The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two)

by Thomas Wright

“We take out two hunting parties, then move,” Tazleaha said. her tone like steel. “Then we take out two more from our new location, then move again.”

  The Mayor laughed and came very close to losing his life. Tazleaha’s face distorted in anger. The pistol was once again at the back of his head. “You laugh while my people die; you do nothing but hide like animals. You are not men of Cjittan, you are maggots crawling around on your bellies and your short lives are about to end.”

  “Second officer, hold!” Zora yelled. She had to break through Tazleaha’s rage.

  “He laughed.”

  “He did. I do not think he meant any disrespect. They are weary, tired of being chased, and what you suggest probably seems like a task beyond their imagination.”

  “Mayor, we are serious. We are not the kind of people who take any of this lightly. We will need digging and cutting tools. There are other ways to fight beyond a laser weapon,” Tazleaha said.

  ****

  I walked around, between and over my people in the corridor. They did their best to get out of my way. Some were sleeping so they couldn’t help it. Adeen, Snake and Angel were talking to them all and taking notes. Mostly head count info so they could get them quarters. Binda wasn’t going to allow a free for all and have the assigning of quarters go unsupervised. Deireadh alerted me to the small lifeform near my leg.

  Looking down, there was tousled snow-white hair on a head that came to the middle of my thigh. The little head tilted back so far trying to look up it almost fell over backward. I knew I would be too late, but I reached down to catch the child anyway. Once my arm was fully extended but short of protecting the child, it kept going, wrapping around the child’s waist and preventing a bump on the head. It’s what I would have done had I been faster. Deireadh made it possible anyway. The child was placed on its feet, not noticing anything out of the ordinary.

  That didn’t go for the adults and older children who had witnessed it. There were many reactions, including a few from my own people standing a few feet away. The child’s mother was hurrying over when I dropped down on my knees in front of the child. I heard her feet come to a stop, as did all the noise nearby. I thought I should show my face. Didn’t want to scare the kid.

  “Hello, I’m Benjamin. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “My mom and I are going to have our own room with water and a place to take a bath.”

  “That’s great. Is that what you wanted to tell me?”

  “Momma is sad that we are all going to die.”

  I looked at the mother and spoke to the child. “Oh, no. What can we do to make your momma feel better? Do you have any ideas?

  “She wants to leave and go far away.”

  “You are very brave for your age. Are you afraid, too?”

  “No, just momma.”

  “Well, the good news is you and your mom will be going away from here,” I said, still looking at the mom. “You have to promise me something, promise you are going to be good and listen to your mom because she will have work to do on this ship. They are going to give her a job.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, and you will need to help keep your quarters clean and do whatever she tells you. Moms are always right. You see those people?” I asked, pointing at Adeen. “They are not moms and are almost always wrong.”

  “Don’t tell that child that. I’m the captain of this tub and I can’t have them losing faith in me,” Adeen grumbled.

  “She is kinda mean, too. I’d stay away from her. Go to your mom. She is waiting for you.” I watched the child run to its mother. Truth is, I didn’t know if it was a boy or girl at that age and the Cjittan let all their children’s hair grow long. The mother gave me a thoughtful look, like maybe I wasn’t such a monster after all.

  “Adeen, com Genius and have him meet me in the lab.” It was an order, not a request. I walked past them, continuing on my way. I had a list of things to do and needed the brains of the outfit with me. He had his hands full working on the fab process for the destroyed array, but I was going to get that delegated as soon as the parts were ready.

  I had a lot more of the lab to explore; I needed a better mental picture of potential assets. I had my very own monster-making factory. Would be a shame to leave it in mothballs like it has been.

  “Hey, Boss, I’m on my way. Be there in a few minutes. You don’t know when to quit, do you?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Adeen? She’s fired up.”

  “I care about that why? She did what she was told to do. Do I owe her a ‘good job’?”

  “No, but you could have just sent me a com.”

