Phoenix City, Saraya, Standard Year 404 after founding

  Tom sat somewhat awkwardly on the generously cushioned chair made of tufted linen, looking out at the oversized window. Saraya’s brutal sun streamed in but the generous air conditioning fully compensated for the heat. Tom didn’t know much about luxury, but even he failed to miss the understated wealth that was the very essence of the room. He took a hesitant sip of the filtered drink Sophia Hudson had offered him. As he expected, the drink was fantastic, bursting with the delicate flavors of citrus, mint, and the disinfecting note of liquor so strong it burned. There were three of them at the table. Glenda, looking unusually formal and sitting perfectly straight in her chair, and Sophia Hudson looking cooly elegant, her sharp and surprisingly expressive brown eyes studying him with intimidating intensity.

  “Thank you so much for coming, Tom.” Sophia smiled. “And for no better reason than to satisfy my avid curiosity.”

  Tom shrugged, taking another sip of his drink. Given Sophia’s status in President Lorelai Achly’s administration, he didn’t have much choice.

  “I told my aunt as much as I could.” Glenda said. “But although we were both on D12, you know Alanna so much better than I do. And following the announcement of her engagement to the son of the Tundran president, she just might be the most famous person on the planet.” News of James Hawk’s engagement went public on Tundra within an hour of his registration. It reached Saraya in under a day. And it was the kind of story that went viral. The already famous Sarayan traitor, an orphan, now engaged to the son of the Tundran president. Ever Lorelai Achly’s iron control over the news channels wasn’t enough to stop this story from getting out. Naturally, Sarayan journalists put a politically correct spin on the event. Somewhat uncharacteristically, they continued to choose pity and condescension over vengeance. The story all news agencies reported, in perfect unison, was that of a helpless orphan, seduced into betraying her people, her comrades in arms, and the very state that had so generously raised her from infancy. Gruesome stories of her torture and abuse at the hands of James Hawk were no doubt forthcoming.

  And Glenda had dropped some quiet hints, that this was in part her aunt Sophia Hudson’s doing. Helping to protect her niece and the rest of the D12 miners by association. Condescension was bad. But a message of vengeance against every orphan on Saraya, every Summers, and the miners of D12, would be far worse. So Tom was there, to be the good little soldier and back the story he instinctively knew to be the better story. The truth was irrelevant. Everyone at the table knew that.

  “It must have been lonely.” Sophia said, taking a sip of her own drink. “To have been on D12 for so long, so very isolated and far from home.”

  Tom nodded politely.

  “How did she take it, Tom? Was she… well?”

  Tom’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. “She was fucked in the head long before she came to D12.” He said, with what was, for better or worse, perfect honesty.

  “We ask a great deal of our soldiers.” Sophia said diplomatically.

  “She was on Titan.” Glenda said.

  “I can’t begin to imagine.” Sophia replied. “To see so many die, to be one of the very few survivors.”

  “She does tend to be a survivor.” Tom said, taking another sip of his drink.

  Sophia Hudson’s eyes narrowed slightly, focusing on his face. “Survival is a gift.” She said. “Do you think it’s a coincidence, that the lieutenant has survived where others have not?”

  “I think it’s a gift.” Tom said.

  Sophia Hudson’s eyebrows rose slightly, noting the slight shift from her meaning to Tom’s. It was unexpectedly smoothly done, for the rough edged miner, and Alanna Summer’s chosen second in command. Against her better judgment, Sophia Hudson became genuinely curious. It was her biggest weakness. “Tell me about her.” She said.

  “She wanted to save us.” Tom said. “So she did what she had to do. And paid the price.” He added diligently, smiling slightly when he thought about James Hawk, and the way he spoke of Alanna when they last met.

  “She is lost, I think.” Sophia took a sip of her drink. “Lost to us. Whether she is lost to herself” she studied Tom closely “is she lost to herself, do you think?”

  “Lost to everyone.” Tom said. “I met James Hawk.” He said suddenly, changing the subject. He didn’t want to talk about Alanna any longer, didn’t want to speak ill of her. Even though he knew it was why he was there, sitting at this table. Even through he knew she would have wanted him to. “It’s not just her.” He added, warming to his story. “Man’s got the kind of charisma that’ll get anyone to do what he wants. Lonely and messed up as she was, she didn’t have a chance.” He added with some reluctance.

  “Did you like her?” Sophia asked, her voice smooth. Sophia had always been a good listener, good at drawing people out when they least expected it.

  “Yeah.” Tom said, taking a bigger gulp of his drink. “Yeah, I liked her.”

  “Did you?” Sophia asked, turning to her niece.

  Glenda hesitated. Her aunt loved her, she knew that. Their families had been close, since she was a baby. If the conversation was being recorded, if Glenda’s answer would put her in danger, Sophia would not have asked. In a subtle way, Sophia was letting them both know that their conversation was private.

