Last of the Chosen (Spirit of Empire, Book One) Read online

  His thoughts turned inward for a time before he spoke. When he did, he spoke with authority. “The timing of this information is fortuitous. Will you stay while I consider a plan?”

  “I will do whatever is within my power to help. Speaking for the crew of the fighter, I believe they will, as well.”

  “Lieutenant Stven said as much. He speaks highly of you.”

  “And I of him. And Ensign Lukes.”

  “What happened out there that led you to bring Lukes into the picture?”

  “I had a vision of him dying; that’s why I divulged my secret. It was his idea to see if I could change the outcome of the vision. I had never considered trying to use my visions to change things.”

  “Change things! I thought visions predicted unchangeable events in the future. It’s a crucial jump of insight. Can you?”

  “I think we did. In my vision he was dying, but he didn’t die. The rest of his squadron did. Our transfer to the fighter appears to have changed the outcome of that vision, at least as it related to him.”

  Chandrajuski turned to the windows to stare out at the city. Only he knew where his thoughts were. When he turned back to Krys, excitement radiated from him. “Krys, you’ve given me, and through me lots of others, hope. Our efforts will focus on restoring the throne. Let me come up with a plan. We’ll talk soon.”

  “Very well, sir.”

  “In the meantime, your safety is paramount. The best place for you right now is back on your ship. Are you willing to spend a few more days with the crew?”

  A smile lit her face despite the chilling events surrounding them. “There’s no place I’d rather be. We’ve grown fond of each other. They’ll take good care of me.”

  “Lieutenant Stven credits you with restoring him to a position of leadership during your return from Dorwall. I rebuked him for that need, but now . . . may I do the same? I’m suddenly invigorated. Things are bad, very bad, but you’ve given us hope. Now all we have to do is our jobs, which we’re very good at. Return with Lieutenant Stven to his ship, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”

  “Would it be appropriate for me to discuss any of this with his crew?”

  “You say Ensign Lukes already knows. Do the others?

  “No.”

  “Stven says you’ve been in the net. Things are not easily hidden within the net. Can you be certain?”

  “Pretty certain, sir. When Daughter Tested me, even she could not see my visions.”

  His eyes widened. “Indeed! In that case I would ask you to refrain from saying anything further until I come up with a plan.”

  “As you command, sir. Is the proper word ‘dismissed?’” she asked with a smile.

  His mouth opened in a frightful display of many, many sharp teeth. As with most races, his ancestors had fought their way up the ladder of evolution to supremacy on their home world. He was civilized, but he was not so far removed from his roots that he would turn from a fight. “For you, never. But I have some serious thinking to do.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Chapter Twenty-three: Chandrajuski’s Vision

  He called for her four days later. Tarn escorted her to the meeting, but he was not invited to join.

  “I have a plan,” Chandrajuski said without ceremony. “You are a crucial part of the plan.”

  “Me? What can I do?”

  “You can keep doing what you’ve already been doing, giving people in key positions hope, and with hope, method. Krys, the Empire believes the Chosen are no more. Until we find Daughter, you are the best proof we have of her existence. It’s important that we get your message out. I can’t tell you how much your knowledge has empowered me to do that which I am good at. There are many, many others in critical positions who need to know. I want you to take your message to the Empire, to other sectors, as quickly as you can.”

  “Who would believe me?”

  “That’s the hard part. You have the locket identifying you as Friend, and you’ll have a message from me. You’ll have one other thing, as well. I’m sending some Great Cats with you for protection. If you can convince the Great Cats, the others you visit will believe them, if not you.”

  She blinked. “Won’t the cats make things a little obvious?”

  “Perhaps. But your safety is paramount.”

  “If I go, I might have to reveal my talent to others.”

  “Certainly to the cats. If revealing it to others helps convince, then do so, but be careful. Loyalties will be severely tested during the coming months and years. You’ll have to choose carefully. I’ve prepared a list of individuals whom I believe will refuse to support these Rebels. All are personal acquaintances for whom I vouch, but it’s not a perfect world. This is a dangerous undertaking, Krys.”

  She’d never really been in danger, not at any time during her life. The very idea frightened her. “Is there no other way?”

  “I’d go myself if I could, but I’m needed here. Daughter will need a base from which to begin the process of restoring the throne. If I can hold out here, I’ll give her that base. But an important part of the message you deliver is that I foresee great turmoil within the Empire, and especially within the military. Depending on what actions these Rebels take, some high level officers might find it impossible to hold onto their positions. If they cannot hold, they are to gather up as many resources as they can, and they are to flee with those resources. I will provide locations where they can gather. We will create a hidden pool of resources that Daughter and I can call on as we fight to restore the throne.”

  “I sense the power of your plan, but I have no authority.”

  “Authority is no longer the issue. All of us believed our legitimate authority evaporated when the Palace fell. Many are adrift, Krys. Trust is what matters now. You speak convincingly – I’m certain you’ll be heard. The leaders to whom I send you will listen. Your job is to convince them that we still have a legitimate Empire and that they still have responsibilities to that Empire.”

