“Best you turn your helmet on,” he said. “The prime minister’s floor isn’t exactly friendly to non-Ecomese humans.”
“Yes, sir.” When I activated my own helmet, the visor shifted over my face and the rear plating formed over my cranium.
The elevator doors slid open, and we exited onto a dazzling chamber. The walls were made of a similar membrane as the upper levels, but instead of a fleshy pink color like a human lung, it was pulsing blue. Delicately crafted statues in the same blue color dotted the vast area, and I saw an elevated throne at the far end of the chamber. Rune circles surrounded each statue, and the largest group of sigils encircled the throne.
“They call it ‘hemomancy,’” Captain Cross said as we approached the empty throne and the two male guards standing beside it. “The Dax learned how to manipulate this behemoth, and that’s how they crafted this place out of its body. Both the Ecomese and the Dax have since lost the art, but the Ark remains.”
“The prime minister will be with you shortly,” the guard to the left said.
A second later, the beautiful Ecomese woman entered the chamber through a rear curtain. Her sheer gown seemed to float on her supple skin as she sat on the throne, and my eyes were drawn to the sharp curves of her body. She seemed even more stunning than the day before, and I forced my gaping mouth closed.
“I thought you were a prime minister, not a queen,” Captain Cross said in jest as she sat on the throne. His cordial tone surprised me, but I figured he was trying to keep the prime minister off-guard. In response, I relaxed my shoulders a little and tried not to look like we planned on confronting her about the power plant.
Prime Minister Treyin smiled broadly. “There is little difference on Ecoma.”
“It’s a big change,” he said.
“Time changes everyone. Now, why have you visited me tonight? I assume you have not entered the depths of the Den Ark to rekindle an old flame.”
Captain Cross bristled. “No, I haven’t.”
“Who is your friend?” the woman said as she held out a long-fingered hand toward me.
“Squire Nicholas Lyons,” the captain said. “We spoke about him earlier.”
My chest swelled upon hearing that I’d been the subject of a conversation between these two.
“Ah, yes, the one who saved your starship.” The prime minister set her eyes on me. “Hello, Nicholas,” she said with a lilting accent, and I felt a presence glance against my skin, caressing it with ephemeral hands. It didn’t quite reach into my mind like a diviner’s touch, but I could tell the woman was discerning my emotions.
I tried to relax, and then the prime minister’s smile deepened.
“A superb effort,” she said. “This one might learn how to stave off an empath’s touch yet.”
“He won’t need to learn,” the captain said, “because you’re going to give me a hundred implants.”
“Don’t be silly,” Treyin said with a dismissive wave, still watching me with her narrow eyes. “I will do no such thing. Is that why you came here tonight? To offer me this handsome young man as a conjugal gift?” The prime minister’s gaze became hungry, and I could see her imagination peel off my armor and the clothes beneath it.
Prime Minister Treyin sighed, placed both hands on the skeletal arms of her throne, and pushed herself to her feet. With the elegance of a dancer, she moved down the stairs. Each step caused her breasts and hips to sway, and her lips turned up as she glanced at me.
Then I remembered she could feel everything I was feeling, and my neck burned as I forced myself to look away.
The guards beside the throne chuckled, and the prime minister let out her own mirthful giggle.
“Enough, Treyin,” Captain Cross said. “Leave the lad alone.”
“You are simply no fun anymore, Atticus,” she said as she traced a finger over my chest. I couldn’t feel her touch because of my armor, but my body responded with a groan. “Nicholas, did you know the most powerful empaths among us can influence the emotions of another person?”
Her tongue slipped out from her mouth. It was glistening wet and tinged blue as though she’d eaten a handful of blueberries. She traced a line around her lips, and I exerted all of my will into stopping myself from groaning with desire.
“Enough!” Captain Cross yelled, and the guards immediately slanted their staves toward him.
Treyin lifted her hand, and the men lowered their weapons after hesitating for a second. My desire for the woman faded, leaving only a throbbing unfulfilled promise.
