Star warrior complete a.., p.38
Star Warrior Complete: A Scifi Alien Romance Bundle, page 38
We stepped down to the end of the sky dock and onto a strange disc of some sort that was hovering a couple of inches off the ground. I looked to Jorav, suddenly uncertain. At the last place we’d been taken to a ballroom of sorts inside the palace. Jorav smiled as though he was hiding something again and then the disc lifted off the air and we were floating over the city.
I looked down and suppressed the urge to lose everything I’d eaten that day over the edge of the disc. I felt more amusement from Jorav which wasn’t earning him any points, but at the same time I wasn’t about to do anything stupid like push him around when we were hovering what felt like thousands of meters over the city with nothing in between us and a fall but the gravity-defying disc.
“Is something wrong?” Jorav asked.
I kept quiet. I worried that if I said something I would lose my breakfast and lunch.
“I’m surprised. This is no different than a hovercar,” Jorav said.
“There’s a big difference when there’s a nice cage of transparent aluminum and metal to protect you from falling out on a hovercar and there’s nothing here.”
Jorav shrugged and walked over to the edge of the disc. I wanted to reach out and stop him, but didn’t because I didn’t want to get any closer to the edge than I had to. We were moving up along the edge of the palace, going higher and higher which my brain was translating into meaning I had farther and farther to fall if I slipped off the edge.
His blue finger brushed against something that shimmered. The telltale sign of a forcefield pushing back against him. He turned and grinned. The only thing I could think to do was give him a good shove. His whole body landed against something that pressed out slightly and shimmered around him with an odd twinkle that matched the sparkling spots on his chest before pushing him back in place.
“Jerk,” I said. “You could’ve told me we were safe up here.”
“I had no idea you had a fear of heights,” Jorav said. “Seems like an odd trait for someone who regularly works with ships that hover in orbit to have.”
“Yeah well there’s a difference between floating safely in orbit and being in a position where gravity can pull you down and do some damage,” I said.
I was going to complain more, but my complaints were forgotten as the disc moved up over the top of the palace and I got my first good look at the place. It took my breath away, but not for the reasons the view might take the breath away of someone else watching.
Sure the crowd of Livisk moving about on the floor below was impressive. It was obviously the finest high society the Livisk homeworld had to offer and they were dancing or chatting around the edges. The view itself was pretty impressive too. Off in the distance in one direction I could see the mountains that surrounded the city clawing for the sky. In the other direction there was an uninterrupted view of the imperial palace. Truly uninterrupted as there were surprisingly no buildings between the Dovar palace and the imperial palace.
I had a sneaking suspicion someone had paid a great deal to make sure that view existed.
None of that was what took my breath away, though. No, my awe was solely reserved for the massive gun sitting on top of the Dovar palace. From a distance it had looked like just another spire. Spires seemed to be the popular architectural flare on Livisk palaces. Up close, though, I could see that the “spire” was actually the barrel of a massive gun. The sort of thing that was big enough to fire on ships well outside orbit from the convenience of the planet surface.
“It’s magnificent,” I whispered.
“You like the crown jewel in Dovar’s collection, eh?” Jorav said. “It’s an old pre-Hegemony orbital denial system.”
“Pre-Hegemony?”
“Back in the days before the noble families ran things. The practical upshot is Dovar has a big gun on top of his building that hasn’t worked for hundreds of years.”
I eyed the thing with lust in my heart. It might not have worked for hundreds of years, but the thing looked like it was open for business today. It amazed me that the emperor would allow someone to have a weapon like that with a direct line of sight to the imperial palace.
“He allows it because he knows it’s no worry for him,” Jorav said. “It’s a museum piece. The power cells that ran the thing were all lost long before the imperial ascendance. These days the only place you’d find one of those is in a reclamation mine, and the emperor has strict control of all of those.”
“Interesting,” I said.
I felt another piece of the half-formed plan to overthrow the emperor fall into place. The plan was far from finished, but I had a feeling that this was something that could be important if those pieces ever came together to form a coherent whole.
For now, though, I needed to mingle. I gave Jorav’s muscled bicep one final squeeze and thought of the sort of things he could do with that before I moved into the crowd. Ergohl had to be here somewhere, and I wanted to have a chat with him while Jorav did whatever it was he needed to do here that was so important.
14: Betrayed
Jorav:
I searched the party looking for the familiar unruly white hair that could only belong to Dovar. He’d never been one to stand on fashion. Mostly because he was so powerful and so rich that most people adjusted their fashion to fit him rather than the other way around, which had resulted in some interesting trends over the years.
At least that was the secondhand information I’d gotten from my former wife. She was always far more plugged into matters concerning the nobility than I’d been. A mistake that was coming back to haunt me now.
I glanced back in the direction I’d came, but the crowd had moved in around me and I couldn’t see Talia any longer. I worried about her, though I still had the bond to reassure me. I was more focused on that bond tonight than I’d been the last time. I wanted to know the moment it seemed somewhat off.
