Sector Eight (Perimeter Defense: Book #1)

by Michael Atamanov

  "It probably really is pretty there," I answered evasively. "But you won't be going to the Throne World if you're gonna attack Bionica. I saw a true princess in you – flawlessly neat, modest, and polite. But fighting with a peaceful robot secretary... That means you've still got some learning to do! Now I'm heading briefly to the medical wing to visit your sister and, when I return, I want to see a set table with breakfast and the two of you in a presentable state. Do you understand that, Astra?"

  "Yes, my Prince," the girl answered with a slight bow, trying to get back the look of a porcelain doll, but given that she was in her birthday suit, it appeared comical.

  * * *

  "The patient has been sleeping for a long time, my Prince, but we can only know that thanks to the brain function diagrams and moving pupils," Doctor Nicosid Brandt told me. "You can talk to her and ask questions. She understands them all and answers. I came to an agreement with the girl that closed eyes means ‘no’ and pupils pointing up means ‘yes.’ But, unfortunately, the patient was of little help in explaining how such an unusual injury took place. It happened in her sleep, and she woke up already paralyzed."

  I asked him to take me into the hospital room. Florianna was lying on the bed, pale and motionless. There were suction cups attached to her arms, neck, temples, and forehead, with different colored wires coming from them leading to a medical device standing not far away. There was an IV stretching out into her arm. Based on what was written on the packet, she was on a glucose drip. I looked at the girl and paid attention to the eyes. They were deeply sunken, swollen and following me closely.

  I took a seat next to the newly disabled girl and took her hand. Before all else, I asked her if she was in pain, but Florianna remained silent, not answering yes or no. Nevertheless, the girl made an effort to tell me something, casting her eyes to the side and repeating that motion several times. I looked in that direction. Over there was Nicosid Brandt, who was making some notes on a touch-screen panel at his desk. I asked the old doctor to leave the room briefly. The doctor had barely closed the door before I heard the voice in my head again:

  Duke Paolo royl Anjer's fleet has arrived in Nessi. He has more than a thousand ships.

  "Thank you, little helper," I said, expressing my gratitude to the girl that was still helping me, despite all the misfortunes that had beset her.

  A tear drop suddenly rolled down Flora's face.

  It's good that I can still be heard. My sister couldn't hear me, the doctor neither. I was really afraid that I wouldn't be able to talk to anyone... She told me that "my abilities as a Truth Seeker would not be harmed a bit," but if I weren't able to tell anyone about my visions, what would be the point of existing...?

  "Hey there, don't cry. I can hear you perfectly, Flora. But now, tell me what happened in detail.”

  The only one guilty of anything in what happened is me. No one else. When the enemy fleet surrendered in Himora and began putting down their shields, there was another flood of admiration for the commander. It wasn't as mind-shattering as the one after the battle in Hnelle but all the same very strong. And I absorbed it. Not long before that, your Highness truly warned me that there was dangerous information in your brain and that the other part I wasn't old enough for. And out of pure curiosity, I decided I wanted to know what I "wasn't old enough for." But instead I found the "dangerous" stuff.

  First, I only read the name "Ruslan." The rest was so incredible that I didn't believe it right away. Right after the new officers were sworn in, I went to my room so I wouldn't give away how overstimulated I was. I was just overcome by the desire to share my discovery with someone, but Astra was sleeping deeply and I didn't want to wake her up. Just imagine what would have happened if I woke my sister up. We'd both be dead at this point!

  The girl went silent and closed her eyes. Huge tears streamed down her cheeks. I lightly caressed Flora's arm, but I wasn't sure if she could feel it.

  "What happened next?" I asked her to continue her story.

  She came to me in my dream. I heard a young woman's voice. That woman told me to wake up, because it wasn't befitting of her to kill someone who was sleeping. I woke up right away from the icy horror, wanting to call someone to help me, but I couldn't – my voice was gone! I was lying there with my eyes open in terror. I saw a room on the starship, and I saw Astra's cot, but I couldn't do anything. And I knew that I would die right then, as my heart had stopped. I really, really wanted to live though, and I don't know how, but I reflected the attack and started my heart again.

