Transmission Lost

by Stefan Mazzara

  “I...I think this is...the cellar in the royal palace...”

  Turning to look behind him, Jack saw Brooke sitting a short distance away, in the corner of the room. The dark-skinned, long-haired lass was sitting on the floor, her back against the wall, with her knees drawn up in front of her and her arms around her legs. She had her chin resting on the tops of her knees, and she was staring at Jack with her eyes of deep green. Unlike the first time the two of them had been in this sort of situation, he had a clear view of her. She looked a lot better than he felt. Although her clothes were torn in a few places and she had a few scrapes on her hands, the slave girl seemed mostly unhurt.

  Grunting a little with the soreness he was feeling all over his body, Jack crawled over to Brooke and sat up against the wall next to her. “The royal palace?” he asked. He found that a little hard to believe. Lirna was a good distance away from Arbaros, and it had taken nearly two days to get there, even at hyperspace speeds. “Are you sure?”

  “I'm pretty sure,” Brooke said with a small nod. “I mean, I was blindfolded for most of the time after we landed, and I was only ever in the cellars a few times, but this looks a lot like them. I guess they took the food and stuff out when they decided to put us here.”

  “But if we're on Lirna, I mean...was I really out that long?”

  Brooke nodded again. “I...I was a little worried you weren't going to wake up,” she said, her voice a little shaky. “Those soldiers hit you really hard. I kept checking to make sure you were still breathing, but...I'm glad you woke up.”

  “Ah...Yeah, me too.” His legs feeling like jelly, Jack managed to get to his feet. He walked to the door of the room they were in. The door looked heavy, but it had a small window in it which was covered in a wire mesh. Putting his face up to the mesh, he was able to look out into the hall. He couldn't see much other than a nondescript wall, but from some subtle noises that came every few seconds, there were probably guards standing outside of their makeshift jail cell. Two of them, if he had to guess. Not wishing to earn himself a second beating, just yet, he quietly went back to Brooke and sat down. “Do you have any idea why they locked us up down here?”

  “I don't know,” the young girl responded. She put her head down, burying her face in her hands. Understandably, she seemed quite afraid. “I don't even know why they took us in the first place. They separated us from mistress and Lady Me'lia almost immediately. I don't understand what's going on...”

  Looking up at the ceiling, Jack tried to think. Taking Li'ren and Sami made sense to him. Li'ren was the Empress, after all. She had value as a bargaining chip, or as some other sort of leverage that the rebels could use as an advantage over the Ascendancy. And since the leader of the rebellion was Ara'lana Me'lia, Sami's mother, she might have been reluctant to kill Sami. Aria was fighting her, but maybe Ara'lana hoped to find support in her other children. Brooke probably escaped death because she was just a slave, and seen as useful to keep alive, or not worth killing. But from what Aria had told him about her meeting with her mother, she had absolutely no qualms about killing Jack. He honestly couldn't think of a good reason why he was still alive.

  “Well, there's no use in speculating,” Jack said. He reached over and put a hand on Brooke's shoulder, trying to be comforting. He lowered his voice a little. “All we can do is wait and see what will happen. Let's just bide our time.” He injected confidence into his voice as best as he could. “The first chance I see to try to get us out of here, I'm going to take it. So don't worry. I'll do my best to get us both out of here alive.” He wasn't sure what he, an unarmed human, could do against a palace full of human, Ailian, and probably Pteryd soldiers, but in his mind anything was better than just giving up and waiting to die.

  ******

  She was frightened, she was among enemies, and she was far away from most of her loved ones. But for all that, Li'ren felt a strange emotion at being back on Lirna. She could not, of course, call it happiness, but it was something very akin to that. Even though her mate was dead, and her world was taken over by those who wished to bring her way of life to an end, it was still home. And as she was led through the halls by the foursome of crimson-clad Ailian soldiers, she realized she felt more at peace than she had in weeks. If there had ever been any indication that a battle had taken place in the palace, it had been quickly repaired by the invading forces. Doubtless Ara'lana had wished to enjoy her victory in pristine settings. Everything looked nearly the same as it had when she had left, what seemed like a lifetime ago.

