The Reluctant Empress

by Teresa Howard

  “Do you have any long range weapons?” he asked. “We need to be able to strike from beyond their range.”

  “I have a shipment of long range armor piercing rounds. Unfortunately, we don’t have anything to fire them.”

  He nodded. “If you’ll bring me those I can remove the inner chamber, and this will fire them. It won’t hold up long, but it will get the job done.”

  “Okay. I’ll go with your call.”

  “Take your ship further out of their range. Give me ten minutes to set up.”

  The captain signaled, and a sailor ran to tell the helm. “Can you read the trajectory of incoming?”

  She rattled off coordinates from her radar.

  Three more missiles whistled by before Houston was ready. He watched the sky and noted the arch of the next incoming. He adjusted the weapon and fired. A direct hit. The explosion could be seen in the distance. Cheers sounded all over the deck. Sailors were slapping each other on the back and wiping perspiration off their faces. Others hurried to examine the damage.

  The captain’s grin spread across her face transforming it with childlike glee. “So, you were in the League army? You’re good.”

  “Space Command and ground to air combat.”

  “So, what’s a League colonel doing on a third-tier planet like Bengar? You can ditch the Marumbi kingdom farce. The disguise would fool most people, not me. I’ve lived there, and something about you doesn’t fit.”

  Houston, a veteran of many missions and without his disguise being spotted, stared at the captain. “Let’s say it’s an important mission, and it’s a need to know situation.”

  The captain laughed and touched his arm. Houston picked up on her interest and would have enjoyed her company, but for some reason he felt like that would be betraying the Sister and the girl, even if it was betraying a pretend family. “I’ll go and check on my wife now, Captain.”

  “Did you blow up the pirates?” asked Ninallia.

  “I think we landed a few hits. They thought better of the attack and gave up. I don’t think the attack was anything unusual. They were after the cargo, not us.”

  With excitement she told Houston about what she’d been doing. “Tegani has been teaching me to focus. I’m pretty good at emptying my mind, and she says she can teach me to send a message.”

  He quelled his skepticism and congratulated the girl. What he wanted was to take a shower and sleep for twelve hours. He listened to her and answered Tegani’s questions then gave them a brief description of the battle.

  “I think Houston needs to sleep now. Why don’t we see if there is something to eat in the galley and let him get some rest?” Tegani said.

  ~ * ~

  The smell of gunfire, blood, and smoke were heavy on the deck and crewmen were hurrying to repair the armory. The ship itself suffered minor damage. As they walked by the sailors got quiet. Tegani heard them whispering about League agents and Houston’s amazing accuracy.

  The galley was crowded with men who were fresh from battle, and their adrenaline induced excitement hadn’t quite dissipated.

  Tegani made her way toward the serving line. They were free to have meals served in their cabin, but with the recent attack, she didn’t want to impose. She and Ninallia could eat what the crew was eating and take Houston back something. He would be hungry when he woke.

  Thick stew served with bread, fruit, and a dark sweet cake looked and tasted wonderful. It was a man’s meal, and Tegani wondered how the captain kept such a trim, muscular figure if she ate like this every day. Would be hard to resist.

  The sounds of pleasure Ninallia was making as she devoured her stew would have done any growing boy proud. What was the girl now, maybe three months along? There was a slight thickening of her slender waist, hidden by the robes. Later, the pregnancy would be hard to hide.

  She finished everything on her platter and was eyeing Tegani’s cake. When she caught Tegani’s eye she blushed. “At first the thought of food made me sick, but now I’m hungry all the time.”

  “There’s no law against a growing boy having seconds,” Tegani said, nodding to the serving line. “In fact, I think it’s expected.”

  Ninallia grinned and carried her tray back up to the line, returning with a smaller portion of stew and another piece of the cake. This time she ate the cake first.

  Tegani asked for a tray to be sent up to the room for Houston and thanked the cook.

  “I think I ate too much,” Ninallia moaned as they climbed the ladder to the deck where their cabin was.

