Discovery_Taurian Empire

by Nate Johnson

  She smiled at her father and the Commander then walked straight past them and to the rear of the shuttle pointing to the seat next to him.

  “May I?”

  He jumped up to let her through.

  She hesitated for a moment, her eyes traveling up over him, taking in his full dress uniform.

  “Hello stranger,” she said to him as she sat down. “You clean up nice, by the way.” she said with a sweet smile.

  Nick took in the sweet aroma of Valerian star fruit and then became lost in the heart-stopping smile behind her eyes.

  “So, tell me,” she said, pointing to his chest. “How’d you get those?”

  Nick glanced down at the two medals pinned to his chest and shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing important. I was just in the right spot at the right time.”

  Amanda scoffed, “Nicholas Barns, if you don’t tell me, then I will ask Commander Jones. I’m sure he can pull up the citations on his tablet.”

  Nick sighed heavily. She wouldn’t be denied.

  “This one,” he said pointing to the blue and red ribbon holding the gold medal, “was for the Starmaid, a passenger liner off of Pyre. They had a blow out and we went in and fixed it. Like I said, no big deal.”

  “Why do I think it wasn’t as simple as you make it sound,” Amanda said with that heart stopping smile of hers.

  Nick shrugged. “And this one was for stopping a shipmate from getting hurt. Again, no big deal.”

  Amanda frowned for a moment then her eyes opened in understanding. “The scars, the ones on your back. When that engine fell, you were pushing someone out of the way. Putting yourself between them and the danger. That’s how you earned it.”

  Again he shrugged.

  She looked up into his eyes and for a brief moment he felt the galaxy fall away. A man could get lost in those eyes and never be found again.

  Swallowing hard, Nick glanced forward just in time to catch her father giving him a frown that could have killed a Valerian moose in his tracks.

  Nick tried to ignore him and smiled back at her, “So, you got anything special planned for the day?”

  She laughed, that high sweet laugh that made him feel like all was right with the galaxy. “You mean besides talking to aliens and sitting next to you? No, not really.”

  Nick felt as if a dozen tons of bricks had been lifted off his soul. He leaned forward to tell her how much he had missed her when he caught the Director scowling at him.

  That’s her father, he reminded himself.

  “I don’t think your father likes me for some reason.”

  “Oh, of course not,” she said

  “Why?”

  She frowned and looked at him for a long moment. “If you don’t know why not, then you aren’t as smart as I thought you were.”

  He continued to stare at her, trying to figure it out. She slowly shook her head at his obvious lack of intelligence.

  “No father,” she sighed, “likes to see his daughter caring about another man. It makes them feel all insecure and gets their protectiveness running full speed ahead.”

  “Is that why he looks like he wants to kick me out an airlock without a suit?”

  She laughed. “That and the fact that you got to meet the Eundai before he did. But yeah, that is why.”

  Nick chuckled as the shuttle left the docking bay, forcing him back in his chair. Did she just say she cared for him? His heart began to race, as he tried to process her words. Running them over and over to make sure he had understood correctly.

  “So,” she asked giving him a quick smile. “What do you think this is all about?”

  Nick laughed. “Grundal probably wants to ask me how to use a wrench.”

  She laughed with him, then settled back in her chair. He glanced over at her out of the corner of his eye. She really was beautiful, he realized.

  Shaking his head, he tried to clear the thousand thoughts jumping around in his brain.

  “So, your father?” he asked deciding it was best to change his line of thinking. “Why did he come? I mean, to get here this fast, they had to have left before any word about the Discovery reached them? Why him and not a regular rescue mission?”

  Amanda nodded somberly.

  “The Imperial court couldn’t come to a consensus as to whether to approach the Eundai or not. But then, what else is new? The Imperial court couldn’t agree on what day of the week it is.”

  “If you say so,” Nick replied.

