FLEET MARINES
BEYOND THE FRONTIER
Another one of my science-fiction AU's Set in the 25th century in the Galactic Commonwealth. Rick Castle is an officer in the Galactic Commonwealth Fleet Marines. Katherine Beckett is a fleet surgeon. There will be no Martha or Alexis in this one, although Rick has a sister, Julia. BOTH of Kate's parents are dead but she has a large, close family
Swordwriter
Chapter One
The Commomnwealth embassy, Karolain City, Alpha Centauri, Capitol of the Centauran Empire, 20 July 2453.
Captain Rick Castle sat at his desk, contemplating his future. The past six months had been good for him, allowing him to fully recover his strength and shed the stress, after suffering serious, nearly fatal wounds on Winthrop's planet.
He had enjoyed his off-duty time, especially his ongoing affair with the lovely Centauran noble woman Celienne Kevan but his assignment as commander of the embassy guard was driving him up the wall. He was a line officer and considered his proper place to be with a regiment. Guard commander at the embassy on a friendly planet was largely ceremonial. He was a highly intelligent, articulate man and could converse on a wide range of subjects when he wanted to.
His usual manner, however, was brusque and aloof. He usually did not enjoy parties, mainly because of the number of people who just made the appropriate comments without saying anything meaningful. He was a very handsome man and most women considered him sexy. He disliked it that some of embassy wives thought nothing of propositioning him. He wasn't a prude, by any means but he had a strong moral code that said married women or other men's girl friends were strictly off limits.
He also disliked the fact that Lieutenant Colonel Van Heidt, the attaché, often assigned him the duty of escort officer to the daughters of visiting dignitaries, who were often privileged airheads.
His degree from the academy was in aerospace and starship engineering and his interests were wide ranging, including history, art, music, poetry (He both read and wrote) sports and dance. But most people took one look at his medals and his looks and put him in a certain category. Most people thought that he would like to thrill them with his exploits.
He didn't. He avoided talking about himself or his family as much as possible.
However, when he was with his friends, he was affable with a wicked sense of humor.
When he encountered a woman, who interested him, he was very charming.
As aloof as he was, he had a soft spot for children, being very protective of them.
They trusted him instinctively and he would never betray that trust.
His COM went off.
"Embassy guard, Captain Castle speaking."
"Castle, this is Lieutenant Colonel Van Heidt."
"Yes Sir?"
"Be in my office in 15 minutes. We're due at headquarters 09:00.
"Yes Sir." Although he never showed it, as his military courtesy was exemplary, Rick held the Lieutenant Colonel in amused contempt." Van Heidt was a pure staff officer, never having even served on a star ship. He was a fussy little man, barely over minimum height and weight. Pale and blond with a wispy moustache, he held his position and rank due to his father's influence. A wealthy Admiral, he made sure that his son had the positions he wanted. Van Heidt's one saving grace was that he was an excellent organizer, serving more as the embassy's protocol and social services officer than an attaché's real duty of military intelligence. That was handled by the assistant attaché although Van Heidt took credit for it.
Rick called his executive officer. "Vincent, I need you to take over the desk. The attaché needs me in his office in 15."
Attaché's office. 08:45 hours.
"Captain Castle reporting as ordered sir."
"You look ship shape, Mr. Castle, although you should have changed into dress uniform."
"This is the specified duty uniform. I had no reason to change, Sir."
"Very well, Captain, it's your career."
Van Heidt normally wore dress uniform. He was wealthy enough to have quite a few of them and he never did anything to get one dirty, anyway. He mistakenly thought that the dress uniform would keep people from noticing his lack of decorations. (It didn't) He was only authorized the Commomnwealth Service Medal and the administrative excellence award. Rick, however, was entitled to far more medals, several for valor, than his short career would seem to justify. He chose not to wear them most of the time, wearing only his Commomnwealth Service Medal, his Close Combat Badge and his various qualifications badges. (Pilot, drop trooper, force recon and expert marksman) He normally wore service dress or battle dress. Since the day was expected to be warm, he wore the class B uniform of service blue trousers and a short sleeve khaki tunic.
Starfleet Sector Headquarters, Karolain City, 09:00 hours.
