School Days
“Doctor Sasoum we are thirty minutes from the Capital.” The attendant was holding a drink before the doctor. Taking the drink the doctor spoke. “Thank you, just where will we be arriving?” The attendant spoke. “Service gate one, at the royal family port. Admiral Kenesh will be meeting you there.” The doctor proceeds to consume the rest of her drink. “I see. You think I might get another one of these?” The attendant took the empty glass from her hand. “I’ll be right back with another one.” Dr Sasoum stares out the window, the Capital was coming into view. “The royal gate, so close to my lab and Kenesh is going to meet me in person. Well I guess she’ll want answers as soon as possible.” The attendant arrived with another drink. The doctor took it thanked the attendant and continued to watch the Capital grow larger in the window.
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Debeusec sat looking out the shuttle window. It would be four more days till he arrived at the planet. It had been a good idea to take the ambassadors pickup shuttle. It had given him time to remove the weight of his duties from his mind. He would arrive relaxed and refreshed. He would be able to communicate with Lafiel having a clear and open mind. A small smile came across his face. The stars seem to twinkle with acceptance.*********
Kenesh had given up using her office. She was more comfortable in the conference room at the end of the corridor. Opening the door Ramaj found the lights were set very dim. Kenesh was floating above the table, facing the ceiling a set of data charts and several note files were displayed before her. Upon closer examination Ramaj found that Kenesh was sound asleep. The area around the table had gravity it was just the table top itself that was set for a weight less state. Timing her next move, as not to push Kenesh out of the field and crashing to the floor. Ramaj gently poked Kenesh in the side. Kenesh’s head turns towards the direction she had been touched. Her eyes slowly opened and a smile comes across her face. “Oh it’s you. I must have dozed off.” Before she could finish Ramaj spoke. “The shuttle is twenty-two minutes out. I’m glad I came to get you. Had I blasted a Com alert, you would have fallen on the floor.” Kenesh was becoming aware of what was transpiring. She slowly balanced the gravity field of the tabletop and neatly sat herself on the edge of the table. Hopping onto the floor she looks at Ramaj and says. “Then I guess I need to get going.” Before she reached the door she heard. “Are you Okay?” She stops, turns and saw Ramaj with a look of concern on her face. “Yes I’m fine. I’ve made peace with myself on this issue. I can do this objectively.” With that she turned and left the room. Ramaj powered down the displays. Then she followed Kenesh out of the room. Once in the corridor this nagging thought that Kenesh had not been completely truthful with her arose. She had other duties to perform and Kenesh did seem to be fine. She noted her perception of Kenesh and continued down the corridor.
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In her quarters Admiral Nastoyia sat. She had spent the last seventy – two hours in pursuit of the Rebel fleet. Now she had lost them. With a call to the bridge she arranged for her commanders to hold a briefing from her quarters. She sat at the table and twenty-five small screens appeared around her. It was a simple briefing she ordered the group back to normal space and to assemble in the planetary group surrounding Sord 577. She asked her commanders to review each of their group’s requirements and to forward them to her chief of staff as soon as possible. She finished. ”The transport and supply vessels will be waiting in the system when we arrive. Those ships not requiring repairs will refuel first. Then ships requiring repairs will be assessed. Finally rearming and crew replacements. We will consolidate our forces and go looking for the Rebels again.” Twenty-five commanders nodded with approval and then disappeared.
To be a member of Nastoyia fleet you had to be in the top five percent in your class, an experienced officer with an exemplary service record and female. This applies to her crew and staff as well. Her Chief of Staff was a no nonsense woman. She held the same dislike for male officers as the Admiral did. Admiral Nastoyia lay back on her bunk. This was a great disappointment to her. She desperately wanted the Rebel leader captured and his fleet destroyed. Sleep did not come easy to her.
