The Worker Prince (12 page)

Snowdrifts filled the surrounding landscape like a white desert, and the cold was almost overbearing. To Davi, it felt like being nowhere, because that’s pretty much where Plutonis was—in deep space far from anything important. Inside the base, Davi and his companions lived as they always had because the computers generated an atmosphere suitable for humans. But when they ventured outside, they had to strap on breathing apparatuses and an assortment of heavy winter clothes. The air was cold and thick and hung heavy in their lungs. And the frosty air was so thick, they couldn’t see more than a few yards around them at any time.

Plutonis only had two native species. The antlered qiwi it was well known for and the humanoid aliens calling themselves Plutonians. Their skin was bluish green, and they had three eyes and four arms. The qiwi and the Plutonians were the two known species in the system that could live on the planet without breathing apparatuses.

The surprising thing about the antelope was their ability to adapt to other environments. They had long been loved for their meat, but merchants also transported live specimens for sale on other planets. If they were transported on a ship on which the air quality in the hold was adjusted gradually over the course of the voyage, they could adapt themselves to survive in the environment of any planet. Thus, Davi had seen them for sale at the market on Vertullis. He had heard of some on Legallis as well. The Plutonians were not so adaptable. Outside their home planet, they required space suits, because the heavier atmospheres wore them out so much that their hearts would sometimes simply fail.

While Davi found the planet itself unpleasant, his duties as a squadron leader thrilled him. The squadron of eight would break into pairs on patrols, spreading themselves out to cover the outer reaches of the system. While they never experienced much excitement, Davi enjoyed the exploration and the thrill of being in flight. It gave him lots of time to think and to continue wrestling through all the revelations he’d been hit with in the weeks before his reassignment.

He e-posted Xalivar after his first two weeks on base to thank him for protecting him and to remind him to take care of Miri. He also suggested he would welcome more discussion on the worker problem, but Xalivar’s reply had not mentioned it. His uncle simply said Miri was doing fine and he’d been glad to hear of Davi’s taking to his assignment. Davi had not written his uncle since. Instead, he formulated a plan, hoping to offer Xalivar at least a starting point.

His correspondence with Miri occurred with more frequency. Yao continued to look in on her once a week as Davi had requested. Miri worried about Davi, sad to be so far apart, but seemed to be handling it well otherwise, much to Davi’s relief. Davi also e-posted Lura to reassure her of his safety and let her know things had worked out well. He’d heard no more about the Captain’s death, though he wasn’t yet sure what his uncle’s negotiations might have produced on that front. No LSP had come looking for him. He would have to inquire about that as well.

To his surprise, he encountered a small team of worker mechanics on Plutonis. He knew Vertullians had mechanical aptitude. Lura told him his own father had been a mechanic at the depot on Vertullis. But he hadn’t realized the Alliance shipped worker mechanics to all major outposts and trusted them with responsibility for the maintenance of all starcraft. Unlike his squadron mates, Davi took time to engage the workers in conversation. For them, lives as slaves on an outpost were much better than lives on their home planet. Here, at least, while facing some restrictions and the usual discriminatory attitude from soldiers and pilots, they were pretty much left alone to do their work and lead their lives. Several of them said such assignments were very competitive.

Seeing the workers every time he entered the launch bay set him to thinking again about his own heritage. It had been unsettling at twenty years of age to realize he wasn’t who he’d thought he was. He was thankful for the rest he’d gotten during the voyage to Plutonis. The voyage had taken four days, and instead of spending his time wrestling with his thoughts, Davi had slept. Like his uncle, Miri offered little comment on the new realities in her e-posts, instead reassuring him that Xalivar had things under control and urging him to relax. As much as he enjoyed being a pilot again, it continued to weigh on him that his blood relatives still lived as slaves on another planet. He had to do something to help them. He just didn’t know what.

