by Terry Mixon
“You’re a powerful senator. You’ll survive this, too.”
Breckenridge picked up his cup and sipped his coffee. “Not if I defy Ethan and fail. The winners write history. I’ll end up a traitor and die beside everyone else before it’s all over. Everything hinges on either the survival of the emperor—which seems unlikely—or outmaneuvering the murderous heir.
“And if we win, then the emperor and Princess Kelsey will eventually find out the truth. My political career will end. My fellow senators will find reasons to shun me. For the good of the Empire, I’d have to retire.”
“Is retirement so bad an option?”
“Compared to dying or being one of the causes of the destruction of the Empire? No, not at all. I’ll take disgrace and even prison, if I must.”
She nodded. “You really do value honor over reputation. Perhaps we have a chance after all.”
Elise took the vial from her pocket and set it on the table. “This has the possibility of saving the emperor’s life, but only if we get it to him in the next ten or eleven hours. I’m sure the Imperial Palace is a fortress. Could you find someone to help us get it to him?”
A flash of hope appeared in Breckenridge’s eyes. “Perhaps. We’d need someone skilled with locks and alarms, but there may be a way to get two people, perhaps three, into the palace. They’d need to elude the Imperial Guard and slip into a no doubt heavily guarded medical center. This might only give us a small chance, but I’ll take it.”
* * * * *
Angela didn’t contact the chancellor. He seemed a nice enough man, but he might do something rash. They couldn’t afford to have the police called.
Carl wasn’t forthcoming with additional details on the device he’d mentioned. That was probably for the best. She was already doubtful it would work. It sounded like sorcery.
Dressed in casual clothes, her people didn’t draw any unusual attention. Much of the conversation she overheard revolved around the wild fight last night. More people than could possibly have been anywhere near the apartments were claiming to have seen the whole thing. Usually male students talking with young women hanging onto every word with wide eyes.
It made her want to puke.
“Those lying sacks of crap,” she muttered to Carl. “This pisses me off.”
“Why?” he asked curiously. “Because they’re trying to use reflected glory to get lucky?”
“It just seems skeevy. Doesn’t it bother you?”
He shook his head. “You ever see the birds in the zoo that puff themselves up and strut in front of the females to attract a mate? This is like that. All posturing. I couldn’t care less what they say.
“I heard one guy claiming he was in on it. That he helped stop the attackers. I think he overplayed his hand, though. The woman laughed at him and walked off.”
Angela nodded. “I bet. I heard one guy that actually saw us. He told his friends about a man flying off with a woman. His friends verbally abused him. One thing is for sure. They’ll be talking about that attack for a long time to come.”
The building with the restricted access was just ahead of them. Carl and she both had codes, but she’d prefer not to leave a record they’d been here.
Getting in proved to be horrifyingly easy. Carl struck up a conversation with several women in lab coats that were going in. He pulled the exact same crap those boys had been doing, though he stuck to an accurate viewpoint.
His story so enthralled the two that they didn’t notice he never swiped his card. He had it in his hand, but held the door for them. He left it open just long enough for her to keep it from closing and walked deeper into the building with them.
As soon as they were a dozen meters away, Angela opened the door and motioned her men to follow her inside.
Carl said his goodbyes to the women and entered a stairwell beside the lift. She followed as soon as the women walked into a first floor room.
He was waiting at the next landing. She gave him a hard look. “What the hell was that?”
“A lesson in security training they obviously forgot,” Carl said with a grin. “The easiest way to get into a building and past a lock is to distract someone with access and go in with them. Holding a bunch of donuts and coffee works well, too. Doctor Leonard told me if I ever fell for anything like that, he’d assign me an essay on the subject.”
She shook her head. “You’re a damned wonder. Come on. Let’s get to the lab before someone asks us how we got in here.”
“We have access cards. They’d let us walk.”
Nevertheless, he speedily led them to the fourth floor and to the room where their gear had been stored. A couple of broken boards blocked the door open and a man stood there watching as others carried out parts of the roof.
Carl showed the man his card. “We’re cleared. I need to see if any of my equipment was damaged.”
The man gestured for the four of them to go in. “It looks like the destruction was pretty localized. Something fell through the roof.”
“Preposterous,” a voice said from inside. “The damage pattern and how the debris fell make it clear something in the room burst out through the roof.”
Carl covered his eyes. “Fabulous. It’s Professor Bedford. I’m doomed.”
“Is that you, Mister Owlet? Finally! You’ve wasted enough of my time already with this foolishness. Get in here this instant!”
Angela didn’t even try to suppress her grin as she followed the dejected graduate student into what was no doubt going to be an epic dressing down.
Chapter Thirty-One
Carl’s first sight of Professor Andrew Bedford proved the man hadn’t changed much. If anything, he looked more pugnacious than ever.
The short man with the white hair and perpetual sneer gestured for Carl to hurry up. “Perhaps you’d care to set these young men straight about what happened here, Mister Owlet. Surely you’ve gained enough experience to see it clearly.”
