Phantom Regency
Chapter 14

To: Del Baslim

Baslim Engine Works

Ostia F3647-398@Gnet 8

Encrypted

Father,

I know you disapprove of my choices, but I cannot sit by and waste my power. Just because you forsook our heritage does not mean I have to. I am sending this last message before I go to Yoshun.

I apologize for the way I acted last week. You have the right to make your own choices too. I am appreciative of your help to our family and friends. In my absence please continue to assist the exiles. The day may come soon that they may return. I understand your need to cut ties with me now. Could you please send the contents of my account by way of voucher? I’m sure you could do it through a non-suspicious third party.

Also, last week you mentioned “another way” to free our family and clear our name. Would you consider abandoning those efforts until I am successful or have died trying? Rylen will stay with E. and his mother for now. If something should happen to me, don’t let your hatred of Rylen cloud your love for your daughter-in-law and grandson. I have a feeling they will need you before this is all over.

I love you father and wish things could be different. I will not anger you by talking much of Sky Man, but know that I speak of you to him. May you continue to prosper.

Phaenor T.

Captain Dread was sitting in his office at the Dread Nest. Across from the desk sat Halen. They had walked through the details of Eamor’s escape and now a heavy silence filled the room.

“Do you think we’ll be able to replace him?” Halen finally asked.

“He could be anywhere in the galaxy by now. Our ships will be looking out for him. Who knows where he will turn up? I have my suspicions. But even if do we replace him… he killed Lang. Didn’t see that coming.” He shook his head. “I may have to deal with him myself eventually.

“Anyway, how are you? Do you still want in on the master operation?”

“Yeah, I can do it Cap. I need to stay busy,” Halen replied.

“Good, go on into the Flats and get up to the ship. I want you and Keen to retrofit two of the gunboats for floatation. All the pilots need simulator work on water landings, too.”

“Aye, captain.”

The desk console beeped. Dread read from the screen.

“Am I dismissed, Cap?” Halen asked.

Dread laughed softly. “It looks like we have a detour to make. Our financier wants to rendezvous.”

“Our mystery benefactor? What’s he want?”

“Don’t know. He’s supposed to release some funds for the retrofit soon. We are almost to the point that we don’t need him anymore. But for now, we need to humor him.”

Three days later, the Inexorable came out of shift in the deep sky at the pre-determined co-ordinates.

“Anything on the scanner?” Dread asked from his captain’s chair on the bridge.

“Nothing of significance,” Jopp replied, “Wait a minute…”

“What is it?” Dread demanded.

“Captain, there is a small object 100 miles off the port bow. It’s not a ship, no significant energy signature.”

“I have a signal,” another pirate said, “It’s a message to approach and board by small craft.”

“Call Halen to the landing bay. I’m going over.”

A few minutes later, Halen guided the gunboat to the side of a freighter pod. They docked and opened the airlock.

Dread took the lead as they walked in. It was a wide-open space that was surprisingly well lit.

“Nothing in here, Cap,” Halen said.

They walked about halfway to the center of the pod. Dread stretched and locked his hands behind his back. “Oh, if I know our Mister Big, there’s something here.”

“Or someone,” said a voice. A shimmering form began to take the shape of a man. He was taller than average and thickly built, wearing rich business attire. A thick, leonine mane of white hair crowned his formidable face.

“A holo?” Halen asked Dread quietly.

“No,” the man said, overhearing him. “I am real. This personal cloak is a new invention of mine. As long as I stay still I am practically imperceptible. I’m glad to know it works.”

He walked toward Dread with his hand out. Halen stepped in front of him and drew his ion gun. Immediately hatches opened around the perimeter of the pod and gun barrels aimed at him.

“If you attempt to activate your weapon, you will die in a nanosecond. I appreciate your loyalty to your captain, but even he understands that I am to be feared and trusted. My deals never go bad because I never let them.”

“Step aside Halen,” Dread said, “Mister Big here is an old friend.”

“Not exactly friend,” Mister Big said, shaking his hand, “Especially if you have no good news for me.”

“I do have good news. I am on my way to Galmar to begin phase one of the master plan. The diving equipment is already there.”

“I trust you have heard that the Evanthans have voted for secession. The Regency is crumbling faster than we thought. We cannot allow the Authority or worse, the exiles, to get a foothold before we are ready.”

Dread smiled, “The timetable is still sound on our end. Is the payment schedule still sound? As you know I need funds for the retrofit… and the construction station.”

“I will have a station waiting unguarded. The co-ordinates and timetable have already been sent to your ship. Have you procured the necessary help to activate the orb? This is the issue I must have resolution on before I can release the next payment. If you lack the resources I can turn over the operation to Daxler.”

Dread shot him a murderous look. “That will not be necessary. I am on my way to meet my source when I shift out of here. I have every promise that it will provide what is needed. How will I let you know?”

“I will know. If what you say is true, the monies will be sent in the usual manner. Do not stumble on the home stretch. I will not allow my investment to be wasted. Now, please command your ship to shift out and return in one hour. My ship will be returning in ten minutes and I must have a safe passage out.”

