Knight of the Empire

Nearly a month had passed since the shooting. I noted how the palace had underplayed the whole incident saying that it was a security drill. I did wonder how they managed to get away with it. The only bright thing was that Gena was coping well. Dr Lessing’s sessions were helping but I was still keeping an eye on Gena all to aware of my own failings in that department. A few days after the attack I had received a suit of combat armour guessing that it was some sort of a bribe. I wasn’t going to send it back it was the best armour I ever had. I knew that most combat armour was basic. The suit issued to Gena, the one I had appropriated on Anwa Pak was worse than basic. It had served me well on Tate’s World when we had rescued Camelia. This suit was the most sophisticated armour I had seen. Better than any the Confederacy could have produced. The only downside was the colour. I would have preferred it in Confederacy camouflage patterns rather than the universal pale green of Imperial armour. Having the armour made me feel safe and after what had happened recently I needed to hold on to that feeling. My only other consolation was the assault rifle the Marines had given me on the drive back from the military base.

I was lying in my bed my dreams troubled, the first for a long time. I wondered if I should speak to Dr Lessing. The last time my pride and anger had been in the way and I had refused the help when offered. That led to my downfall and the spiral into alcoholism. The chirp of my wrist comms unit and the bleep from the terminal and the chime of the doorbell jerked me into full wakefulness. I reached for my sidearm on the nightstand I wasn’t going anywhere without a weapon to hand. “Lights!”

I shouted. The lights flickered on as I reached out and grabbed my comms unit with my free hand. “Yes?”

“Please come to the conference room,” Ellie’s voice echoed through the link.

“What’s this about?” I noted the concern in Ellie’s voice.

“Please Sandra not on a open comms channel.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I dress,” I replied clipping the comms unit to my wrist while my other slid my sidearm back onto the nightstand. The door chimed again. “Door open!” I called out.

One of my guards stepped through the door he wasn’t in armour but he still retained his weapon. “Your grace, her majesty wants you.”

“I know,” I replied. “Do you know what’s this is about?”

“I’m wasn’t told your grace.”

I glanced at my terminal. “I take it that’s the same message?”

“Yes your grace, Her majesty said it was very important.” He paused his eyes flicked to the corridor. “Do you wish to wake your companion?”

I thought about it. “No let Gena sleep. I’ll be there as soon as I’m dressed. Please stay out while I dress.”

“Yes your grace,” he saluted and stepped back into the corridor his place given to another of my guards this time in full armour weapon at the ready.

The other guard a woman made no move to leave. I guessed that she would ignore my wishes and remain in place until I was ready to leave. I dressed in my uniform and strapped my sidearm to my waist. I clipped the assault rifle to my chest. The weapon looked out of place with my dress uniform but I wasn’t going to leave it behind, since I wasn’t sure what was happening. With one last look at Gena’s door I headed down the corridor surrounded by my guards.

I noted there were more guards around as I headed for the throne room the heavy stomp of boots echoing in the near deserted corridors. It was made more obvious by that fact it was late and there were very few people still about. Past midnight I saw several palace servants and other palace staff stop and stare as my party swept past them. I ignored them after a quick scan of their faces I was still on alert after the incident in the garage. Ellie hadn’t given me any explanation as to what had happened to the man just referring it as still under investigation. I knew better they had found something and they were stalling. I would find out sooner or later but for now I curious to find out what the fuss was about.

The doors to the throne room swung open as I approached the guards saluted. I returned their salute my hand against my chest Terran style and entered. The throne room was empty but at the end of the room by a door I saw a number of Ellie and Camelia’s guards. It was easy to guess that Ellie and Camelia were inside. What surprised me was that there were three Confederacy Marines outside the door. Their presence was a surprise. Two of the Marines were in armour while the third a lieutenant was in full Confederacy dress uniform. Suddenly I felt self-conscious aware that while I was in a Terran uniform two of the medals on my chest were Confederacy. I hesitated for a moment then picked up the pace. The three Confederacy Marines saluted me. I saluted back automatically only realising that I had saluted Confederacy style. The lieutenant nodded in my direction at least someone was on my side for a change. Ellie’s guards opened the door without a word and from the corner of my eye I glimpsed a broad grin of the lieutenant’s face and the nods of his companions.

