Collin interrupted her: “Why were you hailing the Helix, Principessa? Why didn’t you charge weapons like the Helix did?”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stop calling me that. Stick with Captain, or Captain Valora. As for my hail … it’s presumptuous for an apprentice, not yet even a squire, to be so forward as to question a superior.”
Collin shrugged. “You’re not my superior and as I’ve already told you … me and my friends were abducted. It’s not like we signed up for any of this.”
He watched as she rolled her eyes and shook her head. She was easily ten years older than him, but there was a youthful quality, an irreverence about her, that made her seem captivating. He could see how she and Captain Primo would be a good fit.
“The reason I was hailing that piece of shit of a ship, the Helix, was to leave a message for Capitano Primo.”
“What about?”
She exhaled and looked annoyed. Her attention was on a curved translucent display, now hovering before her. “We’ve got company.”
Collin watched the approaching ship. He recognized it. “Looks like you have a decision to make.”
“Are you always this annoying, Frost?”
“My little sister thinks so … It’s the Tyrant. You can’t defeat her in battle, and you can’t outrun her.” Collin actually had no idea if this little ship of hers could outrun the Tyrant or not, but he wanted to keep her off-guard. “And there’s another minor point … your husband’s commanding that ship.”
“Will you just shut up? I know perfectly well who it is. The last thing I need right now is your mouth flapping. Just be glad I haven’t put you in irons.”
Collin sat back and smiled. He then raised a wrist—the one with a scorch mark on it. Ever since the devices were removed from his wrists, he’d become aware of an ever-increasing amount of something—not energy, although there was that, too, but something more: it was raw power—a whole lot of pent-up raw power.
She started to say something and then closed her lips.
“You were going to leave him a message, so why not do it now, in person? What’s the big deal?”
“There are things you wouldn’t understand. Some of it is personal. It’s one thing to have a message forwarded by a dimwit like Capitano Drago; it’s another thing to—”
“… admit to your husband you were wrong?” Collin interjected.
“Maybe … probably. It’s becoming clear that the Kardon Guard … that Commandant Nari lied to the queen. That his real motive was to supplant the monarchy.”
“Does your mother, the queen … does she see what’s happening? Does she realize that dude’s been blowing smoke?”
She turned toward Collin. “Where do you get these ridiculous expressions? Yes, but what the queen knows in her heart and what she’s willing to say aloud are two different things. Even now, she is a prisoner in her own castle. The commandant controls her and every aspect of the monarchy, as well as his prized Kardon Guard.”
The Tyrant was now closing in and beginning to slow.
“They’re hailing me.” She sounded resigned.
“Truth is, I don’t know much about any of this stuff,” Collin said. “Why not just come clean about it all with Captain Primo—”
She cut him off. “You have no idea what’s transpired. The gravity of it all. When the queen chose the Kardon Guard and that maniacal Commandant Nari over the Brotherhood—those who’d loyally stood at the monarchy’s side for nearly a millennium—it changed everything. When she stood by and watched while thousands of knights of the Brotherhood were hunted down and killed … often right in front of their families … it’s not something you can simply take back. Like, oops … sorry … I chose the wrong defenders of the realm.”
Collin saw moisture glistening in the principessa’s eyes. “Just tell your husband what you told me.” He sat back and stared as the nearing ship filled the small display screen in front of them.
“Nobody knows we’re married. It was a secret ceremony.” She saw Collin’s confused expression and continued, “I’m a principessa … a princess … he’s a duke. Without my mother and the Council of Elders elevating him to the level of principe, a prince … it’s impossible. Added to that, my mother and Dante hate each other.”
She stared at the ship for a moment and seemed to come to a decision. She straightened up in her seat and composed herself. She tapped at something on the control panel—Captain Primo’s face appeared before them.
He looked surprised to see her. When her lips curled into the faintest of smiles, his tight expression gave way to one of relief.
