Victoria's Challenge

  “But she did. Shhh, it’s apparently the Qwes way.” Cyndy leans back, wiping Tori’s tears. “Peter told me about Cassie’s birth after you were born. He was so scared I would experience the same thing. I’ve never been happier not to be Qwes because of it.”

  “Yeah,” Victoria sniffles. “Me too.” With smiles on their faces, both women turn to find Lucas watching them. He’s heard what they said and he too is grateful Victoria was a Chamberlain, at least for a while longer.

  Word spread quickly about the emergency summons Bliant received the night before. Rogue Stannic raises his glass to his longtime friend, Lochte Oschofield. “To the death of Queen Cassandra.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Lochte agrees sipping his ale. “Do you really think she could be dead?”

  “One can hope, the Palace is in total shut down, not even my best informants know anything.” Rogue frowns, thinking about what that could mean. “Perhaps I should go to the Palace myself, only to calm the fears of the Carinian people, of course and find out what’s wrong.”

  “Zafar isn’t going to let you anywhere near his wife.” Lochte looks to his friend.

  “I am an Assemblyman from the House of Knowledge! He has no power over me!” Rogue roars.

  “Except, not only is he High Admiral, he is the Queen’s husband.” Even though Zafar refused to use the title, he was the King. “That gives him the power.” Lochte can’t help but taunt his friend. He knows how much Rogue hates the thought that someone from the House of Protection could be called the King of the House of Knowledge.

  “He can try but it is my right to be kept informed on the Queen,” Rogue argues back, self-importantly.

  “Perhaps, but that was before Gad became a threat to Carina,” Lochte intentionally goads Rogue.

  “Gad will never be charged. I’ve read the transcripts. He said nothing about the cyclotron propulsion system or the Guardian. Everything they have comes from Kea and Laiza. They say Gad told them. They say I told Gad. They have no proof.”

  “Then why send Degas?”

  “Because he’s my son and they are treating him as if he’s a commoner! I won’t stand for it! Zafar refuses to send him back to Carina and the Queen refuses to interfere.” Rogue sneers. “So I took matters into my own hands.”

  “You’ve heard nothing from him? It’s been nearly two weeks."

  “No, but that doesn’t worry me. There was a special meeting of the High Council earlier today, the Queen didn’t attend. I’m sure it was to discuss Gad’s escape and Zafar’s mishandling of an Assemblyman’s son.” Rogue can’t keep the enjoyment out of his voice. Lochte remains silent, thinking about what’s been said.

  “So are you going to the Palace?”

  “I think I’ll give it a few more hours so the people become more upset then I’ll step in and get them the answers they deserve.” Rogue can already feel their thankfulness and adoration. Soon they will want him leading them, a real Carinian.

  “Sabah Cassidy Qwes Zafar.” Cassandra smiles up at her husband from the couch he’s carried her too so she could introduce their daughter to the rest of the family. She refused to stay in bed any longer and this is their compromise.

  “Sabah…” Victoria smiles as she looks at her Aunt, understanding the circle is complete. Sabah will finally be Queen of the House of Knowledge. Thinking about the dual birthmarks she’s seen on Sabah, one for the House of Knowledge on the inside of her little leg and the arrow on her forearm for the House of Protection, a new era is starting for Carina with the joining of the Houses. Cassandra watches Victoria, knowing she saw the birthmarks, and sees she understands the significance.

  “She’s beautiful, Cass.” Peter kisses his sister’s cheek looking down at his niece. Just two months... moon cycles ago, he’d been struggling to keep his wife and son alive and now… now there's a new life, on a new planet and a new future. Meeting his wife’s eyes across the room, he smiles.

  “When are you going to make the official announcement?” Kyle asks his father quietly. “The citizens are getting worried. I’ve already received two communications wanting to know if Cassie is alright. Rumors are being spread that she’s ill and we’re hiding it.”

  “Stannic?” William asks just as quietly, not wanting Cassandra to hear.

  “That’s what my sources are telling me.”

  “The official announcement is being released as we speak.” William informs him. "Queen Cassandra has given birth to a healthy baby girl and both are doing fine.”

