Spirit of Empire 4: Sky Knights (41 page)

“So you spend most of your life here?
”
Atiana asked.

“My at-home life, yes. Most of us have lives outside our homes, myself included. I’m a student, so I have plenty of leisure time for socializing. I sometimes take my meals here, but I usually connect with friends within the community.”

Atiana walked over to a window that encompassed an entire wall and looked out at a stunning view of the city. Galborae and Milae joined her. Nearby, frail seeming bridges dotted with people connected neighboring
gzeikolts
at several levels above and below them. Graylee stood behind them and pointed out a number of things, including the spaceport which rolled for miles all the way to the horizon and Governor Seeton’s sector headquarters just in front of the port, a building which occupied several square blocks.

Atiana remembered—
gzeikolts
did not have windows. “Is this view real?” she asked.

“Yes. I like the outdoors, so in my home I tend to enjoy distant vistas. Most of my friends are more comfortable with smaller views.” She spoke a command and the wall view changed, becoming a smaller window in the middle of the wall. “Others prefer to ignore the outside.” She spoke another command, and the screen became a solid wall. She spoke another command, and the screen returned to its original setting. “It tends to reflect the actual time of day . . .”

Just then a commotion sounded from the entrance. Graylee left them to find Hawke and Kori blocking the doorway in front of a portly, older gentleman who was insisting they move aside. The security people appeared to be siding with the gentleman.

Graylee blanched when she saw the visitor. She touched Hawke on the arm. “It’s okay, Teacher. Let him pass.”

Hawke stood his ground. “Him I understand. What about them?” he asked pointing down the corridor.

Graylee leaned through the doorway and looked to her left. People jammed the corridor from wall to wall, not all of them human. Many of them held recorders as high as appendages could reach. All of them focused on the door to her apartment, and all of them clamored politely for attention.

Inspector Loren pushed through and came to Hawke’s rescue. “I’ll take it from here, Teacher. Mr. Mayor, please come in.” Hawke moved aside just enough to let the mayor through, then Loren joined him back out in the corridor, standing in front of Hawke and facing the crowd. He pointed to two reporters, one specializing in local
gzeikolt
news and the other in planetary news. “You two may enter. The rest of you will get your chance later. No crowding please.”

He turned back to Hawke. “I think I see where this is going. I’ll stay out here.”

Hawke looked at him in surprise. “Isn’t your place in there with the important people?”

“They don’t need me. I intend to keep the people out here safe from you and that sword.” He smiled to take the sting out of his words, but Hawke appreciated the undercurrent to his meaning. “Do me a favor,” Loren asked. “Go inside and ask Ms. Rodjiks where she’s going next.”

Hawke grinned. “I like your style, sir. Uh, I don’t have enough translators for everyone.”

“Not an issue. Just give me one I can give to the media. They’ll take it from there.”

Graylee next led them through one of many shopping areas in which almost anything could be purchased. By then a real crowd had gathered around them and more council members had joined the group. She was just leaving there when she heard a commotion among the crowd. People, all of them, peeled aside in alarm, clearing a path through which three Great Cats sauntered.

Atiana moved to the front and greeted them. “Borg? What’s going on?”

“Your Majesty, your presence here has become an Imperial matter. The Queen sends her regards and asks that you accept our services for the duration of your stay.”

She blinked in surprise. “I thought she was leaving.”

“Not immediately.”

“I appreciate her concern, but is any of this optional?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Then I accept your services. What can I do to make your task easier?”

“Just be yourself and keep us informed of your plans.”

“Did she leave . . . instructions?”

“She did.” He spoke up, making certain the news media picked up his next words. “The Queen asked me to remind you of three things: matters relating to Imperial Secrets have been so identified to you, Tranxte’s plight is open to public scrutiny and debate, and she trusts implicitly in your judgement.”

He turned to face the media directly. “Governor Havlock, the Queen’s personal representative to Tranxte, is on his way. He and Queen Atiana have been tasked by the Queen not only to rid Tranxte of gleasons but to lead Empire efforts to assist Tranxte as it grows from an emerging world to full membership within the Empire.”

“If and when we so choose,” Atiana added instantly.

Borg’s great head nodded. “If and when.”

* * * * *

When the three Great Cats appeared, Graylee’s eyes widened in alarm. She was already operating on overdrive, but the appearance of real Protectors, so incredibly rare in the Empire, pushed her over the edge. Hawke suspected what might be going on in her mind and stepped to her side, touching her lightly on the arm to let her know he was there.

