“We’re locked on an intercept course with the Nepenthe, Executor,” the travel master said. “Estimated time to intercept is under an hour.”
Zytll stared into the battle master’s four pinheaded eyes. “Tell me, is this the first instance the Nepenthe has ever retreated from battle?”
“According to our archives, they have done it a few times prior, though they sometimes use it as a feint to launch a vicious counterattack,” the battle master said.
“Defense Master,” Zytll said. “Keep your eyes focused on what the Nepenthe does, for I do not want my ship to be hit by any of their tricks.”
“At once, Executor,” the defense master said. With his full attention on the pirate vessel ahead of them, he had also positioned his sensor readings out in front, leaving nothing but the collision avoidance sensors to the rear and flanks.
“Launching new salvos from main guns in under three minutes,” the attack master said. “Please keep us on this course.”
“Yes, Attack Master,” the travel master said.
The talk master sat at the rear of the command pod. His station was considered to be on the lowest rung within the crew’s pecking order. Unlike the others, he kept a full 360-degree spherical scan of his console readouts, in case another ship attempted contact via com-links. When a new indicator entered the outer radius of the ship’s sensors, he didn’t pay much attention to it until it started closing to within fifty thousand klicks.
“We shall initiate the next attack on my command,” the attack master said. “Prepare the count at twenty-four. On my—”
The talk master uttered a shrill buzzing noise, momentarily startling everyone. “My apologies, but I must say something.”
The attack master glared at him. “How dare you interrupt my firing solution!”
“I am sorry, but there is a contact on an intercept course behind us,” the talk master said.
Zytll quickly scanned the tactical display of his console, as did everybody else. Sure enough, a contact happened upon their sensor range and it was closing at a good angle. “Battle Master, what is that?”
The battle master tilted his head sideways in disbelief. “She’s the Stiletto.”
Zytll made a series of clicking noises; it was his way of uttering curses. “Travel Master. Take evasive action. Now.”
The travel master used all four of his hands to alter the Wondrous Beacon’s course, and the subsequent force of gravity within the room increased dramatically. “Beginning evasive maneuvering, Executor.”
“Give me an update, Battle Master,” Zytll said tersely.
The battle master was trying his best to stay calm, for the news was grim. “The Stiletto has matched our heading. She had been building up acceleration, and her angle is adequate.”
Zytll was aghast. “Are you saying a collision is inevitable?”
“There is a good chance it may happen,” the battle master said.
“Is there anything we can do?”
The battle master gestured at his subordinates. “Attack and Defense Masters, coordinate and see if you can destroy the Stiletto before she rams us. Travel Master, I am relaying new collision avoidance coordinates for you.”
Zytll could only watch helplessly as the incoming contact closed in on his tactical display.
The xtid ship tried to evade, but her mass was too much for such a nimble maneuver. Despite the utter destruction of the Stiletto at the hands of the Wondrous Beacon’s close-in weapons systems, fragments of the pirate cruiser’s hull continued on their path towards the target, as if the ghost of Janice Gwynplaine willed them to exact her final revenge. Several large pieces of wreckage impacted at high velocity, ripping through the bio armor and creating a number of gaping holes in the Wondrous Beacon’s aft hull.
The collision threw Zytll’s ship off her own intercept course, and the avenue to attack the Nepenthe was quickly lost.
Despite the sudden reversal of fortune, the bridge crew of the Wondrous Beacon remained calm as they began to assess the damage to their ship.
Zytll’s anger lingered like a slow-burning ember within his soul. “Give me a report, Battle Master.”
“The ramming attack only partially hit us, but it damaged our engines severely enough that I recommend we must decelerate in order to make repairs,” the battle master said. “My most sincere apologies for not anticipating this move, Executor.”
“It is but a minor inconvenience,” Zytll said. “We still have our victory, though I would have preferred a complete one. What of the Nepenthe?”
“She will make it to the outlying dark matter fields and most certainly engage her tesseract drive,” the battle master said. “Shall we continue pursuit once repairs are complete?”
“No,” Zytll said. “The Tiburon and her precious artifacts are safe, so we succeeded in the first part of our mission. Begin the repairs, then strike a course for the rendezvous point.”
“Right away, Executor.”
Using all four arms, Zytll detached himself from the command chair and began to float towards the exit. The Nepenthe would get away, but it didn’t matter. The shards were one step closer to him, and the prestige of bringing such an artifact over to the xtid would be glorious.
16 Ploy
Comprising four star systems within close proximity to each other, the Scythian cluster had a single habitable world serving as its administrative capital. The first human explorers who came upon the mountainous planet named it Kurgan, in reference to the ancient Scythian term for barrow. The worlds of the other three systems did not have enough features to support large colonies on their surface and remained sparsely settled in order to maintain a ruling presence over the entire cluster.
Not long after the formation of the Bios Concordance, the humans of Kurgan quickly used genome technology to adapt their bodies in order to thrive in the world’s unique habitat. Due to the planet’s constant periods of twilight on its tidally locked dark side, half of their population initially acquired the slit-like, unblinking eyes of a cat, making their vision useful for low-light environments. Over the centuries, the entire population soon adopted this artificially engineered mutation, along with other outwardly distinguishable modifications to mark them apart from other humans.
