by J. Naomi Ay
"Good luck, dudes!" Sam called then shut the spaceplane door. Geor and I held each other's hands as we watched the plane lift off.
"Do you think we can do it?" I whispered.
"I know we can." He showed me his fist. I bumped it with my own. We were on our own quest and our task was to save our home.
Chapter 20
Sam
"There's the spacebase!" I cried and set the final course heading. "And there's the Queen of Rozari tethered alongside."
"Awesome," Stevie mumbled while adjusting the yoke. "Kari-fa, this piece of junk flies like an old diesel truck."
"Yep," I agreed. "Nobody flies tail-wheels anymore although they do have the longest glide ratio. I'll get on the horn and ask for clearance."
"Roger that." Stevie began an orbit of the base. "You did an awesome job, Sammy, flying us all the way here."
"You did an awesome job too, Stevie. We both should be pilots."
"If you manage to land safely and we get back to the Queen before she sails, I'll recommend you be licensed," Korelesk announced from the doorway. "But you still have to pass your written exams!"
"I promise, Commander." I stood up and saluted.
"I will," Stevie sighed, "Everybody go sit back down and quit bugging us. Landing in a spacebase is a lot harder than it looks."
"Maybe they can put a tractor beam on us and pull us inside like the starship did?" Elana suggested nervously.
"It's alright, creampuff," Marik replied walking her away. "The boys have got it. After all, they're members of my squad."
The landing was a little bumpy and our tail a little too low but we didn't crash into any other planes or do major damage to this one. Stevie steered us over to an empty parking spot next to the most beautiful spaceplane I had ever seen in my life. It was shiny glossy black with the Imperial Crest in polished gold and the big SdK logo on the tail seemed to sparkle even when it was parked.
"Wow!" Elana gasped as we walked into the bay. "Whose plane is that?"
"My Auntie's," Korelesk replied and then cuffed Stevie in the back of the head. "Straighten up, Gold-en, and start looking like an officer again. All of you go back to the ship immediately and get showered and uniformed. In the meantime, I will see about getting us five minutes with the Empress."
"What about me?" Randy asked.
"I'll speak with your squad leader and get you transferred to my squad for the duration of this project."
"Dudes!" Randy cried and high-fived me and Stevie.
"What shall I do?" Elana said. "Shall I come with you too?"
"Of course, my cupcake that is frosted with buttercream. I'll introduce you to my mother."
"Oh, Marik," Elana giggled.
"Did you know I was practically raised on those planes?" Marik was saying as we walked away. "My father, Lord Berkan built SdK Rehnor before he became the Emperor's Chief of Staff."
"Really?" Elana gasped.
"My worthless brother, Petya still works at SdK. I suppose someday he'll probably run it if he can get his head out of his ass."
"I didn't realize you had a brother. Do you think he'd like to meet my sister?"
"I'm sure he would, dumpling, but he's a loser, kind of like Gold-en."
"That's okay," Elana replied. "Marie is missing a few brain cells, the ones that do all the thinking. She says she's laying a trap from Prince Shika when we meet him at the Emperor's birthday party next month."
"You're invited to The Birthday Party?" Korelesk cried. "Stand straighter, Gold-en!" He booted Stevie in the back. "I'll be sure to attend as well."
"That would be fantastic! You could meet my parents too. Do you think Marie has any chance with the Prince? She really is gorgeous."
Stevie shook his head. "Full and intact brain cells are high priority with him."
"He probably has a million girlfriends anyway."
"Nah," Korelesk frowned. "The guy is an asshole like my brother. In fact, he's an awful lot like Gold-en. They even look alike."
"Marik!" A woman's voice screamed and there was the Countess barreling down at us like a freight train, her long orange hair flying like fire behind her.
"Get out of here," Marik growled. "I don't want my mother to see you looking like the bunch of hooligans that you are. Hello Mother." He pushed all three of us into the nearest lift where we were whisked up five floors to the SpaceNavy airlocks.
