A New Beginning

by Alexander W Meurant

  "That is a valid assumption. Do you know who the commander of the Federation fleet was? These are not tactics employed by those we know of in the area. Unless Clovis is back in the picture" Niall stated, a frown spreading across his face.

  "Yes. I do. It was General Commander Brach. He has been transferred from the Kratsch battle front to here. The man had the gall to send me a message to that effect only hours ago. And he did not refrain from reminding me of how he defeated me years ago" Phidel stated, a hint of bitterness in her voice. Niall blinked, staring at his liege now in surprise. For Brach to be here, it was essentially a disaster. For the Commander in Chief of the Federation Airforce to be here was not only a disaster, but something that would change the entire western front. He was one hell of a leader and his name was known around the world.

  "That is, quite shocking. Well, I will get underway then. Can you send me Saska's last known location? I will head there now" Niall stated, now intent on ending a conversation he knew was painful for Phidel. He saw a gleam in her eyes and he guessed she knew what he was doing. She nodded briefly and rolled her shoulders a little, a look of discomfort on her face. Well, sitting in a chair for hours could ruin one’s posture.

  "I will Sir Belford. Send me regular updates of the situation as well. If set upon by Federation ships, use your best judgement, but be cautious. Brach is a snake. No one knows what he is really up to until the blade is already inches deep in your back. Understand?" Phidel said, her voice hard.

  "I understand fully my Lady. I will not disappoint" Niall stated and lifted a hand to salute her. Phidel smirked softly and then made a cutting motion with her hand to an officer of her own. The communication cut off and Niall dropped his hand from his salute before turning to Hestings.

  "Corporal. Have we received the heading yet?" Niall asked of the man and received a nod in return.

  "Yes sir. It just came through. I have already passed it on to the other captains and advised them of the situation. All that remains is your order to move out" Hestings stated and Niall lifted a brow. The man showed initiative. Perhaps when all this business was over, Niall might look at making him a staff officer. Pushing that thought aside for now, Niall nodded.

  "Excellent. Let’s go then. Pass on the order. Let’s go help Saska and our lads" Niall stated and turned fast, striding back towards his chair as the ship turned as well, his officers guiding it on its new course.

  * * *

  As she hurried down the hall, Celeste flicked her eyes around even as she offered small smiles to the servants. They all stepped out of her way lest she barrel into them, more than a few having alarmed looks on their faces. As she came to the door to her general quarters she stopped and patted her hands down her front, smoothing the dress she had run about in. Sucking in a shaky breath she then exhaled, trying to calm her beating heart.

  Once it had settled somewhat and she was no longer heaving for breath, she grabbed the handle to the door, and pushed it open. As she had expected, she found Bradley sitting behind his desk, typing away at his computer. When she entered Bradley simply looked up, saw her and then went back to his computer, not even offering a greeting. Feeling a small stab of annoyance at him Celeste scowled. It wouldn't kill him to even say hello surely.

  "Husband. I have news. Those friends undertaking that job wish to speak with you via link. I received an email minutes ago" Celeste stated and opened her bag that hung from her right shoulder, pulling out a small tablet and then holding it up for Bradley to see. The prince looked up, a frown on his face.

  "Celeste. I do not talk with these people. You should know that by now. Any communication goes through you" Bradley stated and Celeste felt another stab of annoyance. He was happy for potential killers to see her, but not him. Scowling further she walked towards him until she was standing before his desk.

  "I told them that. The leader of the organisation has said that if a man won't speak with him personally, then that man is a coward and there will be no agreement going forward" Celeste stated and felt a smug satisfaction when Bradley looked up sharply, a glint of anger in his eyes and a snarl forming on his face.

  "The man needs my help. I don't need him. It was one job he did for me. That does not get him a meeting with me" Bradley snarled and Celeste felt her satisfaction fade a little. She slowly dropped her arm, laying the device on Bradley’s desk.

  "I see. Well what should I tell him then? He has completed the job, but he has refused to speak of it until he is able to talk to you directly" Celeste stated and tightened her jaw as a look of rage crossed Bradley’s face. He was used to being obeyed, and this was not something he was accustomed to in her opinion. Other people laying their terms on him.

