Chapter Fifteen
“You’re late,” the giant growled.
Angela seemed to shrink under his gaze. “We made the best time we could. Their ship couldn’t go any faster.”
“Hmm,” he grunted as he glanced toward Morgana and me. Then he looked at Doc and his eyes narrowed.
“What’s that?” he rumbled menacingly.
Doc followed his gaze to the bag hanging at his side. “It’s my medkit. I’m a doctor.”
The giant extended one hand toward him, palm up, and waited. Doc slipped the bag’s carry strap off his shoulder and handed it over. The big man opened the kit and rummaged through its contents. Once he was satisfied that Doc wasn’t carrying any weapons he thrust it back at him.
“He’s waiting,” the giant said.
He turned and started off down the boarding tunnel, forcing us to keep up with him. The tunnel ended at a standard airlock. Both hatches were open and we walked directly through the lock. Spaced around the edge of the inner hatch was a series of red pulsing lights, like some type of hazard indicators. The giant paid them no mind and we followed directly behind him into the habitat. When we stepped through the inner hatch I noticed the same ring of lights outlining the other side of the doorway as well. The corridor we found ourselves in was wide and brightly lit. It stretched for about fifty meters in both directions, with each end terminating in a pressure hatch. A number of people were moving through the hallway, but they barely gave us a glance as they went about their various errands. It was like being in any habitat module or space station, until I noticed that most of the people who passed us were wearing obedience collars. The poor devils shuffled through the passageway with their eyes downcast, surrounded by an air of depressed resignation. When I noticed how each of them was careful to give a wide berth to the airlock doorway I understood the purpose for the lights. The agonizing, electrical fire an obedience collar could send screaming along your nerves was something anyone would want to avoid.
Anger welled up inside me and it took every bit of my self control to keep from revealing my feelings. Having lived with one of those evil devices around my neck for a year I knew exactly what they were feeling. But if I wanted to learn what was behind the pirate Brotherhood I had to remain in character. I stole a quick glance at Morgana and Doc and saw from their hard expressions that they were feeling the same things I was.
The giant turned right and led us through a series of connecting corridors for the next few minutes. Although the installation was far from crowded, there seemed to be a fairly large number of people here. At one point we were forced to step aside as a small group of men in battle armor marched past. Even the giant was careful to give them space. Eventually we arrived at a pair of massive security doors. Two guards were posted outside the doorway, each armed with a military assault rifle. At the giant’s direction one of them pressed the door control and the big doors slowly slid apart.
We followed him through the open doors into a spacious office. The far wall of the room was dominated by a wide viewport that provided a sweeping view of the cavern. Positioned on a raised platform in front of the viewport was a large desk, its surface littered with scattered piles of flatpads. And standing on the far side of the desk with his back to us was the commandant. The giant directed us into a line in front of the desk where we waited to be addressed. Although I couldn’t see the commandant’s features, I was surprised when I suddenly recognized the set of his shoulders and the familiar way he stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Impressive, isn’t it,” he said without turning around. I sensed Morgana stiffen beside me as she recognized his voice.
A moment later he turned toward us. It was my uncle, Duke Sebastian.
A smug little smile played at the corners of his mouth as he faced us. Although it had only been half a year since I had last seen him he seemed much older than I remembered. Worry lines creased his face while purple smudges darkened the skin beneath his eyes. His complexion had a grayish pallor to it while his hair had gone almost completely white. His once impressive physique seemed to have shrunk in on itself. It was his eyes that surprised me the most however. They looked haunted. Whatever demons he was fighting were taking a toll on him. He was wearing a white uniform similar to the one he had been dressed in when he had me brought in for trial several months ago, right down to the saber at his side. But this one was embellished with even more gold braiding and ribbons than his old uniform.
After allowing us to study him briefly, Sebastian stepped around the desk and stopped directly in front of me. Because of the platform he was standing on I was forced to look up to meet his eyes. Surprise must have been showing on my face because he smiled broadly and drew himself up taller as he faced us.
“You’re …” I began.
“The rightful King of Gilead,” Sebastian said as he examined me. “And you are the elusive Cordass Pell. I understand that you led Our people on quite a merry little chase around Toula not too long ago.” He glanced at the giant who narrowed his eyes at me, and I could swear that I actually heard him growling.
“We have been wanting to meet you for some time now, Captain. If truth be told, you have become something of an enigma to Us. You first came to Our attention several months ago when we learned that you were transporting Gilead Fleet personnel aboard your ship. Hardly typical for an independent transport. Then it was reported that your ship had been destroyed in a freak explosion, which seemed to be confirmed by the fact that you were not seen or heard from for the next six months. Then, quite unexpectedly, you suddenly pop back up on Beta Antares. And when We dispatch some of Our people to summon you before Us, you manage to escape from their custody with almost ridiculous ease.”
“That was you in the penthouse,” I said, remembering the movement I had noticed in one of the side rooms when Morgana and I had made our mad dash for freedom.
“Indeed,” Sebastian said. “As fortune should chance, We were conducting an inspection visit when word of your arrival reached Us.”
Inspection?
“And now you go and deliver yourself right into Our hands,” Sebastian said as he laughed and grabbed me by the shoulders. I stiffened involuntarily at his touch. “Relax, Captain, We’ve already learned what We wanted to know. Although it would have been easier if you had just let Our people ask you a few simple questions, anyone who could orchestrate the feat you and your crew did couldn’t possibly be working for my dullard of a nephew.”
I thought back to the arrangements they had made for us in the penthouse suite of the Moon Palace. Being strapped to a chair and subjected to whatever inducements the giant dreamed up to make us answer their questions did not fit my definition of ‘easier’.
