Baldwin's Legacy: The Complete Series

by Hystad, Nathan

  Tom hadn’t told the others about his previous relationship with Seda. It had been ages prior, not much more than an innocent tryst that had ended with her running away with Lark Keen, his best friend. Tom hated the Assembly and all they stood for.

  “I have no idea. I guess I’ll find out,” he said. “Ready to lose?”

  Brax seemed to consider this, but he shook his head, beads of sweat dripping off his forehead. “I don’t think so, Captain.”

  “Good.” Tom served, and Brax returned a high shot, hitting the top right corner behind Tom. He lunged, knocking the ball off the side wall directly at Brax, who narrowly stepped away from it, returning it with a weak backhand.

  Tom’s knees protested as he darted toward center court, taking a long backswing. It worked. Brax was moving in reverse, preparing for a hard shot, and Tom tapped the ball upwards. It hit the ceiling and then the wall as the ball spun, landing precisely on the right side of the hip-high energy barrier that separated the two players.

  Brax groaned as Tom’s score changed and flashed bright yellow. Victory was his.

  “Next time, I won’t take it so easy on you. I don’t care if you’re my captain or not.” Brax headed to the side of the court, setting his racket down.

  Tom picked up a towel, hanging it over his damp hair. “You did well, Brax. A worthy adversary. You realize what this means, though, right?”

  Brax wiped his face with a towel and shook his head. “No.”

  “It means we now have a standing weekly match. It’s invigorating that I have some competition on this ship.” Tom patted Brax on the shoulder as they walked out of the facility and towards the change room. He’d been thrilled to learn they’d added a Vulti court on Constantine, and he was glad to make use of it finally. The old man had loved the sport when he’d been younger and had continued to play in his advanced years, albeit not often with Tom.

  Tom recalled beating his grandfather for the first time, Constantine angrily tossing his racket as the last point settled on the scoreboard. He’d refused to play Tom again, always making an excuse, but never admitting Tom was the better player.

  “I’ll be glad to have a chance at redemption.” Brax moved into the change room and sat on the bench. “Captain, have you been sent the location for Keen’s future home?”

  “Not yet. Admiral Benitor decided it would be best to wait until we’ve offloaded the prisoners and his wife before we’re sent the coordinates.” Tom headed into the steamer, kicking his shorts off once behind the barrier. The nozzles hissed, sending warm steam over him, soothing his muscles and cleaning him at the same time.

  “I wonder how many of these covert prisons there are around the Concord.”

  “Probably more than we’d like to be aware of. Keen is going somewhere no one will ever find him,” Tom said with confidence.

  “Let’s hope. Do you think we’ll see the Assembly again?” They’d been over this before, but he didn’t blame Brax for inquiring. The man felt solely responsible for letting Zare and Yur Shen walk freely onboard Constantine. He’d run far more diligent screening since the coronation, and with Tom’s blessing, had removed ten members from the crew. There was no way to confirm if they were undercover Assembly, but their files each held something in them that made his chief of security wary. Tom figured it was better to be safe than sorry.

  “I doubt we’ve seen the last of the Assembly. Remember when we thought the Statu were done with? Things have a way of returning when you least expect them,” Tom said, reminding him of his upcoming meeting with Seda. He’d purposely avoided talking with her since all of this had transpired, but it would be good for him to get it over with so he could move on.

  “Sir, you have that look on your face. Is everything okay?” Brax asked.

  Tom dried off, dressing as he assured his lieutenant commander that he was fine.

  “If you say so. Have you had a chance to speak with Ven yet?” Brax dressed and nodded to two other crew members changing for their turn at a match of Vulti.

  Tom waited until the two men were out of the change room, and lowered his voice. “Not really. I’ve only seen him on the bridge and haven’t made time to check in on him. How about you?”

  Brax led the way into the corridor, and Tom noticed how good it felt to challenge himself like that. He was tired, but in the best sense of the word.

  Brax stopped when there was no one else around and leaned in. “I haven’t spoken to him, either. He’s…”

  “Different?” Tom asked. He knew exactly what Brax meant.

