Beholding the vastness of the Universe made me reacquire my usual calm. Seating quiet in my place, at the command hall centre, I listened Chie's words, nodding sometimes in assent. I had a cup of tea in my hands, I could feel the warm through the old wood: it was the only thing I had brought with me from the Earth. Chie's words was as quiet and warm as my tea. Soon, I knew, she would have become an independent Captain, assigned at her own ship. At least, she was a shrewd observer, indispensable, my very second in command, compared to Nao. But Nao was a counsellor's daughter, so, I had to fit myself at that situation.
Slowly, I put down my cup of green tea, enjoying that habit I couldn't renounce. During the past night, everything had been arranged, and now my Kiyohime was sailing – invisible – to a distant minor planet, blessed by a thin atmosphere, probably breathable. I knew it was only a dock, a temporary port of call, but between it and the Kiyohime there was a translucid and noisy ship. Maybe a motor damage, or another trouble. That wasn't important: the pirates were unaware of our presence. It was the time to hit.
- So... didn't they notice our presence?
I asked to Chie, observing her eyes through her tidy glasses. My third in command shook her head, smiling at me.
- Obviously, they know very well about us and our hunting, Captain. But now, in that exact moment, they doesn't know where we are. Mikoto has improved our radiation control system, so we haven't left any sign of our Nuranian Jump. Besides, If they had noticed the Kiyohime, now we would be chasing a ghost's wake. Maybe they have some kind of problem, or perhaps they are realizing some kind of maintenance. They are too quiet, Captain. So, be sure they don't know about us.
- And what about the minor planet?
- Nothing to report. It is only a merely coincidence. Surely, it isn't their destination, or their homeland. It is too small and especially too primitive.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Chie's words had the strength of every rational thought, but, there was something I couldn't realize, I couldn't understand. I felt myself trapped in a game of chess, against an invisible but really dangerous opponent. Kuga. Kuga Natsuki. All I knew about Sharan's head was only her name. I felt a quiet odd sensation, as if she was laughing at me even now, that I was so damned near at her ship. Who was that girl? How could she dare to challenge the Empire in a so insolent way? Her name was murmured in every corner, every market, every sewer of the Empire. With respect. I was the brilliant Captain, for the people in the daylight, while she was the Redeemer, for the people lying in pain. And I felt wrong. So damned wrong.
But I had to win that game. My attitudes were right, I followed the laws, believing in the future, in a new brilliant world. I wanted that world, with all myself. Yes, I knew she was trying to protect people from the Council power, but hers was the wrong way.
And then, I took my decision.
I sweetly smiled at Chie, nodding in assent. Then I activated the Kiyohime's internal communicator and called Mai and Mikoto to reach the command hall. That was the time of choices. When the quiet and speechless observation can't bring success, then it is no time to contemplate the chessboard. So, when my first pilot and mechanic reached us, I made my move.
At that time, I didn't know that that move should have changed my life.