Change Horizons: Three Novellas (9 page)

The rest of the meal passed without incident, but Dana was still relieved when the staff lowered the light and the entertainment began. Sitting to EiLeen’s left, she moved her chair so she wouldn’t hinder the other woman from seeing the stage. This brought them closer together and suddenly she was engulfed in EiLeen’s scent. Discreet, but distinctive, the sweet and warm perfume, mixed with something dark and spicy, wrapped around her. A woman began a gentle Imidestrian song, her voice following the enticing scent, helping it to reach yet another of her senses. She turned her head just enough to look at EiLeen, who seemed to be listening intently to the song. Such a proud profile, completely regal with high cheekbones, a delicately bent nose, and a tall forehead. EiLeen’s gray hair was combed back in stylish waves and she wore makeup that enhanced her beautiful features with a soft shimmer.

“Yes, Captain?” EiLeen suddenly murmured without turning her head. “Something I can do for you?”

Furious at being caught staring, Dana felt a blush creep up her neck and cheeks. “Just making sure I wasn’t in your way, Madame Maxio.”

“Please. EiLeen.” A faint curl of EiLeen’s lips made it clear that she wasn’t buying Dana’s explanation. “And I can see just fine.”

Dana cursed herself inwardly and kept her eyes on the performers for the duration of the show.

The captain was an enigma and EiLeen was uncomfortable with things, or people, she couldn’t fully figure out. Looking indeed far too young for her rank, Dana Rhoridan must have doctored her past. EiLeen sat on the bed in her quarters, computer on her lap, and searched the vast files she had access to, yet she could find only the basic information regarding the
Koenigin
’s captain. Thirty-four years old, Earth-born human, brought up by an aunt and uncle after being orphaned at age eight, graduated from college at age sixteen while living on the Alpha VII space station, and granted early entry to the SC Fleet Academy the same year.

EiLeen studied the formal cadet picture of a very young, fresh-faced Dana glowing with obvious pride. No doubt being accepted to the academy was her dream, but something else was present in those gray eyes that narrowed so easily while displaying contempt. EiLeen pulled up more official pictures of the
Koenigin
’s captain. In every single one, the woman looked impeccable. She kept her blond hair in a neat, low bun, her uniform without flaws, and the same guarded expression in her eyes.

A sudden thought made EiLeen use her top security-clearance codes, which included a rather intrusive retina scan, to access Supreme Constellations data. Surely she would find more on Dana Rhoridan in the top-secret files? She entered the search parameters and waited while the computer browsed the vast assortment of documents.

A strange beep and orange-colored screen informed her that, regrettably, all information regarding Dana Rhoridan was sealed. EiLeen stared, highly annoyed. Her security clearance equaled that of Marco Thorosac, the SC’s elected leader, and still she couldn’t access these files. Infuriating! She pushed the computer aside and rose from the bed. Her legs felt jittery and her entire soul seemed to be restless. Not bothering to call on her discreet security detail that was always present, albeit quite invisible to most other people, she threw a golden-lace wrap around her shoulders and left her quarters.

The promenade was nearly void of people at this late hour. The ones awake were dancing or gambling in the vast rooms dedicated to this purpose, but even if she’d been known to gamble once in a while, it held no allure for her tonight. She had too much on her mind regarding her ongoing project and the purpose of this trip.

EiLeen followed the promenade on its outer track where she could enjoy the spectacular view of space whirling by. They were traveling at high velocity yet still within the limits that made it possible to enjoy the stunning colors of distant stars. EiLeen thought of Imidestria, her home world, which she’d governed for decades before her work behind the political scene came to fruition. The day she officially abdicated was the first day she’d been able to breathe freely after her brother died. The new planetary leader and sectional administrators, elected in the very first free election at such a level on Imidestria, had replaced her office, she had stepped down, and the next phase of her life had begun. She had no idea how the rumors of her being a luxury-loving, self-centered, manipulative bitch had started, but since these ideas about her seemed firmly cemented in people’s minds, they worked as a great smoke screen.

“Madame Maxio? Is something wrong? Can I help you?” A low, soft voice spoke politely next to EiLeen, breaking into her thoughts.

EiLeen forced herself not to flinch, but turned toward Captain Rhoridan with what she hoped was a courteous smile. “Captain. Why would something be wrong? I’m merely taking an evening stroll. Much like yourself?”

Dana placed her hands on her back and shrugged. “This is part of my routine, to make one last round before bedtime. I learned that a long time ago.”

