Battle Cruiser

by B. V. Larson

  “That can wait,” I said.

  The head physician approached me with an expression of distaste. “As strange as it may seem, you’re in charge of the House now, William the Younger. What are your orders?”

  “Revive my father,” I commanded without hesitation.

  “We’re trying. We might succeed, or fail—or he might turn out to have been reduced to a vegetative state. In any case, as long as he’s unconscious you’re the Servant of House Sparhawk.”

  My face tightened. This was a moment I’d never looked forward to, and I’d certainly never expected it to come so soon.

  Zye looked confused. “You’re taking over for your father? I expected there would be a new election.”

  I regarded her quizzically. “Elections for open seats are extremely rare. Ascendancy to power as a Public Servant is a life-long appointment.”

  “Your system of governance is hereditary?” Zye asked. “I hadn’t learned that in my studies.”

  “You’re mistaken,” I said. “My father was elected, not born into the position.”

  “And what about you? What’s your claim to power based upon?”

  “Our legal scholars reasoned long ago that since I’m a copy of him, I was essentially, by inference, elected as well.”

  “But you’re not even a pure clone!”

  “Pure clones are illegal here.”

  Zye stared at me for several seconds, then she did something I’d never seen her do before. She laughed. It was an odd, clipped sound. Almost as if she were imitating a person laughing.

  “What’s amusing?” I asked.

  “You Basics are delusional,” she said. “Your governmental system is hereditary, but you hide behind technicalities.”

  I shrugged, losing interest in the topic. “In any case, that’s how it works on Earth.”

  “What about your mother?” she asked. “Isn’t she the head of the House before you?”

  “My father was elected as a Public Servant long ago,” I explained. “My mother never ran for that office. As I’m my father’s heir, the duty falls to me. My mother has her accounts and properties—but no political power.”

  “Bizarre,” Zye said under her breath.

  “Let’s go. We must inform Mother personally.”

  We left the bustling medical people to their grim work. They were poking fresh needles into my father’s gray flesh, and I didn’t want to watch any further.

  Mother was understandably distraught. At least she didn’t blame me.

  “It was the only way? Shocking him to death?”

  “Yes,” I admitted, “he did die. But if we can revive him, he should begin healing.”

  She shook her head. “It’s so horrible. Who are these Stroj creatures? Why do they want to come here and bother us?”

  “They’re predatory,” Zye said. “They believe in a strict evolutionary doctrine. As they’re masterful adapters, they consider themselves superior forms of sentience.”

  “Superior? According to whom?”

  “The cosmos. If they can slay or subjugate all others they encounter, they feel they will have proven their point. We Betas, however, have thus far beaten them back.”

  There was a certain note of pride in Zye’s voice. My mother looked her over closely.

  “You stopped them—but other worlds haven’t. Is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  “How many other worlds have been conquered?”

  Zye shrugged. “The Stroj aren’t forthcoming. They tell us nothing other than lies and platitudes. We have directly witnessed three worlds fall to their aggression, however.”

  “What happens to these worlds?” I asked. “When they surrender?”

  Zye stared at us. “Isn’t that obvious? The civilians are consumed by the Stroj, after the fighters die. The fallen are like clothes of flesh for the Stroj. They dress themselves with the dead, as a hunter might clothe himself with the skins of animals.”

  My mother nodded. She looked worn and beaten. I embraced her, and she returned the hug with feeling. It was a rare moment for both of us.

  Zye watched us in quiet curiosity. Betas clearly didn’t hug one another.

  “You must excuse our emotionalism,” Mother told her. “We’re not accustomed to such grim circumstances.”

  “Yes,” Zye agreed. “I’ve noticed that. Basics seem to have become soft and indolent due to years of isolation.”

  “You’ll find the Guard is ready to defend Earth,” I said with a certainty that I didn’t feel. “We’ll rebuild. We’ll recruit. We’ll fill the skies with ships. We have more population than all the colonies combined, I’d bet.”

