Digby long ago gave up telling them he was not their father, as his admonishments fell on deaf ears. These mostly laboratory-created beings weren’t fully embodied with organic components, as normal humanoids were. Instead, they had modified digestive systems; their respiratory systems were greatly enhanced; and their reproductive systems excised. Their four limbs, arms and legs, were completely mechanical, and their brains were a hybridization of both organic and advanced AI components. The one system not overly modified was their circulatory system—their hearts. Maybe that was why the synths experienced a compulsion to bond. Bond with someone outside their mainly cold, mechanized existence that consisted of strings of symbols, characters, and numbers—complex formulas—and absent of any kind of nurturing that normal young beings craved.
Lord Digby had several very important missions he now planned to undertake at Xavier Station 35. First would be finding his yet to be born son. After that, gathering the rest of his executive team—those loyal to him, as well as other leaders who’d shared his vision over the years—supported him—in spite of the potential danger of their covert allegiance, against the puppets that comprised their tired and ineffectual monarchy. Then, finally, they would migrate together to their new home—the grand ship that would arrive within the next quarter hour.
The synths patiently waited for Lord Digby within the station’s spacious eighteenth-level open concourse. Interstellar travelers would typically settle in comfortably, relaxing on adjoining chairs set up against curved bulkheads, while waiting for the next shuttle, or interstellar transport, to arrive. Or perhaps welcome an incoming visitor from a distant planetary system. But not today. The station was closed to all but high officials, like himself, and the incoming fleet personnel.
As Digby strode into the concourse, he quickly reviewed the latest information presented on his tablet. News of the king’s and prince’s deaths had yet to be leaked, something he’d been worried about. Also, one of the dead king’s four warship fleets had now returned and was unloading crew personnel some levels below. Excellent! Turning his attention to the finder function on his device, he noted Bri was indeed there and nearby. He smugly acknowledged his own cleverness—having a miniature tracker device imbedded beneath her skin. She didn’t know it was there. The procedure was performed following a particularly rough sexual tryst when she was knocked unconscious by a ferocious backhand. He liked that she was such a feisty one. In low tones he muttered, “Think you can run off with my son, do you? That’s not going to happen … not ever.”
Digby cleared his throat before speaking to the entire group of synths. Their placid faces turned to him expectantly.
“Stay here. Speak to no one. I will return … shortly.” Not wanting to ever disappoint him, not for anything, they nodded in unison.
Digby hurried over to a bank of central elevators. When the doors opened he stepped inside. Once the doors closed, he rechecked his tablet before selecting Level 8. As the car descended, he replaced the tablet into an inside pocket and fingered the hilt of the small sword hidden beneath his cloak. He’d found preparedness for the unexpected to be a sound practice. When the elevator doors slid open, he moved fast through a concourse identical to the one he’d left. Off to his right, he found the intended skyway his tablet had directed him to. His fast walk soon turned to a jog then a fast run. There was no way he was going to let her escape … lose his unborn son.
Up ahead he saw the curving skyway where it junctioned off and where a familiar vessel was berthed. Recognizing the prince’s personal spacecraft, he noticed the hatch was open.
As he closed in on the ship’s entry, he heard horrific screams. Like someone dying. Following the sound inside, he found Bri lying on her back with her knees up. The Jhardonian female was supporting his still-emerging infant son with her hands, ordering Bri to push harder.
Lord Digby stood and watched as the miracle of life took place right before him.
Dira, once the infant was fully birthed, used some sheets she’d earlier found to wrap him in. Then, protectively, she held him close to her chest. She stared up at Digby, then asked, “What do you want? Why are you here?”
“I am here for what is mine. I am here for him … for my son.”
Dira glared at him with disbelief, then down at Bri, lying on her back semi-conscious.
“He says the baby is his,” Bri said in a faint voice. “I don’t know how he could know that … but it could be.”
“Do what you have to do to make her ambulatory. We are leaving … now!”
“Where, back down to the planet?” Dira asked.