“Can’t be all that long, as you’re not that old.” EiLeen started walking again.

“Does your security detail know of you playing hooky like this?”

“Excuse me? Playing what?” EiLeen frowned as she tried to decipher the foreign word.

“Playing hooky? Stealing away without your guards?”

“My guards?” Scandalized at what that sounded like, EiLeen squared her shoulders and lengthened her stride. “You make me sound ready for an asteroid asylum.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Dana said calmly. “And you’re dodging the question.”

“I had no idea I was accountable to a luxury-liner captain.” EiLeen knew from the darkening of Dana’s eyes that she’d struck just the right amount of haughtiness in her tone.

“You’re correct. I’m the captain. That means I’m in charge aboard the
Koenigin
no matter the rank of her passengers. My first duty is passenger safety. You know you still have enemies, even if you’ve abdicated, madame. You shouldn’t walk alone anywhere.”

“So, not even abdicating and handing over the absolute power gave me my freedom back?” Surprised at how she allowed her bitterness to show, EiLeen stopped walking, resorting to anger. “I can certainly do without presumptuous individuals hell-bent on telling me how to live my life.”

Dana blinked. “I…I apologize, madame. I had no such intention. I was merely concerned for your safety.” Meeting EiLeen’s anger with softness, Dana placed a hand on her arm. “May I escort you to your quarters?”

The anger seeped out and left EiLeen not exactly deflated, but tired and pensive. “By all means, if you must.”

*

Dana nodded politely and walked in silence next to EiLeen. She was slightly taller than the maddening woman, but the way EiLeen marched along the promenade forced her to lengthen her stride.

Dressed in a soft off-white suit and a golden throw made of some intricate lace, EiLeen definitely looked regal. Dana remembered seeing the abdication ceremony on her media screen in her captain’s quarters. EiLeen had stood there, completely alone, but so rigid and determined despite the teary-eyed Imidestrians outside the palace area; it was obvious this woman meant every word when she handed over her political power as well as her office.

They were just about to turn a corner to reach the corridor that contained the ship’s elevators leading up to the presidential suites when the
Koenigin
lurched underneath them.

“What the—” Dana steadied herself against the railing along the wall and grabbed EiLeen’s upper arm. “Hold on!” When she saw EiLeen clutch at the railing, Dana yanked her communicator from her lapel. “Captain Rhoridan to the bridge. Report.”

“We’re under attack, Captain,” her next in command said hurriedly. “Two unidentified vessels on our port bow.”

“Damages?”

“So far they are firing disruptive charges right next to the stabilizers. No actual hits. No casualties reported. Yet.”

“I’m on my way. Red alert.” The klaxons began their blaring sound through the corridors. “You heard that. I need to get to the bridge. I suggest you return—”

EiLeen shook her head. “No. I’m going with you.”

“You’re a passenger—”

“I’m going with you.” EiLeen’s eyes narrowed and it was clear she didn’t intend to give in.

“Very well. Can you climb in those shoes? We can’t use the elevators.” Dana sighed inwardly as she reached the ladder leading up to the bridge. She began climbing and only allowed herself to glance down to make sure EiLeen wasn’t falling to her death or something equally disastrous while climbing dressed in shoes with four-inch heels.

Opening the hatch leading onto the back of the bridge, Dana entered and, extending a hand to EiLeen, she helped her through the narrow, low entry.

“Captain on the bridge,” an ensign called out smartly.

“Where are they now?” Dana moved to her chair, which her next-in-command, Tory L’Ley, vacated smoothly.

“Holding their position. They haven’t fired a round in twenty seconds.” Tory had barely finished speaking before another wave hit the
Koenigin
. Dana whipped her head around, looking for EiLeen, who was standing just behind her with a steady grip on the bar running behind the command chairs.

“Open communication channels,” Dana said. “Unidentified vessels. This is Captain Dana Rhoridan of the cruise ship
Koenigin
. We are a civilian ship and not out to cause trouble for anyone. Cease firing or we will be forced to defend ourselves.” Dana waited a few moments. “Unidentified—”

“You cannot match our firepower,” a gruff voice growled over the sound system. “You have scanned us and seen what we’re capable of.”

“At first glance you might think you have the upper hand, yes,” Dana said calmly. “You obviously do not have access to the upgraded specs of my vessel or you wouldn’t be so bold.”

“You? A damn pleasure ship? I think not.” The man huffed and then the
Koenigin
reeled again.

“Commander L’Ley. Demonstrate to our buddy out there what he’s missing. Just graze him.”

