by Jaleta Clegg
He made a face at the mess. "I'll have to get a new office after this."
"That won't be the only new thing you'll get," Commander Maharta said. She slipped through the door, a blaster trained on his head. "Drop the weapon. Now."
He was going to be stupid, I saw it in his face. I shook my head in warning.
He turned, shooting as he went. Maharta was faster. She shot him down before he got to her. His last shots left smoking craters across the ceiling of the office. She lowered her blaster, watching me warily.
I slid out of the chair. None of my muscles would work anymore. I was only waiting to die. I hit the floor face first and didn't feel it. The whole office was spinning away from me. Everything blurred.
Commander Maharta crouched next to me. "We need a medic in here," she shouted.
Feet thundered in the hall.
"Commander Leighton is dead."
"He was a traitor," Maharta said sharply. "Dace?" She shook my shoulder.
"Data cubes," I mumbled. "In my dress."
She rolled me onto my back. I blinked up at what I assumed was her face. I couldn't tell.
"What did he do to you?" she asked.
"Poison. Lady Candyce…" The cramps doubled again. I curled up, fighting the nausea. I heaved up nothing but blood.
"Hang in there," Commander Maharta said. "Help is coming."
I wanted to believe her. The pain swept me away.
Chapter 55
"Five ships so far," the scan tech announced.
"That isn't enough," Lowell muttered. He watched the feed over the man's shoulder. "They all passed the correct code?"
"Yes, sir," the man answered. "Three more incoming ships."
The silence stretched, tense and waiting.
"We've been compromised," the man announced. "Two ships heading to our position. Intercept in five minutes."
"Registry?" Commander Wexford asked.
"None that matches any in our databanks," the tech answered. "They're powering weapons."
"Fire when ready," Wexford said.
Lowell stepped back, letting him command his ship. He would only be interfering at this point.
"Contact the others, pass on the warning," Wexford told his tech.
"We've lost contact with the ships at the station," the tech said. "They're jamming us."
"Two cruisers, heavily armed," the weapons officer announced. "Closing fast on our position. Shields are up. On my mark," he spoke into the com link to the gunnery stations.
"I suspect they're some of the pirates," Lowell said.
"And that's why we're really here," Wexford answered. "Not to escort your stolen ships back to base."
"I rather suspected something like this would happen," Lowell said.
"Three other ships have emerged from the nebula," the scan tech said. "They're targeting the Outlander. Five ships moving to assist."
"Let's hope they're in time," Wexford said.
"Mark!" the weapons tech said. The ship shuddered as the guns opened fire.
The pirates shot first. Their weapons impacted on the shields just before the answering fire found them. They swerved off.
"Don't chase them," Wexford said. "Hold your position. Make them come to us."
"Good thinking," Lowell said. There were probably others hiding in the nebula waiting to ambush anyone stupid enough to chase them inside.
"I don't need your approval, Commander," Wexford said sharply.
Lowell shifted more out of the way. He was back to feeling useless. He sat in the captain's chair and kept his mouth shut. There was nothing he could do but watch and hope.
"Shields holding steady."
"They're coming back around."
"Fire when ready," Wexford said.
The pirate ships flew in again, barely skimming over the Praetoris. Their weapons targeted the engines. The Praetoris rocked, lights flickered and dimmed. Alarms sounded. The crew held their positions and shot back. One of the pirate ships spiraled away, trailing smoke and debris. The other one flew back into the nebula.
"Report from the Liution," the com tech said. "Outlander has lost shields and is taking damage. No casualty reports available."
"What of the damaged pirate?" Wexford asked.
"It slipped back into the nebula. I'm detecting strong radiation readings from that area, though. I suspect it exploded."
"And the station?" Lowell couldn't help but ask.
The tech shook his head. "Still no feed from the station.."
"Detecting an incoming object, could be a torpedo," the weapons tech said. "Acquire target. Fire on my mark."
"Sir, there's an urgent message being relayed by drone. It was sent specifically to find us." The com tech swiveled in his chair.
"Hold fire!" Wexford shouted. "Communications drone sent for us?"
"From the Valhalla. They're the only ones who know we're out here," the com tech said. "Message burst coming through now." He pushed a button and the message played over the main screen.
"Commander Wexford," the face on the screen said. "Captain Ledras of the Valhalla. We know you've got contact with High Commander Lowell. Tell him High Commander Theodys committed suicide last week. At least that's the official story. There's more attached. Please forward it to him as soon as possible. Highest priority."
"Download the file," Lowell said to the tech.
"What does his suicide have to do with us at this point?" Wexford asked.
"He's involved in the conspiracy to take down the government," Lowell said, his attention focused on the tech's screen.
"It's coded, sir," the tech said.
Lowell reached over his shoulder and pressed a series of buttons. "Voice code override alpha seven." The com beeped.
The screen cleared. Text scrolled across it. Lowell scanned the text as it flowed past.
"End of message," the tech announced as the screen cleared once again.
Lowell turned to Wexford. "How fast can you get us to Linas-Drias?"
"We should go after Flanigan first," Wexford said.
Lowell shook his head. "We can't wait. It may already be too late."
