by Gun Brooke
“We’re being awful people,” Rae said, shaking her head. “I fully intend to kidnap you right here. My people tell me they have everything under control when it comes to the refugees and their health situation. No doubt something new will show up soon, but for now, you’re on leave and you’re staying in the new wing at the palace.” She winked at Gemma. “That’s an order, Commander.”
“Aye, ma’am.” Gemma glanced at Ciel. “Sound good to you?”
Ciel waited until the protector and her spouse were a few steps ahead of them. “More than good.” She took Gemma’s hand in hers. “It sounds heavenly.”
Supreme Constellations
The Queen and the Captain
Chapter One
“It’s time to board the Koenigin, Your Majesty.” A young man stood respectfully at a safe distance from EiLeen, where she sat on the long couch beneath a window. She turned her head slowly, trying to not bite the man’s head off for using her old title. Being Queen EiLeen of Imidestria was a closed chapter in her life, but the public seemed determined to not let her move on.
She had never sought to inherit a title, but when her brother, the former King Reidder, had died in a hunting expedition on Imidestria’s second moon twenty years ago, EiLeen was next in line to the throne. Having no choice, she tried to fulfill her duties but also determined to work toward a more modern system. Imidestria had long sought to join the Supreme Constellations Unification of Planets, but certain requirements had to be met, and not having a feudal system was one of them. Four years ago, EiLeen had signed the documents stating that Imidestria was now a democracy, governed by a planetary leader and their sectional administrators, all elected every five years.
Never before had EiLeen felt so liberated, so free to do what she wanted and not have to be accountable for every second of her life. She had a mind for business, which had stood her well even as a queen, and it had taken her two years to double her already immense wealth. Now her latest business endeavor was to board the Koenigin en route to Gantharat, the planet the Supreme Constellation forces had helped liberate from the oppressive Onotharian Empire.
EiLeen stood and walked briskly down the gate to where the vessel was moored. The Koenigin, a luxury cruiser, catered to the wealthy. Usually, she traveled on her own space yacht, but the situation with space pirates made such a voyage beyond SC borders dangerous. Hunt-and-assault fighter craft escorted the Koenigin whenever she went on these longer cruises.
As she stepped through the opening leading into the lobby, the captain and her senior crew greeted her.
“Welcome aboard the Koenigin, Madame Maxio. I’m Captain Dana Rhoridan and this is my next in command, Tory L’Ley. My crew and I will do our utmost to make this journey pleasant for you.” The tall ice-blond woman stood at attention before EiLeen, and though it was a relief that the captain hadn’t used her obsolete title, she had the distinct impression that Captain Rhoridan wasn’t too thrilled at her presence.
“Thank you. I wish to be shown to my quarters immediately.” She was exhausted after sitting through endless business meetings, and, though she hated to admit it, she felt every single one of her fifty-one years.
“Certainly, madame. Commander L’Ley will escort you. We’ll be on our way as soon as the rest of the passengers have boarded.”
EiLeen nodded curtly and followed the commander to her quarters. Behind them trailed several crew members and her personal assistant, Mock, hauling her hover luggage. Located on deck two, the quarters consisted of three bedrooms, en suite luxurious bathrooms, several rooms for entertaining, and an office with state-of-the-art computer and communication technology. She dismissed the commander at the door and allowed only Mock inside to unpack her baggage.
Mock had been her court attendee and footman ever since she was a mere princess. He was the closest thing to a father figure that she’d had, as her brother, the former king, had been a notorious rogue. King Reidder had hunted, chased both women and men for pleasure, and enjoyed his status as sovereign without much though for his nation’s well-being. Taking over the reins had been hard on the young EiLeen. She’d been ruthless out of necessity while reconstructing the way Imidestria ought to be governed if it was to ever become a democracy.
“When you’re done, Mock, do get some rest. We’ve been on our feet for two days straight. That’s how I feel, at least.” EiLeen removed her gloves and coat. Glancing longingly at the en suite, she knew she had more work to complete before she could indulge in a long, hot aqua-bath.
