Out Past the Stars

by K. B. Wagers

  “It’s all right, Hail.” Aiz smiled gently, though I could see the worry in his eyes. “If I trust anyone in this universe to handle such a thing with great care, it’s you.” He helped me to my feet as Emmory and Zin ran up.

  There were no words for the sheer relief on their faces, and I choked on another sob as I staggered forward the two steps and threw myself into their waiting arms.

  “You’re alive,” I whispered.

  “That’s supposed to be our line, Majesty,” Emmory said, pressing his cheek into my hair. “When your vitals went down I thought—”

  “I’m okay. It’s done.” I felt the tears start and this time didn’t try to hold them back, sobbing my relief into my Tracker’s shoulders.

  “You okay?” Hao’s question was soft as he sat down next to me and took my hands in his, rubbing the warmth back into them.

  I dragged my attention away from where Aiz and Biea examined Mia. We were aboveground again, a fact that brought me more relief than I wanted to admit, though the rubble was still scattered about the floor of the Pedalion chamber and the sounds outside suggested there was still some fighting going on.

  I cycled through several answers before settling on the truth. “I’m worried. Thyra did something to Mia, blocked her off from being able to access the energy around her. What if they can’t fix it?”

  “People live their whole lives without having to be healed by a Farian.”

  “She’s not human, Hao. She’s Shen.”

  I have to say good-bye to her.

  “Ah.” Hao smiled and his hands tightened around mine. “That’s what this is about?”

  “I just told you what this was about.” I tried to pull free but he didn’t let me go.

  “You were this painfully obtuse about Portis, too.” Now he did let me go but cupped my face in both hands and turned my head until I had to look him in the eyes. “Life is too short, little sister. Duty is one thing, love is more important. Don’t let one get in the way of the other.” He smiled and touched his forehead to mine. “I did and it nearly cost me everything. Listen to me for once in your life and don’t make my mistakes.”

  My heart thumped hard at his words.

  “I love you, gege.” I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

  “I love you, too,” he whispered, hugging me back. “Killing a genetically engineered super soldier with a pocketknife is going to be a hell of a story to add to your legend, little sister.”

  As we separated, I saw the truth of it in his eyes and was grateful to Hao for doing what he always had—looking out for me. I also heard the unspoken warning.

  Better to not let anyone else know what had truly happened here today. Better to let it be buried with the wreckage and the corpses.

  “Hao, find Emmory,” I whispered as Thyra’s words about the Trackers came back to me. “There were—Trackers. Thyra said she’d taken Trackers and we have to see if there’s—” The words stuck in my throat but Hao patted my hand and stood.

  “I’ll find him.”

  He passed Aiz headed my way as I sank down on the ledge with my hands in my lap.

  “They’ve gone to Biea’s ship,” he said, offering up a smile that didn’t hide the worry in his eyes as he sat next to me. “They think Mia will be all right but want their doctors to check her out.”

  “You didn’t go with her?”

  “She said I should stay here and help. We need to have a presence. There are files down there that will have survived the fire. Thyra’s records of what she was doing.”

  “Aiz, about what I did—”

  “I meant what I said, Hail. Of any human, you are best suited to handle this.” He smiled and though it was fleeting, it was also genuine. “Don’t think I’ll let you flounder. I am here for you. I will help you navigate how to handle it and so will Mia.”

  We sat in silence for a long moment before I spoke up. “What’s next?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied. “Biea thinks they may be able to figure out what Thyra did to not only us but the Farians also. It will take some time. The peace treaty is still intact despite my sister’s best efforts.”

  I’d forgotten all about Adora. “Where is she?”

  “In holding with a Selan guard. I’m told there is some discussion about turning her over to them for her complicity in Thyra’s crimes. Since Adaran is also dead there is no way to truly kill her.” He rolled the thought around in his mouth for a moment. “As strange as it sounds I am uncomfortable with the idea of leaving my sister in a jar for all eternity.”

