As the morning progressed, he noticed that strange sensations would emanate from the Eye of the Emperor whenever he met anyone. Two feelings had become quite pronounced; a warm tingling, like stepping out into the morning sun, and the other, a chill, like jumping into an ice cold lake. The first time he experienced the latter, he almost collapsed. Luckily, Sasha and Tiana were there to hold him steady. They passed it off as a momentary weakness, but Trent knew there was more to it than that. The feeling had come over him when they'd run into a young TSB crewman who looked dubious when he heard Trent's name. It was rather obvious the sensation meant something, but he couldn't figure out what, the odd feeling like when he first used his BC node. He looked to Sasha, who was gazing around the table at her subjects, and decided to ask her opinion when the meeting had adjourned.
"I would like to thank you all for coming. If each of you could start with status reports on the current operation and-." A loud cough interrupted Sasha and the entire room turned to the red face man sitting on the far side of the table. Cold suddenly overwhelmed Trent, momentarily pushing aside the pain, as he stared at the man.
"Your Grace, I am very disappointed that you went over my head and gave orders to my men without my approval! I told you I would have a plan for resolving this issue today, but you saw fit to undermine my authority in this matter!" he yelled at Sasha, words awash with anger. Trent felt the cold throb subside, but only vanish completely when he looked away from the man.
"Knight High-Admiral Baric, you forget yourself. I gave orders to my people, including the commander of the Alutia forces, Knight Admiral Bhool." Sasha barely kept her voice in check and Trent held himself from reaching under the table to squeeze her leg in support...too many people were present.
"Excuse me, Your Grace, but you are mistaken! I was assigned as commander of the Alutia Battle Fleet by your brother, Prince Kohan, with the blessing of King Johan!" The man continued yelling and the tension could be felt growing in the air. Trent knew what he was seeing...it was the same...the same as that time with Sir Simwa. An entitled noble throwing a fit that someone had dared question their authority. Trent looked at the fidgeting men at Knight High-Admiral Baric's side and noticed more than one had a hand on their hip. He quickly ran through a plan in case the situation escalated, he wouldn't allow a repeat of what happened on Earth...this time he wasn't bound and unarmed.
"Again, you forget yourself, Sir Baric! I am the Grand Duchess of Alutia and have the right to assign my own commanders after I assumed my responsibility! Since you were assigned after I had officially assumed control of the Alutia Duchy, you are no more than a common battle group commander that must report to Knight Admiral Bhool! Do I make myself clear?" Sasha's voice was filled with frustration and anger.
"You are wrong, Your Grace! The Alutia Duchy is still under the jurisdiction of the King and since the official transfer ceremony has not been held you are bound by the King's judgment! In which case, I am the highest authority in the Alutia Duchy until you have been officially seated!" An explosion of cold emanated from the choker around his neck as Knight High-Admiral Baric spoke and a sudden understanding filled him. Words came to his lips before he had a chance to think about the consequences.
"He's lying." Trent spoke loud enough for the entire room to hear him. A gasp escaped from someone seated behind Knight High-Admiral Baric, whose face, contorting with rage, turned its gaze on Trent, causing memories to start flooding back.
"How dare you!" Knight High-Admiral Baric's voice boomed as he slammed the table while he stood. All eyes turned to Trent, including Sasha, who had a look of utter astonishment. Trent turned to her and pointed to his choker and sudden recognition came into her eyes.
"How dare you, Sir! You are in the presence of the holder of the Star of Terra! An award for bravery equivalent to the King's Nova! He will be heard!" The booming words of Knight Captain Quinn caused the room to rumble.
"My honor has been questioned and I-." A bang on the table caused Knight High-Admiral Baric to stop mid-sentence.
"Sir, you disregarded your honor when you insulted Grand Duchess Sasha! I will remind you of one thing you may not have been informed. You currently stand in a special protectorate that is under my complete authority. At the time of emergency, I have the right to request assistance from the local duchy. But.....I remind you...total authority in the special protectorate of Earth is mine!" he paused for dramatic effect, but Knight High-Admiral Baric face was contorting in such rage, such anger, it was obvious he was not even listening.
