Shattered Empire Omnibus: Books 1-3: Shattered Empire

Shattered Empire Omnibus

Books 1-3

D. M. Pruden

Copyright © 2021 by D. M. Pruden

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This publication is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

D.M.Pruden asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Ebook ISBN 978-1-989341-15-5

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Contents

Kaine’s Sanction

Shattered Empire Book 1

Kaine's Retribution

Shattered Empire Book 2

Kaine's Reparation

Shattered Empire Book 3

Other books by D.M. Pruden

About the Author

Kaine’s Sanction

Shattered Empire Book 1

Copyright © 2019 D.M.Pruden

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

D.M.Pruden asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

ISBN: 978-1-989341-00-1

ISBN-13: 9781989341001

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Invaded

Blood ran from the open gash on the admiral’s scalp.

The pungent scent of smoke and dust gave her an idea of the damage they’d suffered.

Give me the defence status report.

The surface is under heavy bombardment, said the second officer. The orbital hub is destroyed.

How many ships survived?

Six, Admiral; four of them are civilian vessels. One transport and three freighters.

Where did they come from? she said to her XO, Commander Gill.

The right side of his face was a bloody, burned mess, but he remained at his station, despite the obvious pain.

Even though the military command centre was buried beneath kilometres of bedrock, they had been hit hard. Half of her staff were dead or critically injured. She could only imagine the extent of the devastation to Dulcinea’s settlements on the ground.

They are employing some kind of stealth technology, Admiral, said Gill. We can’t see them to shoot back, and I have never seen anything like the weapons they are using.

Nor I, and I spent six years at the Tactical Research Centre on Earth.

Where would one of the factions get tech like this?

They want to separate from the Confederation, not start a war, she said. None of the dissenting colonies have shown military aggression before.

Well, then who could they be?

Another violent earthquake shook the reinforced foundations.

That was a big one, said the admiral. What the hell could they be using to bombard the planet?

Sir, said the second officer. "The Revenge and Victory are destroyed."

That’s the last of our orbital defences, said Gill, and they are picking off our surface installations from orbit.

Did you reach the governor yet?

No, ma’am. The Parliamentary Palace is gone. We must assume every cabinet minister is dead.

That just leaves me, she said. Send out a general broadcast. Announce our surrender.

The attackers don’t respond to any of our hails.

What other choice is there?

Another blast knocked everyone from their feet. A trickle of dust fell on the admiral’s face as she lay on the floor, stunned.

The reinforced ceiling cracked under the strain of kilometres of overburden.

Everything crashed down on her.

Forty Years Later

W ake up, asshole! You’ll be late for inspection.

Hayden Kaine hated alarms. Avoidance of discipline and schedules was one reason he had deactivated his LINK’s chronometric functions. Of course, that never prevented his roommate from serving that role on his own initiative. If not for Kyle’s adherence to the rules on his behalf, he didn’t believe he would have survived academy life. As things were, the two of them enjoyed a codependent relationship that served them both, though he often felt he got the better end of the deal.

I’m awake. Stop shouting. He dragged the sheets over his head.

You need to be up, Officer Cadet Kaine. Kyle emphasized his point by yanking the covers from his friend.

Hayden pulled the pillow over his head and curled into a fetal position. Just three more days, Mom?

Deciding he could no longer put it off, he sat on the edge of the bed and blinked at the sunshine streaming through the opened blinds.

Whose bright idea was it to get an apartment facing east?

It faces west, thanks to your influential daddy. Of course, you might remember that if you spent any significant time here, called Kyle from the kitchen.

Hayden cradled his head in his hands and moaned. Are you still dating that medical student? Do you think she can get me some really powerful painkillers, or just something to kill me?

Her name is Andrea, and she’s my fiancée, if it makes any difference. These should help.

He looked up to Kyle, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a pair of white medicine tablets in the other.

After tossing the pills to the back of his throat, he gulped down half the beverage, oblivious to its temperature.

What the hell happened to you last night? You usually show some modicum of self-control the night before a parade inspection.

Hayden’s shoulders slumped, and he cradled the cup in both hands while he stared at the late afternoon sun.

Katie and I broke up.

Kyle regarded his roommate, a deep frown creasing his brow. You asshole! She was the best thing to ever happen to you. Who did the breaking up?

Technically, it was her.

And, ‘technically,’ what was her reason this time?

He winced in recollection. She walked in on me in bed with Sharon.

Hayden didn’t see the fist that caught him in the side of his jaw and sent him to the floor and the remains of his coffee splattering the wall.

You...oh! There are no words to describe you. What the hell would tempt you to cheat on Katie?

I don’t have a good reason, okay? She blew our date off because of some big assignment from her granddad, and, well, we argued, and I went drinking and...it just happened.

Holy Mary, Mother of God! You are such a dog! Just a week before graduation, and you pull a stunt like that. It probably explains the priority message from the Old Man flashing for you on the board.

