[05] Elite: Reclamation (51 page)

‘You know nothing of what I desire, little girl.’ Dalk wrestled his thoughts back into line. There were other ways he could deal with this upstart child. ‘This is my world, taken from me by Imperial aggression. Have you forgotten the destruction wrought by your precious Imperial fleet? Bombs dropped by command of your, oh so honourable Fleet Admiral? Authorised by your very own beloved father? You are the daughter of a disgraced genocidal Senator. You aren’t fit to rule. Return Chione to one who is, its rightful owner.’

‘I give Chione to those who will serve its best interests,’ Kahina replied. ‘There will be no more war, no evictions, no …’

‘You defy me? I taught you, schooled you, tutored you, you’d be nothing without …’

‘And I’m in debt to your guidance, Dalk,’ she replied. ‘Are you displeased that I have become the leader you always thought I could be? Or would you rather me not know my own will?’

‘Chione is mine!’ Dalk roared.

‘You lost Chione the moment you schemed, Dalk,’ Kahina said softly. ‘What is it you’re supposed to stand for? Freedom? Self-determination? Freedom from corruption? That’s what you said you valued, but you’d happily see me abused to put you where you could enjoy your so-called rights.’

Her voice grew angry. ‘I know what you had planned with Octavia. My body at her whim, a living death! You’ve forgotten the meaning of what you fought for. All you have is vengeance for those that wronged you, but they’re all gone, Dalk! Dead and buried. Tragic yes, but the conflict stops here and now. Today we will make amends for all who suffered. Survivors from all sides will be catered for. Chione will welcome all.’

He shook his head. ‘You are a naïve fool ...’

‘Times change, Dalk. Time for Chione to move on too. Let’s put the past behind us and look to the future. There is always a role for those with ability.’

Kahina lowered the sword a touch and then stepped back. She held her other hand towards him, palm open.

‘I would still have you serve me, Dalk. Let’s rebuild this moon for all concerned. Join me in this. I will forgive you for past wrongs.’

Dalk bowed his head. He could acquiesce, rebuild his plans, influence and cajole. It would take time … His rage boiled over. The girl would stand in his way at every stage, with the power of the Imperial regime behind her.

Dalk heard Gerrun mutter some instruction to the Imperial guards stationed alongside. He heard their footsteps as they moved slowly forwards. Dalk sensed them out of the corner of his eye. Kahina had no intention of honouring him with a position, she would quietly dispose of him once she’d put that toady Cuthrick in position.

Damn her!

With a quick reflex move he batted Kahina’s sword away and backpedalled to his feet. Before she could advance on him he’d drawn his own sword. He straightened to his full height and regarded her with a cold stare. Gerrun, Zyair and Cuthrick retreated clumsily away from him.

‘You will cede power to me or I will kill you,’ Dalk roared.

‘Dalk, relent,’ Cuthrick said, raising his voice. ‘Guards, subdue him!’

Kahina held up her hand.

‘No,’ she said, equally firmly. ‘He is mine. Back away.’

‘Senator …’ Cuthrick’s voice was tight with worry.

‘Do as I say! Back away!’

Cuthrick, Zyair and Gerrun climbed to their feet and stepped back. Dalk watched as she turned her attention back to him. ‘My father wronged you Dalk, in that you speak the truth. I will not deny you the chance to slake your thirst for vengeance. Either way, this conflict stops here.’

‘Kahina … no!’ Hassan called. Dalk saw Luko pull the youth back. Luko’s face was bright with approval and satisfaction.

‘She does this for her people,’ Luko said. ‘Is an honourable thing …’

‘… but he’ll kill her!’ Hassan cried.

Dalk warily watched as Kahina stepped down from the dais and advanced towards him, dropping into a guarded stance, holding her sword before her.

‘Come then, Dalk,’ she said. ‘I’ll answer for the crimes of my father. You’ll answer for your crimes against me, my family and the slaves who have died for the sake of your intrigue. Let’s see who has the greater wrath.’

‘I will kill you,’ Dalk said. She seemed assured, too assured. ‘If you stand in your father’s place, expect no mercy.’

A smile touched the edges of her lips. ‘I have reason enough to hate you too. Perhaps you remember? I warned you I’d have you one day, old man.’