After a long patrol, Davi sent another e-post to Xalivar and Miri reminding them he’d lost sleep worrying about Lura and other family members. The situation needed to be addressed.
I’d expect you of all people to understand the importance of family
, he wrote.

Miri’s reply startled him:

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Your concerns

My dear son:

While I fully respect your feelings toward these people, what I cannot understand, after all the love and support we have provided, is why you think these people still have rights to your love and devotion. They launched you into unknown space on a dangerous, makeshift craft. I think they forfeited their parenting rights and any claim to you with such an act. We are the ones who have raised you, supported you, and helped you for twenty years. We are the ones you should be concerned about, not the worker family whose only tie to you is genetic.

Wanting always what’s best for you,

Your loving mother

Xalivar’s e-post was short and to the point, reading:

I concur with your mother.

Both letters left him feeling deflated and frustrated. Davi knew his mother to be a caring person. Although this must be hard for her, he couldn’t simply ignore people who were his family. After all, they had not given him up out of a lack of desire. They had done it to save his life from Xalivar’s decree. And Miri and Xalivar were the ones who had taught him the value of family for most of his life. Davi realized he couldn’t fight this battle from six planets away. He had to go back and confront things face to face.

Miri had taught him not to use his Royal status for special treatment, and Davi had done his best to avoid it. But when he filed a request with his commander for emergency family leave, and his commander grumbled a bit about granting a leave to someone who’d arrived only a few weeks before, Davi used his status as Royal. He was granted leave and passage on a transport two days later.

Not wanting to give them time to argue, Davi did not notify Miri and Xalivar. Xalivar might well get word of it through military channels anyhow. Besides, Davi had asked his commander for passage to Vertullis—something he didn’t want to have to explain just yet.

A week later, he arrived at Lura’s door. Once she overcame her shock at seeing him, she embraced him joyfully. “I’ve been so worried about you. Thank you for the kind e-posts. I cherished every one!”

Davi smiled, returning her warm embrace. “I’m sorry to have caused you any worry.”

“Well, you should know by now that mothers worry. We can’t help it,” she said with a laugh. Thinking of Miri, Davi realized mothers on every planet must be the same and laughed with her.

“How was Plutonis?”

Davi told her about the antelope, the Plutonians, the worker mechanics, and life as a pilot. He spoke with great passion, and she seemed enraptured by his story. When he had finished, he apologized. “I know it must not be as exciting for you as I make it sound.”

“Sounds like a fascinating adventure,” Lura said, her face sincere. She patted his arm. “Are you hungry from your journey?”

“I spent most of the time asleep,” Davi said. “But I wouldn’t mind a good home-cooked meal.”

“Didn’t you go to Legallis first?” she asked as if she expected it.

“No. I came to see you.”

She smiled, surprised. “I’m so honored.” Then she moved to the kitchen, opened the cooling unit and began preparing a meal.

“I had something very important I needed to tell you,” Davi said slow and deliberately, choosing his words with care.

Seeing the look on his face, Lura stopped what she was doing and their eyes met. “What is it?”

Davi took a deep breath, knowing once he admitted it, he could never go back. Then he lowered his shoulders, forcing the tension from his body and confessed, “I know the truth now, mother. I’m sorry if I caused you pain taking so long to accept it.”

Lura smiled bigger than he’d ever seen and rushed to embrace him. “The hardest part was over the day we met. Welcome home, Son!”

He hugged her back as their tears flowed. It felt so natural to be in her arms, as if they’d always known each other. A little bit like coming home.

Chapter Five

Before he’d finished reading the report, Xalivar’s head already throbbed. Manaen had already tactfully disappeared.
The little rat reads my dispatches
, he noted with displeasure.
I should have known. Maybe it’s time to find a new majordomo.

After all he had done for Davi, this was how his nephew repaid him—betrayal. It hadn’t been easy to get the Council to ignore the murder of a soldier. Xalivar had explained the circumstances to the members a few at a time in private, and all agreed it was bad for both the Royal Family and the Alliance to proceed with any charges. The few who were reluctant had been convinced with careful reminders of their own families’ secrets. Now, here Davi was, trying to undo everything in one fell swoop!