  Houston was sprawled on top of the bunk snoring. His face was smooth and pink from the recent shave. Somehow, he seemed very vulnerable.

  Ninallia grinned and tiptoed past his bed to the lavatory. There was a full mirror on back of the door, and she stripped off her robes and posed, pushing out her belly. Tegani smiled.

  Seventeen

  “Rumors! All you bring me are rumors. The Order is helping the woman. There is a League agent with her. You can’t even guarantee this young girl, Ninallia, is the one. There are six other women who are missing.” Hanoree was at the point of manic rage. He was acting as regent, but the other Nobles were watching everything he did or said.

  “But my lord, someone has to be helping her. I think it is safe to assume the League and the Order have their fingers firmly in this pie. Our records show an agent of the League was on Bengar for medical treatment, and there is no record of his transport off planet.”

  “Why haven’t you found them? I expect results, not rumors.”

  “Yes, my lord. I have been waiting on your permission to question a senior Brother of the Order living in the Imperial City.”

  “You have him in custody?”

  “He is in custody not far from here,” Varick assured him.

  “See what he knows. Make sure we cannot be linked to whatever accident befalls him. We must send a message to My Lady that I am serious.”

  “Yes, my lord, it is as you wish. I will give you a briefing later today.”

  “I am counting on you. Do not fail me.” Hanoree glared at Varick. The threat of retribution might bring better results than a promise of reward.

  ~ * ~

  “I have no knowledge of Madama Ector or any of her dumas clients. I don’t understand why you are detaining me. I assure you that I will complain to the Order, and there will be repercussions.” The Brother’s voice was cracked as were his lips. He had been abducted, beaten, and interrogated.

  Varick knew Brothers were sworn to an Oath of Honesty, and he would have given these people any information he possessed. He could not give any information he did not possess.

  Still, he continued, “Was the Order in any way involved in the death of the emperor?”

  “No! My Lady had great respect for the emperor. She would not condone a violation of the Writ of Neutrality.”

  “Who does the Order suspect in the murder? What do they know?”

  The Brother ran his tongue across his bruised lip. One eye swelled. For Varick the question assured the Brother would not live to report to the Order.

  “If I had any knowledge of the murder, you would have it straightway. I would not protect a murderer. I would not support an imposter.”

  “He’s telling the truth,” said the interrogator.

  Varick agreed. “I believe you are correct. Make his death quick. If you can make it seem like civil unrest, do so. We need to stir up the people against the Order.”

  The interrogator turned. There was the slightest movement of his hand, and one of his men stepped forward and slit the Brother’s throat. It wasn’t a clean kill. The Brother struggled to breathe as blood gushed from the wound. No professional would do such sloppy work.

  Varick turned away in disgust. He would have preferred the executioner wait until he was no longer in the room.

  “Did you see, my lord?” Varick pointed to the screen as he spoke to Hanoree.

  “The man knew nothing. Either the Order is not involv
ed or you selected the wrong Brother to interrogate. Make sure his death is recorded as random violence.” Hanoree sipped a second glass of drug- laced wine Varick had prepared earlier. “We shall see how long it takes My Lady to hear of her agent’s death. If I am correct it won’t be long.”

  ~ * ~

  “I demand to know what happened to Brother Angonius,” My Lady said without her usual calm. Her face was florid.

  It was all Hanoree could do to contain his smile. “I am sure you have read the same reports I have, My Lady. Brother Angonius worked in the most dangerous areas of the city. Unfortunately, his body was found in an alley. He was robbed and killed.”

  My Lady answered, “Brother Angonius was known in that area. He lived there for many years and never carried large sums of credit.”

  Hanoree shook his head. “I share your grief. We are doing everything we can to apprehend those responsible. Unfortunately, there is rising sentiment against the Order. Many of the uneducated believe the Order was responsible for the death of their emperor. The Order tends to involve itself in many things that are not its business, which is always a dangerous policy.”

  “You have no idea how dangerous your polices are about to become.” My Lady’s voice hissed across the communicators. She leaned into her screen as if coming through it to grab Hanoree. “The Order is a dangerous enemy, Hanoree. You have crossed the line.”

