The Star Captains' Daughter

by Kimber An

  Sorry? Do what?

  “Computer, activate scramble chute.”

  The floor panel receded and Junior jumped in feet first.

  NO!

  Whooosh! Down the chute she slid, hitting the fighter seat with a hard thud. She grabbed the helmet in front of her and yanked it on as the cockpit closed in around her and sealed. On autopilot, the Stinger fightercraft moved into position for launch. It looked like a bullet with sharp wings. The beeps and sirens alerting technicians to her unauthorized launch mixed with hums and buzzing as the hacked computer thwarted their efforts to stop her. Now’s when all my childhood antics pay off!

  Just as the Stinger settled into the launch tube, Junior caught sight of Ariez landing in a second Stinger for pursuit. This is going to be a hell of a day.

  The Stinger shot out of the Chiron and right into battle. Junior hung onto the yoke and dodged missiles over her left wing. Spinning over the Chiron’s top, she focused on her path of escape, letting the blasts and searing fire diminish into background noise.

  Only Ariez knew she’d left the Chiron, for he was mortified at losing track of her again. Ara will kill you!

  “Better that than a civil war which could kill millions.” Junior didn’t need to speak into the flight mask’s com system.

  Ariez could hear and see everything she did. This conflict will end when the people realize we have married! Do you still have no idea of your own importance?

  The battle’s edge came into visual range and Junior wondered if the tactical officers realized something was amiss with two fighters bugging out. “I cannot allow myself to be used as a catalyst for war. It defies all I know to be good and true.”

  You are a catalyst for peace!

  Junior glared over her shoulder at two battleships colliding, wreckage breaking away and fightercraft smashing into it. “You call that peace?”

  Rowan…

  “Fight your own damn war! I’m going home!”

  Chapter 20

  Olivia sat to her desk, studying the picture of her husband and daughter together in climbing gear. Her wedding picture stood next to it. In a third, she held Junior, five years old. Her daughter clung to her hip, wearing a white dress and crown of pink roses. My mother’s birthday party.

  A beep interrupted her thoughts. She pressed the desk-com. “Delano here.” Her gold wedding rings flickered in the overhead lights, Celtic swirls gleaming.

  Sachi’s voice came over com. “Captain, we’re receiving a distress call from a Menelaen shuttlecraft. It’s under attack.”

  Ferocity blew through Olivia’s chest and she jumped up. “Intercept course! Maximum velocity!” Onto the Bridge she strode and took her command chair from Sachi. “Bring all weapons on-line.” The red tactical lights flashed around her head. She fixed gaze on the starry viewscreen. Junior.

  Seconds passed and the Maverick’s hyperdrive engines roared.

  “Coming into visual range,” reported Sachi. “Viewscreen.”

  A Menelaen scoutship battered the tiny shuttle against the stars.

  Olivia gripped handrests. “Destroy their weapons!” She watched the Tryon

  Cannons fire as they swooped over the two smaller ships. “Take out engines and jam transmissions.” Another couple of blasts sent the scout ship spinning away, adrift in space. “Tractor the shuttle and get us out of here before anything else shows up.”

  “Yes, Captain,” said Sachi.

  The blue tractor beam grabbed the disabled shuttle and towed it in.

  Olivia launched out of her seat and strode for the lift, hitting wrist-com as she went. “Medical team to the Hangar Bay.”

  Seconds later, Isaiah followed her as she broke into a jog and entered the Hangar Bay. The shuttlecraft came to rest and emergency crews raced to provide de-con, fire extinguishing if needs be, and security, just in case her instincts were off.

  A technician jammed a device into the hatch and ripped it open.

  The gangplank lowered. A young woman stumbled out first, saying something in Menelaen and gesturing to the interior.

  Olivia tapped her wrist-com, adjusting the translator. “I’m Captain Olivia Delano.”

  “Delano?” The woman fell to her knees. “Sacred Mother!”

  A young man came down, holding the arm of another, much older man.

  The young woman rose to her feet and gestured to the old man. “Admiral Park.”

  Isaiah cocked his head. “He’s the one who adopted Edward.”

  “Yes!” The young woman nodded. “Yes, adopted!”