Missing that last time when she’d stepped into a room that blocked the bond had been a misstep that I didn’t intend to repeat. Especially when there was a good chance that there were Livisk at this gathering who wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. Though I wasn’t sure if I was more worried for Talia or for anyone who might try to kill her. That wasn’t a good position to be in, if past performance was any indication.
I also didn’t trust her entirely with Ergohl, and I’m pretty sure that’s who she was off to meet. He was up to something, but I wasn’t sure what. I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever he was up to was no good though.
“Jorav! So you did make it to my little gathering! I was starting to worry you weren’t going to make an appearance!”
I turned to see Dovar standing with several other major nobles. Though compared to the power Dovar wielded the other nobles were very minor indeed. I had to remember that they were still powerful men who could cause me trouble even if they didn’t enjoy half the power that I did thanks to my military conquests.
“Dovar,” I said, my voice flat. I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to play his stupid games. My wife had always enjoyed this, but I hated it. I wanted this to be over with so I could be done with it and back at my building listening to Talia planning our bonding.
Dovar paused for a moment as though waiting to see if I was going to say anything else. He was going to be waiting for a long time, though. Finally he shrugged and shook his head, though I thought I saw the faintest flash of irritation.
Good. He needed to know that I wasn’t going to bow and scrape and lick his boots like other powerful Livisk. I considered him an equal, if not slightly beneath me, and the sooner he realized that the better.
“Well either way I’m glad you came tonight, even if your manners do leave something to be desired,” Dovar said, his voice suddenly stiff.
“Why did you need me here tonight?” I asked. “You know I don’t enjoy coming to these gatherings. Tell me what you need and be done with it.”
“Of course, of course,” Dovar said. “But if we’re going to talk I would prefer it to be someplace with a little more privacy. You understand.”
I hesitated for a moment. I glanced at the crowd in the open air ballroom at the top of the second highest structure in the city. In the distance I saw an occasional shimmer as a particularly powerful gust of wind slammed into the domed forcefield that no doubt surrounded this place to ensure that those winds didn’t bother the guests.
I felt safer out here in the open where we were surrounded by people. Being in a crowd meant that he couldn’t try anything too dangerous. I felt for the bond and Talia was still there, amused by something. No doubt she’d found Ergohl and was enjoying herself with him.
Well. I wanted to know what Dovar was up to. If this was a trap then there was nothing for it but to spring it. So after a moment’s consideration I nodded.
“Lead on, Dovar,” I said. “But know that I have come prepared.”
Dovar shook his head and absentmindedly waved a hand as he turned and moved into the crowd. “I’d expect nothing less from you, Jorav. The great and mighty warrior and all that.”
The crowd parted around us, and not because of guards or anything like that. No, the people here seemed to sense when Dovar was approaching and moved out of the way. No doubt out of deference to his position as host, but also because it was well known that he wasn’t a man to be crossed.
Though that might be exactly what I was doing by the end of the night depending on what he wanted to discuss with me.
We stepped through a massive carved arch at one end of the open area that showed the accomplishments of members of house Dovar. Martial accomplishments that had happened several generations prior to the current incarnation of house Dovar, I might add. I didn’t think the current master of the house had even been in a fight before, unlike Ergohl.
I was led through a series of twisting passages that led deeper into the palace, though we couldn’t have been too far down. It’s not like he was leading me down to the modern prison facility that was rumored to be located at the very bottom of the place. Still, I felt that itching between my shoulder blades. That sense that something bad was about to happen.
I felt at the bond for any sign that something was wrong with Talia. She was still amused, though. That I could feel what she was feeling and not just the general sense that she was alive somewhere was proof enough that she wasn’t behind walls that dampened the mental bond.
That was good. As long as she was safe I was satisfied. I was confident I could take care of myself. Though being able to take care of myself didn’t reduce the irritation I felt.
“Is there a reason you’re leading me this deep into your palace, Dovar?” I asked. “Surely you had a room near the top that would suffice for whatever it is you have to say to me.”
Dovar paused and several of the lackeys surrounding him shot me disapproving looks. Well they could shoot disapproving looks my way all they wanted. That didn’t change the fact that I wasn’t in the mood to play their game.
“Certainly,” Dovar said. “We’re almost there.”
I frowned but allowed him to lead me on. As we walked I looked at some of the bootlickers following with him. They were all men who were known for their lack of love for the emperor. All men who were known to be associates of Dovar. They’d hitched themselves to his star in the hope that he might provide the sort of protection required by nobles who were open in their defiance of the emperor.
Each of them had also never served in true battle. They’d never traveled off planet to be bloodied against the humans in an actual war. They’d all supposedly undergone the ceremony, but it was likely in the same honorless way that Sorei had tried. It was enough to make bile rise in the back of my throat.
Though it was a comforting thought to know that I was in the company of the most craven and pampered cowards this world had to offer. I didn’t think they would have the guts to try something against me. I relished the opportunity if they did try.
I felt some of the same angry frustration Talia did, after all, and I needed something to relieve that stress.
