Dawn of a New Age

by Rick Bentsen

  So when there was a knock on his office door, Thane sighed a sigh of great relief.

  “Come in,” he called.

  Ensign K’Alan Ilan Bryce walked into Thane’s office slowly, a bit hesitant with making the request he had to make.

  “Captain, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time?” the young ensign asked.

  “You can have as long as you want, K’Alan,” Thane chuckled. He motioned for K’Alan to take a seat in the chair across from his desk. “I’d much rather talk to you than do these reports.”

  “I can understand that,” K’Alan nodded as he took the offered seat. “Commander Westphalen has been shuffling a lot of her paperwork on me of late.”

  “I hope that’s not a criticism of the Commander, Ensign,” Thane sounded amused. “I’m not sure how that would be taken.” It was a joke, and both men knew it.

  “I would never think of criticizing a superior officer, sir!” K’Alan barked in mock seriousness.

  “I would hope not!” Thane laughed. “Now, what can I do for you, Ensign? You obviously came here for something more than making me laugh.”

  “Sir, I need to ask for a small furlough,” K’Alan said. “I have some personal matters to attend to on my home world.”

  “Business on Duterius Prime?” Thane leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on his stomach. “And what, pray tell, is so important on Duterius Prime that it is taking one of my brightest and most promising crew members away from my ship?”

  “It’s…” K’Alan started and trailed off, starting to fidget nervously.

  “It’s what, Ensign?” The captain looked his pilot over with an upraised eyebrow.

  “It’s her,” K’Alan said quietly as he slid a datapad with a woman’s picture on it. “I’m to marry her in a little over a week. With how busy we’ve been lately, I was afraid I would miss my sealing ceremony, but with things so quiet at the moment, I really would like to go.”

  Thane took the datapad and looked K’Alan’s intended over. His other eyebrow raised in appreciation. “She’s beautiful, Ensign,” Thane said.

  “Yes, she is,” K’Alan said, a broad smile crossing his face.

  “I don’t see how I can say no to your request, K’Alan. I would not want to make such a woman angry with me,” Thane returned the smile. “There is a condition attached to it though.”

  “A… condition, Captain?” It was K’Alan’s turn to quirk an eyebrow.

  “You and the other Duterians I’ve served with have always spoken of the great beauty of your home world. I would like to see it. The Quintanilla will take you to your home world. And I will go down to the planet with you.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” K’Alan smiled. “I’d be honored to have you along.”

  6.2.2125

  0849

  Duterius Prime

  An Antechamber in the Braga Valley Capitol Building

  The two Star League officers fidgeted in the antechamber waiting. K’Alan held his flight helmet in his hands, turning it over and over again.

  “You know if you wear that, you’ll have a bad case of helmet hair when you get to see her, K’Alan,” Thane chuckled.

  “You are no help, Thane,” K’Alan grumbled. He could not stay angry at his friend for long, though.

  “Can I help you two gentleman?” a voice from behind them called. “I assume you are here for an audience with Gentlewoman Bilso?”

  “I know that voice,” K’Alan said without turning. “I know that voice very well.”

  “And I know that voice,” the voice continued. “It belongs to a young upstart that had to go and join the Star League Defense Force, leaving the Gentlewoman a very lonely person. How inconsiderate of him to do so.”

  “J’Anai Sirrus,” K’Alan said as he turned and gave his old mentor a hug. “It is good to see you again.”

  “And it is good to see you too, K’Alan Bryce,” the old man smiled a warm smile. “I am pleased that you were able to come for your sealing with Gentlewoman Bilso. She was afraid that with the war you would not be able to make it.”

  “I wasn’t sure until recently that I’d be here, J’Anai,” K’Alan sighed. “This war has been rough. But I’m here, and I can’t wait to see Kit.”

  “You will find that she’s only gotten more beautiful than the last time you were here,” J’Anai said.