  Hanoree laughed. “My Lady is becoming neurotic. Remember old woman, who has your city surrounded.”

  “You dare threaten the Temple City, Hanoree? You are a fool.”

  “I am the regent of the empire, and you should watch how you speak to me.”

  My Lady’s eyes narrowed. Her lips drew together in a grimace. The communications screen exploded, sending pieces of clear plastic into the room. The blast threw Hanoree back. He guffawed until he saw the shard of glass in his arm. One of his guards lay on the floor with a piece of the screen through his throat.

  “What happened?” My Lady’s voice had become silky and deadly. “We lost visual communications. I hope there isn’t a problem.”

  “I’ll see you dead, you old witch,” Hanoree shouted as security rushed to treat his bleeding arm.

  Varick stood frozen, staring at the glass and blood splattered in the room.

  Hanoree shouted orders, ignoring others who could overhear his words. “Round up as many Brothers and Sisters of the Order as you can find. I want them expelled from the Empire. I want those other women found and killed!”

  ~ * ~

  My Lady buried her head in her hands. She was shaking with grief and rage. “What have I done?”

  “It appears you have declared war on the Empire,” Arturon replied.

  My Lady slapped her hand on the table. “Not with the Empire, with that murdering snake, Hanoree!”

  “For now, My Lady, he is the Empire,” Brother Arturon cautioned.

  My Lady wiped her face and forwarded a warning to members of the Order living in the Empire. They were not safe. She was sure Hanoree would waste no time rounding them up. Well, let him try to find them. By morning no Brother or Sister would remain in the Empire.

  “Has anyone heard from Tegani?” Arturon asked.

  “She is on her way to Lady Sayeri’s estate.”

  A faint flush crept up his face even as a slight smile touched his face. Sayeri had trained at the Temple city when Arturon was a young Brother. She was a willful and unpredictable woman. He had been fond of her.

  “Get me a League official on the communications line. I do not want to speak to Ambassador Hollins. Who’s the top League official in this quadrant?”

  “Governor Bashari. He is on Rijellon. He oversees the entire quadrant. Bengar isn’t part of the League.”

  My Lady said, “I want you to talk with Rom Ellino too. If Hanoree finds our refugees, I want it to be as difficult as possible for him to get them extradited.”

  “Rom Ellino is unreliable My Lady,” Arturon warned.

  My Lady smiled. “Not so, Brother. He is a man who can be bought. Make sure the price is right. His kingdom is small, but they have the most dangerous weapons on Bengar.”

  “Indeed, they do, and Ellino may love nothing better than to start another great war.”

  My Lady agreed. “Yes, Hanoree will hesitate to invade his kingdom to retrieve our little mother.”

  “You’re playing a dangerous hand.” As was his wont, Arturon continued to play the devil’s advocate. After a few minutes he said, “Governor Bashari is on the line, My Lady.”

  She waved Arturon away and straightened her robes before greeting the governor of the space quadrant. She wanted to be at her most persuasive. “Good evening, Governor Bashari. I was hoping that you could help...”

  “Ambassador Hollins is a fool. I’ve warned her about dealing with Hanoree on more than one occasion. She is convinced she’s negotiating a new treaty with the Empire. I think she wants my job.”

  “So, you understand my dilemma. The Temple City is a place of peace and order. We are not armed. Our Brothers and Sisters throughout Bengar are largely unprotected.”

  The governor asked, “If it comes to a trial, do you have proof Hanoree was behind the assassination of the emperor?”

  My Lady’s lips twisted as she admitted, “Not yet. I have people working on getting proof. It won’t be easy.”

  “Well, let me make it easier. The League can and will enforce a no-fly zone around the Temple City. I have the locations of Hanoree’s men in your area. If they try to launch an attack, we’ll give them something to think about.”

  My Lady wanted to dance for joy, and later she would. She thanked the governor and signed off. Having accomplished all she could for now, she wanted to contact Tegani but was afraid of giving away her location.

