We Happy Few: The Leviathan Universe 2138 Read online

  “What do you think of her, Robert? Edmund asked.

  “Absolutely breathtaking,” Robert said, finally prying his eyes off Marissa St. Thomas. He looked at his director and offered his hand. They shook.

  Edmund smiled broadly and nodded. “Indeed… I wanted to let you know that we will be performing Romeo and Juliet next season, so you’ll want to brush up on your swordsmanship.”

  Robert smiled smugly. “I train with the sword master every week no matter which play we’re performing.”

  The director chuckled and slapped Robert on the shoulder. “The consummate professional. I should have known.”

  Robert returned his gaze to the stage.

  Edmund chuckled again. “You’re rather taken with her, aren’t you?”

  Robert smiled sheepishly. “You know my affinity for beautiful young actresses.”

  “That I do, Robert. That I do. Would you like to meet her?” Edmund said with a twinkle in his eye.

  Robert returned a knowing smile. “Thank you, yes.”

  Edmund Houston turned to Robert’s understudy. “Armand, that was an excellent performance this morning. I’m not sure if you noticed, but there were a few patrons here, and you floored them.”

  Armand smiled tightly and bowed his head to the director, saying nothing.

  Robert didn’t seem to hear the compliment the director paid to his young protégé.

  The director meandered back to the stage, thumping up the stairs, then setting his walking stick against his stool. He clapped his hands twice. The actors stopped and all turned towards him. The old director walked over to Marissa and leaned in to whisper. He pointed to Robert standing in the aisle. She looked at him, eyes sparkling. She bowed slightly to the director, pulled up on the ruffles of her long dress, then quickly made her way down the stairs.

  Marissa stood in front of him beaming. She curtsied and offered her hand. “Oh, Mr. Ford I cannot tell you how excited I am to meet you.”

  Robert was used to the adulation he received from the beautiful young actresses of the company. And after twelve years as the lead actor, had grown to expect it.

  Robert took her hand, caressing her palm. He bent down and kissed it. “It is my absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss St. Thomas.”

  Robert realized his protégé was still standing by. “Ah, yes… Armand, please go find the sword master and arrange a session for the morrow,” he said without looking at him.

  Armand took a step back and bowed. “Right away, sir.” As he turned away he briefly made eye contact with Marissa. He gave her a wink and a smile then spun on his heel and left.

  She glanced at him, but did not respond. The young actress turned her attention back to Robert.

  Robert released her hand. She stood nervously in front of him, still smiling and starstruck.

  “I was watching you, just now. Magnificent performance. I wonder how long will be before your name is on the marquee?”

  She bounced slightly on the balls of her feet, unable to contain her giddiness. “Why, thank you Mr. Ford. Thank you so much. Such praise coming from you…” She blushed. She was becoming flustered and unable to finish her sentence.

  Robert gave a wry laugh. “Well, it is well-deserved. I understand you are to be understudy to my Cleopatra.”

  “Yes sir. It’s such an honor, I can hardly believe my good fortune,” she said. The pink blush of her cheeks spread down her neck.

  “Talent always trumps fortune, my dear.” Robert purred.

  She continued to beam at him.

  Robert looked thoughtful for a moment. “I wonder, are you free for dinner this evening?”

  Her face lit up and she bounced again. “Yes, Mr. Ford. I certainly am.”

  “Please, call me Robert.

  CHAPTER 5

  The Pegasus broke free of the planetary gravity well. The glow from her nano metal composite hull began to fade as she left the atmosphere behind and the friction dissipated. Robert stood in the corridor. He watched his home planet grow smaller. The bright lights of the big cities became pinpoints. His attention was drawn to one of the twelve Battle Stars that orbited Capella Major. The gunmetal battle station was spherical with a large docking ring located at center mass. Multicolored navigation lights highlighted the military shuttles and fighter drones that darted in and out of the hangar bays.

  It was a two day journey to the jump gate at the outer edge of the solar system. Jump gates could be located much closer to the planets they serviced, however with relations the way they were, none of the prime worlds wanted the added security risk.

