The Artist
David Holmes
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Dayyev was a source of wonderment to his family, whilst they all excelled in various careers, he was however unique, an artist, someone who drew images with carbon sticks. Artists… real artists that is, were rare in the Empire, it was just too easy to get the AIs to do it for you. Yet Dayyev had talent, the ability to draw and bring out the ‘essence’ of a subject, something no AI could. It also meant the Empire could use a young man no one in their right mind would suspect was someone other than he seemed, not with his talent for art.
Contents
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1)
Chapter 2)
Chapter 3)
Chapter 4)
Chapter 5)
Chapter 6)
Chapter 7)
Chapter 8)
Chapter 9)
Chapter 10)
Chapter 11)
Chapter 12)
Chapter 13)
Chapter 14)
Chapter 15)
Chapter 16)
Chapter 17)
Chapter 18)
Chapter 19)
Chapter 20)
Chapter 21)
Chapter 22)
Chapter 23)
Chapter 24)
Chapter 25)
Chapter 26)
Chapter 27)
Chapter 28)
Chapter 29)
Chapter 30)
Chapter 31)
Chapter 32)
Chapter 33)
Chapter 34)
Chapter 35)
Chapter 36)
Chapter 37)
Chapter 38)
Chapter 39)
Chapter 40)
Chapter 41)
Chapter 42)
Chapter 43)
Chapter 44)
Chapter 45)
Chapter 46)
Chapter 47)
Chapter 48)
Chapter 49)
Chapter 50)
Chapter 51)
Chapter 52)
Chapter 53)
Chapter 54)
Chapter 55)
Chapter 56)
Chapter 57)
Chapter 58)
Chapter 59)
Chapter 60)
Chapter 61)
Chapter 62)
Chapter 63)
Chapter 64)
Chapter 65)
Chapter 66)
Epilogue)
Appendix
Prologue
3,650 AD
The ragtag fleet of jump ships was almost at their last resource. Vast distances had been crossed from one arm of the galaxy to another to escape the madness of the constant wars of conquest currently being fought.
The Nihoni were amongst the first of the diaspora, though most definitely not the last, as many colony ships and refugees from the warring Realms in the first arm chanced their luck to cross over to the second arm and find peace.
“There are three habitable planets in this small cluster of stars, enough to split our fleet and colonise all,” Senior Analyst Yoshenko reported to Shiba Aiko, the former Taisho (Admiral) of the Asian Star Alliance.
“Like it or not, we have to colonise. We dare not go further,” Shiba replied.
“Agreed, sir.”
“Hopefully, we have outrun the madness,” Shiba mused thoughtfully. “Ensure the fleet is split between the various worlds we came from. Let us not start the madness of division here as well,” he commanded.
“The Nihon to one, Koreans to another and Taiwanese to the final,” the analyst nodded.
“Let it be done, and may the gods curse the first arm and their burning of Earth along with their genocides!”
“As you command, Sir!”
“And arrange for one ship to be left in a safe orbit on each world,” Shiba commanded. “Hard times are ahead, but we will return to the stars one day.”
***
Time passed, up to 20,000 years, during which new Realms grew and collapsed. New wars were fought; though it seemed lessons had been learned, very few worlds were scorched free of life. The Nihoni themselves descended almost into a pre-industrial society, but their small numbers gradually grew again. An orbiting ship above each of the three planets kept their dreams alive of a return to the stars as powerful telescopes could still make out their ungainly shape. Finally, a manned vessel reached the orbiting ship, and a scientific renaissance began with the re-discovery of grav-tech and interstellar travel. Contact was re-made with the other two worlds, and an Alliance was formed. Trade with other worlds also began, and the fledgling Realm abandoned jump drives and adopted the safer, slower XD drives in current use amongst many Realms in the second arm. The Nihoni Alliance, as they now called themselves, were even strong enough to fight off planet raiders, though they were becoming wary of stronger neighbours forming alliances around them.
Their common language also changed as their native tongue was adapted after contacts came from elsewhere, with any Nihoni having to learn a composite and logical language called ‘Seneci Basic’ or just ‘Basic’ to most people. It was a language with no irregular verb constructions or oddities in composition that was easy to learn and expand on. It developed to the stage where most could speak it and even prefer it to the original national tongue of the Realm as it was incredibly expressive and precise in meaning.
Of more significant concern to the people of the Nihoni Alliance was the rise of the Vreekoosian Realm, which continued to steadily expand through conquest or simply assimilating the worlds and Realms it now surrounded. The Vreekoosians also grew via terraforming worlds in unused systems and, though no longer quite as aggressive as they had initially started out to be, were now a growing dominant Realm and had both reached and now surrounded the Nihoni Alliance, though not threatening the Alliance in any way.
Circumstances changed when the Senior Admiral of the primary Vreekoosian Fleet declared himself Emperor after a short if violent, civil war. He then used his influence to remove corrupt officials from power and permit the development of an AI network to monitor the system for corruption. Many Realms and worlds were also offered a place within the Empire as equals, gaining the protection of the now Imperial Fleets and safe trade routes within the Empire itself.
The Nihoni Alliance, after some serious debate, also voted to join the Empire and take advantage of the Pax Imperialis now established. The Nihoni were pleased that the Empire did not interfere with planetary culture or traditions; they mandated a system designed to regularise the bureaucratic rules they maintained, many of which were filled by Nihoni. Currency regulation took some time, but the Imperial Royal became dominant, and the Nihoni settled into the Empire as valued subjects and slowly became almost indistinguishable from other Imperial subjects, other than a few remembered histories and traditions that gradually faded.
***
27,290 AD
The young boy was out in the grounds of the Palace on the continent of Lassos. It wasn’t his first time there, though this time he had with him his sketch pad, and he was determined to draw some of the sights only to be seen on Lassos, if only to prove he had been there, despite the AIs backing his claims.
His sister, Kiria, had gone off with the other kids, children of his parent’s friends, and he, for the moment, was alone with nature, not that there was anything particularly dangerous allowed in the extensive Palace grounds. His reverie and work were disturbed by the sound of crying and of a young girl trying to comfort someone who was hurt. So he moved to see just who it was… though he had his suspicions.
Amanda had been enjoying being chased through the grounds by Vicki, her sister. However, the fun had ended abruptly when she tripped over a root and skinned her knees. Usually not one to cry, this had been particularly painful owing to the manner of falling and the hardened rough ground she’d skidded over. Her younger sister was attempting to comfort her but not getting too far in doing so when the young boy appeared.
“Thought it was you,” he greeted them with a smile, though tears and sobs were all Amanda could manage for the moment.
“Hi, Dayyev. Amanda fell, and it looks like it hurt bad,” Vicki explained.
“So I see,” Dayyev nodded. “If you go find Aunt Cass, I’ll stay here and keep her company,” he offered.
“OK. Won’t be long, I hope,” Vicki replied and scampered off.
“It’ll be OK, Amanda,” he comforted the sobbing girl. “I’ll draw you a cabbint if you’d like?”
“A… a cabbint?” Amanda asked, her attention taken away from the pain.
“Sure,” Dayyev replied, quickly sketching the small fluffy creature commonly seen on the grounds and adding various features to make it look like it was wearing clothes and a hat.
“Ooh! Can I keep it?” Amanda asked, entranced at the drawing.
“Of course. My special gift to you,” Dayyev smiled, tearing the sheet of pseudopaper from his pad. Amanda hugged him in thanks, just as Aunt Cass came along, guided by Vicki.
“Soon get you fixed up, Amanda,” Aunt Cass consoled her, using her wand to close the wound and repair the slight internal tissue damage. “That’s a good drawing. Did you do it?”
“No, Dayyev gave it to me.”
“It’s very funny,” Aunt Cass smiled.
“Yes,” Amanda replied cheerfully.
“Hope you said thank you?”
“Not yet, but I will,” Amanda replied.
“Do it now before you forget.”
“OK,” Amanda nodded, then hugged Dayyev before kissing his cheek, making him blush. “Thank you. Will you draw me other stuff?”
“Of course, Ammie,” Dayyev replied, shortening her name. “You’re my friend.”
“Your girlfriend?”
“Well… yes,” he smiled, making Amanda beam in pleasure, too, giving him another hug.
Chapter 1)
The young man was the centre of attention for some in the lower level of Treeos Block; to many, he was just ignored as he appeared to have nothing worth stealing. It was fascinating to those who saw what he was up to. Art in the Empire was generally big business, with multi-billion credit displays by technical experts rather than talented, if often poor, struggling individuals. Yes, there were visual and written tri-dees in the form of novels, but AIs often cobbled these together for corporate media. Hence, creativity often took different paths in the Empire, and those who could produce something original often struggled to go mainstream.
“Wow! That’s such a good likeness,” a young girl complimented the young man.
“Well, everyone has something special about them, and I have a gift that can bring it out and show them in a picture,” he replied. “Do you want it?”