“Constantina … you destroyed a Brotherhood warship—I won’t be able to protect you. Why didn’t you just leave?”
Her annoyance flared: “It’s not what you think. That idiot Drago ignored my hails. I didn’t come here to fight. I did everything I could to open up a channel with that ship.”
“That’s a convenient excuse, but without proof—”
Collin interjected, “Um … it’s actually true, Captain.”
Again, Captain Primo furrowed his brow. The principessa tapped something on the control panel so he could now see them both sitting in the small ship’s cockpit. His smile spread to his eyes and for a moment, he was speechless. “Why, Mr. Frost, I thought you went the way of the Helix.”
Chapter 32
Collin sat back and watched the principessa pilot the Marauder back toward Nero Station. Even now, as she brought the little ship up to the designated concourse gate, she looked to be on the verge of changing her mind.
“So … how long’s it been since you’ve been on a Brotherhood station?” Collin asked, trying to steer her away from what he was sure was a conflicting inner dialogue going on in her head. The last thing he wanted was for her to bolt, taking him along for the ride.
She glanced over to Collin, her eyes conveying she knew what he was doing. “A few years.”
Collin felt the Marauder being secured at the gate. Chewing the inside of her lip, Captain Valora didn’t get up right away.
He said, “Look, my loyalties are to my Chain … my fellow Earthlings. From what I can see, what you’re doing … is the right thing. If you’re afraid they’ll do something to you—”
She smiled at that. “I appreciate the concern, Mr. Frost, but that’s the least of my worries. My being here is no small triviality. I don’t have the monarchy’s blessing and the Kardon Guard would consider what I’m doing treasonable. The simple fact of the matter is there’s no going back for me, once I step onto the station.”
“How certain are you of … what’s his name? Commandant Nari? That he really has ulterior motives, like taking control away from the queen?”
“Oh, I’m one hundred percent sure of that. My mother lives a secluded, protected life. I don’t. It’s not so much a question of if Nari and the Kardon Guard are taking control, as it is of how bad things will get once we’re under their control.” She stood up, now ready to leave the cockpit. “Come on, let’s go.”
Collin quickly stood and felt his feet start to leave the deck. He instinctively grabbed at the closest thing, the back of his chair, and watched as it bent backwards—as if it were made of rubber.
“Terrific. You owe me one Marauder cockpit chair, Frost.” She walked out of the cockpit.
* * *
There were ten armed Brotherhood guards waiting for them as they exited the Marauder, who hurriedly surrounded them both. Apparently her arrival was a very big deal; Collin could see the nervousness in the guards’ watchful eyes as they were ushered down the concourse toward the hub of the station.
Captain Primo was waiting there for them as they entered the bustling station hub. His eyes never left the face of the principessa. “I’ll take her from here. Return to your duties.”
It was evident the guards had received different orders. No one moved. Primo stepped in close to the one Collin assumed was the highest-ranking guard in their group.
“Sa
rgente, I am quite capable of escorting the principessa from here. I take full responsibility. I’m giving you a direct order.”
The guard saluted. “Yes, Capitano.”
The men broke formation and followed the leading guard, quickly disappearing into the throngs of people. Captain Primo and the principessa flew into each other’s arms. Wrapped together, neither spoke for a long time. Collin, realizing he was staring, looked away and waited.
When they finally separated there were tears on the principessa’s cheeks and the captain, too, looked close to tears.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” the captain stated, stepping back and composing himself. “The ammiraglio is anxiously waiting for us. The implications of your being here … being here voluntarily … are big. We need to get going. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you, Constantina, that you’re safe.”
She nodded but didn’t look overly confident he’d be able to keep that promise. For the first time the captain then acknowledged Collin. “Good to see you’re still in one piece, Mr. Frost.”
The principessa said, “He saved Drago’s life … I was there to see it. By the way, he’s still in my ship’s AutoMed.”
