[05] Elite: Reclamation (50 page)

Only her father’s throne atop its dais had remained virtually unscathed. She shivered, remembering how she had abased herself before her father, how he’d insulted her.

Unconsciously, she ran a hand through her thick dark hair.

He’d tried to arrange that marriage and she’d cruelly inflicted the match upon her sister. How clever she thought she’d been. All dust now. All dead. Reclaiming her home wouldn’t bring any of them back. This was all there was – a ruin, a shadow of its former glory, a faint echo of a life that might have been.

‘A little work needed I think.’

She was startled out of her reverie by the voice and glanced around to see Luko looking at her. He’d been standing in the shadows of the columns that ran along the side of the reception hall. He walked across to her, his footsteps causing new swathes of dust to float in slowly swirling clouds.

She didn’t know what to say.

‘Is all yours now,’ Luko said. ‘These rebels are dead, the Empire is at your back. You have all the power at your command. Now, all you must do is take the sceptre of a Senator.’

He gestured to her father’s sceptre which had been placed carefully atop the throne, awaiting someone to heft it.

‘All I must do …’ she said, softly.

‘Are you proud of what you’ve done?’ Luko’s voice was sharp.

‘I took back what was mine,’ Kahina snapped at him. ‘Things are as they should have been.’

‘And this is what you wanted, signorina?’ Luko looked around the ruin that had once been her home. ‘A burning moon, a ruined world, a broken home? It was worth all those deaths, yes?’

Kahina fought back tears. It was her world by right. It belonged to her. That people had fought and died because of that fact wasn’t her fault. She had never asked to be a pawn in the game played out by Dalk, Octavia, the patrons, the Empire and the Federation. She had been swept up against her will – stabbed, killed, ill-treated, burnt, punched, kicked. She’d almost had her body stolen. She was owed, wasn’t she? Hadn’t she lost enough already? Her family brutally murdered, her home destroyed, a sword thrust through her chest. Agony and pain she had endured … and for what?

Why so harsh, Luko?

‘You wouldn’t understand.’ Tears came now, burning on her cheeks. She couldn’t tell if it was rage, frustration or sorrow.

‘I understand more than you know.’

‘You’re just a simple trader,’ she snapped. ‘What would you know about matters of high politics?’

Luko stiffened and pursed his lips. ‘I know when to stop. That time is now, signorina.’

‘This world belongs to my family.’

Luko raised his voice above hers. ‘You cannot own a world, signorina. What are we? We are mere creatures. We are born, we live, we die. We have such short years. This world has been here since before humans even were. Will be here long after we are forgotten. We do not own anything.’

‘Spare me your crude philosophy.’

‘Then listen to this, young woman,’ Luko said severely. ‘You have molto power. What you have done … has already killed thousands. What you do next may kill thousands more. Decide for them, not for you.’

‘What would you have me do?’ Kahina said, glaring at him.

Luko tilted his head slightly. ‘I? I am just a simple trader. I know nothing of high politics.’

Her face fell as he turned away.

‘Luko … I’m sorry … please … don’t go.’

He strode away, ignoring her. Her rage flared.

‘Stop! I command you to return!’

Luko stopped and then slowly turned around to look at her. ‘I am not your subject, signorina. I am a free man. You do not command me.’ He gestured abruptly with his hand. ‘You are home and you have won,’ he looked at the ruins around them and then back at her, bowing in a ridiculous fashion. ‘Enjoy your victory, glorious Senator.’

Kahina watched him go, trembling with fury. She turned on her heel, face set with determination, reaching out for the sceptre on her father’s throne. Her fingers almost touched it, but she pulled back just inches away, her hand quivering.

‘It is mine,’ she cried, clenching her eyes shut and stretching forward again.

It was in vain. Her strength left her and she collapsed at the foot of the throne, her cries of anguish echoing in the empty desolation.

That was how Dalk found her.

‘Senator!’

Kahina looked up, her face tear streaked and stained with dust.

‘I am no Senator, Dalk. I cannot even take the sceptre.’

‘My lady …’ Dalk helped her to her feet, ‘you are tired and worn out, you should rest …’

‘No. Luko was right. This isn’t what I wanted.’

‘Kahina, we have fought hard and won. Your victory is at hand.’

