Pax Imperia (The Redemption Trilogy) (63 page)

Forever.

With the ship and its powerful wormhole generators gone, so too did the artificial gravitational singularity it had been sustaining disappear. Deprived of the artificial singularity that maintained it, the black hole immediately began to collapse in upon itself. The massive gravitation forces drew in everything within reach, as the interstellar dust, all that remained of the massive dust cloud that formed the system millennia before, started to accumulate at its core, compressed tighter and tighter by the collapsing wormhole. Eventually the pressure became so intense the matter was squeezed together at the molecular level and fused.

With a spark, it ignited.

Like a miniature sun, it illuminated all the surrounding space, the reaction spreading, growing in size, consuming all the raw matter accumulated during its short existence.

Unlike a star that relied upon its massive size and mass to contain the fusion reaction, there was no such protection this time. Hence the reaction spread unchecked, until it became an uncontrolled chain reaction, the igniting matter causing temperatures to soar, spreading the reaction even further. All several hundred kilograms of matter was consumed in the blink of an eye, and then exploded.

The explosion was a mini-supernova, as if ten thousand atom bombs had detonated simultaneously.

The remnants of Malthus’s armada, only a dozen kilometres from the heart of the explosion, having kept pace with the
Invincible
, disappeared in the blink of an eye. Totally vaporised by the force of the blast wave. No trace of any wreckage was ever found. It was if they had never even existed, snuffed out of existence by the ferocity of the Great Maker.

The shockwave continued on unabated, expanding outwards in a radial pattern, utterly consuming what remained of the 4
^th
Confederation Fleet, leaving no trace of their existence. Instead their memories lived on in the crew of
Terra Nova
, who remembered the ultimate sacrifice they had made to allow them to escape. Furthermore, their actions and deeds were preserved for all eternity in history and also lived on. A written testament to the awe-inspiring power of the Great Maker, as he wrecked the most terrible vengeance on all those who had taken their lives.

Even farther out still, the shockwave slammed into the side of
Terra Nova
, like a great tsunami crashing down on the shore. The already weakened docking ring tore free of the station, and all the remaining shuttles, still docked, smashed against the side of the habitat ring like they were made of matchsticks. However, deep in the heart of the habitat ring, shielded by the bulk of the station, David, Gunny and the children were shielded, protected deep in the womb of the mighty station. The remaining boarding party, upon realising the destruction of the fleet and their shuttles, which had been their only escape route, quickly surrendered to the occupants of the station. Their disarmament and incarceration overseen by David, Gunny—and three very young marine recruits, much to the chagrin of their aggressors.

Finally the shockwave started to dissipate on the outer edges of the System, where the Confederation 8
^th
Fleet had been overseeing the search and recovery of the fleeing shuttles. All watching in amazement as the shockwave finally dispersed, several hundred meters short of the fleet.

It left behind only a bruised and battered station, no other trace remaining of any other ships—not Malthus’s
Revenge
and certainly not the
Invincible
. Nothing was neither seen nor heard from either ever again.

Epilogue

On the Edge of a Dream…

The woman stood on the edge of the grass looking out across the expansive estate, her lips upturned in a smile, the first that had graced her face in a long time.

Another day was coming to an end on Altair, the last rays of the sun just peeking above the eastern horizon. Along the hedge-lined drive, newly planted rosebushes blossomed in bright orange and fuchsia. Thousands of petals reflected the golden sunset, making them seem to glow with flames. The temperature was cooler now, after the stifling heat of the midday sun. A warm breeze blew, causing her waist-length hair to float and twirl in the late afternoon sun. She angled her face into the wind, feeling the warm caress on her skin, the way it ran through her long, silky, auburn tresses. If she closed her eyes she could almost imagine it was the delicate touch of her husband.

The first few days and weeks had been the hardest, and she honestly didn’t know how she would have made it through them were it not for Jon’s parents and her son. She could hear her parents-in-law now, moving quietly around inside the house behind her. Meanwhile her son raced across her field of vision, chased by the other children, Elizabeth, Claire—Harrison’s daughter—and Paul’s two children.

