Knight of the Empire

I waited patiently while Gena composed herself. I could see the younger woman was still trembling and there was a look of rejection in her eyes.

“I don’t know what to say, I’ve betrayed your trust,” she said hesitantly.

More concerned about Gena’s mental state I studied her carefully. I regretted not leaving her behind unsure if Terran ships had a psychiatrist. They were standard on all Confederacy ships. “You don’t have to do this now?” I kept my voice calm.

“I must.” A determined look replaced Gena’s woeful expression.

“Take your time.” I didn’t want to push her but curiosity took hold of me.

“Joyce and the other archaeologists were good to me but I wanted to go home. More so when I learned you were on Earth.”

I remembered the chief archaeologist from Anwa Padak. I had left Gena and her companions in Joyce’s more than capable hands. “Joyce Neilson?”

“Yes my lady, she paid for my trip home and never even asked me to pay her back.”

That surprised me. “She did?”

“Once the war was over.”

Gena frowned. “The trip back was uneventful. Then I stopped at the airport on the way back to New York my intention was to see my parents. I guess they had heard the worst about me and I wanted to put the record straight.”

This was something new to me I had heard no mention of anything like it in the news feeds I had watched.

“Not long after I landed the police arrested me.”

“Arrested you for what?”

“I was never told the charges but I was held for two days. It wasn’t an uncomfortable cell but I felt so frightened.”

“I bet you were!” I fumed feeling my anger rising I tried to suppress it. Gena had been through a lot.

“There was a man all he did was stare at me. He would come into my cell stare at me then leave.”

“Stare at you?”

“Yes, I don’t understand why.”

I guessed the man was a tepe. Ellie was using her telepaths to hunt down any remaining Rhosani and their supporters on the planet. “And then?”

“They let me go no apology, no reason. As soon as I stepped out of another, a woman this time was waiting for me.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t have to do this now?” I could see how stressed Gena was getting but I was feeling stressed myself.

“I have no choice.” Gena sounded frightened and determined at the same time.

“Gena?” There was a warning note in my voice.

“Sorry my lady please let me continue.”

“Ok Gena.”

“Oh yes where was I,” Gena seemed to have calmed down. “I was taken to the palace. As first I was terrified because of all the rumours I heard. Then I saw her majesty.”

“Ellie spoke to you before she sent you to me,” I replied thinking of Gena sitting waiting in my apartment after my fruitless search for information.

“No before then. Her majesty said you were in great danger.”

“When was this?”

“A couple of months ago.”

Gena cringed as I leapt to my feet my fists clenched. “Ellie knew all about you and she never told me!” I felt my control slip desperately I tried to reign it back.

“Please my lady, her majesty asked for a favour. She never ordered me but she did remind me of my oath. I had to do it.”

“Do what?” I sat back down the beginning of a headache pounding at my temples.

The strain was starting to show on my face. Gena wasn’t at fault. I couldn’t be angry with her. Yet again she had been a pawn in some political game.

“Protect you. I owe you my life.” Gena grimaced. “Two lives now.”

“The shot was aimed at me,” I reminded her.

“That may be so but you put yourself before me.”

“I made you part of my squad. I would do the same for any of my squad regardless of who they are.”

“Thank you my lady.”

There was still the question of why Ellie had asked Gena to protect me. I had to ask the question. “What did Ellie ask you?”

“There were rumours that a Rhosani ship had been sighted on the edge of the Solar System.”

A chill filled my body as I regarded Gena’s face. “The Rhosani are still there?”

“You must know this was a rumour no one had actually seen it?”

I didn’t want to think of the consequences of what the Rhosani were capable of. “She sent you into danger on a rumour. Why?”

“I went willingly because of my oath but I didn’t know the reasons. I was never told.”

“Go on?” I muttered ominously.

She stared at me her face pale. “Please I never wanted this.”

“Look sorry Gena I’m not angry with you.” Which was the truth. I would never have put anyone under my command in that much danger.

“That’s alright,” Gena replied visibly relaxing but the tension was still mirrored in her eyes. “I was made to believe things.”

“What things?”

“I was told later that I needed to believe to draw out the Rhosani.”

“Believe what?”

“That you were on a secret mission and I was the only one to know about it,” Gena took a deep breath. “And you would need my help.”

“No one said anything to me?” I scrutinised Gena’s face. “Tell me everything you know?”

“We were all made to believe. I was assigned to a ship.”

“Ship?”