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Shoes in hand and uniform pants rolled up to her knees. Ekuryua wadded in the lagoon. The small fish wriggled between her toes. The water was warm and Risch watched all of this with great interest. He had never seen her so relaxed before and she had a smile unlike any he had ever seen. She seemed completely content on this planet. He did like what he saw. Soon hunger intervened and they returned to the shelter. On the walk back they stopped often to view or explore the natural flowers and plant life that the planet contained. The smell of breakfast greeted them upon their return. It seems that Jinto went all out for his guest.*********
Lafiel still slept in the sun chair. Jinto had set the table up outside. The meal was just put out as Ekuryua and Risch approached. Jinto saw them and spoke. “Great timing, the meal is done and I won’t have to go looking for you.” Ekuryua looks at the meal it was impressive meat, eggs, vegetables and breads, enough to feed a small army. She looks at Jinto. “Do you always do the cooking? I thought Lafiel had become quite the cook herself.” Jinto smiled. “She’s a good cook. But lately, she has not had the motivation to cook. So I’ve done it and it’s not a problem.” Jinto motioned to the table. ”Sit, eat, before it gets cold. I’ll go get Lafiel.” He left and walked to the sun chair. Lafiel was laying on her back the large sun hat covering her face and her hair gently blowing in the breeze. Jinto approached the chair and touched her hand. It was immediately pulled away. Jinto tried again this time the other hand nearly took his head off. Watching from the table Ekuryua and Risch stopped eating and started taking a greater interest in what was happening before them.
Jinto was not deterred he stood off to one side and gently poked Lafiel in the side the response was immediate and excessive. Lafiel was out of the chair; she hit Jinto with flying cross body block. They both hit the ground and continued to wrestle for position. Risch went to stop them Ekuryua grabbed his shirt. “Let them be. No harm has come to either of them. This little display interests me.” Risch sat down, he look at Ekuryua she had this evil little smile on her face it was a smile he had seen before.
Lafiel ended up on top of Jinto. She was sitting in his lap. From there, she proceeded to unmercifully tickle Jinto. The wind blew her dress up around her head and the hair in her face. Undaunted she continued to attack Jinto’s ribs. Jinto was writhing in pain and laughter. His movements beneath her were causing other reactions as well. Lafiel sensed what was happening and stopped her assault. Jinto laid on the ground gasping for breath and Lafiel sat firmly on his lap her legs holding him at bay. “Well Jinto I’m glad to see I still can get the best of you.”
Jinto gasping, looks towards the table. Their guests were wide-eyed and smiling at them. Jinto looks at her and says. “Lafiel. You put on quite a show for our guest as well. I would not call that a fair fight.” She just smiles. “Jinto those are our friends. I would not put on such a display for mere guest.” She settled herself in his lap. “I believe we have a more pressing issue to take care of.” Jinto looks at her. “You feel up to it?” Lafiel stood up. She helps Jinto to his feet. She shook out her hair and straightened her dress. Then she turns towards their friends. “You’ll excuse us. We have some business to take care of. Eat, enjoy yourself we will be back shortly.” With that they went inside.
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Risch looks at Ekuryua. She was dazed, just slightly. Lafiel’s show was a little more than she had expected. She returned to her food trying to avoid eye contact with Risch. Risch grabbed a roll from the serving plate. He sat it on Ekuryua’s plate. Then took his hand and gently turned her face towards his. What he saw surprised him. She was crying. Her face was very flushed and the tears streamed down her cheeks around her lips and off her chin into her lap. She looks at him. She put down her fork and dove into his arms. He just held her there. She started sobbing and trying to speak at the same time. “I knew she was aggressive. I knew she loved him. I’m jealous. I never had anybody care that way for me. I never” Risch pulled her head from his chest taking his thumbs and gently wiping the tears from her eyes. He very passionately kissed Noel. It was a long and involved kiss. Gasping for breath. They both sat back and looked at each other. Then she took a long look at him. “You did that because you felt sorry for me?” He shook his head. “No Noel. I’ve always wanted to kiss you like that. It’s just that. On board ship it was impossible and we never took leave together, till now.” She leaned on his shoulder. “Let’s cover the food and go take a walk we can talk more and maybe.” She winked at him. He helped her put the food away they left arm in arm heading for the lagoon.*********
Kenesh was hot on the doctor’s heels as they entered her lab. “Status report!” The doctor shouted as she blew through the door. Her staff reacting as usual gave her the status of the two beings in stasis. “The girls brain activity went to zero just before you arrived. His brain activity has been off the charts. It seems he’s trying to bring himself out of stasis.” The doctor looked at Kenesh. “Do we wake him?” Kenesh nods her head. “Prepare to wake him.” The staff took their stations. The doctor looks at Kenesh. “Is your daughter fine has she shown any ill effects?” Kenesh assured the doctor that Ariel Ablïarsec was fine. “It will take about three hours for him to revived to a state where you can talk to him. Why don’t you get some rest.”
