by M D Cooper
“This is nice,” she said while taking in the room.
Terry’s face flushed slightly, apparently mistaking the compliment for sarcasm.
“No, I mean it,” Pharis continued. “It looks comfortable and lived-in. I’ve always found many of the spaces on our family estate on Gallas to be so impersonal.”
“I won’t argue with that.” Cyrus took a seat at the padded booth in the corner, and Terry slid in next to him.
Antaris’s expression suggested that he didn’t find the room quite as charming as Pharis did, but he respectfully sat down across from them.
“Thank you for getting me out of there,” Pharis said to her brother and Terry after she sat down a polite distance from Antaris. “I don’t think I said that earlier, and I should have.”
“Yes, I owe you my gratitude, as well,” Antaris agreed. “I hope we’re able to see these events through in a productive manner.”
“Happy to help,” Terry replied.
Cyrus spread his hands on the tabletop. “There’s no sense in dancing around it. None of the moons are safe right now. We’re going to be stuck with each other for a while.”
Pharis crossed her arms. “I still don’t like that I had to leave Gallas. I should be there to reassure people.”
“No highborn is going to be reassuring with emotions running this high,” Terry said. “They do like you and respect you, but not everyone will be able to see reason right now.”
“Of greater concern is what the other houses are going to do in response to the uprising,” Antaris said. “The Acadian Light is still answering my calls for now, but…” He faded out.
Cyrus sighed. “This isn’t quite what I had in mind when we were planning the revolution. At least the fleets aren’t taking any action yet.”
“I’d hoped it wouldn’t go like this, but it was always a possibility,” Pharis said. “We’ve kept everyone so restricted in their thoughts and movements, it’s like releasing a fully wound coil. They need to expel the initial burst of energy before future work can be directed in a productive way.”
Her brother raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure that analogy quite works.”
“Sorry, I’m going on very little sleep here. My creativity isn’t in top form.”
“Regardless,” Terry cut in, “there’s still the matter of where to go and what to do next. It’s turning into a shit-show out there.”
“I’m most worried about what the other military fleets might do,” Antaris continued. “Not to mention less honorable opportunists.”
“If it gets to that point, it’ll be much more difficult to come back.”
“Is there any authority that people will listen to now?” Cyrus questioned.
Terry did have one idea, though it went against what she’d promised. “We need to go to the Perseus. It’s the only safe neutral ground that’s not too far from the action.”
Cyrus frowned. “Didn’t Dana say that she wants nothing to do with human civil war?”
“Yes, but we’re not the ones fighting. We just need a safe place to camp out.”
“She said that she has hopes for me as a leader, right?” Pharis asked.
Terry nodded.
“Then she won’t turn us away. If she does believe that this was a necessary upset of power, she’ll help us find a way through.”
“Maybe.” Antaris didn’t seem on board with the idea.
“Do you have a better suggestion?”
“No,” he admitted. The defeated look in his eyes said more than his words.
Terry felt for him. She didn’t have any siblings, but she could imagine what it must be like to not know if his sister was alive or dead. Given the state of things on Gallas, it didn’t bode well for Acadia.
“We’ll go to the Perseus,” Pharis decided for the group.
Cyrus headed toward the bridge. “I’ll have them set in a course.”
ONLY ONE PLACE TO RUN
STELLAR DATE: 12.26.8938 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Celestiana, Serenity System
REGION: Orion Freedom Alliance, Perseus Arm
Antaris paced across the Celestiana’s galley. He’d been trying to get through to Kristina on Acadia, but there was no reply.
Is she just upset with me, or has something happened?
He hated not knowing. As a military officer, he thrived on having information to plan and make decisions. The events over the past day had thrown him out of his element, requiring him to change course on the fly without having adequate intel to make educated decisions.
He hadn’t handled it well, in retrospect. The others probably thought he was a fool; not that their opinion meant much to him.
His crew on the Acadian Light was, thankfully, unaware of his recent haphazard actions, and Commander Perry was still accepting his messages. He could bear the thought of Kristina potentially turning against him so long as his other family—his crew—remained loyal.
True allegiances would be revealed after they arrived at the Perseus. Dana, the AI running the old FGT ship, was the only neutral party left in Serenity. Everyone else would need to pick a side eventually: either fight to maintain the old rule of the five Great Houses around the High Table, or form a new governance in accordance to the people’s wishes.
Antaris’s ruminations were interrupted by Pharis entering the galley.
She had the quiet grace of a lady born to her station, poised and commanding attention without saying a word. Despite her polish, she had none of the cold demeanor so often found among highborn. Instead, Antaris found himself energized in her presence in a way he wasn’t with other women he’d met. She made him not only want to be thoughtful, but to also take action.
Though the exact course of action was ambiguous at the moment, he was eager to discuss the options with her.
“Any word?” she asked.
“No, I can’t get through to anyone.”