“Yes a ship,” Gena took another deep breath. “The ship was to be bait to draw the Rhosani out.”

“One ship against the Rhosani? Do you know that whole planets have vanished.”

“Yes my lady that’s why it had to be done. One ship in exchange for a whole world.”

I considered what Gena was telling me. It made logical sense in a twisted way. It wasn’t the Confederacy way. “I accept that but why you?”

“My connection to you.”

“Rhosani are telepathic. They could have read your mind. Wouldn’t that mean one of them would have to get close to you?” I wondered if despite the Empire’s security measures Rhosani were still hiding on Earth, “Why go after me?”

“You are more than that my lady. You have killed two of them.”

“At a cost.” The guardians had made me a living weapon a flawed one at that.

“Yes but you still killed them and they fear you.”

I hadn’t considered that. “That doesn’t excuse the fact that they put you in danger.”

“But it did work the Rhosani took the bait.”

“What do you mean?” I was uncomfortable with the way my thoughts were going.

“They attacked.”

“Attacked?” I was shocked. “I haven’t heard anything about an attack?” Then again there was so much I didn’t know suspecting that Ellie and Camelia were deliberately keeping me in the dark. I felt I was losing control again.

“It was kept from you because of the danger.”

“I’m a soldier I take risks all the time.”

“No longer, you are The Grand Duchess of Mars and heir to the Imperial throne and that makes you an Imperial Princess.”

I snorted at that. “I’m no princess, just Ellie’s cousin no more no less.” I balked at the thought of being a princess.

“You are much more than that. Her majesty called you the Knight of the Empire and hope for the future.”

Not wanting to go any further on this topic I switched subjects going back to the original reason Gena was talking to me. “The Rhosani should have destroyed you.”

“I know, they we too busy attacking us to realise that the First Fleet had engaged them.”

“The First Fleet?” I knew that it was the biggest fleet in the Imperial Navy.

“They were trailing behind us just out of sensor range. The ship took damage but it could have been worse.”

“With that many ships on the move at the same time there should have been some notice of their movements?”

“Her majesty suppressed the news otherwise there would have been mass panic.”

I understood the implications but it did answer the question as to why the Rhosani hadn’t detected them. I wanted to know the details. “The ship you were on what was it called?” I hadn’t been serious about the question but I was interested.

“It was this ship the Jakarta.”

I stared at Gena unbelieving. “The Jakarta?” I had been on a tour of the ship and Tony Miller had not said a word to me about any damage. Anger rose within me I was being used again. “Wait here!” I said with a snarl. Any control I had was gone. I could no longer suppress my fury.

“My lady,” Gena looked in a panic.

“Stay here Gena,” I said to Gena through gritted teeth. It was bad enough with Ellie and Camelia keeping things from me but this was beyond that.

In a few strides I was at the door no plan in mind I just wanted to confront Tony and wring the truth out of him, imperial dignity be dammed. The door slid open as I reached out to open it revealing Alice standing there blocking my exit.

“Get out of my way!” I yelled at her my fury at boiling point.

“Please calm down,” Alice said without moving from her position.

“I said get out of my way!” I was mad enough to lash out but some modicum of restraint held me back.

“No!” Alice responded her stance and the set of her jaw an indication she wasn’t about to move. “Captain Miller is as much as a victim as you are.”

I was taken aback by Alice’s vehemence. “I don’t like being lied to.”

“Do you think he wanted to lie to you? He had his orders.”

“He still lied.” I made to push past Alice when some force pushed me back. It wasn’t rough but it was enough to startle me. “What?” I spluttered. “You’re a tepe!”

“I didn’t want to be. The Rhosani have ruined all our lives.

Alice’s blunt statement made sense. Reluctantly I backed into the room Alice following close behind. I continued backing away until I found myself seated a gentle force pushed against my stubborn resistance. Alice stood at ease her legs apart and her arms crossed behind her back.

“You think I wanted this,” Alice said. “Constant headaches, hearing what people think about you unable to shut out their thoughts.”

“Sorry,” I apologised. Tepes back home learned to filter out thoughts, many lived lives without complications.

Alice glanced at Gena sitting there staring at the both of us a confused look upon her face. “It harder when some are strong broadcasters.”

I guessed that Gena was one of those. Ellie’s tepes must have picked that from Gena’s mind but it still didn’t excuse them using Gena in that way. They had used Gena’s connection to me to draw out the Rhosani. I was sure there was more to it than that Alice was leaving out more than she was saying.

