Kishiria burrowed further back into the pile of pillows behind her and
stamped VETO on a budget. She signed and handed the paper to Hamaan to
slide into an envelope and seal. Margaret handed her another bill, but
Kishiria set it aside and said, "Maria? The baby, please."
Maria placed the two week-old into his mother's arms. Kishiria unbuttoned her dress and started nursing her son. Her lady-in-waiting watched for a moment and said, "I still can't get over how he never cries."
"That's because I'm a New Type with a New Type baby," Kishiria told her. "Ti-Cas doesn't need to cry. If he's hungry or needs to go, I feel it. I can anticipate all my baby's needs. Can't I, my little sugarbear?" She stroked her infant's cheek as he fed.
The new Crown Prince of Jion had entered the world via caesarian section at a convenient moment in the queen's schedule. The reason given was that Kishiria wanted to avoid the possibility of going into labour as the country went to war. The real reason, known only to Kishiria and Maria, was that Kishiria had been terrified of dying in childbirth the way her stepmother Nalisse had. Her obstretrician had obeyed the queen's wishes and the baby prince's parents couldn't have been more pleased. Char had drawn upon his years of speaking French for the nickname "Ti-Cas" which was short for "petit Casval".
Hamaan sat with her elbows on the bed, watching. "I never thought I'd see a baby cuter than Mineba."
"Of course he's cuter than Mineba. He's got Char for a father. Mineba had Dozel." Kishiria moved Ti-Cas to the other breast. "I know you go over to Zena's to play with Mineba often."
"Mineba is fun. She's crawling around now and putting things in her mouth."
"Wait till this one is crawling too. Then you can race them." Kishiria put Ti-Cas on her shoulder to burp him, then gave him back to Maria. "All right, where was I?"
She was reading through a benign-sounding law which had several disturbing rider clauses when the speaker phone went off. "Yes?"
"It's Cecilia, ma'am. News from Earth."
"What is it?"
"I think I'd rather bring it to you in person, ma'am."
Kishiria trusted Cecilia's judgement. "All right."
Cecilia, recently promoted to captain and endowed now with the title of "Lady", came into the room with some printouts in her hands. She bowed and handed them to Kishiria. The queen read and her expression darkened.
"This is an outrage."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Have you told the Prince Consort?"
"No, ma'am. I thought it would be best for you to tell him."
"You're probably right. Hamaan--"
Her page girl was already on her feet. "He's down at the mobile suit base, ma'am. I'll call for him."
Char arrived an hour later, whereupon Kishiria sent her women from the room. Char sat down beside his wife, who took his hands gently.
"Maria's cure-woman grandmother said I should stay in bed for two weeks after the baby was born. It's been two weeks as of today, and a good thing, too. We're about to have trouble."
"What's happened?"
"Char, Sayla's been arrested on Side 7."
"What?" His hands closed tightly on hers.
"Ow..."
"Sorry. What happened?"
"Intelligence reports that Sayla Mass was seized a couple of days ago without being charged. It doesn't take much imagination to figure out that it's because she's your sister. The rest of the former White Base crew was rounded up too, but that's because they're about to be mobilized on a new ship."
"This is an act of war."
"Arresting one of the Royal Family without charge? Oh, I'd say so. The question is, are we prepared to go to war over Sayla? We knew the war would go hot again sooner or later."
Char was gritting his teeth. "If they do anything to my sister, I swear to god, Kishiria, I'll.....I'll find a good-sized asteroid and push it with my own Zaku onto Lhasa if I have to."
Kishiria squeezed his shoulder and got out of bed. She strolled into her dressing room and Char followed her. Kishiria pulled her dress over her head and dropped it on the floor, then reached for one of her uniforms. She pulled on her trousers and noted immediately how loose they were. She changed into a pair she'd worn in early pregnancy and they fit. Kishiria slid her arms into her tunic and zipped it up. She had opted to retain her old colours of violet and black, although her tunic now bore an elaborate gold eagle across the chest as well as the gold on the collar marking her as supreme commander of the armed forces. A fabric mask was rolled up inside her collar, to be raised when she felt the need.