"In this case, I have given complete control to Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia...no matter if the authority of the Alutia Duchy has been officially handed over to her or not! She is currently the highest authority in this system." The Knight Captain scanned the faces of those around Knight High-Admiral Baric, and a few noticeably flinched as his stare stopped on them. He then turned to Trent and Sasha, nodded, and returned to his seat.
"This disturbs me greatly, Sir Baric. I am tempted to call a Program to oversee this meeting to make sure you do not knowingly lie about knowledge of my authority. It seems you already know, but once the decision is made to assign a noble to a new duchy, that noble will assume authority during an official transfer ceremony overseen by the King, or, Sir Baric, when said noble enters the new duchy. I'm sure you were already well aware of this, but I just thought I should remind you." Her voice was cold as ice, freezing the air around her, as she regained her composure after Trent's sudden declaration. Her gaze turned to him, smiling with such warmth that the momentary chill he felt at her previous words vanished from his memory, causing him to smile back, blushing lightly. There was something about Sasha when she emanated her command authority that made him feel warm inside, similar to the pleasant burning sensation that flowed threw him at her touch.
"Now...Knight Admiral Bhool, what is the status of the cordon over the infected areas?" Knight Admiral Bhool turned to Sasha, noticeably concerned about what had just occurred, but able to quickly regain her composure.
"Your Grace, it was successful, we were able to erect barriers around the two infected locations. There have been no reported outbreaks beyond the barriers." Knight Admiral Bhool turned to a man at her side.
"Your Grace, I regret to inform you that we did incur some losses, a hundred to be exact. The creatures had moved farther into the forest then we originally anticipated and a few ground teams came into contact." The man looked noticeably disturbed while delivering the news, and Trent knew why. Being transformed into one of those things was a fate far worse than death. Sasha seemed to understand as well, looking at the man with honest sadness.
"Thank you, Knight Admiral Bhool, Vice-Admiral Sys'Kol, I am sorry to hear about these losses. Make sure to send me their names, I would like to contact their families...if possible." This time Trent didn't care about the possible repercussions, he reached under the table and lightly squeezed Sasha's leg.
"Knight Captain Quinn, did you have any luck with the local populous?" Sasha's voice softened noticeably and a slight flush spread across her face. He let a smirk escape his lips as he gave her leg another squeeze of support. Knight Captain Quinn turned from his glaring at Knight High-Admiral Baric, whose face had regained its composure, but was still flush, eyes full of hate.
"Yes, Your Grace. We were able to plant some information with local news services that a corporation had begun testing a new holographic technology. There is some skepticism, but it seems to be working. We will continue feeding false information and keep their eyes turned inward." Nods greeted Knight Captain Quinn's words of success and Trent felt the tension in the room ease.
"That is great news. Knight Admiral Bhool, I need you to send a request to the crown for some additional ground troops, we need to clean out the contained areas and start our search for the ASU infiltrators." Knight Admiral Bhool was about to reply, but a cough interrupted her.
"That will not be necessary. I have already been in contact with Prince Kohan and he h
as already approved my plan to deal with this situation." A smug smirk crossed the lips of Knight High-Admiral Baric.
"I am sorry to hear that, Sir Baric, but that does not matter. You seem to be forgetting that I am the one in charge here. A plan has already been decided and is being implemented." Sasha was noticeably distraught that Knight High Admiral Baric had decided to enter the conversation once again. Plus, he had completely abandoned all formalities. Trent slid his empty hand to his holster, carefully sliding loose what he hoped he wouldn't be forced to use.
"The way I see it is that the King's authority overrides your authority. So my plan is the one that will be implemented." The smugness in his voice made Trent shiver. Something had changed, the anger he showed before had been replaced by overbearing confidence.
"I thought I was clear about this. My authority is absolute in this system, even over the King's." Knight Captain Quinn sounded more frustrated than angry.
