Chapter 4
His Majesty's deep recon ship, Whisper, was a state of the art, specialty constructed ship. It had a range that was unheard of for a ship of it's size. Although lightly armed and armored, it relied mostly on it's stealth capabilities. HMS Whisper had drawn the job of following the data trail that was taken from the captured alien ship.
One way they maintained the ability to remain undetected, was despite their advanced stealth capabilities, they always exited from hyper farther out from systems than was normal. This gave them a better than average chance to avoid being detected during breakout from hyper into normal space. To compensate for the extended distances they had to cover their ship had highly advanced space normal drives that were better than most drives in the known galaxy.
Captain Laura Bennington had been briefed on the alien's technology as it was understood. They had a fairly good idea of detection capabilities as well as other abilities. Captain Bennington was a very cautious person, and allowed for probable miscalculations in information, and in hyper breakout, so she always erred on the side of caution. This had stood her in good stead in the past.
HMS Whisper was doing a recon on the fourth system that had been identified as belonging to the aliens. So far nothing unexpected had come up. They were still going in system from their exit point, but long range passive sensors were detecting an anomaly. She didn't dare go to active sensors as there were enemy ships in system.
The wealth of information she already had was enough to keep naval intelligence busy for weeks. She had dropped a message drone during a brief stop as well as an update on her projected course prior to coming to this system. Everything she had was in that drone.
They had slowly been moving closer to the inhabited planet in this system when a drive node blew. It had been known to happen, rare an event though it was, but when it did, it damaged the ship, and notified even the blind that something or someone was in system. The reaction to this was almost instant.
Ships started to converge on the area of space that was now occupied visually by an Imperial recon ship. Try though she might, Captain Bennington was unable to get away. Despite the best efforts of her engineers, the damaged drive node gave away their position. Even after being taken off line, they were unable to control electronic leakage. It was as if they were sitting in space with a big target saying, "HERE I AM, SHOOT ME."
She fought her ship hard, taking two enemy ships with her, but finally came the time when she could fight no more. With her hull breached in hundreds of locations, and most of her crew dead, Captain Laura Bennington managed to get one burst transmission off with the FTL ( FTL is Faster Than Light) communications gear before it too was taken out of action. HMS Whisper, Captain Bennington, and over 600 men and woman ceased to exist as the Whisper performed it's final command and blew itself and all ships close to it to their component atoms.
[Once more, Richard. Unless you practice constantly, you will not become proficient in the mind disciplines.] The symbiot said silently in the emperor's mind.
<Right. I understand. But you have to give me a little slack now and then. I do have an empire to run you know> Richard replied just as silently.
[Richard. Where I am from, most people were much stronger than you are now, and all practiced on a daily basis. Mind discipline was the most important of the disciplines.]
<You know, you never did tell me where you were from. I mean, I know you were ejected from a ship, and landed on that planet I came across you, but you never really did tell me everything. You still come up with technical information on a who knows basis! I mean by that, that out of the blue, you decide to share a bit of tech with me. I am not complaining, but really, can't you at least tell me your home system? Who created you? How long will you live? You always side step these questions, reminding me you saved my life when my life boat crashed over three hundred years ago during the break up of the Terran Federation.> The emperor replied.
[You and your race are not ready yet for information on who and what created me. Suffice it to say, that as long as I am your symbiot, you will live as long as I will, and my life expectancy is very very long.] The symbiot replied a bit smugly.
<Ok, lets do this again.> The emperor said with a mental sigh.
[Very good. Now, when you are outside your body, you use energy. To extend your time out of body, and to provide yourself with energy, or food, you must concentrate and you will notice 'BANDS' of energy. Lightly touch on these bands. Some will repel you, others you will be able to use as food, or energy. To use a food band, just touch it, and will the energy into you. You just soak it up like a sponge.]
Admiral Elias Sethton was planning probable fighting scenarios when the FTL flash message came through. It was the death message of HMS Whisper. Communications decoded it and decompressed it. It was then passed to the duty officer who reviewed it, then passed it to the captain. After the captain watched it, she notified the admiral who then watched it in turn.