  Two midsized gunships launched from a private security station in orbit and took up station on either side of the Pegasus. Paladin Security Limited owned and operated the pair of menacing ships. They were dark and sleek, bristling with weaponry. Paladin Security was one of a dozen security companies near Capella Major. These private military contractors were, without exception, owned by a handful of great lords, or one of their holding companies.

  The Imperial military patrolled the space lanes between the prime worlds. But, space is big, and they can’t be everywhere. Once a ship leaves the major space lanes, she better be armed. Or, she’d better hire an escort. Since humans first set sail on the oceans of Earth, there been other humans to prey upon them. Some things never change.

  Robert watched as military and civilian traffic of all types and sizes moved along semi-orderly queues. The planet shrunk to the size of a billiard ball as Pegasus sped away. He turned and strode towards the forward lounge. He kept his head down, not wanting to make eye contact or draw the attention of any other passengers. The last thing he wanted was to be recognized shortly before a warrant was issued for his arrest. He knew he should probably just stay in his room, but he hated being cooped up. As an extrovert, he drew his energy from the people around him.

  The Pegasus’ forward lounge reminded Robert of the spaceport’s first class lounge. Leather couches and mahogany coffee tables sat strategically placed to offer privacy and a spectacular view of the stars. He was pretty sure the stunning scene outside the viewport was a projection. Either way it was one hell of a view.

  Doctor Drake sat in the leather chair in front of a mahogany table with a finely crafted chess set sitting atop. He beckoned Robert over. The actor fixed a smile to his face. This man seemed pleasant enough, however, he couldn’t help but think that he shouldn’t be interacting with anyone. But, his spirits were low. He felt like companionship might help. Robert sank into the opposite chair, thankfully his back was turned to the rest of the lounge. Drake sipped his glass of scotch.

  “I’m glad you suggested this.” He said holding up the glass of Imperial Flag scotch. “Normally, I would be drinking a black stout. But this Imperial Flag is magnificent.”

  “I’m glad to be of service, Doctor Drake,” Robert said and nodded to the waiter to order one of the same.

  “Please, call me John.”

  “Very well, John, call me Robert,” he said as the waiter brought him his drink. “Cheers.” He’d lifted his glass to John.

  “Hear, hear,” the doctor replied, raising his own glass.

  Robert looked at the chessboard. Hand carved ivory and alabaster pieces faced each other. “Do you play?”

  John smiled. “Yes, rather poorly I must admit… But I’m up for a game.”

  Robert moved a pawn forward. “I’ll try to be gentle, then.”

  Drake moved his own pawn, already frowning at the board.

  “Tell me John, how did you get into medicine?”

  “When I was conscripted into the Imperial Army, I started as a combat medic. After a few years of patching holes and burns during House skirmishes, I decided to apply to medical school. I was not wellborn. So, my application stalled,” he said, sipping his scotch. “Fortunately for me, during a skirmish, Lord Baxter against Lord Redfield on Whitefall, Lord Baxter’s eldest son was shot in the chest. Unfortunately for him. An armor piercing round passed right throug
h his battle gig and pierced a lung. It was touch and go for a while. He had a sucking chest wound and was aspirating a great amount of blood.” John moved another chess piece.

  “We were pinned down in a duro-crete bunker. The sky was alive with gunfire.” John peered off to the side and looked as though he was seeing the battlefield again. He moved his hands as if pointing out bunkers and terrain features. “And the bloody indirect fire… Mortars, rockets, and plasma fell like rain. So, our bunker complex was getting absolutely hammered. I called for medevac, and was denied. Then I told them that it was the young Lord Baxter that needed evacuation. And I was denied again.” John shook his head.

  “So, I assumed the medevac pilot must be some other Lord’s child.” John and Robert laughed. “And someone made the decision not to deploy medevac drones with us. Just a quick police action then back to the barracks for evening drinks.” John laughed again.

