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Chapter 47
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“We just received word from the XR-9.” Allie said. “Admiral Westiben is demanding our immediate surrender, or he says he’ll destroy the Palace and Rianamar with it. He wants to talk to Dynan.”
Marc opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He’d forgotten all about the disgruntled Fleet Admiral. He laughed suddenly. “Do you think he’d listen if I told him we don’t have time for this?”
Allie didn’t bother responding, turning for the offices, hardly looking like he could walk that far. Marc glanced after Geneal and Ralion as they headed down the stairs. He knew that facing what he had to do with Maralt was far more important than dealing with Westiben, except for his threat. If he did intend to destroy the Palace, there wasn’t much sense in trying to get Dain away from Maralt just then. For a minute, Marc didn’t know what to do.
Loren moved in front of him, taking his face in her hands. “We’ll be all right. You have to keep believing that. Geneal knows what to do with Dain. Go on.” She surprised him when she kissed him. “I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t with me right now. I think we’d all have died by now. Remember that too. No matter what else happens, you’ve kept us going this long. A miracle, I think. I’m going back down.” She kissed him again and let him go.
He couldn’t help but smile after her, thinking she’d make Cobalt the greatest Queen it had ever known ... if they survived that long. He started toward the offices at a slow trot, catching up to Allie as he reached the door. “Get Morlin in here,” he said. “Alert the base and tell the XR-9 to stand by. I need Kyle too, and Trevan.”
They moved back to his office, surprised to find Gaden there looking for them. “There you are. Good news. We’ve got food for a few months for the city and Palace. Enough for everybody.”
Marc couldn’t change mental gears fast enough to be happy about that and only nodded absently. “That’s great, Gaden. Could you go out and man the com office.”
Gaden stared at him, taken back by his tone, but Marc hardly noticed as he paced in front of the fireplace, trying to sort through the myriad worries that faced him, trying to think of what to do about Westiben and his demands. “What’s the status at the base?”
Allie looked at him, blinking a few times. “Secured?”
“No, I mean can we land Westiben there, if he’ll agree to it? How many ships will it support?”
“A thousand, two maybe.”
Marc grunted at that. He didn’t want a thousand enemy ships landing anywhere near the Palace or Rianamar, but if what he had in mind worked, it wouldn’t matter.
“He’s online now, if you want to talk to him.”
Marc nodded, not really sure what he was doing, but moved behind his desk, and punched the companel. “This is First Commander Marc Talryn, Admiral. What can I do for you?”
“I demand to speak with Prince Dynan. That’s what you can do for me, and now, or I will commence with the attack.”
“Prince Dynan isn’t able to speak with you, Commander.” Marc cut the line briefly. “Does he know about Dain?”
“I don’t think so. The message we sent out to the fleet was in Dynan’s name.”
“I need Trevan in here now,” he said, opening the line again. “May I ask, Admiral, what would be the point of destroying the Palace and Rianamar?”
“What do you mean, Prince Dynan isn’t able to speak with me?” Westiben demanded instead of answering the question.
“He was injured during the attempt to retake the Palace. I’ve been told you claim some lineage, sir. Is this true?”
“Yes, it is, and I mean to take the throne.”
“Fine, Admiral. That’s fine. While it would be better if your name was Telaerin, we’re running a little short on them. When can you land, sir?”
Marc smiled at the prolonged silence, filled with an occasional bleep from the companel. Allie was staring at him. Trevan came in, looking a little bleary, but otherwise in better shape than the rest of them.
“Are you saying that you’ll agree to my terms?”
“I don’t know what your terms are, sir. Uh, could you hold on a moment? I think we’re under attack here. Just a minute, Admiral, I’ll get right back—” He picked up a vase, and before he cut the channel, tossed it on the floor where it shattered. He breathed. “Trevan, is there a way to keep a thousand or so ships on the ground if we land them at the base, cut all their com ability, and keep the men in their crafts?”
“Uh, well, I ... Do we have fleet access codes?”
“No,” Allie answered, moving to Marc’s desk, “but I can get them.”