The captain and the prime minister engaged in a staring match, neither willing to concede. Whatever history they shared made me feel like I was standing in the middle of a marital argument. One was a formidable warrior and leader of the most powerful knights I’d ever witnessed. The other was the political leader of mutated humans capable of discerning emotions telepathically.
I felt like a speck of dirt in their presence. Knowing that the minister and her two guards could detect my emotions right now only made my awkwardness increase.
“You are killing your own people,” the captain cut the air with the accusation.
Treyin frowned, and then she narrowed her eyes. “That is ridiculous. I always thought you would turn senile one day, Atticus, but this is far beyond even the imaginations of a decrepit old man.”
Captain Cross chuckled, but it carried no mirth. His eyes narrowed at the woman, and he inhaled loudly as though he were trying to control his anger.
I stared at the beautiful empath, and her eyes met mine. Her gaze made me nervous, and I could feel her playing with my emotions like they were the strings of a marionette. She wanted me to say that I must have been mistaken and deny what I had seen.
I opened my mouth to speak and then forced it shut when the captain laid a hand on my back.
“Tell the prime minister what you saw, lad,” Captain Cross said. The man’s touch snapped me out of the prime minister’s charm.
We needed to know why she was sending her own people to their deaths. If anyone could help them, it would be the Stalwart’s crew. So I swallowed deeply and started recounting my venture into the silver domed building.
“I entered the power plant inside your city,” I said. “I saw the rune circles and a thousand Ecomese inside--.”
“It is a religious ritual,” Prime Minister Treyin explained. “You Caledonians would not understand.”
“Do not interrupt the squire,” Captain Cross shot, and the prime minister gasped at the threat in his voice. “Go on, Nick.”
“A man exploded within a rune circle, and I saw the energy transfer into a runic battery.”
“Utter foolishness,” she said. “How can you believe this young man’s lies, Atticus?”
“He does not lie,” he responded.
“Have you seen the power plant with your own eyes?” the minister asked.
“I do not need to see it. He is a squire on the RTF Stalwart, and he has earned my trust.”
The prime minister glared at us both, and she seemed to sink within her throne. We had trapped a woman who was accustomed to bending others to her will and getting her way.
Captain Cross folded his arms over his broad chest. “Now you cannot deny it, Treyin. Why did you not come to me? More importantly, why do you need to do this? Are the storms insufficient to power your Ark? What need could be so great that would require the lives of the people who serve under you? What are you hiding?”
“I hide only a great sadness.” The woman frowned, and I could feel her misery like an aura. Sorrow filled me in the same way she had ignited my heart with desire.
“You are trying to manipulate my emotions, Treyin,” Captain Cross snarled. “I will not allow you to dishonor me. Try it again, and you will regret it.”
The guards at either side of the throne stepped forward and pointed their staves at the captain. The tips flared with arcane energy, and the captain placed his right hand on his sword hilt. My own hand reached over my sh
oulder, and I palmed my longsword.
We couldn’t possibly fight these three and get out of the Ark alive, so I knew the captain was merely making a show of strength. Maybe he did intend on bringing this conversation to blows, and the hardness in his weary face made me think his honor might require it.
The prime minister stared at the captain for a moment, and they seemed to engage in an invisible battle of minds. Then she sighed and shook her head. “A few of our power plant's generators were damaged. We haven’t been able to repair them since they require knowledge of rune magic. When we defeated the Dax, they took that knowledge with them. Some of our cyber alchemists have tried to repair the enchanted machines, but every attempt has failed.”
“And you have requested no help from any other kingdoms?” the captain asked.
“Any we bring here would try to take our home from us. We were enslaved to the Dax once, and we will not be shackled again. Even if I somehow convinced the Senate to allow another kingdom to help us, their ships would need to breach Ecoma’s atmosphere. The other Arks' blood-ships would take them down as soon as they tried. It was an incredibly difficult task convincing them to allow the Stalwart to enter. They would never accept an entire fleet of humanitarian ships.”