"Ah yes, the special protectorate of Earth. I am sorry, Sir Quinn..." venom suddenly filled his voice. "...but your authority ended when you called for help from Alutia, which of course, is currently under my authority, no matter what Lady Sasha claims." The air left the room as his words struck the stunned ears of the assembled officers and Trent again felt his own words come unconsciously to his lips.
"He's lying again, he knows Sasha has the authority, he just doesn't want to admit it." Knight High-Admiral Baric turned to Trent, his face once again contorting in fury.
"How dare you dishonor me again!" Spittle flew from his mouth as he rose from his seat and pointed at Trent. That was the second time Trent had spoken not completely of his own volition, but he was beginning to understand why. Sasha slammed the table as she stood, while Terra, who had been hiding, popped out and squawked loudly.
"No! How dare you, Sir Baric! I've had enough of your claims that you are not under my authority! You will cancel whatever it is you are planning and start to show the respect that me and my office deserve!" They stared at each other across the table, neither blinking, neither moving. Trent felt the tension growing in the air, smothering him, but he kept his wits, watching Knight High-Admiral Baric's men, with their hands under the table, eying everyone warily.
"It is too late to cancel the plan and my authority is from your brother! You question me, you question him!" Sasha looked down at the table, shaking. Trent tried to reach out for her hand, but pain shot through him, whatever medicine he'd been given, started losing its effect.
"What is this plan?" Knight Admiral Bhool spoke in place of Sasha, noticeable irritation tingeing her words, but also a touch of fear...which surprised Trent. She didn't seem like someone who would be scared of anything.
Knight High-Admiral Baric looked at the woman with disdain in his eyes, a small, evil smirk, spreading across his suddenly dark face.
"The only plan capable of resolving this situation...the destruction of Earth." Sir Baric's nonchalant tone made Trent question what he heard. How could someone so casually say they were going to destroy a planet...a planet of 25 billion people? Shocked gasps and cries escaped the assembled officers as the words registered.
"That is beyond your authority!" Knight Captain Quinn bellowed as he knocked over his chair, rushing to his feet.
"But not Prince Kohan's! Who gave me permission to destroy Earth, which will be happening within moments!" A sick smile crossed his lips, one filled with the pleasure of destruction, of his own authority, and, in his own mind, of being right.
"You will cancel that order immediately!" Sasha's voice trembled, no longer trying to control her emotions. Trent wanted to move to her, hug her, but he couldn't, his muscles didn't want to work. Why now...why at a time like this!
"No, I am in the right, Lady Sasha, you are in the wrong! Prince Kohan will hear about this...this....travesty to my honor!" His composure suddenly left him as Sasha gave him a command he would not follow.
"Then you leave me no choice! Knight Admiral Bhool! Place Knight High-Admiral Baric under arrest for treason!" Her words were a spark. Knight High-Admiral Baric drew his laser arc as his men stood and did the same, aiming his directly at Sasha. After the milliseconds it took Trent to register the sight, he heard a snap, not through his ears, and everything went white.
"Lady Sasha, you will accompany me back to-." The laser bolt shot across the room from Trent's hand and caught Knight High-Admiral Baric in the head, which vanished in a puff of blood. In the same moment Trent grabbed Sasha and Tiana, pulling them towards the floor. Tiana, who was in the process of grabbing Regalia, dragged her down as well, causing them all to tumble as one. Trent climbed on top of Sasha, covering her as laser bolts scattered against the walls. Within seconds, silence filled his ears...it was over. Trent painfully pulled himself to his feet and looked at the scene of carnage.
All of Knight High-Admiral Baric's men were dead or wounded...mostly dead, and two Alutia Battleguards, who were on duty at the door, had fallen. But besides that, everyone else had survived, and Trent was thankful his rash, wholly emotional decision, had not cost too many lives.
Knight Captain Quinn and Vice Commander Daiyu had come prepared, both still clutching a laser arc in each hand, having drawn them at the same moment Trent had fired. He took one more look around, nodding to the two TSB officer's before collapsing across the table, pain and darkness filling his mind.
