“What’s going on, My Queen?” Dela’maah asked hesitantly.
“You have been officially promoted to Captain of my flagship and ranking officer of the fleet. We are moving the fleet to intercept the next transport leaving Idaline. My suggestion is two ships take the transport while the remaining four defend them.”
“Four against ten?” Dela’maah asked, noticing the former captain studying the floor.
“They may not send ten ships against us. Some may remain to patrol and guard the planets. We only need to board and take the transport, then retreat. How well we fare will depend on the boarding party and how long they take.”
“Even so, it will take time. When is the last time any of these crews have attacked and boarded a ship in battle? We have been at peace for a long time, inspecting or even apprehending smugglers is not the same. Ten warships will be at our backs—”
The look Tazleaha gave Dela’maah silenced her mid-thought. She didn’t want to be at odds with her newly promoted Captain within seconds of promoting her. Dela’maah didn’t remain silent.
“Too bad Benjamin isn’t here. His ships and all their experience would be valuable.”
“Enough, Dela’maah,” Tazleaha snapped. “He is not here and we do not need him. We are Cjittan.”
“Yes. Forgive me. We are Cjittan,” Dela’maah said.
“You understand what I want. Work with your first officer, finalize the details and transmit them to the fleet. I will be in my quarters if you need me.”
Tazleaha walked the short distance to the door then looked around. “Where is Zora?” Everyone on the bridge gave her a blank stare. She turned and walked out. There were messages she needed to send.
****
Dela’maah looked at the faces she found staring at her. “You heard her, get to work.”
The former captain, now first officer, was watching her, although she didn’t know it. “So, can I shoot myself in the head before this all starts?” Dela’maah mumbled to herself, just a bit too loud and caught herself. The first officer smiled at her. She tried to return it, but her smile was weak. “For Cjittan,” she said softly.
Just when I thought we had moved beyond our past. It was only a ruse; she truly wants to kill me, Dela’maah thought.
****
Zora went straight to the cargo hold; the ship was not large enough to have its own shuttle bay. The Cjittan shuttle that had changed hands numerous times and possibly been used to assassinate two of the queen’s suitors sat alone, its drives cold. She opened the door and sat in the pilot’s seat, initiating the startup procedures.
“This shuttle is off limits. Come out of there,” someone yelled through the door.
Zora walked over to address the party doing the yelling. Two crew members assigned to the hold stepped back when they saw a silhouette approach. Another second and they saw whom they addressed.
“Minister Zora, we are sorry. We thought someone was shirking their duties and hiding out in the shuttle for a nap.”
“Ah, you caught me. That is exactly what I was going to do,” Zora said, her smile beaming at them both. “Please don’t tell the queen.” Her words immediately befriended them.
“Minister, your secret is safe with us,” one answered while the other nodded.
“Thank you. One more thing you can do for me is move everything from in front of the shuttle. I don’t want you to get into trouble for breaking regulations.”
They both stared at her a little dumbfounded.
“This is the queen’s shuttle; it should be ready at a moment’s notice. You wouldn’t want to make the queen wait; I can tell you, I wouldn’t.”
“No, Minister. We will have it cleared away immediately.”
“Very good. I may want to take it out later and check the other systems when I’m finished with those I can do sitting idle. Give me the code for the cargo doors so I don’t have to track you down. Send it to my com while I’m standing here.” She watched him type.
“You should have them now. We will get to work moving the cargo.”
Zora went back and sat down. All the checks had passed, batteries were fully charged and she could begin to get the drives online. Most of what she told the crewman was true. Idiots shouldn’t have cargo blocking anything that can be used in evacuating a ship. She loved Tazleaha and she would die for her, but not right now. Not when there was a way out of the mess they were in.
****
The officers met and finalized the attack plans. The location where they would intercept the enemy involved everyone knowing the parts they would play. There was no great strategy and the area of space for the attack provided even less to work with. There were no places to hide. It would come down to time. Could they take the transport before the Khalnalax fleet destroyed them?
