“Will you hold my hand too?” Natalia retorted. “There might be more blonde freaks out tonight.”
****
I sat with Binda, trying not to laugh as I heard the conversation. I wasn’t sure she would have enjoyed it as much as I did, but since she was still unconscious, it didn’t matter.
I muted my com and alerted everyone to the arrival of more visitors. “Claymore, recognize Natalia Jamison and deny entry to all others,” I ordered. I stood up, still smiling, and walked down to the hold, staying four feet inside the force field at the top of the ramp. Trying not to look adversarial or threatening, I had no weapon in my hands, but there was a pistol I laid on the deck behind a crate that I had my eyes on, just in case.
Timing was everything in grenades and jokes. This joke was going to go off like a grenade. They were all walking toward me like they owned the ship. Up the ramp they came. I waited for the last step and held out my arms, smiling at my daughter, waiting for a hug. She stepped through and the light show began. Metal buckles and weapons were the best. They sparked and popped, and then the Cjittan were thrown backward.
“You do know that if she doesn’t kill you, she might not ever want to see you or us again,” Natalia said
“Yeah, I know,” I told her. “Tell Lorelei to get a head count. I think everyone is on board except Snake and Genius. Did you change the codes on the shuttle?”
“Just as you instructed, father o’ mine.”
“Slip out the hatch under the bridge and go get it, then pick up Snake and Genius.”
“Are we really going to steal it?”
“Borrow,” I corrected, “we are going to borrow it. Plus, she may be mad enough to come after us herself, and then I might have a chance at reconciliation.”
“I don’t know, Dad, she looks pretty pissed.” Natalia was watching Tazleaha and her henchwomen over my shoulder. “I’ve never seen her even close to pink, let alone red.”
“Bad?” I asked knowingly.
“Bad!”
“Ok, get going. I’ll consult the others and see what they say,” I said.
“You can cast my vote to run for our lives!”
She sprinted through the ship and I dared a glance behind me. The guards who had been behind them had broken their fall.
“Benjamin, everyone is accounted for except for Snake and Genius,” Lorelei said over the com, “and Natalia yelled something as she dropped through the floor about stealing Taz’s shuttle and picking them up. Damn, Boss, Taz looks a bit upset with you.”
“You think? I just pulled the old brick wall joke on them. God, it brings back memories, hmm? Anyway, I guess we’re running.”
“Yeah, Boss, guess we better, but where to?”
“Head for the border of Cjittan and Allond. Maybe the emperor will give us sanctuary until she cools down.”
“You know they are at peace and really friendly thanks to you,” she said, “so he might turn us over to her.”
“Shit,” I said. “What if we just go long? It’s a big damn empire she rules. There have to be places we can hide and still supply the ship.”
“Sure, but I would say most of those stays will be very short. Maybe you should talk to her now, see if does any good. Things can’t get any worse, unless you get more stupid.”
“Thanks, Captain! I’ll deal with you later.”
“Claymore,” I ordered, “allow entry for Queen Tazleaha of Cjittan.”
“Hey!” I yelled, getting her attention. “You can come in, but hurry before I decide this is a bad idea.” She didn’t have to be told twice, and I knew then no amount of talking was going to do any damn good. I held both arms out in a slow-down motion, but she was locked on.
“I am going to kill you, Benjamin,” she snarled as she approached. “I will beat you to death and then beat your dead body. There will be no luck in any universe that you can call upon to save you.”
“Taz, wait,” I pleaded. “It was a prank, a joke, something we used to do back in our military days.”
“Yes, you had such a stellar career,” she said with sarcasm clear in her voice. “You should be so proud.”
I backed up and ducked her first roundhouse, but was in range of the kick that set me on my ass. I almost made it up when she tackled me and came down on top of me, knocking the wind out. She sat on my chest, raining punches down and bitching up a storm. She had kept a mental record of everything I’d ever done to her and it was all coming out now. Some of them I hadn’t even known were problems.