I stepped through the door and stopped still. Sitting with Ellie and Camelia was the Confederacy Ambassador. The same man that I had tried to see on a number of occasions. He always seemed to be busy or if I saw him in the palace corridor he was always going in the opposite direction. Even when I had called out to him he had not heard me or was just ignoring me. On a couple of occasions I had actually chased him but my guard had kept getting in my way allowing him to disappear. I strongly suspected that they had been ordered to keep me away from him. Feeling conflicted I marched up to the table and bowed it seemed the safest course not playing favourites with either the Confederacy or the Empire. As I did so I scanned the faces of those seated at the table. Both Ellie and the ambassador looked worried while Camelia was barely controlling her anger. This same anger was directed towards the ambassador which had me confused.

“Your majesty?” I asked tentatively.

“Please be seated your grace,” Ellie replied.

I noted the formality in her voice and her gesture as she indicated the seat in front of her. I sat and looking queryingly at Ellie. “What’s this about?”

“Best if Ambassador Leven tells you.”

I turned my attention to the ambassador. A tall thin man with a haggard looking face. From what I had been told the Usurper had him tortured and was about to have him executed when the resistance rescued him. I saw Camelia’s lips tighten her face grim.

“Analon has vanished we suspect the Rhosani destroyed it.”

“What!” I yelled standing. My chair flipped backwards I shook with shock. “There are over a hundred thousand civilians on Analon!” I stared at the ambassador. “What happened? There was a naval base on the planet. I know that the 23rd Squadron is based there.”

“Destroyed that we are certain of. But the planet it’s no longer there. There was debris from the ships and of the planet there is no trace.”

“Just like the Ocato System and Anwa Padak?” Ellie said with a shiver.

I guessed she was thinking of Jeanne. Until the Rhosani were stopped she would never find closure. “What is the Confederacy doing about it?”

“The T’Arni have withdrawn their fleets to protect their worlds.”

“What!” I shouted again. “That’s two thirds of our entire naval strength!” I looked at Ellie wondering what she wanted I was no expert on starships. I may have been in temporary command of the Sovran after the Empire had attacked the ship and killed the officers. I still hadn’t got to the reason why the captain had called all his officers to gather on the bridge. It was a mystery only my lateness had meant I hadn’t been on the bridge when the ship was attacked. “That leaves us open to attack from the Commonwealth,” I half whispered feeling chills down my back.

“But not from the Empire,” Ellie reassured me.

I sincerely doubted Ellie would use the confusion to attack the Confederacy.

She must have guessed the way my thoughts were going. “We need Confederacy co-operation if we are to find and destroy the Rhosani. They are a threat to us all.”

I wondered if this co-operation involved me. It explained Camelia’s attitude and Ellie sounding resigned. Camelia wanted to keep me close I guess that was because I was the third in line from the throne. “This is something to do with me?”

“Yes,” Ellie replied.

Camelia spoke before Ellie say more. “You are quite within your rights as the Duchess of Mars and a citizen of the Empire to refuse.”

“It’s the Rhosani,” I confirmed what I was thinking. “I need to go.” I waved my gloved hand at Camelia. “You do remember what the Guardians did to me. They made me a weapon against the Rhosani.”

“Sandra,” Camelia appealed to me. “You don’t have to do this?”

“I must no one is safe. What if they target a Terran world next?”

Camelia hung her head going silent.

“So when do I go?” I didn’t want a repeat of the Havok, hustled on board with only the clothes on my back. That reminded me I hadn’t heard anything from Marsha or even Shawna even though I had sent dozens of messages through official channels. They could have at least acknowledged that they had received them. Luckily I’d stored them all on my datapad.

