Note: Chapters 19-23 are being posted together.
The Gloria exited foldspace inside the Folimai Rim for the first time under its new moniker, with Ethan sitting in its command throne as the Sovereign Administrator of the Association.
Sensor banks on the bridge lit up with information within seconds. The crew barked confirmations at each other, which presumably meant they’d arrived where they expected to be. Their course only needed minor alterations.
The central holodisplay flipped from showing the Gloria’s path through the galaxy to an annotated hologram of the solar system. Six planets of varying sizes orbited a white star, plus many moons. Man-made—or alien-made, Ethan supposed—stellar objects circled several planets and moons.
Rylamis Prime sat at the center of activity, alongside a nearby foldgate and a large space station. Most system travel was between it and another planet, Rylamis Sextum, whose moon appeared to be a military installation of some sort. A third planet, Rylamis Tertium, showed minor signs of activity.
Unfortunately, he noticed a lack of gigantic, moon-sized fireworks heralding his arrival. Clearly, punishment would need to be arranged.
“I… can try to arrange that…?” Heafi said when he voiced the joke aloud, clearly uncertain as to his seriousness.
“He’s just saying shit.” Lati smirked as she leaned against the side of his command throne and flicked through the displays. She’d tried plugging herself in but security permissions had blocked her. “Although I bet he’ll be pissed if there isn’t a gigantic harem of women waiting for him when we land.”
Heafi’s eyes widened, and Ethan sighed.
She scowled at Lati. “That was another joke, wasn’t it?”
“Duh.” Lati poked the unicorn in the side. “You’re way too nervous for a homecoming.”
“This isn’t merely a homecoming, but the arrival of the first administrator in my lifetime,” Heafi said. “I communicated that we were returning, but limited what I said due to concerns about Mortami.” Abruptly, she bowed to Ethan, nearly hitting her horn against a display in the process. “I’m so sorry, Administrator. There won’t be any grand welcomes, even though you deserve one. I’m doing everything I can to ensure the investment houses and Interim Board are aware of your return, but they’ll only have hours to respond.”
He raised his hands and smiled at her. She couldn’t see his expression, though, so he patted her shoulder.
Heafi squeaked and her head shot up. When she saw his smile, she tried to return it, but it was a broken, nervous thing.
“It’s fine, Heafi,” he said. “I’d go nuts if I had to go through a day of parades or something silly. And in case you’ve somehow forgotten, we’re all well aware of why we’re keeping secrets from the Association until I got here. Mortami did just try to kill all of us with their rented fleets.”
“I-I know, but…”
“This is a good thing,” Sai said, leaning against the railing around the flag bridge. “The houses won’t have had weeks to sweep everything under the rug.”
“They are aware a new Sovereign was appointed, Mistress,” Yany said.
“Yes, but that’s all they knew.” Sai’s smile was mean. “If they knew an executor was coming, then it would be harder to know who our enemies will be. As it is, they’ve likely made plans based around what little they know of Ethan. Namely, that he’s a human male with little relevant experience. Assuming they aren’t already working with Mortami and didn’t expect him to die en route.”
Heafi’s cheeks puffed up. “The Interim Board appointed me as Steward and granted me the power to recruit the best crew I could to escort Ethan to the Rim. They did not plan for his demise!”
Sai’s tail swished as she gestured at Yany, who tapped at a terminal.
The displays on the flag bridge flickered to show the solar system map, before bringing numerous vessels and stellar objects into focus. Military warships and space stations, plus the moon of Sextum.
“There is a substantial military presence in-system,” Yany said, bringing annotated images of various warships into focus as she spoke. “None are anywhere near as capable as the Gloria, but it’s notable that you were sent as far as Dominio to collect Ethan without an escort.”
Ethan felt Yany might be understating things. He looked over the warships shown, and noticed only two cruisers. Not heavy cruisers, like the Gloria, but smaller ones, like the generalist defense vessels and patrol ships he had run into as a privateer. The Faecrim cruiser Sai had picked him up with had been larger than these.