“Can I?”
“Well, yes. It is a picture of you,” he chuckled.
“Thanks…?”
“Dayyev.”
“Thanks, Dayyev.”
“Get the AIs to seal it for you. Otherwise, it will smudge.”
“Thanks, I will,” she beamed, then hurried off as Dayyev began sketching someone else in the group watching him.
Eventually, though, the crowd parted or instead were shouldered aside by two gang members who proceeded to try and rip the pad Dayyev was using from his hand, only to grab fresh air as it moved smoothly out of reach.
“Tonnek, leader of the Bladers, wants to see you… now!” the guy doing the grabbing stated.
“Say please,” Dayyev chuckled.
“What?”
“If you want something, you say please,” Dayyev replied to the increasingly angry-looking thug.
“Look, if Tonnek wants to see you, it isn’t a request!”
“I don’t care. Say please, and I might co-operate.”
The thug reached out to grab Dayyev whilst his mate pulled out a knife, only to find that Dayyev could move faster than he had ever seen anyone move in such a confined space. He was struck powerfully on a nerve cluster that rendered him helpless whilst the first gang member found that the knife he held was suddenly not in his hand anymore, and his body was heading to the ground rapidly as his legs would no longer keep him upright. Dayyev then threw the knife across the space of fifty pacemarks to embed itself directly between two young women who were watching, making one of them squeal in terror.
“Sit, ladies. If one of you makes a move, trust me, you’ll regret it,” Dayyev spoke in a carrying voice to the gang observers, who both promptly sat.
“Who the shleck are you?” the original member spat out, fear making his voice break at the third word.
“Someone you should be polite to,” Dayyev chuckled. “Now, introduce yourself and tell me why this Tonnek wants to see me… politely.”
“He wants you to draw his little sis in her finishing dress, that’s all; there was no need to get so violent!”
“Shouldn’t grab what isn’t yours or pull knives then,” Dayyev commented. “Your name?”
“Parric.”
“You see, Parric if you’d just introduced yourself and asked me to come with you, you wouldn’t be on the ground now, wondering if I’m going to humiliate you further.”
“I get it, I get it. Sorry!”
“Good,” Dayyev chuckled and reached down to pinch part of Parric’s anatomy, loosening the nerve pinch and allowing him to rise despite the feeling of numbness still in his arms.
“What about Riso, there?”
“He pulled a knife on me. Do you think I’ll let someone like that get up whilst I’m here?”
“I’ll… er… vouch for his future good behaviour?”
“Good enough for me, though you won’t like the result of breaking your word… either of you.”
“We’ll… we’ll behave. Won’t we, Riso?” Parric stumbled out.
“Yeah, we’re sorry,” Riso moaned.
Dayyev reached down and undid the nerve lock on Riso. “I suggest you go over there and fetch those young ladies; then we can see Tonnek.”
“Er, yes, Dayyev,” Riso replied nervously.
“Well, off you go,” Dayyev suggested with a slight smile.
“Right.”
Ten rotations later, Dayyev and the gang members were in a room that was off the grid as far as the AIs were concerned, though it was apparent Dayyev wasn’t… concerned, that is. It was also reasonably evident to Parric that he wasn’t allowing any of the gang to get behind him as he followed them into the room and positioned himself with his back to the wall. Not that Parric had any intentions any more of provoking Dayyev. He had a pretty good idea that if Dayyev wanted him dead, he quickly would be.
“Don’t move!” Dayyev said sharply to Hinna, one of the young women who’d been observing and was reaching for a pocket in her coverall.
“I’m just…” she began.
“Bring it out with your fingertips.”
“Er… yes, sir,” she squeaked, terrified of the young man they’d… invited into their den.
Hinna gingerly brought out a small tube of sweetened protein chews and relaxed slightly when Dayyev nodded at her.
“That goes for the rest of you,” Dayyev warned. “Do not make any sudden moves, and do not surprise me.”
“You heard him,” Parric added, trying to regain some authority.
At this point, Tonnek, the gang leader, entered the room and paused, staring at the man he knew was the artist who drew people, noting the nervousness of the gang members also in the room. It was also evident that Dirv, his ‘enforcer’, who had followed him, was also picking up the vibes.
“Tonnek, this is Dayyev, the guy you asked us to… invite here,” Parric informed him nervously.
“Invite?” Dirv asked, looking bemused.
“Trust me, if we hadn’t invited him, he wouldn’t be here, and I suspect we all might be in the medical centre,” Parric explained.
“That’s correct, though I would have gone easy on the young ladies,” Dayyev confirmed.
Tonnek looked slightly confused, unsure who the young ‘ladies’ were before deciding to act as if it had been his idea in the first place.
“Pleased to meet you, Dayyev,” he began. “I was wondering if I could get you to draw my younger sis in her academy finishing dress?”
“No problem, where is she?”
“Er… don’t you want to talk credits?”
“I don’t charge for stuff like this.”
“Right…”
“I would like some info from you, though.”
“Oh… er, OK.”
“You’re in a territory dispute with the Spike Mantles. I’d like to know a bit about their leader, Renso?” Dayyev asked.
“We don’t know a lot, to be honest,” Tonnek shrugged. “He turned up about seven binary cycles ago from seemingly nowhere, killed the old leader, Mantti, and expanded the areas he’s surrounded by. He’s ruthless, too. They don’t take prisoners… or rather they do but torture them and leave them wrecked afterwards.”
“What does he look like?”
“No one knows. He wears a mask covering his head. He leaves us alone now as we’re larger than his gang, but I think he’ll make a move soon.”
“OK. Where’s your sis?”
“Follow me.”
***
A bit of background seems to be in order. I’m Dayyev, son of David and Kirim and brother to Kiria, Hilli, Truna and Galh. My Dad’s a Cure, which means he can cure anything in a human and some humanoids to a certain extent. My Mum is a Senior Investigator in the Guardians, a sort of paramilitary police force that goes under various names in the Empire. Kiria, my sister, is a Healer and Commander in Ground Force, the Imperial Army. Hilli, adopted brother, Truna and Galh, adopted sisters, are studying at Ala Upper-Level Imperial Academy. I’m about a binary cycle from taking my final exams at the Academy. However, I have yet to specifically state my career option as I’m an artist and sales from my works already have given me a good income. That said, I have a secret job for ImpSec, those responsible for maintaining Imperial Security throughout the Empire and beyond. I’m not allowed to talk about this job to my family, other than my Mum and Dad, as it involves going to certain places where the AIs have noted… anomalies and having an initial nose around for ImpSec, reporting back via my Aunt Vilgra.
The other unusual thing about me is that I have a girlfriend. Not that having one is uncommon; it’s just who that girlfriend is. Amanda is Princess Royal, next in line to the throne of Amantil the Great of the Far-Flung Stars of the Imperium… or generally Aunt Manny to me unless it’s something official. Not that anyone not in the know would guess who Amanda was if they met her with me. She, like her sister Vicki and her Mum, wears a holo-disguise at all public appearances and the whole of the Empire, other than a few close friends and acquaintances, think they are blonde and somewhat shorter than they are.
Amanda, too, is about to take her final exams. After which, she’ll take over a massive chunk of the ceremonial duties her Mum is supposed to do but mostly doesn’t, as running the Empire is a full-time, behind-the-scenes job. Vicki, her sister and Plenna, Vicki’s boyfriend and my best friend, will also finish their exams and move on to careers in Fleet, the Imperial Space Navy; she in Command training, and he to Engineering.
I know I’ll be expected to accompany Amanda on these duties. ImpSec will arrange for some visits to be to potential trouble spots, and I’ll be asked to nose around behind the scenes whilst all attention is on Amanda herself.
***
“So, the local gangs are getting nervous?” Vilgra asked Dayyev later in the day as they sat in a very non-descript office, generally used by Aunt Manny to ‘have a word’ with people she wanted to guide down specific paths. Not that this was Vilgra’s official office, or even the one in Medical Resource where she generally kept an eye on various Cures who were not as well behaved as my Dad.
“Yes, Aunty. This Renso is seriously bad news from a rival’s perspective,” Dayyev responded. “No one I spoke to could even give me a description of him.”
“Territorial?”
“Not that I could tell. I drew people all over the area and never spotted anyone obviously ‘gang’ watching me.”
“Yes, the AIs raised a similar concern,” Vilgra agreed.
“Not even any defined territory by gangmarks, though the Bladers all knew where it was from what they told me.”
“It’s why I asked you to have a look around. Troubleshooters stand out too much when we go there… or at least the ones this currently warrants,” Vilgra nodded.
“Amanda wants to pop down with me when I return,” Dayyev chuckled.
“Make sure she has Truvia or Trusha, and she should be fine. Amantil will step in if necessary if she thinks there’s a real risk.”
“I can’t imagine Amanda escaping her shadow,” Dayyev chuckled.
“That’s why I said it’ll probably be OK.”
