The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2)

by Craig Gerttula

  Occasionally, when recalling something he knew should be joyful, he’d feel absolute terror. Or, like his time spent on Planet Won’Ti, the memories of absolute despair would come through as passion. So what he should have felt when recalling a night with a lover was instead the feeling of what a day of torturous labor in a factory would be.

  “Where are we?” Evilonia’s voice rose from the darkness at his side, pulling him free of his thoughts.

  “In an apartment onboard one of the Rovial Fleet Construction and Retrofit Stations,” Tio’Vie responded instantly, from beyond where Evilonia lay.

  “Not in the brig?” Bordin asked gruffly from Mus’Til’s other side.

  “No. They are not treating us like criminals, as I predicted,” Tio’Vie said, reiterating the theory she had presented previously.

  “Just because we are not in the brig, does not mean they are not treating us like criminals. They did gas us, if you recall,” Bordin said as he stood, his booted steps echoing off the metallic floor as he walked slowly around the room.

  “Standard procedure for boarding parties capturing a stolen NHA vessel to avoid the chance that whomever is onboard attempts to tamper with the NSD. In no way does it relate to how our captures choose to perceive us,” Tio’Vie stood, her footfalls barely audible as she seemed to circle the room in the opposite direction.

  “You realize your explanation sounds ridiculous?” Bordin responded, having stopped on the far side of the room.

  “Only to those who are unable to logically analyze a situation instead of making baseless assumptions with tainted facts,” Tio’Vie retorted, her words sharper than normal.

  “You really are...” Bordin muttered through grit teeth as the lights came on.

  They were in a modestly decorated bedroom, with a single large bed where he lay beside Evilonia, still dressed in the orange and white guard uniform she loved. She sat up quickly with a yawn, running a hand through her short cropped black hair before stretching her long, muscular limbs. She seemed unconcerned, though her scarlet colored eyes said differently as they darted about the room, searching for threats, before seeming to relax when they settled on Tio’Vie.

  Tio’Vie stood staring at the door, holding her left elbow with her right hand as she rolled a few strands of her shoulder length, dark grey hair, with her left, which told everyone in the room she was deep in thought, or using her BC node, and should not be disturbed.

  Standing at Tio’Vie’s side, a few centimeters shorter then her 190 centimeter tall frame was Bordin. His normally wavy brown hair was disheveled, though he still looked dapper with his pronounced jaw, and seemingly permanent thin layer of stubble under eyes, nose, brow, and lips that were for all intents and purposes, perfect; he being from noble blood.

  Just as Bordin appeared ready to respond to Tio’Vie earlier remark, not seeming to care that she was preoccupied, the door slid open.

  Three guards stood in the center of the modest sitting room beyond. Two wore combat armor, tinted red, with a crest showing a gorian tiara with roses instead of gems at its three peeks, combat arcs at the ready. A dark skinned woman stood at attention before the combat armored guards, adorning a standard guard uniform, with a heavily decorated red doublet and straight legged pants, with an undercoat, gloves and boots of black, adorning the same crest.

  “I am Alutia Guard Commander Usa’Pol, second in command of the Alutia Guard. The Grand Duke and Duchess of Alutia have agreed to meet with you briefly per your request.” The Commander Usa’Pol eyed them warily.

  “Thank you. Please lead the way,” Tio’Vie responded, her words always seeming slightly condescending. The Alutia Guard Commander nodded curtly, before turning, leading them out of the apartment, the two combat armored guards taken up position at the rear.

  After a short walk down empty corridors of grey, they reached a transport tube station and shot off towards their unknown destination. Mus’Til couldn’t help but fidget, feeling the overbearing presence of the combat armored guards, and unable to resist the memories of his time on Planet Won’Ti. Luckily, the transport came to an abrupt halt and he followed the others into a large, circular lobby with a towering statue of a headless man in the center.

  “Someone was bad,” Bordin whispered from his side.

  “Duke Zehman...if only we could remove his real head as easily,” Alutia Guard Commander Usa’Pol hissed, having overheard Bordin’s comment.

