Star Feud

by D. R. Rosier

  People were creatures of habit, the game had changed, and they hadn’t caught up yet. Still, I wouldn’t grow overconfident, or they’d kill us all as soon as they did catch up. It was inevitable, and a temporary advantage.

  Jervistad growled, “Stop!”

  The guards stopped firing into the room, and so did we. I felt Jervistad’s and Sherias’s eyes on me as I walked back around the table, and took a seat.

  Jervistad said, “Colonel, get in here now, and report!”

  A Kaprorix walked in cautiously and stood at attention.

  “Sir, the word lies, was the agreed upon word to indicate treachery, and the signal to breach the room. When Istan screamed out we responded as commanded. Have I failed you? Things don’t seem to be as I was informed.”

  Sherias and Jervistad shared a look, and then he replied, “Colonel, I was unaware of those preparations. Arrest Istan for treason. Find out what he knows, and if he was working for Tek, or if he is just a fool sheep that believes rumors without a basis in fact. I will judge him once we determine the truth.”

  I lowered the shield so that he could be carted off. There was silence in the room until it was cleared. Jervistad turned to me and studied me for a long time.

  “You are deceptively fast, and strong.”

  Vik answered, “It makes her an excellent guardian, and weapons officer.”

  Jervistad shifted his gaze back to Vik, “You will allow me to investigate? You have the right to claim him.”

  Vik nodded, “I will waive that right, he is yours to both investigate and punish.”

  It was a small gamble to extend his trust, but I didn’t think it was that large a one. Jervistad hadn’t been involved, although I couldn’t prove it I felt it, knew it. Vik looked like he wanted to say more, but bit his tongue. I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

  Jervistad said, “What do you wish to say.”

  Vik sighed, “Just the obvious, which is unneeded. I am sure you are already going over all his advice the last month, and wondering. I am also sure he advised against trusting me in any way.”

  Jervistad hissed, “It is so. I will hold judgement until I know the truth.”

  Vik asked, “Did you have any concerns, unrelated to me and my rule I mean, do we want to adjourn for now?”

  Jervistad narrowed his eyes, “We should break, eat dinner, reflect, and meet up in the morning. By then I will know the truth of my advisor’s betrayal, be it treason, plotting with Tek, or just stupidity. Outside of what we’ve already discussed, I have no outstanding concerns. Sherias shall escort you back to your wing.”

  Vik nodded, “Agreed. We’ll stay until noon tomorrow to see the bottom of this situation.”

  We all got up, and I took a position next to Sherias, followed by Vik and Jillintara, and Telidur was rear guard. I was fairly sure the danger had passed, but I was still in the zone.

  Sherias said, “That was quite impressive. I never believed that you were just his exotic human pet that he dragged around, but I didn’t realize how impressive you truly were. Are all human females so… formidable?”

  I replied carefully, “There are many female warriors on my planet, but very few could match my speed, and lack some specialized training I’ve received.”

  She hissed, “Istan has dishonored us, we will discover the truth.”

  I realized then Sherias had incredible control over her instincts, because she was livid with anger.

  “I have no doubt.”

  We were silent for the rest of the walk to the royal wing. The software showed it was empty, but Telidur and I did another sweep after Sherias left, and I left my orb outside my suite, by the entrance doors, just in case the software was somehow compromised. I wasn’t taking any chances with Vik’s life, even if I did believe Sherias and Jervistad innocent of treachery. They… just didn’t trust Vik yet, and were obviously unhappy about his blunt approach.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Opinions?”

  Telidur said, “I think what you see is what we get here. Kaprorix isn’t known for being sneaky as a rule. I think Jervistad has reservations about you, but isn’t working with Tek. I don’t think he has plans for breaking empire law, and will just secede his planet if he thinks it’s the right thing. I’m not sure about Istan, we’ll find out tomorrow.”

