The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2) (16 page)

“We detected access on the account, Captain Doko accessed it to check his balance two days ago,” Captain Franks said.  He cleared his throat, “He, uh, spoke up as soon as Captain Wu confronted him.  According to him, the account was opened by his father, who was a corporate manager on Nova Roma.  He states he has maintained a balance there, but that he only ever checks the funds in order to keep the account.”

That was understandable.  Tannis's banking system was very exclusive and restricted access to those who they considered worthy.  But it was also as secure as any bank could be, with each of the Tannis Doubloons backed by a weight of gold.  The Tannis system was notoriously neutral, as well, backed by a fully armed citizenry and a serious system defense force and augmented by the Mercenary Guild.  Accounts there were excellent for those who wanted to save up for a secure retirement... or, for that matter, for someone who wanted to betray their nation.

“So, he admitted it was his account,” Lucius said.  “Also, we've established that Mannetti could easily make a transfer of that amount, if she felt it was useful to cause rivalry within our ranks.”

“That implies that she is aware of my people investigating her,” Captain Wu said sharply.   Her face turned red as she saw the implications.  “Or that she wired it through that Colonial Republic bank because she
knew
we'd pick it up...”  She shook her head, “That's implying a serious level of deviousness and competence, Baron.”

Lucius turned his gaze to Valens, “Admiral Balventia, you've both served with her and faced her in battle before.  Do you think she's capable of that level of subterfuge?”

Valens gritted his teeth, but he nodded.  Lucius remembered, then, that at the engagement in question, she had slaughtered the Marines sent to capture her in a prepared ambush even as the
Peregrine
had engaged his vessels and eluded their fire to escape. 
Perhaps not very diplomatic of me,
Lucius thought,
to remind him of that.

“Regardless of whether or not that is a possibility,” Emperor Romulus said.  “The point remains that there is a very likely possibility that Captain Doko has betrayed us.  Due to his high involvement in your plans against the Chxor, I think it is essential that something be done.”

Lucius sighed.  For all that he
knew
Anthony Doko wasn't involved... he had to agree that they must take some kinds of precautions.  Lucius sighed, “How about this: house arrest until such time as we find additional evidence for or against?”  He felt more than a twinge of phantom pain at the thought of losing Anthony Doko's valuable experience.  For all the competence and capability of Admiral Dreyfus's people, they didn't have decades of combat against the Chxor and Colonial Republic.  Their wars had been brief clashes such as the Wrethe Incursion or the sustained anti-piracy and anti-terrorism conflicts against the Provisional Colonial Republic Army.

“House arrest and full cooperation with my investigative personnel would be fully acceptable,” Captain Wu said.

Lucius looked around the table to meet the eyes of each of the others.  The Emperor grimaced, but after a moment he gave a slight nod of approval.  Admiral Mund gave a nod.  Admiral Valens Balventia gave a shrug, as if he didn't care.  Admiral Dreyfus gave a single nod.

“If that is all...” Lucius said.  “I've got to inform him.”

***

Captain Anthony Doko straightened his uniform and stood to attention as Baron Lucius Giovanni stepped into the room.  “Sir, thank you for coming in person,” Tony said.  Tony felt his throat clench a bit at the worry on the Baron's face.

“I would assume that you know what this is about?” Baron Giovanni asked.

Tony nodded.  “Sir, I don't know how it happened.  Honestly, when I first saw the money in the account, I thought it was something my father must have arranged, maybe even some sign that he made it off Nova Roma before the Chxor invaded.”  He shook his head and felt his throat constrict more at the thought of his father.  They never been close and they had led very different lives, but Tony still hoped he lived. 
If nothing else,
Tony thought,
I'd like to introduce him to his daughter in law.

Baron Giovanni nodded, “Well, I've prevented some kind of show trial or witch hunt.  But with the level of suspicion from Captain Wu and how Emperor Romulus feels about you personally, I'm afraid that you're going to be setting out the fight for some time.”

Tony felt his stomach drop, “Baron, I know how it must look, but taking me out entirely...”

