“The Glass Complex instructed us to head this way. They advised you might experience difficulties here. In case you’re wondering, I’m Steg de Coeur.”
“I’ll be damned. Where did you spring from? I thought you were missing in action.”
“It’s a long story. I trust you won’t mind if we rescue you?”
“Go ahead. Be my guest. Dreamer is yours, anyway. What ship are you? More to the point, where are you?”
“We’ll drop our screens so you can see us. We’re the extremely large starship sitting on top of the ImpSec destroyer. ”
Sullivan watched as the newcomer, releasing its screens, suddenly appeared above the destroyer. The ImpSec ships were pacing Dreamer, and the huge dreadnought kept its position with apparent ease. The Dreamer’s bridge team listened to the subsequent exchange of communications with avid interest.
“Wanderer to Imperial destroyer. Please cut your engines and come to a complete stop. Acknowledge. Wanderer over.”
“This is Imperial destroyer Prudence. Who the hell are you?”
“We’re the rather large ship that bounced on the top of your destroyer. Twice, to get your attention. We may have bent some of your shield arrays—they didn’t build them tough enough to withstand our weight. Cut your engines. Tell your companions to stay away, or we’ll blast them into very, very tiny pieces.”
“Audacity to Prudence. Either something is wrong with our detection gear, or a helluva starship is holding position only a meter or so above you. What do you want us to do?” There was an edge of panic in the speaker’s voice.
“So much for ImpSec stability under fire,” Sullivan said as the Imperial starships came to a stop. “Steg, we need to get out of here. Back to our proper place, if you know what I mean.”
“Let me bounce this guy once more. Imagine how difficult it’s going to be for him to explain how his ship gained some large dents while in space—his admiral will never believe his story. I suppose that’s enough fun. Looks like everyone’s going home. We have a bay large enough for you to use—it’s a comfortable dock. We’re going in the same direction, so come on board.”
“With pleasure. You’ll have to tell me about your ship. I suspect there’s a story there.”
Steg laughed. “I’m still hearing the details myself. Our bay door is open. Join us, and we’ll get out of here.”
oOo
CHAPTER 4
“I SUPPOSE I should call you Earl de Coeur, now?” said Captain Sullivan. The two men were meeting privately in Steg’s suite, which included a small, well-furnished meeting room. Steg wanted to brief the Dreamer’s captain before his crew boarded, and following the briefing, he wanted an update on Homeworld events.
“Please don’t. I’ve been trying to avoid leaking that detail to my people here.”
“You’ll be pleased to hear your cousin Rakyd is married, and he and his wife are expecting their first—twin boys, I believe.”
“Thank the stars. The further I am away from some of Homeworld’s hereditary rules, the better.”
“Now tell me about—what did you call this starship—Wanderer?”
“Yes. I’m surprised, though, that you weren’t aware—it’s large enough to be seen anywhere it travels. The Glass Complex rebuilt all its systems and advised the shipyard on upgrades to weapons and internal structures. With that involvement, why didn’t you encounter Wanderer on Homeworld?”
Steg was interrupted by Ioke. “Steg, the Glass Complex has kept us hidden from Homeworlders and other prying eyes. Djiis provided one of their more remote yards for the interior work that was required, and the new computer systems were constructed in Castlehome and shipped to Djii for installation. Your friend Tziksis was involved.” Djiis, as a result of Steg’s attack on House of Alutas’s commercial structure and their subsequent merchant shipping chaos, now managed a large mercantile starship fleet on his behalf.
At Sullivan’s unspoken question, Steg said, “That’s Ioke, one of Wanderer’s AIs. She manages military action.”
Sullivan raised his eyebrows. “One of the AIs?”
“Yes. The Acolytes created one and copied and cloned it. We’re running the original with two active clones. In addition, we have three copies of the original and four lower level clones, which we’ll activate only if needed.”
“Not something we want to happen. It’s crowded in here already,” said Adrias.