The rest comprised destroyers and frigates, although not in great quantities given this was the capital system of the Association. The rented Torken-class battlecruiser they’d defeated might be enough to conquer the entire system, if it weren’t for the heavy armaments on the space stations.
“Rylamis still needs to protect itself,” Heafi said. “There aren’t many fleet warships available to us, and most of those are defending other systems.”
“Defending, huh?” Ethan leaned back. “At some point I’m going to need a primer on what sort of rebellion or schism has taken place since the Union blocked off the Rim. It sounds like I’m taking over in the midst of a war.”
“There’s no war,” Heafi said. “But hostilities could break out with other factions if a vulnerability is offered.”
He nodded. “Fair. Also, the ships here don’t look the best. Am I right in assuming these are civil defense warships? Coast Guard, basically?”
“They’re still military,” Yany said.
“On Earth, the Coast Guard is military,” he said. “I’m guessing this is a translation thing? They’re not police, but aren’t expected to stop a full-fledged invasion.”
“That is accurate. Fleet warships are designed for interstellar warfare, and tend toward extreme specialization. The Torken, for instance, remained dangerous despite its age thanks to being so heavily specialized. By contrast, patrol ships are generalists. They handle such a vast array of interstellar activities it’s impossible to list. As such, they carry a wide array of weapons, need to transport more crew and soldiers, possess boarding features, and often include Pathbuilder compartments at classes that fleet warships eschew.”
“Those cruisers sure as hell don’t have Pathbuilders,” Kiels said. “Too small.”
“No, but some of the frigates may. Or the destroyers,” Yany said. “They are far larger than fleet frigates, which are often flying cannons with attached crew quarters. Regardless, there’s enough military here that I’m skeptical of the Association’s commitment to bringing Ethan back.”
“This is an expensive-ass ship full of vets,” Lati said. “You really think they’d sacrifice it to Mortami?”
Yany bit her lip and remained silent.
“No,” Sai intervened. “But they needed to send something impressive to collect him. Impressive enough, at least. That means some of the Interim Board are serious, but all of them? I’d be curious to find out their reasoning behind not sending a fleet. My guess is we’d identify our greatest opponents rather quickly.”
“The Interim Board records all meetings,” Heafi said. “I’ll acquire them once we land. I should have the access to do that without alerting others once I reconnect directly with Association systems.”
“Smart. I worried I’d have to remind you of the likelihood they’d go missing if we asked for them.”
Heafi rolled her eyes at Sai.
The Gloria slowly made its way toward Rylamis Prime as they chattered. Pathbuilders preferred to emerge from foldspace away from planets and space stations in order to prevent catastrophic accidents, so they’d need a few hours to reach the capital.
Ethan brought up information on the planet on the displays around his throne. Heafi and Lati peeked over his shoulder at them.
An astoundingly beautiful world shimmered on the display. Violet oceans rippled across the vast majority of the planet, while blue landmasses formed massive islands amid them.
A thin metallic band ran around the entire orbit of the planet, which Ethan immediately recognized as an orbital docking ring. The towering stalks of space elevators rose from the planet to meet the ring, some in the ocean. He’d seen these on heavily industrialized or populated planets before.
“Oh. That’s quite an outdated image,” Heafi said.
“Eh, really?” Lati asked, eyes wide. “I have the same one in my omnimodule.”
“Planetary records are rarely updated except in the case of major terraforming or cataclysms,” Yany said. “In this case, I suspect it is for marketability. Rylamis Prime was founded as a luxurious residential world for the Rim’s elite and the change in appearance is… less than ideal.”
Ethan frowned. “Is this where you reveal it’s a smog-ridden hellscape of factories and poverty?”
Heafi pouted. “That would never do for the Association’s capital world! There’s merely a large amount of perpetual amethyst fog that drifts across the planet.”
