Left Behind

Posted on Mon Mar 4th, 2024 @ 4:24am by Princess Royal Giana Orsini & Major Sacha Lavigne & Crown Prince Paolo Orsini

Mission: Historiae Terrae Et Imperii
Location: Imperator; Terra
Timeline: Date 2371-09-02 at 1730
2898 words - 5.8 OF Standard Post Measure

The life of the official escort of the Emperor was much less exciting than the job description might imply. The Imperator rested above Terra whenever the Emperor was at home and, at the present time, that was almost always. As a result, the crew often lapsed into a sort of disinterested normal life that a typical assignment wouldn’t afford. Colonel David Akamu refused to allow that. They were the Imperial Guard, after all; the best of the best.

The Maori man had deep brown skin, jet black hair cut close to his scalp, and a face that was far more pudgy than the rest of his body. He was in peak physical condition, of course, as was everyone else on his Bridge, but the exercise never seemed to slim down his face. He sat in the center chair of the large command center, reading a report which communicated nothing but mundane details. Those details would only become consequential at a moment’s notice, and he was keenly aware of that fact. Considering the ultra-secret report that the Emperor had been stabbed, that moment might be now.

After leaving Paolo and Sacha, it had taken Giana about fifteen minutes to pull herself together after she had come to terms with that she would never be the most important person to anyone in her life - something or someone would always take precedence. The blue light of the transporter beam cleared as she stepped off the transporter PADD followed by one of her maids who doubled as an assistant and four of her loyal guards - though they weren’t really loyal to her, they were loyal to her father and his command to protect her. Whatever. It didn’t matter now. She was wearing a sleek black dress that was expensive but quite plain and modest for her. In her ears were small gold studs, around her neck was a gold chain bearing a small imperial seal, and on her finger again was Sacha’s ring. While she knew it was likely over between them, she was so used to wearing it now that it felt weird and she didn’t want to cause gossip.

Not that this was really a place for gossip.

“Take me to the bridge, I need to speak with Colonel Akamu at once.”

Despite the size of the vessel, the trip was made quickly enough. Before she stepped onto the bridge, she took a deep breath. She had no idea what she was doing, she didn’t know much about war - of course there’d been what she had studied, but it certainly wasn’t an interest to her. She didn’t know how this would play out, hopefully she wouldn’t get all of these people killed, but if she did well… their families would miss them at least. Clearing her throat, she stepped through the large door and immediately found the back of the Colonel’s chair. She’d been up on the bridge once so she wasn’t completely lost and she walked toward the chair projecting a confidence she didn’t feel.

“Colonel Akamu, under my authority as Princess Regent, I’m giving the order for the Imperator and her escort vessels to depart immediately for the Axanar System.” Her “authority” in this matter was at best a very grey area given the state of her father, but she was pinning her hope on the promise of actually going into the fight and seeing action would spur their compliance.

The Colonel turned his chair around swiftly, his dark eyes finding the face of the one who had addressed him and, to his surprise, it really was Princess Giana. He frowned, no more excited for the royal interruption as he had been to receive the news about the attack on the Emperor.

“Your Highness. I was made aware of the chain of command for the military, but you might recall this ship is under the command of the Imperial Guard. I’m not entirely sure how closely I should follow your commands or if I should consult with your mother and Ramsay.” He said. His tone was professional and not challenging. It seemed he was only sharing his confusion rather than presenting a barrier for her.

Giana was quite certain that if her mother or Ramsay were standing in her place making this request, the colonel would have complied immediately. She looked annoyed, but to her credit retained some semblance of a level head - at least for the moment. “Yes, Colonel, I am aware that this ship is under the command of the Imperial Guard. I am also aware that it is your charge to protect the Emperor and his family. I am his daughter and I am also Princess Regent. I understand your hesitation, but I will be going to the front with or without you. The Imperator is the most likely ship to keep me safe, is it not? Would you want to be in the position of explaining to my mother and Ramsay - or worse my father - that you denied me the safety of this ship and her men if something were to happen to me?”

Rather than considering the question she proposed, the Colonel merely offered a half smile. The thought had already occurred to him of the consequences of not protecting the eldest daughter of the Emperor and letting her fly into a war zone.

“Of course.” He said, bowing his head slightly before turning toward the front of the large Bridge. “Prepare for immediate departure. Signal the Oberon, the Rebellion, and the Tristain that we’re leaving orbit.”