Steg shrugged. “That’s Adrias. They’re still learning discipline. My fault—I gave them permission to participate in my planning sessions, and they’ve interpreted my consent as widely as possible. I need to formally introduce you. Ioke, Adrias, and Alke, this is Thomas Sullivan. He’s a friend and a fellow Homeworlder. Use visual and voice recognition, access approved to level five.” Steg explained to his friend. “Level five is a non-command level—you’ll have general access. There’ll be some restrictions, of course.”
Alke said, “Welcome on board, Captain Sullivan. You are authorized to level five. We will inform you if you breach the authorized access. We only shoot on the third attempt.”
“They’re developing a sense of humor, totally outside my control,” said Steg.
“I’m more than happy with that. Not sure I want to take on running this—how do you describe Wanderer—a leviathan?”
“The girls will be upset if you class their starship as a monster. I suppose you can call her a dreadnought—as long as you preface that with super.”
“Girls?”
“The three AIs, for some reason known only to the Acolytes, are all configured as females.”
“Why three AIs?”
Alke said, “Wanderer is large, as you’ve noticed. Ioke manages anything we can use to destroy our enemies. Adrias handles whatever is required to keep us underway. I’m the peacemaker.”
Steg checked the time. “Alke means she’s in charge. We’d better get your crew settled. We’ve more than enough space to accommodate you.”
“We have a passenger, too.”
“You do?”
“A Dr. Yi—”
“Dr. Yi? Why didn’t you say so? Where is she?”
“She’s still on board Dreamer. My officers are waiting for my report and order to disembark.”
“I think you can tell them to go ahead. Adrias, we have officers, crew members, and a passenger transferring from Dreamer. Please arrange suitable accommodation.”
“Accommodation has been allocated. I obtained a list of Dreamer’s complement from its AI,” said Adrias. “He was chatty. I’ve allocated a suite to Dr. Yi.”
“Chatty? Is there a security issue?” Sullivan wondered aloud.
“No, sir. Remember, we’ve been programmed by the Acolytes.”
“Somehow that only partially reassures me.”
Steg said, “Get over it. Come on; we’ll reassure your officers and board your people. I want to greet Dr. Yi. She helped me recover from this.” Steg indicated the scar down the side of his face.
“You’ll need some work done to fix that. ImpSec was pursuing your doctor on Pictor Deeps Way Station. Did you upset them?”
“Indeed. We’ll need a few more days to cover all the details. ImpSec sentenced me to death for spying, and I was to be executed by a firing squad. I don’t know why they would be interested in the doctor unless they thought she could lead them to me. If nothing else, ImpSec can be totally predictable. Let’s go.”
“Dr. Yi. Welcome aboard Wanderer.” Steg held his hand out to help the doctor down the steps leading to the lock entrance into the starship.
The doctor halted, her expression shocked. “Steg! It is so good to see you alive, I must say. I thought you were in prison. Or perhaps you’d been captured and executed by ImpSec, by now. We all were questioned about you—me, the nurses, aides, even other doctors. Also, ImpSec were after me at Pictor Deeps.”
“We had instructions from the Glass Complex to rescue Dr. Yi,” explained Sullivan. He was standing beside Steg, watching as his passenger and crew exited Dreamer.
“Our timing was precise. The Glass Complex and its Acolytes have surprising abilities.”
“I know,” replied Steg. “Dr. Yi, you’re safe on board Wanderer. She’s large enough to cope with a fleet of Imperial destroyers. Well, we all hope so.”
“Did you arrange my trip to Homeworld?”
“No, I didn’t. I’m pleased, though, that someone did. I suspect the Acolytes had a hand in it. I’ll defer that explanation until later. I’ve had an interesting time—eight months, no, it’s a year or more—since I was sentenced by that ImpSec court. I’ve survived it all, as you can see. A long story. Wanderer collected me and my officers and Ebony Company seven days ago. We’re on an extended voyage.”
“Ebony Company? Ebony? That’s right, your sword. I handed it over to a banker who said he would arrange for it to be couriered to Homeworld. I hope it arrives.”
“Ebony has a mind of its own,” Steg said with a laugh. “It will be safe. Now, come on, let me get you settled. Thomas, we’ll meet later. I think we should all have dinner together this evening.”
Steg led the diminutive doctor into Wanderer’s enormous interior. Two young pursers ran after them. “Sir. Doctor,” cried one. “Wait for us, please. We’re responsible for Dr. Yi.”
