Last of the Chosen (Spirit of Empire, Book One)

by Lawrence P White

  His eyes flashed. “Can I?”

  “I periodically visit each of my ships, especially after an event like what we had on Hespra III. I can probably arrange for you to spend a couple of days there.”

  “Can I see the other ships?”

  “Will a tour of the frigate and one fighter do?”

  “Oh . . . yes, My Lady.” He thought for a moment, frowning. “I don’t want to take too much time away from my training.”

  “You have plenty of time, Val. It’s some seven weeks to our destination. Provided you don’t get off there, and I’m not recommending that you do, the next leg of our journey will occupy an equivalent time.”

  “Where should we get off, My Lady?”

  “The choice is yours, but I’m still thinking about a recommendation. It depends to some extent on what the two of you want to do.”

  Val’s soup was cooling off, and all he could do was stare at it. “We want to go to school,” he said. Then, in chagrin, he asked, “How am I supposed to eat when I have to keep setting my spoon down?”

  “It’s simple, Val. You divert the conversation, or someone diverts it for you,” she said, looking pointedly at Krys.

  “We want to go to school,” Krys said instantly.

  To Val, Daughter said, “You may continue eating now.” To Krys, she asked, “What kind of school? There are schools on every world of the Empire.”

  “Any school will work,” Krys said. “It won’t take much to be an improvement over what we had.”

  “No, it won’t, but some are better than others. What would you like to study?”

  “I don’t know, My Lady.”

  “You have a pad. What most interested you?”

  Val set his spoon down and answered for her. “Tales of queens and princesses and knights and adventure,” he offered, then quickly looked down and picked up his spoon again.

  Daughter looked a question at Krys who nodded her head. “Sorry, My Lady.”

  “Don’t be! I couldn’t have asked for a better answer.” She thought for a time, then said, “I would imagine you’d like to go to Triton.”

  “Oh, My Lady, I’d so like to see the Palace.”

  “You know you’re special. I would welcome you to the Palace, but not yet.”

  “My Lady?”

  “The Palace is a place of intrigues, always. You are not ready for that, but your special gift would be most helpful to me when you are ready.”

  “I’m not a Seer, My Lady.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No, My Lady. I did some research on Seers with the aid of the ship’s AI. I do not see the future clearly, and Seers, at least reputedly in the legends, did. The AI wondered if I might be an Oracle.”

  “An Oracle. I hope not,” Daughter said as she considered. ”Oracles, if they truly existed as legend claims, are not particularly nice creatures. They tended to know all, but they only released information in pieces, and then usually for a price, and they were conniving.” She looked hard at Krys. “Do you know more about the future than you’re telling me?”

  “No, My Lady, I do not, and I say this from my heart.”

  Daughter studied her for a time, and Krys was decidedly uncomfortable with the attention. Finally, Daughter said, “We’ll just have to find out. Whatever you are, you’re young and untrained. What if I find someone to train you? Are you willing to study and maybe improve your abilities, to focus this gift?”

  “How? Who can teach me?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve given it a great deal of thought, and I have an idea. I’m still working on it.”

  Val interrupted. “My Lady, how is it that you’ve been talking this whole time, but your soup is gone?”

  “Practice, Val. Lots of practice. You’ll get there, don’t worry. And I won’t let you go hungry.” The main course was brought in, and the soup bowls were cleared away. To Val’s chagrin, Krys’ bowl was empty, too. How did they do it, he wondered?

  “May I ask what you have in mind, My Lady?” Krys asked as she cut into a small piece of meat. Val’s was three times the size of hers, and he attacked it with gusto. After all, he reminded himself, he was eating for two. But he was all ears – they were discussing his future, too, and he did not want to end up on Triton and under Daughter’s fingers.

  “One of the happiest times of my life was the years I spent on Rrestriss. Have you heard of it?”

  “No, My Lady.”

  “Val?”

  He immediately swallowed a large chunk of meat, most of it intact, and set his utensils down. He beat on his chest a few times, then croaked, “No, My Lady.”