As the crew complied with his orders, the Colonel turned to Giana and lifted a brow.

“This isn’t the last thing we ever do, is it?”

“No, Colonel, it won’t be, but I’m sure it won’t be an easy venture either. We should speak privately somewhere that is convenient.” Giana replied, pleased that there was no more argument.

“My ready room, ma’am.” He said, then left his XO to direct the Imperator and it’s escort group to their destination. The man serving as second in command of the ship, a Lieutenant Colonel, looked uncertain, but the fact either didn’t register on Akamu or he didn’t care. Once they were in the ready room, a large space with comfortable couches on the near side of the room, he gestured toward one of the couches. “Please feel free to have a seat, ma’am.”

Giana had walked after the man with her escort, entering the room and immediately giving it a critical once over. Thankfully, this was no ordinary military vessel and luxury was written all over it - even in areas like this. She swept over to one of the couches he had indicated and took a seat, crossed her legs at the ankles, and looked up to him. “I’m sure you have questions.”

The Colonel sat down on the couch catty corner to hers and and exhaled, his vascular temples flexes with the stress in his face.

“Of course I do.” He said, neutral. The princess was famously beautiful, but he managed to keep his eyes focussed on hers. “I’d like to know what your intentions are. We are built and trained for battle, but we aren’t expecting any fight that isn’t defensive. If you intend to have us lead a charge, there are many that would say that is improper. The Admirals won’t like the Imperial Guard at the head of an operation; it will make them feel like we are taking over their jobs.”

Giana shook her head slightly. “No, I’m not planning on leading the charge on the Imperator, but I do want her to be present if needed. When we arrive I will contact Admiral Leyton to brief him of the situation and my intent. As long as we can come to an understanding of the importance of this task, then the Admirals can keep their glories.”

“And if we can’t?” He asked, looking at her with a probing glance, his expression one of bridled curiosity.

“Then perhaps you will make a more resounding mark as the first commander of the Imperator.” Giana replied, her brows lifting slightly. “This will be done. The danger to the Empire is too great to allow it to continue.”

He didn’t react to her offer, knowing that any such action was neither certain nor definitively a positive for his career. What would happen after was unknown, and the jealousy it might engender with his superiors in the guard might mar all.

“You mean your brother, the Prince, cannot remain alive?” He asked, raising his own brows.

Giana was silent for a beat and then nodded slowly. “That is correct, Colonel. Neither he nor his most devoted loyalists can remain. I am taking this opportunity as it has been presented to try and turn tragedy into triumph.”

“And your Royal Father will no longer be less than pleased with you when he wakes up.” He said, not asking this time. He leaned back a bit, crossing his arms under his chest. “What’s your plan to handle him?”

“I doubt that, but that doesn’t matter.” Giana turned her head from him and slowly looked around the room. “As for a plan, I was going to ask for thoughts from the admirals and commanders of the fleet once we arrive to hear what they might have in mind.”

“The problem is any problem he has with your plan might reflect very negatively on me and anyone else who follows your orders. And if you’re expecting Leyton to have any fresh ideas, ma’am, you might be barking up the wrong tree.”

“What makes you say that?” Giana asked, quirking a brow at Akamu expectantly.

“Leyton is a loose cannon if things are as I hear. He doesn’t like playing by the rules and prefers to be the one pulling the strings. Forgive my saying it, but he won’t like following your orders. He might even try to go over your head if he doesn’t like what you have to say. Like many of the people on this ship, I used to be in the Fleet. He has a reputation for being sneaky. I think that’s why Janeway wanted him to lead Home Fleet…so she could use his talents while keeping an eye on him.”

A frown appeared on Giana’s pretty face at his words. Of course, Akamu could have been lying or trying to spin something for his benefit, but from the moment she had stepped onto the bridge and spoken with him, he didn’t really give her the impression of a man who would do that. She silently cursed never being invited to these military meetings while simultaneously ignoring the fact she probably never would have gone even if she had been. She was out of her depth, but she was resolute in her goal.

“Tell me more.”

“I’m no great master of the man; I myself was recruited into the guard as a Junior Grade Lieutenant, but I hear he’s been very successful getting his protégés appointed to command-level positions in the Fleet. He has a lot of sway. It’s hard to know who owes him their career, which means it’s hard to know who he has in his pocket. He almost talked his way into being Grand Admiral, but lost his bid to Janeway. Fortunately for us, a win at Axanar would look great on his record. Unfortunately, it would involve killing the Emperor’s son.”

