“You’re drunk,” Abelle said.
“Fine, check the security tapes and while you’re at it, check the alley down the street, she entered it, and disappeared.”
“A team will check the alley, you show me the video,” Abelle said as she headed towards the stairs up to the office. Abelard followed her.
✽✽✽
Hiro sat with Kaede in the changing room at the broadcast studio for the show ‘Dance’.
“Do you want to explain?”
“Lady Toshiko told me that I am magically active, and I have been learning what I can about magic, but it is hard because it is illegal for me to use a wand outside the home.”
“Go on.”
“After a lesson, I kissed Sora, and Patya found out. Now he wants to snap my wand.”
“It’s natural to be curious, but magic plays with your emotions. You need more lessons on self-control.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I am proud of you for telling me. I will have a chat to Patya to go easy on you.”
“Thank you, father,” Kaede said as he bowed.
“Did Sky Marshal Reinhart give you a hard time?”
“No, Sky Marshal Reinhart is cool. He lets me call him Rudolf. We started in his propeller-driven biplane, and now we fly in the same jet that he trained you in.”
“The Skyrocket?”
“I know cadets call it the Vomit Comet. He told me many a student had painted the canopy.”
“Yes, I did a few times.”
“I did twice, but it was awesome. Rudolf is an amazing pilot. I have a light aircraft licence, which covers balloons, helicopters, propeller-driven planes and subsonic jets. But I have a long way to go before I can get a licence for large craft.”
“I heard you, and Sky Marshal Reinhart are in business together.”
Kaede nodded. “Yes, I designed a new aircraft; a V/STOL that uses my Gravity Pulse Engines for lift, thrust, and manoeuvring. But I found out Rudolf had a similar design, but his craft was too heavy and used chemical engines. So, I talked with him, and we came to an agreement. He will be made his craft but using many of my materials, engines, and other components.”
“My father is angry; you didn’t consult with him on that.”
“I have many companies now, and I have many consultants.”
“Yes, and many projects in your name. How do you find the time?”
“Lady Toshiko taught me time and idea management. Take my latest projects, a microphone that projects sound equally over an area, and a keyboard that uses motion control instead of keys. I do the initial project design, consult with the team doing the planning, have a team create the product, and take part in testing.”
“I heard you have piano lessons with Czarina Katerina?”
Kaede nodded and said, “She is wonderful; not only is she teaching me to play the piano. But to master music, she said it helps her with magic.”
“If you want to be a starship captain, you need navigation, leadership, and sailing, not magic and music.”
“Yes, Admiral Niemi said it is a naval tradition that starship captains must be able to steer a sailboat around shipwreck reef off the coast of Avalon without scraping the bottom. He told me you are one of the best sailors in the naval academy. I will do my best, and if you like, we could build a yacht together and race him for the peninsular cup.”
“No one has beaten him, and you need to be over eighteen to enter.”
“I am not doing it for the prize, but the challenge.”
“You have many prizes.”
“Yes. I won the Imperial Award in physics for the compact fusion reactor. I share one with Mako and Miko for Biology for the Artificial Cell. I share one with Dain and Izanami for our work on Artificial Intelligence.”
“I would have loved to have seen the look on my father’s face.”
“It’s the look he gives when the turtle meat has gone sour.”
“Yes, he told me he was teaching you to cook. But I heard he has been learning to race karts?”
“Yes, he has taken an interest, not enough to buy his own.”
“I must see this.”
“Oh, Grandfather wants me to compete in the Olympics.”
“When you are 18, you can enter the Olympics; He will try to get you to compete in as many events as possible.”
“He showed me your medals for sailing and martial arts.”
“I owe you three wishes.”
“I love you, father, I fulfil my wishes on my own,” Kaede said and then bowed, “I better change.”
“I will be outside.”
✽✽✽
Abelle whispered to Toshiko. She nodded and excused herself from the crowd in the studio and went upstairs with Abelle.