“The Empress agrees,” the AI chimed in.
“See?” Vilgra added with a smile.
***
Dayyev admired how well Amanda and Trusha blended into their surroundings back in Treeos Block. You’d never know by looking at her that she was the Princess Royal and primary heir to the Imperial throne. This was primarily because she wasn’t wearing her holo-cloak and was dressed down somewhat, if comfortably. Trusha blended in anywhere she operated and was easy to overlook at the best of times, an ability enhanced somewhat by her Kilios Corporation training regime.
“I can’t see anything odd going on,” Trusha said in an aside to me after several rotations.
“I know, it’s perplexing. The only thing that makes it stand out is the total lack of any gang-like activities,” Dayyev nodded.
“Yes, no wonder the AIs picked up on it. It’s very unlike the normal lower-level activities.”
“We are being observed, though,” Amanda piped up. “Not hostile, just ordinary male curiosity, I think.”
“Well, the pair of you, even dressed down, are primo eye candy,” I chuckled, making Amanda blush slightly.
At this point, a kid wandered up to ask what I was doing and then beamed in pleasure as I drew him. This soon attracted a crowd of curious residents and kept me busy. Though in this, I wasn’t too worried as Trusha was easily capable of observing the area, along with Amanda.
“Hostiles,” she murmured to me. “Heading your way if trying to blend in.”
“Keep Amanda safe if they request my presence,” I chuckled.
“No problem, there’s not nearly enough of them to be a threat to her, never mind me.”
“Glad to hear it.”
At this point, I was confronted by a young gang bravo whose presence caused the crowd to draw back slightly.
“Want to tell me what you’re doing in the Spike Mantles territory?” he asked indifferently.
“Drawing people and places, why?” I replied, observing others with him forming a very subtle perimeter.
“I want you out of here. Practice your hobby elsewhere.”
“No.”
“It wasn’t a request.”
“I don’t care. Now, shleck off and bother someone who does.”
“Take him!” the bravo ordered, only to pause as he suddenly felt the prick of one of my carbon sticks jab him under his chin next to his throat.
Trusha and Amanda had meanwhile ghosted in and dropped the other bravos as they tried to approach without looking as if they had done anything.
“Care to change your mind?” I asked.
“I’ll be back! You don’t challenge the Spike Mantles and get away with it!” he snarled as he carefully backed away, leaving his companions still lying on the ground.
“Should produce a response,” Trusha observed. “If only to save face.”
“Their observers, if there are any, are good. I’ve yet to get an indication of who they might be,” I noted.
“Yes, very unusual. They may be doing it remotely, though the AIs haven’t picked it up,” Trusha nodded.
It was clear that the locals knew something as the open square was rapidly emptying of ‘civilians’ as an uneasy silence settled over the area.
“Comms are down,” Amanda announced.
“Bet yours aren’t,” I chuckled.
“Well, of course, Dayyev,” she giggled, referring to the private and separate comm channel she and Trusha could use.
“Any idea how?”
“AIs are looking into it. Seems to be a variant on medical seal, though its generation is not Imperial,” Trusha replied.
“Hmmm, my suspicions of outside interference are firming up,” I nodded.
“Was it the no one seeing his face that tipped you off?”
“Yes, and always working in the background. That’s not how gangs work here; part of it is the ethos of showing off the gang culture to gain recognition from your peers.”
“I see,” Trusha acquiesced, as her only real interests whilst working were threat/no threat.
“Still, I don’t know the who and what of it yet, and that piqued my interest.”
“You get interested in the strangest things sometimes,” Amanda giggled.
“Part of my charm,” I replied, making her blush with my fond smile.
“Will you two get a room!”
“Would that we could. I’m not quite seven yet,” Amanda replied straight-faced.
“Tease,” Dayyev chuckled.
“Look who’s talking.”
“We can get Trusha to stand outside and guard us whilst we have some fun,” Dayyev suggested with a grin, adding, “We can even let the AI broadcast the sounds so she knows you’re OK.”
“Ooh, there’s an idea!”
“Be quiet! Here’s the rest of the gang, and you’ve wound me up quite enough!” Trusha warned with a sigh.
“Guess that’s Renso,” I indicated a masked individual observing the situation, flanked by two huge males.
“Yep. Got the AIs doing a scan now,” Amanda nodded. “Odd, no match at all.”
“Guess Aunt Vilgra will want him alive,” I cautioned Trusha.
“Yep,” she nodded, clearly doing mental calculations about causing the maximum mayhem on them with the minimum effort.
“Need any help?”
“Just watch my back.”
“Looks like Renso might have accumulated some alien tech,” Amanda observed as the gang drew closer.
“Yes, that does look like a powered glaive from a boss type,” I nodded. “Wonder where he got it from?”
“We’ll ask when we’re done,” Trusha replied.
“You have broken our laws by not leaving when told,” a gang member stated.
“Tell someone who cares,” I replied, eyes narrowing as the gang spread further.
“You don’t appear to know who’s in charge here, and for that, you’ll pay!” he snarled, drawing a blade.
“Pretty sure it’s the Empress,” Amanda chuckled as she and Trusha got to their feet.
“Get them,” came a voice from the figure we assumed was Renso.
The three of us moved into a defensive formation as the gang moved forward, holding bladed weapons reasonably competently. Trusha seemed unworried, so Amanda and I followed our training and kept our guard up as she took the fight to the gang. Nor had we summoned help by the AIs as we all believed that if we did, Renso would vanish into the gloom for a while before reappearing in a different form or leader, causing us to go after them again.
That’s not to say we couldn’t, if necessary, take the fight to them. Our training did allow for that as well. That said, it was an absolute joy to watch Trusha go into full offensive mode against someone, as unless sparring with a Kilios companion, she never had to do so in training us. This was primarily due to her beginning training with Kilios when she was three and being constantly tested on various lethal techniques, defensive measures, AI hacking and sabotage methodologies until finally being accepted as fully qualified at the age of eight Imperial years. She then understudied under Truvia, the Empress’ senior bodyguard, before becoming Amanda’s primary bodyguard.
From a seemingly confident pack of thugs, there was now a mass scrambling to try and either get away from Trusha or find some other way to stop her without actually coming close to her as she simply darted in, hands and feet flashing out to strike various points on the thugs, invariably taking them down or killing them. This enabled Amanda and I to pick off multiple stragglers whose primary attention was on Trusha and guard her back against stray thrown objects. It was also clear that Trusha’s main objective was the person we thought was Renso, who was now slowly backing away, though unfortunately for him, nowhere near quickly enough, considering what I knew of Trusha.
And it happened. Suddenly, Trusha was free and darted at an amazing speed towards the guy, taking his two bodyguards down en route with two flickering blows. She grabbed the top of his coverall and used all her strength to pull him down before giving two hard blows to his knees, probably breaking or at least dislocating them and making him scream in agony.
“Show off,” Amanda giggled as we strolled through the groaning or unconscious gang members.
“Been a while since I could cut loose, so yes,” Trusha replied with a happy smile.
“Well, let’s see who or what we’ve got,” I added.
Trusha slipped the all-covering mask off and frowned. “Not human,” she finally said, looking at the distorted features. “Humanoid, though.”
“Had my suspicions,” I nodded. “Amanda, could you do the honours? Your security clearance is way higher than ours.”
“No problem, Dayyev,” she answered with a smile. “AI, identification, please.”
“Unknown.”
“Er… race, species, any details?”
“Unknown.”
“Contact Vilgra; get her down here with a Healer of some type,” I suggested.
“She’s on her way, as are the Guardians.”
“Uncle Baltus?”
“Yep,” Amanda replied with a cheery smile after checking her open com channel. “Comms are back up now.”
“Going to be an interesting story as to how a humanoid got themselves in charge of a gang… or even onto Vreekoos,” Trusha observed as the Guardians arrived and merely set up a perimeter.
Once this was done, Aunt Vilgra, along with Uncle Baltus and Uncle Herrick, approached us.
“Healer Morano will be here shortly to help us sort out this anomaly,” Vilgra informed us as the Guardians checked over the downed gang members.
“It’s unusual for the AIs not to know who or what someone is, particularly on Vreekoos,” Amanda replied.
“Yes, he speaks basic though… or knows some words, which suggests he at least is familiar with the Empire,” I added.
“You got way too enthusiastic with them, Trusha,” Uncle Baltus stated as he came up.
“Had the Princess here, couldn’t afford to get lax,” Trusha replied with a hint of smugness.
At this point, Healer Morano, the coroner for the central Vreekoos Guardians, was allowed past the perimeter and gave Baltus a nod as he examined the being we thought to be Renso.
“Hmmm, Raffagee, only with some sort of surgical adaptation to disguise it, professionally done too,” Morano finally stated.
“Raffagee?” Herrick asked, looking a bit mystified.
“Definite genome match.”
“From their Oikumene or Coriola?”