“A traitor and disinherited man who made an attempt on the Emperor’s life - which may have succeeded. We don’t know.” She scowled suddenly then. “If no one has the wherewithal to do it, I’ll do it myself.”

“No, ma’am. You will order men to do it for you.” He said, no semblance of resentment in his voice or in his face. It was a fact of life, and every one of them had sworn an oath to the Emperor. “There is a difference, Your Highness.”

“You misunderstand me, Colonel. I am saying if the men around me are too afraid to follow my order to see the traitor from this life, I will do it with my own hand.” She turned her beautiful blue eyes on him fully. “Whether you choose to believe that fact or not is really no consequence to me.”

“You see, ma’am. That is exactly the kind of civilian talk which makes us very very nervous.” He responded, frowning. “Giuseppe is a soldier; a trained killer, and he’s surrounded by trained killers. I want to make sure you understand that determination isn’t enough here. Men are going to have to pay with their lives, and none of them will be you. I would strongly advise you don’t say things like that with the Admiral.”

Giana wasn’t sure if the man was being willfully obtuse or simply wasn’t understanding her, but either way she was quite done trying to get her point across. “They should be honored to make the sacrifice in the name of the Empire. Now, do you have other questions?”

“Yes, ma’am, I should.” He said, a loyal soldier through and through. If she was going to reject his advice, there was nothing he could do but protect her. He hoped she understood that would be his first and most important responsibility, even if it meant ignoring her orders. “We will make your apartment ready for you and inform the crew of your arrival.”

“Thank you, Colonel, and thank you for your insight to the admiral. I’ll keep it in mind.” She would, but she was also going to get her way on this. “Is there anything else?”

“No, ma’am.” He said with military clarity.

“Alright then.” Giana moved to stand and smoothed out the front of her dress as she did so. “I expect to be kept informed of anything pertinent happening. If you would like to assign one of your people to play military aide that would be acceptable. Please just make sure it is someone knowledgeable who can communicate clearly.”

“Yes, of course.” Was all he said, standing up beside her.

“Thank you.”

Without anything further, Giana left the room flanked by her silent escort of guards, leaving Akamu alone in the silence of his readyroom with only the mildly lingering scent of her perfume to keep him company.

-The Pyramid -
Paolo hadn’t bothered packing any clothing, and decided it might be best if he relied on replicated supplies, and whatever else would be provided for him in abundance on Imperator. He stood with two guards beside him, waiting alone in a transporter room.

Sacha arrived several minutes later, a forest green bag with the marine logo over his shoulder. He gave Paolo a nod as he entered the room, and approached him.

“No Gigi yet?” He asked, having expected her to arrive even before him.

“Not yet, no.” Paolo said with a shake of his head.

“Maybe she beamed up already? I’m not sure what else could be keeping her.”

“That wasn’t the plan.” Paolo said with a frown, like the idea itself was completely repugnant to him. “She’ll be along soon and we can beam up together like we said we would. Otherwise, we risk being separated or caught.”

Sacha didn’t seem pleased by the answer, but was ready enough to go along with it. They fell into a slightly awkward silence as they waited there first five and then ten minutes. Eventually, Sacha broke the silence again.

“Alright, that’s it. Something is wrong here.” He said with a tone of certainty. “Maybe she was caught and there’s some problem with our plan.”

Paolo inhaled through his nose slowly, more annoyed by the circumstances than by Sacha’s impatience. He walked over to the nearby wall terminal and pressed a button.

“Where is the Princess Regent?” He asked in a wearied voice.

“Her Imperial Highness Giana Orsini is not in the building.” Came the familiar voice of the computer.

Sacha went to the transporter console near him and immediately brought up the log. When he saw what was written there, he sent up several unsavory curses in French.

“She went before us; beamed up to Imperator.”

Something clicked with Paolo immediately, like a fact he knew ever before he had been told.

“Computer, prepare to beam four to Imperator.” He said, testing the waters.

“Imperator is no longer in transporter range.”

“Merde.” Sacha said, balling up his fists. “What the fuck does she think she’s doing?”

“She’s trying to get the job done without us.” Paolo said, blinking the anger out of his own eyes. “She lied to us.”

“Well there’s no way in hell I’m letting her go anywhere near Giuseppe without me.” Sacha said, approaching Paolo and seizing the boy by the arms with his strong hands. “We need to find another way off Terra, and we need to do it quickly.

END