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

by Lawrence P White

  Korban raised an eyebrow, but Tarn ignored the implied question.

  “I’m not the issue, sir. Her visions, or more important, the focus of her visions is what matters. Each and every one of her visions has focused on the coup. She forecast the coup twelve years before it happened, though even she did not understand the meaning of the vision. She forecast the coup again shortly before it happened and still didn’t understand. Since then she’s had visions of others including Daughter, me, Chandrajuski, and now you. Sir, I have personal knowledge of at least three of her visions coming to pass.”

  “Why me, and why now?”

  “A good question, sir. I ask myself the same thing every day. Why am I still alive?”

  Tarn shook his head, wishing he knew the answer. “I can’t tell you how or why these visions occur, but each appears focused on restoring the Queen to the throne. You, personally, have been singled out, for what I don’t know, but I believe you hold a position of great importance to the restoration of the throne.”

  Korban continued to stare at him. Tarn had already said more than, by rights, he should, but he felt compelled to continue. He locked gazes with the admiral. “I’m just a lieutenant, sir,” he said. “Truth be told, I’m really just an ensign that Admiral Chandrajuski promoted for this mission. I am in no position to be counseling senior admirals, but I have had some success with interpreting these visions. I ask your permission to be blunt.”

  Korban continued leaning back in his chair as he looked from Tarn to Krys, then back to Tarn again. “I’m not certain where I stand with any of this, Lieutenant, but your argument has so far held together. Say what you must.”

  “Sir, the very presence of Krys in this office directs specific attention to you and to Orion Sector. Your battle will be one of wits, not of weapons. How you will fight this battle I do not know, but you will lead Orion Sector for the Queen. In accepting the call, you also accept the fact that the demands on you personally will be terrible, so terrible that section 68, paragraph 13 will be invoked in some manner.”

  Korban stared back at Tarn, his face a mask set in stone. He did not want to hear these words, yet in a way they called to him as no others ever had.

  “You will receive a visit from a Knight of the Realm some day in the future,” Tarn continued. “That visit is, in effect, a visit from the Queen herself. Once the Knight comes, you will be certain. Until then, you have only Krys’ word that all this is true.

  “Sir, as a sector commander you are bound by an oath given directly to the Queen. I believe that debt is now called in. Some will abandon their sectors, but I believe that you, sir, are tasked with holding. Your holding might be categorized more as an ordeal, but your actions are crucially important to the Queen. We’re all counting on you, sir.”

  Krys stared proudly at Tarn. She had wondered about his place in all of this. His performance in Chandrajuski’s office had left little doubt, but now all doubt was erased. From the few simple words of a riddle and her brief vision of a Knight, he had concocted a plan that would direct the efforts of an entire sector.

  She shifted her focus to Korban and sensed his wavering. “You still doubt, Admiral,” she said.

  “I do, but not as much as I should. I can’t say why, but I believe you.”

  “Then we are nearly done. I have only one more piece of information for you. Lieutenant Lukes does not know the source of my visions, but I do.”

  Tarn whirled on her. She reached a hand up to his face and caressed. “We’ll rectify that, and soon.”

  She turned back to Korban. “Admiral Chandrajuski received a vision even more frightening than yours. He found himself in the midst of a horrible dilemma. I am going to tell you what I told him. The words I am about to say are not my own, but I cannot reveal their source. The words are a gift from someone wise beyond our comprehension, someone who knew what was coming.”

  Korban rose slowly from his seat, simultaneously eager and hesitant to hear what Krys was about to say.

  “He spoke of heavy burdens, sir, but he left us with the means to shoulder them. He told us that we are to listen to our hearts, always. If we do, we will know what is right, and we will never be asked to do more.”

  Korban stared at her, this waif of a woman who’s words, if true, would change his life, direct his life in ways none of them could foresee.

  “I know what you’re thinking, sir. In Admiral Chandrajuski’s words, those are the words of a woman, not a fighter.”

