The Master of Muscigny (The First Admiral Series Book 5) (31 page)

The Muscigny Estate, 5th June

Emerging from the Administrative Block of the Muscigny Citadel, Billy Caudwell, clutching a sword and a parchment scroll in his right hand, squinted in the sunshine of a bright June morning. Stepping through the heavy, metal double doors of the central command facility of the strongest and most advanced military facility on planet Geminus, Billy focussed on the shapes of Alliance personnel, soldiers from Jerusalem and estate workers. All the familiar faces were there: Daniel, Fatima, Lothar, Rebekkah, Tirza, Ibrahim the Steward, Khalil and even Hassan all stood in awkward sadness in the courtyard. The donkey had been freed from his Contraption, and looked like he may even have been brushed in honour of the occasion.

In the sunlight, Billy was able to see the huge thirty-metre high walls of the Citadel, gleaming concrete-white; soaring upwards beneath the cloudless sky. The wide stairways, which led to the upper ramparts, branched off on either side to allow access to the various rooms and dormitories that were built into the thick walls. From above, the huge structure looked like a five-pointed star. Surrounded by a deep moat, the points of the star were constructed to slope upwards to deflect projectiles and dissipate their momentum. The slope also gave any attackers who clambered onto the points no chance of hiding from the bows of the defenders, whilst the ground between the points became a natural killing ground.

In the middle of the huge courtyard, a small dais had been set up. In front of the dais, contingents from the Landing Troopers and Alliance Fleet were flanked by the new red-coated garrison troops from Baldwin’s Army of Jerusalem, plus all of the estate workers in their best clothes. This was the part that Billy knew he was going to hate most. The private farewells had been said, but there were still two very public duties still to perform. The Citadel had to be handed over to the King of Jerusalem. As a strategically significant military facility, it technically belonged to the Crown. Thus, the contingent from Jerusalem of 160 men had arrived, under the command of Joscelin of Edessa, to formally take possession of the fortress. The second duty was to appoint a successor as Lord of the Muscigny estate. And, both of these tasks had to be done in the full glare of public ceremony.

Admiral on deck!” a Landing Trooper Sergeant bellowed the formal order that brought the Alliance personnel to the ‘attention’ position.

The contingent from Jerusalem drew themselves into a semblance of ‘attention’ whilst the estate workers just stood quietly and wondered what all the military excitement was about.

“Present!” the NCO called out.

The Landing Troopers, and those Alliance personnel carrying weapons, brought their pulsar-rifles to the ‘salute’ position whilst the others raised their left hands; straight fingered, elbow at forty-five degrees, level with the left eyebrow.

The Jerusalem contingent remained stock-still, whilst the estate workers were just plain confused.

Replying to the salute, Billy made his way quickly to the dais and climbed the two steps onto the small square platform.

“Recover!” the sergeant yelled allowing the Alliance military to return to the ‘attention’ when Billy had reached the dais.

“Comrades,” Billy began, “Friends.”

Pausing for a moment, Billy felt the sadness of the situation sweep over him. He had spent hours considering and planning what he was going to say. But now that the moment had arrived, he felt that his fine prepared speech was somehow inadequate as the expectant faces awaited his next pronouncement.

“I’m not really one for making speeches,” Billy said, discarding his intended oration. “The day has come that many of us have been dreading, when we have to say farewell to our new friends, and I for one, have a very heavy heart.” He paused to gather his thoughts. “But, we all have families and loved ones back in our own homes, and we have been away from them for far too long. I miss my family, and I am going to miss the people of Muscigny whom I believe that I have the honour and privilege to call my friends.”

In the courtyard, the silence was deafening as the listeners hung onto his every word whilst Billy drew a long, slow deep breath to hold back a sob.

“However, before we leave, there are duties to perform to safeguard the future that you have all worked so hard to build for yourselves. Firstly, the defence of the estate. I call upon the new High Constable of Jerusalem to assume command of this Citadel.”

From the ranks of the Jerusalem contingent, Joscelin of Edessa stepped forward smartly and approached the dais.

“My Lord Admiral.” Joscelin bowed in front of Billy.

“My Lord Constable, with this sword I pass to you the responsibility for the protection and safety of all the people on the Muscigny estate,” said Billy as he held out the pommel of the sword for Joscelin to accept.

“My Lord Admiral, in the name of His Majesty, the King, I accept this charge. His Majesty further guarantees all the rights and privileges established on this estate will be recognised, upheld and defended for all time.”