  “It’s not strange at all. This is far more complicated than any of us could have dreamed.”

  “You did good, Hail. We couldn’t have done this without you and I won’t ever be able to repay you for it.”

  “I’m sure I’ll need a favor at some point.” I bumped my shoulder into his. “I’ll even be nice and not make it totally outrageous.”

  It was the better part of a Farian day before I saw Biea again. Alba and I were wrapping up a late-afternoon meeting when Indula stuck his head in the doorway of my quarters on the Hailimi Bristol.

  “Your Majesty, Biea is here if you have a moment to speak with them?”

  “Of course.” I got to my feet as they came in the room. “It is good to see you.”

  “Yourself as well, Your Majesty,” they said. “You have fully recovered.”

  “Yes, thank you.” I resisted the urge to pepper them with questions on how Mia was doing.

  “I understand the Istrevitel will be leaving in the morning.”

  “Yes, I was planning on having dinner with Captain Zov tonight if you’d like to join us.”

  “Thank you, no, we have said our good-byes.”

  I rubbed a hand over the back of my neck as I asked the question I knew could change everything. “Biea, may I ask you what you plan to do now?”

  “I don’t know, Your Majesty.” Biea dipped their head briefly. “We have offered our help to the Farians and Shen, but for obvious reasons it would be best if we only leave a few scientists here and take the rest of our people elsewhere. The wounds are fresh and deep and we don’t wish to cause further harm.”

  “You’re done with your hunt,” I said with a smile. “Is it time to settle down?”

  “Perhaps,” they replied. “If we can find a suitable place. Again, it is probably best not to stay in this area and court disaster.”

  “Do you have specific requirements for a suitable planet?” I asked. “I am assuming they would be somewhat different from humans’.”

  “Not all that different, Your Majesty, but yes. I can give them to you.” Biea extended their limb and Alba reached out to touch her hand to it with a smile.

  “I can think of four off the top of my head, Majesty,” she said after a moment. “More with some time.”

  Biea looked between us, confusion plain on their face. “I am not understanding.”

  I folded my hands together. “Biea, I realize you are not the sole decision maker for your people, so you are welcome to pass this along and discuss it. I would like to offer the Selan membership into my empire—as allies, a protectorate, or merely guests for a time. Whatever works best for your people.”

  “Your Majesty? You truly mean this?”

  “Of course. I meant what I said about wanting to be friends and disagreements aside, we could not have done this without you. You have no reason to keep wandering alone through the stars unless you wish to do so.”

  “No, it is—” They fumbled over the words, tapping their limbs together. “It is so very appreciated. I will go speak to my people right away.” They vanished.

  Alba and I exchanged a look and I laughed. “Well—”

  Biea reappeared and we both jumped. Indula cursed from the doorway.

  “I am sorry, Your Majesty. I forgot to tell you, Mia is much better. She will soon be back to full health. My people will have a full report on what Thyra did to her.” Biea dipped their head and left us
again.

  Alba and I shared a look. “Well, that went better than I expected,” I said with a laugh.

  “You still have to tell the councils, Majesty.”

  “True, but that’s the nice thing about being empress.” I winked at her and waved to Admiral Hassan, who’d come to the doorway with Emmory.

  “I thought Biea was here,” he asked.

  “They left the easy way,” I said, smiling at his worried look. “All the more reason to make them part of the empire. Inana.” I reached a hand out and took her by the forearm, pulling her into a hug. “It’s good to see you safe.”

  “You also, Majesty. Are we ready to head home?”

  “In the morning.”

  I wanted to stay, but I couldn’t think of a good reason to. The Farians could handle the reconstruction on their own and it wasn’t my place to interfere in the judgments and subsequent punishments of the people involved in Adora’s reign of terror.

  The Shen would find their own way, with Mia and Aiz to guide them.

  “We know you prefer being out here,” Emmory said.

