M’Sada’s upper hands began a rapid preening of his whiskers. He, too, spoke quietly. “It’s your ship and your net, Your Majesty, but I don’t recommend it. He has a tendency to ‘puff’ when he’s surprised.”
She smiled. “I spent years on Rrestriss. I’m not unfamiliar with the smell.” She spoke to Cassandra, her Rider. ›It would be best if you stay in the background, my dear.‹
›I understand. Few know the Queen carries a Rider.‹
Ellie sat and donned a helmet, then waited while the net adjusted to her. It had been many months since she’d been inside a net, and the feeling brought back a lot of memories, some bad and some wonderful.
“Permission to come aboard, Captain?” she asked as soon as she was in.
Stven turned his attention away from the ship to focus on this new persona on the net. Words were not necessary within the net, and he knew instantly who she was. His virtual image stared at her, frozen. So shocked was he that he forgot to puff. “Your Majesty?” he finally asked, lowering his virtual neck to the virtual deck.
“Stand tall, Captain,” she commanded. “Be welcome to this world, and if you will, accept my thanks for all you have done.”
The dragon blinked. A small puff escaped, but it was a very small puff. His long neck rose and he was a Rress again, one of the most ancient and respected species within the Empire. “On behalf of my crew, I say, ‘you’re welcome,’ Your Majesty. We haven’t done all that much, but what we have done has required all of us, the whole crew, Krys included. I’m honored to meet you.”
“You’ve clearly taken good care of Krys, who I think of as my daughter, and I shall be forever grateful. More than that, your efforts have succeeded in bringing badly needed resources to me, resources that were unexpected. You’ve held to the highest standard of your oath. Know that I know, and know that I honor you for it.”
His head moved from side to side in wonder. “Such an amazing assignment. To be in the personal presence of Admiral Chandrajuski, Senator Truax, Sir Otis, and now you. I’m slightly at a loss for words, Your Majesty.”
“You’re going to be seeing lots more of me, so get used to it. How is Senator Truax, by the way?”
“I have not seen him since we parted on Mitala I, Your Majesty. His mission is much more dangerous than ours, and I fear for him.”
Her hand went to her throat. “He’s an honored friend. He mentored me during my time on Rrestriss. Did you know?”
“You, too? He gets around, doesn’t he. Uh… no, Your Majesty.”
“I see you’ve been wounded.”
“Just a minor wound, Your Majesty. Krys’ was much worse.”
“She was wounded?” Ellie asked in alarm.
“She was, by the Chessori. This mind weapon of theirs disables all of us, but it causes physical harm to her.”
“I want the full story, but it will have to come later. For now, stand down, Captain. This world is as safe as anywhere in the Empire. Will you join me for dinner?”
Another small puff escaped. “Your Majesty?”
“It’s not that hard of a question, Captain. Just say yes.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The rest of your crew will accompany you. Dress is casual, understood?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She turned away and went in search of Gordi’i and Kali’i. When she found them, both turned one eye on her while keeping a close watch outside the ship. Stven joined her and ordered them to stand down.
“Senior Chiefs Gordi’i and Kali’i, it is my pleasure to welcome you to my temporary home,” Ellie said.
Both gunners went to a virtual knee before their Queen, but they remained mute. Though excellent gunners, it was the manner of their species to act methodically. Gordi’i, when he was ready, spoke for both of them. “You honor us with your presence, Your Majesty. It is our pleasure to serve.”
“Stand, both of you,” she ordered. She studied the gun controls for a moment, then asked, “May I?” Gordi’i nodded, and she entered the system. Guns had been her specialty aboard Resolve, and she immediately felt at home. Emotions could not be completely hidden within the net, and her familiarity with their chosen specialty could not be hidden from these two experts. It was her way of honoring the positions they held. She played with the controls and the displays for a little while, then relinquished them, saying, “Your efforts on my behalf bring great honor to your uniforms and to yourselves. I will make certain your people hear of what you have accomplished.”
She turned to Stven. “Shall we join the others?”
A very, very small puff escaped. “Would you be kind enough to let me go first, Your Majesty? I know what I look like when I’m in the net. I’d rather be standing.”
“Off with you then. I’m not known for my patience, Captain.”
He disappeared instantly, as did Gordi’i and Kali’i. She took a moment to soak in the feeling of being in a net once again, then she, too, disconnected.
When she emerged, everyone was on their knees. “What’s this?” she demanded. “Stand, all of you. Each of you is special to me, you’re all heroes, and none of you need ever kneel before me again.”
Buskin was first to speak. “I’ve never heard of a Chosen going into a net, Your Majesty.”
“These are hard times, Admiral, and all of us are doing things we never thought we’d do, yourself included. Exceptions have been made, and they’ll continue to be made, with calculation. Your Queen leads from the front, not the rear. Understood?”
A fleeting smile crossed his face. “I do, Your Majesty. It remains my pleasure to serve.”
“We all serve the Empire, nothing more and nothing less, myself included.”
She pulled Buskin aside. “I’d like to invite all of you to dine with me, but truth be told, I don’t have much of a staff. Would you be willing to host us?”
“On my ship? Of course!”
“I’d like it to be just us. I want to hear your stories, and I want an informal setting.”
His gaze rose to the ceiling for a time, then returned to her. “The dinner can be informal, but I beg you, Your Majesty, to consider your entrance. You’re the Queen. My men have been working hard for many months, all in your name, not your person. Might it not be better to appear before them with all the appropriate regalia?”
A warm smile lit her face. “You’re right, Admiral. I stand corrected. Your men will see their Queen at her finest. Set up whatever is appropriate. Have you done this before?”
“No, Your Majesty, but I’ll figure something out. It might not be what you’re accustomed to. My sailors are going to be busy with preparations, and they’ll grumble, but they’ll love it. Will you stay the night?”
“I will, and I’ll inspect the squadron tomorrow if that works for you.” She turned to face Krys’ crew. “We have certain formalities to complete. You’re all heroes, but we’ve learned some things the hard way. Each of you must be Tested.” She turned to Krys. “Do you have a lounge or meeting area on the ship? I’d like to get this over with.”
Krys led her to the lounge and was Tested, then each of the others stood before their Queen, one at a time. It didn’t take long, as Ellie had known it would not. When she was done, she sent for Krys and excused everyone else.
“Stven said you were wounded,” she began as Krys settled into a chair with her legs folded beneath herself.
“Not exactly. I only experienced the Chessori mind weapon strongly one time, and I don’t even remember it. I spent a few days in sick bay, then I was back on my feet.”
“What happened to you?”
“Bleeding in my brain is what happened to me. It was only minor.”
“It doesn’t sound minor to me.”
“It was, Your Majesty. We’re taking special precautions for the next time.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
Krys closed her eyes. She’d known this subject would come up, but she had hoped it wouldn’t come up so soon. When she opened her eyes, she encountered the determined look she knew so well, a look that brooked no argument. “I can’t stay here, Mother.”