“… I understand those words individually, but not together.” He looked between Heafi and the gorgeous jewel of a world on his display. “Is it a purple smog?”
“It is categorized as such,” Yany said, ignoring Heafi’s death glare. “However, its source isn’t factory pollution. Shortly after the world was founded, a Faecrim marine plant was introduced to major waterways near colonies to filter out pollution. This is common practice, given the plant’s ability.”
“And it went horribly wrong, I’m guessing?”
Heafi nodded. “The plant began digesting minerals within the water as well as pollution, which resulted in the production of a heavy gas that drifts across the planet. As its effects are less deleterious than the pollution the plants eliminate—not to mention the difficulty of removing highly invasive and prolific flora to begin with—the amethyst fog has become a feature of Rylamis Prime’s environment.”
“Define ‘less deleterious,’” Ethan said flatly.
“Long-term exposure damages the airways and lungs. Most residents receive a cleanse every five cycles, even if they never enter the fog, while those who work at ground level receive one every cycle.” She puffed her chest out. “The Association covers all costs for its employees, and mandates the same for subsidiaries and contractors. The fog poses a minimal health risk as a result.”
He decided to simply nod rather than argue. It was probably better than Earth, where he’d read about companies knowingly exposing their workers to toxic fumes and chemicals for decades and then finding legal loopholes to leave them high and dry. He did wonder who paid for the relatives and elderly who didn’t actively work, however. Did the employees have to stump up the cash for grandpa’s annual lung cleanse if they were too poor to live above the fog?
Then again, it sounded like the planet might mostly be for the rich and wealthy.
Sensing his discontent, Heafi smiled at him. “It truly is quite beautiful to see, especially if you head to a mountain retreat. The nullifier academy I trained at was on one. Each morning I’d awaken to see blue hills rising out of the amethyst fog, distant cities looming with the vibrant spark of morning lights, and the grand, violet ocean glittering in the dawn. I think you’ll truly love it here, Ethan.”
Her words evoked a surreal, colorful image unlike anything he’d experienced on Earth. Even in his years as a privateer, he hadn’t spent much time on planets compared to ships and space stations.
“I’m sure I will,” he said, causing Heafi’s smile to brighten and her entire expression to glow.
***
Eventually, they reached Rylamis Prime. The Gloria pulled up a relatively short distance from a major station on the orbital ring, beneath which a space elevator extended down to the planet.
Civil defense warships lingered nearby, but the hails Ethan observed were warm and welcoming, rather than hostile. If anything, they were being protected in case of something going catastrophically wrong.
They gathered in a small shuttle bay in the ship’s aft. Ethan hadn’t been here before. The nature of the bay meant it possessed less armor and protection than much of the ship. They’d passed through some long corridors to get here.
Various military shuttles lined the sides of the cramped bay. He knew they were military because of the guns on them. While they were smaller than his old mining ship, that was primarily due to not needing to carry the same massive fusion drive, a water system, or contain quarters.
“This is as far as the Gloria can take you,” Poi informed Ethan once they all arrived. “We can’t enter the atmosphere. Shuttles will take you and a ground team to the orbital ring, and then you’ll descend to the planet.”
“Ground team?” he asked.
Poi gestured to a major standing nearby, who snapped off a sharp salute. “Our marines will accompany you. Even if the Steward hadn’t requested it, I’d insist. While my mission may ostensibly have ended once we got you here, Sovereign, I remain in your service. The Rim has been in turmoil for far too long and it’s not somewhere you can expect to relax in.”
“Good thing I expected to have to roll my sleeves up and fix things,” he said, trying to sound confident and jovial. “Thank you for your guidance and protection, Admiral.”
He saluted and she returned it.
“It hasn’t ended yet, as I said.” Poi smiled at him. “I’m your admiral and this is your flagship. If anything goes wrong, contact us. We’re the strongest vessel in the system, have soldiers to support you, and these shuttles can make orbital descents and ascents if necessary.”