Kenesh left the room a senior staffer came to the doctor. “You might want to look at this it’s the results of the child’s brain scan. The center of the brain that supports the body stills functions. All other higher brain functions ceased several hours ago. Doctor. She is brain dead and we are not sure why.” The doctor scowled at the results. “Get me a DNA sample.” She kept reading the results and kept thinking. “What caused the brain to cease function so suddenly.” She now had a new mystery on her hands, a mystery, which had to be solved as soon as possible. The display showed that Dusanyu would be out of stasis in two point seven hours. She wondered if he knew the answer.
*********
“Hungry?” Jinto asked. Lafiel was sitting on the edge of the bed. She turns towards him. “Jinto. I’m sorry. I got a little rough with you. I embarrassed you in front of them. But I’ve been having these strange feelings and urges lately and I finally lost control. She blushes and continues. “I must tell you had they not been here. We would still be outside where we started. That was not very lady like of me. The Grand Chamberlain would have had a fit had he seen my performance. I can’t seem to control my urges. She looks at Jinto. He was deep in thought and still wincing for her playfulness. “Do you think any less of me?” Jinto sat up and leans against her. “No Lafiel. You and I have lots of differences and likes between us. This overpowering urge of yours to be physically aggressive is, well, quite enjoyable. Just try not to break me. I am fragile and we still have two hundred years together. So let’s not burn ourselves out. I was surprised that you had the energy to even start. Let alone go the distance. You’ve been so tired lately.” She gazes out the window. “You know Jinto. My mind is still foggy. But my body feels quite relaxed. I’m hungry. Let’s get something to eat. Then I want to soak in the hot tub for a while. Okay?” Jinto inquires. “By yourself?” Lafiel nods. “Well then Risch, Ekuryua and I will look at the data she brought.” Lafiel stood she went for the robe at the end of the bed. Seeing an opportunity Jinto gently slapped her bottom. She picks up the robe and turns towards him. “Are you ready to start where we left off?” Jinto smiles. “Let’s eat first. Get some work done. Then.” He took a good look at Lafiel. “It is your planet.” Lafiel immediately corrected him. “It’s our home Jinto. You have as much say as I do as to what goes on around here.”
She stood up and put on the robe as she walked to the door Jinto stopped her. “Lafiel stand still and back up just a little.” She knew what he was after. She backed up against the wall. Putting her heels firmly against the bottom of the wall then she stood up straight. Jinto walked over to her and put his hand over her head. She slipped to the side. “Ah another three cm. That makes you one hundred sixty-point five-cm. On Martine you would be five foot three inches tall. I am 168 cm, which is five foot six inches tall. Lafiel you keep going like this and you will be taller than I am.” She looks at the marks on the wall, a total increase of five-point five-cm (a little over two inches) in less than a month. “Jinto. What about the rest of me?” Jinto turns towards her his hands gently caressed her. She blushed. “Well with out measuring I’d say your proportions have filled out as well. You want me to measure you?” She turns towards the door. “Not now Jinto. I’m hungry lets eat and Jinto. Remember to put some clothes on before you follow me.”
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The walk to the lagoon took them past some of the most beautiful scenery on the island. Walking arm and arm Noel and Risch stopped, looked and talked along their way to the lagoon. Once there they wadded into the lagoon. They made it to chest deep before the long awaited caress began. They stood there half floating fully clothed and wrapped in each other’s arms. A warm breeze blew across the lagoon and the two friends started a journey that would encompass their lifetime.*********
“Jinto I wonder where they went?” Jinto was still eating. He looks at his creunoc. “According to this they are ten meters into the lagoon. I would guess about chest deep and floating. Their life signs are accelerated. They seem to be fine.” Lafiel took a bite of food she chews and swallows it. “So what you’re saying is that they are muddying up the lagoon. They probably are upsetting the fish too. I guess it would not be the first time the fish were upset.” She gently chuckles. “Jinto I’m going to the hot tub. I don’t want to be in more than two hours. You will come and get me in two hours?” Jinto set the timer on his creunoc. “Two hours it is Lafiel.” She left the table and headed for the tub. Jinto watched as she walked away, the sun passing through the robe. Her dimensions were changing for the best he thought. He cleared the table and went inside to start viewing Ekuryua’s data.*********
The water in the lagoon was warm. But in time it was pulling the heat out of their bodies. Their retreat to the shelter was hasty. They were freezing. Once their Risch got some clean clothes from Jinto. Risch changes and starts to look at the data with Jinto. When Noel found out Lafiel was in the hot tub. She grabbed a robe and disappeared. It was a short walk to the tub from the shelter and Noel had not warmed up at all. She hoped that Lafiel likes her tub warm. She approached the tub. Lafiel was facing her, eyes closed. She dropped her robe in the sand and stealthily slipped into the tub facing Lafiel. The gentle ripple of the water brought Lafiel’s eyes open. She was not surprised. “You’re back. Did you disturb the fish in the lagoon?” The water was a perfect temperature Noel was no longer cold. She answers. “The fish are fine and since you are inquiring. We did not take our clothes off.” Lafiel was looking at Noel she replies. “Do you normally just slip into a tub without asking? Not that I mind. I was just wondering if you were raised well?” The temperature of the water surrounding Noel rose sharply. She focused those blue green eyes and replied. “You were asleep. I was freezing. I took advantage of the situation. I’m sorry Lafiel. I can’t guarantee that it will not happen again.” Lafiel’s eyes just twinkled. “It’s fine Noel. You and I need sometime together. When Jinto and I are done with the training class we need to do some traveling. We will need to plan that. So you and I can enjoy the tub and talk business as well.”
