Chapter 17: A Candid Conversation

“The timing is suspicious, Harold”, Liv’s father, Pac Traes, said irritatedly to the old advisor who sat on her left.

“The timing is strange, my lord, but I fear you are connecting two independent happenings. They are not here to attack us. In fact, if that were the case, then earlier today would have been the best chance to. It would have been coordinated so,” said Harold, more strongly than he usually spoke, “our guests,” he said, peering at Liv and then at her parents for a moment, “Are here for no other reason than for protection”. There was something in the way that he said that, thought Liv, that seemed strange.

“It feels off”, said Eher softly, standing behind her husband with her hand resting on his shoulder. He nodded while holding his gaze with Harold. Liv didn't like that Meno, Angie and Paba were being held in suspicion at the moment, but knew that it would be foolish of her to disregard the thought, purely because she liked them. Harold and her parents had taught her better than that.

At the same time, she couldn't see it. There was an innocence to Meno, a genuine curiosity, that she believed. Angie seemed afraid, tense and uneasy at everything that was happening, and Paba, well, Paba was a bit too boisterous to be an infiltrator.

“Have we heard anything from the Artelis yet?” Liv asked, hoping that both Sonny and Jax were okay. She had known them since she was a child. They had been frequent visitors to Yeley and often stayed for days at a time. She had always enjoyed Sonny, the young, at least young-looking, playful House Head. He had been a good friend to her parents. Jax had become nothing short of a friend to Liv. With her position as First Daughter, friends were something difficult to come by, but Jax had always been there for her. Even when she wasn't on planet, she was always just a tangle away.

From everything that she was seeing on the news, apparently the attack had been from the zealous Ortu. An organisation dedicated to the resurrection of the old god emperor Bel. A foolish but dangerous lot. The attack had been on the Lotus and caused enough damage to completely obliterate Sonny’s yacht, and a port platform.

“Nothing yet, my lady”, said Captain Moran, standing beside Shilu and Efreet, nearly twice as broad and a head taller than both. “We are trying to establish contact, but they may have locked down since the attack”. Pac and Eher’s threads began to move nervously around them, twisting and tightening at the news. She felt a gentle hand fall on her wrist from Harold, obviously noticing that she was using her resonance.

Moran lifted his hand to his ear, “My Lord, we have a communication coming through from Lord Valentine”. Liv was immediately confused and saw that she wasn't the only one. With one more brief glance through her resonance, she saw that everyone in the room but the seasoned Captain and Harold had their threads tangle at the news that the Head of the Dorlec was contacting them directly.

Although their contracts with the Dorlec were already centuries old, it was a purely commercial arrangement. Liv had never heard of the Head of the Dorlec contacting her planet himself.

“Harold?” Pac said to his closest advisor. The old man just shook his head. Her father took in a deep breath and then said,

“You can put him through, Moran”, as Eher took a seat next to her husband.

Lights flittered into the room and then coalesced into the form of Lord Joseph Valentine, Head of the Dorlec House. He was lean, elongated and hosted sharp features with dead straight, easy flowing black hair. His eyes were a glittering grey, and he wore a thin white robe which showed his well-formed body. Like all Dorlec, Liv knew that he was made to be this way, that he was designed.

“Pac, Eher”, he said with a small bow of his head, and with a cool voice that gave a hint of regret. Liv didn't believe his tone. She knew all about the Dorlec. As a people, their sole focus was on scientific expansion. They cared only for themselves and had become opportunistic under Valentine’s rule.

“Lord Valentine, it is an honour”, both Pac and Eher said, standing and delivering a bow, as was decorum. Liv followed once they had resumed their seats, and she lowered to the House Head. When she looked up again, she saw that he watched her carefully, tilting his head to the side just a fraction. Harold followed her, and then he spoke.

“I apologise for the intrusion” he said walking forward, which caused the light that formed his hologram to dance in his wake, “But I felt that it was only right to contact you under the current circumstances. I am sure you have heard that Lord Louis Matise was attacked on the Lotus by now?” he said in a drawling, though clear voice. Liv noticed that Valentine called him Louis, and not his preferred name, Sonny. She also knew that Sonny detested this man.

“We have, my lord. In fact, we were just discussing it,” said Pac Traes, who had now resumed sitting. “We are currently unable to contact the Artelis”, he said, making their position clear, Liv thought. They would prefer to be speaking with the House that they trusted.

“Yes, that is unfortunately why I am here. The Artelis have decided, in light of the attack, to focus their efforts on investigation for the time being, and so have cut contact with all but the Grand Houses. I have been asked personally by the Grand Houses to offer not just an explanation, but an apology for any absence you may feel,” he said, bowing his head shallowly once more. “We are aware of the Artelis’s fondness for you and your planet and would like to ensure that any needs that you may have are still handled”

“Thank you, my lord, but as an independent planet, our concern over the attack is purely for our friend. We expect nothing of the Houses but our continued working relationships”, Pac said diplomatically, also bowing ever so slightly.