“Is he sure?” Toshiko asked.
“He insists,” Abelle replied.
They got to the office door, and Toshiko said to Abelle, “Let me talk to him.”
Abelle nodded and waited at the door as Toshiko went in.
Abelard stood as Toshiko entered. “My sister thinks I am mad. But I saw my mother.”
“When we lose a loved one, we often see them in others.”
“I swear it was my mother. She recognised me.”
“Abelard, you are famous.”
“This wasn’t like that; she smiled at me, but like a mother.”
“Security checked the alley, and traffic cameras didn’t record any cars or people leaving it. The alley is still full of cars, and she isn’t hiding in any of them.”
“I am telling you it was my mother!” a distressed Abelard exclaimed.
“Calm down, I believe you think you saw her, but it has been over 10,000 years. We may not die of old age, but you know thousands die in accidents every year.”
“It was her. She looked like a younger and shorter, Katerina.”
“You know many Rus Elves dress like and wear their hair up in a top bun the same as Katerina?”
“Look at the security video; it is her. My mother bumped into me and dropped her ticket. She even used the name Lady Bethany,” Abelard replied as he handed Toshiko the ticket.
Toshiko looked at the ticket and said, “Let me handle this. She is a wanted criminal.”
“I know, but the ice wars ended a long time ago.”
“Abelard, your mother, was an enemy of the state. There is no expiry date on treason.”
“But that is the old Empire.”
“If you go looking for her or contact her, then I will have you arrested for interfering in an ongoing investigation,” Toshiko said as she pulled out his phone. “Patya, come to the office. I need you to talk to Abelard.”
Abelard sunk into the chair. “Why?”
“Bethany aided the Dökkálfar in a time of war, Queen or not, that makes her a traitor. There is no expiry date on treason.”
Abelle knocked, Toshiko answered and saw Patya. “Come in both of you. Abelle, you talk to Dain. But this is a matter for Patya to investigate.”
“Did Bethany meet with anyone while she was here?” Patya asked.
“Abelard saw her; we have her on camera; she did not hide her face.”
“What now?” Abelle asked.
“We keep this out of the news and keep an eye out for her trying to contact Abelard.”
“What about Dain?” Patya asked.
“I think after Abelle talks to him, you need to make sure he hasn’t been in contact with her,” Toshiko replied.
“Yes, Abelard is not the only one crying himself to sleep,” Abelle said.
“Hey,” Abelard said.
“Abelard, it is all right, it is touching that Dain still has feelings for your mother,” Abelle said.
Chapter 26
Hiro sat in his room with a smile. There was a knock on the door. Hiro answered the door, Lady Galené, a short, young, dark-skinned female half Flower Elf, half Silver Elf, with red eyes and pink hair with a long silver streak in her fringe, stood at the door.
“H
ello, Lady Galené,” Hiro said.
“How are you?” Galené asked.
“Fine, it is nice to be home.”
“Pleased to see you,” Galené said, she tossed her long hair back.
“Did you want to come in?”
“I think your son has a crush on me,” Galené said as she entered.
“You best not let my father hear that or he might assign you to the Ice Fortress,” Hiro said as he closed the door.
“As a guard or an inmate?” Galené asked with a giggle.
“From what I heard about the prison, the guards have it worse; at least inmates are inside,” Hiro said.
“I heard your son is hiring pilots. I don’t mean to be rude, but you remember my brother?”
“How is he?”
“Still a little upset with you, but he needs the work and hopes you will not stand in his way?”
“No. If Galen still wants to be a starship captain, he should apply for the job. It is a joint Sky Force and Imperial Navy program. If he gets it, it should get him a chance to transfer to the starship training program.”
“Oh great, and thanks,” Galené said as she pecked Hiro on the cheek. She turned and left.
✽✽✽
Patya sat in his office; a pair of uniformed Inquisition agents stood in front of his desk.
