by Jessie Wolf
“How dare you lay your hands on me?! I don’t care if you are the Head of House Nakatoma. I am a member of the Empyreal Royal Family! No one slaps me and gets away with it!” she was pissed off and ready to have my head removed.
“Good!” my simple response to her challenge caught her off guard but it did what I needed it to do. She was thinking again and now that she is thinking I can get her to move forward as a true Empress should. “Now, your Majesty, I will ask you again. What are your orders? The Knights of Ida-ten stand ready to bring down those responsible for this act of terrorism. The Death Dealers are ready to rain down steel and fire upon those who would use so cowardly an act. Direct us Majesty in your quest for revenge. We will level every planet they will seek to hide on. We will kill those who would hide them. My Death Dealers will leave nothing but ash in our pasting. We will kill until every last traitor has been removed from our Empire.” My bloodthirsty speech was a calculated risk. Oh I would do all that I said and then more, but it would be her response to it that would let me know if I was making a mistake in backing her. Would she let her emotions rule her or would she listen to reason? That was the true question here.
“No, First High Lady Nakatoma Maiha. You and your Death Dealers will do no such thing. You will control them or I will remove you from your posting. We are not barbarians. Death Dealers do not kill innocent people, or destroy lives blindly. You and they are men and women of honor, do not forget yourself and let you emotions rule your judgment.” The more Daniela spoke the taller she stood, until she was standing with a regal grace, every inch the Empress she would become. I couldn’t have been more proud of her. Oh she was still hurting, pissed off, and starting to grieve the loss of her family, but she was now starting to behave like a true Empress.
“As you command my Empress. Now, please allow your advisors to take care of you in private? Feel free to use the Mobile Command Unit outside as your home away from home.” At her blank look I realized she had no concept of personal security. “Majesty, my MCU is an armored command post. It is far more secure than your room in the dorms. I believe the Security Officers here would prefer it if you used it. It’ll make their jobs easier.” Daniela took the hint.
“Thank you Lady Nakatoma, I think I will avail myself of your hospitality. Now, if you’ll excuse me? I think I need a little time to myself.”
“But of course Majesty. Sergeant, be so kind as to escort her Majesty and her advisors to the MCU in the main lot please?” The young man snapped me a quick salute and turned to gather the necessary guards. Once we were alone. “Daniela, please forgive me for what I did and said but I had my reasons.”
“Maiha, you will never have to ask me for forgiveness. Of all those who I will seek advice from you need never hold your tongue. I will always expect you to be brutally honest with me. My father once said that of all those whoever was a friend to him and was the most honest it was your grandfather. I expect the same from you.” with that she pulled me into a hug. Then whispered into my ear. “Please never change my sister.”
Before I could answer her the sergeant returned. “Your Majesty, your bodyguards are ready. If you’ll please come with us?” I watched as Daniela and her lance mates all walked out of the office to follow the sergeant out to the MCU. I closed the door to the office and flopped down into the nearest chair. Sighing I closed my eyes and thought about what I had to do next.
“Maiha, I would never question you in front of anyone else, but did you need to smack her Majesty that way?”
Not opening my eyes I answered her. “I needed to shock her enough to get her thinking.”
“And offering to turn loose the Death Dealers on a killing spree like that? Would you really have done it?”
“Oh I would have turned them loose, but not on a killing spree the way I described. However, once I had found those responsible I would have resigned. After which I would have pulled the entire Sector out of the Empire.”
“Oh my God, you’re serious. You really would have seceded from the Empire. Why? Why would you do all of that only to succeed from the Empire?”
“I could not in good conscience serve an Empress who would place a Death Sentence on innocents. Everything I did in here was a test. A test to see what kind of Empress our sweet Daniela would be. From what she showed me just now, that girl is about to become one of the greatest to ever sit on the Empyreal Throne.”
“I don’t know whether you’re a genius or crazy.”
“Most likely the latter.” I sit up, open my eyes and look at her. “Alice my love that was one of the hardest things I have ever done in all my years. However right now I do not have the luxury of time to allow her to grieve. I have at most four months to get the new Knights of Ida-ten ready for war. Over seventy five percent of the Death Dealers has been rendered useless because there is no Emperor to give them the order to handle this problem. Until we can get Daniela crowned they will be unable to help us. Unless the other Death Dealer First High Lords disobey the laws of succession and come to our aid I am positive that we will be the only ones to face the Temple of Holy Light. I just can’t figure out how Richelieu is going to claim the Throne. He needs someone of Royal blood to back him or abdicate in his favor. The man is too methodical to not have a plan in place.”
There was a hard knock at the door to the office we were using. I call out for whoever it is to come in. I look over as Headmaster Brim enters with the Headmaster for JS Doctor Jack Chalkier. In the hands of Headmaster Chalkier is a stack of papers and books. If this was about school and class schedules I was going to lose my temper. So I was surprised by the first words out of Chalkier’s mouth.
“We know why the Cardinal Richelieu has attack the Empyreal City and Palace.”
“What?!” I asked in shock. Here I was trying to figure out why the man had done it and they have the answer. I was close to losing my temper any way now.