*********
Sasha was lying on the floor, overcome with fear. What had happened? The question kept repeating in her mind. She couldn't figure it out...why had Knight High-Admiral Baric thought he had authority over the Alutia Duchy...over her? Was it because of her brother? Did he really give him permission to destroy Earth? The last thought brought her out of her fear spiral and back to the present.
The pressure of Trent on her back subsided as he stood, allowing Sasha to see Tiana cradling a crying Regalia on the floor next to her, while two Alutia Battle-guard's laid dead behind them. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight and tears started forming in her eyes.
"Trent!" The shout caught her like a slap...something was wrong with Trent! She gathered her feet and rushed to Trent's side, who had started collapsing over the table. Vice Commander Daiyu was quicker, having rushed to assist Trent immediately, catching him before he fell...the tiny woman trying to help him recover his feet.
Sasha caught sight of the far side of the room as she reached Trent's side, where Knight Captain Quinn and Knight Admiral Bhool were removing laser arcs from the pile of dead and wounded, the site made her gag.
She placed an arm around Trent and helped Daiyu ease him into a chair. Trent's eyes were open and he smiled as he saw her. She smiled back, unable to hide her worry, looking over him for wounds, but seeing none.
"Just a little pain...I moved too much...too fast, I'll be fine. How are your ladies?" he breathed heavy as he talked, but Sasha knew he was alright...showing more concern for others rather than himself...she would scold him later. She put a hand to his cheek, which garnered a peculiar look from Daiyu.
"Could you watch him for me?" Sasha asked.
"Of course, Your Grace, I owe him my life." Sasha smiled politely and turned to her ladies who had gathered in a corner. Vickie looked up at her as she approached, the argument of the previous night forgotten.
"Remind me never to point a laser arc at you..." The dry humor that should have gone along with the words weren't present.
"Was it really him? It all happened so fast." Vickie looked up, fiery emotion suddenly showing in her eyes.
"Sasha, I do not know, or pretend to know, what goes through that head of yours...but will your feelings for him change if you know he did? That he did not think twice to protect his loved one through any means necessary? Think on this, please, before you judge him too harshly." Vickie's words caused Sasha confusion...she knew that already. She knew that what he did, he did to protect her. But the thought did still emerge...did he have to shoot him? Wasn't there another way? She shook her head, clearing away that l
ine of thinking before it grew.
No, he had no choice and she would have done the same. If anyone drew a laser arc on Trent, Tiana, Regalia, or even Vickie, she would not hesitate to protect them...by any means necessary.
"You are right, Vickie...I am sorry. Forget I asked." The other woman nodded at Sasha as she looked to Regalia, still in Tiana's cooing embrace.
"Could you escort them back to my apartment?" Sasha quickly added.
"Yes, that would be for the best. This place suddenly smells of rotting trash." Vickie raised her nose towards the other side of the room, where Knight High-Admiral Baric and his men lay dead.
"Your Grace, a word." Knight Admiral Bhool called from across the room. A medical team had just arrived and started sorting through the pile of bodies. Sasha looked away as she approached, knowing the sight was too much for her stomach.
Knight Admiral Bhool stood with Knight Captain Quinn and Vice-Admiral Sys'Kol, along the left wall of the room, their command staffs shuffling past, leaving the conference room in sudden haste.
"Your Grace, Knight Admiral Gregorio is refusing to comply with your order to stand down. He says he will only listen to Knight High-Admiral Baric, which we are currently telling him is indisposed." Knight Admiral Bhool sounded concerned and Sasha didn't like where this was heading.
"Could you try to fool him? Find someone that sounds like Baric and have him send the message?" The idea was flawed, Sasha knew, but at least it was something. She really didn't want to think of the other option. A muffled grunt caused her to glance over her shoulder at Trent, who was in the process of getting a shot from a very angry looking medical officer. Sasha began to turn then stopped herself...she would deal with Trent later.
"I doubt it would work, Your Grace, they have command codes that would need to be submitted if they were communicating orders over an open channel, it's standard protocol." Sasha frowned, knowing the only option left.
Alutia Rising Page 41