Char felt the atmosphere in the room change as his wife transformed from young mother to warrior-queen. Kishiria pulled her boots on and walked past him to the gun locker. She entered the combination and removed her firearm, the same one she'd used to dispatch Giren, and strapped it on. She walked up to Char and put her arms around him.
"Don't worry. We will get her back."
"I believe you."
They took a moment to exchange a long, deep kiss. [Funny how we get hot for each other in moments like this], Kishiria messaged to him telepathically.
"It's the aphrodisiac of power," he said to her verbally. "I've got the most powerful woman in the Sol system in my arms. How can I resist?"
"Let's see how much I can do with that power. Hamaan!"
The red-haired girl appeared when called. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"We're going to need some black ops, I think. You know who to call?"
Hamaan smiled evilly, a frightening thing to see on a 12 year old face. "She'll be happy to hear from you. I'll contact Major Garahau right away."
Char shot a frightened glance at Kishiria. "Garahau? Cima Garahau?"
"The one and only."
"The woman is crazy!"
"She's the commander of the space marine unit the 'Princess Kishirias'. She's perfect. Now come along. I have to speak to my cabinet."
*****
The new bed was uncomfortable. Sayla awakened to stiffness in her upper back. Feeling anxious, she reached for Kai, only to touch an unpainted cinderblock wall. Of course. She was in prison, not her little apartment as she'd been dreaming.
Sayla had lost track of how many days she'd been imprisoned. Her days were all exactly the same, the only differences being whether the guards allowed her something to read, or if the brass decided to interrogate her. She'd actually come to welcome the interrogations, as they were a relief from the endless tedium.
Not that there was much she could tell them.
"Surely the daughter of Jion Deykun would have some idea of what was going on in the breakaway republic her father founded."
Sayla laughed humourlessly. "I was seven when Casval and I left. The Ral family had taken us in, and we fled a purge of Deykun supporters after the murder of Saslo Zabi. We went to France, and my brother left when he was 16. I never saw him again until Queen Kishiria's coronation."
"You had a private conversation with Kishiria Zabi. What did you two discuss?"
"Char Aznable and I argued, because I was angry at him for abandoning me. Kishiria wanted us to reconcile, and for me to move to Side 3. I said no."
"And you met with General Aznable after the coronation."
"We discussed family things. We caught up on each other's lives. I told him about my friends, he told me about how he was coping with the idea of becoming a father so soon."
"So you did discuss White Base."
"Not White Base. My friends. There's a difference. Don't underestimate my loyalty to those people, Colonel. My loyalty to them extends to loyalty to the Federation."
Sayla knew that her loyalty to the federation was unshakable. Whether this loyalty was returned had yet to be seen.
*****
Kishiria sat in the throne, the staff of office resting against the side of the chair. Officers clustered around her, discussing potential ways of re- opening hostilities. Hamaan stood nearby, waiting for any command from her royal mistress.
"Your Majesty, Lt. Colonel Cima Garahau!"
Kishiria shooed the officers out of the room, with the exception of Char Aznable. They exited through doors behind the draperies as the tall, black- haired woman strode forward, tapping her fan against the palm of one hand. Kishiria began to stand, then remembered that as queen, she was to remain seated unless another monarch was approaching. While Cima would certainly argue that she qualified, Kishira was sure that it would be against etiquette.
Nonetheless, Kishiria extended her hands in greeting. "Cima! It's been far too long."
Cima knelt on one knee and gave a courtly kiss to her lady's hand. "It has indeed, Your Majesty."
"I'm sorry I haven't had time to visit with you or your troops properly. I trust you received my gift though?"
Cima grinned. "Yes, Your Majesty, and thank you."
"It's an antique of course, a coat made out of seal skins. I knew that it had been made from the hides of little baby seals with great big eyes who were bashed mercilessly on the head. Of course, I thought of you."
"That is precisely why I love it." The two women laughed, then Cima looked up at Char. "General Aznable. I was going to berate you for impregnating my commander, but as it's resulted in an heir to the throne, I'll save it."
Kishiria laughed. "Come on, Cima. Let's talk someplace more comfortable." She stood and the two women wrapped companionable arms around each others' shoulders as they left the throne room.
"Did I miss something?" Char asked Hamaan.
"Col. Garahau is commander of the company that bears Kishiria's name. They specialize in espionage and dirty work. When Iffish Island in Side 2 was gassed so the cylinder could be dropped on Earth? Her ship carried the canisters."
