“How many times are we gonna cheat death?” Nathan asked. “There must be a limit.”
Richard grinned at his brother. “We’re the Stalwart; there’s no limit!”
“That was far too close for my liking,” Neville said as he shook his head.
“Good work, crew,” Captain Cross said as his image appeared on the view screen. “The day’s not over yet. We’re heading back to Ecoma to regain control of the Den Ark.”
“Time for a beer. I need to quench my thirst before cutting Sir Uram down with my axes,” Olav said as he exited the gunnery.
I followed the squires into the passageway, and we gathered at the elevator with the other crew members who’d fought inside the primary gunnery. The squires and knights shared a round of handshakes and hugs before their expressions turned dour.
We still needed to regain control of the Den Ark from Sir Uram. It might be easier with Prime Minister Treyin’s assistance, but I didn’t imagine the Star Spear would hand it over without a fight.
The doors opened, and I felt a strange impulse to remain behind. I couldn’t shake the feeling as everyone entered the elevator. The thought came to me that I might die if I left this deck. I didn’t know where it had come from, but I knew I needed to stay here.
“I’ll catch up with you all soon,” I said.
A dozen people frowned in confusion at me, but the elevator doors closed too soon for them to offer any objections. I turned to face the passageway and wondered why I felt like I couldn’t leave Deck 3.
A desire to move further down the deck compelled my feet forward, and I turned into the deployment room. Realization came like a dark pit on my stomach when I saw the woman leaning on the table.
Prime Minister Treyin smiled at me, and my eyes were drawn to her breasts pressing against her sheer robes. She folded one leg over another, and the slit in her garment exposed a slender gray thigh. The thought of running my hand up her leg entered my mind, and I moved toward her.
“Hello, Squire Lyons.” Her accented voice was husky, and a shiver of desire ran down my body. When I approached, she deactivated my helmet, gripped my neck in her hand, and stared into my eyes. Her irises were like pools of mercury, alluring and lethal.
Then I realized what was happening. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t pull away from the woman. Her touch was soft, and while she was too weak to keep me here physically, my desire kept me rooted to the spot.
“I need you to take me to the Den Ark,” she said as her fingers played with my hair. “Now. We must arrive before the Stalwart does.”
“I don’t know if my ability will take us all the way there,” I said, and my mind was hit with a crippling guilt for denying this beautiful woman her request. “The Den Ark is many kilometers away, and I have never teleported over so great a distance.”
“We have no other option. If I do not prepare the Ark before the Stalwart’s arrival, then your crew will surely kill me.”
“I don’t want you to die,” I said. “But I can’t teleport.”
Suddenly, Treyin pulled my mouth to hers. Her blue lips met mine with a touch of frost, and then our tongues danced together. She gently pushed my head away while I tried to begin another round.
“Later,” she whispered. “Sir Uram must be dealt with. Otherwise, he will reveal information that would lead to my death.”
“I won’t allow you to die,” I said. “I will protect you, fair maiden.” I felt a little silly speaking like this, and I knew Treyin was manipulating me, but I couldn’t do anything to stop myself.
I was helpless.
“I knew you would protect me, but I am no maiden,” Treyin said with a smirk. “Now, take me to the Den Ark.”
My hands wrapped around the prime minister, and I pulled her toward me. I replaced my sensual thoughts with the image of the crew killing Treyin. The negative energy washed over me and filled me with the power I needed to teleport. I imagined standing inside the docks where Olav and I had fought the Dax, and then my atoms pulled apart. They were reunited inside the Den Ark, and Treyin pulled me into a kiss again. My tongue explored her mouth, and I tasted the coolness of her blue-blooded flesh like chilled strawberries.
Fear gripped me as I remembered how I had left the Ark, and I pulled away from the prime minister and looked at the bulkheads. The organic arms were already there, and they shot toward us. I pulled out my longsword and jumped in front of Treyin.
I was prepared to give my life to protect her from harm.
Before the appendages extending from the wall could attack us, Treyin raised a gray-skinned hand. The arms all halted in midair, and then they returned to the bulkheads like chastised house pets.
