. His skin was blotchy and most of the hair on his head had fallen out.
“What have you got for me, Captain?”
“Go over there and look, Harnock,” Sashet replied.
“He isn’t Cjittan?” Harnock said.
“I can tell you he is very similar to us. Now get to work or I’ll throw you out the airlock.”
The old man turned on a full body scanner and let it work while he walked around the table, observing everything. “He is a warrior; his body tells of many battles.”
“Yeah, he has told me about all the scars. I think they are all bought and paid for.”
“Captain, please, step over and look at the scans with me.” Sashet walked over and stood with Harnock. Natalia was trying to squeeze in, as was Joon. The scan currently showed the full body on one screen. There was something broken in his neck, chest, hips and legs, including his ankles and feet.
“Harnock, give him something for the pain and put everything where it belongs, splint his legs, secure his neck, wrap his hips and chest tight and strap him in so he doesn’t move. I have the feeling he will heal all of the damage.”
“How will he accomplish that?”
“Are you aware of the methods that keep our queens alive and healthy for such a long time? I believe he has been given a similar treatment.”
“Why would she?”
“He is her lover, or was, maybe still is, I don’t know, but I believe she has shared more with him than just herself.”
“Captain, you should all sit down or at least hold on to something it’s about to get rough,” the bridge announced.
“What has happened?”
“The core of the World Eater went critical; we should feel the first shock wave right about now.” True to his word, the pirate ship bucked and went sideways. The helmsman rolled the ship on around until it faced the explosion head on with shields at full power. They rode the forces until they eased enough that the thrust of the ship could overcome them.
Everyone but the old man ended up on the floor. They picked themselves up and Natalia checked on her father. Joon and Doon offered Sashet a hand. “Captain, we will need to land and make a few minor repairs.”
“Find somewhere to hide us if you can. I’m sure the Khalnalax ship is speeding in this direction as we speak.”
“Aye Captain, we’ll do the best we can.”
“Harnock, get to work. I’ll be back shortly to check on you. Natalia, can I speak with you a moment?” Sashet asked, walking into the corridor.
“Yes, Captain.”
“I need to send a message to the Admiral and the Queen. Is there any reason I shouldn’t tell them about his condition?”
“No, in fact rub in what he has done for queen and country. This was her idea; she pushed and prodded him into it.”
�
�I don’t think she told him to do what he did.”
“She told him to take back Kanlost. What the fuck was he supposed to do, throw rocks at them? Send her a vid of the World Eater going super nova.”
“You don’t think she’ll believe it?”
“Attach a note to the vid: I’ve paid for my crime with blood and bone and here is the proof. There are five more of these on Kanlost and we want five hundred thousand per or we leave.”
“You are a pirate. I will send it exactly as you said.”
“Thanks, Captain.”
****
Xamand waited for his com to connect. He knew if Emperor Khalnalax was anything he was rumored to be, there would lies and subterfuge coloring the whole conversation. He was about to cut the com and order Dakkon to destroy them. Even to hunt the ones that would flee into Cjittan or unprotected space.
“Emperor Xamand. I am house steward Jocca. Emperor Khalnalax will be with you shortly.”
Xamand waited. Again he was leaning toward contacting Dakkon. His screen popped to life with Emperor Khalnalax smiling like a poisonous plant. Small-framed and effeminate, his long platinum hair was pushed behind his ears. The sound of his high-pitched voice grated on Xamand’s nerves almost immediately
“Xamand, how good to hear from you. It was, what, at my father’s last breath and final rest when we last spoke.”
“Khalnalax, you have grown much since then. A bold and fearless leader you’ve become, but that is youth, I think.”
“An Emperor has to be bold and fearless but also know when to be cautious. Even now I wonder what would have turned you from your beautiful halls to commune with me. Have you heard about my sword striking down my enemies?”
“It would seem that part of your sword has wandered into the territory of the Empire of Allond. The distance is far too great for it to be an accident, as your ship’s captain tried to explain. Had I but heard only his voice I might have been convinced, but I saw him face to face just as we look on each other now. His eyes darted about and I knew it to be a lie. So I decided to bring the matter to you, fair and just Emperor, so that we may clear up this matter before it costs us both so very dearly,” Xamand spoke, reciting his speech just as he practiced, offering praise and a desire for a peaceful outcome.
Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison 4: Empires at War (Part One) Page 35