  “I liked her.” Glenda said. “And I admired her. It’s just… one mistake.” She looked over at Tom. “One choice, one mistake, and life as you know it is over. I liked her and I think it’s sad, that she’s lost to Saraya. Lost to… auntie?” She frowned as Sophia froze, her drink halfway up to her lips. “Is everything alright?”

  One mistake. Sophia thought, as her world spun. One mistake. One mistake and they can take more than you can begin to imagine. “Did you trust her?” Sophia asked suddenly, her gaze intense.

  Glenda and Tom exchanged a glance. Something in the atmosphere of the room had shifted, and they had no idea why. Sophia’s question had no apparent relevance to the story being reported across their news channels. No relevance to anything either of them could think of. And yet, Sohpia’s intensity was undeniable.

  “I trusted her.” Glenda said, picking up on her aunt’s mood. Aunt Sophia wanted the truth. “We all trusted her.”

  “I trusted her.” Tom echoed, returning Sophia’s intense gaze. “I trusted her with my life, and I’ve never made a better decision.”

  “Thank you both, for your time.” Sohpia stood up with uncharacteristic abruptness. “I truly appreciate it.” She reached out to shake Tom’s hand, clearly on autopilot and yet too polite to simply push him out the door.

  Tom nodded in return and headed for the door, giving Sophia Hudson one last glance over his shoulder as he walked out. The woman looked as if her entire world was falling apart. Pale as death with those unusually expressive eyes almost feverishly bright. “Ma’am, if there’s anything you need…” He hesitated, unsure of what he could offer and completely confused by her response.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “You’re very kind, thank you.” Sophia said as she led them hastily towards the door.

  “What in the actual hell?” Tom muttered to Glenda under his breath as they walked out. Glenda shrugged in return, clearly as confused as he was.

  ---

  “They came for us. They came to old earth. They will come for us here.” Sophia frowned, skipping ahead “Try and see if you can touch me. If it matters. If there is anything left. Try me. They are coming for you. One mistake. One mistake and they can take more than you can begin to imagine. More than you ever thought you had. And it can go on and on and on. For years. For decades. For centuries. They are coming. They are coming. They are coming!!!”

  “One mistake.” Sophia repeated under her breath. She walked out the door without looking back. It was a Saturday but she walked towards her car, drove towards the Executive Office of the Sarayan president, walked through the semi deserted halls towards her office, shut the door, and sat at her secured work station, staring at it for a long, silent moment. She could only access the files from here. The old records. The old, old records. The ones that came with them, on their ship, from old earth, before all communications were cut off. The ones so classified few knew they even existed. One mistake.

  Transmission from old earth, received on ship, in transit, in the year twenty two before founding. In addition to the Russian Federation, China, India, and others, Germany was the first of Western European nations voting to join the Carda’an empire. As with the other nations, the practice of slavery remains voluntary. Parents can give up their children, individuals can choose to give up their own freedom, and all women convicted of a capital offense are tithed to the empire.

  One mistake, Sophia whispered. It could be a coincidence. It could easily be a coincidence. The connection was distant, attenuated… there were a million alternative explanations. She simply couldn’t think straight. She needed a second opinion. Unthinkingly, she walked back out, locking herself in her car and getting on the road before picking up her phone and calling Daren.

  “Sophia.” His calm, smooth voice came through over the line. “It’s wonderful to hear from you.”

  “And you, as well. Thank you for taking my call.” Sophia said automatically. She had so many reasons to be grateful to Daren. His handling of the D12 fiasco continued to be a gift sent from heaven. Alanna Summers’ engagement led to even more unwanted attention, which Daren steered away from her and her niece with his typical finesse. She would always be grateful to Daren.

  “Of course, always. What can I do for you?”

  Sophia opened her mouth to explain. No words came out.

  “Sophia?” Daren repeated. “Are you all right?”

  “I…” Sophia stared at the blur of trees, painfully blue sky, and the poured concrete road as they passed before her eyes. No words came out.

  “Sophia.” Daren repeated. “Is something wrong? Do you need help?”

  “No.” Sophia swallowed, her throat painfully dry. “No. I’m sorry I…” Her mind froze, simply refusing to function. “You see” she took a breath “what you said about Tundra, attacking us. It’s rather gotten into my head, I’m afraid. I’ve been having nightmares.”

  “I’m sorry. I truly am. You needed to know, but I am sorry for any concern it may have brought you. Tell me what I can do to help.”

  “Nothing really, it’s nothing.”

  “Sophia.” Daren paused. “You called me. I’ve known you a long time. And I know you had a reason.”

  Black spots appeared in front of her vision, blocking out the light. Sophia gasped for breath. “I have to go.” She said. And then she hung up.

  By the time Sophia pulled into her driveway, Daren was waiting. He was standing quite calmly, leaning against the wall to the side of her door. His perfectly proportioned face with those razor sharp cheekbones turned towards her as she walked out of her car. Sophia had a sudden flashback, seeing him in her doorway, soaked by Saraya’s poisonous rains, and looking entirely unperturbed. She drew a breath. “Good afternoon, Daren.” She said calmly.