What are you talking about? Hayden sat up, rubbing his chin. When Kyle didn’t bother to answer, he stood and made his way to the comm panel. On the way, he activated and reviewed the messages cued on his LINK but saw nothing from Admiral Thomas. The Old Man, as he often did when he was about to release a disciplinary shitstorm on someone, had gone old-school and posted on the public board. Nobody other than the recipient could access the contents, but the meaning of it being there was understood by every cadet in the academy.

Aware of Kyle’s scrutiny, he accessed and read the communiqué. After a few moments, Kyle said, Well? What does it say?

He’s summoned me to his office for a special assignment. He stared at the screen, trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind the short missive.

What the hell, man? He must really be pissed with you. What do you think it is?

Well, he can’t flunk me. Despite my best efforts, I did manage to meet the grad requirements.

Holy shit, man. Where do you think he’ll send you? I heard that he once assigned a graduate to spend his first five years in sewage maintenance...

I don’t think that’s what this is about.

Huh? How can you be so sure? He’s never liked the idea of you dating his precious little genius granddaughter. Now that you spectacularly screwed that relationship up...

Katie isn’t like that. She never told the Old Man about our...issues. She wouldn’t do it now.

A woman scorned and all...

Hayden glared at him.

Okay, Kaine. What do you think it is?

It might be a consular posting.

What? Are you nuts?

No, I don’t think so. Dad’s pressed hard for me at the Admiralty. I did specialize in diplomatic relations.

He deleted the message and moved to the closet to select his uniform.

When is the meeting?

Geneva, later today.

There is an inspection parade this evening. What will I tell Warrant Officer Singh?

Hayden shrugged. Admiral’s orders, I suppose. It was on the public board.

Kyle shook his head. If you get shipped off to some wreck to run radiation leak maintenance, I want you to pay what you owe me before you go.

That is not going to happen. Besides, if it is, I’m sure I’ll be given time to pack. He smiled at his long-time friend, who rolled his eyes and retreated to his own bedroom.

It had to be a diplomatic posting. What other reason for a personal meeting? Any other assignment would come through the routine, postgraduation assignations that every cadet received. It wouldn’t be for any kind of retribution over his indiscretion. Whatever happened between he and Katie remained strictly beyond the Old Man’s ability to redress without legal implications for the admiral.

Dad came through. Hayden pumped his fist in private celebration. He and his father always agreed that a military commission would be valuable on the resume, but only as a stepping-stone to the diplomatic corps. From there, after a few years’ experience in various postings of increasing importance, he would run for election to the governing council, as planned.

This meeting had to be for a high-profile commission, accelerated by the brewing dispute between colonial factions. He would probably be assigned to a Peace Keeper ship and assist in calming things down. A perfect first assignment. His father would be pleased.

The thought of being sent so far away gave Hayden pause. He should call Katie and try to pour oil on the waters before he was shipped off. There was no long-term plan for their relationship; they both understood their careers would carry them in different directions, but he didn’t want them to part after an unresolved transgression.

She had a generous and forgiving spirit. He realized it was the primary reason she had put up with his bullshit for so long, but he worried he’d gone too far this time. He resolved to call on her and beg for forgiveness. They probably wouldn’t make up, but it could be his only chance to say goodbye.

But first, he had a more pressing matter to attend to before his departure for Geneva.

Pausing, he accessed his LINK to transfer the funds he owed to Kyle’s account.

Iris

Iris Montague-Breyson was the most brilliant person Hayden knew.

After an accomplished career as the preeminent researcher in multidimensional physics, she retired to be a full-time instructor at the academy. She was known as an uncompromising taskmaster who brooked nothing short of perfection from her students. As a result, over two-thirds of the cadets who took her course failed on their first attempt.

Most people believed Katie’s help allowed Hayden to pass Iris’s class on his first try. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Though she was one of his toughest teachers, nearly failing him on more assignments than he cared to recall, she held a special place in his heart.

When his mother, Amelia, died, it was her best friend, Iris, who stepped up to help bring up six-year-old Hayden. Walden Kaine’s career and ambition kept him far too preoccupied to sacrifice the time necessary to raise his traumatized son.

With no children or family of her own, she took on the role with the same brilliant dedication to perfection she devoted to her professional life. Somehow, the woman whose life was just as demanding as his father’s had created the time to become his surrogate mother.

Through his father’s influence, he gained admission to the elite Confederation Military Academy. But it was his desire to make Iris proud that motivated him to succeed in his studies.

Hayden passed the course because he did not want to disappoint his Auntie I.

Period.

It was the most challenging time of his education and taught him the necessary discipline to apply himself — when he chose to do so, which was less often than she liked.

The palliative care unit was a brightly lit, sunny place. In many ways, it was like Iris herself.

Hayden greeted the nurses with a familiar nod as he walked past the charge desk.

How is she today, Penny?

She took a turn last night, said the pretty young nurse. And before you get upset, she ordered me not to contact you unless something ‘definitively imminent’ developed. Her words.

He shook his head. Typical. Is she awake?

She’s in the sunroom.

Hayden plucked a daisy from the bouquet he’d brought and gave it to her on his way to locate Iris.

He found her in an armchair with her back to the door. A wool blanket covered her up to her neck, despite the warm sunshine that streamed into the room.

She heard him before he could speak and turned, smiling.