*
Dana Rhoridan removed her gold-collared captain’s jacket and tossed it onto a chair inside the door to her ready room. She virtually growled as she slumped back into her chair, frustrated with the new assignment. Flipping her computer screen open, she noticed another message from Fleet Admiral Ewan Jacelon. Yes, it was flattering for the highest-ranking officer in the fleet to contact her, but this mission was utter crap.
Dana had gotten used to working undercover during the last five years. She actually enjoyed being among mostly civilian spaceship personnel and had made some lifelong friends as their captain. Only two of her crewmembers knew of her military rank as captain: her first officer, Commander L’Ley, and the head chef, Paymé Soth. Paymé was a security officer in the SC fleet, and L’Ley held the same rank in the Marine Corps and had been undercover for almost a decade.
“And now we’re babysitting a damn celebrity. A party princess. Oh no, excuse me, a queen.” Dana pursed her lips as she drummed her fingers against the alu-carb desk. “Let’s see what Jacelon wants.” Dana opened the voice message, thinking it couldn’t be a good thing, really, to hear from the fleet admiral himself.
“Captain Rhoridan, I trust by now that you’ve rendezvoused with EiLeen Maxio and have made sure she is installed in your presidential quarters.” The white-haired handsome man who commanded the fleet and had faced down space pirates and the Onotharian Empire, and whose only daughter held one of the most powerful positions in the military as well as being a citizen of Gantharat, smiled politely. “I know you are under the impression that you’re merely delivering her like an expensive, high-profile package to Corma, but that is only half the truth. You will go via the Corma home world first, but then you need to take Ms. Maxio to the small cluster of planets between the SC and Gantharat. This is where we helped heal and train the surviving resistance members we rescued from the Onotharian asteroid prisons. Ms. Maxio has urgent business at Revos Prime and I’ve made a personal promise to her that we’ll take her there, swiftly and safely. I look forward to updates via security subspace communication channels.” Ewan Jacelon nodded curtly. “Safe journey, Captain. Jacelon out.”
Why the hell would EiLeen Maxio go to a planet inhabited only by rehabilitation staff, patients, and training camps for soldiers struggling to regain their strength to get back to reenlist? No doubt whatever endeavor the glamor-loving woman was up to involved money. The ex-queen must’ve pulled every string she’d ever collected to make someone like Jacelon dance to her tune. It still didn’t make sense, and Dana knew better than to jump to conclusions too swiftly. Something was just completely annoying about this woman—her way of dismissing people like they were nothing but space dust clinging to her survival suit. Dana hadn’t met EiLeen personally, but she’d of course read about her and seen her on transmissions when she was still the sole sovereign on Imidestria.
“And that’s another weird piece of the puzzle. Why would such an attention-seeking celebrity give up practically owning an entire planet?” Dana murmured as she rose to prepare herself for the evening’s dinner. Tradition dictated that Dana, as captain of the cruise ship, dine every evening with the VIPs. She undressed and stepped into the cleansing tube in the small en suite of her ready room. Just as she stepped out again, it dawned on her that EiLeen would most likely be at the table tonight. Wonderful.
An hour later, Dana went by the bridge to check on the unreliable space vortices they would pass later in the evening. The dust-f
illed maelstroms endangered ships unless the crew paid attention to the readings, as they moved without warning. If they managed to surprise a ship, its structural integrity could become compromised with micro fractures or even a full hull breach. So far, the vortices had stayed beyond the Bramanian asteroid belt, which meant Dana had no chance of having her dinner on the bridge instead.
She strode into the restaurant, its grandeur never ceasing to amaze her. Tall, old-fashioned brass columns supported the ten-meter ceiling. Vast viewports displayed the beauty of space on one side and a large stage at the far wall. The entertainment that commenced after dessert had been served was something new and fantastic every evening.
The table was impressively set as usual. As captain, Dana was expected to greet the VIPs chosen to accompany her, another duty she found rather silly, but she carried it out with the same diligence as she did everything else. Being the fourth generation in her family to captain a starship, Dana knew her reputation for being by-the-book and a stickler for rules and regulations preceded her.