Their laughter was like a soothing balm against her battered soul, and she was glad she hadn’t hesitated to take up Jon’s parents offer for her to come and stay with them on Altair. She had no other home now. Jon and hers on Eden Prime was gone and, in all honesty, she hadn’t wanted to face that place again so soon, knowing it was also where her father died, and she so nearly had.

Strong arms encircled her from behind and she leaned into the embrace, resting her head against a firm chest. Looking up, she observed the handsome profile of his face. His square jaw, firm lips, long straight nose and aqua-blue eyes—not the dark grey, stormy ones that she constantly dreamed about, but comforting nonetheless.

“It’s good to see you smiling again,” Paul commented, touching her upturned lips.

“Have I really been that bad?” Sofia replied with a frown, trying to think back.

“It was understandable,” Paul reassured her. “But Jon wouldn’t want you constantly living in the past. I am sure that if he were here, today, he would tell you to move on, find happiness once again—perhaps even to find somebody else to share it with?” He left the question hanging in the air, a ghost of a smile framing his own face.

“Really?” Sofia questioned, amusement dancing in her own eyes. “Jon would really want me to move on, and find somebody else? That doesn’t sound like the man I remember at all. I seem to remember, more than once, him saying that he would happily kill anybody that dared to even look at me twice.”

“True,” Paul laughed heartily. “I was only teasing you. Consider it retribution for all the years of worry about Jon finally finding out about us—and the kiss. Only for me to find out that he already knew.”

Sofia leaned deeper into his embrace, enjoying his arms around her, and the feeling of comfort and security they brought her. “You really have to leave so soon?” she sighed.

“If I stay much longer, Carol will start to think I have run off with you and the kids.”

“You still haven’t told her about us then?” Sofia teased.

“Uh no, I’m still waiting for the right time to mention it.”

Sofia just rolled her eyes. “I can always mention it the next time that I talk to her?” The look of horror on Paul’s face sent her into a fit of giggles. “How is Miranda doing?” she asked instead. The two of them had become much closer since their talk on Callas Prime, but had purposefully avoided talking since, each allowing the other to grieve for Jon in their own way.

“Keeping herself busy, overseeing the repairs to
Terra Nova
, continuing to plan the expansion of Vanguard into adjoining systems. Since the destruction of the Syndicate business has been booming.”

“And how are Robert and Miranda doing?” she inquired. Hoping that Miranda also had somebody to share the pain with, not wanting her to be alone.

“They’re taking it slowly. Robert doesn’t want to be Jon’s replacement, and Miranda is still trying to get over the fact he lied to her. However, I am quietly confident that they’ll work it out.”

“Good,” Sofia nodded firmly. “They will be good for one another. You’re heading back to
Terra Nova
then?”

“No,” Paul shook his head. “Miranda doesn’t need my help any more. We’re moving to Eden Prime. I have agreed to take up a position there as an independent consultant, overseeing the reconstruction of the fleet.”

“You take care Paul. The Senate isn’t the safest place, with the navy being the least of your worries. Politics can sometimes become—deadly.”

“I’ll be fine,” Paul reassured her. “It is you, Marcus and Jon’s parents that I worry more about.”

“We’ll be perfectly fine. We have Captain Frasier overseeing our personal security and if he needs help, which I find unlikely, he now has an armoured battalion to call upon.” Sofia motioned in the direction of their eastern perimeter wall, where the newest, off-planet marine training barracks was taking shape.

Both Gunny and David had been impressed with the extreme climate on Altair, had made suitable recommendations in the right ears and things had progressed quickly from there. She knew for a fact that many of their training exercises included defending a fixed facility, and with their property being the closest, it often just so happened to be their primary focus. Following Jon’s death it had been quickly agreed that no mention of Marcus’s heritage would ever be mentioned—as Jon’s heir or the last surviving male member of the Aurelius family. Both her father and Jon still had many enemies who could seek retribution; another reason for the heavy security.

