Dark Star Rising

by Bennett R. Coles

  “Amelia,” she heard Bella say quietly, “these will not fit us.”

  She turned, slipping her suit’s sleeves over her arms. Sam and Bella hunkered behind her, their long, reptilian forms stretched out across the benches. The Human-shaped spacesuits wouldn’t even fit their legs, let alone their tails.

  Another rocket streaked past. The boat shook violently, and Amelia suddenly heard a faint, awful hiss. She scanned the hull, looking for a crack leaking air.

  “There,” Sam growled, stabbing his nose at a line of bolts along the starboard gunnel. “The seal is breaking.”

  Amelia grabbed a sealant pack and sprayed the whole area.

  Sam leaned close, nostrils flaring. “It is still leaking.”

  Amelia looked up at the Theropods. Their breath was already becoming more shallow, and she could see a new paleness in their skin.

  This was not the way any of them deserved to go down.

  “Start randomly altering course,” she screamed at Hunter. “But get us to Daring!”

  The ship’s boat was clearly visible, on a steady course to intercept Daring. The first rocket lanced forward, a bullet-straight trail of smoke behind it. It raced past the boat, so close that its smoke trail fluttered as the boat surged through it.

  “Open fire on those rockets!” Liam commanded.

  “But sir,” Brown said, turning, “they’re not aiming at us.”

  “They’re targeting our boat!” he roared, striding forward. “Shoot them down!”

  Another rocket launched. Daring’s forward self-defense battery opened fire, but the beam flashed above the leading edge of the smoke. A second shot corrected the aim, and the rocket exploded short of its target. Another rocket fired, and two attempts later it was sliced apart by the beams.

  “We’re not designed to hit crossing targets,” Brown hissed at him. “I can’t guarantee the boat’s safety.”

  Three rockets fired together, and all four of Daring’s turrets slashed across the open space. One rocket went down. Then the second after two tries. The third finally exploded, close enough to the boat that Liam saw it rock.

  “Those pirate bastards,” Butcher growled. “That boat is no threat to them.”

  “Captain,” Liam said, heart in his throat as he turned to face Riverton. “The pirates are firing upon an unarmed boat conducting innocent passage. That is a capital offense—overt Navy retaliation is now justified!”

  Riverton glanced around at the busy orbital space lanes, then back at the boat desperately weaving toward them.

  “Sublieutenant Brown,” she commanded, “target the nearest pirate ship with missile, salvo size one.”

  “Weapon ready!” Brown replied immediately.

  “Fire.”

  A dazzling burst of light charged forth from Daring, curving in flight to zero in on its target. The missile impacted two-thirds of the way down the pirate hull, tearing through the unarmored surface and exploding deep within the ship. The stern disintegrated in a rush of fire and escaping air, and the massive hull broke apart as it began to spin out of control.

  “Get that boat docked,” Liam snapped at Templegrey.

  “They’re hooking on now,” she replied.

  “Extend the starboard mast,” Riverton ordered. “Execute your planned course to get us clear.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Templegrey’s fingers danced over the console.

  Liam wanted nothing more than to rush down to the boat airlock, but he knew his place was still on the bridge and he stayed put. The view outside slowly shifted as Daring heaved to port and began to climb for stronger winds. The space ahead looked clear of ships, and Brown reported that the other two pirates were not pursuing.

  “It seems one missile sent message enough, XO,” Riverton commented. “We’ll be left alone to depart, and there were minimal casualties.”

  Liam nodded. His motivation no longer had any attachment to the Navy’s or the Emperor’s reputation. Dark Star’s people had fired on a defenseless boat. A boat carrying Amelia. They were going to pay.

  It was another agonizing twenty minutes before Daring cleared orbit and Brown confirmed that there were no pursuers. Riverton gave the order to secure from battle stations, stepping down from her chair and approaching Liam, who stood restlessly next to Templegrey as she went through the process of standing down the ship and crew.