“Well, it looks like the Brotherhood owes you their gratitude, Mr. Frost.” Primo’s glance took in the missing minimizer bands on Collin’s bare wrists.
The captain and the principessa hurried along, with Collin tagging close behind. It wasn’t long before someone in the crowd recognized her. Heads turned—people gawked. The three ducked into an elevator and exited at Level 20, the very top of the station hub. Like a penthouse on a goliath-sized, high-rise building, the deck was expansive and much more open than the levels below. Huge curved observation windows looked out onto the viewable part of Nero Station and at outer space beyond.
They headed for a grouping of compartments that took up the whole opposite side of the deck. A substantial-looking counter blocked further advancement. A woman in a Brotherhood uniform looked up as they approached. Collin saw a small metal sign reading Ammiraglio di divisione Zumpanno sitting prominently on the countertop in front of them.
“He’s waiting for you, Captain Primo,” the woman behind the counter said.
“Thank you, tenente di vascello, Le Monte.”
The woman had a prissy, pinched face. Collin knew schoolteachers with a similarly unpleasant look. She turned a disapproving glance toward him. Before she could say anything more, the captain said, “Commander Frost is with me. We’ll go right in now.”
They then entered the wide open hatch into a large office compartment, which, like the deck, looked out onto the station and beyond through a floor-to-ceiling observation window. A large man, with grayed salt-and-pepper hair, looked up as they entered. Collin noticed he wore an impressive Brotherhood uniform, with gold piping detail, and a different kind of insignia on his collar.
The admiral stood and came around his desk. “There you are … welcome, Capitano Dante Primo, Duca of the Brotherhood House of Torre.”
Apparently things are a bit more formal on the admiral’s deck, Collin thought. The admiral stood before the principessa, bowed, and took her left hand in his own. He kissed the back of her hand and stood up straight. “Principessa Constantina Valora, Capitana for the Kardon Guard. I am honored with your presence and so very pleased to see you again.”
It was obvious to Collin the principessa would rather forgo these formalities that came with her royal standing. She politely nodded and smiled. “I’m happy to see you again, Ammiraglio di divisione Zumpanno. It has been a long time.”
The admiral glanced at Collin and then to the captain, who said, “This is the young man I spoke to you about, who came to us from the frontier, Ammiraglio.”
“Yes, he and his Chain have started Brotherhood basic. I look forward to speaking with you more, Commander Frost … when time allows.” The admiral brought his attention quickly back to the captain. “Capitano, you will take leave of us now. The principessa and I have much to discuss. Rest assured, Principessa, you are safe and in no way a prisoner here. You may leave Nero Station at your will. But I want to hear everything you’ve told Capitano Primo and then, perhaps, we can formulate a plan.”
* * *
By the time Captain Primo had escorted Collin back to the barracks, the teen was exhausted and couldn’t wait to get into his bunk. In the dim light, he moved silently between pods until he found his own. He was pulling off his uniform when he looked over to see the outline of someone lying on his bunk. He took a tentative step closer and squinted his eyes. “Lydia?”
He heard her stir and sit up. She’d fallen asleep there.
“What are you doing here?” he whispered, sitting down next to her.
“We heard the Helix was destroyed by a Kardon Guard ship. That you’d been killed. Later, we heard that maybe you’d survived. Nobody would give us a straight answer. I … I wanted to be here if … when … you returned.” She put her arms around him and buried her head into his chest. He felt her begin to shake, quiet sobs racking her body.
“Hey, I’m fine. Don’t cry … everything’s … good.”
She sniffled. When she looked up, he wiped her tears with his thumbs. She brought her arms up, taking his face in her hands, her face only inches from his own. Then she kissed him. He tasted the salt from her tears. The tip of her tongue found his as their breaths quickened. His mind was whirling—how is this possible that this perfect person is here in my arms? Together, they slid down the surface of the pod until they were lying down together, facing each other. She pulled her face away and brought her lips close to his ear. He felt her soft breath as she spoke, “Don’t ever leave me like that, Collin. Without you here … God … I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Someone nearby cleared his throat in an exaggerated manner that said hey … you’re not alone here.
