Knights of the Chosen soe-2 Page 2

Val nodded grimly, and Chandrajuski’s head swung back to Mike.

  “The Queen’s Seer revealed to me that one Chosen still lived after the Rebel strike on the Palace. She had no idea where Daughter was, but she knew that Daughter lived. That was enough for me to act. She is on a mission to inform certain other individuals that the Empire is not dead. Sire, if she is successful, a limited number of senior military leaders are, even now, awaiting word from the Queen.”

  Chandrajuski paused, then added, “There’s more. These leaders have been instructed to hold as long as they can. When holding becomes untenable, they are to retreat with as many forces as they can muster and wait for further instructions.”

  Mike stared at Chandrajuski in awe, his mind attempting to grasp the concept of serious military forces already at the beck and call of the Queen. For so long they had been just one ship, then a few more damaged ships from Admiral Jon’s squadron. Suddenly, there might be fleets in the wings just waiting to be commanded.

  “A masterful stroke, Admiral. The Queen chose well in you.”

  “Perhaps. I have heard nothing back from the Queen’s Seer. I have no idea if she has been successful or not.”

  “Do the Rebels know of this plan?”

  “They don’t from me. During my incarceration, I was subjected to questioning under the influence of certain drugs that force truth, but these drugs do not make one forget the questions.” His mouth opened to display many tiny, wickedly sharp teeth, and Mike leaned away from him, suddenly reminded that this creature was a warrior.

  The mouth closed abruptly. “Sorry, First Knight. I did not mean to frighten you. It is my equivalent of your smile.”

  “And what is there to smile about?”

  “They failed to ask the right questions, Sire.” Again, the mouth opened, and Mike recognized the smile this time.

  “They might not have learned about it from you, sir,” Val said softly, “but there are others.”

  “Too true, Sire. Krys is as frightened as she is determined. I believe that, in her own mind, she has accepted the same call to duty that you did as a child when you saved Daughter from assassination.”

  Val’s look of horror was not lost on Chandrajuski.

  “We covered her tracks thoroughly on Centauri III. She has a civilian ship with a number of military upgrades, and she has a military crew. Her captain is a Rress, and her pilot is a Schect.”

  Val nodded grimly. “Not all her contacts will be successful. Her purpose will become known.”

  “It will, Sire. Let us hope it is not too soon. Her contacts were carefully chosen.”

  “Admiral,” Mike said, “you’ve been held prisoner and might not be aware of all the issues. Our concern is not just the Rebels. They have partnered with the Chessori.”

  Chandrajuski’s eyes blinked, then blinked again. “You’re certain of this, Sire?”

  “Pretty certain, and the consequences are staggering. Only one ship survived Daughter’s treaty mission to the Chessori, one ship out of two squadrons. As well, the Rebels, with the help of the Chessori, nearly took Resolve on Earth and again in space on a number of occasions. A limited number of Chessori observers took over Val’s squadron from within, allowing Rebels to take command. I was mortally wounded by a Chessori aboard that ship, surviving only because of my Rider. The Chessori were moments away from killing the Queen in your home when Reba and I gunned them down, and you personally experienced the effect of their mind weapon, even if it was only for a few moments.

  “According to Jessie, the Chessori mind weapon was the cause of the lone gleason escaping the Great Cats outside your home, giving it the opportunity to mortally wound the Queen.

  “In hindsight, we should have known better than to let the Queen come to Centauri III at all, not so much because of the Rebels, but because we failed to factor the Chessori into the equation.”

  Chandrajuski’s gaze remained on him, but Mike sensed that he was not the focus of Chandrajuski’s thoughts. Wheels were turning within that great mind.

  When he sensed those wise eyes focused on him again, Mike said softly, “The Chessori are out to get the Queen, and they’ve come within a hair’s breadth of succeeding on too many occasions. Furthermore, they’ve partnered with the Rebels. In every case, so far as I know, everyone but Reba and I, and to some extent the Great Cats, are completely powerless against this mind weapon.”