  Olivia couldn’t stand it. She took a long step forward and grabbed the woman by upper arms. “Where the hell is my daughter?”

  The young woman broke down into sobbing.

  Olivia released her.

  “My granddaughter,” said Admiral Park in deep, heavily accented voice. He pulled arm out of the young man’s hand. “Your daughter has been abducted by Prince Ariez, the one who had assumed the identity of Admiral Jackson for a time.”

  “Yes, we know.” Olivia nodded once. “I just received a personal communication from the Empress congratulating me on their marriage.”

  “My granddaughter was coerced into that marriage.” Park confirmed her fear. “As the eldest child, Princess Ara was Imperial Heir Designate. However, she cannot bear children. Prince Ariez knew if he married a fertile red-haired female, he would unseat her.”

  “Why red hair?” Olivia’s brow pained and she smoothed a hand over her own auburn tresses.

  “The legend of the Holy Bennu states that she will be reincarnated as a red-haired princess. The genome for red hair is extinct among my people.”

  Olivia exchanged looks with Isaiah.

  “Your husband is in the process of rescuing Princess Rowan with the help of my commanding Kaiya.” Park waved a hand over the young man and woman who held each other, utterly terrified. “These are my subordinate Kaiya, Lieutenants Jae and Lali. They have completed the Marital Bond.”

  “Kaiya Rangers.” Olivia had studied up on them. If they’re warriors, why are they so frightened?

  Admiral Park showed no fear. He stood there as dignified as a bronze statue. “Kaiya-Bennu, actually. Our order is a secret one, dedicated to serving and protecting the Holy Bennu with our lives or our deaths. Of course, I never told Edward this. I am certain you are aware he is not one for organized religion.”

  Remembering protocol at last, Olivia gestured to Isaiah who was anxious to treat their scrapes and bruises. “This is my Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Isaiah Freeman.”

  Lali fell at Isaiah’s feet. “My Lord Doctor, please, we need children!”

  Jae kneeled too, hands around his mate’s back. “Please, we are your servants. Please, share maternal blessings. Please.”

  Olivia’s mouth fell open.

  Isaiah also went slack-jawed.

  Karana arrived and went down on one knee to help Lali stand. “Oookay, I’m Dr. Williams. Come on, it’s all right. My husband and I are happy to help.”

  “That’s right.” Isaiah helped Jae stand. “Let’s get you to the medical bay and start running some tests. Come on now. Everything’s gonna be all right.”

  “My Lord and Lady Doctors, please, wait,” said Park.

  The desperate couple bowed heads in concession, though they wept.

  “The Star Captains’ Daughter has been telepathically bonded to a dragon. She will require all of your skills upon arrival, Dr. Williams.”

  “Understood. I’ll be ready.” Karana led Lali towards the door. “Don’t worry. Isaiah can run your tests while I prepare for Junior.”

  Olivia watched her doctors lead the couple out and remembered her own anguish with infertility.

  “My Daughter,” said Admiral Park, taking her hand. “We have much to discuss.” He started leading her out, as though he’d lived on the Maverick for years. “Allow courage to fill your heart. My Son will not fail.”

  “I can see you with my waking eyes.” Junior scanned the blank
stars behind her. She’d lost Ariez in a junkyard orbiting a lifeless planetoid, but he was there. She could feel it.

  There is nowhere you can go where I cannot find you. I sense your presence at all times.

  Junior wondered where the airsickness bag was kept. Fighter pilots aren’t supposed to get sick.

  Adjust your scanner. We’re being pursued.

  Junior tapped the purple-lit panel. “Oh, shmutz. And this is a short-range fighter too.” She saw the leading edge of a swirling mass of hot pink gases.

  They cannot track you within the nebula. I will guide you to the Mebora moon. I have signaled my ships to intercept us there.

  The nebula grew larger in the cockpit window to the stars. “I’m so tired.” Junior rubbed her temple, trying to remember her days of boundless energy.

  This will soon be over and you will be safe on Pellosia.

  Junior felt his emotions wrapping around her like a warm blanket, the hope for comfort and peace in his own soul. “I believe in your intentions, but there are forces bent on destroying you. The Orachi would manipulate you even as the Premerean Guard did. I must escape across the DMZ. It’s the only way to prevent civil war.”