As the two officers approached the headquarters building, the Marine sentries presented arms. Although in dress blues, the battle rifles they carried were perfectly functional and fully loaded. The salutes were returned and they entered the building.
"Lieutenant Colonel Van Heidt with a party of one, we're here to see General Frasier."
Van Heidt said to the duty officer.
"Yes, Sir, I'll announce you." He touched the com and announced them.
"You may go right in, Gentlemen."
General Frasier rose from behind his desk. "Good Morning, Gentlemen. Captain Castle, will you wait in the outer office, for a moment, please?"
"Yes Sir."
After the door closed, the general said, "What are you doing here, Colonel? I sent for Captain Castle."
"Sir, Mr. Castle is a rather brusque young man. I thought that he would need my guidance in dealing with a senior officer."
"Colonel, you are a delusional, arrogant ass. Captain Castle is ten times the officer you could ever hope to be. He graduated Cadet First Captain and honor graduate.
You barely scraped through. Now get back to the embassy. If you ever interfere with one of my officers again, you will be replying by endorsement as to why you should be allowed to remain in the service!"
"But Sir…"
"Get out!" A shaken, white-faced lieutenant colonel scurried from the office."
"Come in, Captain Castle."
"Captain Castle reporting as ordered, Sir."
Take a seat Captain."
Thank you, Sir."
"How do you like your current assignment, Captain?"
"Speaking frankly Sir, it's driving me up the wall. I mean, it does have its' benefits, Sir, but It's not what I trained to do. This endless round of parties is wearing my patience thin, especially enduring conversations that mean absolutely nothing. People who have their positions due to money or family rather than ability are extremely boring and do little to advance the Commomnwealth's cause."
"Ready for a new assignment, something you are trained to do?"
"Yes Sir! When do I start?"
"I must warn you, Captain, this new mission may well result in extreme hazard or death."
"Isn't that what the Corps is supposed to be about, Sir?"
"You volunteer then, even though you don't know what it's about?"
"Absolutely Sir."
Frasier smiled. Rick 's reaction was exactly what he expected...
"Very good Captain. Please rise." Rick got to his feet.
"This next action is a necessary part of your mission." General Frasier opened a sealed packet. "Attention to orders: The following officer is promoted as indicated. Captain Richard A. Castle, Commonwealth Marine Corps, serial number O561361-65-28 is promoted Major. Date of rank: 20 July, 2453. Congratulations Major."
Rick stared at Frasier, stunned at what Frasier had just said.
"Sir, there must be some mistake. I've only been a captain a little over six months."
"There is no mistake, Major. You are a student of history, are you not?"
"Yes Sir, I am.
"Then you must be aware that during several wars officers have been promoted very rapidly. In fact, during one of Earth's wars in the 20th century, one officer went from second lieutenant to colonel in a month! And very many of those officers did very well, indeed. There were 21-year-old Colonels who were brilliant and 40-year-old who screwed the pooch."
"Yes, Sir but that was a long time ago."
"The essentials of leadership and command don't change, Major. In this case the needs of the service warrant the promotion. A very senior officer has asked for you, personally. Do you want the assignment or not?"
"Of course, I want the assignment."
"Then shut up and soldier. Major."
"Yes Sir. What about the embassy guard?"
"Your replacement is waiting in the reception area. We'll handle the change over here."
The general handed him a small package. "Here are a few sets of your new insignia.
Put a set on, now." Rick removed the captain's bars from his collar and replaced them with a major's oak leaves.
General Frasier touched his com. "Send Captain Forrester in, please."
A trim female officer with Military Police flashes on her collar entered the room.
"Captain Alana Forrester reporting as ordered Sir." She said.
"Captain Forrester, this is Major Rick Castle, the officer you will be relieving."
She smiled and extended her hand. "I'm pleased to meet you, Sir. I've heard a lot about you."
Rick ran an appreciative eye over the attractive officer.
"It's my pleasure Captain and don't believe everything you hear."
"We are pressed for time, Captain, General Frasier said. So, we won't waste it on ceremony." Captain Forrester came to attention and saluted. "I relieve you, Sir." She said.
Rick returned the salute. "I stand relieved. Take good care of the company, Captain,
They're good troops."
"I will, Sir."
"You're dismissed, Captain."
As she walked off, Captain Forrester thought, "I may not believe everything they say about you, Major but one thing is true. You're a handsome devil."