What is the boy thinking, taking a leave without my permission? I am not just his uncle! I am High Lord Councilor! I should have never allowed Miri to raise the boy herself. I should have stepped in the moment I settled on Davi as my heir. This would not be happening if the boy had a proper sense of his responsibility to the Alliance and his place in it.

Xalivar cursed Xander and the foolishness of youth. Then he thought of his own father and grandfather dressing him down for his own enthusiasm. He’d been a young man of action, too, and that had led to him being in their disfavor after the Delta V disaster. Their relationship had never recovered. He’d always determined not to make the same mistakes with his nephew, but now the boy turned out to be an imposter! That would be dealt with accordingly, all in good time. But for now, Xalivar had to find him.

To make matters worse, Davi hadn’t gone to Legallis. Emergency family leave to Vertullis meant one thing—the boy was up to something with his worker family. Why couldn’t he let it be? Didn’t he know the risks? Didn’t he know his uncle was trying to do what was best for him, despite the betrayal? So rebellious and independent! Just like a worker!

Maybe he had been too harsh in what he’d said when he learned of Davi’s heritage, but he’d been shocked and dismayed by the discovery. He’d protected him in the end, hadn’t he?

Xalivar punched a communicator on the arm of the throne. Manaen’s voice came back right away. “Yes, my Lord?”

“Find him this instant and get him here! I don’t care what it takes!” Xalivar demanded.

“Yes, Lord,” Manaen replied as the communicator went dead. And to think, Xalivar hadn’t even begun playing hardball. Perhaps the time had come.

O O O

Davi sat at Lura’s table as she set out the food she’d prepared. He’d had a few days of getting to know family members. They were all very nice people, and warm and welcoming and supportive, but after the initial emotions wore off, the place just didn’t feel like home.

“Have you spoken with your mother, since you came back?” Lura quietly asked. He looked at her, confused. “Princess Miri?”

“No. I need to. I wanted a few days with you here first,” Davi said.

“I imagine she’s worried about you. Don’t wait too long,” Lura said, sounding almost like Miri.

Davi laughed. “Hmmmm. Maybe this having two mothers thing isn’t such a good idea after all.”

Lura laughed, then tousled his hair before going back to retrieve another serving dish. “All mothers worry.”

Her concern for Miri touched him. It pleased him to know Lura was sensitive to the feelings of his other family. It meant she’d understand when he had to take time with sorting things out, and he felt a little less pressure as a result. “Maybe I should send her an e-post then after lunch,” Davi said.

“Sounds good. There’s a kiosk near the park a few blocks from here,” Lura told him.

“Yes, mother,” Davi said, with a wry grin.

Lura laughed. He was enjoying this time with her. It already seemed like they’d known each other longer. She appeared to be enjoying the time with him, too.

Lura brought the last of the dishes to the table, and then sat down across from him. “Do you want to say grace?”

“I’m still not sure I know what to say,” Davi said. He was not used to talking to one god or even saying prayers, despite occasional visits to the temple with his mother. The only prayers he knew were those memorized from birth by all Boralians and used for sacrifices offered at official ceremonies. Some people did their own private worship services from time to time for one or another of the pantheon of gods, but the workers’ personal religion was all new to him.

“It’s easy,” Lura said. “You talk to Father God like he’s a person. I’ll show you.” She bowed her head and Davi did as well. “Father God, we thank you for the reunion with our long lost boy, Davi. We thank you for life and breath and the food on this table, all of which we know you’ve provided. Bless us now and lead us in your will. Amen.” She smiled at him. “Is that so hard?”

“I don’t know all the right phrases and words,” Davi said.

“The good thing about prayer is there are no rules for how you say it. It’s the attitude in your heart which matters to God,” Lura said. Davi pondered her words, realizing he had a lot to learn. “Well, don’t wait for it to get cold now.” She began scooping servings onto his plate.

