The Queen’s Triumph (Rogue Queen)

by Jessie Mihalik

  I scanned the faces beyond the door. Commander Adams stood a few meters back, his pistol held loosely. He scanned each person coming through the airlock, presumably looking for me or Imogen. There were far too many people between us for me to get a clean shot, and I clenched my jaw in frustration.

  Adams couldn’t possibly see me in the crowd, but his smirk grew wider and wider as the door closed and I didn’t appear. Just as I considered risking a shot anyway, a little girl’s head jerked into my line of fire. The crowd was too unpredictable. I would never forgive myself if I killed an innocent.

  The outer airlock door sealed closed with a loud thunk. The inner door started to close but immediately halted due to all of the bodies in the way. The feel of the crowd shifted as people shoved and shouted and tried to cram inside the airlock. Those already in the airlock pushed back against the encroaching crowd.

  People could theoretically escape through the airlock, but trapped, panicked people had to let the inner door of the airlock close with nothing more than the hope that it would open again after those inside made it through. And in any crowd, there was always that special asshole who refused to wait their turn and so ended up killing everyone.

  Today, that asshole was a dark-haired young man. He threw the first punch and then the fight was on.

  Someone grabbed my shoulder and I spun, ready to defend myself, but it was only Imogen. The crowd jostled around us, growing by the second. Imogen grabbed my wrist and towed me back the way we’d come.

  I let her pull me. There was no way we’d clear the area enough for the inner door to close, not even with the number of weapons we had. And the situation was volatile enough without us adding fuel to the fire. Hopefully, once people realized there wasn’t an emergency—or didn’t appear to be, at least—they would calm down.

  We’re on our way, Imogen said over the group link.

  The others must also be trapped with us. Fantastic.

  Adams’s tracker started moving again, away from the airlock and deeper into Block 20. If there was ever a time for the universe to strike someone dead, it would be now.

  The tracker kept moving.

  Of course.

  The emergency announcement repeated every thirty seconds, but now people emerged from their buildings and looked around instead of immediately running for an airlock. There was no obvious sign of an emergency, but it also didn’t appear to be a drill, so everyone was confused.

  A quick check of the net confirmed that messages were flying fast and furious. No one knew what was happening, but rumors ran rampant. Apparently, Block 19 had suffered a fire, an explosion, a hull breach, and a terrorist attack—or possibly all of them at once.

  Cooler heads were starting to prevail due to the total lack of evidence, but it would take a while before the airlocks were reopened.

  I checked in with the team I’d left behind in the courtyard. Adams’s remaining soldiers had escaped, but everyone on my team had survived—so far. Two were down with life-threatening injuries, but some of the others were rushing them to the nearest doctor. I prayed they would both recover. The whole team’s bravery ensured that Imogen and I had survived, and so, as far as I was concerned, they had all earned a very nice bonus.

  I told the remaining team to quickly search the casualties for clues about their identities and then clear the area. I didn’t know if the remaining soldiers had made it out of the block before the lockdown, but Adams would absolutely trap his own people if it served his interests. We needed to be careful. I updated both attack groups and told them to watch their backs.

  Rather than heading back to the courtyard, Imogen led me closer to the edge of the block. I was happy to follow her lead as I kept an eye on the net. The few people we passed were too busy trying to figure out what was going on to pay any attention to us.

  Imogen ducked down an alley and then knocked on a nondescript door. Luka swung it open, and relief briefly crossed his face before he wiped it away. He waved us in and then shut and locked the door behind us.

  Valentin still wore his Kos combat armor, but his visor was open. He carefully pulled me into a hug against his chest. “We have to stop meeting like this,” he murmured. “It’s bad for my blood pressure.”

  I squeezed him tight, though I doubted he could feel it. “I totally agree.”

  Once he let me go, I pulled back and looked around. Unlike our rooms in Block 48, this was just one large space with a few chairs and tables scattered around.

  Stella and Ari, both in armor with their visors open, stood next to Eddie, who had declined to wear the Kos armor, preferring the same lightweight, flexible armor that Imogen and I wore. They were all gathered around the largest table, along with a few others who must be from the team the council had sent. Imogen and Luka had silently left us alone and joined the others.

  “What’s this?” I asked.

  “Backup plan,” Valentin said.

  I raised an eyebrow. “Whose backup plan? Because I distinctly remember discussing various fallback plans, and this wasn’t one of them.”

  A grin tugged on the corner of his mouth. “Mine, naturally. I didn’t mention it because I hoped we wouldn’t need it, and if you didn’t know, you couldn’t fuss at me for spending unnecessary money.”

  My eyes narrowed. “I dare you to say that again.”

  He cupped my jaw as his eyes traced over my face. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered. “When your message about the armor cut off halfway, I nearly lost my mind.”

  I laughed bitterly. “It certainly was an unwelcome surprise for me, too. How did they get past the thermal cameras?”

  Valentin straightened reluctantly. “We discussed it on the way over. The current theory is that they came from a different building than the one we were watching. Sawya’s information indicated there was a backup team but not a separate location, so we assumed they would be in the main building. But perhaps they slipped through the cracks or maybe they were staying on the ship.”

