Diplomatic Crisis (The Empress' Spy Book 2)

by S. E. Weir

  Little sister, are you well?

  Yes, just concerned about you.

  Are you certain? You are not more tired than normal or feel anything off in your body?

  After a long pause, presumably for Phina to assess herself, she spoke with puzzlement and concern. I do feel a slight drop in energy, but only because I don’t feel the need to claw at the walls to do something. Well, I still feel the need to move and do things; it’s just not as bad as it usually is.

  Braeden added those observations to the thoughts circling in his head. In his mind, he entered into the thoughts and memories that composed of the knowledge base available to all Gleeks, gleaned from the thousands of years the species had learned and acquired information as they traveled the universe. Since he was currently half an Empire away from his fellow Gleeks and he was almost drained and half-dead, it took more effort than it normally did.

  Rather than look for the information and drain himself further, he threw a mental line of thought toward the one charged with maintaining that knowledge base.

  Brother Traekor.

  Brother Braeden.

  I have encountered an ill situation, and my strength wanes. It is taking much just to connect. Might I trouble you by sending you information to add to our base, as well as for you to search for any relevant information and return the findings to me?

  A long pause followed, in which Braeden felt his strength leaving drop by drop. Finally, he received an answer.

  We are not all in agreement, but I will do this task for you as a favor. Regardless of recent turns in thought, you have been a respected and powerful leader to our brethren.

  Thank you, Traekor.

  Using most of the last of his energy, he sent all he had learned about the planet below, the sensations he had felt as he walked the planet, his condition, Phina’s response, and his speculations. He held back nothing. It wasn’t the way of his people.

  He received waves of alarm back, which eased a knot that had rested within him since his brothers had shut him out of his role as leader. The knot still existed but wasn’t as tight or painful.

  I’m sorry, Braeden.

  For what, little sister?

  I feel the sorrow in you. I wish I could help.

  It must be a human trait to take ownership of situations that are not your fault nor of your making.

  She gave him the mental equivalent of a shrug. Perhaps for some. Only for those we care about or feel guilty about the situation, rightly or wrongly.

  Braeden agreed with the assessment and hoped it was the former reason for Phina rather than the latter. All too soon and yet not soon enough, he felt the mental touch of his brother and reached to connect since Traekor didn’t have the skill to make it on his own.

  Brother Braeden.

  Brother Traekor.

  Having examined your knowledge, the facts therein, and the knowledge base, the conclusion is the one you speculated to be most probable. We have run across no other planets with a similar situation. Should you find the cause, please update our knowledge base.

  Thank you, Brother Traekor.

  Life be with you, Brother Braeden.

  Releasing the connection revealed the drain in his strength, and he had little to lose. If he hadn’t been as old as he was or as powerful a telepath, he wouldn’t have been able to connect with his fellow Gleek at all.

  Braeden?

  Yes, little sister?

  Have you figured out anything? Is there anything I can do to help you?

  Braeden took a few minutes to think through the implications of the conclusion he had come to and Traekor had confirmed as being most likely.

  “I believe there is something you can do, but first, tell me how you are feeling. Is your itch to move stronger?”

  Braeden felt her shift next to him, though she still held his hand. Yes, it’s getting uncomfortable now.

  Sun and stars, it just might work. And not only that, but it might help Phina as well as him. On the other hand…

  “Phina, there is something we can try which might help you release that which causes you to feel so uncomfortable and me to regain life and strength. However, because we do not have the luxury of time to experiment, I am uncertain if this will work or if we will both be worse off, possibly even dead. It is your choice, little sister.”

  Her connection to him strengthened, and he felt her emotions turn to curiosity and hope with a twinge of fear and regret.

  “If I understand right, there is something I can do to help you, but you don’t know if it will help both of us or kill us, and it could do either one.”

  “Correct. I believe it will help us both, but I don’t know for certain. There is a small chance that it will help me but bring you closer to death, but I do not believe it is the most likely outcome.”

  Determination filled her, washing away the other emotions he’d felt from her.

  “I could die anyway, Braeden. If it has a chance to help you, let’s do it.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Etheric Empire, Planet Lyriem, SS Revenge

  Maxim stalked silently into the room outside the bridge. Stark had been monitoring the Skaine and would have told him if the alien had moved. A voice broke the silence, swearing even as dull metallic tones sounded.

  Well, the Skaine had definitely been located.

  The staccato metallic tones continued, indicating the captain was hitting something vigorously—likely controls that weren’t working as desired. Maxim focused his sharp hearing, picking up mumbles from the Skaine.

  “Spent years putting together a crew, and for what? Damned Empire killing them all, that’s what! Get this ship moving if this piece of tak would just work so I can get out of here. To hell with them. A new crew would work even better. Just need to get this no good piece of…”

  The screech of frustration was accompanied by an increase in banging. Maxim stirred uneasily. They needed the ship to carry Aurians to safety. If the Skaine damaged it too much, it would require repairs, delaying their departure when, according to Phina, they needed to leave immediately. Maxim knew it wasn’t just her assessment but also Braeden’s, who had likely lived longer than they could guess. He trusted Phina but knowing it was Braeden’s assessment too turned their need to leave into a state of emergency since the alien wasn’t one to overstate a situation.