  "Not bad, not bad. When I first noticed you a few days ago, you were a total nonentity. You learn quick," the woman said, having decided to speak to me again.

  And suddenly the cabin disappeared, and I was on the shore of a calm sea on a white sand path. Above me, the bright yellow star of that world was sizzling. The sky was blue and cloudless. Next to me, in an alcove overgrown with vines, there was a young woman sitting in a rocking chair. She had long, straight, copper-red hair and very regular, defined facial features. I've never met such a pretty woman before. My sister is also an outstanding beauty, but Astra is like a brittle snowflake, and that woman is like a bright, beckoning flame. And even her big stomach couldn't spoil the overall impression, which reflected the natural beauty of a mother-to-be. The woman was painting her well-manicured nails bright orange and did not stop doing so, even while talking with me.

  "And so, now that you're more than a nonentity, I'll give you a chance. If you answer my three questions correctly, you'll remain alive. Are you ready? Here's the first question. Whether you see it or not, I am very proud of the mental security I have provided Crown Prince Georg. The most admirable thing in my work is that you can't tell it's there. Any Truth Seeker, even with the most careful checking, would reaffirm that Georg royl Inoky's mind is completely open and accessible. In addition, I was sure that no one would be able to dig deep enough into his memory to find the parts I was really hiding. I see that you understand what I'm talking about. Well then, answer me. How did you do it?"

  I told her about what happened in Hnelle, then Himora. The woman listened very carefully to my story, then replied thoughtfully:

  "That means that Ruslan is defeating his enemies and is loved in the fleet. Everything is going according to plan. Ruslan is doing a good job in the role he was assigned. And even too good, given that a wild Truth Seeker was able to be uncovered so fast in his company. He has declared you his Truth Seeker and allowed you to take nourishment from his power. You are no longer an outsider, and the security let you in. And so, my second question: why does Ruslan want you around? Any old Truth Seeker can sponge off a strong master. But actually helping is something not everyone can do."

  The question was unexpectedly difficult. I talked about how I'd located the enemy fleet. I talked about exposing the traitors, but my answers did not satisfy the red-headed woman for some reason. I realized that I wasn't answering the question right, and my life depended on it. Then I had a desperate flash of genius and shouted out that if I'm not around, then another Truth Seeker would be appointed to the Crown Prince, and she might not be as obedient as I.

  "Now there's the real right answer. Crown Prince Georg really does need the support of a Truth Seeker and, if you've taken up that role, he'll never accept another. But look, I'm expecting you to continue helping Ruslan with all your strength. And now the third and most important question: how can we make sure that the secret you found carelessly will not be spread any further? I cannot allow any chance of complacency here, no matter how slight. I've got too much riding on this horse."

  I promised to keep quiet and tell no one, but she did not accept my promise. She shook her head and answered that it wasn't enough. Then, she said:

  "I'll save your life, and your ability as a Truth Seeker will not suffer a bit. But the rest, consider it a punishment for your excessive curiosity and a guarantee that the secret won't get out. Get ready, it’s about to hurt."

  And a second lat
er, I was back in the starship choking on a scream from the horrible pain and fell on the floor off the cot.

  I held the kid’s hand. She was crying out of a sense of impotency and shame. Everything became clear to the utmost, but knowing all that couldn't help make Florianna better.

  "How can I help you?" I asked, not able to bear the child's tears. "The doctor says that your body is paralyzed forever. So, if you want, you could have the contents of your brain transferred over to an android. You'd be able to walk and talk, and you'd become practically immortal, but you’d still be a robot. Or you could change out your appendages and body parts that have lost the ability to move with cybernetic prostheses.”

