Beauty and the Beaast

Etaan: The Search Begins

For the thousandth time, Etaan frantically typed his message. Message to Unknown One: Whereare you? Are you safe? And for the thousandth time, there was no response of any kind. "Why hasn't she responded?" he exploded, pounding the table before him. Despite being permanently attached tothe floor, it jumped under his fury. Laarz, however, did not.

"Will you pull yourself together?" he growled. For a moment, Etaan was taken aback by the lower ranking soldier's address, but then followed the glance of Laarz' eyes.

Three young officers stood in the war room doorway, gawking at him. Instantly he composedhimself and smoothly covered the dent his fist had left behind with his palm. 

"What is it, gentlemen?"

The tallest of the three blinked owlishly and stammered, "W-we have rec-cieved word that she was s-spotted leaving the b-building." 

Relief coursed through him. "Is she alright?" 

"Th-the o-offic-cer reported that sh-she looked to b-be in g-good-d sh-shape." 

More good news. 

 "B-but she hasn't been seen since." 

A smile froze upon his lips, dying before it could even be born. "What...?" 

"I said-." 

"Yes, I heard what you said." An aching void filled his chest, threatening to swallow him whole. For a while he struggled to retain his composure, then whispered, "Leave. Notify me if you hear anything else. Just... keep looking." 

They nodded vigorously and rushed from the room. Before they were out of earshot he heard their hurried conversation. 

"I wonder why she is so important?" 

"Maybe she's the planet's Highest Daughter?" 

"Well, why else would he be looking for her?" 

The door whooshed up, cutting them off. For a while neither of them said anything. Etaan stared at the dent his fist had left, his mind far away. Maybe she'd been kidnapped. But she wasn't royalty, so there really wasn't any reason to. Was there? No reason except.... 

"It's my fault." He glanced up at Laarz, who appeared to be confused. "Someone's taken her because of me. It's the only thing that makes sense." 

Laarz seemed to mull that over for a minute before his expression hardened. "Haarkin." 

Panic surged through him and he jumped to his feet. "We've got to find her!" 

The door opened again. He spun around, startling the little frizzy haired doctor. Maathin jumped back, clutching his chest. 

"What do you want now?" Etaan snapped angrily. 

The doctor carefully looked over his shoulder. "Your Highness, I've come about a matter of great import." 

"What is it? Speak quickly." 

"Your people have been very patient, but I fear that may not last if we don't begin trials soon." 

Breathing deeply, Etaan tamped down his frustration. "We have our hands full right now trying to find Haarkin. Can this not wait a little longer?" 

"With all due respect, Highest Son, if we don't start now your army may well find reason to follow Haarkin." 

"And what does that mean?" he growled angrily, hands on hips. 

Laarz interrupted. "It means soldiers follow strong leaders. Haarkin has always been a commanding sort, but the men hardly know you. If you don't step up and take control, you're not going to have anyone left to lead. Which may be exactly what Haarkin is waiting for." 

An image came to mind of a creature that he'd seen often here- a spider, someone called it- dangling by its delicate thread. Right then he felt like that spider. His throne- and his sanity- were barely hanging on. His people needed him, of that he was sure. They also needed a reason to believe in him. 

"So be it. Begin testing immediately. But start with the defiant ones first." 

The doctor bowed and turned to leave. 

"Doctor." 

Maathin paused, head half turned toward Etaan. 

"If I hear that you go beyond what I deem acceptable, you will be decommissioned." 

Maathin paled, then nodded.