We raced to our cabins then quickly ran to the showers and then back to the cabin to dress for our meeting.
"Which uniform should we wear?" I asked Stevie. "If we meet the Empress, we probably should wear Dress Blacks."
"Korelesk wants you in operationals," Kiman answered coming through the door. "He wants all of us back to the spacebase in ten minutes or less."
"You too?" Stevie asked.
Kiman nodded. "Lenny and I are to go on your assignment with you."
"But," I protested to which Stevie shook his head.
"It's okay, Sammy. If Korelesk wants them, he knows we'll need the extra help. Did he say anything more?"
"We're to meet him at the private docks and board the Imperial plane."
"Oh wow!" I gasped and felt my heart flutter.
"Chill out, Sammy," Stevie said slipping on his shirt. "Is Randy ready?"
"Right here," Randy replied opening the door.
The next thing I knew, we were on the Imperial spaceplane that made the Royal Cyganian one look worse than a doghouse. We stood at attention in the parlor and waited for the Empress with Korelesk examining us and picking at every speck of dust.
"Excuse me, Commander?" Stevie raised his hand tentatively while we were still in formation. "I need to go to the bathroom."
Korelesk raised his fist and threatened to murder Stevie right there.
"You're going to be a corpse, Gold-en," he growled.
"Sorry, sir, but it might have been that cheese."
"It was good cheese," Elana replied from the sofa. "It only had a tiny bit of mold."
She was wearing a dress that the Countess Turko had leant her. She looked very pretty; much nicer than before. In fact, with her hair all upswept, the weird color washed out and her face all clean and no longer red striped, she actually looked like the princess she said she was.
Korelesk smiled at her, then rolled his eyes and stuck his fist in Stevie's face. "Second door on the left and don’t you dare leave the toilet seat up. You had better get back here before the Empress joins us or I swear to you, Gold-en, you'll be sweeping all the latrine floors with a toothbrush until the end of this cruise."
"Yes, sir!" Stevie saluted and hurried down the hallway. I couldn't see the doors but he disappeared from my sight.
Soon, the Countess Korelesk came along, and a tall lady, too, who was the Countess Turko and married to the Lord Chamberlain of the realm. They sat on the sofa and chatted with Elana while Korelesk paced in front of us and looked at his watch. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Stevie returned and took his place in line.
"That was really bad cheese," he whispered and blew through his teeth.
"Shut up!" Korelesk snapped as the Empress came upon us. We all took a knee and she let us each kiss her hand.
"You boys are all very brave," she said. "I'm very proud of you. LCDR Korelesk and I have discussed what needs to happen on Corganus. When I speak with the Emperor tonight, I will ask him if he concurs. If he does, you'll be issued new orders and return to Corganus forthwith. You'll travel by SpaceNavy spaceplane along with a pilot and all the funding you need to implement the plan. Do you have any questions?"
"Yes, Ma'am." I hesitantly raised my hand. "Could I please fly the spaceplane?"
"No Sam," she said smiling down at me. "Not until you're licensed for military transport."
"But Stevie and I…" I protested until Korelesk glared and made me shut up.
"Both of you boys will get your private pilot certificates as soon as you pass the written exam," she replied. "Both Stevie and you, have a lot of work ye
t to do." She smiled at Stevie and I saw something in her face, in her dark blue eyes, that reminded me of something but I didn't know what.
"Will you tell the Emperor about our hacker attacks?" Randy asked.
"I will, Randy. I'm certain he'll be very impressed. He has always believed our software engineers are one of the most important assets we have."
"Really?" Randy blushed. "Have you heard about the game Imperial Quest? I play…"
"Shut it!" Korelesk interrupted.
"That's quite alright, Marik," the Empress lady said. "Thank you for visiting with me, gentlemen, and for rescuing the Princess Elana. She'll be departing in her own plane tonight to return to Cyganus. Good luck on your mission and all your future endeavors. You are dismissed now to return to your ship." She turned and left us so we rose to our feet.
"Come on, guys," Stevie said. "Let's get back to the Queen and pack what we need."