“Don’t know yet. He’s not saying anything, but likely Coriola. The Raffagee Realm would be unlikely to mess around with the Empire by taking over a gang.”
“Thank you, Healer Morano. You’ve certainly added to the mystery,” Herrick nodded.
“Other than that, we’ve got six dead and another seven severely injured,” Baltus commented, looking directly at Trusha.
“She had her reasons, Balt,” Herrick chuckled.
“Damned woman leaves me with reams of paperwork whenever she and Amanda pitch in to help Dayyev,” Baltus groused.
“No need on this one, Balt,” Herrick commiserated. “This will be going under Imperial seal and mind-wipes given out freely for the locals. ImpSec will be taking over.”
“Oh well, carry on,” Baltus replied, looking more cheerful.
Chapter 2)
“Big question is, what the hell is a disguised Raffagee male doing on Vreekoos?” I asked as the Guardians followed Baltus’ instructions to clear the site.
“It’s the disguised part that intrigues me,” Herrick replied. “Take off the mask, and he didn’t look Raffagee or human.”
“No AI traces on him either. It’s unusual for them not to pick up on something like this,” Vilgra added.
“He did successfully block AI surveillance,” I noted. “Though not the high Imperial band that Amanda uses.”
“Most people don’t know it’s there,” Herrick shrugged. “Means they’re unlikely to block it.”
“We’re not picking up any jammers on him,” Baltus informed us.
“AI?” Herrick asked out loud.
“Yes, Herrick?”
“Source of the area jamming used here, please?”
“Jamming ceased when Trusha disabled the Raffagee male.”
“Immediately?”
“Yes.”
“Wouldn’t be mentally driven?” Amanda queried.
“Raffagee aren’t known for any unusual mental abilities,” Vilgra replied.
“I’ve done a DNA scan,” Morano informed us. “The AIs are checking Coriola records as we speak.”
“AI, expedite Healer Morano’s request. Override medical seal if necessary,” Herrick requested.
“Complying.”
“If there are no records, we’ll need to get him to start talking,” Vilgra stated.
“Yes,” Herrick nodded.
“Record found,” the AI interrupted the silence caused by the thought of having to use coercion on a prisoner.
“Good,” Herrick replied. “Please go on.”
“Male is registered as Tallaksroon. He is currently wanted for murder, violent conduct, petty theft and drug abuse by the Coriola Protection Agency. He was missing, presumed dead.”
“Wonder how he did that?” I mused.
“Will be interesting to find out,” Vilgra commented.
***
As the official investigation no longer needed us, Amanda and Trusha returned to her home as I did to mine. I was greeted by my three younger siblings, who were building a scale model of the Imperial Tower with courot sticks as part of a school project.
“Looking good,” I complimented them as they cut and glued the various hard sticks to form the framework.
“Thanks,” Hilli grinned. “It’s not easy; we aren’t allowed to use any grav aids.”
“It’s to teach us how real-world historical projects were built,” Truna added.
“Yep, I helped Amanda, Vicki and Plenna to construct the Starport. Took us nearly a binary cycle.”
“Looking at the same time frame,” Galh put in.
“Yes, can’t do it at school or full time either,” I chuckled.
“So, what have you been up to?” Hilli asked.
“Out and about with Amanda.”
“Not studying?”
“That was part of it, though we’ve both got good memories for data retrieval.”
“That was the hard part for me,” Hilli admitted. “The knowledge was there; I just didn’t have the knack at first for getting it out.”
“Different for everyone. Kiria struggled a little at first, too, though that was more down to her mind flitting too rapidly from one idea to the next,” I chuckled. “She did get damned good at it once she knew how, though.”
“Yes. She helped me when she found out I was having issues,” Hilli nodded.
“I’d have helped as well if you’d just tell me these things,” I replied with a wry smile.
“I find it easier to talk to Kiria or Torun,” he shrugged.
“Well, they’re both prettier than me, I guess,” I laughed as he went very red.
“I didn’t mean it that way!” he replied, the blush continuing as Truna and Galh giggled away in the background.
“I know, but I couldn’t resist,” I chuckled.
“Oh, Kirim wants a word with you,” Truna informed me.
“Wonder if I’m going to get told off? She normally gets the AIs to let me know.”
“She just let me know when she set off to meet with Aunt Manny.”
“Ah, I suspect I know what’s heading my way,” I replied with a wry smile.
“Pictures?”
“Probably,” I temporised, as I wasn’t allowed to involve the kids in my adventures yet.
I checked my open com channel to see where Mum was and was informed that she was heading back, so I decided to wait. Five rotations later, the lift opened, and Mum breezed into the apartment and greeted the kids enthusiastically before turning her attention to me.
“Manny wants me to have a word with you,” she began.
“Sure, Mum. Here?”
“It involves Amanda, so probably not here.”
“OK, my room then,” I smiled.
I led the way to my room and ensured it was privacy-sealed, mainly against the kids. I doubted they’d eavesdrop, but I’d learned to be careful as they were all pretty much sponges to anything going on around them, occasionally to Mum’s embarrassment, when she would wander through, often undressed, to ask Dad’s opinion on an outfit. The kids found it hilarious, but it reinforced that what I did for Vilgra mostly wasn’t to be known to them yet.
“Manny is planning to send Amanda to perform a Royal visit to Coriola. She specifically requested that you go along,” Mum explained.
“I suspect I know why, though I can see an issue as we’re both underage, and you won’t be along as my chaperone,” I chuckled.
“Trusha will chaperone Amanda… probably. But you’re right; technically, as a minor, you need supervision.”
“I know. The newsies are a major pain in looking for any hint of impropriety,” I nodded.
“That’s why Kiria and Tillan will be joining you.”
“Tillan, I can understand, but Kiria? Won’t she be busy with work?”
“She works as a part-time Troubleshooter as well. She just wasn’t allowed to know about you.”
“Seems like this Raffagee case has opened a can of worms.” I mused.
“All sorts of questions are being asked, particularly how he got here. Vilgra will fill you in with the details later, but Manny wants you to assist Tillan in gaining a feel for any undercurrents in the Raffagee-ruled zone of Coriola,” Mum explained.
“OK, though, why are you telling me this?” I asked out of curiosity.
“Because Amanda will hit seven when she’s out there.”
“Ah…”
“Manny’s fully aware that Amanda is keen to… enjoy… another aspect of your relationship. But, you are not to indulge on Coriola. Wait till you return here, and your privacy can be assured… please.”
“Got it,” I nodded. “I take it the restriction did not go down too well with Amanda?”
“To put it mildly, yes.” Mum chuckled. “She’s agreed, but we also want your word to behave.”
“You have it. I’ll wait,” I laughed.
“You’re a good boy, and we’re so proud of you, son,” she smiled.
“Best Mum ever,” I replied as we hugged before returning to the kids.
***
I was in Vilgra’s non-descript office the following work period before a study session with my class. I wasn’t too surprised to see Herrick there as he had been involved yesterday.
“Well done on flushing this Renso character out,” Vilgra began.
“Yes, though it complicates the situation,” Herrick added. “The AIs cannot find out how he reached Vreekoos nor trace his whereabouts whilst on the planet.”
“Nor currently is he being cooperative,” Vilgra finished.
“Have the AIs tracked how he did it… kept off the grid, that is?” I asked.
“Yes, he used a medical seal mimic device implanted in his thigh bone,” Herrick replied.
“Oh yes. I’ve heard of them. My sister had an issue with them on Chonot station before she started her advanced training,” I nodded.
“Yes. We thought we’d traced and removed that particular loophole, but it’s resurfaced,” Vilgra replied.
“Can the AIs not come up with a change of protocols?”
“Yes. They’re implementing it now but leaving the old one in place so we can see how widespread this issue is,” Herrick replied.
“The real issue we want to talk to you about, though, is the soon to be announced Royal visit by Amanda to Coriola,” Vilgra added, changing the subject.
“Yes, my Mum mentioned it during my last rest period.”
“Good, means I don’t have to give the Father-type warning,” Herrick chuckled, making me smile.
“I know you want me to assist Tillan in investigating Renso’s roots. I take it that’s where you suspect the medical seal devices are being produced or routed?”
“Yes. We need you to nose around, taking the opportunity to get a feeling for satisfaction levels amongst the Raffagee there,” Vilgra replied. “Tillan will be doing the actual investigation.”
“Amanda to be involved?” I asked.
“I don’t think she’ll have time.” Herrick chuckled. “She’ll be busy on all three linked settlements and opening the new shipyard extension in the asteroid belt.”
“Linked settlements?” I asked, as it didn’t quite fit in with my Imperial knowledge base, though I knew the Raffagee had their own zone.
“Coriola’s special as, after Cillort’s genocidal atrocity there on the original colony, we allowed Raffagee asylum seekers to settle on one of the three continents. There’s a human settlement on the second and a joint venture colony on the third,” Vilgra explained.
