Star Storm

Chapter Thirty-Two

One Last Drink

With his people positioned at their battle stations, Vuke considered calling the neighbouring region's commander. He could certainly do with more ships and firepower, and there were possible excuses he could use to get what he needed. But calling in help would raise questions and, even with his future fortune resting on his next moves, Vuke refused to take the risk. The last thing he needed was the Celestial Watch's attention focused on the Sorii.

He locked the door of his study. For the time being, he could let his people think they were assisting the locals to defend their research centre from Captain Lee and her people. The prince and princess were on a mission to destroy the centre, he'd hold his officers. The Utercian's were jealous of Sorium's advances and so the royals had decided to attack.

This far out in space, there was nothing to interfere with the lies he spun.

The glass clinked against the metal ring he wore as Vuke took a long drink. He stared at the endless void before him, knowing that soon he would be forced to leave his cruiser. Lezorith was smart enough to never come onboard Vuke's ships. When they met face to face, it was always on the old ambassador's turf.

Not that it mattered. Vuke was sure to keep a guard comprising of his best officers with him when he left the safety of his cruiser. Lezorith might have needed Vuke's help, but the old man had made it clear he was not unwilling to make a mess of things. If kidnapping the princess had not shown that, then Vuke failed to think of what could.

He poured himself another glass of wine, then stepped aside so he could see the station below. As Astorer shimmered in the spotlights of his feet's ships, Vuke watched with pleasure as the Rapid was dragged to the station's landing bay. In the end, his people had caught the prince and princess, even if the work had been done on the Sorii's doorstep.

And all work had to be paid for.

A soft buzzing sound filled the room and Vuke lazily pulled out his communications device. He thumbed the right buttons to accept Lezorith's call. To turn down the man would have been so easy. Vuke could have summoned the Watch and gotten himself a promotion for apprehending the criminals and saving the royal children. But that promotion would not make him wealthy. It would make him nothing more than a slave of the Watch.

"I'm coming," he said without waiting for Lezorith's greeting. "Don't worry, I won't be late. Just make sure you have my credits."

"Commander-"

"That will be all."

Vuke turned off the call as one of his junior officers knocked on the door. Lazily, he unlocked the door and let the scrawny man enter. For a moment, the officer simply stood and started at the room, as if he could not believe where he was standing, then he found his senses and snapped to attention.

"Commander Vuke, sir. We have identified Prince Galtionie and Amara Lee on the captured vessel." The idiot flushed a deep shade of scarlet. "Also, sir, the ships that went missing at Colateryll fuel station have returned. They are fully operational."

Failing to remember anything about missing ships, Vuke frowned. "And why did they go missing?"

"They were tracking Captain Lee, sir. At least that's what they said, Commander."

Vuke waved his hand. In a few hours' time, he would done with these people. A crate of credits in hand and a new suit on his back, he would be searching the cities for a place to call his own. The Watch's problems would be left long behind him. If two ships worth of officers wanted to mess around, it made no difference to him.

"See to it they are reprimanded once all is cleared with the Sorii ambassador," he said. "Anything else?"

"Nothing else, Commander Vuke, sir."

"Out then, officer." Vuke dropped into his chair, reaching for his wine. "Have us dropped brought onto the station. The ambassador and I have much to discuss."

Without further babbling, the officer turned on his heels and marched from the study. Vuke pouted as the shadow of the man faded to nothing, then kicked his feet onto the desk and found his wineglass again.

"To success," he said merrily to himself before drinking.

Savouring his last drink as the Celestial Watch's Commander of the First Region, Hu Waan Vuke sat alone at his desk, a bold smile spreading across his face.