Finally, after a small eternity, we stepped into a room that was lavishly appointed. Not at all like the bare decorating that I had at my own tower. Dovar went to take a seat and his friends all took up positions around him. Dovar gestured to a chair in front of him.
“I’d rather stand, thank you very much,” I said.
Dovar shrugged. It rolled across his massive frame. A massive frame that had more than a bit of padding over what had once been muscle.
“Suit yourself Jorav,” he said.
“So are you going to tell me why you’ve brought me down here today? You’re wasting time that I could be spending with Talia up above.”
“Ah, but your human is exactly why we’ve brought you down here Jorav,” Dovar said. He leaned forward in his chair and it protested under his weight. “I think you and your human are up to something, and I’d be very interested in knowing what that something is.”
Even I was smart enough to know that this had suddenly become a very dangerous conversation, and I was usually terrible at sussing out that sort of thing. I glanced around the room again. All the other nobles surrounding us seemed very disinterested in whatever I had to say.
I decided to play dumb. Let them make the first move if they were interested in admitting to treason. This was probably the least likely group in the entire city to be in bed with the emperor, but I hadn’t lived as long as I had by making stupid gambles when my life was on the line.
Not often, at least.
“I wouldn’t know what you’re talking about,” I said. “The only thing we’ve been up to is trying to fend off imperial assassins and plan our bonding ceremony.”
“A bonding ceremony that is necessary because the emperor tried to kill you by forcing the bond on you and your human,” Dovar said. “You never struck me as the type to take someone trying to kill you lightly.”
Dovar paused and looked around the room. Took in everyone standing around the room in turn and smiled as he turned back to me. He held his hands out in what I’m sure was supposed to be a welcoming gesture, though it didn’t change the fact that this man was a dangerous snake.
“Come Jorav,” he said. “Look at us. None of us are fans of the emperor in this room. Every one of us is interested in changing the status quo of the empire and I’m pretty certain you’re equally interested in that goal.”
I looked at each of them in turn once more. They were looking at me with more interest now. There was a hunger burning in the room that was every bit as powerful as the hunger I felt when I looked at Talia. Though this hunger was different. It was a desire for power rather than a desire for the pleasures of the flesh.
Both could be equally dangerous. It could create desperate men. I wasn’t sure I wanted anything to do with desperate men even if they might be able to help us reach our goals.
“What you’re speaking of is treason, Dovar,” I said. “I’m sure the emperor wouldn’t appreciate hearing you talk of his rule in such a dismissive way.”
“Perhaps not, but the emperor isn’t here,” Dovar said. “You are. We are. It’s time for a change in leadership on this world, and you know it.”
I locked my eyes to his. To his credit he maintained that eye contact rather than flinching away. We were locked in a battle in the political arena now, and he was well known for his prowess when it came to this kind of battle.
“I know exactly what kind of leadership change you desire for our world,” I said. “A return to the hegemony. You and your friends ruling with impunity. Doing whatever you want.”
“Is that so bad?”
“Let’s just say there’s a reason the imperial ascendance happened,” I said. “I might have no love for my nephew sitting on his throne in the imperial palace, but I have even less love for you and your snakes crawling in the grass pretending you’re still powerful.”
Dovar’s eyebrows lowered, but in confusion rather than anger. “Snakes crawling in the grass? What are you talking about?”
I sighed. That was an earth metaphor that had snuck into my vocabulary. I’d even said the Terran word “snake” in the middle of a string of Livisk. That seemed to be happening more and more the longer I was mentally bonded to Talia.
“It’s a Terran term. The point is I trust you even less than I trust the emperor, and that’s saying quite a bit,” I said.
“And what if I said that you misjudge me, Jorav?” Dovar said. “What if I told you that we need a strong leader?”
“I’d still think you meant you were the one who was to be that strong leader. If that’s the case then no thank you. I’d rather not trade one crazed despot for another,” I replied.
I figured that would be the end of the conversation. I didn’t think he’d try to attack me, though stranger things had happened since I brought Talia back to our world. I also didn’t think he’d continue needling me for information after I’d insulted him like that.
I was wrong.
“And what if I told you we were all interested in backing someone different? Someone we know could lead our armies and stellar navy to victory? What if I told you we were looking for a man who had martial experience rather than political.”
I paused for a moment at that and seriously considered what he was saying. If he was being sincere and they actually were interested in installing someone with military experience on the throne, there was no doubt who they meant even though he wasn’t coming out and saying it, then this could be an interesting alliance indeed. And Talia was the one who was always telling me that we needed allies if we were going to overthrow the emperor.
Funny how quickly I’d gone from merely being disgruntled about my place in society and my treatment at the hands of the emperor to actively trying to think of ways to depose him. That was the spell Talia put me under.
At the same time I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a trap of some sort. We had vague plans to overthrow the emperor, but nothing concrete had fallen into place. Mostly because it was still just me and Talia against an empire. I could count on my men, for sure, but they wouldn’t be enough to counter the strength of the entire imperial army and navy.
