The Worker Prince

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt

  “Well, since we’re the ones who repair them, when one gets written off as unworthy of repair, we find a use for it,” Aron said.

  Davi couldn’t believe the Alliance would be so careless in disposing of starcraft. Then again, he’d seen how they disposed of old equipment in the Academy and on Plutonis—once they had no more use for it, what became of it wasn’t considered a priority. “How do you get it here without detection?”

  “Our mechanics send it out for one final test flight to ensure its status,” Aron said. “When old shuttles designated for destruction disappear, they aren’t deemed worthy of much investigation.”

  They do seem to have figured out the loopholes. “You have an actual hidden starbase here,” Davi realized he sounded like a schoolboy and started to blush.

  Aron laughed and patted his shoulder. “This is only the beginning. Let’s see to your mother and Nila first, and then I’ll show you around.”

  “Of course,” Davi said, excited about seeing more.

  Aron took Lura’s arm and led them through the landing bay toward a corridor carved out of the rock at the far end.

  After seeing Lura and Nila to a makeshift medical bay, Aron escorted Davi on a tour through corridors cut out of rock.

  The base had been built using existing caves. Corridors had been either dug out from scratch or expanded from existing tunnels between caves. Other than the hangar, dormitories, and the medical bay, a lot of the caves remained in various stages of development. Digging out the corridors and stringing the reflector pads to light everything alone had taken years.

  Their tour ended in a large cavern containing the command center. It was as well developed as any area Davi had yet seen, including computer terminals, radar banks, various displays, a very large vidscreen, and consoles spread through the center in a U-shape. Everything centered around the vidscreen and a large radar monitor table in the center for monitoring battles.

  “How did you get all this equipment?” Davi said, still taking it all in with awe.

  “It’s taken us years,” a man nearby said, turning at the sound of his voice and smiling when he saw Aron. “We salvaged things wherever we could from old parts, things which had been discarded. A few things, like the radar table, were built from scratch to our own specifications.”

  Aron nodded as the man extended his hand to Davi. “Davi, this is Joram, one of our military technical experts.”

  Davi shook Joram’s hand. “I didn’t expect there would be a lot of military experts among the workers.”

  Joram laughed. “We’ve had to keep our knowledge secret, for sure. I’m well versed in military and cultural history. I also come from a long line of former military men, so I’ve tried to stay up on the latest materials. Nothing top secret for the Alliance, of course, but the web does provide quite a lot if you have the time to search for it.”

  Davi chuckled, truly impressed. “It’s amazing what you’ve done here!” His friends at the Academy would never believe it.

  “You can see why we’ve taken great lengths to conceal it,” Aron said.

  Another man joined them near the radar table, handing Aron a datapad. “Aron, we got those reports in on the repair depots.”

  “Wonderful,” Aron said, turning to Davi. “We know the locations of all depots in the Borali Alliance where workers have been assigned.”

  “I guess some of the Alliance’s secrets are easier to crack than others,” Davi said.

  The new man smiled. “Our intelligence network gets more and more advanced each day.”

  “Davi, meet Uzah, head of intelligence and military strategy for the WFR,” Aron said.

  Davi shook Uzah’s outstretched hand. Their organizational structure was as impressive as their facilities and equipment. “This is great, but what do you plan to do with it? A full-scale military?”

  Uzah and Joram looked at Aron, appearing to ask if Davi could be trusted. Aron nodded.

  “We plan to do whatever it takes to free our people,” Joram said.

  “We’re hoping you’ll be willing to assist us,” Aron said.

  “I don’t know what I can do for you,” Davi said, recalling his conversations with Xalivar. “I don’t seem to have much influence.”

  “Within the Alliance, perhaps not anymore, but you do have something which we have great need of here,” Aron said. Davi had no idea what he meant. “Flight training.” Aron turned to the others as he continued: “Davi was a leading graduate of the Borali Alliance’s military Academy.”

  Joram and Uzah’s reactions told him right away what Aron had in mind. “I’ve never done much teaching,” Davi said.

