Twin Stars 1: Ascension

by Robyn Paterson

  “Yes,” Tysen said. “Kip, when I told you we were delivering the Emissary to a conference I was telling you the truth, but not all of it. The truth is we’re doing something that could cost us our commissions and maybe even our lives if we’re caught.”

  “Al, what’ve you done now?” Kip answered, in an almost playful tone.

  Tysen shook his head at his friend’s incredible talent for not taking anything seriously. “Kip,” he said earnestly. “We’re on a secret mission for Admiral Veers. We’re taking the Emissary to a meeting of some of the most powerful people in the Empire for a peace conference.”

  “Okay, but why’s it so secret?”

  Tysen paused, considering, then said-“How much do you know about what happened to the Emperor?”

  “Died a few years ago,” Kip rhymed off. “Didn’t leave an heir so the Imperial Council took charge until they could find a new one…and have been doing a wonderful job ever since.”

  Tysen let himself smile at his friend’s sarcasm. “Good to see you’re a loyal citizen of the Empire.”

  “Of course,” Kip continued. “By “wonderful job” I mean if things get any worse I’m going to be joining one of the merchant fleets soon. Oh wait. There aren’t any. The government taxed and regulated them all to death.”

  “Yes…” Tysen sighed.

  “Lieutenant...err...Captain. While I was on New Wellington I got promised commissions by five different officers if I’d swear my loyalty to them and get my men to do the same. It’s like every fleet’s backing a different side, and all of them intend to win.”

  Tysen wished this was a surprise, but in fact he’d been approached by almost a dozen people during his time on the capitol world. Some had offered money, some had offered redemption (seeing him as a fallen officer), and most had offered power- he had given all of them non-committal answers and left them ignored.

  “What did you do?” He asked Kip.

  “I told them where they could put their commissions,” Kip grinned. “And, that if they offered it again I’d put them there personally.”

  Tysen laughed, despite his best attempt to suppress it, and drew a few glances from the crew. “I bet you would,” he said, trying to return to a straight face. “Well Kip, that’s what the peace conference is for. They’re trying to get together everyone who can stop this from turning into a civil war and hammer out a new deal. I believe they’re going to make the Imperial Council step down and hold open elections to try to restore the public’s faith in our system.”

  Kip shrugged again. “Sounds like more Nobles playing games to me, Al. What they call “open elections” doesn’t mean a lot for the rest of us.”

  “I know Kip,” Tysen admitted. “But it’s a start. If we can get elections going then we might be able to get people in charge who actually give a damn.” Then he added, a tone of urgency coming to his voice. “We need to clean house, and we need to do it quickly- before St. Rail moves.”

  “The Grand Admiral?”

  “Yes,” said Tysen uneasily, feeling odd even speaking this way of the legendary fleet commander. Grand Admiral St. Rail was the man whose tactics and ideas about war were the foundation of the academy’s core curriculum. He was the most decorated man in the fleet, and the youngest to reach the title of Grand Admiral, the fleet’s highest position. He was no longer a young man, but was still very much a man of action, and Admiral Veers feared St. Rail’s impulsive side was about to make a grave mistake for them all.

  “There’s rumors that the Grand Admiral thinks the only way to save the Empire is to give it a new leader- himself. He’s building up his forces to stage a coup, and if we can’t get a coalition formed he’s going to move in and declare martial law. There’s some people who even say he’s even encouraging the dissent and unrest so the people will welcome him when he does it.”

  Kip considered the information, all trace of joviality gone from his face, then he looked up at his Captain. “So, how does the old lady fit in?”

  Before Tysen could answer, a small AR window suddenly opened to the left of his vision with Esther’s impassive face looking at him.

  “Tysen, the Emissary is waiting for you. I recommend you visit her immediately.”

  Tysen indicated that he would, and Esther disappeared. Then he looked back at Kip, who was watching him carefully, and frowned.

  “That, my friend, is what I’m about to find out.”

  * * *

  Exiting a lift, Tysen was turning when he heard running footsteps and a voice called out to him.