“No. Never back there.” He pulled his tablet free and checked something. “Good. The timing is perfect. The wayward ship Aquarius has returned.”
Chapter 38
Suddenly, Digby held his curved sword weapon out—pointing it at Dira.
“My baby … I want my baby,” Bri pleaded weakly, stretching her arms towards Dira, who was cradling her newborn son in her arms.
“No, don’t!” Lord Digby said. “Can she walk?”
“Are you serious? She just gave birth. She’s lost a lot of blood. What she needs is proper medical attention.”
“You’re saying no, she cannot walk?”
Dira stared back at him, incredulity on her face, as the weapon in his hand moved slightly to the right. He flicked it twice—firing off two quick energy bursts into Bri’s chest. The mother of his infant son died instantly.
Dira cried out, “No!” She spun away—shielding the infant from what assuredly was about to come.
“Come with me! Your fate is now tied to my son’s, so guard him with your life.”
Dira stared down at Bri’s lifeless form. Inwardly, she vowed to avenge what had befallen her. No matter how long it took, she would personally kill Lord Digby.
“Get moving,” he commanded, gesturing with his weapon.
“The baby … he will need sustenance. You just killed the one person who could supply him with that.”
“Where we’re going there will be plenty of whatever young Raleigh needs.”
Dira stood her ground, staring defiantly at him. Lord Digby stepped in closer and, reaching out, grabbed a fistful of her hair. He yanked her forward, using enough force that she staggered and nearly fell. “You sick monster! You could have killed your own child!”
“Move! Hurry up … back into the space station.”
Halfway through the gradual curving skyway, Dira remembered the sword weapon she’d tucked into the folds of her top garment. How rewarding it would be to pull it free—shoot Digby squarely in the face. Picturing the scenario in her mind, a sense of righteous satisfaction bolstered her spirits. But she couldn’t risk it now—not as long as there was a chance the baby could be injured. But soon; Digby’s time was coming.
Always keeping several paces behind her, Digby prompted her where to go. They crossed the level’s open concourse and entered an awaiting elevator. As the doors closed, he kept Dira and the infant before him, his handheld weapon directed at her back. When the doors opened, he shoved her hard, ordering, “Go!”
The concourse was a scurrying mass of bodies—hundreds of beings, some in their early teens. Dira recognized some of the young hackers from the coding den within Lardel Hold back on the planet. Others hurried about too. Adults, still arriving, emerged from various surrounding skyways. A mixture of what looked to be high-ranking officials, obviously knights of the king, and a few impeccably dressed male and female dignitaries were also noticeable. Many there were mere soldiers or guards.
Dira had wondered how a single individual could so suddenly instigate an insurrection of such magnitude against the king’s ruling monarchy. But perhaps that wasn’t the case; perhaps it took him years of planning to accomplish the feat. Behind the scenes, he’d slowly built, amassed, a clandestine regime of his own. Within this immense space station was the true enemy of the Planetary Alliance—Lord Digby.
Digby suddenly became the center of the
crowd’s attention. Dira could hear the excited murmuring. “He’s here! The Emperor’s here!” Not bad, she thought. He’s gone from Lord Digby to Emperor Digby in a matter of hours.
“My loyal brethren. Thank you for coming. Our fateful journey continues.” He turned and gestured toward the infant in Dira’s arms. “I bring you incredible news. This is my son … my heir … Raleigh.”
As cheers erupted, Dira feared the ongoing press forward by the stifling masses would injure the baby. Raising his palms against the oncoming wall of supporters, he firmly said, “Stand back!”
The power he held over them became apparent. They stepped back and away, hushing the volume of their voices down and lowering their heads.
Digby searched the faces around him. Then, finding the one he wanted, he gestured one of the knights forward. “Collin … come … give me an update.”
Dira rocked the crying infant—obviously hungry and maybe in need of medical attention. She glanced up, seeing a tall knight step around the growing throng of people. Approaching the self-appointed new emperor, the two quickly walked away, separating themselves from the crowd. They conversed in lowered voices. As casually as possible, Dira took a quick step back, then another. Her heart beat like a drum in her chest. Now was her chance. Her chance to get away.
