Markus leaned against the wall of the chalet with a bored look on his face as he watched the game unfolding between his father and the new Chief Commander of the Protectorate. It was their second game in as many days and like usual pavi was winning, but he was having to work for it. Dexter had just taken out the King’s second protector piece, and in doing so, greatly reduced pavi’s ability to make aggressive moves. Markus could see a twitch at the corner of the old man’s mouth. It was the only sign that he was impressed by the play.
“So there has been no sign of Hame or Wy-lin?” Pavi already knew the answer, because if there had been a change, Dexter would have said something as soon as he’d entered the residence nearly half an hour ago. But Pavi was notorious for using conversation to distract his opponents and was now peering intently at the triple decker gaming field, while also seemingly awaiting for an answer to his question.
“No, and we’ve extended the search to the surrounding desert. The two seem to have disappeared.” Dexter replied with a frustrated sigh as he sat back in his chair and looked tired.
It had probably been a long two days for the man and Markus doubted he’d gotten much sleep what with interrogating Pezeri and Jordem, and starting a search for Hame and Wy-lin when it had been clear that Hame had indeed been involved in recruiting people to his cause and that Wy-lin was the last of the group that had been a part of the attacks. Not to mention trying to bring calm and order back to the College that had been shaken by the revelation that not only had the Heir been hiding among them, but that Chief Commander Jordem had played a role in the attacks against him.
“Curious,” was pavi’s only response as he continued to eyeball the game board as if it was a minor interest, rather than him deeply contemplating his next move.
“And of course we’ve had eyes on all the shuttles leaving. They’ve been searched and researched many time before getting clearance to take off, which leaves me to believe they are still on the planet, but yavit if I know where.”
Pavi nodded sagely as if Dexter had said something he hadn’t already known, but his eyes were still fixed on the board. “They have found a place to hide. A good one, it seems.”
“Not the bunkers. I had them searched, and then filled with sand and sealed so no one can ever use them again,” Dexter replied.
“That was a smart move,” Pavi said as he finally laid a finger on one of his prince pieces like he was going to move it, and then seemed to think better of it and retracted his hand.
Dexter watched the hand removal and gave a little sigh, and then looked down to his unity ring. It hadn’t been flashing that he had a message, so he must have been checking the time. “Maybe we can finish this tomorrow. I have tomorrow’s special assignments to approve so they can be sent out this evening.”
For the first time since his move began, pavi looked up toward his opponent. “Congratulations on your recent promotion, Commander. Shiperii made a good choice.”
Dexter snorted. “I was pretty much the only choice. No one in the administration building has had enough experience in direct leadership to get the job.”
“He could have simply left it open and just let you do the duties of the Commander. It was wise of Shiperii to make it official instead of dragging it out. The College needs strong leadership if it’s going to overcome this little setback.”
The new Chief Commander looked pleased for a moment until a shadow crossed his face. “If we can get past it. There is no doubt about it, this whole experience has caused a lot of harm not just to our reputation, but to our trainees. Just go walk in the streets, you can feel the tension and the edge of distrust in the air. I think many are rethinking their commitment to the College, and quite frankly, I don’t blame them.
“The Protectorate has operated for decades through the success of our Protectors in their abilities to protect and keep safe the Empires’ leaders. The fact that a Prince of the Empire was targeted by some of our own, including the Chief Commander has shaken the trust we once had. It will take a lot to regain our state of prestige and honor.”
Pavi’s attention had gone back to the board and he placed his hand out once again, but this time it rested on the top of a lowly solider. “Perhaps, but I think the College has had a long history of overcoming challenges and this is something that can be overcome as well. It just needs time and a strong hand.”
The King picked up the piece and moved it from the second level up to the third where it rested next to the white square that Dexter’s king piece sat. Pavi sat back with a rather pleased look on his face and said. “And I do believe that is an end to this match.”
Dexter looked startled as he sat forward and eyed the board and the play the King had made. It was deathly quiet in the chalet living area as the Commander tried to figure out how he had just lost a game Markus was pretty sure Dexter thought he had been winning a moment ago.
“Yavit, taken down by a simple solider, which I never saw coming. I thought for sure you’d try to corner me with your two princes, and I had moves to block them.”