“I’m not sure I know what feat you’re talking about,” I said.
Sebastian adjusted his scabbard and perched himself on the edge of his desk. Gesturing at the profusion of flatpads scattered across the desktop, he said, “Come now, Captain, there’s no need for modesty. We are kept quite well informed of everything worth knowing that takes place among the inhabited worlds. For example, We know all about your raid on the Lucky Lady—the transport you intercepted on your way back to Toula. Although her owners might want to change her name now.” He chuckled at his own joke. “We must say, We were impressed with that piece of work. Our own agents couldn’t have done any better.” Sebastian paused briefly, then wagged a scolding finger at me. “Of course, you must realize by now that the cargo aboard that ship was intended for Us.”
“First come, first served,” I said. “I hope we didn’t inconvenience you.”
Sebastian stared at me for several beats. I was beginning to wonder if I had pushed him too far when he threw his head back and laughed.
“Do you hear that, Leonard?” he said, addressing the giant. “This saucy fellow would banter with Us!”
Leonard?
I glanced at the gian
t from the corner of my eye. This time there was no mistaking it. He was definitely growling at me.
“I didn’t say anything,” I said, leaning away from him.
“Come now, Leonard,” Sebastian said as he stood and walked back around his desk. “Captain Pell and his crew are guests.” He searched briefly through the scattered flatpads before he found the one he wanted. “In fact, they may soon become new allies.”
He pushed the pad across the desk toward me. As he lifted his hand away I noticed that it was trembling. Snatching his arm back quickly, he clasped his hands firmly behind his back again.
“We would like to offer you a rare opportunity, Captain, an arrangement that should prove profitable for both of us.”
I leaned forward and picked up the pad. The first page of a lengthy document was displayed on the screen. At the top of the page in a bold, fanciful font was the document’s title.
“Letter of Marque and Reprisal?” I read.
“Yes,” Sebastian said. “A somewhat outdated concept that We have decided to resurrect for Our purposes. Such commissions authorize a private captain to act as an agent on behalf of the monarchy against the ships of enemy nations. Essentially, it is a license giving you the right to raid the ships of Our enemies and confiscate anything of value they may be carrying. We are extending this offer to you.”
I was familiar with the concept of Letters of Marque, having studied them in school. Although the law was still on the books, Sebastian was correct in that it was an outdated concept. In fact, such contracts hadn’t been needed since the very earliest days of Gilead’s existence, since before the formation of the Fleet. The legal authority to issue a Letter of Marque and Reprisal came from the fact that the commission was being granted by the nation’s sovereign. It also meant that the countries involved were at war. But Sebastian no longer sat on the Gilead throne and we were not at war with anyone—technical points that he was apparently willing to overlook.
“I don’t understand,” I said. “Exactly who is your enemy?”
“Everyone!” he snapped. An intense light burned in his eyes as he glared at me. “When I was forced out of power by my idiot nephew, not one national leader spoke up on my behalf. Not one! Now they can reap the fruits of their indifference.” He gestured toward the viewport behind him. “From the sanctuary of this protected fortress Our agents are even now reaching out to cripple the economies of Gilead and the other star nations. By disrupting interplanetary commerce We are wreaking havoc with the financial infrastructures of their countries. Soon, when they have been weakened enough, We will begin the next phase of Our plan.” He lowered his arm and leaned on the table with both fists. “War. We shall ignite interstellar war on a scale that has never before been seen. And while We trick the fools into battling amongst themselves, We will sit within the security of Our citadel and laugh at them as they deliver ruin unto each other. In time, when they have wrought so much destruction that they are no longer able to defend themselves, We will assume control. We will regain the rightful inheritance which was stolen from Us and more.” A wild gleam shone from his eyes as he lowered himself into the thickly padded chair behind his desk. Steepling his fingers he narrowed his eyes at me.
“We are offering you the opportunity to join Us, Captain. Join Us and become part of history. You will find that We can be quite generous with Our friends. Our enemies on the other hand…” Sebastian studied me expectantly.
The tension in the air was palpable. I knew that if I did not accept his offer we would not be allowed to leave this room alive.
“I would be honored to join you, Your Highness,” I said, making a slight bow.
“As you should be,” Sebastian replied as he relaxed back into his seat with a smile. “Not everyone is afforded the opportunity to participate in one of the greatest pivotal moments in history. In time all of human space will fall under Our dominion. You will be witness to the birth of the first galactic empire!” He paused then, and some of the passion seemed to run out of him. “But We forget Our manners. You must be tired after your long journey. We grant you leave to return to your ship while We order a celebration banquet to be prepared in honor of your joining Our ranks. Leonard will see you back to your ship. Someone will contact you when everything is prepared.”
Looking down at his desk, Sebastian picked up one of the flatpads and began reading. It was a clear dismissal. We were just turning to leave when Angela spoke up.
“Commandant, I wonder if I could stay and talk to you for a moment.”
Sebastian seemed startled by her voice, almost as if he had forgotten she was there. Looking in her direction he put on a broad smile that struck me as being forced.
“Of course, my dear,” Sebastian said. “We always have time for you.”
The giant ushered us out of the office at that point. Morgana, Doc and I followed him back through the base to where our ship was docked. When we arrived at the entrance to the airlock the giant looked at us and simply pointed into the boarding tunnel. We headed into the tunnel without question. As soon as we had cleared the second airlock door, the hatch closed behind us. I was not surprised to see that the controls on our side had been deactivated. With the airlock sealed and our ship secured by the mooring claw, we were prisoners for however long Sebastian wanted to hold us.