Selene sat up and glared at him. "I haven't been raped yet, so there's that. But I would not call it being 'treated well.'"
Frederick cleared his throat. "Our guards do not rape prisoners. Regardless, I've spoken to Father."
You don't know your guards, then, Selene thought. More than one had eyed her with hungry gazes. She had not seen Artemis since the day before. "Has he agreed to let me live?"
"Sadly, no." He averted his eyes. "I've been sent to inform you of your execution date."
Selene took a deep breath. "Out with it, then. When am I to die?"
"Three days hence you will face a public execution in Steel Plaza."
"What will be the method? Hanging? Beheading? Poison?"
Frederick gaped. "We are not barbarians. It will be a dignified death by lethal injection."
Selene rolled her eyes. "I did say poison."
"Yes, but poison is such an... icky word."
"Oh, I'm sorry I offended your sensibilities," Selene scoffed. "I would offer to make reparations but I fear I will soon be dead."
A hint of sadness flashed across her brother's face but then he smiled. "It was nice knowing you, Selene. I'm sorry it had to be this way."
But it doesn't have to! Selene thought. She wanted to shout it at him, tell him what a fool he was and implore him to resist her father and advocate for her. If he and her mother both stood at her side her father would have to relent, wouldn't he? No, standing up to her father directly would get them both executed as well.
"So am I," was all she said.
"I really must go. I have an important appointment in ten minutes." He did not look at her. "Goodbye." He started walking away.
Selene did not bother saying anything. She couldn't bring herself to say goodbye, couldn't thank him for visiting and did not feel like insulting him further. She curled up and imagined Derek's face as she wished for sleep to come.
Chapter 12 - Vultures
"You're on with the president's office, sir," Zigana reported.
"This is Admiral Martin Rigsby. I need to speak with President Galantos immediately."
The woman on the other end of the holo looked as bored as the assistant of Admiral Hensen. What was with all the assistants being bored? "This is an unorthodox communication, Admiral. You should be going through official channels, which includes Fleet Command, before speaking with the Admiral."
"Please tell him this is a matter of national security," Martin said. "I cannot bring this to Fleet Command first."
The assistant sighed and Martin half expected her to roll her eyes. "May I ask what the matter is regarding?"
Martin hesitated. Yes, this was an assistant to the president, but who knew how many officials were in the pocket of the rogue elements within the Federation. "Tell him it involves the Supreme Commander and it is critical."
The woman quirked her eyebrow. Did she doubt his word? Did she think he was lying and just dropping the Supreme Commander's title for no reason? "One moment, Admiral, while I speak with the president. The link went black as she muted the line. Several minutes passed. Did that bode well or ill? At last the assistant returned to view. "I'm putting you through to the president. I would like to remind you he is a very busy man. Do not waste his time."
Martin bowed his head. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of it."
The image faded and was replaced with the youthful - compared to Martin, anyway - image of President Joseph Galantos. He wore his night black hair slicked back. He wore an amicable expression, though he did not smile. His green eyes took in Martin. "Admiral Rigsby, I presume?"
Martin offered a deep bow, bending at the waist. "President Galantos, thank you for taking my call."
"I was told you have critical information concerning the Supreme Commander?"
Martin breathed in deep. "Yes, sir. Have the Joint Chiefs contacted you yet?"
President Galantos frowned. "No. Why should they have?"
"I'm afraid I have bad news, sir. The Supreme Commander is missing in action."
The president's eyes grew wide. "Missing? What happened?"
"That is a sensitive matter, sir, and why I needed to speak with you personally. Are you alone?"
"Yes. Say what you need to say, Admiral."
"Our fleet was betrayed, sir. Rogue elements within the Federation fleet turned on us. They were supported by the Krai'kesh and appeared to be working with them." He held his breath. Would the president act in the same manner Admiral Hensen had? He hoped the president would not turn out to be a traitor.
