Twin Stars 1: Ascension (20 page)

“Chief Kyle! G’day! Long time no see, mate!” The driver said, strolling up to the agent casually, his hands in the pockets of his business suit. He was acting like he was greeting an old friend on a summer day, and not surrounded by shock troops at gunpoint. Also not a good sign.

“Ulstead, I need those two.” Kyle said, cutting right to the chase.

The driver shrugged. “Sorry, Chief. You can’t have ‘em! I took a contract to get them from A to B, and you know I always follow my contracts to the letter. After I get them to B, though, they’re all yours.”

Kyle shook his head. “Not happening. We need them now. I have six full armored squads waiting for my signal, Ulstead. Plus snipers in the tree-line- this ends here.”

Kyle raised a hand and motioned the armored men past them.

As he watched the troops move in, Ulstead looked at him questioningly. “You sure you don’t want to rethink this, Chief?”

Kyle snorted as he watched his men surrounded the pair. “Not especially. Be glad you’re not the one we want.” They were meek enough this time, but he wouldn’t relax until this was over.

“I thought so.” Ulstead said, watching the men order his charges to the ground with casual interest. “Alright then, let’s try this my way.”

Before Kyle could ask what Ulstead’s way was, suddenly there was a shimmering on the edge of his vision and all hell broke loose.

In the Empire, war robots were extremely common- they were used as frontline troops in most combat situations with humans following behind to provide support and clean up once the robots had done their jobs. They came in all shapes and sizes, from huge grav-tanks to nanoscopic ones designed to harm the targets in imperceptible ways that nothing but the closest scans could find.

The three war robots that shimmered into view around the security checkpoint looked like thin, featureless gray humanoids. They had smooth flowing lines that roughly equaled the shape and size of a slender woman or man, but without any sharp edges or protrusions that might break their stealth profile. These were units designed for scouting, infiltration and assassination.

One of them had one gun to Chief Kyle’s head and another pointed at nearby soldiers, the other two were pointing weapons at the group surrounding Tysen and Esther, and the reserve group behind Kyle, both from optimal kill positions. If there was a firefight, it would turn into an instant bloodbath.

“Ulstead…” Kyle growled, trying to keep control.

The driver smiled. “Say hello to the Five Flowers, Chief- Violet’s the one with the gun next to your head. Poesy and Peony have your boys covered, Daisy’s on sniper duty and Daffodil’s just finished putting the last contact mine on your AGTs. Now, if you’ll kindly remove yourselves from the road, we’ve got an appointment my passengers need to make.”

“We’ll find you, you know.” Kyle said, promise in his voice.

But the driver just shrugged. “I imagine you will, but you’ll be in worse shape if you have to report to your boss why you got your entire team killed for a’coupla kids.”

It was a standoff, and both men stared at each other for a time. Kyle could see his men were frozen in place, not knowing what to do, and Vong was chattering in the back of his head about options. He shut it out and tried to think how far he was willing to go with this.

“Men…” He yelled, not taking his eyes off Ulstead, who for his part just smiled expectantly.

Not that far.

“…Stand down and let them pass. I want to get home to my wife tonight.”

* * *

Tysen had observed the whole thing with a mixture of amazement and admiration.

He watched as the security men quickly cleared away the barriers and grudgingly let the car go past. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Chief Kyle, who stood watching them go with a look of deep frustration on his face. He looked mad enough to start shooting the car himself, but he was a professional and Tysen knew he wouldn’t.

The “Five Flowers” had vanished as they’d appeared, although Tysen knew they were close by. Ulstead had played things superbly, and even now was holding the AGTs and their men hostage with attached contact mines. They would have a smooth trip to their destination from here on it.

“Mister Ulstead,” Tysen told him when they were clear of the blockade. “You have my deepest respect. That was incredible.”

“Naw.” Ulstead answered. “You should see what I do for breakfast- now that’s incredible.”

And Tysen laughed with him this time, the tension that had been baring down on him suddenly broken. Esther, for her part, just watched them with polite interest.

“Funny that,” the driver mused. “They actually thought I wouldn’t have backup. Takes all kinds, doesn’t it? Oh, and you can put those guns back in the box, not that they’d have done you much good since they’re not keyed to work for you anyways.”

That caught Tysen by surprise- “What? Then why did you get them to us?”

Ulstead grinned. “I told ya, I like my passengers to feel secure.” Then he held out an open tin of little green candies to his astonished passengers.

“Mint?”

* * *

Tysen was admitted to Admiral Veers’ penthouse suite some time later, having passed through several security checks, and found the High Admiral sitting in a floating lounge chair going through reports.

Tysen nodded a hello to Squire Merrin, the Admiral’s aide, who was standing nearby making snacks and she smiled back. Merrin was a slender, pretty thing whose simple taste in dress reflected the austere aesthetic of her owner. Reflexively, Tysen suddenly found himself wondering for the first time about the nature of Merrin’s relationship with the Admiral, but quickly pushed the thought away as he stopped in front of the man himself and went to attention.

“Admiral Veers,” he saluted. “Lieutenant Albert Tysen reporting as ordered, sir!”

Veers, whose hands caressed invisible AR windows Tysen couldn’t see, brushed the invisible reports aside and stood up, offering Tysen his hand.

“At ease, Lieutenant.” He said warmly, offering Tysen a nearby seat. He was a bit shorter than Tysen, stocky with a balding head fringed by black hair and a thick black mustache. Even at his age, the Admiral still had the exceptional looks that marked a Noble, and seemed to burst with vitality.

As they sat, the Admiral asked- “You didn’t bring your Squire, Tysen?”

Tysen shook his head. “No, sir. I felt I should report to you alone. She was not given to me by official appointment, and I worried that she might still be considered a security risk.”