“The sooner the better,” the ambassador stated.

“Do you mind if we discuss this amongst ourselves?” Ellie told the ambassador.

“Of course your majesty.” He bowed and left.

“Sandra we need you here,” Camelia said.

“I have a duty I cannot shirk it,” I replied.

Ellie skirted around the table and hugged me. “I know I can’t stop you. But for our stake stay safe.”

“I’m sorry Ellie I wouldn’t be doing my job if I did.”

“Do not put yourself in any danger,” Camelia said I could hear the catch in her voice. “I couldn’t save Constantine or Frank, I don’t want to lose another of my family.” She joined Ellie and hugged me. “Please come back.”

I was unsure how to answer my feelings were so mixed up. “I’ll try.” Was the best I could do. I stepped out of the embrace and straightened my uniform. “Do you have any details of the attack?”

Ellie pointed to a datapad lying on the table. “All there.” She looked composed like an Empress should be.

One question niggled me. “How am I going to get to the Confederacy?”

Commercial transport would take months time we didn’t have. Even with a fast ship we were looking at least a three-month journey. There was no chance of using the wormholes. As Ellie had stated often frustrated she hadn’t learned enough about them or their locations. All she knew of was the twelve she had plotted, most within Confederacy space and all with only one direction.

“We have a ship waiting. As soon as you are ready we’ve got a shuttle on stand by.”

I worried that Camelia had lapsed into silence. There were no words that could convey my regret. Despite our being at odds most of the time I had become fond of my aunt. There was nothing I could say so I resorted to saluting Terran style. “Your majesty, Lady Broaden.” I smartly turned and marched out of the door datapad in hand my pace quick only slowing once I was far enough from the throne room.

I had never felt so uneasy about myself as I walked back to my apartment. My loyalties were torn. Suddenly the words came to me I truly was Lady Grey. I began to wonder if that was what Com Ops had hinted at all those months ago when they refused my reinstatement to the CGF. I breathed a sigh of relief as the door to my apartment slid open. Gena was crossing the room dressed in a Terran army uniform.

“Gena?”

“Your grace,” Gena replied with a Terran salute. “I’ve packed up most of your gear. Your combat armour is already on the shuttle. I held up with the rest I was unsure what you wanted to take.” She gestured to some plastic containers in one corner of the apartment.

I was confused. “What’s with the uniform?”

“I’m going as your aide,” Gena’s statement was simple.

My reply wasn’t. “You what?”

“You’ll need your aide.”

“It isn’t safe.”

“No where is safe my lady until the Rhosani are destroyed.”

“Call me Sandra, please?” I didn’t want Gena with me the younger woman had had enough trauma in her life.

In a few steps Gena was kneeling in front of me, her hands thrust forward her head bowed. “I Gena Guerro.”

“Gena no!”

“Her majesty has released me from my oath I’m free to pledge myself to your service.”

“Please Gena don’t do this?”

“It is done my lady.”

I couldn’t say more with the guard witnessing. I gave them a quick glance my glare could have stripped the paint off the wall. “We’ll speak of this later,” I told Gena moderating my voice and busied myself checking the contents of the containers not wanting a further confrontation while there were witnesses. “Very good Gena, get these stowed away.”

“Yes my lady.”

I itched to change out of my dress uniform and into something more comfortable but with all the scrutiny I was under not the best of ideas. Finally we were ready. The servants had removed the last of my gear and with one last look around I headed out.

Surrounded by my guards and Gena in tow I reached the shuttle pad in record time after an initial delay on leaving my apartment as my guard tried to box us in. Ellie and Camelia were waiting for me on the pad their guards had taken positions around them. I noted that despite my aunt, Ellie and their guards the pad was deserted none of the normal staff were there. I guessed they were taking precautions. Ellie stepped through her cordon of guards and embraced me a tear in the corner of her eye. I could feel her tremble but when she released her hold there was no indication of any trembling or loss of resolve.