“If we have the codes we can lock the ships once they’re down and completely disable them through command and control.”
“Can we lock them out while they’re in flight?” Marc asked.
“No, there’s a safety default built in. They have to be on the ground,” Trevan said and smiled. “I think I see what you’re trying to do.”
“Good. Tell Morlin and Kyle to have the base standing by to receive our guests. And I need as many pilots as we can get our hands on at the base and ready to move.”
“Right,” Trevan said and left the office.
“To take care of any ships Westiben might think to send against us,” Marc said, turning back to the companel. He reached around Allie. “I’m sorry, Admiral. We’re all right now. What were you saying about terms?”
“I demand that you hand over the Crown with a signed declaration of abdication, the complete transfer of authority to my hand, and surrender of all personnel to my troops.”
“That sounds fair to me. Actually, we don’t have a choice. Dynan isn’t going to survive and there isn’t anyone else. I’ve notified the base to expect your arrival. You won’t have any difficulty.”
“That’s very wise of you, Commander. I’ll inform you when my fleet is ready to land.”
“Can you tell me, sir, if you know where the other Admirals are with the rest of the fleet? We’re going to need them if the Murians attack.”
“Yes, we will. I’m sure they’ll be persuaded to rejoin us.”
Marc grimaced, hoping for a clearer answer than that. “Thank you, Admiral. I look forward to seeing you.”
“Very good, Commander.”
The line was cut from Westiben’s side this time. Marc sank down into his chair, wondering if this insane plan would work. He glanced at Allie and found him shaking his head. “You know, I have to hand it to you, Marc. You do have an amazing tendency to think up the craziest ideas. Reminds me a lot of Dain.”
“Maybe he taught me a thing or two while he was in there. Let me know when you’ve got those codes.” He touched the companel controls. “Trevan, have you found Kyle or Morlin yet?”
“Yes, they’re both right here, a little nervous about this idea of yours, but willing to give it a shot.”
“Good. Commander Morlin, will we have the crews to take over the fleet?”
“Not quite, Marc. Experienced pilots are few and far between these days.”
“What about the transport guild? Aren’t most of them stationed at the base right now?”
“Yes they are, but piloting a transport is a little different than piloting an attack craft.”
“They’ll have to do. Kyle, you’re about to lose the last of the Exile Base troops. They all know how to fly. Can you handle that?”
“Absolutely, Commander.”
“Let’s get that started then. We don’t want Westiben coming down and seeing a lot of troop movements going on below.”
“Those Exile troops are about the fittest men I’ve ever seen in my life,” Kyle said. “I think a quick jaunt through town will get us there in time.”
“Move them out, Captain. Trevan I need you to coordinate the timing on this. Go with them. Kyle, who’s your second in command?”
“Lt. Osseric. Capable fellow.”
“He’ll be responsible for Palace security while you’re gone. I want the guard tripled inside, and the perimeter secured and on alert. If this doesn’t work, you’ll have one bloody battle on your hands down there. What’s the XR-9 say about Westiben’s position?”
Allie turned to answer him. “Westiben’s fleet is breaking into landing formation. They’ll be in position in thirty minutes.”
Marc turned back to the companel, wishing that Dain was still with him because he’d probably have a better idea of how to manage something like this. “Keep me informed.”
He waited for a reply, didn’t get one, pressed the controls, and discovered them dead. Allie turned sharply, gasping before he was suddenly held, frozen in place. Marc forced himself up as Maralt walked into the office, terror leaping into his mind. Maralt closed the door and still there wasn’t time to move before Marc was held too, and Maralt bore down on him. A dull throbbing pain centered in his chest, radiating to encompass his arm.
“Geneal never made it to the Medic Center. She’s alive. For the time being. Do you want her to stay that way?”
“Yes.”
Marc tried to back away, but he couldn’t move. Maralt laughed. “Ralion now, I’m not so sure he’ll survive. Do you want him to?”
“Yes.”
“What about the rest of your friends, Marc?” He looked at Allie. “We don’t need all of them, do we?”