  “Maybe once,” I admitted with a sigh and a shake of my head. “Now I don’t know that I do. I don’t belong out here any more than I do in a palace, but I’m supposed to be in the palace. And that’s what matters.”

  Inana smiled. “You know your parents would be proud of you. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thank you.” I blinked away the tears as her words warmed my heart. “We should com Alice before she starts to worry. Alba?”

  “Already have it cued up, ma’am.”

  I brushed at an invisible piece of lint on my black uniform as the screen on the wall of my front room resolved to show Alice, Caspel, and Caterina.

  “Your Majesty, we’re relieved to see you well.” Alice pinned me with a stern look. “In light of your success I suppose we’ll just not talk about the fact that you ignored all of us here telling you not to do it.”

  “Probably a good idea.” I nodded at the others without so much as a hint of a smile. “I trust you read our reports?” We’d left some things out after a long discussion. I’d tell Alice in person about my abilities once we were home, but it seemed unwise to put something like that into the official record.

  Hao was right, it was better to let people think I killed an alien super soldier with a pocketknife.

  “We did, and I saw that you’re planning on being home soon?”

  I leaned against the desk, Alba and Inana on either side. “We have a few things to wrap up here and good-byes to say.”

  “It will be good to have you back.”

  “I have a matter to discuss before we get into this morning’s business.” I paused, knowing full well the next words out of my mouth were going to cause an uproar, but I’d weighed the choices available to me and hadn’t come to this decision with anything less than the full knowledge of what it would bring to Indrana—both the good and the bad.

  “I’ve offered the Selan entry into the empire under whatever terms suit them best and am waiting for their answer. Here is a list of possible worlds for them to settle on. I expect documents to be drawn up within the day if they agree.”

  “Your Majesty.”

  “You cannot just—”

  “What were you thinking?”

  I waited for the protests to stop and studied the faces on the screen for several moments before I spoke. “I was thinking they need a place to live. I was thinking they can bring a lot to the empire in the way of tech. I was thinking it would be better to have a race of genetically engineered soldiers as allies than let them roam out in the black, or worse let the Solarians take them in. I was also thinking I’m the empress and you’re all welcome to fuss about this, but I’ve made my decision and if the Selan agree it will be done.” I made eye contact with each of them in turn until they nodded. “I’ll send you word of their decision as soon as I have it. I expect things to be ready when we arrive. Now, Alice, moving on to the next item.”

  45

  I am going to miss you.” I whispered the words against Stasia’s golden hair.

  “We’ll come visit, Majesty, I promise.” She hugged me back.

  “Thank you, for everything.” I was suddenly grateful we’d decided to say these good-byes in my quarters on the ship rather than out in public where everyone could see me crying.

  I smiled through my tears as I let Stasia go. Giving her a little push toward Emmory, I turned to Fasé.

  “Yadira and Delphine have asked me to help them forge a new path forward,” she said, stepping into my open arms and wrapping her arms around my waist. “I don’t know what shape the new Farian government will take, but I promise you we will remain Indrana’s ally.”

  “You will be amazing. I am just a com away if you need help.” I pressed my cheek to the top of her head.

  “I am the same,” Fasé replied. “Our people are alive because of you. Thank you, Majesty, for bringing this peace.”

  “Thank you for helping me.” I let her go and moved out of the way as my BodyGuards and the others said their good-byes.

  Sybil took my offered hands with the same gentle smile she’d given me the first time we met. “It is done. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “To say you’re welcome seems very arrogant of me.”

  Her smile widened. “Perhaps, but also very you. I wish you all the joy in the universe.”

  I resisted the urge to ask if that was just a formality or if what the future-seer saw coming for me was truly just joy from here on out. “I wish the same for you and your people, Sybil.” I leaned down and pressed my cheek to hers.

  I straightened and saw Mia and Aiz standing in the doorway.

  My heart twisted.