I wanted to help her, and I figured I’d suggest something.
“Can your people go to one of the other Arks? There are two more on Ecoma; surely one would allow five thousand of your people there?” I figured the other behemoths were as large as the Den Ark, so five thousand refugees would barely be a drop in an ocean.
“I have already requested the other Arks for assistance, but they will not grant it to me. My predecessor failed to maintain a good relationship with them.” She paused for a moment. “No, that is simply me being far too diplomatic. He was engaged in war with the Gor Ark, and once the treaty was signed, they vowed not to assist us. The Bix Ark felt we should be punished, so they would not help either. I was left to pick up the pieces. My people are alone in this.”
“We can fix your generators,” I said, and the captain and the prime minister stared at me in confusion. “The Stalwart has the best enchanters in the Caledonian Kingdom.” I nodded at Captain Cross, and his eyes constricted as he gave me a proud smile.
“Good thinking, Squire Lyons,” he said before turning back to the prime minister. “Our enchanters will repair your equipment.”
“Under what condition, Atticus? Do you wish to trade their services for my implants? Because I will not give them to you.”
“You would rather see your people die than hand over some of your technology? I know you’ve changed, but that’s cruel, Treyin.”
The prime minister’s jaw tightened. “It is sacred to us. I cannot expect you to understand the ways of my people. You never did.”
There was a moment of silence where neither spoke. I could almost feel the tension, and it slowly eased as Captain Cross’ expression softened into defeat.
“I will put no requirement on the service of my enchanters,” he said. “We have been friends a long time, Treyin, and I will not stand by while your people die.” The captain gazed into the woman’s eyes, and she flinched a little under his unwavering stare. The man had just promised his help without condition, and I felt honored to serve under him. In this way, he showed his loyalty to the queen and to her mercy.
Prime Minister Treyin’s lips flatlined, and she seemed to be expending a lot of energy to keep them from trembling. I saw a tear glisten in her right eye, and she let it trail down her cheek.
“I am sorry I cannot give you what you desire, but I appreciate your offer of assistance. I’m sure there is something we can provide you in return,” she said.
“There’s no need,” Captain Cross said. “Unless you have a cook and a few attendants who’d be willing to work as yeomen aboard the Stalwart?”
“Yes, I have a few people in mind. I will send you their details. In the meantime, how soon can your enchanters begin their work?”
“Right away,” Captain Cross said. “I’ll send word for them to leave the Stalwart immediately.”
“I’ll have a squad of enforcers escort them from the docks.”
“That won’t be necessary,” he said.
“I insist. It would be unfortunate if they found themselves lost on the Ark before they have a chance to repair the generators.” Prime Minister Treyin bowed her head at us both before leaving the throne room through the rear door. Her two guards remained as still and expressionless as the blue-colored statues while the captain marched out of the throne room.
“Squire Lyons, I need you to escort the enchanters into this power plant,” Captain Cross whispered to me after I marched in step with him. “Keep an eye out for anything unusual. I suspect the prime minister hasn’t been completely honest with us.”
“Yes, sir,” I said.
“I’ll have word sent to the enchanters right away. Let’s pray they recognize the runes and can repair them. Otherwise, we will leave the Den Ark a floating necropolis.”
Chapter 8
After we arrived at the crew's assigned level inside the Den Ark, Captain Cross had sent a message to the enchanters to inform them about the current situation and their assigned task inside the city’s power plant. Then he told me to wait near the elevator while he left to go speak to Commander Reynolds.
After a few minutes, Alin appeared at the other end of the corridor, trailed by four enforcers. The prime minister had insisted on armed men accompanying us into the power plant, but I was surprised to see the empath woman with them.
She bowed her head to me as she approached. “Hello, Squire Lyons.”
