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After filling a carafe with water, we carried our meals to a small table.
She didn’t bother with preambles, just dug into her meal, scooping the gelatinous slop into her mouth with a spoon. Biting into a chort, I realized I’d gotten myself the same food I’d selected for the ovwet before I killed her. Why had I bothered to feed her? Why venture into her room at all? Curiosity, I supposed. Humans were so alien. Their species would make for an interesting anthropological study. It was almost too bad she had to die. But orders were orders. I winced as a pain knifed between my horns.
Seeher looked up from her meal. “Are you all right?”
“Fine.” Showing weakness would only undermine her confidence in me. I’d failed on Aurelia. Maybe that was why she’d checked up on me by inspecting the ovwet’s cabin.
Fail too many times, and one became a threat. Threats get eliminated. Another pang shot through my skull, but I did not react this time. I will be unwavering in carrying out my orders, so I can redeem myself. The League of Planets must be destroyed.
“There is a pan-summit scheduled,” Seeher said. “This conference is more important than the one on Aurelia. Using faster-than-light transmitters, the LOP will broadcast the presentations across the galaxy. FTL tech will enable all planet nations, not just members, to view the pan-summit in near-real time.
“On your next assignment, you will be the surprise replacement for one of the speakers. You will deliver the GJW promise of hope, equity, and justice.”
“I’m happy and honored to serve,” I answered automatically but wondered how we’d pull off such a feat. A prince and a fugitive, I was high-profile. “Security will be tight. Speakers are vetted in advance. The instant I’m recognized, they’ll take me into custody.”
“Our soldiers will be stationed on the dais and in the audience. They’ll protect you. Don’t worry about the logistics. That’s for me and the commandant to figure out. You just show up and deliver your speech with credibility and passion.”
“That part is easy. As prince, I’ve spoken more times than I can count,” I said confidently. “I’ve delivered many addresses to many different audiences.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I wondered. Had I spoken in public before? I couldn’t remember a single presentation.
“I’m sure you will do a fine job,” Seeher said. “But you must deliver a stellar performance, powerful and convincing while sounding completely extemporaneous. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a pivotal moment enabling us to make great headway in dismantling the LOP. I’ve arranged for a coach to work with you. He comes highly recommended—by me.” She smiled at her own joke. “We’re headed to his planet now.”
“I will be grateful for any help I can get,” I said. With so much riding on my performance, I had to do my absolute best. And if I did well, I could redeem myself for the Aurelia debacle. “I will do whatever is required.”
Seeher’s eyes glowed. Her low voice was almost mesmerizing, as she said, “Through turmoil and unrest, the galaxy shall know peace.”
“Yes.” I nodded.
“Unfair merit-based reward systems will be eliminated. No more shall an individual receive a greater bounty than another simply because he or she worked harder or studied more or applied him or herself. All beings, regardless of their abilities and efforts, shall be on par and receive an equitable share. Those who do shall provide for those who don’t. The low shall be raised high, and the high shall be brought low. No one will be above or below anyone else. The GJW will preside over a new era of unity and equity. But, to get there, we must destroy what exists.”
“Yes.” It made perfect sense. Upheaval and dissension would pave the way for a new regime of harmony and consensus.
“Detractors who oppose us will be eliminated.”
“If they are not with us, they are against us,” I said, humbled and proud to be part of this great endeavor. Harmony could not be achieved until everyone adhered to the same truth. Until everyone was the same. That was equity. If people couldn’t accept the truth, then they had to be eliminated.
“You will be working hard with nary a respite when we arrive at our destination, so you should use this travel time to take a break, do whatever you wish.” She paused. “I intend to,” she added with a smile.
“Thank you, Seeher.” I stood up to dispose of my tray.
* * * *
How was I supposed to spend my free time? I felt at a loss, antsy, anxious, as if I should be doing something important. But if I was, Seeher would have told me. I wished we were already at our destination, so I could begin learning what I needed for my next mission.
Aimless, I wandered the ship, checking out its features. The familiarity of the vessel’s layout indicated I’d flown on LOP ships in the past, but, as with so many other matters, I had no recall. I peeked into the observation lounge, the captain’s ready room, the engine room, the evac pod bay, and then found myself at the airlock chamber near the cargo hold.
Most mid-to-large-sized vessels had such chambers, which allowed dangerous materials to be jettisoned from the ship. A crew member would place an article in the chamber, open a portal in the hull, and the object would get sucked out. The interior wall protected the rest of the ship from the vacuum of outer space. On long journeys, the airlock could be used for burials in space.
I assumed the ovwet was dead when I shoved her body into the chamber. I peered through the tiny view window at the empty chamber, racking my brain for a memory, but there was nothing. Not even a wisp.
How could I have forgotten something so significant?
I entered the codes and opened the panel in the hull to stare at the black expanse. The emptiness served as a perfect metaphor for my life. From the bridge, I’d seen the female’s body floating in space. I had killed her. Why couldn’t I remember it?
I sealed off the hull and resumed my walk, my feet leading me to the ovwet’s cabin. What power did she have over me that I had returned here? If anything should be forgotten, it was she. She was a distraction, unimportant, disposable. And dead now.
As I entered the cabin, the lights came on. My gaze shot to the shattered comm screen. With hindsight, I realized breaking it had been a bad decision. The odds of the ovwet using it had been infinitesimally slim, while its destruction had caused Seeher to question my loyalty and effectiveness.