The president narrowed his eyes and stroked his black beard. "That is troubling news, Admiral. You have proof of this, I presume?"
"Yes, sir. I have bridge recordings of one such traitor and sensor records of the space battle during which we were betrayed."
"Have you brought this to Fleet Command?"
"I have, sir. I brought it to the attention of Admiral Hensen." He looked away. "I'm afraid, however, sir, that Admiral Hensen may well be involved with the traitors."
"What? That is preposterous, Admiral. What makes you say such a thing?"
"I told him the name of a system my fleet and I were located in. I then sent a probe to that empty system. A fleet of Krai'kesh ships accompanied by the rogue ships appeared a short while later. The only person who knew I was 'in' that system was Admiral Hensen. It had to be him."
"Or it could be someone eavesdropping on his communications, could it not?"
Martin nodded his head in acknowledgment. "It is possible, sir, but unlikely. In my experience, such complicated explanations are incorrect. There is also the matter of Admiral Bordekov and several admirals earlier this week proposing to depose Dawyn as Supreme Commander. They were outvoted, but I fear the betrayal was the second part of their plan to bring down the Supreme Commander."
"These are dangerous allegations, Admiral. If what you are saying is true, our highest commanders are on the side of rebels."
"It would not be the first time, sir."
The president pursed his lips before speaking. "No, it would not be." He sighed in frustration. "Fine, I will have the Shadow Watch Guards investigate Admiral Hensen and any others you suspect of treason."
"That may be too late, sir. And it could tip your hand, making you a target. It is better for you to appear ignorant to the goings-on of the traitors"
"While I appreciate the sentiment, Admiral, I survived a Krai'kesh assault recently. I am not accustomed to backing down from a fight."
"Mr. President, if the traitors are as deeply embedded as we expect they will have eyes and ears everywhere. If they want to get to you, they will. And they will want to go after you if they sense you are close to uncovering their plans."
"I appreciate your concern, Admiral, but I am in the most secure building in the Federation, surrounded by the best security forces ever known. I think I will be okay."
"Need I remind you, sir, that you were betrayed by insurgents posing as Shadow Watch Guards in the past."
The president frowned but nodded. "Point taken. I will be in touch as the investigation progresses, Admiral. Godspeed."
Martin bowed his head once more. "And you, Mr. President." After the link closed Martin hung his head and sighed. "Oh, Zigana, I fear for his life."
"Why do you say that, sir?"
"He's too virtuous, too good, too naive. He thinks he is untouchable and that the rule of law will be on his side. These rebels will also have the law on their side, and they will make people like the president the evil ones. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Zigana cocked his head to one side. "That is an ancient proverb, is it not?"
Martin snorted. "Yes, one of the original human sayings, I believe."
"I am surprised an ancient saying has been remembered but the missteps of the past have not."
Martin conceded that to Zigana. "Yes, I suppose that is ironic."
Chapter 13 -A Coup
A void portal opened and the R
enegade passed through. Before Rachel sat the planet of Tar Ebon, the gem of the Federation. Thousands of ships swarmed around it, some entering, others departing. Traffic was so dense that shifting was only allowed in designated areas, usually far away from the planet, except for military vessels, which could shift near the poles. As the Renegade was not military they were starting far from the planet. "Don't be scared, Frank."
Frank scoffed. "You kidding me? I was dying for a challenge. I don't think I've seen this many ships in my entire life. Like a giant, fast-moving asteroid field."
Rachel rolled her eyes. "You get used to it."
"You've been here before, boss?"
Rachel stared at a button on the control panel. Memories surged upward from her subconscious. She closed her eyes, shoving them back down. "Yes. Years ago." It was not pleasant, she added mentally.
"Were you flying?"
It was Rachel's turn to scoff. "You know I can't fly worth crap, Frank. That's a damn silly question."
Frank smirked. "Just wanted to see if you were telling a tall tale, ma'am."