  Daren smiled, his eyes searching hers. “You seem better.” He said.

  “I am.”

  “What happened? I was concerned.”

  “Nothing happened.” Sophia walked past him, unlocking her door with hands that were perfectly steady, her voice calm. “You’ve thrown me off balance, I’m afraid.” She continued. “The weakness is, of course, my own. And for that, I apologize. There was no need for you to come out.”

  “Sophia, if there is anything you need…” Daren stepped forward, clearly intending to walk past her, inside her home.

  Sophia stood in the precise center of her doorway. Polite, but impossible for Daren to move past without shoving her aside. “As always, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your support, Daren. And I apologize most sincerely for bothering you. I think I need some time. Some time alone.” She added, her voice firm.

  Daren cocked his head slightly. For one long, drawn out moment, they stood facing each other as the heat of Saraya’s sun beat down. Sophia remained in the doorway, grateful for the cooling breeze of the air conditioning behind her. She did not move.

  “Of course.” Daren said finally, nodding gracefully, falling back on his usual impeccable manners. “As you wish. And if you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to call.”

  “Thank you.” Sophia nodded, still remaining in her doorway. She did not move, continuing to stand and watch as Daren walked back to his car, seemingly unbothered by the brutal heat of the Sarayan sun. When he was back inside his car with the door shut, very carefully, she stepped back and closed her front door, leaning against it.

  ---

  Daren walked back into his home and looked out over the pond, thinking about Sophia. With genuine reluctance, he pulled out his computer console. He had been recording Sophia’s access and system usage forever, although he rarely checked. It struck him as intrusive, and in somewhat bad taste. But she was one of very few people in the solar system who knew of the existence of Carda’ans on old earth. The only one likely to remember or pay any attention to the ancient records. It was necessary, to keep an eye on Sophia. And so he did. To a degree. He paused, staring at the screen for a long minute. He pulled up the records. “Shit.” Daren said eloquently. He wanted to go for a swim. Getting up, he was halfway out to his pond when he paused. The sun was shining. The visibility over his home, was excellent. Humans, did not swim in Sarayan ponds. Not unless they were deeply suicidal. “Shit.” He said with feeling, and continued walking into the forest as the Sarayan sun beat down on his back.

  The Grey Serpent, Tundran Space, Standard Year 404 after founding

  She was lying in her bunk on the Gray Serpent, with James by her side. The bed had expanded to fit them both. “If you don’t come back alive, I will make sure every Sarayan on that station dies.” James whispered into her ear. “And you will watch every one of them burn and turn to ash, for what they have done.” Captain Arden said. “The president does not approve of your association.” Major Miller’s voice added. “You have no loyalty, no home, no family. Used by everyone before you’re tossed aside to die. You are nothing. You will always be nothing.” Bernard whispered, making her shudder. “Our Ship.” Tony’s dry voice interjected unexpectedly. “The Tundran ship.”

  She turned to James. “Would you use me to win?”

  “I use everything I have. Always.”

  “I know.”

  “I still saved your life. I still saved you.”

  She turned away, trying to block out his presence, the sound of his voice, the warmth of his body next to her. The way he made her feel things she never thought she could feel.

  “You will serve your masters well, until they toss you aside. That’s what you were made for.” Bernard whispered.

  Alanna woke up, staring at the ceiling of her bunk, trying and failing to fully process the events of the previous day. Her hip ached, but not so much that it would prevent her from sleeping, and it felt better this morning. A flesh wound. Because Bernard had missed. And captain Arden wanted her to serve on this ship. Absent mindedly, she reached out to trace the top of her ear, feeling the rough texture of Avalon gold. The early morning hush, the cadence of sleepy voices as the early risers went about their rounds, staying quiet for the benefit of those who were still asleep. The louder voices as the stragglers caught up. And then the renewed hush as the crew’s sleeping quarters emptied out and everyone went out to do their jobs. Curling up into a tight ball, Alanna turned towards the wall and ignored the silence. She truly, sincerely, from the bottom of her heart, did not want to get out of that bunk.

  The knock came a few minutes later. “It’s ten in the morning. Get the hell up.” Tony Sicaro’s pleasant voice came through the privacy screen.

  Alanna’s stomach lurched unpleasantly. With a deep sigh of regret, she pulled on her uniform in the privacy of her bunk and stepped out. Because apparently, she must always, always wear her uniform. “What the hell do you want?” She asked sourly. And immediately felt guilty when she saw the look of genuine concern on Tony’s face. “I’m fine.” She added. “Just a bit tired.” The guilt settled in with greater weight when Tony held out a cup for her. Expecting coffee, she was surprised by the scent of ginger tea. Surprised, but pleased. For some reason, it was exactly what she wanted.

  “Feeling like an ass?” Tony asked.

  “Yes.” Alanna admitted.

  “What did the captain want?” He asked, lowering his voice.

  “To offer me a job.” Alanna said, taking a sip of her tea.

  “Let’s talk in the training room.” Tony offered, leading the way.