  “Chew your food, Val. I can wait. Understood?”

  “Yes, My Lady.”

  “Rrestriss is an ancient world, Krys,” she continued as if nothing untoward had happened, “ancient and peaceful. It’s far from here, about as close to the galactic core as settled worlds can be. People from across the Empire seek entrance to its famous universities. Many apply, but few are chosen, and I cannot tell you what criteria the Rress use to determine who attends and who does not. My own focus was philosophy, but they teach the sciences, engineering, medicine, and the arts as well. For someone preparing for a role in Empire governance, there is not a better place to learn.”

  Krys’ eyes grew large, and her lips began to quiver. She rested her eating utensils on her plate and lowered her hands to her lap. Even Val stopped eating and set his utensils down. What was she saying?

  “Does Rrestriss hold any interest to you?” Daughter asked.

  “You frighten me, My Lady,” Krys responded weakly. “Empire governance?”

  “I’m sorry, child. It is not my intention to frighten. They will not frighten you. They’re wonderful. I know you’ll like it there, and if there is anywhere in the Empire that your talents can be refined, it’s there. As important, you would grow in the wisdom you will surely need as you exercise those talents in the years to come.”

  Krys looked to Val with a stunned and frightened expression on her face. Val, too, felt overwhelmed. Governance? That was the realm of the Royal Family and Imperial Senators. Certainly not him and Krys. The very idea intimidated. He looked into Daughter’s eyes. “We’re just poor orphans,” he whispered. “We’re not ready for all that. We don’t even have the basics yet, and you’re talking about higher education, the very highest.”

  “Val,” Daughter said softly, “The Rress tailor their teaching to the individual. They excel at proving to you that there is nothing you cannot achieve if you set your mind to it, provided you’re willing to do the work, and the work is often challenging. I happen to believe you’re half way there already. They can provide you with the means to do the rest.”

  “Do they have a Fleet Academy?”

  “They do, but only for senior officers. You cannot attend the Academy on Rrestriss, but a recommendation from teachers there would virtually ensure your entrance to any of the other Fleet Academies. And that recommendation would not be given if you weren’t ready.”

  “I only have two years to prepare for the test.”

  “Not true, Val. You have a minimum of two years. You can wait many more years if you wish.”

  “I want to go as soon as I can.”

  “Is your goal only to be a star pilot, or are you willing to go the extra distance and be a leader, the best officer you can be?”

  “Uh, all the above?”

  “If an extra year or two would be beneficial, don’t you think it would be a good idea?”

  “I want to be a star pilot.”

  She smiled fondly. “I know you do, Val. And you will be a star pilot. You’ll be much, much more than that as well if you’ll allow the Rress to mentor you. If they agree to accept you, the final choice will be yours. If you accept, I promise you a challenge that you will never regret.”

  “I want you to be the best you can be,” Krys said to him. “And I want us to be together. That’s all I ask.”

  Val looked at her, uncertain
of what he wanted. And that was an uncomfortable feeling, something he rarely experienced. He had been focused on only one thing for as long as he could remember. Suddenly, lots more was on the table, and he couldn’t get his arms around it. He wanted to be a star pilot. He couldn’t imagine wanting more than that. If someday he did, he would just make it happen, but for the moment, Daughter’s ideas were too much, too far beyond the goal he had set for himself. He fondled the money key he still carried in his pocket. With it, he and Krys could get off at the next stop and just disappear. Should they?

  Then he looked into Krys’ eyes. What did her future hold? He wasn’t too sure about this Seer stuff, he didn’t begin to understand it, but he sensed the hunger in her eyes. Too, he sensed vaguely what Daughter had hinted at.

  He turned to Daughter, looking into her eyes for something, he knew not what. She was no longer smiling. This was Daughter looking at him, the beautiful princess who had walked down that long corridor among all the cheering people, the person whom the Empire called to resolve its most difficult problems, the person who had nearly died in service to her Empire.