‘Rule a world, Dalk? I am my father’s daughter. Look at what I have wrought. Death, destruction, pain and ruin. Maybe the Lorens are not fit to rule, perhaps I should have died.’

‘You are distraught … exhausted!’

‘I cannot bear this!’ Kahina said, sobbing once more. ‘Years of rule, endless politics, scheming and plotting. I should never have come back. I wish I’d stayed away.’ her voice cracked. ‘What should I do, Dalk? What would you do?’

‘It’s not my place, Senator.’

‘But?’ She looked up, faint hope in her eyes.

Dalk frowned, rubbing his chin and stepping around her for a moment.

‘Perhaps … you might consider ceding your power to another. Someone who valued peace above all, someone who served your interests in all things. Retain the title and the ultimate authority, but leave the tedium behind.’

She looked up at him.

‘Yes! You are right,’ she said, with a nod, encouraging him to continue. ‘But whom?’

‘They would have to serve as your advisor in these matters, take the minutiae of administration from you,’ Dalk replied, thoughtfully. ‘Your wishes carried out to best effect, your father’s legacy honoured, your own established. Dependable and trustworthy, naturally. Skill, tact and a deft touch, one acclimatised to the necessary subtleties of the role. Someone upon whom you could utterly rely.’

‘You would see this done for me?’

Dalk bowed low. ‘I served your father, now I serve you. Such an undertaking would be an honour beyond all honours.’

‘And how can this be accomplished? Is it even legal?’

Dalk looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘It is not entirely without precedent. Power has been ceded to officials and dignitaries in the past. There is paperwork of course, but a formal ceremony is traditionally used …’

‘Arrange it,’ Kahina said, abruptly. ‘I want everyone there. Those who supported me, those who fought for me, Luko and Hassan too, even those noxious Patrons, the ambassador … and, of course, you Dalk.’

‘It shall be done, Senator.’

‘I am most grateful.’

Dalk bowed again. ‘With your permission, Senator?’

Kahina nodded and Dalk withdrew, striding quickly out of the hall.

***

‘She’s going to cede power to him?’ Hassan yelled. ‘Dalk? I wouldn’t trust him much more than Octavia. That whole pod business was his idea. He could have been in league with Octavia for all we know. He’s a power broker, maybe this was what he wanted all along.’

Luko sat back in his chair. The pair of traders was ensconsed aboard the
Bella Principessa
, watching the sun glisten over the bay.

‘The choice is hers, my young friend.’

‘After all this, she really thinks Dalk has her best interests at heart?’

Luko shrugged. ‘She is no fool, but … ah … I have not the mind for these political games. Perhaps she is right.’

‘You know it’s not right.’

Luko sighed and licked his lips before nodding.

‘Yes. She makes a mistake I think. I do not trust this … Dalk. But his hold over her is strong. He is her mentor. What we think … she not care. She trusts him.’

Hassan looked out over the bay.

‘We’ll find out soon enough, I guess.’

***

Kahina strode majestically back into the reception hall a mere two days later. It had been hurriedly cleaned and repaired. It was not perfect, but it now retained a semblance of its former glory. Dignitaries and representatives from nearby Imperial worlds had arrived to see her take office, their entourages accompanying them. She recognised Senators from the nearby worlds, their Patrons, important citizens from across the local parts of the Empire.

And hats of course, bigger and more flamboyant than ever.

She was dressed in a flowing azure gown, not so ostentatious as many, but she wore her father’s gold chain of the Senate and had the family’s priceless sword in a bright-steel scabbard at her side. A shimmering tiara completed her adornment, perched on her immaculately prepared hair, contrasting strikingly with her dark locks.

She saw that many of the other women, so often blonde, had dyed their hair a deep black. It was the latest fashion, so they’d fawningly informed her. She had nodded in conceited delight.

As she approached the dais she saw Luko and Hassan standing side by side, looking at her with wide eyes. Imperial pageantry was clearly something new to their eyes. Luko held her gaze for a moment, watching her closely. She returned the stare for a long moment, before moving on.

Ambassador Cuthrick awaited her, with Patrons Zyair and Gerrun flanking him. Patron Dalk stood slightly to one side. They were also decked in appropriately lavish outfits, procured from some of the best tailors the Empire could deploy at such short notice. All wore ceremonial swords as custom dictated.