  “I’m sure our pilot candidates will be eager to learn whatever information you can offer,” Uzah said.

  “You’ve already met several of them,” Aron said. “Why don’t we set up a class for you tomorrow so you can meet them?”

  “I wouldn’t know where to begin,” Davi said, flustered. He had never imagined himself as a flight instructor.

  “Begin where your instructors began at the Academy,” Uzah said with an encouraging look. “We can train them on shuttles, and we’ve rebuilt several old simulators and placed them in a classroom. We also have a number of skitters, which can be used for training in the forest.”

  Shuttle training would only offer experience at flight. Shuttles and fighters were too dissimilar for it to be of much use in the long run. Skitters were one-man ground craft which operated on a system allowing them to fly above the planet’s surface. They were sleek and fast and easy to maneuver through trees and other obstacles. They also had similar controls and handling to Alliance VS28 starfighters.

  “Skitters and simulators are fine, but they can’t replace actual flight time. If we have no fighters, how can we provide proper training?” Davi asked.

  Uzah, Aron, and Joram exchanged a look and smiled.

  “Don’t worry. We have plans in place to acquire some,” Joram said.

  Aron slapped Davi on the back. “Let’s take it a step at a time. They must first be ready for such training, yes?”

  Davi nodded, still wondering how they would ever get a fleet of fighters here.

  “Good. As you can see, we have anticipated all of our needs so far. Everything else will come together in time,” Aron assured him.

  Davi was starting to believe them. He decided to stop asking questions and see how things played out.

  O O O

  Xalivar had so far managed to keep Miri in the dark about the hunt for Davi, but her persistent questions about his whereabouts were getting on his nerves. It had been a matter of time before someone let slip to her about the reinstated murder charges. And given Bordox and Zylo’s failure to track his nephew down quickly, he’d decided not to sit around waiting but to do some investigating himself.

  The communicator on the wall of his inner chamber beeped twice. Manaen was coming. Good. He would bring with him some visitors who might provide some answers.

  When Xalivar stepped into the throne room, he found Manaen waiting with Farien and Yao. Both had put on their finest dress uniforms, as Bordox had done. They stood at attention. He smiled. They knew him, because of their long friendship with Davi; still, they’d never managed to feel at home around him—a fact which suited Xalivar just fine. He liked keeping people off guard, particularly when he wanted information from them.

  Seeing Yao in his full dress uniform reminded him of his dislike for aliens, especially those who’d been accorded equal status with humans with the support of the Council. Yet another thing Xalivar would change if given a chance. Aliens were fine for subordinate positions like Manaen held, but they would never be humans’ equals.

  He managed to conceal his displeasure as he turned to Manaen. “Leave us.” Manaen bowed and turned back toward the exit.

  Xalivar waited until the door slid shut behind him. “I have been following reports of your diligent work on the Alliance’s behalf with great satisfaction. You are serving with honor.”r />
  “Thank you, sir,” they said in perfect unison.

  Such good little soldier boys. Let’s see how loyal to the Borali Alliance you really are. “Have you been pleased with your assignments?” Xalivar asked.

  “Yes, sir,” they said in unison again.

  “Good. Davi also seems to have enjoyed his assignments. Have you kept in touch?”

  “From time to time, Lord,” Yao said.

  “We saw each other a couple of times before he transferred to Alpha Base,” Farien said.

  Xalivar took note of the look they exchanged upon the mention of Davi’s name, as if asking each other how much they should say. “Perhaps you hadn’t heard, but my nephew has fallen into some difficulties. He’s wanted for questioning in the death of a Captain on Vertullis. Did you hear anything about it?”

  Farien shrugged. “A couple of rumors.”

  “I saw the warrant on the web, my Lord,” Yao said. His purple eyes almost seemed to glow a moment.

  One or both of you are lying. I can see it in your eyes. “If you hear from him, you will, of course, report it right away?”

  Both nodded. “Yes, Lord.”