  I interjected, “I’d like to think Istan just let his instincts get the best of him, and he lost control. But… the fact he lost it when we were presenting evidence about Tek, is circumstantially damning, I won’t be surprised if he was working with him. Perhaps foolishly and ignorant of Tek’s true aims to take over ruling the entire empire, but it seems likely there has been some cross pollination of ideas and agendas on his level, if not Jervistad’s. I also feel the governor and Sherias had no inkling of Istan’s preparations or betrayal.”

  Vik asked, “So you think he was a patsy?”

  I nodded, “I don’t imagine he would submit his planet to Tek’s rule, that assassination attempt was about removing you from rule from his point of view. From Tek’s, it’s one more stepping stone to the crown. I could be wrong, we’ll find out tomorrow. As you intimated, I think it’s likely that Istan was the driving force behind Jervistad’s mistrustful stance, or at least a big portion of it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Istan was the one driving the rumors and lies here. Then again, maybe that’s too simplistic a theory, to expect a single source like that for everything.”

  Jillintara said, “We also might have just tipped off Tek to our intentions to remove him and demand a decision from his people. If they are in league with each other, then he could have sent off a message before initiating his attack. There’s also the possibility of co-conspirators in the guard.”

  Vik grunted, “All valid points, and I’m in basic agreement. Suggestions?”

  I said, “We can’t afford to lose even more ships on the eve of battle with the Suateran and Stolavii. They outnumber us two to one, even if our ships would require three to one to be an even fight I’m not comfortable with that margin. I believe our ship plus fifty is enough to take out Tek’s hundred, even if he did make upgrades, but we can’t depend on picking them off at a distance with the new ship when his ships are cloaked and move in close with ours before revealing themselves. I’d advise having the bulk of the fleet rendezvous with us when we take a wormhole to their system. We’ll play shield the best we can against shielded missiles, and overwhelm them quickly with much greater numbers.”

  Vik replied, “You sound pretty sure it’s going to come down to a fight in space.”

  I shrugged, “Tek doesn’t have a choice, his life is forfeit if he loses, he won’t be holding anything back anymore in the hopes of assassinating you cleanly.”

  Jillintara said, “I’ve been working on a software patch. The point defense lasers have no chance of getting through a shielded missile, but the plasma weapons do. There are only twelve plasma weapons on each ship, and it can be overwhelmed easier than the old point defense because of the firing limitations, but it’s better than nothing and can enhance our defense of the fleet.”

  That might work. The scout-destroyer could fire hundreds of plasma weapons at once, indefinitely, it was only the targeting that was limited. It took time to find a firing solution for each missile. Not that long, but too long if they launch from close up. Maybe that advance would be enough to change the odds.

  “What will you do if he announces secession before we arrive?”

  Vik frowned, “We’d still need to bring him to justice.”

  I nodded, “We might be able to avoid a fight though, at first. Transmit his crimes to the planet, let the people either deal with him or not, and give them a time limit. Then remind them if they aren’t a part of the empire, our fleet won’t be protecting them when the Stolavii and Suaterans attack. That will add pressure, and the fear will cut through their emotional stupidity in believing the lies. We might even get a few captains in his fleet to defect, once they hear the truth of what
their governor has done. Though it’s hard to say, who knows how tight a reign he has on the A.I.s controlling the ships.”

  Vik asked, “Do you really think he might do that?”

  I shrugged, “Probably not, but it’s good to have a plan just in case. Most likely he won’t secede, because he could have done so already, and without the need to kill you. No, he wants more power, to rule an empire and not just a single world under your authority. He’ll only try it if he believes his fleet and preparations have no chance to win at all. Only if he’s desperate.”

  Vik nodded, “Your suggestion sounds good, but I need to give it more thought. I wish we had those dark energy sensors, walking into an ambush is a shitty plan, no matter how strong our forces are, but they’re still being worked on. Let’s eat, and get some rest.”

  My body pleasantly ached, and I felt warm and safe in his arms. I was… content, far past what I’d even dreamed was possible. Telidur had been quite loving, and was extremely thorough last night. I’d lost this time, badly, and he’d had me begging for it. Then he gave it to me, made love to me in a timeless and passionate way, and my body was beyond sated.

