Defender of the Empire 2: Facades (7 page)

              A RAVEN SPECTRAL, Kylesst explained. THEY HAVE A GIFT FOR SEEING AND KNOWING THINGS BEFORE THE REST OF US.

             
If that is true, why hadn’t he warned them about the attack?
I asked.

              THAT I DON’T KNOW. Kylesst sounded troubled. IT COULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE THE AMBUSH WAS LED BY SOUL SHADOWS. But, he didn’t sound convinced. There was something else going on. I could feel it. My gut said that no Spectral would voluntarily, or in any way knowingly, lead their chosen Shade or that Shade’s dearest friends into danger. They would do everything they could to protect. They were inherent protectors.

              So what could fool a Seer Spectral? I didn’t have enough information and Kylesst’s comforting presence had faded. As I had observed before, he was weak. I let him go, praying that he would speak with me again. Perhaps he might even be able to tell me where he was, so I could come and save him as he had been saving me since we met. Though, I don’t think I could be anywhere near as cryptic.

              I noticed something as I looked through the articles the Order had on my father. It made the hair rise on the back of my neck. There were no pictures of Joseph Raven. None. There were places for it in the documents, but no image. It was eerie, just like the public Citizen Archives. Though at least there it had been noted that the family wanted the images out of the public eye. But the Shade Order’s database was not public nor would they erase any information, seeing as only a Shade could read it. I wondered briefly if a Soul Shadow could, but if they could it begged the question ‘why were there still Shades?’ Wouldn’t the Soul Shadows do what they could to erase the Spectrals ability to fight them?

              Tangent aside, I still couldn’t understand how the database had no image of Joseph Raven.
What am I missing?
I asked myself, before turning to someone who had more experience with the database. “Hey Becky,” I called privately to Marius’s handler. Since I was his student, Becky got to deal with me as well.

              “Hey there sweetheart. What can I do for you?” Becky asked with a smile coloring her tone.

              “I have two questions I hope you can help me with.”

              “Shoot.”

              “I’m looking for information on my parents, and I noticed that there are no images of my father. It’s like they don’t exist. The question is, what am I missing?”

              “I don’t get it either,” she replied far faster than I expected.

              I blinked blankly at my tablet. “That was fast…”

              Becky laughed. “Sound a little shell-shocked, Rylynn. Be impressed by my skills but not intimidated,” she continued after a couple more chuckles at my expense. “Marius already asked me to see what I could find. Personally, I think that letter from your aunt made him curious. I am sorry about what happened to your parents, Rylynn,” she added in a much more somber tone.

              I shrugged, though I know she couldn’t see it. “It’s hard to miss what you’ve never known.”

              Becky snorted. “Keep telling yourself that and you might believe it one day,” she said bluntly. “It still hurts when you wonder ‘what might have been’.” she continued, unknowingly parroting what I had said to Kylesst not that long ago. Before I could say anything else, Becky continued. “I don’t know how the Shade database was altered, I will have to talk to Sam about it, but I can’t imagine that there are no images in existence. I bet his parents probably have some copies. We’ll find something,” she assured me.

              “Thanks Becky.”

              “No problem. Now what was your second question?” she prompted.

              I hesitated a moment, trying to figure out how to word this one. “Reading through what is here, it sounds like I was ‘born’ on Coronaius. Does that make me a Citizen?”

              “Yep,” she answered again quickly, though this time I wasn’t quite as surprised since she had already been looking through the same documents. “I’ve been looking into getting the paperwork done for you,” she said. “After all, you
are
already considered one by being in the Legion Fleet. We are just adding more credence to what is already true.”

              “Thanks,” I said before ending the transmission. I was grateful that I would soon be officially part of this new universe I was in. I wanted to know if the looks I had been getting from Lassie and her ilk would change once it was known that I was a Citizen. Even more hilarious, the Prime rock I had been born on was Coronaius, the same place as Lassie. But it was also the same place as Adrian Knight… I shuddered before sinking into my chair. It wasn’t the planet’s fault who lived on it. But now that the thrill of anticipating the look on Lassie’s face had worn off, I had to ask myself, what had actually changed? I hadn’t. I was still me. Still Rylynn Tara Sinclair. A girl who was raised by her aunt and who was now a crewman on a starship, the LFH
Hail Mary
. I just knew a little bit more about where I came from.

