Knight of the Empire

I walked down the palace corridor at determined pace my heart beating like a drum if I was going to pull it off I needed all the courage I could gather. My guards trailed behind me little knowing what was about to happen. One thing I was glad of was that Ellie’s tepes could not read my mind otherwise my bid to get out from under Camelia’s thumb would be doomed to fail. Since her revelation a few days ago Camelia seemed to be keeping a very close eye on me. I wasn’t sure if it was what she had told me or she suspected I was planning something. In that she was correct I had a plan and unlike my past attempts not doomed to fail. Today it would be different. Ellie despite Camelia’s objection had set aside two days a month to listen to her subjects’ petitions. Naturally Ellie’s telepaths weeded out all time wasters or anyone hostile to the Empress.

I needed to do something. Sitting around the palace twiddling my thumbs was a strain for a woman of action. Even when I had been reassigned to the Rosewood Academy after my downfall there was always something that needed my attention. I didn’t like confronting my cousin after my failure to save her friend but I needed to do something. Camelia had flatly refused to let me go after the Rhosani but there was still the Commonwealth to deal with. That was something I could do. The Confederacy had spent countless lives fighting Orsini raiders in the Disputed Territories. I had fought the Orsini on a number of worlds including the two where I had won my Confederacy Stars for bravery. I shuddered a bit the thought of Anoxi it always brought back memories of my father’s mutilated body. A nightmare I would never be rid of. At least now I didn’t wake to nightmares nor have horrific daydreams.

I kept my mind on the task ahead. Nothing was going to divert me from my plan. Ahead I could see the crowds already gathering in preparation for the opening the doors to the throne room. There were quite a number of citizens already waiting dressed in their best which seemed more dowdy than the flamboyance of the noble hangers on usually haunting the doors to the throne. I preferred seeing these humble citizens rather the snooty nobles. Something about their presence always got my back up. Quickly I scanned the crowd my mind on any danger to Ellie. Despite the guards it would only take one lone assassin to kill her. Suddenly a scuffle on my left had me reaching for the sidearm I had strapped to my waist. Swiftly I turned as the guards at my side their weapons drawn formed a square around me. I scowled at the thought I was perfectly capable of defending myself. Palace guards had the situation in hand. A young couple lay face down on the floor a number of armoured soldiers pointing weapons at them. I pushed my guards aside and approached them. The male looked vaguely familiar to me. Rapidly I searched my mind for a name. Then I remembered seeing the same frightened face on Anwa Padak. Image of the time came flooding back. I remembered the firefight and the Terran troops we had captured little knowing the fate that was waiting for them had they been successful in assassinating Ellie

The young man had been part of plan by the Usurper to kill Ellie. His fate and those of his companions was to die horribly at the hands of their captain. The whole incident was to be filmed by this same captain and shown to the Usurper.

A name flashed through my mind. “Theron?” I said my eyes on the soldiers pinning the couple to the ground. “Let them up.” I gestured to the soldiers remembering that he was the one who thought that my T’Arni were going to eat them. Another lie by their so called commander.

“Your grace?” one of the soldiers asked sounding puzzled.

“I said let them up gently!” I growled at him. “I’m giving you an order. Let them up now!”

Reluctantly the soldiers roughly hauled the couple to their feet.

“I said gently!” I barked. “What part of gently did you not understand.” I shouldn’t have been so hard on them but I could see my carefully laid plan flying out the window.

“But your grace?” another soldier replied.

“But nothing.” I was in no mood to argue. I had made myself a promise on that fateful day to look after these young people who had been pawns in the Usurper’s sick games. I stepped forward and helped Theron to his feet. “Are you ok Theron?” I wished that I still had Lottie in my head supplying me with background information but that was the past. Lottie was gone the Guardians had destroyed the implant when they turned me into a living weapon. The thought brought a tear to my eye. Although as I had suspected that Lottie was a rogue AI I still considered the implant as friend.

“Lady Sandra?” Theron stuttered his hand reaching for the young woman at his side looking the more terrified of the two. “My lady I thought I recognised you?” He seemed puzzled.

I guessed that the last time he had seen me I had been wearing Confederacy grey. An officer in palace colours intervened before Theron could speak again.

“What is going on here!” he demanded in a supercilious manner that immediately had my back up another petty officer too full of himself.

“I’m dealing with this!” I retorted feeling my anger edge up a notch.

The man gave me a look then suddenly went pale on seeing the guards with me.

“Your grace,” he stammered his face flushed.

“Leave us!” I said to him adding to the soldiers. “Be about your duties.” Aware of the crowd I was drawing I said to Theron. “Theron come with me and bring you good lady with you.”

I threaded my way through the crowds of onlookers my plans in tatters. There would other days but for now I had other matters that required my attention. Flanked by my guards Theron and his haggard looking partner trailed behind looking to the entire world like prisoners. I felt sorry for all they had endured as I led them to a side room. Light, airy and tastefully decorated with cloth covered couches.

“Please sit,” I said to Theron. “And tell me what brings you here?”

The couple settled on the nearest couch holding hands and nervously glancing at each other and at my guards.