  “Not moving sounds like a good plan.”

  He laughed.

  “I wouldn’t complain.”

  I shivered delightfully as he pinched a nipple playfully, and cupped my breast. My body was extremely sensitive, and I could feel him against my ass as he held me in the spoon position. It was a perfect fit.

  I groaned, “We don’t have time.”

  He sighed, and squeezed me tighter, “It was your idea,” his voice was light and playful.

  I squirmed, twisted, and turned my head around and up to claim a kiss.

  “We have a problem.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  I giggled, “Besides your swelling problem.”

  He asked, “What’s that?”

  I sighed, “Sorry to break the mood, but I thought of it last night and decided to put off talking about it, considering. We shouldn’t go to Xulia. Or at least, Vik shouldn’t.”

  He looked confused for a moment, “But it’s a diplomatic…” he trailed off as his mind caught up, then he made a face and continued, “You’re right, I didn’t think of that. We were captain and commander for too long, and I didn’t see it. He won’t be easy to persuade.”

  I nibbled his lip, and said, “We do have a few minutes, to take care of that other problem. Of course, we don’t have time for the usual games.”

  He tilted his head in confusion.

  I laughed a bit wickedly as I reached down between us, and took him in hand.

  His eyes widened, and a delicious thrill went down my back as he growled and pushed me onto my back. I spread my legs and opened myself to him eagerly and unreservedly. We really didn’t have much time, but a hard and fast morning quicky sounded like a great way to wake up, and he didn’t disappoint…

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Breakfast was good, the four of us sat around the table bantering about silly everyday stuff as we ate, and there was a warm feeling in my chest. It felt far more like a family breakfast, than the emperor, two guards, and an advisor. Or at least, I imagined that it felt that way, I’d never had a family before. So far Telidur and I hadn’t even mentioned my insight, I didn’t want to break the mood, and Telidur probably didn’t want to argue. We both knew Vik wouldn’t like it, he’d never wanted to be emperor.

  Still, we didn’t have much more than thirty minutes before we went to get a report from Jervistad on Istan and his exact crimes.

  “Your majesty, we need to talk.”

  Vik almost choked on his juice, I assume from the use of his title, and he glared at me.

  I smirked.

  “Sorry Vik, but the title is to get you in the right frame of mind. We shouldn’t go to Xulia, or punish Tek.”

  He frowned, “We have to.”

  I shook my head, “I don’t mean it shouldn’t be done, I mean you shouldn’t do it. We’ve been in danger on the trip, but it was a trip bound in duties related to being emperor. You’re supposed to go around to all the planets. But… Tek is guilty of treason and sedition. We have the proof, all that’s left is the punishment. You can make that offer to their world from anywhere via the data-net, you don’t have to be in orbit of their planet.

  “It’s now a job for the military, or the police. It would be inappropriate for you to risk your life in an assault on that star system, and an unnecessary danger. I would suggest turning it over to a trusted subordinate in the military, and returning to Isyth.”

  His face had a mulish cast to it, but I could see his intelligent eyes considering it.

  I added, “I don’t have to tell you, that unnecessary risks with your life would be counterproductive, you owe it to billions of people on five planets to be as prudent as possible, and to continue to lead them.”

  He said, “Our ship is needed to keep down casualties. It’s the lynchpin for minimizing the damage of a surprise attack with shielded missiles.”

  I nodded, “It is. We can turn it over to a new crew and A.I., the head of your military, and you’ll be without a royal ship for transportation until the new ones come off the line in a few weeks. One of the destroyers will have to do as a backup. We can take a wormhole straight to Isyth, and the ship can get back in time to accompany the rest of the fleet.”

  Vik sighed, “A new crew wouldn’t be nearly as effective. The ship’s defenses are impressive, but you’re a big part of the equation. We’ll lose more ships.”

  I almost sighed in relief as Telidur finally interjected. I hated to argue with Vik, for any reason. I also couldn’t blame him, I wanted to go too, but my job was to protect him, not to risk his life in battle.

