"Good evening."
Beka looked up from her holonovel when she heard Tyr's voice on the evening air. She was seated on the patio in the courtyard outside her room. She was having a light dinner which had been provided to her by some of the housestaff.
"Good evening, Tyr," Beka's lips widened into a smile when she saw him. Although she had been a little uneasy around him after the trip to Itharus, after a full day apart, she found herself happy to see him when he walked out onto the patio. "How are you this evening?"
"I am well," Tyr replied as he walked over to bar area and fixed himself something to drink. He looked at the assorted finger foods that had been provided for Beka's dinner. He selected a few to put on a plate before walking over to join her. "How are you this evening?"
"I'm fine," Beka replied as she put down her flexi. "My hips and thighs are a little sore this evening. Apparently, I need to add some incline running or something to my workout. Between running up and down those stairs in the castle the other day, the hiking yesterday and the tour through the archaeological sites on the far side of Arktos, I have endured more strenuous walking than I normally do in a week. Being on a planet with normal gravity hasn't helped."
"Have you enjoyed the trips?" Tyr asked before taking a bite of his dinner.
"I have enjoyed them very much," Beka's smile slipped from her lips when he laid something on the table. She reached over and ran her finger over the bracelet she placed on his arm just two day ago. "I will say the festival trip and the hiking were my favorites. Not that I really enjoy hiking at all."
"I have always enjoyed the festivals on Itharus," Tyr replied after swallowing. He looked over at Beka before smiling ever so slightly. "I will say it was much more enjoyable when there is someone to share it with me."
"I am guessing you cannot say the same about the hike?" Beka laughed softly as she took a sip of her drink.
"I had forgotten how much you dislike planets, weather, nature," Tyr named off a few more things before taking another bite.
"I enjoy space … space stations … orbital habitats," Beka shrugged dramatically. "I do not think I will ever be one to … settle … on a planet. Arktos is nice but …"
"Good evening."
Beka looked over when Tamerlane voice floated on the air as he emerged from the palace.
"Good evening, son," Tyr looked over his shoulder as Tamerlane approached the table.
"How are you this evening?" Tamerlane asked as he made his way over to them. He pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table with them.
"I am well," Beka replied before regarding Tamerlane for a long moment. She was surprised to see him on the patio outside her suite. She had never known him to make 'house calls' to his guests. "I went on a tour of the archaeological sites on the far side of Arktos. It will be very interesting to find out who the original inhabitants of the planet were, don't you think?"
"I believe it will be interesting," Tamerlane nodded as he leaned back in his chair. He looked slowly between his father and Beka. "However, Arktos had been under Nietzschean rule in some form or another for more than a thousand years. It really matters not to me … who was here before they were."
"Then why bother with the excavation sites?" Beka asked as she pushed her plate away from her. She had thought she would be eating alone since she had not spent any time with Tyr during the day. He had assigned a tour guide to her and a security detail and sent her on her way that morning. She certainly had not expected Tamerlane to appear.
"Knowledge," Tamerlane replied with the faintest of smiles. "After all … it is power … right?"
"Of course that is why you would be interested," Beka replied before she could stop herself. After years of interacting with the young Nietzschean emperor, Beka still found herself easily ruffled by his no nonsense ways about everything. "It is always about power and positioning with you, isn't it Tamerlane? Do you ever do anything just for the … love and enjoyment … of life?"
Tamerlane seemed to consider it for a long moment.
"No," Tamerlane finally answered with the shake of his head. "What are your plans for the remainder of your trip?"
"I am not here on vacation Tamerlane. I am just waiting for you to tell me what I want to hear," Beka gave Tamerlane a pointed look. "Then I'm outta here."
"Really?" Tamerlane looked over at Tyr. He raised his eyebrows at his father even though his words were directed at Beka. "You're just waiting for me."
"I came here on business Tamerlane," Beka's response caught his focus and Tamerlane's gaze turned to her. "When my business is concluded, I will return home … to my family and business."
"Your family," Tamerlane nodded as he looked between Tyr and Beka. "Does that include your husband?"
"I prefer to leave my personal life off the discussion list," Beka replied as she looked at Tyr. His gaze was unreadable as he looked across the table at Tamerlane. "My husband is really none of your business."
