by S. E. Smith
“I have a promising lead on the location of another pod and one of the Ancient Knights. Once we have one in our hands and can prove that the legend is a myth, then we will have won, brother,” Coleridge shared.
“You’d better be right, Coleridge,” Andri snapped. “I have worked too long to fail now.”
“You will not fail, Andri. The Ancient Knights are a myth. Once that is exposed, the rebellion and the last of the Knights of the Gallant will become just another myth as well,” Coleridge assured his half-brother before he ended the communications.
Sitting back in his seat aboard the Battle Cruiser, he thought about his destination. He’d had one brief marriage to a young and very beautiful woman who he met during a diplomatic visit to the Jeslean capitol. Their courtship had been swift. It was not until after their marriage and the imminent birth of Roan that Nia decided that she would like to return to her home world to give birth and visit her family.
At the time, Andri was just beginning his rise to power within the Order of the Gallant Council. Coleridge would be the first to admit that he had been jealous and possessive of Nia. He had not questioned her visits home at first, but her stays grew longer as Andri and he began to put their ambitious plans into action.
After the birth of Roan and the first of the mysterious deaths of the Knights of the Gallant Order and their families began, Nia went home with Roan and informed Coleridge that she would not be returning. In a fit of rage, he had followed her to Plateau. He had taken Roan from her and returned to Jeslean. Nia in turn had followed him, refusing to allow their son to be raised in what she called a cruel and heartless environment devoted to nothing but power and greed.
She had picked up Roan and attempted to leave with the small boy. He had forcibly removed Roan from his mother’s arms. During the struggle, he had violently pushed Nia and she had fallen down a flight of stairs, breaking her neck. He had sent her body home to Plateau, but not their son. Now, he would not be surprised to discover that Roan was much more like his mother than himself after all. If that turned out to be the case, then his son, too, would join his mother in a violent death.
Chapter Seventeen
Bantu brought up a star chart of the two places they suspected Mei and Julia could be located, and La’Rue listened as they discussed different options to reach the two locations without being discovered, frowning as she mentally worked through the best possible ways to reach each destination without getting caught by the Legion.
“We both have freighters, Kella and I. Why don’t we use them both?” La’Rue asked.
“Tell us what you are thinking, La’Rue,” Sergi encouraged.
La’Rue pushed her chair back and stood up. Walking around the table, she quietly said, “Dorane LeGaugh has some of the tightest security in the galaxy and the deadliest private army, save for that of Andronikos, but freighter captains and their crews are a relatively close-knit group, and I know someone who can get you clearance to deliver to him, though I have to tell you, that is going to be the easiest part. We need someone who wouldn’t be suspicious to LeGaugh’s security, someone who knows how to get into places most of us couldn’t, and looks like the kind of person LeGaugh would hire,” she said, looking at Kella with a crooked grin.
Kella’s lips twitched. “Someone like a trained Turbintan assassin,” she agreed.
“Oh, hell no! There is no way I’m going to let Kella go alone if it is as dangerous as you say,” Ash protested.
La’Rue’s grin grew. “Of course not. You are her amusing co-pilot who has offered her your undying loyalty if she promises not to slit your throat,” she said.
“Kella’s comedic sidekick…. It’s perfect. I like it,” Josh said, looking at Ash with an amused smile.
Ash lifted his fist and acted like he was winding up his middle finger as he had once seen it done in a movie. Kella and La’Rue looked at the three men in confusion when Sergi snorted with laughter and the other two men chuckled.
Kella shrugged her shoulders. “Men... I find their sense of humor very strange at times,” she replied with a glimmer of humor in her own eyes.
“So, you suggest that Ash and Kella search for Mei. What about Julia?” Sergi asked.
“I’ve been making runs out through the Void for a couple of years now. I took over for another captain who grew tired of making the run because it was too far out. The planet has a few natural defenses that help protect it besides the fact that there is nothing else out there. Unless you know how to get through the rings, and then where to find the floating islands, you’ll either get crushed or sucked into the ocean. The inhabitants are very polite, but don’t talk much to strangers. They already know me, though, so it won’t be a problem,” she said with a grin.
Sergi looked at Josh. “It makes sense. One of us needs to be on each mission, and the women have the skill sets and civilian transports needed to complete it,” he acknowledged.
Josh looked at Hutu who had been quietly monitoring their discussion. “I agree with La’Rue’s assessment, Hutu. What do you think?” he asked.
“I, also, agree. In addition, I think a little diversion might help,” Hutu said, rubbing his chin.
“What kind of diversion?” Cassa asked.
Hutu looked around the room. “I think it is time to make a public introduction of one of the Ancient Knights of the Gallant Order,” he replied.
“Draw the attention to me while the others go on their covert missions after Mei and Julia,” Josh agreed with an emphatic nod of his head.
“And give hope to the peoples of our worlds,” Hutu added.
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall in Andronikos’ office when Josh gives him the middle finger salute,” Ash chuckled.
“When do we leave?” Sergi asked.
“The sooner, the better,” Josh said before he looked at La’Rue. “What do you need for your freighter?”