  “But I didn’t. I told her to. She is going to have to learn to take orders from me. I’m not going to threaten or beg. You should be talking to her, not me. While I’m testing her, yes, it’s not about making her jump. Just following simple orders.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do. Now get your ass down here.”

  Benjamin, it seems the creature will not revive. Too much time has passed. Many of the specimens will have suffered in the same manner, I fear, Deireadh said.

  “I was afraid of that. What should we do with all the others? Try them, and if they live, figure it out. If they don’t, flush them out into space.”

  If that is your wish.

  “Who are you talking to?” Genius asked from afar, walking toward me.

  “Myself. Hurry up and get over here.”

  “So sorry, we all weren’t born with your legs. Besides we’ve all heard about your little displays. What have you gone and got yourself into?”

  “I’ve recently obtained an upgrade. Another one. This one is mostly external and was made to be used by the King of Cjittan. Back when they had a real king.”

  “But you’re not the King of Cjittan.”

  “Oh, but I am. Tazleaha has always intended for me to be with her. She has said it over and over. The nanites she had the doctor put in me would have been given to her husband upon their marriage. This newest group, while very old and possibly one of a kind, recognized the other nans in my system and identified me as their king.”

  “Where did you get them?”

  “They were in cryo, stored in a special container. Get this, while they are nanites, although larger than the microscopic version, they also have an organic makeup that allows them to charge up on organic matter. Eat and make fuel or power.”

  “So that’s what happened to the beast that attacked you. I didn’t get to see it, but I heard from the others its face was eaten to the bone as well as a hole in its chest.”

  “That would be correct. Now let me change the subject. I have just found out that a creature I wanted to revive in a tank is out for the count. We don’t have time to make me a new one. With Deireadh’s help, I would like you to look through the cryo sleep chambers and see what’s there.”

  Benjamin, there is no need to waste Genius’s time. There is an adolescent, the offspring of the mature adult in cryo sleep. They kept it in case there were complications with the adult.

  “Do the nanites communicate with you? I can tell you zoned out for a few seconds. Either that or Imelda is wearing off on you.”

  “They do. They implanted some in my head, but only a few. There are also some in the system, this console and the bridge of the Claymore. There are probably some in the hold. They send updates so I know what’s going on almost immediately. Deireadh, show Genius which chamber and let’s begin bringing it out of dreamland.”

  “Boss, isn’t a giant spider enough?”

  “We need every angle, every able body and every creature I can control. We can’t rely on anyone but ourselves, my old friend. Imelda isn’t a pet any more than you are, or that tapeworm with teeth.”

  “Let’s at least take some precautions,” Genius said. “There are a set of doors that open to the hold and up above us are the tracks for the overhead cranes. They made things in here and moved them out there. Let me bring a cag
e in and we will let this beast wake up fully inside it.”

  As your protector, I concur with your Genius, Deireadh added.

  Your Genius—you mean the person, not my supermassive brain power? I asked. And waited. Not going to answer me, huh?

  “Benjamin, do you copy?” Binda asked.

  “Go ahead,” I replied.

  “Kimit, the Akelorians and all our captains have arrived. Would you please attend us?”

  “On my way.”

  “Benjamin, the Akelorians would like their former captain to be present.”

  “Bring her. Might as well get that over with.”

  ****

  The walk was long enough I could give some thought to the fate of the prisoner. I had screwed her over. I was sure someone who would copy my armor and lead a totally separate species into a war with the Khalnalax had her own agenda. The Akelorians seemed grateful to be rid of her, so that bolstered my suspicions she might not have our best interests at heart. I didn’t know the extent of her influence on the Akelorian Council, but she must have had some to gain support, so our guests might be stuck between a rock and a hard spot. But if they can get rid of her, then they can report what they want to the Council.

  “Boss, can I at least have Harry with me just in case?” Genius asked over the com.

  “Sure, good call. And while you have him, get some measurements. I want you to design some armor for him and get it fabbed.”