“He is a direct descendant of the Anitmov Bloodline. He has a legitimate claim to the Throne.”
I threw up my hands and stop them mid-sentence. “Go back and start at the beginning please. First how does the Cardinal have a direct claim on the Throne?”
“It’s all here in these records my Lady.” Chalkier says as he lays out paper after paper showing the family blood line of the Anitmov’s. It was the family tree of the Anitmov family going all the way back to before the War of Succession. I could see where the family split into three very different lines. One line continued to hold the Throne while the other two faded into obscurity. It also showed where one of those two lines was thought long dead, but was in truth very much alive. Not only alive but with a much greater claim than either of the other lines. The more I read the more I wanted to destroy these papers.
“Sir, you better have a real good reason for having this kind of information?” the winds of Hell were friendlier than the breath that carried my words.
“Lady Maiha, why are you so upset? This gives us all the proof we need to prove Cardinal Richelieu is going to make a play for the Empyreal Throne. The man wants to restore his family to the Throne. It’s all right here in black and white. The Emperor need only be told and we can avoid any unnecessary bloodshed by having the man arrested.” Chalkier and Brim were clearly confused over my reaction to the news. It took me a moment to realize they did not know of the attack on the Empyreal City and the Palace.
“Gentleman that is no longer an option.” I turn the screen so they can read the message that I had only read a little while ago. I watched as the blood drained from their faces. Then to be replaced with a look of barely controlled fury. “Yes gentlemen that is not a joke. So while I can see your excitement for finding out why the man is doing this it is too late.”
“My Lady, we can still use this information to stop the man in a peaceful manner.” Chalkier tried to argue. “We can go to the Parliament and they can send the Hunters after him. We have all the proof they need right here.”
“Sir, let me explain the situation for yo
u in blunt and bloody detail. That attack on the Empyreal City not only killed the majority of the Empyreal Family. It also killed every last member of the Parliament, Hall of Lords, and Supreme Justices. That does not include the over six and a half million civilian citizens who called Empyreal City home. The time for a peaceful solution has passed. And until Her Royal Majesty, the Empress Daniela, tells me otherwise, I will use every last ounce of Military might to hunt down and destroy those responsible.”
“But what of your claim to the Empyreal Throne, Lady Maiha Owens-Nakatoma?” asked Chalkier.
“What of it?!” I snapped at him.
“You are the direct descendent of the eldest Anitmov’s on your mothers and grandfathers side. Will you just turn your back on your duty?” he asked.
Chapter 15
I spin around and face them fully, my PPC and PPL both out and active. My COBRA combat system is completely engaged. I have targeting reticules on both men. My temper and patience is gone. For more than three days I have fought to keep them under control, and now these shitheads are pushing them both to the breaking point. Everything I have ever done was to keep the current Family on the Imperial Throne, and now they want me to take it.
Both men can see the rage that has come over the Lady Maiha Nakatoma and do everything in their power to get away from her. It is as if a true demon out of legend as descended before them. Eyes black as the coals of Hell, with crosses of fire for pupils. Hair black as the very depths of Hades. Claws forged from the very fires of the eternal forges. A blind rage barely contained. All of these things stand before them in this petite raven haired hellion. A woman who with a word could send them to the gallows and hangman’s rope if she wished it. Never before had either man seen such barely controlled rage in one so young.
“My duty is to that young lady who just left here. Nothing more than that, do you understand me? Never question my motives again. You do and you’ll find yourselves swing from the nearest gallows.” I growled at the two of them. It took all of my mental fortitude to range in my anger and regain control over my emotions. Once I had control again and had centered myself I retracted my weapons. “Gentleman, make no mistake in this. Our duty is to the Empress Daniela Sophia Dan, first of her name in over five centuries. I will restore order to our Empire and bring justice to those who would place themselves above our laws.”
“Please forgive me for saying so, but Lady Maiha your claim to the Imperial Throne is at least three times stronger than the Princess’s. Why do you turn your back on this fact?” Doctor Chalkier was not going to back away from what he thought Maiha should do. He believed in his heart of hearts that this young lady standing before him was the true Empress. For over four hundred years his family has kept track of all the High Families Blood Lines.
Here in front of him was a child of the Anitmov, Steel-Heart, Nakatoma, and Owens blood lines. The fact that there has never before been such a mingling of blood lines was to Chalkier something of a mystery. He had to get her to understand that she was the rightful heir. Taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts for his argument.
“Please, Lady Maiha, you must take the Throne. Only your claim is without challenge. Don’t you see? If you claim the Throne no one else can. It is the only way to insure peace. You are the descendant of four noble blood lines. Never in all the history of our Empire has there ever been someone like you. No one has ever had the Blood Right to match yours. Not even Princess Daniela can dispute it.”
Alice steps between me and the two men before I can kill them both. “No, Maiha, listen to them first. Hear them out they have the right to express their views. They are after all citizens of the Empire. You may not agree with them, but it is their right to be heard.”