She turned wide eyes to him, then grasped his upper arm and leaned into his face. Whispering so none of the press could hear, she asked,
“What’s happening?”

He wanted to brush stray hairs back from her forehead and take her into his arms, but he knew that touching her would send the wrong message. Instead, he leaned closer. “We’ve been staying with the Queen and some of her Knights. She must be watching us via the media here and decided to elevate the importance of what we’re doing. We’ve become an Imperial matter.”

Her eyes widened even farther. “You’ve met the Queen? The
real
Queen? This is
her
doing?”

“Graylee, I was Named by a Knight. So was Kori. Governor Havlock was Named by the Queen herself.”

Her eyes lost focus, so he threw propriety to the winds and steadied her with a hand on each of her shoulders. “I know how overwhelming this can be, Graylee, but think about how Atiana feels. She a queen, but she’s also a person just like you and me, and she doesn’t know our world. Everything here is new to her. She needs someone to stand with her and be strong. I think you’re the one to do it. Will you be that person? Will you represent our Empire to an emerging world?”

Dark brown eyes that he wanted to fall into stared into his, shifting back and forth between his eyes. Hawke took half a step back to give her a little room and said, “This is important, Graylee. Show her what her world might one day become. I’ve been doing it in small ways for the past year, but you’re making giant strides today. Do your best to forget the rest of these people and focus just on Atiana.
”
He smiled, his gaze never leaving hers.

An uncertain hint of dimples responded to his smile. “I . . .” She took a couple of deep breaths, then nodded. “Yes, but not just her. Sir Galborae and Milae deserve the same attention.”

She continued staring into his eyes with her forehead furrowed, her gaze shifting back and forth between his eyes, questioning. What she was thinking he did not know, but he got the impression it was more than just about people from Tranxte, Great Cats, and crowds. 

He squeezed her shoulders again, keeping the smile in place. “Just focus on them. I’m real proud of you.”

Graylee’s gaze sobered, and he sensed her sucking it up like a marine, almost like she was pulling strength from him to help her through an ordeal. He nodded and let her go.

Before turning toward Atiana, she stared into his eyes for one more brief moment, saying, “The Knight who Named you chose well.”

Graylee stepped back to Atiana’s side and touched her arm to let her know she was back. She received a flash of gratitude in return. She spread her arms to include Galborae and Milae and stepped out, leading them to one of four universities in the
gzeikolt
, this particular university the one she herself attended. She did not take time to introduce them to the university’s net where significant portions of learning took place in the virtual world, but she described it.

Atiana nodded her understanding. “Governor Havlock introduced me to the net, telling me it was like a dream. I was afraid, but I’m afraid no longer.”

“Your children will one day play within the net without fear of any kind,” Graylee said with a smile.

“His exact words. How amazing! What’s next?”

“I had thought to show you one of our arenas, a place for games, but it’s growing late. I’m told the media wants a little private time with you before you leave, Your Majesty.”

“What exactly do you mean?”

“The crowd has questions, lots of questions. Your answers to those questions will be heard all over the world. Are you willing to speak to them?”

“We can start right here.”

“No. This is important to us, and I’m beginning to get a sense of how important it could be to Tranxte. Let’s do it right. We have a room that’s perfect. I’ll sit you on an elevated platform in the front, and the media will sit before you.”

“Oh, is that all? You’re describing a normal audience with the queen.”

Hawke stepped up to Graylee’s side. “These people, some of them, excel at asking hostile questions, Your Majesty. Just stick to the truth and you’ll be fine.”

“Why would they be hostile? Tranxte is the one who’s been wronged.”

“Feel free to remind them of that. Keep reminding them, and let them know you appreciate the Empire’s efforts to rectify the situation. Gar will meet you there.”

She brightened. “In that case, lead on.”

* * * * *

Ellie and her Knights watched the interview from the lounge on
Resolve
. Amazingly, Atiana held her composure, smiling continually and graciously, allowing a world to fall in love with their latest heroin. As well, the world had a new hero. During a break, the media inserted a recording of the final minutes of the battle for Tricor. Galborae’s sword flashed repeatedly in the video until the weight of dead gleasons overwhelmed him, then the clip closed with Atiana sitting in a pool of blood with his head in her lap.

