“Hec'Ure! Step forward and receive the justice for what was done today,” the crowd again went silent, screams for mercy coming from someone close by. Hec'Ure stepped forward, unwavering, chest held high.
He is smarter then he let on, Sasha recognized, he clearly understanding her words didn't mean he would be punished.
“Kneel,” she ordered and he obeyed as more cries for mercy erupted from the petty crowd.
“Hec'Ure...for your actions on this day, I hereby provide you with the noble rank of baron and entrust to you the Barony of Alutia V5432, which henceforth, shall be known as...the Barony of Heclutia!” the screams of horror changed to gasps of disbelief.
“Elevation logged and approved,” Vin's verdict sealed her pronouncement.
“Stand now and rule justly in our name!” Hec'Ure stood, eyes twinkling, and turned to the roaring crowd as Sasha, all but carrying Trent, entered the waiting shuttle's combat tube.
“Sir Seb'Losh...finish securing the planet...and Hec'Ure......don't go far, we will be in touch,” The man bowed stiffly, being unaccustomed to the formality, and Sir Seb'Losh saluted as she and Trent floated up the landing tube and back to their waiting friends.
*********
“Never again!” Tiana’s wail attacked Trent's ears, bringing his mind partially awake. He wondered where he was, his memory a foggy mess.
“Tiana...I love you, but if you expect me to sit idly by while my ladies are in trouble, you will be sadly mistaken,” Sasha replied, anger seeping into her words. Trent felt something tighten its grip on his hand.
“Oh, Sasha...I'm so sorry but...but I just can't stand not knowing if you're ok!” Tiana sobbed. Trent wondered why she was crying. His memory fought to grasp at images of a recent time, of a sand covered landscape, of death, of abuse most foul, and of utter despair. But he was unable to hold the images for long. His body wracked with fits of sudden piercing pain. But one memory climbed to the surface as the latest wave past, of him charging a bald man, an evil man, then tumbling from a landing platform, the thought of protecting Sasha the only one that filled his mind. Other than that, everything was bits and pieces. He hoped desperately that everything had turned out alright.
“I know...I know. But it is our duty...dear Tiana...” Sasha's voice cut in and out as another wave of pain wracked through his body, causing him to lose his senses.
“Any word from the surface?” Vickie asked, the sound of her voice causing a surge of relief to pass through him, help dull the pain.
She was alright and he was glad.
“Yes, the garrison surrendered when they heard the baron and his cronies where dead. And after providing instruction to Sir Hec'Ure, Sir Seb'Losh and Sir Erio will be returning to the ABF Sasha. It appears most of the commons didn't realize the extent of the abuse taking place, or knew there was little they could do, and are more than happy to help with the transition. I've sent word to Sir Oadi and he has already dispatched an administrator and a representative of the company that will be overseeing the education centers.”
So they had done well, it seems. Trent tried to smile but his body wouldn't respond.
“Education Centers?” Yukie broke in, her question full of the usual exuberance. He felt a smaller hand squeezing his.
“Trent and I discussed eliminating the petty system while we were in isolation, and decided on a plan to create educational facilities throughout the Alutia Duchy. I had some concerns about how to handle the petties once they were free, most being uneducated. So Trent came up with the idea to make them indistinguishable from commons, and we decided to implement his plan, allowing the petties to choose their own paths.” Trent felt his pride swell as Sasha's explanation sunk in, knowing how lucky he was to have her, his beautiful wife.
“What about the jobs petties do now?” Regalia questioned, her dainty voice lighter than the rest.
“They become common jobs, with higher pay and improved safety. This may cause less profit for the baronies, but I plan on compensating with surplus revenues.” The talk of business made him sleepy, he still unable to figure out why he couldn't open his eyes.
“I love it. But what are you going to do about the nobles who object? Will this not negatively affect your trade?” Vickie continued, her seductive tone making anything sound inappropriate.