Dalk circled her, never taking his eyes off her, conscious of the echo of a conservation held but a few short weeks before. Friends then; mortal enemies now.

‘But not this day, Imperial girl. This day will see the end of you and your execrable family.’

‘And where will you go, old man?’ she sneered, still sidestepping around, keeping him directly ahead. ‘You’re a traitor to the Empire, you’ll be wanted by the Federation. Octavia is dead, the traders will never trust you. You played a dangerous game … and you lost. Kill me and you’ve achieved nothing, you’ll never leave this hall alive. Why not work with me rather than against me? Chione belongs to me, you know this. It is legally binding.’

‘At least I’ll have the satisfaction of ridding the universe of the last accursed flux-stained offspring of the Loren family. I should have known better than to cultivate you.’

‘Regret the time spent training me? An Imperial lady at your beck and call?’

Dalk growled. ‘Imperial trash! And you’re no lady, your father was right. You are worthless, deformed …’

Kahina’s face hardened and a muscle in her cheek twitched. Her hand tightened on the hilt of her sword. The tip raised.

‘Choice made then, Dalk. Come and get me, old man.’

Dalk swung at her, a blur of flashing swinging metal. Kahina parried three times in rapid succession and jumped back, sword still held towards him.

‘Is that the best you can do?’ she jeered.

‘I haven’t even started,’ he replied, readying another attack. This time it was more measured; a combination of thrusts and twists, aiming to disarm her. She responded with deft strokes, turning the blade aside each time. Back and forth they fought, sparks flying from their swinging weapons. Kahina kicked out and sent Dalk stumbling backwards. He turned quickly and they circled back to guard positions, warily watching each other.

She’s fast! Too fast. She was faking during her lessons with me! The conniving …

‘I learnt my lessons better than you knew,’ she said, a smile touching her lips as she read the confused expression on his face. ‘Perhaps you’ve forgotten how astute a student I was. Did you think you were my only tutor? Prepare to reap what you have sown. I am the voices of my family and every slave you sent to death to pay the price for your failed reclamation.’

‘My voice speaks for those your father murdered,’ Dalk returned. ‘I will extract revenge from you for their suffering. You will feel every death, every cut a sweet morsel until you lie gutted; your body unrecognisable. You won’t come back from death this time, I promise you that.’

‘Thus speaks traitor Dalk,’ Kahina said. ‘You have no honour left, no loyalty, nothing but selfish ambition and wrath. I pity you!’

Dalk howled out of sheer frustration and launched himself towards her. He swung his sword in great sweeping arcs, consumed by rage. Kahina parried and blocked, but was sent stumbling back, trying desperately to defend herself.

‘This is my world! This is my home! It is mine!’

Dalk’s rage burst its carefully woven bounds of restraint. His sword crashed down upon the maddening girl time and again. She dodged, ducked and wove out of the way. He pursued her relentlessly, enraged by every blow that failed to land on her. Sparks flashed and spiralled away from the whirling blades.

Dalk saw a brief moment of advantage and let loose a punch. Kahina saw it coming and stepped aside, but she was a moment too late. The blow did little actual harm, but it unbalanced her. Dalk was ready with a thrust.

His blade sliced across her left arm, just above the elbow. Blood flowed. Kahina yelped in surprise and backed away. A gasp of horror was drawn from the onlookers.

‘First blood to me,’ Dalk gasped with the exertion. ‘Relent. Cede to me and I will spare you ... safe passage back … to the Empire.’

Kahina shook her head, also trying to catch her breath. ‘If my death … saves my world from further torment … I go willingly.’

‘Then let me speed your demise,’ Dalk growled, stabbing forwards once more.

Kahina parried and turned his blade back on him. He sidestepped the return swing and then came at her again, cutting down at her with powerful strokes, forcing her to defend and back away. It was clear she was tiring. Their blades crossed, bring them close together.

‘I don’t want to kill you,’ he said.

‘Nor I you,’ she returned, her voice catching.

‘Then give me what I want. End this madness.’

‘The madness is yours …’

He pushed her backwards. She stumbled and fell, rolling aside as his blade swept down, clanging against the marble flooring. He struck at her in fury, frustrated at not being able to land a killing bow. She scrambled away and regained her feet, expertly deflecting his attacks, ducking a swipe at her neck she was unable to block in time.