Disappointment and worry darkened her face. “I wonder if some of the people have filtered us out of the networks.”
“Is that even possible?”
“I honestly have no idea.” She chuckled. “It’s kind of funny, isn’t it? We’re supposed to be the ones in charge, and we don’t have a clue how things work behind the scenes.”
Antaris nodded and let out a sigh. “The past few days have been a difficult lesson in how much I took for granted.”
“Same. While speaking with my mother near the end, I started to see a lust for power that I’d never noticed before.” She paused, gazing out the viewport at the starscape. “The thing that scares me is how easy it would be to become her. I always prided myself on being independent and standing up for the disenfranchised, yet I attended parties and dined on decadent food without giving it a second thought.”
Though Antaris hadn’t expected her to open up like that, he was happy for the insight into her mindset. He couldn’t help being attracted to how willing she was to put herself out there to strangers. Such honesty had been sorely lacking in Serenity, in his experience.
On the flip side, he needed to be more forthright himself, if there was any potential of them having a meaningful partnership—whether it be political, platonic, or romantic.
We were born into that life of decadent consumption. The fact that she saw through it at all speaks volumes.
He looked Pharis over. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Partaking in those things was a necessary component of your greater role.”
“I didn’t need to do anything. It was a choice to participate. To be complacent.”
Antaris shook his head. “A person can’t be expected to see the truths of the universe from the moment they’re born. It takes time to see beyond how we’re taught to think as children—to find our own truth. It’s what you do after you’ve made those revelations that matters.”
She folded her arms. “Is that what this present experience is for us? A ‘revelation’?”
“Revelation, revolution…” He smiled. “Practically the
same thing.”
She returned the smile. “Close enough.”
He took a step closer to her. “Look, the thing is, beating ourselves up over what we could have done in the past doesn’t get us anywhere. We’ve made choices in the last week that will have far-reaching implications. In doing so, we made promises, and we need to follow through.”
“You’re right,” she admitted. “I know that, but I can’t help getting in my own head all the same.”
“I hear you, believe me. All that time on the Acadian Light gave me too many opportunities to reflect on what could or should have been.”
“Would you not have chosen to join the Acadian Guard, if you had to do it over again?”
He snorted. “Pharis, do you think I had any more choice in the matter than Cyrus being in the Gallas Guard? Or you, in your role?”
She looked down. “I suppose not.”
“Highborn life is a double-edged sword. If we fall into our roles, we will never want for any material luxuries. But that comes at the cost of our paths being decided generations before we’re born. So the present chaos, the guilt over everyone who’s been injured or killed in the ‘revolution’…that’s part of the burden we must bear to break the cycle.”
Pharis evaluated him with an expression he thought might be admiration. “I’m glad you came forward about Kristina’s intentions.”
“Me too. When I heard you speak, I realized that there was finally a chance to do things differently. I only wish Kristina had seen that for herself.”
“There’s still a chance. The other houses haven’t yet taken a public stance about what’s going on.”
“Not that communications are reliable right now, so who knows if they’ve tried,” Antaris pointed out.
“I hope that’s not the case, because I can’t do this alone.”
“You’re not alone. I’m with you, and others will follow.”
She shook her head. “If only you could speak for House Laurentia.”
“While I can’t if you’re following historical customs, this is a time for change.”
“Good point.”
“But forget about the houses, Pharis. You don’t need to prove yourself as a suitable scion for House Charlemis. You are a smart, compassionate woman who people will want to follow. That means so much more than any title you could be born into.”
Her eyes widened with surprise. “My, someone’s trying hard to get on my good side.”
“I…” He faded out. “I can’t speak for House Laurentia, but I can speak for myself. I like what I’ve heard you say, and I want to support you in unifying the Serenity Ordus. We don’t know each other well, but I’ve seen and heard enough to believe in you as a leader.”
The corners of Pharis’s mouth turned up in a genial smile . “Cyrus was right about you.”
“What’d he say?”
“That I might actually like you.”
Antaris chuckled. “Well, good. Not being offended by each other’s presence is certainly a good start.”
“It is.” Pharis extended her hand toward him. “So, partners? Whatever that may mean going forward.”
He took her hand. “Partners.”
* * * * *
Terry tracked down Cyrus in his cabin after the other passengers and crew had retired for a short nap while on the way to the Perseus. She was worn down herself, but all she could think about was curling up next to him.
Cyrus was rubbing his right eye with the heel of his palm when he opened the door. “Hi. Why aren’t you asle—”
Terry’s lips locked on his before he could finish. She stepped into his cabin and closed the door behind them. He followed her lead backward to the bed.
“It’s been a hell of a day,” she said between kisses while she kicked off her shoes.
“That it has.”
For a time, she was able to forget what had transpired in recent hours. Cyrus seemed equally eager to lose himself with her.
As the reality about their present circumstances eventually crept back in, they entwined in each other’s arms under the blanket.