Noel leans back in the tub her feet gently brushed against Lafiel’s. “So where do you want to go Lafiel?” Lafiel repositioned herself. “The first place is Vorash. It’s high time I met Jinto’s best friend and keeper of his harem.” Noel raised an eyebrow. “Then where?” Lafiel went on. “The Hyde System and then My Kingdom, The Nation of Roses. Jinto’s never seen it and it’s been so long since I have seen the system. I’d like to check it out. With these uncertain days having an attack vessel to travel in would be an excellent idea. Don’t you think so Noel?” She leans back in the tub, her blue green eyes hardened. “My ship, my command, you don’t get the center seat. Is that agreeable Lafiel?” Lafiel smiles. “Yes Noel. We understand each other perfectly.”
The balance of their time was spent relaxing. Jinto was surprised to find them in the tub together. Handing Noel her robe and helping Lafiel dress he had an announcement to make. “We figured out a way to destroy their new shield you need to see what we have discovered.” Ekuryua fastened her robe she turns to Jinto. “That’s great. I can send your discovery to Ramaj and she can forward it to Admiral Nastoyia.” Lafiel glared at Ekuryua. “Nastoyia? That witch! How did?” Lafiel recovered. “So she’s in charge. Well Jinto, we will know you and Risch found the answer. But we will have to send it as if Ekuryua has discovered it. Admiral Nastoyia does not trust males at all. If she knew a man found the answer. She would destroy her fleet rather than use anything from a male.” Jinto stares at Lafiel. “You’re kidding?” She frowned. Jinto accepted the fact. “Risch is going to be upset.” Ekuryua looks at Jinto. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him. Let’s go see what you found.” They head for the shelter.
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Entering the classroom several display were open all with views of the battle between Admiral Nastoyia’s fleet and the Rebel fleet. Risch was sitting with his back to them. “Jinto did you bring them with you?” Ekuryua answers. “Yes Risch. We are behind you.” Risch continues. “I ask you to watch the first display. I’ll start the replay pay close attention to the rebel vessel in the center of the display.” The replay starts, as each mine impacts the ship its shield glows a brilliant white. Then suddenly the color changed to a blinding orange. Then with in a blink of an eye it vanished. “The replay was in standard time. Let me slow it down so we can view it again.” The display starts again, this time at one-quarter speed. “Count the mine impacts.” The display shows four mine impacts, then what looks like two different impacts. It was here that the color shifted. “Pause display. Reverse point two seconds.” The display froze then retreated slightly. “Pause.” Risch walks to the display. The rest followed. “We were unsure at first. But if you look here that is a mine and this is an Em rifle shot. Watch what happens as they explode at the same time in the same area.” Risch forwards the display frame by frame. When the two impacted and explode they gave off a ripple effect being of two dissimilar energy signatures. The ship rapidly disintegrates under the shock wave. “The mines and the Em rifles use two different sources of energy. Our theory is their shield can only absorb one type of energy at a time and when confronted with a discharge such as this. Their system overloads and the ship vaporizes.” Ekuryua stood studying the display. “You have more examples of this I assume?” Risch points to the other displays. “I see.” Then she noticed a display opened separate from the others. “And this one?” Risch put himself between this display and them. “This one I found after Jinto left to get you. I warn you now it’s quite disturbing. Ready?” Ekuryua nods. Risch starts the display. What comes into view was Trife’s flagship in the foreground and Spoor’s flagship in the background. Within a few seconds an Em rifle shot glances off Trife’s shield and impacts Spoor’s shield reduced ship below the bridge. The explosion was near fatal. Ekuryua stood there motionless. Before she could speak Lafiel spoke. “Display, reverse five seconds advance by frame.” Several frames pass the Em shot comes into view. “Freeze. Analyze.” The display froze the computer started identifying everything in the frame. Trife’s ship its status displayed. Spoors ship its status as well. Then it displayed the Em shot. Source: Abh. Safeties set off, Intended target, Admiral Trife’s flagship. “View. Reverse. Show me where that shot came from!” Lafiel commanded. The view reversed. Three ships came into view all attack vessels one of them was Admiral Nastoyia flagship. The computer could not accurately confirm the origin of the Em shot but with a forty-percent probability the flagship started flashing.