“My Lord Constable,” Billy announced and drew himself to attention before saluting, “I thank His Majesty on behalf of the people of Muscigny,”

“My Lord Admiral.” Joscelin bowed once again, and returned smartly to the Jerusalem contingent.

“Now, I must perform my last duty as Master of Muscigny, as your Sidi,” Billy said. “I must appoint your new Sidi, and I call upon Ibrahim the Steward to step forward.”

Proudly, the old man who had worked on the estate for almost all of his life, and, who had held it together when the Master had been absent, walked forward to the dais and bowed low to the Lord of Muscigny.

“Sidi, I am at your service,” he said quietly.

“I now decree, as my final act as Master of Muscigny, that Ibrahim the Steward be now recognised as Ibrahim, Lord of Muscigny, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of that great office,” Billy announced, handing the parchment scroll that had been given to him by Princess Sibylla over to the old man.

“Sidi, I…” Ibrahim stammered.

He had been informed that he would be the new Lord of the estate several days before; however, when the moment came, Ibrahim was still unable to believe that it was true.

“You accept, Ibrahim. That’s an order,” Billy said quietly, and stepped down from the dais indicating Ibrahim to step up.

“Three cheers for the Master of Muscigny!” Billy ordered as Ibrahim climbed up onto the dais.

The three rousing cheers echoed loudly from the high walls of the Citadel, causing Ibrahim to blush deeply. And, when the last echo had died away, the former Steward of the estate clutched the parchment and shuffled nervously.

“You might want to say something now,” Billy whispered in the confused silence.

The great Christian Lords of Jerusalem might have a problem with a Muslim in charge of Muscigny, Billy thought, but they’d just have to get used to it. If Baldwin had accepted Ibrahim, then the nobles would just have to grin and bear it. Billy smiled at the thought.

“Sidi, we don’t want you to go!” Ibrahim said plainly. “We don’t want any of you to go, not even your black warriors who frighten us, but make us feel safe. Please, stay?” he added as murmurs and shouts of agreement and support rose up from the estate workers.

“Lord Ibrahim,” Billy replied, using the formal title for the first time, “much as we would like to stay, we have our families and duties elsewhere. You have a new Lord, this should be time of celebration not sadness. You have the power to shape your own future, your own destinies. Enjoy that, and know that we will never ever forget you. Now pay attention to your new Lord.” He indicated the new Master on the dais.

“I really don’t know what to say, except that tonight we have a good feast and tomorrow…well, there are lambs and calves to look after, and the crops to tend to and the wall on the northern boundary still needs attention,” Ibrahim said matter-of-factly, and stepped down from the dais.

The estate workers moved forward to congratulate their new Lord as Billy Caudwell slipped quietly away from the proceedings.

“Parade!” the Landing Trooper Sergeant shouted as the estate workers gathered and mingled around Ibrahim. “Embarkation in two hours! Dismiss!” he ordered.

The Alliance personnel performed the regulation quarter turn to the right, and then broke ranks for their final farewells as Billy Caudwell moved quietly towards the Administration Block to gather up his packed belongings.

“Sidi!?” the familiar voice of Khalil interrupted him.

“Yes, Khalil?” Billy said as he turned and found both Khalil and Hassan approaching him.

“Sidi, Hassan didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to you earlier.”

“You mean he wants more sugar?” Billy smiled weakly, and pulled one last sugar cube from his pocket.

“What are we going to do, Sidi?” Khalil seemed to plead as Hassan devoured the last cube of sweetness.

“Well, Khalil,” Billy said as he scratched the donkey’s ears, “I have spoken to Lord Ibrahim, and when you are old enough, he will send you to Jerusalem to learn to be a Healer.”

“But, Sidi!”

“Plus, you’ll have more than your hands full looking after this rogue here.” Billy indicated Hassan. “And, all the other animals on the estate.”

“But, it won’t be the same…”

“No, it won’t. But life moves on Khalil, every time you look up into the sky and see the stars, you’ll know that we’re up there somewhere; and that from time to time, we’ll be looking in on you to make sure that things are all right.”

“Do you promise to keep watch on us?”

“Yes. Now, go on, the pair of you. Enjoy the celebrations and make sure you stay behind the Citadel walls when the ship takes off.”

“Yes, Sidi,” Khalil said sadly, and led Hassan away.