  Deciding there was nothing further I could do at home, I headed for the roof. Numerous air cars awaited my orders. It was strange, not having to ask anyone’s permission to take whichever one I wanted.

  I climbed into the back of the finest vehicle in my father’s fleet. It was a Duranto-95, in excellent condition. Zye climbed in beside me, and I ordered the driver to lift off.

  “Where to, sir?” he asked.

  “CENTCOM. We’re going to the offices of the Admiralty.”

  We were whisked away into the sky with alarming acceleration. I was reminded of the power Cutlass had exerted when I’d pressed her.

  “I feel compelled to point out, sir,” my driver said, “that everyone at CENTCOM is likely to have left for the day.”

  “I’ll check,” I said, noting the westering sun outside the tinted windows.

  After trying to contact Admiral Cunningham directly for several minutes, I sighed. The central office was open, but Cunningham had retired for the night. At least that indicated there weren’t any further emergencies.

  “All right,” I said. “Head for the city.”

  “Where are we going now?” Zye asked.

  “I thought we might have dinner in Capital City.”

  “Aren’t there kitchens at your home?”

  “Of course. But you haven’t been able to enjoy much of Earth yet. I thought we could see the town.”

  She thought that over. “Your father is on his deathbed. Don’t you care?”

  My jaws clenched. “Of course I do,” I said, “but I can’t do anything about that. Do you want to see the city or not?”

  “No,” she said.

  This caught me by surprise. “You don’t? You aren’t curious about it?”

  “I’d rather go back to our ship. I feel more at home there.”

  Nodding, I thought I understood. Betas were ill-equipped for the spice of life. She might well be experiencing cultural shock. After all, for the last several years of her life, she’d been locked inside a cell in that ship.

  “Okay, I’ll—just a moment.”

  My implant was buzzing. With trepidation, I answered the call. Was my father dead or in a vegetative state? I didn’t think it could be possible that he’d recovered so quickly.

  “William?” came a familiar voice.

  I felt a wave of recognition and well-being. The voice belonged to Chloe.

  “Chloe? Where are you?”

  “I’m home.”

  “No visuals?”

  “Mother left the com system in a partially disabled state. It’s all I can do to get word out to you.”

  My mind raced. “Chloe,” I said gently, “you do realize that with your mother disabled, you’re the head of House Astra.”

  She was quiet for several seconds. “I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right,” she said. “It’s strange, I’ve spent years being groomed for this moment, and yet now that it’s here, I don’t feel ready.”

  “My point is you can bypass your mother’s security today—if you wish to.”

  After a few moments, she appeared to me. She seemed to be in the back of my air car, sitting to Zye’s left.

  “What’s your mother’s status?” I asked her.

  Zye looked to her left, frowning. But of course, there was nothing there she could see. She crossed her arms in
frustration. I wondered if she’d learned that gesture from Earthlings. I’d never seen her do it before.

  “Mother’s condition is grave but improving. She’ll probably be conscious by morning.”

  “What about nanites?” I asked. “Have they discovered an infection of microscopic bots in her bloodstream?”

  “They did say something about it. But our physicians are very competent. Some might even say ruthless. They excised the affected organs. New ones are being grown and grafted.”

  I gave a little shudder. It was horrible, but I now wished we’d had the foresight to do the same. If we’d done so, my father would not be on the edge of death now.

  “My father is in a similar state,” I said. “There have been attacks on other Houses as well. I’ve been studying the news feeds. All over the world, Servants are being assassinated.”

  “It’s the rock rats,” Chloe said with vehemence. “We should never ship them seeds again. Let them die out there when their hydroponics give out.”

  “I’m not so sure the miners are the source of the problem,” I said. I proceeded to explain about the Stroj. Now and then, Zye threw in details, even though she couldn’t see or hear Chloe. She was learning.