“It won’t come to that,” Heafi insisted.
“Nice to have a heavy cruiser and its admiral backing us up, though,” Lati said. “Been a pleasure, Poi. I’ll sit through those command lessons you offered next time.”
“Sure you will.” Despite her flippant words, the admiral smiled at Lati. “Go with the priestess’s blessings, Sovereign. Hopefully I won’t see you soon.”
Because if she did, that meant things had gone very wrong.
Before he could leave, Tithus of all people made a brief appearance. A pair of Faecrim marines escorted her, but she looked as if she’d only just risen from her slumber. Perhaps she had. After weeks of controlling foldspace, this might be the first true sleep she’d had since they left Dominio.
“Sovereign, you are leaving,” Tithus said, playing with one of her oversized cat ears while looking down at him.
“Not forever. Thank you for bringing us here, especially with the attack,” he said.
She shook her head. “It was my duty. And it remains so. My contract has ended and I will descend to meet with my family after months of absence, but I remain available to serve should you request me. Much needs to be restored.”
She bowed her head, then left without much fuss. Seemed like a long trip for only a few words, but that told Ethan not to ignore them.
“Family?” he asked the others quietly.
“Lady Tithus comes from a noble lineage of Pathbuilders that traces its line back to the first fleet,” Heafi explained. “While they don’t control or own an interest in any houses, they are just as important. You’ll need to work with them in the near future if we wish to restore the Association to its true glory.”
He nodded. The “Lady” honorific hadn’t been for show, it seemed.
They ended up taking two shuttles. Fiona and a handful of Luchi marines joined Ethan, the Hounds, and his usual retinue on one, while the major and a platoon of Association soldiers boarded the other.
The trip was short and sweet. Both shuttles jetted over to the orbital ring while Association patrol ships kept traffic well away from them.
Ethan got his first real glimpse at his new home. Despite his fears over the fog, it still looked beautiful. The violet sea and blue landmasses were joined by light purple clouds lingering over them, which contrasted again with the gray clouds stretched across the planet. Darkness descended on the far side of the planet, and a sea of lights marked civilization on landmasses.
Upon arriving inside the orbital ring, Association officials and soldiers greeted them in the colossal docking bay they used. None of them seemed particularly important, and Heafi handled them. Ethan didn’t miss the looks of shock and awe as they saw Sai—Vaelix truly were rare, especially here. But the shock extended to him, if not the awe.
The soldiers wore similar uniforms, but with different insignia. Presumably a different branch of the military. He’d need to familiarize himself with that aspect sooner rather than later. There’d been more than a few hints that hostilities were on the horizon.
As the shuttles returned to the Gloria, the group entered a luxurious space elevator cabin. A blockade had been placed along the route, complete with transparent one-way light shields to prevent onlookers from seeing them. More soldiers stood outside the blockade, while civilians looked on in confusion and curiosity.
The officials left once they were onboard the space elevator. After a few minutes, that left only Ethan and his team.
He sighed in relief as he sat down. Heafi appeared immediately with a soda.
“Thanks,” he said. “I’m impressed they make all the same brands here as they do elsewhere.”
“Money goes where it can grow,” Kiels said, sitting beside him while her tail and ears stood on end. “This whole thing feels strange. Those immigration officials were freaking out. I’m damn glad Poi’s still backing us—damn good job bringing her to your side, Ethan. Bet she’s proud of that promotion.”
“You think there’ll be trouble already?” he asked.
“Fucked if I know. Everyone’s on edge about your arrival, and Sai’s, but nobody important is up here.” She narrowed her eyes and her tail lashed the chair beside her. “Imagine somebody insanely important on Earth arrives somewhere in a multi-tencycle precedent, and none of the rulers or politicians bother to meet them. Weird, right?”
“It’d be a snub.”