  “He was always different, but now he’s reclusive. Have you seen his eyes?”

  “They’re darker.”

  “So’s his skin. I swear it. What do you think it’s all about?” Brax asked, worry etched on his forehead.

  “It’s hard to say. The Ugna maintain complete discretion, even more so than we’d thought. I’ll make sure I speak with him, confirm he’s in good health and sound mind. Does that take some weight off your shoulders?” Tom asked.

  Brax breathed deeply, letting out a sigh as they continued toward the courtyard. “He did save my life out there.”

  “Indeed. He’s a good officer. He helped me solidify our relationship with the Ugna. I doubt we’d have them as partners now if it wasn’t for Ven,” Tom told him.

  They entered the courtyard, Tom admiring the sight of his crew mingling inside. The plants were lush and thick, the air humid and comforting in the center of the cruise ship. He hadn’t spent enough time here and wanted to remedy that. Even when he was off shift, he was continuously disrupted, dealing with the issues and needs of the new teams.

  Ven was the chief of crew, but because of circumstances, Tom had let him slack in the role. It was time the Ugna man took the reins, mostly because Tom didn’t want to deal with the subordinates any longer.

  “I’m going to grab a water and check on my staff,” Brax said.

  “Have you had a chance to name your second?” Tom asked.

  Brax grunted: a clear indication he hadn’t. “Not quite, but I will soon. I’m sorry I haven’t done it yet.”

  “You’ve hardly been on board.” Tom gave him a smile.

  “And that’s why you need someone capable to fill my shoes while I’m on a mission… or kidnapped.” Brax grinned at him. “I’ll see you on the bridge in a few hours?”

  “See you then, Lieutenant Commander.”

  Brax turned, walking away and leaving Tom alone in the courtyard. Seda wasn’t on Constantine. He didn’t want Lark Keen’s wife and child on the same ship as the terrorist, for many reasons, so he’d have to make the trek to Andron.

  They’d moved out of hyperlight several hours ago as they were nearing their first stop. Zovlip was gone, destroyed by all reports, but it wasn’t up to Constantine to be the first responder. Admiral Jalin Benitor had assured Tom that they were sending another cruise ship, along with three Ugna vessels to investigate the annihilation of the distant world.

  Zovlip had been sparsely populated, but it was on the list of potential planets for the Ugna to colonize. Regardless, an entire planet being destroyed was a rare occurrence, and they needed to uncover what had caused it before it was duplicated. Next time, it might be a major world, teeming with people.

  Tom glanced out the viewer along the side of the courtyard and imagined they were only an hour from their destination. Bolux Nine was as large a prison as the Concord had. It was infamous among their ranks, and even now, there were a couple of high-ranking admirals behind the bars as news of corruption had come to fruition months ago. He didn’t love the idea of mixing Assembly zealots with disgruntled former admirals, but he’d been assured the two sides would never speak on the planet. An entire world of prisoners. It made Tom’s skin itch.

  Tom stared at space, the stars distant, an assortment of hazy blue and burnt yellow. The entire system they headed to was inhospitable. What better place to detain the Concord’s worst? He almost forgot of his impending meeting with Seda as
he watched the stars.

  He started for the elevator and remembered how much Seda had loved fruity drinks. He suspected she still did, and he stopped at the bar along the far wall, a ServoBot whirring over to him. Tom placed an order for three blended Zilph’i drinks and carried them toward the hangar on a tray. He wasn’t looking forward to the interaction, but maybe she’d be more forthright if he bribed her and Luci with something sweet.

  ____________

  Treena Starling was in charge. When she’d first stepped foot on this bridge a few short months ago, she’d had the very human urge to throw up. Now she was confident in the role, in her new body. Most of the crew were aware she wasn’t human any longer, or at least that her vessel wasn’t, but no one seemed to treat her differently. After her work with Tarlen to save the day, and their entire ship, they all spoke to her with a respectful deference she hadn’t noticed before. She found it refreshing.

