Page 60 of Dark Space
‘The radar says that the storm should pass within the next hour or so, but we’ve got a new problem,’ he said.
‘Alcide is the one you want for problem solving.’
He winced. ‘I wanted you to see this first.’ He held out a small hand screen. ‘I managed to keep the signal to Scytha through the storm by hacking into a Darnagh space station. It’s … notgood, Callan.’
I stared at the screen.
It was very definitely notgood. In fact, it was everything we’d feared. The screen’s feed was of the King’s –Alcide’s– room in the Spire, and its floor was covered in pools and splatters of blue blood. A banner hung above the huge throne, painted with characters spelling out the wordTRAITOR.
I looked at Bryn. ‘Are there feeds from anywhere else?’
Bryn grimaced. ‘I set one up to my family’s house. They’ve barricaded themselves inside, but they’re still connected to what’s remaining of the planet’s network. My father said …’ Bryn took a deep breath. ‘My father is …’
‘An older Roth male, I suppose,’ I said, when he trailed off. ‘I imagine he does not support Alcide’s proposed changes.’
‘Nor Alcide himself,’ Bryn agreed reluctantly. ‘He has ordered me to do everything I can to kill him.’
I went still. ‘And will you?’
‘Of course not. He also ordered me to bring the human female home as my claimed, and I have no inclination to dothat, either. But Callan … I’m not sure that Alcide has the support right now to survive if we were to return. I spoke to my brother. He said that those who want to side with Alcide are frightened. We’ve always heard rumours about a resistance, but there’s been no word from them, if they even exist. The military is firmly set against the new King and Alcide’s supporters do not have the power to push back.’
I tapped the side of the screen. ‘Who is commanding the military?’
Bryn paused. ‘Fiach Redhands.’
I closed my eyes for a moment. ‘Of course he is.’
Fiach was a few years older than Alcide and I, a distant cousin to Alcide’s father. He was power-hungry, charismatic, and utterly ruthless. He had extensive military training, and I had no doubt that he would employ his knowledge – and his skill – in a single-minded pursuit of his goal. Which, in this case, meant Alcide’s throne – only attainable if Alcide was dead.
And I’d die myself before I letthathappen.
‘I realise I’m not a political advisor,’ Bryn said carefully, ‘but it seems that Alcide will need to find some outside support if he ever wishes to return.’
‘Bryn, right now you are a systems engineer, First Officer, co-pilot, staff liaison, security guard, spy, political advisor, and campaign manager. Plus anything else you wish to take on; there are plenty of openings to choose from. What you say is right. I won’t let Alcide go back if death is the likely outcome.’
‘So what do we do?’
I twisted my lips. ‘You’ve already said it. We need to find support. But who in the universe would supportus?’
Bryn rubbed a hand over his horns. ‘We need to find someone who sees it the same way we do. That Alcide on the throne can only be a good thing – both for Scytha, and for the entire universe.’
I froze. ‘Willow said his ship was headed to Natare,’ I said slowly. ‘There was a comm we intercepted from an Illisae ship months ago that said they werealsoheading to Natare. For apeace summit.’
Bryn’s eyes widened. ‘I’ll find out whatever I can.’
I brought up the navigation system. ‘And I’ll plot a course for Sector Six.’
Bryn and I explained what the engineer had found. Alcide’s face darkened when we mentioned Fiach, and hardened even further when he saw the livecast from the throne room.
‘Set a course to Scytha,’ he said immediately. ‘We must go back.’
‘Going back right now would be suicide, Majesty,’ Bryn said. ‘Going back would be exactly what Fiach wants. He’ll let you land, storm the ship, kill everyone on board, and drag you before a crowd for a messy public execution.’
Alcide shook his head. ‘Then I will go back by myself. I do not fear death.’
‘Yes, but who helps the Roth if your severed head is propped up horn-first outside the Spire doors?’ Bryn said patiently. ‘What happens to your vision? Callan and I are impressive males,’ he went on, without a hint of sarcasm, ‘but we followyoubecause you’re the dreamer, Majesty. You’re the visionary, the one pushing for change. Scytha under Fiach’s rule would be no different to Scytha under your father. But Scytha underyourrule?’ Bryn shrugged. ‘That’s why I’m here. And I won’t get that if you race home and find your chest suddenly full of holes.’
‘What are you suggesting instead?’ Alcide said, less patiently.