“None of this makes sense the Rhosani can’t be afraid of me I’m only one person.” A thought occurred to me. “The attack on Analon could be a trick to draw me out. Analon isn’t a Rhosani world? Why the change of tactics?” I mused some of my anger had abated.

“That was considered and rejected. We’re unsure why they’ve changed we have lots of theories and none of them conclusive. There is one other bit of information that would interest you.”

“Oh?”

“The Confeds asked for you. Don’t ask me why?”

“Me?”

“Something to do with Melanos or so we’ve been informed.”

“Melanos?” Now I was very confused. “I want to talk to the captain.”

“Please don’t. He’s got enough to worry about. He never wanted this.”

Despite all that had happened I was conflicted I wanted to take out my anger but the focus Tony was as blameless as I was. “What’s his part in all this?”

“He’s in love with you.”

I stared at Alice. I was too shocked by her statement to say anything. “What do you mean?” I asked cautiously.

“He is?” Alice replied.

I was at loss for words finally I spoke again. “Don’t you think we should be talking somewhere more private about this?” I said certain that Alice had said what she said to throw me off track. If that was the goal it had succeeded.

Alice smiled. “I take it that this was.”

“You’re saying this in front of Gena?”

“What language are we speaking in?” Alice’s reproach was mild.

Suddenly it dawned on me that we had been speaking Galactic and I hadn’t realised. I had changed languages automatically. My mistake was thinking that way because Alice was part T’Arni. “Sorry,” I apologised to Gena and Alice in Terran.

“That isn’t a problem my lady,” Gena responded.

I felt guilty and regarded Alice carefully. There wasn’t much I could say until I sorted out my thoughts. “You’ve given me a lot to think about,” I admitted.

“If you have no further questions I’ll be back to my duty.” Alice paused. “Speak to me before you bother Captain Miller. The ship is far from ready.” She shrugged. “We still haven’t tested all the systems yet. One other thing.” She pointed to a terminal on one wall. “That’s a direct line to the palace.”

Although I was no longer angry with Tony over his part in her deception I still wanted words with Ellie and Camelia.

Helplessly I watched Alice leave knowing that it was a fight I couldn’t win. I crossed over and regarded the terminal on the desk on the wall. It was a standard comms computer unit with a holographic keyboard and vid screen. I had a lot to say to Ellie none of it pleasant. I turned to Gena whom I had forgotten about my face flushed crimson. “Are you ok Gena?”

“Yes my lady,” Gena replied although she looked far from it.

“Go and lie down there’s not much we can do until the ship has jumped.”

“With your permission my lady, I’ll be in my room.” She rose and headed to the door on the right hand side of the quarters.

I waited until she had gone before I turned my attention back to the terminal. I turned it on.

“Command ready for processing.” A metallic male voice sounded from the depths of the machine.

Nothing like Lottie’s voice. I regretted what the Guardians had done to her, to the both of us. “Direct comms to Her Majesty Constantina Empress of the Terran Empire.” Then I added my own code. “Sandra, Locke, serial number...”

The connecting symbol blinked on the screen for several minutes before Ellie’s face filled the image. The image showed she was in her apartment rather than in one of the conference rooms where she was normally found.

“Sandra?”

I hated myself for what I was about to do. “Why did you lie to me!”

“Lie?” Ellie looked tired and a little confused by my apparent outburst. “About what?”

“The Rhosani!”

“Oh.” Ellie rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “I’m not going to ask who told you.”

“But you hid the truth from me, I trusted you Ellie.”

Ellie winced. “Mother was concerned about putting yourself in danger.”

“I’m a soldier I expect it.”

“That may be so.” Ellie’s eyes flicked to someone out of view.

Suddenly the lights dimmed and the screen went blank ‘connection lost’ flicked across the screen. I stood anger burning in my veins it would be many weeks before I could speak to Ellie again. My anger overwhelmed me. Gena must have heard me swearing she hurried out of her room. Furious I was out of the door before Gena could stop me. Two of my guards in the corridor retreated to the alcove as I vented my spleen at them feeling at the centre of a great conspiracy. “Stay there!” I yelled as they made a move to follow me. I ran down the corridor heading towards the bridge my despair urging me ever onward. I dodged past several of the crew caught unawares by the sudden jump. I barged past ignoring the flashing red lights and sirens. My fury had burned away all coherent thought and to my beleaguered mind another lie. Someone stepped out of a doorway their hands burdened with equipment right into my path.