  She cocked her head to the side in a question, a very personal question. “Let me ask you, does your heart not hear my words? Can you tell me you don’t feel rightness in what has transpired here today?”

  A low, continuous growl sounded within Kross’ throat. When Krys turned to him, he shook his head as if to clear it. He looked into her eyes and gruffly cleared his throat.

  She reached out and touched the fur of his neck. “I wish you had been there, my friend. Otis was, and he was called. So, too, was Daughter.”

  Krys turned back to Korban. “Sir, Daughter was there when these words were spoken. I speak in her name when I tell you to trust in your heart. Listen to your heart, Admiral. What you find there will be true.”

  * * * * *

  The moment they stepped out of the building, Krys grabbed Tarn and pulled him into an embrace, jumping up and down as she held to him. “I’m so happy!” she cried.

  He held tight and swung her around, then set her down and pushed her out to arm’s length. “And I’m happy for you. The Knight’s Pin was open. That confirms everything! Not only that, you actually had another vision at a time of your own choosing.”

  “Tarn, we have a Queen! I feel so strong all of a sudden. But there’s more.” He looked a question at her, and she beamed. “I saw the Knight. It was Val.”

  He stepped back in awe. “Your boyfriend is a Knight?”

  She blinked, a look of disbelief on her face. “Boyfriend?”

  “We’re talking about Val here, the Val from your orphanage, right?”

  She reached out a shaking hand to his face. “How long have we been together now?”

  “About a year.”

  “And in all that time you haven’t known? Oh, Tarn, I’ve been unfair. I just realized there’s so much you don’t know, and it’s not right. I’m sorry.

  “Like what?”

  She dropped her hand from his face and stepped away, then turned in a circle as she searched for guidance.

  “There’s so much. Do you know you’re one of only six people who were called by name to save the Empire?”

  Kross growled deep in his throat, and she whirled to face the Great Cat. “I’m surprised you don’t know. Otis has not shared his story with the brotherhood?”

  Kross’ silent stare was all the answer she needed.

  Softly, knowing they were in a very public place, she asked, “He, too, was there. Did you know he’s been Knighted?”

  A savage roar filled the space before Korban’s headquarters, echoing across the lawns and through the trees. Everyone stopped to stare, but Kross didn’t care. He paced before her, his energy barely controlled.

  “It’s true, Kross. I thought you knew.”

  “He is the first of my people.”

  “I think I knew that. He will probably not be the last.” She turned back to Tarn. “Val is a Knight. At least, according to this vision, he will be one eventually. For all these years he’s tried to emulate the vision he carried of Sir Jarl, the Knight who died bringing me and him to Daughter’s attention. Daughter knew how he felt about Sir Jarl; his Knighting must have been a special moment for both of them. He’s now one of the great ones of Empire, a position he could only imagine.”

  “Uh, I think you’re right up there with him, Krys.”

  “No. I haven’t done anything, I just am.”

  Staring into her eyes, he said “I won’t let you sell yourself short, my friend.”

  “Nor will I,” Kross broke into their world, a world t
hat had for the moment become just the two of them. “I will never forget today. You truly are who you say you are, My Lady.”

  Her eyes flashed as she corrected him. “I’m not My Lady.”

  “You are to me. You occupy a special place in Daughter’s world, and probably in her heart. You do in mine as well. I’m honored to serve you, and I’m honored to call you My Lady. Now, we must be away from here.”

  She took Tarn’s arm and headed back in the direction of the ship. “Our crew must know the story of me, Val, Daughter, and Otis. They deserve to know. I’m only sorry I didn’t tell you all sooner.”

  She stopped and pulled Tarn around to face her. “You have to know this right now, Tarn. Out of all the Empire, six people were named that day. I’ll give you the details later. When the naming took place, we didn’t know what it was for, but now we do. We have been called to lead the effort to restore peace across the Empire. Maybe even beyond the Empire if my sense is right. You were one of the six. I was told that in my hour of need the Guide would find me. You are the Guide, Tarn.”