“Keep yourself safe. You hear,” Ellie said formally.

“You too,” I replied.

“There’s still time to change your mind,” Camelia said her lower lip twitched, her normally icy resolve was breaking.

I guessed that guilt for not saving those she had loved was weighting heavy on her mind. “I will be back.” I remembered my father saying that to my mother before he stepped on a ship to Anoxi. The next I heard was that Anoxi had been invaded and the 43rd had been scrambled.

Camelia hugged me and stood back. “Go now!”

I climbed on to the shuttle my last sight was Ellie and Camelia standing together and waving as the shuttle climbed into the sky.

The shuttle rumbled to a stop I waited as the engines powered down and the shuttle bay re-pressurised. After a while I began to get impatient my fingers drumming against my knee. There was a hiss as the door opened.

“Finally!” I said exasperated and exited the shuttle.

The bay was huge, large enough to accommodate a number of shuttles. Two huge bay gates only barrier between them and the vacuum of space. Opposite the shuttle leading into the ship an honour guard had formed two naval officers at the fore. It explained why it had taken so long to re-pressurise the bay. I was certain that I was on a capital ship remembering the bay the shuttle had been in that had taken my to Earth. It wasn’t the day my life had changed irrevocably but it had come close. My guard formed up around me as Gena still sat in the shuttle. I looked back surprised by Gena’s sudden reluctance. The terrified look in her eyes had me worried.

“Gena?” I asked seeing her stiffen at the mention of her name. “Sergeant Guerro front and centre!” I ordered the younger woman instantly regretting my words.

She exited the shuttle in a flash almost throwing herself into my arms. “Sorry,” she shuddered as she stood beside me.

I knew the drill by now the officers were waiting for my inspection. Straightening my tunic I stepped forward my guards and Gena were following in my footsteps. I almost halted in shock. Standing to attention before me was Tony Miller the captain I had talked to on New Year’s morning the very man I had taken a liking to. He hadn’t seemed to be as pompous as the most of the nobles I tried not to be aquatinted with. Standing with him was a short black haired woman the tips of her ears had a slight point. She was a ‘Brid’ or hybrid the Confederacy designation for someone with half human, half T’Arni blending. Olga, my secretary while I was the principal of Rosewood Academy was a ‘Brid’. Briefly I wondered how Olga was doing. She was an island of calm weathering all that the academy or I threw at her. Of anyone she could have offered me advice. I desperately needed something to restore my balance. Closing my mind on that I focused on the task in hand. I suspected something more was going on here than I could fathom but for now there was the drill. I saluted Tony my hand to my chest.

He returned the salute adding a wink that wasn’t in protocol. “Captain Tony Miller,” he said with a slight smile. “This way ma’am the inspection awaits.”

Moving down the line of Marines I completed my inspection. “Well turned out Marines, captain,” I uttered as a matter of formula I had done this dozens of times before. I turned to Tony and his companion noting the woman was studying her carefully.

“Thank you ma’am,” he replied with a smart salute.

I was glad he hadn’t used the standard from of military address the one that had my teeth grinding. “Captain you haven’t introduced your second?” For some odd reason I couldn’t explain I hoped that she wasn’t his girlfriend. I remembered him saying when we last spoke that he wasn’t married. Tony looked confused as I realised I had spoken in Galactic instead of Terran.

“Lieutenant Commander Alice Heisenberg,” the woman answered in Terran.

“Very good,” I caught the sight of Gena’s pale and terrified face out of the corner of my eyes. “This is my aide Sergeant Guerro.”

If anything Gena looked more panicked. There was something going on here I doubted I would get anything out of Gena while she had an audience.

“Gena have my gear stowed away.” I turned back to Tony his stoic face giving no hint of anything amiss. “You do have a place for me?”

“Yes ma’am my First Officer will show your aide where to put your gear. Heisenberg show the sergeant to the ambassadorial quarters.” Tony said waving his hand towards the doors.