She jumped back onto the dais. He could see she was sweating fiercely, her hair dank against her forehead. Dalk pursued her up to Algreb’s throne. She dropped her guard for a moment, Dalk seized the opportunity and stabbed forward.

She sidestepped the blow and brought the pommel of her sword down on his elbow, bringing her knee up at the same time. A wet crunch preceded a shattering shock of agony. He yelled in pain and surprise. Before he could recover, the flat of her sword smashed into his head, cracking his nose. Blood spurted from his face. He dropped his sword, but lashed out with his fist, connecting hard with her shoulder. Her sword clattered down beside her as she fell backwards, rolling down onto the marble floor. He heard her land and cry out in pain.

Dalk staggered forward. She’d broken his elbow with that move, his sword arm was useless, blood was gushing from his ruined nose. He gritted his teeth against the pain and turned to face her as she got unsteadily to her feet. She was off balance, shaking her head.

‘A cheap trick,’ he spat.

‘You taught me never to stop fighting until I could fight no more,’ she answered. ‘Blame yourself if I listened.’

They faced each other again. She was sweating and breathing hard. Blood was flowing freely down her arm. He glared at her, humiliated, finding it impossible to believe he had yet to defeat this upstart, this interloper, this Imperial ... girl. He who had taken down the fighting forces of the Empire and the Federation. An Elite pilot, a warrior. She looked exhausted, ready to submit. She was a worthy opponent; perhaps he had trained her too well. No matter, her time was near. He smiled, she had put everything into that last move and had nothing more to give.

She didn’t move as he approached, but dropped her guard slightly. Her shoulders drooped as she raised her arms to guard herself. She staggered slightly to one side, shaking her head. He feinted and then punched with his good arm.

She wasn’t there. For a moment he caught a glimpse of her face, her eyes bright and sharp. She’d summoned up some reserve of strength, he’d been tricked. He realised a moment too late.

She grabbed his outstretched arm, pushed it up and twisted his wrist into a vicious lock. She brought her elbow crashing into his kidneys. As he doubled over she brought up her fist backwards and sideways. She hit him straight between the eyes. The pain was excruciating, he felt shattered fragments of his nose burst through his skin. He went down heavily, flat on his back, winded and gasping.

He made to get up, but the sword point was back at his throat.

‘Enough,’ she said. ‘Give it up, Dalk.’

She stood over him, blood oozing from the wound on her arm, he could see it dripping down to her wrist. He hoped it hurt like hell.

‘You can’t even finish me …’

His eyes caught hers.

Steely determination, regret, anger and remorse.

She backed away just a little, repositioning the sword.

‘I don’t want to kill you …’

His lips curled in anger, ignoring her words and wrestling himself upwards to attack her once more.

Sadness in her eyes ...

Pain speared through him. A groan escaped his throat. He looked down to see the sword embedded in his chest. His legs collapsed under him, an intense burning fire cascading through his torso.

‘… but I will,’ her voice was soft.

She’d stabbed him through the heart. Neat, precise and clean. He gasped, unable to comprehend his own mortality. He reached forward, grabbing her wrist in a crushing grip.

‘No …’ he managed to utter.

‘This circle is truly broken now.’

His strength failed him and he fell back against the cold marble floor.

She knelt down, positioning herself next to him. In shock he looked up as she bent over him. He could see tears in her eyes. As he watched they trickled unashamedly down her cheeks.

‘You were right,’ she said sadly. ‘It is better this way.’

Darkness swept in, eclipsing his life, his dreams and his aspirations. All were smothered in a veil of inky nothingness.

***

Luko watched as the landscape around him emerged from the shadow of Daedalion. The faintly glimmering stars were banished as the sky brightened to a glorious azure once more, the daily eclipse was over. The sun light sparkled on the bay as the dark shadow of the planet swept away to the west.

Behind him, the ruined palace still stood, a shadow of its original glory, burnt and blackened from the battle. He stood, enjoying the warmth upon his face, his eyes closed for a moment.

He heard footsteps, light and even, crunching on the broken pathway nearby. They stopped next to him.

‘Ah, signorina. You were right, this is a beautiful place.’

‘It is.’ Her voice was soft and thoughtful.

Luko looked across at her, squinting in the brightness. ‘You are very brave, but you took a big risk.’