Lafiel stood there speechless. The rest of the group followed Lafiel’s example. It was Jinto. The only non-Abh who finally spoke, “Why would Admiral Nastoyia try to destroy Admiral Trife. I though that trait was weaned out generations ago?” Lafiel spun around. She faces Jinto. “Remember Jinto, we came from humans. Some traits are harder to erase than others. What we have seen here we must keep to ourselves. To wrongly accuse Admiral Nastoyia, we don’t have all the facts.” Jinto looks at her. “I think that display is pretty incriminating. Why don’t we forward it to the Capital and let them decide? If not we should at least warn Admiral Trife.” Lafiel stares at him. “We will do nothing, in the haste of battle. Mistakes happen. As far as Admiral Trife is concerned, his ship was operational. His sensor logs will show what we have seen and probably in better detail. It’s his call to confront Admiral Nastoyia. This discussion is over Jinto.”
Lafiel turned on her heels and left the room. Ekuryua followed her. Risch faces Jinto. “It’s the Pride of the Abh. To kill another Abh for no reason is the most heinous crime. It’s never spoken of and you should not interfere.” Risch left the room. Jinto stood there. “Computer encrypt this file, level five, save, then transmit it to the Hyde fuel depot attach this message. Forward to Admiral Spoor, Eyes-Only. The computer acknowledged his request. Jinto turned off the displays. On his way out of the room he thought. “I won’t interfere. But Spoor deserves to know who fired the shot that almost killed her. Then she can figure out why.”
He found Lafiel sitting in the sun chair he sat next to her. ”You ready for lunch?” She does not face him. “Jinto. I’m not hungry. Can you leave me alone for awhile?” Jinto stands up and starts for the garden. “Okay Lafiel. Whenever you’re ready. I’ll be here. I’m not planning on going anywhere.” He kept on walking and he never looked back. Lafiel just watched as he disappeared down the path. The tears were streaming down her face.
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“Doctor he is awake and he is asking for you.” Doctor Sasoum rose from her desk, pressed the Com button and replied. “On my way. Inform Admiral Kenesh as well.” She did not wait for a reply she was on the move. Restrained to a table the clone of Dusanyu lay. He spoke as the doctor entered the room. “Do you really need to restrain me? I pose no further threat to you.” The doctor inform him that Kenesh was the only one who could release him and that she was on her way. He accepted the explanation. “Why did you revive me?” The doctor explained that his brain activity went off the scale and it seemed that he was trying to bring himself out of stasis. “I see and the child?” The doctor went on to explain the child’s higher functions had ceased several hours ago.Kenesh entered the room mid way through the last explanation. “I understand. The child’s fate awaits me as well. It seems that their threat has come to be reality.” The doctor and Kenesh both stared in disbelief. “I’ve had this memory bit floating around in my head since you put me in stasis. A nightmare would describe it better. It’s my mindless body sitting in a chair with my mind trying to move it but nothing happens. Then a voice says this is what will happen if you are found out. The child’s DNA destabilized did it not?” Kenesh looks at the doctor, she spoke. “He is correct. The report arrived just as he became conscious. Her brain was destabilized. The high functions were blanked. Only the autonomic system is intact and functioning.” He nods his head. “You can’t stop the process once it starts. There are many things I wish to tell you before I leave. First you MUST promise me to destroy both of us. Kill the shells. It’s too cruel to leave the bodies without their souls.”