  A time of civil unrest cannot be prevented, but I can protect you from the unpleasant knowledge of it.

  “Oh, like you’ve been blocking and erasing so many of my other memories?” Junior felt the flames of wrath.

  What do you mean? Why are you angry?

  “Why am I angry?” Junior let her head slump over. She knew Ariez couldn’t understand. From his point of view, he was being a loving husband, protecting his wife from traumatic feelings.

  The Mebora moon is straight ahead. Do you see it on the sensors?

  Junior released a sigh which felt like snake slithering out of her dry throat. “Yes.” She studied the grid. “I’m reading an oxygen atmosphere. Database indicates it’s an abandoned mine.”

  The swirling gases cleared and the reddish-brown moon came into full view. She piloted the Stinger down through the atmosphere and into a gaping cavern, passing by rusty equipment long silent and still. Extending the landing struts, she touch down.

  Junior launched out of her seat, catching a glimpse of Ariez’s fightercraft landing as she hurdled the lowering gangplank. Sprinting into tunnels lit only by glow crystals, she heard his hatch pop. She wasn’t sure what she could accomplish running from him. For all she knew, Dad was dead. There was no way home.

  “Rowan!”

  Death or a lifetime of splendid incarceration, it wasn’t a pretty choice.

  Junior squeezed through a crack in the rock and into a cavern. Instantly, a half-dozen pressure rifles snapped down on her as target. Loyalists! “Okay, bad idea!”

  “Enough of this nonsense, Princess Rowan.” A Loyalist commander pushed through his troops. “It is time to fulfill your destiny with Lord Kaliban.”

  “I own my destiny.” Junior looked the commander in the eye and wouldn't let go.

  The commander staggered back as though pushed by an unseen force.

  “My Lord, the Marital Bond is complete!" Cried his lieutenant. "She may already carry the Seed of Ariez.”

  “An unborn prince is easily disposed of.”

  Junior pressed hand to her tummy. “You would kill…my…” Anger started boiling up inside her.

  The lieutenant’s eyes widened. “But, My Lord, I feel the heat of her wrath!”

  The commander realized it too and backed away. “Destroy her!”

  Like a giant bat in the night, Ariez attacked his prey. His sword slashed through the first Loyalist and then another, the Power of the Bond propelling him in frightening swiftness. Junior didn’t have time to cover her face from the carnage. His blade destroyed the Loyalists’ high-tech weaponry before they could fire one shot. Her spine rattled. His back to her, he seemed to be cleaning them away, swinging his dark blade through the torso of one and then through the neck of another. She could feel the strength of him against her.

  Ariez severed the Commander’s hand when he drew a secret pistol and plunged sword into his gut. “I am the Sun! Feel my wrath!” He shoved the man back into a heap with the others.

  The energy which invigorated Ariez in battle sunk Junior to her knees, clutching both sides of her head. She couldn’t cry. She couldn’t think.

  Ariez wiped his sword on a corpse’s shirt and sheathed it on his back. “Rowan.” He rushed to her and gathered her up. “Shhh, it’s over. Everything is all right.” He half-carried her, half led her down a tunnel into another cavern, away from the bloodshed. “I am sorry I could not shield you from feeling that, but it was the only way to stop them from destroying us.” He settled her gently down in the next cavern and cupped her face in one hand. “I will comfort you.”

  Junior’s lashes weighed down with his affection. “Wait!” She grabbed his wrist and pushed it away. “Stop!”

  “I must protect you.”

  “No. I’m human. I need my memories – all my memories.”

  “But…they fill you with such anguish.”

  “I need them to comprehend my past, present, and future circumstance.” Junior gripped his collar in hand. “I must escape across the DMZ or die trying before this conflict escalates into a war which could kill millions. Once I’m gone, the various factions won’t have anything to fight over.”

  “If only it could be so simple.” Ariez held her shoulders close. “Listen to me, please. You’ve shared my thoughts. You know what I’m saying is true. Princess Ara adheres to the old ways. She has begun a rampage of conquest. Do you really think she’ll stop at the De-Militarized Zone?”