  Chandrajuski backed away from the table and turned sideways to them, a long, delicate leg moving gracefully, then freezing in position while another leg moved, one after another, the pattern repeating itself. He stared at the far end of the room, then swung his long neck back toward Mike. “That explains what happened to the ships I sent to Dorwall to rescue Daughter.”

  “You tried to rescue her? How did you know?”

  “Krys knew. She accompanied the rescue party and was the sole survivor. She returned with an unbelievable story of a small number of Chessori ships destroying my three squadrons with barely a shot fired. I considered it an exterior threat, and my focus remained on the internal issues of trying to hold the Empire together. I see now that I was short-sighted.”

  “She was there?” Val asked in alarm.

  “She was. She observed events from afar, from aboard a small fighter. It was the only ship to return.” He moved back to the table, his eyes on Jeffers. “What do you know of these Chessori?”

  “Chessori traders show up from time to time, as they have been doing for a long time. Their presence has increased since the coup, but I paid them no mind. To the best of my knowledge, they’re just trading.”

  “There were three Chessori with Admiral Vorst,” Mike corrected him.

  Jeffers’ lips compressed. “They’re our enemy, and I paid them no heed. I’m sorry, Sire.”

  “There’s no fault here, but you’re right: they’re our enemy just as much as the Rebels are our enemy. And if they were invisible to you, they’re probably invisible to any other forces you’ve cobbled together.”

  He leaned forward, his gaze on Chandrajuski. “You can’t fight them, Admiral.”

  Chandrajuski met his gaze. “You did not fall to this mind weapon when the Chessori activated it in my home.”

  “Reba and I have experienced it many times. It does not affect us.”

  Chandrajuski turned to Val. “Is it something to do with the knighting process?”

  “No, sir. I, too, suffer, as does the Queen. As fighting units, we are completely incapacitated.”

  “No political mechanism exists for dealing with them, and you’re telling me there is no military solution either?” Chandrajuski demanded.

  “There is a military solution, Admiral, but I don’t think you’re going to like it.” Val said, nodding to Mike to continue.

  “You knew?” Mike asked him in surprise.

  “Reba and I talk. We are in agreement that it’s necessary, but we are not in agreement that it can be done.”

  Mike turned to Reba with raised eyebrows. She nodded. “It’s a stretch, Mike. No argument there, but we can do it. I know we can. A few hundred front-line warriors would be a good beginning. We don’t need any support staff, the Empire can provide all of that. You know as well as I do that it takes ten or more people to support one front line warrior. A few hundred volunteers could do the job of a few thousand. A thousand could do the job of many thousands. Their only purpose is to neutralize the Chessori. After that, regular Empire forces can deal with the Rebels.”

  He nodded agreement, his lips compressed, and turned back to Chandrajuski. “The Chessori have to be met head on, and they have to be defeated. Until they are, the Queen will not be safe, and her military and political agendas have no chance of success. We believe our people, the people of Earth, are immune to the Chessori mind weapon. Reba and I definitely are, and others on Earth who have been in the presence of the mind weapon were, as well.

  “We have to go to Earth, Admiral. We have to recruit soldiers and sailors and bring them back with us to
fight the Chessori.”

  Chandrajuski made a noise that could only be described as clearing his throat. “Besides the fact that Earth is classified as an emerging world and thereby off-limits, the obvious difficulties of language and technology such recruits would have to overcome make such a plan… questionable.”

  He turned his attention to Reba. “This plan could also be dangerous to Earth. Have you considered that?”

  “It could also be rewarding,” Reba replied, her eyes filled with excitement at the possibilities. “There will be challenges, but we will deal with them. Do you have a better idea?”

  Chandrajuski stared at her, and it turned into a long stare. Clearly, he did not.

  Mike was a little more subdued than Reba. “If we do this, we probably owe it to Earth to ask their permission, though I’m inclined to go ahead even if they refuse. But asking could be difficult. If we invite one nation, we have to invite all nations. If we don’t, we’ll disrupt already fragile political relationships around the globe. Language differences among the recruits would make it even more difficult to get them all working together, at least in any reasonable time frame.”