“Of course, Pac, of course”, he said, straightening to his considerable full height. “Nothing with the Houses will change. We would, as the Houses,” he said holding his hand to his chest, “However, like to keep you informed. You see, while the attack on a House Head in any circumstance is deplorable, this attack has particular concern for not just your planet, but the entire system” Liv saw her father's threads near stop in their movement around his body from that.

“The Lotus was on its way into the Yelean system, and therefore, as a precautionary measure, the Dorlec have been tasked with monitoring the area. This is a courtesy call to let you know that Dorlec Pillars will be patrolling the system. This will not interfere with you in any way”

“Thank you, my lord, we apprec…” Pac stopped as Valentine held up a long fingered hand, and a soft smile.

“By request of the Autarch himself, and as appreciation for the many contracts that you hold with the Houses, three Kryptea will be deployed onto Yeley to offer you and your family special protection” he held his hand up again as her father tried to speak, “There is no need to thank us for this, as it has been earned many times over. All planetary leaders within the system are being offered the same thing, if that is of any concern. I understand that you prefer equal treatment, so let me assure you that in this case, it is precisely that”

Pac waited for a moment, until certain that Valentine was done. “We are grateful”. Valentine smiled, his perfectly made smile.

“Forgive me, lord Valentine”, said Eher, bowing her head to him, “Do we know who attacked Lord Matise on the Lotus? It is after all, a very bold thing to do. We would like to be prepared for any other bold moves” she said with an undercurrent of words left unsaid. Again, Valentine gave that soft smile. A smile that Liv was starting to see was more dangerous than any snarl she had seen before.

“Investigations are still occurring, but from what we can tell from the attack and the circumstances around Lord Matise’s visit to the Lotus, the initial reporting of the incident appears to be correct, and that this was an attack from the Ortu, Lady Eher”

*

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Meno leaned against the balcony of their apartments, as the city that bustled below, glowing red with the setting sun. His gaze was cast far beyond it, though, to where a large, angular ship hung lazily over the farmlands. Below the ship, he was witnessing the very lands lift up and rise into the ship's open cargo bays. Large squares of land were being raised, elevating themselves into the air, dropping soil and dust as they floated through the air.

“Grav-platforms under the farmland”, said Paba, rubbing her pendant as she stood next to Meno.

“It’s incredible”, he said, not able to take his eyes off of it. It was quite a remarkable distraction from what had happened earlier, and Meno was trying his hardest to be pulled by the wonder of what he was seeing. He forced himself to think, ‘They send the entire crop, soil and land to planets when they require it’. It hadn't really been working.

They had been rushed back from the library a few hours ago, and had since been held in their apartments while Liv, Harold and the guards were rushed into a meeting after the news that Lord Louis Matise, the Head of Artelis House, had been attacked on the Lotus. A Home Ship that belonged to the Eshara, the galaxy's largest criminal empire. It all seemed rather extreme.

Meno didn't know much about the political arena, but what he did know was that House Heads were not just the most powerful people in the galaxy, besides the Autarch, but also the most protected.

He had asked Liv while they had travelled back what a House Head would be doing on a ship like that, to which she had explained that meetings between the two entities were not uncommon, and that the Lotus was known for hosting the galactic elite. It didn't exactly answer his question, and he could see that the already on-edge Angie was now more alert and tense than she had been before. Something about all of this seemed to chafe her.

She was sitting at the finely polished wooden table, watching the news on hologram that Meno had pulled himself away from. They were now just looping through speculation and reiterating what they did know.

“From what we can understand”, continued the finely dressed news anchor on the hologram, “The Arelis Head was unharmed in the attack, but enormous property damage was done. It is unclear what caused the damage, but it seems…”

“Always the same shit” said Angie cutting it off. “They never seem to know anything about anything”

“Professor Swan used to say that the news is the best way to ensure you are looking in the wrong direction”, he said, joining her at the table, attempting to give her a friendly smile. She wasn't in the mood.

“Fuckin preach” said Paba, still starring out the window.

“The Traes seem to be taking it seriously, though”, Angie said.

“Who wouldn't?” said Paba, “A House Head getting attacked? That doesn't happen”, said Paba, turning from the window and joining them. “It’s a surefire way to get an entire House to come after you. Also, the Artelis are huge, they must have one of the largest armies in the galaxy, let alone one of the furthest reaches.” Meno remembered seeing the Artelis territory as a giant ring around the galaxy, forming a boundary around each of the other Houses.

“I thought you would be more concerned”, said Angie with a playful smile, “Aren’t you quite taken by the young Sonny Matise?”

“Pah,” said Paba with a skewed face, “Like my man would fall to some shoddy attack. Sonny is far more capable than that. Also, Sonny isn't exactly young. He’s a Matise, he has age-extending privileges. I think he’s almost one hundred and twenty.” Meno stopped himself from gasping as he saw Angie nod in acceptance of it. One hundred and twenty?