“In all honesty....I did care at first. But now, after seeing how they were treated, I'm thinking of restricting all trade with duchies that do not follow our example,” Sasha said, voice as sharp as a blade. Trent wanted to rise and hug her with his entire being.
“That may not go over well...what about Vn'Oco?” Vickie asked.
“I'll be sending letters to both mother and father explaining everything that occurred, including the way the petties were treated. If he is knowingly treating petties in the same manner, I will ask the emperor for his immediate removal.” Her icy words made even Trent shiver in his immobile state.
“I've already informed father of the treatment you described, Sasha. But I do not think he will be able to do anything. If you remember, previous emperors have left the decision on the petty system to the local kings fearing an organized rebellion...and this was before the ASU became a serious threat,” Yukie sighed, sounding nothing like her thirteen years of age.
“Thank you, Yukie...now, will someone tell me why the crew is in such high spirits?” Sasha seemed to calm as she asked a strange question.
“Well, you can ask Captain Daiyu for the details, but this starship Trent designed is indestructible!” Yukie said, excitement oozing from every word.
“Oh no...what has happened?” Sasha questioned as if she didn't actually want to hear the answer.
“Well, Duke Zehman sent a battle group and we decided to test Yukie's claims that this starship was indestructible,” Tiana answered with an unusual dry humor.
“You didn't!” Sasha sounded shocked, Trent finding himself stunned as well.
“We did...and did so much damage they ended up retreating!” Trent felt Yukie's pride in his heart. Multiple hands seemed to touch him at once.
“I think I will need to have a long talk with Captain Daiyu about the foolishness of placing everyone in danger!” Sasha exclaimed with feigned anger.
“Well...if we had just escaped, Trent would be dead and you would be on your way to Duke Zehman,” Yukie responded and Trent could picture her sticking out her tongue as she finished.
“Be that as it may...I will still be discussing this with her.” Trent tried to smile, Sasha had taken the role of the motherly figure for the group and it made him feel warm inside.
“Discuss what with me, Your Grace?” Captain Daiyu's faded voice sounded, probably from the far side of the room.
“About your actions with my starship!” Sasha's tone rose, but Trent could tell it was playful.
“It is a very fine starship, Your Grace, I must thank you again for letting me play with it.” The normally serious Captain Daiyu's mischievous response caused a ripple of laughter to rise from the assembled ladies. Trent could sense Sasha forcing a pout. “I've set a course for the outskirts of the Don'Alutia system, Your Grace. Estimated travel time will be a period. Is Sir Trent ok?” Her tone went from serious to concern in less than an instant.
“Excuse me, Ladies, but I must move him into the tube. The damage is quite severe for the nanites to handle without the nutrient mix.” As if waiting for a time to cut in, a male voice, obviously a medical officer, spoke above the rest. Fear overwhelmed him as he realized what the man must be talking about him. I hate being tubed.
“Thank you for the update, Captain, I will be staying until he is released. I will not leave Trent's side, ever...” her voice faded as Trent felt the slimy liquid-like nutrient mix surround him and his consciousness fade.
*********
Tiana stared contently at the four women sleeping peacefully in the tiny bed that had been provided in Sasha and Trent's private medical bay onboard the ABF Sasha. She'd just spent the last five minutes
carefully dissecting herself from the mass of entangled limbs, having received a priority one message alert. She tiptoed across the room, seating herself in one of the many comfortable couches provided along the far wall, and accessed her BC node, queuing the message in question. It was from her mother. Tiana couldn't help but smile.
“My Darling Tiana, I hope you are well. Word arrived that your father, brother, and his new wife have returned to the galaxy. Initial communications are not promising and your father, after returning to Tidelia, plans to travel to Alutia'Earth to teach you and Sasha a lesson, or so he says.
“I will attempt to keep him here, but he will not listen, even though I am his better. So all I can do is give you and Sasha a warning. Do not let him sway you, he is a traditionalist, even worse than Duke Zehman, but an honorable man nonetheless.