  He suddenly understood. She wasn’t suggesting Rrestriss for him. It was for Krys. In her eyes, Krys had become more important than himself. Krys was, potentially, far more important than a simple star pilot, far more important than a fleet officer of any rank. Krys could provide guidance to her in the governing process, guidance that was so rare that Daughter had never even been in the presence of a Seer.

  Yes, it all made sense now, but it angered him as well.

  “She’s not just a tool to be used by the Empire,” he said softly.

  Daughter’s eyes narrowed. Had he surprised her with his insight? Her utensils, too, were no longer in her hands. The meal was no longer important.

  “She is a tool, Val, just as I am a tool, and just as you may be one day.” Her gaze shifted to Krys for a time, then back to Val. “The Empire chose me. Do you think I wanted to be Chosen?” His confused look was sufficient answer. “Do you know what my life is like? Constantly working, constantly at risk, surrounded by Protectors, not out of desire but out of need? Betrothed to a man who is nearly as old as my father? Betrothed not to one I love, but to one who will, hopefully, help produce heirs that will pass muster as Chosen?” She turned back to Krys. “I, too, am familiar with the stories you have read. I, too, would choose to be wed to someone I love. But it is not to be. I have been Chosen, and I have a duty. I will not fail in my duty to the Empire any more than you will.”

  Focusing on Val, she asked, “You chose to die for me. Why?”

  His thoughts turned inward, settling on the demanding eyes of Mr. Wyzcha, Sir Jarl. “I didn’t,” he answered finally. “Not for you.”

  She sat back, awaiting the rest of his answer.

  “He might have been my uncle, but Sir Jarl has been more like a father to me since I left the orphanage. He called on me to do something special, something for him. That was the call I answered.”

  “I know. I’m only surprised that you know, as well.” She turned to Krys. “Our Knights put the needs of Empire before personal needs, and Sir Jarl was no exception. Val did the same when he answered that call. He didn’t do it for me, he did it, ultimately, for the Empire. For the very idea of Empire.

  “Krys, we cannot know at this moment what your talents will become. If you are what I think you are, the Empire calls on you to serve. I call on you to serve. Will you?”

  “How can I answer?” Krys asked in consternation. “Two days ago I was in an orphanage. Now you’re asking me to stand beside you as you rule the Empire, or will rule it someday.”

  “Val chose.”

  Krys looked at Val, her gaze softening. “You did choose. I hardly know you, but already I would follow you anywhere. I feel like I’m in a fairy tale.”

  “Maybe we are,” Val murmured. “But I think we’re looking too far down the road. All we really want to do at the moment is go to school.”

  “Will you stay with me?”

  “I will for as long as I can. I’m not sure we’re following the same path.”

  Daughter stood up and came around the table to place arms about both of their shoulders. “We are, each of us, tools. But we’re people, too. I will never forget that. Each of us is called, and each of us answers that call in our own way. I was not a child when I was called. You are still children, and I will not permit you to make choices of that magnitude yet. I do ask that you consider my request about Rrestriss. You have nothing to lose, and much, much to gain. Later, if you are needed, I will call. By then you will be adults, and you will be free to choose. Is that fair enough?”

  Val fondled the money key in his pocket, then slowly let it slide away. He removed his hand and shamelessly placed it behind Daughter’s back. He gave her a hug, knowing it was probably not part of the dinner etiquette, or part of any etiquette at all. She tightened her grip about his shoulders and kissed his forehead. Then she leaned over Krys and did the same. Krys looked startled, then a delighted look came into her eyes. “I am in a fairy tale,” she said.

  Later, as they were leaving, Krys turned to Daughter, her young eyes suddenly older. “You will find your knight in shining armor, Ellandra of the Chosen.”

  Daughter’s hand went to her throat, and for the first time since they’d met, Val sensed her uncertainty. “You know my name?”

  “Yes, My Lady.”

  “No one knows my name. Daughter is a title bestowed long ago. It is my name now.”

  “Yes, My Lady.”

  “Is that the Seer talking, or the fairy tales talking?”

  “Can it be both?”

  “Is it?”

