Dark Star Rising

by Bennett R. Coles

  “But maybe you don’t know the potential of the nobility.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but some of them are good, too.”

  “Liam is an exception, I think. And as he commands this ship he no doubt sets the tone for his officers.”

  “Liam isn’t the captain.” Amelia was strangely pleased at the surprise on Dark Star’s face. “But our captain is an amazing woman who forged an alliance with the Sectoids, extended friendship to the Theropods, and even earned the respect of the Aquans.”

  Dark Star’s eyebrow arched in interest.

  “Many of the nobles are self-absorbed, idle, malicious toffs,” Amelia added. “But not all of them.”

  Dark Star nodded, shifting her wrists against the manacles.

  “Why are you even telling me this, Amelia? To gloat as you see my vision die?”

  “No.” Amelia kept the pistol steady, even as her thoughts raced. What was she trying to say? “I guess . . . I admire your vision, but I disagree with your methods. Building a criminal empire is worse than building an overt empire, and replacing the Emperor with yourself, no matter how noble your intentions, is no better.”

  “As I said, all a means to an end.”

  “The right end, but the wrong means. Surely there’s another way to bring change.”

  “Not from within,” Dark Star said sadly. “Those in power will never surrender it willingly. Do you think I haven’t spent years trying to think of a better solution?”

  “Maybe you need to keep thinking.”

  “What for?” Dark Star looked back at the ladder, and the sound of fighting. “Because unless my people break through—and you don’t shoot me—my movement dies today. Liam said that my network will be exposed, and all my people hunted down.”

  “It’s true. The Emperor will want no chance of one of your lieutenants just taking over. Even if you’re rescued today, it’s only a matter of time before you’re hunted down again.”

  “And now,” she said, shaking her head in defeat, “my true identity is known. Oh, what a spectacle it will be, the disgraced Lady Zara Brightlake paraded in chains before the Imperial court.”

  “But surely you could still make a difference, plead your case for change in the court?”

  Her laugh was vicious. “You’ve never been to the Imperial court, have you? I won’t even be allowed to speak. I’ll be allowed to scream when they torture me, I suppose, but I don’t intend to give them that satisfaction.”

  It was such a waste of a remarkable person, Amelia knew. A person with a vision and the proven means to rally people to her cause. But she could never escape her past. Even if she and Liam were to keep her noble heritage a secret, she was still a criminal overlord who was number one on the Emperor’s execution table.

  The sounds of battle eased, and Amelia could hear Hedge’s taunts as her foes fled.

  “Is there anything I can do to help you?” she asked, gesturing to her bandage. “As thanks for saving my life?”

  “I’d be grateful if you just put a bullet in my head,” Dark Star replied. “It would be a kindness.”

  Amelia didn’t know if it was the medicine Song had pumped into her, but her mind was amazingly clear. And suddenly she could see a path out of this sadness. But she didn’t dare. Unless . . .

  “Do you still love Liam?” Amelia suddenly asked.

  Dark Star’s eyes flicked down to the pistol still pointed at her. But her expression became serene.

  “Yes. But I know it’s just a dream. And I think he knows it, too. You have nothing to fear from me.”

  “My fear is that Liam would end up on your next noble hit list. Spurned lover and all that.”

  “Stars, no!” she exclaimed. “I would never want that. He’s one of the good ones, as you say.”

  “So if your people were to rescue you, Liam would be safe?”

  “On . . .” She grasped for words. “On whatever is left that is sacred, I swear I would never harm Liam. Or you, Amelia. You’re much too valuable a person, and I can see how much Liam loves you.”

  “Likewise,” Amelia said. “But this isn’t about him. This is about our people. And what you can do for our future.”

  Dark Star stared at her strangely. Amelia stepped forward.

  “Lift your hands,” she said, raising the pistol. “As best you can.”

  Dark Star winced as she lifted her manacled hands a few inches away from her back. Amelia placed the barrel of her gun next to the chain and fired.