“You have an escort?” Steg asked.
“They’re very sweet, even though I’ve known them for less than a day.” Dr. Yi turned and said, “Don’t rush. I think we’re in good hands. This is my friend, Steg de Coeur. Steg, I’d like you to meet Louise and Jenny. They’ve been tasked with my care.”
“Who—Steg de—Lord de Coeur, sir, we didn’t mean to intrude,” said Louise. “It’s—we’re responsible for Dr. Yi’s care.”
“I’ll forgive you. If you refrain from addressing me as ‘Lord de Coeur,’ I’ll be even happier.”
“But—but, sir—”
“You can use sir or captain if you are part of my crew, otherwise call me Steg. None of the people who came with me are aware of Homeworld culture and strictures. Jenny, do me a favor. Return to your Captain Sullivan and say you have a message from me. The message is: no one is to refer to my Homeworld status, on pain of death or dismemberment or even both. Message ends. All right?”
The wide-eyed young woman said, “Yes, sir. I mean Steg. Louise, don’t get too far ahead. I’ll be quick.” She left at a run.
“Another long story?” suggested Dr. Yi. “Steg, since we’re discussing titles and names, call me Lin. It’s my name, after all.”
“Yes, Doctor—I mean Lin. As to the long story, we’ll catch up with it all; we still have another tenday or so of traveling.” He did not mention the additional 150 years.
Dinner was a mixture of excitement, disbelief, and serious discussions. Aadan, the Tacian Helm, was seated on one side of Steg and Jessie Brent was on the other. One of the Acolytes was at the table; the other was on bridge duty. Captain Kirby sat next to the Fains who had boarded with Steg. Dr. Li sat next Thomas Sullivan. Officers from Dreamer had also joined the dinner. Ebony Company were in a separate mess with their junior officers and their sergeants. Other crew members had their own mess. There were more messes—Wanderer was a large starship, although currently with a small crew.
After the main course had been cleared away, Steg tapped his glass with a small spoon, and its chimes cut through the various conversations.
The hush was instant, throughout the messes.
Steg said, “Thank you for joining me for this, our first dinner together on Wanderer. I’ve arranged for Adrias to link our conversation to the two other messes and to engineering and the bridge. Everyone—you are all welcome. I hope we have many more social dinners on board Wanderer. Captain Sullivan, I’d like to keep you and other members of North Guard on duty with me, here. I’ll contact your Homeworld commanding officer once we’re able to do so.”
Sullivan nodded. “Your request was expected. I’m pleased to say it was approved by Castlehome.”
Steg sipped his drink and continued, “Good. Now, I’d like to cut to some of the concerns and worries I’ve heard raised. Ebony Company and Wanderer’s crew, if you have questions at the end of this, please ask your senior officers to communicate them to Adrias, and she’ll pass them on to me, and I’ll try to respond. In answer to the first question that I know you’ll ask—yes, Ebony Company, you’ll all be paid for your service.” There was a distant cheer at Steg’s announcement.
Alke interrupted, “Steg, I’ve been authorized by your cousin Lord Rakyd and by the Glass Complex to make an announcement. My instruction was to select the first suitable gathering of visitors, officers, and crew on board Wanderer to do so. Lord Rakyd, ruler of Homeworld.”
A life-size holographic figure formed near the end of the table and a similar image was displayed on screens throughout the starship. Steg recognized his cousin.
Lord Rakyd said, “Steg, my dear friend, I’m so pleased to know you are alive and that I’m able to send this message to you. We have celebrations planned for when you return. In the meantime, your responsibilities will increase. Please stand while I make this announcement. Homeworld has, at long last, initiated the formation of its space navy. We have only two frigates and a destroyer with a few hundred fighters. However, we are acquiring more warships, as quickly as we can. Also, your Djiis friends are rebuilding their navy; it’s larger than ours, I must admit. They have six fast frigates and two destroyers, plus a thousand fighters, and they plan to add more. Your friend Tziksis has informed me they do not wish to ever again fall victim to the Xesset. We—Homeworld and Djii—are combining both our navies to form a task force. We expect this arrangement to continue until the Xesset have been defeated and driven from our space. Our small shipyard converted four commercial starships—yes, from your fleet—into supply ships and added them to the task force. Finally, Wanderer will take up the role of flagship for these fifteen starships, with its recently appointed admiral, Earl Steg de Coeur, in command. Congratulations, Admiral. Alke, please deliver my cousin’s new uniform and insignia. Congratulations again, cousin.”