  “Well, I got the young Baxter stabilized, and a few hours later the medevac was able to land. His father was most pleased that his heir was going to live, he offered to be my patron. After that, my admissions request was suddenly approved.”

  Robert raised his glass. “To Lord Baxter,” he offered. John raised his glass.

  “Lord Baxter… Other than that, he was actually a right bastard.” John said, then drained his scotch. Robert laughed heartily.

  “Robert, safe to assume you are unable to avoid conscription?” John asked.

  Robert smirked. “Yes. That would be very safe to assume. I was lucky though, I was stationed with the Household Guard in the capitol. Other than training on Draconis, and several deployments to police House skirmishes, I stayed at home.” Robert studied the chessboard. He took one of John’s rooks. John grimaced.

  Robert suppressed a smile. “What takes you to the East Star colony?”

  “Curiosity, I suppose. I’ve not been to the outback in quite some time. And never as a civilian. Ultimately, I hope to get as far out as Free Port.”

  Robert’s eyebrows shot up. “Free Port?” he said. “As I understand it, that place is lawless. Why would you want to visit such a place?”

  John chuckled. “Yes, that’s what they say isn’t it? Over the years, I’ve learned what they say isn’t always true.”

  Robert looked skeptical. “I suppose that makes sense, though I’m not sure I would want to find out myself.”

  “You’re not curious to see the place that the great Alfred Newhall built?” John asked. “The orbital stations there are supposed to be the biggest and grandest in all of human space. Even on the other side of the border, the Free Worlds Alliance cannot boast anything as big.”

  “The pirates, slavers, thieves, and murderers are of no concern to you?”

  John smiled ruefully. “Yes, those people are out there. But, those people are also in the core worlds… Perhaps not as many pirates, though. And, as I understand it, slavers are not welcome there.”

  Robert took John’s other rook.

  “Blast. I shouldn’t play this game whilst I am drinking.” John said, chagrined.

  “Robert, I’m sorry if I missed it, but what is it that you do?”

  He’d expected this question sooner. It had to come up at some point. He had his story ready. “I am a professor at the Imperial School of Drama and Arts. I teach acting and swordplay to the next generation of theater actors and actresses.”

  “Ah… I’ve never been a theatergoer, I’m afraid.”

  Thank God. Robert smiled. “No apologies are necessary. I can understand that completely. There are so many forms of entertainment nowadays, the theater does seem a bit archaic.”

  Time to change the subject. Robert picked up a fresh glass and sipped. “During my term of service in the Imperial Army, as I said, I was an officer in the Household Guard. We saw our share of combat. There were the police actions when one House would fight another, and His Majesty would send us in to break it up.”

  “You mentioned Lord Redfield.” Robert began shaking his head. “Such a disagreeable man. My unit was sent to Oberon VI when he decided he was going to annex half of Lord Chamberlain’s solar system, the half with the precious minerals and noble gases. Apparently, the Lord Redfield wanted to mine his gas giants. We were sent in to a large orbital mining station. Alas, we were too late. Redfield’s men had already killed every man woman and child on that station.” Robert glanced out the viewport into space, then took a long pull on his scotch.

  John watched him intently. “I’d never heard about that. How can such crimes go unpunished?”

  Robert shrugged. “I’d imagine it’s directly related to the amount of coin Redfield deposits into the Imperial treasury in tribute.”

  John grunted. “Interesting that a disagreement between two Lords can end up costing the lives of so many of their subjects, and yet they rarely pay any real price themselves. I understand they are bluebloods, but in my mind, that means they should have a greater responsibility to protect their people. Instead, they throw lives away in petty squabbles.”

  Robert nodded. “Yes, indeed… Check,” he said, trying not to smile. John looked chagrined again.

  “I understand the house conflicts predate the Empire, some of them going all the way back to old Earth. It’s just shocking how quick they are to fight, in many cases, over a trifling matter,” Robert said.

  John took a quick look around, making sure no one was nearby. “And unless the King’s tribute is at stake, those dukes can wage war on each other with no thought of the consequences to their people,” John said in a hushed tone, shaking his head.

