by T. M. Catron
Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Prometheus Rescue
Extras
Author Note
More Books!
About the Author
Acknowledgments
About Phoenix Prime
Cover
Defiance is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
2017 Antimatter Books ebook
Copyright © 2017 T.M. Catron
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author.
www.tmcatron.com
Book/Cover design by T.M. Catron
Star Streaker ship design by Allen Grippin
Phoenix Prime Logo used with permission.
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For Nicole
Chapter 1
The sleek, bronze space cruiser shone like a star in the yellow sun of Xanthes. State-of-the-art hyperdrive, small, compact maneuverability, large windows for viewing the stars—it was the most beautiful thing Devri had ever seen. She stared at it for a full hour, her chin propped on her hands and elbows propped on her long legs.
A short, stubby looking man walked by on the landing pad, his hair sticking up in odd places even though there had been no wind. He crossed right in front of Devri. She pulled her veil up over her hair just to be sure she wasn’t recognized. The man glanced at her as he passed, but he only nodded and went on his way. Even if he didn’t recognize her, she couldn’t hide the fact that she was a noblewoman. Not in these clothes.
The bright sun of Xanthes beat down on Devri with unseasonable warmth. And even though her long, white dress was spun from the lightest fabric and she wore sandals, the air wasn’t moving enough for her to get any relief from the heat.
Using her Neural Network Relay implant in her spine, and the artificial optic lens in her right eye, she zoomed in on different aspects of the ship, committing them to memory. How she longed to touch it, to run her hands over the smooth hull and go inside to examine the interior. The new cruiser didn’t have a speck of dust on it—no small feat considering the planet’s last sandstorm.
The city was enjoying a brief respite from the usual biting sand and harsh winds. Evidence of the last storm still lay about in piles on the soft landing pad. To Devri, the purple sand dunes provided an elegant backdrop to the bronze ship she was drooling over. Someday, she would have one just like it. Maybe that day wasn’t too far off now she had graduated from the famous Xanthes Flight Academy.
With the celebration party one month away, all Devri thought about was where she would be posted. She imagined far-off planets, alien civilizations, vast nebulas with more colors than she could imagine, and sleeping among the stars. Her chest swelled with pride—she would be happy, and she would make her family proud. At the top of her class, Devri had worked hard to ensure she was on the fast track to becoming captain of her own ship.
On her own merit, of course. Because she didn’t want anyone to say she had received top marks because of her father’s status on Xanthes.
A crackle of static came through on her handset. She looked down at the video screen and her father’s face, but couldn’t hear what he was saying. Sandstorms on Xanthes often interfered with communications. Another storm must have been brewing. Devri touched the screen, increasing the volume.
“…need you back at home, Devri,” Davos was saying.
“Yes, Father.”
Devri put her handset back in her pocket and stood, stretching her long legs and twisting to get the knots out of her back. The wind picked up, ruffling the soft fabric of her dress against her legs. The moving air cooled her, but it also signaled the end to the lull in the sandstorms. By nightfall, the purple sand of Xanthes would swirl through the streets again, sending citizens ducking for cover inside the multicolored houses of the city.
Out of habit, Devri braided her long brown hair. The sand and wind had long ago taught her not to leave her hair hanging loosely around her face. And at the Academy, it was either chop off her straight brown locks or keep them pinned up out of the way.
With one last long glance at the beautiful ship, Devri turned and left the landing pad. Her feet floated along the path to her family’s sumptuous house. Feeling like a little girl, she skipped over the flagstones going up the hill. The path wound up through native vegetation, which was narrow-leaved and scraggly. But there was enough of it to conceal the harsh earth beneath.
Her father’s house looked as if it had grown out of the hill, with sand-colored walls and balconies overlooking the city from every side. Monstrous statues with ornate carvings lined the walkway that meandered up to the house like grotesque sentries, reminding visitors of Davos’ wealth and power long before they ever reached the front door.
Aware of the guards standing at the front doors, Devri stopped skipping just before rounding the curve. Here, she conducted herself as all noble ladies should—calmly and with great composure.
Devri’s comm crackled again, and her father’s voice rang through loud and clear this time.
“Devri, where are you?” As always, Davos was impatient and demanding. Not even Devri’s top commendation from the Flight Academy could change his mood.
A tall guard in full battle armor opened the gilded golden doors of their home, and she stepped through. Her father stood inside the courtyard, his arms crossed and his foot tapping the smooth paving stones at his feet. His strong, sharp face never revealed any emotions other than stoic command or terrifying anger.
“I’m here, father,” Devri said.
“You should not wander the streets by yourself, Devri. Graduating from the Flight Academy does not change the rules.”
