Empire of Night

by Justin Somper

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  The Blood Tavern had seemed an alien environment to Connor the first time he had escorted Stukeley there, and it was still a forbidding place. The same milky eyes greeted them through a gap in the door on their arrival. And, as they stepped into the vestibule--resembling an old, neglected theater--Connor recognized the strange and unique figure of Lilith, the woman who ruled the tavern from her glass pod in the center of the foyer. Since their last visit, she had dyed her hair red, but still wore it in a distinctive beehive. Her eyelids were caked in turquoise glitter.

  The last time he had come here, he and Lilith had had quite a heart-to-heart. But if she remembered him, she showed no signs of recognition. Instead, she seemed preoccupied with counting Stukeley's money.

  "You're sure you don't want a go?" Stukeley asked. "There's plenty of gold in my pockets. Drakoulis was uncharacteristically generous in death."

  Connor shook his head. "It's okay," he said. "I'll just wait for you to... finish."

  Stukeley examined his friend's face, perhaps poised to try one last attempt at persuasion.

  "Room seven!" Lilith announced, inclining her head toward the velvet curtain. "Get a move on, luvvie. There are others waiting their turn."

  Stukeley sauntered over to the curtain, turning to salute Connor before he disappeared into the gloom beyond. Connor retreated to the worn velvet sofas in the

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  gambling room and watched the parade of Vampirates making their way beyond the red velvet doorway.

  "Next!" Lilith screeched from inside her gilded cage.

  Connor couldn't pull his eyes from the red velvet door. He realized that a change had occurred since his last visit to the Blood Tavern. Then he had felt the division between himself and Lilith's clientele. The door had served as the divider. On this side, normality, mortality; on the other, a world beyond his imaginings, chaos. Now he might be sitting in the very same seat as before, but it was clear he belonged on the other side of the door. He might have turned down Stukeley's offers of blood tonight, but Connor felt in his heavy heart that it was only a matter of time before he caved in.

  "You still don't feel like you belong, eh?" Stukeley asked, finding Connor waiting for him back at the boat.

  Connor shook his head. "The opposite," he said. "I feel like I do belong. And it freaks me out."

  Stukeley nodded, maneuvering the boat away from the rock. He seemed more robust, more like he had been in mortal life. It made Connor think. Maybe he should just give in to his hunger. But, as he thought of this, a face appeared to him in the darkness. Jasmine. He could see her as clearly as if she was standing there, watching him

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  from the rock. Her dark, intelligent eyes were trained on him, wide with concern.

  He considered their relationship. Surely it was doomed now. She had once told him that he could tell her anything and that he was not alone. Although he knew Jasmine's words were genuine, he was just as certain that her feelings would change if she ever found out the truth about him.

  "Hey," Stukeley said, placing his hand on Connor's shoulder. "What's up?"

  Connor sighed. "There's this girl," he began.

  Stukeley smiled and rolled his eyes. "There's always a girl."

  "Things are complicated, but we have this special connection," Connor said. "At least, I thought we did, but she doesn't know the truth about me and, if she did, I know that would be the end of it."

  "No." Stukeley shook his head. "You don't know that at all, Connor. You're just tormenting yourself. You have a lot on your plate right now. You're only beginning to come to terms with your real identity. Getting to know your biological father and your stepmother. You're just taking your first steps through this new world. Give yourself time. And don't try to second-guess this girl... what's her name, by the way?"

  Connor hesitated, but as he spoke her name, he couldn't help smiling. "Jasmine," he said. "Jasmine Peacock. She's really something..." He frowned again. "But I

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  know her, Stuke. I know her and how she feels about Vampirates...."

  "You're not exactly a Vampirate, are you?"

  Connor shrugged. "Vampirate. Dhampir. What's the difference?"

  "I know you don't believe me," Stukeley said, "but I can assure you that being a Vampirate hasn't hurt my success with any women. Quite the opposite, best bud. Fighting them off, I am." He sent a couple of punches into the air. And then lost his balance. For a moment, it looked as if he was going overboard. Connor laughed.