“Why use a prince when a soldier will do just a well?” Was pavi’s quiet answer.
Dexter sat back chuckling. “You are a wily fellow, King Rainus. I will give you that. I know I’m busier than I’ve ever been these last few days, but I look forward to these games. Another one tomorrow?”
Pavi nodded his head. “But of course. And I look forward to your updates as well.”
Dexter looked toward the closed bedroom door that was at Markus’s immediate right. “Speaking of which, has he waken yet?”
Pavi frowned. “No, but Caretaker Yoshi does not seem concerned. He said it could be several more treatments before he revives and it’s better that way. It’s easier for the lung tissue to grow back if it’s not strained by too much activity.”
The new Commander nodded. “You will let me know when he does, even if it’s before my visit tomorrow? I feel I have an apology to make to him.”
“Ah, Commander, it is not your fault what has transpired.”
Dexter stood up from his seat and stood there for a moment as if lost in thought, and then replied, “Maybe not directly, but I honestly did not think someone in Command had been in on it. I thought the codes had been compromised in some other way. I had certainly thought Jordem above reproach. If I had not been so closed-mined, perhaps I could have discovered what was going on sooner and done something before the Heir had been shot in the back.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“We always want to think the best of people we respect. There is no fault there. But I will inform you when he wakes,” Pavi said as he pulled the pieces that were left on the board back down to the bottom tier of the game and in their starter positions. “I would like to ask though, if there has been any more disparaging rumors spreading about the Heir.”
Dexter frowned. He knew that pavi was referring to the Fazha assassin story that Hame’s people had cooked up. “No, not that I am aware of, and I’ve had a very strong conversation with the individuals in the Cadet washroom who heard Pezeri’s outburst. They understand the penalty of spreading false information considering the Heir, or any members of the noble houses.”
Pavi simply nodded. Dexter gave the King a slight bow, and then walked swiftly to the transporter, activated it, and was gone without so much as a glance Markus’s way.
“It really is a shame he won’t take you up on your offer to interrogate Pezeri and Jordem more thoroughly It would make things easier for him,” Pavi said as he put the last piece in its place. He then looked to Markus with an expectant expression. “Want to play a round for old times sake?”
“I think I’m an embarrassment to him.” Markus replied as he looked out to the balcony and the fading light there. Another hour and it will have been two full days that Adar had been unconscious from his injury. “The sooner I’m off this world the better for everyone all around, I think. And no, old man, I know better than to play with you.”
“What? You don’t fancy a challenge? I thought you enjoyed a good altercation?” Pavi said with a raised eyebrow.
“I like hitting people with my fists, but I will make you a deal,” Markus eyed his father with a sudden wicked grin, knowing his next question would stop the man’s inquiring about a potential game. “If you agree to go one on one with me in a good old fashioned fist fight, I’ll agree to sit down to a game of Sovereign with you.”
Pavi frowned as he sat back in his chair and he too looked on to the burnt orange and blue that filled the darkening sky. “Well, you don’t have to be mean about it, Markus. A no would have sufficed.”
Markus rolled his eyes and put his attention on the fading green light of the transporter whisking Dexter away to the ground floor. “Whatever, old man.” Markus mumbled to himself.
It had been weird being in such close proximity to his father. They hadn’t been in the same room or even on the same planet for ten years, and yet over the last few days, they’d managed to discover the traitor in Command and now were sharing the same living space in the interest of a common goal. It all felt too much like some sort of reconciliation, even if a small one, and he wasn’t ready for that. There was just too many hard feelings, at least on Markus’s part. And pavi’s annoying and not so hidden ploy of using small overturns like inviting him to a game of Sovereign to try to make nice was only increasing Markus’s urge to run away as fast as he could.
But he stayed, even when it was uncomfortable. He stayed, because Adar was here. His friend had been hurt, and after Markus asked Adar to trust him and to go along with his plan. That felt even worse than his discomfort of being around his father. Markus had waited decades for his friend to return, and as soon as he had, Markus had gotten him shot in the back, even if indirectly. It was a hard truth to swallow. So he had soothed himself by taking up sentry duty outside Adar’s door, splitting his time with Jamiss. And he waited, along with pavi for Adar to awaken from the injury he’d received by Pledge Pezeri.