The worlds within the Concordance territories were nominally governed within a feudal context, with archons and their families installed as hereditary leaders over their subjects. House Maladore had continued its unbroken rule over the Scythian cluster for over a hundred years, but recent events had begun to make an impact.
The knocking on her bedroom door finally woke Ava Maladore up, and the young woman quickly got out of bed, slipped on her gown, and placed the sandals over her padded feet before she unlocked the bolt and opened the door.
Her handmaiden Dilye poked her head inside, the nictitating membranes of her eyes fluttering nervously. “My lady, your father has been calling for your presence in the throne room for the past twenty minutes already.”
Ava was getting frustrated as she turned around and walked over to her wardrobe closet. Every time new guests were presented at the palace, her father the archon requested she be present with him. “I’ll be there shortly. Once again my papa continues to see visitors at such an ungodly hour.”
Closing the door behind her, Dilye quickly made her way towards her young ward. Taking a garment from the wardrobe, she held up a dress made from the finest Rigellan fabrics, to see if Ava was keen to wear it. “You must hurry, for your father wishes you to make an impression upon the newest traveler venturing into our homeworld.”
Ava snorted in disgust while slipping into the dress her assistant placed on the bed. “Not another offworlder. I don’t like their eyes, and their ears are curved, so unlike ours.”
“Hush, my lady,” Dilye said. “Your future children will bear your traits, for our genomes are guaranteed to be the dominant ones.”
“I cannot even think of children at this time,” Ava said. “My father is forcing me to marry some
one against my wishes. I want to love my future husband out of my own free will, not due to a political pact.”
Dilye made a slow whistling song to calm the young woman down while buttoning up her garment. “As the daughter of an archon, you have a duty to preserve your family’s legacy. Your father only wishes the best for you.”
Ava hissed. “Best for me? He sent away the love of my life to the adjacent system in the cluster, there to live out his years as a minor administrator for the colonial mines. If Father truly wanted what was best for me, he should have allowed me to marry Orist.”
Dilye once again made a calming sound as she brought out a much more elaborate pair of shoes for Ava to wear. “My lady, please try to see the galaxy through your father’s eyes. He is doing this because he has to. If your elder brother was still alive, he would not be offering your hand in marriage to the best suitor.”
“Deep in my heart I still have hope that Jurt will return to the palace someday,” Ava said softly.
Dilye turned her attention to a scented mist sprayer by the small table and silently handed it to her mistress. “We need to hurry, my lady.”
Ava could sense her handmaiden didn’t want to talk about family politics. After freshening up, she allowed herself to be led out, and the pair started down the corridor towards the palace’s main building.
It took them close to half an hour to arrive at the throne room. The gloom of late evening meant there was only a minimal staff available at the court, yet a full troop of guards wearing ceremonial armor was present, along with a small coterie of nobles and the usual complement of attendants hovering by the archon’s throne.
The plump, whiskered chamberlain spotted the two women and gestured at Ava to make a slow, silent walk towards a chair facing the court, to sit beside her father. Even though she was not supposed to turn her head, Ava did, in order to steal a glance at who these newly arrived guests were.
Two men wearing long dark cloaks stood just below the platform. They were clearly outworlders, and of the old human type, with eyes, ears, and skin so unlike hers. Ava immediately sensed an inward revulsion, as if she was looking at a completely alien species, despite their genetic compatibility. Lowering her eyes, she daintily stepped in front of the chair and sat down.
The chamberlain gestured towards her. “Lady Ava of House Maladore.”
Archon Hrothgar drew in a deep breath, expanding his barrel-shaped chest to nearly twice its size. It had been a long night, and he was eager to finish the motions so he could get some sleep. “Now that my daughter has presented herself to you, travelers, I would like to request that you state your names once more and explain why you have arrived in my territory.”
The first man flashed a wicked smile before making a slight bow in Ava’s direction. “I am pleased to finally see the lovely lady of your prestigious house. My name is Captain Toto Vega, of the Tiburon.” He gestured at the much bigger man beside him. “And this is my executive officer, Baz Wilkerson.”
Hrothgar had been briefed by one of his advisors while waiting for his daughter to arrive, and now he had some questions. By force of habit, the old man stroked his graying beard before speaking. “My court has heard of you, Captain Vega. My advisors tell me you are a pirate, and your head is wanted in a number of sectors within Concordance territory. It seems not to be a very wise move to present yourself out in public like this.”
“I would beg Your Highness to listen to my words first before judgment is issued,” Vega said. “I have truthfully presented myself here at your prestigious court for the sole purpose of asking for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
A number of outraged sneers emanated from the small crowd of nobles and court attendants. Ava was able to maintain her reserved demeanor, even though she wanted to storm out of the hall. Half of the palace guards began to tense up while remaining in ranks, ready for action.