  Treena stood from her commander’s seat and stretched out of habit. They’d been sitting for hours, and their destination was nearly at hand. It had taken five days in hyperlight to access Bolux Nine, and she was happy to finally be here. Once they offloaded the prisoners, they could keep moving, dropping off Keen and finally returning to Earon.

  Treena was a little nervous about heading home. Her mother was there, which was great, but she hadn’t spent real time on her old home planet for years. Part of her was excited at the prospect of visiting her old town, and Baldwin had promised everyone a few days while they were there. At least eighty of their crew had family on or had once lived on Earon, so it was imperative they had a chance to visit their loved ones. Plus, they’d been through a lot, so the crew needed a brief respite once they’d managed to complete all their tasks, which started with Bolux Nine.

  “Zoom on the planet,” Treena said, and the acting helmsman obeyed in seconds. The world was small, a cool icy blue hue, matching the feeling of desolation the entire system held. There were dozens of fortifications spread around the world, and the members of the Assembly were to be sprinkled among them.

  Tarlen was in Zare’s old seat, and Treena smiled as she saw him furrow his brow as his console blinked. She moved behind him and tapped the proper icon. “It’s a communication. You press this to reply and place it on the viewer.”

  He glanced up, clearly embarrassed he didn’t know this, and apologized. “Sorry, Commander. I’ll do better next time.”

  She squeezed his shoulder and walked to the center of the bridge. A tiny man faced her from the screen, his hands behind his back. He wore oversized spectacles that appeared far too heavy for his slender head.

  “Where is Captain Baldwin?” the man asked with a pinched voice.

  “This is Commander Treena Starling. I’m in charge at the moment,” she told him. Treena didn’t know where Captain Baldwin was, but part of her role was to handle jobs like this one, and she didn’t think Thomas needed the headache.

  “Very well. I’m Warden Minhaus. Welcome to Bolux Nine. The land of dreams,” he said, smiling widely. His yellowed teeth were crooked, and he chuckled as if he’d made the universe’s best joke. “I’m sorry. It gets a laugh half of the time.”

  “How do you want to handle the prisoner transfer?” Treena asked.

  “I see you have quite the fleet for a few measly rabble-rousers.” The warden squinted behind his spectacles.

  Treena didn’t like the casual way he referred to their captives. “They’ve killed a lot of people, Warden Minhaus. They would have destroyed us if they’d been able. Their leader sought control of the Concord. I think you’d do well not to underestimate the Assembly.”

  “I assure you, Commander, once we have them in our possession, there is nothing to fear. Where are the prisoners now?” he asked.

  “They’re located on two of the legacy cruise ships, Persi and Remie.”

  “And how are they taking it?” he asked, no longer smiling.

  “They’re locked into the hangars and mess halls, with a dozen guards on each ship,” she advised.

  “Good. We’ll send transports to you, load the prisoners, and bring them to the surface,” Warden Minhaus said.

  Treena hadn’t been expecting that. She’d suspected they’d be responsible for shuttling the lot of them onto the planet. “That will work just fine. I would like to see the facilities first, though.” Baldwin had been skeptical of leaving so many of the Assembly in one place, even if it was spread around the world. It was reasonable to ensure peace of mind that they weren’t going anywhere before Constantine continued their multi-step mission.

  The warden appeared confused by the request. “You… want to see my prisons?”

  “That’s correct. Can you arrange a tour?” Treena tried to get a read on the man. He didn’t appear to want their company, but he didn’t have a choice. They’d shown up with a Concord flagship, three retired fleet vessels, and an Ugna escort. Triumph was a few thousand kilometers behind them, keeping watch. Captain Vat was adamant about escorting them, and Baldwin had accepted with open arms.

  “This is unorthodox, but we can give you a tour of my prison. It’s the biggest and best in the Concord, I can assure you that,” he said, his teeth flashing again. Treena was unsettled by the man’s appearance, and she wasn’t certain if he was human or something else entirely. It was hard to tell from the viewer image alone.

  “We’ll be there in a standard hour. Please send coordinates, and prepare for our arrival,” Treena told the warden, who only nodded once before the screen went dark, replaced once again by the distant image of the planet and star beyond.

  “That was strange,” Tarlen said.