  “Perhaps, but the situation is for the military. You shouldn’t go there, not anymore than you should take part in the battles against the Stolavii or Suaterans when the time comes.”

  Vik held up a hand, “Enough. I’m never going to like the idea, but you’re both right. Worse, I should have seen it myself, this argument should never have been necessary.”

  I shrugged, “You’ll get used to it, you still think like a captain at times.”

  Vik nodded, “That, and I’m furious with Tek which blurred my vision, but my duty won’t allow me to indulge in revenge. It’s more than that too, sometimes I wonder if I have the right temperament for this. If I’d done better, we wouldn’t be on thin ice with the Kaprorix people.”

  Jillintara said, “Emperors are made one decision at a time, not born, and your experience is in the military. It will just take time to adjust. I’m sure all your ancestors had similar problems.”

  Vik didn’t say it, but looking at his face it was obvious. I didn’t think he wanted to adjust. The hints had been there a while, but Vik wasn’t a complainer and hadn’t put it to words, still hadn’t, though he’d just come close, and he would do his duty. He was also pained by the fact more would die without him in command, and in truth I didn’t like it either. It was the right decision, but would lead to more death. That couldn’t be an easy thing to carry.

  Vik grunted, “Let’s go see what Jervistad has for us.”

  We found Sherias outside our suite at the appointed time, who escorted us back through the palace to the meeting room. Jervistad was waiting, along with another Kaprorix citizen.

  Jervistad stood, “Good morning highness, it is good to see you.”

  Vik nodded regally, which looked weird to me, “Governor, you as well, blessings on your house.”

  Jervistad looked startled, and then pleased as we all sat down.

  “This is Jarvis. My new advisor, and the one who investigated Istan. We will now hear his report, together.”

  Vik inclined his head.

  Jarvis said, “Governor, your highness. We have secured a confession from Istan, and discovered the truth behind his actions. He was behind many of the rumors and lies gaining traction on this world, with unofficial whispers into certain ears. He w
as also in communication with Tek, and we believe Tek knows of the evidence you have built against him.

  “He was not aware of Tek’s ambition to rule all five planets, and was duped and manipulated by the ruler of Xulia. He believes the time for an empire is has passed, and was trying to arrange it so that the populace voted to secede.”

  Vik frowned, “That isn’t good, what’s the next step for Kaprorix now?”

  Jervistad said, “We will wait, and see. I do not believe secession is likely once the truth gets out, given the truth of Tek and what Istan has done, but we will see. All I can tell you is we will not rebel.”

  Vik looked guilty, and I wondered if he was blaming himself. Of course he was, if he’d been more formal and patient, Jervistad would have been an ally. Intentions don’t matter, results do. I also knew it wasn’t really his fault, he’d inherited a hell of a problem from his crazy brother, and had no experience as a political leader. Excuses, but true enough.

  I was a bit naïve in politics, but not in battle. It seemed obvious to me that if Jervistad pulled his planet out now, he’d be totally fucked. He didn’t have a fleet, at the very least he’d be in the empire until the war was over, so the empire’s forces would protect this system. To truly pull out of the empire, he’d need a fleet for self-defense, and all that’s something better done and risked in a time of peace, not on the eve of war. Of course, I was also hoping there was truth to his words, and that he would be won over.

  Vik replied, “Very well, despite the unwelcome news, thank you for the report. Is there anything else of note you would like to speak of? We must address Xulia as quickly as possible, if there is any chance of settling this before war breaks out, we must take it.”

  Jervistad said, “No. Though I wonder at the wisdom of letting the enemy pick the time and place?”

  Vik nodded, “Normally I wouldn’t consider it, but my brother’s perfidy has made that necessary. They have the right to be angry at the empire, and I’m still pursuing peace. I don’t expect them to accept it. I’m also only letting them dictate the first attack, after that I won’t be holding back. The sooner we can end it the better. Despite that stance, I still believe we will have the advantage. We can track their ships, and prepare receptions for them which will be to our advantage.”