AKLESH (Under Strange Skies) (27 page)

Above this were long cylinder-like shapes that hugged the center hub, which threaded through the whole structure, top to bottom. These were what made up the organics center.

Large, grey rectangles hung off the hub like fingers. It was where the military and police forces of Orestus were housed and trained. They had a few light rings outside minuscule rectangles that were framed inside the larger ones. These were docking ports for the Orestian fleet. At their distance, small specks flew to and from the ports.

In a closer view the specks were actually large space vessels.

As they came closer to Orestus, it became apparent that the city in space was massive, beyond any scale that Kai had ever encountered before.

The place was more like three cities encased in large rings that encircled the hub. The two bottom rings were contained in a synthetic atmosphere created by the central hub and were held out from it by long silver supports that created a web-like structure. Buildings of amazing grace and architecture could be made out, even from their distance.

But, at the top was the crown jewel, Orestus City.

It was laid out like a crescent moon on its side and glowed as if it were one.

The spires of the buildings lifted into its man-made sky, glistening and sparkling in competition with the stars around it. Gar’s vision took them closer to the city that rested like a crown over the whole amazing structure.

As they drew near, one building, which was more like several combined together, came into focus and anchored the city’s skyline with a majestic elegance. This was the royal palace, resplendent and magnificent like an ornamental sapphire in a silver crown.

Kai had witnessed every detail, his breath taken away.

Gazing upon the palace, he felt a surge of emotion come from Gar.

The image faded and Kai opened his eyes.

Gar gently removed his hands from Kai’s temples and placed them on his own lap. The native now knew how much Gar missed Orestus, which was more than simply a village in space. It was practically a world unto itself.

The young native felt a great ache for the loss of the prince out of his star.

He could understand why Gar was so unhappy. He would have felt the same if he’d been forced away from his home.

Kai now found he could forgive much of Gar’s behavior and wished he could help him find the joys of life in his planet. But, he also understood that the stranger did not belong there.

He needed to be home.

“Don’t you dare feel pity for me,” said Gar, taking a deep breath and realizing he’d opened himself in a way that had never been able to with anyone else.

Kai smiled. He did pity him, but he was also now mindful of the prince’s pride, which he chose to respect in that moment.

There was a new understanding between them and it didn’t need to be spoken.

“I was only going to ask if you wanted to eat,” said Kai with a smile. “I’m starving.”

Prime Minister Lorvan Omato sat in his chambers, the large picture windows presenting a glorious view of the governmental quarter in Orestus City.

The artificial sky outside faded slowly from the opaque blues of day to the true black of space that surrounded them. Every 12 hours the false sky was programmed to change. It was beautiful to behold although most citizens took the spectacular show for granted. The one constant in the capital city’s skyline was Phrayen, which perpetually loomed like a giant red ball in the sky.

As lovely as this event was, the Prime Minister paid little attention, his focus on other more dire matters.

The main data drive from the confiscated mercenary ship that had illegally traveled to and from G.P. 0684 had been fully downloaded.

In his hands he now held a private info screen that was one of the very few not linked to the main Orestian information feed. The device was untraceable, undetectable and completely illegal. It had been sent to him from one of his inside people at the O.G.S. No one knew what it contained unless they were already a part of the conspiracy, and that circle was very small.

The information he had within his grasp could never be allowed to leak out.

He read the partial message over again: Prince Gareth Orestes. Have crashed on unknown G.P. Please send help. Somewhere on southern continent by large lake. With native Aklesh tribe and awaiting…

Under normal circumstances with this acquired knowledge, it was his duty to dispatch a rescue fleet right away and recover the absent prince. An extraction would be easy and the monarch would be back in his home and among his grateful people within a day. Meanwhile the Prime Minister would be commended on the rescue and there would be a great celebration.

He hummed a little under his breath at these thoughts, then decisively deleted the message in its entirety.

No one knew about what had really happened on the primitive planet, and Lorvan would make certain of it. Although a doctor on the expedition had been thrust before the media, it was clear she was no real threat. The trial of the mercenaries and the professor named Hess had gone smoothly. They had been sentenced to a labor planet to be forgotten.

Of course, none of them even made it to the penal world due to an unfortunate accident.

The Prime Minister made a mental note to send an elite mercenary squad to G.P. 0684 and finish the job that had been started. Then all possible incriminations would be settled.

For the time being, the prince would be allowed to wait in exile.

The likelihood that he would be discovered was next to impossible. Ever since the unfortunate incident with the mercenaries and the scandal of drug trafficking had gone public, all interstellar travel had been scrutinized harshly by the Galactic Space Council. There was too much attention being focused where it was inconvenient.

When the hubbub died down in a few weeks, he’d make sure to take care of the prince permanently. The Prime Minister also figured if he was lucky, the prince’s natural charms might be convincing enough to bring the native people to a place where they would take care of the job for him. The young royal had always possessed a knack for rubbing people the wrong way.

There was a signal at his chamber door.

“Enter,” he said, casually tossing the now blank infoscreen on a small table.

The chamber was hardly what one would consider an office, with its rich furnishings and décor, but then everything in Orestus City was opulent. This was practically by royal decree.

A long thin humanoid in blue robs entered gracefully, as if he were underwater. It was how the people from his planet moved. The purple skin and silvery eyes were also a trademark of his kind.

