Van Laven Chronicles (34 page)

“Sorry, cap’n, they’re coming in fast!

Comron glimpsed the end of the bridge, his heart pounding as the fighter jets continued firing at them, rocking the tank.

Two more explosions in the sky bore witness to DeOrchis’ tactical prowess. Within seconds they’d reach the other side. Comron started to breathe a sigh of relief when suddenly a blinding flash of light accompanied by a earsplitting boom ripped the end of the bridge away. Instantly, the tank was hurled back and over the side of the bridge, plunging downward into the ravine.

Comron fought for control as certain death loomed before them. He thought of Vaush, feeling some comfort that she would safely reach Novoxos. He glanced back at Crausin who stared back with a hint of serenity on his face, he was dying at his brother’s side having fulfilled his Oath. But Comron thought of the life that would never be with Vaush and the child they’d raise – the future Emperor of the Sellusion Empire.

In all the turmoil he saw Yaeger’s hands flying adroitly over the controls. For a moment Comron thought he was experiencing the impact of the ravine floor as they were violently jerked to a halt, then banged against an unyielding surface. It took a couple of seconds for the realization to set in. Somehow, Yaeger had managed to keep his head and fire grappling hooks deep into the side of the ravine wall. Attached to strong cables, the tank lay suspended against the rocky walls.

“DeOrchis, you still in one piece?” the captain asked.

“Barely, but I’ll survive,” he said in a tone that told Sheldon he wasn’t seriously injured. “We’re down to thirty minutes, sir.”

Yaeger turned his attention to Comron and Crausin.

“We’re fine,” Comron replied before he could ask.

Yaeger nodded then activated the winch to begin pulling them up.

“Is thirty minutes enough time?” Comron asked skeptically.

“We sure as hell are going to try,” Yaeger said, exuding confidence. “I’ve been in worse scrapes than this before.”

Comron looked at him in amazement. Yaeger was a natural born tactical leader. His confidence and casual attitude with his men would endear them to him. His courage under fire would win their admiration and awe. His ability to keep cool under extreme pressure would keep them alive. Definitely a man you wanted on your side.

“Who are you?” Comron asked.

“I’m Captain Sheldon Yaeger,” he replied, keeping his eye on the winch. “You getting anything on the scanners?”

“No, sir,” replied DeOrchis. “I took the last bird down right after he hit the bridge.”

“This little excursion is going to cost us. We’ll have to do double time once we hit the top.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yaeger whipped his helmet off. “This is starting to get in the way,” he muttered. He turned off the winch when they reached the grappling hooks. “Give me the claws, DeOrchis.”

Comron felt the tank rock about as four huge crab-like claws extended from above the treads and stabbed into the cliff wall. Sheldon released the grappling hooks, then shot it a hundred feet up the cliff side. Once he was sure of the anchor, he ordered the crab claws to be retracted. Once again the winch began pulling them up.

Comron took his eyes off the schematic and watched Sheldon. The captain couldn’t have been much older than himself. He had a high, slightly aristocratic brow, pensive grey eyes, a slight crook in the nose, and a stern mouth. His military cut was not as severe as most; it allowed for style while maintaining the discipline of his trade. His looks were not striking, but he’d likely command his fair share of female admirers. His talent for improvisation and initiative told Comron that he was not part of an orthodox military unit. He and his men were independents, choosing for whom and when they worked. Still these were not common mercenaries; these were not men corrupted by greed. He sensed honor and purpose within them. Again he considered all the expensive gadgets he’d witnessed. Whoever supported them obviously had deep pockets.

What would they demand of Vaush?

“Rescuing me wasn’t part of your original mission. How is it that you’re here now?” Comron asked.

“Let’s just say the Lady Vaush was quite adamant that we return for you,” Yaeger replied.

“You’re risking the mission and your lives just to appease her?” Comron asked.