“Ah, I did wonder why we separated the Raffagee zone there; I just never went into the details,” I nodded.
“The colony as a whole is very successful,” Herrick added. “Humanity and Raffagee generally get on very well indeed, and those who can’t stick to their specific colony.”
“As opposed to their Oikumene on the other side of Vraik space?”
“They’re still in the process of colonising there,” Herrick shrugged. “We keep an eye on them, but so far, they’ve shown little or no interest beyond their borders and only patrol within them.”
“No problems with their other neighbours?”
“Not that we know of, probably because they still run battlespheres and don’t aggressively patrol beyond their claimed territory,” Vilgra replied.
“Big change from the war records I had to study in current history,” I commented.
“I don’t think they’ve changed that much,” Vilgra answered. “But they did learn not to mess with the Empire at least and stay out of other Realms’ business.”
“For which we should be grateful,” Herrick added. “We would have won, but the casualty count would have been massive… for both sides.”
“So, my orders are to act as Amanda’s escort, where needed, and take the opportunity to sketch scenes of Imperial Raffagee civilisation and mores when free?”
“Yes. The rest is fluid and dependent on what you find and what Tillan comes up with. Kiria will also assist in dealing with intimidation issues whilst you do your thing.”
“Well, at least we can expect survivors then.” I chuckled.
“Yes. I doubt she’ll go full Trusha on them.”
“Depends on how badly they irritate her,” I laughed.
“I doubt they’ll allow her to take her armour…” Herrick began. “No, scratch that, I’d better order her not to. She is a Commander, after all.”
“You think you can command a Ground Force Commander?” I asked, a little amused.
“Manny can.”
“Bet you it travels anyway.”
“Yes,” he sighed. “What’s the old maxim? Oh yes. Never give an order you know won’t be carried out.”
“So, trust her judgement,” Vilgra said.
“I’m going to have to,” he replied with a rueful chuckle. “I think Manny might have refused anyway; Amanda will be there after all.”
“Yes,” I nodded. “She’ll find a way to spend time with me when I work. She usually does.”
“Yes, initially Manny found it a little scary, but Trusha and Truvia told her not to worry as they were watching her back at any time.”
“You do realise that Trusha and Truvia were having fun too?” Vilgra asked with a slight giggle.
“They called it impromptu urban training. Who am I to contradict them?” Herrick replied with a ghost of a smile.
“That translates to they get to bust some heads at times,” Vilgra replied, now laughing.
“They do appear to have eliminated a few nuisances by way of body count, true,” Herrick agreed with a developing smile.
“Yes, which is why Baltus or other Senior Guardians get annoyed at times due to having to sort out incident reports,” Vilgra chuckled.
“Get the AIs to sort out a simplified Lèse-majesté statement,” Herrick shrugged.
“It’s not that simple, and you know it,” Vilgra sighed. “No one is supposed to know that Amanda or a Royal bodyguard are supposed to be down there.”
“Ah, you mean the reports are open to those bottom-trawling newsies that go over any incident involving the Guardians?”
“Yep, and if we conceal them, they’ll find out eventually by other means.”
“They aren’t that bright, surely?” I asked.
“Cunning and looking for an exclusive, not necessarily bright,” Vilgra replied.
“AI, could you please formulate a stock series of reports as used by the Guardians designed to cover up incidents involving the Royal bodyguards… or anyone involved with them?”
“Of course, Herrick, how many?”
“A thousand should be enough to confuse the newsies,” Herrick replied. “Let the Senior Investigators know they are available and what they are allowed to use them for… oh, and not for anything else.”
“Done.”
“Problem solved,” Herrick chuckled.
***
Later on that day, after a study session, Amanda and I were out double-dating with Vicki and Plenna. We were mostly goofing off, as my Dad put it, though we were looking for non-descript clothing for Amanda for when she was with me in the lower levels.
“Dayyev…” Amanda began as we sat down to some containers of tuch at a brasserie.
“Go on, Amanda,” I smiled.
“I… er, I…”
“Your seventh?” I asked with a gentle smile.
“Yes… I’m so sorry,” she replied as Vicki and Plenna sat looking on silently, if confused.
“I know,” I answered. “We’ll be on Coriola, and our privacy can’t be guaranteed.”
“Guess we should be thankful that they will allow us to bond that way… eventually, at least,” Amanda sighed.
“It’s the purity conventions,” Vicki replied, finally catching on. “Though fortunately Mum and Dad aren’t prudes,” she added, referring to Herrick as Dad as did Amanda, even though he wasn’t their biological sire.
“They only apply to the elite upper levels… openly,” I smiled. “And different newsie outlets on different levels produce different content. What one level sees isn’t necessarily what the others above or below see.”
“Yes,” Plenna nodded. “Unfortunately, you have a reputation to maintain in certain levels’ eyes. Shleck, some of the newsie commentators were maintaining your Mum was untouched at her wedding,” he finished with a chuckle.
“Whilst others were still speculating on her sex life and predilections,” Vicki snorted.
“Yes, I took that course on societal conventions and media reporting,” I laughed. “AIs thought it might be helpful with my hobby.”
“I know. The Empire maintains certain appearances to act as a sort of conditioning to the various levels,” Amanda nodded. “Kinda ruined my plans for my birthday, though.”
“I’m sure you’ll be able to keep your pants on for a few more days,” Vicki giggled.
“I can, but wait till it’s your turn!” Amanda replied with a grin.
“I’ll have to. I’ll be in Fleet basic, as will Plenna,” Vicki laughed.
“That’s true. Could be binary cycles before you see each other again,” I nodded. “I doubt you’d be allowed to train together.”
“Tell me about it. Though there’s no stupid purity conventions in Fleet… or Ground Force either,” Vicki harumphed.
“And Officers get a cabin to themselves,” Plenna chuckled.
“Lucky you,” Amanda giggled.
“Beats having to plan a liaison well in advance,” Vicki declared.
“True, but I trust Trusha and the other bodyguards to ensure we’re not disturbed,” Amanda confirmed.
“Doubt a newsie will get anywhere close to wherever we’re at,” I laughed.
“Damned straight,” Trusha replied from her usually silent vigil.
“Spontaneity’s out of the window, though,” Amanda chuckled.
“Until you wed,” Trusha added.
“Little ways off yet,” I smiled.
“It’ll go fast enough,” Amanda replied, snuggling into me.
“I know.”
“Which team are you taking, Trusha?” Plenna asked, changing the subject.
“Sakla and Liono,” she answered.
“Oh, the new ones?”
“Yes, their experience levels amongst the populace need to be raised, and that’s currently my other job.”
“Ah, you want to avoid another Galle situation?”
“Definitely, though, that newsie did get far too close to her Serenissima.”
“Throwing the newsie through the air barrier on the balustrade of the Dynon Corp. building was a bit extreme, though,” I chuckled.
“He apologised!”
“And luckily, she didn’t die either,” Amanda nodded slightly. “Which admittedly was a relief to all.”
“He claimed it was deliberate, that he’d calculated that her trajectory would carry her through the balustrade of the building opposite… though I still find that somewhat hard to believe,” Trusha admitted with a slight blush.
“The newsies did keep a greater distance after that, though,” Vicki giggled. “And Mum sent her a bouquet and an apology.”
“She handed in her notice soon after went to work as a Monitor in Municipal Services,” the AI informed us.
“Definitely a safer line of work,” I chuckled. “I know we shouldn’t laugh, but it was hilarious.”
“Only because she didn’t die,” Vicki pointed out.
“Pretty much so, yes,” I agreed, still smiling. “They did keep their distance after that as well.”
“Yes, Galle received a severe reprimand for it,” Trusha added. “The newsies wanted him sacked, but with the holo-disguises we use, they couldn’t identify him.”
“Probably for the best,” Amanda said. “Lessons were learned, and the newsies know to keep back.”
***
Several days later, I joined Amanda at the Royal Palace on the mostly deserted continent of Lassos to travel by private shuttle up to the Royal Yacht for the trip to Coriola. It was a rainy day, though the weather shield prevented any of it from getting near us as I chatted to my friend Ganla, a retainer at the palace, whilst Amanda was having a final meeting with her Mum and Dad.
“How’s married life treating you?” I asked after the greetings.
“It’s good. Terro is a lovely guy, even if he has to take a flyer to work,” she replied with a smile.
“Oh yes, he’s the senior Bureaucrat at the Bureaucracy of Communications now, isn’t he?”
“Yes, a recent promotion after the previous one retired to live off-planet,” she nodded.
“Galh still pestering you to be a retainer?”
“It’s not pestering, and yes,” she giggled, looking for an instant like my Aunt Hiqua, her mother.
“I’m sure she’ll be well-trained when offered a job,” I chuckled.
“She’ll get one. Aunt Manny’s well aware of her interest.”
“Minno got her independent command, I hear?”
“Yes. My sis is now in charge of a flotilla and is busy charting the Technocracy zone to Imperial standards and enjoying herself immensely,” Ganla spoke happily.