  Xalivar knew nothing would be gained from attempting to force information from them. He could wait until another time. For now, knowing he would be watching might be enough to make them think twice if Davi contacted them. His voice changed to a tone of concern. “If you think of anything, anything at all which I should know about, I am very concerned about him, of course. He is my only nephew and designated heir.”

  They both nodded.

  It’s still there in your eyes.

  “We are, too, my Lord,” Yao said.

  “Yes, I imagine you are,” Xalivar said, doing his best to sound sympathetic.

  “We will help in any way we can,” Farien said.

  That’s what I’m counting on, and why you’ll be constantly watched. “Thank you for your service to the Alliance,” Xalivar said.

  They both knelt, offering him the expected salute.

  “Be sure and take some time to visit your families while you’re here. Family is important. Dismissed.”

  They nodded, and then turned for the door. Xalivar watched them go, hoping they would somehow lead him to Davi.

  O O O

  Yao and Farien avoided discussing their meeting with Xalivar until they were alone at Yao’s parents’ house that evening. After some time with both sets of parents, who’d gathered there for a dinner together, they snuck away to the game room and turned the stereo up so they couldn’t be overheard. Both were still tense and worried.

  “Have you heard from him?” Yao asked as they played a game of virtual chess. He wondered why Farien always wanted to play. Yao beat him every time. And tonight, as distracted as they both were, he was making it easy.

  “Other than a couple of friendly e-posts, no,” Farien said as he moved his pieces quickly without much thought, setting up several opportunities for Yao to make important captures.

  “Well, let’s keep it that way as far as Xalivar is concerned, okay?” Yao said, noting his friend’s surprise as he captured Farien’s bishop.

  “You expect me to hide information from the High Lord Councilor?” Farien asked as he deliberated over his next move.

  “I didn’t say to hide it,” Yao said, “but don’t volunteer it.” He enjoyed watching Farien strain his brain for the right move.

  Farien shook his head. “I don’t know about this.”

  “I have my doubts, too, but he’s our oldest friend.” Yao couldn’t believe Farien was even questioning it.

  “And that means I should let my career go down the tubes for him?” Farien slid his rook across the board, threatening Yao’s knight.

  “Xalivar didn’t threaten us,” Yao said, his eyes urging Farien to cooperate. Even as he did, he thought again about all they had to lose. He took the rook with his own rook, watching as Farien frowned in frustration.

  “Oh sure, I totally bought all his friendly chit-chat,” Farien said, his eyes tired, his voice strained. “If he’s allowing the Council to issue a warrant for Davi, he’s not on Davi’s side.”

  “I’m not saying he is,” Yao said. “Don’t you think we owe Davi the benefit of the doubt?”

  “What I think is I don’t want to get mixed up in this mess,” Farien said, irritably. “I’ve worked too hard to get where I am, and this could really screw things up for me.”

  Yao shook his head. “It’s sure screwing things up for our friend Davi.” Despite his own doubts, he was disappointed Farien had such a narrow view of things. Maybe I need to talk to Miri about this. He’d send her an e-post as soon as they were finished.

  “Maybe he brought this on himself by killing an Alliance Captain,” Farien said, with surprising coldness.

  My Gods, has our friendship come to this? “It was an accident. He told us the circumstances,” Yao reminded him.

  “If he wants to blow his whole career getting mixed up with workers, it’s his problem. He can’t expect me to blow mine!” Farien’s nostrils flared. He was angry at Davi for putting them in this position, it seemed.

  “Gods, Farien, no one’s asking you to ruin your career, just to look out for a friend a little,” Yao said, frowning as their eyes met.

  “A friend who’s wanted by the Council and the High Lord Councilor,” Farien said. “I’m not making any promises, and if you ask me, I don’t think Davi would expect me to.”

  “Fine. You keep looking out for yourself as usual,” Yao snapped. He turned and punched a code in the panel next to the door, waiting until it slid open with a whoosh. “You seem to be very good at it.”

