“So, then I’ll go from being their prisoner to yours?” Danielle asked hesitantly.
“I won’t allow that,” he responded. His face took on a serious expression. “I give you my word. You will be my guest for the time being.”
“So, can I leave and go home whenever I want?” She probed for more details.
K'oron could see the apprehension on her face. He was asking a lot of her, and he knew it. She would have to trust that he would keep his word, otherwise, she could be allowing her ruler to go unwarned about the potential threat. You can trust me, Danielle. Please believe that. “Allow me to report to Emperor Glars’n, and I will personally take you anywhere you wish to go,” he promised her.
She thought it over. She knew that staying on the Perseverance wasn’t an option. He had assured her she would be safe, and that he would take her home after giving his report. Moreover, she believed him. After all, he had saved her life beforehand and now had helped her escape. “Okay, we go to your world, you talk to the Emperor, and then you take me home. Agreed?”
K’oron nodded in agreement and opened the door. “Shall we?” He was glad that she was going with him, and more so that she was willing to trust him.
CHAPTER 11
As she sat watching the news report coming in from Rylos, Queen Constance couldn’t believe what she was hearing. If he keeps talking like that he will start a riot or worse a war. First Minister Gaelon was almost inciting the Rylan people to storm the Commonwealth palace and drag Captain Ridgeway out by force. She knew that a certain amount of political speech-making was pandering to your base audience, but this seemed a bit much. As she watched she couldn’t help but be reminded of ancient Earth history and the political speeches from the 1930s. Where one man incited a nation to declare war on the almost the entire planet. She never trusted Gaelon, but now she almost feared him. "This is bad, isn't it?"
Hawthorne turned to her. "Yes, Your Majesty, it's bad. He's stirring up their people against us. I'm less concerned about things here on Mars than I am things on the border colonies. Many of our people on the Rylan border trade with the Protectorate for supplies and food."
"I see your point," she agreed. "So, how do we turn this around?"
"You're not going to want to hear the answer," he told her. "Give them Ridgeway, and this will all blow over. Keep him, and things could escalate."
"We still haven't finished our own investigation into the matter," she replied. "Ridgeway is still declaring his innocence."
"His court representative is wanting to call the other bridge officers as witnesses," Hawthorne informed her. "So far only the one they have reached is the science officer, a Lt. Baxby. He was transferred to the Science Academy here on Mars. The others have been assigned to various ships already. The Dauntless is in stable orbit above us, in case anything from the ship is required during the course of the investigation."
"I'd be content to have some more actual evidence," the Queen said. "Right now the only evidence is the audio where we all heard him order the attack."
"It doesn't look good for him," Hawthorne said shaking his head. "I hate to think the worst of any person under my command, but maybe it happened just as we heard. Now Ridgeway is panicking because he doesn't want us to extradite him to Rylos."
"Maybe," she acknowledged, "but I can't bear the thought of sentencing an innocent man. What do you think the Protectorate would do to him if found guilty?"
"I'm not an expert on Rylan law," he admitted. "I know that they still vent people out of airlocks on their ships, but that is usually for the most grievous offenses."
"Offenses like mass murder?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"Probably so," he agreed with her assessment of the situation.
"The Rylans are pushing me to move up the hearing date," she told him. "I want to give him time to form a fair defense, but I can't stall the Protectorate's representative much longer. Our prosecutor is ready to move forward."
"All you can do is let things run their course," Hawthorne tried to reassure her. "That is what the courts are for."
"You're right," she sighed. "I'll speak to the flag officer's board tomorrow, and tell them to start the hearing."
"A wise decision, Your Majesty." Hawthorne nodded. "Perhaps a call to the Rylan Prime Minister's office informing him that the trial is progressing? Let him hear it directly from you instead of the normal channels."
"That's a good idea, too." She offered a slight smile. "I'm so fortunate to have someone like you to advise me." If it wasn't for you, Uncle Dale, I'd already had a nervous breakdown from these events. You've been my rock, and when this is all over, I'll figure out some way to repay you.
"It's my pleasure." He said with a bow as he as turned and left the room.
***
Danielle couldn't believe the difference between the ship she had initially been a prisoner on and K'oron's ship. No'tok's ship looked to be very old, but this ship was extremely new. As she looked around the cabin, she saw some systems that looked familiar to systems on Commonwealth ships, but some of the things she was seeing were like nothing she had ever seen on any ship she had ever served on. She glanced over at K'oron, who was focused on piloting the ship. This man was an oddity to her. He was the leader of the most feared assassins and spies and in the known universe, yet he had been nothing but kind to her sent their first meeting. He had treated the wounds from No'tok shooting her and had helped her escape from No'tok, and the others involved with him, onboard the Perseverance. The stories she had heard of the V'drellz Stragizi and the man that was piloting the ship just didn't seem to add up.
K'oron noticed her looking around. "See anything interesting?" He asked slightly amused.
"Lots," she admitted. "I can't get past the difference between your ship and No'tok's. His ship seemed like it was about to fall apart, and yours has technology that I've never seen before."