  “Sublieutenant Templegrey,” Riverton said, “you’re out of dress.”

  The doctor glanced down at her untucked shirt flapping beneath the officer of the watch belt and brushed her long hair out of her face.

  “I apologize, Captain,” she said stiffly. “The summons from my cabin was very sudden, and I sensed that the need was urgent. I hadn’t expected—”

  Riverton raised a hand for silence. Her cold eyes bore into the young woman for another moment, then glanced at Liam. He wasn’t sure if she was watching him for a reaction or wanted him to speak. He chose the latter.

  “Sublieutenant Templegrey performed well,” he said. “Her idea to head for the shallows made pursuit more difficult, and it reduced the exposure of our boat.”

  “Sublieutenant Brown,” Riverton called, “take the watch, if you please.”

  Brown hurried over, confirming the ship’s status with Templegrey before receiving the sword and pistol.

  “Sublieutenant Templegrey,” the captain continued, “get yourself sorted and report to my cabin in fifteen minutes. Subcommander Blackwood, you will attend.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “But first,” she said with a touch of warmth, “check on the recovered boat and its crew.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Relief flooded through him as he fled the bridge, sliding down the ladders to reach the boat airlocks. The passageways were filled with sailors securing equipment from the battle, but they all cleared a path for the executive officer. He knew he should slow down, take the odd moment to check on his crew, and project an image of steady command. But he just couldn’t, not this time.

  He descended the last ladder and jogged aft, hauling open the airtight door and stepping through into the boat area. Both Theropods were there, he noted, lowered into horizontal stances and their long necks down nearly at deck level as they watched intently through the airlock.

  “Where’s Amelia?” Liam shouted.

  The Theropod heads snapped up as one.

  “She is in the boat,” Sam replied. “Trying to fix a broken seal.”

  “We must remain here,” Bella added, “because we don’t have spacesuits.”

  They both moved aside as Liam reached the airlock. He looked down through the open hatch.

  “Petty Officer Virtue,” he called.

  “Yeah?” came a muffled reply.

  “Come aboard, please.”

  “We’re just finishing up this patch job.”

  “Hunter can do it, I’m sure.”

  Through the airlock he could see the shuffle of bodies in emergency suits, then Amelia’s face appeared. She was frowning, but as her eyes met his, her expression lit up. She clambered up through the airlock and he helped her to her feet.

  She glanced around at the passageway, empty but for them and the Theropods. “Boat recovered, sir. Some minor damage that we’re just patching now.”

  He reached inside her helmet and gently placed a hand on the back of her head, leaning in to kiss her. She pressed her lips against his and wrapped an arm around him. When she finally pulled back, Liam actually blinked away tears.

  “Very good,” he managed to say.

  She smiled up at him, watching him with that happy amusement that so often colored her features.

  “We’re all okay,” she said finally.

  “Yeah,” he breathed, fighting down his own emotions. “I guess that one shook me a bit—pirates firing on an unarmed vessel.”

  “So if we’d been able to fire back”—she grinned—“you’d be okay with it?”

  “I’d be better with it,” he said wi
th a laugh.

  She kissed him again, then stepped back and extended her arms toward the Theropods.

  “I’d like to take Sam and Bella to sickbay, to ensure there are no ill effects from the loss of oxygen.”

  “Of course.” He bowed slightly to each of them. “Welcome aboard. You have our gratitude for your brave and unnecessary action. Again.”

  “We are building quite a list of places we can never go back to,” Sam said.

  Was that a joke? Liam wondered. He’d never heard of Theropod humor. There was obviously a lot they all still had to learn about these two remarkable brutes.

  “You are always welcome here,” he said.

  “Thank you, my lord,” Bella said.

  Hunter pulled himself up through the airlock, knuckling his forehead to Liam.

  “Boat’s in good shape, sir,” he said. “Ready for the next outing.”

  “Very good, Able Rating.” Liam took a deep breath and cast an approving glance at them all. “Well done, all round. We’ve secured from battle stations, so you’re free to return to your duties.”