  Robert raised his glass again. “Here’s to short wars and clear victors.”

  John raised his glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

  A soft tone chimed. A tuxedoed waiter stepped out of the banquet hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served.” He bowed and took a step back through the doors.

  “Checkmate,” Robert said.

  John Drake smirked. “Impeccable timing, Robert.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Robert reclined on the plush couch in his cabin. He opened a news feed from Capella Major. Marissa and Armand’s murder was front page news. A deep concern grew in the pit of his stomach. What if someone recognizes me? Surely, it’s just a matter of time. Perhaps I should just stay in my cabin? He pondered that for a moment, and dismissed it. It might arouse John Drake’s suspicion if he suddenly disappeared. Besides, he liked the doctor’s company. He helped Robert keep his thoughts away from the predicament he was in. I hope he doesn’t notice that I always keep my back to the room.

  Dammit. I shouldn’t have let myself get drawn into conversation with him, let alone, share details of my past. What was I thinking?

  Can I change my face? Or will the ship’s AI flag me with ship’s security? Hmm, I’d still better not chance it.

  Robert got up and poured himself a drink.

  He checked news feeds out of Pollux and Castor. He was relieved to find that he was not front page news in either of those systems. The story did feature in the arts and entertainment sections. That was good news, although he was still exposed to quite a large degree.

  Robert logged in to his financial page. He entered through an onion router, so his location could not easily be ascertained. However, the authorities would have to know that someone using his credentials had tried to access his money. There was nothing for it, he had to see if his money was still there.

  He checked his investments. His accounts were empty. Blast! There goes twenty years of savings and investments. Five million coin wiped out with the wave of a hand. He was thankful he had the foresight to move his liquid assets into CryptoCoin. It was a considerable sum, but not enough to allow him to live the easy life anywhere.

  He downed his glass of scotch and poured another.

  He wondered if the authorities would be waiting for him when he stepped off the ship at the East Star colony. The constable said he could wipe out the data that would allow the authorities to track him.
But is that true? How much control can a city constable have over the Imperial data network? He found himself silently hoping that Alston Townsend would not be found out aiding and abetting the escape of a fugitive of the King’s justice, for both their sakes.

  Assuming I’m not picked up as I step off the ship, what the hell am I supposed to do? Robert stared out his cabin window, the black of space was oddly soothing to him. He exhaled and slumped back on to the soft couch. Well, the first thing I’ll do is get on another ship. If they haven’t tracked me to the East Star colony, it will certainly only be a matter of time before they do.

  I’ll need some new identification. Robert frowned, being a wanted fugitive was going to take some getting used to. And he better start asking himself the right questions, or he wouldn’t be a fugitive for long.

  How do I get in touch with the proper criminals? How do I know they won’t turn me in for the bounty? Dammit. One wrong decision, and I’m done for. Where the hell do I even begin? Robert sighed. He set down his glass and rubbed his temples. A tension headache was setting in, even the scotch couldn’t help it. I was raised to be a proper gentleman, not a criminal…

  Robert’s thoughts turned to his parents. A wave of guilt swept over him as he realized this was the first time he bothered to spare them any thought at all. They must be completely mortified. He wondered if his father would be ostracized by his fellow barristers at his law firm. Likewise, would his mum be unfriended by her social circle at the hospital where she was a pediatric doctor?

  Sorry, Mum and Dad.

  CHAPTER 7

  First Officer Billy McAndrews peered out of the forward wall screen. The Pegasus approached the jump gate, an immense ring measuring five kilometers across on the inside diameter. It was dull gray in color and access panels of various sizes and shapes were scattered all over the surface. Two control stations flanked it. They were connected to the outside curvature at the three and nine o’clock positions. They monitored all the ships coming and going and were very heavily armed, just in case unfriendlies jumped in. Billy checked his ship’s position, being careful to watch the other traffic. Other ships had an odd tendency to be a bit erratic while waiting in the queue.