  Mus’Til didn’t understand either at first, but as they walked around its base, he noticed that the neck and shoulders seemed slightly melted and scarred, unlike the rest of the shiny statue.

  They slowed their pace as they reached an door flanked by two curving desks, with 10 combat armored Alutia Guards standing in front, barring their way. Usa’Pol whispered in the battle PDU she wore over her ear and the four center guards walked forward then to the sides, making a narrow corridor that would allow them to reach the grand doorway. It swung open to reveal a standard operations center.

  At the far end, past the unoccupied rows of PDU workstations set in-between the larger PDU production stations, stood a small crowd surrounded by many Alutia Guards. They seemed to be fixated on a record being projected that seemed to be showing the assembly process for an NHA starship. The record paused as they came to halt about 10 meters from the crowd.

  A stunningly beautiful, black haired woman, on the arm of a modest looking man with curly brown hair, a common, Mus’til wondered, exited the circle of guards. Behind them followed a group of officers from the ABF Sasha, obvious by the patch they wore on their fleet uniform’s breast, and a few senior engineers from the same starship.

  “Your Grace, these are the employees of Independent Bordin Exploration that had requested an audience,” Alutia Guard Commander Usa’Pol said with deference.

  “Thank you, Commander,” Grand Duchess Sasha responded, her gaze passing over each. He couldn’t help but hold his breath as her eyes touched his, before she glanced at the man at her side, who was glaring at Evilonia. The guards seemed to notice this too and began to raise their combat arcs.

  “Stop, please!” Tio’Vie rushed in front of Evilonia, whose eyes had begun to glaze.

  “I am sorry. I feel your kind hearts...but there’s something...” the man trailed off, his words making little sense.

  “What is it, my duke?” Grand Duchess Sasha pushed. Mus’Til almost collapsed when he realized this modest looking man, this man who could easily pass as a petty, was the Grand Duke Trent Alutia. The man the news sources had called “the giant” who liberated Heclutia and “the hero” who led the assault on the impenetrable fortress of the Marquis Rostil, all while freeing the petties and making enemies of the entire traditionalist controlled universe.

  “There’s something off...but...” Grand Duke Trent whispered, looking between the Grand Duchess Sasha and Evilonia who, had begun to sway in place.

  The first stage.

  “She has been modified and is not a threat unless threatened. Please, lower your weapons.” Urgency found its way into Tio’Vie’s tone. Grand Duke Trent stared at Tio’Vie, seeming torn, then finally sighed, nodding to his wife.

  “Stand down.” Grand Duchess Sasha instructed, her commanding tenor making even Mus’Til want to obey. The guards, looking between each other reluctantly, slowly lowered their weapons. Tio’Vie stepped away, reveling a wide eyed Evilonia, the picture of an innocent woman.

  “Did...did...” she stuttered, looking around the room in confusion.

  “No,” Tio ‘Vie reassured stiffly. Evilonia slumped her shoulders, relieved. Grand Duke Trent, however, kept his gaze on her.

  “You have two personalities?” Grand Duke Trent asked.

  “In a sense, she has two separate minds, though who you see now is the true mind. It was an unfortunate side effect of the illegal genetic modifications she’s undergone,” Tio’Vie explained.

  “Why have the Programs not intervened.” Grand Duchess Sasha queried.

  “They di
d, Your Grace. The researchers and company involved where all severely punished. Evilonia, unlike the other specimens, was allowed to live due to this anomaly which caused her active mind to be unable to consciously utilize the genetic alterations,” Tio’Vie placed a hand on the shorter woman’s head. A sphere appeared above the grand duchess’s bracelet, rippling bronze, then silver, as if made of liquid metal.

  “Research subject HH038754-HH108X has been deemed a low-risk victim of illegal experiment, Human Weapon Modification HH-00978, due to anomaly which does not allow victim to actively utilize illegal modifications and Programs analysis of victim’s personality. Threat level response will only activate when subject is under threat that is deemed unjustifiable.” A monotone voice emanated from the sphere.

  “A Program?” Tio’Vie asked with obvious delight.

