Danstu nodded. “Captain Cembre has returned successfully. We look forward to your return, Chadon.”
“I’m glad to hear. Thank you for all of your help during this situation,” she said.
The screen blanked, sending back Danstu’s haggard reflection. His balled up fist began to beat the top of his desk slowly then more rapidly, finally forcing himself to stand.
“Computer, where is Cidele Rovantas?” he asked.
“Tenth level, section fourteen,” the computer replied.
Danstu grabbed his jacket from the back of his seat and ran out the door. He paused at Lerrina’s desk. He jotted down a quick note and handed it to her. Lerrina’s eyes widened with delight.
“Good to hear, Chisarel,” she whispered.
“Tucarris, you’re with me,” Danstu demanded to his head of security.
The man stepped in line right behind him as they hurried out of the building. It was like Danstu had a spring in his step again.
“Good news, sir?” Tucarris asked.
“Yes, very good news,” he returned as they entered the elevator. “Tenth floor,” he called out to the lift.
The elevator lowered to the tenth floor. The doors opened to a landscape of beautiful white buildings and lush parks. The tenth floor looked even better than the top floor of the previous nine above it.
Three orbs swooped down, scanning Danstu. “Chisarel, welcome to level ten,” called one of the orbs.
“Danstu!” Cidele called out, waving as she ran towards him.
“They have her,” he called through cupped hands.
“What? Oh, my!” She ran to Danstu, jumping into his arms. “She’s okay?”
“She’s safe, for now. She’s still insisting on finishing their mission, though,” he explained low.
Cidele stepped away, shaking her head. “She’s always been stubborn like that. Well, uh,” she turned, her arms outstretched. “How does it look?”
“Amazing! You and your father are miracle workers,” he congratulated.
“And we’re almost finished with eleven through fifteen. This level is ready for residence whenever you need,” she offered.
“Great! Well, enough celebrating. Back to work,” he huffed, motioning for Tucarris to follow him back to the elevators.
Danstu’s wrist com crackled to life, causing him to jumped. “This is the Chisarel,” he called.
“Sir, this is Bagaaris. We have a situation. You’re needed in the command center.”
Danstu glanced over at Tucarris. “On my way.”
Neither man paused until they were in Gathow’s command room. “What’s going on?” Danstu called out, seeing people dashing about the room in chaos.
Bagaaris turned to him from the main viewscreen. “Our ships have been spotted by Marisheio forces on the Cha’laan border. Eight battle cruisers are heading their way within the day,” he called out.
Danstu slammed his hand on the counter in front of him. “Patch me through to Braum Daveric,” he ordered.
Moments later, the dark face of Braum Jasper Daveric appeared on the screen. His surprised expression said he wasn’t expecting to see Gathow’s command center.
“Braum, forgive the interruption, but we have a situation on the Cha’laan boarder. Could you lend some assistance?” Danstu requested.
Jasper glanced to his computer, typing in his commands. “Expect six ships within the next seven hours, Chisarel,” he offered, his expression stern. Before Danstu could respond, he had closed the channel.
___
On board the Untella, Sedom relaxed on the sofa as she took another sip of her wine. Six computer pads sat on the seat beside her, and she knew it was only a small amount of the work that awaited her in Gathow.
Zion plopped down into the seat beside her, resting his aching head against the seat cushion. It was obvious he was battling a bad headache.
“Who’s the woman? I remember seeing her a few times standing to Santurra’s left, which causes me concern,” she mentioned, motioning over to Jeina who was sleeping in the corner on one of the sofas.
“Don’t. She’s the one who helped us rescue you. She’s also the one who killed the guard so Rosanheer could replace him,” Zion explained.
“She wouldn’t happen to be a member of the media?”
“That was part of her job, yes.”
Sedom set her wine down then leaned over to Zion. Tenderly, she rested her hand on his cheek. Sure enough, something had changed in his eyes. “You’re in love with her,” she whispered.
A sly smile came to his lips. “I have feelings for her,” he admitted.
“What about you and Ratisha?” she asked, mainly concerned for her friend’s feelings.