Yaeger hesitated for a moment, then confessed, “I’m the one who forced her to leave you in the first place.” He glanced at Comron and shook his head. “But I swear, all of our readings indicated that you were dead and we had to move quickly.”

Comron exchanged glances with Crausin who listened intently.

“Obviously, I wasn’t dead.” When Yaeger started to dispute the issue, Comron held up his hand. “No matter, Vaush was the mission not me,” he said with a twinge of resentment over this man stealing away with his wife, while leaving him to die.

“She’s a strong one,” DeOrchis chimed in from the tactical station. “It took four of us to keep her from going after you.”

Sheldon shot him a look, and DeOrchis turned back to his scanners.

“That was the deal,” Sheldon explained. “Her grace would remain safe in our custody, if we agreed to retrieve you.”

Comron considered this. He knew how determined Vaush could be under normal circumstances, he could just imagine what she was like hopped up on Murkudahl Essence. But these were highly skilled, combat soldiers. Certainly they could have subdued one woman and taken her on to Novoxos without cutting any deals.

Comron’s gaze hardened as Yaeger looked over the schematics.

“Do your superiors know that you returned for my son?” The question came from Crausin.

Yaeger’ eyes narrowed a hair and his fingers hesitated a split second over the keys. “No,” he said in a clipped tone.

Crausin shook his head, “Then this is an unauthorized mission that will likely land you in hot water.”

And there it was – not only was the mission unsanctioned, his superiors would probably have Yaeger’s hide for it when they found out. So much for the hope of a possible alliance between them and House Van Laven.

Comron felt Crausin’s voice crawling around in his mind, he could hear his words so clearly, it was astounding.
Yaeger had pulled this move with only one objective in mind – making an indelible impression on the future Empress. Given that this man hasn’t an ounce of political ambition in him, there is only one other reason why he’d put himself on the line this way. This man wants your woman!

Comron’s blood began to boil and a quiet rage began rising in him. How evident it had become. Yaeger made the dramatic gesture of rescuing him to earn Vaush’s good graces, only to have Comron cast off the moment his superiors discovered what Yaeger had done. He’d still come off looking like the hero on hand to comfort Vaush in her distraught state.

Comron glared intensely at him, trembling with violent intent.

As if feeling the weight of his stare, Yaeger looked at Comron. “Is…something wrong?”

Comron took a deep breath and shook his head.
What is wrong with me?
Yaeger wasn’t the first man to be enamored with Vaush and he certainly wasn’t going to be the last. Was he going to go around beating the life out of anyone who looked at her? She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman who was about to become the most powerful person in the known Empire – he’d better learn to cope with his feelings of jealousy or else he’d go mad.

We are constant, our bond eternal.

He shut Crausin’s voice out and repeated the mantra in his head until his pulse normalized and his breathing steadied. He turned his attention to the schematics and studied them until they reached the top and the powerful claws pulled them up onto level ground.

Comron turned to DeOrchis. “How are we doing on time?”

“We’re down to 13 minutes, sir.”

Yaeger floored the engines, thrusting them all back into their seats. “Just pray we have no more distractions,” he added.

A voice came in on the com system. “Captain Yaeger, do you read? I repeat, Captain Yaeger, do you read?”

“Yes, I’m here, Lepkin,” Yaeger responded, clearly annoyed. “You were told to maintain radio silence, we can’t risk giving away our location.”

“We scrambled the transmission, we can’t be traced,” Lepkin assured. “Were you successful?”

“Yes.” He glanced at Comron. “We have Lord Van Laven…and his father.”

“Comron!” Vaush cried joyfully. “Comron, you’re all right, you’re safe.”

“Yes, Vaush, I’m fine,” he responded, lightening at the sound of her voice.

“Oh, thank God,” her voice trembled. “I was afraid it didn’t work. I—”

“No, it worked fine,” he said, cutting her off before she could say a word about the Essence. “Listen, no matter what happens next, you must go with them to Novoxos. No more deals, no more delays.”