  "That's better. Good to see a smile on that ugly mug of yours, young Tempest."

  "You're a Vampirate," Connor said. "And the girls you like are Vampirates, too. So of course there wouldn't be any issues between you. It isn't the same with Jasmine and me. We belong to different worlds."

  "Oh, I see," Stukeley said. "Well, to be frank with you, even between us Vampirates the path of true love doesn't always run too smoothly."

  Connor grinned. "Sounds like you have a story to tell! How about some details? I told you all about me and Jas."

  Stukeley shrugged. "Not much to tell. Except her name is Darcy Flotsam and she's the figurehead on The Nocturne ."

  "Darcy!" Connor said. "I know her!"

  "You do?" Stukeley's eyes lit up momentarily. "Well, you probably also know that I let her down. Big time. But

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  I hope one day to convince her how crazy I am about her." Stukeley smiled at Connor. "I reckon this Jasmine must be a pretty amazing girl if she's having this effect on you. Have faith that you'll be able to make it work, man, just like I do with Darcy. You can't keep a good buccaneer down!"

  Connor felt his spirits lift. Maybe Stukeley was right. Even if there was only the slightest glimmer of a chance, it was enough for him to seize onto.

  Connor and Stukeley were met on the deck of The Blood Captain by Johnny. He waved to them and ran over.

  "Stukeley, mi amigo , I hear congratulations are in order!" He smiled and shook his head. "You took The Albatross and all its crew. The captain is pleased as punch."

  "Is he?" Stukeley couldn't keep the pleasure out of his voice.

  "Oh yes," Johnny said. "Yes, you've certainly set a benchmark for the rest of us. I can't wait for my turn!"

  "Your turn?" Connor said. All his feverish thoughts of the night were displaced by this new seed of information. Clearly the next attack was already being planned.

  Johnny nodded. "Yes-sirree, I'm going to be in command of the next takeover mission, and I do not intend to disappoint."

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  "Any idea which ship you're going after, mate?" Stukeley asked.

  Johnny's eyes shone in the moonlight. "The Captain and Lady Lola are still making their final decision, but they've narrowed it down to two." Connor felt tense beyond measure as he waited for Johnny to continue. "Either The Typhon or The Diablo ."

  " The Diablo ?" Connor and Stukeley exclaimed in unison.

  "You know it?"

  "Um, yes," Stukeley said. "That was our ship. Back when we were pirates."

  "Your ship?" Johnny let out a whistle. "So if I get it, should I be merciful to the captain?"

  "Molucco Wrathe?" Stukeley said, turning to Connor. "Show mercy to Molucco Wrathe? The man who was responsible for getting me killed? What do you think, Connor? What would you do if you were taking a walk in Johnny's shoes?"

  Connor thought of Molucco. The man who he'd first viewed as a lovable rogue, then as a substitute father. Increasingly, however, he had come to view Molucco as something else. Someone more dangerous and irresponsible. It was true that if anyone was responsible for Jez's death, it was Molucco. Even so, the thought of him being slaughtered by Johnny and the Vampirate crew made Connor feel sick.

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  "Go on, Connor," Johnny said. "Tell me what you think."

  Connor pointed up above his head. "I think we should get back down below deck. The sky is beginning to lighten. Night is fading."

  "As always, young Tempes
t makes a good point," Stukeley said. "Come on, my two blood brothers." He stretched out his arms and propelled his comrades toward the door leading down and away from the danger of the fast-gathering light.

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  28 CODE SILVER

  Cheng Li pushed open the doors to her cabin. Cate followed her inside and closed the double doors carefully behind her.

  "Have a seat," Cheng Li said, gesturing to the round table she often used, in preference to her desk, for strategy discussions.

  Cate sat down.

  "Water?" Cheng Li lifted a carafe.

  "Water is just fine," Cate said.

  "Well, then, you were going to debrief me on the latest developments in combat training. What's the story?"

  Cate nodded. "It's going well. Should the need arise to defend ourselves against Vampirate attack, I think we could fight a good fight...."

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  "It's not a question of if , Cate, but when. And to think we can fight isn't good enough. I need to be certain, which means you need to be certain."