  Such an idea had not solidified in Junior’s mind until he said it. There were so many thoughts and feelings competing with each other. “Even if you succeed in stopping her, you will be Emperor of Menelae. Imperialism is an oppressive form of government. I cannot be a part of it!”

  “A constitutional monarchy is a republic. There are still sovereign nations on Earth with that form of government; England for example.”

  “Do you really think the noble caste will tolerate free elections and the sharing of power?” Junior let her incredulous tone fly.

  “Not right away. No. Of course not. But, in time and with you as my conscious and the symbol of hope and peace…”

  Junior let her gaze sink away.

  “The Menelaen people must evolve or our society will crumble within a decade. Princess Ara knows this and she would accomplish it through conquest.”

  Junior knew he spoke truth. “What of my parents? Are they doomed to a lifetime of misery for the sake of interstellar peace?”

  “I will send your father across the DMZ to your mother.”

  “He won’t go without me! Even if you hog-tied him and sent him across in a shuttlecraft, Mom would blame him for losing me and hand him over to be tried on war crimes he didn’t commit! Don’t you see? They won’t understand! I have to go.”

  “It is too dangerous. I will send my best diplomats…”

  “Ooh, God.” Junior groaned and caught forehead in hand. “Your listening skills are no better than theirs.”

  I love you. Rest in my care. Ariez smoothed a hand over her face. Within his care, she would know only the peaceful Pellosian mountains and the joy of their children. Worshipped by billions, she would unite the Menelaen Empire under his rule forever.

  Knowledge of her father’s death and her mother’s broken heart would never torment her. All memory of it would be erased beneath warmth and pleasurable caresses.

  This isn’t a marriage. This is an addiction. Junior gripped his shoulder when his mouth covered hers. Gone. Alone in a room with only him. The windows to everything else opaque. Nothing. Except a feeling.

  A feeling like the last gasp of air before drowning.

  A sword being unsheathed, the slide of metal, the way it reverberated through the oxygen molecules brought Junior to her senses and she gasped.

  Ariez stood fast with her gripped tightl
y to his side. He whipped his sword back out of its sheath and assumed a combat stance.

  “It’s all right, Junior. I’m taking you home to your mother now.”

  “Dad…” Junior tried to turn to her father’s voice, but she was gripped so tightly she couldn’t.

  Ariez’s black sleeve cloaked the white of her jumpsuit, as his mind tried to cloak hers. He chanced a quick look at her expression. “Liar! You ripped her away from her mother, used her for political gain, and filled her heart with despair!”

  “You’re right. I did all those horrible things…and worse…and I deeply regret them. Take me to stand trial, but let my daughter go.”

  “I will make you pay for all the misery you’ve caused my wife!”

  Junior struggled on wobbly legs and tried to turn far enough to see her father.

  “Wait, please…”

  Delano took a step forward, balancing his body for the coming battle. “Release her, Ariez!”

  “Rowan is my wife! Our Bond is complete!” Ariez lowered her to the rocks behind him, keeping his sword trained on Delano.

  Junior backed away on her bottom, finally catching sight of her father in warrior‘s stance. With Ariez’s attention divided, his cloak over her thoughts loosened.

  Dad’s rich voice filled the cavern. “Junior belongs to herself and she only wants to go home.”

  “Rowan’s home is with me now!“ Ariez circled out, both hands taking the hilt. “Your grandchildren will bear my countenance!” He flew at his enemy even as he railed, smashing his gray blade down on Aodhan with all the power of his wrath.

  Delano blocked, twisted Ariez’s sword around and kicked him back.

  There can be no happy ending for me. Junior rose to her feet, bracing herself back against the rock wall. Embrace the memory of my mother’s womb. In that moment, she was there, snuggling safe. Warm. Purely loved.

  Then a scream.

  Her own.

  Ariez attacked again. Thrust. Block. On his butt, his knee. Jumped back up and the two locked in equal power.

  Delano stomped and hooked Ariez’s foot and the two crashed into the dirt together.

  Ariez caught an elbow in his ear. Spin away, back onto feet. SMASH! Block Delano’s thrust. Shove. Hammer. He hammered, smashing, smashing the blade, forcing him to stutter back on his feet. “If you kill me, Rowan will die too!”