“Prime Minister Treyin,” a voice called, and I turned to see a Dax initiate in black armor bow his head.
“Where is Sir Uram?” she asked.
“He is inside the control center,” the man replied.
“Good. He will now know of my arrival since he no longer controls this Ark.”
The initiate scowled. “The terms of our agreement stated that we were to maintain control until—”
“Kill him,” Treyin said to me as she gestured at the initiate.
Part of me wanted to object, but the other part desired to obey the beautiful woman, and it was far stronger. I rushed toward the Dax initiate, and my longsword split open his stomach before he could draw his weapon. The man gasped as his intestines spilled out of the wound, and he dropped to his knees in the terror of death.
“Finish your work,” the prime minister said, and I spun around to separate the man’s head from his shoulders.
“Excellent,” Treyin said with a smile that made my heart beat double-time. “I can see why Atticus places such a high value on you. Now, come my hero and protector, we have a Star Spear to kill.” She linked her arm in mine, and we walked past the giant robots inside the passageways to the egg-shaped elevator.
“Why am I doing this?” I asked. “Why do I love you so much? I need you.” It felt like I had to force the words out of my mouth.
“You don’t want to disobey me,” Treyin said as we entered the elevator. “You wish only to serve me.”
I nodded with understanding. This woman loved me as I loved her. It was plain from the way she stared into my eyes, from the movement of our tongues, and the touch of her fingers as they sifted through my hair.
The elevator halted at a lower level, and we entered the passageway filled with the blue-colored statues created by ancient hemomancy. I stared at them in wonder as we walked through the curtain in the throne room. The chamber beyond was like the inside of a giant ribcage, and a pulsing organ covered in runes was suspended from the ceiling. Azure statues extended like armed gargoyles from the walls, and they stared below at a single figure: Sir Uram.
The Star Spear stood in front of the organ, arrayed in full armor and holding his sword in preparation for battle.
“You broke our agreement, Treyin,” he said with a scowl.
“Please, Sir Uram, you stand no chance against me.”
“For the emperor!” he screamed as he charged.
I rushed to meet the warrior, but before we could clash, shining blue figures dropped from above. They landed on top of the Star Spear, and I realized they were the blood-statues come to life. Sir Uram pushed them away from him, but more continued to fall like sapphire rain.
The first wave didn’t last long against the man’s spear, and he slashed them to bits. The more he killed, the more continued to spew forth from above. I watched in horror as eventually the sheer numbers overwhelmed the great warrior. The blood-statues pulled apart his armor before wrenching his limbs apart at the sockets. He battled the entire time, and I turned away in disgust at the brutality.
The blood-statues climbed the walls and returned to their perches while Sir Uram’s mangled body lay on the floor.
“Sir Uram,” Captain Cross’ voice boomed inside the rib. “We have defeated your brethren and closed the LR portal outsi
de Ecoma. You are defeated. Hand over control of the Den Ark to Prime Minister Treyin.”
“Hello, Atticus,” Treyin replied.
“How did you get--”
“All that matters now is that I have regained control of my precious behemoth,” she interrupted. “I have found the person responsible for all our troubles. I will show you him when you arrive.”
Captain Cross tried to speak, but the prime minister ended the call with a flick of her wrist.
“I’m not sure Captain Cross will want to see this,” I said as I gestured at the parts of Sir Uram on the ground.
“Oh, I will have this mess cleaned up long before he gets here.”
“But you said you would show him the person responsible,” I said. Against reason, I was still infatuated with the woman. This wasn’t a matter of rationality, but primal desire at its purest.
My questions faded as the prime minister embraced me, and I breathed in her sweet scent.
“You are going to tell the captain that I am responsible for Sir Uram gaining control of the ark, aren’t you?” I said after we’d finished another passionate kiss.
“You are most perceptive, Squire Lyons,” she said with a smile that made me want to grab her again. “Do you wish to tell the crew otherwise?”