“Captain Dela’maah, all ships have reported in and are at their assigned locations.”
“Now we wait,” Dela’maah replied.
“Captain, why are we not one of the ships involved in taking the transport?”
“Because we are faster and more maneuverable than the two I assigned. They should be more than capable of taking the transport while the rest of us hold the Khalnalax off.”
“It is too bad our sacrifice will be in vain,” the first officer said softly.
“Sacrifice? I don’t plan on dying today. Is that what you think is going to happen? When I was younger, the queen became angry with me. Thought I was trying to steal one of her suitors. Wasn’t me, but there was no convincing her and she sent me to that damn naval outpost near Kanlost and unprotected space. I’ve survived pirates, Allith and her. Get it together. We do our best, then we’re gone.”
“But the queen—"
“Don’t even say it. She demoted you because you tried to reason with her. Your mistake. I’m not going to sacrifice my people and my fleet. Some of us may not live through this—that is a fact—but when there is no more we can do, we run.”
The first officer smiled. He had thought his replacement would be unyielding and ready to follow the queen’s orders into the afterlife. Seemed the queen did not know this young officer like she thought she did. Maybe there was hope.
“Captain Dela’maah, the transport is within firing range.”
“What about the warships? Are they aware of our presence yet? Yes, of course they are, the transport informed them already, I’m sure,” Dela’maah said, answering her own question.
“Yes, Captain, they are aware. They are moving into formation.”
“Helm, let’s proceed. We are taking the fight to them. Comms, open a channel.”
“Aye, Captain, channel open to the fleet.”
“It is time. Remember, our goal is to buy time for the transport to be taken. Then we will make our retreat. Draw them away, show them enough skin to make them want to follow you. Do not underestimate them and do not underestimate yourself. You are Cjittan and this is our home we defend. If you feel all is lost, then take as many with you as you can.” Dela’maah hoped they understood.
“Show them enough skin?” the first officer said and smiled.
“It’s my first inspirational speech. Didn’t have a need for any at the navy depot in the middle of nowhere.”
“Skin it is, then, Captain.”
“Weapons, helm, report,” Dela’maah called out.
“Weapons charged, torpedoes loaded. Waiting on a solution.”
“Speed?”
“Approaching half.”
“Formation?”
“Maintaining wide stance, safe distances, keeping pace.”
“Captain! Transport pursuit reports a rip. Ships emerging.”
“Let me hear.”
Reporting five ships emerging directly in our path. Evasive maneuvers! The Khalnalax have sent a battleship, two transports and two heavy cruisers. Breaking off. They’re firing . . .
“Helm, what are the ships ahead doing?” Dela’maah asked.
“Captain, no forward motion, maintaining f
ormation.”
“Comms, give me the fleet.”
“This is Captain Dela’maah. We are breaking off the attack. I repeat, breaking off the attack. We will rendezvous on the far side of Tormaline. Helm, break formation, increase to full speed. Get us out of here.”
“Captain Dela’maah, the queen is on the com.”
“We are kind of busy. Inform her of that, would you?”
The comm officer winced. “Aye, Captain, I’ll do my best.”
“Captain, the Khalnalax fleet at Idaline is now moving to intercept,” helm reported.
“Captain, the queen and minister are on their way to the bridge,” comms said.
“I really hope your job is to shoot me in the head. Could you do it before they get here?” Dela’maah asked her first officer.
“Actually, my job is to do everything you are doing, for you. Requesting the reports so you can plan your strategy and keep us alive.”
The doors opened to the bridge. Tazleaha and Zora came rushing in. “What has happened?” Tazleaha asked.
“Five ships ripped a hole behind us and intercepted our two ships pursuing the transport. One battleship, two transports and two heavy cruisers. Khalnalax, of course.”