  He balked. “I’m just a lieutenant, Krys. Just an ensign, really.”

  “Call yourself what you will, but your position surmounts rank, just as mine does. You are the Guide. For all these years I believed you were to be my guide, but I see now that I was wrong. You’re their guide, Tarn. I’m the Messenger, and you provide guidance to whomever my vision is directed. Can you believe me?”

  They really did need to get out of this public place. He took her arm and turned her toward the spaceport, suddenly seeming to stand taller.

  “Actually, I do believe you. I can’t say why, I just know you’re right. I am the Guide. I hesitate to ask, but whose company am I in?”

  “Mine; the Queen; the Knight, whoever he is; Otis; and my brother Val.”

  * * * * *

  Gortlan was locked in a meeting with a Senior Chief somewhere on the military side of the port, and the meeting was expected to last all day. Since they had to wait for him, Kross requested a few hours for himself. Krys didn’t question him, she just encouraged him to do whatever it was he had to do.

  It took Kross a while, but he eventually located another Great Cat, one whom he knew slightly. When speaking among their own kind, they used their true names, not their working names. True names could not be pronounced by humans.

  “Greetings, Sgujkdsla. I have information. It is Imperial in nature.”

  “Greetings, Pytgbvlw. You should see Bxpturzgb.”

  Kross blinked. “He’s here?”

  He’s here, and he’ll be out soon. We’re a team of three.”

  Kross was pleased to hear the name Bxpturzgb. Kross was a Guardian, but Bxpturzgb was one of the elite Protectors who had served with Otis for a time. He would know Daughter well, and he might know Krys. He waited patiently until two Great Cats emerged from a building with a human. He did not recognize the human. Sgujkdsla indicated all clear to Bxpturzgb, then joined him, a decidedly abnormal behavior during Protection duties. A few words were exchanged, then Bxpturzgb left the small group to join Kross.

  Standard greetings were exchanged, then the two Great Cats sauntered down the boulevard, passersby giving them a wide berth. “It’s an Imperial matter, sir. We should talk in private.”

  Bxpturzgb led him to a nearby alley and turned into it. “Speak,” he commanded.

  “Daughter lives, sir.”

  Bxpturzgb’s ears twitched, about all the emotion one ever saw from a Protector. “She’s here?” he asked softly.

  “No. Her location is unknown. I protect a Friend who seeks her.”

  “How do you know?”

  “The Friend is the Seer. She has made certain predictions.”

  The ears twitched again. “The Seer! There is only one.”

  “That is her claim.”

  “Take me to her.”

  “Your contract, sir?”

  “As you say, this is an Imperial matter. Our client will have to manage with one less. Does Brodor know?”

  “I sent a message four months ago. They should know by now, but there have been more developments. Have you received a recall?”

  “I wouldn’t be here if I had.”

  “There will be a general recall. We’re needed on another project. I can speak more openly if we go to my ship.”

  “And I must see Krys.”

  The two Great Cats padded into the ship where they found Krys and Tarn in the midst of their exercises. She looked at the new addition, peered hard, and stopped what she was doing. “Borg?” she asked.

  “At your service, old friend.”

  She came to him and wrapped her arms around his great neck in a hug. He suffered her ministrations patiently, as cats do on occasion. When she released him, he sat back on his haunches, his method of standing at attention.

  She stepped away, looked at Kross, then back to Borg. “I’m looking for her, but I have not found her yet. I know she lives. Until I find her, we are on a mission to tell others that there is a Queen.”

  “What others?”

  “We have a list of senior military officers. Senator Truax is pursuing a similar agenda with certain senators.”

  “Kross tells me there is a general recall of Guardians. Why?”

  She briefed him fully, with Kross interjecting items of special interest when appropriate. When they were done, Borg simply turned and left. He was back three hours later with two additional Great Cats. The cats met in private, and when they emerged, three left, including Sheeb.