"I should make you swab the decks for that," she joked.
"But then who would fly the ship?" he asked.
"Maybe when we land," she said. She activated the internal comm. "Dear ol' Dad and aunt, can one of you please come to the cockpit and explain to me how we're going to land."
"If I need to tell you how to land, we're in worse trouble than I thought," her father said. He was clearly trying to make a joke, but Rachel did not laugh, or say anything at all.
"Ignore my brother's awkward attempts at trying to reconnect with you. We're on our way." The channel closed.
Minutes later both Dawyn and Bridgette squeezed into the cockpit and took a seat.
Rachel turned to them. "Well, what's the plan?"
Dawyn closed his eyes for a moment. "I've just transmitted a series of codes to your console. Use those as authentication codes, in that exact order, and you'll be allowed through security with no difficulty."
Rachel frowned but looked to the console. "Secret codes? How come I didn't know about these?"
"They're secret for a reason," her father said dryly.
"And I was your daughter."
His face softened. "You still are. But the fewer people who knew about these codes the better. These were hard-coded into the authentication system as a bypass. We asked Jason to create them in the event something like this happened. We will likely only have a single use with them, however, for once the insurgents identify the code they will shut it down."
"That assumes the insurgents control Flight Control and can shut down codes," Bridgette said. "Why is it you're suddenly more cynical than me, Brother?"
"I'm not cynical," he replied. "I'm a realist."
"If you say so."
Rachel snapped her fingers. "Can we please focus on the matter at hand? What do we do once we're past security?"
"I will go to the FIA headquarters and gather as much intel as possible on the Cult of Rae," Bridgette said.
"You can't do it remotely?" Rachel asked.
Bridgette shook her head. "No. There is some information we cannot trust to the Shadownet, no matter how secure. The data is on air-gapped servers hidden deep inside my office. I'll just waltz in, grab the data and get out."
Rachel nodded. It sounded plausible. "Okay. What about you, Father? Are you going to run off also?"
Her father smirked. "Well, I am running off, but I need you and your team to accompany me."
"What's the mission?" she asked.
"I need to speak with the president. He may be the only person we know we can trust on this planet. I need to touch base with him and come up with a stop-gap to forestall the progress of these rebels."
"The Hague House is impenetrable. You're just going to walk in the front door?"
Her father's mouth dropped open and he put a hand to his chest. "I am still the Supreme Commander. That carries some weight." He brought his index finger and his finger to the point where they almost touched. "Just a little."
"Not on all matters," Rachel grumbled.
Her father gave her a sad look.
"Don't you think it would be better to like, sneak in?" Bridgette asked, breaking the silence. "Maybe through the secret entrance?"
Rachel's father nodded. "Yes, that's actually a good idea. The less attention we draw the better."
"First authentication prompt coming up. You got this, Rachel?"
Rachel nodded and turned back to the console again. She punched in the authentication code her father had given them. For a harrowing moment the screen was occupied by a spinning circle. But moments later a green "authenticated" message popped up. She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "One down," she counted the codes, "four to go."
They flew on toward Tar Ebon. "How does the authentication system work?" Rachel asked. "Is it random?"
"No. It is pre-designated at certain distances from Tar Ebon. The idea is that a nefarious element might pass the first authentication and do business on the surface of Helos, where the FIA can monitor them and keep them contained, but they won't likely pass the second authentication if they're serious criminals. If anyone fails an authentication beyond the first, the attention of the Home Guard is roused and fighters are dispatched to investigate and escort the offending vessel to an inspection checkpoint if necessary."
"So don't fail an authentication," Frank summarized. "Got it."
"Not if we want to maintain our stealth approach, no. If we're detected I can use my authority to call off the Home Guard but,"
"Yes, we know, the insurgents aboard the Home Guard vessels would find out you're alive and call back to their home base and suddenly your whole plan would be ruined, right?" Bridgette asked.