I took the hint. “Wait outside,” I told my guards my voice brooking no dissent. “And get someone to bring us some coffee.”

My guards saluted and left I could see them standing just beyond the open door. I muttered a curse under my breath Theron and his partner were hardly a threat to me. I turned my attention back to the couple on the couch. I drew a deep breath and sat on the couch opposite a small wooden coffee table between them. Theron looked older than I had last seen him but both looked too young to be here.

Theron looked at his partner and squeezed her hand before releasing it. He sat for a moment seeming to regard his fingers before answering. “I really don’t know where to start.”

“Take your time,” I replied moderating my voice for the couple.

“Gillian and I never seem to save up enough money.” He hesitated seeing the look upon my face. “No we’re not asking for money. We were going to petition the Empress for passage to one of the colonies.”

Emboldened by Theron’s words Gillian spoke. “We’re willing to work, we ain’t lazy. We just want a place we can call our own. Have land we can work on, a place to bring up our son.”

“But passage costs more than we can earn in a year even with both of us working,” Theron added quickly.

I nodded thoughtfully it made sense. I had researched it trying to find a way to get off this planet. Booking passage to one of the Terran colonies cost money more than what most people earned in a year unless you had skills the colony needed. It was easy to guess that the couple lacked any skills the colonies needed. “You didn’t need to come all this way for that?” I asked. I couldn’t remember where Theron had come from. Had Lottie still been in my head then the implant would have told me. Again I wished Lottie was still with me, I could have been home months ago. All my speculation wasn’t addressing the situation in front of me.

“We…” Theron glanced nervously at his wife. Although I wasn’t certain that they were married Lottie could have told me but that was that. “I didn’t want to stay in the Confederacy.” His eyes flicked to my Terran uniform before he continued. “Unlike most of the others who did. I didn’t want to leave Gillian and little Ellis.” He patted his partner’s hand.

I noted that he had called his child Ellis. I supposed it was a reference to Ellie the woman they had been sent to kill. They had all pledged themselves to Ellie after their commander had thoughtfully recorded his meeting with the last Emperor and his plans for the Terrans that had come with him. Theron hadn’t known at the time and would have remained so until his death at the hands of the man that was supposed to be his commander. The thought reminded me of another victim of the Usurper’s captain. “Heard anything from Miriam?”

The young woman had been pregnant after a dalliance with the deceased Terran Commander little knowing he was going to kill her anyway.

Theron frowned looking uncomfortable. “Last we heard was that she had had the baby and was living with her new mother.”

I understood better than most that Miriam had undergone a serious traumatic experience and was leaning on Sarah Vanwasshova one of my squad who had shot her before they had learned the awful truth. Sarah had been filled with guilt and remorse so much so that both women had become mother and daughter. I hoped both women were back on the road to a normal life. I had heard nothing about them from the news I was getting from the Confederacy. I knew what it was like suffering from PTSD. “Anyone else come back with you?”

“No, but Gena headed back as soon as she could. She was hoping to come see you as soon as she could.” He paused. “I’d thought she would have been here?”

I started guiltily I hadn’t thought of Gena Guerro since I had made the young woman a sergeant in an effort to gain control over her squad. Gena had been the same size as me and at the time. Needs came first and I had swapped Gena’s combat armour for my skinnies the Terrans called then jumpsuits not a better word in my opinion. The armour had become useful later when I rescued Camelia from the Terran troops out for her blood.

“I haven’t seen her.” I was thoughtful remembering what Joyce had said about Gena. The younger woman had been determined to be my servant no matter how much I disliked the thought. Gena had asked the last time I had seen her to come looking for me. I regretted agreeing with her but at the time I needed her to behave so she didn’t give the archaeologists any trouble. Gena would have found a way to reach me I could have given her an A+ for enthusiasm. Something must have happened to her. I had given Gena responsibility and it was up to me to find out all I could of Gena’s fate.

A palace servant entered bearing a tray with a coffeepot and several delicate cups on it. The man gave the couple a cursory glance before leaving distaste clearly on his face.

“Sorry about that,” I apologised. “Palace servants often have too high opinion of themselves.” I knew a few that needed taking down a peg. One came to mind the woman that had jokingly referred to me as Lady Grey. At first I thought she was on about my liking for grey clothing when I wasn’t wearing a uniform. Ellie told me what she actually meant and had the woman dismissed. Had I caught her I would have done a lot worse to her. I guess Ellie and Camelia knew this. The last I heard was she had been shipped out to a colony.

“That’s…” Theron paused again a confused look upon his face. “I’m not sure how to address you my lady?”

“Just Sandra,” I replied although Camelia would be up in arms about that.

“Lady Sandra, we’re sorry about the ruckus earlier. We were so pleased to see someone we know that we forgot ourselves.”

“We’ve watched you on all the vids!” Gillian added hastily before subsiding into silence.

I was more concerned about Gena’s disappearance than some breach of palace etiquette. I felt more than little guilty for not thinking of Gena and her friends earlier. I had been so consumed by my own dilemmas that I had completely forgotten about what had happened to those young people. I had left them in Joyce’s care so consumed about getting Ellie’s agreement to come with me. I had made them my responsibility and I had let them down. Guilt flushed through my body as I regarded the couple on the couch opposite. Even with all that had happened to me I should have taken the time to find out.