“I want you to be taken to account for betraying your own people, but I will take the blame for you. I can’t do otherwise.” I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t do anything besides please the beautiful woman.
“Of course you can’t. I have complete control over your desires.” She smiled at me in pity and then turned to march through the curtains.
I followed Treyin like a shadow as we stepped on an elevator and took it to the docks. When we entered a chamber, the eye-port slowly opened, and the Stalwart landed beside a gangway.
As the starship’s cargo ramp descended, I realized I would mark myself a traitor again if only to spare Treyin from the guilt. I hated that I was so easily manipulated by the woman, and I tried in earnest to open my mouth to accuse her. Except I couldn’t. It wasn’t like she was forcing me to do her will; I wanted to take the blame. She had implanted in me the desire to only do what she willed.
The eye opened a second time, and two blood-ships docked behind the Stalwart. I saw enforcers exit from each one with Senator Rovin and Senator Goy behind them.
The crew left the Stalwart and took their places in front of us. The squires and artillerymen stood behind the knights while Captain Cross and Commander Reynolds approached Prime Minister Treyin and me.
“Now I know how you were transported to this Ark,” Captain Cross said as he nodded at me. “Did Sir Uram put up much of a fight?”
“He was valiant even until death,” I said.
“You killed him?” Commander Reynolds asked. “It would have been wise to keep him alive. We could have interrogated him. I would have liked to know how he managed to orchestrate this takeover.”
“That would not have been necessary, Vanessa,” Treyin said. “For the man responsible stands beside me.”
Every eye turned to me.
“Squire Lyons?” Captain Cross asked. “He was the mastermind behind the Dax attempt to take Ecoma?”
“I wish it weren’t so,” Treyin said.
“Do you have evidence?” Commander Reynolds said, and I was surprised to hear her defend me after her past skepticism.
“I have footage of Squire Lyons speaking with Sir Uram inside the city. It was there that they conspired to enslave the Ecomese people again. The squire agreed to enhance the levels of the portals all over the planet. They knew the Stalwart would offer assistance to the other Arks, thereby leaving the Den Ark ripe for takeover.”
I stared at the ground, unable to look at the reactions of my fellow crew members. I could hardly believe my ears, but I couldn’t object because Treyin’s empath powers forced me to remain silent.
I glanced up at the crew and focused on my desire to be a member of the RTF Stalwart. The squires, knights, and artillerymen provided me with a sense of belonging. They made me feel like I was a cog in a massive machine, doing my part to serve the Caledonian Kingdom.
Except it wasn’t enough.
My mouth remained shut, and my tongue refused to utter any words.
There was only one person I wanted to serve more than Treyin. The one person who made everything else possible. The person who reigned upon the golden throne inside Castle Stirling.
Queen Catrina.
“Captain!” I yelled. “None of this is true. Treyin is—”
“Silence!” the prime minister snapped, and my mouth closed immediately. I tried to speak, but my tongue couldn’t form any words.
“Continue, Treyin,” Captain Cross said as he stared at me.
“It is as I said. Squire Lyons is responsible for all our ills. He struck a deal with the Dax and sprung them from the prison residence. I can see he is a Caledonian Outlander, and I know their kind. They will lie, cheat, and steal if only to fill their pockets. Did you know he planned to leave the Stalwart and join the Dax Star Spears for an inordinate reward? I thought you were observant, Atticus, but clearly this man passed beneath even your discerning nose.”
“That is unsettling,” Captain Cross said. His expression remained stoic as always, so I couldn’t tell whether he believed what Treyin had said. But how could he not? She had been a member of the crew before, and I knew there was once a strong bond between her and the captain.
“I agree,” Treyin said as she frowned. “I know you all better than Squire Lyons. He has betrayed you once before. What makes you think he wouldn’t be capable of treachery a second time?”
“A treacherous man is always capable of cheating again,” Captain Cross nodded as he quoted the proverb.
“I was part of the Stalwart’s crew for many years,” she said, and her tone became desperate. “We fought in battles together. We shared meals together. I loved you all.”