To Collin’s surprise the barracks lights were on and a small crowd had formed at the opening to his pod. Bubba and DiMaggio were looking down at them—both smiling. Then Collin saw that the person standing directly behind them was Darren. He wasn’t smiling.
Chapter 33
The piercing sound of an alarm klaxon filled the barracks. Collin and Lydia rose to their feet. Whatever was happening was big. In the distance he heard multiple warnings and announcements coming over the PA. A commotion at the entrance to the barracks was followed by the unmistakable voice of Chief-in-Command Bragg.
“Everyone front and center. Move it!”
Collin reached for his uniform jacket and, along with the others, hurried to get into formation.
Bragg looked as though he’d just awakened. His hair was uncombed and his wrinkled uniform had obviously been on since yesterday. He didn’t wait for the Lone Stars to get into proper formation.
“Nero Station is under attack. Thirty-four Marauders are already engaging our Vanguard warships. Four heavily armored bulk carriers, typically used to transport and deploy troops, are approaching fast. There’s only one reason for those ships to come here … The Kardon Guard is looking to infiltrate and take control of this station.”
Humphrey interjected, “Let us fight, Chief … we’ll show them how Texans kick ass—”
“This station has a highly-trained Brotherhood force of four thousand men. They’ll be doing the fighting, if it comes to that. With that said, you still may be called upon to support our forces.”
“Why are they attacking? Why now?” Darren asked.
“We believe it has something to do with the queen’s daughter, the principessa … she may have been followed … she may have led them here.”
“No … she came here to reach out to us. They’re starting to realize the Kardon Guard’s true motives,” Collin told him.
“That’s not for any of us to determine, Mr. Frost. Stay here and be prepared to do what’s asked of you when the time comes. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Chief.” Collin nodded his head.
The chief abruptly turned on h
is heels and headed out of the barracks.
“So what do we do now? We can’t just stand around here with our thumbs up our asses while the station’s being infiltrated,” Humphrey said. “I say we go see what’s happening.”
Clifford Bosh, Owen Platt, and Garry Hurst all enthusiastically voiced their agreement.
“Our orders are to stay put,” Collin said. “Let’s just see what happens—”
“You know, Sticks … I always knew you were a pussy. This proves it,” Humphrey said, striding up to Collin and standing eye to eye. “You’re no leader … you’re a pussy coward.”
“You don’t want to push me, Humph. Not now. Back off and cool down,” Collin replied evenly.
Both Bubba and DiMaggio, moving in behind Collin, were staying unusually quiet. He wondered if they thought he was being a pussy as well.
“We need a leader with some guts. I say we vote again.” Humphrey turned toward Darren. “We all know who should be leading us.”
“That’s not going to happen. I told you, back off and cool down. Let’s just see—”
The punch came out of nowhere. Collin felt the blow hit his left cheek, snapping his head around to the right. It was enough for him to momentarily see stars but not enough to bring him down.
Humphrey, smiling, stood with his fists balled up. “It’s about time someone put you in your place, Sticks. I don’t mind that it’s me.”
Collin was ready for the next punch, which was a wide haymaker—Humphrey’s full weight behind it. Collin caught it mid-flight with his left hand. He wanted to punch back—wanted to pummel Humphrey into ground beef. But without those minimizer bands on, he had little doubt he could kill Humphrey with one punch. So he continued to hold Humphrey’s fist in his own while slowly increasing the pressure of his grip. The first thing to go was Humphrey’s smile. His full attention was focused on his hand and the increasing amount of pain emanating from it. Collin maintained his grip and Humphrey’s legs went wiry. He tried to pry Collin’s fingers away from his fist … crying out, “Let go! Please … let go … it hurts!”
Lone Star Renegades Page 17