  Throughout the explanation, Chloe became increasingly apprehensive.

  “Come see me,” she said at last. “I’ll let you in. Tonight, no one can stop us.”

  I thought about that, and I realized she was right.

  “All right,” I said. “We’re on our way.”

  I closed the channel and directed the driver to House Astra. He said nothing, but merely veered onto the appropriate course.

  Looking at the back of his head, I thought I noticed a familiar cant to it. The way his hair shone—it was almost a glossy black.

  “Miles? Miles Tannish?” I asked. “Is that you?”

  “It is indeed, sir,” he said.

  “Why are you playing the part of a chauffeur?”

  He shrugged. “You’re the Servant now, sir. You must be protected—whether you like it or not.”

  I nodded and sat back in the plush seats, defeated.

  “Where are we going?” Zye asked suspiciously.

  “To the House of a friend,” I said.

  “Chloe Astra?”

  “Yes. She needs comforting.”

  Zye glowered, but she didn’t ask any more about my goals. She probably knew what they were.

  When the mountaintop mansion came into view below us, I reflected that being in charge of one’s own destiny now and then was a pleasant thing.

  -41-

  House Astra appeared in the dark forest under our air car. We landed, and I found myself greeted in an utterly different manner than I had been the first time I’d arrived here.

  Instead of a group of servants attempting to direct us to the tradesman’s entrance at the back of the building, we were greeted by an anxious squadron of people in uniform. They wore the livery of House Astra, blue on black, and many of them were security agents.

  This time, rather than attempting to assault me, they flanked Zye and me and led the way to the front entrance. We mounted the laser-carved steps in grand style.

  The doors swung open silently to allow us entry. There, off to one side, stood the same elderly doorman who’d greeted me previously in a dismissive manner. Tonight was very different.

  “This way, Servant Sparhawk,” he said, bowing low.

  I was surprised his back didn’t creak when he leaned forward so far, but obviously he’d partaken of treatments to keep his flexibility despite his age. We followed the man into the grand foyer and then into the parlors beyond.

  He paused at a large locker. “Please leave your pistols here.”

  Reluctantly, Zye and I put our primary weapons into the locker. I felt fortunate to still be able to carry a blade in House Astra. Many people considered any kind of sword or knife to be harmless—but they were wrong.

  In the next parlor, Chloe greeted me in person. She was smiling broadly, and I couldn’t help but return the expression. Zye looked on, as if studying a mysterious ritual—one that she definitely didn’t approve of.

  Chloe turned to Zye and gave her a courteous nod, of which Zye made no acknowledgement.

  “I know you two met at the dinner,” I said, clearing my throat. “But I don’t think you were able to become acquainted. Lady Astra, this is Zye, my crewman and confidant.”

  “I’m in your debt, Zye,” Chloe said. “All of House Astra owes you our thanks. We’ve reviewed every recording. You may have saved the life of my mother, and anyone else that might have been injured if that Stroj creature had survived a moment longer.”

  “Yes,” Zye said. “Your analysis is correct. The Stroj are at their most dangerous in their final moments when they deem their primary task to be complete.”

  I frowned at that, not fully understanding her meaning. But I was too fascinated by Chloe to ponder it further. I felt as if our evening had been rudely interrupted hours ago, and I wished to pick up where we’d left off.

  “Chloe, perhaps you can show us to our quarters for the night,” I suggested.

  “You’ll be staying?”

  “I think so. Zye is sure to be fatigued after her long day.”

  Zye looked at me, startled, but she didn’t object. Chloe smoothly led us upstairs to show us where we could spend the night. She first stopped at a suite fit for a queen.

  “Here’s what I have for you, Zye. I hope it will be acceptable.”

  Zye ran her eyes over the vast, sumptuous room in bewilderment. “I’ll be lost in here. Where’s the bed?”

  Uttering the word “bed” caused a couch to transform itself into a sleeping platform. Sheets rustled as they unfurled themselves. In a few moments, they were spread perfectly—wrinkle-free and taut.