“No wedding for her yet?”
“I kind of think she’s wedded to the job,” Ganla giggled. “Plus, there are certain fraternisation laws to do with dating someone of a lower rank.”
“And as she’s in command…” I started to fill in.
“Yes. They’re often out for a binary cycle at a time, so meeting other guys is not easy for her.”
“Each to their own, and I know she’s living her dream,” I added with a slight smile.
“That she is,” Ganla replied. “Ah, they are on their way,” she pointed out.
The Palace AI had not bothered to inform me of that, but I wasn’t surprised. It stuck to various security protocols, as in not telling anyone who didn’t need to know exactly where the Royal family were. The other indicator was the Royal Guard coming to attention after, no doubt, doing a security sweep to ensure there were no unauthorised bystanders, which was unlikely now as all of us kids of the ‘Royal Bratpack’ were now mostly grown up and not given to playing around these days.
Galle entered first and quickly scanned before moving to the side as Amantil, Herrick, and Amanda emerged, flanked by Trusha and Truvia, the senior bodyguard. There was a loud ‘boom’ as the Royal Guard saluted with a fist to the chest before Amanda approached me to hug and kiss me.
“You two behave whilst you’re away,” Amantil said with a smile as she and Herrick approached.
“We will, Serenissima. You have my word,” I replied formally.
“Good. I know this has put a kink in my daughter’s plans, but Coriola is not the place to begin that adventure,” Amantil giggled slightly.
“Mum, please!” Amanda broke in, looking mortified.
“What? Do you think Trusha won’t know? Or wouldn’t tell me?”
“Never mind the AIs,” Herrick chuckled.
“It’s just embarrassing, is all.”
“That’ll wear off,” Amantil replied, openly grinning now. “It’s not like many people don’t do it.”
“Let’s go, Dayyev,” Amanda sighed. “Before this gets even more embarrassing.”
“Take care, both of you,” Amantil replied, giving us hugs before Herrick shook my hand and gave Amanda a hug.
The shuttle was the luxury type and silently took off, carrying the three of us up to the yacht and a new adventure.
Chapter 3)
The Imperial Royal Yacht Gloriana was a recent addition to Home Fleet. However, it was unlikely to be involved in any conflict; it had been designed from the keel up to transport the Imperial family and others of the elite class to any destination within the Imperium and beyond. That’s not to say it was defenceless; it had the latest version of the energy-deflecting energy screen, a powerful set of dispersion and hyperbeam cannons, and a couple of concealed missile firing box launchers mounted above and below the hull line. Inside, though, it looked nothing like a Fleet vessel and more like a luxury liner, with facilities including a sauna, spa, pool and fine dining, all handled by a minimal crew with AI assistance.
We were greeted personally by Captain Ferg, who was highly experienced, along with his officers, who gave Amanda a crisp salute before cordially greeting us all.
“A flotilla from Home Fleet will escort us to the delineation boundary with Stellar Area Five, where a flotilla from 8th Fleet will take over to escort you to Coriola,” he explained.
“Thank you, Captain,” Amanda replied. “We shall remain in the Royal zone and not disturb your crew.”
“Thank you, Serenissimé,” he replied, using, for the Princess Royal, the diminutive of Amantil’s title.
We were then escorted to our cabins and shown where the lounge and other facilities were.
“Very efficient crew,” Trusha stated once we’d gathered in the lounge.
“Sakla and Liono gone on ahead?” I asked Trusha.
“Yes, checking out the areas you’ll be in. You won’t see them unless there’s a problem.”
“Kind of expected that,” I replied with a chuckle. “Senior crew all appear to be nearing retirement,” I commented, pulling out my sketch pad.
“Yes,” Amanda nodded with a smile. “It’s an honour post, in a sense.”
“Will they have that much to do?”
“Yes. I’ll be expected to visit many worlds as part of my job,” she chuckled. “Hence, Mum ordered it built.”
“Public face of the Empire,” I nodded, completing an outline of my vision onto the page.
“Two, please, one in holo, one natural for the collection,” Amanda requested.
“No problem, my love,” I nodded. “In or out, Trusha?”
“Out, please.”
“Might do some public sketches for the next expo, if that’s allowable?” I asked.
“Living areas only, Dayyev,” the AI replied.
“Of course.”
“We are underway. The trip will take three days,” the AI announced.
“Better get to work then,” Amanda nodded, calling down a tri-dee screen and updating her research on Coriola and the Raffagee rather than have it neurally inserted.
I carried on with sketching, producing two of anything with Amanda in it: Amanda blonde and Amanda natural.
“I often wondered?” Trusha began, startling me slightly as she could move silently and unnoticed.
“Yes, Trusha?” I asked, pausing.
“Do you prefer Amanda in holo or normal?”
“Normal, though the holo is easier to sketch as there’s nothing too special about it,” I replied after a moment.
“Easier?”
I turned a page and did a rapid sketch of the blonde Amanda in about a rotation, then did a similar one of the regular Amanda, which took longer as the natural curves of her face were trickier to do to catch her ‘essence’ as I put it.
“Oh, I see,” Trusha nodded.
“Easier to show than explain,” I chuckled.
“Yes, I hope you have plenty of supplies.”
“Storon, my supplier, got me a bulk order of everything needed to keep me happy, and it was shipped up here,” I chuckled.
“Where on Vreekoos does he get them from?”
“Gershonian world of Danto. They are back-to-nature types and live as primitives… or what they think as primitive. They supplement their income by providing ‘old world’ products to anyone who buys them. Their trading port is quite modern.”
“So, they provide carbon sticks of varying thickness and densities… and other colourations and pigments?”
“Yes, brushes and stuff for those who like to paint people,” I nodded.
“Why can’t the AIs do it?”
“Not set up to make them, way too outlandish,” I chuckled.
“We would also struggle to obtain the resources of wood and carbon,” the AI added.
“They did make me a sharpener and permit me a small knife to sharpen the flatter sticks I use,” I acknowledged.
“Only so long as you only use it for your tools,” the AI admonished.
“I find it fascinating if something which I simply cannot do,” Trusha nodded. “I can draw, but it never looks as… right as your drawings do.”
“I can’t explain it,” Dayyev shrugged. “My fingers simply follow my mind’s eye whilst the carbon sticks add to the detail.”
“Quite the gift,” she nodded, then returned to check the rooms.
***
Dinner at the start of the rest period was served classic style. However, Trusha naturally stood back and observed the entire serving procedure whilst two of the crew presented the steak equivalents and the other accoutrements before she joined us after they left.
“You might have difficulty blending in on the Raffagee zone,” Amanda told me.
“I don’t intend to. Bit pointless. Generally, there will only be Kiria and myself,” I replied.
“Yes, sore thumbs spring to mind if you try not to be noticed,” Trusha agreed.
“Which is why I’ll simply do it openly and encourage them to chat whilst I draw,” I explained.
“That might be dangerous. Raffagee males have a tendency to be more aggressive than human males,” Amanda warned. “At least, towards their equivalents to the lower levels.”
“That’s why I’ll have Kiria. She’s not easily intimidated or easy to attack.”
“Neither are you, Dayyev,” Amanda added with a fond smile.
“I tend to be focused elsewhere, which makes me vulnerable initially.”
“True,” Trusha added. “Can’t be helped, though, not in this instance.”
“Yep, I just make it look easy, but at times, it isn’t, and I need to concentrate on what my hands are doing.”
“I take it you scanned the yeast tank and the processing nodule earlier?” Amanda asked Trusha with a sly smile.
“Yes, of course, Amanda,” Trusha replied, almost primly.
“AI let you in there?”
“Yes, though it won’t permit you or Dayyev access.”
“I think it might let me if I insisted,” Amanda giggled.
“Not unless you had a good reason,” the AI interjected. “Fleet vessels are not subject to Royal whims.”
“Ouch!” Amanda replied, openly laughing.
“So much for being Second-in-Command of the Empire,” I chuckled.
“That’ll eventually be Vicki, kicking and screaming if necessary. I’ll be the public face of it, not generally involved in running it, though I’ll be consulted.”
“Pretty sure you could do it,” I observed.
“I could, but unlike Vicki, it doesn’t come naturally to me. I don’t tend to think far enough ahead.”
“Which is why she’ll try to avoid it for as long as possible, as she doesn’t like to be boxed in,” Trusha added.
“Yes,” Amanda nodded with a smile. “You know us both so well.”
“I should do; it’s part of my job.”
“Who’s looking after Vicki?” I asked.
“Grenla, she’s new, and we gave her a challenge,” Trusha replied with a slight smile, her equivalent of an evil grin.
“If she can cope with Vicki, nothing will faze her in looking after the Royals,” Amanda giggled.
“She can be a tad… eccentric.”
“Downright contrary at times,” I muttered, having been involved in situations with Vicki at her worst.
