Author's note:
I discovered that I had changed tense in this chapter-oops! I've edited it and am now reposting.
Lady Coercian turned the shower on full and heaved a sigh of approval as the hot water massaged away the aches in her back. It felt wonderful to be home again. To be able to take a shower in her bathroom, it felt like years of accumulated battle grime and stress were finally melting away.
Sighing again, she relaxed. She felt guilty for the way she'd snapped at Commander X2. She knew he could not possibly have any interest in babysitting her for the duration of her visit. He was as much under Tyr'ahnee's thumb as she was. Of course, it helped that the fool was obviously utterly besotted with the Martian Queen. A second wave of empathy for X2's position swept over her. The little fool was besotted with her little sister, who was foolishly besotted with that empty-headed self-absorbed fool of a duck. And here she was, foolishly thinking she might be able to avert any trouble by being at the proceedings.
"We are all fools." She sighed.
A great many questions were beginning to press at my mind and I couldn't help my curiosity. The most eager question being, why is there so much animosity between Coercian and Tyr'ahnee? I'd never before been taken in by the rumours and gossip of the royal family as my proximity to it had always allowed answers to those questions others asked. I smiled wistfully at memories of my Queen's confidence with not only her official business but also, sometimes, her personal doubts and dreams. I tried to remember Lady Coercian being mentioned but nothing sprang to mind.
I headed for my room to change into clothes more suitable for sparring, hoping that a little battle-training may help me relax before the official dinner this evening.
"Why would the queen feel threatened by her sister?" I wondered aloud as I threw off my armour. "By Martian law, Tyr'ahnee has earnt the rule of Mars," I reasoned aloud to myself, "After all, if Lady Coercian was to question her in any way, no one would judge her majesty too harsh in beheading her without trial. But Lady Coercian appears to accept Tyr'ahnee's rule… if grudgingly."
I squared up to the many automated robot-dummies in my personal training space, the dummies look much like my fleet and are designed to sense movement within a few square feet. However, I hadn't upgraded the system in a good long while, so I went through the motions; unchallenged and bored.
Still my mind lingered on Lady Coercian and my Queen Tyr'ahnee. There was one incident, I vaguely recalled, pertaining to the last time Dodgers broke my Queen's heart. I allowed my attention to the dummy-enemies to waver as it came back to me.
"How dare she presume to tell me what will and will not help?!" Tyr'ahnee had bellowed at no one in particular.
"What is the matter my Queen, can I be of any assistance?" I offered as I padded swiftly into the room. Tyr'ahnee hardly seemed to notice my presence.
"What makes her think I should bow to my sister's every word? I am Queen; if she wished to make the commands then she should have fought for that right!" Tyr'ahnee yelled across the room and the message transmitter soon followed.
Bewildered, I picked it up and approached my Queen. I did so suffer at the sight of her in such distress. Though, only privately, I would not deny that her rage stoked a primal admiration in me.
"My Queen?" What would you have me do? Just tell me. "How can I be of service?" How can I please you? All you need do is order it.
"Remove that transmitter from my sight; smash it for all I care." Tyr'ahnee waved a disgusted hand at the object.
"Who has dared to insult your majesty?" Who has lit the fire to your rage? I will bring you their head in delicate gauze wrappings if it would delight you.
"It hardly matters; just make sure I never receive another message from them again!"
I woke from my daydream very suddenly when a robot landed a lucky punch in my stomach.
"End training!" I wheezed, and the robot-dummies powered down. Catching my breath, I made my way to a drawer built into the bed. A numerical combination granted access to my hidden vault from which I removed a slightly cracked transmitter. It looked much like an electronic scroll with its metallic handles that pulled apart to reveal the glowing green digital screen. Originally I had kept it to find out who the scoundrel was but found that I could not bring myself to break my Queen's trust and confidence by reading her messages. Yet neither could I throw it away, I had always fantasised that someday I may have the chance to teach this ingrate a lesson and earn the appreciation of my Queen in return. So, guiltily, I kept it. Now, I held my breath as I dared myself to do what I'd never dared to before. I brought up the latest messages screen and, from there, read through the entire scroll.
Immediately I found my suspicion was confirmed. Lady Coercian's latest messages read:
If you don't reply to my messages soon then I will be forced to send this to the main message board for the entire crew to see.
"Well, that explains that strange message we received from Commander X1 ." I chuckled.
How am I supposed to know if you haven't done something stupid?!
Tyr'ahnee, you haven't replied to any of my messages, stop being a child. Talk to me.
Tyr'ahnee, it is not worth the money, heartache and suffering the Martian citizens will endure. Dodgers is an imbecile.
The Protectorate has been blocking entry to Martian ships on any planet they are allied with. I can't face down a home army in one ship Tyr'ahnee and I'm forced to travel farther and pay much more for even simple supplies like ship fuel. What it costs me, costs the people.
And the message which I strongly suspected caused the rage in the throne room:
Tyr'ahnee, I heard you declared war upon Dodgers again. You can't keep taking everything out on him, people love and stop loving; that's just the way of the world. Putting Mars through war is not the way to heal your heart.