General Frasier reached to a coat rack and took down a dress blue coat. The collar was edged top and bottom with the narrow gold piping that denoted a field grade officer.
"A little present from Marlene and I. Change into dress blues and meet me at the officer's club for lunch. We are due at Imperial defense headquarters at 14:00. Your new assignment will be explained then."
"Wear all your decorations, Major."
"Yes Sir. Thank you, Sir."
Imperial Defense Headquarters, Karolain City. 14:00 Hours
The Centauran Imperial Guardsmen presented arms as Rick and General Frasier approached. Like the Marines, they wore dress uniforms. Also, like the Marines their rifles were not for show. Their uniforms consisted of crimson tunics over black trousers and boots. Black waist belts and shiny golden helmets. The duty officer, a very pretty woman said, "May I help you, gentlemen?"
"I'm General Frasier and this is Major Castle. We have an appointment with the defense minister."
"He's expecting you. Follow me, please." She opened a door and said, "Your guests are here, Sir."
A stocky man in the uniform of a Field Marshal came to meet them. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. I am Field Marshal Volkair Tulain, the Defense minister. I believe that you know our Emperor, His Majesty, Halnor Kevan.
A tall, handsome young man, a little older than Del, came forward. He wore the uniform of the Marshal of the armed forces. The Emperor shook hands with Rick and Frasier.
"I am pleased to see you again, Major. I already know the general. My cousin Del has told me much about you. My family is deeply in your debt for saving Del's life. Someday, I shall see you properly rewarded for that."
"Your Majesty, I didn't…"
"Save your breath, Major. I know what you did and the price you paid for doing it.
"Now we need to get down to business. Please be seated, Gentlemen. Would anyone care for coffee?"
(Coffee was one of the first products imported from Earth and was immensely popular.
The Centaurans now grew their own.) After the coffee came the Emperor said, I will now turn the time over to uncle Volkair."
"A little over a year ago, we lost contact with a colony world in the Fomalhaut sector, just beyond the frontier. Since then, two survey ships have vanished, one from the Commomnwealth and one of ours. It has been decided to send in a combined task force to investigate, since both Alpha Centauri and the Commomnwealth are involved.
Unfortunately, since the Garrock continue to cause trouble, we don't have many first line ships available. Therefore, The Old super battleship Tenacious is being upgraded at the sector space docks. She will be receiving new, more powerful engines, new weapons and stronger shields. At the same time, the hull is being enlarged, adding more troop berthing, vehicle storage and hanger space and enlarging the sick bay. She will carry six assault landing craft, six vehicle landing craft, six ground-attack craft, six aerospace fighters and four special purpose shuttles.
This is where you come in, Major. We are asking you to take one company of Starfleet Marine Force Recon troops, one company of Assault Landing Marines and two companies of Imperial Guardsmen and train them into a Force Recon/assault battalion. On completion of training, you will be the battalion commander on the mission. Do you have any questions?"
"Many, Sir, but only one at this time, why choose me? I'm a very junior officer."
"Several reasons, Major. First, Captain Kevan said you can do it. General Frasier agrees.
Admiral Sevar endorses you. The Emperor interrupted. "I personally asked for you. My men believe in the "Hero of Tantalus.". Beyond that, my guardsmen would not agree to serve under a foreign officer if they didn't feel that he was one of us. Your actions that saved my cousin's life proved that to them. As far as they are concerned, you may have been born on Earth but your heart is of Alpha Centauri." The Field Marshal took over, again.
The rest of your force will consist of a battery of artillery, an armored cavalry troop and an air cavalry troop. Plus, of course, support elements. We expect the mission to launch, not later than the third week of January 2454.
"A force this size should really have a lieutenant colonel in command but major is the most that we could get approved from fleet headquarters.
"What about escorts, Sir."
"We won't know, for sure, until late in the year, but we expect, at least, a light cruiser a destroyer and a corvette.
You will have two major advantages that the survey ships didn't have. We have developed and perfected the Garrock cloaking device so that it can be employed on craft as small as landing craft. (Shuttles) This should render you undetectable. The second is an electronic device that will allow you to jam communications, without it being detected as jamming.
These two should give you the advantage of tactical surprise, if indeed we are facing enemy forces or pirates.