“If she doesn’t want to do it and there’s no official reason…” Amanda laughed.
“Yes, though she attempts to leave without a bodyguard, which concerns Kilios,” Trusha sighed.
“Understandable, particularly when we are together, and only one bodyguard has been assigned,” Amanda nodded.
“Yes, she insisted that the lift was ample security in taking her wherever she wanted to go,” Trusha muttered. “Even when the destination wasn’t secure.”
“She’s a bit better now,” Amanda chuckled. “Particularly after the episode where the AIs wouldn’t let her out till one of you arrived.”
“Oh yes, one look at her face after that one, and I stayed well out of her way,” I laughed. “I did sketch it afterwards, though I haven’t shown it to her.”
“Ooh, can I see it?” Amanda asked, with Trusha looking very interested too.
I got the AI to go through my archives until it reached the hidden storage area, then I retrieved the visual-only image that I wanted and got them to display for the ladies. It showed an utterly livid-looking Vicki giving a venomous stare at an approaching bodyguard, probably Regis, but possibly Larre.
“Oh, my gods!” Amanda burst out laughing. “You Kilios people are braver than I thought.”
“Vicki apologised later but was… out of sorts for the rest of that period until your Mother had a word with her,” Trusha replied.
“She does know how to throw a hissy fit quite well,” I nodded, blank-faced, before breaking out into a laugh with Amanda.
“Yes, but that was a classic, and if you value your life, you’d better not show anyone,” Amanda replied.
“Why do you think it’s a hidden file?”
“Heh, but as I said, she’s a bit better now and at least understands the need for a bodyguard, if not the patience to put up with petty rules.”
“Let us hope she never runs into a situation where a breach of one of those rules hurts her,” Trusha sighed.
“How will she be handled once she goes into Fleet basic?” I asked.
“Arm’s length during any time of Fleet service,” Trusha explained. “We are not permitted to serve there.”
“Hmm, yes, I can see my Mother’s reasoning there,” Amanda nodded.
“Kilios agrees as well. There are some Imperial secrets we should not be privy to. We hear and see enough of them as it is, even if, in honour, we do not report them back.”
“Yes, I know and respect your word,” Amanda replied with a slight nod.
***
Our escort swapped over during the sleeping period, though we dropped into standard space to permit a passenger transfer. So, we awoke to find my sis and her fiancé waiting for us in the lounge as we emerged for breakfast.
“Sis, Tillan, good to see you,” I greeted them warmly.
“Bro,” Kiria greeted me in return with a massive hug. “I knew you were a Troubleshooter, even if you wouldn’t say.”
“Good to see you too, Dayyev. Will be nice to work with you,” Tillan added.
“It will, though I’m not a Troubleshooter, sis, just a talented artist,” I replied to Kiria after giving Tillan a handclasp.
“Is that in the same way I’m not a Troubleshooter but a talented Healer?” she asked with a smile and an arched eyebrow.
“Maybe…” I chuckled. “Though I don’t get paid for it, it can’t be official.”
“Ah, gotcha,” she nodded. “The art pays your way?”
“Pretty much so, plus I get to travel free,” I nodded.
“Yes, I see,” she chuckled, looking around at the understated luxury.
“Plus the odd bit of Amanda escorting, which is fun anyway.”
“I’ll liaise with you on the planet,” Tillan informed me.
“Good. Anything I observe that’s of interest, I’ll let you know,” I replied with a nod.
“Same here, though I’ll mostly be looking for trouble heading Dayyev’s way,” Kiria added.
“Trusha may or may not help, depending on where I am and whether she can come with me,” Amanda informed us as she entered the lounge area.
“Will be nice, but I can’t rely on that, unfortunately,” Kiria replied.
“Would that it were not so,” Trusha added. “But Amanda has several duties that require her presence.”
“Yes, the ‘Duty’ must come first for me,” Amanda sighed, though she looked at me fondly. “Always, without fail.”
“I’ll be there when required,” I replied.
“I’ll make sure he is, too, even if I need to patch him up en route,” Kiria chuckled.
“How are the wedding plans going, sis?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Trying to sort out a date when everyone can be there,” she replied. “Stuff like this doesn’t help.”
“Sorry,” Amanda apologised. “But this does need a look at whilst it’s still fresh and hasn’t been reported on.”
“I know,” Tillan nodded. “Plus, the date is still a little while off yet, though we will tell your Mum well in advance so she can start choosing her outfit early,” he finished with a sly smile at Kiria as we all burst out laughing.
“Still OK being a bridesmaid?” Kiria asked Amanda once she’d got over her fit of giggles.
“Yes, Vicki is, too,” Amanda replied with a smile. Bridesmaids were suddenly in vogue in Imperial marriages of all levels, with her Mum, Amantil, having introduced them at her wedding several years before.
“Good, Miri and Loyota are still keen, too,” Kiria replied, looking happy after a glance at Tillan to see his smile at the mention of his sisters.
“I’m glad. I look forward to meeting them,” Amanda nodded.
“I’m a little concerned over the security for Amanda and Vicki,” Trusha interjected.
“As a Maid of Honour, guiding the train?” Kiria asked with a chuckle, obviously having anticipated this.
“That would be acceptable, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Trusha. Protecting them is your primary task when they are together,” Kiria nodded.
“It is, but trampling over your wedding plans would be rude.”
“You aren’t. We’d planned to ask Truvia who she’d recommend, but as you’re usually with Amanda and Vicki…”
“Thank you,” Trusha replied with a grateful smile.
“Pretty sure there will be other bodyguards around as Aunt Manny will be the Officiator too,” Kiria chuckled.
“Yes, though I’ll be able to follow them up to Her Serenissima,” Trusha replied.
“Think of everything, don’t you?”
“It’s my job.”
***
The rest of the voyage was uneventful, though Kiria and I caught up on our worlds and lives, as did Amanda with her ‘bestie’. Tillan and I reviewed his initial plans to go over background activity that usually went below the AIs’ radar.
“I’m also looking for potential Raffagee Troubleshooters,” he informed us. “So far, none have come to our attention, and it may be that we’re looking for the wrong things in them.”
“Wrong things?” Amanda queried.
“They aren’t human and don’t react or investigate stuff in quite the same way,” he explained.
“And humans can’t blend in well in their controlled zone,” Kiria added.
“Though admittedly, the crime rate is generally lower than in the human-only zone in some aspects, not others.”
“Violent crimes, I take it?” I asked.
“Yes, personal violence, male against male, usually.”
“I see,” Amanda frowned.
“The young ones appear to be a different story though, which suggests the issue is cultural, not genetic.”
“Can’t be all the truth, though?”
“No, just generalisations backed by statistics.”
“I’ll look into them; I might recommend policy shifts to encourage further good behaviour from their young.”
“Part of your job,” he chuckled.
“Oh yes.”
“I’ll pass on any info I pick up on that too.”
“Thank you,” Amanda replied with a smile. “Stuff like this normally wouldn’t make it up to Mum’s level.”
“Which is why you’re out on tour,” I chuckled.
“Yep, even missing my birthday away from family and the rest of the gang.”
“I’m sure there will be a big party when you return,” Kiria commiserated her, though Amanda admittedly didn’t look sad about it.
“Better be,” she giggled.
“We are approaching Coriola Station,” the AI informed us.
“On cube, please,” Amanda requested.
“Oh my, quite the welcome,” I noted as a horde of smaller craft made their way out to form an impromptu welcoming honour guard.
“Staying out of the way of the flotilla, but it does look lovely,” Amanda nodded as all craft, including the flotilla, ran their landing lights and hull illumination.
The station itself was also fully illuminated. The observation areas appeared jam-packed with sightseers and well-wishers as the Gloriana approached, not just humans but Raffagee.
“Goodness, I wasn’t quite expecting this,” Amanda said as I did a quick rough draft sketch.
“Might want to put your diadem on,” Trusha advised.
“Yes, I think I will.”
“We’ll join you later,” Kiria informed her.
“Not you, Dayyev,” Amanda requested. “I want you on my arm as we debark.”
“Yes, my love,” I replied, then headed off to wear my formal outfit, as did she.
***
The Senior Officers of the Gloriana assembled at the entrance to the boarding tube to bid us farewell with a full salute as Amanda was in her formal wear, wearing an emerald diadem, as opposed to Amantil’s diamond one. She graciously thanked them for their service before linking her arm to mine and headed for the station end of the tube, flanked by Trusha, who had gone into full security mode.
We emerged to massive cheers as an honour guard of the station security held back the throngs of well-wishers. The Coriola Station Command Staff gave the half bow Amanda was entitled to. Amanda gave them a nod, then gave a wave, complete with a beaming smile, to the crowds, indicating with a ‘nudge’ that I should do the same.
If I’d thought the cheers were massive before, they went through the roof when we waved. No one, it seemed, had any idea of what was about to happen as Royal visits were about as rare as trellec’s teeth, but loved Amanda’s informality, which, though genuine, I knew was also practiced and rehearsed constantly to keep to a standard that she was determined always to uphold.
