If he wasn't treated immediately, Daniel knew, he would die.
The knight captain, who kneeled beside Trent, stroking his forehead lightly, turned to Daniel, his expression of iron.
“Medical kit...now.” No emotion was evident in the brusque order, though Daniel felt as if he’d just been slapped. Before he could retort...why should I care about what happens to this hobo?... Knight Captain Quinn's expression went distant as he accessed a BAP with his BC node...most likely reporting a level one medical emergency. Daniel, realizing he almost allowed his real self to slid through, queried a request with his own BC node to the local BAP for the location of the closest emergency medical station. A map streamed into his mind, flashing a location, and he rushed with all haste towards the exit.
Directly outside the training room, hidden in the wall of the small lobby was a small storage compartment. It opened as he approached, revealing amongst the emergency supplies, a stack of medical kits. He grabbed two, before rushing back to the knight captain’s side.
His basic medical training took over as he pulled out the desired vials; emergency biological medical nanites and a special level calming agent, then the tube shaped injector. He gently tapped the knight captain, who, releasing his BC node, quickly moved aside. Daniel injected the vials into Trent's neck and watched as his eyes slowly closed, his breathing steady. When he turned, he found the knight captain gone, having moved to Vice-Commander Daiyu's side, placing a self-sealing bandage from the medical kit on her wounded scalp.
The minutes ticked by while Daniel and the knight captain sat in silence. Daniels thoughts were unclear and muddled, he still unable to understand how this current situation came to be...how did Trent get hit by the laser arc bolt? But before he could raise the question to Knight Captain Quinn, the man looked up towards the ceiling and spoke.
“Program, is the trial for TSB Enlistment Candidate Trent Marcello still active?” Daniel thought he discerned a tremble in the all but unreadable voice of Knight Captain Quinn.
“Yes, Sir Quinn, the trial is still in progress and all actions and remarks are currently being logged,” the monotone voice of the Program in charge of the enlistment tests and trials responded immediately.
“Good, I do not believe we need to hear anything more. I recommend acceptance of Enlistment Candidate Trent Marcello into the Terra Space Battalion Command Training School with immediate rank of Lieutenant. With acceptance, I would recommend the awarding of the Star of Terra and Blood-Sun Mark,” Daniel felt his blood drain towards his feet as he heard the knight captain deliver his verdict.
To be accepted into the TSB Command Training Program was unusual for anyone who had not previously completely the TSB Officers Training School Program. Plus, it usually required committee approval of at least five TSB Captains, the TSB Commander and Vice-Commander, and a Program. He knew it was odd to bypass the committee, but not unheard of, having happened a few times in the past during times of emergency. But there was something else he thought he heard, being so unbelievable that his mind failed to accept it as anything but a hallucination.
“Sir...did you...you just recommend...the Star of Terra?” he asked without thinking. The knight captain turned to him with the eyes of a man who would not joke.
Daniel could only stare at the knight captain, no longer attempting to hide his utter shock...and disgust, at what he’d just heard. He must have gone insane, Daniel realized, the Star of Terra being the highest commendation in the TSB for action's above and beyond the call of duty, equivalent to the King's Nova, the highest honor within an NHA galaxy and second in esteem in the universe to only the Emperor's Boon. It was so rare even, most current TSB members, Daniel included, knew little of the award besides it being beyond prestigious, having not been presented since the TSB's inception, over 5000 years before.
There is no way he’ll get approval, Daniel realized, knowing that to award the honor required the approval of a Program and the highest ranking noble in the duchy responsible for the special protectorate of Earth....and if the reports Daniel heard about Duke Zehman held true, he was as much an ardent traditionalist as Sir Simwa, and would never approve of such an honor for anyone but a noble. Daniel unconsciously glanced at the man responsible for this mess, lying motionless on the floor, his broken nose streaming blood at an alarming rate, then back to Trent.