“Yes sir!” Alice’s salute was precise. “Come along,” she spoke gently to Gena then adding in a louder voice. “Right you lot get this gear stowed away.”

“Honour Guard dismiss!” Tony ordered.

I took the time to compose myself there were questions I wanted answers to, questions I would have to ask. “Captain, give me a tour of the ship.”

“This way ma’am.”

I followed him out of the bay my guards one step behind me. I watched as Tony talked animatedly about his ship pointing to interesting things and apologising for the mess. Despite my initial concerns I took an interest seeing odd touches that reminded me of Confederacy ships. The clincher was a open panel and on the conduits behind it were several notations in Galactic, the type Ezaran engineers often made.

“Sorry about that,” Tony apologised. “Maintenance should have closed these panels.”

“That ok this is a working ship,” I replied trying to sound unconcerned, but I was sure that there was something going on here. The Terrans would have never let the Confederacy aboard one of their capital ships especially after the recent short lived war. Things between the Confederacy were amiable now but that could change in a instance if the Terrans decided to attack. I put aside the way my thoughts were going. Ellie would never do that not now, not ever while she still ruled.

We continued on I was now even more aware. My eyes scanned for anything that indicated Confederacy involvement. I dismissed as idle speculation the reasons why Alice Heisenberg was aboard. Yet nothing made sense. The more I saw of the ship the more my questions grew. I was determined to get Tony on his own my intentions were anything but romantic. I wanted answers but with my guards trailing in my wake I couldn’t get an opportunity to. Finally they stopped outside a door no different from the dozens of others I had passed on the way here. The only difference was the purple banding on the walls at about chest height. There was the small alcove opposite an ideal spot to watch the door and the corridor either side. There had been one on the Santiago, the ship that taken me to Earth and my fate.

“These are your quarters ma’am. If you need anything just send you aide,” Tony told me.

“When are we leaving,” I snapped I hadn’t wanted to be short with Tony he had been the soul of courtesy all though the tour. His presence confused the hell out of me and I was uncertain why.

“Just give the word and we can be under way,” he replied as if he hadn’t heard my outburst.

I glanced at my guards. They as usual the silent quartet not a word was spoken by them. “Look sorry I’m just tired,” I apologised unsure why I was apologising for. “Yes go ahead captain.”

“Yes ma’am,” Tony saluted. “I’ve got to prep the ship. We’ll be underway in about forty minutes. Should give you time to freshen up from your journey.” Adding. “It will take us at least two hours to reach the jump point.

“Ok and thank you Captain Miller,” I said as I returned his salute and stood in the doorway watching him go a confused expression on my face. I turned to my guards as I opened the door to my quarters. “Dismissed.”

The interior of my quarters was large similar in size to the one I shared Ellie and Camelia when they had been strangers and not family. Whoever had decorated the quarters and been into purple or rather the more pastel shades of it. A thick plush carpet filled the floor closely matching the sofa that filled three sides of a square in the centre of the room. A coffee table squatted in the middle and there were a number of cabinets around the wall of the quarters. On the back wall were a small kitchenette and the door to the bathroom. There was a door on either side wall leading to the bedrooms. The open side of the sofa square faced the door back into the ship. Gena sat on the sofa her face grave. She rose as I entered.

“Gena?” I was still worried about the younger woman.

“My lady,” Gena replied she sounded resigned.

“Please Gena drop the formality here?” If anything the tone of Gena’s voice had me even more worried.

“I can’t do that my lady. Please don’t be angry with me, I had no choice.”

Instinctively my hand went to the sidearm strapped to my waist. “Do what?”

“Lie to you.”

I was taken aback. “Lie?”

“I’m sorry my lady. I owe you my life I can’t do this any more. Coming back here has brought things to a head I can’t do it lie to you. I gave you my oath.”

“What’s this all about?”

“Please sit my lady and I’ll start at the beginning.”

I sat and stared at Gena. This better be good, I thought as she sat opposite and composed herself.