“Fabulous. We’re your hostages?” Halen was livid.

Dread laughed out loud, “Yes we are, Halen. Call the ship and give the order, then wait in the boat.” He turned to Mister Big. “While he’s busy let’s really catch up.”

An hour later the Inexorable returned and picked them up. To Halen’s surprise, Dread did not order the ship to Galmar but to the galactic rim outside Ostia. During the voyage, he had an unforgettable conversation with Captain Dread. He had come to the captain’s cabin to ask about the operation on Galmar.

“Can I come in Cap?” he asked from the door of his private cabin.

“Sure, come on in.” Dread was sitting in his high-backed armchair. In his hands was the holo-disc that normally lay on the end table. The stunning figure of the woman in blue glowed softly in the darkened room.

“Sir I…” Halen began.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Dread asked wistfully.

“Y-yes she is,” Halen responded warily. Dread was famously reticent about his former life. “Did you know her well?”

“Did I…?” Dread fell silent for a moment, “She was my wife.”

“Is she…”

“Dead? No.” Dread put the disc down gently, “Only dead in my heart.” He stood up suddenly. “Halen, you were my best cabin boy. Lang is dead now and Eamor…” He broke off suddenly. Halen wondered if he was about to break down.

“Cap, I was just…” His words hit the floor.

Dread walked over to his desk and stared at the chart on it. After a moment, he wheeled around. “Here’s the deal Halen. I have never had a son. One was promised and I don’t know… I don’t… Any way, I have never felt complete without a protégé, a mentoree if you will.”

“I had noticed that Cap.”

“Halen, I want you to be my right hand. I am promoting you to second captain. Jopp is loyal, but he is a warrior and little else. You’ve got smarts. You came to me about Eamor. I trust you. I believe in you. I love you like a son. I have something I want you to know.”

“Go on.” Halen wondered what he was about to replace out. As far as he knew no one knew all the details of the plan and even less of the details of the nearly mythical figure they called captain.

“I believe you heard me talk once of my grandfather’s encounter with aliens on the Outrider. He used to take me to see them. I am going now to meet with them. They have been guides and benefactors for many years now. They have the means to activate the orb that we will replace on Galmar. I want you to come with me to see them. I want you ‘in’, really ‘in’. What lies ahead of us will change the galaxy. I need someone at my side. I need…”

“I understand sir. I am honored. Aliens. It is fantastic. Can they be trusted?”

“Their guidance has not failed me yet.” He was rapidly resuming his usual demeanor as captain. “Get a boat ready. Bring a case of memory cubes. No weapons. Dress lightly; they keep their ships warm. We should be there in six hours.”

“Aye, Cap.”

“Halen, do you have anything to say? Are you ok with all this?”

Halen had much to share. He had a deep secret of his own, but could never share it, especially not with Dread. “I’m good, Cap.”

They arrived at the rim. Dread ordered the ship to a dead stop by a large, red, opaque nebula. Halen and Dread embarked in a gunboat. Dread had him pilot straight through the nebula. It clouded their instruments but did not interfere with the flight of the boat. As they approached the far end, Halen could make out an object. It looked like an enormous creature, with vast wings and gaping mouth. It dwarfed any ship he had ever seen. His heart began pounding. Dread pointed him to an opening hangar door on the front of it. It was an enormous alien ship. He landed the boat in a small empty bay.

They exited the boat into stifling heat and bright light. There were a few small vessels in the bay, similar to skypods. Along one wall some crates were stacked. As Halen glanced around he thought he saw the smoky silhouette of a small flying lizard. When he looked closer it disappeared. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Cap, I don’t know about this.”

“We’ll be fine. I’ve been here before. Here they come.”

A door opened across the bay. Halen’s pounding heart threatened to explode in his chest as they entered, three huge lizard-like creatures. Two of them had helmets and weapons. One was robed in black. Their deep yellow eyes sent chills into Halen’s soul. He felt like screaming, he felt like running but was frozen in place. This was Dread’s ‘source’? This was what he was following?

To his horror, the middle of the three aliens began talking in a growling, hissing language. Captain Dread produced a small device and began reading from it. It appeared to be translating for him. This, in itself, was extremely discomforting. All people in the galaxy spoke the same language except for a few isolated, local dialects. Halen had never been in such a disturbing situation. He wanted out, out of the Dread Knights, out of his other obligations. He yearned for the early years when he was a homeless boy. At least then he was carefree and unburdened, except for the burden of daily survival.

“Let’s go, Halen,” Captain Dread said quietly. Halen had hardly noticed the conversation. The lizard-things were walking back to the door.

Dread was visibly excited on the trip back. He talked endlessly of the great future they were forging for the galaxy. Halen could not have been less excited about his future. He found himself longing for Eamor’s company. They were both lost boys in a big galaxy. He realized that part of his motivation for telling dread about Eamor’s gift was so that he would be forced to stay. Maybe he would see him again someday.