“Out of my way!” I yelled pushing him roughly out of my way I ignored his curse and ran on.

The door to bridge loomed ahead of me two Marines guarded the entrance. I was through the door before they could stop me. The bridge was a rectangular room, narrower at front than rear twenty metres in length and about ten wide at its widest point with stations all around the walls. In the centre was a large flat circular area the held the hologram projectors currently they displayed an image of the ship. In front of the hologram was the captain’s seat with an inbuilt console and terminal. Flanking it were two other seats for the first officer and another, close by were the sensors and communications stations all occupied. Spread along the other walls were the other stations with the helm at the base facing a large viewing screen. None of this mattered to me as I spied Tony seated in the captain’s chair his eyes on the projection on the hologram. He wasn’t aware of my presence until I hauled him out of his chair.

“You lying bastard!” I ranted.

Tony pulled himself out of my grip as the two Marines guarding the door restrained me. I struggled hard but I couldn’t escape their hold. Alice rushed in her face flushed.

“Get this woman of my bridge!” Tony said straightening his tunic. He glared at the bridge crew.

Suddenly everyone was busy at their own tasks everyone ignoring the scene going on behind them.

“Take her to the Captain’s Office,” Alice told the Marines.

They dragged me to a room just opposite the entrance to the bridge.

Alice followed them in. She regarded me and the two guards holding me. “Wait outside.”

They saluted and left. I had regained some rational thought. I had no idea why I went wild and regret filled my mind.

“What the hell do you think you are playing at!” Alice demanded.

“I...” I spluttered.

“Shut up!” Alice roared.

I stared at her knowing that there was no rational explanation as to why I reacted that way. The last time I had gone mad was when my father died. The sight of his severed head on a spike had driven me to take insane risks. I had thought I as was over that but recent events had shown me otherwise.

“I’d never thought you’d react like some over pampered princess who couldn’t get her own way!”

“How do you expect me to act surrounded by liars!” My temper flared.

“I expect you to act like an officer. You are wearing the uniform.”

“Not by choice!” I retorted.

“But you are.” Alice pointed at the Valour Victorious nestled on my chest flanked by two Confederacy Stars. “Or are those are meaningless.”

“I’m Confederacy!” it was a weak protest.

“Then act like it. All I see is a spoiled noblewoman.” Alice moderated her tone. “We initiated an emergency jump because we picked up a signal like the one just before the Rhosani attacked. We couldn’t risk it.”

“The ship was about to be attacked?” I swallowed hard and felt ashamed.

“That was our thought although we couldn’t be certain Captain Miller was not going to take the chance with you aboard.”

“They could be waiting at the other end. Could they have read the mind of the helmsman?” The prospect of taking on the Rhosani without back up was daunting.

“I seriously doubt that,” Alice replied. “I programmed the jump co-ordinates myself all the helm had to do was press the button.”

I understood Alice’s thinking the Rhosani couldn’t read her mind. “I’m sorry I can’t condone my actions.”

“Please go back to your quarters there’s nothing you can do here. Take it from me I do understand your situation.”

“I made a mistake and over reacted but...” I felt uncomfortable under Alice’s intense gaze.

“But nothing we’re coming out of jump in about twenty minutes. Then we need to program the nav for the next jump. I’m going to ask and not order you not to use the comms.”

I accepted Alice’s caution. “I know what not to do.” I felt calmer in her presence for some odd reason.

“A pity you didn’t show the same restraint earlier it would have saved us a whole parcel angst. Although I do sympathise please run anything through me first.”

“That I will do,” I promised.

“Good.” Alice showed me to the door. It slid open to reveal the two Marines and my guards standing there face to face. “You two back to the bridge,” she ordered the Marines and then to my guards. “Lady Sandra can find her own way back to her quarters. She doesn’t need to be tripping over you as she walks down the corridor. Head to the barracks and get some rest.”

I watched my guards leave albeit reluctantly. I appreciated Alice’s trust in me. The walk back would give me time to think of my actions. As I reached the door to my quarters the lights flickered. The ship had come out of hyperspace. Gena was inside waiting for me she said nothing as I sat and drank the coffee I was given. Half an hour later the lights flickered and the ship jumped. It would be a long eight weeks until the ship reached Confederacy territory. Eight weeks to mend all the bridges I had burned. I leaned back on the sofa I closed my eyes and let my mind drift.