  Treena didn’t want to judge the warden too quickly. “I doubt he gets much company. Tarlen, do you want to see a prison?”

  The Bacal’s grin was answer enough.

  ____________

  The box rose, dipped in the air, and spun as Ven concentrated on it. He was better than ever before. Somehow his death, or near-death, had unlocked closed-off veins of Talent in his body and mind. He eyed the En’or on his nightstand but left it sitting there. He hadn’t taken any since he’d been with Elder Fayle on Leria, yet here he was, using his Talent as though he’d recently ingested a fresh vial.

  He’d always wondered about the final ritual many of his village people went through before leaving home. No one spoke of it, and it was rare to move from their community to another. Now Ven understood. They went through a similar situation. He also suspected they would have stronger Talent afterwards.

  Ven recalled the day at least two decades ago when one of his instructors told him he was leaving. Ven had been so upset at the news. Surely there was a mistake. He had been Ven’s friend and trainer, but one day, he’d walked into the off-limits Elders’ Hall, as pale as ever, while Ven waited for him to return. Days passed, and Elder Fayle assured him no harm had befallen his friend.

  He stepped out eventually, although Ven had already given up on waiting. Ven had rushed to the edge of town to witness his friend walk away, and Ven was convinced the man’s skin was darker and that something in his gait had changed.

  Ven was relieved he no longer felt the need for En’or, but the habit was a hard one to break. Even though his Talent didn’t need it, he still yearned for the rush. Perhaps he should take a small dose, just to see how it affected his…

  “Executive Lieutenant Ven to the hangar.” Constantine’s voice carried through the speakers in his ceiling. The box he’d been concentrating on clattered to his floor, and Ven left it there as he dressed in his uniform.

  It was all so strange. Every time he closed his eyes at night, he felt like his heart was going to cease pumping. He saw the explosions around Cleo; Oquid being sucked from the rear ramp hatch; Brax’s wide eyes as Ven pulled the door back in order to save his crewmate’s life.

  “You are alive. You are safe. You are Ugna. Do not disappoint. Your time for the Vastness is not upon you, Ven Ittix,” he told himself as he buttoned his collar. He checked
the time, realizing he’d been sitting on his bed using his mind to levitate a box for over two hours. How had that happened? He was late for his shift for the first time ever.

  Ven had to stop letting himself be distracted by the past. It no longer existed.

  Once he’d left the suite, he slowed as he neared Treena Starling’s quarters. With his Talent, he stretched out a tendril, wondering how the commander was coping with her new situation. Last time he’d attempted this, her body had emanated a sense of sadness so deep that it had affected his own mental state. Now she was happy. Thrilled, almost. Ven clung to the sense and tried to duplicate it within his own mind.

  The corridors beyond were bustling with activity. They must have made it to Bolux Nine. Ven should have been on the bridge for the greeting with the warden, and he hoped the captain wasn’t too upset with him.

  Ven made it to the hangar quickly, aware they’d been waiting impatiently. He glanced behind at the door as all eyes stared at him.

  “Glad you could join us, Ven,” the commander said, not hiding the anger in her voice. It was short-lived. “Come on. We’re heading to the surface for a tour of the prison.”

  Tarlen was beside the commander, but there was no sign of Captain Baldwin or Reeve Daak. Her brother Brax stood beside the commander protectively as they entered the shuttle. He gave Ven a curt nod and waved him to join them.

  “Should we all be leaving the ship? Perhaps I should remain on the bridge with the captain…” Ven had been in a daze the first time he’d returned to Constantine, and the next two subsequent shuttle rides had filled him with a profound fear he’d never experienced before.

  Tarlen and Commander Starling were already on the transport, but Brax appeared to sense Ven’s unease. He jogged over to the Ugna’s side and set a hand on his shoulder. “I know it’s hard. Believe me. If you thought I was scared of being on a tiny shuttle before, imagine my level of distrust now. But this is our job. If we refuse to travel in shuttles, we can’t stay on the executive crew, and I for one don’t want to be taking orders from someone like me, do you?” Brax asked, his smile affable as always.