“May I welcome you to Coriola Station, Serenissimé,” the Station Commander greeted us once the noise levels died down enough to be able to make herself heard. “I am Commander Roshilitee, and these are my senior staff.”
“A pleasure to be here and to be greeted so enthusiastically, Commander,” Amanda replied. “This is Dayyev, my escort.”
“A pleasure too, Commander,” I added with a friendly smile to the Raffagean.
“May I escort you to the quarters set aside for you and your party?” she asked.
“Certainly, Commander,” Amanda nodded. “Though, please take the scenic route, as I’d like to meet some of the people here.”
“By your command, Serenissimé.”
Amanda then moved over to the station staff. She greeted them warmly, as did I, before moving to greet some of the well-wishers, getting gasps of awe and beaming smiles, particularly when she went down on a knee to greet a small child and accepted a pseudopaper flower off him. This set the tone for a slow progress to the entrance of the secure quarters set aside for us as Amanda seemed to have the time to speak to anyone who could get her attention.
Naturally, the newsies lapped it up as their viewing figures climbed massively. The first glimpse of Amanda in a formal visit since her trip to Tafta Station in the Florveni zone over a year earlier caused interest to grow. Naturally, the ‘talking heads’, or commentators, were each trying to give their take on Amanda’s behaviour and whether it was an act. However, those who suggested it were being shot down in flames by their listeners and callers.
Essentially, the visit significantly promoted the Royal family's popularity ratings by a massive amount, and Amanda’s popularity eclipsed her Mother’s, which I believe was Amantil’s plan as it took the pressure off her and enabled her to get on and run her Empire.
Chapter 4)
The rooms, as expected, were the best that Coriola Station had to offer a guest. Honestly, neither Amanda nor I were that bothered; clean and tidy sufficed for us both, as anyone would know if they ever saw her bedroom in the palace on Lassos. On this primarily empty, small second continent, where the Royal Palace is on Vreekoos. Vicki, though, was a different matter. She has the unique ability to seemingly cause a mess simply by walking through somewhere. (Yes, an exaggeration, I know, but she can be messy.) As Amanda was now scheduled to be doing an exclusive interview with the world's top newsie, I dropped my holo disguise, grabbed my sketch pad and headed out to draw whatever took my interest.
The station was still crowded, but no longer the mass throngs that had greeted us, so I found a spot and started to draw some of the scenes of our progress from the docking tube that I remembered, particularly the ones I knew that had attracted Amanda’s attention. As ever, it didn’t take too long before I drew a crowd of the curious, mostly kids, but a couple of adults too.
“You draw good,” one of the kids finally said.
“Thank you,” I smiled. “Do you want me to draw you?”
“I can’t pay you,” she squeaked at being put on the spot.
“I don’t charge,” I chuckled and began a quick sketch, catching her features, including the much larger eyes of the Raffagee.
“Oh wow! Would you look at that!” one of the older ones cried out when I’d finished. “He caught your looks, Tinnalimea.”
“Oh! And it’s mine to keep?” she asked, looking enthralled.
“Yes. Ask the AIs to seal it for you so it won’t smudge,” I replied with a broad smile at her enthusiasm.
“I will. Thank you.”
“Anyone else?” I asked.
“Could you do the two of us?” a young human couple asked.
“Of course, as a couple or as friends?”
“Ooh, a couple, please.”
And so it went, mostly kids, but increasingly adults came to watch and then left with a drawing until finally, it was time to head back and do my duty with Amanda for the formal reception.
***
“By the gods, this is boring,” I muttered under my breath as Amanda and I exchanged platitudes with another couple of interchangeable guests attending.
“Now, now, my love. This is a formal necessity,” Amanda chuckled.
“I know. Doesn’t make it any less boring, though.”
“True, but at least you get to escape occasionally.”
“That’s true. You truly have my sympathy, Ammie,” I replied, using my special name for her.
“Thank you. Tomorrow, we visit the joint zone, then a rest day, followed by the Raffagee zone, followed by the human one.”
“More of the same?”
“Just a ceremonial opening of a new componentry manufactory and a walkaround followed by a sit-down dinner with the people running the zone.”
“I’ll be wandering around doing my bit,” I chuckled.
“Lucky you! But that drawing you did today of that Raffagee child was breathtaking.”
“You liked?”
“Yes, you captured a wild spirit beautifully.”
“You can have a copy. All my works are available to you,” I chuckled as we turned to greet yet another guest.
***
The reception got a lot more interesting after the meet and greet, though I was grateful to the AIs for helping me remember the names of all those I had met in the line. As it was a public event and there were newsies there, we were both wearing our holo-disguises, which altered our features and, in Amanda’s case, her hair colouring to match that of her Mum. The AIs surreptitiously corrected anyone’s memories or questions on why we appeared different in public or private unless they needed to know or at least understood and would keep their mouths shut. The security and privacy of the Royal family when not performing a public duty was a paramount part of AI microprogramming and top-most in the minds of those tasked with carrying it out. Yet, any casual observer wouldn’t see it. The AIs monitored anyone for ill intent around them, and people like Trusha were always positioned to intercept any ‘professionals’ who breached the perimeter. All this had been built up and gradually improved over the years since the murder of Amantil’s family by a rogue Orliantomin who had been violently opposed to any relaxation of Imperial Authoritarianism and the ‘right’ of the Emperor/Empress and Nobility to do as they damned well pleased with the people below them. There were still a few ‘arch-conservatives’ around. However, Amantil, being Amantil, had gradually eased them out of any positions of ‘real’ power and isolated them even from each other while having the AIs and ImpSec keep a close eye on them.
Hence, I found myself talking to some of the civic leaders in the Raffagee part of the station’s staff and getting their opinion on various things, which was initially guarded, though gradually lightened up as I turned on the charm and candour.
“So, what is it like being the boyfriend of the Princess Royal?” the wife of a senior Monitor asked me eagerly.
“No different to a normal boyfriend/girlfriend relationship,” I chuckled. “Only without any clandestine stuff,” I added, making her giggle.
“Ah yes, propriety and ‘the rules’,” she nodded.
“Very much so. Amanda has a reputation to maintain, and I do not intend to bring that down or create a scandal around her. That means always being where we are supposed to be, doing what we are supposed to be doing.”
“You have not even kissed?”
“Of course we have,” I chuckled. “Cuddled too, but no more.”
“Ah, I see,” she nodded. “Does it not get tiresome?”
“She’s worth waiting for. I’ve known her all my life and don’t want to spoil a thing.”
“Or irritate her mother?”
“That too,” I laughed. “Her Serenissima Amantil is nice but not someone you want to get on the wrong side of.”
“Have you known the Princess all your life?” another lady asked.
“Yes. My father and mother are good friends with the Empress,” I nodded.
“There is scant information on you with the AI network, is all,” she frowned. “Lots of newsie articles but not many details, so to speak.”
“That’s to do with privacy. The last thing I want is for the newsies to start camping outside my parent’s place,” I chuckled, though the newsie media knew very well not to irritate or make up stuff about Dad.
“So, your mother and father are famous?”
“My father is. He’s Cure David.”
“Oh, I know David. I assisted him in the Raffagee conflict. My name is Vellitee. Please remember me to him when next you meet.”
“I will. I’m sure he’d like to know you are doing well.”
“I am. I’m leading the research into what a Cure might be able to do to assist our terminal patients,” she beamed.
“Cross-genetic similarities?” I asked out of curiosity, as I knew exactly what Dad did, though we’d never discussed it.
“Yes, whilst we cannot breed with humans, we are compatible sexually, and both species use DNA as their basic genetic building blocks,” she nodded.
“Does somewhat give credence to the progenitor theory of galactic life, the number of worlds where humanoid life developed,” I replied thoughtfully.
“Only with no evidence of the progenitors… assuming there were some,” she chuckled.
“True,” I nodded with a smile.
“I’d better let you continue mingling now, much as I’d like to monopolise you,” she chuckled. “It was good to meet David’s son, though.”
“I will remember you to Dad. He’s sure to be pleased that a friend is doing well for herself,” I replied as we bade farewell to each other.
“Anything interesting?” Amanda asked as I rejoined her.
“In this case, no, but Vellitee is a friend of my Dad’s,” I replied.
“Oh, must be from the battle of Hiralgo,” Amanda nodded.
“Probably, though she never actually said.”
“It does look like there are few issues between human and Raffagee, at least at the station as far as I can tell. Trusha isn’t picking up any major tensions between the species either,” Amanda informed me.
“Matches what I picked up doing my hobby,” I nodded.
“Looks like the actual issue… assuming there is one, is in the Raffagee zone.”
“Or the mixed one, though the AIs have recorded no major incidents in either.”
“The Raffagee zone is their territory. It’s not observed in the same way as the human territory,” Amanda informed me.