  Cate nodded. "I completely understand your position, Captain Li," she said. "My problem is that we haven't yet tested my training against any Vampirates. Until we do, I have no absolute way of knowing whether we're on the right track or not."

  Cheng Li took a sip of water and lifted her pen to scribble a note on her pad.

  Cate tried to read the writing upside down but was interrupted by a sudden hammering at the cabin doors.

  Cheng Li frowned. "I specifically asked not to be interrupted," she said, rising to her feet. "Who is it?" she called.

  In answer, the doors opened and Jasmine and Jacoby strode in.

  "We're sorry to interrupt your meeting," Jacoby said.

  Now Jasmine spoke. "We have a Code Silver situation."

  Cheng Li nodded. "Cate, we'll have to resume later. Jacoby, Jasmine, what's going on?"

  Cheng Li strode along the grand hall of the Pirate Academy, flanked on either side by Jasmine and Jacoby.

  "Captain," Jasmine said. "Before we go in, could I have a moment alone with you?"

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  "No," barked Cheng Li. "In a Code Silver scenario, every second counts. If you wanted to raise something with me, you should have done so on the journey here."

  Jasmine flushed. "I was hoping to be able to talk to you alone, Captain," she said. "It's about Connor."

  "Why would you want to talk to Captain Li without me?" Jacoby asked.

  "It doesn't matter now," Jasmine said.

  "No," agreed Cheng Li. "It doesn't. Whatever this is about, it will have to wait."

  Jasmine and Jacoby exchanged strained glances as Miss Martingale sped toward them, her heels clicking on the black-and-white checkered marble tiles.

  "Captain Li," Miss Martingale said. "Captain Grammont, Commodore Black, and the others are waiting for you in the vaults," she said. "I'll take you down." She pushed open the door to the headmaster's study, which was currently deserted. Marching briskly to the headmaster's antique writing desk, she reached out for the hole puncher and pressed down on it five times. As she did so, one of the leather wall panels swung open.

  "Follow me!" chirped Miss Martingale, twisting her brooch until it illuminated. She led the way down the spiral staircase into the vaults below.

  "They're in room nine today," Miss Martingale said.

  "Thank you," said Cheng Li. "We'll take it from here, Frances."

  Miss Martingale stood still and gave Captain Li the

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  Federation salute. "Always a pleasure to see you, ma'am," she said. "Whatever the circumstances."

  "Likewise," said Cheng Li, returning the salute and knocking on the door to room 9.

  " Entrez! " called René Grammont.

  Cheng Li led Jacoby and Jasmine into the room, which--like many of its neighbors--housed a long meeting table, composed from the timber of former pirate vessels. Stretched along the table were the great and the good of Pirate Academy and the Pirate Federation.

  " Bienvenue! Welcome!" exclaimed Captain Grammont. "Under the circumstances, we'll keep introductions brief."

  "Understood," Cheng Li said. "I believe you all know my deputy captain, Jacoby Blunt, and I'm sure Lieutenant Jasmine Peacock is no stranger to you either."

  "Indeed not," said Lisabeth Quivers. "We never forget our straight-A students! Of which we now have three in the room."

  There were nods and murmurs all around the table. "Please," Captain Grammont said. "Take a seat and bring us up to date on the latest developments."

  Cheng Li and her comrades sat down. "As I indicated in my message, we have a Code Silver scenario. I could have sent word via Kally..."

  "She's the undercover fishtail you've been using, oui ?" Grammont said.

  "Quite so," Cheng Li said with a nod. "And I could have

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  sent her with a full message, but I thought it best to talk to you in person."

  "We're all ears," said Commodore Black, blunt as ever.

  "This situation concerns the whole Pirate Federation," Cheng Li said. "But three of us in particular." She glanced to the far end of the table, speaking the names as she met the faces. "Trofie Wrathe, Barbarro Wrathe, and Molucco Wrathe." She paused. "Our intelligence reports that tomorrow night one, possibly both, of your ships will be attacked by the Vampirates."

  There was a sharp intake of breath around the room.