Soon the dinner guests trickled in and Dana donned her best smile, shaking hands with dignitaries and celebrities as they took their seats. It hadn’t escaped her attention that the seat to her right held a name-cube with the Imidestrian royal insignia. Just as she started to get her hopes up that EiLeen Maxio would not show, a faint murmur traveled among the five hundred and some passengers. Dana looked over toward the entrance and couldn’t stop a gasp.
EiLeen Maxio might have abdicated, but the woman framed by the door opening radiated regality where she stood, scanning the room. Meeting Dana’s eyes, EiLeen walked with obvious confidence between the tables toward her.
“Madame Maxio, welcome.” Dana took EiLeen’s hand to greet her like she’d done with the other eighteen guests at her table.
“Thank you, Captain.” The proud stance and slight disdainful tone of EiLeen’s voice grated on Dana’s nerves.
Still holding EiLeen’s hand in hers, Dana felt an utterly out-of-character spark ignite in the back of her mind. Not sure where the impulse originated, she raised EiLeen’s hand to her lips and kissed the impossibly soft skin. She then let go of it and pulled the chair out. “I believe this is your seat.”
EiLeen’s violet eyes with their unique star-shaped pupils narrowed as she examined Dana’s appearance. Dana refused to be intimidated by the former queen and sat down. Unfolding her napkin, she placed it on her lap as she nodded to the waiters to begin. As soon as they had served the first course, Dana raised her glass, as was her duty, and toasted the guests. “May your stay aboard the Koenigin be relaxing, pleasurable, and safe.”
“Safe?” A woman two seats to Dana’s left frowned. “Surely that is a given? I’ve heard about pirates, but isn’t that a thing of the past, Captain?”
“Hush, darling,” her husband said. “This ship has its own security detail. Like a small army.” He smiled reassuringly. “Do you think Queen EiLeen would travel with this ship if it wasn’t safe?”
Dana chewed on a Cormanian asparagus as she listened to the conversation. She wasn’t surprised that the other guests knew who EiLeen Maxio was. The reputation of her extravagant way of life and the many juicy details of her private life no doubt fascinated the public.
“Just call me EiLeen.” The sonorous voice of the former queen made the man color faintly. “It’s been years since I abdicated.”
“Eh. Yes, of course, Your M—EiLeen.”
Dana smiled inwardly at the man’s discomfort. EiLeen had a way of shrinking the person she homed in on. Her eyes were like lasers, piercing right through the layers of garments and skin if you let them. Dana would make sure EiLeen knew this method didn’t work on the captain of this ship.
“Tell me, Captain, how long have you commanded the Koenigin?” Another guest farther down the table, a young man sitting next to his parents, asked the question. He was handsome with his long, wavy hair in a ponytail. Dana estimated he was at least twelve years her junior.
“Four years.” Dana smiled politely.
“You’re very young to hold such a position,” the young man’s father said. He raised his eyebrow as if to imply that he found her too young.
“I started early.” Dana was used to these types of questions. She kept her polite smile, but inwardly she sighed at the repetitiveness of this part of her job.
“Most civilian starship captains started in the military,” an older woman to Dana’s left said, her voice kind. “Was that the case for you as well, Captain?”
“Yes, it was.” Dana forced herself not to shift uncomfortably. Sooner or later this topic appeared, and she was already preparing for the almost unavoidable follow-up question.
“Well, I don’t blame you for getting out, with the war effort and everything,” the first young man said, wrinkling his nose. “I mean, I’m all for letting the hardened soldiers deal with that.” He pointedly elbowed his dad, who clearly agreed with him, judging from how he pursed his lips and nodded.
“We can thank the stars that not everyone reasons in the same spineless manner as you,” EiLeen said, and put her utensils down. “If all people regarded the universe like that, empires with a knack for oppression would soon take over every planet in our sector.”
“What—who do you—you cannot sit there and call my son spineless!” The young man’s father looked like he was about to choke. He stared at EiLeen, and Dana surmised that only her previous title kept him from demanding her thrown overboard for being insolent toward his offspring.