“Report,” Patya grunted.
“We cannot find anything wrong with Lady Bethany’s birth records,” the first agents said.
“We only have paintings to compare, but her features are common,” the second agents said.
“Abelard believes she is his mother. She matches the few images we have of her,” the third said.
“Is that enough to bring her in?” Patya asked.
“No, she only matches images. No data to say she is the former Queen,” the second agent said.
“What do we know about her?” Patya asked.
“This Lady Bethany is married to Lord Albert Vericus, the CEO of the Vericus Investment Fund. They bank with Alard Bertrand and are major shareholders in the Social Network. The Vericus clan have no criminal ties,” the first agent replied.
“Recent activity? Has she travelled anywhere and disappeared?” Patya asked.
“The only travel that she does is frequently to her yacht, a 40,000-segment luxury starship, the Night Queen, she is parked in a high orbit,” the second agent replied.
Patya looked at the screen that was built into the desk, it displayed a series of records, and on the dual screen to his left, there was an image of a mature female Field Elf. He tapped a couple of keys, a picture of a young Field Elf in a diamond crown and pink gown appeared on the right. A short time later, “Match” appeared over the image on the left.
Patya growled and said, “Of course, the Night Queen, it is not the leader of the Dökkálfar; it is where they meet. I want her and her ship under constant surveillance. Go over every record of everyone who visits it. I want a major study into the history of her ship.”
“What are we looking for?” the third agent asked.
“Everything. Consider this woman and her associates to be extremely dangerous. She may be the head of a spy ring feeding information to pirates,” Patya said.
✽✽✽
Takahiro woke, Abelle said, “Sorry to disturb you. Patya just arrived.”
“Where is he?” Takahiro asked, getting out of the bed.
“In the command centre,” Abelle replied.
“I meant to ask, did Kaede ask you to marry him?”
“No.”
“Never mind.”
“Don’t overreact. Kaede is growing up. He wants to be like other boys his age and feel normal. Of course, he has a crush on mature women.”
“He asked Toshiko if she would marry him,” Takahiro said.
“Say yes,” Abelle said as she left.
“I told him not to ask anyone, and to give it more time. We have to consider the other offers and make formal arrangements for Sora.”
“Sora? Not Izanami?”
“Kaede doesn’t think Izanami would like to be confined to the Palace for most of her life hosting events. He is sure she would make every event about her.”
“That’s harsh. I wouldn’t tell that to Izanami, or any girl. Not unless you want to lose her.”
“I am hoping Izanami will just release it on her own that Sora is a planner and a team leader, and she is well, more suited to be his dance partner.”
“I agree,” Abelle said on her way out.
Takahiro dressed and left the guest quarters of the airbase. They were already deep underground and took an elevator down.
The large control room had images of the two balloons; a screen marked Kaede and another marked Izanami, each showed the hatch of a sleep capsule. Other monitors displayed the chase planes, weather information and wind patterns.
Abelle escorted Takahiro to the intelligence liaison office. Inside, Patya sat with Rudolf.
“Wait outside, please Abelle,” Patya said.
“Yes, of course,” Abelle said, she turned and left.
“What do you have that brings you out in the middle of the night?” Takahiro asked.
“Bethany was born and raised outside New- Marseille, nothing stands out,” Patya said.
“That is no reason to wake me, Abelard was mistaken,” Takahiro said.
“Her ship is called the Night Queen,” Patya said.
“Odd coincidence,” Rudolf said.
“It gets worse. We checked the registry and a ship with the name, ‘The Night Queen’ has been registered to Lady Bethany for thousands of years, all this time she has been hiding under our noses,” Patya said.
“How did we miss that?” Rudolf asked.
“We were looking for a person called the Night Queen,” Patya replied.
“How unfortunate,” Takahiro said.
“What can we do about Bethany?” Rudolf asked.
“The law gives me six months to tap her phone, monitor her bank accounts and check her businesses for illegal activity, but I doubt we will find any that way.”