For a moment, Billy stood and remembered the day he had arrived at Muscigny. He remembered the skinny boy who had stood up to a bully who was beating an injured donkey. With a sad smile, he watched them trudge slowly away. Both of them had come a long way since that day, but he was optimistic for their futures. Khalil would become a Healer and Hassan would live out his life comfortably on the estate.

Stepping into the Administration Block, Billy trotted up the flight of stairs to the office he had occupied and lifted his crude sack of belongings from the chair behind the heavy wooden desk. Taking one last look around, Billy sighed and slung the bag over his shoulder. Taking one last look from the window, Billy saw Alliance personnel and estate workers mingling, shaking hands and hugging their final farewells. He smiled sadly.

“Time to go home,” he said softly, and issued the thought-command to the War Room to teleport him.

A moment later, he disappeared in a blinding flash of white light.

The Star Cruiser Aquarius

In the upper atmosphere of Planet Geminus, the Star Cruiser Aquarius held a steady orbit as the Engineers ran one final check over the main propulsion systems. The vibration from the lift-off from Muscigny had been beyond the parameters predicted by the Senior Engineering Officer, and in the steady orbit he was running his checks and double checks. Any malfunction in the run up to breaking free of the Trion Conduit would most likely prove to be fatal.

The take-off from Muscigny had gone almost to plan. At ground level, on the estate, the huge ship had seemed to belch flames and smoke in a loud and terrifying roar as it rose shakily from the ground. Terrified estate workers covered their ears as they huddled behind the walls of the Citadel as Billy had ordered. All except one of the workers cowered away from the rising ship. Khalil stood on the battlements in defiance of Billy’s order, tears streaming from his eyes, as he bade farewell to the friends who had changed his life forever.

The Aquarius had thundered and roared. The engines, inactive for so long, protested violently at the burden now being placed upon them. But, slowly and shakily, the Star Cruiser had risen from the surface. It had lurched twice in mid-flight, hovering dangerously over the Citadel as the engines equalised their output to achieve a smooth ascent. But, amidst a great deal of anxiety, prayers and cursing, the Aquarius had achieved lift off, and had climbed into a stable orbit above Planet Geminus.

Anxiously, Billy Caudwell prowled around the War Table in the partially-illuminated War Room. Every scrap of non-essential power was being diverted to the force-shielding and the Thrust Engines. All of the computer simulations had been run by the Engineers, but Billy knew that the only way to know for sure was to try to break out for real. All of the possible permutations had been run on the simulators, and Senior Engineer Magriennen was only able to offer a sixty-five per cent chance of success in escaping the Conduit. First Admiral Billy Caudwell, having gone into many battles with shorter odds than that, had authorised the operation to proceed.

Now, prowling anxiously around the War Table with the Senior Officers gnawing their metaphorical nails in the tension, Billy wished that they would just get on with it. Having been away from his home for several months, Billy was eager to get back to his family despite the arguments and tensions in the Caudwell household. It was a sentiment shared by everyone aboard the Star Cruiser. They had all been away from their families and loved ones for far too long, and many were looking forward to an extended leave. The Aquarius was still in pretty bad shape despite the temporary ‘glue and canvas’ repairs, and would require many weeks in Space Dock to bring her back to full order.

“Sir,” an Engineering Technician spoke out from the bank of dimly lit consoles in the War Room, “Senior Engineer reports all checks completed. We’ve patched her up as best we can, but can’t guarantee we can hold it together.”

“Very well, instruct Ship’s Commander to proceed.”

“Yes, sir.”

A moment later, the huge Thrust Engines growled and grumbled slowly into life again. The shuddering vibrations immediately began to shake the War Room with the rest of the Star Cruiser. Without the sensitive calibration equipment available aboard the Space Docks, the Engineers had often had to ‘best guess’ the alignments and settings of many of the Thrust Engines’ components. It was a risky business, but tolerance levels had been pushed to the very limit just to get the ship into orbit again. The Aquarius just needed to achieve one third of light speed whilst pushing some Lissian radiation through the force-shielding to break through the Conduit. Once that had been done, the whole Universal Alliance Scanner Array would light up like a Christmas tree. Rescue ships, if they were needed, could be on scene in a matter of minutes, Billy knew.

The plan for escaping the Conduit was very simple. The Ship’s Commander would pilot the Aquarius out to the margins of the Conduit, and then make an escape run heading directly for the planet. Then, using the planet’s gravity, he would sling-shot the vessel clear without burning out the Thrust Engines; thus, breaking out of the Conduit. It all sounded very good in theory. The only question was: Would the Aquarius actually be able to stand up to the stresses and strains in her weakened condition?

