Shadow of the Blue Ring (3 page)

“I would really appreciate that admiral,” said James, “and good luck with the peace talks.”

“Enjoy the celebrations captain. Davidson out.”

James could relax again. Once again, he could enjoy his brief moment of peace without any of his superiors to interrupt him. Jamerson had cleared him to be away for a week so it was unlikely he would be disturbed again until his holiday was over.

“Let me guess, that was the admirals again?”

Of course, not all distractions were bad, there were some he welcomed, namely that of his wife, Ishamira Cavallera, who had chosen to retain her Andurian surname despite their marriage. She had wanted to keep a part of her Andurian heritage even though she now lived among Humans all year long.

“When is it ever not?” Said James, “it was only Davidson this time though, nothing too serious, he was just looking for someone to join him for the peace talks with Myazar.”

“And you said… ?”

“Well obviously I declined,” James said as he made his way from his desk and back over to his bed, “I told him we have more important places to be. He understands how important it is.”

“Well at least someone on the board is sympathetic to our feelings,” said Isha, “I can’t remember the last time they gave us so much as a day to ourselves. Three years we’ve been together and we barely get off the ship anymore.”

“We will find the time,” James promised her, “I assure you, I will get the board to budge eventually and once they do, we can find somewhere quiet and relax for a while, maybe even sit in the sun for a few weeks.”

“I hope so,” said Isha, “you know I picked up everything I had and left my home planet to be here with you, to be a part of this fleet. Some gratitude from those around us would be nice sometime.”

James had always known that Isha was not overly fond of Earth. Technologically it was a long way behind Anduria and it still suffered from the occasional bout of corruption, gang warfare and infighting between nations that most alliance worlds were almost completely free from. Even though the Voronians had done a great deal to uplift humanity when they first came into contact with Earth, they hadn’t quite eliminated all the problems, a great many of which had actually resurfaced and worsened during the Vulian occupation.

James had also made an effort to introduce Isha to the many sports and entertainments that Earth had to offer but again, had not been successful. She was not overjoyed with his efforts to introduce her to football, her people were far more into faster and more dangerous sports such as the Systems Gala and she had suggested on more than one occasion that Earth adopts the concept of high-speed, no-holds-barred racing through a winding track in space. Getting past Human health-and-safety concerns was no easy task though, many governments claimed that it was reckless and dangerous and that lives should not be put in so much danger simply for entertainment purposes.

“Sometimes I miss the good old days,” said Isha, “you, me and a crew of the finest the galaxy has to offer, running around the galaxy with no rules or regulations fighting to overthrow the might of the Vulian empire.”

“Those really were the days…” James agreed, “. . . but we lost so much in the last fight against the Vulians, we really don’t need another war right now. We just need to wait it out, things will get better and you can be sure I will get us that time off we’ve both been asking for.”

“I appreciate it,” Isha smiled, something she did not seem to do enough of in recent times “I guess we should be thankful to the general though, this party he’s throwing is probably going to be our only week in the sun this year. He couldn’t have picked a better time.”

“I know, I was just about losing hope,” James agreed, “and I hear Ravenn has a reputation for the eccentric. People are saying it will be the celebration of a lifetime. I can’t wait to see what he has prepared for us.”

The prospect of a week away was not the only thing that had James excited for the party though. Every one of the old team from the days of the revolution had also received an invite to the party and they would likely all be reunited for the duration of the celebration. James had not been in touch with any of his old team since they had all parted ways after the end of the occupation, a fact that James found rather strange. They had made such a good team and been through so much together, he was sure that the least they might do was stay in contact once they had parted ways. As it was though, they had likely all returned to their old lives, picking up where they left off before the occupation had taken place. With any luck, they would all get to catch up again once the party started. He would be very interested to see what they had all been up to.