I realized that I couldn’t compete with Treyin. Captain Cross and the rest of the crew would now think me a traitor again. My tongue was tied, so I could give no defense.
I watched every member of the crew look to the prime minister, then back at me. They swiveled their heads a few times before looking at each other.
Then everyone burst into laughter.
“You loved only yourself, Treyin. You were the one who defected from the RTF. You swore an oath to the king, to serve the Caledonian Kingdom for the rest of your days. And you broke it. You wanted the prestige of commanding this Ark, so you returned to your homeland after denouncing your blood ties to it.”
“Atticus, you must know--” she began.
“I know it was you who conspired with the Dax,” he interrupted. “This much became clear when you were so willing to hand over the Bix Ark. I am no fool. I don’t doubt you have been planning this since before the Stalwart arrived.”
“We will deal with her,” Senator Goy said as he gestured at his enforcers.
“So be it,” Treyin said as the armed men moved toward her. “You will all die!” she screamed and flicked her hand toward the bulkheads. I expected the organic arms to sprout from them, but nothing happened. The prime minister glanced from left to right in confusion.
The woman’s magic hold on me dissipated, and my desires were my own. She turned toward me with wide eyes, and her hand dropped to her sword. I jumped forward to grab Treyin’s arms, and I pulled them behind her back before pushing her to the ground. I felt no guilt at handling her roughly, and my skin crawled as I remembered the desires she’d inserted into my mind.
I didn’t know how her ability had faded, or why the bulkhead arms hadn’t responded to her command. I was just glad to be free again.
I got my answer when the crew members parted and Matthias walked down the aisle.
“The implant inside your scalp prevents other empaths from reading your emotions and allows you to control this Ark,” the machina explained as he circled the prime minister. “Unfortunately
, all the implants are afflicted with a rather serious security loophole. One I shall fix when we obtain them from you.”
“You will never have them.” Treyin laughed as the enforcers bound her wrists and ankles. “There are no more remaining on my Ark. Sir Uram already shipped them to his base.”
Senator Goy coughed, and everyone turned to him. “Senator Rovin has informed me that he wishes to gift the Stalwart’s crew with his stock of implants. He has more than enough for his people, and he wishes to pay back the kindness shown to him by the two great warriors.”
“Warriors!” Senator Rovin echoed as he ran over to Olav and thrust his hand into the air.
“I told you clearing the portal was a good idea, Squire,” the berserker said as he winked at me.
“Deal with Treyin as you wish,” Captain Cross said to Senator Goy. “I only ask that you do not kill her.”
“I can make no promises,” the senator answered. “But I will do my best to fulfill your request.”
After the enforcers dragged Treyin to a blood-ship, the captain and commander exchanged words with the two senators. The crew gathered around me, and they were all wearing grins. Their loyalty toward me put me at a loss for words, and I was glad when the squires jumped me with a big group hug.
“Fancy that empath thinking she could call you a traitor,” Nathan said.
“Everyone knows you’re with us now,” Neville said.
“For better or worse!” Richard added.
“Listen up, crew!” Captain Cross yelled, and we all turned to him. “We will remain on Ecoma while you are each provided with implants. After you receive the surgery, you’ll be assigned a role. Knights and squires will assist with any open Grendel gateways while enchanters fix the rune-turrets in the Watchtowers. Everyone else will be helping repair the Stalwart. Good job today, crew. You served the queen with bravery!”
“For the queen!” everyone roared.
“Captain,” I said, and the man turned to me. “The Dax know there are active portals on Ecoma now, so won’t they return?”
“We have already decided upon a course of action,” Senator Goy answered after overhearing. “There are free planets elsewhere in the system who would offer us protection in exchange for our stores of Arcane Dust. In the past, we have enforced strict trading laws for fear of outsiders, so we only sold a little to those places we knew would not try to take our Arks from us. But we may be able to strike a bargain with some mercenary armies. A simple show of strength should keep the Dax from coming to Ecoma.”
Space Knight Book 2 Page 33