"We need at least three tablets and a netbook or two," Randy suggested. "We also need some food."
"I think we each need a laser and a light sword," Kiman added.
"Let's make sure we all have some money and cells," I put in. "Except for Stevie who lost his."
"No, I have an rPhone 22g," Stevie replied and showed us an rPhone which was exactly like the one he had before.
"We're did you get it, bro?" Randy demanded. "Your last one was confiscated at the jail."
"Oh…uh…well, I just bought it," Stevie said, "here at the spacebase."
"No, you didn't," I protested. "I've been with you this entire time."
"No, you weren't," Stevie argued. "Not when I popped into the store. It only took a few minutes and…and here it is."
"Something's odd about you, Stevie," I said and narrowed my eyes. "I don't like you lying to us."
"Okay," Stevie sighed as we got in the lift. "I'll tell you the truth now. My cousin sent it to me. It was waiting for me on the ship."
"Well why didn’t you tell us that?" I demanded.
Stevie shrugged. "It's an rPhone 23, the latest unreleased model. I didn't tell you because I didn't want anyone to be jealous. I'm sorry guys."
"Alright," Randy nodded and glanced over at me. "I accept his apology. Let's get on with our mission. I've got Yula to save."
"Who's Yula?" Kiman asked.
"His hacker girlfriend," I explained and in the back of my mind, I wished just a little, I had someone who I could save, too.
Chapter 21
Katie
"You got your haircut!"
"I did," he said begrudgingly, "but I am not going to use Grecian Formula."
"What?"
"Your mother does not like how my hair has changed color. She insists that I use some concoction to return it all to black. Actually, she would prefer I dye it a nice and normal brown which she believes will make me look less alien in the event we ever return to Earth to visit her sister."
"I'm sorry."
"She also suggests I bring her own hairstylist here as well as the forty-five family members which she could not possibly leave. This hairstylist…"
"Vui?"
"Ay yah, Vui, will be able to provide me with a far more stylish coif, repair my color and condition my split ends as well as manicure and pedicure my nails."
"You don't need a manicurist. For your nails, you need a veterinarian."
"Your mother insists this Vui is like a magician. Do I have split ends?" He held a hank of hair up in front of the vid.
"Not that I can tell. Listen, Sweetheart, I need to talk to you about the situation with Corganus and Cyganus and what the kids propose we do about it."
"’Tis fine." He sighed. "Let them do whatever they think best. Give them whatever resources they need."
"Money?"
"Money," he scoffed. "How can I care about such a trivial thing as money when I am suffering from this horrific malady of split ends?"
"Are you ready, Ron?" my mother's voice called off in the distance.
"Just a moment, Mother, I am still speaking with Katie."
"Mother?" I gasped.
"It makes her happy," he mumbled.
"Oh hello Katie dear." My mother now stood in front of the view. "Are you having a nice vacation?"
"I'm not on vacation, Mom," I replied. "What are you doing in Ron's office?"
"I'm just reminding him it's time for dinner, dear. We're having cabbage rolls tonight. Your father used to love my cabbage rolls. Men always like things loaded with meat and the cabbage makes it so healthy and good for the digestion. Your husband is far too picky of an eater, Katie Anne. Maybe if he ate better he wouldn't be so crabby all the time."
"I am only crabby around you, Mother," Senya interrupted.
"Well that's fine, dear. If you be good and eat up everything I made for you, we can play cards again tonight. Now, I'll expect you upstairs in five minutes. Goodbye Katie."
"Cards?" I choked as my mother walked away.
Senya shrugged. "Moira's visiting a grand-nephew for a few weeks and Mother has no one to play. Don't worry, I haven't lost too much yet."
"How did she get in your office? What happened to the secretaries and guards keeping everybody out?"
"They're all afraid of her, much more so than they ever were afraid of you."
"Well," I declared. "You appear to be getting along just fine in my absence. Maybe I should go on to Corganus with the boys."