              It was about that moment that I realized that if I didn’t get moving soon I was going to be late for the briefing.

***

              Ace

             
That should do it,
Ace thought as he finished his modifications to the computer access point. He smiled as he knelt beside it to check that everything was working perfectly. Happily, it was. The computer, and thus the crew, was blind to his presence here on the
Hail Mary.
Short of someone walking into this storage room and catching sight of him, that was how it was going to stay.

              He smiled as he thought of what Rylynn’s roommate would think of what he had just done. It probably wouldn’t be kind at all. Most Citizens would have a problem knowing that the Guardians used technology that could utilize Citizen Technology without anyone being the wiser. And if anybody noticed the piggy-backing signal, they would have the brain-aching task of trying to untie the knot of bounced signals and systems. There were so many that finding the source would be next to impossible. It made Ace glad, and admittedly smug, that he was the source of this signal. He had the somewhat easier job.

              Satisfied that everything was well, he sent the quick pulse to his waiting friend. After a couple of seconds delay, an answering pulse arrived. Ace nodded. Everything was ready on both sides. Now, all he had to do was transmit the marking signal and get a shuttle lined up. And when they arrived at Lenti, he would retrieve his prodigal sister that was the hope of his home.

Chapter 7 – “Greetings”

              Near Colony Lenti

Lenti-Solum System

              Spectral Empire

              Rylynn

              One moment we were traveling through a deceptively calm hyperspace tunnel. The next we were appearing in real space, and getting shot at. At least that is what the constant trembling in the ship made me think of. My assumption was supported by the klaxons roaring to life and turning the corridor’s lights red after the first jolt.
Lovely, ‘music’ to go with the welcoming committee,
I whimpered, as I leaned against the wall a few yards from medical and pressed my hands over my ears.
Why does it always seem that welcoming committees are out for blood?
I thought inanely. Any moment now the ship would stop trembling from being hit, right?

              “It’s not very welcoming, is it?” M. Kit muttered.

             
If it is who I think it is, they don’t know the meaning of the word ‘welcoming’. Or ‘civil’ for that matter,
I thought back, as I tried to convince myself that the racket would not in and of itself kill me.
Can you deaden my ears a little?
I asked my Medi-Comp.

“I’m sorry, Rylynn. But you need to be able to hear what is happening around you. I cannot inhibit a sensory organ. But I am healing whatever damage is done,” M. Kit helpfully told me. Groaning, I began to move back toward medical since it was closest. I had left it because my shift there had been over and my next assignment was on the bridge. But the bridge was several decks above, and farther toward the front of the ship. The truth is, I wasn’t sure what was expected of me in this circumstance. I figured since I was at the nearest medical they would appreciate all the helping hands they could get. It
was
medical, after all, and if the shields failed and damage was done it would become a madhouse. I might not be able to do surgery, but I knew the basics of first aid.

The klaxons desisted, thankfully, a moment before Admiral Wingstar began speaking over the ship’s intercom. I continued heading toward medical as he spoke. The lights still painted the hall red. “All crew to battle stations! A few mercenaries and their friends decided to have a pissing contest with us.” I blinked at the emotion that colored the usually calm admiral’s voice. There was a quiet anger, tinged with annoyance that made me almost feel sorry for those attacking us. Almost—but
they
had made the decision to attack us, not me. “Medical be prepared. Pilots, be ready.” I felt a stab of fear as I realized that Westley and perhaps Marius were likely part of that group. And where was Jason? On the bridge? I honestly couldn’t remember where he was stationed at the moment.

Even if you knew where they were, how would that help?
I asked myself.
You know them. They have brains and you’ve seen them in action. They will be fine,
I continued.
They are doing what you are doing, whatever they can to be of help. Think only about what is going on here and now,
I coached myself.

              I was set to work putting together first aid packs for when calls came in for minor assistance; bandages and antiseptic and pain medication for the minor cuts and bruises of people who could still work their stations. I would be one of the runners, should someone call. If there was anything worse than what the pack was prepared for, I was to use a stasis cube to give the actual medical staff time to get there. I prayed that I wouldn’t see anything worse than a few minor cuts and bumps.

