Dark Horse

by Michelle Diener

  “Remain down or I will shoot again.” The Grih soldier edged closer. Heʼd retracted the faceplate of his helmet, and he looked nervous. Because, sure, she was the bogey man. Sheʼd forgotten that.

  Time to make that a self-fulfilling prophecy.

  “Please,” she said in Grihan, lifting her right hand in supplication. “Donʼt hurt me.”

  He tapped his ear, lifting his gun again to point it at her chest. “This is Grigo, checking in.”

  Rose slid down the button on her light-gun and closed her eyes, grateful for the fact his face was uncovered. She didnʼt know how well the light-gun would work with his helmet on.

  As it was, he didnʼt even make a sound. When she opened them again, it was to find heʼd simply collapsed.

  “I hope they donʼt expect more from his check-in than that.”

  “I reviewed his earlier transmissions, recorded his voice, and told them all was well.”

  “Sazo.” She made a kissing noise. Pulled herself to her feet, right hand rubbing her left arm. Damn it all, getting shot really hurt.

  She turned to go, light-gun still in her hand, and then stumbled to a stop.

  Someone was waiting for her on the other side of the small dip.

  Something about the uniform was familiar . . .

  “Admiral Hoke. How did you find me?”

  The admiral jerked, as surprised as the soldier had been. “You can see me?”

  “Perfectly.” She decided she might as well keep walking. She was a sitting duck in the tiny gully anyway, and she would have to get past Hoke to get to the drone. She wasnʼt sure how much the admiral had seen, but even if she did know about the light-gun, Rose could use it before Hoke could take it off her.

  “I saw the report that you could, but I didnʼt really believe it.” Hoke retracted her faceplate as she spoke.

  Rose shrugged, edging left so that she could sidle past the admiral.

  “Where are you going, Rose?”

  “None of your business, Admiral Hoke. Iʼm armed, and I wonʼt hesitate to protect myself from you.”

  “I thought you might try to break Dav out, so I brought a small team and weʼve been sweeping through the woods from Davʼs house with a handheld monitor. It doesnʼt have the range or the detail of the equipment at the camp, but it does have the benefit of being portable.”

  Hoke looked down the hill and then leaned forward. “Is that one of my team? What did you do to him?”

  Rose realized the admiral was having trouble seeing him because of the camouflage. “He shot me. Only in the arm, but he was trying for my torso. Funny thing is, I really, really donʼt like getting shot.”

  Hoke whipped around, faced her. “If he did shoot you, heʼll be disciplined. They were to stop you, not hurt you.”

  “Donʼt know if I believe that, Admiral. He was certainly quick on the trigger.”

  Hoke shook her head. “Iʼm not here to harm you, Rose. Iʼm not even here on a sanctioned mission. I argued against what they were planning with Jallan. It was the wrong strategy, and I told them it wouldnʼt work.”

  “I really donʼt understand it, Hoke. Why wouldnʼt they want a cooperative ally rather than a resentful slave?”

  “Fear. It makes people do stupid things. This is what happens when powerful people have to make difficult decisions too quickly.”

  Rose raised her brows at that. Looked down the hill at the soldier. “You got that right. When did I become such a monster big, bad soldiers are so frightened of me they feel threatened enough to shoot?”

  Hoke shook her head again. “My fault. I told them you might be able to see them in full gear, that you had some immunity to shockguns.” She sighed. “My apologies.”

  “So what was the purpose of hunting me down?” She didnʼt want to turn her back on the admiral, but it was time to go.

  “To stop you from rescuing Jallan. If you want him to keep his job, itʼs a bad idea.”

  “Iʼd already worked that out for myself.” She edged back, hoping more of the admiralʼs team werenʼt right behind her. “That would be why Iʼm heading away from where heʼs being held.”

  She shuffled back another few steps.

  “We keep underestimating you.” Hokeʼs words puffed out into the cold air.

  “Well, are you going to try to bring me in? Raise the alarm?” Rose was far enough away now to get a good shot in with the light-gun, and she shifted it a little in her hand.

  “No. I thought more along the terms of letting you slip quietly away and creating a diversion if you need one.”