When the intermission ended, Graylee moved to his side and leaned in close to speak privately with him. Galborae stared long at her, then grudgingly stood up and stepped behind his friends at the table. He drew his sword and brought the shimmering blade high. He cut the air a few times, then he returned the sword to its scabbard. The world now knew without any doubt that their hero had survived the battle.

When the interviewer asked about the ultimate plan for the gleasons, Atiana deferred the answer to Havlock. He didn’t mince his words, staring directly into the pickup as he spoke.

“I set out to eliminate the gleasons from Tranxte, but your queen and mine, the Last of the Chosen, ruled otherwise. She reminded me that, even in our darkest hours, the most fundamental purpose of our Empire is to protect civilizations from each other. She has ruled that the gleasons are an intelligent, alien civilization, and after fighting them, I concur. The fact that we share nothing in common with them does not change the fact that we must, in accordance with our heritage, allow them to exist as a civilization. To that end, we continue our efforts to protect the people of Tranxte while we search for a new home for the gleasons. Finding that new home is proving to be a challenge—we’re looking for a world that needs the gleasons as much as the gleasons need that new world. If any of you know of such a place, please let me know.”

Ellie had been sitting on the edge of the couch. When the program ended, she settled back, deep in contemplation. Mike, sitting beside her, stood up, looked around at his friends, and spread his arms wide.

“Where did we find them?”

Stven cleared his throat, as always a lengthy process for a dragon. “The same place you found us, Sire?”

Mike frowned. “A nebulous answer if I ever heard one.”

“I challenge you to find a better one.”

Mike rolled his eyes, but he had to agree with the dragon. There were no answers to some questions.

“They’re a group of leaders, his whole crew,” Ellie said. “Tranxte is in good hands, but I can envision calling any or all of them to higher service some day.”

“Uh . . . what could be higher service than saving a civilization?” Mike asked.

“Let’s wait and see.” She looked up at him sharply. “He reminds me a lot of you.”

“Huh? In what way?”

“Don’t play dumb. He can’t possibly know how you operate, he hasn’t been around you enough, but did you see how he cleverly credited me with his own ideas?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Right,” she answered dryly. “It’s not me he’s crediting, of course. It’s the position of Queen he’s empowering. It takes a strong person to do that, but in the long run it’s the right thing for the Empire. And Atiana didn’t correct him. She understands.”

Her eyes went to the ceiling as her thoughts wandered, but she kept those thoughts to herself.

* * * * *

Atiana asked Graylee to accompany her the next day and Graylee agreed without hesitation. Governor Seeton’s staff made arrangements for them to visit a local farm, and those arrangements included transportation for the media. Havlock put his own plans on hold, which meant remaining on Aldebaran a little longer.

As they approached the farm, the size of the waiting entourage alarmed Atiana, and Graylee suddenly found herself far outside her own comfort zone again. Havlock recognized their discomfort, and though he, too, was not particularly experienced with the media, he had been briefed the night before by Seeton’s communications expert.

“Stay focused, all of you,” he said. “We’re here to learn about the future of farming on Tranxte, and we’re here to give the media more face time with Atiana.” He looked into her eyes. “Ignore them unless you have a point you want to make public, then speak clearly.” His eyes moved to the rest of his group and stopped at Graylee. “Otherwise, just be the wonderful people you are. Be genuine. If you’re not, they’ll sense it. Today is all about the future of Tranxte, and we’re all actors on a stage.”

Atiana leaned her head on his shoulder and Hawke squeezed Graylee’s shoulder to let her know she was not alone. The skimmer landed and smiles fell into place.

Galborae stayed by Atiana’s side throughout the tour. As Hawke had forecast, the two of them had become an item. Borg strengthened his protection detail as the number of spectators grew, adding six Terran Protectors who mingled with the crowd.

The three from Tranxte understood very little of what they saw, but their Riders helped fill in the gaps. Graylee, not aware that they carried Riders but very aware that certain explanations would not make sense to them, stepped to Atiana’s side and took her arm, asking the guide for deeper explanations as if she herself needed them. By the end of the day Atiana actually had a broad understanding of where her farmers and ranchers might end up.

* * * * *

The media dispersed as Havlock and his group boarded their air car. Once aboard, Atiana spoke to Havlock loud enough so that everyone could hear. “I’m short a lot of farmers right now—they’re dead. I could improve the productivity of the remaining farmers if I could bring some of this knowledge and machinery back to Tranxte with me.”