It had been too many weeks since his last visit. She was a gaunt shadow of the robust, energetic Auntie I of his childhood.

He did his best to bury his feelings and returned her smile. He pulled up a chair and presented the flowers to her.

Oh, for me? And daisies, too. Thank you, dear.

She accepted them with shaking hands and set them down on the side table.

Let me look at you, she said as she grasped his hands. Her grip was far stronger than he expected. You aren’t eating properly. Perhaps partying a little too much, eh? She winked.

He blushed. Possibly.

How is that lovely girlfriend of yours?

He examined the pattern of the carpet and after an uncomfortable pause told her everything. He kept no secrets from her.

She shook her head. Oh, I’m so sorry this happened.

That was all.

No admonition; no disappointment in her voice or judgement in her tone. Just acceptance.

Admiral Thomas summoned me to his office. For an assignment.

She nodded. Feeling a little nervous, are you?

Yes. I’m not sure what to expect after...

He has no legal right to use that situation to justify personal revenge. If he does, he will hear from me. I still maintain a few connections over his head at that place.

Hayden smiled. Thanks, but I don’t think it will come to that. At least I hope not. But I am concerned about leaving you behind if he sends me off somewhere.

Don’t worry about me. She patted his hand.

But, I...

Honey, it is time you come to terms with the fact that I’m not long for this life. I accept that, and you must as well. I tried to teach you all you need, given your father’s expectations of you.

He frowned and shook his head. Dad doesn’t realize—

"No, Hayden. You don’t realize. He sacrificed everything for you. You don’t think so, but it is true. He may not be the father of the year, but he cares for you. He cared enough to ask me to raise you, rather than cede your upbringing to boarding schools. Don’t judge him too harshly."

She released his hand and picked up a folio from the side table. This is important. Read it before you leave here.

Now?

Yes, now. We don’t need to talk to enjoy each other’s company. I want to discuss something about that with you when you’re finished. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.

She closed her eyes and leaned back in the armchair.

Hayden guiltily checked his chronometer. He needed to catch Katie before his departure to Geneva, but...

He opened the folio. It contained a scientific brief from a research section he was not familiar with.

Am I cleared to read this?

Oh, tosh-tosh. You won’t tell anyone, and nobody would believe you if you did.

Hayden settled into the chair and began reading. The report was from some archaeological researcher stuck out in the boonies. He claimed that he had uncovered an extinct alien culture on one of the outermost colony planets. The location was blacked out, as were a lot of the details, but what he could read seemed more like a science fiction novel than a serious report.

Is this real? Who is this crackpot?

You’ll note his name is redacted. I’m not privy to who he is, but I have my suspicions. And to answer your question, yes, it is.

But this is outlandish. A dead race of sentient aliens? We’ve been stepping out into the galaxy for the last three centuries. No life form more advanced than bacteria has ever been encountered.

You recall the Drake hypothesis? Who is to say that other cultures did not exist in the past? The universe is far older than our solar system.

Why are you showing this to me?

If Thomas is sending you where I think he might, it will be useful for you to go with an open mind.

I realize that, but this?

Iris began to chuckle, which soon devolved into a coughing fit. She seemed not to be able to catch her breath.

Hayden ran out to the front desk and found Penny.

Twenty minutes later, she was in her bed, hooked up to oxygen and intravenous drips. She looked up at him with rheumy eyes and tried to speak.

Don’t talk, he said as he hovered over her.

She ignored him and spoke anyway, her voice muffled by the mask. You will be late for your appointments. Go and see your girl. Ask for forgiveness, even if neither of you believe you deserve it. And promise me you will see your father before you are sent off-world.

I’ll come back to say goodbye, if that happens. His eyes were moist.

She shook her head. This is our farewell, my boy. Her shaking hands gently caressed his face. I could never have loved you as much as your mother did, but I gave you my whole heart. Forgive me for being too hard on you.

Tears flowed down his cheeks. You weren’t...

Oh, tosh-tosh. Give me a kiss and be on your way.

Hayden leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. Goodbye, Auntie. I love you.

Iris did not respond, having lapsed into sleep.

Penny spoke softly. All we can do at this point is manage her pain.

You’ll inform me of any changes in her condition?

She nodded.

Depending on what the admiral had planned for him, he was concerned he might never see Auntie I again.

Katie

Hayden turned the cold cup of coffee in his hands as he watched the faces of the passersby. They were all focused on some destination, and few would normally give someone loitering on a bench more than a cursory glance. This time, he attracted far more attention than he found comfortable.

It was the dress uniform, of course.

Most of the crowd in lab coats, rushing for their lunch break, regarded him like he was some interloper.

Though the research campus was part of the academy, few uniforms ever ventured here. The researchers did not wish to acknowledge they were still a branch of the military, preferring to believe they worked for interests more altruistic than those of the empire.

His presence offended them, but Katie’s refusal to return his pings had left him with little choice.

Hanging around outside her place of work was, perhaps, not the best plan, but it was all he had time for. His shuttle was due to depart in a couple of hours.

She must be really pissed this time, he thought.