“Weapons,” Sergi immediately replied.
La’Rue nodded and looked back at Josh. “Weapons,” she agreed.
Zoak sat in the back of the bar in the underground city of Nobo Caverns and twirled the knife in his hand. The establishment was filled to capacity thanks to the Legion forces leveling most of Nobo Sands above ground. He had been searching for any information he could find on Kella and the dark-skinned knight who accompanied her.
He didn’t touch the drink in front of him, instead he watched and listened to the patrons. Information flowed through establishments such as this. Most of the conversation was about the destruction of Tribute. There was much speculation that the Turbintans would attack the Legion, but Zoak knew that they wouldn’t – not without there being a monetary reward to do so. That was the misconception that many other species held about the Turbintans. Others cared for their own world, their own people, and the items they collected. The Turbintans did not. They were defined by who and what they were, not by where they lived and owned.
There was one conversation that attracted his attention. A group of freighter pilots sitting at the large round table next to him mentioned a sleek fighter heading for the Void.
“It had to be a Legion ship. The only other person I know who has a ship like that is Dorane LeGaugh. It was heading for the Void as I was coming out,” one of the freighter captains shared.
“I wonder if it has anything to do with those pods they are looking for. Word has it that the Legion has found two, but not the others,” another man commented.
A third placed his empty glass on the table with a low bang and wiped a hand across his mouth. “The Legion may have found the pods, but they didn’t find what they were transporting. One of the Ancient Knights is on Torrian. I saw him and a Turbintan, along with a bunch of Torrian Sand Warriors, wipe out a squadron of Legion soldiers. I’ve never seen fighting like that before,” the man stated.
“How do you know he was one of the Ancients from the pods?” the first captain demanded.
“He carried the Staff of a Gallant Knight and he definitely kn
ew how to use it,” the third man replied, lifting his glass and waving to the waitress.
Zoak listened until the men began discussing issues they were having with some of their runs because of the Legion’s activities. His mind focused back on what the first freighter captain had said – that a Legion ship had been seen traveling to the Void. Only a Legion officer with a lot of power would have access to the type of long-distance fighter the men were talking about. It was a viable lead. If these men suspected the Legion may have located another pod and the Knight inside, then Zoak had no doubt that the rebellion leaders would also know. They would need to send someone to retrieve the Knight – preferably someone who already knew them.
Like another Ancient with a Turbintan assassin to guide him, Zoak thought.
He was about to leave when the first hologram message appeared on a device across from him. Pulling out his communicator, he tuned it to the same frequency as the broadcast. In seconds, he was receiving the same message.
“…Commander Joshua Manson. I came to your star system from a planet far, far away. Many have come to consider me an Ancient Knight of the Gallant Order. I am a trained soldier. When Jemar de Rola opened his home to me, the Legion attacked – killing him, his young son, Jesup, and many of the workers at his vineyard on Tesla Terra. Andronikos attacked innocent men, women, and children, murdering them in cold blood when he ordered the destruction of Jeslean. He tried to do the same to Tesla Terra and in return the rebellion gave him a taste of what is to come – his defeat and that of the Legion. He ordered the destruction on Turbinta to demonstrate that he fears no one, but he does. He fears the Ancient Knights who have come to help stop the spread of his evil – he fears me. My message is to those who are willing to fight against tyranny. I did not ask for this war, it was brought to me. I came in peace, but I stand at the helm of the rebellion. I will not give in. I will not give up. I will not disappear. If the Legion wants a fight, I stand with the Knights of the Gallant and the New Order. I stand with the peoples of this star system.”
Zoak calmly watched as the man lifted the staff belonging to the Knights of the Gallant, extending the staff, before twirling it in his hands and giving the ancient ceremonial salute. The video then replayed, and Zoak pressed record on his device as the video began again with “My name is Lieutenant Commander Joshua Manson…” When the speech finished, and the video replayed again, Zoak transmitted the saved file to his ship, then answered the call coming in to his device.
“Speak,” he murmured.
“This is Lord Andronikos. You are an apprentice of Tallei’s,” Andri said.
“I was,” Zoak replied.
“I have a job for you,” Andri stated.
Zoak leaned back against the wall. “How much?” he demanded, lovingly caressing the handle of his knife.
Andri paused. “One million credits,” he answered.
“I want the full amount up front. I will notify you of the information I need. If I do not receive it within one moon cycle, the contract is void,” Zoak instructed.
“You will have the credits and the required information. I will send the job description through this link. You have one week to complete the assignment. Failure to do so will result in your execution,” Andri replied.
“I do not fail,” Zoak countered.
He scanned the information that appeared on his communication device with a sense of satisfaction. A smile curved his thin lips, revealing the tips of his sharp, pointed teeth. He would be able to complete the assignment that Tallei had given him before her death, kill Kella, secure his right to the line of the Master Turbintan, and become very wealthy at the same time.
The questions he’d planned on asking became unnecessary. He looked up at the larger image projected above the bar and studied the alien male speaking on the video screen. The man’s broadcast was being replayed over and over.
