[05] Elite: Reclamation (45 page)

‘You schemed with the other Patrons? Gerrun and that ridiculous Zyair?’

‘Yes we schemed! You’re not a child, Kahina. You know how politics works. How else could we serve your family? The Empire had determined you were all to be removed. Your sisters were useless fripperies, nothing more. We could only save you. The Loren line would remain intact. And you … you would be Senator of the Prism system.’

Senator?

‘Trust me, Kahina.’

Kahina laughed at him. ‘You would have me trust you now? After what you have done? Murderer, traitor … liar!’

‘All the Patrons are in agreement, Kahina. We will pledge our allegiance to you. You are the rightful heir to the Prism system. It is yours by right of inheritance. You are your father’s daughter. We will ensure the Empire recognises this. You will be Senator.’

Kahina turned away, her head spinning. She couldn’t take it all in. It was madness, surely? Dalk had actually tried to save her? Was it possible? She turned back on him angrily.

‘As Senator I would have the right to execute whosoever I chose, Dalk,’ she said. ‘Perhaps I would warrant your death as my first act.’

Dalk looked at her. For a moment he said nothing, but then he knelt down on one knee and looked up at her. ‘I swore an oath of allegiance to your family. My allegiance lies with you as your father’s heir. I have done my best to ensure the continuation of your family line. If your trust in me is broken irreconcilably, I will accept my fate for the part I have played.’

Kahina held her breath for a moment, before letting it out, trying to slow the thoughts churning through her mind. ‘Will you now ...’

She looked across at Octavia.

‘And what do you want from all this?’

Octavia smiled. ‘Dalk made me certain promises in exchange for supporting your claim to this system. I expect to have them honoured.’ After a moment she added, ‘Senator.’

‘I see,’ Kahina replied, ‘and what did my oh so loyal servant promise you?’

‘An exclusive contract on the Tantalum on behalf of Federation buyers.’

‘You think I would sell my Tantalum to the Federation after what they tried to do?’

‘You will need money to rebuild your home, Senator,’ Octavia replied. ‘The Federation has no interest in your little world, but they have interest in trading that one commodity. Money is money. Strike a deal and the money will flow to you. You’ll be able to name your price. Create a legacy beyond the dreams of your father.’

‘I will have no Federation dogs on my world,’ Kahina said, coldly.

‘You would never need to do so. I would handle that transaction for you. Only the money would come to you.’

‘Minus a cut,’ Kahina asked.

‘I ask for only forty per cent, Senator.’

‘You will settle for twenty.’

The guards around them made a show of checking their guns and adjusting their aim.

‘Thirty-five,’ Octavia replied, folding her arms in front of her.

The two women looked at each other for a long moment. A faint smile grew on Octavia’s face. Kahina looked around at the guards surrounding her.

‘Thirty.’

Octavia nodded. ‘As you wish, Senator.’

Kahina turned back to Dalk.

‘You ask much, Dalk.’

Dalk climbed slowly to his feet, facing her in a formal fashion.

‘You trusted me once. Trust me again. I live only to serve you, Kahina Tijani of the house of Loren.’

We’ll see about that.

‘I will test your allegiance then, Patron Dalk,’ she said, her voice snide. ‘Your first act of service to me as Senator of Chione.’

‘Command me, Senator.’

Kahina’s stare was intense.

‘Kill the Reclamists, but hold Vargo for me. Bring me my father’s sceptre. Reclaim my home.’

Dalk nodded.

‘It shall be done.’

***

Dalk’s plan was simple and straightforward. Vargo and his men were holed up in the Imperial Palace. It was heavily defended by ground to air defences, installed due to the paranoia of Kahina’s father. Those defences had to be neutralised. Fortunately Kahina knew precisely where the main power generator was – buried in the mountainside on the west side of her island home. If that could be destroyed and the defences taken down, they could remove any remaining resistance with impunity.

Retribution,
Octavia’s Anaconda, had by far the most fearsome weaponry aboard. Its plasma accelerator would make short work of the power generator, assuming it could get close enough to use it. Flying such a big and heavy ship down through the atmosphere would be no mean feat; the bulky ship would lack manoeuvrability in the atmosphere, making it a big fat target. The other ships appropriated from
Hiram’s Anchorage
would have to draw fire and clear a path.

Dalk had already surveyed the vessels moored aboard the station
.
They were a mixture of old Sidewinders and Adders, mostly fitted to Imperial specification. It made sense to leave the few Federation vessels alone in case of any ambiguity. Most were lightly armed, and there wasn’t much time but to load them up with more than a few missiles and the other bits of portable ordnance available.

Dalk briefed the slaves aboard the station. A dozen or so were pilots, more used to the controls of liners and transports on behalf of their citizens. They were supplemented by the few pilots that could be spared from the Imperial task force, still uneasily standing off against the Federation fleet holding in high orbit. No communication attempts had been made between the two opposing powers and no ship movements had been seen. The Federation appeared to be watching and waiting.

The smaller vessels would not engage the ground targets, their aim was simply to clear a path so that Octavia’s Anaconda could make a run on the island in order to disable its defences.

Dalk initially suggested that Kahina remain aboard the station and to await news of their anticipated victory, but she flatly refused.

‘I will not stand by like a coward,’ she replied, angrily rebuffing Dalk’s suggestion.

‘It’s too dangerous. Your safety is paramount,’ Dalk insisted. ‘If we lose you, we lose everything.’

‘I will not ask others to do what I am not prepared to do myself,’ Kahina replied. ‘I can fly.’

‘She’s pretty good, actually,’ Hassan added.

Dalk glared at him. ‘She’s not qualified …’

‘She might be safer with us,’ Octavia added. ‘If the Federation overruns the Imperial fleet she might be caught up here. At least on the moon …’

‘She can ride with me,’ Hassan said, casting a look towards Octavia.

Dalk looked at their determined faces and sighed. He turned to Kahina.

‘You will hang back from the main attack force, you will not engage other than to defend yourself and you’ll take the best ship we can spare. Agreed?’

Kahina looked across at Octavia and Hassan. They all nodded.

Dalk strode away and looked out of the panoramic windows framing the observation room. Chione lay before them, peaceful, blue and blissful.

‘Where’s your trader friend, anyway?’ he said, turning around. ‘Is he joining us? We could use another ship.’

‘He’s …’ Kahina began uncertainly. ‘I will speak to him.’

‘We launch within the hour. Time is short.’

***

Octavia retreated aboard the
Retribution
, accompanied by her second in command.

‘Is it done?’ she snapped as she entered the bridge.

‘Both devices fitted and tested. We’ll be able to track them and ... deal with them should the need arise.’

Octavia nodded. ‘Let’s see if our young friend comes through for us. If not, the moment the opportunity presents itself we will snatch her and high tail it out. Keep the hyperdrive spooled at all times. Until that point we’re Dalk’s loyal followers. Clear?’

‘Yes Domina.’

‘Good. Power up the ship. Let’s go murder some revolutionaries.’

Her officer turned to begin his duties. Octavia left the bridge and proceeded to her quarters. She relaxed into one of her lounge chairs and fired up a holofac transmission. Various cryptographic exchanges took place before the holofac flared into life.

‘Ms Quinton.’

Octavia smiled at the figure before her. She could just make out a woman behind him, standing just within range of the holofac receiver.

‘Commissioner Neseva. How does the hour find you?’

‘All the better for hearing from you, my dear. We are rather in the dark out here.’

Octavia nodded. ‘Perhaps I can enlighten you. Our errant daughter of the Empire plans an assault on her home within the next few minutes. It seems likely she will succeed.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘Because I’m helping her.’

‘Ah …’ Tenim replied.

‘I’d imagine this is not aligned with the fortunes of the Federation.’

‘You imagine correctly. The question is …’

‘I will deal with her. I have taken steps to ensure she is appropriated, but further … insurance … would be welcome.’

‘What did you have in mind?’

‘We’ve placed a tracking device aboard her vessel. If it is activated, retrieve her. Here is the code.’ Octavia flicked her fingers towards the display and a scatter of data appeared briefly. ‘In case she evades me you will be able to secure her. Have ships ready to hyperspace on a moment’s notice.’

‘We will oblige.’

‘She is mine, Commissioner. Do not think to take her yourself. I can ensure the Federation gains nothing from this system. Understand that well.’

‘I understand you completely, Ms Quinton.’ Tenim said, evenly. ‘Rest assured, we want only to ensure that the Imperial woman does not return to a position of authority over this moon. We will then negotiate an equitable accord with the Imperials as we intended. Her disposition after that … I leave in your most capable hands.’

‘Make sure you do.’

Octavia nodded brusquely and then closed the call.

***

Kahina stood beneath the shadow of the
Bella Principessa.
Luko was making some last minute checks to his ship, in preparation for leaving. Kahina glared at him for a long moment, rage boiling in her as he seemed unconcerned and continued to ignore her.

‘So you’re leaving.’

‘You are right, signorina.’ Luko did not make eye contact. ‘Our deal is done. I got you safely home, no?’

‘And that’s it is it? After all we went through, you’re just going to leave?’

‘I will not fight …’

‘… my war? Your same old tired line?’ Kahina scoffed at him. ‘I fight for freedom, this is a worthy thing, freeing my home from oppression.’

‘Do you?’ Luko turned and looked directly at her. ‘You plan to attack these rebels. No talk, no trying to find a peace? Pah. You want a war. More people will die, did you not see that battle you caused up there?’ He gestured to the faint lights that marked the opposing fleets far beyond the overhead windows.

‘The Federation interfered. They are the aggressors.’

‘Always it is someone else. No signorina! This is your fight, your war, these deaths are yours to account for. Stop this battle, talk to these rebels …’

‘They will not negotiate; it’s a waste of time. You’ve seen what they’ve done to my world. I need you Luko, your tactics, your expertise …’

‘Fighting is not the answer. You will do more damage. The Empire and the Federation are here – talk to them, find a solution …’

‘It won’t work.’

‘How you know – ‘til you try?’

‘Because I know.’

Luko dismissed her with a wave. ‘You are like all Imperials; vengeance, revenge, honour … this is not the way.’

Kahina’s expression hardened. ‘Then go. Go back and hide out there in your cosy traders’ universe. Go on! Just remember how it feels next time a pirate snatches your cargo and leaves you penniless, adrift and alone. You’ll want revenge then.’

Luko looked up and held her glance for a long moment, but no words came. He looked away, shaking his head.

She turned and stalked away, furious and dismayed. The ship next along in the bay had been earmarked for her. Hassan was outside, checking its systems.

‘Is he joining us?’

‘No,’ Kahina said, biting down on rising fury.

‘Shame, could have used that ship. He’s a flyer and no mistake.’

‘He’s not coming. We’ll do without him.’

Hassan considered the matter for a moment. Kahina was clearly furious.

‘You ready?’ he asked.

‘Yes I am,’ she replied forcefully. Hassan stepped back at her sharp tones. ‘Are you?’

‘Ship is prepped. Let’s see if we can keep this one intact, eh?’

He tried to lighten the conversation, but Kahina’s expression turned to one of guilt and regret.

‘I am sorry about what happened before, it was not my intention to cause so much trouble, I had no idea …’

‘… that I’d get tortured, stabbed, lose my ship and all my money? You’re very good at making trouble.’

‘You shouldn’t have got involved!’ Kahina shot back, her anger flaring.

‘Easy Sal … Kahina, save the firepower for your friends surface-side …’ Hassan held up his hands. ‘What happened to my ship, by the way?’

‘It … crashed.’

Hassan snorted. ‘Then if we get through all this in one piece and reinstate your Imperial backside to its rightful place … you owe me a ship … and not a piece of crap Eagle, something decent and modern.’

Kahina looked at him. ‘You do this for me, I’ll see you rewarded. Ship, money. I don’t care what you want, you can have it. Deal?’

 ‘A deal.’

Around them ships were firing up their drives, the sound echoing through the vast interior of the station. Kahina watched Luko’s ship launch and head out of the docking bay. It turned away from Chione, heading out towards the stars.

She trembled, watching as it disappeared from view.

Is there no true loyalty in this universe?

It was time to go.

‘You ready?’ Hassan asked.

Kahina nodded. ‘Let’s take back my world.’

***

‘I don’t understand,’ Jenu said, looking at the tactical display on the bridge of the Federation battlecruiser. It was showing a series of markers leaving the orbital space station. As she watched they formed up into a loose formation and began descending towards the moon.