He spotted her seconds before she saw him. Her shoulders slumped in resignation, and she said something to her two companions. The women glared at Hayden with undisguised contempt. After they supportively hugged Katie, they walked brusquely past him, fixing him with withering gazes.

He stood to greet her as she approached him. A scowl marred her brow, and fury simmered behind her deep blue eyes. Her long blonde hair, tied back in an efficient ponytail, enhanced her high cheekbones and graceful neck. Though she dressed conservatively, in a manner appropriate for her position, her lab coat did little to conceal her figure. He often said she would look sexy in coveralls.

Why are you here, Hayden?

You didn’t respond to any of my pings.

You’re surprised by that? You’re unbelievable.

I just wanted to explain—

What? What is there to explain? I caught you in bed with Sharon Ortega. The situation was fairly obvious to me.

C’mon, Katie. I made a mistake. I’m sorry.

A mistake, was it? No, Hayden, I think it is I who should make an apology to you.

What?

Yes, I should apologize that I led you to think that any selfish thing you do is forgivable. It was an error on my part. I can’t believe I put up with your bullshit for as long as I did.

He scowled. Then why didn’t you break up with me earlier? God knows I gave you enough reasons.

Her frown deepened. I was too caught up with the status of being Hayden Kaine’s girlfriend. I was enraptured by the mystique afforded you by your family’s position. I was such a fool.

Look, Katie. I messed up. I love you. I can change; get counselling; I can be a better person...

Kaine, you are an unbelievable asshole! You don’t just decide to become your best self without changing something fundamental inside. Get your own life. The scripted existence you’re living is going to be the end of you.

She stared at him while he searched for a response. As he struggled, her expression softened. She stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek.

Goodbye, Hayden. I hope you find what you need to wake up the man I know lives inside you.

She walked down the path and vanished into a building.

A ping to his cortical LINK snapped him from his trance. He tried to collect himself before accepting the message.

His initial surprise was replaced by excitement when he saw that it was from his father. That quickly turned to trepidation when he accessed the contents.

He was summoned to his father’s office.

That was never an enjoyable experience.

The Admiral

Hayden’s throat was a parched desert, partly from the excessive amount of alcohol the previous night. The drip of perspiration running down the small of his back beneath his dress uniform convinced him that it was due to nerves.

He had only met Robert Thomas privately on two occasions; both encounters were uncomfortable, and this one was not shaping into anything more pleasant.

Ever since he read his summons to Geneva, he puzzled what this meeting could be about. His father’s lack of insight had left him to stew about it for the hour-long trip to fleet headquarters.

Most cadets believed they were disliked by the Old Man, but Hayden was certain that the admiral hated him. From the stories floating around the campus, Thomas was well known for despising anyone who showed a passing interest in Katie Evans, his brilliant, attractive granddaughter. Hayden’s fears were more than unfounded paranoia, especially given what had happened.

After an eternity of waiting, the secretarial synth entered the lounge and escorted him to the admiral’s office. On wobbly legs, he followed the android toward the door. When it opened, he found them unwilling to obey his commands, leaving him standing in the entrance.

Well, come in, please, Officer Cadet Kaine.

His feet finally responding to the invitation, he marched into the room and stood at attention before the most powerful man he knew; the one who would very soon determine the course of the rest of his military career, and the success or failure of his father’s efforts.

Admiral Thomas stopped reading and regarded him. Hayden kept his eyes focused on a point above the Old Man’s head and maintained textbook posture.

At ease, Cadet. Please, take a seat.

Breaking eye contact with the wall, he tried to hide his incredulity. Obediently, he sat in the indicated chair, his back straight and not feeling at ease.

Thomas graced him with an amused smirk and returned his attention to what he had been reading. Finally, he put the smart paper down, placed both hands on either side of it, and fixed his gaze on the young cadet.

I have followed your career with some interest. Given your involvement with Captain Evans, I’m sure you can appreciate why?

Hayden swallowed hard and managed to squeak out his reply. Yes, sir.

Another amused expression crossed the Old Man’s face and he continued, Your academic record at the academy is satisfactory enough. He picked up the document and referred to it as he spoke. Most of your marks in military history, tactics, and strategy are adequate, but not exceptional. Your performance in the basic sciences is in the upper quartile, however. Due to the influence of my granddaughter, no doubt?

Hayden nodded. Yes, Admiral. There was no point now in revealing who was responsible for his success.

Hmm. I thought as much. He returned to the transcript. But your scores in political science and diplomacy are consistently at the top of the class.

Yes, sir.

Are you hoping to make a career for yourself with the diplomatic corps, Mister Kaine?

Hayden paused at the leading question. His ambitions were well known to Katie who would undoubtedly have reported them to her grandfather. I am, Admiral.

That would explain the annoying and frequent communications from your father. Thomas fixed his full attention on him. He felt like a young rabbit caught in the gaze of a wolf contemplating how best to eat him.

I don’t respond well to influence peddling, Cadet. I am disposed to disdain for the young, privileged scions whose high-ranking parents think they can jump-start the career of their offspring through pandering.

The Old Man skewered him with a steady stare and Hayden counted off the seconds, waiting for the drop of the other shoe.