James slid himself back into his bed and lay his head back on the pillow. He had hoped for a night uninterrupted by the admirals, undisturbed by the dreams that had suddenly made their way into his head once more but he had not been successful. With he and Isha due to check into their hotel the next day, he had wanted to be rested up and feeling at his best. He supposed he could catch a few extra hours of sleep in the morning though, he was effectively off duty as of the previous day, only aboard his ship so that he and Isha could catch a ride to the Masar system. Everything he needed for the duration of his stay had already been packed up for him and was ready to be loaded onto the shuttle, all he needed to do now was to turn up and to enjoy the event.

Because of his reputation among the people of the alliance and the part he played in ending the war, James had a feeling that Ravenn would try to get him to say a few words at this party. As such, he had obtained one of the most lavish suits he could find. If he was going to be on show for everyone to see, he might as well look good in the process. Isha had thought the same and she had splashed out on possibly the most stylish red dress that she could find, not wanting to be outdone. They would be the envy of most couples there.

With a few more hours of sleep under his belt and feeling somewhat refreshed, James was woken by a message from the bridge of his ship letting him know they had arrived in the Masar system and at Churo. He and Isha were quick to get themselves up, dressed and ready for their trip to the surface. Even though the party was not until that night, they were both anxious to get settled into their hotel and get away from anything to do with the fleet. With their attire for the evening and all their personal belongings already packed for them, James only needed to make one last trip to the bridge before he left for Lahara.

If there was one aspect of his new ship that James could certainly not complain about, it was his crew. He had some of the very best available to him onboard the Centaur. His pilot, Jason Daniels, was one of the best, if not
the
best, helmsman in the fleet and a contender to be Earth’s first ever contestant in the Systems Gala. His tactical officer, Sergey Ivanov, had graduated top of his class from St. Petersburg academy and was a very adept tactician, one of the most highly recommended officers in the fleet. His communications officer, Elena Stevens was an adept linguist, being fluent in several Earth languages as well as those of the other alliance races, able to translate almost anything in an instant. Also among them were the eccentric but brilliant George Connolly, his chief engineer and also the slightly ill-tempered but well respected Anastasia Markova, the ship’s chief medical officer. They were a fine collection, probably the best team in the entire fleet.

“Captain on the bridge!” came the call as James made himself known on the bridge, the entire crew standing to acknowledge his presence.

“As you were,” he said, putting them at ease, “now as you all know, I will be gone for the next week or so. During this time, lieutenant Ivanov will assume temporary command of the ship so I expect you to all be on your very best behaviour for him. That said, I’m sure you’ll all continue to make me proud in my absence. I’ll assume that admiral Jamerson has already forwarded you your next assignment so I wont keep you hanging around here, I will let you get on with things.”

Before he turned to leave he stopped by Ivanov’s post to have a few words with the ship’s new acting captain.

“You gonna be Ok here without me?”

“I’ll be fine sir,” said Ivanov, “I wouldn’t have accepted the position if I didn’t feel that I could handle things here for the next week. Don’t worry sir, I’ll keep the ship in good order for you.”

“I’m sure you will,” said James, “out of interest, what has Jamerson got planned for you while I’m gone? Anything more interesting than the usual?”

“He hasn’t said exactly what he wants from us,” said Ivanov, “all I know is that we’re heading back to Earth once we’re done here. Apparently we’re collecting some kind of important package, I don’t know the details yet though.”

“You never do with Jamerson,” said James, “just be sure not to piss him off while I’m gone, you know how cranky he can get when things don’t quite go according to plan.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” said Ivanov, “I don’t suppose you have any special instructions for while you’re away?”

“Oh you know, Just try not to do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Ok, so I’ll just overthrow the Vulian empire and liberate three alliance worlds while you’re gone then?”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” James chuckled, “just keep things ticking over in my place and try not to start a revolution. I have high hopes for you lieutenant, make me proud.”

With that, he left his tactical officer in charge and departed the bridge, joining Isha as they began the walk down towards the ship’s shuttle bay. Their shuttle was all prepped and ready for them to board as they arrived. As soon as they had taken their seats and strapped themselves in, James gave the signal to his pilot that they were ready to move.

“You have no idea how much of a relief it is to get off this ship,” Isha said as the hangar doors opened before them to reveal the tropical world of Churo, just a short shuttle ride away.