She scored a number of hits to my face. My lip was cracked and my nose bleeding, but I think the worst was my ear. She punched me in the ear hard. Someone had been paying attention to my fights. As I lay there, I was oddly proud.
I was covering up and she wasn’t scoring as much since I decided I’d had enough. She grabbed my hair and tried to bang my head into the steel decking, and at that point I knew I needed to get her off me. I pushed up with my legs, arching my back and twisting to the side while grabbing her arms. We rolled around on the floor and I came out on top, but rolled away quickly to stand up.
“Will you stop now so we can talk?”
“No,” she shouted. “There is nothing to talk about. You are juvenile and I don’t see why I ever thought we could make anything work between us. You come from an immature species that has barely kept from annihilating itself!”
“What does any of that have to do with me and you?” I countered. “You let Binda get poisoned and you’re doing shit about it. Maybe that is who you really are, heartless and uncaring. Maybe you just fooled our little band of mixed species into thinking you were our friend.” I was not going to back down.
She broke down at that. The tears began to roll and I knew I couldn’t just stand four feet away. I needed to go to her, so I did, and that’s when the lights went out. She threw everything into the uppercut that hit my chin, and I staggered back and fell. The decking provided the knockout punch.
****
I heard someone through the fog, calling my name. I recognized Ronnie’s voice after a few moments. My eyes fluttered open and she was there.
“What happened?” I asked groggily. “I dreamed I got into a fight with Taz. I was letting her win. I hoped it would calm her down.”
“Shut up, you stupid ass. Just don’t talk,” I heard Ronnie say. I knew that tone from her and clamped my mouth shut.
“Yes, you would be wise not to speak, but I need you to allow the others to enter so that they may search the ship,” Taz said.
“You have already sent the others to search the ship. There is no one here who doesn’t belong, except maybe you!” I retorted.
“Then where are they?”
“Lorelei,” I said, ignoring her, “is the ship ready for departure?”
“Yes, just give the word,” she answered. “We brought everything aboard from our rooms.”
“Let’s go,” I said. “All passengers be ready to validate your tickets or exit the ship.”
“Lorelei, do not move this ship,” Tazleaha snapped. “I order you!”
“Taz, for once I have to agree with stupid-ass,” Lorelei answered calmly. “My first officer and friend lies unconscious in her room and we have asked more than once what is being done about it. I would have thought you might at least give us an answer, even if you knew we might not like it. Your silence and stonewalling hurts more.” Lorelei’s tone really did sound hurt.
Tazleaha stopped to consider what Lorelei had said, which I hadn’t expected. “You are right,” she said slowly after a pause. “I should have told my friends what I had done, but I hoped to handle it through other means and methods and confess my part to you all later. I sent them to Binda and am responsible for their actions and Binda’s condition. The doctor says she should have a full recovery within a day. She sleeps because of a drug he gave her to rest while her body removes the remains of the poison.”
I tried to get up but my head was spinning. Ronnie stood up and faced Taz, ange
r written all over her face.
“Why, Taz?” she asked, “because of the dream?”
“Yes. I had the doctor make a powerful drug that would help Binda fall into a deep sleep and I hoped it would trigger another vision. I had made the arrangements before the meeting with the ambassador’s husband and my cousin. Then, of course, Benjamin did what he does, which was beat and embarrass them in front of everyone. So, wishing revenge, they chose to use a poison that they crudely concocted instead of the drug I had given them. It was easy for them because I had it all arranged and it played right into their scheme. Still, I am responsible for their actions.”
“So is your cousin a real suitor?” I asked. “Tell me, Taz, and you can’t say no to that because of some ancient law.”
“That’s what you’re taking away from her story!” Ronnie exclaimed.
“All the rest of it made sense,” I said. “I’m not happy she thought she could drug Binda against her will, but she wasn’t trying to kill her or even hurt her. I remember now how she wanted more information from her and was pissed I sent everyone out of the room. This was her trying to get more information, right?”