He frowned and shook his head. “Baby steps, M’Lady. We have to take baby steps. We’ll eventually bring experts who can guide your people, and who knows . . . maybe your people will come up with better ideas than what we can give them.”

“Our people,” she corrected him.

* * * * *

They dropped Graylee off at her
gziekolt
and were about to leave when Hawke jumped up.

“Let me out,” he demanded. “I’ll escort her back to her quarters and meet up with you at our hotel.”

Havlock stared at him, maybe a little longer than necessary. “She was just the right person for us today,” he said. “Give her my thanks.”

Atiana added a comment as well, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “She asked me earlier today if I knew how lucky I was to have the Teacher by my side. She said it to me, but I have a feeling it was meant for you.”

Hawke stared at her while his mind shifted gears, then he jumped from the car and caught up to Graylee. She turned as he approached, an instant smile brightening her face. He suddenly felt awkward and at a loss for words.

“Uh, I thought I’d escort you home. You’ve had a long day.”

Her smile stayed in place. “Thank you! Can a marine be a gentleman?”

Hawke’s eyebrows lifted. “I guess so, as long as we’re not fighting.”

“Then I’ll fix us dinner.” She hooked her arm through his and said, “Come on!”

She held to that arm as they entered the
oland
, not releasing it until they reached her apartment, a sign Hawke took as encouragement. Back in somewhat familiar surroundings, he plopped down on a couch. She brought him glass of water and sat down next to him.

“Such an amazing two days,” she said.

“Tell me,” he said. “You’ve been wonderful, Graylee. No, you’ve been perfect. Even Governor Havlok agrees.”

Her eyes lit up. “I have? He does?”

He stared a question at her, then pursed his lips in frustration and moved to another chair. He sat down facing her to discover disappointment and confusion in her eyes. She pulled her hair forward again to cover the scar, something she’d been doing all day whenever she noticed him watching her.

“I saw that,” he said. He leaned toward her. “You’re a beautiful woman, Graylee, with or without the scar and the limp. Those things are just a fact of life on Tranxte. Enough people have them that I hardly even notice them any more. If anything, in my eyes your scar reinforces your beauty and character. You don’t need to hide it from me, ever.”

He held his hands out palms forward. “Look, I’ve only got a few more days here, so I can’t beat around the bush. I like you . . . a lot. Occasionally in life we meet someone who we just know is special, and you’re her. I’d like to get to know you better, but that’s not what this is about. Well . . . it’s not entirely what this is about.”

He looked away, afraid his words might backfire on him. When he looked back to her, she had settled back into the couch with one dimple showing, seemingly enjoying his discomfort.

“It can be what this is about,” she said in that husky voice.

He stared at her in amazement. “Uh . . . Okay, uh . . .”

She leaned forward with her elbows on her knees, then just stood up, took the few steps to his chair, and sat on the arm of that chair. She placed a hand on his neck and leaned closer. “Since you only have a few days, I can’t beat around the bush either.” She leaned forward and brushed those amazing lips across his. “Your nearness has been distracting me all day.”

“No way.”

“Way.”

He looked into her eyes, deep pools that sparkled, invited. He so wanted to fall into those pools, but he couldn’t. Not yet. He moved his head back a few inches and took a deep breath while lifting up a finger to separate them. “Can you hold that thought for just a minute?”

“You risk spoiling the moment. You might not get it back.”

“I want it back, but I want more and you deserve more. That’s what this is all about.”

Those dark pools delved into his own. “The past two days have been like a fairy tale. I don’t want it to end.”

“It doesn’t have to end. Stay a part of this, of us.”

She leaned away from him, questioning. “You’re leaving.”

He nodded. “I am, but I’ll be back. Do you have any idea how amazing you were today?”

“You already said that.”

“I watched you being me today. We have a gift, Graylee, you and I, but I’m just a soldier dealing with soldiers. I don’t have the technical skills I need for the future. I know just enough about teaching to know I need help. I’m using a meat cleaver to get through to these people right now, but in the years ahead I need to learn real teaching skills, the systems and methods you educators use. I’d like you to come to Tranxte and teach me. You’d end up teaching a lot of others as well.”

She sat like a statue, but he knew her enough to know her mind was operating at high speed.

“I’m just asking you to consider it,” he ended lamely.

“You want me to be a teacher?”

“And an engineer and anything else you’re good at. We look at abilities, not titles.”

Her eyes focused on him like daggers. “What’s it like there?”