“Good luck, My Daughter, and I pray more stories of your exploits reach my ears. Countess Liana Tidelia.” Tiana released her BC node and sighed, barely remembering her father's face.
“Everything ok?” Sasha whispered from the bed.
“No...you remember my father?” Sasha's face went white.
“Unfortunately, yes. The best thing that ever happened to your mother was for him to leave on that journey10 years ago.” Tiana nodded, knowing that her mother's health had improved dramatically after he and her older brother started their voyage.
“He's back and plans on visiting Alutia'Earth to teach us a lesson...I guess he doesn't like what you have been doing...Your Highness.” Sasha's cheeks burned crimson and Tiana thought she could feel the heat.
“Oh? How nice, I'll just have to make sure mother has a welcome suitable for a man of his stature,” Sasha said venomously and Tiana, even though he was her father, agreed.
She stood and slipped back into bed next to Sasha, causing Vickie to moan and climb on top of them both. Her eyes closed and the sounds of breathing led her to a joyful sleep, full of dreams of friends, of love, of family, and of a universe that no matter how hard it tried, could never force them apart.
Part 2 Epilogue
The dim fire light flickered off the dark stone that surrounded him, providing an atmosphere he could only call eerie. It was purposely done, he knew, a means to instill terror in anyone who entered the Duke's presence, they being only able to see a silhouette of a man seated in a massive throne constructed of sharp edged serpents. Except you knew others were present, hiding, waiting only for the lord of this hall to pronounce his judgment.
“Well?” the Duke of Hulk'Zif asked impatiently, not a man to be kept waiting.
“Ah, yes...” he cleared his throat. “The Emperor's Purge Fleet has been recalled for reasons unknown. Though the order for your removal still stands...My Lord,” he shifted uncomfortably in place, knowing that the duke had an unpredictable temper, and many a messenger had lost their head when delivering bad news, including his predecessor.
“I see...” the Duke stood, flicking his hand towards a dark shadow. A woman appeared, her silhouette showing her to be naked, as was the duke. The duke whispered something into her ear, before she vanished. “And?” Duke Zehman returned to his throne, face still hidden.
“And...and it would be unwise to return...as of yet...My Lord.” He felt himself starting to fluster. Why do I always lose my composure in the presence of the duke?
“That would be the wisest choice...would it not...but?” he could hear the Duke tapping a finger on the armrest of his throne, expecting him to respond.
“But...” he started...not sure how to proceed.
“It will show my weakness...Precursor. Now that the purge fleet has vanished, we must return to our work...so?” the duke explained, guiding his response.
“We...” he tried to think on his feet, having not predicted the duke would have wanted to leave his hidden palace. “We assemble a fleet...and while...while the rest of the galaxy is preoccupied we,” he stumbled, cursing himself for being unprepared.
“We...” the Duke pushed, half-mocking, sensing him starting to flounder.
“We...we take the local SJS Hubs and fortify our holdings,” he breathed in, his mind finally catching up to his mouth. “Along with those of our allies. Just instruct your admirals not to make it overly obvious that we're controlling the hubs,” his mind fell into its familiar plotting. “And instruct them to rig the primary galaxy SJS Gates, so if a major invasion occurs, we can force the invading fleets to travel through standard space. We then wait...bide our time...look for an opening to attack our enemies while all eyes are on “The Wall”. But in the meantime, though it will be difficult, we must try to again infiltrate both Alutia and the Vn'Oco Gua-,” he was cut off when the nude woman returned, Duke Zehman holding up a hand, which went tense, an ominous aura emanating from the man as the woman whispered in his ear, the surrounding darkness seeming to ripple and wave.
“Precursor...do you have anything else to say to me?” Duke Zehman asked abruptly, the woman staying at his side.
“No...My Lord,” he responded, having mainly been concerned with the Emperor's Purge Fleet and not recalling anything else of importance having been reported by his agents.