  “Why?” She had see the dismay on Hokeʼs face, the fatalistic grimace, when sheʼd shut down the screen. Could Hoke really have come round?

  “Dav Jallan saved the fleet when he went with you. I knew it then, which is why I didnʼt even protest when he left. Sazo may not have harmed us, but there was certainly a high chance of it. I donʼt believe we should betray officers like him.” Then she gave a practical shrug. “And also, because when the dust settles, Iʼll come out of this looking like the long-term visionary that I am, and that will not hurt my chances of being head of Battle Center.”

  “Youʼre not worried about Sazo? About his volatility?”

  Hoke gave a half-laugh. “Of course I am, but Iʼve seen for myself that heʼs not like that when youʼre with him, safe and sound. And Iʼd rather have a slightly volatile Sazo on my side than on anyone elseʼs. So would Vulmark and Krale.” She tapped the watch panel on her sleeve and looked down at the time. “Something theyʼll be thinking about quite a bit around about now.”

  It reminded Rose of the time herself. And of her fiendish plan.

  “Right, well then, Admiral, nice doing business with you. Iʼve got to go.”

  “Wait.” Hoke stepped forward, hand raised, and Rose half-lifted her own hand in response.

  Hoke blinked at her. “Whatʼs that?”

  “Nothing.” Rose gripped the light-gun a little harder. “You were saying?”

  “Youʼre not really leaving Jallan to his fate, are you? Youʼll let Krale and Vulmark beg you to come back?” She lowered her arm slowly, eyes on Roseʼs fist.

  “I intend to make them prostrate themselves at Davʼs feet, begging forgiveness, but yes, Iʼll eventually agree. But to do that, Iʼve got to go, so . . .”

  Hoke waved her on, and she turned and forced herself not to stumble at the sight of five silent soldiers in full camouflage standing behind her. Now sheʼd really see if Hoke was lying. “Good afternoon, boys and girls.” She looked at each of them in turn as she jogged past them.

  “What did she do to Grigo?”

  She heard the question from behind her.

  “Iʼm not sure, but I think . . .” Hokeʼs tone was almost reverent. “I think she used a light-gun.”

  49

  Something was wrong.

  Dav paced the small cabin with its quick-lock walls and door, manufactured to be set up in under ten minutes and dismantled in about five.

  Heʼd expected a little trouble when he got to the temporary Battle Center camp, but not that heʼd be locked up and officially charged.

  Rose would worry when she didnʼt hear from him. And a worried Rose meant a worried Sazo.

  Anger flared in his chest, and spiked at the sound of voices coming his way.

  He flicked the fabric of his sleeve to see the time, and froze.

  Dav.

  He flicked it again.

  Itʼs. Rose. We. Will. Sort. This. Out.

  Sort what out? His arrest?

  Fear washed over him as the door of the cabin opened. If Sazo and Rose rescued him . . .

  He tried to set that aside, deal with what was happening to him right now.

  “Captain Jallan.” Commander Gadamal stepped back and indicated he wanted Dav to come with him. “Admiral Krale requests your presence.”

  “Requests?” Dav asked, stepping out into the cool darkness.

  More time had passed than heʼd realized and it had started snowing while heʼd be
en inside. It fell like ash amongst them, silent and cold.

  Gadamal looked up sharply at his tone, and Dav regretted it. Whatever was happening here, Gadamal was not responsible.

  A movement caught his eye and he turned toward the trees, saw a figure walking toward them. Panic surged for a moment as he thought it might be Rose, about to do something theyʼd all regret——

  “Captain Jallan.”

  It was Hoke. He let out a breath he hadnʼt realized he was holding as she hailed him. She came toward them, snow in her hair and on her shoulders, dressed in full combat gear, with her helmet under her arm.

  Gadamal hesitated, uncertain, but then stopped so the admiral could join them.

  “Iʼll walk with you.” Hoke gave Gadamal a nod that was nothing short of a dismissal, and the commander turned and led the way.

  “Admiral.” He kept his voice low. “I think Rose and Sazo are planning to rescue me. I donʼt know whatʼs going on but can you get a message to them? Tell them what a disaster that would be?”