  “Anyway. They decided to send my father out and let him make the decision after he had assessed the situation locally. And when I say they, I mean the Emperor. It was his way of not being held accountable if things go wrong down the line.”

  “So which way was your father leaning? Before he arrived and found the decision taken out of his hands.”

  “From what I gather,” Amanda whispered. “He didn’t want to approach the Eundai. He would have preferred we remained at a distance and just observed. It is the scientist in him. Everything is an experiment.”

  Nick snorted. “I bet he was upset when he learned what Doctor Simpson had done to the Discovery.”

  Amanda smiled with a sinister grin. “I’ll say. I made sure he understood everything. I doubt she will ever work at an Imperial University again. Right now, she’s sitting up in her cabin trying to figure out what she did wrong. She forgot the golden rule of academics. Do not upset the people who write the checks. And the Empire writes most of them.”

  Nick smiled. He liked this vindictive side of her. It gave her a strength that could be missed if you weren’t aware of just exactly who she was internally.

  “And you, have you figured out what you are going to do next?”

  Suddenly, a cloud drifted over her face, turning it dark and concerned.

  “Father has arranged for me to Teach at the Taurian University. With what I’ve learned here on Eundai, I’ll get my Doctorate as soon as I publish and start teaching next year.”

  “Wow, the center of everything. The Taurian University is the crossroads of the Empire, government, business, academics, almost every significant leader in the Empire started at the Taurian University.”

  She nodded slowly, as if something were bothering her. His heart ached to ask her, but something held him back. Perhaps the awareness that whatever it was, he couldn’t fix it, not really. She traveled in a world way beyond anything he could fix.

  On that somber note, they drifted into a gentle quiet for the rest of the trip down.

  Once Rowlings had landed and opened the door. Nick unbuckled and moved out of the way for Amanda to go first. She shot him a quick look that hid a dozen meanings. But he would always remember the sadness in her eyes. Maybe their difference in status was upsetting to her as much to him.

  He wondered briefly about the two years remaining on his Navy hitch. What would Amanda be doing in two years?

  He thought about seeing Grundal again. Of being with the Eundai one last time and he smiled internally. At least he had this, he thought. He couldn’t get the girl, but he had one last time with his friends.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Grundal waited for them in the Throne room. He stood tall and proud. His lizardly countenance lending him a degree of dignity somehow.

  His green cape fell down his back. An elegantly carved staff filled his good hand while his wounded arm hung listlessly next to his side. But at least he’s no longer in a sling, Nick thought.

  Gryopic stood at his side, the bevy of advisors arranged behind the pair. All of them with sober faces that gave away nothing.

  Nick couldn’t help but smile as he followed the Director and the Commander into the square stone room. Amanda next to him. Her eyes constantly scanning the room.

  His glance was naturally drawn to the wooden lattice covering the hole to the Eundai’s dungeon. Had it only been a month since they were forced down into that hell hole?

  Shaking his head, Nick gave Professor Robinson a quick smile. The man had come down ea
rlier and would be acting as the Director’s interpreter.

  Grundal looked in charge, Nick thought. Serious, intelligent, a natural charisma. All was right with the Eundai, Nick realized, feeling an immense wave of relief flow through him.

  The Headman stared at him for a long moment then smiled and said, “Well met, Nick of Taurus. You wear your people’s cloth.

  Nick returned the Headman’s smile and said in the language of Eundai, “Well met, Grundal of Eundai. I hope this day finds you well.”

  Grundal waited for Professor Robinson to finish the whispered translation to the Director then beckoned Nick to come with him as he turned and stepped out the south door and down the steps.

  Nick quickly looked to Commander Jones for permission.

  The Commander nodded and indicated he should hurry.

  Shrugging his shoulders, Nick followed Grundal. The Eundai Headman halted twenty yards away from the throne room and stood to look out over his devastated city.

  Nick stopped next to him, slowly turning to see how the city was doing.