  “I find that hard to believe, J’Anai,” K’Alan chuckled as he placed his flight helmet back on his head.. “I find it hard to believe that she could ever be more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her, as she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  “Do you intend to wear that helmet in the Gentlewoman’s presence, K’Alan?” J’Anai asked, looking slightly shocked. “You are aware of the level of offense she will take.”

  “I think she’ll forgive me,” K’Alan smiled. “I just want to surprise her.”

  “Oh, she will be surprised, all right,” J’Anai laughed. “She has no idea whether you are coming or not. I will go announce that two Star League officers wish an audience.”

  With that, he bowed and headed into the Great Hall.

  6.2.2125

  0853

  Duterius Prime

  Braga Valley Great Hall

  The Great Hall of Braga Valley was full of light from the large windows overlooking the gardens. The newly ascended Gentlewoman, K’Itea Alana Bilso, sat on the throne with a bored expression on her face.

  “Your Excellency, there are two representatives from the Star League Defense Force here to see you,” J’Anai Sirrus said as he entered the main chamber.

  “Show them in, J’Anai,” she whispered.

  “At once, Excellency,” he bowed and left.

  Moments later, he returned leading two men in uniform. One was wearing a flight helmet, the other, a man wearing the rank insignia of Captain, was not.

  “Ensign, I must ask you to remove your flight helmet,” K’Itea said. “It is a measure of disrespect for the court to hide one’s face in my presence.”

  “I’m sorry, Kit,” K’Alan said as he removed his helmet. “I did not mean to offend. I did mean to surprise you though.”

  “Kal!” she shrieked as she bolted across the room into his arms. “It’s so good to see you!”

  “K’Itea Bilso, may I introduce Captain Thane Starlos, my commanding officer. He refused to let me take leave unless he came with me.”

  “I’ve always wanted to see Duterius Prime,” the captain bowed. “I’ve heard time and again of its endless beauty, and I’ve wanted to see for myself if what I have heard is true.”

  “And what do you think, Captain?” K’Itea asked, a light smile playing across her face.

  “I think that what certain people have told me about how beautiful this planet is can’t come close to the reality of its beauty,” Starlos smiled. “It rivals my home planet of Earth as the most beautiful planet I’ve seen.”

  “Well, I’m glad you approve,” K’Itea smiled. “There is a dinner tonight. I would like you to join us. As a guest of K’Alan, you will be accorded the utmost respect.”

  “I understand that you two are to be married,” Starlos said. “I wish you both the best.”

  “You are, of course, welcome to attend the wedding,” K’Itea smiled. “A friend of K’Alan’s is a friend of mine.”

  “Thank you, good lady. I am honored.”

  “I think I will take the rest of the day off. J’Anai, see that Captain Starlos is given the best accommodations available. When they have settled in, I think we four shall go on a picnic.”

  “Would the Gentlewoman allow me the honor of a kiss?” K’Alan said formally, trying hard not to grin.

  “Would the Ensign like a boot in the butt for being so formal with me?” K’Itea grinned.

  K’Alan smiled and took Kit in his arms. He held her tight and kissed her gently.

  “I’ve missed you so much, Kit,” he whispered.

  “And I’ve missed you. Now go get set
tled. I want to go on a picnic!”

  6.2.2125

  1127

  Duterius Prime

  K’Alan Bryce’s quarters

  The quarters that K’Alan had been assigned to during his stay on Duterius Prime were quite spacious, far larger than he was used to from being in the Star League. As far as he could tell, the closet was bigger than his entire allotted space, storage and sleeping, on the Quintanilla.

  He dropped his rucksack on the bed and went over to the window. He gazed out over the city he grew up in, sighing contentedly.

  “I forgot how much I loved this city,” he said quietly. “It’s amazing how something as simple as the beauty of one’s home can make you feel.”

  “Perhaps you should be home more often then,” a male voice from behind him sneered. “If you had been, then perhaps things might have gone differently than they are about to.”

  K’Alan whirled around to find himself looking at a lieutenant in the Duterian militia. But what caught his eye immediately was the laser being held in the man’s right hand. K’Alan cursed himself for packing his energy bow instead of carrying it on his belt, but people don’t generally walk into the Great Hall armed.