“Yes, yes. Fine.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “Just get here as soon as you can, I need you here with me.”

“I know, love, I know,” he said and glanced at Crausin, pleased that he could hear the great affection in Vaush’s voice. “We’re doing our best to get to you.”

“Well, do better,” she said facetiously. “Oh, and Captain Yaeger?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“You and DeOrchis, you have my eternal gratitude. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

Comron noticed the hitch in Yaeger’ breathing and the subtle rush of blood to his face.

“Repayment isn’t necessary, my Lady, we’re just doing our duty,” He cleared his throat. “Now, scrambled or not, we’d better drop off the line. Remember Lepkin, you leave with or without us. I anticipate that we’ll arrive in time, but I will not contact you again.”

“Yes, Cap’n,” Lepkin replied heartily, “when you’re here we’ll know it.”

“Yaeger out.” He turned only to confront Comron’s icy stare.

“Whom do you work for?” Comron demanded.

“That information is confidential. My commander has reserved the right to make his own introduction.”

“Will he be aboard the transport?”

“No, I don’t believe he’d risk himself that way.”

“Ah, so he’s not only the financier, he’s also the brains of your operation.”

The insult wasn’t lost on Yaeger. “Does his lordship have a
point
?”

Why am I antagonizing the man who can reunite me with Vaush?
This was the second time today his feelings for Vaush had caused him to act irrationally. Was this who he was when he was in love or was it the Essence playing havoc with his mind? “Forget it,” he said, waving Yaeger off.

“Yeah…” Yaeger glanced back at DeOrchis. “You’re sure we’re clear. We can’t risk bringing anyone to the nest.”

“We appear to be,” he said hesitantly, “but I’m getting some strange readings, cap’n.”

“I am too,” Comron announced. “There are some anomalies on the map here,” he pointed at some blurry patches. “There are some sort of large objects in the forest just ahead, but the computer is having difficulty reading them.”

“DeOrchis, I need more information!” Yaeger commanded.

“Sir, we’re being jammed, somebody’s out there!”

Suddenly, three large Nethicaen ships rose above the treetops. Within ten minutes of the liftoff site, it was very possible the ships would locate Vaush before she left for Novoxos.

He swiveled his chair around to Crausin. “Order them to break off their pursuit!”

“Really, Comron?” Crausin answered. “And what if Thalonius is monitoring our communications? How does that make Nethic look?”

“Listen,” Yaeger said, “They believe you’re our hostage, so let’s play on that.”

“Right, we hedge our bets that way,” Comron said, “DeOrchis, where’s that beast of a blast rifle?” When he saw Crausin’s alarmed expression, he added, “Frithe’s gates, it’s just for show.”

DeOrchis was front and center with the blast rifle. He appeared only slightly apologetic as he placed the muzzle to Crausin’s head. Yaeger instructed Crausin as to what to say, then opened a channel to the Nethicaen command ship.

Comron tensed as he sensed some level of ambiguity in Crausin. He could either comply or call down holy fire on Vaush’s transport.
Please, Crausin, this is our only way out of this where our bond remains intact. It’s the only way we grow stronger. Stay with me on this, please.

“I’ve got General Brigune on the line,” Yaeger said.

Crausin stared evenly at Comron and gave a reluctant nod.

“Switching on visual,” Yaeger said and pointed at Crausin.

“Your Grace!” General Brigune said, “Are you all right?”

“Order your men to stand down and break off the pursuit.”

“Sire…”

DeOrchis nudged Crausin’s head with the muzzle. “Do it or they’ll kill me!”

“What of Prince Comron?”

Yaeger quickly placed a blast gun to Comron’s temple.

“They’ll kill us both!” Crausin exclaimed with as much passion as he could muster. “But they’re willing to negotiate our release if you let them go in peace.”

They all looked at Crausin.
What are you doing?