Flower Queen

by Lilliana Rose

  “Now.”

  Rangit pulled the lever. The engines of the ship groaned and whirled in shock at being forced to go in reverse while at full speed.

  “Hold it there. Hold it there!”

  Rangit put both hands on the lever, keeping it in place.

  The ship shook violently. The vibrations came up Braklen’s legs, through his body and down his arms, making it difficult for him to keep hold of Rangit’s chair.

  We’re going to die. The rabbit squeezed under the panels near Triena’s feet. She sat with her eyes closed, deep in meditation.

  Braklen braced himself the best he could. He’d given the only other spare seat in the bridge to her. The movement of the ship pushed him forward, momentarily holding him before he was thrown backwards. His back hit the wall and he slid down, gasping for air.

  “Nearly there. Just a bit longer.” Rangit released his grip, turned around and looked at Braklen. “It worked.”

  Braklen sighed with relief, still struggling to get his breath. Rangit wiped his forehead.

  The ship cruised for a moment, then began rocking violently, as if it was having some sort of a fit. The noise caused Braklen to cover his ears. It’s going to explode. Metal groaned and strained. Sparks popped under the console.

  “No, no, no, no,” Rangit turned and looked at the controls. Suddenly, everything went still. The lights flickered, then died. They were left in silence and darkness. A chill crept over Braklen. They will be here soon.

  ~ ~ ~

  Triena faced the blue ship in the Energy Field. Her essence shivered as the large ship came toward her. There wasn’t a plan. She had no idea what to do, but she was sure as hell going to try and stop it and the only way she could think to do that was to stand in its way.

  Blue hues reflected off her etheric form and she fought against the natural desire to flee. The vessel didn’t slow, not that she really expected that to happen.

  She breathed in, sharp and strong, pulling in the surrounding energy into a tight ball between her palms. She rolled the fiery energy in her hands shaping into a sphere. Then, she threw the ball of fire as hard as she could towards the ship. It left a tail like a comet against the black backdrop of the Field.

  The ball hit the bow of the ship, to the right. A hole gaped in the blue as the red flames consumed the energy of the ship. Quickly Triena drew in more fiery energy from around her and threw another ball at the ship. Then a third. Heat radiated from the ship as its bow burned. The blue color of the ship faded, but it hadn’t even slowed. It maintained its momentum and continued towards her.

  The ship was nearly on top of her. She was sure that if it hit her then it would break her essence into a thousand pieces and she would be absorbed in the Field before having a chance to put herself back together. I’m not moving. I will stop you. The Queens had caused enough problems in her life already, she wasn’t about to let them have the upper hand by destroying her in the Energy, or capturing her.

  Determined not to give up, Triena pulled in more fire energy, but the element had been depleted around her and there wasn’t enough heat except for the tiny flame in her hand. She threw it at the ship. The ship was too close and the flame disappeared in the ship’s energy without destroying anything.

  There was no time to do anything else. The ship descended down on her. She shielded her vision with her arm and wait for a shattering sensation to pull her apart.

  At least I tried. She wished there had been more she could’ve done. Captain Ri had trained her, she had the skill. I could’ve done more. Manipulated the Energy, if only I’d taken time to do that instead of teaching Braklen. The thoughts rolled in waves in her mind, swirling around as she waited for her end. He didn’t manage to learn much. I’ll miss him.

  Her heart ached for him. Sadness welled around her. The Queens had managed to keep them apart yet again. They know we’re stronger together. This made her angry at them for keeping them apart, but also at herself for losing against them. I’m meant to have a great skill. Some great skill, she thought sarcastically.

  A bump in the Field rippled over her and she instinctively looked around her. The ship moved out of her way. I did it! I stopped it.

  Triena looked at the ship. Of course, they don’t want me to break into a thousand pieces. They want me for their reading.

  She moved after the ship, then gasped as she realized what was happening. Another ship, the Petal, glowed orange in the Field. It was the skeleton of their ship, and she could see pulses of light inside the ship. Rangit, Braklen, the rabbit and her physical self. They know exactly where we are.

  Disappointment pulsed in her essence. She moved towards the ship. I’ll stop them. Something tugged at her. No, leave me here. The familiar pull drew her back and she fought against it. I can do more work here. A jolt sent her tumbling back towards herself.

  Triena’s essence slammed back into her body. Her eyes flicked open. “You should’ve left me there. I was helping.”

  You weren’t doing jack shit, thought the rabbit at her feet.

  “You little shit. You brought me back.”

  Someone has to look out for you.

  Triena looked around, Braklen lay on the floor, Rangit was slumped over the controls. Smoke rapidly filled the room. Damn.

  She unbuckled herself, wincing from the bruises the seatbelt had left across her body. Stumbling to her feet, she rested her hand against the wall to steady herself.

  Go to the reading room, thought the rabbit. Get some flowers. They’ll be here soon.

  “Not without Braklen.”

  I’ll rouse him.

  Before Triena protested, the rabbit bounced over to Braklen and bit his ear. He jumped about a foot in the air and looked around bewildered for a moment before he saw the rabbit. He rubbed his ear. “Fuck the Queens.”