"I don't appreciate your tone, Sister," her father said. Rachel couldn't tell if he was joking or not.
"And your paranoia is wearing on me, Brother. It's like we've swapped bodies but you've brought out all the paranoia I usually keep under lock and key."
"It's not paranoia if there's evidence," her father rebutted.
"Then when we find this evidence I'll be the first to apologize," Bridgette said.
"Second authentication coming up," Frank announced. "We're being scanned."
"It's routine," Rachel's father replied. "Maintain your course and transmit the second authentication code."
Rachel did as she was bid. The second authentication code worked as well and they continued their course toward Tar Ebon. Three more security checks were also cleared and soon the Renegade passed the orbital ring and entered Tar Ebon's atmosphere.
"Where to now, Chief?" Frank asked, referring to Dawyn.
"Take us to Tar Ebon City. Docking bay thirteen at the Bard's Landing. I'm giving you the reservation code."
Rachel quirked an eyebrow. "You're really prepared for everything, aren't you? Did you foresee this or something?"
Her father shot a sidelong glance at Bridgette. "I have many contingency plans. It's one of the reasons I've lived this long."
"I'm going to FIA headquarters. Now," Bridgette announced. Her last word hung in the air as she disappeared into mist and the mist faded to a shadow.
"Why didn't she do that earlier?" Rachel said. "Like when we were flying in?"
"I'd like to say it was because of the riveting conversation, but alas that is not the case. The orbital ring around Tar Ebon emits a nullification field to create a barrier to shifting. Bridgette can overcome the barrier, but not without a great deal of energy."
Like when I slammed her against the wall, Rachel thought. "I see," was all she said.
The comm chimed. Rachel answered it. "What?"
"Hey boss, what's going on up there?" Reynaldo asked.
"We're going to meet the president of the Federation, so wear your best outfit."
"I always dress to impress, ma'am. It's Maggie you should be worried about."
A slapping sound came over the comm. "Tha
nk you," Rachel said, assuming Maggie had hit Reynaldo in the back of the head or somewhere else.
"Us girls gotta stick together," Maggie said. "We'll gear up." The link closed.
The cockpit was quiet as Frank brought the Renegade in for a landing at Bard's Landing, dock thirteen. "Hey, isn't thirteen supposed to be an unlucky number?" Frank asked.
"Did that just dawn on you?" Rachel asked.
"Hey, I'm the pilot, not a scientist."
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to remember that," Rachel grumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. I was complimenting your sharp wit. We would never have known thirteen was an unlucky number without you, Frank."
"Oh well, just doing my...wait..." he turned his head toward her and narrowed his eyes. "You're being sarcastic, aren't you?"
Rachel smirked. "Yes, you big dummy. Now focus on landing."
"Shit, boss, I could land this old girl with my eyes closed."
"Please don't."
Frank laughed.
The landing gear engaged and a light jolt transferred from the floor up Rachel's legs as the Renegade met the ground. "Home sweet home," her father said.
Rachel shot him a dirty look. Home was supposed to be where I was, she thought. That had certainly not been Tar Ebon.
The trio exited the cockpit but Rachel shoved Frank backward. "You stay here with the ship, Frank. Keep her warm for us, in case we get into trouble."
Frank sighed. "Do I have to?"
"Yes, that's an order."
"But I've never seen Tar Ebon. I can't go roam the streets for like an hour."
"And risk getting lost and our ship not having a pilot. Hell no. You stay with the ship."
"Blah." He hung his head, feigning dejection, and walked back to the pilot's chair.
Rachel turned and was met with the sight of her father shaking his head and pointing at Maggie and Reynaldo, who had just emerged from the hallway. "No, you can't wear combat armor into the Hague House. Go change."
"But it's our combat armor," Reynaldo said, as if repeating what Rachel's father had just said would make a difference. "We need it." He paused as if waiting to see if realization would suddenly dawn on her father's face.
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