Untitled Sci-Fi Story (1)

She stared at the man pinning her to the wall. He had been like a father to her. Her parents had died when she was young, and he had taken her in and had given her a home aboard his ship. He and his crew had treated her like family. When she was old enough, he had somehow arranged for her to join the Alliance's top naval academy. Now, this man held a knife- her knife, the one he had given her- to her throat. She desperately wanted to ask him why, but she dared not speak.

Recently, there had been rumors that he had turned terrorist. He and his crew had never been upstanding citizens, but they had never hurt innocent people or caused destruction for the fun of it. Her relation to him and his crew was not in her personnel file, and she had kept silent when her current captain and crew had been assigned the mission of hunting him and his crew down and bringing them in, alive if possible.

She had never believed the rumors. The man she knew would never have done those things, and his crew would not have gone along with him if he had. They were good people. Now, however, as she felt the knife tip, pressed to her throat, doubt tempted her. It had been ten years after all.

Finally, he spoke, "Are you alone?" His voice had an edge of steel to it.

She didn't answer right away, and he pressed the knife closer to her throat and repeated the question, "Are you alone? Did anyone come with you?"

She whispered, "No. I split from the others."

The knife lowered, and he spoke. This time, his voice was filled with relief and apology "Good. I'm sorry, kid. I had to be sure we were alone."

She took a deep breath and asked, "Do know why we're here? Is what they're saying true?"

He nodded his head, "Yes, to the first. As for the second, what do you think? You flew with me for years. If I tell you I was framed, will you believe me, in spite of all the evidence?"

With that last statement, he met and held her gaze. As she stared into his eyes, she realized that she would always believe him over any Alliance officer. He may operate in a grey area, but he had never lied to her or his crew, and he had always stood for what he believed in. She could count on one hand the people she had met in the past ten years who had done the same. Her current captain was a good man on first impression, but she did not know him enough to judge him against the man standing before her. As for their mission intelligence, they were operating on information that others had "gathered" and passed on. There was no way to verify its authenticity.

"I never doubted you." was her reply.

He smiled, although it was only a sad, half smile. "Have you told anyone your relationship to me?"

"No. It was left out of my file and I never found a good reason to bring it up."

"Good, you were always smart." he replied, and was silent for a moment. "We've missed you, you know. The ship's not the same without a little brat running around. Someone in the Alliance higher-ups is out to get us. We've been running secret Alliance support missions for the Three World Rebellion and someone wants us to stop. The reports are right that there's a traitor, but it's not me or my crew. You can't let anyone know you were with us. They'll just brand you a traitor too." He was silent again. After a moment he met her eyes again and spoke. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes." she replied, without hesitation.

"Then please forgive me."

Before she could ask "For what?", she felt a sharp pain in her right side. She gasped and tried to move away, but his arm still held her against the wall. She felt her strength leaving with the warm blood now running down her side. She sagged.

He held her as she slid down the wall. When she had reached the floor, he cupped her face and turned it to him. "I'm sorry. It had to be done." Then, he kissed he forehead and left.

A Summons from Mother

The doors to the hall burst open and man-like beasts poured in. Behind them came there leader, a dark mage. He strode in and stopped just inside the entrance, blocking the doorway, while the beasts encircled the room.

The prince had been watching his little sister's fencing lessons when it happened. As the beasts entered, she dropped her sword and dashed to him. She hid herself in the folds of his cloak, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Her instructor, a member of the palace guard, positioned himself between the siblings and the mage.

The dark mage glanced at him and sneered. With a flick of his wrist, he flung the guardsman aside. The garden and landed in the heat but one of the beast, proceeded to tear him apart. It happened so fast that the guard didn't even scream. The prince could feel his sister bury her face deeper into his leg as the room echoed with the sound of breaking bones and tearing flesh.

The mage turned his gaze to the pair, and looked the prince in the eye. The prince stiffened as an evil smile spread across the mage's lips. The mage spoke,  "Sorry to barge in like this, boy; but your mother wants to see you."

Unfamiliar Home

She just stood there, staring. Occasionally she would take a few steps and then stop. She would then pick up an object, look at it as if seeing for the first time, and then put it back. When she encountered pictures, she would stare at them like she was trying to remember who was in them. She also muttered to herself. Nothing intelligible, but muttering none the less.

"This is a lovely home. Is it yours?" she finally asked.

I stared at her, holding back tears. "No, Mom. It's yours. This is your house."

"Oh." she replied, and then looked at me with a strange expression. "Why did you call me 'Mom'?"

The Night Before Duty

Captain Harrison looked down at his young son. He would miss him so much. He hated that he had to leave, but duty was duty.

He could hear his men laughing and talking with their families and friends. They would be leaving for Eiridin tomorrow. Since they were escorting King James, there was no way of know how long they'd be gone. So tonight, the families and friends of the Guard were having a feast.

The King had ordered his kitchen staff to cook their best and had lent the men one of his banquet halls for the occasion. Entertainers had been hired and were outdoing themselves.

Even thought there was much merriment, the was still a lingering sense of apprehension. Eiridin was the capital city of country they had been at war with not too long ago. The war was over, but relations were not friendly. The king was going as a display of "good will". There were also rumors that he was going to speak with King Ivan about a marriage between their two heirs. Captain Harrison had no idea if they were true, it was not his place to inquire about such things. His job was to protect the king, nothing more. He only offered advice when the king asked for it; and though that happened often, the king had not brought up that particular subject.

The feast ended at midnight. He wanted his men well rested and prepared for tomorrow. As he slipped his free arm around his wife's waist, he silently prayed. Thanking God for his family and for the ability to provide for them. He also prayed that God would bring him, his king, and his men home safe.