“Oh trust me, I do,” said James, “this trip honestly couldn’t have come any sooner for either of us.”

The last time James had been on the surface of Churo, he had suffered a tragic loss, losing his friend and mentor, Malaya Karsev, the woman who had set him on his path to becoming the man he was today and who’s many lessons still influenced the captain that he had become. With all the chaos of the battle in the streets of the city, he had not had the chance to appreciate just how beautiful a world Churo was, especially the city of Maranaya. This time, however, he would be sure to enjoy every wonder that this world held for him. If the city of Lahara was anything like Maranaya in terms of beauty, it would be a very special trip.

With the ship in position, the pilot took off, taking the shuttle out into orbit around Churo and towards the surface of the planet. The holiday started here… James cracked a smile for the first time in what seemed like weeks, he was going to enjoy this.

Chapter
Two

Th
e
Gran
d
Farewell

Despite feeling like a home to him, James had to admit that he was glad to be seeing the back of the Centaur for a while. There were times when the ship could feel like a prison, he felt unable to escape because the admirals would simply not allow him a break from the endless line of missions and assignments that just kept coming his way. Both he and Isha had been patiently waiting for this day for a while now and it was finally here, they were finally free of the fleet, at least for the rest of the week.

“Well this certainly beats helping Davidson talk to the Myazins,” said Isha, eagerly looking at the fast approaching tropical planet with glee, “you can bet that if it wasn’t for Ravenn, we’d be spending the next week on Myazar attending one diplomatic meeting after another.”

“I just hope they don’t fail,” said James, “you can bet that if they do, Jamerson will have us patrolling the Murian sector for the next three months.”

Conveniently, it had actually been down to the troubles with the Myazins that James and Isha had first met. Had James not been within signal range of a group of Andurian cruisers under a Myazin attack, he would never have been able to race in and save them and the two of them would never have met. Before the war, the Myazins had actually been a part of the old Tolian alliance, choosing to leave and side with the Vulian empire for reasons still unknown to any among the freedom alliance. Had they not done so, the odds at the battle of Tanchanis may have been a little more even.

The shuttle began it’s descent into the atmosphere of Churo. Within a few minutes the city of Lahara became visible through the shuttle’s front window. James recognised the same ornate, orange-gold construction that was symbolic of a Churian city… beautifully constructed buildings, roads lined with exotic trees and colourful market districts, and that was just the city centre. The coastal holiday resort at the edge of the city was on the border of one of the planet’s great tropical paradises, on a par, if not even more impressive than the Juyoan holiday city of Morakarre. If there was a more impressive holiday destination anywhere in the galaxy then James would have loved to have seen it.

“Not a bad place for a retirement party huh?” James noted as he observed the magnificent city before him, “I think I might have to come here when I retire, live out my days on the tropical beaches.”

“You and me both,” Isha agreed, “provided the galaxy doesn’t tear itself apart while we’re off duty, we still want somewhere left to actually retire to.”

“I think the galaxy can go a week without us there to save it,” James chuckled, “besides, what’s the worst that can happen in seven days?”

“You would be surprised,” said Isha, “I’m sure any number of things could go wrong. But what the hell, I don’t wanna think about any of that, I just want to spend the next week sat on the beach with a drink in my hand, sunning myself.”

James planned to do the exact same thing. He hadn’t had a true holiday since his and Isha’s honeymoon and even that had only lasted a week, the admirals calling them both back immediately afterwards to deal with a conflict with one of Vulia’s old allies.

The pilot set the shuttle down in one of the private bays in the city’s holiday district, near to a large and very fancy looking hotel complex. Several of the hotel’s staff were waiting at the side of the bay for them, ready to take their belongings to their rooms. As the shuttle’s ramp lowered for them, the most smartly dressed of the men quickly made his way up to welcome them.

“Welcome to the city of Lahara, Mr and Mrs Tavarez,” he said, “my name is Azare, I’ll be your guide for the duration of your stay. I will show you to your room and give you a tour of the facilities we have on offer here.”