“Aye, Captain. Firing.”

Dana kept her eyes on the view screen and saw how a small green light traveled with startling speed toward the closest ship. A gush of dying sparkles appeared where the missile hit. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about. Rhoridan to unidentified vessel. Next time I’ll take out your weapons array, and if there is a third time, your propulsion system.”

“What the hell was that?” the man on the ship yelled. Behind him Dana heard his klaxons nearly drowning out his voice. “Scan me again, Rhoridan. I have antimatter missiles targeting your ship dead center on your port side. That’s where your guests are sleeping like babies and partying the night away, right?” He chuckled.

Dread ran down Dana’s spine before she harnessed it and channeled it into the intense fury she was infamous for. “Close transmissions. Target the weapons array and the propulsion system on both ships. Do not miss.”

“On it, Captain.” L’Ley punched in commands, and soon eight green lights pierced the space between the
Koenigin
and the two ships. “Brace for impact.”

Dana stood and pushed EiLeen into her chair. She pressed the sensor that strapped the clearly surprised woman into the command chair. Grabbing the bar behind the backrest, Dana followed her XO’s advice.

The
Koenigin
rose like a bucking horse when the wave of the blasts reached them. “Speed one! Back us up. Keep weapons locked on them. Damage report.”

“Minor injuries being reported from the infirmary, Captain. Inertial dampeners went offline briefly at the first blast, and apparently the first-class dining room is a mess.”

“Then we’re lucky if that’s all.” Dana rounded the command chair. “You all right?”

“I’m fine.” EiLeen moved her hand as if to open the harness, but Dana stopped her by placing a hand on top of hers.

“Stay there. I’ll have one thing less to worry about if you’re safe in that chair,” Dana murmured, leaning down. “I suggest you let your people know you’re safe.”

“I already have.” EiLeen motioned to the screen where the immobilized strange vessels sat motionless. “We need to find out what they want.”

“What’s more,” Dana said, and walked over to her operations officer’s station, “we need to find out why this was way too easy. Why would they not disable us all at once, get what they came for, and then take off? Why give us time to retaliate and disable them when—”

“Intruder alert! Intruder alert!
”
The computerized voice over the communication system answered her questions in part.

“Report. And silence the damn klaxons so I can hear myself
think
.” Dana turned back to the center of the bridge and watched her crew work their stations.

“Hull breaches on lower maintenance deck two. Unidentified individuals on board,” the ensign at ops said.

“Assemble security team and intercept them. We can’t allow them to reach the passenger decks. Can you tell how many?”

“Negative, Captain. Sensors indicate more than a dozen.”

Dana squinted and sucked her lower lip in between her teeth as she processed the events to date.

“Captain! Several vessels decloaking on both sides of us. Ten smaller assault craft and two larger destroyers.”

“What the hell’s going on?” Dana turned and regarded EiLeen. “Battle stations. Ship-wide alert. All hands, this is the captain. Intruders are present on the lower decks and hostile ships are surrounding us. Secure the passengers and take your duty stations.” Her crew was well trained when it came to security measures. Space pirates were always a concern, and while the war had raged between the Supreme Constellations and the Onotharian Empire, they had been prepared for all kinds of attacks.

“Lt. Freya, put as much space as possible between us and them while we sort this mess out.”

“I can try, Captain, but their assault craft will gain on us soon enough,” her trusted helmsman said. He punched in commands and the
Koenigin
shot forward between some of the small craft, its propulsion system sending them hurling to the side.

“I want to know why our shields failed to keep the intruders out.” Dana was furious. Not long ago, during the war, space pirates had boarded the
Koenigin
and nearly hurled her and her bridge crew into open space. Her ship had spent several months in a Guild Nation space dock undergoing repairs and now
this.
A sudden thought hit her and she turned to EiLeen, who patiently sat in the captain’s seat, observing everything.

“This happens within hours of collecting you. They attack within SC space, before our own assault craft and security detail escort us.”

“You’re probably correct.” EiLeen was actually a little pale. “They could possibly be after me. Like you, I didn’t foresee our own space as dangerous. In retrospect, I realize that assumption was naïve of both Admiral Jacelon and me.”

“You’re going to tell me all about what’s going on once we’ve put enough distance between us and these…whoever they are.”

“Shots fired on deck eleven, Captain!” the ensign at ops reported, her eyes huge. “Plasma-pulse fired on both sides. Commander Callah reports two of her officers injured and one of the intruders is dead. Eight of the intruders managed to reach the ladder system on that deck.”