He gave a small chuckle. "In the Dominion, you have to earn your ships, your command, everything. If someone has more prestige than you, kill them and take it. It's the core law that all V'drellians follow, from the lowest servant to the Emperor himself."
"So," she pondered, "if someone were to kill you, they would become the new leader of your group?"
"If they challenged me to a blood duel, yes," he nodded, "but that doesn't happen as often as one might think. I've only been challenged once three years ago. It didn't end well for the challenger."
"I see," Danielle thought. Well, I guess overpowering him and taking the ship isn't going to be an option. Should I even be thinking of escaping? She asked herself. K'oron had given her his word that she would not be a prisoner any longer. He even agreed to take her where ever she wanted to go. It would probably be better to just go along with him for the time being, especially since she felt like he would honor his word.
"When we get to V'drell Prime, I want you to stay on the ship until I tell you otherwise," he warned. "My people have never seen a Terran, and I don't want them to react badly. For your sake and theirs."
"React badly?" She asked. "You mean to arrest me?"
"No," he replied, "I mean try to kill you. My people are not known to be welcoming to strangers."
"Good to know," she said. "I guess I'll wait inside the ship."
"Glad to hear it. I'm getting tired of putting you back together," he replied as he smiled.
Did he just make a joke? He seems at ease with me, or it's a very good act. She stared into his eyes. No, I don't think it's an act. She realized that she was staring at him, and glanced away hoping that he hadn't noticed. "So how long until we get there? Danielle asked.
"Approximately thirty-six of your hours, If I understand your method of time measurement," K'oron stated. "You've got time to get some sleep. I'm going to set the automated navigation system, then get some rest myself. There is a pullout bunk in the back of the cabin. Go ahead and use it, I'll just recline my chair."
"Thank you," she said appreciatively. "I
mean it. You didn't have to help me. I know you probably have other reasons for doing it, but I still appreciate it." This man that she had only met a short time ago, was becoming her knight in shining armor. If circumstances were different she could almost see herself having feelings for him. Really Danielle? Daydreaming about him? Shake it off. There's no time for girlish fantasies of getting swept away by the handsome stranger.
He turned and looked at her. "I did initially aid in your physical recovery as an attempt to collect information on you and your people, but now I have too much respect for you as a soldier to play games. Now, get some rest. I think this will get more interesting before it's over."
***
Hobarth had hoped that the Terran Commonwealth would reach out to the Protectorate after the recent events involving the Rylan Starburst. The Terran queen was young, and young people often made rash decisions, even leaders of nations. Although he was surprised when his aide had said that it was Queen Constance was calling personally. He cleared his throat and answered the link. "Your Majesty, it's good to hear from you. I hope that we can work something out that will help both our nations put this terrible tragedy behind us?"
The image of the Terran queen on his screen began speaking. "Yes, Prime Minister, I believe we can. First of all, let me apologize for my outburst the other day. I understand your frustration and anger, and I too was angry at the very thought that one of my officers could ever commit such a heinous act."
It was a trying day for both of us," Hobarth graciously accepted her apology. "Let us move forward and speak of it no more. Are you ready to release Captain Ridgeway into our custody for trial?"
"No," she answered, "but we are ready to move forward immediately with our own trial, and would ask that you allow a representative of the Protectorate to partake as co-prosecutor in the Crown's case against Captain Ridgeway. Your representative would be given full access to all of our evidence, and be granted the full authority of a Commonwealth Special Prosecutor, the same status as our prosecutor."
Well now, perhaps this woman has some politician in her after all. It was a good approach for diplomacy. Offer the other person something of value, but not everything they want. "That is a generous offer," Hobarth acknowledged, "but I'm not certain that my people will accept such an arrangement. They will want him tried here, and punished here."
"I can't imagine the anger that your people feel, having endured such a loss," she said, "but I can understand the sense of worry my people have at letting a Protectorate court try a criminal case involving a Commonwealth Captain's actions on board a Commonwealth ship while in Commonwealth space. I would expect your people to have the same apprehension were the situation reversed. We feel that allowing the Protectorate to be represented actively in the prosecution will dismiss any notions that we are abetting criminal actions against the Protectorate. If a guilty verdict is returned, Ridgeway will be immediately placed into Protectorate custody for sentencing. In fact, I think we should appear together immediately following the trial and speak to our people united. Let's show them that we are dedicated to keeping the treaty between the Commonwealth and Protectorate intact."
"Well," Hobarth pondered the idea, "it's not ideal for our people, but I do understand the concerns of yours as well. I believe I can convince our Parliament and people that this is a good compromise, as long as the Commonwealth allows our representative to be fully involved in the process from the selection of the jury to the final arguments. I also agree with your idea of appearing together following the outcome. It will show that our nations are stronger when they are together."
"Absolutely," replied the Queen, "I will personally appoint your representative to the case. They will have unfettered access to all things related to the trial. At the end of the trial, regardless of the outcome, we issue a joint statement."
"Then I believe we may have a means to save the relationship between our two nations, Your Majesty," he agreed. "I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to contact me personally regarding this. I will inform our people of the arrangement immediately. It will definitely put many hearts at ease, including mine. I will submit the name of our representative to you within twenty-four of your hours." He ended the link and pressed a button on the panel.