The other recommended commendation, the Blood-Sun Mark, was well within the knight captain's right to reward, but Daniel still couldn't figure out what Trent had done to deserve it. The honor, still uncommon, but nowhere near as the uncommon as the Star of Terra, was rewarded for being wounded in combat or other combat related situations. He could see how this may be considered a combat related situation, but he knew the knight captain was stretching the definition, since Trent was still only an enlistment candidate, not an officially accepted member of the TSB. But in the end, Daniel knew, no matter what recommendations the knight captain made, the Programs would have final say over their approvals, and from Daniel's experience, the Programs would rarely allow rules to be broken.
“Request for end of trial accepted. Based on judgment of Knight Captain Quinn and analysis of record from trial phases one, two, three, and four, Enlistment Candidate Trent Marcello is accepted into the Terra Space Battalion Command Training School Program and assigned rank of Lieutenant, effective from 24:32 of day 236 of New Universal Empirical Human Alliance year 75,023. Enlistment Training Trial A13-45CFF23-E is now closed.” The Program's monotone voice laid down its verdict and Daniel thought he heard some emotion in the words.
I must be getting tired from the excitement of the last hour, he thought to himself, knowing, quite well that the Programs had no emotions, being entirely artificial.
He glanced down on the hobo named Trent, now his equal, realizing the effective time of the decision almost slipped past him...24:32 was over an hour ago, he realized.
That sly bastard, he shook his head as he glanced to the knight captain. Based on this timing, Trent would have been an official member of the TSB during everything that transpired during phase four of his recruitment trial. Daniel tried to grasp exactly what that meant, finding a sudden irrational hatred for Trent boil back to the surface, which he decided to store in the place he kept in his mind for all those he thought wronged him, and wait for the Program to continue.
“Analysis of recommendation for Star of Terra and Blood-Sun Mark completed. Star of Terra recommendation for TSB Lieutenant Trent has been preliminarily accepted and a formal request will be forwarded to Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia for formal approval. The Blood-Sun Mark, based solely on the recommendation of Knight Captain Quinn, shall be awarded immediately.” The Program finished just as the door to the training room slid open and a TSB security team rushed in with combat arcs drawn, the much larger cousin of the laser arc, followed immediately by three medical teams.
Daniel pulled himself to his feet, feeling unsteady, stepping clear as a medic dashed to Trent's side, openly gasping at the sight of the mangled man.
“I gave him a nanite and special level,” he told, not sure if they heard him before they started emergency treatment. The Knight Captain, having finished relaying instructions to the baffled security team, moved back to Daniel's side, a second medical team taking over care of Vice-Commander Daiyu. Daniel looked up at the stern, older man, who caressed his grey beard, lost in thought.
“Sir...if you don't mind me asking...what was that about a Grand Duchess Sasha of Alutia? I haven't heard of either.” Daniel asked in tone of mild curiosity, watching the medics place Vice-Commander Daiyu and Trent on emergency medical stretchers.
“You'll be hearing the official announcement soon, but Earth now falls under the jurisdiction of a new duchy that King Johan created for his third daughter, formally the Princess Sasha Vn’Oco,” Knight Captain Quinn stated without emotion. Daniel was about to question him further, about why he would recommend the Star of Terra, but Sir Quinn waved him off before he could begin, movin
g to follow the hovering emergency medical stretchers as they started towards the exit.
Daniel quickly fell in behind, glancing at one of the medics trying to remove something from Vice-Commander Daiyu's uniform. At first, he couldn't tell what it was, but with a sudden gasp that caused Knight Captain Quinn to glance over his shoulder, Daniel realized exactly what he was seeing.
Just who is this hobo? Daniel wondered the moment his mind registered that Trent must have lost his arms while saving the vice-commander. As a grisly truth, the medics were in the process of removing the charred remains of his gripping hands from her uniform. The knight captain must have seen what caused Daniel to stumble, giving him a slight nod of understanding.
Still unable to believe what his eyes told true, he let his chin collapse to his chest, following the line of wounded, forgetting for a time the uncertain future tumbling towards him.
Chapter 6
The ferry shuttle's maneuvering thrusters engaged, forcing the tiny starship clear of the behemoth NHA Super-Capital ABF Alutia's primary hanger bay. Once free of the super-capital’s NSD field, the ferry shuttle's own NSD field instantly engaged, and they began their short journey back to the ABF Princess One.