  She felt overwhelmed, adrift. She looked around herself at the walls, the floor, the ceiling of the office, at Chandrajuski and the grand view out his glass wall, seeking something to hold to. She was just one small person, an orphan. Who was she to deal with admirals and governors? Who was she to have the responsibility of Daughter’s safe return resting on her shoulders? Could she do it?

  The Rebels would surely try to stop her, and they controlled the resources of the whole Empire, unlimited resources. They would find her, and when they did they would strike with overwhelming force.

  A chill shook her as the thought repeated itself in her mind: they would find her, and when they did, she would die.

  She wasn’t ready to die.

  Chandrajuski represented the call of Empire, but it was a call she shied away from. The needs of Empire were too big, too big by far. She did not feel called in the same manner as him.

  But she sensed something else. She sensed a more personal calling. She sensed Daughter’s need, a need she could not refuse no matter how terrible the circumstances. During the year they’d spent together, Daughter had become her mother, the only mother she’d ever known. Her mother needed her now, and her mother’s need was a call she would answer without any hesitation whatsoever.

  She straightened her shoulders and looked at Chandrajuski through suddenly drying eyes. “They’ll find me, you know.”

  The green head with sharp teeth and wise eyes nodded gravely. “It will take time. We’ll move as quickly as we can, and I’ll give you the best ship and crew I can. I wouldn’t ask if I had an alternative.”

  Her lips pursed. No single ship, not even a full squadron would be sufficient protection once the Rebels found her, and he knew it, but her mother called.

  “To be named a Friend of the Royal Family is a two way street. I accept.”

  He came to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Many will choose to follow your example, myself included.”

  “Set the wheels in m
otion, Admiral.”

  “I already have,” he said softly. “There was never any doubt in my mind that you would accept. I’ve located a ship – I just have to find a way to pay for it that will not show up on the books. Your mission will remain a secret for as long as it can. The new governor is suspect, and I don’t want him tracing you through official sector records. My finance expert is working on it.”

  She stepped away from him. “Is the fighter not appropriate?”

  “No. You need a larger ship, a civilian ship. You’re going to pretend you’re a rich kid out having fun at daddy’s expense. It’s being modified as we speak. When it’s done, it will be a lot more capable than anyone would expect.”

  She reached into a pocket and withdrew a money key. “Would this help?” she asked.

  His eyes crinkled into a smile. “Even I cannot afford my own ship.”

  “You could if you had this.” She handed the key to him for examination.

  “It appears to be unregistered. What is its credit value?”

  “It has no limit, Admiral. At least not so long as the Empire exists.”

  “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Where did you get it?”

  “It has a long history. It was once the property of a Knight. Since then it has passed twice through Daughter’s hands. Her only admonition was that it be used wisely.”

  He stared at the money key with a look of reverence. “The property of a Knight, you say?” She nodded. “Then wisely it shall be used. May I borrow it for a few hours?”

  “You may, but I’d like it back. It might come in handy during my coming voyages.” She thought for a time, considering the plan he had sketched. “May I make one further suggestion?” she asked.

  “That is . . .?”

  “Let the record show that I remained with the fleet that went to Dorwall.”

  He hesitated, then said, “I see the wisdom in that. Would you choose a new name?”

  “Not if I don’t have to.”

  “I’ll get back to you on this. Now, we have to find you a crew.”

  “My present crew is perfect, sir. I know them to be trustworthy.”

  “But they’re young, their experience limited. Your mission will require creativity.”

  “Lieutenant Stven is a Rress. That’s high praise all by itself in my book. Ensign Lukes not only knows everything about me that matters, he is trustworthy and competent. As for the rest, I’ve been in the net with them and have not found them wanting in any way.”

  “I’ll take it under consideration. I’ll have to review their files. I might make some changes.”

  “You said we’ll have a civilian ship. Will they have to resign their commissions?”

  “Hmm. I don’t like the idea of you traipsing around with a bunch of renegades, and military ways ensure clarity of command. On the other hand, you’ll be in charge as ship’s owner, a decidedly unmilitary arrangement. Let me think on it.”

  “Then I have only one other request. I’d like to make Rrestriss my first stop.”

  “Rrestriss! Why?”

  “Because Daughter not only needs military forces, she needs the Imperial Senate behind her. I know Senator Truax well. I’d like to invite him along.”

  Chandrajuski’s head swung to within inches of her own. “You’re a child, but you speak with wisdom. I haven’t thought along those lines. Consider me admonished.”

  “I lived with her for two years, then I lived with him, Admiral. My perspective is somewhat different than your own.”

  “An important difference. I approve your request, of course.”

  “Then with your permission, I’ll put it to the crew. Unless you would like to?”

  His clawed hands clenched and unclenched as he considered. “Though we’re in crisis, assignment to your crew must be voluntary. It’s your mission and your ship, Krys. You’re owner, and you’ll be beyond any assistance I might offer. See to your crew, but I, too, will give it some thought. And do not return to this office, any of you.”

  “I understand, Admiral.” She turned to leave, then stopped. She had accepted his call, a call that might lead, ultimately, to her death, but in accepting that call she accepted, too, the fact that she was a Seer. She knew that now without any doubt. She had skills, limited though they might be.