“We have forward velocity, sir,” one of the Navigation Officers announced.

The tension in the War Room stepped up yet another notch as expectant ears took in the information.

Out in space, the damaged Star Cruiser lurched forward as the main Thrust Engines engaged and pushed the vessel from her orbit. Breaking free of the planetary gravity, the Aquarius headed out into space and the margin of the Conduit.

Aboard the Star Cruiser, the crew waited nervously at their duty stations as the vibrations from the misaligned Thrust Engines began to increase.

“Ship’s Commander reports we’re clear of planetary orbit, sir,” an Engineering Technician announced.

“Very well.”

In a few minutes, the Aquarius would be beginning her gravity sling-shot run. The Star Cruiser would approach Planet Geminus at an angle designed to maximise the acceleration from the drag of the planet’s gravity field. Once sufficient momentum had been achieved, the Star Cruiser would be diverted away from the planet and out into space to break through the wall of the Conduit. Billy Caudwell knew that this was a one-shot deal. If it failed, there would be no second chance. If something went wrong, there would be virtually no chance of being able to retrieve the situation.

The Aquarius would be caught in the gravitational pull and would hurtle back down to the surface. That being the case, Billy had ordered that the sling-shot run should be made over the deepest part of the Geminus’ Pacific Ocean. To drop a fully-laden proto-star reactor on the planet’s surface would be cataclysmic. Crashing into the depths of the ocean meant that the planet was far more likely to survive the impact.

“Approaching the boundary now, sir,” a Scanner Officer announced.

“Very well, proceed.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, Gentlemen, here we go.”

Forming a graceful arc, the Star Cruiser banked to the left as it approached the Conduit boundary. The Ship’s Commander, aware of the fragile state of the vessel, was gently nursing the ship around without too many sharp manoeuvres. Sweeping round from the gentle turn, the Aquarius then began her run towards the planet.

“Commencing run, sir,” the Engineer said.

“Excellent, all available power to force-shielding and Thrust Engines.”

“Acknowledged, all non-essential systems shutting down.”

With a deep sigh, Billy took his position at the head of the War Table. He really wanted to be in the Control Centre of the ship. However, he did not wish to give the impression that he had nothing but the utmost confidence in the Ship’s Commander. During such an important manoeuvre, the last thing they needed in the Control Centre was an edgy First Admiral making everyone even more nervous. So, forcing down every instinct to try to pilot the vessel himself, Billy stood at his post and trusted his life to others.

“Approaching the planet,” the Engineer reported as the engine vibration increased.

“Good luck, Gentlemen,” Billy said, taking hold of the edge of the War Table.

At that moment, Billy wished that he at least had a View Screen to see what was happening. But, unfortunately, the rule of non-essential systems also applied to him. Leading by example was one of his mottos, and in such matters consistency was all.

Out in space, the Aquarius was picking up momentum; caught by the gravitational pull of planet Geminus. With the Ship’s Commander guiding the vessel in at a shallow angle, the Star Cruiser started to hit the atmosphere just over the western Atlantic. The reptilian snout-like nose of the vessel began to glow a dull orange-red as the temperature began to build up. The all-important force-shielding was holding as the ship hurtled over the Isthmus of Panama and out towards the huge expanse of the Pacific Ocean and the Asian Continent.

In the War Room, Billy Caudwell clung tenaciously to the edge of the War Table as the vibration shook with even greater ferocity. Feeling like his teeth were being rattled from his jaws, Billy looked over towards the other Senior Officers. The Senior Officers clung determinedly to the War Table with anxious faces and whitening knuckles.

“Thrust Engines at maximum!” the Engineer called out. “Vibration tolerances at one hundred and ten percent!”

“We are at one-quarter light!” a Navigation Technician called into the violent shuddering.

“One-third light!”

“Come on come on,” Billy hissed through gritted teeth as he held onto the edge of the War Table, his fingers starting to hurt.

“One-half light!”

“Deploying Lissian!” another voice added to the cacophony of sounds.

“Breaking orbit!” the Navigation Technician said finally.

Out in space, the glowing yellow nose of the Aquarius swept over the western Pacific, Japan and mainland China before veering gently away from the planet.

“For what we are about to receive…” First Admiral Billy Caudwell mumbled a brief prayer as the Aquarius sped off into space, and an encounter with the Conduit’s boundary.

It was a one-shot deal with no second chances likely.

And, silently, Billy Caudwell prayed that it would work.