[05] Elite: Reclamation (34 page)

To go out there, searching.

She shook her head.

‘Maybe,’ she said, ‘but I must know who I am, otherwise …’

Luko sighed. ‘Truth is a dangerous thing, perhaps you not want to remember?’

‘I must know, Luko.’

‘This name, Kahina. It makes you feel bad. Maybe best to leave it where it lies?’

Salomé shook her head. ‘No.’

Luko nodded reluctantly pulled the newsfeeds out and expanded them across the display. There were dozens of articles. They centred around one of the moons in the system. As it zoomed out Salomé saw the name ‘Chione’.

‘Chee on?’ Luko asked, puzzling over it. ‘Never heard of it.’

‘Kee-own-nee.’ Salomé corrected without thinking and then realised what she’d done. ‘I knew this place. There were coloured stars in the sky, a warm sun sparkling on a blue sea, an eclipse casting a warm red shadow, it happened every day, it was a wonderful sight.’

‘Sounds a most beautiful place. We are on the right track it would seem.’ Luko said and opened the most prominent item associated with the moon. It was more than a week old.

In a dramatic political coup, revolutionary forces have usurped the control of Chione, a habitable moon in the Prism system. Chione, which boasts little save a Tantalum mining operation, was home to the Loren Lineage, an Imperial family originally from Haoria. Reports escaping from the world indicate that Senator Algreb Loren was assassinated by the revolutionaries. This group, calling themselves ‘Reclamists’, insist that they have a prior claim to the moon and are asserting rights that were taken from them by the Imperials. The capital, Leeson City, has been left in ruins as a result of the conflict.

Many pundits have speculated that the Federation bankrolled the revolutionary forces in order to destabilise the area. Federation and Imperial forces are known to be massing in the surrounding systems and a confrontation seems inevitable. The fate of the rest of the Loren family is unconfirmed officially, but it is understood that the Senator’s wife, and his three daughters: Corine, Tala and Kahina, were also killed in the coup.

With the Senator and his family gone, ownership of the system remains unclear, with the Reclamists asserting their intention to uphold their claim. Pirate activity in the system is now rife and traders are advised to stay well clear of the area until the situation resolves itself. Dana Mayfield, reporting for the Imperial Herald.

‘Are there any pictures?’ Salomé demanded.

There were none connected with the news article itself, but a quick search revealed some holos of the Loren family.

Salomé gasped as a striking blonde-haired man appeared. Her hand went to her mouth in shock, stifling a small shriek. The image fired memories. She knew him …

You remain a disappointment to me.

Luko observed her reaction and read from the text. ‘Senator Algreb Loren. A powerful man, yes?’

Salomé nodded. More images. Two women with blonde hair.

You must look the part for the wedding, no?

Salomé had seen one of them before. But not like this, not beautiful, elegant and sophisticated, but with a blood splattered face, dead, eyes unseeing.

How can I possibly know this? It’s as if …

The final image appeared on the holofac.

Salomé stared in disbelief. The image was small and a little blurred. The woman in the image stood next to the two other sisters, her simple straight dark hair standing out in marked contrast with the elegant blonde curls of the others. The woman was dressed in a fine Imperial gown, decked with jewellery, carrying herself with an air of smug authority. Her expression was haughty and dismissive.

Memories assaulted her mind, snapshots of fleeting recall abruptly snapped into place in her consciousness. A barrage of images, sounds and reconstructed sequences blistered through her head.

She cried out in pain, almost overwhelmed before the sensation passed.

I can remember!

Luko did a doubletake, looking at Salomé and then back at the holofac a couple of times to check for himself.

‘Is you, signorina!’

Salomé read the name from the image caption.

My name!

‘Lady Kahina Tijani Loren, third daughter of Senator Algreb Loren of Chione. Deceased.’

She looked up at Luko.

‘You look very well for one who is dead,’ he said with a chuckle. ‘A Senator’s daughter, eh?’

She didn’t respond for a moment. ‘These … these Reclamists,’ she spluttered. ‘I remember now … They destroyed my home, they assassinated my family.’ Anger flooded her voice. ‘They tried to murder me!’

‘Signorina …’

Anger chilled and froze, replaced by an icy determination. Luko leant back away from the ferocity etched on her face.