A voice answered, "Yes, Prime Minister?"
"Have the Secretary of Legal Affairs come to my office immediately. We need to select a prosecutor for the biggest legal matter the Protectorate has ever witnessed."
***
No’tok had watched the video three times. Each time only increased his disbelief. How did they escape? Even managing to get free from the cells, where did they go? He sat at his desk watching the video file again. Still perplexed, he queued the file to play again. He watched clips of video feeds from the cameras he had placed on the Perseverance. He followed their escape from the removal of the cell doors, down various corridors, and watched as they opened and went through a door that he knew for a fact entered a severely damaged section of the ship. That section has no breathable atmosphere! Did they inadvertently kill themselves and float away? Even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew better. K’oron so far seemed to be a far more skilled adversary than expected. He doubted that his prisoners would have been so careless as walk into the vacuum of space. He pulled up the external sensor data from the same time period. There was no indication of any ships within the vicinity of the Perseverance during the entire escape. So if a ship didn’t come and get them, and they didn’t die, where in Th’warzin’s abyss did the go?
He got up from his desk and walked over to his bunk and stretched out. Watching the video had made his head hurt. He could feel the frustration manifesting itself as a sharp stabbing pain at the base of his skull. He knew he would have to inform the Triumvirate of his failure. A discussion that he was dreading. Right now, I need to rest my head for a bit. I’ll let them know when I wake up. He had just closed his eyes and begun to relax when buzzer at the door went off. “Enter,” he said aloud. The door opened and his first officer walked in.
S’crall was about the same age as No’tok, and they had served together for many cycles. The first officer wore a ragged patch over one eye, concealing the socket from an eye he lost long ago. He told everyone on board that he lost it in a weapons explosion while serving as a weapons mate right out of training school. Only a handful of veteran officers in the V’drellian fleet knew the real story. S’crall actually lost it in a bar fight when he picked the wrong girl to flirt with. She was pretty, and he didn’t realize that she was involved with the bartender standing in front of him. So the bartender jammed a keg tap in his eye socket. No’tok had helped drag him out of the bar before the bartender could finish the job, and got him medical treatment. They had been friends ever since. “Commander, we’re receiving a signal from headquarters. It’s Legate Th’arn.”
No’tok rubbed the back of his head wincing. So much for letting my headache ease up. “I’ll take it in here, S’crall,” he said sitting up. The first officer left the room. No’tok walked back to his desk and sat down. “Legate, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. Is everything okay?” He asked with a sound of innocent curiosity.
The image of Th’arn scowled. “No, No’tok it isn’t! One of our friends was on the Perseverance recently, and it seems that our guests have decided to leave. I thought you were handling that?”
“Actually, I was just looking over the security videos from the incident,” responded No’tok. “It almost seems like they disappeared.” No'tok was trying to frame the events to seem as though they were out of his control.
"People don't simply vanish from a ship in space!" Th'arn snapped. "The Triumvirate wants to know what happened. This could jeopardize our plans. I can't have him stirring up trouble on V'drell Prime, and we don't know what K’oron overheard, or where he is now. And, what about the Terran? What will she do? There are too many unanswered questions, and this is not a time for unknowns."
"I will take care of it," prom
ised No’tok. He knew that he needed to keep the Triumvirate, and by extension Th'arn, happy if he wanted to come out of the upcoming events on the winning side.
"See that you do," replied Th'arn, "or else I might be in need of another Follower." Then the panel went black.
No'tok understood Th'arn's frustration, but he still didn't like to be threatened. I might need to reach out to the Triumvirate directly.
CHAPTER 12
The trip to V'drell Prime had been uneventful, which was a welcome relief from everything that had already occurred. Danielle was both excited and nervous about the prospect of visiting the V'drellian homeworld. She wondered what it would be like. Could it be as harsh as Mars was outside the domes, or perhaps as beautiful as the pictures I've seen of the pre-war Earth? Even as those thoughts danced through her mind, she couldn't help but remember K'oron's stern warning about not leaving the ship. As their ship entered the atmosphere, she began to get a glimpse of the planet. The sky had a purple tint to it and clouds floating lazily throughout. Getting nearer the surface, she could see shapes of tall spires and buildings of cities and lush vegetation surrounding them. The buildings were made of what appeared to be glass and metal, and shined in the light of the sun. It's beautiful. K'oron piloted the ship toward one of the larger cities. They were on approach to a large building that almost seemed out of place with its surroundings. This one was much older and was made of stone, not glass. It was as though the city grew up around the stone building. The ship set down on the roof of the building, and a V'drellian in black leather armor and a black cape was standing by the only door accessible to the roof.
K'oron switched the engines off, and the caped man started walking toward the ship. K'oron pressed a button to open the rear door, then turned to Danielle. "Stand beside me, and when he arrives say nothing," he warned. "Make eye contact, but do not speak even if he speaks to you, and do not show any emotion whatsoever. If I speak to you, nod or shake your head to answer. I do not know what has occurred since I have been gone."
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