  “Not so, Mike. I’ve met lots of foreign officers who speak English,” Reba countered. “We could make that a prerequisite for the first batch of volunteers. And we don’t have to start big. We need help aboard ships, and we need help protecting the Queen. We can do it.”

  “Whether we can or not, do we have a choice?” He turned to Chandrajuski. “It’s been in my mind for quite a while to do this, but we’ve had no resources. If you do, indeed, have an organization in place, it’s time to act.”

  “I hope I have something organized, but I’ll have to find out. You’re breaking all the rules as they relate to our treatment of emerging worlds, and ordinarily the Queen would have to decide. In her absence, it’s your call as First Knight. The idea has merit. Would you have us pursue it further?”

  “Everyone in this room has experienced the effects of the Chessori mind weapon,” Mike responded without hesitation. “We don’t have any choice, nor do I think the Queen will rule differently when she’s back on her feet. Your responsibility is to fight the Rebels, Admiral. Mine is to fight the Chessori. I’m going to Earth.”

  *****

  They landed on Shipyard two weeks after leaving Centauri III, demonstrating the power of Serge’s fast ships. A ten week trip had been reduced to only two weeks. Had Shipyard not been located so incredibly far beyond the border, the trip would have taken as little as one week. As soon as they landed, Ellie and Otis were placed into restoration tanks to complete their healing under the guidance of full teams of medical specialists.

  Serge had not yet returned. Assuming he was not fast-shipping, he was probably still on his way to the rendezvous with Chandrajuski’s ships. Someone there would have to decide what to do with those ships, and Serge would have a big say in it. Would he let them come to Parsons’ World, or would he renege on his agreement with the Queen now that it had become reality? Allowing three squadrons of fully operational ships into his domain was a far cry from giving permission to Jons to bring his few ailing ships in for repair. And, loyalties had to be sorted out. How reliable were the men from Centauri III? Serge was not the one to make that decision, at least not on his own. He needed help.

  Mike brought it up to Chandrajuski soon after their arrival on Shipyard.

  “Jeffers is here, and he’s the logical choice. He just needs a ship, preferably a fast ship. He can catch them at the rendezvous if he gets going, and he knows the men as well as I do. He’s perfect for the job,” Chandrajuski responded.

  “Who’s to be in charge out there? Jeffers is a captain, but admirals reported to him on Centauri III.”

  “Hmm. Good point, Sire. Jeffers is still the right man for the job. The organization we developed on Centauri III worked well enough for an underground, but we’re trying to reestablish normal Empire chain of command now. He’s seriously outranked.”

  “Promote him.”

  Chandrajuski gave him a piercing look. “It would take two promotions. Such an action can only be approved by the Queen.”

  “He’s the man you want?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then promote him. I’ll sign whatever papers you need signed. I, too, think he’s the right man for the job.”

  Chandrajuski’s mouth began opening in a smile, then he changed his mind. He looked hard at Mike. “I do believe you’re getting this job of First Knight figured out, Sire.”

  Mike smiled, but the smile changed to a grimace. “This is the easy part. I think it gets harder from here on.”

  Mike, Reba, and Val were reunited with Admiral Jons, who took them on a tour of Shipyard. Mike was surprised to learn that Shipyard was a fully developed, vibrant world with cities, farms, universities, entertainment, and lots of industry. It was not just an outpost as he’d been led to believe by Serge. In most ways, according to Jons, Shipyard was more civilized than Parsons’ World. Parsons’ World focused on the clandestine end of things. Shipyard was fed by the largess of Parsons’ World, and in return it provided research, innovation, and heavy industry. Most of Serge’s ship modifications, indeed entire ships, were manufactured on Shipyard. From here had come the science and engineering behind the micro jump, the modified beacons on every one of Serge’s ships, and the improved weapons Serge had displayed briefly as they left Centauri III.