“That could be what this is,” Sai said. “If it were only you arriving. My presence complicates matters. I inspire fear. The Association has been cut off for fifty cycles, with no Union presence save for a peacekeeping fleet that went missing, and the Union returns with a Vaelix executor? I suspect Niura Mortami forgot to tell her ‘associates’ about me.”
“Could you just…” Ethan mimicked gunning down everyone. “I’m always confused how much executors can do.”
“I’d need evidence that the Association or its houses are in breach of Union law, but yes.” She smiled cruelly. “Theoretically, I could do it and come up with an explanation later, but that comes with many problems. The Union is unaware as to the true state of the Rim and there are still substantial investments tied up here. If I burn those down, I’ll find myself taken out by a STARFALL agent, whether or not I actually do anything wrong.”
A lot of heads turned at Sai’s mention of STARFALL, including Lati’s, Fiona’s, the Luchi marines, and any Hounds close enough to hear. Only Lati continued to show interest after a second.
“Aren’t the superspies all super loyal to the Union and shit? How can they root out corruption if they act on it,” Lati said.
“Precisely because of that loyalty,” Sai said. “The laws and practices of the Union exist to achieve certain aims, rather than to exist in ideological isolation. It’s never about what you can do, but what you should do. If I abuse my power, even if I don’t technically do anything ‘wrong,’ then I’ll be dealt with. Conversely, abuses of power that serve the Union’s ends are overlooked.”
“Until they aren’t,” Fiona said, appearing among the group. She bowed. “My apologies, Executor, but I fear you are speaking too bluntly for my colleague’s preferences. I have gotten used to your… idiosyncrasies, especially with my training to serve Luchi nobility, but it concerns them.”
Sai frowned, but nodded. “Fair. I suppose I’ve gotten too used to being around the Void Hounds. They’re experienced and cynical enough to understand how it all truly works.”
“Fiona, are you remaining in contact with Commodore Jionach?” Ethan asked, changing the topic.
“I am,” Fiona said. “We can support Admiral Poi should she need to take action, including an orbital deployment of marines. She will also inform me if anything goes wrong in orbit. I am surprised at the lack of peacekeeping vessels here.” Her expression turned troubled.
“Something we’ll ask the houses about when we arrive,” Sai said. “But I already had intelligence that suggested the peacekeepers were missing, even if I was loathe to believe it. Things in the Rim are not as they appeared to be in the Union’s records.”
“An occurrence I am more than familiar with from past missions,” Fiona said, her voice more emotional than usual. “I remain at your disposal, Sovereign.” She bowed and returned to the Luchi marines.
Ethan eyed her curiously. “Do we expect to need the Luchi’s help now?”
“If an enemy fleet attacks? Yes.” Sai’s expression hardened. “Our greatest weakness is naval. Ascertaining what we can do about it and the threats posed to us is important… but likely less so than establishing ourselves on Rylamis. Keep your wits about you, Ethan. Many a would-be queen was deposed before they found their feet.”
He pointedly looked down at his feet. Sai’s fluffy tail struck him in the face.
When he opened his mouth to say something witty, she flicked his nose.
“I don’t need telepathy to know what smartass comment you intended to say,” she said. “Enjoy the view, and I don’t mean my tits.”
Damn. She’s gotten ahead of him again. Part of him wanted to stare at someone else’s tits just to annoy her, but he decided to stand and walk over to one of the fake windows. Unsurprisingly, this space elevator operated very similarly to the one on Earth. Given both used Union tech, that made a lot of sense.
He looked down to see a sight that matched what Heafi had described, only absent the light of dawn. Surreal hills and mountains covered in blue grass and trees rose out of dense purple fog that rolled across the landscape. They were descending to a large island, although he couldn’t hope to guess its size. Maybe Australia? It looked a lot like a gigantic Texas, but without the square edges in the north-west. A long archipelago stretched along the horizon to the south.
As they descended, the shape of civilization became clear. A towering city rose from the fog beneath them, comprised entirely of skyscrapers and other raised structures. Entire garden estates stood on elevated foundations, ensuring the fog remained beneath them. Beyond the skyscrapers lay an extensive sprawl of estates and gardens.