The emperor was not amused. He looked at the General who was sitting at a conference table. Richard was glaring at one of his generals, and it was not a pleasant thing to see.
"Well General Corman. Can you explain the missing sensor packs? According to all regs, they should be in storage." The emperor asked.
"I can't explain why they are missing, your majesty." General Corman responded.
"Can you explain why a Feruthe sensor log shows something totally different than the statement of Lord Everett? Considering that both Lt. Braxton's sensor pack and lord Everett's were both tampered with, oh yes, it is obvious to me. It is also obvious that he had help. I believe you were that help General. Do you have anything to say that can shed more light on this, General?" The emperor asked in a grim voice.
"Your majesty, I invoke my right to counsel at this time." General Corman responded.
"I see. If what I suspect is true, then you probably will be charged with conspiracy, and murder. I intend to seek the death penalty in your case as well as that of Lord Everett. What you two did was beneath contempt. I suspect there is more to this than that what I already know. Enjoy your stay in prison general. I am not going to place you on house arrest. Scum like you do not deserve respect or the benefit of doubt.
"I can feel the guilt in you General Corman. You know I have abilities. So I KNOW!" The emperor finished angrily, got up and left the room with a white faced and shaken General Corman being placed in restraints for his trip to Birkman Prison. Imp. Sec. was very efficient when it came to following the emperor's orders. They were none to gentle with the general.
Mathew Braxton was waiting to see the emperor. The room was well appointed and comfortable. He noted the presence of two Imp. Sec. Guards on the opposite side of the room from him. They were standing at the position of parade rest, and he knew they had their eye on him, even if it wasn't obvious. As a matter of fact, he was sure this room was monitored closely. At a desk sat a secretary who was busy with a terminal and typing furiously.
The secretary paused and assumed a listening attitude. "You may go in now Mr. Braxton." The secretary said.
The door opened behind the two guards, and Mathew Braxton went through and found himself in the presence of his emperor. He bowed.
"Commander Braxton. I regret to meet you under these circumstances." The emperor said coming forward and shaking Mathew's hand.
Mathew found himself looking at a man he had known all his life from afar. The emperor was almost 6 feet tall. Brown hair and eyes. He absolutely exuded energy that was impossible not to pick up on. The emperor was dressed in a conservative brown tunic and trousers.
For his part, the emperor saw a man about an inch taller than he was. Blond hair and gray eyes. Braxton had kept himself in shape despite leaving the Navy. He was wide of shoulders and carried himself well.
[Richard. This man before you is a natural empath. You should cultivate this one. He is yet another of those we want closest to us.]
<Really? That might explain a few of his decisions and accusations he had made about certain officers years ago. I wish I had known.> The emperor replied regretfully.
"Not at all, your majesty. The situation was not of your personal making. I am just glad my son and his name are being exonerated. I just wish he could have lived to see it." Mathew replied a little sadly.
"Damn it man! If I were you I would be pissed!" The emperor exclaimed.
"I am. But I learned long ago to control myself. I am most definitely angry, and it is at Lord Everett and those who conspired against my son." Replied Mathew, a bit grimly.
"Come, sit with me and lets talk. I have much to do in making amends to you and rectifying a certain situation." The emperor said leading Mathew Braxton to a small alcove where two over stuffed arm chairs sat.
It was later the same day the emperor had spoken with Mathew Braxton. The emperor had been impressed with the man. His symbiot had been even more impressed with the untrained abilities of Braxton. They had discussed at length trying to convince Mathew Braxton to reactivate his commission in the navy. They decided not to try at this time, but wait a bit. The emperor had plans to ennoble Mathew Braxton to the rank of Baron. He was also going to make him 'Landed' nobility. What that meant was a small portion of taxes gathered from a sector in Castle City would become Mr. Braxton's.
The emperor had already worked out which sector. He figured that
after the new Lord Braxton paid his taxes, he would realize about
20,000 credits a month clear. Considering most people on average in the
empire made about that much a year, Braxton was going to be well off.
The only thing was to get Mathew Braxton into a position to accept.