Arkship Alliance (The Arkship Saga Book 3) Read online

  ‘I was only joking, Bara.’

  ‘You’re not funny! You call me that once more and – I swear, Wynn! – I’ll divorce you and go work the Ort Runner routes for the rest of my life.’

  She stood by the hatch, arms folded over the towel, refusing to meet his gaze.

  ‘I’m sorry, Bara, but you are Duchess now, whether you like it or not.’

  ‘And I don’t like it!’

  ‘You married a prince, you knew what you were getting into.’

  ‘No! I married you, Wynn, not Prince Halstead. I don’t care about all the titles and ceremony.’

  ‘It’s part of the job,’ Wynn said, trying to keep the anger out of his voice.

  ‘I’ve already got a job! I married for love, Wynn, not for a promotion!’

  ‘You can’t be Chief of the Engine Deck and Duchess. We’ve been over this.’

  ‘Then I won’t be Duchess, Wynn,’ Bara replied. ‘I’m an engineer, I build things. I don’t care about all that other stuff.’

  He stood, wanting to go to her, to hold her again, but it was as if there was an invisible wall between them now. ‘Look,’ Wynn began, his voice soothing, ‘I don’t care about all of that either, but I can’t stop being Prince Halstead, can I? And you can’t stop being the Duchess of Kenric.’

  ‘That’s not my name. I’m Sēbarā Delaterre, always will be.’

  ‘I know, I understand how you feel. All that really matters is what we have.’ He gestured between them. ‘I love you, and you love me, don’t you?’

  Finally, her eyes found him. ‘You know I do.’

  ‘Then let’s not argue about it. And I promise I’ll never call you that again, okay?’

  Bara didn’t reply.

  Wynn inched closer, daring to touch her arms. ‘Okay?’ he repeated softly.

  ‘Okay,’ she said with a sigh.

  He kissed her, but it was brief and functional.

  ‘I’ll get dressed,’ Bara said with a fragile smile, ‘then you can show me round the wonders of Hellas.’

  She left the bridge and disappeared into their cabin.

  Out of the windows, Wynn could see the vague silhouette of something coming out of the cloud. The ship cruised towards it, edging closer and closer until the surface details broke through the fog. Wynn could make out structures; the great delve of the Hellas basin, surrounded by broken hills. And everywhere he saw the scars of the planet’s destruction, a pattern of impact craters and deep cracks that told the story of the Fracture. Wynn tried to imagine it as part of a planet, whole and perfect, but the idea was too big to comprehend. Planets were too abstract a notion, Wynn decided, even though he’d seen images and holograph recreations. Worlds of rock so large that their gravity pulled them into a sphere, their surface home to air and water and life! No, planets belonged to the past, to a time of folklore and magic.

  ‘Is it everything you’d hoped for?’

  It was Bara, dressed in a loose coverall. She entered the bridge and took her seat.

  ‘Just a big rock,’ Wynn said, feeling sad.

  ‘Lexica?’ Bara said.

  ‘Yes, Bara,’ the ship replied.

  ‘How big is that?’

  ‘The Hellas Planitia Splinter? It is approximately 3000 kilometers across and is currently the largest known piece of a planetary body to have survived the Fracture.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Bara replied. She sighed, flicking a switch on the console to deactivate the interface.

  ‘You still don’t like him?’ Wynn asked

  ‘He’s not the same.’

  ‘He sounds the same to me.’

  ‘His personality matrix was deleted, Wynn. It’s taken me the best part of three years to reassemble the interface, but he’s lost something. He was more than just a simulation . . . Lex was a friend.’

  Wynn smiled, trying to break her mood. ‘And he will be again, in time.’

  ‘Maybe . . .’

  Wynn looked out of the windows, at the slow turn of Hellas. ‘Have you ever walked on a planet?’ Wynn asked.

  Bara laughed. ‘Of course not! No one has! Not for the last two hundred years.’

  ‘Then let’s go down there. You heard how big it is; if we stood in the basin it’d look like the world went on forever. It’d look whole. We could land, go for a walk, explore . . . maybe find a cave or a ruined building.’

  ‘They say it’s haunted, you know? There was a colony here, about a hundred years ago. Was destroyed in the Red War, thousands of people killed. This is a rock full of ghosts.’

  Wynn grinned. ‘Even better!’