Sasha sat quietly in the seat directly behind the pilot, gazing lovingly upon on her new pet catillian being cradled within her lap, trying not to openly flaunt her excitement.
“I wish Knight Admiral Bhool had one for me too,” pouted Tiana from her seat adjacent Sasha's, unable to hide her jealousy as she reached over, gently petting the tiny, six armed catillian with purple fur.
“It was pure luck, Tiana, and you know it. Lady Bhool's catillian just happened to give birth at the perfect moment. If we had been only a couple of hours later, she would have been forced to bond it to someone else,” responded Sasha, concealing the childlike urge to stick her tongue out at her young friend.
“I know, but I still want one...Your Grace.” The title sounded more like an insult then an honor when it came from Tiana's lips.
“If I am not mistaken,” feeling devious, Sasha started to respond, “your 17th birthday is approaching,” Tiana's eyes went wide, “and if my calculations are correct, it falls right around the time we will be on Planet Vn'Oco,” she started bouncing in her seat with obvious anticipation of Sasha’s next words. “So if...and only if...you can promise me you will behave, and resist that constant urge you have to aggravate me every waking moment, I may be so inclined to gift my humble friend her own catillian,” Sasha pronounced with her best royal tone. It looked as if Tiana would burst from her cresting excitement. But surprisingly, she only paused, tilting her head to peer at the guard sitting directly behind Sasha.
“Well, Sir Seb'Losh, it looks like it will be your job to keep Her Highness on her toes for the foreseeable future.” A rasping cough responded, as if Tiana's words had taken the Alutia Guard Captain by complete surprise.
“Lady Tiana,” Sir Seb’Losh started, quite shocked by Tiana’s allegation, “my duty is to ever serve Her Grace. I would never, in any way, do anything that would cause her undue distress...my honor would just not permit it,” Sir Seb'Losh sounded a man of utter honesty. But in the days since they’d become acquainted, she'd found what lay hidden beneath his honorable exterior, besides an overbearing protectiveness that far outstripped even her guards on Tidelia, was a playfulness only overshadowed by Tiana’s relentless teasing.
Suddenly, something fuzzy fell down the front of her neck, wiggling into the crease between her bosoms. She shrieked, and started hastily unclasping the doublet she adorned, but froze when she noticed the four men who accompanied her in the shuttle, shifting their gazes uncomfortably. Tiana rose with a wide grin, moving before her to block any accidental glances at her modesty.
“Thank you, Tiana,” said Sasha gratefully as she returned to unclasping her top.
“It is my pleasure, Sasha,” responded Tiana with the utmost courtesy. Sasha couldn’t help but smirk when her name escaped Tiana's lips without the expected sarcasm. The catillian birthday gift idea seems to be working, she mused, but realized it would last only till the gift was presented. She would need to think of something else, possibly dangling a noble holding before her, though unsure if it would keep her calm for the eight years until she could officially receive such a gift.
As she released the middle clasp, enough to present a rather significant portion of her cleavage, she found her baby catillian snuggling itself into the crack between her breasts, sleeping peacefully. Tiana looked away, Sasha noting her body trembling, obviously attempting to suppress her amusement.
Unable to blame the girl...the sight of a purple ball of fur protruding from between her bosoms was on the side of hysterical, after all...she placed an sympathetic hand atop Tiana's head, but pulled it away to cover her modesty when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder.
“Your Grace, I'm assuming, based on your reaction and that of Lady Tiana, that your catillian has migrated into a,” he paused, clearing his throat, “into your bosom.” The Knight Captain's tone trailed off significantly when he spoke the word, bosom.
“I think I misheard you, Sir Seb'Losh. Could you please repeat the last part?” responded Sasha, feeling an irresistible urge to tease the man, since he'd taken so much pleasure in doing the same to her over the past few days. Sir Seb'Losh finally cleared his throat.
“Your Grace, I believe you heard me the first time,” he responded without emotion.