  No need. No need for now. If I acquire the ability to speak, that lady won't spare me a second time. Also, if I become an android, I'll lose the abilities of a Truth Seeker – the only thing that lady sees as valuable in me. Cyborg... sure, that's one option, but not now. Living your whole life as a thirteen-year-old girl without love or children is a curse, not a life. The only thing I'll ask your Highness is to allow me to be next to you in your moments of triumph, and my strength will grow. My worth, even in this motionless state, will continue to increase. And who knows? Maybe one day I'll figure out how to heal my own body.

  "How far along is Miya's pregnancy?" I wondered.

  That means the red-haired lady really was Miya, Crown Prince Georg's missing Truth Seeker. But alright, I could have guessed that myself if I hadn't been so afraid. I don't know how far along she is. I didn't talk to her long enough to determine the time by the size of her belly. But I can say one thing for sure: Miya is gonna have a girl, and whether she gets a "royl" or a "ton" depends exclusively on your Highness.

  * * *

  Breakfast went by in an atmosphere of pronounced, cold reconciliation between Bionica and Astra. Both of the beauties were obviously avoiding looking at each other and also were competing to see who knew more or was best at painstakingly following the most minor rules of table etiquette. On the backdrop of these ladies, I felt like an uneducated wild Pithecanthropus, who somehow ended up in the company of aristocrats. When I reached out for a pastry, both of my companions looked at me with such unabashed horror on their faces that it was as if I had at the very least jumped up on the table in dirty boots. Fortunately, Joan the Fatty was nearing the exit from the warp tunnel, so I found a plausible excuse and left the room.

  The ships were charging their energy at the Hnelle station to be able to go quickly on the route from Tialla to Unguay to Ulia. I argued with the admiral about how to continue the route after the Ulia system through the Core, because Great House combat starships are utterly forbidden from traversing the Imperial Core. I no longer had a yacht, so the only options left were either to urgently buy some civilian ship to take the place of Queen of Sin or buy all the tickets on one of the luxury liners, seeing as how it was looked badly upon for an Imperial crown prince to travel in the company of other passengers.

  Duke Paolo royl Anjer's fleet has just jumped from Nessi to the Ulia system.

  I cut off the conversation with the admiral and began thinking. The Truth Seeker's information was of critical importance. The head of the Orange House just blocked the only possible route to the Throne World with his fleet. It's done. Now, talking about how to get to the Core or choosing a civilian ship made no sense. In some way or another, my fleet would have to come up against the united forces of the Orange House. I wasn't feeling particularly suicidal, which is why I had dismissed such a path from the get-go. Of course, the option existed to break into the Core by sneaking past the enemy in a cloaked frigate; but, in that case, I would be threatened with severe punishment for entering the Core in a combat starship, a classification which includes cloaked frigates.

  "We will not be flying to Tialla," I said, expressing my decision to the officers gathered in the headquarters before telling them that I needed to think alone.

  I turned back to my berth and locked the door behind me, seeing as how concentrating in the headquarters – when you're constantly being distracted by people walking by or just officers looking in your direction – was not happening. The choice was a very serious one. What's worse: be late to a meeting with the Emperor and get a serious punishment, or lose a significant part of my fleet to make it there in time? I was tending to the first option, but it was no guarantee that a furious August wouldn't just order my fleet taken from me anyway.

  Sitting in silence in the cabin, Princess Astra finally couldn't bear it any longer and asked why I was so sad. I explained my dilemma to the girl – either be late to a meeting with the Emperor or fight my way to the Throne World.

  "My Prince, I'd be totally fine if we just didn't fly to the Throne World this time," answered Princess Astra.

  I snickered to myself. The girl was beautiful, but... No, the world "dumb" didn't fit Astra at all. She had a wonderful education; it was just that she was used to seeing the world from her egocentric point of view. She thought I was upset because I promised to show her the Throne World but was having problems following through. By the way, the Princess was an absolute authority on the subtleties of courtly etiquette...

  "Astra, I really need your advice." I turned to my favorite.

