by Jaleta Clegg
"You seemed to care before, when you helped stop Roderick from taking the throne."
"I was helping you. And myself. And Mart. It makes little difference to me who sits on the fancy chair."
"It makes a difference when they start passing new laws," Lowell said.
"And who follows those laws, outside of the Inner Worlds? There aren't enough Patrol ships to bother with most infractions. Let the systems govern themselves, mostly. Pass laws about the big things, like slavery. Enforce those."
"I've heard them asking if slavery is really such a crime," Lowell said.
He was baiting me now and I wasn't going to take the bait.
"Send a Fleet, Lowell. They don't deserve to be slaves to the Trythians or anyone else."
"Who, Dace?" Lowell faced me squarely. "Tayvis is there, isn't he?"
"Yes," I said. He had to still be alive. "And others."
"Vance?" he asked.
"Last I saw, yes. Although they may all be dead by now. We were supposed to start a civil war. And I was supposed to bring help."
He tugged at his ear, thinking. "It might help." He shifted his position. "I can order one Fleet, and possibly a few battle groups. If we can figure out where to send them. The navigators who came with you are doing their best. We can't just point our ships that direction and push the button."
"The Trythians can." I felt the warmth of relief wash through me. He was going to send help. "As close as I can figure, we have about three weeks, and another week of travel to get there in time."
"Not we," Lowell said. "This is a military action, Dace."
He could have slapped me. It wouldn't have surprised me more.
"That didn't stop you from dragging me into it before."
"And I regret doing it. You're not going this time."
"I'm the one who knows how to contact them, I'm the one they're expecting. I have to go, Lowell."
"Then join the Patrol." He turned on his heel, headed for the door.
"Lowell," I protested.
"Not this time, Dace."
"Think about it, I'm the one who has to go back. I have the contacts for both the Trythians and the slaves. I'm the only one both sides will listen to."
"You've also done more than enough, Dace. Go home to your ship. Let the Patrol handle this." He opened the door.
I leaned back against the window. He left the room. The door snapped closed with a sound that seemed to echo in my head.
He was leaving me behind. Despite all the reasons I should go, despite me half expecting him to drag me there, he wasn't going to. He was going to leave me here, to chew my nails and worry and wait. I closed my eyes, shutting out the tepid sunlight reflected off the floor of the room.
I'd left Tayvis behind. I had to go back. I had to make sure he was safe. I had to go.
I had to be Patrol to go. Lowell's goal had always been to get me to enlist. This time he was going to win. He held all the cards. I had nothing.
It was a pain as sharp as a physical wound. I would have to give up my dreams of freedom. I would have to give in and do the one thing I'd been resisting since my first day at the Academy.
Jasyn would skin me alive when and if I ever saw her again.
I sank down slowly to the floor, feeling hope seeping away from me. I felt trapped and helpless, as much as I ever had on Trythia. Lowell would win. Lowell would get what he wanted, because there was no way I was going to stay behind.
The psych tech came back. I ignored his questions and walked out, leaving the door hanging open behind me.
I crossed the base, walking past the sad little tree in its pot. I felt a lot the same. If I had leaves, they'd be drooping and just as dusty and forlorn.
I headed for the only place I knew where I might possibly find Lowell. The guards at the door didn't try to stop me. They knew who I was and figured I was going in for yet another session. I wasn't stopped until I was outside the base commander's office.
"I need to see Commander Lowell," I told the man who stopped me.
"Commander Lowell is in conference," he answered. "You need an appointment to see him."
"Then I want an appointment for now." If I didn't talk to him soon, I was going to lose what nerve I had.
"That is not possible," the man said.
I looked past him. The door to the commander's office was closed. But there was someone leaning next to it that I recognized. She was watching me.
"I believe the commander will make an exception for her," Paltronis said to the secretary. "But you'll still have to wait until he's done with the base commander," she added to me. She shifted away from the wall. "Page me when he's out," she said to the secretary. She took my arm and led me into the hall.
"He could be hours," she said. "Have they fed you lunch yet?"
I shook my head, wondering if we were friends or not this time. We'd had our differences and our problems, mostly over Tayvis. She looked friendly enough, but that could be deceiving. Paltronis was one of the most dangerous people I knew. The other people in the hall gave us both a wide berth as we passed.
"I hear their cafeteria is better than most," she said.
I let her lead me to the cafeteria. We sat at a table in a far corner.
"What do you want?" she asked me.
"I'm not hungry," I said.
"That's a first for you." Her smile faded around the edges. "To tell you the truth, Dace, you look like you could use a few good meals. Have they been mistreating you?"
"Besides asking me the same questions over and over, no, they haven't."
"They aren't treating you well, either. Barefoot and in a janitor's jumpsuit. No wonder Lowell was so mad at Commander Alain." She punched up an order on the table's screen. She leaned back in her chair, watching me while we waited for the order to come.
"It doesn't matter," I said. Nothing mattered right then, except that I get back to Trythia and find Tayvis.
"What really happened? You used to be paranoid to be caught without shoes and here you are, trotting around the base barefoot."
I looked at her, really met her eyes for the first time. She looked away first.