“You're in too deep, Tony,” Baron Giovanni said softly.  “Even the slightest suspicion on you, because of your involvement in planning our operations, is a strike against you.  The evidence is slim, but it's enough that any plan you're involved in would be suspect.  The Emperor wanted you remanded to his custody for a trial.”  Baron Giovanni shook his head and Tony realized with a shock how tired he looked.  More, he looked suddenly
old
, his face lined with worry and stress.  “I've convinced them all to keep you in house arrest, here with Lizmadie until they can dig through this and show that there's no truth to any of it.  The main thing is you're restricted here, no communications off-world and no military contact, nothing at all.”

Tony nodded, yet he felt his shoulders slump.  He understood... how could he not?  But it still hurt, that his career, his very life, lay in danger over politics and his father's gifted bank account.  “I just don't even know how she knew about it,” Tony said.  “I wish I'd closed the damned thing, but I had plans to put prize money there, maybe to set aside some savings for after the war.”

“It's not your fault, Tony,” Baron Giovanni said.  He gave a confident smile, though his dark eyes still held regret, “You get a bit of a break and we'll take it from here.”

Tony snorted, “I guess I can catch up on my sleep at least.”  He opened his mouth to ask about any kind of retaliation against the attack here, but then realized that asking would put the Baron in a difficult situation.  Either he answered and violated the terms of the house arrest or he'd have to tell Tony that he couldn't answer. 
I don't know what to do,
Tony realized with a shock,
my entire life has been focused on this military career or Lizmadie. 
He didn't have any other skills, he had no time for hobbies, hadn't ever since he went to the Nova Roma Military Academy.

Baron Giovanni seemed to sense his hesitation and just gave him a nod.

Lizmadie stepped into the room.  She seemed to sense the atmosphere in the room and gave them both a warm smile, “Lucius, I'm glad you're here.  Will you stay for dinner?”  As always, when he saw her, Tony felt his heart soften and the world seemed a better place.  Her dark hair fell in a curvy mass, cut short, but still thick and heavy.  Her dark green eyes were alert and sharp, yet they still held the edge of softness that made his heart melt.  She flashed him a smile and Tony felt his shoulders straighten

Baron Giovanni checked the clock on the wall.  He looked torn, Tony saw.  “Lizmadie hired a cook, she's pretty good, maybe even as good as you are.”

The Baron snorted, “I'll have to give that a try then.”  He frowned, “But not today, I fear.  I've got another meeting this evening, with an Emissary from...” he caught himself.  “I've got an important meeting tonight.”  He gave them both nods.  “Princess Lizmadie, good to see you again.”

She smiled, “You too, Lucius.  Though, I might remind you that I'm in current disfavor with my younger brother, something about marrying this fellow.  I don't know if he's disowned me or stripped me of my titles.”

Baron Giovanni grimaced and Tony saw some of the frustration on his face.  “No,” Baron Giovanni said, “He hasn't.  I wish he would get past his frustration and arrogance.   But with Valens Balventia here, if anything, he's grown more impulsive and arrogant.”

Tony nodded.  He had never told the Baron, but he had an encounter with Admiral Valens Balventia once before, when the man had outright told him that his career would end if he didn't cut ties to Lucius Giovanni.  He had heard some of the history between their two families at the Academy.  For that matter, the press had loved both of them as icons and the rivalry between the two successful officers had been a common enough topic of discussion in open forums.  It did not surprise him in the slightest that the Admiral would go out his way to separate the Emperor from Baron Giovanni.

“Well, sir,” Tony said.  “I think I'll leave you to it.”

“Thanks, Tony,” Baron Giovanni said and turned for the door.  “Um, one thing, you've heard that Alanis has decided to attend our new military academy?”

Tony saw Lizmadie perk up at that.  “Uh, no, I hadn't.”  He frowned at that.  He had heard plenty about how Lucius's headstrong sister had upended Nova Roma's social mores often enough.  While, he supposed, he didn't have anything against her joining the military, it made him nervous to think of his wife following her example. 
For that matter,
Tony thought,
I wonder how Reese took it?

“Well, she needs someone to talk with,” Baron Giovanni said.  “And I think you'd be a good person to put some perspective on it all.”