Rising to his feet, Zoak tossed a credit coated with poison into his drink. He might not drink the liquor, but he also didn’t give anything away for free. If an unsuspecting patron thought they might get a free drink off of him, they would pay a heavy price for their assumption.
He exited the bar and made his way along the upper caverns to where his ship was located. He would need additional supplies for the long journey. Residents everywhere were talking about the broadcast as he passed them.
The Knight had accomplished his objective – he had given hope to the people. He had also energized them. Zoak knew that was what had drawn Andronikos’s attention. The Director of the Legion needed one or more of the Ancient Knights to use against the others and to crush the growing rebellion.
The communication device vibrated in his hand and he glanced down at it. His stride grew longer as he hurried through the crowded cavern passages. The money had been deposited with the final instructions.
Kill any who get in your way. Return with one Ancient Knight still alive, the message read.
Zoak abruptly closed his communication device and slid it into his pocket. He turned and made his way to one of the less populated sections where small groups guarded ‘less accessible’ items. His fingers rested on the blasters on each of his hips.
Several men warily watched him as he approached. A short creature with dark, beady eyes narrowed on him from within the dark pelt that covered his entire body waved his guards away. Zoak came to a halt in front of the merchant.
“I need supplies,” he stated.
“Come in, come in. I am sure I have what you need,” the merchant replied with a wave of his hand, guiding Zoak into the makeshift store.
Chapter Eighteen
The soft sound of an alarm woke La’Rue from a fitful sleep. She opened her eyes and blinked in the dim light. Behind her, she could feel Sergi’s warm body pressed against her back, buttocks, and legs as he molded his body to hers.
“Cease alarm,” she murmured.
The annoying chime immediately stopped. She sighed in contentment when a pair of warm lips pressed against her shoulder. The past couple of weeks had made La’Rue aware of several things – mostly good things – like her feelings for Sergi, but also some bad – like the overwhelming feeling that she could lose him.
“You were restless. What is wrong?” Sergi murmured against her skin.
La’Rue wrapped her hand around his and brought it up between her bare breasts. She threaded her fingers through his and held his hand tightly. A soft groan escaped her when she felt him move. Rolling onto her back, she gazed up at him.
“What is wrong?” he requested again in a slightly more insistent soft voice.
Her eyes searched his face, memorizing every line, every feature. She released his hand so that she could run her fingers along his chest and over his shoulders. She would never get tired of touching him.
“I’m afraid that something will happen to you,” she confessed, looking up at him again with worried eyes. “If the Legion….”
Unable to go on, she closed her eyes. Sergi silenced her fears with a hard kiss to her pursed lips. Her arms wound around him and they held each other for several minutes before the sound of metal tapping on metal drew their attention. Opening her eyes, she turned her head and smiled.
“Hello, H. How is everything going?” she asked when a set of glowing red eyes moved up to peer over the side of the bed.
Sergi rolled to the side and sat up. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to waking up to those beady eyes,” he muttered, running his hands through his hair.
“You know you’d miss him if he didn’t come in every day to make sure we were awake,” La’Rue chuckled, feeling the overwhelming panic she had woken up with beginning to recede.
“Alarm clocks with moving legs are not normal,” Sergi insisted.
She laughed again and sat up. Sliding her feet over the side of the bed, she released a soft gasp when Sergi wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned her back in his arms. Her gaze softened when she saw the concern in his eyes.
“Everything
will be alright, dusha moya,” Sergi promised.
“Our world must seem so different from yours with the ongoing war,” she murmured, her eyes darkening with regret.
Sergi bent and pressed another hard kiss to her lips before releasing her and sliding off the bed. She gripped his hand when he held it out. His eyes were serious as he gazed down at her.
“Not as different as you would think,” he quipped in a light tone. “Come, let us get ready.”
La’Rue nodded. Her mind was already on the dangers ahead of them. If the Legion was here, then that meant extreme danger for Sergi. She had wanted to land and approach the Guardian first to get a feel for the situation.
The people of Plateau were a peaceful society. They would never turn away someone in need. If one of Sergi’s friends had landed here and was still alive, the Guardian would have offered them sanctuary.
Sergi had insisted that he go with her. La’Rue had rejected the idea. She knew it was due to an irrational fear caused by the nightmare she had right before she woke. The details of the nightmare had faded until she couldn’t remember them, but the remnants of what she had felt in the dream remained and left her with a presentiment of grave danger.
Please, don’t let the Legion be there, she fervently wished.
Outer rings of Plateau:
Two hours later
In the large closet that he had set up as a workroom, Sergi packed the last of the weapons he would take with him. He’d spent his time over the past few weeks becoming more familiar with the vast array of alien weaponry that had been given to them before they left the frozen moon base in orbit around Tesla Terra.
His fingers ran over the unusual staff that he had found at the bottom of a box when he was looking for some parts to repair an electrical short. The staff reminded him of the ones that Josh, Ash, and Hutu carried. He’d meant to ask La’Rue about it. He started to set it down when he heard La’Rue’s voice.