You and Captain Kevan are now on two weeks leave, not chargeable to your normal leave account. As soon as you leave here, Major, transfer your clothing and personal possessions to your new quarters on the Imperial training base. See the duty officer for your orders.
That will be all for now, Major, except to warn you that this is operation is classified most secret. You are dismissed."
"Yes Sir.
After Rick and Del left the room, The Emperor said, "Can those two do it, General?"
"They're going to have to do it, Your Majesty. With the strategic situation, the way it is, they're all we've got."
To the reader not familiar with Commomnwealth history, The Empire of Alpha Centauri was one of the earliest star systems to join the Commomnwealth and in negotiations, had retained much autonomy. The empire consisted of three habitable planets in the Alpha Centauri system. It was a constitutional monarchy and retained its' own armed forces, which included planetary forces, a small self-defense space force and a small survey service.
While citizens of Alpha Centauri had often served in Starfleet, very few had served in the Marines.
These two companies of guardsmen, if they succeeded in their training and completed this new mission, would become the cadre for A Centauran Marine Corps for an expanded fleet.
As Rick and Del left headquarters Rick said, "You and your big mouth. Look what you got us into, this time."
"What do you mean? Look, you're the youngest major in the Corps for at least three hundred years!"
"Yeah and I've got the biggest headache in three hundred years. I just barely got used to being a captain."
"You can handle it."
"Look at the number of men who will die, if I screw it up!"
"You won't screw it up. Far more men will die if they put someone with less talent in place. Furthermore, all my countrymen volunteered, only if you were appointed commander. You're a proven leader and a famous one!
"Well, I have one consolation. Your ass is in the crack, right alongside mine!"
Whispering winds estate, on Lake Mersieu, 25 July 2453 10:00 hours.
Rick 's com went off. "Castle."
"Rick, it's Julia. Where are you?"
"I'm at my friend's place. Why?"
"We tried to find you at the Embassy. All they would do is give us your number. They said that they only had a Major Castle. What's going on?"
Rick rolled his eyes. Julia was always trying to keep tabs on him.
"I have been promoted Major. I'm on leave, right now. Beyond that, I can't tell you anything."
"Major? You just made captain."
"I know, but my next assignment is classified. You're an admiral's daughter. You know how it works. What are you doing on Alpha Centauri, anyway?"
"Jason has been assigned as sector assistant judge advocate. We like Alpha Centauri, so much that we're opening a gallery here and establishing our home here. We've already bought property."
"Rather sudden, isn't it?"
"No, it's not. We've been discussing it for the last year. If you ever answered your mail, you'd know that. Sam has transferred enough of our assets here, that we have no financial worries at all."
"We'll be settled in, in a couple of days. Will you please come see us?"
"Sure, Julie, just call me."
"One more thing, we're having the opening of the gallery on the tenth of August. Will you please come? It will be a gala. I know that you don't like those but will you please do it, for me?"
"Okay Julie, I'll be there. Bye."
A few minutes later, Celienne Kevan came into the room. "Good Morning, Rick. May I talk with you?"
"Of course, any time."
There were slight shadows under her eyes and the hint of recently shed tears.
"Rick, as wonderful as these past few months have been, we both know that there is no future for us. Our laws require me to marry among my people and my class. I know t that the time will come when you return to space. You are a warrior. It's as much who you are as what you are. Even if I were permitted to marry you, I could never stand the strain of waiting at home, wondering if you were coming home. If you gave up your career for me, Love would soon turn to bitterness. I will always love you but as a dear friend, not as a lover, having said that, I would never trade these times together for anything.
"You have made my heart sing with joy. We have danced and laughed and made love.
I am a better woman for knowing you. So, let's spend these last few days, doing just that. Laughing, dancing and making love. Then we can part with joy, not sadness."
Rick smiled and put his arms around her. "You are a magnificent woman, Celienne. I have dreaded this moment for fear of hurting you. You have given me so much, made my life so much better than it would have been. When I am out among the stars, this time will live in my memory and warm my heart."
They passed those last days as she had wished, enjoying every moment together.
On the last day, she said, "Farewell, my dear one. I have been shamelessly neglecting some family duties. I am going to visit my Grandmother and cousins for a few weeks.