Zion grimaced. “It’s complicated. We’ve talked and she understands. Ours was a physical relationship only. She had no desires for anything more.”
“What about you isn’t complicated?” she joked back, remembering that was what he always said about her.
He patted her shoulder. “We have our Chadon back,” he said, giving a relieved sigh. “You know you put us through hell,” he mentioned.
Sedom nodded solemnly. “I know. And I went through hell,” she paused, her eyes turning to her trembling hands. “I have to know, how did Tremble die?”
Zion adjusted himself uneasily in his seat. “You were sucked out of the ship. She jumped out of the ship after you. When the Novaac found her, every bone in her body had been shattered. She died soon after they found her,” he explained, his eyes distant and watery. He sniffed away his tears, turning back to Sedom. “Which reminds me, how the hell did you manage to survive the fall?”
Sedom shrugged. “I fell into a haystack. I was lucky. Nom’kel watches over me, I guess.”
“You know. You know. You’re the luckiest girl I’ve met,” he mentioned.
“Because I have friends like you who are willing to risk your lives for me,” she pointed out.
Zion nodded as he thought. “I think we’ve all gone beyond friendship. Each of us here cares for you like our sister. Our spoiled, irrational, demanding sister, but our sister,” he complimented.
Sedom shrugged it off. She couldn’t deny she was all those things and more, but it was still kind of him to say.
“Rokaa?” she asked.
Zion shrugged. “Norton Helli’s idea. Helli found a photo of you circling around when you were fighting. He demanded the Chisarel allow him to help.”
“And Danstu?” she asked, dreading the question.
“In command and doing a hell of a job,” Zion again complemented. “Though, he will need a vacation once you’re safe and back on Matrador or at least a solid night of sleep,” he pointed out.
“He has Cidele to keep him sane,” Sedom joked.
From behind her, she could hear the newest member of their team chuckle. She turned to see Ryn standing in the doorway.
“Sorry, but the only thing that woman is good for is giving the Chisarel a nervous breakdown,” Ryn mentioned.
Sedom frown. “Explain.”
Ryn sauntered into the room, taking a seat beside Sedom. “When I was first introduced to Cidele, it was with her top over her head and her,” he coughed slightly, “exposed. Every time he left his office, she was there, pestering him to allow her to join this team,” he mentioned.
Zion rolled his eyes. “You probably shouldn’t have told her about that,” he grumbled low.
Sedom inhaled a deep, shuttering breath, shaking her head in frustration at her friend. “That’s not fair to Danstu having to deal with that. I’ll talk with her when we return. That’s… frustrating. She knows better!”
“That’s smart on her part. I bet he almost caved. That man lusts over her to no end,” Zion chuckled.
“He almost did, but he didn’t want to risk her life. He knew how much the Chadon cares for her,” Ryn mentioned.
“That’s beyond the point,” she grumbled.
“Sortec, why did you hire her?” Ryn asked.<
br />
Sedom shrugged. “She’s a skilled tracker. She’s also won both top marksman and top sniper in the galaxy women’s competition of the Hojeel games six years running,” she explained, causing both the men to gasp. “I’m surprised neither of you recognized her. She was quite the celebrity for a time. She disappeared after the battle of Nogoana to join the search for my people,” she continued.
“We could have used her,” Ryn grumbled. “Now that you mention it, I do remember her. Why give up all that?”
Sedom turned away, looking to the doorway to see if anyone else was in the room. “Between us, her family was murdered by a band of scavengers when she was very young. It was a group of Narkoy hunters who rescued her and her sister. Lolum was a close family friend who took on the responsibility of raising the two girls. But if it wasn’t for the Narkoy, she’d be dead,” she explained.
Zion grunted, smirking as he shook his head against the back of his seat. “Now it all makes sense.”
“What makes sense?” Rokaa questioned from the doorway as he entered.
“Cidele. They didn’t know who she was.” Sedom informed.
Rokaa took a seat beside Sedom. “Tel’ Heja?” he asked. Sedom nodded. “We had late-meal the night before I left Matrador. She begged me to bring her, but I reminded her that she was a celebrity. It didn’t make her happy.”