“I would have asked, but the fear of her turning me down was too great. I have an empire to protect and my path seemed clear at the time.”
I watched Ronnie as she let some of the tension ease out of her body. “You should leave now,” Ronnie told her in a calm, even voice. “And he did let you win. He is a stupid ass like that when it comes to you.”
“Don’t forget immature,” I added from my spot on the deck. Taz knelt beside me.
“Stay, Benjamin,” she said softly. “Binda will be fine and we will prepare for invasion as best we can. She may have other visions in the future that will help. I believe her.”
“No, Taz,” I answered. “There is a lot of honesty in anger, and I can’t forget what you said. You don’t seem to think much of my species. We are below you, you’ve made that perfectly clear. It’s time we moved on. I don’t want to dirty up your planet with our presence or have your people looking down their noses at us like we’re something that just wandered out of the forest.”
“I will keep you by force if necessary,” Taz said. “I need her, don’t you see? Leave her with me and the rest of you can leave in peace.”
“That’s not happening, but if she has another vision we will notify you and let her give you the details,” I said, hoping things didn’t escalate. I worked my way up to my knees. “Go on now, don’t ruin my memories of us by doing something stupid.”
“Where are they, Benjamin?” she asked as I stood. I took the change of subject to mean my terms had been accepted.
“Where are who?”
“Don’t play with me, you know exactly who I’m talking about. They left the reception and have had no contact with anyone.”
“I would say that they are somewhere up to no good,” I said. “Now if you want to come with us, you can call and have your things brought here. Otherwise, you can join your cronies outside.”
Lorelei’s voice cut off anything Taz was about to say. “We need to leave now, Benjamin. There are armed guards surrounding us and two small attack fighters circling. It’s only gonna get uglier.”
I looked at Taz, “I guess if I asked you to have them stand down, you wouldn’t do it. You’d rather start something we won’t be able to come back from.”
“Leave Binda with me,” Taz said, ignoring my statement. “She will be unharmed and treated as one of my own.”
“Claymore, initiate Andrea seven point four,” I ordered. “Just so you know, Taz, she has a lock on everything out there. If they fire on us she will retaliate, and you won’t like the results.” I waited for her to say something but she just stared at me. “Time for you to go, lover,” I said finally. “I’ll miss you, probably more than you’ll miss me.”
I turned away from her. “Claymore lightning four!” I ordered. It was my personal stun program. Four was the diameter in feet around me. It would be effective and would work anywhere on the ship. I watched Taz’s eyes close and caught her in my arms. I could feel her twitching from the effects, but she was not harmed in any way. I held her, wondering if it would be the last time. After everything she had gone through, everything we had gone through, it all seemed to have evaporated in less than a day. Her people were frozen as they watched.
“I need everyone off the ramp except Zora and Crnana!” I ordered.
Standing just inside the force field, I was able to look around at the growing number of guards and soldiers outside. It seemed odd, and having only two fighters buzzing around added to the strangeness. “Lorelei, what’s going on upstairs? Something seems off to me.” I kissed Taz on the forehead while waiting for the answer.
“Most of the traffic appears to be normal,” came the answer. “Are you almost done screwing around back there? Roll her ass down the ramp and let’s get moving.”
I thought on that suggestion, but luckily I was interrupted. “Natalia is waiting, Benjamin,” Lorelei pleaded. “She has Snake and Genius; we have to go.”
“Go! I’ll be on the bridge shortly,” I answered.
The ship vibrated as it eased off the ground. I stood watching Zora and Crnana running back toward the troops. “Lorelei, close it up,” I said. “I still have the defenses on, so just pick the clearest path and get us out of here. Wait, no—call me paranoid, but let’s get in heavy traffic to see if someone shows their hand.”
“She’s on board, isn’t she?” Lorelei said. “You’re just bringing more trouble down on our heads.”
“And they aren’t going to try to vaporize us with her on board, now, are they? I’m going to lock her in my room and wait for Natalia and the others,” I replied.
