IV
The Pendoran Battle Cruiser, Robin, hung in the inky sky as their shuttle approached it and Simla was more than disappointed. Yaf had said it was old, but this was nothing but an old rust bucket. Yaf, standing at the viewport with her, seemed to sense her thoughts. "Her engines are in excellent condition, we'll make good speed."
"But there are only four gun-ports," she complained.
"We're going to Jaip to impress, not fire on them."
"And you think this pile of junk will impress them?"
"It's in better shape than anything they've got."
"With forces like these what chance do the Riaz have?" she snorted.
"Ships don't win battles, men do. And men of Terran stock will not be found wanting."
She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "Oh, Yaf, sometimes you're too much the politician for your own good. You sound like a holo news broadcast."
He looked sheepish. "Years of habit, I'm afraid. No politician can resist handing out a resounding sound-bite."
"That'll be why you're not married then. No woman likes to be seduced with sound-bites."
"I can manage love-bites as well."
"And Shap can knock out teeth as well as break arms."
Yaf glanced briefly at Shap before draping an arm over Simla's shoulder and moving his mouth to her ear.
"Shap or no Shap, I intend marrying you, Princess."
Simla replied in kind. "You make great leaps, First Minister. From one brief kiss to a proposal of marriage?"
"You're my kind of woman, Simla, and I want you."
"Snap's already rejected you."
"Ah, my ignoble blood. But my charm shall triumph over Shap's brawn if you will give me a smile of encouragement."
Despite herself she found the corners of her mouth turning up but caught them before they displayed her eagerness. "I am a Terran Princess, First Minister, a rare prize. My genes are uncontaminated by the alien radiations that have blighted my sisters across the other planets. Are you worthy of me?"
"I shall prove it, sweet Simla. Have faith." Behind her back and unseen by Snap, Yaf dropped his hand to her behind and squeezed.
Simla jumped. "I thought Pendorans had a reputation for gallantry, sirrah," she said in arcane.
"I am no ordinary Pendoran, as you shall discover."
She wondered what he meant as a loud clang announced that they'd docked with the warship and an announcement ordered them to the airlocks. Shap already had her pack, so Simla and he went immediately amidships where the docking ring was located while Yaf had to return to the passenger lounge for his gear.
When he returned the Captain of the warship was waiting for them at the hatch. An older, broad man with a kind face, he obviously knew Yaf well for he shook his hand warmly. "Some action at last, Yaf. Thank God, I was getting sick of exercises and shooting asteroids."
"This is just showing the flag, Ripos, though there may be action ahead. Captain Ripos Thrane, may I introduce Princess Simla of Old Earth."
The Captain snapped to attention and gave a smart salute. "It has been long since I met anyone from the first World, milady Simla, welcome aboard the Robin."
"She prefers just Simla," Yaf laughed.
The older man snorted. "Don't tell my crew, they thrive on indiscipline. A Princess who wants to be known by her given name rather than her title is just what they need to incite mutiny. I may have to flog a few."
"He's a joker," Yaf explained to Simla, "and his crew love him like a father."
The Captain looked at Shap and said, "Do you want to put the android in the hold, you'll have no need of him aboard ship."
"He's my guardian and not just a servant," Simla said.
"You'll still have no need of him, you'll never be in danger on my watch. I may be father to this scum but they won't have a hair on the head of a Princess of Old Earth come to any harm."
Simla decided that actions would speak louder than words. "Captain, even if I ordered Shap to go to the hold, he wouldn't go. .And I wouldn't advise trying to put him there against his will."
He reacted as she expected because he exuded authority and she'd noticed the two armed marines flanking the hatch.
"There's only one Captain on this ship, and it's me," Captain Thrane growled and nodded to his soldiers. "Put this android in the hold."
The two men guessed correctly that they were outmatched physically, so merely lifted their weapons and pointed them at Shap. He responded with an impassive look of defiance.
"Go to the hold, android, or I'll order my men to fire," the Captain said menacingly. Shap remained unmoved.
"Go to the hold, or I'll have you hauled there in chains." Shap still didn't move.
"You are one foolish machine man," the Captain breathed, "Fire!"
Shafts of dazzling light burst from the weapons and bathed Shap in a fluorescent glow, but when the marines released their triggers there wasn't a scratch on him.
"What in the name of all that's holy ..." the Captain roared, reaching for his own side-arm.
Simla put a hand on his arm to stop him. "Don't bother, Captain, you could launch Shap at a sun and he'd just swim right through," she exaggerated, "A new alloy, developed on Old Earth. Apologies for my little demonstration of his capabilities."