              I had just finished checking the contents of each bag (to double-check and be busy, so I wouldn’t feel useless) when a call came for minor assistance. “Rylynn, they need first aid on D-deck, in hanger 4,” Dr. Sandren Rush, the head of medical, told me. I nodded and closed the pack I had just checked. Shouldering it, I rushed out of medical. I took the nearby hatch to access the ladder between decks. I didn’t have too far to go. D-deck was the floor right below, and hanger 4 wasn’t that far of a run away. I made it out of the hatch without incident and ran down the corridor toward hanger 4. I passed a few fellow crewmembers who were heading in the other direction. I was, for a change, grateful for my small size as I could avoid them easily without pausing in my run. It didn’t take long till I saw the plaque with ‘HANGER 4’ unmistakably written on it.

Almost there…

              Instinct screamed a warning a moment too late. Before I could react, an arm went around my middle and pinned me to the strong body behind me. A cloth soaked in something that smelled foul was pressed over my nose and mouth. I attempted to hold my breath so I wouldn’t intake any more of the foul chemicals. I writhed, trying to escape, but I was small and he was obviously bigger and stronger than I was. Yeah, I wasn’t praising my smallness at that point. I tried to slip away again without much luck. Fine. There were other ways. I tried to kick my assailant’s shins, but I couldn’t connect. He seemed to be expecting it. I settled for stomping on an instep. At the same time, my hand attempted to pull the obviously drugged cloth away so I could breathe untainted air. My fingers also moved toward the delicate webbing between his thumb and forefinger and fingernail beds.

              I grinned when I got his instep with my heel. He grunted satisfyingly, but didn’t loosen his hold on me. If anything he held me tighter, forcing what little air I had left from my lungs. My vision was going hazy as I tried to remember why it would not be a good idea to breathe in. But then, I couldn’t see how I had much hope if I couldn’t get free soon. Passing out and breathing in the drugs would also spell a win for my assailant.

              “Greetings to you too, Ry. Do you have to be so stubborn?” he complained softly in my ear. Shock widened my eyes and caused my brain to stall. Looking back, I’m pretty sure that was the reaction he was looking for.
Ace was
here
?! How did no one know?
My shocked brain coughed. I’m not sure if that makes any sense, but that’s what it felt like at the time. And with my brain thus preoccupied, my lungs revolted. I drew in tainted air.

Shit!
I swore internally. Frantically, I tried to cough the burning chemicals out, but lack of oxygen and the drugs themselves were already working their own brand of magic. Dimly I could hear M. Kit muttering something about ‘holding on’ and ‘don’t worry I’ll clean it out.’
Hurry,
I thought to her and I tried to do as she said.
Call for help!
I begged of her.

“I
can’t!
Something is keeping me from reaching out,” M. Kit told me. If machines could sob, she sounded like she was. “I’ll keep trying as I clean out the drugs,” she vowed to me. I tried to thrash, but Ace held me still—not that it was hard for him to do, considering the fact that he cheated and drugged me.

“Shh, Ry. It’s okay. Just go to sleep. We’ll talk later,” Ace murmured over and over in a soothing voice. There was some solace in knowing we would be talking later, which meant whatever he was giving me now would not kill me. But that didn’t mean I was going to give up… Sadly, he just had to wait me out. I kept hoping that someone would come soon and help me. But my luck saw to it that no one happened by.
The pilots must already be in the hanger bay,
I thought as I slumped against Ace, the fight having fled me. My awareness wasn’t too far behind.

***

              Colony Lenti

              Lenti-Solum System

              Spectral Empire

Talis’talklen ses-Ky tapped his fingers on his chair’s armrest as he stared out the forward screen. Flanking his ship were other mercenary clanships and a few non-Telmick pirates. All of them formed a half circle around the coordinates where they had been told their target would re-emerge into real space. They were not to destroy the ship, only distract it long enough for an LFA transmitting a certain frequency to emerge and be picked up by his ship. Then they were to all disperse as fast as they could. They would be paid for a job well done at that point. Their payment would be ready for pick up from pre-agreed upon planets or coordinates of their choice. That was for the others. For the ses-Ky, they would have to wait until after they dropped off the passengers of the LFA on Lenti before being paid.

