by Jake Bible
“What is this?” Alexis asked as he took the gift. “Is this a sling of some sort?”
“Yes!” Gornish cried out. “It is called a longsling and can hit a man from a thousand feet away!”
“Preposterous,” Stolt grumbled.
“A thousand feet?” Derrick asked. “You must be joking. No sling has ever had that kind of range.”
“This does,” Gornish said, grunting loudly as he stood back up. “The longer barrel of the sling means the flechette will achieve better distance and accuracy. But it’s not just the barrel that allows the flechettes to fly so far.” He held out his hands. “If I may, sire?”
“Of course,” Alexis said and handed the longsling back.
“The key is combustion of the Vape within the firing chamber,” Gornish explained. “Instead of shooting a projectile using compressed Vape only, this design actually sparks the Vape, creating a small explosion which propels the flechette at a speed and distance that couldn’t have been achieved before.”
“Seriously?” Alexis asked, his eyes wide and skeptical. “You combust Vape in this small chamber? How do you not blow your hands off?”
“The metal is tempered over one hundred times, your highness,” Gornish replied, looking very satisfied with himself. “It is a technique used for many other applications, but I was the first to think of how it would work with a longsling.”
“Quite brilliant,” Alexis said. “I’ll have to have you give a demonstration one—”
“Death to the hierarchy!” a voice bellowed from the top level of the atrium. “Equality for the people of the lower decks!”
The royal party looked up to see a man dressed all in black pull his arm back and throw something down towards them.
“Grenade!” Corbin yelled as he tried to get back to the master.
But before he could, Gornish pulled a metal box from his pocket, slapped it into the bottom of the longsling, put the weapon to his shoulder, turned up and fired. The grenade exploded above them as Gornish drew back a bolt on the longsling and then fired again.
The man above screamed in a spray of blood then fell back away from the railing.
The entire atrium began to scream and panic as they fled the huge space, all looking for safety elsewhere. There was shouting and yelling around Alexis and several hands began to pull at him, but his feet were rooted in place as he looked from Gornish to the longsling and back.
“Spectacular,” he grinned, clapping the deck boss on the shoulder. “Simply spectacular.”
Chapter Three
The council sat at the table, all eyes on Alexis as he read the report in front of him.
“This makes the tenth attack this month,” Alexis said. “Do we know anymore about this group? Or are they allowed to just run free terrorizing innocent people.”
“We have yet to capture any of the attackers alive, your highness,” de Morlan replied. He looked over at Derrick. “But there is a name that has started to circulate amongst the passengers.”
Alexis looked from de Morlan to Derrick. “Is the name a secret or are you going to tell me?”
“Lucas Langley,” Derrick answered. “After each attack someone paints the name on a wall of the affected deck.”
“That’s just insurgent propaganda!” Stolt cried from his seat next to Derrick. Other than de Morlan, he was the highest ranking steward on the council, because of his sector holdings. “We need to send a regiment down to the lower decks and stop this at the source!”
“Insurgents?” Alexis mused. “How can there be insurgents on Aelon when everyone here is born and raised? An insurgency implies an outside force. Do you believe an outside force is pushing these attacks?”
“No, sire, I do not,” de Morlan said quickly. He glared at Stolt and shook his head. “This is completely homegrown, your highness. Langley is part of a long line of engineers from the lower decks. As you know, under your father’s rule, the lower decks were constantly mined for cheap labor to help with the rebuilds. Unfortunately, if anyone objected to their new position they were tossed into the Vape chamber in the rotational drive.” The steward cleared his throat. “Your father called it, uh…”
“Gravitational justice,” Alexis nodded. “Yes, I’m aware of my father’s proclivities towards creative forms of punishment.”
“Execution, not punishment,” Steward Joff Klemshir said from a seat towards the end of the table. “The lower decks see every one of those deaths as an unjustified execution and have called for an eye for an eye. Can’t blame them.”
“Steward Klemshir!” de Morlan exclaimed. “That is dangerously close to treason!”
“No, it’s close to honesty,” Klemshir replied. “I didn’t say I agreed with them, I said I didn’t blame them. Can you? If one of us was yanked from this room and thrown out of an airlock for no reason other than we refused to vote on a measure, how would the remainder of us feel? Pretty damn pissed off, is how.”
“Point taken, Steward Klemshir,” Alexis said. “And yet another reason I insist we go forward with the meeting of passengers.”
“That cannot be allowed, your highness,” de Morlan said. “The main reason being that security has blocked all access to the surface of the station until the unrest can be put down. Even if we had the full support of the stewards, which we do not, we cannot risk allowing an extremist onto the surface, let alone into Castle Quent!”
“Then we meet below,” Alexis said. “We don’t have the meeting of passengers on the surface in Quent or in any of the stewards’ manor houses. We take the meeting to the very people it is meant to represent.”
“People that already have representation by their stewards,” Stolt said. “Which has been enough for millennia. You are upsetting a boat that does not need to be upset.”
“Your protestations have been heard and noted,” Alexis sighed. “Countless times. How about you skip your next protest and help decide where we should hold the meeting of passengers.”