  The past several days had been quite unusual, to say the least. When human soldiers had entered her room and slain her guards, she had been prepared for the worst. Li'ren had fully expected to be killed right then and there, but they had instead bound her hands and taken her, along with Sami, Jack, and the slave girl, Brooke, from the room through an open window and to a waiting helicopter. The craft had ferried them to the landing pad of the governess' residence, where they'd all been taken on to a much larger ship. Once on board, Li'ren had been separated from everyone else while the ship had been underway, but upon landing on what turned out to be Lirna, she had been brought into the royal palace where she and Sami had been placed in a suite of rooms which had normally been reserved for guests of the Empress. They had been treated surprisingly well, but Li'ren had the suspicion that their treatment was more due to the fact that Sami was the daughter of the rebel leader, rather than any consideration for her own position. Of Jack and Brooke, Li'ren had no idea where they were being kept, but she fervently hoped harm hadn't come to either of them.

  -Where are you taking me?- Li'ren calmly asked one of the soldiers, the third time she had asked that question since being taken from the room in which she had been held since arriving on Lirna. For the third time, her question went unanswered, but really the young Empress had a fairly good idea of where she was headed. She also felt reasonably certain of what her fate was to be. As scared as she was, that certainty gave her some solace.

  After walking for several minutes, she was brought to a room that she knew very well, indeed. Near the center of the palace, close to where Li'ren had shared quarters with Kri'a, was the private dining room where the two of them had sat over many a meal during their time together. As she was led inside, she saw that it had changed quite a bit since the last time she had seen it. The room, once decorated with softly colored paintings and vivid bouquets, was now clad in hangings bearing patterns of red and black, and no flowers whatsoever. At the table, regally clad in robes of blood red and gray, was Ara'lana Me'lia. The table was set for tea, with a silver platter holding a steaming pot in the center, between the usurper and an empty chair.

  -Ah, Li'ren,- Ara'lana said, standing from her chair. Her voice was carefully polite and measured, and her expression suggested a mood of friendship, but underneath that could be detected the air of a predator lying in wait. Ara'lana waved to the empty chair opposite her. -Do sit. We have much to discuss.-

  Li'ren looked at the guards surrounding her, waiting to see if they would prompt her forward, but when they made no effort to do anything she stepped forward on her own. As calmly as she could, the Ailian woman took her seat, primly sweeping her tail out from underneath her so she wouldn't sit on it. She folded her hands in her lap, looking across the table and trying not to let her face betray how she was thinking about the various ways in which she would like to see the former admiral's life end.

  -I do not see that we have anything to talk about,- Li'ren said. She was unable to keep the vitriol out of her voice entirely, though she did better than most could have. A lifetime being brought up in diplomatic circles did have its advantages. -I presume that you have had me brought here to be killed. I know you find amusement in cruelty, but I see no need for delay. Be done with it.-

  -Cruelty?- Ara'lana repeated, looking somewhat taken aback. -Oh, I assure you, child, I take no pleasure from being cruel. But one must be forceful in one's political moves. You, of all people, should know tha
t.- She waved a hand towards the guards behind Li'ren, and they all exited the room, leaving her and Li'ren alone. The white-furred Ailian reached for the tea pot and poured two cups of the bitter, fragrant concoction. -And I have no intention of killing you, my dear. Yet, in any case.-

  Li'ren turned her nose up as a cup of tea was set in front of her by Ara'lana. -So you say, Ara'lana. But I'd wager I would find that tea...not to my liking.-

  -You mean poison? That's really not my style, Li'ren. Just ask Kri'a.- She smiled, some of the placidity in her expression being replaced by sick humor. She picked up the cup she'd given to Li'ren and lifted it to her own lips, taking a sip from it. -You see? Nothing to fear.- She replaced the tea in front of the younger female.

  After glancing at the cup, Li'ren left it where it was. -If you're intention is not to kill me, perhaps you should explain yourself, then.- She crossed her arms over her chest, and glared at Ara'lana with her ruby red eyes.