  Besides. How many Star League Defense Force ensigns actually carry such a weapon? It would have been a dead giveaway.

  “Who are you?” K’Alan asked to buy himself a little time. “And what do you want?”

  “My name is K’Orin Thamur,” the lieutenant sneered. “And what do I want? That’s simple. I want you out of the way so that I can have your intended for my own. You should not have come back.”

  “Well, that’s interesting, Mr. Thamur,” K’Alan said, slowly edging himself towards the bed. “Because I want much the same thing. I want you to go away so I can enjoy the time I’m about to spend with my intended. She’s not for you to take from me.”

  “And that’s where you’re wrong,” K’Orin snarled. “She is mine. And you will not stand in my way.”

  K’Alan noticed the lieutenant’s trigger finger twitch, and tried to jump out of the way, but the other man’s aim was true, and K’Alan fell unconscious.

  6.2.2125

  1227

  Duterius Prime

  An open field outside the Braga Valley Capitol

  Thane Starlos and K’Itea Bryce were out in the fields surrounding the Great Hall, a blanket spread out on the ground, and sweet smelling foods lay out on the blanket.

  “It’s not like Kal to be late,” K’Itea frowned.

  “Especially considering how much he’s been looking forward to coming to see you,” Thane nodded. “He talked of you often on the way here, my lady. He loves you, you know.”

  “Yes, I know. We have loved each other a long time, Captain Starlos,” K’Itea smiled. “Even before we were promised to each other, I think.”

  “Your marriage was arranged?” Thane asked, his eyebrow quirking upwards.

  “Most members of our caste have their marriages arranged, yes,” she nodded. “We were fortunate that our parents agreed to promise us to each other. I have loved Kal since I was five years old. And I truly believe he has loved me since then too.”

  “Judging by the way he talks about you, I think I can believe that,” Thane chuckled. “I’ve never heard anyone talk about the person they love in quite such glowing terms.”

  K’Itea chuckled then looked at her chrono and frowned.

  “I’m starting to get worried, Captain Starlos,” she said. “This is very much unlike Kal.”

  “I agree,” Thane nodded. He tapped the contact on his wristlink. “Captain Starlos to Ensign Bryce, come in please.”

  Static was all that answered the Captain’s call. K’Itea and Thane both frowned.

  “Maybe he doesn’t have it with him?” she asked, a hopeful note in her voice.

  “Star League regulations during wartime specifically state that all officers must wear their wristlinks at all times, even when on shore leave,” he smiled sadly at K’Itea. “I’m afraid he’ll even have to wear it during your wedding.”

  “I expected as much,” she nodded. She looked at her chrono again. “I think we should return to the Great Hall, Captain Starlos. Perhaps we can discover what happened to Kal there.”

  “I agree,” the captain nodded.

  6.2.2125

  1239

  Duterius Prime

  A warehouse

  K’Alan slowly woke up with a groan. His chest hurt from where he was hit with the stun blast. Looking around, he noticed that he was chained by his wrists to a wall, his ankles unbound, in what appeared to be a large and empty warehouse. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement, and he moved his head to the side enough to see that it was Lieutenant Thamur heading towards him.

  “You’re awake,” the lieutenant said. “No matter. There’s nothing you can do to stop what’s happening. At least not chained up like the dog you are.”

  “Why do you hate me like this?” K’Alan asked. “Is it just because Kit loves me and not you?”

  “That’s exactly it,” K’Orin sneered. “Why should she love a popinjay like you when she could have a real military officer like me?”

  “In case you hadn’t noticed, the Star League Defense Force is fighting a war,” K’Alan growled. “It is a war that I happen to be right in the middle of. And I put my life on the line every second of every day. And what does the Duterian militia do? March around on maneuvers, playing at being soldiers. I think I’m the real soldier, Lieutenant.” The last word was laced with sarcasm and disdain.

  “This war you speak of does not affect us here,” K’Orin said. “Why should I care about it?”