"This could be bad," Char said.
"I trust Kishiria," Hamaan said.
In a formal parlour, Kishiria rang for refreshments and sat down to talk to her friend.
"It really has been too long, Cima. I've been afraid that you would think I'd abandoned you."
"The Lili Marlene and I have been holding tough. We've kept busy watching the Delaz fleet and you've been keeping us well-stocked enough."
"I've come home. You haven't been able to do that."
Cima's eyes fell. "Nor will I. Giren turned my home colony into the colony laser."
"The one which killed my father. We're united in that. Cima, I will see to it that you have a new home. You're a well-placed officer and you'll receive a good house here in the capitol as part of that."
"Now how am I to remain in command of the Lili Marlene if I settle down here?"
"You won't. I want you as head of Intelligence."
Cima nodded. "I could be happy."
"I owe you. You took one hell of a bullet for me, playing the role in Operation British that you did."
"I'm glad you noticed."
A servant appeared with a bottle of wine and some food. Kishiria poured and gave a glass to Cima, then sat on her friend's lap.
"We would have made one hell of a couple," Cima commented. "Pity we're both spoken for."
"It's still fun flirting with you. It'll drive Char crazy."
"Yesssss. I will enjoy that. But I don't think you called me here so we could get drunk and act like sorority girls?"
"No, I have a job for you. This is the situation. Char's sister has been arrested on Side 7. I want to use this as an excuse to start the hostilities again. In the meantime, somebody has to break Sayla out of prison, and you were the first person who came to mind."
"A prison break should be within my capabilities," Cima said. "General Aznable was able to do recon very simply, if I recall. They'll have closed that security hole, but from everything I've been reading about Federation security, there'll be others. Plus there's always someone who is willing to turn. I just have to find who that is."
"That's part one. Char is very professional, but I know he'll be distracted until his sister is safe. The second part is how to approach the war. We've recovered our mobile suits, but we're short on fleet."
"Delaz has got plenty."
"And we are having some luck getting pilots away from him. Anyway, there's only one goal on my mind, and reaching it will not be pretty."
"I think I know what you're planning."
Kishiria nodded. "I'm going to re-take Solomon."
Maria placed the two week-old into his mother's arms. Kishiria unbuttoned her dress and started nursing her son. Her lady-in-waiting watched for a moment and said, "I still can't get over how he never cries."
"That's because I'm a New Type with a New Type baby," Kishiria told her. "Ti-Cas doesn't need to cry. If he's hungry or needs to go, I feel it. I can anticipate all my baby's needs. Can't I, my little sugarbear?" She stroked her infant's cheek as he fed.
The new Crown Prince of Jion had entered the world via caesarian section at a convenient moment in the queen's schedule. The reason given was that Kishiria wanted to avoid the possibility of going into labour as the country went to war. The real reason, known only to Kishiria and Maria, was that Kishiria had been terrified of dying in childbirth the way her stepmother Nalisse had. Her obstretrician had obeyed the queen's wishes and the baby prince's parents couldn't have been more pleased. Char had drawn upon his years of speaking French for the nickname "Ti-Cas" which was short for "petit Casval".
Hamaan sat with her elbows on the bed, watching. "I never thought I'd see a baby cuter than Mineba."
"Of course he's cuter than Mineba. He's got Char for a father. Mineba had Dozel." Kishiria moved Ti-Cas to the other breast. "I know you go over to Zena's to play with Mineba often."
"Mineba is fun. She's crawling around now and putting things in her mouth."
"Wait till this one is crawling too. Then you can race them." Kishiria put Ti-Cas on her shoulder to burp him, then gave him back to Maria. "All right, where was I?"
She was reading through a benign-sounding law which had several disturbing rider clauses when the speaker phone went off. "Yes?"
"It's Cecilia, ma'am. News from Earth."
"What is it?"
"I think I'd rather bring it to you in person, ma'am."
Kishiria trusted Cecilia's judgement. "All right."
Cecilia, recently promoted to captain and endowed now with the title of "Lady", came into the room with some printouts in her hands. She bowed and handed them to Kishiria. The queen read and her expression darkened.