There followed ten seconds of silence as the news was absorbed by the various audiences on board Wanderer, followed by a roar of congratulatory cheers. The people seated at his table continued their applause after Steg returned to his seat. A bot—he hadn’t seen it arrive—was stationed beside his chair. It carried a large bundle.
Alke said, “Admiral, this is your uniform. Rakyd said he knew you would wear it with pride. He also said he expected to be severely beaten when you return to Homeworld for arranging this surprise.”
“Thank you, Alke. I’ll give you a message later for my cousin. Can you deliver my uniform to my cabin? Good.” He watched as the bot trundled off. Steg turned his attention back to the group seated at the table. “That wasn’t what I was expecting to address this evening. It seems we have a navy. The most important item, I suppose, is that we still have some traveling to do. Ebony Company, some of the people around this table—you’ve probably by now heard some details on the unofficial grapevine—we are going to push Wanderer to my home time. That’s one hundred and fifty years into the future.
“I realize that might be difficult to believe or comprehend. Check with the Acolytes who came with Wanderer. Also, you can discuss this with Adrias. Don’t waste anyone’s time, though. We have an enemy, one that some of you have battled with already. Xesset. According to Wanderer, according to its previous AI, Xesset are preparing for war against our civilization. We have detailed and verifiable evidence supporting the reality of this threat.
“Our initial destination is Jochum II, where there is a base under the control of the Imperial Intelligence Service. I propose to meet with the CO of IIS and will provide him with evidence and full details of the Xesset and their plans. My immediate objective is to persuade the CO to arrange a meeting with the Emperor whom I’ve met before, and I trust he’ll see the need to focus his Imperial forces to help us defeat the aliens. Somehow, we’ll also persuade Alliance forces to join
with us. My intention is to eliminate this threat, once and for all. Thank you.”
When the volume of the applause reduced enough for voices to be heard, Alke said, “Admiral, there is one more item for me to address. A courier starship arrived at Castlehome some tendays before we set out to join you here and left a package with us. It’s addressed to you.” She paused while another bot trundled into the room carrying a long, thin package. It halted beside Steg.
Alke said, “I think this has been back and forth, probably traveling more years than we can calculate.”
Bemused, Steg removed the wrapping, revealing a polished wooden box. He set it down on the table and lifted up the clasps along one side. He raised the lid.
Dr. Yi, unable to restrain her excitement and relief, guessed, “It’s Ebony.”
Steg lifted the sword from its velvet-lined packaging and held it up for everyone to see. He could already feel the electronics, hidden in the hilt, come to life.
He said, “Lin is correct—it’s Ebony. It protected me when I was shot.” He touched the scar on his face. “I didn’t expect to see it again. Thank you, Lin, for taking care of my sword.”
oOo
CHAPTER 5
LATER THAT EVENING Steg met with those of his companions who might consider themselves hijacked, including Dr. Yi, Jessie Brent, Aadan, and three Fain: Finch, Stacia, and Tessa.
They’d agreed to meet in a section of the huge park on level five; it contained what Adrias called classical flowers and shrubs and was simply referenced as Classical Garden 24. Steg assumed there were at least another twenty-three similar gardens in the park area that covered the best part of a square kilometer and he wasn’t about to commence a search for them. Overhead, he thought he caught a glimpse of movement; however, the lighting was at a twilight setting and he heard, he couldn’t recall who from, that spiders, large spiders, aliens of some kind, inhabited this part of Wanderer. He was probably intruding into their zone.
He sat back in the comfortable chair and reflected for a minute or two as he waited for conversations to cease. He wasn’t in a hurry. Eventually the silence caught his attention: everyone was looking at him expectantly.
Diamond Cut: Book Three in The Glass Complex Trilogy Page 3