  “Hey Captain!” Called a thickly accented voice. “Wait up!”

  Tysen paused, letting the broad-shouldered man with the dark skin catch up with him. “Mister Ulstead. How can I help you?”

  “Going somewhere important?” The man asked, he wore a gray and blue military smartsuit now instead of a business suit, but his manner was still anything but military. “I just wanted to talk a bit.”

  “I’m on my way to see the Emissary- care to walk with me?”

  “Suits me fine,” the mercenary said with a grin as they began to walk. “I was on my way back there myself.” Then he paused and looked awkward for a moment. “Ahh. In case you’re wondering sir, I’ve got three of the girls on her right now, she’s perfectly safe even though I’m not there.”

  “I never doubted it for a moment, Mister Ulstead.” The Captain said, meaning it. He had seen firsthand how careful this man was, then he glanced around. “Although now I’m curious- where are your other two flowers?”

  Ulstead gave him a sly grin. “Well sir, let’s just say I’m a cautious man, and a cautious man likes to know what’s going on aboard the ship he’s guarding. Got one of them cloaked in the mess hall, and the other out keeping an eye on things.”

  “In the mess hall?” Tysen said, mildly intrigued.

  “Registering the ship’s crew, sir.” Ulstead said proudly. “I know you gave me access to the manifest when you hired me on as a security contractor, but I like to make my own records if you understand me.”

  “I do indeed,” Tysen nodded. “Well, I put this mission’s security in your hands Mister Ulstead, so it’s nothing less than I expected.”

  “And that’s what I wanted to be talking to you about, mate. I didn’t have the chance before to thank ya for hiring me and the girls on and giving us a chance to get off Port Fedrin.”

  Tysen gave his head a shake. “Don’t worry about it, Mister Ulstead. This mission required trustworthy security that wasn’t fleet, and you did protect Esther and myself. Even if it was your job, you still showed a strong sense of duty that I appreciate.” Then Tysen added, “And, we will be happy to drop you off at any world or station you wish after this mission is complete.”

  “Well, still.” Said the man, rubbing the back of his head. “Thank you, Captain.”

  “You’re welcome,” Tysen accepted. “Speaking of which, how is Emissary Whitcombe?”

  “The old bird? Hard to say really. She doesn’t speak a whole lot. Been on the observation deck reading since she came aboard.”

  “Do you know what she’s reading?”

  “Not my business, sir.” He looked Tysen right in the eyes as he said it.

  Tysen gave a pleased nod at that, “That’s the answer I wanted to hear.” Then, they came around a corner and found Esther waiting for them at the entrance to the observation deck. She wore a military smartsuit like Ulstead now, although Tysen couldn’t help but notice hers seemed much better filled out. “Ahh, Esther. Ready to meet the Emissary?”

  The Squire nodded a hello to the security man, and smiled at her master. “Yes, Captain.”

  “Carry on, Mister Ulstead.” Tysen said by way of a dismissal. “Let’s go Esther.”

  * * *

  The observation deck of the Crystal Leaf was a portion near the prow of the ship that had been set aside for crew recreation. As was common on most starships, it was set up as a greenhouse, with rows of green flowering plants chosen to red
uce stress and calm the crew who used the area. A few benches, tables and chairs completed the park-like environment.

  As Tysen entered with Esther, he spotted the Emissary immediately, sitting at a table right up near the bubble view-port at the front. Dressed in a custom blue and white smartsuit, the diminutive woman still wore a powder blue shawl over the shoulders of the suit, despite the suit naturally keeping her body at a comfortable temperature. As Mr. Ulstead had said Tysen, she seemed engrossed at writing in the book on her lap.

  When Tysen sucked in a deep breath, Esther looked at him curiously.

  “You seem nervous.”

  Tysen fiddled with his collar, he was wearing his dark blue dress uniform for this meeting instead of his standard shipboard smartsuit. “Lady Whitcombe has been the head of the Imperial Trade Guilds for over a hundred years, Esther. She’s one of the most powerful women in the galaxy. Not only that, she’s likely the key to our mission’s success. If we fail, the Empire’s days may be numbered in weeks.”