  -No pleasantries? Come now, Li'ren, you are a politician. You know that there must be accounting for protocol.- Ara'lana picked up her own tea and cradled it in her palms. Li'ren could see the tip of her tail swaying back and forth behind her. The older woman was clearly enjoying herself royally. -Do try the tea, my dear. It's quite bitter, but I assure you that the flavor is beyond compare. A specialty of my home planet, and my very favorite. Much more complex than the pedestrian teas one is commonly limited to elsewhere in the Ascendancy.-

  -Thank you, no,- Li'ren said, perhaps a bit petulantly. When really there was probably no harm to be had from the drink, she was still determined not to play any of Ara'lana's games.

  Ara'lana sighed. -How boring. Very well, if you insist in being so intractable, I will not attempt to dissuade you. To business, then.- The white-furred Ailian glanced over Li'ren, seeming to evaluate her for a few moments. The young Empress had never felt very uncomfortable being looked at by another woman before, but Ara'lana was not looking at her out of any sort of romantic feeling, she was sure. Rather, she got the sense that it was much the same way that a slaver evaluated their wares. -I brought you here in order that we might try to cease this foolishness. I think you can agree now that you have little hope for victory. Even with the aid of our Nuretan neighbors, you are rather uncomfortably outnumbered.- She lifted her cup, glancing over the rim as she sipped. -I hope the last month has given you time to consider the offer that I made when we last spoke.-

  Li'ren had to laugh at that. -You mean the most gracious offer you made to send me to prison for the rest of my life? I did not consider that an offer worth serious consideration.-

  -Come, come, Li'ren,- the matriarch of the Me'lia family said soothingly. -I always thought you were a reasonable woman. Kri'a was full of fire, and not really the sort of impartial person one needs in an Empress. I was quite hoping you would not allow your emotions to get the better of you.-

  -It is not a matter of just my emotions,- Li'ren said, choosing her words carefully. Hearing Ara'lana dare to mention her mate's name made her want to strangle her with her bare hands. -I have to consider the desires of my people. They wish for peace, but they are fiercely angry about the death of...their Empress. You must see that your rash actions have done nothing to unite. You have only deepened the divide between the colonies.- She shook her head. -I have watched the propaganda that you put out. You speak of unity, and peace, and cooperation, but everything you do foments more war, more death, and more division. The worst of all is this alliance with the Pteryd. I cannot believe that even the citizens of the Outer Colonies favor that friendship.-

  Ara'lana set her cup down. -The citizens have faith in me,- she said. -Even those who are reluctant to see the benefits don't dare go against my will. They wish for unity just as much as I do.-

  -They wish for it, or they fear how you would impose it upon them?-

  -When you get right down to it, what's the difference?- the former admiral asked. She leaned forward, spearing Li'ren with an oddly earnest gaze. -You have spent time in the inner circles of the Ascendancy's government. You are Ailian. You understand the necessity of intimidation as much as I. It doesn't matter how you convince people, whether through clever words or by the threat of force. It is all the same.-

  Li'ren bared her teeth, and with a soft growl she leaned forward as well. -In the short term you may be successful, but eventually you will wear your subjects down enough that they will not stand it any longer. Fear is not the same as obedience. And the more you make people afraid, the harder they will fight against you.- She waved a hand for emphasis. -The war with humanity is the perfect example. Kri'a's mother made the mistake of thinking that a sharp rebuke would back them off. Instead, we saw the opposite. It will be the same with the people of the Inner Colonies and Core Worlds. And with the citizens of the Outer Colonies, if you are not careful. And that is why, ultimately, you will fail-

  Her smile slowly widening, Ara'lana sat back in her chair. -I had a feeling you would be unreasonable.- She smoothed down the front of her robes, suddenly eerily peaceful in her posture. -You always were a good advisor. You have the respect and admiration of many people. Which is why I am certain that the full force of your people's fleets will be devoted to your rescue, and my defeat. I will enjoy smashing them above the skies of our homeworld, and your execution will be broadcast to the entire Ascendancy. It will be a marvelous end to my final victory.-