Allie choked, eyes widening, and his hands moved to his throat.
“Wait,” Marc managed to whisper while his breath stuttered in and out, heart laboring against unrelenting fear. “Please.”
Maralt smiled at him. “Begging? From you? I’m afraid you’ll have to do better than that. Allie has a younger brother, ready to step in. We don’t need them both.”
A hand clamped around his heart. Pain sent him to his knees and kept him there. Behind him, Allie collapsed. “He’s got the codes,” Marc gasped out. “Westiben...”
Maralt’s posture changed, a glaring frown entering his eyes. “What about our traitorous Admiral?”
The explanation was extracted, drawn out of him without the slightest difficulty. Marc couldn’t refuse. Even when he meant to volunteer the information, it was taken from him, and he realized, too late, what he’d done in leaving Dain with Maralt. There would be no getting him back and failure rose up to smother him. Maralt leaned over him, touching the companel, and entered a code quickly.
“Captain Bairing, you may continue. Keep us informed please.”
Maralt reached down and hauled Marc up to his feet, then released him. Pain left him. “Allie has to get the access codes.” Maralt pushed him back up against the window behind his desk.
“I’m aware of that.” He waited, standing so close Marc thought he would die just looking at him.
“I’ll do anything you say.”
“Anything? I’ve heard that before, haven’t I? Well, all right. If that’s what you want. You’re sure?” He smiled and Allie breathed. “You may continue your search.” Allie stared at him, then at Marc. Maralt turned on him. “Why do you look to him? You don’t answer to him. You answer to me. That means you do as you’re told precisely when you are told to do it. No more tricks.”
When Allie cringed away from him, Marc took a step forward, meaning to stop him without thinking of the consequences. All Maralt did was raise his hand and pain flooded through him. This time Marc managed to stay on his feet, but only because Maralt wanted him to. The next instant he was pushed around and shoved to the hearth. In his mind, the flames roared up, blistering his face. Searing heat scoured him and he started screaming. All he heard was a hoarse whisper that filled the room.
“Don’t think to stop me,” Maralt said, leaning over him. “It isn’t possible, so don’t think it. You will intervene only if I wish it. I will use you any way I feel. You will take no action to hinder me again.” He smiled and pulled him up. “But I can see that you doubt it.” He put his hand around Marc’s shoulder, patting his chest with the other. “Come with me. You and I need to have a talk.”
Allie turned instantly back to his task, his hands shaking so badly he started hitting the wrong controls. He heard himself choking back sobs that threatened to turn into a torrent. Madness chased him as he pressed keypads, defining the search parameters, narrowing the number of files to check. Trevan reported in that their troops were in place, armed and ready. Westiben’s thousand-ship fleet entered the atmosphere over Rianamar and still Allie didn’t have the codes.
The first ships touched down and the companel chirped at him. He stopped then, pausing, and saw escape in death. He could send the wrong code and the plan wouldn’t work. Westiben would come with enough men to kill them all.
“No tricks, Allie. Remember that.”
He heard the voice, whispering in his mind, and he couldn’t tell if it was his imagination or real. He sent the code to Trevan, doubling in sudden pain. His knees gave out and he crumpled to the floor, sickness overwhelming him. He lay, half crouched, half on his side as his stomach emptied. A hand touched his shoulder and he jerked away violently, but it was Gaden leaning down beside him, concern and weariness marking his young face.
“Allie, are you all right?”
“You’ve got to get out of here,” he whispered, staring back at the closed door of the King’s office. “Get out now, Gaden. Don’t come back, ever.”
“Allie,” Maralt whispered.
He gasped, choking again, shaking uncontrollably. Gaden lifted him off the floor. “I’m not going anywhere. You just need to rest. We’re going to be all right. No, don’t argue with me, just lie down here. I won’t let anyone bother you until you’ve gotten some sleep. It’s all right. We’re going to be all right.”
Black oblivion came up and took him, but a voice chased after him into the night.
“Listen to your brother, Allie. Rest. I’ll be here when you wake.”