  Esther gently shook her head, and reached up to push Tysen’s hands away, carefully arranging his uniform. “Tysen, whether she likes you or not will have little effect on her resolve to help our mission.” Then, as she stepped back to check her handiwork, she added- “Sir Fawn always considered her most unpredictable woman.”

  It was Tysen’s turn to be curious. “You’ve met her before, Esther? Will she know you?”

  “She may,” the Squire answered with an appreciative nod at her work. “Although I doubt she will acknowledge me as I am merely a Squire. Sir Fawn has had many dealings with her, most of them not in his favor. She is extremely careful and intelligent Tysen, but she respects assertiveness. If you show her you are strong, she will likely respect you.”

  “Ah, if only it were that simple,” Tysen mused. “Alright then, Esther. Let’s go.”

  As the pair made their way through the deck, Tysen considered picking one of the flowers they passed, but decided against it in case it set a bad precedent. He was surprised at how cautious he was knowing that Ulstead’s war robots were around him somewhere, watching.

  “Lady Whitcombe,” he said cordially as he came up beside her. “I’m…”

  “…Captain Tysen. Yes, I know.” She said testily, and looked up to fix him with eyes that brooked no offense. “Captain, do you know how long I’ve spent sitting here since I came aboard?”

  Tysen stiffened, suddenly feeling like a cadet in front of his fencing master. “No ma’am, I’m afraid I don’t.”

  “Two hours and twelve minutes.” She informed him. “And, do you know why I chose to sit here?”

  “No ma’am. I can’t say I do.” He said plainly.

  “I felt it was the best place for you to come introduce yourself.” He said, her sea-green eyes flashing. “Do you have an excuse for your lateness, Captain? Why was I not welcomed when I first came aboard?”

  “My lady, I have a ship to run.” Tysen tried to explain, but the woman waved his excuse away with a flick of her fingers.

  “No, Captain. Your executive officer has a ship to run while you prance around and pretend to do important things. I have been on a military ship before, Captain, I am well aware of how they work.”

  Fighting the urge to correct the Emissary, Tysen just nodded. “My apologies, my Lady. You are right of course, I should have come to see you earlier.”

  “Yes, you should have.” She said, seemingly accepting his apology and closing her leather-bound notebook with a snap. “Now, let us continue on a more positive note. What have you come to say?”

  Tysen, feeling a sense of relief, tried his best to smile. “I came to see to her Ladyship’s needs and welcome her aboard. Has everything been to her satisfaction?”

  “If it wasn’t, you would already have known about it, young man.” She said. “When will we arrive at the summit location?”

  “In about five days, Ma’am.” He reported, then tried to shift the conversation to a more pleasant topic. “Speaking of the summit, I wanted to ask your opinion of things. What do you think of their plan, ma’am?”

  “It will fail.”

  Tysen frowned. “Ma’am?” He said, uncertain. “If you really believe that, then why are you here? You must believe in some part of it.”

  “I believe that it will fail, young man. I don’t believe this effort is without merit however.” She explained. “I think it can be a very profitable chance for all who wish to see the light.”

  “The light, ma’am?” Tysen asked, unsure of what she meant.

  She ignored his question, “And how about you, Captain? Where do you think your future is?”

  Tysen hadn’t expected such a question to come from her, of all people, but he didn’t have to think about his answer- “With the service, ma’am.”

  “A sensible reply,” she commented. “But which service? Whose service? There are two now, and may be many more before the month is ended. Who do you want to be your master?”

  Tysen didn’t really like thinking of anyone as his master, but in the military one did accept the chain of command. “Admiral Veers, ma’am. He’s the only one who believes in his people and is trying to do the right thing.”

  “And when he’s gone?” She challenged. “Who will you serve then, Captain Tysen?”

  And Tysen suddenly found himself without an answer. “I…Hadn’t really consider that, ma’am.” He said, speaking the truth.