  “Yes, My Lady. It was just a feeling that came to me when you said you were betrothed, but it was a strong feeling. I sensed great happiness, but more, I sensed fulfillment.”

  “Will we . . .?” she whispered, suddenly vulnerable.

  “You will both have to choose. Would you want it otherwise?”

  Chapter Forty-seven: Walking the Ship

  Krys led Val down the corridor and entered her new stateroom. Val could only shake his head at the luxurious quarters, wondering who had been forced out to make room for him and Krys. But it wasn’t his problem. Such things were the domain of Daughter. He sat at a small table with a workstation considering his day. Krys was not only his sister, she had some special gift that truly enthralled Daughter. And he had gone into the net! What a momentous day. The net was enough all by itself, but his sister! Though they’d missed all the early years together, he sensed the love that flowed from her to him, and he reveled in it. A sister! And she wanted to stay with him. Life was suddenly too wonderful. Tomorrow he would go Outside. Would he pass muster, as Daughter put it? He knew he would. There was no question in his mind on that score.

  He was suddenly hungry. Dinner had not been fun, and he’d not had the opportunity to eat everything. He considered room service, but he was, technically, a crewmember now. He would not push the bounds of his relationship with Daughter or Captain Jzazbe.

  >Hey, partner, wasn’t that you with me in the net today?<

  >Yea. Pretty cool, huh?<

  >Have you forgotten what we did in there?<

  >I hope not.<

  >Well, I’m hungry, too. Did we or did we not learn how to work the auto-chef?<

  >Hey, you’re right!< Without further ado, he headed for the lounge.

  When he finally got to bed that night, he tucked Krys under her covers before stretching out on his own bed to stare at her.

  Her gaze met his. “Don’t leave me, Val.”

  “I won’t.” He raised himself on one elbow. “I’m 5397867A. You’re 5397867B. I guess that means I was born first. I’m your big brother, and I’m not going anywhere without you.”

  He and Krys breakfasted together the next morning in the lounge. He would have preferred eating in the crew mess, but he somehow knew he wasn’t allowed there. Without Daughter’s presence, the meal was much more
relaxed, though both of them concentrated on doing things Daughter’s way.

  “You seem distracted, Val,” Krys finally said.

  “I suppose I am. I have a test to take today.”

  “A test!”

  “I’m going Outside. They tell me I might not adapt. Most don’t. Can you do your magic on me and tell me if it will go okay?”

  “It’s not that simple, Val. Besides, you don’t want simple answers. It’s not your way.”

  She was right. Besides, what if she said he’d fail?

  He rose from the central shaft at nine o’clock sharp, and Captain Jzazbe was waiting for him. Another senior officer stood beside him.

  “It’s protocol to report a few minutes early, Mister Val.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Jzazbe spoke to the other officer. “You have the conn, Commander.” He rose from his seat and motioned for Val to take the same workstation as the day before, but this time Jzazbe sat down in the seat beside him.

  He stared at Val for a time before saying, “There are several ways to go about introducing you to the Outside. At the Academy they normally engage you in pilot duties for several weeks, letting you sense the emptiness that surrounds us in pieces, a little at a time. You’re too busy to focus on much of anything but the ship. I’m prepared to do it that way if you’d prefer.”

  Val frowned. “What’s the alternative, sir?”

  Jzazbe’s lips pursed. “There’s only one way to really know if you’re cut out for this. We call it ‘walking the ship.’”

  “We actually go outside?” Val asked with a gulp. He hadn’t been thinking along those lines.

  “No. We do it all through the net. We don’t put on space suits, and your body stays right here. But Val, you know how realistic the net is. Your mind will be telling you that you’re out in space, and your vision will be telling you that you’re out in space. It’s incredibly realistic and, to most, overwhelming. On the surface it’s a test of your ability to operate a ship in space, but at a more fundamental level it’s a test of your ability to control your mind. To master the experience, your mind must be stronger than your senses. Your mind is the key. You have to be capable of remembering it’s a virtual experience, that your body is not at risk, that it is still here on the bridge. Most can’t do that.”