  He left Farien standing there, staring after him.

  O O O

  Not wanting to go near the Palace, Yao arranged to meet Miri at the city’s largest public park. She came alone by air taxi, her face haggard with worry.

  “Thank you so much for contacting me. I’ve been so worried about Davi,” she said as she embraced Yao warmly. “I haven’t heard from him since right after he took emergency leave from Alpha Base, and Xalivar won’t tell me anything.”

  “I’m afraid the Council has charged him with murder,” Yao said.

  “What? Xalivar promised he would make sure that didn’t happen!” Miri said, stiffening as her blue eyes filling with anger.

  “I don’t want to speak ill of the High Lord Councilor, but he called Farien and I in and asked about Davi. I got the impression he wasn’t going to interfere with the Council’s decision,” Yao said, filled with regret.

  Miri’s face registered a mix of shock and rage. “What is he thinking? My gods! Davi came to us and asked about the workers. I’m afraid a startling discovery about his past has upset him.”

  “What discovery?”

  Miri hesitated a moment, as if she were unsure how Yao would react. “He discovered I adopted him years ago from a worker family.”

  Miri clearly expected Yao to react with shock, but instead he nodded. “We heard a rumor about it two years ago at the Academy.”

  “A rumor? So long ago? It was supposed to be secret,” Miri said with surprise and worry.

  “We heard it from a cadet who never liked Davi. We figured he was trying to make waves, but Davi told Farien and I two months ago on Vertullis that he suspected it might be more than a rumor,” Yao said.

  Miri looked at her feet. “It’s true.” Her eyes met his and she was pleading. “Please don’t hate him for it. I know it’s a shock to everyone, but it’s not his fault. I raised him as my own, because it never mattered to me, and it shouldn’t matter to you.”

  Yao smiled, putting a hand on her arm. “He’s the best friend I’ve got. He can’t get rid me so easily. Besides, I don’t know any workers. I have nothing personal against them.”

  Miri looked relieved. “I wish more in the Alliance thought as you do.” Relieved tears rolled down her cheeks. “If there was a rumor, how many now?” Her eyes widened as the implications sunk in.r />
  “When it came up back then, no one believed it,” Yao assured her, his eyes locked on hers. “I promise. We all thought Bordox was just making trouble.”

  Miri’s shoulders relaxed as she sighed. “Bordox. I don’t know why he hates Davi so much.” Then she sobbed softly, overcome.

  Yao pulled her to him in an embrace. “It’s okay, Princess. I’d do anything I can to help him. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from him.”

  Yao meant it, although he wasn’t sure what he’d do if the help asked involved things which might be deemed traitorous to the Alliance.

  “Thank you. You know you’re like family to me,” Miri said, sniffling as she looked up at his face and subconsciously straightened a loose bang on his forehead just like his own mother would.

  He dried her tears with his handkerchief. “You are to me, too,” he said.

  “Thank you for your support of Davi,” she said, smiling as she recovered her composure. “And me.”

  “If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask,” Yao said. “But be careful about Farien. He fears his association with Davi could hurt his career.” Yao’s might as well, but Davi was more important.

  “There’ll be many others, I’m afraid. Even Xalivar is more concerned for himself than anyone else,” she said, her face graying with sadness. They both stood there a moment, pondering the gravity of it all.

  O O O

  Aron had skipped the flight-training classroom on the tour. Located on the opposite side of the hangar from the command center, it was clearly intended to serve a dual purpose as a ready room for pilots once training was completed. A rather large chamber, it contained four simulators on one side and rows of chairs and desks on the other. A laser board and vidscreen hung side by side on the front wall, behind a plexiglass podium.

  Davi arrived to find twenty eager trainees seated and waiting for him. He was surprised to see Tela, Nila, Brie, and Dru among them. The moment he saw Tela, his heart accelerated in volume and pace. He feared the whole room could hear it. I guess I should’ve guessed she’d sign up for this. Maybe I can make up for upsetting her the other day.