Later, at the kiosk near the park, he found a message waiting for him when he logged into his e-post account.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Where are you?

Nephew:

Your decision to go gallivanting about could cost this family and the Alliance dearly! You are to report to me at once upon reading this missive!

Xalivar

Davi sighed, shifting nervously. Time had run out. He had to go and talk with his Royal family, but he still had no idea what he was going to say. Regardless, they deserved an explanation.

You’d better find the words in a hurry, Davi.

He e-posted for a Royal shuttle to be sent then headed back to Lura’s to tell her his plans.

O O O

Manaen escorted Davi as far as the throne room, but let him enter alone. Xalivar stood stiffly beside a window, staring out at the city.

“I gave you your orders,” Xalivar said, without turning to face him. Davi heard the anger in his voice.

“I can explain—”

Xalivar continued staring out at the city as he cut him off, “Soldiers obey orders or they are disciplined. Don’t think because I’m your uncle, you’ll be given special treatment.”

“I’ve already been given special treatment,” Davi said.

Xalivar whirled around, glaring at him as his fists clenched. “Do you know what I had to go through to get the Council not to pursue murder charges against you?”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

“And this is how you show your gratitude?” Xalivar turned away again.

“I serve you best by being honest with you, don’t I?”

“You serve me best by doing as I instruct you without raising unnecessary questions,” Xalivar said.

Davi flinched at his uncle’s anger. What could he say to make him understand? “I’ve been reading history. I don’t understand why things are the way they are,” Davi said.

“Maybe it’s not your job to understand.”

“Before the colonists left Earth to settle on other planets, the Legallians and Vertullians were at peace for twelve years,” Davi continued. “When the Vertullians discovered they’d settled the planet next door to us, they didn’t fight, they sued for peace. Instead, we conquered them and turned them into slaves.”

Xalivar turned back to him. Their eyes met. “They cannot be trusted.”

“They sued for peace and we betrayed them, yet they can’t be trusted?” Davi saw from his uncle’s eyes that Xalivar really believed it.

“Twelve years of peace during a time when everyone was distracted by other concerns,” Xalivar said. “After hundreds of years of wars.”

“Extremists and terrorists brought us together. Why would we forget all that when we settled here?”

“Do you know how many of our people have died at their hands? How many communities they destroyed?” Xalivar demanded, his passion evident. He didn’t just know the history, he believed these things to his core.

“How many of them have we killed? Can’t the past ever be the past?” Davi asked. He’d begun to wonder. His uncle’s anger seemed pretty intense over something that happened so long ago. “Twenty years ago, I was supposed to die because of your decree, yet here I am. You let it go and protected me, because I’m your nephew.”

Xalivar’s face changed when Davi mentioned the decree. Had he forgotten?
Maybe he wishes I hadn’t survived.

“I protected you, yes, and here you are trying to undo everything I’ve done!” Xalivar threw up his hands in dismay as his pupils narrowed and his face turned gray with worry.

“How can I stand by when my own family is living in slavery?” Davi asked quietly.

“Do you wish so badly to join them in their plight?” Xalivar said, whirling so his eyes locked on his nephew’s. “Everything I’ve worked for, everything my father and grandfather worked for could be undone by this, Xander! Do you not care about this family any longer since you’ve found a new one?” They both turned at the sound of the door opening behind them.

Miri’s feet shuffled on the carpet as she rushed in. “Why didn’t you tell me you were here?” she said, looking at Davi.

“I didn’t have the chance yet, Mother,” Davi said.

“He was too busy arguing the evils of our oppressive Alliance with his uncle,” Xalivar said. “He won’t let this go. I should have raised him myself, disavowed him of his moral illusions.” He stared accusingly at Miri.

“I raised him to think for himself,” Miri said proudly.

“Well, he’s decided this family is the enemy now,” Xalivar said, fists clenching again.