“Come … bring me my son!” Digby ordered, his voice stern.
Dira looked back. Seeing the emperor and the tall knight staring at her, she hesitated, realizing the right moment had come and gone, and stepped closer to them. The baby continued to wail.
“Sir Collin Borgne, this is Princess Dira Caparri … of Jhardon. And Dira, this fine knight is my friend and second-in-command. Without him by my side, none of this would be possible.”
Dira and the knight barely acknowledged one another. “First of all, I am Dira Caparri Reynolds, wife of Captain Jason Reynolds. Second, I don’t care who the hell he is. This infant needs attention … now!”
For the first time, Digby seemed generally concerned for his baby son’s welfare. He looked to Borgne, and asked, “What news do you bring of the ship?”
“It took us some time, but our coding warriors have come through again. The Aquarius has arrived. She awaits us now. Come, let us now attend to your beautiful son.” As the knight inched his way through the crowd, Digby—pointing his hand—gestured for Dira to follow behind the knight.
They soon made their way into a skyway on the far side of the concourse. Infant Raleigh had grown quiet, ceasing to fidget within the sheet’s blanketing. Dira picked up her pace, closing the gap between her and the knight, and heard Digby’s quickened footfalls right behind her. Rounding the bend, she spotted the open hatchway to a Caldurian Master Class vessel waiting for them. It was indeed the Aquarius. Crossing the ship’s threshold, she brushed past Sir Borgne and spat, “Get out of the way! I’m taking the baby to Medical.”
Chapter 39
Jason, exhausted, did manage to steal two hours of unsettled sleep in his quarters. Now, rubbing his eyes between thumb and forefinger, he sat up a bit straighter in his seat. Ryan, sitting at the helm—patiently awaiting further orders—glanced over at him.
“Go ahead and call up the next interchange wormhole,” Jason said.
“Aye, Captain.”
Jason took solace in the fact that three Master Class Star Watch warships had safely returned to the Sol System. Lieutenant Meany, doing double-duty—switching back and forth between comms and tactical—confirmed the reluctant-to-concede Captain John Baxtor, on the Pisces, had in fact just intersected with the Minian and the Leo on the far side of the moon.
“Three down and four to go,” Boomer said, entering the bridge.
“Six, if you count the Aquarius and the Jumelle,” Ryan corrected.
“Then we should add the Stellar to that list too … if you’re going to go there,” she said back in a snarky tone. Then, plopping down facing backward in an open seat at the helm console, Boomer looked toward her father, studiously avoiding Ryan. “Where to next?” she asked.
Jason answered, “District Seven. Lieutenant Commander Tom Burn … the Libra.”
“The Dacci system?” she asked, renewed excitement in her voice.
“That, and the Arkwane system,” Ryan added.
Jason, looking to the wraparound display, watched as their ship entered the vibrant and colorful outer ring of the interchange wormhole. He turned back to Boomer and asked, “Tell me, which one is most home for you now, Boomer? The Dacci system, back on Harpaign, or Earth?”
Ryan glanced over at her, waiting to hear her response.
“Hmm … I don’t know. It’s like asking somebody if they prefer blue eyes or brown. How do you choose? But both are my home. I have family in both systems now.”
A commotion at the rear of the bridge captured everyone’s attention. The six-year-old tore into the compartment with unbridled energy. Spotting Boomer, he asked, “Hey … are we going, or not?”
“In a minute,” Boomer replied.
Michael, sighing, moved next to his father and said, “Why don’t you scoot over to one side or the other, Dad.”
Since the captain’s chair was fairly roomy Jason did as his son directed. Michael then crawled up and wiggled into the narrow open space beside him. “Where’s Ol’ Gus?”
“He’s with Ricket, in his workshop,” Jason said.
“What are they doing there?”
“They’re doing some work for Zoo Habitat 311,” Jason told him.
“What kind of work?’