“I am aware of that, but a secret audit of her accounts has begun, we are going over tax records, birth records, but given she is thousands of years old; it will take time to examine everything,” Patya said.
“Rarely do we need ancient records, but if I were you, I would get her DNA and see if she is your daughter,” Rudolf said.
“Not all of her criminal meetings will be face to face. Likely, she never meets many of them ever. They will communicate with a series of ancient code words and a complex style of communication over time. Messages will be placed either in a personal advertisement or as online posts on social media or forums. As anyone is free to read and reply, making it is hard to find with whom they communicate,” Takahiro said.
“Seems you’re an expert on evading the law,” Patya remarked.
Takahiro glanced at Patya. “This is how the Dökkálfar have remained hidden inside of the Empire for a long time. They are willing to go to great lengths to stay hidden from us,” Takahiro said.
“Speaking from experience as a Yakuza?” Patya asked.
“Patya now is not the time for you to investigate rumours about me,” Takahiro replied, “You know crime cuts into my legal revenue.”
“But not your illegal revenue?” Patya asked.
“If you mean the Yakuza, they are a collection of social clubs. Each has its own set of rules. I happen to employ many members of some of these clubs in private security,” Takahiro said.
“Yes, they work for you,” Patya said.
“It is not illegal to be a member, just like being a member of the Vor Bikers Association,” Takahiro said. “Don’t you sponsor many motorbike events?”
“Point made,” Patya said.
“Have you linked her to any criminal group?” Rudolf asked.
“No, but she actively avoids being followed, and she rarely appears in public,” Patya said. “She is as sneaky as Takahiro’s tattooed f
riends in New-Tokyo.”
“Hilarious,” Takahiro said.
“So, no illegal activity so far?” Rudolf asked.
“None,” Patya replied.
“As the Minister of Justice, I can only give you a sneak and peek warrant for her business office; the ship would be pointless. You have six months to find compelling evidence or cease the investigation of her,” Rudolf said.
“I know it is thin, but there are no limitations on how long a warrant for treason lasts, else everyone would fake their death and wait for it to expire,” Patya said.
“I am aware of that; but if she is Bethany, you will have to hand the investigation over to Adalwulf,” Rudolf said.
“She will see the police coming. Where there is Bethany, there will be other Dökkálfar,” Patya said.
“Have Data Security watch all signals from that ship; it cannot be a coincidence they called it the Night Queen,” Takahiro asked.
“I will,” Patya replied.
“If that is all, I will go, and watch my grandson zoom around the planet lecturing about the evil oil companies that paid for his extraordinary life,” Takahiro said.
“I heard his speech, and he is not wrong. We should fund him,” Patya said.
“Why?” Takahiro asked.
“Because Petrov Oil doesn’t need bad publicity, and we should act before Yaotl comes down hard on us. Besides, Kaede is offering to sell me the technology to reduce smog for less,” Patya replied.
“Are you giving into Kaede’s blackmail because he is my grandson?” Takahiro asked.
“It might be blackmail. However, Kaede is upfront about his financial interests, and most of the expense is on car owners to use catalytic converters, which he will make a fortune selling. If we try to silence him, it makes us look like we have something to hide. Worse, he could sue you. He does have the right to express his opinion,” Rudolf said.
“I am going to help fund his research. It is better for us if we help him develop these converters and filters. I would set a reasonable timetable for their implementation, rather than have Yaotl waiting with open arms at the finish line to paint him green and demand we rush them all into production,” Patya replied.
Chapter 27
Kaede was playing laser tag with Nori in the underground gardens, watched by Czarina Katerina Petrov. They stalked each other in the lush gardens in front of the teahouse. On the first-floor balcony, Katerina sipped her tea as she looked at the tablet on the table. It had a tracking application open showing the location of Kaede and Nori. On top was a score that showed Kaede with two points and, Nori with zero.
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