"You've got hard edges, more than before," she said. "I'd hate to meet you in an alleyway. Even if it isn't dark."
"You? Lowell's personal weapon?"
She laughed, easy and relaxed. But there was always an edge to her that never dulled. She gave the impression of always being ready for an attack. "I haven't heard that description before. So what's important enough for you to go looking for Lowell? I thought he just finished talking to you."
"He did. He's sending ships to Trythia. He told me I couldn't go. He said it was Patrol only."
"So you're going to enlist, just to get back there?"
I shrugged. "Tayvis is there. And I'm the only one to send to make contact. Lowell wouldn't agree."
Our food arrived, steaming plates delivered to our table by a young ensign. He slid them onto the table then hurried away.
"Eat," she ordered, pushing a plate at me. "And let me think about this for a minute."
I picked at the food. She chewed thoughtfully. I managed half the plate before she spoke again.
"You really have changed, and I don't think I like it," she muttered. "Eat it all, Dace. You're going to need the energy. Are you serious about enlisting?"
"He didn't give me another choice, Paltronis. Enlist or stay here. And we're running out of time. The sooner I can get him moving, the better." I picked at another bite of mystery vegetable in mystery sauce. It tasted better than it looked.
"I think I have an idea," she said. Her grin had lots of teeth in it.
I found myself returning her grin and feeling better about the whole situation.
"We'll take care of the papers when you finish that plate. And this one." She pushed another one in my direction. "And Lowell's going to regret giving you any choice at all."
Chapter 34
The flyers came in low, out of the east and the rising
sun. The sentry sent out the alarm call. They were back three days early.
"Trouble?" Tayvis asked.
The sentry shook his head. "I don't know. They look all right, just too many and coming in too low. They'll be here in a few minutes."
"Coming in fast," Tayvis said. "Probably trouble. I'll get the others."
They were assembled and waiting when Sylena's flyer landed. Three other flyers crowded onto the landing pad with her flyer. The others found places to land in the gardens. Tayvis watched in surprise as the human pilots climbed out of the crafts. Sylena had broken every protocol Trythia had regarding slaves by allowing them to fly. There were other human slaves in the flyers. Some were wounded, all of them looked shell shocked.
Sylena stumbled out of her flyer. Her hair was disheveled, hanging in strings from her once intricate braids. She stared blankly at the assembled slaves. She put one hand on the flyer, a slim support. It was the first sign of weakness Tayvis had ever seen her show.
Sylena stood staring for a long moment. She finally blinked and straightened.
"We must move quickly," she said. "Our plans have gone awry. You must flee, immediately."
"What happened?" Tayvis asked, taking a step closer to her.
One of the other slaves had run to fetch her a drink. She accepted the glass with a curt nod. Shock, Tayvis realized as he watched her.
"Lilliasa betrayed us," she finally answered. "Mayguena is dead." She wavered, her hand on the flyer slipping.
Tayvis stepped forward quickly and took her arm, steadying her. It was the closest he'd ever been to her. She was taller by only an inch. She leaned on him for only an instant.
"You must go," she said firmly. She stepped away from Tayvis. "They will be here soon. As soon as Lilliasa gets them organized. And finds them transport. We stole their flyers." She gave a small smile.
"Fetch the gear," Tayvis ordered the other slaves behind him. They'd been prepared for this since the beginning of High Festival.
The others were already moving, scrambling to gather what they needed. Tayvis turned back to Sylena. The humans knew what needed to be done. They'd organize themselves and be ready to leave within the hour.
"What would you have us pack for you?" he asked Sylena.
She closed her eyes, sagging for just a moment. She slowly straightened, her eyes snapping back open. Tayvis saw the resignation in her look, and the stubborn set to her chin.
"I will remain here," she said.
"They will kill you for what you've done. Come with us."
She shook her head. "This is my home. I will remain here, where I can do the most good."
"Sylena, you don't have to. We'll protect you."
She shook her head. "I would just be a burden on you."
"Then we'll stay here and die with you. It will be better than slowly starving in the mountains."
She gave him a small smile. "Your friend succeeded. She stole a starship."
It was his turn to be shocked. "Dace stole a ship?" He couldn't help his grin.
"Your people will be here, as she promised." She looked away from him. "Mayguena did not believe she would succeed. She never was convinced that we should free you. She still thought we should keep our world and customs, only it would be the women holding the power."
"We know that," Tayvis said. "We also know you would have kept fighting to free us. You've earned our respect, des Shira."
She gave him a sad smile. "As you have earned mine, Commander. I believe there is hope, sometime in the future, for our people to become friends with yours. When we meet as equals. Lilliasa is not convinced of that. She believes your people will come to conquer us, now that Dace has escaped. If your stories of the Empire are true." Sylena sipped from the glass of juice. "She will try to kill you all before they come."
"Then we'll hide and fight only when we can't avoid it," Tayvis said. "Dace promised to be back in two months. We can survive that long."
"If you could eat our food, you would have taken over our world by now," Sylena said. "Luck fly with you. You'll need it against Lilliasa."
"Are you certain you won't come with us?"