The Captain grinned and ran a hand over Shap's unmarked skin. "Accepted, accepted. But this is marvellous. I want a ship made out of what he's made of."
"And you shall have one," Simla said, "Can we go somewhere so I can brief you?"
"Come, my cabin." He turned to his troops. "Hand in those sparklers for pen knives, boys, for all the good they are. And send word to the bridge to get under way."
In the Captain's opulent cabin Simla reclined on a couch and explained the situation to the grizzled old space-farer.
"The Riaz?" he said wearily, "There have been legends of intelligent aliens for years but too long in space tends you to that kind of thinking. After a thousand years of galactic exploration I thought we'd seen it all, but we've never encountered anything but savages."
"As we were thousands of years ago, " Yaf protested, "and the Bron are showing signs of developing technology."
"But to encounter a race as smart as us ... smarter, in this vast galaxy, it's not what the scientists predicted."
"That doesn't matter," Simla said calmly, "It has happened and the Riaz exist and threaten us."
"We'll give'em hell."
"We're not ready," Yaf said, "and that's why Simla is on this voyage across the Twelve Worlds, to warn all of humanity and give us time to prepare."
"How much time do we have?" the old Captain asked.
Simla sat up. "Our probes encountered them 400 light years from the solar system of Old Earth. That was at the fringes of their domain. It depends how much they want what we have and how prepared they are for war."
".And there's no doubt they'll come?"
"None, they are voracious. They eat up planets and their inhabitants, even entire solar systems like a mouthful.
We can't guarantee they've never encountered another intelligent species, as they claimed. Encountered them and devoured them."
"They'll find the Twelve Worlds hard to swallow."
"Everywhere I hear the same thing, Captain. Proud words but no action."
Yaf calmed her by patting her hand. "Patience, Simla, it will take time for the Worlds to move, but when they do, I believe we can match any foe."
Captain Thrane stood and donned his cap. "I think I know enough then. A tour of the ship perhaps?"
A senior navigator had been ejected from his cabin to make room for Simla and though a bed had been installed to replace his bunk, the bedding was still military issue and stiff, unsuitable for the soft skin of a Terran Princess. Despite that Simla soon drifted off to sleep after a rigorous day tramping the decks of the vast ship and learning its intricacies. She was used to being completely secure with Shap around but moments after entering her sleep cycle she sensed another presence in the room. Still half asleep she opened her eyes lazily and saw Yaf standing there. He was wearing a form-fitting sleep-suit and she saw now that he was not as slim as she'd first thought, with broad shoulders and strong thighs framing a tight waist. His swimming certainly kept him fit. She closed her eyes and opened them again. He was still there, and smiling. I'm dreaming, she thought, and closed her eyes again determined to enjoy her visitor. A hand brushed her cheek and she jumped up. "What the hell !"
"Quiet, my love."
Shap, standing in the corner, moved towards her bed. "Mistress? Are you having a nightmare?"
Simla looked from Yaf, seated on the edge of her bed, to Shap.
"He can't see me," Yaf said.
"What nonsense is this? Shap's sensors can ..."
He put a finger to her lips to shush her and then replaced the finger with his own lips. The kisses were chaste but urgent and she swiftly opened her mouth and let him explore it. He took her shoulders in his strong hands and gently pushed her back on the bed, still kissing her. She could feel her heart-beat increasing. Finally, she pulled her mouth free.
"Shap will kill you," she hissed.
"No he won't. I'm not here." It was obvious he didn't wish conversation because he moved his kisses to her neck, sweeping her long, black hair away to allow him access. She lifted her chin and enjoyed the sensations.
If this was a dream she was determined to enjoy it. She put her hands round his head and pulled him closer, running her fingers through his hair, encouraging his attentions.
"My sweet Simla," he whispered, reaching her ear and nibbling at the lobe.
"Oh, my sweet Yaf," she responded, enjoying the strength of his body as he nudged against her. He lifted the rough sheets and slipped in beside her, his body burning. As he continued his kissing she groaned loudly.
"Do you require medical assistance, mistress?" Shap's metallic voice asked.
Damn, Shap, she'd forgotten about him. "No, no, I'm fine."
But with the interruption the moment had gone, the great swell of her pleasure had ebbed and she felt bereft. The thrum of the ship's engines vibrated soothingly through the ship and Simla, Princess of Old Earth sank into a deep sleep.