Kenesh motions the doctor aside. They had a long discussion just out of Dusanyu’s hearing. An agreement was reached. They returned to his bedside. Kenesh loosened and removed most of the restraints that held him down. His arms and legs were freed the torso was still restrained. “I’m sorry. I can have you get up and leave now can I?” He nods in agreement. “I’ll have a recorder brought here so we may make an accurate record of your statements.” She turns away from him and spoke into her creunoc. A few minutes later a clerk with a recorder and two armed guards show up. He looks at Kenesh. “Trusting as always. I see. Does this mean you will keep your end of the deal to terminate us?” The doctor told him that before any harm came to him she would end his life. She also stated that life support was being terminated on the child as well. He motioned to the clerk. “Start recording child. I have a lot to get off my chest.” The clerk sat close to the bed the device operating. Kenesh motioned the doctor from the room. “Do you really plan on killing them?” The doctor faces at her. “Yes. The child is already dead. There is no conscious to revive from stasis. His mind will begin to unravel soon he will be in terrible pain and confusion. You really want that to happen. It won’t happen to you or I. Our genetics preclude that from happening so he should die the same way. He is Abh.” Kenesh agreed. She had closed her mind to him to be able to cope with seeing him again. She left the doctor and walked down the corridor.
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“Your Excellency? When we contact the planet to request the transfer shuttle, should we inform them that you are aboard?” the Captain of the transport asked. “I wish it to be a surprise. There will be no information transmitted concerning me to the planet or the attack vessel guarding the planet. Have I made myself clear on this?” The captain stiffened. “Yes Your Excellency I will do as you have ordered.” He returned to the bridge of the transport. Debeusec looks to the star just coming into view. “Soon I will be there. I’ll get to see you both and experience your class. See the planet again and visit with you my very precious daughter. Very soon now.”*********
“Samson, Samson!” Seelnay was searching for him. She found him in the control room. He had heard her coming and was ready when she came through the door. “What is it now Seelnay? I’m busy here.” She points to the communications terminal. “This just came in. It’s from Count Hyde and it’s encrypted. Just following your orders. I’ve notified you it’s here.” She turns on her heels and leaves the room. Samson looks at the message. The encryption that was used is a highly classified one. Forward to Spoor Eyes-Only. Samson knew this was trouble and acknowledged receipt of the message transferred it to a blank crystal and left for the base hospital.*********
Kufadis was sitting in the waiting area. He had just come from Spoor’s room. She had drifted off to sleep. He saw Samson approaching. “Samson. Over here.” Samson spotted Kufadis and made a beeline to him. He handed the crystal to him. “This just came from Count Hyde. How’s the Admiral doing?” Kufadis scanned the crystal with his creunoc. His face lit up. “Imperial encryption code the real secure one. I’ll have to go to the ship to view this.” He faces Samson. ”Since she order herself here, to be close to the ship and the crew. She’s made steady progress. It’s going to be awhile before she’ll be up and around. But the doctors are sure she will be as good as she was before.” Kufadis looks at the crystal again. Then back at Samson. “Do you have any idea what’s on this?” Samson looks back at him “Nope. I need a Star Forces vessel to decrypt it. The boy does not want me to know its contents. My guess is it’s going to be very important.” Kufadis clutched the crystal. “Well she’s asleep now. I guess I’ll go view this. In this case, my eyes are hers as well. Thank you Samson. Sorry I can tell you it’s contents. You’ll have to get that out of the sender.” Kufadis turns and heads for the ship. Samson watches him disappear then he left for the depot.
Aboard ship and in his cabin Kufadis decrypted the crystal. Not only did it contain the data of the shot. It contained the conversation and reviews that occurred when it was viewed on the planet. It was as if he had been standing there. After three viewings he concluded that the Admiral would have to be much stronger to view this. He also made a mental note to himself to remove weapons and breakables from the room before he showed it to her. He put the crystal in a secure place and went back to the hospital.
Leaving the ship he noticed that the repairs were progressing according to schedule. The ship would be battle ready before it’s commander would. Kufadis left the gangway he entered the base. Dutifully he returned to the place where he had spent most of his off duty hours. Spoor’s room beside her bed waiting for the day he would get her back.
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Jinto left Lafiel alone the rest of the day in well into the night. Noel and Risch had spent the day walking and talking as they explored the island. When they returned, dinner was ready and Lafiel was absent. Jinto dined with them when they were finished, he prepared a plate for Lafiel. Noel asked if she could take it to her. Jinto told her to go ahead that she should not be angry with her. Noel took the plate and left. Jinto and Risch discussed the island’s layout.Noel heads for Lafiel’s room she knocks on the door. “No need to knock Jinto come in.” Noel opened the door. “It’s not Jinto. Lafiel.” Lafiel was sitting on her bed looking out the window to the clear star filled night. “Noel did you know that stars twinkle when view from a planet the has an atmosphere?” Noel came in she sat next to Lafiel. “Where do to want this?” Lafiel took the plate from her and sat it on the bed. She pointed out the window. “See the stars twinkle.” Noel watched the stars dim, glow and twinkle. “The first time I was on a planet I did not know this fact. I thought I was going blind had it not been for Jinto.”