  "Fine. But only because the job was an important one to me" Bradley stated then leant back in his chair, quite angry still. Celeste smiled wryly. His manner reminded her of her younger brothers, and the tantrums they used to throw when they didn't get what they wanted. Pushing that thought aside she stepped around the desk and went to her own. She went to her computer and turned it on and waited for it to boot up, a tapping noise coming from her right. She flicked her eyes irritably at Bradley and saw him tapping his desk with a pen. Scowling she focused her attention back to her computer as it reached the log in screen. She punched in her password and then looked straight at the camera. A beep sounded as the system recognised her features and the next step kicked in. Voice recognition.

  "I am Celeste Cesere" she stated, her voice level and calm. The computer beeped again and then opened, revealing her desktop and a myriad of folders and applications.

  "Really Celeste. You have three verification steps? Is that really necessary? “Bradley asked as Celeste opened up her email and found the one from earlier. There was a set of contact details in it for a popular communications platform, one which she had used in the past.

  "Husband, when I have been the one dealing with people who operate on the fringes of society and the law then I need to make sure everything is safe. We even have our own server remember" Celeste muttered as she copied the details from the email into the communication program.

  A user popped up and she typed a quick message, one coming back in quick reply right before a request for a video call came through. She sucked in a breath and then let it out, rather shaky.

  "Alright Bradley, they are ready" she murmured and stood up straight. She heard her husband stand as well, his chair being pushed backwards, and he came to stand beside her, his arms folded across his chest and a disapproving look on his face. Guessing he was ready Celeste grabbed her mouse and accepted the video link, a face appearing quite suddenly.

  The man she looked at appeared to be in his forties at least and had a thick, short cut black beard, with streaks of grey in it. He wore a close-cut hair style, again thick black hair with streaks of grey. His facial features were stark as well, with him bearing a wide jaw and forehead, with an almost brutish expression. But his eyes were what drew her attention. They were grey and bore a look that Celeste could only describe as hunger. Hungry for what though, she could not guess.

  "Bradley and Celeste Cesere. It is good to meet you finally, though I would have preferred it in a more physical setting" the man stated, his accent thick. It sounded Kratsch alright.

  "We are Royals of the Gestonian Empire cur, and you will address us as such" Bradley snarled and Celeste groaned inwardly. This was not a good start.

  "And I am a Kaiser. Do you know what that is little prince?" the man asked, and Celeste groaned inwardly again. She could practically feel the anger pulsating from her husband now. If this was going to turn into a dick measuring contest, then she wanted no part in it.

  "It is an old term for Emperor. But no Emperor would live in a shack" Bradely growled and Celeste looked past the man on the screen, noting how he was situated in a small room, its walls made of what appeared to be mud brick. She could see a few photos hung on the walls, as well as a few colourful hangings. It was the sort of home one might find on
a farmstead. Were they meeting with a farmer?

  "You are correct Prince" the man stated, the last word being twisted, and Celeste swore it had been said in a derisive manner.

  "But unlike western Emperors, a Kratsch Kaiser is a leader picked by the people. Someone who bears the respect of those around them. They are not made Emperors because they were born between the right pair of legs" the man stated and Celeste actually rolled her eyes now. She was quickly becoming exasperated now and sensed Bradley lean forward beside her, no doubt about to offer up his own retort. So, she cut him off.

  "Listen sir, you wished to speak to us. First, what is your name? Your subordinates that I spoke with earlier refrained from omitting such information" Celeste asked of the man and she saw those grey eyes flick in her direction.

  "My name is Mikhail Solesky. I was once an officer in the Kratsch Military" the man stated and leant back in his chair, a creak sounding.

  "As for my information. My people briefly had custody of your target. This, Sain Belford fellow" Mikhail stated, and Celeste blinked as she sensed Bradley tense beside her.

  "Briefly had custody of him? So, you failed. Why am I even talking to you for fucks sake?" Bradley snarled, and Mikhail smiled in a confident manner.

  "I haven't finished little prince. My informant in the Samite Union told me the news, because all of my people sent to do the job died. I was prepared for that and it was actually good. One of my rivals was leading the group after all" Mikhail stated and bared his teeth somewhat, causing Celeste to shudder. This man looked simply dangerous. He was calm and confident, whereas Bradley was emotional and overbearing.