"So I see," Tamerlane shook his head slowly as he regarded his father for a long moment. It was more than obvious to Tamerlane that his father desired Beka Valentine. Although unusual, Tamerlane believed there was a time and a place when one could indulge themselves. After all that his father had done, Tamerlane believed it was time for Tyr to indulge in finding whatever made his life complete.
Tamerlane reached across the table and picked up the platinum bracelet laying on the table between Beka and his father. He studied it intently for a moment.
"Amadeus and Amara," Tamerlane eyes widened slightly with recognition after intently scrutinizing the bracelet. He scoffed as he looked between Beka and Tyr. "Utter fools, both of them."
Silence descended upon the portico as the tension built. Beka looked over at Tyr as Tyr's focus remained on Tamerlane. This was another of those times when she could tell there was something going on between Tyr and his son. Something was being communicated between the two males. And Beka was left out and oblivious to what it was.
Tamerlane finally tossed the bracelet back onto the table.
"Speaking of fools," Tamerlane gestured to the guard standing in the doorway. The guard walked over to the table and handed Tamerlane a couple of flexis. He took the top flexi and tossed it on the table before Beka. "That fop you are actually married to got himself and your son arrested during an attempted heist on Valhaughffen."
"What?" Beka exclaimed as she snatched the flexi. Her eyes flew over the arrest record as she tried to digest what she was reading. According to the report, Leydon had been caught stealing a valuable artifact from a museum. Kindred was picked up outside the museum as an accomplice to the break in.
"They were attempting to 'repossess' some property for the Doge Fistrich," Tamerlane gave a short laugh. "Why in the known worlds Leydon thought he could succeed is beyond me. Perhaps, it is time you counsel your husband that he is not the thief he once was. Maybe he should retire and stay home with his wife instead of gallivanting around the known worlds."
"And Kindred," Beka didn't see a report on her son.
"Kindred is being detained as a person of interest," Tamerlane leaned back in his chair. Beka read through the report again a little more slowly.
"This happened two days ago?" Beka looked up at him suspiciously. "How is it that you already have knowledge of the arrest?"
"I received a message from Valhaughffen late last evening," Tamerlane replied as his eyes remained fixed on Beka to gauge her reaction to his words. "From a Terra Hawkins?"
"Terra?" Beka asked as she looked up from the flexi to Tamerlane.
"Your daughter is named Terra, is she not?" Tamerlane replied as his brow furrowed slightly. "Or at least a female claiming to be your daughter contacted me concerning your husband and son's predicament."
"Terra contacted you?" Beka arched an eyebrow. Tamerlane smiled slightly at Beka's questioning expression. He could tell that Beka was not pleased that her daughter had contacted him concerning the arrest. "Of all of the people in the TriGalaxies, why would my daughter contact you?"
"According to her message," Tamerlane tapped another flexi on the table. He looked at it briefly before sliding it to Beka. "Terra was on Valhuaghffen with her father and brother at the time of their apprehension. She knew you were scheduled to be on Arktos. She was uncertain how to make contact with you while you were here so she insisted the authorities send her message to Arktos … to me."
"She requested I relay the news to you," Tamerlane replied with an unreadable look on his face when Beka looked up at him. Beka could tell from his tone he was not pleased with being put in the role of errand boy. "She also inquired as to whether there was something I might do to assist your family."
"Thank you for relaying the message," Beka replied with a faint nod of her head. "Why would Terra believe you would assist her family?"
"It is all in the portion of the message addressed to me," Tamerlane gestured to the flexi in Beka's hand. "Valhaughffen is a Nietzschean drift. The item in question belongs to a museum on that drift. You and I share a professional relationship. Terra believed I was in the best position to assist her father and brother. Should I be so inclined … she would be … eternally … grateful. I believe those are the words she used."
Beka tossed the flexi on the table as she eyed Tamerlane cynically. "And I repay you for your 'generous intervention' how exactly?"
"Terra inquired into my ability to assist her father and her brother," Tamerlane leaned back in his chair and stretched as he regarded Beka. "IF I should be so inclined as to assist her, Terra and I will deal with 'repayment' should the topic ever arise."
Beka studied Tamerlane for a long moment as her mind whirled. She could not imagine why Tamerlane would ever help Terra. A person he had never met. A person who had no standing in the universe and a person who was in no position to do anything for the Nietzschean Empire or the Nietzschean Emperor. The thought of any of her family being beholden to Tamerlane Anasazi or any other Nietzschean did not sit well with Beka.