“Thank you,” said Isha, “although it’s still Cavallera, not Tavarez, I kept my old name.”

“I see,” said Azare, slightly taken aback at Isha’s tone, “well then, if you will follow behind me, I will take you to your quarters.”

The two of them followed as Azare led them out of the bay and down towards the grand hotel while the rest of the staff carried their cases for them. They were not the only guests who were just arriving. Another shuttle had set down next to theirs, a shuttle bearing the emblem of the Naisan fleet. James instantly recognised a familiar face making his way down from towards him.

“Well well well, if it isn’t the famous James Tavarez,” said Kaldun Ansare, one of James’s old crew from the revolution days, “the old hero himself, good to see you again old friend.”

“You too Kaldun,” said James, “it’s been far too long.”

“It has indeed,” Ansare agreed, “and Isha too? I had a feeling you two hadn’t seen the last of each other after that last battle. Married now I see?” Ansare noticed the ring on Isha’s finger, “Well congratulations to the both of you.”

“I don’t think it’s just us who need the congratulations,” Isha noted that Ansare was not alone, he too was here with company, a very pretty, dark haired woman with the pale skin typical to the people of Naisus.

“Ah yes, I don’t believe I introduced you. James, Isha, meet Anaya Ansare.”

“A pleasure to meet you both,” she said, shaking both James and Isha’s hands, “Kaldun has told me so much about you and your adventures during the occupation. He says he has never worked with a more impressive group of people or a better captain in all his time.”

“I’m flattered,” said James, almost going red in the face at the praise, although he was fairly used to it wherever he went now, “so how have the last few years treated you both?”

“It’s been steady,” said Ansare, “after you all left Naisus and the Vulians released our fleets. I was promoted to admiral and I now co-ordinate over one quarter of the entire fleet back home. I’ve spent most of the past few years directing the movements of our fleet, assigning missions among the captains and co-ordinating defence against Vulia’s old allies. It’s unglamorous, not exactly invigorating, but at least being an admiral I get to choose my own missions, give myself the best ones. Not quite like the old days though it it?”

“No, it certainly isn’t,” James agreed, “and it’s the same on Earth too, except I’m the one being given all the crap. I’ve not had any kind of decent assignment in months, I’ve barely even had a break from duty all year.”

“With this week being the exception of course,” said Ansare, “will you be staying here for the entire week?”

“Yes, we’re gonna be here right till the end,” James replied, “how about yourselves?”

“Just the next two days,” said Ansare, “the fleet needs me back home fairly soon, they weren’t too impressed when I told them I would be away for a few days but like I said, I choose my own missions. Besides, my people aren’t exactly comfortable in heat like on this world, the sun plays havoc with our skin.”

If there was one thing James remembered about Churo from the last time he had been here, it was the heat. Even relatively early in the morning, the temperature was still getting up near the thirties.

“I don’t suppose you know whether any of the other members of the old team are going to be here tonight?” James asked, “I haven’t heard from any of them in a while so I wasn’t sure who would be along or when they might be coming.”

“From what I hear, most of them should be attending,” said Ansare, “I think there are one or two can’t make it though. I know Marek is stuck on Suros, dealing with the military reforms over there. The Suran councillor wouldn’t let him go so we’ll have to make do without him. We’ll send him a postcard or something, let him know what he’s missing.”

“It’s a shame he’s missing it,” said James, “he certainly played his part in the events. We can catch up properly later though, I think we should probably go and check out our rooms. I’ll see you at the party later tonight.”

“That you will,” said Ansare, “I’m looking forward to it.”

James let Ansare and his wife follow their tour guide to their room. Azare, who had been waiting patiently for them while they had been catching up with Ansare, lead them inside the hotel and into one of the lifts. Their room was on the top floor, one of the more expensive ones usually reserved for the highest profile guests and those looking for the highest quality accommodation for their stay.