I spent many long, sleepless nights considering how to assign you after your unavoidable graduation, Mister Kaine. Finally, something presented itself that serves multiple purposes for me.

Hayden braced himself in anticipation of what was coming.

My personal preference is to send you to one of the outlying colonies for some minor posting, where I could ensure you were forgotten and forced to languish until retirement. It would be a satisfying answer to the entreaties of your father and get you away from my granddaughter.

Thomas let him digest that comment before continuing. Fortunately for you, that sort of thing is frowned upon. Instead, I found another assignment that will get you out of my hair and actually serves a useful function.

Hayden felt the perspiration grow in his armpits and another trickle of sweat run down his lower back. He tried to imagine the worst possible posting the admiral could give him, coming up with several undesirable options.

Breaking the tension, the Old Man continued, appearing to enjoy the discomfort of his captive audience. "Effective immediately, I am graduating you from the academy and into the United Earth Forces with the commensurate rank of second lieutenant. You are to report to the Principal Orbital Space Dock at 0900 GMT for transfer to the UEF cruiser, Scimitar. There you will assume your post under the command of Captain Yegor Pavlovich."

Thomas stood and extended his right hand over the desk. Stunned, Hayden rose and accepted the firm handshake, then saluted his commanding officer.

"Your ship’s formal mission parameters will be released to you once you arrive on the Scimitar. Godspeed, Mister Kaine."

Realizing that he was now dismissed, he said, Thank you, Admiral.

As he walked to the doorway, Thomas called out to him, Please don’t try to contact my granddaughter to say your goodbyes. I believe she does not wish to hear from you, based on my conversations with her.

He swallowed hard. Yes, sir.

Exiting the office, he made his way to the lobby, not sure what his fate was.

Walden

C ome in, son. Do you want a drink?

Hayden’s father was tall and lean, without a grey strand in his full head of hair. It was tied back in a chonmage, typical for men of his social and political status.

No, thanks, said Hayden as he collapsed into an armchair.

Walden Kaine’s office was more like the smoking room of a nineteenth century men’s club. A faux bookshelf concealed the desk, and the room was decorated in priceless antique furniture.

Well, I’m having one.

He walked to the bar and selected a single malt for himself. Hayden winced when his father added ice. Despite his position and influence, the man had never learned how to take his whisky.

After savouring his first sip, he sat opposite his son beside the fireplace. Holographic flames snapped and threw off too much heat for Hayden’s comfort.

He scowled as his father made a show of enjoying the expensive liquor he couldn’t possibly appreciate. The man could be drinking kerosene and not know the difference.

I heard that Iris took a turn for the worse. I’m sorry, son.

His consoling tone grated on Hayden’s nerves.

Why am I here, Dad?

Do I need a reason to want to see you?

He stared at his father through narrowed eyelids.

The older man shrugged. I learned today that Admiral Thomas summoned you. Do you know why?

He was not surprised his father knew more about his life than he had any right to. He’d long ago abandoned any illusions of privacy where Walden Kaine was concerned.

No, but I thought you might, by the tone of your message.

No. The Old Man hasn’t returned my calls. I can only assume it is for something significant. Not many cadets are summoned to Geneva. One of my connections probably reached Thomas where I couldn’t.

Hayden needed a drink, but he dared not show up in Thomas’s office with booze on his breath.

I wish you didn’t push so hard...

Are you still on that ‘I want to do it myself’ shit? Grow up, son. You need to exploit every advantage available to you. It is the only way we can keep things on schedule.

I realize that. God knows you lecture me often enough about my ‘destiny.’

Walden frowned. Well, then don’t muck it up. His expression softened, and he raised his glass in a toast. Congratulations, Hayden. I’m proud of you.

I didn’t do anything to be congratulated for.

That is your girlfriend talking. She doesn’t know anything about politics. Do you think she got to her position on her own merit? Wake up! She’s Thomas’s granddaughter.

Katie is brilliant in her own right. She would be where she is without her family’s connections.

You can try to delude yourself about that, but we both know you can’t rely solely on your own abilities. Nothing about your time at the academy has distinguished you. Without my help, you’ll end up as some junior officer on a ship posted...who knows where? That is a dead-end career that will do none of us any good.

Especially not you. Isn’t that right, Dad?

This has nothing to do with me. I did my part. Now it’s your turn. Don’t screw things up.

Hayden shifted in the overstuffed chair. Abruptly, he stood. I should go, or I’ll miss my shuttle to Geneva.

Walden rose, extending his hand. Of course. Good luck, son.

He hesitated, at a loss for what to say. Everything that came to mind seemed trite and insincere. How many times had he told himself that he was done with his father, only to swallow his petty rebellions and return to what was expected of him?

He would have turned his back on Walden Kaine years ago, if not for Iris’s insistence he honour his father. She was old-fashioned that way.

So, with her in mind, he swallowed his petulant pride, forced himself to smile, and did the least offensive thing possible.

He accepted his father’s hand.

What other choice was there?