  Jons was certain Serge hadn’t laid all his secrets on the table. He strongly suspected advanced communications capabilities and faster ships’ drives among other things.

  Jons proudly led them on a tour of a reconditioned Resolve. The ship had received the full attention of Shipyard’s master craftsmen and had been restored in record time. Resolve gleamed from head to toe, the battle scars completely eliminated. He led them to the bridge and invited Mike and Reba to plug in.

  To their utter amazement, George appeared, welcoming them back. “And I’ve had an education, too,” he added mischievously. “You’ll like the new me.”

  “George, we thought you were dead,” Mike said in wonder.

  “So did I. The engineers here were able to resurrect me. I was there, just turned off.”

  “That was an incredibly brave thing you did. You saved us all.”

  “I think you get some credit for that, too,” said George as he basked in the praise. “I’ve heard most of the story, second hand of course. We made a good team, didn’t we! Are we going to be together again?”

  “I’m certain we will, though maybe not real soon. You need to teach me the trick of resurrecting you in case I have to do it again. Uh, I’m sorry about what I asked you to do. I hope you won’t hold it against me forever.”

  “I accept your apology, I won’t, and I think we can just put it behind us, Mike. We’ve both grown from the experience. Besides, I’m smarter now. It won’t happen again. Trust me. Where’s Jake?”

  Mike winced as a deep pain sliced through him. “He’s with Ellie. I’m sure he’ll look you up as soon as he can.”

  “I don’t confuse easily, Mike, especially since I got educated, but I’m confused. He’s with Ellie?”

  “She almost died back on Centauri III. I had to give him up to save her. They’re still recuperating.”

  George remained silent for a time, an eternity for a computer. “I’m sorry, Mike. I’m sure he misses you as much as you miss him.”

  “I’m not sure it works that way with Riders, George. I think they grow to like whomever they’re with. I’m sorry it had to happen, but I have no regrets. She’s worth it. My hope is that they’ll both stay a part of my life.”

  “And you, Reba? We didn’t get to meet properly last time. Welcome aboard!”

  “It’s good to finally meet the real you, George. I’m glad you made it.”

  “You seem changed. More confident or something.”

  “Well, besides the fact that I’m fully checked-out on the net, there’s a man in my life now. I’ll have to
introduce you.”

  “If it’s possible for a computer to be happy, I’m happy for you, Reba. And thank you for letting me sense that happiness.”

  “George, you’re more than a computer. Admit it. Have you met any others of your kind?”

  “Many, here. We talk all the time. Would you like to talk with Joline?”

  “Not at the moment. I just left her. I’m sure she hasn’t forgotten me yet.”

  “Definitely not. She says you’re a natural starship commander. She’s happy to serve with you any time.”

  “Who knows,” Reba mused. “Maybe you’ll both get the opportunity.”

  Chapter Two

  Juster knocked lightly before entering and slumped onto the couch across the room from the desk.

  Struthers looked up from his work, irritated at the interruption, but this man had unlimited access to his office. “It’s a little early for a drink,” he said pleasantly.

  “You’d better pour one. No, make it two. I have bad news.”

  “Tell me you found her.”

  “I did, but she got away. This time, she took Chandrajuski and several squadrons with her. I’m very sorry, Sire.”

  Struthers could only stare as he sensed the complex threads of his grand plan unraveling. His sense of doom had been growing of late. He knew it showed, and he knew it was affecting his performance, but he couldn’t help it. He went to sleep with her on his mind, and he awoke to thoughts of her. No amount of work or liquor or women or anything else seemed to help, nothing except the growing kernel of hate in his gut. He fed it, and he liked feeding it.

  He hated the Chosen, had for many years. Because of the Chosen, First Knight had been the highest position he could ever attain within the Empire, and it wasn’t enough. He was smarter, stronger, and better than them in all ways. He had earned the right to rule, but the gap between First Knight and the line of Chosen, where all the power truly lay, could not be crossed. Only fate, in the form of a genetic trait inherited by the line of Chosen, held him back from his rightful place.