  Rogue’s glass shatters against the wall as he listens to the announcement. A girl! That bitch! She’s given birth to the heir! How is this possible? They’d only just found out she was pregnant. Now what is he going to do?

  “You heard?” Lochte asks entering the room cautiously.

  “Fuck yes! How could we not have known?” Rogue demands.

  “I don’t know, but it changes everything.”

  “It changes nothing!” Rogue denies, storming across the room to pour himself a new drink.

  “Rogue…”

  “She isn’t fit to govern the House of Knowledge! She isn’t a real Carinian! She needs to be removed before she causes more damage.”

  “Assemblyman Stannic, you have an incoming transmission.”

  “I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed!” Stannic rounds on the servant.

  “Un…unless it was Degas," the servant stutters. "It’s Degas.”

  “Why didn’t you say so?” Stannic demands angrily, moving to his comm. “Degas! Where are you? Where’s my son?”

  “Still on the Retribution, sir.”

  “What! You were supposed to be in and out!”

  “Yes sir, but it didn’t work out that way.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Shortly after my arrival, the Retribution went into complete shutdown mode. There was no way I could get Gad out.”

  “You will get my son off that ship, Degas, or your brother will never graduate from the Academy!” Rogue threatens.

  “Tyron is at the top of his class!” Degas fires back angrily.

  “Not if Oschofield doesn’t pass him and he won’t, I guarantee you that! Do you understand me, Degas?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “So what’s your status?”

  “So far, I’ve been able to conceal my presence on the Retribution, waiting for the opportunity to get to Gad out but it won’t last much longer. Do you have someone who can assist me?”

  “How are you contacting me, Degas?” Stannic hasn’t maintained his position for so long by trusting anyone. "How have you not been discovered?”

  “Zafar was recalled by the High Council. I was able to gain access his quarters and am using his comm. It’s a sweet set up, fully secure. The idiot forgot to remove his priority codes.” Degas looks at Tar sitting across from him in Lucas’ quarters. They’d made sure Stannic would be able to trace the communication verifying where Degas is.

  “Smart.” Rogue pushes a few buttons on his consul and it reveals Degas is exactly where he says he is. "What do you need?”

  “I still have the fake orders you gave me, with the High Admiral's signature. So I can get Gad out of the brig, but the Trier has been moved off the active flight deck. I have no authority to get it back on.”

  “I’ll get back to you in an hour.” Stannic disconnects.

  “Is that enough?” Degas looks at Tar.

  “It’s a start. You know our agreement, Degas.”

  “I do and I’ll hold up my end, you hold up yours. My brothers are protected from Stannic and Oschofield.”

  “They will be. You have the High Admiral’s word.” Tar pushes a button when the comm rings.

  “Tar.”

  “Admiral, we’ve received a transmission from Carina concerning the House of Knowledge. Queen Cassandra has given birth to a healthy baby girl, both are doing fine.”

  “Understood, make sure it is announced throughout the fleet.”

  “Yes Admiral.?
?? Quinn connects to William’s personal comm.

  “Zafar.”

  “High Admiral, Stannic has taken the bait. We will know within the hour, who he has on board the Retribution.”

  “Good. Keep me informed.” William orders.

  “I will, sir.”

  “Is it true?” Degas demands before the High Admiral disconnects. “Has Queen Cassandra given birth to a girl?” Silence greets him. “High Admiral, if it is true, you need to increase your security immediately! Stannic isn’t going to take this lying down.”

  “What are you talking about, Degas?” The High Admiral’s tone is deadly, just hours ago he’d watched his wife struggle to give their daughter life. A daughter that has already captured his heart. That she will one day become Queen does not matter. That she carries two birthmarks does not matter. What matters is that she is his and no one threats what is his.

  “Stannic hates the Queen.” Degas informs him. “It doesn’t matter that she carries the Imperial birthmark. He doesn’t consider her a real Carinian. Doesn't believe she has the right to rule the House of Knowledge, not when she's married to you. He’s been working against her since she’s taken the throne, but now that the heir has been born… he has eyes in the Palace, High Admiral.”