If the Gods are kind, you will find a woman strong enough to be a proper mate.
And, maybe, when my hair has turned to gray and silver adorns your locks, we may sit again on the shore at Lake Mersieu and you will tell me of your children and I will tell you of mine." She raised her face for one last kiss. "Farewell, Celienne.
May God watch over you and bring you happiness."
Rick never knew how great an actress Celienne was, for she loved him deeply and her heart was breaking as he climbed on his hover cycle and rode away.
Parade ground, Imperial training base, 04 August 2453, 08:00 hours.
Major Rick Castle and his staff stood on a raised platform, facing a formation of troops. "Battalion Attention!" The Sergeant Major barked. "Sir, the battalion is formed, all present or accounted for", as he saluted the adjutant.
"Post, Sergeant Major." The adjutant then turned and saluted. "Sir, the battalion is formed." Rick returned the adjutant's salute.
"Battalion, Stand at ease."
"Good morning men. I am Major Rick Castle, Fleet Marine Corps. I am your commanding officer. As I look out, I see Fleet Marines and Imperial Guardsmen.
As of now, that is no longer the case. You are all Marines! You will not stay segregated.
The four companies of the infantry battalion will be integrated. You will face the hardest training of your lives but at the end of it, no unit in the galaxy will be your superior!
You will be elite troops. Staying is hard. Leaving is easy. No man will be held if he wants to leave. The things that will keep you here are your own pride and determination. And
Not having to see the pity in the eyes of your comrades if you fail. Know this, also. Every man in this unit, from the newest private to me, will train every duty day. No one is exempt. No matter what your job may be, every man is a rifleman first. That includes the artillerymen, the air and armored cavalry. Every man will qualify with his personal weapon, weekly. If your officers are eating steaks and fries, so will you. If you are sleeping on the ground, so will your officers!
We will have two mantras. Learn them! Believe in them! The first is; the harder we train, the less we bleed! The second, the only easy day was yesterday!
You are not recruiting and will not be treated as such. The duty week is five- and one-half days.
You will spend the rest of today, getting organized, drawing uniforms, equipment and arms. Training starts, in earnest, tomorrow. First call is 05:00, first formation, and 05:30
Company first sergeants take charge of your companies, officer's call in ten minutes.
Battalion, Attention, Dismissed!
"I see that we have about 20% more men than the T, O&E calls for." Del said.
"I expect to lose between 10 and 15%, Rick said. We can't afford to try and bring a fresh man in and bring him up to speed."
"What about those who pass and are still over the needed number?"
"We'll take them along, assigned to headquarters as a mobile reserve."
Parade ground, 05 August, 2453. 05:30 hours.
The assembled battalion stood in ranks, wearing t-shirts, battle-dress trousers and boots.
"Good morning men!" Major Castle said. "It's a nice morning for a little run. About 5 kilometers should do it. I have some bad news, for some of you. I love to run! We're starting out, easy. Before you are done with training, we will be running 15 kilometers, in full field equipment and weapons. Battalion, attention! Right Face! Forward March! Double Time, March!
Parade ground, 05 August, 2453 17:05 hours.
The last notes of Retreat died away. "Battalion, Dismissed!
"Mess Call at 17:30, man, I'm too tired to eat!" private first class Dalanian Koortis, said to lance corporal Alain Cheong. The whole damn day, running and physical training!
Doesn't that demon of a major ever get tired?"
"Not that I could tell, Cheong replied. Neither does his exec."
"Quit griping, you two, you haven't seen anything yet." The speaker was Sergeant Don Waverly, a Force Recon Marine." I was an instructor when the Major went through Force Recon training. He was only a senior cadet. He still graduated second in his class. The man's a genuine bad ass.
So, hit the showers and chow down. Otherwise, I figure if you've got enough energy to talk, you've got enough energy to police the area."
A little later, in the officer's mess, Lieutenant Ivan Gregor said, "I'm a pilot. What is this crap? Treating us like grunts, expecting us to qualify on the range. Run around like trainees!"
A cold voice from behind him said, "What's the matter, flyboy? Can't cut it?
There's the door. Don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out!"
"Captain I didn't know you were there!"