“You’re still my family. I care about you,” Davi said with genuine emotion. Did his uncle really not believe that?

Xalivar waved dismissively to Miri. “I cannot do what he asks. You talk sense into him.” He turned and stopped beside the door to his private chambers, punching a code. The door slid up and Xalivar disappeared inside, leaving them alone.

“You’re trying to fight a system which has been in place for generations, Davi,” Miri said.

“It’s wrong, mother.”

“It won’t change overnight,” Miri said, her voice almost pleading.

Davi knew she was right but was convinced he had to try. “Someone has to speak for the workers. People know who I am; maybe I can make them listen.”

“Or you will make more enemies than you ever imagined,” Miri said.

Davi’s frustration overrode his control again. “So you would have me stand by and do nothing?”

“No, but I would have you recognize there will be more to convince than just your uncle,” Miri said. It was a warning.

“I have to start somewhere.” Davi turned away, knowing she was right. “I won’t give up. I can’t.”

“Do you want to go to prison? Do you want to be killed?” Miri’s voice was tinged with desperation; worry filled her eyes.

“I’m willing to do what it takes to change things for my people,” Davi said as their eyes met.

“The Lords or the workers?”

“Both, Mother. I belong to both,” he said with a sigh.

“I can’t protect you.” Her voice was pained.

“I know. I would never hurt you, mother; I hope you know that.” He looked at her with love and smiled.

“I only want what’s best for you. Your uncle, too,” Miri pleaded.

“Can’t you see I have to do this?” Davi said, as tears ran down her cheeks. He hurt for her. He raised his arms and she rushed into his embrace. They stayed there holding each other awhile.

O O O

Xalivar watched the Royal Shuttle depart with Davi aboard from his private quarters. How could he have been so blind? He’d forgotten all about the decree! He’d forgotten all about the nightmares which kept him awake, night after night. He’d never given much credence to dreams, but after his scientists had reported an increase in male births on Vertullis, Xalivar had issued a decree and sent his Special Police squads to destroy all first-born males. They’d seemed so real to him then, but twenty-one years had passed. No one had arisen to challenge him in the decade that followed. He’d ultimately come to believe the dreams had been nonsense, but now …

Xander’s mention of it had shocked him. He’d barely been able to maintain control. His throat had gone instantly dry, his limbs stiffened, almost freezing him in place. Somehow he’d recovered enough to hide it but his mind was a flutter with panic and worst-case scenarios. How could he have been so wrong? He would do whatever it took to protect the Alliance. He loved the boy, but love wasn’t enough sometimes. Davi would have to be watched, although he didn’t want him harmed. Not yet. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but he was prepared to do what was necessary. Miri would object, of course, but neither she nor her son really grasped what was at stake. Anyone was expendable if they rebelled. It couldn’t be tolerated.

The Council was scheduled to meet that afternoon, and he knew what must be done. He had to keep Davi close, and he had the perfect means right under his nose. Funny, he’d almost failed to see that, too. He’d been almost ready to order Davi back to Plutonis.
I must be growing weary. I need to get more rest. I have to stay on top of such things.

And then he knew he had it and he smiled. Yes, it was the perfect plan. So perfect, it would almost seem like a natural course of events beyond even Xalivar’s control.

O O O

“Let me get this straight,” Lord Tarkanius said, leaning forward in his chair at the head of the table. “You now support the Council in prosecuting your own nephew for murder?”

Xalivar and Tarkanius sat atop a large dais, as officiators of the meeting. The other Council members were seated at rows of tables facing them. All wore the embossed white robes customary for Council meetings. Located in the Council Building, across the government complex from the Palace, the chamber itself was modeled after the US Senate back on old Earth but smaller.

“Having now learned other details of the incident, yes,” Xalivar said, looking at Tarkanius with sincere determination.

He heard several Lords’ grumbles from around the room. They were all surprised by his change of heart. But Xalivar had them right where he wanted them as usual.