  “Who?” William demands.

  “I don’t know who, but someone keeps him informed of when you are away and there’s one that’s able to tell him the Queen’s schedule. He was furious he didn’t know in advance that she was pregnant again. His biggest fear has been that the heir would be born before he was able to remove her from the throne. His words. He thinks the people will name him King if she's gone. He will go crazy with this announcement. You have to protect her, High Admiral!”

  “You sound like you actual care what happens to my wife, Degas.”

  “She is a good Queen, High Admiral. She truly cares about the people of Carina and makes a difference.”

  “And yet you work with Stannic to try and over-throw her.”

  “No! I’ve made mistakes, done a lot of things I’m not proud of, but I’ve done nothing to endanger my Queen and I never will.”

  “Do you have any other information on Stannic’s spies?”

  Degas is silent for a moment, thinking.

  “They will have someone currently in the Academy or applying. That’s how he gets them. By threatening their children or siblings, especially when they’re not ‘royal’. When it only takes one negative comment from an Assemblyman for them not to be considered by the Academy.”

  Looking up from her computer screen, Victoria leans back in her chair watching Lucas cross the room. She moved into his private living quarters in the Palace the day he returned to Carina.

  “Hi.” Lucas leans down to capture her lips then looks at the screen. “Applicants?”

  “Yeah, more than I thought we’d get.”

  “Why?” He gives her a confused look. “They are being given the chance to work in the most advanced burn treatment center in the universe under the guidance of a ground breaking doctor.”

  “Oh please…” Victoria rolls her eyes at him. “You’re so full of it.”

  “No Victoria, I’m not.” The seriousness of his tone has her looking at him sharply. “You don’t see yourself as you truly are. You’re an amazing woman who has overcome great obstacles to become the best burn treatment doctor Carina has ever seen. You’re only eighteen and have already succeeded in developing a new treatment protocol that gets amazing results. You’re an inspiration to other doctors with your dedication to your patients. Anyone not wanting to work with you is crazy.” The shock on her face makes Lucas smile. “I love you, Victoria Lynn.” Pulling her up into his arms, he captures her lips for a deep kiss. Minutes later, he finally eases her feet back to the floor. He knows there’s something else he needs to discuss with her.

  Catching her breath, Victoria watches Lucas walk to a cabinet to pour them each a drink. Returning to her, he waits until she sips before continuing.

  “I spoke to your father today.”

  “You did? What about?”

  “There’s an ancient Carinian tradition where a man asks a woman’s father for permission before a Union is performed.” He watches as shocked eyes quickly fill with happy tears. “It seemed appropriate.”

  “You asked my father…” she whispers.

  “Yes. He gave us his blessing.”

  “You want to marry me…” She puts trembling fingers to her lips.

  “More than I want to Captain the Guardian.” His eyes bore into hers letting her see his soul. “You are my life, Victoria. These weeks apart have been the longest of my life. I never want to go through that again. I want it official. I want everyone to know that you’re mine. That I’m yours.”

  “Oh Lucas…”

  “So will you?” Suddenly, she sees the doubt in his eyes. “Be my wife?”

  “Oh Lucas.” She frames his face wanting to chase away his doubts. “Yes! Yes! I love you so much!” Laughing and crying at the same time, she launches herself into his arms covering his face with kisses.

  “Good, then you won’t be upset that I already asked Jotham to perform the ceremony.” He smiles against her lips. Victoria pulls sharply back, disbelief written on her face.

  “What? Jotham… he agreed too…”

  “He was thrilled.” Lucas still sees her doubt. “Victoria, he loves you, you can’t doubt that.” He gently caresses her cheek. “He told me to let him know when and he’d be there. So…”

  “So...”

  “When are you going to marry me?”

  “Oh Lucas…”

  Degas looks to Tar as the comm rings. At his nod, Degas answers.

  “Do you have a name for me?”

  “Phillip, he’s a Private on D Deck. He will have the Trier fully fueled and waiting for you at 0130 hours. Have Gad there. Pilot the Trier to Messene, I will have people waiting,” Stannic informs him.