  Krys stopped them. “Sheeb, are you leaving?”

  “I am, My Lady. It has been my greatest honor to serve you.”

  “But . . .?”

  “The decision is made, and it serves you best. Borg will stay with you. I am needed on Brodor to share my experience of the Chessori with others.”

  She knew it was not her place to overrule Borg. This was his decision, and she had no place in it. “Farewell, friend, and thank you.”

  Sheeb nodded and turned away.

  Gortlan returned late that night, and they were away. Stven’s first concern after departure was to check on the two Chessori traders that had trailed them on their way to Orion III. They were still a full week out, and he felt comfortable with the spacing between them. He set his course directly away from theirs.

  A week later, two more Chessori traders materialized on the screens directly ahead of them. M’Sada was in the net at the time, and he called Stven immediately from a deep sleep. They studied the presentation, then chose the obvious solution. They turned hard away from the Chessori in front of them. A short time later the Chessori turned to intercept them. Behind them, the two Chessori inbound to Orion III turned to bypass the planet and head toward them, as well.

  M’Sada fine-tuned their course to put as much distance as he could between both sets of Chessori while Stven considered options. When the final computations were displayed, his options evaporated. The inbound Chessori would intercept them about a day before the two trailing Chessori, and both would join with Rappor long before a safe jump point was reached. He’d been trapped.

  Stven and M’Sada left the net to confer. “We could head directly for the incoming set.” Stven mused. “We’d be by them in a flash.”

  “Not if they take control of our minds.”

  “We could program the ship to keep going no matter what other orders it received.”

  “It might work,” M’Sada said. “Let’s keep it as an option. There’s another. A few years ago, I was with a squadron chasing a lone smuggler. He didn’t have a chance, but he jumped before we reached him.”

  “We can’t jump. We’re too far inside the system.”

  “So was he.”

  “Did he make it?”

  “I’ll never know. We had no means of following. He was actually farther in than we’ll be. We’ll at least be in the outer system. Maybe we ought to play with the AI for a while.”

  “You know it won’t let us jump that early
.”

  “Let’s get Gortlan up here. Maybe he’ll have an idea.”

  Gortlan pondered the problem while M’Sada did his best to coax potential solutions from the AI. It couldn’t execute the solutions, but it could set up and display them.

  “You know it’s risky, right?” Gortlan said to Stven.

  “So is anything else we’ve come up with.”

  Gortlan’s lips thinned in displeasure. “What I learned back on Orion IV might come in handy here. You’re not going to like the process of changing the beacon. We have to get out where no one can see us and shut down the AI.”

  “Shut it down! Out in the middle of nowhere?”

  “Yes, sir. Not for long, but it has to be complete. I’ll insert some new programming before we shut down. When we re-boot, the new beacon code will be accessed instead of the old one. It’s simple on the surface, but the process can be ugly.”

  Stven had to ask, but he was certain he didn’t want to hear the answer. “How ugly?”

  “Without an AI, there’s nothing monitoring all the other computers. Strange things have been reported, from weightlessness to lights out. It’s not done often, so it’s not an exact science. Crews that might have to use it get extra training in monitoring systems while the AI is out.”

  “Is there still a net?”

  “Yes, but no one to drive it.”

  “We can still maneuver the ship? And jump?”

  “You can, but only manually. Computing jumps manually takes a lot of time, and if we come out near a star or something, we’re in big trouble. Think hard on this, sir.”

  “If we do this, do we do the whole thing? Insert the new beacon code and all?”

  “Depends on how far the jump takes us. When we reboot, we’ll be sending out the new code. You want to do it where no one will know.”

  “So we’ll need two jumps just to be certain. You can reboot after the second jump. Are you up to speed on the process?”

  Gortlan nodded, a grim expression on his face. “To tell you the truth, sir, it’s against everything I’ve ever learned as an engineer. It scares the crap out of me.”