  "The Belford lad was injured horribly in the battle and is currently covered head to toe in third degree burns. His eyesight was burned away as well. Most think he will not survive" Mikhail stated and Celeste felt a stab in her guts. That sounded horrible. She actually felt sorry for the lad now.

  "So, I was right in saying you failed. I was only going to give you backing if you succeeded. That meant in capturing Belford, not killing him. This is over. Turn it off Celeste" Bradley ordered and stepped away from the computer, disappearing from its camera. Celeste shot a worried look at him before turning back to look at Mikhail who seemed completely unfazed. In fact, he was looking at the finger nails of his left hand. As he stared at them, he spoke, his words sending a chill down her spine.

  "That's a real pity little Prince. Here I thought we could come to an arrangement. But it seems not. So perhaps the world would love to hear of your human experiments and all your other dastardly deeds" Mikhail stated, his voice casual and confident, like he was just having a normal conversation, and not threatening a powerful royal of the Empire. Bradley turned fast and returned to the computer, snarling.

  "You know nothing. I'll call your bluff old man. No one blackmails me. I’ll find you and bomb the shit out of you and yours" Bradley snarled as he leant forward, both hands on the desk now. Mikhail didn't show any reaction. Not even a smile. He just dropped his hand, satisfied with his investigation of his nails.

  "Do you know a man by the name of Clyde Sedious?" Mikhail asked rather simply, and Celeste felt a bolt of shock run through her. She just stared wide eyed and sensed Bradley freeze in shock as well.

  "I will take that as a yes. Mr Sedious has been a long-time acquaintance of mine. Right back to when we blew up that embassy together. That one your cousin was in. He even told me about when he got captured by your forces over a decade ago and was forced to research human transmutation with energy crystals. Interesting stuff. So, I can quite easily share this information with the world, and as your own father once said, many years ago, blackmail is just another form of diplomacy" Mikhail stated and leant forward too, his gaze displaying a hint of amusement.

  "So, can we put this little incident behind us. After all, this Sain Belford was a unique case, and as Clyde is currently under my protection, perhaps we could look at having a mutually benefical relationship. Your funding and material backing, for my research. Creating super soldiers via transmutation seems to be a common interest of ours, so what do you say?" Mikhail asked, that gleam of amusement in his eyes still there.

  Bradley stayed quiet a moment and Celeste could clearly see the struggle in him. He was being manhandled here in her opinion. He was not used to being so one-sidedly controlled or manipulated. he had certainly been underprepared for this. Perhaps he would learn from it. In what she attested to be a strength of will, Celeste saw Bradley visibly relax before speaking.

  "It seems we have an agreement. For now, you will work out the details of this arrangement with my wife. She oversees such affairs" Bradley stated and turned away. He left the desk and instead stomped his way towards the main entrance to the hall, leaving through it in a rage. As the door slammed hard Celeste winced and then turned back to look at Mikhail, an apologetic look on her face now.

  "I apologise for that Sir Solesky. My husband can be at times rather difficult" Celeste stated and shrugged somewhat. Mikhail just smiled slightly and then chuckled.

  "It is alright. Born royals are like that. I have dealt with many over the years. They are actually rather simple to deal with if you know what buttons to press" Mikhail stated and grinned suddenly.

  "Now let’s talk business Celeste. And if it pleases you, you may call me Mik" the man stated, a playful wink being sent her way. Celeste felt a flutter in her stomach and offered a slight chuckle in return at the man. He was bold indeed.

  About the Author

  * * *

  Alexander William Meurant was born in Sydney, Australia in 1991.

  He grew up in an average family with four older siblings.

  After finishing his school years, he moved around the state of NSW and undertook many different jobs, trying to find what it was he wanted to do career wise.

  It was during this time that he started to write short stories.

  Moving back to Sydney at the age of 23, he began work on a major project, the Gestonian Fantasy Series

  To learn more about Alexander Meurant and his works, visit his website at https://alexmeurant1.wixsite.com/alexmeurant

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