  “Kees and Laiza?”

  “They’re unimportant, leave them.”

  “If you say so.” Degas let’s just enough doubt into his voice.

  “Why? What have you heard?” Stannic demands.

  “Nothing I’m sure you haven’t.”

  “Don’t assume Degas! Report!”

  “Sir, it’s just the conversations I’ve been overhearing.”

  “What!”

  “It’s being said that Tar has been able to gather evidence that ties you to the Intel in Kee and Laiza’s testimony.”

  “Impossible! There is no way he can prove what they said. Not without Gad and he knows what will happen to him if he betrays me.”

  “Move your traitorous ass, Degas!” Courbet orders, shoving him past Stannic’s cell towards an open door.

  “Get your fucking hands off me!” Degas replies enraged. “You’re going to fucking pay for this.”

  “Right!” Courbet shoves him again, only this time Degas whips around clocking Courbet in the jaw, sending him into the opposite wall where he slumps to the ground. Degas is quickly on him, searching for the keys to unlock his cuffs. Once released, he quickly drags Courbet into the cell meant for him and secures the door.

  “Degas!” His head whips around at his name. “Over here! It’s Gad! Get me the fuck out of here!”

  “Why the fuck should I help you, you little foabhor! You’re the reason I’m here in the first place.”

  “I can help you.”

  “Yeah right, you help me. I’m on the run because of you! I’ve got to find a place to hide.”

  “I can help you…truly…I know of a place…on Messene…totally secure…my father has meetings there.”

  “What type of meetings?” Degas looks disbelieving.

  “The secret kind.”

  “Right, like he’d tell you.” Degas moves to leave.

  “No wait! He doesn’t know I know.” Degas pauses looking over his shoulder. “I’ve had his passcodes for cycles.”

  “He changes his codes every moon cy
cle,” Degas says in disgust.

  “Yeah, but they are always the same for each moon cycle. It’s the only way he can remember them. He doesn’t think anyone would notice.”

  “But you did?”

  “Of course, how else could I have known Victoria’s schedule?” Gad says smugly.

  “Your father was tracking her?” Degas doesn’t try to hide his shock.

  “Always, he wanted her gone, but he was never able to get to her. I did.”

  “You got caught,” Degas reminds him.

  “She got lucky.” Gad’s arrogance is back.

  “I get you out, you tell me everything you know, and I mean everything Gad. And I want your father’s passcodes, I’m not going back under his thumb.” Degas gives him a hard look.

  “He’ll kill me.” Gad pales.

  “Fine. Stay here. I’m sure eventually your father will get you out.”

  “No! Wait!” Gad’s mind is racing. He has to get out of here. “I’ll give you the codes…once we’re on Messene.” He’ll have his father change them once they are in contact.

  “Once we’re off the Retribution.” Degas counters, walking towards the cell door.

  “Fine! Fine!” Gad quickly agrees when he hears voices down the hall. “You get me off the Retribution and I’ll give you the codes, tell you what I know. You’ll have access to all his records, including his treasury. On Messene, you can withdrawal as many credits as you need and disappear.”

  Degas slips the key in.

  “You mess with me, Gad, and I’ll dump your ass in an escape pod and send you into the Relinquished Zone. If you’re lucky you’ll die before the Regulians find you.” He sees Gad pale.

  “I swear Degas! I’m not messing with you! You’ll have the codes.” Unlocking the cell, Degas glares at him.

  “Stick close to me and keep your mouth shut! You say one word and I leave your ass behind, you understand?”

  “Yes,” Gad answers but his eyes glare at Degas.

  “Excuse me?” Degas growls, moving so he is nearly nose-to-nose with Gad. Gad pales then nods. “Good. Follow me.”

  Tar watches Degas on the monitors as he weaves his way along the path they’d laid out, seemingly dodging guards and personnel that have been told to let them pass. He smiles as Gad sweats and shakes a little more with each passing patrol. Fuck, if this had been a real escape, Gad would have given them away on his first step.