She stops. Noel observes a tear trickle down her cheek. “He had a valid point and observation. But he did not need to voice it. We all knew what he was saying was correct. So why did he have to say it?” Lafiel turns towards Noel. Both of her eyes were streaked with tears. “Then I had to hand him his head in front of you two. You know, later on, for the first time in a long time he turned and walked away from me he spoke to the wind his back towards me. He’s only done that one time before and you were there. Do you remember?”
Ekuryua searched her memories and found reference to what Lafiel was talking about. It was right before Jinto departed for Lobnas II. He had embarrassed her in front of the crew by asking her if she wanted a present from the planet. She had called him a fool and he spoke to the wind as he left the bridge. “I remember Lafiel. I was pretty hard on you that trip as well.”
Lafiel continues to look out the window. “You were right and wrong. To feel I was abandoning him was one thing. To express it the way you did was wrong. Although I had dismissed him from my mind as well, the ships and the refugees were more important. Had I sacrificed them to save Jinto, he would have never forgiven me.” She looks back to Noel. “Do you know how close I came to losing him? Well do you?” Noel shook her head. “Hours! He was hours from death. When we found him he was so weak and frail and what did he do? He still spoke his mind and joked with me. So close to death and he did that. Now he’s spoken his mind again and I forgot and angered him. That’s why you’re here is it not? He’s mad at me and sent you with the food.”
Lafiel had just shown Noel her most private side. A side that only Jinto had seen before. Realizing the amount of trust and faith they both have placed in her, she spoke from the heart. “Sorry but your are wrong Lafiel. He sent me to you because he figured you were still angry with him. Seems you two are still learning to listen to each other. Am I right?” Lafiel looks at her in disbelief. “Where do you get off making a statement like that to me?” She stopped. Her expression softened. “You’re right I still do not listen very well. He’s not angry with me?” Noel smiles. “Concerned, but not angry. I have to admit that was a typical Ablïarsec outburst. Seems members of the royal family are easy to read.” She rethought her words. “That’s not true. You and Ramaj can be very UN-Ablïarsec at times. Now I know where you got your temper from.”
Lafiel smiles. “Actually I got a lot of it from my ‘she paused’ Mother. You know who she was?” Noel nods her head. Lafiel took the plate from the bed and sat it in her lap. She noticed that Jinto had made her snap beans, and proceeded to tell Ekuryua about her mother as she ate. She finished the food and her explanation. Noel looks at her. “My mother knew your mother. Strange thing she never mentioned her being so stubborn to me.” Lafiel picks up the dish. She and Noel returned it to the kitchen. Noel met Risch and they took a moonlight walk. Jinto and Lafiel sat at the kitchen table and had a very long talk. There were less than three days before the candidates arrived and walking in on the middle of a fight between the instructors was not part of their training course.
*********
Risch and Noel stood at the cliff that over looked the lake. The moon was reflecting off the still water. A very slight breeze blew from the water. Noel pointed to the stars in the sky. Risch stared and started rubbing his eyes blinking furiously. Noel just laughed. She explained to him about twinkling stars. He looks at her with a bit of anger. “Don’t be angry Risch. You are in very special company. Seems an Ablïarsec Princess experienced the same thing at one time. You reacted much better to the facts than she did. Have you communicated with the ship today?” He shook his head. “Guess we’d better check in and make sure space is still there. She activated her creunoc the conversation with the ship was routine. Her message to Ramaj had been dispatched and Admiral Kenesh had acknowledged its receipt.She faces Risch. “We will stay here till the candidates transport arrives. We will bring them to the planet then return to the ship. I need to do some planning for the trip we will be taking once the training class is done. We will pick up the candidates, Jinto and Lafiel. Deliver the candidates to the transport. Then take Jinto and Lafiel to the ship and depart for Vorash. I’ll give you the rest of the plan once we are under way. Risch took her hand. “So what do you want to do tonight?” She squeezed his hand. “We are going to sleep in the shuttle tonight. Those two need to discuss a lot of things and it would be better if we were else where.” She thought for a moment. “I’ve never slept in a vessel on the water before. They say the natural rocking motion puts one to sleep instantly. Want to give it a try?” Risch gently pulled her towards the shuttle. She followed him like a person who was heading for a great adventure.