  “The Brentax want to conquer and enslave all of the Star League,” K’Alan snarled, testing his chains. “Last time I checked, that includes Duterius Prime. That is, unless I missed a memo. But then, I think Kit would have let me know of such a change.”

  His last comment had the desired affect. K’Orin charged at the supposedly helpless K’Alan. At the last second, K’Alan brought his legs up, kicking hard at K’Orin’s stomach, doubling the other man over. He kicked at K’Orin’s head, knocking him over on his backside.

  “You can hang there and rot for all I care,” K’Orin roared after he caught his breath. “K’Itea is mine now. And nothing you can do will stop that from happening.”

  K’Orin stood on shaky legs, and he ran out of the warehouse. K’Alan watched him go then closed his eyes, concentrating on the bond that he shared with K’Itea. He focused all of his energy to opening a mental connection with her.

  Kit, he sent. Kit, we’re both in trouble.

  6.2.2125

  1319

  Duterius Prime

  Braga Valley Great Hall

  “No, Gentlewoman, we’ve not seen him,” the guard she was talking to said. “We’ve not seen him at all since we dropped him off at his quarters.”

  “I understand,” K’Itea nodded. “Thank you, guards. If you see him, please send him to me.”

  “Of course, Gentlewoman,” the guard bowed. “By your leave.”

  “Go,” she nodded. She turned to J’Anai and Thane before continuing. “No one has seen him.”

  “Unfortunately, that about sums up our results as well,” Thane grimaced. “It’s like he just vanished off the face of the planet.”

  Kit, K’Itea heard in her head just then. Kit, we’re both in trouble.

  “Kal?” she asked aloud, eliciting odd looks from both J’Anai and Thane. She turned to J’Anai. “Is it possible that Kal could send thoughts to me before the bonding takes place?”

  “Theoretically, if the match is pure and true, it is possible, but it’s relatively unheard of,” J’Anai nodded. “Why?”

  “I think he just did,” she said, her voice shaky.

  “Close your eyes and concentrate on the bond you two share,” J’Anai instructed. “Picture him in your mind, then simply think your reply. If, in fact, he is able to send thoughts, then you will be able to as
well.”

  “I’ll try,” K’Itea nodded. She closed her eyes and focused on K’Alan and her love for him. Kal? she thought back. Is that you?

  Yes, he replied. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to keep this up, but I needed to tell you we’re in trouble. K’Orin Thamur is responsible for my not making it to the picnic. He was waiting in my quarters, and stunned me. I’m in some kind of warehouse chained to a wall. I don’t know where I’m located, but Captain Starlos should be able to provide you with a location using the Quintanilla’s scanners.

  Are you sure it was K’Orin Thamur? K’Itea sent. If so, I know what he wants. He wants me, and will stop at nothing, or so he said, to get me.

  That is the name he gave me, K’Alan sent back. Personally, I don’t like him. Stay with Captain Starlos and J’Anai, Kit. And get a group of guards together and meet me wherever I am. Also, please get my energy bow from my rucksack. I wish I’d had the presence of forethought to wear it instead of packing it.

  We’ll be there as soon as we can, Kal, K’Itea sent, a smile on her face. I’m just glad you’re all right.

  I’m glad you’re all right too, Kit, K’Alan sent back. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure K’Orin Thamur doesn’t bother you again. Count on it.

  “He’s all right,” K’Itea said. “Captain Starlos, would the Quintanilla’s scanners be able to pinpoint his location?”

  “We should be able to,” Thane nodded. “All Star League officers have a subcutaneous location transponder on their person somewhere for just this instance. I should have thought of it sooner, honestly. I’ll have them scan the area right away and get a location.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” K’Itea smiled.

  6.2.2125

  1455

  Duterius Prime

  A warehouse

  K’Alan was alert when he noticed movement at the far end of the warehouse. A large group of people headed towards him, the unmistakably recognizable forms of K’Itea Bilso and Thane Starlos leading the group. A broad smile spread across his face when he saw them.