  “Iʼm one step ahead of you. Already intercepted her in the woods. Although sheʼd already worked out rescuing you would be counter-productive.” Hoke spoke quietly, too. “How do you know sheʼs up to something, though? Havenʼt you been stripped of all electronics and watched since you arrived.”

  Dav shrugged. “Rose has her methods. But itʼs one way. I canʼt talk back.”

  “Sheʼs not telepathic, is she?” Hoke stopped dead and looked at him with mouth open.

  Dav shook his head. “The thought of that is truly terrifying. No. But she is extraordinarily inventive.”

  Gadamal had turned, and stood watching them, stiff and suspicious.

  Hoke started moving again and Dav fell into step.

  “Whatʼs happening? Rose seems to think thereʼs a serious problem.”

  “Rose is right. Youʼve been betrayed.” Hoke bit off the last word as Gadamal came to a stop outside a much larger temporary structure than the one heʼd been held in, and opened the door.

  Dav hesitated, searching Hokeʼs face for any chance she was joking.

  She grimaced. “Itʼs true.”

  “Captain Jallan.” Gadamalʼs tone was impatient now, and Dav turned to look at the commander.

  Gadamal tensed, his hand drifting down to his shockgun.

  Slowly, Dav approached and stepped into the room, Hoke right behind him.

  “Admiral Hoke. I was told you were out on maneuvers.” Another of Kraleʼs adjuncts, Baku Fivore, was waiting for them.

  Dav saw they were in a command center, with screens and equipment along three walls. At the far end of the room, clustered around a refreshments table, stood Admiral Krale and the five leaders of the four planets.

  “Now Iʼm back,” Hoke said, her voice cheerful.

  Dav looked down at his sleeve again, flicked it.

  Glad. You. Are. Fin. Ally. Chec. King. The. Time. Need. To. Know. If. You. Can. For. Give. Them.

  “Captain Jallan. Is your time piece not working?” Fivore asked.

  Dav raised his head, stared straight at him. “Admiral Krale wanted to see me?”

  “Yes. This way.” Fivore jerked his gaze to the back of the room, and turned a little too quickly.

  As Dav followed, he flicked his sleeve again.

  Let. Us. Know. If. You. Want. To. Stay. We. Can. Do. That. If. You. Want. To. Leave. Then. We.

  “Captain Jallan?” Krale sounded puzzled.

  Dav stood to attention, and gave a formal bow. “Admiral Krale.”

  Then they would what? Get him out? Go on the run?

  They could do it. Rose and Sazo could probably do anything they set their minds to. But did he want to leave everything behind?

  And how would he let them know?

  “You seem distracted, Captain.” Sierra Gaumili, elected leader of the planet Grih, put down her cup of grinabo.

  “Guilty.” Dav gave her a formal bow, and noticed how uncomfortable his response made everyone. “Admiral Krale, you wished to see me?” He couldnʼt help his clipped delivery, as if he were in a hurry.

  Which he was.

  “You have somewhere you need to be, Captain?” Krale asked softly, his tone almost predatory.

  Dav pursed his lips. “No, sir. Iʼm at your disposal.” He stepped forward, and started making himself a cup of grinabo.

  There was a startled silence around him.

  “Forgive me, but I havenʼt had anything since breakfast. Do you mind?” He was pushing them, he knew it, but Hoke said heʼd been betrayed. What better way to force that into the open than stirring the pot.

  “Not at all,” Gaumili stammered. “I would have thought someone would have brought you something. Youʼve been here for hours.”

  Dav shrugged, and Krale flicked a look at Gadamal, who was leaning out of the door, speaking in hushed tones to someone outside. He gestured to Krale, and the head of Battle Center went to him, the two of them bending their heads together.

  Krale seemed to stiffen at whatever news heʼd been given.

  Dav watched him over the brim of his cup as he brought it to his lips, and then spilled a drop on his sleeve.

  He reached for a napkin and rubbed at it.

  Will. Get. You. Out.

  His lover would come for him. He didnʼt doubt it for a moment. Now he just had to make sure she didnʼt have to.

  “We have a problem, Captain Jallan.”