  Li'ren surprised Ara'lana by giving her a satisfied smile of her own. -I am to be bait for your trap, then? So be it. But you know as well as I do that Ailians are not easily trapped.- She stood up from her chair. -I would like to leave, now. Being in your presence is making me rather ill.-

  Blinking, Ara'lana shrugged and raised a hand, snapping her fingers. The guards came back in, and one of them came to Li'ren and took her arm, pulling her away from the table. She offered no resistance, but Ara'lana did offer a parting shot before she went. -When you see her, do let Sami know that I harbor no ill will towards her. But she should choose her friends more wisely. Familiarity with you seems to be hazardous to one's health.-

  Li'ren stopped short. -You would harm your own daughter?-

  -Oh, one hopes to avoid such things,- the former admiral said offhandedly. She shrugged her shoulders. -Sami was always the obedient one, the quiet one. I always had my suspicions, of course, but she never gave me cause to know for sure. She never gave me any troubles, but I really can't overlook her taking up with someone like you. Such things shall not be tolerated under my rule, as under that of some Empresses.-

  -'Someone like me?'- Li'ren repeated. She turned to face the terrible woman. -I hardly know what you mean. If you suspect something is going on between us, you are mistaken. But Sami is my friend, and mark my words, I will not allow you to take another friend from me.-

  -You can protest as much as you like, but I see the signs,- Ara'lana said. She stood from her chair, coming around and walking forward until she stood right in front of Li'ren. -I can't decide what's worse. Aria joining those pitiful Royal Guards to fight against me, or Sami debasing herself by surrendering to such a pointless life.- She leaned forward, her voice lowering almost to a whisper. -But I am not heartless. I shall allow you both to die together. Perhaps, then, you shall have the comfort in death that Kri'a did not.-

  Ara'lana gave a low chuckle of amusement at the way that Li'ren nearly ripped herself out of the guard's grip, before she was taken through the door and out of the dining room.

  ******

  When Chief Admiral Jin Te'rou took his seat at the head of the meeting table, the doors were closed and the lights dimmed. At his instruction, the projector set into the center of the table was switched on, and the device ran through its start-up sequence. The room was much fuller than it normally would have been. Besides Admiral Te'rou, there were the admirals commanding the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Sixth fleets, along with numerous senior fleet officers and infantry commanders. Complementing them were representatives of the military of the Nuretan Empire, in
cluding General Kalma Soumaren and the fleet admirals of the Imperial Navy. Various members of the diplomatic corps were present from across the Inner Colonies and Core Worlds, including a number of representatives who had managed to make it off of Lirna in time. Royal Governess Miri Amani, once again taking a leadership role, was seated at the right of Admiral Te'rou.

  Aria felt a great amount of sympathy for the governess right now, and from where she sat about a third of the way down the table from her and Te'rou she could see the worry evident on the older Ailian woman's face. She was facing a great deal of problems right now, what with the abduction of her daughter, the Empress, and the impending attack that the Ascendancy was preparing to launch. Aria was feeling much the same as the governess was. Sami and Jack had been visiting Li'ren, according to the information gleaned from the Royal Guards who had survived the attack, and they were gone as well. As to whether any of them apart from Li'ren were still alive, they couldn't be sure. All they had were rumors, with nothing substantiated. Sleep had been hard to come by for Aria, but she'd done the best that she could.

  -It appears we're all here,- Admiral Te'rou said, once the projector was ready. -If there aren't any objections, let's begin the meeting.- He pressed a button, and a divided screen playback began of video taken of the same time period from many different angles, some shot in space and others from the ground. -As you all are aware, forty-eight hours ago, allies of the Outer Colony rebels attacked Arbaros and assaulted this very building in which we are meeting. The humans who attacked were exceedingly well-trained and managed to take the Royal Guards stationed here by surprise.- As Admiral Te'rou spoke, the video played, showing the radar readings from the control center. -Their attack was three-fold. First, they used a decoy ship to occupy our tracking resources and distract us from the second threat, a fast, heavily armed and armored transport ship of human origin. This ship slipped through our defenses and managed to make it all the way to the governess' residence without being detected. It released two gunships, who suppressed and eliminated the exterior security forces before forty to fifty commandos assaulted the interior of the building.-