  He turned forward and Amelia fell in step beside him. The Theropods padded along behind while Hunter secured the boat airlock.

  “Get one of the medics to help you,” he said. “I think the doctor will be busy for the next little while.”

  “Is she still confined to her cabin?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  He left them behind on Two Deck and continued up to the quarterdeck. Striding aft he immediately spotted Templegrey, impeccably turned out in full dress uniform, pacing outside the captain’s cabin.

  She noticed his approach and stiffened to attention, saluting smartly. “XO, sir.”

  He returned the salute, despite his civilian attire, and offered her a smile.

  “You did very well today,” he said.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  She stepped aside as he knocked on the captain’s door. At Riverton’s call he entered her cabin, shutting the door behind him.

  The captain’s civilian clothes had disappeared and she stood on the far side of the table in her own dress uniform. Glancing down at his shore outfit, Liam suddenly felt remarkably underdressed.

  “I apologize, Captain,” he said immediately. “I’ll go and make myself presentable.”

  “Did I hear Templegrey outside?”

  “Yes, ma’am. She’s in appropriate attire.”

  “Then never mind your own uniform, XO. Let’s get this over with.”

  He nodded, opening the door and gesturing Templegrey in. She stepped over the sill and moved to stand at attention. Liam shut the door and stood beside her. She saluted Riverton, but otherwise remained as still as a cadet on the parade square.

  The captain gave her a long look up and down.

  “Your appearance is once again befitting an officer in His Majesty’s Navy.”

  There was a long silence. Liam watched Templegrey’s lips shudder, desperate to speak but knowing her place. She kept her eyes straight ahead.

  “I made some inquiries,” Riverton continued. “Silverhawk did indeed foreclose on the Templegrey summer home, shortly after we last visited Windfall. But it wasn’t enough to clear their debts. It seems house Silverhawk has been the banker for house Templegrey for several years, and recently issued a new loan at extortionate interest rates.”

  “Isn’t that illegal, ma’am?” Liam asked.

  “No, but highly unethical. As we suspected Silverhawk himself has amassed gambling debts and apparently took the role of the family’s financial enforcer to pay them off. In this new role he has had considerable latitude to quietly make . . . ethically uncertain changes to a number of loans his family held. And he was pocketing the extra revenue. The Brightlakes were the first to be targeted, and now it seems the Templegreys are next.”

  Templegrey’s cheeks were flushed, her mouth a tight line, but she remained motionless.

  “So, this sublieutenant was telling us the truth,” Riverton concluded. “She was being blackmailed by Silverhawk.”

  A soft sigh of relief sounded next to Liam.

  “But that doesn’t change the fact,” Riverton snapped, “that she betrayed our trust and compromised our mission for the Emperor. An officer of questionable loyalty is a useless officer, and there is no room in my ship for any person who puts their own welfare above that of this crew.”

  She stepped around the table, towering over Templegrey.

  “Is it time, Lady Ava, to end this amusing game of playing sailor and return to your courtly intrigues?”

  “I have no wish to retire my commission, ma’am,” Templegrey whispered, “nor do I consider this a game. Serving as an officer in His Majesty’s Navy is the highest calling I aspire to, and I hope for a long and loyal career.”

  “So far, your career is neither of those things. Subcommander Blackwood has often remarked privately to me that you are different from so many noble officers who are all show and no substance. I had some hope for you, but it seems that your intrigues take precedence over your duty.”

  “What else could I do?” Templegrey forced through clenched teeth. “My family was going to be ruined.”

  “You could have told us. You could have let us help you.”

  Templegrey blinked, her face a hard mask.

  “We have two aliens on board,” Riverton added, “who have demonstrated more loyalty than you.”

  Templegrey closed her eyes, fighting to keep her breath steady.

  “I have no further excuse to offer for my actions,” she said finally. “All I can do is swear my loyalty to you, Commander Riverton, and to this ship. And beg for your forgiveness.”