Wexford looked to his navigator.
"Six days at maximum speed, if we don't stop, sir," she answered.
"Do it," Wexford said. "Tell me why, Commander Lowell."
"Because Theodys was involved and I strongly doubt he committed suicide. Someone is sending us a message. You always wanted a promotion. How would you like a seat on the High Command?"
"Bad taste in jokes, Commander."
"I'm not joking. It's past time I cleaned house. If Theodys is involved, so are half the others on the High Command."
"And what about the mission here?" Wexford argued.
"Let Querran deal with it."
"What of the ships you bargained for?"
"She'll take them, with my blessing. I may need them sometime and I know she'll take good care of them."
"We're going to Linas-Drias, one ship? How far do you think they'll let us go?"
"Why are you arguing with me, Commander Wexford?"
"Because I think you're wrong, Commander Lowell. We should stay here. This is where we're needed. And once we're done here, we should move on Flanigan."
"And in the meantime, the real leaders of the conspiracy will slip away again."
"The leaders of the conspiracy are the heads of the crime syndicates."
"Yes, true. Do you think they're just pirate lords? Do you think they live on their ships?" Lowell paused long enough to draw a deep breath. "They're on the Council of Worlds. And at least one of them has control of Patrol High Command. If that doesn't frighten you, then you have no idea of the danger we're in."
"One ship, against Linas-Drias?"
"It won't be one ship, not by the time we get there. I've got the backing of the Speaker and the Emperor."
"Is that why you're a wanted criminal?"
"I do what needs done. They both know it. Don't worry, Commander, you and y
our crew are safe from charges of treason and dereliction of duty. I'll make certain of it."
"Course is in for Linas-Drias," the navigator announced.
"Will you follow me or not, Commander?" Lowell asked.
Wexford studied him for a long moment. He finally nodded. "Make the jump," he gave the order to his crew. "Send a message to Commander Querran. Tell her where we're going and why."
Lowell nodded his approval.
"I don't know whether to hope you're wrong or right about this," Wexford said.
"I don't know, either," Lowell said.
Chapter 56
I sat next to the desk. Commander Maharta waited patiently nearby. The base commander, a man I didn't know, read through the datacubes Jeden had given me. It felt like years ago, it was only a week. I was still shaky. The fact I wasn't quite human had worked in my favor. The poison wasn't nearly as effective as Lady Candyce had hoped. I'd managed to survive yet again.
The base commander finished. He tapped his finger thoughtfully against his bottom lip. "This is quite the report. You had us all fooled, Admiral."
"I had myself fooled," I said tiredly. "It wasn't my work, Commander. I was the distraction."
"We had no agents involved, except for Admiral Dace," Commander Maharta said. "We don't know who the man is."
"Lady Candyce left on her yacht five days ago," the base commander said. "We didn't have the information verified then. We will catch up to her eventually."
"And do what? Throw her in jail?" I shook my head. "She and her friends are too well protected."
"But now that we know, we can watch them all more closely," the base commander said.
"And what about Commander Leighton?" I asked. "How many more officers are in their pay? How many more spies are buried under your nose?"
Commander Maharta shifted uneasily. "We suspected him for some time."
"What if he'd never given himself away?" I stood. I felt a hundred years old.
"Stay and help us find them," Commander Maharta begged. "You've proven your worth. You could—"
"Be recognized by most of them." I shook my head. "You made sure I was marked. Besides, I'm officially retired from the Patrol. I never wanted to join in the first place."
"Where are you going?" the base commander asked.
"Home," I said simply. I'd checked that morning. The Phoenix was still in port. I was going to beg Jasyn to take me back. I'd sign over everything to her, if it meant the nightmare would finally end. I wanted nothing more than to fly my ship wherever she told me to go.
"There's someone who wants to talk with you first," Commander Maharta said.
I shook my head. "You questioned me already. I don't want another interrogation."
"Vance Shiropi wanted a word with you, before you left."
I stiffened at his name. A lot had come clear, while I lay in the hospital recovering. I didn't want to see him. I glanced down at the ring still on my finger. I owed him at least a few minutes of my time. I gave in with a sigh.
"He's waiting downstairs," Commander Maharta said. "I'll take you there."
I followed her silently through the halls. I wore a borrowed uniform that was too big, with no rank insignia. It was gray, a serviceman's jumpsuit. Everyone still knew who I was. They saluted as we passed.
Commander Maharta took me to the back of the Patrol complex, where the civilian mixed with the military. She knocked on a door and opened it. I stepped inside the room. She pulled the door shut behind me.
Vance stood at the window, looking down into the street outside. I studied him for a long moment. He reminded me a lot of his father. His face was set in a mask that gave nothing away.
He finally turned towards me, a faint smile curving his lips. "Dace. You cut your hair."
"Yes." I'd shaved it partly as a gesture of defiance towards society in general and his mother in particular. Mostly I cut it off because the poison made it brittle.
There was a long moment of awkward silence. I had no idea what was really going on behind his dark eyes.
I pulled the ring off my finger and set it deliberately on the desk next to him. "You set me up, Vance. When did you start planning it? Back on Trythia? Or before that?"