Beginning and End

The contracted personnel transfer ship must have been twenty years past its best-before date. Its ancient light-gate engines took eighteen hours to recharge between jumps. Consequently, it took five days to make the required FTL hops to the Zeta Tucanae system. By the time they arrived, Hayden needed a shower and a change of scene to anything but the interior of the Antares . He was positive the admiral had assigned him to this vessel on purpose. Any of the newer ships of the fleet could make the trip in twenty hours.

The ship was berthed in the run-down civilian wing of the station. The facility, while clean, smelled of a faint combination of mold and disinfectant.

Hayden’s LINK connected to the local OM-NET node and he reviewed the messages awaiting his attention. His heart almost stopped when he saw one from Penny, the nurse at the palliative care unit.

While her message was compassionate, her carefully chosen words could not blunt their impact.

Iris had died while Hayden was in transit.

Walden Kaine had made the funeral arrangements and held in trust Iris’s bequest to him.

With tear-filled eyes, he scrolled through the other messages, searching for something from his father. On finding it, he paused before opening it, afraid of what it might contain.

He didn’t really know his father. The man was absent for most of Hayden’s childhood. Only when he’d reached his teen years did circumstances change and Walden attempt to build a relationship between them.

He was certain that it was Iris who was behind his almost herculean effort. Whether she had coached him or not, Hayden couldn’t say, but the work bore some fruit, because they were at least on speaking terms.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he accessed the message.

Walden Kaine said all the right words. In fact, they were beautifully written. The problem was they were too perfect. The man was ever the consummate politician and a skilled wordsmith, practiced at writing copy to expertly elicit whatever reaction served his purpose.

Hayden was sure some level of sincerity lay within the subtext of the missive. His father was not heartless. She was as much a friend to him as she had been to his dead wife.

Hayden located a small cafe and occupied a quiet table in the corner where he could go unnoticed. There, in a strange place, where nobody knew him or saw him, he wept.

When his tears would no longer flow, he sat back and imagined what she might say about his emotional display.

She would tell him, Tosh-tosh, young man. Everyone dies. It is a part of the journey. Mourn, yes, but do not let sorrow shape your life. Dead is dead, and there is no number of tears or wishing that can change that. Have your cry, say your goodbyes, and move on, keeping happy memories of your time with them.

He wiped his eyes. Goodbye.

Pavlovich

Hayden decided work would be the balm for sorrow. Though he spent most of the trip dreading his new assignment, it was time to do what Iris would tell him to do. The fitting way to remember and honour her was to put forth his best effort in whatever personal hell Admiral Thomas had prepared for him.

After locating an information synth, he learned the berth number of Scimitar and made his way through several security stations into the military wing of the aging facility.

Holding his small bag, he stood before airlock door 563 and tried to, if not stop the butterflies in his stomach, at least persuade them to fly in formation.

Hayden was shocked from his thoughts by a woman’s voice.

The inside of the ship smells a lot better than out here.

He turned to see a petite young blonde woman wearing filthy coveralls. The left side of her head was shaved, and an elaborate glyph of some kind was tattooed on the exposed scalp. Her remaining hair was long and pulled back into a semblance of a military-approved ponytail.

"You are looking for the Scimitar, aren’t you?"

Uh, yes, he stammered. I’m Second Lieutenant Kaine.

She broke into a grin. Ooo, the brand-new officer, straight from the factory.

She wiped her right hand on her coverall and extended it to him. I’m Midshipman Cora Symes, Engineer’s Mate, though there isn’t actually an official engineer. I guess that makes me one, though I’m not commissioned, so they can’t give me that title. Not that titles matter much on this ship.

He couldn’t help but smile at her, and, with only a slight hesitation, took her offered hand and they shook.

I’m pleased to meet you, Midshipman Symes.

Oh, everyone calls me Cora.

He grinned even wider at her rapid speech. That sounds good. You can call me Hayden.

She seized his bag from his other hand. Before he could object, she walked past him and opened the airlock door.

The cap’n will be mighty glad to see you. We’ve been waiting three days and were beginning to think you wouldn’t arrive. Headquarters often doesn’t follow through with what they tell us.

They sent me by the slow boat.

Oh, no worries. You’re here now, and that’s what counts. We are a bit understaffed in the officer department. Actually, we pretty much need more people everywhere, though I was lucky enough to get two additional junior engineering techs last month.

Was she pulling his leg? Why would HQ allow a ship of the line to be neglected like this?

She smiled at the look of shock on his face. Not too many want to serve a tour on the frontier. Things aren’t nearly as exciting or civilized as the inner systems, but I like it.

I’m afraid they didn’t give me a choice.

Your first assignment. I get it. Don’t worry, I doubt the cap’n would leave you behind, no matter what he threatened. Only his bark is mean, and he hardly ever bites. Besides, there are still repairs to make on the gravity plating and some tuning of the light-gate drive, so we won’t be going anywhere for another day anyway.

She grinned at him while Hayden remained in the airlock, fascinated by how she could fit so much speech into a single breath.

He’s waiting for you now.

Who?

Cap’n Pavlovich. He’s on the bridge. She pointed to her left. Just go that way, through three hatches and down the last ladder. I put the sign back up yesterday. If you get lost, ask anyone.