‘They stole my future. That moon is mine by right. I want it back.’

Her fists clenched and her body and voice shook. ‘They will pay for this.’

She had a name now too, her memory complete.

‘Starting with a murderous traitor.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Dalk Torgen.’

Chapter Eleven

Hassan woke and found himself staring up into bright lights. He was horizontal, immobile. Within moments of waking he could feel pain burning through his shoulder, hand and neck. His body trembled with the memory, but he was able to retain control this time. He raised his arm, he could see his hand had been bandaged. It was by no means a professional job, but somebody had tried to take care of him.

‘Did what I could.’

Hassan turned and looked across, seeing the bounty hunter watching him from a bunk on the opposite side of a room. The room itself was a simple cabin.

‘She …’

‘Decided not to kill you. We both have a use so it would seem. My name is Dalk by the way.’

‘Hassan.’

Dalk leant in closer.

‘We can get out of this alive. Just play along and do what you’re told. We’re not important in Octavia’s grand scheme, she wants something else …’

‘The girl,’ Hassan croaked, trying to lubricate his mouth with his tongue.

Dalk nodded. ‘Yes, the girl.’

Hassan frowned and then winced with pain. ‘What’s so important about her anyway?’

Dalk smiled. ‘That depends on who you talk to.’

‘You said she was the daughter of a Senator.’

‘She is and she’s heir to his estate. Her family suffered a coup by a rebellion, bankrolled by the Federation. Our mutual friend Octavia supplied the arms. The whole Imperial family was wiped out, she’s the only survivor. The Imperials allowed it to happen to safely get rid of an unwanted Senator in a politically acceptable fashion; they planned to restore her to power so she was smuggled out ...’

Hassan gulped.

‘The convoy I attacked?’

‘Yes, she was aboard. You caused no end of trouble,’ Dalk replied. ‘Octavia confounded the Imperial plan and you confounded hers.’

‘I never meant to steal the girl. I just …’

‘What you meant to do is irrelevant. Kahina is missing. Octavia wants her and will stop at nothing to get hold of her.’

‘Why? What use is she to her?’

Dalk hesitated. ‘The usual. Ransom, money, influence. She’s a Senator’s daughter after all. Quite a prize for a pirate. She’ll fetch a healthy sum regardless of whether she ends up returning to the Empire or as an object of ridicule in the Federation.’

‘Octavia maintains her strength in this sector,’ Hassan mused.

Dalk straightened. ‘Whatever happens afterwards, it is more important that the girl is first reinstated to her position. In her absence the moon her family governed has since fallen into anarchy, Federation and Imperial fleets stand poised above it, both wishing to avoid a direct confrontation, but knowing it is inevitable unless the situation resolves. Her presence as a legal heir is the only thing that can do that.’

‘Wait. You mean … a war?’ Hassan gasped.

‘A war,’ Dalk confirmed.

‘Randomius …’

‘We must find her and quickly.’

Hassan thought it through for a moment. ‘So why is a bounty hunter so interested in keeping the peace?’

Dalk sat back and regarded him. ‘I would have thought by now you’d have learnt your lesson. Don’t poke your nose where it’s not welcome. It’ll only bring you grief.’

***

Daylight shone through the vines overhead, lighting the cavern with a green tinge. Luko had primed the ship’s drives ready for flight. He spent some time scrubbing moss and mildew from the accessible parts of the ship before reluctantly stopping for breakfast.

Kahina had been busy too. She’d raided the ship for clothing, finding a simple but elegant dress in the supplies of luxuries aboard. She’d been a little surprised that it contained a series of clips that she had to wrap around her legs. It felt clingy and awkward to her. It was only after a little thought that she realised a traditional dress might be rather revealing in zero gravity. Clearly a clever tailor had thought through the problem of wearing something elegant aboard a free falling spacecraft. Whoever he or she was, Kahina was grateful.

She’d been able to get clean too. Her body was stiff from the injuries she’d suffered over the last few days, but she’d regained her strength. With her memories intact she was possessed of a steely determination, her face set and her mouth taut. A Senator’s daughter once again.

Luko watched as she approached, giving her an appraising look.

‘Bella signorina,’ he said with a wink. ‘Now you look like an Imperial princess.’