The lab hadn’t been in use before the chancellor had set it aside for Carl. It had a number of crates and boxes on shelves. The one that had formerly held the hammer was missing. He’d wager parts of it were probably scattered across the roof and yard.
“Professor Bedford. It’s good to see you again.” A lie, but more for form’s sake than anything else. The gleam in the old man’s eye told Carl it wouldn’t matter what he said.
“Bah. Save the pleasantries for someone that cares. I want you to explain to the gentlemen what happened here in this lab. Take as much time as you need, so long as it’s less than five minutes. I have other things to attend to.”
A glance at Angela showed she was vastly amused. Her grin made her look beautiful.
That wasn’t the kind of distraction he needed right now.
“I don’t need five minutes, Professor. A case on that shelf flew up into the ceiling. It came apart even as the contents blew the roof open. The course of destruction is probably to the east.”
The older man froze and fixed Carl with a suspicious stare. “That’s actually correct and I doubt you’d be able to see such detail without knowing more than you should. Explain.”
“This is my equipment and I’ll explain it all as soon as the workmen leave. It’s classified.”
“How very secretive. Very well, Mister Owlet. I shall humor you for a few minutes. Everyone get out.”
The workers wasted no time heading out the door.
Bedford pointed at Angela and the marines. “You, too.”
“We’re with him. Don’t let us slow you down. We’re just the peanut gallery.”
“Harrumph,” the old man said. “If you’re the help, don’t bother me.” He refocused his attention on Owlet. “How do you know what happened here?”
“Because I caused it.” He held out his hand and let the backpack he’d been carrying hang in front of him. He activated the hammer and pulled his hand back. The pack stayed in place.
Bedford walked around the floating object, entranced. “You’v
e succeeded in capturing my full attention, Mister Owlet. Continue.”
Carl opened the pack and pulled out the hammer. He dropped the now empty canvas and left the hammer in the air for the professor to examine. “This is Mjölnir.”
“The mythical hammer of a Norse god? Doubtful. You’ll need to do better than that, young man.”
“I built it as a weapon for someone. Last night, intruders tried to capture or kill me. I called it to me and defended myself. Hence the destruction.”
The old man whirled on Carl, his eyes narrowed. “That business at the apartment building? The chancellor is fit to be tied. I had no idea it involved you, but I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“Why is that, Professor? Because of my well known predilection for violence?”
“Don’t be insolent, boy. You’ve always struck me as a troublemaker.”
“I think everyone under the age of fifty strikes you that way. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I have work to do.”
The old man straightened and narrowed his gaze. “Don’t try to cavalierly dismiss me, Mister Owlet. I’m not done with you yet.”
“Perhaps not, but I’m done with you. This work can’t be put off. Lives are at stake.”
“You must not have heard that I’m in charge of determining your fitness for a doctorate. An honor you’re looking less likely to have bestowed upon you every moment. You thought that toy was worth the honor?”
“I built the hammer based on other people’s work. As you say, it’s a toy. And keep the doctorate. I didn’t ask for it and it’s the least important consideration to me right now.”
Carl turned his back on the professor and began pulling a crate out. The one with the parts of the transport device.
“You intrigue me, Mister Owlet,” Bedford said. “What work is so important that it’s worth a PhD? The Lucien Prize, perhaps? You can kiss any thought of that goodbye, too.”
“You’re a mean spirited old man out to hurt those under his control,” Carl said conversationally as he opened the crate. “I’ve never done anything worthy of the damned Lucien Prize. Keep that, too. And don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.”
“Explain this situation to me, Mister Owlet,” Bedford said softly. “I’m paying attention now.”
He turned on the old man. “This is about saving the life of the emperor and probably the Empire. This crate has a device that can supposedly allow travel from one location to another without crossing the intervening space. It’s an alien device.”
“Owlet, shut up,” Angela said.
He glanced over at her as he began pulling parts from the crate. “Either he’s going to help us or he’s going to leave and keep his mouth shut after you read him the state secrets act. If you want to arrest me, do it after I finish this.
“Professor Bedford, either help or leave. I don’t care which, as long as you shut the hell up.”
The old man took off his coat. “Finally, a boy with some spine. Explain to me how this device is supposed to work while we assemble it. If this is for the emperor, time is indeed of the essence.”
* * * * *
Kelsey was reading through her implants when she heard the door to her cell open. She sat up with a mixture of dread and eagerness. One way or the other, something was about to happen.
Wallace Breckenridge stepped into the cell and smirked at her. Two Imperial Guards with weapons out stood behind him.
She didn’t bother to rise. “The day just keeps getting better.”
His smile widened. “We always seem to be locking one another up. Not that I can claim credit this time, but your crimes have caught up with you. It looks like I win after all.”
“That remains to be seen. If you have something worthwhile to say, get on with it. Then get out. I have a nap to see to.”