"Obviously, Lieutenant you did notice that Major Castle did everything you did today and did it better and faster! For your information, The Major is also a pilot as well as an infantryman and Force Recon, drop trooper. As he said yesterday, it's easy to leave. For every slot, we've got, there are three applications for it. Either quit whining or get out!" Del stalked off.
Gregor was one of the ones who couldn't cut it. A week later he transferred out.
Caldwell Gallery Two Moons Street, Karolain City, Saturday, 10 August, 2453 19:30 hours.
Soft music from a string quartet played as some guests strolled through the gallery, admiring Julia Caldwell's work, as well as that of several well- known local artists.
Others gathered around the buffet snacking and sipping various beverages.
Julia. Dressed in a cocktail dress of lavender silk, chatted with a group of local dignitaries. She looked up as a buzz near the door caught her attention. Her brother, Major Rick Castle, resplendent in Marine Dress Blues, was approaching, accompanied by his friend, Captain Del Kevan.
The two Marines drew the attention of every single woman in the room and many of the married ones. Julia threw her arms around Rick 's neck. "Oh Rick, it's good to see you.
I've missed you so." Rick returned the hug.
" It's good to see you too. How are the ambulance chaser and the house apes?"
"They're fine. The children would really like to see you. You said that you would come see us."
"I will. I'm pretty busy, right now."
"You always are."
"I will, Julie, when it eases up a little."
"When will that be, when Hell freezes over? Well, at least you made it before my special guests arrived."
"Julie, I'd like you to meet my friend, Captain Del Kevan. Del, this is my sister, Julia Castle Caldwell." Del bowed and kissed her hand.
"It's a great pleasure to meet such a lovely lady. Your husband is a very fortunate man.
"Thank you, Captain. It's a pleasure to meet you, also."
Jason Caldwell came up. "Blown anything up lately, Rick?"
"No, caught any ambulances?"
"No, they're too fast for me." Despite the banter, Rick and Jason were good friends as well as brothers in law.
Commander Jason Caldwell was two years older than his wife. A trim man, slightly taller than his wife, his once sandy blonde hair had prematurely turned gray which gave him a dignified look that went well with his profession.
Just then, there was another commotion at the door. Four Imperial Guardsmen entered and scanned the room. Satisfied, they stood aside as a couple entered the room. The Emperor, again in the dress uniform of the Marshal of the armed forces escorted his wife, the Empress. He was tall and slender, looking enough like Del to be his brother. The Empress was a lovely young woman with the typical auburn hair and slightly slanted golden-brown eyes of the Centauran noblewoman. Her dress was of golden spider-silk, a fabric spun from the webs of the large, harmless forest spiders of Alpha Centauri.
Both the Emperor and Empress were open, friendly people who, while taking their duties seriously, were neither vain nor overly impressed with themselves. They walked right up to Julia. The Emperor's aide said, "Your Majesties, May I present Lady Julia Caldwell and her husband, Commander Jason Caldwell." Julia curtsied. "I am honored to meet Your Majesties." The Emperor kissed Julia's hand.
"On the contrary, Lady Julia, it is we who are honored to meet one of the greatest artists of our day and such a beautiful lady." "I am Halnor Kevan. My Lady, Lucania."
"I see that you have already met my Cousin, Count Tarber. Major Castle. How nice to see you? You are acquainted with Lady Julia?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, she is my sister."
"How extraordinary my dear, can you believe that one family produced one of the greatest artists of our day and one of our great heroes? Major Castle is the hero of Tantalus!
"The Empress extended her hand. "How marvelous, Major. I have never met a genuine hero, before. You must be a very brave man." Rick raised her hand to his lips.
"I am not a hero, Your Majesty. I was simply doing my duty, as were all of the other marines."
They hadn't heard General Frasier and his wife approach. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, but I cannot, in good conscience, let Major Castle's statement stand. The citation for the Medal of Honor, reads, in part, for conspicuous gallantry in action against an armed enemy, above and beyond the call of duty. 75% of them are awarded posthumously. Major Castle's nearly was. He earned that medal with his blood."
The Empress said, "I do not care for braggarts, Major Castle. But neither do I care for excessive modesty."
"With all due respect, Your Majesty tonight is about Julia and her art. May we please confine ourselves to those subjects?"
The Empress raised an elegant eyebrow. "That was neatly done, Major. Very well, But I will hear your story."