“Is the entire island residential?” he asked.
“This is Varkelte,” Heafi said. “The entire island is considered a single metropolitan area and is the most populous sector of Rylamis. For most, this is Rylamis Prime. Calling it Varkelte signals to others that you’re not a local.”
“So, yes?”
“The rest of Rylamis Prime isn’t as heavily developed. Most industry here is agriculture, and the need to limit pollution means production is mostly of luxury goods. Huge stretches of land are unpopulated, dedicated to nature reserves, or even owned by the wealthy as private retreats.”
The last part tracked with his expectations. A luxury world would reserve much of the planet for those with the resources to afford much of the luxury.
“How much of it do I own?” he asked.
“… All of it?” Heafi asked, clearly puzzled. Then she blinked and her eyes widened. “Oh, you mean in terms of your personal estates?” She tapped away at her tablet. “Each city has a palace for you to reside in, although not all have been maintained or reserved for you given the lengthy gap between administrators. Numerous pleasure palaces and nature retreats dot the world, too—”
“Plenty, in other words.”
She smiled. “There isn’t anything you can’t do on Rylamis, Ethan. If you ever want to get away and enjoy yourself, whether it be in a mountain retreat, a private beach resort, or an underground hot spring, they’re all available to you at a moment’s notice.”
Damn. He’d never been to any of those in his life.
The elevator reached its destination. Before he could disembark, the Hounds cleared the way. While they carried their usual gear, Kiels toted her new heavy railgun and Lati her custom one, plus the pistol railgun he’d bought her on Dominio. Both Sai and Yany sported needle pistols, just like Ethan. Everyone wore personal forcefield devices.
A massive concourse opened up before them, with an open air atrium descending a dozen levels. Stone facades covered every inch of the interior, complete with superfluous columns, statues of presumably important figures—all women—and massive fountains spewing surprisingly clean water. Plants of all colors of the rainbow sprouted from every nook and cranny. The stonework took on patchwork creams and browns, similar to yellow sandstone but with an oddly blocky texture.
They’d closed off this entire section, restricting access to this side of the elevator. More Association soldiers in what he assumed to be Immigration uniforms stood guard.
Rather than descend, they strode along a wide walkway toward an exit. A sign read “Folimai Association Shuttle Rank.”
Ethan shielded his eyes once outside. For the first time in many weeks, he saw natural sunlight. Despite being a white star, just like Earth’s, something in the atmosphere gave Rylamis’s sun a soft blue hue.
Skyscrapers surrounded the space elevator, many taller than the terminal itself. The shuttle rank turned out to be a huge stone balcony jutting out from the terminal, with a covered building at the far end and gardens lining the broad walkways leading to it.
Soldiers blocked those walkways. Two different groups, he noticed. One bore the Union-standard insignia of law enforcement, while the others looked more like soldiers, with a curious emblem on their chests.
Ethan tensed as he saw them, then relaxed when nobody else worried about them.
A pair of diminutive figures stood at the forefront of the soldiers. They appeared oddly wide and covered in ostentatious capes and ribbons, until he realized the two figures were the birdlike Hirami, and they’d covered their wings with decorated fabric.
The two women were identical twins, maybe four feet tall, possessed massive brown eyes with slit pupils, and had huge cybernetic talons for feet. Their brown hair was done up in a side ponytail and contained a matching decorative white pattern dyed into it, which he also saw embroidered on the fabric covering their wings as well as their provocative cheongsam-style dresses. A hint of a tattoo peeked out on their necks, as well as their cleavage, suggesting both women had full-body sleeves.
Once the group got close, the twin Hirami bowed. Their wings flared out, creating a loud fluttering noise as the fabric billowed in the air.
“Executor Sailferia of the Sixteenth Era, Steward Heafi, Sovereign Administrator Ethan Folimai—we bid you welcome to Rylamis Prime, the seat of power of the most glorious Folimai Association, and the home of our new Sovereign Administrator forthwith,” they said, speaking as one.