"This is an outrage."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Have you told the Prince Consort?"
"No, ma'am. I thought it would be best for you to tell him."
"You're probably right. Hamaan--"
Her page girl was already on her feet. "He's down at the mobile suit base, ma'am. I'll call for him."
Char arrived an hour later, whereupon Kishiria sent her women from the room. Char sat down beside his wife, who took his hands gently.
"Maria's cure-woman grandmother said I should stay in bed for two weeks after the baby was born. It's been two weeks as of today, and a good thing, too. We're about to have trouble."
"What's happened?"
"Char, Sayla's been arrested on Side 7."
"What?" His hands closed tightly on hers.
"Ow..."
"Sorry. What happened?"
"Intelligence reports that Sayla Mass was seized a couple of days ago without being charged. It doesn't take much imagination to figure out that it's because she's your sister. The rest of the former White Base crew was rounded up too, but that's because they're about to be mobilized on a new ship."
"This is an act of war."
"Arresting one of the Royal Family without charge? Oh, I'd say so. The question is, are we prepared to go to war over Sayla? We knew the war would go hot again sooner or later."
Char was gritting his teeth. "If they do anything to my sister, I swear to god, Kishiria, I'll.....I'll find a good-sized asteroid and push it with my own Zaku onto Lhasa if I have to."
Kishiria squeezed his shoulder and got out of bed. She strolled into her dressing room and Char followed her. Kishiria pulled her dress over her head and dropped it on the floor, then reached for one of her uniforms. She pulled on her trousers and noted immediately how loose they were. She changed into a pair she'd worn in early pregnancy and they fit. Kishiria slid her arms into her tunic and zipped it up. She had opted to retain her old colours of violet and black, although her tunic now bore an elaborate gold eagle across the chest as well as the gold on the collar marking her as supreme commander of the armed forces. A fabric mask was rolled up inside her collar, to be raised when she felt the need.
Char felt the atmosphere in the room change as his wife transformed from young mother to warrior-queen. Kishiria pulled her boots on and walked past him to the gun locker. She entered the combination and removed her firearm, the same one she'd used to dispatch Giren, and strapped it on. She walked up to Char and put her arms around him.
"Don't worry. We will get her back."
"I believe you."
They took a moment to exchange a long, deep kiss. [Funny how we get hot for each other in moments like this], Kishiria messaged to him telepathically.
"It's the aphrodisiac of power," he said to her verbally. "I've got the most powerful woman in the Sol system in my arms. How can I resist?"
"Let's see how much I can do with that power. Hamaan!"
The red-haired girl appeared when called. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"We're going to need some black ops, I think. You know who to call?"
Hamaan smiled evilly, a frightening thing to see on a 12 year old face. "She'll be happy to hear from you. I'll contact Major Garahau right away."
Char shot a frightened glance at Kishiria. "Garahau? Cima Garahau?"
"The one and only."
"The woman is crazy!"
"She's the commander of the space marine unit the 'Princess Kishirias'. She's perfect. Now come along. I have to speak to my cabinet."
*****
The new bed was uncomfortable. Sayla awakened to stiffness in her upper back. Feeling anxious, she reached for Kai, only to touch an unpainted cinderblock wall. Of course. She was in prison, not her little apartment as she'd been dreaming.
Sayla had lost track of how many days she'd been imprisoned. Her days were all exactly the same, the only differences being whether the guards allowed her something to read, or if the brass decided to interrogate her. She'd actually come to welcome the interrogations, as they were a relief from the endless tedium.
Not that there was much she could tell them.
"Surely the daughter of Jion Deykun would have some idea of what was going on in the breakaway republic her father founded."
Sayla laughed humourlessly. "I was seven when Casval and I left. The Ral family had taken us in, and we fled a purge of Deykun supporters after the murder of Saslo Zabi. We went to France, and my brother left when he was 16. I never saw him again until Queen Kishiria's coronation."
"You had a private conversation with Kishiria Zabi. What did you two discuss?"
"Char Aznable and I argued, because I was angry at him for abandoning me. Kishiria wanted us to reconcile, and for me to move to Side 3. I said no."
"And you met with General Aznable after the coronation."
"We discussed family things. We caught up on each other's lives. I told him about my friends, he told me about how he was coping with the idea of becoming a father so soon."