He saw her frown. ‘I am not a princess. I am a lady, the daughter of a Senator. We do not have such outmoded titles.’

Luko sighed and then tried again. ‘You still wish to return to your home and fight these … revolutionaries?’

This time he got a full on stare of disapproval. ‘They killed my family and stole my home. Would you not do the same?’

‘Signorina you are very brave,’ Luko said with an exaggerated shrug. ‘But how you do this? One woman against an army? Is not good plan.’

She raised her head proudly. ‘My father had a fleet of ships at his disposal.’ She waved at the old ship behind him. ‘Dozens of vessels, not like these insignificant little craft. Real warships. They are mine to command. Think of that. My people will rally to my call.’

Luko paused for a moment, deciding to probe a little further.

‘These are same people who let you be captured? Great care they took of you!’

‘They don’t know I am alive. When they do it will be different. I must return to them. Then you will see.’

Luko shook his head. ‘Happiness is not found in vengeance, signorina.’

Now she portrayed an arrogant air. ‘It is our way. You wouldn’t understand.’

Luko nodded and rolled his eyes. ‘Ah … Imperial honour. This I know well.’ He fixed her with a look. ‘But is it your way, signorina? Hmmm? Remember your heart’s desire.’

‘That was just your supercilious nonsense,’ she snapped. He noticed she dropped eye contact at the same time. ‘A moment of weakness. You took advantage, just like the rest of them.’ She looked back at him. ‘What was your plan, trader Luko? Take me to the edge of space and sell me again like everyone else has tried to do?’

‘Signorina, I mean you no harm. I wish only to see you do what you …’

‘I will not be abused, cajoled, intimidated or coerced anymore.’ Her voice was shrill. ‘I will return to my people, to the Empire, to my home. Reclaim what is mine.’

Luko nodded disapprovingly. He looked away and then glanced back at her. She returned his gaze with an angry glare.

‘So it seems,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘You will start a war to do this?’

‘If necessary.’ She nodded. ‘My home was taken by force, I will use force to take it back.’

‘Thousands will die,’ Luko said, keeping his gaze steady and his voice measured. ‘What of those that fight? Do you not care for them? Battles are not glorious stories you read in tales. Cold, lonely, brutal things they are. Best avoided. No one gains.’

She faced him, hand on hips. ‘You think I should just leave them to it? My family’s titles, honour and estates? Their power, their money?’

‘Signorina, I have seen more battles lost than battles won. If you are happy to send thousands to their deaths to avenge your loss … I think you should ask what kind of leader you will be. Trust me, this is not what you want.’

‘Don’t you dare tell me what I want! What would you know of high society? Armies fight battles. That is what they are for.’

Luko grimaced and shook his head. ‘Armies keep the peace.’

‘Enough. You will take me back to my home. That’s my price.’ She turned away, waving her hand dismissively.

Luko looked surprised. ‘Price, signorina?’

She turned back. ‘You can fix your ship from the wreckage of mine, I will show you where it is; in return you must take me back to the Prism system.’

‘Maybe I think I have already paid you back by saving you from Fanaticos. No?’

‘You’d be wrong.’

Luko laughed at her determined look.

‘Is long way,’ he said doubtfully. ‘Navigation is treacherous.’

‘That’s where I need to go,’ her direct stare was back, ‘or we can stay here and rot away with your Fanaticos.’

Luko shrugged.

‘Maybe it is better for the galaxy for you to stay here,’ he said. ‘Perhaps this is fate, hmmm? No war.’

She laughed. ‘You’d stay here? I don’t believe you.’

Luko looked at her. ‘I am a man of principle. I will not help you start a war.’

‘Your principles will do you little good if I kill you and steal your ship,’ she replied. He saw her posture stiffen. ‘Do not doubt me. I’ve done it before.’

Luko eyed her stance and her posture. He could tell it wasn’t an idle threat. Where ever it was she came from, she had the air of a proficient fighter about her. ‘I do not doubt you, signorina.’

‘I’ll make sure you’re rewarded. My people will pay you handsomely for my safe return. More than enough to fix up your ship and get you back doing whatever it is you do.’

Luko grinned. ‘Ah, now you appeal to my greed. Molto credits, yes?’