  "You'll be aware," Cheng Li said, "that two Federation vessels have already been attacked and seized by Vampirate forces-- The Redeemer and The Albatross . To the best of our knowledge, the captains and crews of both of these ships have been killed, though our intel suggests that efforts are under way to revive certain pirates in an effort to recruit them to the Vampirate ranks."

  "By intel," Barbarro Wrathe spoke now, "I assume you are referring to your undercover operative, Connor Tempest?"

  Cheng Li nodded. "As you know, we have persuaded Sidorio--self-proclaimed King of the Vampirates--that Connor is his son. Connor's mission is proceeding extremely well, and the intelligence he is sending back via Kally is of a higher and higher caliber."

  Molucco Wrathe gave a hollow laugh.

  Cheng Li's eyes flashed lightning at him. "Do you have something to contribute, Captain Wrathe?"

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  "Why yes, Captain Li." Molucco's eyes sought out his old sparring partner. "If Mister Tempest's intelligence is so very good, how do you explain the fact that he did not relay information ahead of the attacks on the other two Federation vessels?"

  Cheng Li did not miss a beat. "I'd like you all to imagine the perilous position in which Connor is working. Never, in the history of the Federation, have we had a spy in the enemy camp before. Connor is risking life, limb, and blood vessels for the Federation--for each and every one of you."

  "We do understand that," Lisabeth Quivers said, her voice--as usual--pouring balm on troubled waters. "And we greatly appreciate both Connor's bravery and your coup de grâce at finding a way in for him."

  Jasmine frowned. Cheng Li hadn't found a way into Sidorio's lair. The door had already been open. She was sure of it. And Captain Li had sent Connor into the inferno without a thought for his safety. She would have this out with her--as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

  "Captain Quivers speaks on behalf of us all," said Captain Grammont. "We salute you, Captain Li, and your young and superlatively talented crew." He smiled inclusively at Jasmine and Jacoby.

  "Thank you," said Cheng Li. "The fact is that Connor had no prior warning of the first attack on The Redeemer ." She hesitated. "As for the second... on The Albatross . Well, as a matter of fact, we did have prior warning of this..."

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  Jacoby turned to Cheng Li, openmouthed. He couldn't believe she was going to surrender this information so willingly. To say that she had a captive audience was an understatement.

  "Yes," continued Cheng Li, "we were warned about the attack on The Albatross , but I myself made the dec
ision to withhold the information."

  There were gasps around the table.

  "You sent Captain Drakoulis to his death!" exclaimed Apostolos Solomos.

  But support came from a surprising quarter as Commodore Black piped up. "Don't you get it? Captain Li was caught between a rock and a hard place. If she tipped off Drakoulis, then she might have saved his ship, but she'd have blown Tempest's cover. His mission--which, as Captain Li says, is unprecedented in Federation history--would have ended before it began."

  "All the same..." protested Francisco Moscardo.

  He too found himself cut off by Commodore Black's shrill voice. "Captain Li made a decision that every military commander, myself included, has to make at some point in their career. She elected to lose a battle to win the war."

  Cheng Li found herself in the unfamiliar waters of feeling grateful and well-disposed to Commodore Black. "Exactly so," she said.

  "And yet," Captain Kirsten Larsen said, entering the fray, "you made the decision to alert us today to the fact

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  that either The Diablo or The Typhon is next on the Vampirates' list?"

  "Would you rather she had kept silent and allowed us to die?" snapped Trofie Wrathe.

  "Of course not," Captain Larsen continued calmly. "I'm just trying to understand Captain Li's rationale. What makes you and your ship so different from Captain Drakoulis and The Albatross ?"

  "It's a fair question," Cheng Li said, glancing from Trofie to Barbarro to Molucco. "And I confess I was torn. By preparing you, I am still risking Connor's personal safety--which, of course I take very seriously--and, more fundamentally, the ongoing success of his historic mission." She sighed. "However, when Jasmine and Jacoby brought me news of the attack plans, it seemed to me that I had to share the information with you. Either of your ships--possibly both--will be targeted tomorrow night. The situation with the Vampirates is escalating."