"Not if I can help it." Rick thought
A few minutes later, after Rick dropped back to talk with Jason, the Empress said, "Lady Julia, has your brother always been like that, so distant?"
"Not always, Your Majesty, but ever since the death of our mother, yes."
"Has it been a long time?"
"Our mother was killed during the Christmas Massacre on Terra Nova. She died in my brother's arms. He was twelve years old."
Tears sprang to the Empresses eyes. "By the Gods that must have been so terrible, for both of you."
"Worse for him, than for me, I was seventeen and I could cry and did, for several days. After the initial tears, he had to be the tough little soldier for me. No matter how badly he was hurt or injured, he has never cried since and no matter how hard it is on him, he won't ask for help.
The worst part of the whole thing is that under all that armor is a sensitive, loving man.
I wish that you could read some of his poetry but he won't let me publish it."
"A warrior beyond measure, a poet, as handsome as our love god, Kantos what else can you tell me?"
"He's a very good engineer, plays the guitar, has a beautiful bass voice and despite tonight's evidence, he can be so smooth and charming you'd think he's a diplomat. As his sister, I probably shouldn't say this, but he's as sexy as they come!"
The Empress laughed. "THAT I noticed! Your brother is an amazing man!"
Marlene Frasier said, "Ms. Caldwell, I'm Marlene Frasier, General Frasier's wife.
My husband has told me a lot about your brother but I never heard about your mother's
Death"
"You wouldn't have. Rick will not speak about himself or our family beyond what is required by the military."
"That is so sad. My husband is very fond of your brother but even he can't get him to talk."
"Your Majesty, Mrs. Frasier, May I personally show you some of my own favorites?"
"That would be lovely, Lady Julia." The Empress said.
Julia showed them a few pieces that she'd done and was especially fond of.
There were two, off to the side, covered with a light drape and marked not for sale.
"What are those two?" Marlene asked.
"They are special to me. I never will sell them."
"They must be wonderful." The Empress said, may we please see them?"
"Only on the condition that you tell no one about them, only my husband has seen them."
"You have my promise, Lady Julia." The Empress said.
"Mine too." Marlene said.
Julia uncovered the first one. "This one is titled Melancholy"
It was done mostly in grays and blues. A young man stood at the edge of a cliff, looking out to a storm wracked sea. One hand twined in the ruff of a large Collie, the dog looking up at his master. The face was mostly shadowed, but clearly a strong one. The sea- wind was whipping through his hair.
Both women caught their breath at the sight. "It's magnificent, but so hauntingly sad."
Marlene said.
"That was painted from a hologram I took. That was my brother on the day he left for the Academy. It was outside our family home."
She uncovered the other one. "This one is Star Trail." It showed a wounded warrior lying on the ground, his sword beside him, his chest streaked with blood. A woman knelt, cradling his head, hers bent over his. Long dark tresses framed her face, tears coursing down her cheeks. "I painted this from one of Rick 's poems. He doesn't know about it."
"Could we hear it?" The Empress asked." I will recite it on the same promise of secrecy."
"We promise...
STAR TRAIL
"Life is but a comet's trail blazed across a darkling sky and I believe no man can truly live, who fears too much to die. Does that then mean that I seek death? That never was my goal but fear is the poison that scars the mind and maims the human soul!
I shall not cringe nor will I hide but face life proud and free. Face, it standing all alone, if that is fate's decree, or is there somewhere another soul waiting patiently to place her trusting hand in mine to face the night with me?
Have I seen her in some dream my questing mind perceived? The face of a Goddess bending down seen but not believed? Raven tresses dark as night frame that flawless face, a sooty lash fans sea-green eye beneath the arched brow's grace, the rich red lips are gently placed and move beside my ear. Though I strain to catch her words, this fool cannot hear. Is love's sweet face personified beneath a crown of stars? Can the love of Venus bring sweet peace to the gory face of Mars?
"That is so beautiful, Lady Julia. What manner of man is your brother? Asked the Empress. He is a man who is so valiant, so fierce, and so deadly and yet he writes beautiful things like that!" "He is a complicated man, Your Majesty."
"That is the understatement of the century!"
"When did he write that?" Marlene asked.
"Sometime after Tantalus, while he was on Tolvar."
Marlene thought, " That woman could be Katherine."