He focused on the frozen image of the House Head. It was just a picture held in the corner of the holo beside the well-dressed anchor. He didn't look very old at all. His hair was thick, black, and loosely parted to the side. His jaw was strong and broad, and he had a youthfulness in his eyes. He looked younger than Pac Traes, and Meno had found out that the planetary head was in his mid-forties. Age extending could do that much?

They heard a small knock on the door, and before Meno could reach to open it, Harold shuffled through. He closed the door behind him and gave each of them a small, grinning bow. Meno looked at the closed door, expecting it to open with some guards, but nobody came.

“Harold”, Angie said, standing as he took a seat. It seemed that she hadn't expected him to be alone either.

“Just me”, he said, beaming, as he ushered them all to take a seat. His eyes were caught on the frozen hologram, which Paba turned off.

“Is everything alright?” Angie said cautiously. He took a moment of consideration. He clearly seemed troubled, but that old whizzamed face was still cast in a kind smile as always. He took something out of his pocket and slipped it gently across the table to Meno. It was the Hulfean coin that he had been given by Worrec when he left Gol.

“Let me begin with this. You are welcome here, and you will be cared for here, but I do not know whether or not you will be safe here,” he said with a small bow. They looked at one another but did not say anything. “Everything that we are about to discuss is strictly between us. I have told the Traes that I trust you, and that is because I trust this,” he said, tapping the small coin.

“You may be wondering why an attack on a House Head has inspired so much in the Traes and on Yeley, and I would like to clarify the reasons for each. The Artelis House, for Yeley, is an important contract that we hold. It creates many jobs, and is a large portion of our economy” Meno looked at Angie, but she didn't react.

“That is not the reason that the Traes are reacting this way, however. You see, the Traes have a separate arrangement with Lord Sonny Matise. Not the Artlis. The attack on the House Head places that agreement at risk” The room remained silent.

“I know who sent you here, and I also know that you have been sent here to be assessed” Harold said directly to Meno who shuddered under the small mans gaze, his usual playful expression now gone, “And that you Ms. Rebapa, have been sent here because of a deal you made with the same party” Meno and Angie both looked at Paba who had paled and shrunk back into her seat for a moment. “You, Captain Lawrence, I have heard have been sent opportunistically, but I am hoping that with your experience, you will still be able to help us in all of this”

“In all of what, Harold?” said Angie strongly, but still in a hushed tone.

“Yeley is at the precipice of change. Everything that is happening on the planet, and around the planet is creating movement in one direction. Pieces are being shifted into place for an endgame. I do not know why, and I do not know who is ultimately behind it, but we do believe that we know why,” he said, letting the words hang. “You three were sent to Yeley with the intention of both protection and function” Meno’s stomach flipped.

“You want to use us?” Harold merely nodded at Meno.

“Let me put this as clearly as I can. Paba, you will be protected because of what you have already offered. Meno, you were sent here because of your immunity to the disease HX-31…” Meno froze, he quickly looked to Angie, who also stiffened at the old man’s knowledge, “And caught the attention of an organisation that I represent. Last night, Lady Olivia noticed something strange with your torus field. I must assume that my organisation is right, and that the two are connected somehow. You were brought here for me to study that and understand it, before we train you in that further…” Meno couldn't understand what was happening. He knew that Worrec wanted to test him, but why the hell was he bringing this up with the Dorlec and the Artelis, and what the hell was this secret arrangement with Sonny Matise?

“How did you know about…” he felt the words fall from his mouth, his skin feeling stiff and cold. Harold tapped the coin again.

“Our schedule has been moved up dramatically” continued the old man, “Angie, I recognise that you were not part of the initial plan and have found yourself here by happy accident, but, understanding your skillset, I believe that you can be of great value to us moving forward” They just looked at the toad like sage man sitting there in his flowing robes, showing none of the senility that he had before.

“You want us to be mercenaries?” said Angie stiffly.

“My organisation identifies special individuals. These individuals are trained and set to work. You were all saved from truly horrific futures,” he seemed to lose his fervour as he explained it. “We would ask for your help going forward, as we offered ours”

“We didn't ask for your help,” said Paba weakly. Harold looked up slowly at her, but didn't speak. He seemed ashamed of it somehow.

Angie cut through the silence cautiously, “What do you want us to do?”

“Since the attack on Sonny, the Artelis House has shit down all communication channels save those belonging to the Grand Houses. That is not how Sonny works, nor is it protocol in our private arrangement. Something is happening. You have been sent for us to both assist you, and for you to assist us.” he cleared his throat before continuing, “I must use all the tools that I have at my disposal. I was just in a meeting where we were joined by none other than Lord Joseph Valentine, the Head of the Dorlec. This is a very unusual thing to happen, and therefore unsettling. With the rise of Grasci, the attack on the Artelis and their lack of communication, added the sudden concern of the Dorlec, and now the incoming of three Kryptea at the Autarch's orders…”

“Kryptea?” Paba said weakly.

“Yeley faces a threat, and the Traes face their own. I would like to ask you all for help,” he looked at each of them in the eye once more. “Protect Lady Olivia Traes, until the day that we need to evacuate her and yourselves from the planet”.