Hayden looked at his bag in her hand.

Unless you want me to take you there? she said.

Uh, no, that’s okay. I’m sure I’ll find my way.

Yeah, that’s what I thought. You look like a smart one. I’m heading past your quarters on my way to engineering, so I’ll drop your kit off. See you at mealtime.

She abruptly turned and disappeared through a hatchway.

Shaking his head, he turned in the opposite direction, and, with little difficulty, found himself outside the hatch to the command hub. He was debating if he should knock first or simply enter when it swung open on its own.

Standing, hunched over in the doorway, was a startled bear of a man. He was easily over two metres tall, and his rumpled uniform couldn’t conceal a muscular body. His pale, lined face was covered in an unkempt jet-black beard, while his head was shorn. Dark brown eyes glared from beneath bushy black eyebrows.

Who the hell are you? His voice was loud and threatening.

Hayden noted the rank epaulette on the man’s collar and realized this was Yegor Pavlovich, commanding officer of the Scimitar. He snapped to attention and saluted.

Second Lieutenant Kaine reporting for duty as ordered, sir.

The captain stared at him, betraying no emotion. Well, it’s about time. Come in. He retreated through the hatchway.

Hayden self-consciously ended his salute and followed.

Pavlovich towered beside him and gave him several seconds to take in the scene of the small, cramped bridge of the ship. Everyone stopped what they were doing and gawked at him.

Attention! Our new monkey from Central Command has arrived. Mister...er...

Kaine, sir.

Right. Anyway, he is your new first officer. Fill him in.

Sir?

Annoyance clouded Pavlovich’s brow. Some of my crew are in the station’s stockade, making us more understaffed than normal. You are now the second ranking officer aboard, and, by default, my XO. I am going to take a dump, so these fine people will bring you up to speed on your duties. I will see you in the ship’s mess in one hour, where we will share a meal and open our orders.

He started to depart but abruptly reconsidered and moved closer to Hayden. Speaking quietly, he said, You stink. Get a shower before supper.

Without waiting for a response, Pavlovich exited and slammed the hatchway shut behind him. The newly minted executive officer turned back to the bridge crew, who had resumed their previous activities.

What the hell kind of ship am I assigned to?

The Mission

Debriefed on his general duties and operational procedure, meaning how the captain liked things done, Hayden retreated to his quarters to clean up properly for the first time in almost a week.

His cabin was small but had its own tiny shower. As the tepid waters ran over him, he reflected on what he had gotten himself into. Except for the travel arrangements, this didn’t feel like a punitive assignment. Perhaps the news about Iris had coloured his perception.

As he dried himself, he resolved to take a more positive view of his situation and put his best foot forward. It was the most fitting way he could honour her. This posting was not how his father imagined Hayden’s career might begin, but it could be a significant step in the right direction, if he played it right.

He dressed in his clean uniform and found his way to the mess hall. Pavlovich insisted that the crew dine together every evening while in space dock. On reflection, he could see the wisdom in building camaraderie that way. He might learn a lot before the end of the mission.

The door opened to reveal what he presumed was the ship’s complement. Sixty-two men and women, with untouched plates piled with food before them, stared at him with barely concealed resentment behind their eyes; everyone except for Cora, who regarded him with pity and shook her head, as if embarrassed for him.

Checking his LINK, he noted he was thirty-five seconds late and wondered what the problem could be. Under everyone’s gaze, he self-consciously proceeded to the serving station and piled random items on his tray. With every eye in the room following, he took the only remaining seat across from the captain. As soon as he sat, Pavlovich seized his fork and dove into his meal like a man who hadn’t eaten in a week. Everyone else followed suit, and the room was filled with the sounds of scraped plates and noisy chewing. Every person was focused on the plate in front of them. Hayden spooned food into his mouth, unsure if a social penalty existed for being the last to finish.

As he chewed the final mouthful, he became aware he was again being watched. He looked up to see Pavlovich sternly gazing at him. His plate was empty, and his utensils lay on it. Hayden roughly swallowed and placed his cutlery down. He glanced about to note that every other person appeared to be finished as well, and all waited for him.

Seeming satisfied that everyone was done, Pavlovich stood to address the assembled crew. I’m glad that you all could make it for supper. He shot a glance at Hayden. As I’m sure you are all aware, we will be running a bit light on personnel, as Commander Pierce and Lieutenant Watkins and a few others elected to remain behind and enjoy the hospitality of the docking station security forces.

Chuckles rose from the back of the room, and the captain tried to suppress a smile.

Regardless of their inconsiderate absence from the family, we are graced with a new arrival. Some of you met Lieutenant Kaine earlier, and the rest of you will get to know him and form your own opinion as he assumes the role of first officer. I expect you to give him the same degree of respect that you accorded Mister Pierce.

He raised a data pad and read from it. "Effective immediately, Scimitar is ordered to proceed by fastest practical jump sequence to the Mu Arae system. There we are to locate and recover Doctor Ishmael Gabriel and return him and his accumulated research to Earth, posthaste."