  You need to do the right thing here, Hail, no matter what Hao says about love being more important than duty. You know it doesn’t work like that when you have an empire to consider. This is the end of it. No more running off to save the galaxy.

  I felt the mask slip into place and forced a smile. “Well, that’s it, then, isn’t it?”

  Sybil passed them, touching Aiz on the arm as she did. The confused frown flickered so quickly across his face I was sure I’d imagined it, especially when he extended his hands and crossed the room to me, pulling me into a hug.

  “Thank you, Hail. For everything. I dislike good-byes. I will see you both soon,” he murmured against my ear, then kissed my cheek and left my quarters with a nod only to Emmory.

  “How are you?” I reached for Mia, stopped, and shoved my hands awkwardly into the pockets of my pants instead. If I grabbed her now I’d never let her go.

  “I am better.” She watched me, emotions hidden carefully behind those storm-gray eyes. “I thought you would come to visit me.”

  “The cleanup was taking most of my time. Aiz and Biea kept me updated. I am glad you’ve recovered. It will be good for you going forward.” The next words hurt like being spaced, but I forced them out anyway. “I will miss you.”

  “Miss me?”

  I was suddenly aware of how quiet it was in the room and looked away from Mia to find it empty. As though my Ekam had quietly ushered everyone out and now stood in the hallway with his back to the open door.

  “Hail, I—”

  “Shiva, I can’t do this,” I whispered, pulling a hand free from my pocket and pressing it to my mouth for a moment as I turned away. The sob escaped around my fingers. “I have to let you go. This is not a fairy tale with a happily-ever-after. It’s real life and we both have—”

  Mia circled me, reaching up and grabbing my face. “Hail, be quiet.” She tipped her head, studied me for a moment, and then smiled. “Who said I was going anywhere?”

  “You have your people to lead.”

  Her smile carried a hope I hadn’t dared to feel. “I do, but I also have my brother and an amazingly fast ship and the ability to communicate long distance. I assumed—” She stopped as a blush crept over her cheeks. “I probably should have asked if it was
all right if I came home with you.”

  “Home?”

  “To Indrana. To Pashati. I would like the chance to see more of your empire.”

  “I—yes?”

  Mia pulled me down into a kiss that was all too brief. “I have watched you, Hail Bristol. Your duty to your empire and to your people is something you have never put aside. You will throw your life into danger to spare the people you love. You are kind and intelligent and I would very much like to spend time with you that doesn’t involve mortal peril.” She grinned and it was like the sun breaking through the clouds.

  “I would also like that.” I put my hands on her hips and tugged her closer and touched my forehead to hers. “Mia, I—”

  “I know.” This time she sank into the kiss.

  I pulled away and rested my forehead against hers. “Emmory?”

  “Yes, Majesty?”

  “It’s time to go.”

  The massive blue-green planet of Pashati hung in the blackness of space, growing larger on the screen of the Hailimi’s bridge. I kept one arm wrapped around Mia’s waist as we dove through the atmosphere and the Vajrayana came to a gentle stop in the late-morning sunlight on the newly constructed hangar just off the palace.

  “Your Majesty, we should head for the cargo bay,” Emmory said as he came up behind us. He was resplendent in a matte-black uniform with the familiar crimson piping along the cuffs and worked into the detail of the intricate star pattern on the left breast. A final gift from Stasia, as was my sari—a gorgeous slubbed Farian silk in a pale shimmering gray with the imperial star stitched on it in brilliant green.

  “Of course.” I turned and reached for his hand and for Zin’s, squeezing them both for just a moment before I let them go. There weren’t any words and judging from the looks on their faces we didn’t need any. “Captain Saito, thank you for the ride home.”

  “Our pleasure, Your Majesty.”

  I followed Emmory and Zin down the corridor and out of the cargo bay, disembarking into the warm sunshine with Mia’s hand in mine.

  Hao, Johar, Alba, and Dailun stood off to the side and I caught my brother’s eyes with a smile. He folded his hands together and bowed his head in response.