“General Ravenn has booked you two into the emerald suite,” said Azare, leading them out onto the top floor of the hotel where all of the prime accommodation was located, “it’s one of our best rooms. It has ocean view, Jacuzzi, king-size bedroom, room service available twenty-five hours per day, it’s top of the line, even for Lahara.”

Azare continued to lead them through the hotel corridors until they reached their suite, although there was a minor disturbance in the room next door, the occupant seemingly making a bit of a scene with the staff there.

“. . . Already told you, take the sheets out and put in the sky blue ones in instead,” a woman’s voice was saying, “these grey ones look like crap, this is supposed to be the best hotel in the city, why can’t you even put a decent set of linens in here!?”

“I’m very sorry ma’am, if you’ll just let us…”

“And change the sofas too, red doesn’t quite fit the feel of the room,” she continued, “put in something a little lighter, silver maybe, change the cushions too while you’re at it.”

While Azare was looking unimpressed with the treatment of his fellow staff, James and Isha both had to mask a smile, they found the whole thing quite amusing, the hotel staff didn’t quite seem to know what to do with themselves. The commotion wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down either.

“Oh and what’s with the air conditioning?” She said as she walked out of the room, “it feels like I’m melting in here, get me some… JAMES!”

Before he even had a chance to respond, a red-headed woman had come charging at him and thrown her arms around him, almost knocking him off his feet. As she released him, he finally realised who she was.

“Jaiden?” James had barely recognised Jaiden Kosare, she looked totally different now. In addition to looking several years more mature, she had dyed her hair a flame red colour and cut it to shoulder length. She barely looked like the same person anymore.

“It’s good to see you again,” Kosare said excitedly, “six years and not a word from anyone, how the hell have you been?!”

“I’ve been good, mostly,” James replied, still reeling slightly from the impact, Kosare was deceptively strong for her small size, “it’s been a tough few years but we’re coping. I see you haven’t changed at all these past years though, still just as energetic as ever.”

“Oh yeah, I just didn’t think the room looked right,” said Kosare, “if I’m staying here this week, I want to be staying somewhere that I feel comfortable. HEY! Room service! A bottle of your best wine, add it to my tab.”

“Yes, yes ma’am,” the attendant stuttered, making his way down the stairs as quickly as he could.

“I haven’t had much time for luxuries in my life,” Kosare continued, “I want to enjoy them while I can and if I have to order a few of the staff around, so be it.”

“Well it’s good to see you again anyway,” said James, “so what have you been up to these past years? I lost contact with everyone after Naisus.”

“Oh it’s been an interesting few years all right,” said Kosare, “I didn’t go back to Juyoa after the war. I left, took a shuttle to Tolis and applied to study at the Tolassa archives. I spent four years studying ancient history and civilisation and went on to get a full scholarship at the archives. I’m a respected researcher now and even though my name still has a bit of baggage attached to it, the other researchers seem to have warmed up to me.”

“It’s an interesting choice of career,” said James, “with your skills I thought you would have joined the Juyoan fleet, gone on to be come quite the talented officer, what made you want to be a researcher?”

“I was inspired by an old friend,” said Kosare, “Alen Raviera, his work, his knowledge, they shouldn’t go to waste. I became part of the archives so I could help to finish what he started. Besides, it’s better than doing what I used to do, I’ve had enough of fighting to last a lifetime, I just want to do something that makes a difference for the better.”

“So you want to replace one of the greatest minds of our time?” Said Isha, “good luck, Raviera was brilliant, probably irreplaceable.”

“I never said I wanted to replace him,” Kosare corrected her, “I just want to continue what he started. A lot of his work was unfinished after he died and no one has really stepped up to carry on what he was doing. As a mark of respect to the great man, I want to make sure that everything he started is finished, everything that he dreamed of becomes a reality.”

“Well I think it’s a noble cause,” said James, “and you’ll have to tell us all about it. Are you around all week?”

“Oh yes, I’m staying the full week,” Kosare said excitedly, “as interesting as all this research stuff can be, it’s hard going and I need a break from time to time. I’ll make sure we get to hang out some time, which room are you in?”