  Dav choked a little on his grinabo. He didnʼt say anything, but his sarcastic amusement was not lost on anyone.

  He needed to reel it in. Stop giving things away. He set his cup down, straightened.

  “What problem is that, Admiral?”

  Krale looked like he wanted to call him on his attitude, but didnʼt.

  Interesting.

  They must really need him.

  “We made a strategic decision, for the good of all Grih, which seems to have back-fired on us.” Vulmark, Leader-Elect of the four planets, took up position next to Krale.

  “What decision was that, sir?” Dav was starting to realize he had been sacrificed somehow.

  “The decision itself doesnʼt matter anymore, what you need to know is that our negotiations with Rose McKenzie and the thinking system did not go well. She seems to have left the planet.”

  “Seems to have left the planet?” That was something he didnʼt know. “Did the explorer craft come get her?”

  “No.” Krale turned to the screens. “But itʼs possible she left on a small, cloaked drone. We were able to get intermittent feed of its location, and then, there was the singing.

  “The singing?”

  Krale nodded to a technician standing by, and she tapped the screen.

  Roseʼs voice floated out, slow, rich and melodic.

  He stood completely still, closed his eyes, and let it wash over him.

  He would get her to sing that to him in person when they were together again. It was beautiful.

  As the last note faded, there was a quiet in the room, a contented silence that seemed to cling, resistant to the urgency that had come before.

  “I wish I knew what it meant.” Gaumili said. “Do you know, Captain Jallan?”

  Dav shook his head. “Only Sazo knows her language. She taught it to him when they were both prisoners of the Tecran.”

  Their conversation seemed to snap everything back in place.

  “This singing was coming from the drone. I can only believe it was meant to be spotted, the song meant to be heard, to let us know Rose was no longer on Calianthra. Shortly after this, the Class 5 sent out an encrypted message to the Bukari. Again, I have to accept that given the capabilities of the thinking system, we were meant to see the transmission. We are trying to decrypt, but my comms specialist tells me it could take months.”

  “So Rose is not on Calianthra, and sheʼs making contact with the Bukari.” He said it as a statement and waited.

  “Yes.” Krale almost hissed the words. “How do we make contact with her again? All our
comms are being ignored.”

  “Well, Iʼd first need to know what you did to make her give up on the Grih. She was happy to stay with us, last time I spoke to her.”

  “We offered her a place among us.” Vulmark said stiffly.

  Hoke gave a low laugh. “With a condition.”

  Krale turned on her, lips drawn back in a snarl. “You exceed your authority, Admiral Hoke.” He glared at her. “Youʼve been running around out in the woods, and Commander Gadamal reported that one of your men said you spoke to Rose McKenzie on her way to the drone, but let her go.”

  There were sounds of shock from most of them.

  “Of course I let her go.” Hokeʼs words were contemptuous. “Iʼm not going down in history as the idiot who started a new thinking system war.”

  There was stunned silence at her words.

  “If Rose had been taken against her will, Sazo would have razed Calianthra to the ground.” Dav agreed. He rubbed the side of his head. These people were too out of touch, they didnʼt understand what they were doing.

  “You think weʼre fools.” His own planet leader, Cavile Lostra, spoke up for the first time.

  Dav sighed. “Let me guess. You behaved like condescending bigots to her, and then tried to trick her somehow. And it involved me. Am I close?”

  Hoke laughed. “Iʼd say spot on, Captain.”

  Radie Silvan, another of the leaders of the four planets, cleared his throat. “The plan was to charge you, Captain Jallan, for leaving your post. We know you did it to save the fleet, but that would be evidence that Sazo was unstable. You were protecting your people from him. That would have made keeping public sentiment against the kill order hard. Then we were going to get on board the Class 5 and re-cage the thinking system.”

  Dav gaped at them. “You obviously didnʼt tell Rose all of that?”

  “She figured it out pretty quickly,” Hoke said, a sparkle in her eye, and Dav had a feeling that somehow Hoke had played a small part in that. “They donʼt seem to understand that sheʼs as advanced as we are.”

  “We do now. We wish to apologize. To find a way forward.” Vulmark shifted uncomfortably.