  The metal snapped, and Dark Star hissed a most unladylike curse as the bullet sliced across the edge of her buttock. A thin line of blood tricked along the gash in her trousers.

  Amelia stepped back and gestured toward the boat airlock with her pistol.

  “Do you know how to drive a boat, Zara?”

  “Yes.” Confusion furrowed her porcelain features.

  “Then open that airlock and climb through. I can’t guarantee you won’t get blown up trying to escape, but I’ll make sure you have a head start.”

  Zara took a slow step toward the airlock. Then, when she realized Amelia wasn’t going to stop her, dashed for the hatch and began unwinding the lock. She glanced up once.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “Because you have a vision, and you have the means within you to rally people behind you. But not as a pirate queen—come up with another way. Forget vengeance, forget revolution. Always remember: Who suffers most in a war? The common folk. Don’t make us die for your vision. Win hearts and minds, build a movement, and be the change.”

  “I can do that,” she said, with sudden fire in her eyes.

  “I know.”

  “Come with me.”

  Amelia started, surprised mostly at just how tempted she was by the offer. But she smiled.

  “No, I have too much here, and a life waiting for me back home. But you have a clean slate—again—and the freedom to act. Use it.”

  The airlock hatch popped open, and Zara eased her way through. She looked up one more time, locking eyes with Amelia.

  “Thank you.”

  The airlock door slammed shut. Amelia waited until she saw the boat disengage from the hull, then fired her pistol twice at the bulkhead. Then she ran for the ladder, and the sounds of battle.

  If there was one thing Dr. Templegrey was very good at, it was not fussing over her patients. But Amelia really didn’t mind when a delicate hand suddenly reached out to steady her mug as she took it from Bella.

  “Just be careful,” Templegrey said with a smile, helping Amelia grip the mug. “Your muscles don’t always react like you think they will after they’ve been punctured by a blade.”

  “I know,” Amelia said, switching the mug to her other hand. “When does it stop aching?”

  “Probably about a week,” Templegrey said, leading the way over to the table. She pulled out the chair next to Brown and offered it to Amelia, who gratefully sat down.

  The table was covered in charts and bundles of parchments, and Amelia just kept hold of her coffee for lack of space to set it down. Templegrey sat down across from her, between Sky and Butcher. Liam was in his usual seat at the head of the table, and Riverton sat at the opposite end. The captain’s expression was as cold as ever, but Amelia was pretty sure she could see a spark of satisfaction in those dark eyes.

  What gave Amelia the most satisfaction was that no one seemed to mind discussing sensitive information with a Theropod in the room. Bella stayed back along the forward bulkhead with the drinks, but the room just wasn’t that big, and no attempt to hide the charts or speak in whispers was made. The gesture said more than any praise or medals could.

  “I received an update from Rear Admiral Grandview,” Riverton said without preamble. “He’s ordered three squadrons to the Iron Swarm and another to Silica. Word has come that the Emperor himself is mobilizing the other admirals to hunt down every last ship and outpost on the lists we captured. The criminal network of Dark Star is broken.” />
  “Good news, ma’am,” Chief Butcher replied. “But it’s not going to wipe out crime in the Empire.”

  “No, but the threat to the Empire is vanquished.”

  Butcher nodded.

  “Let’s hope Dark Star died of her wounds,” Brown interjected. “I’d hate to see her rally her forces.”

  “I was there,” Amelia said quietly. “I’m sure Dark Star died before that boat crash-landed.”

  “You shouldn’t have been left alone in your weakened state,” the sublieutenant said sympathetically.

  “It was my call to send Hedge back to the brow. Holding our own ship’s defense was top priority.” She’d heard Liam say similar things enough times to justify difficult orders in battle, and it appeared to work. Brown nodded solemnly.

  “It was the right call,” Sky added, looking at Amelia in approval. “We were stretched too thin already, and holding the brow is everything. If we’d lost that, our escape route was cut off.”

  “Petty Officer Virtue acted correctly,” Riverton concluded. “And you say you wounded Dark Star as she fled?”