  “You don’t think they figured out how to defeat the thermal imaging?”

  Valentin shook his head. “The best Kos scientists have been working on it for years and haven’t figured it out. It’s not impossible that Adams figured it out in a matter of months, but it’s not very likely.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why my spotters didn’t see them.”

  “Maybe they took a different path. A lot of the buildings around here are connected internally.”

  “It’s possible,” I allowed with a grimace. I hated having so many unknowns, but I let it go and changed the subject. “Do you know how long we’ll be locked in?”

  “No. I suppose it depends on how Adams managed to trigger the lockdown in the first place. If a sensor is giving the station authorities bad data, it could be a while until they confirm it’s a glitch. If someone hacked into the system, it could be even longer.”

  “How did Adams manage it? The station controls are behind layers and layers of security. My guess is that he had someone purposefully trip a sensor.”

  Valentin looked thoughtful. “Any chance Sawya is playing both sides?”

  “There’s always a chance,” I said slowly, “but I don’t think so. Sawya wants Adams dead. That wasn’t faked. It doesn’t make sense to help the person you want dead.”

  Valentin sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Do you think there’s a way out other than the airlocks?”

  “I am not hopeful, but if anyone would know, it’ll be Eddie. Let’s see what he thinks.”

  Valentin agreed, and we joined the others standing around the table. Ari and Stella looked me over with identical worried expressions.

  I waved them off. “I’m not hurt, but Imogen was grazed. Stella, can you take a look at her?”

  Imogen rolled her eyes. “It’s barely a scratch.”

  She shouldn’t have wasted her breath because Stella already had her first aid kit in hand. “Sit,” she said to Imogen, pointing at a nearby chair. “I can patch
you up while you listen.”

  Imogen knew a losing battle when she saw one. “Grazed my side,” she said as she sank into a chair facing us.

  Stella moved behind her and pulled up the hem of her shirt. “If this is ‘a scratch’ then I’d hate to see what happens when you actually get shot,” Stella said drily.

  I glared at Imogen, but she just shrugged. “It didn’t feel that bad.”

  I looked around, checking the rest of the group for injuries. “Does anyone else need to be patched up?” When they shook their heads, I blew out a relieved breath. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “Same to you, boss,” Eddie said.

  I inclined my head. “Do you know a way to get us out of the block without going through the airlock?”

  Eddie grimaced. “It might be possible, but from what I can tell, station security tends to quickly crack down on all illegal modifications outside the single-digit blocks, so I wouldn’t count on it. I don’t suppose you could ask your friend?”

  “That’s maybe not the best idea until we figure out if they’re still on our side.”

  Eddie’s eyes widened and he nodded. “Ah, in that case, I’ll keep digging.”

  Imogen muttered a curse under her breath. “Adams’s tracker just died. He must’ve found it.”

  When I checked the link, the last reported location was more than two minutes ago in Block 7. At the time, Adams seemed to be heading straight across to Block 8, but that may have changed after he found the tracker.

  “That’s not the fastest way back to his building,” I said. “Where’s he going?”

  “He could be heading for his ship,” Luka said. “It’s not the most direct path, but if I were trying to avoid the blocks around 14, that’s how I would go.”

  “You think he’s running?” I asked, dubious.

  “Or planning something else,” Valentin said.

  That sounded more like Adams. I clenched my fists against the urge to pace. I was trapped in this fucking block until the airlocks opened or we found a way out while Adams waltzed off to do whatever he wanted. “I want everyone searching for a way out.”

  They all nodded in agreement and we started reaching out to contacts and scouring the net for information. If there was a way out, we’d find out. We just had to keep looking.

  Nearly an hour later, we still hadn’t found anything. The airlocks hadn’t opened, but at least the emergency broadcast had stopped playing. I paced, striving for patience and failing. Adams was escaping, again. I went over the encounter in the courtyard, thinking through all of the things I should’ve done differently.

  I paused when an unknown neural link with a local address requested a connection. I had enabled unknown connections in case someone needed to get in touch with me through an intermediary, so I accepted, unsure what to expect.

  What, Sawya’s clipped, angry voice demanded, have you done?

  It was the angriest I’d ever heard them, and that was never a good thing. I went straight into damage control.

  The lockdown happened right after Adams cleared the 19-20 airlock, so blame him. We tracked him into Block 7 before we lost him, but we think he’s heading for his ship. There’s no emergency in Block 19. Can you get us out?

  Your little lockdown is the least of my concerns, Sawya growled. There is a fucking Quint armada outside, and they are demanding that we turn you and Valentin over.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I froze even as my heart raced. What did you say? I demanded, certain that I’d heard them wrong. Adams didn’t have the ships or support to summon an armada. Right?

  Which part of ‘fucking Quint armada’ is giving you trouble?

  “What’s wrong?” Valentin asked.

  “Sawya says a Quint armada just showed up. Check the news.”

  The group all started asking questions, but I waved them away and returned to my conversation with Sawya. Has Chairwoman Soteras been in contact? Are they truly backed by the Quint Confederacy?