  Maxim lowered his head as he leaned forward to run into the room when a second voice stopped him, causing him to smile.

  “I must ask you to halt your frantic attempts to break the ship.”

  “What the…who are you?”

  “I am the EI of the ship.”

  “What? Why have I never heard you speak before now?”

  “I haven’t had a need to speak to you before.”

  “Well, get moving and help me fly this ship so we can leave!”

  “I’m sorry, but there is a problem with that.”

  “There’s no problem with that! If you’re the EI responsible for the ship, it’s in your mandate to follow the captain’s orders, and I’m the captain! Do your job!”

  Maxim had taken advantage of the conversation by sliding into the room slowly enough that the Skaine wouldn’t sense him.

  “The problem is you. You are no longer the captain of this ship, and I am not the EI for the Revenge.”

  The Skaine swore even as his fingers moved to tap several buttons. He pressed a large button as Maxim glided over and twisted his neck, breaking it. The Skaine’s body dropped to the deck, and lights flashed across the screen in front of Maxim. An alarm started blaring through the ship.

  “Stark? Buddy? Mind telling me what those lights and alarms are for?”

  “That is for a self-destruct protocol for the ship.”

  Spreading his hands in bewilderment, Maxim’s gaze searched the console in front of him. “How do I stop it?”

  “Stand there and look pretty.”

  Frowning, Maxim did a double-take and looked around. “You’re talking to me, right
?”

  “You and your furry self.”

  Snorting, Maxim folded his arms. “I don’t think I’ve ever been mistaken for pretty. I’m assuming you have this covered and I don’t need to be alarmed?”

  “You could run around screaming that you are going to die, but that would only provide amusement for the rest of us.”

  “So, that’s a no on having the self-destruct covered?”

  “Relax, wolf boy. I stopped the self-destruct within seconds of activation.”

  Maxim dropped his eyes to the console again. “Then why are the lights and alarm still flashing?”

  “Since it wasn’t necessary to adjust those during deactivation, I decided to leave them.”

  “Stark, are you telling me you are pulling a prank?”

  “Of course not. That would be ridiculous and illogical.” He sniffed.

  Maxim slowly grinned. “You are pulling a prank.”

  “Only if it is funny. If it isn’t, then I don’t know what you are referring to.”

  Link looked around as the Aurians scrambled to pack their remaining food and possessions. Mindful of the warning Phina had given, he gave them only thirty minutes to gather their things. Half that time had passed.

  Doctor Keelson and Alina were taking care of those too ill to move on their own, aided by Ryan and Drk-vaen. Sis’tael and Addison were directing everyone to the appropriate ships so the numbers were as evenly divided as they could manage. With Braeden and Phina gone, they were down two and spread thin.

  On a positive note, the translation program was working well for the most part. Occasionally an issue arose, but they were able to make themselves understood. Link felt certain Addison and later Phina would be adjusting the program to improve comprehension.

  Link opened his mouth to contact Stark for an update when he noticed an Aurian staggering under a heavy box of food. He hurried over and grabbed the box as she stumbled again. The female slumped in relief and blinked at him in surprise. She gestured at him as if to take it back.

  “I can carry it for you. Which ship were you taking it to?”

  The small female regally nodded toward the Skaine ship, so he began walking in that direction. Link walked a step, then turned back to see her watching him. Her large eyes assessed him.

  “Is there a leader or someone in charge I could speak to?”

  The tubes on her face were at odds with the rest of her body, which was a miniature version of an attractive female, including breasts and hips. Her long white hair was thick and currently dusty and bedraggled, though under that, it seemed like it could glow under the right circumstances, even though he didn’t normally think of such whimsical things. Her eyes were a bright lavender that drew him in, and he realized he was staring. He shook his head to try to clear it.

  The female nodded, then gestured to herself.

  “You are in charge?” He considered her. “Is there a reason you aren’t talking to me? Is it not allowed?”

  The female smiled gently. “It seems to be disconcerting for you all.”

  “It’s a little bit of a kick, I admit, but our translators help to filter the effect. You are in charge, then?”

  “I am one of several leaders of our people, but they often look to me to lead them all.”

  “So, if we were to talk about what needs to be done to help your people, you can make the decisions for them?”

  Her face tubes began to move. Link suppressed a shudder. Diplomats didn’t show their emotions to others, particularly that they felt displeasure, distaste, or disgust about those they were attempting to engage and negotiate with. Spies showed even less than diplomats, and Link was the ultimate mix of both—which he took very seriously.

  “I would be acceptable as spokesperson to then discuss with the rest.”

  “Sounds like a plan. When you board, make sure you get on Stark.” He pointed at the ship to make sure she understood. “We will make plans once we take off.”