"I am flattered by the offer, but no. This is my home." She walked past him, her head held high and proud. She slid open the door to her home and walked in, an empress returning to her kingdom.
"That's one tough lady," Will said at Tayvis' elbow.
Tayvis nodded in agreement. "What really happened?"
"Lilliasa is nuts. Mayguena had Bradoc plant explosives. She made sure he planted more than he was supposed to. Half the building came down. Most of the Electoriate died. Lilliasa used it to grab power. She turned them against Mayguena and Bradoc. They stoned both of them and proclaimed Lilliasa the new leader. The only one who isn't nuts is Sylena. The rest can't be trusted, by us or each other." He yawned and stretched. "It was pretty exciting there for a while. Sylena gathered us up and ran as soon as she realized what was happening. We stole every flyer at the place."
"And what about Dace?" Tayvis asked.
"She got on the ship, with about ten others," Will answered. "We watched them take off. The others were chasing her. You're just going to have to trust her luck that she'll make it."
"We've got about two months to wait for the answer," Tayvis answered.
"What orders?" Will asked, changing the subject.
"Send the flyers to the estates. Bring back any slaves who want to come. And steal as many more flyers as you can. The maps are in the dining area."
"We brought some back already. All the slaves at the Festival. They're gathered in the garden court. There are a few that might be trouble, though."
Tayvis looked a question at Will as they started walking.
"Gladiators," Will said. "Some of them were kept and trained as fighters. They made them fight each other and various animals at the Festival. Not all of them are human."
"Trained fighters, and you think they may be trouble for us?" Tayvis sounded skeptical.
"They seem to think they're in charge. They're waiting by the fish pond."
Tayvis changed his course, taking the path that led to the fountains he had spent weeks rebuilding.
They were gathered there, seventeen tough fighters. Only five of them were human. All of them sported bandages. They looked up as Tayvis walked into the grassy area near the fish pond.
"Well if it isn't old Bootlicker," Vance said.
"Nice to see you, too, Vance," Tayvis answered.
"Good, you're old friends," Will said brightly. "That should make things better."
"Old school chums," Vance said. "Tayvis was always polishing the commander's boots with his tongue."
"We don't have time for this," Tayvis said sharply. "Are you going to do what you're told or are we going to let you die?"
Vance got to his feet. He studied Tayvis a long moment before finally nodding.
"As you say, Commander. What orders do you have for us?" He swept his arm out, including the other battered slaves sitting behind him.
"Rest first," Tayvis said. "Will should have some medical supplies. And food. And then help load the flyers."
Will was already fetching help and supplies. Tayvis waited until the slaves were settled before confronting Vance again.
"Whatever differences we've had are in the past," he said quietly. "We have to work together or we'll all die here. This isn't one of your political games."
"I'm very well aware of that, Tayvis. But don't think you're going to push everyone around."
"Why shouldn't I think that? I outrank all of you," Tayvis said.
"Don't be too sure of that." Vance gave Tayvis a cold smile. "Until we make good our escape, I'll concede the point. No use dying needlessly."
"I'm glad you see it that way," Tayvis said with a bite to his words. "This isn't the place for your juvenile games. You start anything and I'll leave you here to die."
"Understood, Commander," Vance said. He snapped a salute at Tayvis.
; "Don't push it, Vance," Tayvis said.
Chapter 35
"Admiral on deck!"
The call echoed in my ears. I tugged my collar, uncomfortable at the attention I was getting.
"Glad you could make it, Admiral Dace," Lowell drawled. He was still unhappy at Paltronis for helping manipulate him into signing my papers. She'd insisted I have him make me an admiral. Her argument made sense at the time. Now I wasn't so sure. "Have a seat. We're just about ready to leave."
I took the seat next to him on the bridge of the ship. The crew was busy at their stations, preparing the ship for undocking.
My uniform was so new I could almost taste the starch still in it. It was black, Enforcer colors, but it had silver trim. And an admiral's stars on the collar. I wriggled my feet in the boots that came with it, calf high and glossy black. It all fit perfectly, but I still felt stifled and trapped.
Lowell sat back in his chair, nodding at the captain to confirm the undocking orders. The ship lurched as the station pushed us free.
"It was Paltronis' idea," I said as the engines revved up. The ship turned, curving away from the station.
"I didn't hear you objecting."
"You win, Lowell. You've got me in the Patrol. Isn't that what you wanted all along?"
"Somewhere in the middle I changed my mind. Too late now."
My hands itched to be at the pilot's station. I clenched them in my lap.
"We had a devil of a time figuring out the coordinates. As it is, we're still going to be flying mostly blind. There are half a dozen stars in that direction that could be the Trythian system. We're guessing."
"I trust your guesses more than most people's knowledge," I said.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." He swiveled his chair to the side, signing orders one of the crew handed him.
We were leaving before the rest of the Fleet. They would follow in two days. The plan was that Lowell's flagship, a very fast Comet class, make a quick run past the planet. Partly it was to confirm we were in the right place. Mostly it was so they could drop me off. I'd have three days to make contact. Three days until Lowell brought the full Fleet and battle groups in. Depending on what I could convince them to do on Trythia, it would either be full war or peace negotiations.