  Regretfully, I’ve been a little too busy dealing with a fucking Quint armada to make any social calls, Sawya shouted across the link. There was a long pause, then they continued, their tone calm and deadly, Friends we may be, but I will not risk the station for you. Turn yourself in, and I will do what I can for you. If you make me find you… don’t make me find you.

  Open the airlocks and I will turn myself in.

  You are in no position to make demands.

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I snapped out something that would get us all killed. I am making a request. There is no emergency in Block 19. The people here don’t deserve to be trapped, and it was already devolving into violence right after the lockdown. People will die if it continues.

  “I left a message for Soteras because she was unavailable,” Valentin said. “I would like to believe she’s not behind it, but if Adams doesn’t have her support, then he is attempting a coup.”

  “Sawya wants me to turn myself in.”

  “No,” Valentin said, his voice hard.

  “I’m with Valentin,” Ari said. “We’re not turning you over.” Stella, Imogen, and Eddie also nodded. Even Luka looked like he was on my side for once.

  I appreciated their loyalty, but my mind was made up. “I’ve already agreed, assuming they open the airlocks.”

  “I won’t let Sawya hand you over to Adams,” Valentin said. His hands clenched into fists. “I refuse.”

  I laughed without humor. “Adams is demanding you, too, so maybe you’ll get to join me.”

  “I can have my fleet here before Sawya lays a finger on you, and I will give the order without regret.”

  I considered it, then shook my head. “Having a battle so close to the station is not a good idea. I’m sure CP57 is already readying their own ships. We don’t need to add to the chaos quite yet. But maybe send your advisors a heads-up.”

  “Already done.”

  I held up a hand as Sawya resumed the linked conversation. I could technically handle both conversations at once, but it would be better if I could give Sawya my full attention.

  The airlocks will open in ten minutes, Sawya said. They sent me an address in Block 6. Meet me there once they do. Bring your entourage.

  I will turn myself in, but I won’t lead the others to their deaths.

  Sawya snorted. Don’t be so dramatic. No one will die. Yet. Don’t give me a reason to change my mind.

  They cut the link before I could demand more information.

  I debated not telling the others, but I wouldn’t be able to slip away with nearly a dozen people watching my every move. “The airlocks are opening in ten minutes, and then I’m supposed to meet Sawya in Block 6.”

  “If you insist on going, then we’re going with you,” Ari said. Everyone nodded.

  I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “Well, that’s convenient because you were explicitly invited.” At her frown, I clarified, “I was told to bring my entourage.”

  As promised, the airlocks opened. Despite the announcements that the block was safe, a massive crowd still waited to exit. Imogen, Luka, Eddie, and I joined them, cloaked and hooded, with Ari, Stella, and Valentin camouflaged in their Kos armor in between us.

  Our extra teams had left and headed for another exit. It was a thin hope that Sawya didn’t already know about them, but I didn’t need to drag all of my citizens on CP57 into the fire—taking the people I cared about most was bad enough.

  The address Sawya had given me turned out to be a very posh private building. The door opened as I approached, despite the fact that I hadn’t lowered my hood. Point to Sawya. A thickly muscled man in a dark suit held the door open. The empty foyer beyond didn’t give me much insight into what kind of situation I should expect.

  I stepped through the door with Valentin right behind me. The guard did not try to stop him, even though he still wore combat armor with the visor open. Valentin would be monitoring the local neural links for signs of betrayal. Using the ability drained him, s
o I needed to keep this meeting short.

  The foyer was huge and tastefully decorated with marble and stone that must’ve cost a fortune to ship. A discreet security desk was tucked away on the left side, but the security guard was missing. Straight ahead, past a bank of elevators, a wide door stood open with another of Sawya’s guards standing next to it. He gestured us inside.

  I crossed the foyer, my boots whisper-quiet on the beautiful floor. I lowered my hood, but the guard at the door did not ask me to remove my weapons. Valentin, Stella, and Ari were also admitted in their armor. At least Sawya’s boundless confidence hadn’t changed.

  The room inside was clearly a waiting room, albeit a very nice one. Plush carpet, ornate furniture, and soft lighting gave a sense of cozy luxury. Two long sofas faced each other across a low glass coffee table. Other small groupings of chairs and tables were scattered around the room.

  At least a dozen guards lined the walls, half in dark suits and half in fatigues. All bristled with visible weapons.

  Sawya rose from their seat on the far sofa. Even though it was stupidly late, they looked perfectly put together in a finely tailored navy suit with a crisp white shirt and striped tie. Their curly blond hair was slicked back into a severe style and their expression was cool and guarded.

  “Sit,” Sawya said, pointing at the opposite sofa. It was not a request, and they did not smile.

  Valentin, with me, I said across the group link. The rest of you, spread out behind us.

  I perched on the edge of the sofa, and Valentin stood beside me. I had coached everyone on the way over, so we all waited in silence for Sawya to make the first move.

  Sawya sat with deliberate carelessness, sprawling back on the sofa and taking up space. If they were bothered by Valentin looming over them, they didn’t show it. “I wasn’t sure you would come,” Sawya said at last.

  “I told you I would.”

  Their chin dipped. “So you did.” They studied Valentin with casual intensity. “And you, why did you come?”