Hrothgar was momentarily taken aback by the pirate captain’s brazen request. The archon quickly recovered in only a few seconds. He began laughing contemptuously, and the rest of the court soon followed. Ava looked down and shook her head slightly.
Vega retained his confident bearing. “While it is true I am a pirate, let it be known that my ship and crew have never initiated a raid in your territory, Archon. Although I am indeed wanted in a number of sectors within the Concordance, I am also aware that the laws in each of these territories are different, and a powerful archon such as yourself can always make exemptions.”
His pleasing tone made Hrothgar curious. The archon decided to humor him. “It is true I can offer sanctuary within my domain, yet why should I make an exemption for you? My family has continued to rule Scythia with honor, in successive traditions of well over a century. What could you possibly offer to me other than ill-gotten plunder?”
“This,” Vega said before drawing back his cloak, revealing a small cluster of three glowing crystal fragments suspended in a transparent sealed canister hanging below his right shoulder.
The archon’s slit pupils grew wider. It can’t be.
More gasps came from the members of the court. For several minutes, no one said a word as they continued to be mesmerized by the scintillating colors emanating from the crystals inside Vega’s container. Ava could only stare in amazement at the inner light of the shards, as if something that was missing from her very being was now being offered back to her.
The pirate captain held it up with both hands for all to see. “There is one tradition that your house values above all else, and it is the legends surrounding these crystals I have brought before you, Archon. They are called the Shards of Eternity, are they not?”
Hrothgar’s nictitating membrane fluttered a number of times in confusion. ““Wh-where did you get those?”
Vega’s tone became smug. “Does it matter? These very crystals are a heraldic symbol of your great house, and legend says your ancestors had all five shards in their possession.”
“Mere myths,” Hrothgar said. “They are but … stories of the distant past. Legends that are meaningless to the here and now.”
“Ah, but I beg to differ, Archon,” Vega said. “It is said that only House Maladore may possess these crystals, and any stranger who returns them to their rightful owners shall be accepted as part of their eternal dynasty.”
A number of nobles and court staffers began to look at each other in a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. Everyone on the planet had heard about the myths surrounding the crystal shards, and they all knew Vega spoke the truth. House Maladore valued tradition above all else, and much of their political support depended upon their adherence to these age-old practices.
Hrothgar gritted his sharp teeth. He could see that everyone in the room looked towards him for leadership, and he had to say something right away or else lose face. “How do we know that those crystals you carry are truly the Shards of Eternity?”
“Let us prove it,” Vega said. “It is said that the ruling archon of Scythia possesses one of the true shards, and these crystals will react when in close proximity with each other.”
Reaching down past his tunic’s neckline, Hrothgar pulled out a necklace for everyone to see. The chain around his neck held a single glowing shard of crystal sealed within a transparent lozenge.
The moment the archon held the piece of jewelry in front of him, a beam of energy emanated from the small group of shards Vega carried, and a bridge of solid light connected the disparate pieces. Cries of shock and awe were heard as the entire court let out a deep collective breath.
With shaking hands, Hrothgar withdrew his necklace and placed it back underneath his shirt collar. “Enough.”
“So I have proven the shards I carry are indeed what was described in the legends surrounding these artifacts,” Vega said. “There isn’t more to say, is there?”
“Those shards you carry were rumored to have been lost by my family during the upheavals of the Singularity Wars hundreds of years ago,” Hrothgar said. “By right, those
are mine.” The archon snapped his fingers. “Guards, take them into custody.”
The ceremonial warriors instantly surrounded the two pirates and pointed their spears towards them. Baz pulled out a laser pistol from the folds of his cloak, ready to fire should the warriors close in. Dilye the chambermaid ran over to where Ava was sitting and threw herself in between the others to protect her lady.
Vega tensed up as he kept the container of crystals close to his body. “Wait, I would suggest you do not attempt to take my possessions by force.”
The chamberlain seethed with rage while standing beside the guards, his own laser pistol pointed at the pirate captain. “And why not?”
Vega continued his incessant grin while throwing back his cloak, revealing several flat metal containers embedded along his torso. “Because I have enough explosives to bring down the high ceiling of this room and kill everyone within it. They will detonate if my heart stops.”
The chamberlain bared his saw-like teeth. “Attempting to threaten or kill the archon means death for you!”
Vega turned his attention towards their ruler. “I did not come here to enact an assassination, my dear Archon. I came here to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage. I will offer these shards to you as a gift if you accept my more than generous terms.”
Baz kept aiming his snub laser pistol at the guards. Although they had been searched the moment they landed in the shuttlecraft, their allies within the populace were able to sneak some weapons to them while en route to the palace. Nevertheless, he knew that if Vega’s ploy failed, they had no chance.
Hrothgar held up his hand, signaling his guards to stop. “Wait.”
“Be reasonable,” Vega said. “I have more of these shards than you do. My mere possession of them gives me a bigger claim to be the designated archon of this entire cluster. But I am willing to allow House Maladore to continue on as before. All I ask is that you give me a title that is commensurate to my deeds, and I become part of your family.”
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