  "Yes, my Prince!" The girl was overjoyed at the chance to finally show her worth.

  "Tell me, under what conditions can the Emperor change the time of a scheduled meeting or even cancel it, without giving any punishments to the person who didn't arrive on time?"

  The Princess didn't have to think for long before she began fidgeting:

  "First, in the case of death or severe illness of the individual called. Second, if the person called is a Mystic, took crystals before being called to the Emperor and is in a several-day-long crystal sleep. Third, if the individual called is under arrest or otherwise detained and cannot come to the Throne World. Fourth, if a war is taking place that the party called is taking active part in and cannot leave the front without upsetting order and causing heavy losses on his side. Fifth, if the call to the Emperor coincides in time with a very important event in the life of the one called – marriage, for example, or the birth of a first son. It seems that's all possibilities. In all other circumstances, said individual must immediately fly to the Emperor as quickly as possible."

  War? I considered it seriously. Should I really start an open war with the head of the Orange House? For example, attack his capital while Duke Paolo royl Anjer's ships are God knows where... But I suppose not. No, not because I wouldn't get a pat on the head for it. Just because I wouldn't be able to conquer the Orange House quickly and turn off such a well-protected beacon in a capital station. Also, I am not sure how my subjects would react to such an order as attacking the Orange House Capital. But, nevertheless, there was something to Astra's words.

  The solution came unexpectedly.

  "Astra, you've been a huge help. If my plan is successful, I'll get in touch with your father immediately and thank him for raising such an excellent, smart daughter, and I'll name the battleship under construction in Unatari in your honor.”

  The girl went totally red in shame and lowered her eyes. I received a message about her personal opinion of me going up to +85. And when has the Princess had time to get her opinion of me up so high? I gave the girl a peck on the cheek and hurried to the fleet control room.

  "This is the Sector Eight Fleet Commander! All ships! I declare that, this very minute, we will begin a training session at full capacity. In the first part, the new members of our fleet are to practice standard approaches to understand what I want from my fleet. In the second half, heavy and light cruisers will work on maintaining distance."

  "My Prince, are we going to fight our way through after all?" the admiral clarified with a tremble in his voice.

  "That will all depend on how training goes," I answered evasively. "There's no avoiding a fight, but where and with who is something I'll only know at the end of the day."

  * * *

 
; Katerina ton Mesfelle and I were sitting at a separate table in the officer's dining hall and discussing plans for the future over dinner. I told my trusted advisor honestly that I wanted to avoid such an untimely call to the Emperor, and it was precisely for that reason that I had ordered the Hnelle warp beacon turned on. My cousin, despite all her normal immovability, was simply in shock.

  "Georg, instead of preventing an alien invasion, you're inviting them to come to Hnelle?!"

  "Yes, that's exactly right, cousin. I, as the person entrusted with the defense of Sector Eight, am simply obliged to check whether the appearance of the alien ships the last time was a coincidence, or whether the aliens really are ready for an invasion. At the same time, if even one of their ships really comes to take a look at the switched-on beacon, I'll have an iron-clad reason not to fly to the Throne World. And then, Duke Paolo royl Anjer's fleet can stay blocking the path to the Core ‘til he's blue in the face. I still won't have to fight my way through his screen."

  Katerina threw herself onto the back of a chair and began tousling a lock of her hair.

  "Does anyone else know?" my advisor clarified a minute later.

  "No one but you. I bet Admiral Kiro Sabuto is figuring it out, though. He gave me a really weird look when I gave the order to turn on the beacon. Though, it is possible that the admiral thinks it's some kind of bait for the Duke's fleet to get the Orange House ships out of the Ulia system."

  "And what if the Duke really does send his ships here?"

  "He won't have time. Also, my Truth Seeker is constantly following his fleet, and in Tesse I have an "oculus" – Angel's cloaked frigate won't let any combat ships get by unnoticed.

  My cousin bent closer over me and said, barely audible: