Authors: Juli Blood
“Welcome Crown Prince Bryan.” Princess Kalea greeted as he stepped on board her shuttle. “Please follow me.” Leading him through the crew
quarters she paused to introduce him to her security detail.
“Prince Bryan, let me introduce you to Franklin, he is the head of my personal security and on this mission he is also piloting the shuttle.” Franklin gave a half bow and Bryan returned it as Kalea continued while indicating the next man.
“This is Danielson he is our communications analyst. Next to him is Pierce, his specialties are weapons and hand to hand combat.” While Bryan acknowledged both men Kalea turned to the last man on the team. “And this is Jackson, co-pilot on this mission and avionic mechanic but his passion is flying-preferably fast.” Kalea said with a smile that Jackson returned.
Bryan could feel Kalea’s pride and confidence in her security detail and her smile was breathtaking. Trying to focus, he nodded at Jackson and then continued to follow Kalea as she exited through the next door.
Entering the shuttle’s lounge she gestured toward the table as she turned. “Prince Bryan, if you would please join me at the table we can discuss and then send your message to the terrorists.”
Bryan took a quick look around and then sat down and watched as Kalea tended to a few things
with her crew who had followed them in and then sat across the table from him. Now only Pierce remained staying back by the door. Kalea’s simple elegance and beauty proved quite a distraction, but he wasn’t complaining.
As she brought up her display panel she asked, ‘Is anything wrong?’
“No.” Bryan answered out loud before he remembered. ‘Sorry, nothing is wrong. I’m just amazed at how much more beautiful you are in person compared to your picture. The glimpse I had on our wedding night was just too fleeting. Although I must admit, I still love your eyes.’
‘Thank you. You are quite handsome yourself. I didn’t even let myself see a pi
cture or the holographic image of you that was sent. I didn’t want to make my decision based on something so superficial. I mean it’s very nice that you are handsome but even if you weren’t it was who you are as a person that I based my decision on. Do you understand?’ Feeling a little exposed, Kalea tried to disguise her nervous feelings.
‘Yes, I do but it’s nice to know you think I’m handsome. It makes it easier to tell you that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and I am extremely grateful that you’re also one of the most intelligent,’ Bryan replied and let the tight hold he had on his emotions slip a little so she would know just how sincerely he meant his
compliments.
‘Thank you.’ Blushing slightly Kalea turned back to her display and saw Pierce smiling from the doorway of the crew quarters. She hadn’t realized he was still there. A closer look at his face revealed that he had discovered that they had linked successfully. Giving him a quick “make yourself scarce
” look she then tried to focus her attention back on the task at hand.
“We really need to discuss the exact wording of your message. The Council mentioned that you’re going to inform them that we know they are terrorists and that we are now leaving together.”
“That’s basically it. Their original plan was to have us married a second time so that the terrorists could witness it, but your father and I were concerned that we would be in the area too long. His wish is for us to deliver the message and return as quickly as possible, letting the military take it from there,” Bryan explained in a calm and dispassionate voice. “My coming to join you was all the evidence of our wedding that we felt we had time to give them. If it isn’t enough, well,” Bryan shrugged, “you said they only had a few days’ supply of water and air left, it will just have to be their choice. The main issue though is to get you safely out of the area in case they choose violence.”
Seeing the wisdom and feeling his honest desire to protect her, Kalea took a moment to try and come up with a way to satisfy her husband and father without feeling like she was being a coward running from a fight.
Finally she said, “Fine, we will send the message and leave but we are only going to the surface. I want to be able to tell the citizens that I will be waiting for them when they arrive in their emergency escape pods. We can even be at 30,000 feet above sea level if it will make you feel better but, I’m not leaving the area without knowing that the citizens are safe.”
“That seems fair,” Bryan replied. “Now, how do you suggest we inform them that we know they are terrorists?”
“I was thinking of starting with the facts about the water filtration system. I think if I give enough information about how the system was damaged they will realize that we know what’s going on. Then I was going to inform them that SC-17 must be evacuated until a replacement system can be built and installed.”
“If they argue, I thought of showing the recording of the actual sabotage in order to convince them. Then if that doesn’t work I thought you could step up behind me and say you came to escort me to the surface to help with the evacuation process,” Kalea explained.
“Sounds like a good plan, if a bit long. Edward isn’t here to translate so you will need to do that or perhaps just my being in view will be enough,” Bryan replied. “I understand that this is to be a live communication feed so where would you like me to stand or sit?”
“Franklin will be across from me monitoring the feed and the rest of the security force will be monitoring events in SC-17 and around the shuttle. So you might as well be
sitting comfortably.”
Bryan nodded an
d moved over to sit on the couch. Just then Franklin entered and took his place at the table. Without further delay Princess Kalea delivered her message. He was amazed at the detail the security image showed of the actual sabotage. Before he even realized it he stood and walked up behind Princess Kalea.
When she paused he said,
“My name is Crown Prince Bryan Alexandros of Saxionias. I have come to join my bride in the rescue efforts of the citizens of SC-17. We will be waiting for your emergency escape pods on the surface.”
Franklin ended the transmission as soon as Princess Kalea finished translating and with a quick bow headed to the cockpit. Within
moments they were rising to the surface. The shuttle that had delivered Prince Bryan followed after, positioning itself between SC-17 and Princess Kalea’s shuttle.
Princess Kalea tapped an icon on her display and said, “Jackson, continue monitoring all the bio signs in SC-17. Pierce
, you will lose the signal from the security system any minute but if you see something first let me know.”