The council looked about at each other, none wanting to offer up space within their sectors. Alexis waited patiently, making sure to meet the eye of each person seated at the table. When no suggestions came forth, he stood up and brought himself to his full, impressive height. The Teirmont fire burned in his eyes.
“I know my succession was sudden and happened during a huge amount of conflict and turmoil with Station Aelon and Aelon Prime,” Alexis began. “But it still does not change the fact that I am master. I have been master for several months now, yet all I see are condescending faces and conniving smirks.” Derrick started to argue, but Alexis held up his hand. “With various exceptions, of course.”
“Of course,” Stolt said.
“Do not count yourself amongst those exceptions, cousin,” Alexis growled. “In fact, I would put you at the top of the agitator list.”
“Your highness!” Stolt exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “You must be kidding? I have been nothing but loyal to the crown!”
“You were loyal to my father because he was easily manipulated with flattery and gifts,” Alexis said. “Which explains why your sectors have the most improvements done to them.” Alexis smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. “Come to think of it, wasn’t the Middle Deck Twenty-Six atrium in Sector Bueke widened and restructured to allow more people to gather there during the Last Meal festival?”
“Your highness, Last Meal is a high holy day,” Stolt replied. “You cannot compare this farce of a meeting to the celebration of Helios devouring the false gods. That borders on blasphemy.”
“And your argument borders on sedition!” Alexis roared. “We will hold the meeting of passengers in your Sector Bueke in the Middle Deck Twenty-Six atrium! I do not want to hear any other response out of your mouth other than ‘Yes, sire!’”
The room was silent and still as all eyes turned to Steward Stolt. The man’s struggle with his emotions was plainly visible on his face. But after a few seconds he regained himself and took his seat.
“Y
es, sire,” he said quietly. “My apologies.”
“I’ll forgive you for the extra two words, Cousin,” Alexis grinned. The fire still remained in his eyes, but it was tempered by satisfaction. “Let’s adjourn the council for today. You all have much to prepare for. I expect you to pick, notify, and assist those from your sectors that you deem fit for the meeting without further delay. Have your choices to me by the end of the week. We will call the meeting to order in one month’s time.”
Alexis looked to Corbin as the man stood at attention off to the side.
“I expect you to coordinate the security needed with Steward Stolt’s men,” Alexis said, his eyes flitting to Stolt and back. “Tell them they are to do as you order as if it was my words they are hearing directly from my lips. You will report to my brother on all matters and he will report to me if there is a problem. Understood?”
“Yes, your highness,” Corbin nodded. “I will not fail you.”
“I expect not,” Alexis grinned. “Gentlemen? Good day.”
* * *
“No!” Alexis shouted. “Preposterous!”
“Preposterous?” Eliza frowned, her arms folded across her chest. “Please tell me you did not just use that word with me.”
“I will not, cannot, allow you to accompany me below the Surface!” Alexis yelled. “You are with child again!”
“I am,” Eliza said, keeping her voice even and cool, the direct opposite of her husband’s booming tone. “But only a month and a half along. The midwife suggests I get out and stop hiding within Castle Quent.” She looked about the sparse royal quarters. “Which I think is a fine idea. If I stare at these stupid tapestries for another day I will go mad. Is that what you want, husband? For your mistress to go mad while carrying your child?”
“But what about the other children? The ones that have already been born? Will you abandon them?” Alexis grumbled as he slumped into a less than plush chair. His fingers picked at the breen upholstery as he looked at his wife. “They need their mother.”
“They need their father also,” Eliza replied. “But you are continually leaving the castle while I remain behind. The children have nurses and they have an adoring aunt. They will be staying with Melinda at Castle Helble. Her late husband may have been an awful boor, but he did leave her with an amazing home.”
“One she never uses because she is always in her quarters here at court,” Alexis responded. He thought for a second then sighed. “I guess it will get her out of here as well. She should tend to her estate now and again.”
“There will be other children there ours can play with,” Eliza said. “Melinda has an open invitation for the sector wardens’, and even deck bosses’, children to come to the Surface and play on the estate when they want. The place is more of a park than a working farm.”
“Yes, the stewards keep reminding me that Sector Helble does not make its quota of resources ever,” Alexis said. “Maybe we should set up the area as a children’s refuge and have that be her contribution?”
“I doubt she’d object,” Eliza smiled. “And if the royal children endorse it then you know the stewards, and their wives, will jump on immediately. If for nothing else than pure sycophancy.”
Alexis rolled his head on his neck and then nodded. “Fine. You can come with me.”
“Oh, thank you, my lord,” Eliza replied with an exaggerated curtsey. “You honor me with your permission.”
“Come here,” he smiled in spite of himself.
“Who? Me?” Eliza said, walking slowly towards him, her hands on her ocean green tunic. “Why, your highness? Do you need something?”
“Yes,” Alexis said as he reached for her. “I need you.”
His arms took her in and she fell onto his lap. Hands moved quickly and the ocean green tunic, as well as Alexis’s bright blue one, fell to the foot of the chair. Trousers followed and soon the chair was forgotten as the royal couple moved to the floor.