“She likes the quiet life,” Sedom explained. She turned to Rokaa, who was anxiously tapping his foot. “Where here?” she asked.
“We’re here,” he returned, bringing everyone in the room to their feet.
Rokaa guided them to the bridge. The bridge of the Untella was much smaller than most of the Tasgool ships, but did the job adequately.
The ship slowed as the crew watched the empty area of space before them. There was nothing around that would suggest there was a ship nearby.
“She’s out there, somewhere close,” Sedom muttered under her breath.
“But where?” Zion questioned from behind her.
A glimmer caught Sedom’s eye. She immediately pointed to the left side of the viewscreen. “There!” she announced excitedly. “Open a channel,” she ordered.
“To whom?” the captain asked.
“Just open a channel,” she said.
“Channel open,” called one of the crew.
“Nosigal nonal contembras,” Sedom called out. “Calala Sedom Sortec,” she added.
A massive ship, five hundred times larger than the Untulla, uncloaked off their starboard side.
“We’re being hailed,” called the com’s officer.
The image of a short, pale blue man appeared on the screen. “I am Sorrel, keeper of the Oslo. What is your purpose here?”
“I am Chadon Sedom Sortec. By my authorization, I am assuming command of this vessel,” Sedom called out.
Sorrel remained motionless for a moment, then returned with, “The only Sedom Sortec we have on file is a Chidi, not Chadon, and therefore does not have authorization.”
“Cariboun Sortec died in battle with the Marisheio. I assumed command as Chadon two years ago under authorization code Nar Nar Nity Novil,” Sedom explained.
Once again Sorrel remained motionless as the computers researched her authorization. “Authorization code confirmed. Our condolences and congratulations. What are your orders, Chadon?”
“We are to dock and come on board the Oslo. From there, we will return to Matrador,” Sedom called out her orders.
The Oslo’s engines roared to life as it fully uncloaked. Within minutes, the Oslo had not only locked onto the Untella with a tractor beam, but had guided it inside a massive cargo bay.
Rokaa stared at the viewscreen, his bottom jaw gaping. “Um, okay. We’ve just been swallowed by the largest ship I’ve ever seen. Now what?”
“Welcome aboard my ship,” Sedom said behind her grin. “Shall we?”
Sedom was the first to walk through the main hatch and into the Oslo. The air had an unusual smell. It wasn’t dust like one may think, but more of a pungent flowery scent mixed with composted dirt.
From behind Sedom, Rosanheer inhaled deeply. “What is that smell?”
“The fuel used in the engine cooling systems,” Sedom replied as she pointed over to two large floor-to-ceiling containers about one hundred feet wide. “The smell will clear out once we start the engines.”
“Glad to know. I’d rather it not stink up my ship,” Rokaa grumbled behind Rosanheer.
“Be grateful. The Marisheio use elontuim feces to cool their engine cores. It’s ten times more pungent,” Rosanheer mentioned.
“Sounds wonderful,” Zion spoke up with disgust as he forced his way pass Rokaa and Rosanheer.
Zion, Ryn, Rokaa, and Rosanheer followed Sedom out of the cargo hold and into a long hallway. In the hallway stood Sorrel, waiting for Sedom. He looked so lifelike it was hard to tell he was only a hologram.
“Welcome aboard the Oslo, Chadon. The bridge is this way. If you would follow me?” Sorrel offered.
Rokaa hurried to Sedom’s side, who was in the lead just behind Sorrel. Out of curiosity, he reached his hand out to Sorrel, but it slipped directly through him.
“That’s just amazing,” he gasped.
“I met Sorrel when I first found Gathow. I thought the same thing. It’s strange how advanced our people had become, yet just how alien our own technology is to us now,” Sedom pointed out. She paused to touch the wall of the hallway. The wall lit up bright orange.
“Recognize Chadon Sortec, Sedom,” the computer called out.
She removed her hand and continued to follow Sorrel. “It makes me wonder how much more we could have accomplished if it wasn’t for greed and fruitless desires,” she continued.