  A tiny smile broke Bara’s sad expression.

  ‘Let’s do it,’ Wynn continued. ‘Let’s land. If we time it right, maybe we can watch The Infinite set, like the Sun used to do.’

  His enthusiasm seemed to infect her. Bara laughed, her hands finding the ship’s control yoke. ‘Okay, let’s land!’

  The ship responded, the engines vibrating with increased energy. Outside, Hellas turned, arcing towards them until its broken surface filled the view. Lexica dipped over the perimeter hills and dropped into the basin, descending towards the surface. A cloud of dust broke from the ground, surrounding them, then a quiet alarm beeped.

  ‘Contact,’ Bara said as she shut off the engines. ‘We’ve landed.’ She checked the holograph display. ‘Minimal grav. I’ll fire the tethers, so we don’t drift off.’

  The dust outside began to clear, and they could finally see the hills of Hellas, enveloping their landing site. Wynn smiled, contented. ‘It was worth it for this. Ready for a walk?’

  ‘It’ll be more of a bounce than a walk,’ Bara said, sounding unconvinced.

  As Wynn moved towards the door, a persistent tone filled his ears. He stopped, recognizing it immediately, and turned back towards the console. ‘Official Kenric com channel?’

  ‘Don’t answer it,’ Bara said.

  ‘Gofal said he wouldn’t call unless it was an emergency.’

  ‘Don’t answer it.’

  Wynn stared at the flashing light on the console screen. ‘I can’t ignore it.’

  ‘You can. If you answer that, then our honeymoon’s over, you know it. You’ll be Prince Halstead again, called back on some emergency.’

  The tone continued.

  ‘Bara . . .’ He stared at her, seeing the hurt in her eyes. She didn’t want his other life. ‘I have to answer.’

  ‘I know,’ she replied sadly, looking away.

  Wynn shook his head, feeling torn. He thumbed the button and a distorted signal crackled over the speakers. ‘Wynn?’

  ‘I can hear you, Gofal. What is it?’

  ‘I am sorry to call you,’ Gofal responded after a short delay. ‘I would not do so unless it was an emergency.’

  Wynn looked into Bara’s eyes. ‘I know.’

  ‘We have received a message from the House of Jackson. They have withdrawn from our agreement.’

  ‘What? Why?’

  Another frustrating pause as the message was relayed to the distant arkship Caerleon. ‘They have sworn allegiance with the House of Draig,’ Gofal said at last. ‘They are part of the Draig Empire now.’

  Wynn whispered to Bara, ‘I’m sorry.’

  She turned away from him and left the bridge. Wynn slumped into the chair, his head in his hands. The responsibility of being prince, of being the leader of the House of Kenric, returned with crushing swiftness.

  ‘Sir, are you still there?’ Gofal asked.

  ‘I’m here.’ Wynn thought for a moment, his eyes drawn to the beautiful oasis of Hellas. The ghosts would have to wait, he realized. ‘Send me your co-ordinates. We’re on our way home.’

  BALANCE

  Hayao Hoshino was drunk. He tried to focus, but his eyes were bloodshot slits that threatened to disappear under his heavy brows at any moment.

  ‘Genshu, please.’

  He knew the voice; it was his aide, Tokuma, standing over him with something in his hand.

  ‘What is it?
’ Hoshino asked, his words slurred.

  ‘Antidote.’

  Hoshino squinted, pulling Tokuma’s hand into view. He held a glass up to him.

  ‘No more drink,’ Hoshino protested. ‘Enough drink.’

  ‘Not drink: antidote. You must take it, Genshu. You have a visitor.’

  Hoshino moved his hands towards the glass, finding it in slow motion. He held it to his cheek, savoring the feeling as he tried to reassemble the jumbled memories of the last few days. It had been one hell of a party.

  ‘Drink, quickly.’

  Hoshino waved Tokuma away and held the glass to his lips. The fluid tasted disgusting, an odd metallic concoction that left his mouth tingling.

  ‘All of it,’ Tokuma urged.

  Hoshino swallowed, bracing himself for the rapid detoxification that was to come. He let the empty glass fall to the floor as he slumped into the embrace of the sofa. As he closed his eyes he wondered where the girls had gone. He had enjoyed having the girls here. Now it was just Tokuma and his other aides, and they were far too serious. They were no fun. No fun at all.