“Sorry to have woken you,” Terry said, breaking the silence.
Cyrus laughed, warm and deep in her ear, which was pressed against his chest. “For that, there’s no reason to apologize.”
“Today was a little rough. I…needed to feel alive.”
He swiveled so he could look into her eyes. “There was no way this revolution could go that no one would get hurt. You did what was necessary today to keep key people safe.”
“The people we decided are key. Who am I to make that kind of decision? I’m no one.”
“Terry, don’t. Not again.”
She groaned. “I can’t help it. When I’m in the moment, I can forget that only a short while ago, I was a no-name mechanic, just barely getting by. But the moment I stop to think, I—”
“You’re incredible. I’ll keep saying it until you believe it yourself. What we’ve done, all of these people who were inspired enough to take a stand against their oppressors, it’s because of your vision and your words. The rest of us may have helped push it over the edge, but you started it. It’s amazing. You’re amazing.”
“It doesn’t feel like I did much for that. But shooting at people, taking down a building…” She swallowed.
“I know that was hard, and it might be the part that sticks with you the most, but it’s not what history will remember.”
“We probably shouldn’t speculate about future history books until the broken pieces around the system have been put back together.”
Cyrus stroked her hair. “I have every confidence that it will be great.”
POWER PLAY
STELLAR DATE: 12.26.8938 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Nebracken Estate, Mesophis, Serenity System
REGION: Orion Freedom Alliance, Perseus Arm
For the first time in months, Jeslan was doubting her plan.
When she’d left Gallas to join Silvan at the Nebracken estate on Mesophis, she’d had every confidence that ships filled with Nebracken loyalists would fill the skies of every moon in Serenity. Those vessels would ferry troops to keep citizens in line, and former leaders would be forced to either comply or die. Simple.
Instead, most of the craft were grounded. Those that were off-world, scattered out in the black between the moons, were disorganized and leaderless. People were wildly taking over the streets.
“How could we have been so wrong?” she murmured to herself.
“We weren’t,” Silvan replied from across the room.
Jeslan jumped at his voice, not having realized he was awake. “I didn’t mean—”
“This isn’t the time to doubt,” he said, rising from the couch where he’d been dozing. “We still have everything we need to come out on top.”
She had no doubt he believed it. He’d received everything he’d ever wanted in life. While most men born into the ruling houses were directed into military service, Silvan had been allowed to do whatever he pleased—which, incidentally, was whoever. It was no surprise that someone so used to others going out of their way to please him would think that even a dire situation had an easy solution.
Jeslan chose her words carefully. “I suggest we take inventory of our resources. Now that things are heating up, we don’t want loose ends.”
“Ah, you mean…?”
She nodded. “The arrangements she helped make for Nebracken aren’t useful to us now, so unless she can offer a new tactic, why keep her around?”
The smuggler captain they’d detained was still locked in a holding cell at the outskirts of the estate. She’d been given enough to remain moderately comfortable, but kept wanting in other areas so it was clear she wasn’t a guest.
Though she’d betrayed their confidence by involving others without permission, it was clear the woman was well-connected and might still have value. Jeslan didn’t want to suggest so directly, but nudging Silvan to pay the woman a visit might provid
e the opportunity to open a line of questioning.
She was eager for any lead that might provide more protection or leverage while the Ordus was falling apart around them.
With a little more persuading, Jeslan got Silvan to accompany her to where Toni was being held.
The smuggler tensed when the couple approached. She was seated on a hard bunk along the back wall of the barred cage originally intended for the secure storage of weapons.
The damp, exposed stone in the underground chamber gave the air a musty quality that had Jeslan wrinkling her nose. The fact that the captive hadn’t had a shower in several days didn’t help the aroma.
“Comfortable?” Silvan sneered.
Toni gulped. She rose slowly from the bed. “How long are you going to hold me here?”
“As long as necessary,” Jeslan replied.
“You need more weapons, don’t you?”
The question caught Jeslan by surprise. “Why do you ask?”
“That’s why you’re keeping me around, isn’t it?” Toni continued. “What other use would I have to people like you?”
The smuggler was bright, Jeslan had to give her that much. And a true businessperson at heart, to boot.
Still, Jeslan didn’t want to tip her hand.
“We have everything we need. Based on your past performance, you seem more likely to bring problems than solutions.”
“Look, you’re right. I messed up. But I always follow through and get the job done. You might have everything you need right now, but don’t you want someone who you can call when you need something handled?”
Were the circumstances any different, Jeslan would be inclined to permanently ‘disappear’ the woman so she couldn’t cause further trouble. However, the truth was that she had followed through on completing the previous job, which counted for something. Considering that every other independent hired hand Jeslan knew about had turned their back when the uprising began, she thought it unwise to turn away potential help.
Jeslan examined her nails. “We have plenty of people to call. What makes you different?”