“Yes, Father.” Devri did her best to look rebuked, but her mind wandered back to the ship for sale at the spaceport docks. The shining image went with her as she followed her father toward his study.
As always, the house was exquisite. Fountains with purple water flowed in a pool in the middle of the courtyard. The trickling water drowned out any outside noises, allowing only the sounds of the strongest sandstorms to come through. Green, leafy plants hung from the pergola above. The clear glass roof above the courtyard made it feel like they were in a courtyard on the planet Barton, instead of on Xanthes.
A breeze drifted through the courtyard and again ruffled Devri’s dress. But this one was artificial. The house was a self-contained system. Every bit of air that flowed through it was purified and controlled. Transparent panels covered the areas that looked as if they were open to the sun. Servants had to clear them off after every sandstorm.
Devri hummed as she walked, but a quick glance from her father shut her up. The first feeling of uneasiness grew. What did Davos want?
Then she realized he must have found her an appointment. Devri grinned, revealing her straight white teeth. She straightened her shoulders and smoothed her dress.
Davos led her around the side of the house, down a corridor and through the private residence. By the time they entered his private study,
Devri was almost melting with the suspense.
Davos’ private study contrasted with the light airy halls of the rest of the home. Full of smooth dark metals and sparse furniture, the study was a place for intimidation, not comfort. A window overlooking the city made up the entire far wall. Since the house sat on the city’s only hill, Davos enjoyed a view of his domain unrivaled by any of the other nobles.
Even in private, Davos liked to be in control.
Exotic plants framed the window. Their purple and orange blooms were often a point of conversation for visitors. Few knew the plants were so poisonous that brushing against them could send someone into shock.
Before speaking, Davos picked up a flask from his desk and drank. The acrid smell drifted over to Devri. She fought the urge to wrinkle her nose.
If few people knew the plants were poisonous, even fewer knew Davos drank that poison. Over many years, he had perfected an elixir from it—the perfect combination of death and life. He mixed the poison with strong herbs from various other planets. The herbs replenished his cells and gave him life. But the toxin made sure he would never fall prey to the most popular death for Nobles of his status—assassination by poisoning. He’d built up such an immunity it was rumored no poison in the Empire could kill him.
Since he always carried his flask, Devri thought nothing of its presence.
As Davos finished his drink, a side door opened and his servant, Tally, entered the room. Tally was a Graeken, and he looked more like a giant lizard than the humans he worked for. He was as tall as Devri and her father, but the similarities stopped there. Dark, sleek scales covered his entire body. His fingers and toes ended in sharp claws. A hard ridge on his head took the place of hair. But his bulbous green eyes always drew the most attention.
He turned those eyes on Devri now with a look of pity.
The knot of excitement in Devri’s stomach twisted into something different. Why had her father called Tally to this meeting? While the servant had known her since birth and had often been her favorite confidante, her father never would have called him in unless he was going to deliver bad news.
A shiver crept up Devri’s spine and left her entire body with chill bumps. Whatever was about to happen would not be good.
“Devri, I want you to know I’m very proud of your accomplishments at the Academy,” Davos said. “And because of them, I am extremely pleased to announce to you that we have an offer on the table.”
The thrill of excitement returned in Devri’s chest. She breathed a sigh of relief. “From whom?”
Davos smiled. Tally frowned. Devri was confused. Why would Tally be upset? He of all people should be happy for her. Davos cleared his throat, drawing his daughter’s attention back to him.
“Harrison McConnell.”
Devri quirked an eyebrow. “Is he getting a commendation too? How is that possible?”
Davos looked confused. “His father has brought us the offer.”
Behind him, Tally shook his head.
Devri went still, and the warmth of her body was slowly replaced by cold nausea. She didn’t want to be a freighter pilot—didn’t her father know that?
“But Harrison’s father doesn’t have a ship.”
“Harrison’s father has many ships. He runs some of the largest diamond operations in this sector.”
“But… none of them have a place for me. He only hires freighter captains—they hire the pilots. None of those have even graduated from the Academy. Is he creating a new position?”
“New position? Devri, what on Xanthes are you talking about? I’ll have none of your jokes.”
“Jokes… I don’t understand. Didn’t you just say Harrison’s father is offering me a position?”
“I said he has an offer of marriage. To his son Harrison McConnell. I think you must have left your brain at the Academy, girl.”
Devri stared at her father. He must have been joking. Except Davos never joked. Ever. The knot in her stomach twisted and rose to form a lump in her throat. This wasn’t happening. She wasn’t going to marry Harrison McConnell. She was going to captain her own ship, make a name for herself.
And get off this blasted planet.
Devri took slow, steady breaths.
“Well? Don’t you have something to say?”