  “Yes...so Vin, we were just the unjustifiable threat?” Grand Duke Trent responded, dubious.

  “Yes. The actions of Grand Duke Trent Alutia and the Alutia Guards present were deemed unjustifiable,” the Program responded.

  “Vin, that doesn’t make any sense, Trent sensed a threat and we reacted,” Grand Duchess Sasha said in angered confusion.

  “Incorrect. Eye of the Emperor reported neutral reading that Grand Duke Trent Alutia misinterpreted, causing Alutia Guard to react as if neutral reading was instead, negative reading.” Grand Duchess Sasha stared at the floating orb, seeming to want to strangle the Program.

  “Its right, Sasha. I sensed both the cold and warmth and didn’t realize the warmth was dominate,” he looked to Evilonia. “I apologize for my actions,” Grand Duke Trent finished with a bow. Mus’Til froze in place, staring in awe at the odd noble. This was the first time he ever recalled hearing a ruling noble apologizing to a common. It was unheard of, and based on the way Bordin and Evilonia stared at him as well, it was quite obvious they thought the same.

  “Very well,” Grand Duchess Sasha sighed, “let us move to a conference room so you can fully explain your past actions, then we shall deem if the verdict from Hulk’Zif is one that we should truly take seriously.” The grand duchess waited for all four of them to nod before turning, leading Grand Duke Trent and the rest of the entourage towards a meeting room attached to the operations center.

  The meeting lasted for hours, Tio’Vie not missing a single detail, and the others only speaking when the Grand Duchess or Duke wanted to hear a firsthand account of the actions taken during their escape.

  “Vin, do we have current ownership over the DBF Rea’Tol?” Grand Duke Trent asked after having stared at Grand Duchess Sasha for almost five minutes in silence. Though Mus’Til knew they were likely communicating through the portable PDUs they wore on their ears, or less likely, through their BC nodes.

  “Correct. All starships currently in process at the Rovial Fleet Construction and Retrofit Complex are under ownership of the Alutia Duchy,” the Program responded.

  “Very well...” Grand Duke Trent glanced over the four nervous individuals sitting across the table. “Though we understand the reasoning behind the actions taken, we cannot approve and feel that a punishment must be given,” Mus’Til tensed, his heart crying out that this was the end. Bordin, seeming to sense the same, glared at Tio’Vie, who seemed unphased. “As such, we hereby pronounce that the remaining crew of the DBF Rea’Tol be assigned permanent vassals to the Alutia Duchy to crew the newly commissioned Alutia Exploration Fleet vessel, the ABF Rea’Tol,” Mus’Til felt all his fear drain as he realized he would live. He gaped in wonder at the grand duke, then to Bordin, who stared between a smirking Tio’Vie and Evilonia.

  “For Researcher Tio’Vie and her private guard, Evilonia, we name you permanent vassals of the Alutia Duchy. Tio’Vie, you shall be provided a choice of research options, but will be required to continue your work to help Evilonia, who shall accompany you,” Grand Duchess Sasha finished.

  For a moment, no one spoke, just stared, seeming unsure. Mus’Til couldn’t have been happier, going from a petty research subject and prisoner, to a vassal of a duchy. But he knew Bordin, the rogue who loved risk and adventure beyond life itself, may find the idea of losing the ability to choose, and smuggle, to be a fate worse than death. But his eyes showed different. That he may finally be ready to settle down, though the mischievous half-smirk that was trying to appear on his lips said otherwise.

  “Your Graces, you requested I let you know when it’s time to depart,” the Captain of the ABF Sasha said from the far side of the conference table, where she’d sat silently with her officers.

  “Thank you, Captain Daiyu,” Grand Duchess Sasha nodded, turning back to the four of them, “I trust you will do us proud. In the meantime, please contact administrator...” she paused, looking to Grand Duke Trent, who shrugged.

  “Probably Illion for now, he may know who has been assigned to hiring the explorers, though I kind of like the idea of having our own exploration fleet, even if it’s not standard practice. It could help us with that other, ah, “issue”, we have discussed...” Grand Duke Trent responded, grunting when Grand Duchesses Sasha’s elbow struck his stomach, then smiling with a wink.