  “You want me to design it?”

  “Yes, with lots of spikes. Some on the shoulders and down the spine.”

  “Ok. I can work on that while I’m waiting.”

  “There you are. Come on, get in here,” Lorelei yelled, looking down the corridor at me.

  “Got to go, Genius. The blonde hound from hell is yelling at me. Be back when this is over.”

  Lorelei stood arms crossed under her breasts, head cocked like she was trying to figure something out. “I was going to try to think of a way to tell you this politely, but you don’t deserve it. There are rules for this meeting. No killing, maiming, shooting, stabbing, kissing or fucking. It’s unfortunate we have to play it this way, but you have a very bad history demonstrating proper meeting etiquette.”

  “I’ve never fucked anyone during a meeting,”

  “Well, we didn’t know, so we included it in the rules just to make sure.”

  “Get out of my way. You—and your rules—can kiss my ass.” I was somewhere between angry and amused. Irked, maybe. Binda wanted to have this meeting without my usual interruptions. I got that. I walked into the room and found it to be ten times too large for the number of guests. I spared a glance at Lorelei and motioned to the expanse.

  “Your fault again. You go nuts. People need somewhere to run. Nedra is going to collect your weapons.”

  “Damn, you guys are hard core. I’m beginning to think I need to go ballistic on my own people and would be better off with the new aliens at the table for my team.”

  I worked my way over to Binda and Aisling, who were in a deep conversation. I needed to talk to someone about these rules. Not that they don’t have a few valid points, or even mostly valid points, but no one is just making rules for me to follow. Even if they’re right.

  “Ladies, nice to see you,” I said. At least I hoped it was nice to see them. “Aisling, thank you for the use of the shuttle. Do you have someone who can pilot it back for you?”

  “I can pilot it if it’s all the same to you,” she said, anger rising to the surface.

  “I’m sure you can, Aisling,” I answered calmly. “Binda, you asked me to come to this, but I find myself put out by Lorelei and her rules, and now it seems Aisling still has a stick up her ass. I’ll be going now.”

  “You don’t want to know who the captain of the Akelorian ship is or hear about the message we just received?” Binda asked. “I’m afraid its bad news.”

  “Of course it is. Why would it be anything else? Where is the prisoner? Let’s get this over with.”

  “Snake should be here any second.”

  “Snake’s here!” I heard him say behind me. I turned to see him pulling the prisoner by the arm toward a chair. I went to intercept them.

  “Hold up.” I flipped her cowl back and examined the latches on the helmet. Within seconds it was unlatched. “Well? Any objections, Admiral?” I suppose if you ask a question you should wait for an answer but I didn’t. I yanked the helmet off her head and threw it. Her black hair fell around her face as she looked down at the floor. Moving it aside with my finger, I gazed into my past. Two beautiful blue eyes studied me.

  “Mira?”

  “Hello, Benjamin.”

  My finger had lingered on her face. I jerked my hand back like she was poisonous. I headed for the door. I didn’t need the reminder or the temptation.

  “Benjamin, where are you going?” Binda asked, flustered.

  “I’m done here. Give her back to the Akelorians if they want her or put her on any ship but mine with a promise to drop her somewhere.”

  “Taz’s ship crashed on Idaline. Her fleet was destroyed. No one can get close enough to find out anything,” Binda said, trying to get it out quickly. The whole room stopped whatever they were doing and listened.

  “We aren’t in a position to do much for them if the Khalnalax still have a fleet of ten or more ships around Idaline,” I said. “They would eat us alive if we went against them.”

  “Fifteen. They have fifteen ships and one of them is a battleship. Captain Kimit just provided us with this update. Also, the acting Regent of Cjittan has sent five ships and two transports here, to Kanlost, while a larger group of fifteen and three transports is making way to Idaline. The new Regent is your old friend Ambassador Renji.”

  “They seem to have things under control.”

  “If Tazleaha has perished along with Zora and Dela, our situation just became tenuous.”