“Esther?” The Admiral asked, giving him a long look. “No, it’s fair thinking, but Esther isn’t a security risk. I’d trust her with anything, if I were you, lad. A Squire is keyed to have only one master, and that’s now you. She’ll die before giving out information, even if her old master were to ask.”

The older man let the idea hang there a moment in silence, then he added. “Tysen, Squires are allowed to accompany officers at all times. Consider them a badge of honor, and cherish having her around, especially in your case.”

“I…will remember that, sir.” Tysen said, wondering for a moment what the Admiral meant by that last remark. Then Merrin came with a tray of tea and little sweet sticky rice snacks for the men.

“I don’t know what I’d do without mine, she’s like my second brain.” The admiral joked as he took his tea, giving Merrin an affectionate look she seemed to return. Then after he’d sipped his drink his face took on a more serious appearance and he rested it on his armrest.

“So,” he sighed. “I thought I should apologize to you personally for what happened today.”

“Sir?”

“When I agreed to let you carry my files to me, I had no idea that certain factions would use the local security agency to try and capture you. It was an oversight and I apologize to you directly for it.”

“It was my duty, sir.” Tysen said, meaning it.

Veers gave him a grateful look. “No, it wasn’t. But I appreciate that you considered it so. You’re a good man, Tysen, and I still regret I couldn’t do more for you during your trial.”

After Tysen said nothing in response, he sipped more of his tea and said thoughtfully- “Well, you arrived safely, and that’s the most important thing I suppose. Still, I suppose it shows how delicate things are right now that we’ve got people resorting to these kinds of tactics.” Then he paused and gave Tysen a questioning look. “Would you like to know what you were carrying in your head, Lieutenant?”

“If it’s not too much trouble, Admiral.” Tysen answered, letting his curiosity get the better of him.

Veers smiled. “I thought you might.” Then he leaned back into his chair, watching Tysen carefully. “What you were carrying, Tysen, were copies of a new proposal from a group within the Empire that’s trying to get the Imperial Council to stop this madness and step down.”

Tysen considered this. He had his suspicions, but was still shocked to hear this from a man who he had always looked up to.

“The Star Guard, sir?” He asked cautiously.

Veers nodded. “Some are. A few Home Guard, a few civilians as well.”

“And you’re…one of them?”

Veers sighed. “Not yet, but I am seriously considering it. The Council’s actions are ruining the Empire, Tysen, and we need to bring things back under control before they go too far.” Then he noticed the look on Tysen’s face. “Oh, don’t look at me that way, boy. I’m no more a rebel than you are- I’ve been in the service my entire life.”

“Then why turn against it, sir?” Tysen said, his voice sounding more accusing than he would have liked.

Veers studied him a moment, clearly weighing his options. “Are you willing to listen to my reasons, Tysen? If not, then turn and walk out that door now and we’ll pretend none of this was said. If you stay…You will be risking a great deal.”

Tysen hesitated, “Sir, I…”

“Stay or go, Tysen.” The Admiral motioned toward the door. “Now is your last chance to walk away from this.”

What should he do? Tysen wondered. His whole life this far had been about serving the state, but he had seen himself what that state was becoming. Even before the death of the Emperor, the Empire had been in a poor condition, but now he had seen himself the slow social and moral decay of the state he served. He had almost become its victim, and only forces internal and external had saved him from being persecuted for the crime of putting human life ahead of cargo.

But, to participate in…what? A coup? Is that what these powerful men were planning? No wonder he had almost been killed for the information he carried. He was already involved in something that went beyond his own comprehension. This was a game of life and death, and it would be certain that many more lives would die before this ended. Maybe his own.

He felt like a sheep that had wandered into the layer of wolves- he had innocently come into it, but now he was caught and awaiting his fate. There was little he could do to escape, and the only question seemed to be which of the wolves would reach him first.

But this was not the first time he had been in the wolf’s den- he had walked in when he was twelve, and he had walked out again. He would walk away from the den this time as well. He had come into this a sheep, but he was going to leave it a wolf.

“With all due respect, sir,” Tysen said as he met the Admiral’s eyes. “I would like to hear the Admiral’s thoughts on the subject.”

And the old wolf smiled, and welcomed him in.

CHAPTER FIVE

2718, Day 183

Glancing around the spaceport arrival gate, Ping An checked the time.

Where was he? Had he forgotten?

Around her, people with luggage met loved ones, and travelers scrambled to find transport into the city. She watched a businesswoman meet her husbands and their children, the group of them hugging and kissing her before whisking her away home for a more private reunion.

Family,
she thought bittersweetly.

Her reverie was broken by the sound of a horn as a sleek blue open-topped sportscar slipped up to the curb nearby. The driver, a handsome tanned young man in his late twenties waved to her, and then leapt from his car without opening a door, rushing over.

Before Ping An could say a word, his arms were around her and he was spinning her into the air. He was not a small man, and lifted her easily as he hugged her.

“Ping!” He exclaimed. “Ping!”

Ping An laughed, “Hey buddy! Howya doing!”

Solantro put her down and grinned. “Not too bad! Not to bad! Long time no see, girl!” He took a step back and looked her up and down; she was wearing a bright yellow summer top and gray slacks that hugged her curves while showing her toned physique. “Dang, you are built! Where you been working out?”

Ping An just grinned impishly. “Pulling some heavy gee’s, man. Up in space I gotta keep fit or my ass will start to look like yours. You know what I’m sayin?”

Solantro laughed off the gentle jab, looking at her side. “I hear ya! That all you got? That bag? No luggage or anything?”

“Nope,” she told him. “Just me and my bag.”

“Cool,” he gestured back at the car. “Then toss it in the back seat and let’s move. I wanna be back in Castle City for dinner. I told Grace you were coming, and she’s making her best pasta.”