  Riverton’s hand was so quick, the first Liam knew of it was the sound of it slapping across Templegrey’s face.

  “We will drop you in our next port, Lady Ava,” she declared, “and you can find your way home.”

  The sublieutenant took the blow without reaction, lifting her chin again and staring forward.

  “I swear my loyalty to you, Commander Riverton,” she repeated. “And I beg your forgiveness.”

  The captain stepped back, a glimmer of surprise dancing across her features. She glanced questioningly at Liam.

  It was never possible to read an aristocrat’s true thoughts in one as well-trained as Templegrey. But Liam had spent enough time with her to recognize the fire of determination burning deep in her eyes. This was no game to her. She wanted to stay and was willing to endure whatever was forthcoming. If she really was a foppish noble, she would have taken the offer to leave.

  “What good are such words,” Riverton said dangerously, “from an officer proven to be a liar?”

  “I can only ask,” Templegrey said, “that you look at my entire record in your service. I’ve performed any duty you’ve given me, to the very best of my ability.”

  “And what if now I place you on cleaning duty in the galley and the crew’s heads?”

  “Then I will surrender my pride and do it willingly.”

  “And what if I assign you to the boarding party?”

  “Then I will risk my life for you, Commander Riverton. And sacrifice it if necessary.”

  Riverton continued to stare down at her, but Liam could see the conflict churning in the captain’s eyes. Foppish noble officers would never subject themselves to such indignity or danger, especially when a path to freedom had already been shoved at them. A fop would pack her things, leave the ship, and head home, convincing herself of the ridiculousness of the whole Navy.

  But here Templegrey stood, willingly. And she really was a valuable officer, he knew.

  Deep down, Riverton knew this as well as he did, he realized. She glanced at him.

  He nodded his assent.

  “Against my better judgment,” Riverton said finally, “I accept your oath of loyalty. And I may one day even find it in my heart to forgive you.”

  Templegrey let out a short breath. She blinked several times.

&nb
sp; “Subcommander Blackwood, amend the watch rotation to include Sublieutenant Templegrey. I want her on the bridge for the first watch. And schedule her for galley and heads cleaning stations.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied.

  “You are restored to duty, Sublieutenant. But know this: if I detect any further disloyalty from you, I will consider it mutiny. And I will shoot you myself.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Templegrey whispered. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Dismissed.”

  Templegrey saluted and fled the cabin.

  Liam didn’t move for a long moment, afraid to do anything that might draw his captain’s attention. But she hadn’t forgotten him, and her icy glare moved to pin him to the bulkhead.

  “We’d better be right about this.”

  “Yes, ma’am. We are.”

  “Then let’s use our new freedom from that wretched Silverhawk,” she said, rounding the table as she unbuttoned her coat. “We’ve got just over two weeks to decapitate this threat.”

  “Do you think maybe we just did?” Liam frowned thoughtfully. “Did Sam and Bella kill Dark Star?”

  “I wish it were so,” she sighed. “But no.”

  She motioned for him to sit down.

  “Something else about Silverhawk’s financial dealings came up,” she said, “but I didn’t feel the need to share it with our little ladyship. He’s been receiving payment from an unknown source.”

  “Oh?”

  “His gambling debts were apparently enormous. But right after the Brightlake seizure, fully half of them were forgiven.”

  “Perhaps he paid them off with his take from the foreclosure.”

  “No. I’ve tracked down every penny that he took from that estate. This debt was simply forgiven—written off by his creditor.”

  “Who is his creditor?”

  “A gambling kingpin on Honoria, with tentacles stretching as far as Silica. And when Silverhawk foreclosed the Templegrey summer home, another small batch of his gambling debts were forgiven.” She offered him a handwritten letter. “This was one of the papers you liberated from Silverhawk.”

  He read the letter, noting the clear instructions to forgive Silverhawk’s debt if he carried out his foreclosure. At the bottom, where normally there would be a signature, was a stylized black cross.