His expression darkened. “That mouth of yours will be the death of you. I spoke with His Majesty a few minutes ago. Pardon, I meant His Highness. The soon to be emperor. Whichever you prefer.
“He’s decided to reorganize Fleet. So, my title is Admiral now. I’ll be headed up to give Yeats the boot shortly. And he’s not looking so good, I’m sorry to say. I might be on my way in just a few hours. And within an hour of that, you’ll be dead.”
Kelsey stood slowly. The guards raised their weapons as she took a step forward. Breckenridge took a step back so they were in front of him.
“I could have your blood, if I wanted it badly enough,” she said conversationally. “Say one more word and I’ll take it.”
The coward wasted no time fleeing, but her brother didn’t seem afraid as he stepped into the room and closed the door.
“Go ahead,” he said. “Attack me. They’ll cut you down and that will solve one of my problems.”
She stared at her twin, her heart breaking. “Why? Just tell me why you’re doing this.”
“Because I won’t allow anyone to take what is mine. It’s become apparent to me that you all want to see the Throne stripped from me, and for that, as much as I love you and father, you have to die.”
The guards didn’t seem surprised by that admission. They must be firmly in his pocket. God knew how many others were, as well.
Tears streamed down her face. “How can you say you love me and that you have to kill me? Don’t you realize how crazy that sounds?”
His eyes seemed damp, too. “I’ve always known that there were forces that wanted to take everything away from me. Since I was just a boy, I’ve been planning on how to stop them. I just never expected you and father to join them.
“That’s one of the reasons I built up network of people I could trust. I have ears in a surprising number of places and trained men that will eliminate any threat. They’ve kept me and my birthright safe when my family ignored reality.”
He shook his head. “It makes me bleed inside. How could you betray me like this? I’m your brother. I’m the man who will lead the Empire to glory over her enemies. You’d deny me my destiny? Traitor.”
He whirled on his heel and strode out. The guards backed out and locked her in.
She sank down onto the bunk. How had she missed it all these years? He was mad. Paranoid, at least. A megalomaniac at worst. She had to stop him from taking the Empire down with him.
Somehow.
* * * * *
Talbot watched the second pinnace land with more hope than he had any reason to expect. Princess Elise had said she might have an option for them. If it had the slightest chance for success, he’d push it to the hilt.
The pinnace set down softly beside their hideout. It was an old farm building in the woods. Their small craft could mask their IR signature and visual outline to a degree. As long as no one overflew the site, they were safe.
Princess Elise came down the ramp with a man that looked entirely too much like Wallace Breckenridge for his taste. “Major Talbot, this is Senator Nathaniel Breckenridge. He’ll be helping us today.”
This wasn’t promising.
“Senator,” Talbot said. “What makes you think I won’t lock your ass up right this goddamned instant?”
The man gave Elise a wry smile. “I’d imagine it’s a coin toss. If that helps make you feel better, go right ahead.”
Talbot gestured for one of the men to come forward. “Search him. Confiscate any coms or weapons. Be thorough and don’t miss any trackers.”
The senator raised his arms and submitted. “I understand and appreciate your concern, Major. I’m only here to help.”
Once the man had taken the senator’s gear and scanned him closely, he had two of the marines take the senator inside.
“Have you lost your mind?” Talbot asked the princess. “That man is our enemy.”
“I think not. He’s shared a lot of information with me that could mean the difference between success and failure. I think you should listen to him.”
He shook his head. “Why are all the princesses I know crazy?”
“You’re just lucky, I guess.”
“Everyone, this is Senator Nathaniel Breckenridge. He says he has some information that might help us.” Talbot didn’t bother to conceal the skepticism in his voice.
“Hear me out,” the man in the elegant suit said. “I’ve been into the Palace more times than all of you put together. I know more than most visitors, too, I’d wager.”
“Prove it.”
“Might I have the use of my arms and a pencil?”
The guards released him at Talbot’s nod. One of the marines handed him a pencil and stepped aside.
Breckenridge scanned the drawing. “This isn’t too bad, really. Let me update it with the correct proportions.”
He expanded some sections of the building and shortened others. “The security center is in this wing now. They moved it last year when they upgraded the power and control feeds in the building. The cells are still under the old wing, but are undoubtedly heavily guarded.
“The medical center is here. There will probably be several security checkpoints inside the building. Getting past them will be tricky, but not impossible.”
Talbot grunted. “I can’t see how. Every strategy we’ve come up with gets us killed short of the Palace. Or gets us in and probably kills the emperor in the firefight. The place is too tough for a frontal assault.”
“Then you need another way in” Breckenridge made a line out of the building and off to the west. “This is an old escape tunnel. It’s quite well hidden. The exterior side has a very limited access point and is heavily alarmed. The restricted size and security features only allow a few people to use it, so think two or possibly three people to perform the infiltration.
“It was built for the Imperial Family to escape. Most people have no idea it exists. It originates inside the emperor’s personal suite. Quite close to the medical center, I might add.”
“And just how do you know about it, then?” Talbot demanded.