“Excuse me, Captain,” helm called out. “Both of our ships and the transport . . . are gone.”
“Gone where?”
“Destroyed, Captain. The battleship fired on them. It only took seconds.”
“Maybe it was empty,” Dela’maah said.
“Luck or clever planning, it doesn’t matter. We committed and got caught between them,” Zora said. “Stay clear of those far-reaching cannons on that battleship.”
“I think both of you should return to your quarters,” Dela’maah said.
“They destroyed their own transport ship? Why would they do that? I think we will stay. Zora has some skill at tactics,” Tazleaha offered.
Dela’maah looked at Zora, who nodded. The admission felt weak to Dela’maah. She wanted Zora to come up with a plan and save her ship.
“My Queen, take my seat,” the first officer said and stood up, moving next to Zora. “I’m sorry, Minister. There are no extras.”
Zora walked to the helm and looked over his shoulder at the screen and space laid out around them. “Are those ships faster than ours?”
“I believe so, Minister,” he replied cautiously. “Just the heavy cruisers. The battleship doesn’t have to be as fast with the range its weapons have.”
“At this point, here, they will be right behind us,” Zora said, pointing to a spot on the screen.
“Most likely, yes,” he answered.
“Dela’maah, we need to turn back toward Idaline and hope we can get past them without too much damage. If we do, we might be able to escape.”
“You think that will work?”
“No, but at least it won’t be over so quick.” Zora smirked. “Now get out of the captain’s chair. First officer, sit down and communicate with your people. You know why we are doing this, correct?”
“Yes, Minister.”
“And you were going to let her get us all killed very quickly.”
“The queen made her captain. Until these last few moments she was doing an admirable job for having no experience. She issued the orders right as you arrived. We had no time to discuss it.”
Zora eyeballed the first officer and felt him sincere. “Dela’maah, you are a depot commander, not a starship captain. While I will not say you don’t deserve a promotion for what you’ve been through, it surely isn’t here and now.”
“Helm, what is happening behind us?” the first officer asked.
“They advance but not at full speed. They are pushing. The heavy cruisers spread out to discourage our doubling back and getting around them. The transports follow behind.”
“And the rest of our fleet?”
“Two follow us but one has continued our earlier course.”
“Comms, order the captains to tighten up. I want them right next to us. Our queen is on this ship and they need to be our shields,” the first officer ordered.
Zora moved and faced the man now in the captain’s chair. She leaned over and spoke in his ear so softly that none of the others could hear. Pulling back, they stared at each other silently and he nodded. She moved quickly around him and grabbed Tazleaha’s hand, then Dela’maah’s elbow, and pulled them forcefully toward the doors. Both women began to protest until the look Zora gave them stilled their tongues.
“Zora, what are you doing?” Tazleaha asked, now in the corridor.
“I’m going to try to save us, My Queen. I love you, Tazleaha, and mean no disrespect, but keep your mouth shut and follow along. If we live through this, at the first available opportunity you are going to Xanlos where you belong. Dela’maah, run ahead of us to the cargo bay. The shuttle is ready. Just bring it online.” Dela’maah ran without answering. “Tazleaha, is there anything in your room that could be considered secrets of the empire? Do we need to stop for anything? Even if we die, we don’t want to give them any information if they scavenge this ship.”
“Just messages I have sent, some awaiting answers.”
“All right, since we’re here, hurry and open the door.”
Tazleaha entered her code and Zora pushed Tazleaha through. Rushing in, Zora stopped in front of the terminal and slid a hand under her shirt. When it appeared, she held a small laser pistol that couldn’t be used for anything other than up close and personal. She fired three times into the terminal, aiming at the areas she knew held memory modules. A flash of sadness appeared on Tazleaha’s face for a brief second then was gone. It didn’t escape Zora’s notice.
“You have more important things to think about. Like staying alive. You’ll never see him again if you don’t clear your head.”
“And you will never see Genius again,” she retorted, angry more at herself than Zora.