“Evolution can take many forms,” Ryn spoke up.
Rokaa nodded. “He’s correct. Perhaps our people took too much advantage of our accomplishments. We needed to be forced back a few hundred years.”
The door to the main bridge slid open, revealing a masterpiece of art mixed with technology. Every workstation console was intricately carved out of a rare red wood and trimmed in shimmering metal.
Ryn rubbed his hand over the top of the weapon’s console, smirking with delight as the display turned on. Cautiously, he read over the inventory of weapons they had on board while the rest of the team explored the bridge.
His eyes grew wide when he noticed just how well equipped the ship was.
“Uh, Chadon,” he called, gaining the group’s attention. “Were you aware—“
“That this is a battleship? Yes,” she hushed, motioning with her eyes to Rokaa. He might have been her Ardath, but he was still the nephew of her enemy.
Ryn sucked in his lower lip to keep from saying anything more.
“For now, set in a course for Matrador. Let’s not make any noise until we’re in neutral space,” Sedom ordered. “Can you boys handle things up here?” she asked, motioning to Ryn, Zion and Rosanheer.
“I think we can manage,” Zion said.
Sedom wrapped her hand around Rokaa’s upper arm, leading him off the bridge. “It occurs to me this wasn’t a good idea. No offense, but I think you and your crew should remain away from the bridge and out of key sections.”
Rokaa nodded, chuckling. “Still the enemy?” he accused. “After everything I’ve done?”
She shook her head. “Tell me you’ll remain with me in Gathow, renounce your title, denounce your Emperor and then I will trust you. Until then—“
He grew close, forcing her against the wall with the weight of his body. “I will remain with you in Gathow. I will denounce my Emperor, but it would be foolish of you to force me to renounce my title. You know we both may need the Marnet title one day. Regardless of what happens, our firstborn will have rights to the Rook crown. I’m not willing to jeopardize that and neither should you,” he pointed out.
She slid down the wall and under his arm. “I suppose you’re right. It’s just—“ She rested her head against the wall, exhali
ng her exhaustion at the situation.
“I know, Bolion. I’m certain this wasn’t what your grandmother intended for us or my father. We must work with what we have. Your Lemek won’t start for a little over two years. In that time, we’ll figure something out. Personally, I pray to God this nonsense will be over soon.”
Sedom rested her head against his chest. “It killed me inside seeing you standing beside that horrible woman, let alone the man responsible for killing our people.”
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “Mine as well when I saw you in the arena. There was nothing I could do to help. I felt so…”
“Helpless?” she finished.
“Unworthy,” he corrected. “You are quite a warrior. I never knew you had it in you,” he mentioned.
Sedom pulled away, wiping away a stray tear. “It’s what I do to survive. Now, are you serious about returning with me to Gathow to live? I can arrange accommodations that are suitable for--”
Rokaa glanced down the hallway noticing the rest of his crew heading in their direction. “I wish I could. I really do, but I can’t. I can’t risk leaving the Crown to battle her father alone. She needs me.”
“I need you!” Sedom growled back.
Rokaa caressed her good shoulder. “You have friends you can count on. My cousin has only me. I will come to you soon and we will be together again, I promise.” As he spoke, the captain of his own ship approached. “Feel free to use the Oslo’s facilities, but refrain from entering any restricted areas like the bridge,” he ordered as he steered his crew away from Sedom.
The crew left, revealing a bewildered Jeina. “I can’t believe it’s real. My people have spoken of this ship for centuries. I--”
“It’s still a myth,” Sedom warned, placing her finger to her lips.
“Oh,” Jeina return, grinning wildly. “Zion?”
Sedom motioned over her shoulder to the bridge. She wasn’t certain if it was a good idea to allow her on the bridge, but if Zion vouched for her then it had to be alright.
___
Three hours later, Zion poked his head into the Oslo’s observation room, finding Sedom staring out the massive viewport. The viewport was nearly fifty feet wide by twenty feet tall and took up three stories. Stars illuminated the space beyond it in a vivid array of colors.
The Last Narkoy_OSLO Page 21