  The jolt of the antidote hit Hoshino’s system. He felt it in his stomach first of all, a swelling of warmth deep down. Then it began to spread through his veins, cooling as it expanded, becoming like ice. Finally, it reached his brain, and the veils of alcohol lifted. The experience was uncomfortable, but not painful, over in a matter of minutes.

  ‘Water,’ Hoshino ordered, alert once more.

  Tokuma had anticipated this and was beside him with a large glass.

  Hoshino drank, handing the glass back to his aide to refill it until he felt sated.

  ‘Now, what the hell is so important that you have to interrupt my party?’

  ‘Forgive me, Genshu,’ Tokuma said respectfully, ‘but you have a visitor who is most insistent that you speak.’

  ‘I do not want visitors. I am not on duty. I am not here on official business. I am here to drink and be foolish, Tokuma. You should try it some time.’

  Tokuma persisted. ‘Genshu, it is the woman.’

  ‘The woman?’

  ‘Admiral Valine.’

  Hoshino straightened, a flutter of excitement sparking deep within him. ‘She is Valtais Valine now. You must address her correctly.’

  ‘Yes, Genshu.’

  ‘Clear the room.’

  Tokuma spun into action, dismissing the others, tidying the suite until it was presentable. Meanwhile, Hoshino checked himself in the large mirror that hung on the far wall; he was a mess. He ran his fingers through his unruly brittle hair, gave up and straightened his shirt instead. It would have to do.

  He turned to see Tokuma bow as he left the suite. Hoshino waited, expectation rising.

  After a moment the door to the suite opened again. The woman entered, and Hoshino could barely contain his grin.

  ‘Valtais Valine. I didn’t expect to see you again.’ Hoshino said.

  Valine smiled, crossing the room to greet him. ‘I am full of surprises.’

  ‘What brings you back to the Kasbah so soon?’ Hoshino found a clean glass and poured his visitor a drink.

  ‘I came to see you,’ she said playfully, declining his hospitality.

  ‘Good,’ Hoshino replied, uncertain what to do with the unwanted glass. He decided to drink it, then put the glass aside. He felt on edge, and he wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it had been unwise to dismiss all of his staff.

  ‘You are enjoying your time here?’ Valine asked, sitting on the sofa. Even lounging, she had a natural grace that captivated him.

  ‘Yes, very much . . . perhaps a little too much,’ he confessed.

  ‘You are Genshu Hayao Hoshino, proud leader of the Li Zhang family. Don’t you deserve a little relaxation?’

  ‘Yes!’ He snapped his fingers, pointing at her. ‘You understand, don’t you? You know how it is to suffer under the burden of leadership.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘This is necessary,’ he gestured to the suite. ‘We work hard, we deserve a little pleasure, yes?’ Hoshino let his hand drop to Valine’s knee.

  She smiled as she removed it. ‘Everything in balance.’

  ‘Yes . . . balance,’ Hoshino echoed, his confidence faltering.

  Valine pierced him with her unflinching eyes. ‘We must talk ore.’

  ‘Must we?’

  ‘Yes. Six of the enixium ore stations in the Jovian Ruins have been destroyed in the last two weeks. Supply grows short.’

  Hoshino nodded. ‘Our price per ton has doubled. This is good for business.’

  ‘But even your stocks will run out soon enough.’

  Hoshino grinned, shaking his head. This girl did not realize just how much ore the Li Zhang family had. ‘We will be fine.’

  ‘Even without your storage facility in the Callisto Span?’

  ‘Without?’ Hoshino asked, wondering if he was still under the grip of alcohol.

  Valine frowned, but the hint of her smile endured. ‘You have not heard?’

  ‘Heard what?’ Hoshino asked, his skin suddenly cooling.

  ‘My dear, Hoshino. your Callisto station was destroyed earlier today. Your reserves of enixium are gone.’

  Hoshino stood slowly. ‘Destroyed? Who? Who would dare?’

  ‘Hard to tell, but the arkship Caerleon was spotted entering that region two days ago.’

  ‘Caerleon? Kenric?’

  ‘There is no evidence,’ Valine cautioned.

  ‘The House of Kenric is our ally.’ Hoshino glared at her, the pieces slotting together in his mind. ‘My gods! This was you, wasn’t it?’

  ‘Me?’ Valine grinned. ‘I am your friend, Hoshino.’