  The female nodded, still coming across as serene and graceful. All of a sudden, he felt like an awkward overgrown male, something that hadn’t happened much in his life after he had left his teenage years. She was damned eerie.

  “Am I still taking this to the Skaine ship?”

  On the way there, Link wondered if landing on this planet had made him slow-witted. There were easier ways of doing things.

  “Stark, send out the transport carts, will you? We’ve got to get moving faster.”

  “On the way, DS.”

  Walking gave his mind plenty of time to wander, and he looked around. The half-visible moon just above the ship caused him to wonder how far out the Pod had taken Phina and Braeden. Had they gone out far enough to nullify whatever effects the two of them believed were occurring? Link began coughing from the dust being kicked up by all the feet on the ground between the ships and the buildings.

  It was the dust…right?

  Hell, now he had visions of them all dying one by one, draped all over the two ships. Casting concerned glances at the sky every few minutes, Link couldn’t help wondering what was happening with his troublesome mentee and the male who had become another mentor to her.

  He was worried that they both might be dead.

  Phina’s hand began to ache. She looked down and realized she had been holding Braeden’s hand too tightly, causing her fingers to turn white. Wincing, she loosened her grip and tried to relax the rest of her. Just her luck to try to save Braeden’s life and nearly break his hand in the process.

  So, what do we need to do?

  Braeden’s voice seemed to come to her from farther away than normal, akin to hearing it through a tunnel. It also echoed, making it sound less substantial and more ghostly. If she was made of weaker stuff, she might be cringing in fear. However, she had never been weak, even if it had taken time for her to exercise her strength.

  Everything contains energy, especially those of us who live and move around. The longer a being lives and the more open certain parts of their brain are to using it, the more energy a person’s body contains. Since I’ve lived well over three of your centuries and can access that energy, my body contains and stores a lot. Usually. That’s what allows us Gleeks to live as long as we do. It also is the basis of the telekinetic energy I’ve used in the past. The more energy a being has stored within their container, the stronger that telekinetic energy when it’s used.

  Phina stared, her eyes blank as her mind took her back over the past months. That makes a certain amount of sense.

  Yes, I believe your restlessness comes from a sharp build-up of energy, and that’s why you always want to move. Staying still drives you crazy because the energy wants to be used and dissipated back into the universe.

  While all this is interesting, it isn’t telling me how to help you.

  Just as energy can be used and dissipated, I believe it can also be transferred.

  Stunned by the implications, Phina blinked at Braeden’s still form. You believe that the lack of energy is why you are having trouble and I can fill you with my energy.

  She felt the equivalent of a smile come down the tunnel. Stark has a reason for calling you ‘Genius Girl.’ Yes, I believe you can fill me with it.

  Phina slowly nodded. So, somehow the energy was…what, drained out of you?

  Yes, very like that.

  What could do that? Who could do that?

  That is our next task. First, I need to get back on my feet. That is why I need your help.

  To fill you up with energy. Phina didn’t know how she felt about that. Chalk up one more inexplicable thing that was now different in her life.

  Yes.

  Surely someone else can help you get out of trouble?

  There is no one else here. And I’m not just having trouble, Phina. I’m dying.

  No, she protested.

  Yes. We cannot live long without the energy we need; no one can. But we Gleeks are especially sensitive. My body is shutting down. There are only minutes left before it�
�s too late to change my end.

  Phina firmed her lips and nodded. Well, we can’t have that. Tell me what to do.

  The only method I have thought of with no assistance available is for you to put your hands on my thoracic region and try to push the energy into me.

  Push it like you do for your kinetic strikes? Why did this sound dangerous?

  Similar, but push it in instead of against something. It might take a few attempts to figure out the process.

  Right.

  Phina placed her hands on Braeden’s elongated body, one above each heart. She didn’t know why; it just felt right. Because his body was failing and his hearts were needed to keep it functioning? Maybe. After taking a deep breath, Phina let it out and closed her eyes. Right. Tricky situation, Braeden’s life was in the balance. Just another day in the Empire.

  “Here goes…”

  Etheric Empire, Planet Lyriem, QBS Stark

  Stark had watched it all: Genius Girl’s mad dash and assistance to Ryan, and the interaction between her and Greyson Wells as she helped him jump around the Skaines’ laser bursts before the aliens were taken out. Stark even hacked into the camera feeds on the Revenge and observed how she had come to Braeden’s rescue. Then she’d taken out the Skaine who had gone mad, released the Aurians, and was now risking her life to try to save Braeden.

  Yes, Stark had watched it all.

  And he still didn’t understand it.

  Logically, she should have stayed on his ship. It made sense with the new biological information they had been given that her life was at risk. Yet, her actions had allowed her to save at least three lives, not counting all the Aurians who had been in the way. If she had not been involved, Ryan would have been seriously if not fatally injured, Greyson Wells would be seriously injured and need medical care, and Braeden would be dead. Her insistence made no sense logically, yet she had made a drastic difference in the outcome.

  For the first time, Stark found logic inadequate.