“Enough! Let’s run. There is no more time.”
The Queen of Cjittan and her Minister of Intelligence ran to the hold and boarded the shuttle. Zora pushed Tazleaha into a seat and sat down in front with Dela’maah. Zora was the better pilot and took control. The hold door opened. Zora turned on the cloak and accelerated hard. The hold door closed behind them and the ships moved away. They were going to go to the far side of Idaline and find a place to land, but first they had to navigate around the fleet of Khalnalax warships. It would take them many hours at the speed they would travel. The cloak was the only thing keeping them alive. The battle would be long over and they would be too far away to see the wreckage. She hoped for the best. It was all she could do.
“Tazleaha, when we get back we will need to honor all of the crews, whether they survive or fall here today. We have lost twelve ships in the defense of Idaline. Our next offensive needs to be much different.”
Chapter Two
The here and now . . .
Natalia sat alone on the bridge. Binda assigned the pirate ships patrols around Kanlost. The Claymore and Warhammer were taking on the last World Eater. Their mission was not to destroy but capture. It seemed everyone was adapting to the privateer way of thinking. Sashet and the others were getting a bit to eat and all was quiet.
Opening the message center on her screen, Natalia scrolled through to her father’s messages. Password inputted, the list lay open before her. Scrolling, scrolling, Binda, blah, blah, blah. Tazleaha. Bingo. She opened them and at the top was one marked urgent and unopened. She hesitated. What if Taz was pregnant? That was about the only rabbit she hadn’t pulled out of the hat. Why am I thinking about this? Besides, what would she do with a bastard child? Guess I just need to open the damn message and find out. It was almost four weeks old. She hadn’t written him since.
Dearest Benjamin,
I am sorry for my part in all that has transpired recently. Not long ago I showed you a side of me none of my people have ever seen. Until then, I hadn’t even known it existed. When we met, I was the Queen of Cjittan and you a m
ourning soul who wanted nothing to do with me. I made a decision and stepped on board your ship and left it all behind me. You, your crew, eventually all accepted me and over that time I changed into something you wanted. No suitors, no royal guard, just the two of us. I followed and watched as you identified some of your demons and set about destroying them. My infatuation turned into something more and when you and the others came to my home, I thought things would be perfect.
It was a nice thought, was it not? Now I am queen again; the laws, traditions and culture of my people are paramount. Few see your goodness: most see someone wild, feral and guarded. I have my demons; they decorate my palace. My ancestors, watching from the walls, their exploits like eyes judging my actions, their silence mocking my rule. So I must be queen and once again you are lost to me. I cannot say when, but I will turn this war around. Then, one day when it’s over, win or lose, I will come for you. We will be together forever. No ancestors or advice from others will change my mind.
Stay safe my love,
Taz
Bitch is crazy, Natalia thought. Delete. He doesn’t need that shit right now. What the hell was the matter with her? You can’t treat people like that. “I want you I don’t want you.” Damn, I really do like her and I know she loves him, but she had her chance. Natalia heard the whir of the doors. A quick tap closed the screen. Whew!
“Anything exciting happening? No call for reinforcements?” Sashet asked and sat down.
“Nope.”
“Nope? That’s it? No ‘Sorry, Captain, I have nothing to report?’”
“Ah . . . nope.”
“Get out of here,” Sashet said, shaking her head. “Go eat something while I reevaluate why the hell I have you on my ship.”
Natalia got up to leave and paused next to Sashet. She put her hand on Sashet’s shoulder. “You want me here because you know I’ll pull your ass out of a fire.”
“Or drag my ass into it.”
“Yeah, there is that, but it’s what we do. No risk, no reward.”
“There is that. Seems like your father is going to make good on his promises.”
“Of course he is. You only recently met him. He wasn’t always like this. He is going to get better and then you’ll see. Just wait,” Natalia said, walking away.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two) Page 2