Tony straightened at that.  It was a sign that whatever the evidence, Baron Giovanni still trusted him.  Tony met the Baron's dark eyes and gave him a solid nod.  “Of course, sir, I'd be glad to.”

“Thanks, Tony,” Baron Giovanni said.  He nodded again to Lizmadie.  “Take care,” he said and stepped out into the hall.  A moment later, Tony heard the front door open and close.  Tony sagged back to lean against the bookshelf.  He met his wife's eyes.  “I'm sorry.”

“For what?” Lizmadie said with a smile, “Sorry that you've made enemies?  Sorry that you aren't the type of person to pull strings and get this swept under the rug?   Or are you sorry that we're married and love each other deeply?  Because if it's any of those three I'll tell you right off: you're an idiot.”

Tony shook his head, “Thanks.”

She came forward and embraced him.  “Tony, we've been through a lot together.  And whatever you've heard, the escape from Nova Roma was a special type of hell.  Getting out we lost dozens to Chxor security points and then a gunfight outside the dockyards, aboard the station.  Then, when we took the ships, their fleet opened up, we lost more people and ships before we could finally jump to shadow space.”  She clenched him tightly, “That kind of stress was brutal, but what came after was worse, in a way.  We had no real supplies to speak of, just whatever we brought with us or happened to be aboard.  We lost ships, sometimes in a jump, sometimes just as we plotted our next course.”  She shuddered, “Mechanical failures, environmental failures...” 

Tony held her close and felt dampness on his cheek.  He wasn't sure if it was his tears or hers.  “There was a ship carrying Lady Gavius and her kids.  You never met her, she was just a nice lady, very good with social situations, friendly... accepting.  She helped me a lot.  Their ship caught fire, some kind of electrical issue... she and her children burned alive.”

“I'm sorry,” Tony said.  He felt a crushing weight on his chest.  He had served to protect his family and friends.  The powerlessness that came with the knowledge of failure had nearly broken him.  Baron Giovanni had kept him and the rest of the crew of the
War Shrike
going when they all had been near breaking.  To know that his wife's life had hung on such a slender thread of survival brought that feeling of powerlessness back.

“I learned so much from that, Tony,” Lizmadie said softly.  “I learned that life is too damned short to live without the people we love.  I learned that I didn't care anymore that my bastard of a father didn't want me to disgrace him by marrying a commoner.  It's the end of the world, Tony, I figured it was time to stop living for others and do what
I
wanted to do.”

She stepped back. “I knew there would be issues. Especially with my brother, about us.  And you know what?”  She peered into his eyes and Tony felt tears fill his eyes as he met her green eyed gaze.  “It's worth it, damn you.  So don't be sorry.  Be happy for the time we have together.”

***

Port Klast System

Port Klast

August 18, 2403

Port Klast was infamous as the home base for scores of pirates and for its ruler, the man named Thomas Kaid.  Lauren had heard all manner of rumors about the man, things that ranged from the obscene to the absurd.  One thing was for certain, Thomas Kaid controlled the Port Klast star system... and no attempt to dislodge him had met with even the slightest modicum of success.

Lauren didn't really care too much about that.  The Thomas Kaid of legend was a bloodthirsty terrorist, granted, but then again, the Chxor probably described her that way.  History and legend were determined by perspective and whatever Thomas Kaid's actual past, he obviously had enough supporters that he'd built himself one of the toughest fortresses that ever existed.

Lauren sighed a bit as she looked around the bridge.  Despite the size of the ship, it almost ran itself.  Mason was able to operate most of the ship's primary systems from the command console.  The crew he had brought with him had mostly been tasked with loading crew supplies and cargo and preparing the ship for other crew.  It had been a boring voyage thus far and Lauren didn't trust boring.  She had trained and drilled herself mercilessly with the ship's weapons.  With the vast array of options and capabilities in those systems, at least she had found something of a challenge.  Between the odd bank system which allowed them to fire in almost any direction, the varying emitters which allowed them to project beams on different bandwidths and spectrums, and the ability to split the beams to different targets or focus all their firepower through just a single bank, that kept her busy.