  “Will this do?” Chloe asked.

  Zye looked at us. We were standing out in the hallway. Zye was in the room. She frowned.

  “Are you sure you’ll be all right?” she asked me.

  “Yes, of course. Don’t worry. You can retire for the evening. Food will be brought up. There are a dozen genetically bred security agents between us and any threat.”

  Reluctantly, Zye retreated and closed the door. The last thing I saw as the door closed was her watchful, suspicious left eye.

  Chloe made a face the second the thick door shut. She beckoned me to follow. Her manner had changed immediately to a playful one.

  I followed, smiling.

  “Is she always like that?” Chloe asked.

  “Protective? Yes.”

  “It’s like having a hulking agent following you around. A female one—but you probably like that, don’t you?”

  Bemused by her attitude, I didn’t answer. She led me to another room on the next floor up. This one was even more sumptuous than the one she’d put Zye into. I looked around, impressed. The chamber was done in gentle umber, a purple so deep that it resembled shadows in a forest.

  There were sky vanes overhead, showing the heavens. It was impossible to tell if the scene depicted was real or not, such was the resolution of the effect.

  “Is that the actual sky?” I asked.

  “Of course not,” she said, amused. “It would rain right into our faces at night!”

  That was the moment when I realized what was going on. This wasn’t another guest room. It was Chloe’s personal room.

  I looked at her in surprise. “Where am I to sleep?” I asked.

  She moved closer to me and looked into my eyes. “Where do you wish to sleep?”

  That was enough teasing for me. I took her in my arms. She melted, and I realized that I hadn’t wanted anything more than this—not since I’d first laid eyes upon her.

  I did my best to play the part of the gentleman, but it was difficult. I’d not been with many women. My work in the Guard took me off-world for months at a time. Relationships with female members of my crew were either frowned upon or outright forbidden, depending on their rank
.

  On Earth, I’d met and enjoyed the company of several women, but they’d never managed to wait for me to return from space. By the time I came home and looked them up again, they’d always moved on.

  Chloe was different on so many levels. She was my peer—literally. For this single night, under the perfect projection of a thousand stars, we were able to make love as two adults. Technically, we were two recently-elevated officers of government. No one could tell us we were making a mistake, or causing a political problem. Our lives were our own.

  We ate food brought up by servants and bathed ourselves in scented waters. We were able to abandon our worries for a time, feeling it was likely our parents would recover. Nano surgery could do amazing things. We trusted our doctors, they were the best Earth had to offer.

  When our parents regained their strength, however, we expected they would retake the reins of power from our youthful hands. Knowing that didn’t make my time with Chloe any less savory, but it did make matters seem more urgent.

  We made love repeatedly, gently at first, then wantonly as dawn approached. I slept in fits, but I didn’t seem to feel tired when the sunrise pinked the skies outside.

  A thumping sound came at our door as we lounged and yawned awake in the mid-morning sun.

  Chloe got up, wrapping a sheet around herself. It snaked up over her shoulders, so she didn’t have to hold it there. Before she could open the door, the thumping came again, louder this time.

  Concerned, I got up and put my hands on her shoulders. She looked up at me worriedly.

  “Does that sound like one of your servants?” I asked.

  She shook her head. Her eyes were big, but they weren’t yet frightened.

  I drew my saber and stepped to the door. She watched in concern, but she didn’t protest. So much had happened lately that hadn’t seemed possible. We could no longer sneer at the idea of taking precautions.

  Opening the door a crack, I saw it was none other than my driver, Miles Tannish. I lowered my blade.

  “Servant Sparhawk, sir?” he asked. “Will you be needing my services any longer? I spent half the night in the car…”

  His eyes angled past mine, toward the Lady Astra, who stepped quickly away and out of his sight. I saw his tongue flash out as if to lick his lips, but then he let it retreat.