As they passed the shelter, they noticed the lights in the kitchen still shown. “Noel are they going to be Okay? I really like them. I’d really hate to see anything bad happen to them.” She puts a finger across his lips. “They will be fine. You should put that much effort towards us and our well being.” He stops and looks at her. “You really want to start something long term and serious don’t you?” She smiles. “What about the crew? How do we handle them? We can’t spend our lives down here. We do have responsibilities.” She moved her finger back to his lips. “Looks like we got a few things to discuss as well. It should be an interesting couple of days, don’t you think?” They arrived at the shuttle took a final look at the sky and went inside.
*********
“Have you seen Kenesh?” The guard pointed Ramaj down the hall to the conference room. Floating on the tabletop was Kenesh. This time her arms were moving and a myriad of displays were opened before her. Pulling a chair away from the table Ramaj sat down.” Find something interesting?” Kenesh turned to her side. She pushed a display between herself and Ramaj. “This is the data that Count Hyde and Chief engineer Risch came up with. It pretty well matches Major Kahyuul interpretations of what he saw at the battle. We have a way to destroy the shield the Rebels are using.” She pushed the display aside. Her face held great concern. “I’m worried about the commander of our attack fleet. I believe she has over extended herself. There were some errors in her last battle that should have been avoidable. She sacrificed ships that I can not find a valid reason to explain their loss. There is something else that bothers me greatly. There is a ten-minute gap in her logs in fact most of the fleet suffers the same gap. The engineers have blamed it on the massive explosion of the collapsing shield. I don’t buy it. Thirty-four ships in the same area suffer the same loss of data to the second. Something’s wrong, very wrong and until I know what it is. I can’t in good conscience give her this information and orders to capture the Rebel fleet.”
Ramaj leans back in her chair, she stares at the ceiling. “Are you suggesting we relieve Admiral Nastoyia of her command? Replace her? Bring her to the Capital? And confine her for losing ships without reason?” Kenesh looks at Ramaj “No Your Excellency. That would require evidence that I do not posses to relieve her of command. I wish to hold the current information till I can be convinced that she is capable of mounting this attack with a broad degree of success. We have lost too much in this sector to have caution thrown to the solar winds. There is no large battle fleet able to back her up if she fails and the Rebels take the advantage they could be at the Capital in six days with only a hand full of ship standing between them and us.”
Ramaj leans forward. “Show me the fleet placement.” Kenesh reaches over her head. She pulled a display to her mid thigh position the display it showed all current fleet activity. The large battle groups were in the outer ring closing Sords and mopping up resistance. The training fleets were in the middle rings and the inner ring was fairly empty with the exception of one fleet. Ramaj pointed to that fleet. The Id tag came up. Admiral Bebaus, a fleet that consisted of left over groups not very well organized but a large number of different types of ship’s a rag tag fleet with a very eccentric commander.
Kenesh shrieked. “No not him. We’ve depended on him and he’s let us down. I’d rather call the training fleet back first.” Ramaj cut in. “Call his fleet back and I will take command of it.” Kenesh glares at her. “That’s not possible. We have a very fragile collation formed. If anything was to happen to you. The royal family would fall to pieces and with it the Empire.” Ramaj smiles. “If the Rebels get to the Capital. There won’t be an Empire to worry about. I’m not saying we do this. But we do have an option open to us.”
Ramaj mused. “I’ve got it. We can put Debeusec in charge. He will be back in ten days. Nastoyia won’t be ready to mount an attack till then and we are still unsure of the location of the Rebels base. Yes that should work out nicely and it gives you ten days to resolve your apprehensions about Nastoyia.” Kenesh taps the displays off. She then restored gravity to the table. Sitting on the edge she stares into Ramaj’s eyes. A smile came over her. “I always wondered how you became Empress. Always the diplomat I see. Okay. I’ll get to the bottom of Admiral Nastoyia’s missing data and either be content to have her lead the attack fleet or find a replacement for her. One way or the other I have at least ten days to find the answers then decide.” They left the conference room and went their separate ways. Ramaj headed to the Operations building and Kenesh headed for the Medical center. The Capital seemed very tense. It was waiting for an uncertain future something the Abh had not had to think about for over nine hundred years. Change comes with its surprises and cost.
Continues in the next post