“Ok?” I took a deep breath. “I’ll see what I can do.” I added a proviso, “I can’t promise anything but I’ll see what I can do.” That was the least I could do I owed them that much at least.

“Thank you Lady Sandra,” Theron said looking relieved.

I called my guards back in. “Theron and Gillian are going home. Arrange transport and some credits.” I held up my hand to forestall any protest. “Enough to reimburse them for travel and time it took them to get here.” I turned my attention to Theron. “Finish your drinks first. I’ll go and find out what I can. When you are ready to leave. Let my guards know and leave us your contact details.”

“Ma’am?” the commander of my guard detachment asked.

I was unsure who he was. They changed weekly and I never got a chance to find out who they were. So encased in their combat armour I could never see their faces. They just followed me like silent shadows even though I didn’t need them. All I knew was that there were two men and two women. “Sergeant?” I replied my voice going flat, “I’ll be safe enough on my own,” I said and tapped the sidearm strapped to my waist. “Your responsibility is to the Empire. These people are citizens of the Empire and as such they are under your protection. I on the other hand am a citizen of the Confederacy.” That was the truth as far as I could see but the reality was far more complex. Just trying to think through the tangle always gave me a headache. That was the problem I was related to the Empress and her mother and my birth certificate made me a Terran a fact I was desperately trying to change. My heart lay with the Confederacy despite everything Camelia did to change that.

“Yes your Grace,” he replied saluting.

I knew as soon as I was out of sight he would be on the comms reporting everything I had said and done. I took a moment of confusion to slip past him and step out into the corridor.

Heading away from the room I walked slowly my mind on Gena’s fate. As much as I wanted to stop myself I found I couldn’t do it. I owed Gena a lot. “Eel!” I said suddenly startling a passer-by. I gave the woman a nod taking in her costume. The tight waisted skirt didn’t fit her portly frame. I continued on giving the portly woman not further thought. Three frustrating hours later I reckoned I had just traipsed around half the palace looking for Ellie’s Chief of Intelligence. He was nowhere to be found. “I bet if I stepped outside the palace grounds without an escort he’d be there,” I growled. I didn’t get on well with him. He always seemed to bring out the worst in me. I guess it was because he always turned up where I had least expected to find him. Like the time I had slipped past my guards and had been about to board a liner to Mars. The boarding gate to the liner had been in sight when he stepped from behind a pillar and plucked my boarding ticket from my hand. I had to admit I was angry at the time and frustrated with freedom so close so much so that I had thrown a punch at him. He just stepped around my flying fists like I wasn’t there. It seems they didn’t call him Eel for nothing he was as slippery as one of those Terran eels.

Shutting out the thought I muttered. “Right Eel you bastard I’ll find you.”

Finally I found the man I was looking for. I didn’t know if he had another name for that was all he answered to. He was tall and balding but had a beard on his chin. He was dressed in a dark blue suit that most men seemed to wear those that were not in uniform.

“Lady Sandra I heard you were looking for me.”

I immediately felt my hackles rise he always did that to me. “Gena Guerro.”

“Who?”

I tried and failed to keep my tone level but inside I was fuming. “You know damn well who she is!”

“Who?” Eel replied.

“Gena Guerro!” I growled, “I need to know where she is and what has happened to her.”

“Gena Guerro?”

Instinctively I felt my hand reach for my sidearm as my anger had boiled over.

Again he was two steps ahead of me his fingers closing around my wrist. “Now Lady Sandra, no need for that?” His voice was mild.

“I want know what has happened to her!” His grip was like iron I couldn’t shake him off.

“Leave it with me,” he replied not letting go of her wrist. “And please do not draw your weapon on me. Otherwise things between us will rapidly go down hill.” With a deft twist of his hand he removed my weapon from its holster. “I think I’ll keep hold of this until you have calmed down. As I said I will look into it, please have a little patience.”

“Oh no you don’t!” I screamed at him. “I want answers now!” I wanted to hit him but I knew how futile that would be and at the moment I need his co-operation.

“I’m busy I’ve an errand to run.”

I stepped closer standing almost nose to nose with him. “Make yourself unbusy or I’ll find out myself and then there will be trouble.” I so wanted to break his nose I was barely holding myself in check.

“You threatening me?” Gone was the mildness in his voice.

“No I’m giving you advice.” I backed down I was better that that it was just that he annoyed me so much.

“That’s fine then,” he said releasing his hold in my wrist. “As I said leave it with me. I will find out for you.” Adding as an afterthought. “We’ve arranged passage on a colony ship for your guests. That was where I was going before you interrupted me.”

I found myself taking a step back. “Sorry,” I apologised.

“That’s fine Lady Sandra we’ll put this down to a comms breakdown. I will get this looked into.” He bowed and left.

I watched him walk way still struggling with my own dilemma. Eel’s statement had completely floored me. I finally gave up he wasn’t called Eel for nothing. Every time I thought I had the edge he slipped out of my grasp. There wasn’t much more I could do here with a heavy heart I headed back to my apartment.