  Oh, I will be soon.

  It’s over, answered Triena. She didn’t know how the rabbit could have any optimism that they would survive now. She hadn’t been aware how easily they were seen in the Energy Field, even when surrounded by the tons of metal of their ship. Once the Peacekeepers boarded, they’d be able to go straight to wherever Triena and Braklen were on the ship. Regardless of whether or not they tried to hide or fight, they’d be captured very soon.

  Hurry up. Get to the reading room. The rabbit went over to Rangit. Don’t be so doom and gloom. We’re not done yet. He sank his teeth into Rangit’s ankle.

  Rangit howled. The rabbit was quick, and bounced out the way before Rangit could kick him.

  “Fine, then.” Triena helped Braklen up. “Come on, back to the reading room.”

  “How the hell is that going to help?”

  Triena shrugged her shoulders. For once she’d decided to listen to the rabbit. She was spent, exhausted from coming back from the Field so rapidly. She didn’t think that the chances of them getting out of this were good. If I can get some of the special blend, that will help. She didn’t want to take it, not really, though if she took it now, it would help her to be alert. And she needed to be alert because if a chance came along to alter the balance in their favour she needed to be ready.

  Get moving.

  Triena pushed Braklen through the door. “We’ve got supplies to fetch.”

  “I don’t really want to go back to that room,” said Braklen.

  Rangit pushed past them. He went along the corridor in the opposite direction. “Supplies, I’ll be back soon.”

  “I could do with some help,” said Triena. Rangit kept moving away from her. “Thanks.” She helped Braklen into the reading room. Her mouth watered knowing that soon she’d finally drink the special blend.

  Braklen stood by the table. “I won’t be drinking any more tea.” He folded his arms across his chest.

  “Whatever you say.” Triena wan
ted to make the special blend, now, right now, but her mind kept slipping towards the stocks of dried flower buds.

  “What about escape pods?” asked Braklen. “You’ve got to have escape pods. Every ship is meant to have escape pods.”

  “We don’t.” Rangit walked into the room carrying half a dozen weapons. “You ready?” He looked at Triena, his face shadowed with fear.

  She nodded. “As much as I can be.” I’ll be better after some tea.

  “They haven’t got us yet.” He placed the particle guns on the table. “Pick your weapon.”

  Triena looked at the various models. She picked up one she’d used before, or at least one she’d thought she’d used before. Particle guns weren’t something that she knew much about.

  “I don’t think you should have this.” Braklen took the gun away from her. “You really aren’t much of a crack shot.”

  “Neither are you.”

  “At least I hit the enemy.” Braklen held the gun out of her reach, forcing her to lean over him in order to try to snatch it back.

  “It was the pressure.” Triena missed the gun. Her hands opened ready to grab again.

  “Yeah, right.”

  Rangit grabbed the gun from Braklen. “She needs to be armed.” He handed the weapon to Triena. “Please don’t hit me with it.”

  Triena swallowed. She didn’t want to even fire the weapon. “I won’t.”

  “Don’t believe her,” said Braklen. “She’s a mean shot, for all the wrong reasons.”

  “As long as she is firing at them, holding them back, that’s all we need.” Rangit began checking the firearms, making sure that they were loaded and working. He handed another particle gun to Triena. “One for each hand.”

  “This really isn’t a good idea.” Braklen picked up a gun. “You know if we had escape pods at least we would have been well out of here by now.”

  “Well, we don’t, so get over it,” grumbled Rangit. He put an extra gun in the back of his belt. “Arm up, the longer we can keep shooting the longer we are going to survive.”

  So, escape is no longer an option, thought Triena.

  If we fight long enough then an escape option might come up for us, answered Rangit.

  “What is that noise in my head?” Braklen shook his head as if an insect had crawled into his ear and he was trying to get it out.

  “Something for you to ignore for now.” Triena placed the guns through her belt at her hips. The ship jolted and she stumbled into Rangit, who caught her, then pushed her back on her feet. She glanced at Braklen and detected a wave of jealousy in his aura. It caused her to smile. Good to know he still wants me.

  They are here. The rabbit hopped into the reading room. Triena felt his energy radiating with panic, which didn’t help the queasiness she felt. The rabbit had only been this stressed when she’d cut off his ears.

  Yeah I know, answered Braklen.

  Hey, you can hear me?

  “Where should we hide?” asked Braklen.

  The rabbit thumped his foot on the ground. You can hear me?

  “His skill seems to be coming and going,” said Triena.

  Great that’s not what we need right now. The rabbit hopped over to the side table where the dried flowers were kept. There’s no place to hide.

  There must be, answered Braklen.

  This is going to annoy me.

  “Triena?” Braklen grabbed her arm. “Where do we hide?”

  “It’s too late for that.” She looked into his eyes. “We can fight here, and hope that we gain some ground with them.”

  I still think we could hide, thought Braklen.

  We can’t. They’ll find us using the Energy, thought the rabbit. It’s best that we fight. He stretched his body upwards sniffing at the boxes as if trying to find something. I think I can smell Jesleuma. Open the cupboard, Braklen. Quickly.