The creature had absolutely no hair.

“Undersecretary,” greeted the Prime Minister.

“What is it?”

“Princess Gwendolyn Orestes is here,” said the undersecretary with a low, vibrating voice. “She wishes to speak with you immediately.” Lorvan Omato thought for a moment, then smiled. It was a politician’s smile which was all that needed to be said about it.

“Please inform her majesty that I am at her disposal,” he instructed the minion, who bowed and glided out of the room.

The undersecretary returned momentarily.

Following behind him was the princess. The underling made way for her to enter the room first, then bowed and made a discrete exit.

Her dress was more on the conservative side, which was not customary for the young woman, but still rich in gold fabric and soft cream-colored silks.

The princess wore a pleasant smile. It reflected the Prime Minister’s own. Both knew that whatever may be said in their conversation, there was no need to be uncivil. It was a façade they were both aware of.

“What may I do for you today, your highness?” he said while making a low bow.

She nodded her head in acknowledgement of the formality, then took it upon herself to take a seat on one of the more ornate chairs, taking time to settle comfortably. It was also her intention to make the Prime Minister wait for her.

With a gesture she indicated for him to sit as well. Gwendolyn was never usually this formal, but today she felt the need to pull rank. He obediently sat, even though it was his own office.

This was all a part of the game they were playing.

“It’s not what you might be able to do for me, Lorvan. I am more concerned for the welfare of the crown prince.” Her voice was smooth and she made it a point to use his first name.

“I see,” said the Prime Minister. “Of course, his well being is our primary concern.”

“As well as it is for my family. We are deeply distressed and wondered how the search for his whereabouts was progressing?”

“Of course, we are following every lead available to us,” replied the Prime Minister.

“Or course.”

“But,” he continued, the tone of sincerity not changing one iota, “There has been a precedence for this sort of behavior from the prince before.

Although we are doing our best, can you be sure that he even wants to be found? Unless you are aware of information that our vast military network is not.”

She was, but knew it would be dangerous for her to voice it. It was a fact the Prime Minister was all too conscious of.

“I would think, Lorvan, regardless of his past actions, every attempt would be made on his behalf. No stone unturned, as they say.”

“If there is any neglect of the crown prince, your majesty, I assure you it has not been on our part.” They exchanged a very meaningful look, and the princess’s abhorrence of the man sitting in front of her grew ten fold. She knew what he was really saying; his silent accusation was deafening. He knew more about where Gar was, and she was certain of it. Unfortunately, there was no way of getting anything useful out of him.

He continued. “I promise you, we are making every effort to find your dear brother. Every civilized planet will be searched until he is located and brought home safely.”

As he spoke, something clicked in Gwendolyn’s head. It was what he said about civilized planets.

She stood up abruptly and the Prime Minister followed suit, albeit a little more awkwardly.

“Thank you, Prime Minister. I won’t take up any more of your time.” She put on her most charming smile and her voice was as lilting as a bell.

“Please do not trouble yourself, I can see myself out.”

Her sudden urge to depart surprised Lorvan, but he smiled and gestured to the door. “As you wish, my lady. I hope I’ve been of some help to you.” She nodded again, keeping up the formality while she boiled with anger underneath. But now ideas were coming into her head, things upon which she could act. “Yes, I believe you have. Thank you.” She turned and exited through the entryway, her gold train flowing behind her. He watched her go, not really understanding what she’d been after but assured she’d learned nothing useful. In the beginning she had been an ally, if slightly unwilling. But now it was apparent she planned to cause trouble. Thankfully, the princess could expose nothing without exposing herself. And in the end, she had no idea how entangled the web was that she and her brother were unwittingly trapped in.

These thoughts drifted though his calculating mind while his fingers drummed on the small table where the blank infoscreen had been discarded.

***

Janphor had been summoned by the princess almost immediately upon her return to the palace.

He hurried to her chambers. She wasn’t normally so insistent. Gwendolyn had been a pleasant,

good-natured

child,

and

these

characteristics remained with her as she grew to womanhood. So, for the princess to demand his presence so urgently was fairly out of character.

Her behavior of late had concerned him.

After many years of attending to her, he could tell when something was wrong. In her presence he did his best to hide his suspicions. It was not his place to call out the feelings of the monarch now grown to adulthood.She was in her sitting room, perched on a small divan. Her body was rigid as she poured over an infoscreen with great scrutiny. She was so absorbed that she didn’t even look up when he entered, barely aware of his presence. He cleared his throat to make himself known.

“Janny!” she exclaimed, agitated. “Please come sit with me. I have questions I must ask you.” He obliged, waddling over to her. He hadn’t actually sat
with
the princess for many years, since she had been a child. It felt a little awkward being in such a familiar posture with her.

Although the children had never treated him in a subservient way, more as a confidant and friend, he was still observant of the great class difference between them, even if they were not.

“You were the last one to see Gar before he left.

Tell me everything you remember?”

Ever obedient, Janphor did his best to recall in detail the moments before the prince had taken off in his shuttle. As thorough as he was, there was nothing that really stood out to the princess.

When he finished she was sitting, absently chewing on a fingernail and mulling over his story. Japhor smiled at the picture, or what his kind did for smiling.