I took Taz to my room and laid her on the bunk. Taking my knife, I cut long strips from the blanket and tied her wrists behind her back. She’s really going to be furious when she wakes up, I thought as I bent her legs, wrapped the fabric around them and tied the other end around her ankles. What’s one more thing on my death warrant? I could see them reading the charges out loud: murder, kidnapping and hogtying the queen.
I locked the door and went back to the hold just as Natalia was parking the shuttle. I didn’t think borrowing would fly as an excuse now, so I had to admit that Natalia was right—stealing it is. I felt the ship accelerate and start to climb.
“Natalia, go to the bridge and give Lorelei and Nedra a hand,” I said into my com. “Snake, get in your armor and arm for repelling borders, then get Adam, Grubb and Buddy suited up. Genius, if they haven’t discovered the back door we have into their system, get in there and see if you can find out what they’re going to try to do to stop us.” And the charges keep mounting up.
“Lorelei, are the fighters pursuing?” I asked between breaths as I ran toward the bridge.
“No, there is no pursuit,” she answered.
“What do your pirate instincts tell you?”
“Either we’re damn lucky, or they anticipated our flight and have a trap waiting.” She paused to consider the options. “I’m going with trap,” she said finally. “Taz knows us too well.”
“Right,” I said. “Nedra, do you know anything about Taz’s empire? If so, what’s our best bet?” I asked. Arriving at the bridge, I stood behind Nedra, looking over her shoulder—which wasn’t easy to do.
“Like all of the empire, Allond included, the farther you get from the core worlds the more dangerous and lawless it becomes,” she answered. “We are not colonists or scientists, however, so I say our chances of survival are above average. Our ship is a factor in that survival, but it will also draw predators who would try to take it from us. The Claymore would be a huge prize.”
“Good enough for me,” I said. “You’re right, we will not be easy prey for anyone. Give Lorelei some coordinates and let’s get the hell outta here. We can change them later if need be.”
I sat down in the captain’s chair. Lorelei was in Binda’s seat.
/>
“We have company,” Natalia advised as I sat. “Cjittan Frigate class, weapons hot but not locked, moving to an intercept course.”
“So they want to be ready but not seem aggressive?” I asked the room.
“Looks like!” was Lorelei’s response. “You want me to speed up? That bucket isn’t going to catch us.”
“Nedra, scan for any and everything along our path,” I ordered. “I don’t want to be herded. I would rather spring the trap when we are ready, not when they want us to.”
“There’s a weak reading ahead,” Nedra replied. “That’s odd. Its course is that moon, and I am not getting a reading beyond the moon.” We all looked at the screen and the moon she was indicating. Her brow furrowed.
“So something is waiting behind for us to pass,” I said finally. “Let them sit. Lorelei, turn her around and put your nose directly on the frigate. Claymore, cancel Andrea directive and return weapons control to the bridge captain’s station.”
The control panel on the side of the chair lit up and swung into place in front of me. I tapped my target and it locked into the firing solution. It would go from red to green, and when it did, the frigate would not last through the second wave of laser blasts.
“We have an incoming message from the frigate,” Natalia told me as I prepared. “What would you like me to do with it, Dad? I could answer it for you.”
“I’m sure you could, but let me try first, and then you can bail me out.”
“Ok, go get ‘em!” she said, allowing the call through. “Allond vessel Claymore, reduce your speed and prepare to be boarded,” the voice said, audio only.
“Cjittan vessel, reduce your speed and stop following us or bend over and kiss your asses goodbye,” I replied. “My finger is on the fire button and you’re not even locked. You have about ten seconds.”
“Do not be hasty,” came the quick reply, “we are changing course.”
“Five seconds,” I said. “Look, I’ve been wanting to shoot something for a month, so turn faster.”
I moved my crosshairs to an com array on the top of their ship and tapped the fire button. It disintegrated, which felt really good.
Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison 4: Empires at War (Part One) Page 7