But Devri was hanging onto the last shreds of control she possessed. She had never blown up at her father, but then he’d never tried to marry her off to anybody. Devri stood on the edge of a cliff, and if she let go of her temper, she would fall off of it.
“Father… There must be a mistake.”
“There’s no mistake. You will marry Harrison McConnell and take your place in Xanthes society.”
“You’ve already decided? Don’t I get a say?”
Davos’ face turned red. “It is not your place to say anything about it!”
“But… Father… You sent me to the Flight Academy.”
“Yes, exactly as you wished. I’ve always given you the best of everything. You wanted to go to the Academy, and you went to the Academy.”
Devri had wanted to go to the Academy so she could become a captain. How had her father misunderstood that?
She raised her chin a little. Davos noticed and narrowed his eyes. His look was dangerous and threatening. Lesser nobles would have already turned on their heels and run out of the room.
“Father, I want to be a captain of my own ship.”
Davos laughed. The sound sent another chill through Devri’s body.
“Whoever put that nonsense in your head?”
Devri glanced at Tally, who was as still and silent as when he had walked in. Seeing the look, Davos rounded on his servant. “YOU?”
“No! Father!” Devri said before Tally had to face any more of Davos’ wrath.
Tally cleared his throat and looked at his master. “Lord Davos, it is not my place to tell your daughter anything. I have always spoken to her in the manner befitting servant and mistress.”
Davos waved his hand dismissively at Tally, who turned and left through the door he’d entered. Her father waited for it to close before turning on Devri and fixing her with a hard stare.
“I have always been good to you.”
“Yes, Father.” Devri’s voice shook with anger. Heat crept up her neck, causing her cheeks to turn red. But still, she didn’t lose her anger.
“And it has never been a secret you would become my heir. How can a ship’s captain be heir to all that our ancestors have built on this planet?”
The effort to control her voice was almost too much, and Devri struggled mutely for a minute before saying, “I thought you were progressive, Father. After you let me enroll in the Flight Academy, I thought you wanted more for me.”
“You thought!” he spat. Devri winced. “What more is there? Wealth, power, prestige, providing guidance to this city—there is no higher attainment!”
The anger flooded her senses before she could stop it. “I don’t want those things!”
Davos strode toward her, his manner so fearsome Devri took a step back.
When her father was a foot away, he hissed, “You will marry whom I say you marry. Nobles’ marriages have been arranged since the Founders landed on this desolate planet and turned it into a jewel of the Empire! And the McConnell family wealth is greater even than our own. I have worked tirelessly so you may have this opportunity, and you will not embarrass me. Is. That. Clear?”
Devri recovered a bit at the mention of Harrison. “Harrison McConnell is a shallow, empty-headed drunkard. You would have me throw away my life for the sake of your honor!”
Davos’ nostrils flared, and for a moment Devri thought he might hit her for the first time in her life. Then he straightened to his full height, towering over her.
“We will formally announce the engagement at your graduation party. By then, you will have graciously accepted Harrison’s offer, and the wedding preparations will have begun. You will marry him a week later.”
Devri�
��s bottom lip quivered with tears and fury. But she wouldn’t cry. Not here.
“And another thing,” Davos added as he turned back to his window. “If you ever raise your voice to me again, you’ll discover why the citizens of this city say I’m the most feared nobleman to have ever graced the House of Davos. Now get out.”
Devri marched to the door and yanked it open. Before leaving, she turned to her father. He stared out the window, over his tiny kingdom in a sea of tiny kingdoms—a small stone compared to the mighty rock of Triton. And yet he was proud and stubborn. She only had one other chance to sway him.
“Father,” she said, mastering her voice once more, “I thought you loved me.”
Although Davos didn’t turn, his shoulders stiffened as if he were holding back a response. But he didn’t turn around, and he didn’t reply.
Devri stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
***
That evening, Devri sat at the dinner table, staring blankly at her fish. They ate lantess—a delicacy. Its teeth were said to be harder than diamonds, able to shear a hole in the side of a ship. This one’s cold, dead eyes stared back at Devri, mimicking her father’s attitude toward her. A wave of nausea passed over her, and she broke out in a cold sweat.
With no guests, the expansive dining hall felt empty and hollow. Even the warm lights and fake breeze couldn’t compete with the promised sandstorm howling outside. It drowned out the fountains and the clinking of silver. Grains of sand pelted the glass roof, sounding like ice rather than sand.
Davos sat at the head of the table, speaking about his high hopes for the upcoming alliance with the McConnells. Devri had tuned him out twenty minutes before. Her blood still boiled from her father’s betrayal. Had sending her to the Flight Academy been a way to keep her happy until he could find a suitable marriage for her? She suspected it was.