  ‘You will address me as Genshu!’

  Valine rolled her eyes dismissively.

  ‘You did this,’ Hoshino continued. ‘You wish to further your pathetic war with the House of Kenric. I will see you die for this. I will burn your arkships for this outrage! I will wipe the name of Draig from history!’

  ‘Oh, sit down, Hoshino!’ Valine tutted.

  ‘I will get my men,’ he said, marching to the door. ‘You will not leave here alive.’

  ‘Wait!’

  Hoshino stopped by the door.

  ‘We are willing to offer you as much ore as you need, free of charge.’

  Hoshino laughed. ‘You would destroy our supply so that we are dependent on you? You think this is acceptable?’ He shook his head, disappointment pulling at his features. ‘I had hoped for more from you, woman.’

  ‘You like it here, don’t you?’

  ‘What of it?’

  ‘The Kasbah is neutral ground, a pleasure ship where people like us can come to relax, safe in the knowledge that what happens here will never make it beyond these walls.’

  Hoshino hesitated, his fear consuming him.

  ‘The things you have done, dear Hoshino, inside this suite.’ Valine said. ‘Such depravity! How would your people feel if they knew their great leader was less than divine?’

  ‘I will kill you!’

  ‘No, you will not. You do not want your secrets transmitted over every Li Zhang com channel, do you? Killing me will not stop that.’

  ‘You have nothing,’ Hoshino laughed desperately.

  Valine simply raised an eyebrow.

  Hoshino buckled. ‘What do you want, woman?’

  ‘You will call me Valtais,’ she replied, her voice a whisper.

  ‘Valtais.’

  ‘I desire your allegiance to the House of Draig.’

  ‘We will not join your empire!’

  ‘I don’t ask you to. Frankly, your appetites do not fit with our moral code.’ Valine said, eyeing him with contempt.

  ‘Then what?’

  ‘You will sever links to the House of Kenric. In return, we will supply all the ore you need, and we’ll help to rebuild your station. We could put some resources into hunting down the perpetrators of this crime but, frankly, I think they’ll evade justice, don’t you?’

 
Hoshino sat down again. ‘All of this, just to break a strategic alliance? You said the war was over.’

  ‘It is. But there is one other favor I need from you.’

  Hoshino tensed, awaiting the killer blow. ‘What is it you want?’

  Valine leaned closer. ‘Carter & Grey.’

  THE MISTRESS

  Bara watched Lexica’s entrance ramp open to reveal the hanger bay of the Ark Royal Caerleon. As the disinfectant steam cleared, Wynn walked down the slope and disappeared from view. She held back, listening to his voice as he talked with Gofal and his advisors. Her hand gripped the frame of the hatch, unable to release her from the cocoon of life on board her little ship. She knew, as soon as she walked down that ramp, that it would be over. She would be the Duchess of Kenric again, and her husband would be Prince Halstead Aldwyn Kenric. Not Wynn. She would lose him to his duties, and she feared she might lose herself as well.

  ‘Coming?’ Wynn called, leaning in to look up through the hatch.

  Bara nodded, finally letting go. She trudged down the ramp, stealing herself as she stepped onto the arkship’s hanger floor.

  Gofal was first to greet her. He stepped towards Bara, his familiar gangly walk raising a smile.

  ‘It is good to see you,’ he said, his synthetic voice giving off an almost musical resonance.

  She gazed up into his glowing blue eyes as they embraced. ‘And you, Gofal. But I wish it wasn’t so soon.’

  ‘I am sorry you had to curtail your honeymoon.’

  She couldn’t stay angry at Gofal for long. He was a bot, and there was no menace in his actions. She trusted him, and he had always treated her as Bara, not royalty. His metallic frame loomed over her, as if he was about to say something else, then he turned to join a group of officers and advisors huddled around Wynn, talking in hushed tones. Beyond, keeping his distance, was Reader Aditsan, his heavy brow hiding his eyes in shadow. Bara eyed him suspiciously. She had yet to warm to the new Reader, even though he had been on board the Caerleon for the last six months.

  ‘We should go to the hall to discuss this,’ Gofal said, returning to her side, breaking into Bara’s thoughts. His arm was outstretched, waiting for her to follow the others. Wynn was already marching away. It was as if he’d forgotten her already. Bara sighed heavily, then she walked with Gofal to the waiting transport pod.