"Ach no," Senya replied pulling himself to his feet. "They shall do much better without you there to make them nervous. Furthermore, you might like to be home tomorrow as Mother will be making boiled fish balls for dinner. She insists I will adore this as much as poor Manny always did."
"Did you ask her to save the fish heads for you?"
"No, but I most certainly shall. Afterward, Mother plans to watch the Raven's game with me although she prefers the Hawks as they remind her of poor Manny's favorite team. As neither the Ravens nor the Hawks have won a single game this season, it should prove to be a very exhilarating evening."
"I bet. I would try to rush home for that but I think we'll take the scenic route instead."
"No worries. I shall invite Berkan and Taner to join us again. They quite liked the boiled bird soup with balls. Are you up for cabbage with meat tonight, Berk?" Senya yelled across the room.
"Certainly, Sir. Shall I ask Taner as well?"
"Ron!" my mother's voice could be heard shouting down the back staircase.
"Coming, Mother!" Senya called back. "Well, I'm off to experience cabbage rolls. Tell me, my love, for I have become quite confused myself. Did I use to be the Emperor?"
"You were at one time," I replied and disconnected the line.
Chapter 22
Elana
"Where did you get the gown?" Mother asked looking up from her cross-stitching. "I have never seen that gown before. It's a very interesting style."
"Would you like to feel the fabric?" I walked over to her chair. The buffet was set with a selection of chocolates and pastries. I glanced at it and tried to decide how badly I wanted something sweet.
"I would like to feel the fabric too," Marie cried and jumped up from the game she was playing. The faint music of the Imperial Quest theme drifted from her tablet.
"Since when did you start playing Imperial Quest?" I nearly laughed as I poured myself a cup of tea. That dark chocolate brownie would taste really good with this tea. That ginger spiced biscotti with cream cheese icing would taste even better.
"I've heard it's the most popular game in the Empire," Marie replied. "I'll split the brownie with you. This is really nice silk and is that cloth of gold thread?"
"I think so," I shrugged, "Which character do you play?" I left the brownie on the tray. Splitting it with Marie meant she'd nibble on a corner while I ate everything else.
"I play Prince Shika," she blushed and took the whole brownie herself. Mother glared at her so she put it back. "I figured this was a way to get to know him a little."
"From what I've
heard, he's really lame." I looked over at her tablet which showed the animated prince climbing a mountain with a tree nymph on his back. "Hey, you know what? He does looks like my friend Steven!"
"Who is Steven?" Mother asked.
"That's a good question," I replied, my mind already racing in circles, putting two and two together.
"Is he someone you met while visiting with Lilibet's family?" Father walked in from his adjacent study and sat down in the chair near the window. He reached for his blanket which was folded in a basket on the floor and laid it carefully over his knees.
"Well, actually," I started to explain while taking the chair next to Father and sipping my tea. It was totally flavorless and really need that brownie but my mind was too busy thinking about Steven and Marik and how we met the Empress. In a weird kind of way, it started to make some sense. "I've met some people and I've learned a few things and I want to discuss it all with you. I didn't go to see Lilibet's family. Instead I went to an Imperial spacebase."
Father leaned into me expectantly ready to hear all about my adventure. Mother glanced up from her sewing. Marie turned her back and giggled at something in the game.
"If we were to establish an inexpensive and abundant source of electricity that we could use to power our homes and businesses, do you think our economy would improve?"
"What are you talking about, Elana?" Mother scoffed picking out the stitches she just made. Instead of making X's she had sewn a bunch of T's.
"Fermium," I replied diving right in while putting aside the tea. "I'm talking about fermium. Corganus has fermium all over the place. In fact, there's so much of it, you can pick it up right off the ground."
"Fermium?" Father prompted while looking at me intently.
"Fermium is used by the Empire to power just about everything from starships to heating systems to cars that fly in the air. They use a special generating system that burns the fermium and creates zero waste. The generating system can also run on trash and just about anything we don't need. It takes something useless and turns it into something good and once it's turned on, it doesn't cost anything more to run."