That whole evening had been a blur after Adar had been taken to the Repository for an emergency treatment. Markus had stood by watching as the Caretakers quickly calibrated a Remaker for Adar, and then placed him inside. Markus then stood sentry as the machine worked to save, and then stabilize his friend. Afterward, it was determined Adar would make a full recovery but would require ten more treatments, which could be done in the comfort of the chalet. So Markus had followed silently as the Caretakers moved Adar and his Remaker to the chalet residence he’d occupied earlier in the week.
Pavi had come to the chalet too, having received orders from the Emperor to do so, though Markus knew his father would have stayed even without that order. Pavi had always had a soft spot for Adar, and it seemed the years had not changed that in the least. So when the Emperor had demanded that the King should stay with Adar while he recovered, and then personally transport him back to the White Palace once the Prince was well enough to travel, Pavi had earnestly agreed. It had settled at least some of the Emperor’s rage at what had happened, but only some.
Much of it had been directed at the College, especially when he learned of ex-Chief Commander Jordem’s involvement. Markus wasn’t sure what the full fallout would be from it all, but he knew he had been a causality. Markus had simply become a problem the College didn’t want to deal with any more. And Command was eager for his presence to be removed from its premises. The only reason they allowed him to stay was because he agreed to remain under close supervisor of his father. It had been a hard, but necessary concession to make to keep him near Adar.
“So what will you do now that the Protectorate has officially ejected you from their membership? Will you go back to that underground place and fight yourself into an early grave?”
Markus worked his jaw back and forth as he attempted to keep his anger at bay. Though exactly who he was angry at, Markus couldn’t say for sure. Maybe Command because they had kicked him out instead of congratulating him on helping them undercover the traitor in their midst, and in an indirect way, the others that were plotting against Adar. Maybe pavi because he was now purposely throwing Markus’s bad decisions in his face to remind him of how far he’d fallen, all he had lost, and where that now left him.
But most probably at himself for caring that he had finally gotten the ejection he’d been expecting for years, and wishing that he’d done something to fix it before things had gotten this far. Because at some point between him finding Adar sprawled out on the Cadet washroom floor with a blaster shot in his chest, and the time Markus had taken up his sentry position by Adar’s door at the chalet, a terrible and wonderful realization had settled over him. He had finally found someone he’d gladly take a bond with and dedicate his life to, and even risk his life for, but now he was forever denied any bonding because of his swift and permanent expulsion from the College.
Markus closed his eyes and focused on his breath willing the anger to subside. It was a long moment before he could respond. “I do appreciate you standing up for me with Shiperii.” He flinched. It was a hard thing to say, but his father deserved it. He had at least talked the Director into not locking all Markus’s training away. That had been how upset Shiperii had been with Markus at his “grand plan” to help Adar, and most especially, enrolling the Heir in the Program secretly. The Director had not found it amusing that the Heir had been under his nose the entire time.
“Of course, son.” Markus could hear the smile in his father’s voice, which only made Markus’s discomfort more pronounced.” You worked hard these last few years. It seemed a shame for all that to be for nothing, and you were instrumental in unraveling those group of individuals working against Adar. I know Shiperii will never admit it, but I think hiding Adar in the Cadet class was rather clever and might have saved him from a much worse fate. You deserve to at least keep your training.”
Markus ignored the complements and turned his gaze upward to the smooth tan surface of the ceiling as he tried to settle all the conflicting thoughts and emotions whirling around inside him.
“At least he didn’t kick Gayle out too, but she still won’t take my calls. She’s not happy about being on the nonactive list.” Markus felt bad about that. He had done what he could for her, what little an ex-member of the College could do. But Shiperii had drawn a line in the sand, and Markus and Gayle had been standing on the wrong sides of it. At least she was still a member of the College, that was more than Markus had gotten.
“She’s a bright young woman. I’m sure she will get herself a charge soon enough even with the setback,” Pavi replied.
Markus grunted. Maybe. She was good, and she was dedicated to becoming a Protector. More than Markus had ever been, so maybe pavi was right. But he felt bad just the same. He was pretty sure he’d just burned yet another friendship, and that felt the worse of all.