“They need to figure out how to move everything in that habitat into the real world outside, or at least some part of it. It’s tricky.”
“Habitats aren’t the real world? Isn’t Alice real? She lives in a habitat.”
“Yes. Alice is real, kiddo. You really like that drog, don’t you?” Jason asked.
Michael nodded. “We’re going to go play with her … me and Boomer.” He looked over at his sister, his expression showing growing impatience.
“All right … come on,” Boomer said. She stood, stretching first one arm over her head then the other.
Ryan, not so inconspicuously, watched her from the corner of his eye. Jason, tempted to roll his eyes, instead redirected his attention to the scene unfolding on the wraparound display.
Boomer took Michael by the hand, giving the surrounding display another glance. “Maybe it’s here,” she said. “Dacci space … is more my home now.” The two then left the bridge.
Jason wondered what District 7 would have in store for them. Thus far, the Sommis of Adriark continued to be two steps ahead of them. Things were bad. But if Bristol and Ricket hadn’t come up with a patch for the Ingress Virus, everything would be a whole lot worse.
“Captain, incoming hail,” Lieutenant Meany said. “It’s … Commander Hernandez, sir.”
Jason stared back at the junior officer. He knew this was a pivotal moment. Within seconds, his best friend would provide him a mission update. Would report the status of Dira and his father. A part of him wanted to stay uninformed. Stay hopeful and ignorant of what actually transpired nearly a hundred light-years away. Avoid the possibility his present life, as he knew it, was going to crumble down around him.
“Put him on-screen,” Jason said, and a new video feed opened at the front of the wraparound display. Billy appeared, an unlit cigar drooping from the corner of his mouth. Around him, Jason recognized the Jumelle’s bridge. Gunny stood two paces behind him, her arms crossed over her chest. That alone was not a good sign.
“Talk to me, Billy,” Jason said.
“Don’t have a lot of time to chat … so I’m going to make this fast, Cap. First of all, Dira and your father are alive.”
The relief Jason felt must have shown, because a crooked smile flashed across Billy’s face.
“That doesn’t mean they’re out of danger. In fact, it’s probably just the opposite. Anyway, as soon as the Stellar arrived within Sommis of Adriark space, we found the Jumelle … doc
ked here, at Xavier Station 35. Her comms were down … undoubtedly she’s been infected with the Ingress Virus. There was also a station crew, trying to breach her hull from the outside.”
“Is everyone okay? I see Gunny behind you.”
“Don’t interrupt, Cap … there’s no time! Yes, all on board are fine. But look … another fleet of Vicksol ST66 warships has arrived at the station. Nearly as large a fleet as the one headed for Sol. And the Aquarius is here, too. We saw her pull in minutes ago. She’s clearly under the control of the enemy. And Cap … Dira’s on board. Bristol is tracking her position. She’s in Medical.”
“Is she …”
“She’s moving around. Seems to be fine.” Billy took a deep breath in, then let it all out. “You need to make a decision, Cap … Jason. The Aquarius … her drives are still up, so she’s obviously going to be on the move again. Maybe soon.”
“Then go the hell after her!” Jason barked, without thinking.
Billy continued, “Down on the planet, very close to that castle … um, Lardel Hold, there is a subterranean cavern. Orion tells me there are over one thousand Aquarius crewmembers being held there. Your father is among those imprisoned. Lord Digby … their leader …”
Interrupting him, Orion stepped forward. “Cap, he put a knife to the Omni’s throat. Your father already appeared to be in pretty bad shape. Digby threatened to kill him, and the rest of the prisoners, if we make any rescue attempt. Truth is, with Caldurian tech not functioning … our combat suits … multi-guns, not to mention our means of leaving this ship, well, up until now we’ve been just as much prisoners as the crew down on the planet. But that’s all changed now, thanks to the arrival of Billy and his team.”
Billy said, “So what are your orders, Cap? Storm the Aquarius, or rescue the Omni and the imprisoned crew down on the planet?”
Scrapyard LEGACY (Star Watch Book 6) Page 21