  “Tio’Vie, contact a Sir Illion on Don’Alutia when the ABF Rea’Tol has finished its refit and he will provide you instructions going forward.”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” Tio’Vie responded. The Grand Duke and Duchess of Alutia started towards the exit, their guards and the ABF Sasha’s officers in tow. Just as they were about to leave, Grand Duke Trent turned back, looking at Bordin.

  “And Captain Bordin...try to keep the smuggling to a minimum. It’s going to be difficult enough for Alutia to acquire needed goods without them disappearing from the logs,” Bordin slapped the table with a laugh.

  “How about the other way around?” he asked playfully. The Grand Duke just winked, garnering another elbow to the stomach from the Grand Duchess before he waved and the group exited, leaving Mus’Til, Bordin, Evilonia, and Tio’Vie by themselves.

  “What now?” Mus’Til asked.

  “We should check on the Rea’Tol. I surely hope they didn’t screw with my baby,” Bordin sighed, seeming recharged. “And you? The contract is now officially null and void,” Bordin glanced over his shoulder at Tio’Vie, who was hugging a sobbing Evilonia.

  “Contract or no contract, my goal is the same and it is best accomplished through accompanying you during your exploration,” she responded and Bordin sighed.

  “It may be difficult now that we are official vassals,” Bordin explained with a shrug.

  “I still trust my best opportunity to complete my research will be with you,” Tio’Vie said, unphazed.

  “Alright. Just stay out my way and don’t ask questions...agreed,” Bordin muttered.

  “Agreed. We shall meet you onboard in a few hours, I would like some time with Evilonia in private.” Bordin and Mus’Til stood and left the ladies to their work.

  They moved through the empty station, and after quick tube ride, arrived in the retrofit module where the ABF Rea’Tol was in the last stages of refit. But neither Mus’Til or Bordin’s eyes were on the starship, instead, both looking to the ferry shuttle that had appeared in the small landing pad that each refit bay had adjacent the docking port.

  A gorgeous woman, with a long brown hair set in a single braid exited the shuttle, two Alutia Guards in tow. She sauntered gracefully across the landing pad, down the gangway, up a short flight of stairs and into the lobby where they both stood in awe. She looked them both up and down, a single finger on her chin, licking her lips seductively, before nodding to the guards, who saluted, then hurried back towards the shuttle.

  “I am Lady Vickie, Mazart to the Grand Duke and Duchess. They have asked me to convey a message,” she stepped closer, her feminine aroma causing his heart to flutter as she brushed against them both.

  “Your discretion is request during exploration, namely when dealing with article 3,” she whispered. “It’s best that those are left for another time,” she
continued, running a seductive finger down both their chests, before twirling about and vanishing out of the command room. Before either of them could breath, she was back on the ferry shuttle, which vanished into the docking hatch.

  “Article three, intelligent life...” Bordin said with a smile, “I think this is going to be fun, Mussy.”

  Mus’Til couldn’t help but sigh. He didn’t understand the cryptic message, but he knew it must be risky, since Bordin’s idea of fun was only those things that would place their lives on the line. Bordin noticed Mus’Til’s look, slapping him on the back as he moved to the PDU station for manipulating the refit bay.

  “Don’t worry, Mussy. I have plan,” the lights around the bay lit as manipulator arms and programmable matter feeder tubes appeared from the walls, but Mus’Til barley noticed, only able to see the shining face of the man before him. The man name Bordin. Who for some reason beyond comprehension, Mus’Til would follow to the core of the hottest sun.

  ####

  Thanks for reading The Shipyard. Please look forward to the epic conclusion at the end of the The Foresight of the Duke, Book Three of the Alutia Rising Series.

  Craig Gerttula

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Part 1

  Unseen Corruption, Unbreakable Bonds

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Part 1 - Epilogue

  Part 2

  Shallow Partings, New Beginnings

  Prologue - Part 2

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11