“Anything about the whore of Alutia killing Baron Tuhbil and freeing the petties? The same whore you informed me would be kneeling before me after your latest operation?” he tensed. It wasn't possible something like that would have slipped through his channels.
“I...I must check with my contacts, My Lord, something...something like this should have been sent to my attention with the highest priority and...and the Grand Duchess Sasha will not be free for much longer, My Lord, the...the next operation is already in motion,” he bowed, reaching out with his BC Node as he responded, but finding all the local BAPs locked.
“Yes...it should have...and this...operation...best have positive results. Leave me...take Lady Silkie with you for the evening. Hopefully, she will loosen you up a bit...for tomorrow I expect a full report on these occurrences and why you continue to fail me...Precursor...” the Duke of Hulk'Zif flicked his wrist, and the nude woman sauntered slowly to his side.
“Thank you, My Lord,” he tried to bow, but the woman pulled him away, into the darkness.
As he was led out of the duke's hidden hall by Lady Silkie, he accessed the first available BAP he came across, finding the messages from his agents informing him of what the duke had just told, plus another stating the failure of two more of his operations to remove the Whore of Alutia. But what he found odd about the entire ordeal was that the messages about the freeing of the petties, the death of Baron Tuhbil, and the losses incurred by Rear-Admiral Quo'Nup's battle group to a mysterious ABF starship, had arrived previous to his meeting with the duke. So why hadn't I seen them before? He wondered, having recalled checking all his messages prior to the meeting, knowing it always important to the have the most up-to-date information on the happenings of the universe.
So why?
“The duke thanks you for your service,” the Lady Silkie pushed her lips to his, her tongue swirling erotically in his mouth. He lost himself in her experienced embrace, her hands slipping down his side to caress his manhood, before she stepped away.
The world spun, as if he was twirling, then bouncing. His eyes rolled to a stop and he watched his body fall to the floor before him. Bloody hands grasped his cheeks, picking him up and holding him high in the air. The face that smiled sensually up at him, the face of Lady Silkie, was covered in blood.
My blood.
The last thought that filled his mind as the pain and utter agony took hold, and everything started to go dark, was the warning of his predecessor, moments before he shared the same fate.
”The House of Hulk’Zif shall kill us all.”
Part 3
Memories of Despair, Days of Lost Hope
Prologue - Part 3
Earl Dovin Tidelia sat in silent contemplation, having just finished reviewing the last of the reports detailing the current state of NHA Galaxy 189. His chiseled, rock soli
d façade, as if crafted from a mountain cliff, did not let slip his feelings towards the wave of change that had gripped said galaxy; a galaxy the earl once held much sway and was highly revered.
It had been over 10 years since the Earl of Tidelia had left on a voyage with his son, Sir Ravin, to choose for him the perfect wife while guiding his studies of the many natural wonders of the universe; to grow as a man, or so the earl had explained. During this journey Earl Dovin had shown little concern for the state of affairs in his adopted galaxy, forbidding all contact, even though he was considered a leader by many of the traditionalist ruling nobility and noble owned companies in which he had a guiding hand. So at the moment of Earl Dovin's return, and the removal of his restriction on communication, the flood of messages and reports had overwhelmed them all.
“Vir'To, do you have anything to add?” Earl Dovin questioned from his nondescript, iron throne, situated in the earl's private chamber onboard the NHA Cruiser TBF Orvillie. Vir'To considered for a moment before responding, always careful not to anger the earl since it had taken him many a year to enter the man's confidence.
“Yes, My Lord. This issue with the repeated assassination attempts by Duke Zehman, on both Princess Sasha and King Johan, and the standing order of Emperor Yuloo for his removal. I do know you and he have been long time associates and friends, My Lord, and you consider him an important ally. But I must, with the utmost respect, recommend publicly severing all ties.” Vir'To kept his tone and eyes steady, Earl Dovin's overpowering presence having caused more than one man to lose his composure answering a simple question.
The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2) Page 48