"Stay away from my daughter," Beka warned as her suspicions peaked and her motherly protectiveness engaged.
"I have never met your daughter. I have never initiated contact with your daughter, Beka," Tamerlane informed Beka in an amused tone. "Your daughter contacted me to assist her with her father and brother's predicament. Why do you feel the need to warn me? You should speak with your daughter if her potential, future relationship with me concerns you."
"Relationship?" Beka found herself surprised by the use of the word. "You have two wives and four children. I hardly think you can have a potential relationship with my daughter."
"Perhaps interaction is a better term," Tamerlane's eyes sparkled, amused by Beka stance. He had purposefully used the word relationship to see how Beka would respond. He found it amusing that she immediately assumed he meant something romantic or sexual by it. "Your daughter is eighteen, is she not? I would think she is more than capable of making her own choices."
"She's Human, Tamerlane," Beka shook her head. Tamerlane leaned forward toward Beka. He lowered his voice.
"I am well aware that your daughter is Human," Tamerlane's eyes moved over Beka's face. He could see the look of confusion in her eyes and perhaps a slight bit of panic and concern as well. "Nietzschean males and Human woman have … relationships … interactions … connections … exchanges … every day throughout the tri-galaxies. I hardly see why your daughter and I engaging in such dealings is cause for concern. Look at you and my father …"
Tamerlane let his voice trail off as he looked between Tyr and Beka.
"Back to the issue at hand," Tyr broke in when he noticed Beka stiffen. Tyr had no idea why Beka reacted so strongly to Tamerlane speaking about Terra when Beka had mentioned she regretted their children did not know one another. Then again, maybe Beka had not really meant what she said. Tyr also did not understand why Tamerlane was using the words he was using. It was almost as if he were trying to bait Beka into a confrontation of some sort. "Have you decided if you are willing to assist in the release of Kindred and his father?"
"Their transport from Valhaughffen should arrive in the system late tonight or early in the morning hours," Tamerlane replied as he leaned over to pick up the flexi he had given her earlier. "I will have quarters for your son and daughter prepared for their arrival on the surface. Leydon will be held at the orbital detention facility until the case has been thoroughly reviewed and charges filed. Terra may leave at any time. Kindred is under … house arrest … until his involvement is reviewed and charges are placed if warranted. You may stay until you have secured Leydon's release or you are free to go at any time. Please alert the house staff as to your decision."
"I will discuss this with my children when they arrive," Beka replied tersely. Although she was grateful that Tamerlane had secured Kindred's release from prison. She knew Tamerlane did not do it out of the kindness of his heart. The young Nietzschean leader wanted something. Something that, most likely, Beka was in the position to give him. She did not appreciate, that in whatever foolish plan they had come up with, they had given Tamerlane Anasazi an leverage over her in their dealings. At the moment, despite her concern for her husband and her children, she was livid with them for putting themselves in such a predicament.
"Good night Tyr," Beka said as she got to her feet and started to leave the patio. She placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Good night, Beka," Tyr replied as he looked up at her just as her hand slipped from his shoulder and she started to leave them.
Beka stopped a few steps away from the entrance and turned. She looked back at Tyr as he sat talking with Tamerlane. She couldn't hear the words but she saw Tamerlane picked up the bracelet and toss it back to Tyr. Tyr looked at it a moment before laying it on the table in front of him.
Both males looked up when Beka appeared beside the table once again. She looked at Tamerlane.
"You should know … Leydon and I are separated," her eyes searched the young male's face.
"I believe that does not change the simple fact that he is being detained on some very serious charges," Tamerlane looked up at Beka. "And he is still the father of your children."
"I do not want him hurt," Beka replied as she bit her lip. She did not want to be indebted to Tamerlane Anasazi. However, she also did not wish a prison term on Leydon especially in a Nietzschean prison. "If you would … try to assist him … it would be … appreciated."
"I will assist if I can," Tamerlane nodded. Beka turned to leave the table once again. She paused and turned back.
"Amadeus and Amara were not fools," she stopped beside Tamerlane's chair. "They were confused young people who knew of no way to change the rules their people lived by. Perhaps you see it as the actions of fools but you live in a very different time, with a different power that was not theirs to possess."
"People make mistakes," Beka continued as she looked over at Tyr. "People learn."