              Easy money… except they were up against a Legion Fleet Hasta class starship. Hastas were the Legion Fleet’s steadfast battle cruisers. Armed with enough laser cannons and Char missiles to make most adversaries think twice before engaging, they were fortresses in the stars. On top of that were the twenty flights of LFGs that would pour out of the four hangers and cause misery to the idiots who attacked. Destroying a LFH was not something a sane individual attempted, only the foolish or the desperate.

              Talis’talklen liked to believe that he was neither. And they were not
supposed to
destroy the Hasta. Any desperation he could be accused of would be taken care of by the pay he would be receiving upon his holding up his end of the deal. He just prayed the LFGs would be held in reserve for when the warship was annoyed enough to use them. Hopefully that wouldn’t be until
after
the pick-up was made.

              “Good thing they only use those LFGs as a final resort,” his second, Saffa’tauta ses-Ky, muttered, unknowingly continuing his silent thoughts, when the target ship popped into existence in front of them. She was massive and dwarfed the mercenary ships. The name of the ship was boldly inscribed on its hull: LFH
Hail Mary.

              “Fire,” Talis’talklen ordered, with a slight shake of his head at the foolishness of some missions. But he was a professional and would get this job done… unlike the last one. Those strange cadets had made taking this job necessary. At least they had taken out the Zar’daken warship which made the botched job slightly more tolerable. He and his men survived when the Zar’dakens had not, only because they had made it to the shuttles in time before the
Dark Claw
was destroyed. Though slightly mollified, it still wasn’t something one sang about when one came home.

              The sour taste of it lingered still in his mouth. Even worse, this job was in the Lenti-Solum System, the same that those fools following the ses-KGor were in. Even the dumb and children knew that picking a planet clean of goods was never a rich move. Raiding was, in its way, just like ranching. You had to wait for the herd to replenish itself and grow fat before taking the choicest specimens. That was how one got rich, not this idiotic smash-and-grab-as-much-as-you-can tactic the ses-KGor clan and its followers were using now.

              Talis’talklen’s yellow eyes narrowed at his thoughts as he watched the other ships fire upon the Legion Fleet Hasta. Brightly hued laser blasts smattered over the great warship’s shields. Answering laser blasts flickered out at the attacking mercenaries. Experienced with the methodical military might of the Legion Fleet, Talis’talklen knew they wouldn’t be wasting heavy charges early on. They would weaken their attackers and give them a chance to yield. If that didn’t work, then they would simply blast them out of the sky. Lasers would test the enemy’s shields, then they would fire char missiles, and LFGs might then join the fray. All the LFH would have to do then would be to bat away the opponent’s shots until their shields were sufficiently weakened. Then, the choice was given. Talis’talklen had no intention of waiting around for that to happen.

              Chars soon joined the bright laser blasts, and the mercenaries were forced to swerve and dance to avoid the shield-eating buggers. He didn’t have to tell Ai’alusa ses-Ky, his pilot, to avoid them. The man already knew, and was one of the best at avoidance flying. Apparently the commander of the ship they were attacking was annoyed, because the four bay doors were opening, letting a stream of LFGs enter the fray. Talis’talklen leaned back in his chair while his second swore viciously next to him. Honestly, Talis’talklen wasn’t surprised that the LFGs had joined the fun. The Legion Fleet seemed to be his curse lately.

“Avoid them. We are
not
leaving here until we pick up that LFA,” he said softly. Not that he looked away from the forward view screen, but he did see his bridge crew nod. They were the ses-Ky and they
liked
it when things got rougher—if for no other reason than Saffa’tauta got to practice his latest curses. He was a collector of such things. It wasn’t long until Kifen’alusa ses-Ky’s console picked up the special signal.

“Let’s get this done,” Talis’talklen said. The sooner they got their pay, the sooner they could leave this wasted corner of the system.

***

Rylynn

Black, thick, cotton pressed around me. It was not a happy place. But I couldn’t seem to leave it for a time because I had no energy to get out. So, I had to wait. I really dislike waiting. Eventually, I began to notice that the cotton was letting up. I could also faintly hear M. Kit again. She was muttering about the dangers of overdosing someone and thank goodness that I had a strong immune system. I was also gaining more awareness of my body. It made me wonder…