Dalk held in his hands the sceptre of Chione, the sign of her father’s office. All four bowed as she approached. She bowed in return and then stood before them in an attitude of deference.

It was only appropriate. For now, she was just Lady Kahina, an Imperial citizen.

Dalk stepped forward.

‘Through great trial, misfortune and danger has our most revered young citizen arrived at this unique moment. Throughout she has been a beacon, a shining star in the firmament of the Empire, upholding our interests in all things, defeating our opponents, scattering those who would do us harm. She has triumphed over adversity, tragedy and disaster, always seeking to defend her people, her home … her world. We welcome home Lady Kahina Tijani, daughter of Algreb of the house of Loren.’

Applause rocked the hall, with cheers intermixed alongside.

Dalk waited for it to subside.

‘Kneel Lady Kahina, daughter of Algreb.’

Kahina knelt at the foot of the throne. Dalk took the Sceptre, raised it before the assembly and then instructed her to reach out and take it.

As she did so a rumble of approval echoed around the hall.

‘Arise, Senator Kahina Tijani Loren of Chione, in the Prism system.’

She climbed daintily to her feet as the four men bowed low before her. She walked past them and took her seat on the dais, hoisting the sceptre before her and looking around at her subjects.

Rapturous applause followed. She waited for long moments until it began to subside and then held a hand aloft.

‘Many died to see our world restored to Imperial jurisdiction,’ she said, her voice clear and direct, resonating around the hall. ‘We have confounded rebels, pushed back the wretched Federation and reclaimed our rights. This I did not achieve alone, but by the sacrifice of many and I would have them remembered and recalled to mind at this time.’

Silence fell and heads were bowed in reverence.

Kahina got to her feet, placing the sceptre carefully on the throne behind her.

‘Further to this, my first act as Senator will be to grant executive powers to those that have served me well, to ensure a peaceful future for all my subjects.’

A muted whispering sped around the hall. Kahina watched as heads nodded and turned to each other in hushed conversation.

‘Ambassador Cuthrick, Patrons Dalk, Zyair and Gerrun. You will hereby witness these actions as right and proper before this assembly.’

All four men stepped before her, bowed and then acknowledged her in unison. ‘We will, Senator.’

As one, they knelt before her.

Kahina stood tall, smiling down on the men abased beneath her. She drew her ceremonial sword, holding it hilt down for a moment before lowering the blade.

‘I, Senator Kahina Tijani Loren, daughter of Algreb, hereby cede all authority, powers both legal and temporal accorded to me upon the death of my father to my faithful servant …’

Dalk held his breath for a moment, bowing his head to accept the touch of the flat blade upon his scalp.

At last …

All his plans had come to fruition, all the schemes, all the intrigue, all the battles and fights. Finally, Chione would belong once more to those from whom it had been stolen all those years ago. Even Octavia has been removed from the equation. He could rebuild, oust the Federation, oust the Empire, be free once more …

Kahina took her own breath and then announced her choice in tones of ringing clarity.

‘… Ambassador Cuthrick Delaney.’

There was an audible gasp from around the room, with the notable exception of the ambassador. Dalk looked up at Kahina, a burning rage igniting within him. He saw her face full of glee, her head tilted up, smugly looking down at him. At the haughty expression on her face, his rage flamed brightly.

‘How dare you …’ he began, ‘you promised.’

Kahina fixed him with a glare, though a smile played across her lips. ‘You asked me to cede power to one who valued peace above all, one who served my interests in all things.’

‘That one is me, girl,’ Dalk growled.

‘You?’ Kahina replied innocently. ‘You who murdered me? Abducted me? Used me to further your own ends?’ She abruptly brought the sword around, the tip just under his chin. ‘Exactly how have you served me, traitor Dalk?’

Still kneeling, Gerrun muttered to Zyair. ‘She has a point.’

Zyair nodded, his eyes watching the sword. ‘A very sharp one.’

Dalk glared at Kahina, trembling with the effort of remaining in control. ‘Chione is mine.’

‘Chione was never yours,’ Kahina retorted. ‘Is that what this world needs? More death, more war, more fighting over resources? How many have already died? Not even the Federation makes that mistake. You don’t want peace, Dalk. You’ll stop at nothing, will you? Power and control; that’s what you desire.’