* * *
The massive atrium was filled to bursting with long tables, banquets to the side, men, women, and even some children, as the meeting of passengers was about to start. Alexis, seated at the head of the longest table that split the atrium down the middle, looked up at the five levels of balconies above him. All he could see were people jammed together shoulder to shoulder, their expectant faces watching the last minute preparations for a historical event the likes their generation had never witnessed before.
“They seem scared,” Eliza said, leaning close to her husband’s ear so she could be heard. Despite more than a few grumblings from some of the stewards in attendance, Eliza’s seat had been placed to Alexis’s right. De Morlan had happily given up the spot to please the mistress. “Why do they seem so scared? I would think they’d be elated considering their voices will truly be heard for the first time.”
“I think they are afraid for many reasons,” Alexis replied, taking his wife’s hand and kissing the soft skin. “Mostly they are afraid their representatives will not be up to the task and the meeting will fail. Many of these men taking their seats have been nothing but subservient to stewards their entire lives. Sure, they lead as sector wardens and deck bosses, but that’s not the same as actually making decisions that not only affect their people, but all passengers on Station Aelon.”
“Yes, it must be very hard for all these men,” Eliza said, her sarcasm not concealed in the least.
“Patience, my dear love,” Alexis said. “One day women will join these tables. But it must be one step at a time. Making sure the meeting of passengers is a success will be key to ushering changes for the fairer sex.”
A hand gripped him under the table. Hard.
“Fairer?” Eliza mocked, squeezing even harder. Alexis grunted, but tried to keep his face passive so as not to alarm anyone. “What’s that about fairer?”
He gently removed her hand and placed it on her belly.
“You know what I mean,” he said, his own hand rubbing at her midsection that was just starting to protrude. “And you know how I feel.”
“And you know how I feel,” Eliza said. “Thomas may be your male heir, but Esther is who should truly take the crown when, Helios forbid, you pass. I love my boy dearly, but he does not have the temperament for ruling like you do. Esther was born to be a mistress, and not because she marries into the position.”
“I know,” Alexis said as he watched a portly man make his way through the crowd and to Corbin who stood a few paces away. “I know that man. Where have I met him?”
Eliza looked over and shook her head. “Not a clue.”
“Ah! I know,” Alexis exclaimed and stood up quickly. “Deck Boss Wyerrn! Come, meet my wife!”
Corbin looked over his shoulder at the royal couple then turned back to Gornish and gestured for him to proceed.
“Your highness, thank you so much for granting me an audience,” Gornish said, bowing low. “I know you have many more important people to attend to than a lowly deck boss such as myself.”
“Not true, not true,” Alexis said. “A man of your ingenuity should always be in favor of a master’s attention.”
Gornish let out a little squeak at the compliment and his face turned bright red. Eliza chuckled at the sight and stood up to offer her hand.
“So you are the man that created the longsling and the, uh, what do you call them?” Eliza grinned as Gornish clumsily took her hand and nearly fell over as he tried to bow and kiss the hand at the same time. “The new flechettes?”
“Particle barb flechettes, your highness,” Gornish replied. “Thicker and heavier than normal flechettes because they are designed to splinter and shred upon contact. I have been testing a new version and finally perfected one that can cut through even the toughest of polybreen armor.”
“Cut through polybreen armor?” Eliza replied. “I didn’t know that was possible except for the sharpest long blade.”
“It is now, my mistress,” Gornish responded. “I was hoping to gain an audience with the roya
l armorer, but he will not see me.”
Alexis furrowed his brow. “He won’t? I gave strict orders to accommodate your needs in bringing the longslings, and ammunition, into full production.”
“I appreciate that, your highness,” Gornish nodded. “I wouldn’t trouble you with it, but…”
“Out with it,” Alexis said. “You are speaking to someone that was raised to appreciate innovations of engineering and construction. Don’t hesitate in being honest.”
“It’s that I have sunk my entire life’s fortune, as well as my wife’s, into the design of the longsling and particle barbs. If I can’t get them into production soon then I will lose everything,” Gornish said shyly. “And now my appointment to the meeting of passengers, which is a true honor, will take up more of my time. Time I should be using to shore up my holdings. I am not a young man such as yourself, your highness. I have limited days to provide a legacy for my daughters.”
“Then I’ll do what I can to help with that legacy, Gornish, my man,” Alexis grinned, clapping the man on the shoulder. “Corbin!”
“Yes, sire?” Corbin asked, his eyes turning reluctantly from the task of scanning the crowds.
“Will you take Deck Boss Wyerrn to find my brother? If you accompany him he’ll be seen right away,” Alexis said. “I know Derrick is about here somewhere.” The master turned to Gornish. “Tell my brother that he is, by royal decree, to expedite the production of longslings and the flechettes. He’s a long time drinking buddy of the royal armorer. Derrick will know how to get things moving.”
“Thank you, your grace!” Gornish exclaimed. “I mean, your highness! Your aren’t High Guardian, I don’t know why I called you your grace. My apologies—”
“It’s fine,” Eliza interrupted. “He can be very graceful.”
“Corbin? Please,” Alexis said as the deck boss started to stammer more gratitudes. “Hurry before the proceedings begin.”