I heard a mechanical noise and turned to see one of the Stalwart’s servitors coming toward us. An Arcane Dust container sat within its loader, and the robot paused a meter away from me. It was followed by the Stalwart’s four enchanters: Dominic, Brad, Joseph, and Casey. They were wearing the silver enchanter uniform, the fabric glistening like glitter as they walked.
Dominic and Brad swiveled their heads from side to side, their eyes wide like startled animals. All the enchanters remained inside our starship while the squires and knights took lodgings inside the Ark, so their uncertainty was unsurprising. My experience had been similar when I first walked through the behemoth serving as a home for the evolved Ecomese humans. I still couldn’t quite believe we were all inside a living organism, but I suspended my disbelief because my senses couldn’t lie.
When I looked at Casey, her eyes were also wide, but there was no fear in them. She seemed overwhelmed by her surroundings, and she barely acknowledged me.
Casey’s grandfather, Joseph, didn’t appear phased by the strange location. Instead, all his attention was focused on me as the enchanters halted beside the servitor.
“What have you gone and done now, Lyons?” he growled at me.
“The captain should have briefed you on the mission,” I said. “The enchanters will be heading--”
“Now, where’s this power plant?” Joseph interjected as he spun to face the female empath. I had only been a second away from telling him the location before he cut me off, and I bit back my tongue so I wouldn’t say anything untoward in front of Casey. The old enchanter angered me almost as much as Ludas Barnes at the RTF Academy, but I’d learned how to control my frustration.
“I sense the tension between you two,” Alin said as she looked Joseph to me. “You should try to resolve it. It is unhealthy for a starship crew to feel like this toward one another.”
The grizzled enchanter grunted. “Thanks for the advice, love, but it’s unsolicited and unnecessary. The tension will resolve as soon as this traitorous squire jumps ship. Until then, I’m not changing my mind about him.” Joseph beckoned the servitor forward with a remote, and it came to a stop a few inches from the elevator doors. “Let’s see this power plant.”
Alin blinked a few times at the man before motioning with her hand for the elevator to open. After the servitor trudged into the compartm
ent, the four enforcers stepped inside and stood at each corner. Joseph and the other two male enchanters followed, and I entered after them with Casey and Alin.
“We were briefed on the situation,” Casey said as the empath woman commanded the elevator to take us to the city. “I can’t believe it,” she whispered to me. “How can the Ecomese kill their own people?”
“It was only the criminals at first,” Alin explained as though the question had been asked of her. “When there were no lawbreakers left, innocent people volunteered. It is sad, but there is no other way. The people are required to fuel our Ark. If we do not make the sacrifices, then they will overpower us.”
“They?” I asked. “Do you mean the other Arks?”
The enforcers shuffled on their feet, and I noticed the one standing to my left grip his staff a little tighter.
“Ah, yes,” the empath answered after swallowing. “The other Arks are a constant threat. If we show any sign of weakness, they will ally themselves and conquer us.”
I’d seen no indication the Arks were at war with each other, but I did remember Treyin's explanation of Ecoma's history and Captain Cross saying there was a tenuous alliance during the mission briefing. If all it took was a visible weakness for a full-scale war to break out, repairing those runes inside the power plant was incredibly important. No wonder the prime minister had seemed so grateful for the captain’s offer of assistance.
“Well, it’ll all be sorted in no time,” Casey said. “We won’t have any trouble fixing up your generators. If it’s a rune, we can repair it.” The enchantress smiled at the empath.
“Some of us are more useful to the Stalwart than others,” Joseph said from behind me, and I turned to see his glower. The other enchanters beside him offered me sympathetic smiles, and I returned my focus frontward to the elevator doors.
Finding out I’d been responsible for sending Polgar after the crew had only made Joseph dislike me more. What was originally distaste because he assumed I was after his granddaughter seemed to have evolved into outright hatred. He blamed me for Casey’s leg injury, and although it was now healed, I doubted he would forgive me anytime soon. Somehow, I’d have to win him over.
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