  “I saw her blood from my shot,” Amelia said carefully. “I’m certain that Dark Star is dead. We just don’t have a body to parade before the Imperial court.”

  “Which is fine,” Liam added.

  Everyone seemed to believe her official story, of Dark Star attacking her and knocking her back before trying to flee. And of her heroically shooting the villain but unable to stop her escape with the boat. The trust within this crew was impressive, and Amelia had already buried the shame of her betrayal deep, deep down. Sometimes, there was an even higher calling than loyalty.

  “We’ll leave the mop up of Labyrinthia to Lord Grandview’s people,” Riverton said, “and head back to more civilized space for repair and replenishment. XO, would you care to command Freedom for the voyage home?”

  Dark Star’s beautiful ship was the largest piece of loot captured in the battle, and it was the only one unable to be stored in Daring’s holds. Amelia wasn’t used to them keeping captured ships, but with Daring’s identity now compromised, and the war against Dark Star over, there was no reason to hide anymore. And Freedom needed a skeleton crew to bring her home.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Liam replied, gesturing broadly at the table of charts and papers, “but I actually have a great deal of coordination to conduct with Admiral Grandview as we hunt down the remaining criminal elements. Might I recommend that Sublieutenant Brown have her first taste of command?”

  Amelia glanced to her left, watching Brown’s eyes widen in surprise. Beyond, Riverton’s gaze moved toward the sublieutenant.

  “Very well,” the captain said, ignoring the grin of delight that broke out across Brown’s face. Instead her eyes moved to the other side of the table. “And I think she should be assisted by Sublieutenant Templegrey. They’ve proven themselves to be a fine team.”

  Templegrey’s courtly training wasn’t quite good enough to hide her surprise, and she lowered her head in a slight bow. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Brown echoed.

  “Well done, everyone,” Riverton said, rising to her feet. Amelia scrambled with the others to rise. “I’m honored to serve with such an excellent and loyal crew.”

  Riverton’s gaze swept around the table, passing Amelia just as the captain said “loyal.” Amelia felt herself flush, but she remained still and silent. Dark Star was dead, she reminded herself, even if Zara still lived. And that was one secret not even Liam needed to know about.

  Chapter 17

  Liam stared at the new ship on Lord Grandview’s desk. Etched in crystal it stood proudly on its pedestal, all four masts extended and sails billowing in an impossibly perfect stern wind. A single line of cannon dotted the first deck, and blocky cargo holds extended beneath, along its stubby hull. As the sunlight streamed in through the office windows the ship seemed to glow, and Liam admitted to himself that it was a truly beautiful sight.

  “I can’t believe he actually had one made,” Riverton commented at his side. “I really should just take it—it’s my ship, after all.”

  The model of HMSS Daring now held pride of place in the elegant room, which was already crowded with trophies and memorabilia of Lord Grandview’s prestigious career. Here on Liam’s home planet of Passagia, the admiral was becoming a bit of a living legend.

  “I understand Lord Grandview is to be honored by the Emperor himself,” Liam said. “Perhaps even with a visit to Passagia.”

  “The Imperial court coming here?” Riverton gave him a look of sympathy. “I hope there’s room on the planet.”

  “I don’t intend to be here, ma’am. The admiral is welcome to the limelight.”

  “Good instincts, Mr. Blackwood.” She glanced over her shoulder at the rising sound of voices approaching. “I think we should both disappear for a while.”

  Rear Admiral Grandview burst into the room, his entourage of officers pausing at the threshold.

  “Ah!” he declared with a smile. “I see you’ve discovered the most recent addition to my crystal fleet.”

  “A beautiful likeness, sir,” Riverton said mildly. She followed Grandview’s gesture to take a seat, and Liam was only steps behind her.

  “We’re honestly still cataloguing the extent of the prize money,” Grandview said, waving back vaguely toward his staff, “but I intend to have the first installment issued to your crew by the end of tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, sir. They’ve been patient but are eager.”