  She turned back to him. “I’d like to attempt a vision with you. Will you allow me to try?”

  He stared at her, then turned away, his legs carrying him gracefully to the glass wall to stare outside. After a time, his fists began batting against each other.

  She knew what was going through his mind. She let him consider for a time, then said, “I made the same request of Admiral Jast, sir. He refused on the grounds that he could not lead well if a vision foretold his doom. Look what it got him.”

  “I, too, fear such knowledge,” Chandrajuski said softly, turning back to her. “For the sake of our Empire, you may make the attempt.”

  “If it works, if I come up with a vision, it will be difficult to decipher. My visions are always confusing. Ensign Lukes provided meaningful insight to my last vision, and I have reason to believe he might be able to help again. May I invite him in?”

  Chandrajuski paused. Clearly he did not like the idea of a junior officer’s involvement in something so intimate. He stared at Krys for a time, then nodded his head. “You’re the expert here. It is your decision.”

  Tarn came in and stood rigidly at attention just inside the door. “Stand at ease, Ensign,” Chandrajuski ordered.

  Krys detected no visible change in Tarn’s posture. From their months together she knew him well enough to sense his discomfort, and in this particular case she shared it. She had never successfully forced a vision, and most likely she would fail in front of this very important man.

  She straightened her shoulders. “Ensign, we’re going to try for a vision. You know how it went last time. We’ll try the same routine.” She turned to Chandrajuski. “Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work. I have little control over the process.”

  He nodded and she took a seat, straightened her back, folded her legs into the proper form for meditation, then closed her eyes.

  Tarn stood stiffly, and Chandrajuski questioned him with a look. Tarn stepped to his side and whispered, “She’s going into herself, Admiral. Give her about ten minutes, then take her hand in your own.”

  Ten minutes is a long time to wait in silence, but neither of them wanted to disturb Krys. As Chandrajuski waited, he stared at this child of whom so many were asking so much. In human standards she was dark haired, tall, and thin, just a waif of a thing. She looked like a strong wind would carry her away. Was he asking too much of her? Were her shoulders strong enough?

  Only time would tell. The ten minutes ended, and he looked to Tarn with a silent question. Tarn nodded his head, and Chandrajuski approached Krys. He took one of her hands in both of his own, looking anxiously for some sign that something was happening. He saw no change until her eyes opened to stare into his.

  “I’m looking through your eyes. You are standing beside a pile of leaves. Before you are two legs of a workman. I can’t see his face. You stand together in a forest, each of you holding a rake. You hand him a Knight’s Pin.”

  Chandrajuski backed away from her in amazement, each leg precisely positioned in a smooth, flowing motion.

  She held his eyes. “There’s more. I sensed words this time.”

  “Easy to leave, hard to remain. The man of dirt comes to one in shadow. She will fall to the unseen, but Death is not forever.”

  Silence pervaded the office as each considered the words. Krys hated these riddles that only frightened and confused, that raised only questions. She lifted baleful eyes to Chandrajuski.

  “Do you know what it means?”

  “I can think of many meanings. If the words apply to me, it seems I must remain here, no matter how hard it becomes. The rest is not clear at all, but it sounds foreboding.”

  Krys shifted her gaz
e to Tarn. He returned her stare for a time, then said, “There was mention of a man of dirt in an earlier vision. Do you sense it is the same person?”

  She closed her eyes and considered. “I can’t be certain, but I think it is. Who is the one in shadow that he comes to?”

  Tarn stepped away from the door and paced, then crouched down before Krys. He glanced up at Chandrajuski, almost as if asking permission, then his focus returned to Krys. “Your vision is of Admiral Chandrajuski.”

  Chandrajuski lifted a foot, then changed his mind and set it back down. “Why would I be in shadow?”

  Tarn looked up to him. “I’m just speculating, sir. ‘Easy to leave, hard to remain.’ Might you be in hiding?”

  “In my own Sector?”

  “We don’t know where this takes place, sir.” He turned back to Krys. “Do you?”

  She shook her head.

  “You said you saw him in a forest. Can you describe the forest?”

  “The leaves were quite large and withered. I believe I was in a forest, but I felt like I was indoors. I saw no branches, only the trunks of trees. The trunks of the trees were green.”

  “I have a forest within my home,” Chandrajuski interjected. “The branches of the trees begin quite high above the ground. Those trunks are green. I rake the fallen leaves from time to time. It’s a calming endeavor.”

  She stared at him, considering. “That could be the place.”

  “I have no Knight’s Pin. Where did I get it?”

  She stared at him, not knowing.

  Tarn’s eyes closed for a time as he visualized the exchange in his head. When he opened them, his question was to Krys.

  “You said Admiral Chandrajuski handed the Pin to the workman. Did you get a sense of ownership, Krys? Would you say Admiral Chandrajuski was presenting his own Pin?”

  Krys closed her eyes, reliving the vision. She shook her head. “I don’t think so. It was more like he was returning the pin.”

  “Returning it to the workman. Could the workman have been a Knight?” Tarn asked softly.

  “How would I know? All I saw was his legs.”