  “You may want to,” the Emissary told him. “Powerful friends are good to have, young man. Especially in troubled times.” Then she reopened her book and began to write again. “Now, I believe you are a busy man, so I will let you go.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he told her, and gave a deep bow from his waist. “If there’s anything I can do please let me know.”

  “Of course,” she said without looking up.

  Tysen took that as his cue, and walked quickly for the door, not stopping until he was in the hallway. His heart was beating rapidly, and he had to force himself to calm down.

  He glanced over at his Squire, who had been right when she said the Emissary wouldn’t even acknowledge her. “Esther...What just happened there?”

  “I believe she likes you.” Esther commented.

  Tysen looked at her in disbelief, not sure if she was being sarcastic. Finally deciding that Esther wasn’t capable of sarcasm, he shook his head. “If she does, she sure has a strange way of showing it.”

  * * *

  The Empire had been founded on its Jump Point Network, the series of Jump Buoys whose thin webs of energy bridged the gaps between planetary systems and allowed ships in hyperspace to travel between them. Time in hyperspace for ships was usually relatively short due to the nature of hyperspace, and most travel time for ships was actually in-system once they’d arrived at their destinations. Traveling from point A to point B within the Empire consisted of not only travel between many systems, but also travel inside each system, as the Jump Buoys couldn’t be placed near each other to avoid interference.

  This made it crucial to have a finely plotted course, as travel time was affected by the nature of the systems a ship passed through on its journey.

  “We’re nearing the jump point to Nantow now, sir. Awaiting your orders.” Ensign Marissa Helgi reported from the Crystal Leaf’s navigation creche.

  Kip, standing now that Tysen had taken the main chair, looked at a readout and nodded. “Warn the crew and then activate the jump drive, Ensign. Drop us back to normal space.”

  “Aye sir. Activating the jump drive.” The tall, dark-skinned ensign responded crisply, her fingers flying over the controls.

  “I hope you’re right about this, Kip. I promised the emissary we’d be there on time.” Tysen said, concern in his voice.

  Kip grinned. “Captain, stop worrying. I plotted us the best course I could, and Nantow’s the quickest route.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Tysen answered sourly. He was still mulling over his conversation with the Emissary the day b
efore, and it had put him into a bad mood.

  “Here we go,” Kip told everyone, grabbing a nearby handhold. “Hang on!”

  Most of the time for a ship transiting either into or out of hyperspace was a smooth experience, but occasionally gravitic forces or shifts in the ship’s own artificial gravity could result in turbulence. As a result, it was customary to warn crew members of the coming transit, and for everyone to have a handhold when it occurred.

  For some reason, Tysen had also developed the habit of closing his eyes when it happened, an odd habit he couldn’t trace, but which made him feel a little more comfortable. There was the slight feeling of disorientation he associated with the transit, and then he opened them and found everything as it should be.

  “Ensign, report.” Kip ordered from beside him, and Tysen began calling up AR windows with ship systems displays.

  “We’re through, sir.” She reported. “We’ve exited into Nantow system space. All systems read nominal.”

  Tysen’s readouts were also all green and he dismissed them, exchanging a look with Kip to see that his first officer also agreed.

  “Thank you, Ensign Helgi.” Kip ordered. “Okay, set us a course for…” He began, but he never got to finish the sentence.

  There was a tremendous shudder through the hull of the ship, and a roaring sound filled the air as the lights all flickered off. Alarms were suddenly screaming everywhere, and holo-displays were popping up at the bridge stations to display outlines of the ship with large red patches.

  “What the hell?!?” Kip screamed over the alarms. “Ensign, report!”

  “Sir, we’ve been hit!” Helgi yelled as the lights came back on. “The drive section’s been cored! Atmosphere’s venting! Auto-sealing systems engaging!”

  Tysen heard all this, but he was too busy checking the external sensors, trying to find out the cause. He could leave the survival of the ship to his people, he needed to know the big picture to know what to do next.

  It took only moments for Tysen to find what he was looking for- two ships were sitting inside the jump point zone. Cutter class, neither of them broadcasting ID signals. Black ships then, either pirate or something else.