The Prisoner of Eldaron: Crimson Worlds Successors II (29 page)

“What do the Black Eagles have to do with this?”

Girard looked right back at Garret. “It was the Black Eagles who destroyed the base on Eris. Mr. Vance was unable to convince the Confederation council to take definitive action on its own.”

Garret leaned back, a surprised look on his face. “And Darius Cain thinks there is something going on? Something beyond just the slavers?”

“That is correct.” Girard picked up his glass and took a drink. He smiled and looked at the glass for an instant. “This is very good, Augustus. Thank you.”

Garret nodded. He was silent for a moment, his mind jumping onto the problem, as it always had years before. Finally, he asked, “The council’s intransigence…was that why Roderick launched the coup?”

“Yes, essentially. The Black Eagles destroyed the base, and Mr. Vance urged the council to take the matter seriously…but they would not be swayed from their policy of isolationism. In the end, Mr. Vance felt he had no choice. He is convinced there is a major danger out there, an enemy we know little about…but one he considers a threat to all Occupied Space.”

“I still fear Roderick may be overestimating the danger here, but I have learned to take his judgment seriously. Very seriously indeed. But even if he is correct, what does he want me to do?”

Girard looked back with a surprised expression. “He wants you to join him in facing whatever is coming, of course. As you have in the past.”

Garret stared back at his visitor, a non-committal look on his face. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, his head began to move back and forth. “I’m sorry, Andre…Roderick has my respect and my best wishes, but I have nothing else left to offer.”

“Adm…Augustus, how can you say that? You are the greatest living naval tactician.
No one
would argue otherwise. You have been at the forefront in every desperate battle.”

“Yes,” Garret said, his voice wistful. “But I have nothing left to give. My fleets are gone, nothing remains of them save a few old ships in Cate Gilson’s care. My crews are dispersed…and many are dead, lost in those battles you speak of.” He took a deep breath, and stared at Girard with glassy eyes. “I am old, my usefulness is behind me. Mankind will always face crises…it is in his nature that he can never long enjoy peace. But it is time for a new generation of warriors to lead the fight, men and women with the energy and capability to stand in the breach, as I…and many others once did.”

Girard sat silently, watching Garret as if he was waiting for the old admiral to change his mind. Finally, he said, “Admiral Garret, Mr. Vance was confident that you would join him…and give all you have to this new fight.” His voice was tentative.

“That is precisely my point, Andre.” Garret’s voice was firm but soft, touched with sadness. “I have nothing to give. I am an old man, alone…no longer the admiral commanding a great fleet. I am a memory, a reputation too heavy to sustain itself. If I could help I would, but my time is past.”

Garret turned and locked eyes with Girard. He felt the crushing weight of all the years, all those who had once been at his side but who were now gone. Charlotte, of course, but also Terrance Compton, Elias Holm, Erik Cain…

He had outlived his peers, at least most of them, and his strength was gone. “Tell Roderick I am sorry,” he said sadly.

Chapter 21

“The Nest” – Black Eagles Base

Second Moon of Eos, Eta Cassiopeiae VII

Earthdate: 2318 AD (34 Years After the Fall)

“Nest Control, this is the Atlantian vessel
Zephyr
. I am Captain Elias Cain, and I wish to speak to my brother immediately.” Elias stood in front of the main display with video communications activated. He expected tight security at the Nest, and he figured it could only help him cut through it if the officers in the Eagles’ command center could see he was the image of his brother.

Being a twin should have some use…

“Atlantian ship
Zephyr
, this is Captain Rolf Anders, the current duty officer. I am sorry, but General Cain is indisposed for the immediate future. We are currently on high security protocols, which disallows the approach of any non-Eagle vessels. As such, we cannot authorize your approach. If you wish to leave a message for your brother before departing, I will be sure it is delivered to him.”

“To hell with that, I need to speak with my brother now!” Elias’ voice was a primal roar. He hadn’t come all this way to see Darius only to be sent away by one of his guard dogs.

“Again, Captain Cain, I’m afraid there is nothing I can do for you at present. Our alert status precludes allowing your vessel to approach.”