  “That rabbit is ignoring me. You’re more interested in food,” said Braklen to the animal. “Your belly is really quite something.”

  Tell him not to use the Energy to speak if he can’t hear me, thought the rabbit to Triena. And open the cupboard, there’s some Jesleuma. If he drinks it he might be able to use the Energy more reliably.

  “Try not to use the Energy to speak, Braklen.” Triena opened the cupboard. Using the Energy, she ran her hands over the boxes, feeling for the Jesleuma. Vibrations in the ship unbalanced her, making it difficult for her to feel the Energy. But she forced herself. She had to. To help Braklen. Lighting shot into her hand. She jumped. She removed the box and lifted out the jar.

  “Why is this what you wanted me to do?” He looked genuinely surprised. “I just don’t get you. You want me to use the Energy, you don’t want me to use the Energy. You want to hide, you don’t want to hide. You love me, you hate me. Which is it?”

  Triena turned around. She stepped up to Braklen and kissed him hard on the lips. His rant stopped.

  We don’t have time for that, you two, thought the rabbit.

  Triena nudged the rabbit to push him away. We do. She enjoyed the salty taste of Braklen’s mouth, and moved her lips over his, slipping in her tongue. Her energy folded around his and they began to fuse their auras. Her vibration raised his, taking away his fear and pushing it aside with love. Her love.

  The sort of love she’d held down deep in her heart too scared to share. Too fearful to even acknowledge it was there. She’d been blind. Tempted by the power of the Queens. But, the love had been there, waiting for her to find it once more.

  Now that she had she wasn’t going to let it go. Not matter what happened. The outside world began to slip away. She felt in his vibrations that he feared for her. He didn’t want to lose her.

  Rangit cleared his throat.

  Triena pulled gently away from Braklen. “We’ll finish that later. But now, I need you to be at my side. Okay?”

  He brushed his finger down the side of her cheek. His touch caused her skin to prickle. “Okay,” he whispered.

  “Good. Trust me.” She pulled away reluctantly and started to make some tea.

  “Tea at a time like this?” Fear began to resurface within Braklen.

  “It will help you use the Energy.” Triena got down cups for herself and Rangit and began making the special blend, adding in an extra amount of quem leaves in her cup to stop the space sickness that twisted her gut into a thousand knots. Plus, she was getting fidgety the longer she left making up the special blend. Captain Ri had all the ingredients here for her to make up the tea.

  “But didn’t I?”

  “You’re slipping in and out without realizing what you’re doing. I need you to be able to use it properly.”

  Get the dried flowers out now, thought the rabbit.

  Settle down. Triena picked up the small package of dried flowers and slipped it under her belt in a hidden pocket.

  She handed the tea to Braklen. He took a long time smelling the tea before he tentatively took a sip. “Tastes a little strong.”

  “Better that way.” Triena leaned against the side table and drank her tea. The tension eased gently inside of her.

  You could’ve gotten me some, thought the rabbit.

  She reached behind her and sprinkled some dried leaves in front of the rabbit. Knock yourself out.

  “This is great stuff,” said Rangit. “Where did you learn this blend?”

  “Best not to ask.” Triena drained her cup of tea. She could feel the effects already. Her mind was extra alert, the tiredness had gone. “I’m ready.”

  “Me too,” said Rangit.

  “Who is going to look after the rabbit?” asked Braklen.

  “I am,” said Triena. You make sure you help me, she thought to the rabbit.

  I always do.

  �
�Come on,” said Rangit, standing. “I reckon we have just enough time to make it down to the cargo bay.”

  “That’s where they are?” asked Triena.

  Rangit nodded.

  “Let’s go then.” Triena started to follow Rangit out of the room.

  Braklen caught her arm and pulled her close. He kissed her softly on the lips. She shivered under his touch. “Stay safe. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “You too.” She kissed him back wishing they could stay like this. Then they wouldn’t have to face a fight with the Peacekeepers, and whatever came after that. It was likely to be death, whether that was now or after the Queens used her in a reading.

  Chapter 11

  “They should come through there.” Rangit pointed to the small door to the right. Triena walked down the metal steps into the cargo bay behind Rangit. She held the rabbit close to her chest. Her pulse rapid, mind alert she was on edge, ready to finally face the Queens. This wasn’t where she was hoping to meet them. It would’ve been better to have made it to Earth.

  They will want to take you alive. Braklen too. You two are important to them.

  What about Rangit? Triena didn’t like the idea of being used in the reading.

  Disposable.

  And yourself?

  Edible.

  She buried her face in his black fur. I don’t know what I’ll do without you.

  You managed just fine when you lost me in the pub.

  Trust you to remind me of that at a time like this.

  Braklen pulled out a crate to offer them some protection. “Better than nothing.” He knelt down and held up a particle gun at the door. “So, the plan is to shoot at anything that comes through the door.”

  “Years of Peacekeeping training coming in handy, huh?” Rangit positioned himself behind a crate.