“Are you calling me a liar, Knight Captain Seb'Losh? I did not hear you. So repeat what you said, immediately. This is an order of your patron!” Sasha forced as much offense into her words as she could muster, wallowing in the sense of triumph that filled her when she realized she may have finally embarrassed the stalwart of a man.
“Your Grace,” he started, and Sasha quickly realized she’d been wrong, “I'm assuming the catillian has climbed in-between your breasts. If my memory serves, you should not attempt to remove him from this location, or it will be quite painful for both you and the catillian. I must also, quite unfortunately, inform you that you will now be required to provide the catillian plenty of space at all times, meaning simply; you shall be required to display a signification portion of your cleavage. Enough so as to allow it to move freely while avoiding accidental suffocation,” Sir Seb'Losh explained without any of the hesitation he showed previously. “Furthermore, catillian's, when bonded to human females, have a tendency to nest permanently within their bosoms. So I'm afraid that you will be, quite scandalously I might add, unless you decide to start following the romantic ideal, which may be a thought to consider...forced to openly display a substantial amount of cleavage, much more so than you have previously considered appropriate, for the foreseeable future.”
Tiana, unable to resist any longer, lost herself to hysterical laughter. Sasha, flushing at the images Sir Seb’Losh’s explanation called forth, turned, glaring at the now stone faced guard captain.
“I think you should really stop trying to play this game, Sasha. Sir Seb'Losh was in charge of your sister, Valia, when she was younger, and from what he's told me, her torment was unrelenting,” stuttered Tiana as her laughter began to wane. Sasha sighed dramatically, gently caressing the furry ball protruding from her cleavage with a single finger, having fully regained her own composure.
“You may be right, Tiana...and knight captain,” Sasha grinned,”Lady Bhool was kind enough to offer me forewarning of the nesting habits of the catillian and also provide me one of her garments, that on the outside appears normal, but has pockets sewn into the upper chest area for the catillian’s comfort,” she paused, hoping for a specific response.
“That was very kind of the knight admiral. But I wonder when this discussion occurred. I do not recall overhearing such an exchange and I was in your presence the entire time,” Sir Seb'Losh inquired, unable to completely mask the worry in his voice.
“A lady must keep her secrets, Sir Seb'Losh,” she glanced to Tiana, who was petting the catilli
an, giggling as it rolled onto its flat back and grabbed her finger with its six tiny, human-like hands. She was obviously trying to keep herself from being dragged back into the conversation...someone wanted to keep their hopes for a catillian birthday alive. “But since I doubt your temporarily subdued partner will be kind enough to keep my secret,” Tiana continued to ignore her, “we linked BC nodes during dinner. She had a great deal of classified information to relay to me, and she just so happened to explain how to properly care for a catillian as well.” Tiana looked up from the disinterested catillian, staring over Sasha’s shoulder.
“And you told me it was your job to know everything about Her Grace?” Tiana asked Sir Seb'Losh in the same playfully sarcastic tone she usually reserved for Sasha.
Curious that there was no response, Sasha peeked behind her only to find Sir Seb'Losh fully “node locked”. She snickered with glee, imagining the message he was sending to Lady Bhool, and the hopefully curt response he would receive in return.
The rest of the trip passed uneventfully. The pilot and copilot keeping their eyes forward the entire time, while Sir Seb'Losh and Sergeant Ani'Ce, the second member of her current guard escort, sat quietly in the rear of the shuttle.
A slight shudder woke the catillian, who squawked its displeasure, and let her know that they had docked. The pilot and copilot ran through the post flight checks with obvious haste, before bowing deeply, keeping their gazes plastered to the floor, then taking their leave. Sergeant Ani'Ce exited next, followed closely by Sir Seb'Losh and Tiana. Sasha exited last, trying her best to cover her modesty from the unexpected welcoming party.
“Thank you all for the splendid welcome,” she began while her servants, who noticed something amiss immediately, surrounded her, “but for reasons I do not have time to fully explain, I must return to my apartment with all haste,” she curtsied awkwardly to the obviously baffled welcome party, who bowed all the same.
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