“I think I just did.” EiLeen smiled maliciously. “Fortunately we live in a sector of space where we’re allowed to have our opinion and not be jailed for voicing it. You see your son as the heir to your personal empire of…what is it you produce, Mr. Ta’Yans? Oh, now I remember. Among other things, you’ve built your wealth on plasma-pulse cassettes, haven’t you? I imagine the war effort has increased your wealth tenfold.” She wiped her mouth on the napkin and looked over at the approaching line of waiters. She turned to Dana, her eyes glittering. “Oh, look, how timely. The main course is here.”
Dana wasn’t sure whether to applaud EiLeen for putting the men in their place or smack her for being deliberately rude and not caring that she was. Was this what being a former queen did to you? As queen of Imidestria, EiLeen hadn’t had absolute power, but damn close to it. The political experts had speculated about her reasons for abdicating, but so far, they were a closely held secret. Dana slowly shook her head at her, wanting her to know she wasn’t entirely pleased with her display. To her surprise, EiLeen pressed her lips together and chuckled quietly while the waiters served the main course.
The rest of the meal passed without incident, but Dana was still relieved when the staff lowered the light and the entertainment began. Sitting to EiLeen’s left, she moved her chair so she wouldn’t hinder the other woman from seeing the stage. This brought them closer together and suddenly she was engulfed in EiLeen’s scent. Discreet, but distinctive, the sweet and warm perfume, mixed with something dark and spicy, wrapped around her. A woman began a gentle Imidestrian song, her voice following the enticing scent, helping it to reach yet another of her senses. She turned her head just enough to look at EiLeen, who seemed to be listening intently to the song. Such a proud profile, completely regal with high cheekbones, a delicately bent nose, and a tall forehead. EiLeen’s gray hair was combed back in stylish waves and she wore makeup that enhanced her beautiful features with a soft shimmer.
“Yes, Captain?” EiLeen suddenly murmured without turning her head. “Something I can do for you?”
Furious at being caught staring, Dana felt a blush creep up her neck and cheeks. “Just making sure I wasn’t in your way, Madame Maxio.”
“Please. EiLeen.” A faint curl of EiLeen’s lips made it clear that she wasn’t buying Dana’s explanation. “And I can see just fine.”
Dana cursed herself inwardly and kept her eyes on the performers for the duration of the show.
Chapte
r Two
The captain was an enigma and EiLeen was uncomfortable with things, or people, she couldn’t fully figure out. Looking indeed far too young for her rank, Dana Rhoridan must have doctored her past. EiLeen sat on the bed in her quarters, computer on her lap, and searched the vast files she had access to, yet she could find only the basic information regarding the Koenigin’s captain. Thirty-four years old, Earth-born human, brought up by an aunt and uncle after being orphaned at age eight, graduated from college at age sixteen while living on the Alpha VII space station, and granted early entry to the SC Fleet Academy the same year.
EiLeen studied the formal cadet picture of a very young, fresh-faced Dana glowing with obvious pride. No doubt being accepted to the academy was her dream, but something else was present in those gray eyes that narrowed so easily while displaying contempt. EiLeen pulled up more official pictures of the Koenigin’s captain. In every single one, the woman looked impeccable. She kept her blond hair in a neat, low bun, her uniform without flaws, and the same guarded expression in her eyes.
A sudden thought made EiLeen use her top security-clearance codes, which included a rather intrusive retina scan, to access Supreme Constellations data. Surely she would find more on Dana Rhoridan in the top-secret files? She entered the search parameters and waited while the computer browsed the vast assortment of documents.
A strange beep and orange-colored screen informed her that, regrettably, all information regarding Dana Rhoridan was sealed. EiLeen stared, highly annoyed. Her security clearance equaled that of Marco Thorosac, the SC’s elected leader, and still she couldn’t access these files. Infuriating! She pushed the computer aside and rose from the bed. Her legs felt jittery and her entire soul seemed to be restless. Not bothering to call on her discreet security detail that was always present, albeit quite invisible to most other people, she threw a golden-lace wrap around her shoulders and left her quarters.