For the same reason, high above them in orbit, a Confederation Taskforce was still stationed. Commanded by Captain Vickers, who had personally vouched for every officer on each of the ships, to ensure no repeat of the attack on Eden Prime. Personally, Sofia thought the senior officers were probably far more frightened of Captain Vickers than anything else.

“Let’s round up the children then,” she declared. “As I expect dinner will be ready shortly.”

“I’ll signal for a Marine recon squad then,” Paul groused, as, obviously overhearing her, the children immediately scattered to the four winds.

*****

It was much later at night, and a part of Sofia realised she must be dreaming, as she was sitting in her parent’s quarters aboard the
Imperial Star
, her mother brushing her long hair in preparation for bed.

“Mother, am I
really
a princess?” the much younger Sofia inquired incredulously. She had been talking to her Uncle Albert earlier, and he had told her so.

“Yes dear,” she reassured the little girl. “You really are a princess.”

“So where are all the princes?”

“Why do you ask?” Her mother stopped brushing her hair and looked at her curiously.

“Uncle Albert said that princesses can only marry princes, but I’ve never met a prince.”

“Uncle Albert is going to get a real tongue lashing from me, that is what.”

“But where have all the princes gone?” the young Sofia insisted.

“There are no more princes, darling. You are the last Imperial Princess and, as there are no more princes, that means you can marry whoever you choose.”

The young Sofia went silent, mulling this response over for a minute, much to her mother’s relief. Hopefully she’d dodged a topic she had hoped to only have to address many, many years later.

“Then I will just have to marry a knight,” Sofia declared stubbornly.

“
You what?
” her mother exclaimed.

“You know, a knight, mummy. Uncle Albert told me—”

“My father is going to find it much harder to speak after I’ve had his tongue removed,” Sofia’s mother muttered darkly.

“—that princesses can also marry knights,” she carried on unconcernedly.

“Sofia,” her mother sighed, sure that other mothers didn’t have to have such discussions with
their
daughters. “There are also no longer any knights. They don’t exist anymore.”

“No, you are wrong,” Sofia declared with such vehemence that it shocked her mother. “Knights still exist, as they cannot die. They are strong, handsome and very brave.”

“Then how will you recognise one?” her mother asked, thinking surely that was a safe enough question.

“Easy,” Sofia replied. “For he will wear the whitest armour, and always carry a sword at his side and will come to my rescue whenever I need him.”

“Anything else?” Sofia’s mother inquired, deciding that now was definitely the time for bed.

“Uncle Albert said he would find me one for my birthday,” Sofia replied sleepily.

*****

“Then who
do
you want?” Marcus asked frustratedly, not for the first time wishing his wife was still alive, for then their daughter could be
her
problem. Seriously. He had practically unlimited power, more wealth than the next five richest combined, surely he could accomplish this one small thing before it carried him to an early grave.

“Nobody,” Sofia replied sweetly. “I am perfectly happy just keeping you company, father.”

Marcus sighed, wondering where this headstrong young woman had come from. Whatever happened to his sweet, quiet little girl? “Sofia, dear, I had your mother for almost ten years. I can honestly say that they were the happiest years of my life. I would not exchange them for anything, and that is all I want for you. How about Lord Archer’s son? I saw you two talking intimately at that fleet reception last week?”

“That was because he ambushed me on the way back from dinner,” Sofia sighed theatrically. “Which wouldn’t have been so bad—after all at least he
tried
talking to me—were he not a tiresome bore who’s favourite topic of discussion was himself. Jon finally had to come and rescue me. I was so grateful that I could’ve kissed him.” Realising what she had just said aloud, and her present company, she quickly added. “Which of course I would never have done, and Jon wouldn’t have permitted—”

It was probably rather unfortunate that the topic of their conversation took that moment to enter the room. Both father and daughter could only stare at him, with Sofia blushing, refusing to meet his eyes.