  “Binda, it’s always been tenuous. I expected to be in the wind the minute she didn’t like something we did, fill in the blank.”

  “You mean like take her Generations ship.”

  “When and if she found out, yes. But this ship is a bargaining chip. If she or the Cjittan want it back, then they will negotiate in good faith or we will move it deep into Allond space. If they try to pull something, then we get our people off the ship and send it into the nearest star.”

  “And the World Eater?”

  “That is ours and I haven’t decided yet what to do with it. Am I still needed here? Aisling’s face is still seriously red and there could possibly be a breaking of the rules soon.” I heard the whirl of servos and metal on metal all the way from the hold. Aisling had brought at least one of her marines suited up on my ship.

  Deireadh, be ready. Possible threat.

  “Aisling, any reason why one of your marines is suited up and heading this way?” I asked. “Binda, did you know we had a soldier in a mech suit joining us?” Binda looked askance at Aisling, who had wide cat n’ canary eyes.

  “I wanted to be able to speak my mind without worrying about your reaction, Benjamin,” Aisling explained. “You’re not right and you shouldn’t be leading our group.”

  “Binda leads our group,” I answered.

  “Binda is a figurehead. I know you will never let go, or let anyone be an authority over you.”

  I heard Sash talking to Natalia, telling her to quit visiting and get in here. Most everyone else was quiet. Scanning the room, I saw Lorelei watching the former pirate captains, including Sash. Kimit had been talking to her and now stood watching our group with interest. I knew when Natalia walked in; I recognized the sound of her footsteps and Sash stood and motioned her over. As she walked past I saw her turn and look at us, a frown spread across her face. Sash pulled her into a hug, unexpected by Natalia’s stiff back, then whispered in her ear. “She is a figurehead, but one with authority. This is all still very new. The Privateers, their families, Binda being in charge. It will take time.”

  Wh
ile Lorelei’s little dressing down with the rules irked me, I had decided to not be a problem, except maybe for the wearer of the black armor, and even now I tried to walk away.

  “Some of us have been talking,” Aisling said. “We want you to step down.” She wrung her hands, which was uncharacteristic of her.

  “Binda?” I said.

  “First I’ve heard of it, Benjamin. I am shocked that you would go so far, Aisling. He isn’t going anywhere. If you feel that way, then I think it should be you who leaves. I’m sorry I asked you to join us.”

  “We don’t want to leave, and we have no problem working for you, Binda. We all agree on that, but only with him out of the leadership equation.” The privateer captains, Tonnek and Lhohn, eased in behind Aisling. The marine in the mech suit walked in, could see the party had started without him or her, and picked up the pace, parking the big battle suit behind them.

  “So for shits and giggles, let’s say I’m not going anywhere and here we stand. What do you think is going to happen now? How can you think what’s about to happen would go any other way? Here’s my olive branch, Anne Bonney. You and the two idiots next to you go sit down at the table and the big guy can go lean against the wall. We forget this conversation.”

  “It’s a good idea, Aisling. Not sure who Anne Bonney is, but you all should take a seat,” Binda said. She studied me for a second.

  “If we don’t?” Tonnek asked.

  “Do you have families on board my ship?” I asked, adding a new dynamic to the discussion.

  “I’ll kill you if you harm my family,” Tonnek said.

  “Idiot, he isn’t going to harm your families,” Sash said. She had maintained a position between us and those already seated. “He is going to pay them for the loss of their idiot husbands and fathers. You’ll be dead, so, unable to kill anyone, idiot.” It was clear Sashet’s opinion of them still mattered. Being called an idiot repeatedly by her must have had an impact. Indecision now filled their faces.

  “Anne Bonney was a famous female Irish pirate,” I added for Binda. “Never mind, that was for the redheaded space witch standing in front of me who I thought was my friend. Marine! You in the suit. I’m not going to do anything to harm Aisling. Both of you can leave peacefully or stay.”