  The sharp smoke smell still hung in the air. Nick wondered if it would ever go away entirely. And even if it did, it would be there in everyone’s memories.

  “So much gone, so much to replace,” Grundal said with a sad tone as he slowly shook his head.

  Nick nodded, what else could he say. Nothing was going to fix this but a lot of hard work over a long time. Instead, he stood there and waited until he couldn’t stand the waiting any longer.

  “You asked to see me? Headman,” Nick said after almost a minute of silence.

  Grundal turned to him and smiled, “At first, I asked for you to come so that it might upset the Director. He is so much in a hurry.”

  Nick didn’t smile. He was on dangerous ground here. The last thing he needed was Captain Jarvis thinking he’d undercut the Director and his negotiations. Instead, just as he did with his Navy superiors, Nick remained quiet. After all, he hadn’t been asked a question.

  Grundal studied him for a moment as if weighing his options.

  “Your Director says that I am to agree to his requests. Requests that are really demands, I might add. But it is hard to know what is right for the Eundai.”

  Nick felt his stomach tighten up. What had been dangerous ground had just shifted over to quicksand. He studied Grundal for a moment and thought about the Headman and his culture. He really has no idea what he is asking of me, he thought. To him, I am just a friend.

  “Grundal,” Nick said with a deep frown. “You should be aware, my loyalty is to the Imperial Navy and to the Empire. Any answer I would give you could only be given if it was in the best interest of the Empire and not the Eundai’s.”

  The Headman stepped back as if hit by an invisible fist.

  Nick hurried to explain, “When I was admitted to the Navy, I swore allegiance to them. This allegiance must remain until I am released at the end of my association. In my case, two years from now. The answer I gave you is the same answer I would give any human who asked the same of me.”

  Grundal slowly nodded as he processed what he had been told, then turned and motioned for Amanda to join them.

  She gave her father a quick look before scurrying down the steps to them.

  “Grundal of Eundai,” she said with a slight bow.

  The Headman indicated Nick and said, “He speaks of an allegiance with his Navy. An allegiance that cannot be broken for two years. Is this true of your worlds.”

  Amanda studied Nick for a moment. “Yes, Headman,” she said. “For a man such as Nick, to break that allegiance would bring great shame to both himself and his family. He must not do this until he has been released from his sworn duty. I might add, not all men would be so honorable, especially if it were to their advantage not to be.”

  Obviously upset with her answer, Grundal shook his head as he made his way back to the Throne room. His staff made a sharp click sound on each stone each step.

  “Director,” Grundal called out, “we have a problem. I continue to be at an impasse. I had hoped that Nick of Taurus might guide me. But it is not to be.”

  Both the Director and the Commander shot Nick dirty looks like he had just poured sugar into the fuel compartment of the Endurance shuttle.”

  “Sir,” Nick explained. “I informed the Headman that my allegiance was with the Navy and that any advice I gave him would be colored by my obligations to the Navy.”

  Commander Jones pursed his lips for a moment then nodded slowly as if agreeing with Nick’s statement.

  The Director, however, did not seem as pleased.

  “Grundal of Eundai,” the Director said. “If you need Nick’s assistance, arrangements can be made.”

  “Sir,” Commander Jones exclaimed, stepping forward as if unable to believe what he was hearing.

  “Commander,” the Director said, holding up a hand before the officer could say anything more. “You know as well as I do that the Navy can honorable discharge anyone at any time if it is in the best interest of the Navy.”

  The Commander frowned for a moment, “Yes Sir, but if the member wishes to challenge the dismissal, It takes a board of three senior officers to assess the case and issue a final discharge.”

  The Director looked at Nick for a long moment then said, “I believe a Director of a Department of his Imperial Majesty’s government can issue such an order.”

  “Father,” Amanda said, rushing to his side, “you can’t do this. The Navy is everything to Nick. You can’t discharge him just to make things easier for you and your negotiations.”