“What do you think?” Bryan asked when she stopped talking.
“I wish I knew,” she answered. “If they surrender, their sentences will be much lighter but if they do something drastic they may not make it to trial. I wonder how they ever thought this would work.”
“They probably didn’t realize the extent of your security surveillance system. They probably hoped to delay the wedding and then demand their continued freedom for your return,” Bryan answered.
“If either of my brothers had been involved in the negotiations, I can guarantee what kind of freedom they would have been given. They would have been free to travel space in an antiquated shuttle without being able to return,” Kalea answered with a slight giggle at the thought.
“That’s much kinder than what I had in mind,” Bryan replied. “But then I understand you don’t have the death penalty on your world.”
“HEAVEN’S NO!” Kalea replied. “Well not exactly. I’m sure you’ll understand once you meet someone convicted of a crime. Although that won’t be until you are out doing the survey work. No one convicted of a crime is allowed at the palace or the surrounding villages.”
A little surprised at her response Bryan decided to let the matter drop and see how the terrorists respo
nded. Her comment reminded him once again that he needed to ask her about the villages. Since the terrorists’ plan had failed, theorizing about other outcomes seemed irrelevant. Discovering that Kalea was under the impression that he was going to be part of the survey teams, he wondered how she would feel when she learned he would primarily be orchestrating things from the palace.
Soon they reached the surface and Kalea informed Franklin to take them to 30,000 feet. When they reached that altitude Prince Bryan took the seat across from her. He didn’t say anything
, just watched and listened.
“Princess Kalea,” Jackson said. “There is a lot of movement among the citizens. I think whatever drug the terrorists used has worn off.”
“Are they moving to their escape pods?” She asked.
“Yes, Your Highness the majority are. A small group seems to be gathering but I don’t believe it is the terrorists. I have been tracking their movements and they are in a different area. I would suppose it is Captain Fletcher and his team, or at least a portion of it,” Jackson replied.
“Good. Pierce, as each pod is launched it will send out a locator signal. I want you to log each signal and track it. Jackson, if the terrorists get into escape pods I want to know which ones so we can pick them up when they reach the surface. Danielson, establish communications with the surface vessels. I want to know everything as it happens. Questions?” she asked as she finished giving out their assignments.
No one answered so Princess Kalea turned her attention back to Prince Bryan and said, “I’m sorry you have to be here for this. I’m sure you would be more comfortable back at the palace. Would you like me to call up your shuttle?
You could go back,” she offered.
“I would rather stay here with you,” Bryan replied.
“If my staff or anyone else needs me, I am sure they can reach me via your communication network.” Princess Kalea simply nodded and went back to viewing the data streaming into her control panel.
A comfortable silence settled over them as they waited. Concern for the citizens of SC-17 consumed Princess Kalea’s thoughts. Prince Bryan’s thoughts focused mainly on his bride. He was fascinated by the way she was completely in control of herself and her team. No one questioned her authority and though she was giving orders it was not in a forceful manner.
He wasn’t sure what the orders were because she didn’t translate them but he could tell from her tone. The few women with authority that he had met always seemed so aggressive and argumentative. Intrigued with the drastic difference, he simply observed.
Moments later Jackson began calling out the number of SC-17 citizens that were slowly rising to the surface in their escape pods. Soon every citizen of SC-17 was making the journey to the surface.
“Your Highness,” Jackson reported. “The only bio signs from SC-17 are the terrorists and the security force which now appears to be preparing to apprehend them.”
“Do we have any way to contact the security force?” Princess Kalea asked.
“No, Your Highness. Ummm…Your Highness there are new bio signs appearing. I don’t know how but I am definitely reading more,” Jackson said completely puzzled by this development.
Noticing the change in the conversation Bryan asked, “What is it?”
Without even hesitating she quickly explained using the link, ‘We are reading additional life signs in SC-17 but we have no idea where they came from. All of the citizens have been evacuated.’
‘They must be the elite military force that King Douglas was telling me about. He sent them out before you left the palace to add to your security,’ Bryan answered again using the link.
Surprised both that her father hadn’t told her about this and that they were now moving in without even notifying her, Kalea took a deep breath and then said, “Jackson, I believe those bio signs are more of our forces. How many are there?”
“Six, Your Highness,” Jackson replied glad that his surprise at her answer wasn’t obvious in his voice. “Something is happening.” He suddenly announced. “All of our forces are rushing toward escape pods.”
Standing, Princess Kalea quickly exited her lounge and moved to his station to watch the screen. Prince Bryan followed. “Pierce, have all the escape pods reached the surface?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Yes,
Your Highness, except for those that just launched,” Pierce replied.
“Danielson, how are the recovery efforts coming?” she asked.
“Almost all the escape pods have been retrieved. There are three more that were caught in a strong current as they rose and one of the surface vessels has moved to intercept them,” he reported.
“Signal the surface vessels to disperse,”
she ordered as she focused back on the bio signs monitors. “The terrorists aren’t moving. I have a bad feeling about this.” Moving toward the cockpit she continued, “Franklin, move us to the south but keep us close enough so we can still get the bio readings.”
Feeling the shuttle begin to move Bryan wondered what was happening but didn’t ask. He could feel her tension as if it was his own and he knew she didn’t need the distraction of filling him in.
“Your Highness,” Franklin called from the cockpit. “Sensors just detected several small crafts leaving the area at great velocity. They are below the surface and they just seemed to appear.”
“That
would be the military force that was serving as our backup,” Princess Kalea replied as if she had known all along. “Jackson what are the terrorists doing?”