  ~ * ~

  Arturon faked a smile as he greeted Ellino, dictator of the Madori Kingdom.

  “You want me to side with the Order against the Empire?” Ellino said. “The Order doesn’t use weapons, while on the other hand, the Empire has a powerful army.”

  “We aren’t opposing the entire Empire, only Hanoree as emperor. You have to agree he is dangerous,” Brother Arturon replied.

  “I’m dangerous too, but you’re not offering a fortune for my head.”

  “No one said anything about Hanoree’s head. We want to prove he murdered the emperor and have him convicted before he is executed.”

  Ellino snorted. “My Lady is a cunning old bird. I will keep her secret and protect this Sister Tegani and whatever prize she is hiding from Hanoree. You are offering enough credits to finance my army for a year.”

  Ellino would enjoy pulling one over on one of his arch enemies, perhaps even helping in Hanoree’s downfall. It was a good deal. However, he might choose to hold Sister Tegani and the girl for ransom.

  Arturon made the bank transfer and signed off. He always felt like he needed to take a bath after dealing with Ellino.

  He was glad Tegani and the girl were seeking refuge with Lady Sayeri. He remembered Sayeri from her time in the Temple City. He had been a young man, a new and somewhat cocky Brother. She was a spoiled and willful girl, as much child as woman. They were both young and thought they were in love.

  Sayeri’s family summoned her home to the Imperial City. He continued to rise in the Order. He had thought of her often, but neither tried to contact the other. Later, he learned that she was involved in a scandal and married off to a rich merchant or something, disappearing from the Empire and his life.

  My Lady’s voice brought him back to the present. “We’ve done what we can from here, Brother. The governor sent word a League agent seems to have joined forces with our Sister. I hope he is trustworthy.”

  “Sister Tegani has been trained well to recognize deceit, My Lady. She would see through a traitor. Are you sure we have the right girl?”

  “I think so. Tegani will be able to tell us if the vision is true.”

  “You didn’t tell her the vision, My L
ady.” Arturon poured them both wine. The day had been stressful.

  “Of course not, she would try to make it happen. This way the vision will prove itself.”

  Arturon turned to go, wishing they could at least warn Tegani. He watched My Lady. He wouldn’t hazard a guess at her true age. Today she seemed ancient and frail, yet he knew her to be a powerful force and a wise leader. He prayed the Spirits when his time came he would serve as faithfully.

  Eighteen

  Hanoree glowered at the group of Nobles. They were convened to discuss his ordination as regent, but they were more concerned with the relationship between the Order and the Empire.

  “I will not vote for a violation of the Writ of Neutrality,” Lord Nebron said firmly and several other Nobles assented.

  “The Order has broken neutrality. They are behind the murder of my uncle, the emperor.” Hanoree stood to his full height and crossed his arms.

  “I have seen no proof of their involvement, and the League has sent a warning it will defend the neutrality of the Temple City by establishing a no-fly zone.”

  “What! They sent a message to you. I met with Ambassador Hollins, and she shares my suspicions.”

  “Well, the governor of this quadrant doesn’t, and he is recalling the ambassador.”

  Hanoree swallowed hard. Damn that witch. My Lady of Wisdom indeed.

  The querulous voice of the eldest lord present demanded, “Do we need men surrounding the Temple City?”

  The room was silent, and the Nobles turned to Hanoree. He fought to control his anger, using a deferential smile to mask his true feelings. “Yes, I believe we do. I have hesitated to bring this before the Nobles, but I will soon have evidence of the Order’s interference. They have helped a suspect and a witness evade capture and escape the Empire. I have spoken with My Lady, and she refuses to cooperate with Imperial security. These criminals may be trying to find sanctuary in the Temple City.”

  Murmurs of concern and outrage filled the room. Lord Nabili raised his arm, and the room gradually silenced. “You have evidence you wish to present before the Nobles? We are ready to appoint you temporary regent, but not if you continue to bring the Empire to the brink of war.”