“Then bring my brother to the com unit. I need to speak with him.” Elias tried to keep his expression neutral, but inside he was vacillating between anger and concern.

“I am sorry, Captain…General Cain is not available at this time. If you do not wish to leave a message, I must insist that you depart.” Anders’ voice was businesslike, but Elias thought he detected a hint of uncertainty.

What the hell is going on? Why won’t Darius come to the com?

He stood silently for a few seconds, focusing intently at the face on the screen.

Damn Darius and his people. It’s almost impossible to read them…

“Captain Anders, with all due respect, I have come a very long way to see my brother, and I am not about to turn back now.”

Anders’ expression was unwavering…almost. Again, Elias had a vague feeling something was wrong. “Captain Cain, I am very sorry, but I cannot allow your vessel to proceed.”

“Then shoot us down, Captain. Kill your general’s brother. Because we are not leaving until I see Darius.” He turned toward Wheaton. He’d just laid down a heavy challenge for her vessel. It wasn’t his decision for
Zephyr
to proceed…and risk the wrath of the Black Eagles.

She paused for a second, and then she simply nodded. Elias felt a surge of strength, and he stared back at the display, waiting for Anders’ reaction.

“Captain Cain, I reiterate…you are not to approach the Nest. If you do so, your vessel will be engaged and disabled. I cannot account for your safety in such a circumstance, nor that of anyone else on board. I urge you to turn around now while you still can.”

“Well that’s not going to happen, Captain,” Elias said, his voice like solid steel despite the churning in his stomach. “My brother and I have not always gotten along, but I do not believe he would fire on me. And I don’t think he would look kindly on one of his minions killing me…and the sixty other people on this ship.”

“Captain Cain…please understand. I do not wish to attack your vessel…”

“Then don’t,” Elias snapped back, running his hand under his neck to signal the com officer to cut the line. He turned toward Wheaton, letting his poker face slip a bit.

“He’s your brother, Elias,” Wheaton said softly. “He won’t let his people fire on us.”

Elias managed a weak smile and a quick nod, but he didn’t answer.

I wish I was as sure of that as you…

*  *  *  *  *

“I am sorry, Captain Cain, but this was the only way I could allow your people to approach the Nest.” The officer stood outside the hatch of the shuttle, clad in a perfectly-pressed dress uniform. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Major John Cranston.” He paused. “The acting commander of the Nest at the present time.”

Elias stepped slowly through the narrow opening. The landing bay was massive, like nothing he had ever seen. He knew all about the success and power of Darius and the Eagles, but it was still something that was hard to appreciate until you actually saw it. There were at least a dozen shuttles lined up, most of them copies of the one that had just fetched him, but a few of them larger, clearly designed to haul significant cargoes.
Or for some military purpose…

His eyes fixed on the officer waiting for him, but he caught a glimpse of the squad of troops standing behind, fully armed. He suspected there were others too, ones he couldn’t see.
Probably a sniper or two. Am I in someone’s sights now? Almost certainly. The Eagles don’t fool around with their security. But then they can’t, can they?

“I understand, Major.” Elias wasn’t sure what to do…salute? Bow? Finally, he just extended a hand. “It’s a pleasure to be here.”

Cranston took his hand firmly. “I’m afraid I must insist on some business before me move on to any further niceties…or the reason for your visit.” He turned and gestured to a woman standing behind him. “This is Doctor Hind. I’m afraid I must insist on a positive ID before I can allow you outside of this landing bay.” A short pause. “Fortunately, in your case that will be a simple process. A small DNA sample is all we need to instantly match against General Cain’s. If you are indeed his twin brother, we will have a result almost at once.”

Elias nodded. “Certainly, Major.”

“If you will just open your mouth, Doctor Hind can collect a saliva sample.”

Elias nodded again, this time toward Hind. “Whenever you are ready, Doctor.”

Hind stepped forward, swiping a small swab just inside Elias’ mouth. She took a few steps back and inserted the sample into a small reader. The bay was virtually silent for five or ten seconds until Hind looked up and said, “It checks. He is an identical genetic match to General Cain.”