  The Director looked down at his daughter for a quick moment, patting her hand gently. “Dear,” he said, “you don’t understand all of the ramifications of what is happening here. We must finalize this agreement before other factions come into play and upset the balance.”

  “This is a man’s life, Nick’s dream,” she said, her eyes focusing like laser beams, “You have no right.”

  Her father shook his head and turned away. “Commander, as per regulations, I order you to discharge Petty Officer Nick Barns from the Imperial Navy, to take effect immediately.”

  Nick’s world swirled around him. What was going on? He was getting cast ashore? How was this was possible? Would they give him a ride home to New Kansas? The thought sent a bolt of pure fear down his spine. The idea of seeing his four older brother’s after he had been kicked out of the Navy seemed like a punishment worse than death.

  “Sir, can he do this?” Nick asked the Commander.

  Commander Jones had the good sense to look upset while he nodded his head. It was obvious that he didn’t like the idea, but there was nothing he could do about it.

  A deathly silence fell over the room. Nick felt his world slipping away.

  “Petty Officer Barns,” the Commander said after taking a long breath. “Due to the needs of the service; You are issued an honorable discharge from the Imperial Navy. The appropriate paperwork will be issued at a later date. You will be afforded transport back to your place of enlistment. You also remain eligible to reenlist at a later date. Thank you for your service.”

  A whirlwind of confusion raced through Nick’s brain. Discharge? What was he supposed to do now? Seven years of his life wasted. Besides, who was going to take care of his engines?

  “Nick,” Amanda said as she gently laid a hand on his arm. “I am sorry. They shouldn’t have done that.” Turning she gave her father an evil stare that told the world she wasn’t done with her father.

  At first, a numbness began to fill him, a complete loss of all physical feeling. Nothing, he could feel nothing.

  Only after the shock had finished washing over him did his mind begin to spin into actions. Ideas, possibilities, alternatives, everything began to open up before him.

  He smiled down at Amanda and shrugged his shoulder. What was a guy to do? Life sucked, then you died.

  A slow smirk began to spread across his face as he thought of how this changed certain as
pects of his relationship with Miss Rogers. No one could order him to keep his distance. Not now.

  Looking up, he shot the Director a long look that let the Director know what he thought about him.

  The Director caught his intentions but remained quiet. Nick wondered for a moment if the man had sacrificed his own daughter for these negotiations. No, surely not.

  “So, you are free of your allegiance to your Navy,” Grundal said with a raised eyebrow.

  Nick glanced over at Professor Robinson who had been providing the Headman a running commentary throughout the hurried proceedings.

  “Yes, Headman, I am free to advise you,” he answered in the Eundai language.

  Grundal smiled. A long, happy smile.

  “Good,” he said. “Tell me, am I to make this arrangement with your Empire?”

  Nick glanced first at the Director, then at Amanda. His mind frantically tried to figure out how in the hell he had ended up here. A few minutes ago he was a Naval Petty Officer, responsible for the thruster engines on an Imperial medium class destroyer out of Montlake. Now he was advising a foreign alien leader on diplomatic relations with the Empire. It all felt so surreal.

  Pulling up the agreement on his tablet, Nick quick scanned both the Human and Eundai copy to ensure they agreed. Next, he read the paragraphs dealing with what the Eundai would be getting and what the Empire would get in return.

  Basically, the document was a classic lawyerly piece of crap that could be interpreted any way someone wanted, with loopholes large enough to drive an Imperial cruiser through, sideways.

  Closing his eyes for a moment, Nick tried to calm his racing heart as a silence hung in the air. Everyone waiting, holding their breath.

  Turning to the leader of the Eundai, Nick swallowed hard then said in Eundai, “Grundal, Headman of the Eundai, it is my advice that you do not make this agreement. Doing so would be a grave injustice to your people.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  It took a moment for the translation to reach the Director. A long moment that hung in the air like a cloud of doom.