Pavlovich raised his eyes and scowled at the mumbling crew. Is there something anyone would like to share? He scanned the now quiet room and pointed at a young crewman near the back wall who was trying to avoid his gaze.

You, Brennen. You seemed particularly talkative a moment ago while I was speaking. What do you wish to say?

The man sitting beside Cora hesitantly stood and addressed Pavlovich. Cap’n, Mu Arae has been off the light grid for the past forty years. We don’t know if the light-gate even works anymore.

I heard it does, interrupted another voice. "Raiders hacked it and use it for smuggling. They’re in league with the aliens who destroyed the colony and will attack any ship that attempts to enter the system. The Odin barely made it back when they tried to go in ten years ago."

A rumble of assent rose in the room. Pavlovich scowled at his assembled crew.

"What the hell is the matter with you pansies? Who pays attention to any of the crap that is floating around the OM-NET? You all have too much recreation time. Odin was a class two scout ship with no weapons and was attacked before they could make the jump. My grandmother’s knitting circle could have commandeered it."

He glared at the crowd. The rumours about Mu Arae are just that. There are no alien bogeymen. The colony failed due to nothing more sinister than a natural disaster. Forget what other crap you may have heard. As far as raiders are concerned, need I remind everyone that Scimitar is an armed cruiser with a trained fighting crew? At least, that is what I say in the reports I file. We’ve taken on our fair share of pirates, and they always came out the worse for it. What is really going on here?"

The room fell silent, and several people glanced at Hayden, who felt increasingly uncomfortable with their attention. Pavlovich noticed the dynamic in the room. His eyes widened mockingly.

Oh, I see what the problem is. You lot don’t feel confident about going into a potential conflict situation with our crew complement down and a green XO.

The murmurs in the room grew, and a few heads nodded.

Listen up, you whiners! Yes, we are an out-of-date ship on crap duty at the rump end of the Confederation. Yes, most of you are here because I was the last commander prepared to accept you, and some of you may even think that I am out of favour with the powers that be. Get over it. Despite what you think of this vessel, your crew mates, or me, this is still a ship of the line and you are all enlisted and paid by the United Earth Forces to defend its goddamned territories and interests.

Buzzing from the overhead light seemed to boom in Hayden’s ears. Somebody coughed.

I am appointing Lieutenant Kaine as XO. That should be good enough for you. Mister Pierce broke the law and is in jail now, so unless you want to jump ship, my advice is to stow the mumbling and prepare to depart at 0600. Dismissed!

Everyone filed past the recycling unit, where they dumped their plates as they exited the mess hall. Not a word was spoken.

Pavlovich regarded his still seated first officer. The crew does not appear to trust you yet, Mister Kaine. I don’t know if I do either, but you’re all Command gave me, so I am willing to give you enough rope to hang yourself. I assigned you a provisional field promotion to full lieutenant. I don’t know if you’re worthy of it, and frankly, I don’t care. I did it to piss off the Old Man. It’s up to you to keep it.

After a beat to see if he would reply, the captain continued. It would appear you have some work to do, XO. Oversee preparations for departure.

Hayden stood and saluted. Aye-aye, sir!

Pavlovich shook his head with a pained expression. Knock off the saluting. Wake me at 0500.

Discarding his plate in the recycling unit, he stomped out, leaving Hayden more confused than ever.

Scimitar

Hayden was sure Pavlovich was trying to kill him on the Old Man’s orders. The demands of his position were exhausting. The captain claimed the punishing schedule was necessary because of the reduced crew complement and the number of jumps required to get them to their objective. Only when the aging engines failed on the approach to the final gate did he reluctantly agree everyone was exhausted and ordered most of them to bed.

Hayden wondered if that order had included Cora. The young engineer seemed to thrive on the pressure. As far as he knew, she took no downtime. He suspected she kept a supply of stimms and considered asking if she would share with him.

No sooner would she and her team put one thing back online than another system would fail. Artificial gravity went out three times, and they lost life support in half the lower decks at one point.

Hayden worried they would never make it back to Earth, marooned somewhere or dying in an explosion when something critical failed.

One jump-gate remained to be traversed. It was perhaps fortuitous that they now had some time to put the ship in good order before making the final FTL leap into the unknown.

Still exhausted, despite a brief opportunity for sleep, he arrived for his shift on the bridge thirty seconds ahead of schedule. He even had enough time to grab a cup of strong coffee from the mess hall.

Pavlovich looked up from the command chair to acknowledge his arrival. Hayden noted two officers were already at their posts and well into preparations for activation of the light-gate drive. Ensign Bates, a rail-thin albino man of indeterminate age, was at the sensor and communications console. Ensign Kwok, a petite Asian woman of about forty years, occupied the helm/navigation station.

Two stations remained unoccupied: engineering control and the tactical alcove, an isolated booth for the ship’s gunnery commander. That bridge position alone dated the vessel to a time before all ship defences became managed by synths.

Hayden immediately logged himself in, and, one by one, verified his interlink with each system. It had taken him a couple of days beyond his initial orientation to become comfortable with Scimitar’s archaic interfaces.

Engineer, report please? Pavlovich spoke into an ancient headset. It was another anachronism Hayden needed to get used to.