“I am Junima,” the left twin said.
“I am Junimi,” the right twin said.
“But you may refer to us as Junim, or whatever pleases you,” they said, speaking as one again.
Ethan blinked. Did this pair share a consciousness or something? He’d heard of people using modules to achieve something like that.
Sai glanced over at him, and he realized it was time for him to speak.
He cleared his throat, and the birdgirls looked at him. The way their eyes narrowed slightly bothered him for some reason.
“Thank you, Junim,” he said. “I assume you’re the Association’s representatives here to greet me?”
They tilted their heads at him, and Sai narrowed her eyes. Ethan knew he’d been right to be wary.
Suddenly, the birds shot forward and each took one of his hands. Kiels scowled at them and nearly threw them off him, but held back.
“We aren’t the Association’s representatives, Sovereign,” Junim said. “We are yours. We are the heads of House Tai, who have acted as the Chamberlains to the Sovereign since the time of the Bershlagger dynasty, some six hundred cycles past. We deeply apologize for not greeting you the moment you arrived in-system, but the Interim Board were caught unawares by your arrival.”
“If you wish anything…” Junima said, leaning close.
“Anything at all…” Junimi continued, copying her sister.
“Then you merely have to ask,” they said as one.
Then they dragged him forward, pointing into the distance at the same time. Several soldiers stepped forward as they did so, all of whom bore that strange emblem. Kiels muttered something unkind as she kept pace, but Ethan didn’t catch the reactions of anyone else.
“We’ve arranged the best greeting we can on such short notice,” Junim said, tugging him forward until they met the soldiers. “Since being notified of your appointment, we’ve readied your best pleasure palace in the foothills of Mount Bolierk. An entire harem of women awaits you, along with the finest wines, a feast, and even the famous diva, Ixi Marui! Leave the boring mundanities of the Association to your humble servants, Sovereign.”
The soldiers grabbed his arms at the same time Junim let go of him. Both birdgirls bowed, their wings and fabric fluttering again.
Within seconds, a wall of heavily armed soldiers surrounded him. Kiels was on the other side of them.
“Hold the fuck up,” Kiels snapped.
The soldiers physically blocked her, and Ethan saw the Hounds begin to move toward him as well. Sai scowled, her hand hovering near her needle pistol. Everyone else seemed uncertain, while Lati gripped her railgun.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Ethan said. “Let me go. Now.”
The soldiers ignored him. Almost all of them wore face-covering helmets, complete with visors, preventing him from seeing their faces, much like the Hounds. He wasn’t sure if they even looked at him.
He’d known something might happen, but a coup the literal moment he set foot on the planet? That seemed a bit much.
He couldn’t break free of their grip. Presumably they possessed cybernetics or other enhancements.
That meant he had only one option. Muster up his best impression of a holier-than-thou noble ruler and kick up a fuss.
“For fuck’s sake, I’m your goddamn Sovereign and I said I’m not going anywhere,” he bellowed. “I order you to let go of me, under penalty of treason and death.”
Yeah, that sounded about right.
The soldiers paused. A few looked at each other. Their grip loosened on his arms.
That proved to be enough, especially once Kiels barreled through several, knocking them to the ground. Ethan broke free from the pair holding him and stepped back.
Before anyone could grab him again, he slapped the forcefield device on his belt. It activated, surrounding his body in a rippling field. His hand fell to his holstered needle pistol.
Something thrummed behind him, and he knew Kiels had activated her own forcefield. Her railgun hummed with energy.
Instantly, dozens of hostile Association soldiers raised their own guns. Ethan stared down the barrel of an open coup attempt.
- - - - -
Commentary: Honestly, I'll probably regret posting this batch so soon.
Also, our sun is white when viewed outside our atmosphere. I figure interstellar star colors would be based on how they're viewed from space.