"So you did discuss White Base."
"Not White Base. My friends. There's a difference. Don't underestimate my loyalty to those people, Colonel. My loyalty to them extends to loyalty to the Federation."
Sayla knew that her loyalty to the federation was unshakable. Whether this loyalty was returned had yet to be seen.
*****
Kishiria sat in the throne, the staff of office resting against the side of the chair. Officers clustered around her, discussing potential ways of re- opening hostilities. Hamaan stood nearby, waiting for any command from her royal mistress.
"Your Majesty, Lt. Colonel Cima Garahau!"
Kishiria shooed the officers out of the room, with the exception of Char Aznable. They exited through doors behind the draperies as the tall, black- haired woman strode forward, tapping her fan against the palm of one hand. Kishiria began to stand, then remembered that as queen, she was to remain seated unless another monarch was approaching. While Cima would certainly argue that she qualified, Kishira was sure that it would be against etiquette.
Nonetheless, Kishiria extended her hands in greeting. "Cima! It's been far too long."
Cima knelt on one knee and gave a courtly kiss to her lady's hand. "It has indeed, Your Majesty."
"I'm sorry I haven't had time to visit with you or your troops properly. I trust you received my gift though?"
Cima grinned. "Yes, Your Majesty, and thank you."
"It's an antique of course, a coat made out of seal skins. I knew that it had been made from the hides of little baby seals with great big eyes who were bashed mercilessly on the head. Of course, I thought of you."
"That is precisely why I love it." The two women laughed, then Cima looked up at Char. "General Aznable. I was going to berate you for impregnating my commander, but as it's resulted in an heir to the throne, I'll save it."
Kishiria laughed. "Come on, Cima. Let's talk someplace more comfortable." She stood and the two women wrapped companionable arms around each others' shoulders as they left the throne room.
"Did I miss something?" Char asked Hamaan.
"Col. Garahau is commander of the company that bears Kishiria's name. They specialize in espionage and dirty work. When Iffish Island in Side 2 was gassed so the cylinder could be dropped on Earth? Her ship carried the canisters."
"This could be bad," Char said.
"I trust Kishiria," Hamaan said.
In a formal parlour, Kishiria rang for refreshments and sat down to talk to her friend.
"It really has been too long, Cima. I've been afraid that you would think I'd abandoned you."
"The Lili Marlene and I have been holding tough. We've kept busy watching the Delaz fleet and you've been keeping us well-stocked enough."
"I've come home. You haven't been able to do that."
Cima's eyes fell. "Nor will I. Giren turned my home colony into the colony laser."
"The one which killed my father. We're united in that. Cima, I will see to it that you have a new home. You're a well-placed officer and you'll receive a good house here in the capitol as part of that."
"Now how am I to remain in command of the Lili Marlene if I settle down here?"
"You won't. I want you as head of Intelligence."
Cima nodded. "I could be happy."
"I owe you. You took one hell of a bullet for me, playing the role in Operation British that you did."
"I'm glad you noticed."
A servant appeared with a bottle of wine and some food. Kishiria poured and gave a glass to Cima, then sat on her friend's lap.
"We would have made one hell of a couple," Cima commented. "Pity we're both spoken for."
"It's still fun flirting with you. It'll drive Char crazy."
"Yesssss. I will enjoy that. But I don't think you called me here so we could get drunk and act like sorority girls?"
"No, I have a job for you. This is the situation. Char's sister has been arrested on Side 7. I want to use this as an excuse to start the hostilities again. In the meantime, somebody has to break Sayla out of prison, and you were the first person who came to mind."
"A prison break should be within my capabilities," Cima said. "General Aznable was able to do recon very simply, if I recall. They'll have closed that security hole, but from everything I've been reading about Federation security, there'll be others. Plus there's always someone who is willing to turn. I just have to find who that is."
"That's part one. Char is very professional, but I know he'll be distracted until his sister is safe. The second part is how to approach the war. We've recovered our mobile suits, but we're short on fleet."
"Delaz has got plenty."
"And we are having some luck getting pilots away from him. Anyway, there's only one goal on my mind, and reaching it will not be pretty."
"I think I know what you're planning."
Kishiria nodded. "I'm going to re-take Solomon."