  “As are we all,” he said with a sparkle in his eye. “The Emperor sends his personal gratitude to you, and he considers this mission complete. This strange threat to the Empire was most unsettling to His Majesty, and he is relieved to know that we have dealt with it. His only regret is not having Dark Star in person to make an example of.”

  “Such is the chaos of battle, sir,” Liam said quickly. “We attempted capture but were forced to shoot her as she fled.”

  “Just knowing she’s dead is good enough for His Majesty,” Grandview replied. He eyed Liam thoughtfully. “I confess a personal curiosity, though. You met Dark Star in person, Liam. Who was she? What was she like?”

  Liam stalled by making a show of thinking. He glanced at Riverton for guidance. The captain knew the full truth about Lady Zara Brightlake but he felt no need for this knowledge to go any farther.

  “From what Subcommander Blackwood tells me,” Riverton offered blandly, “she was nothing more than a common criminal.”

  “She was intelligent,” he added, “and held her network together with an iron grip. But so do many kingpins of the underworld. She was ultimately just a common blaggard who had reached farther than most. No one of note, sir.”

  “Hmm. Let’s hope our current sweep of that underworld discourages anyone else from attempting to imitate her.”

  “I agree wholeheartedly, sir.”

  “I hear that the Emperor is so grateful,” Riverton interjected, “that he may be paying Passagia a visit to honor you, sir.”

  “Idle talk,” Grandview said dismissively, although the renewed sparkle in his eyes suggested otherwise. “It would indeed be an honor, but also a great responsibility.”

  “I’m happy for your world, sir. But I may have returned to my own by then.”

  “And I’m sure you’ll be taking your executive officer with you?”

  “If he wishes to accompany me, and if His Majesty has new need of us.”

  Her reply hung in the office for a moment, and Liam felt a knot of tension growing in his gut. Daring had accomplished the mission she’d been charged with, and it was unclear if her letter of marque was still considered active. In all the excitement and work of cataloguing the latest prize, there had been little time to consider the future.

  And, Liam suddenly realized, there was no small desire in his heart. Daring might be an old, dusty frigate with an unconventional layout, but she had a heart of oak. And Sophia Riverton migh
t be an aloof, enigmatic noblewoman who lacked the common touch, but she was a commander he would follow to the Abyss and back. He didn’t want this to end, and Grandview’s silence was painful.

  “That matter of Captain Silverhawk’s interference,” Grandview said finally, “was a damned nuisance. Had he not met that tragic, accidental end on Morassia, I fear he might have compromised this entire mission.”

  “I have no doubt of that, sir,” Riverton replied coldly. “But my hands were tied. I had no authority to stop him.”

  “Quite.” Grandview glanced toward the officers mingling at the door and leaned in, lowering his voice. “And between us, incompetent fops being promoted beyond their ability might yet prove to be our defeat if ever the Sectoids turn on us, or the Theropods get organized. Did you know that once Silverhawk’s estate was being sorted, it was discovered that he had huge gambling debts?”

  “Really?” Riverton breathed incredulously.

  “He was quite unsavory beneath all that finery, and his family is making great pains to distance themselves from his scheming. I understand the Imperial court is investigating some unusual financial pressure he was placing on other noble houses.”

  “Good to hear His Majesty has no time for such skullduggery,” Liam added.

  “If only we could convince His Majesty to clean up the Navy.” Grandview shook his head. “At least promotion to the admiralty is truly based on merit, even in the Hub. But there are too many idiot captains on half pay causing trouble, and they can get in the way of real operations.”

  “I agree, sir.”

  Grandview suddenly stood, snapping his fingers toward the doorway. As Liam rose to his feet next to Riverton, he saw an officer enter with three scrolls. Grandview took them, and Liam noted the Imperial seal on them.

  “The Emperor has a new mission for Daring, and he would like her current command team to undertake it. But he is most annoyed at the interference you’ve encountered, and he accepted my suggestion to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.” He handed one of the scrolls to Riverton. “Congratulations, Captain Riverton.”

  She took the rolled paper in silence.