I step back from all of them. I force myself to look deep inside myself to find my center once again. I need to control my emotions or everything I do or say will be for nothing. I must remember now that I am a Lady and Head of House for the Nakatoma Family. To be anything less is to bring dishonor to a very noble and proud House. I may have once been the man they called Death, but I am no longer that man. James J. Owens died on that drop ship all those months ago. In his place his granddaughter rose from the ashes to save the very House that she was now the Head of, but deep down inside I remember a promise made over sixty five years ago. A promise made to a man who would one day become a brother and Emperor.
“Gentleman, I cannot do as you ask. A promise was made long ago by my grandfather to the Royal Family. It is a promise that I will keep. I will restore the Anitmov blood line to the Imperial Throne, but I will not take the Throne for myself or my issue. As my ancestor before me, my duty is to the protection of the Anitmov Family and those of their Line. For five centuries this has been my family’s sworn duty. As long as one member of that line remains alive I will do all in my power to protect them. Until the time comes when none of that line lives, then and only then will those of my line take the Throne.”
“Lady Maiha, I know it is not my place, but will you tell me about the vow your ancestor made, please? I only ask so that I may understand your reason for not taking the Throne for yourself or your descendants?” Chalkier was really pushing his luck with me right now. However these men had turned over their schools student bodies to me. For me to turn them into a peacekeeping force. To turn them into warriors instead of scholars and diplomats.
“My many times great grandfather swore the Owens clan to the service of the Imperial Family for one reason and one reason only. For as long as any of us knew we were a threat to the Throne, so to remove that threat my ancestor swore that no member of his family will ever lay claim to the throne. Yes, gentlemen I know whose blood runs through my veins. Not only is it the blood of the Nakatoma’s but three other families that have a direct tie to the Imperial Throne. However I have no desire to park my arse on that throne or wear the crown. The Owens clan protects those who do, and have done such for over four hundred years. We will continue to do so until there is no one to protect. Now, you have your answer, I want something in return. You are to hide or destroy any references to my family blood lines. It is an order not a request, and gentlemen I have the power to enforce my will in this matter. Either do it or I will hunt you down and remove you from the rolls of humanity.”
My threat was not lost on the two men. They could tell I would carry it out. I was not going to let anyone know of my heritage. I owed far too much to Sha’ Dan and his family. It was by his command that my family had been returned to their rightful place as members of the nobility. He didn’t have to promote me to First High Lord of the Death Dealers. Sure it was for the Death sector or Delta sector as it was called among the Dealers. Still it was mine earned by right of combat.
No one knew the whole story behind our friendship, and we went to great lengths to hide it. My family had slipped a long time ago from the ranks of the nobility and we were happy about it. It gave us the ability to serve the Empire without all the horseshit politics getting in the way. Of them all though only James J. Owens never sought to be more than just one of the Imperial soldiers, to become one of the best of the Death Dealers.
Once I see that I have gotten my point across I gather Alice up with a glance and leave the office. I can feel the past few days weighing down on my soul. I just want to go back to the dorms and curl up with her and sleep for the next two days. The Family Swords at my waist feel as if they weigh tons instead of a few pounds. As we walk through the hallways I feel the eyes of the entire faculty on me. They should have gone to bed hours ago, but with the news of the attack on Empyreal City and the Palace now out in the open. While they are all looking for answers or news. The best place to get that is here in the main building.
I just want to get away from them all. I need to burn off my anger. I need to find an outlet for my pent up aggression. I can feel the COBRA just below the surface. Dee De and Charlie are doing their best to help, but that damned emotional override keeps getting in the way. I no sooner clear the doors
to the main building than I break in to a full speed combat run. I head for the main gate not slowing down for it to open. Ten feet away I hit the jump jets and vault over the top of it. I clear the top of the gate by a good four feet.
Within seconds I am out on the main road heading for open country. All I feel is anger over the fact that I wasn’t able to protect my friend. I want revenge. I want to shed the blood of those who attack them in so cowardly a manner. About a half mile from the gate I feel the tears start to run down my cheeks. I can’t tell if they’re from anger or sadness at the loss of a friend and brother. Sha’ was more than just the Emperor to me. He was a brother. We had shared the horrors of war together on more than one forgotten hell hole planet.
Within a half mile I start to scream at the top of my lungs. I let the anguish pour out in my scream. I cannot let anyone see or hear my anguish over my loss. No one can know of my feeling for the man I called brother. A man that I owe more to than any ten men alive or dead. I push my speed up to my upper limits. If I had to stop now it would take me more than three quarter of mile to do it. I still push myself on to faster speeds.
Soon I pass the edge of town and crest the hills on the edge of it. Within minutes I see the surrounding forest. I leave the road and head for them. At four hundred meters I activate my main weapons. I target the tree line and cut loose. Twin beams of death and destruction slam home. Two to three hundred year old trees become splinters. I fire again and again until I am in the tree line. I now bring my APLs on line and fire them as well. Now there are six lances of light tearing the forest to shreds. All this destruction does nothing to help me with my anger. Soon my Family swords and CQ blades are out and I am slicing away at the trees as I pass them. I leave a path of very visible destruction in my wake. The entire time my screams could be heard for miles.