Cranston nodded. “Thank you, Doctor. Dismissed.” His expression was slightly more relaxed, though Elias noted he did not dismiss the armed detachment. “Shall we go to a conference room and discuss whatever matter brought you to the Nest unannounced?” His tone was congenial, though there was a small hitch when he noted that Elias’ arrival had been unexpected. “Where are my manners?” Cranston added a second later, still struggling to hide the uneasiness in his voice. “Are you hungry or thirsty? Can I offer you anything before we begin?”

I can see the Eagles don’t like surprises. Of course not. Darius always liked to know exactly what was going on
. And Elias knew how little his brother truly believed in. It was just like Darius to assume any surprise was a bad one.

“No thank you, Major. To be honest, I’d very much like to see my brother as soon as possible.” He paused, wondering why Darius hadn’t come to the bay to meet him, why Cranston had introduced himself as acting commander of the Nest. The Cain twins didn’t get along very well, but Elias had never known his twin to avoid a conflict, to be hesitant to go toe to toe with him. And whatever else Darius Cain was, he certainly wasn’t the officious type, prone to ceremony and layers of aides between him and a guest.

“Captain Cain…I’m afraid your brother is not available at this time.”

Elias stared back at the Eagle officer. “They told me that already, Major Cranston. What exactly does that mean? Because though we have fought tooth and nail on many occasions, I know damned well my brother would have come to this bay to meet me…if only to pick a fight with me. So, please tell me what is going on if you…” Elias paused. “Is he injured? Is he…”

“General Cain is not hurt, Captain. Nor is he ill.”

Elias felt a wave of relief. He’d begun to seriously worry something had happened to Darius. “Then why can’t I see him?”

Cranston made a face, as if he had finally decided to divulge something he’d have preferred to keep secret. “Because your brother is not here, Captain Cain.” A pause. “He is not on the Nest.”

*  *  *  *  *

Elias sat at the conference table, a stunned look on his face. Major Cranston had tried to make him comfortable. There was a glass of water in front of him, almost full, with barely a centimeter missing. The plate of food to his side was completely untouched.

“My father?” he said simply. “Alive?”

“Perhaps, Captain Cain.” The hard edge was gone from Cranston’s voice. Whatever lingering doubts he’d had about Elias Cain had been dispelled. “But I must caution you that there are many possibilities. Even if the ring is genuine, your father may still be…”

“Dead.” Elias’ voice was soft, distracted. “Yes, of course he may be dead. Indeed, he has been dead for seventeen years as far as I am concerned. The change is that he may be alive.”

He tried to imagine Darius’ reaction when he got the news. He could almost see his brother ordering his soldiers to prepare to invade Eldaron. Nothing could have stopped him, not the danger, not even the likelihood that it was a trick, that their father was indeed dead as they had believed for so long. Darius would rescue Erik Cain…or he would avenge him. Elias shuddered to think of what his brother would do if the Eldari had killed their father. He felt a kneejerk urge to condemn that kind of bloodshed, but there was no emotion behind it. If the Eldari had truly held their father prisoner for so long, if they had killed him…Elias found himself wishing his brother’s worst upon them.

“When did Darius leave?” Elias’ thoughts were wandering, disorganized. His mother had been here…indeed, she had been the one who discovered the ring.
She went right to Darius
, he thought, feeling a momentary resentment that his mother had chosen his brother first.

No, that’s not fair. Darius has the power to do something…I don’t
. He understood that…he even agreed with the logic. But it still stung.

Cranston hesitated. “Not long ago…”

“I’m not trying to pump you for classified details, Major. I just want to know where things stand.”

“The expeditionary force left four days ago, Captain Cain. Your mother went with them.” Cranston sounded tense, even giving such general information.

Whatever else, Darius has his people disciplined. And they’re all as suspicious as he is
.

A cold feeling ran through him. “Wait…that ring couldn’t have just found its way to my mother after so long. This
has
to be a trap.”

“Yes,” Cranston said. “I am inclined to agree with you, Captain.”

“If Darius and the Eagles attack…that is just what whoever sent the ring wants. They could be walking into an ambush.”