He looked down at the ring, sparkling in the light from the window. "I never meant to hurt you, Dace."
"You used me, Vance."
"You used me, too."
I made the mistake of meeting his gaze. His mask slipped. His eyes showed hurt. I looked away first.
"I did what I had to," he said. "I suspected my mother was involved. I couldn't have turned her in. Can you imagine what they would say? I was jealous of my own mother, so I fabricated lies to implicate her in treason. No one would have believed me. I did what I had to. I used you, yes. I saw no other choice."
I closed my eyes, not wanting to feel the pain. I had to know, though.
"Was there ever any truth to your proposal, Vance?" It came out a whisper
His mask was back in place. His eyes were flat and unreadable.
"Did you ever care about me at all or was it just part of your game?"
"I don't play games." He smiled, a polite turn of his mouth. "It was never about you or me. It was about treason."
I waited, feeling tears burn behind my eyes. If he said he loved me, that he did care for me, that he was sorry he'd used me this way, I would take the ring back. I would marry him. I would find a way to make a life with him. I didn't want to walk out the door and turn my back on him. I didn't want to face an uncertain future of loneliness.
"Mother was right about one thing," he said as he turned back to the window. "We were never right for each other."
It was like a slap in my face. How could he say it so callously? How could he hurt me this way? Because he had never really cared about me. I'd wanted it so badly, I'd imagined it.
I turned blindly towards the door, blinking back tears. I was not going to cry. I was Dace. I was strong. I was alone. I could stand by myself. I brushed past Commander Maharta.
The stairs to the back door were right in front of me. I walked down them with all the dignity I could find. I waited for Vance to come after me, to tell me he was wrong. I half wanted it, and half dreaded it. I opened the door to the outside.
I smelled the ocean on the breeze that brushed past me. I was Dace. I was myself. I was free. I wondered why it still hurt so badly. I ducked my head and walked down the street towards the space port. I was going home. I wished Jasyn wanted me back. I was willing to give anything to be wanted somewhere.
Chapter 57
Vance stood at the window. He saw Dace when she emerged from the door. She looked forlorn, a small gray ghost moving through the street below. He let his mask slide from his face. It hurt to see her walk away.
He could have her, just by saying the word. She would come back. She would wear his ring and marry him. He had seen that in her eyes. She would stay with him and try her best to love him. She was loyal, more than he would have believed possible.
Eventually it would turn to hate. She would never forget how he'd used her. He had no choice. It had hurt him too much to watch her. He'd run away, hiding under the pretense of work. He was a coward. She had more courage than he would ever have.
He could still see her, walking slowly through the crowd. She would willingly marry him. Their engagement would no longer be a farce. He could promise she would never see his mother again. He would do everything he could to make her happy.
He knew in his heart it would never work. He had to let her go.
She turned a corner, out of his sight. He sighed heavily and turned back to the desk. He had one more task to finish. He sat at the desk and pulled the printout closer. He knew the words by heart, he'd labored all night to write them. He signed his name and sealed the paper closed. He addressed it to his father.
He hoped his father would understand.
Silk rustled behind him. A faint perfume drifted into the room, one that reminded him of ice a
nd cold winter mornings.
He turned away from the window.
The woman shut the door, closing them into the small room. She moved forward, her trailing white dress brushing across the floor. A veil hid her face and shrouded her upper body. She pulled a glove from one hand, taking her time to pluck it free one finger at a time.
Vance shifted his feet. He'd heard rumors of the woman, a friend of his mother. "Did you need something from me? I don't know where the Lady Candyce has gone." His voice was swallowed in the silence of the room.
The woman swayed as she stepped closer. She lifted her hand, silver nails catching the light from the window.
Vance stood his ground as she approached. Whatever she wanted, he couldn't provide it. He was done with his mother and her machinations. He'd find a quiet planet and disappear. At least for a while.
The woman's slender hands moved in a graceful dance to music only she could hear. He watched the silver flash as she raised her bare hand, reaching for his cheek. He toyed with the idea of pulling the veil free and exposing whatever she hid beneath it.
She laughed, low and throaty. "You've been a naughty boy, Vance Shiropi." Her fingers trailed over his skin. She flicked her nail, lightly scratching his cheek.
He caught her hand, pulling it away from his face. Her skin was cold. "Did my mother send you? You can tell her I want nothing to do with her. Not anymore."
"Poor Candyce, turned in by her own son's paramour. Is that why you brought that woman here?" She slid her hand free of his hold.
Vance gritted his teeth. He glared at the woman's veil, as if wishing could let him see through the lace. "I don't want to play her games."
The woman swayed close, her skirt brushing his legs. "Too late." Her words whispered from under the concealing layers. Her hand closed on his wrist, her nails drawing blood.
He jerked back, retreating from her. The woman had to be insane. He rubbed the scratches on his hand. They burned.
She laughed as she tugged her white glove back in place.
Vance staggered. "What did you do?"
"It's a variant of dreamdust, darling. In a moment, you'll do whatever I ask of you. You'll tell me everything. And then you'll die."
