Page 58 of Stars on Fire

Kainan raised a hand and gestured to Selene.

She walked over to him.

‘Stand here,’ he instructed, indicating the space in front of his screens. ‘Speak straight to camera. You’ll appear as if you’re on planet at Zulu One, and your location will show the same. Do you know what you’ll say, or do you need time to think it through?’

Selene closed her eyes for a moment. ‘I’ll be fine. Let’s do it.’

Kainan stepped away and slipped into the shadows of the study. ‘Go for it.’

One of the screens flickered, showing Selene standing in a clearing in-between a lush green meadow of trees. She recognised the scenery from Zulu One. Kainan’s speakers emitted the sounds of nature, and she saw birds wheeling above her head. A rush of air fanned around her face, and a breeze ruffled her hair on-screen.

A second screen flashed and showed the tight beam connection had been successful.

A slightly discombobulated woman looked into the screen from the Rhesian end. ‘You’ve reached the private office of King Auban. Who may I say is calling?’

‘Selene Munene, from the office of the Prime of Dunia. I’m calling about an urgent matter. I need to speak with King Auban now, please.’

The woman gave Selene a tight smile. ‘One moment.’

The screen blanked out for a moment. Selene glanced over to the dark recesses of the study to where Kainan stood. She could see his silhouette; hands crossed over his chest. Through the darkness, however, his molten gold eyes shone at her, and she felt a shiver run through her.

She turned back to the screen just in time to see it flicker and reveal the face of King Auban. He was still as handsome as she remembered, yet there were a few more deep lines on his forehead, and his golden hair seemed more heavily streaked with silver.

The Rhesian royal looked puzzled. ‘Selene Munene. You’re Kei’Lano’s daughter. I remember you from my brother’s party.’ A minor expression flitted across his brow, and Selene caught the pain and a flicker of bitterness in his eyes. Nevertheless, he continued, ‘What’s so urgent that you had to reach my private line? And who gave its auth to you?’

Selene smiled to appease the man and also to disarm him. ‘I know you’ve many questions, Your Highness, and I apologise for springing this on you. But I felt you had to hear it from me first. My father, the Prime of Dunia and your good friend, was murdered a few days ago.’

The King drew a sharp breath, all concern for his privacy swept away. ‘I wondered why all traffic to and from Dunia had suddenly been shut down. I can’t believe Kei’Lano is dead. Murdered? By whom?’

‘By his defence minister, Massimo Makori. Who went on to lead a coup against the government.’

The royal’s face blanched. ‘My dear child. I’m so very sorry to hear. My deepest condolences.’

Selene felt a stab of sorrow, yet she managed to nod in acceptance. ‘Thank you. Massimo had help. From The Technocracy.’

King Auban’s eyes widened further still. ‘The crats are in play on Dunia?’

‘Yes. We believe they’re after our xentium ore. I was asked to lead an alliance against the coup. The Free Dunia Movement is now my focus. We’ll be marshalling our troops to defend against the crats, the coup organisers and their militia.’

‘Do you have the army on your side?’

‘A good part of the army, navy and air power is still loyal to Dunia. So yes.’

The King shook his head, great worry written over his face. ‘But the Technocrats, Selene. They’re evil. Unstoppable.’

‘Evil, yes? Unstoppable? That’s yet to be seen.’

The King sat back in his chair, still deeply concerned. ‘I’ll chat with my Prime Minister, Feldman Terion and see how we can help. It won’t be much. But I promise to try my best. Because what’s to say if they prevail, that they won’t come for us too?’

‘Indeed, Your Highness. If you can send help, we’ll take it. But for now, we’ll need to act quickly and swiftly. My people are dying, and we can’t wait.’

‘You seem very sure you can handle the crats.’

‘I’m not sure of the outcome. But, I’m passionate about saving my planet - of that, I’m confident.’

King Auban considered her for a long moment. ‘Go well, Selene. Fight strongly for Dunia. Keep me appraised on developments, please, and I’ll liaise with you on our support.’

‘I may need to be the one to reach out to you, Your Highness. Unfortunately, we’re under a crats’ blockade here, and they’ve shut down most of our comms.’

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