Chapter 7 - Part D

    Once Nicolai felt the imminent danger had somewhat passed he docked the ship in Shar Riel.  The port was busy, it was easy to blend in, and it wasn't too far away from Khal Manar.  He told the docking master a partial truth, saying that they’d come from a far border outpost of the Empire.  It seemed that no one was looking for Marria, that she was lost on a list of dead or missing.  Nicolai hoped that secret was well kept.  So far as the condition of the ship, better than new; but Nicolai just couldn’t bring himself to leave the Empire without knowing that Atlantis was at least secure.  According to his doctors, Marria had made excellent progress, and they had been comfortable to release her to her own quarters.  That was another issue.  Eventually he would have to figure out what to do with his guest.  She couldn’t stay forever, and after receiving news that her husband was well at the palace, she hardly wanted to.  
    He was standing on the bridge, pouring over some information about Atlantis  that Kuri had brought to him.  The door behind him slid open.
    “Permission to come onto the bridge, Sir.” Marria asked, smiling.  She was leaning heavy on a crutch, favouring her right ankle, but the bruises and cuts had come a long way in healing.
    “Of course, my Lady.  It’s nice to see you up and about.”
    “I’m eager to hear news from home, Sir.  I was hoping we could discuss my return home.” Marria hobbled onto the bridge.  The bridge was empty except for a few of Nicolai’s crew.  They greeted Marria in turn, Nicolai ushered Marria into his office.  He offered her a chair, and sat. He was hoping for the chance to talk to her.  He was troubled by the news reports that continued to pour in.
    “Can I offer you something to drink, my Lady?” He asked, reaching for his own seat.
    “No, thank you.” Marria was looking around his office as Nicolai poured himself a cup of coffee.  Her eyes came to rest on the photograph of his parents and brother on his desk.  “Is this your family?” She asked, her eyebrows drawn together.
    “Yes, we were in Palasis together on vacation last year.”
    “Really?” Marria mused, studying the picture closely.  She glanced at Nicolai, her eyebrows still drawn together.  “What did you say your last name was?”
    “Ryder. Why?”
    “Did you grow up on Khal Manar?”
    “We moved around a lot when I was younger.  I don’t think we were in the Manarian system always, but I went to school on Ellsidore.” Nicolai replied, sorting through some of the articles he’d gathered from Kuri.  Marria was shaking her head.
    “Your family looks so familiar to me.  I can’t place it.” She muttered.
    “Well, we are all tragically good looking.” Nicolai smiled at his own joke.  Marria nodded in mock agreement.
"Of course." She said, she was beginning to look at ease.
 “Have you seen the latest reports?” He asked.
    “I know that my husband is alive, and that Atlantis is alive. Beyond that, my information is scattered at best.  The doctor would like me to rest, unfortunately my pacing is getting in the way.” Marria looked at the articles expectantly.
    “The biggest news is that Atlantis is engaged.”  Nicolai chewed on his bottom lip, trying not to show Marria how much it bothered him.  
    “What?” Marria asked, reaching for the article.  “Is this news source credible?”
    “It’s been confirmed by almost every other station." 
    "Who is she engaged to?"
    "Andoran Grey."
    "Andoran Grey," Marria repeated, looking up from the articles, her face bewildered. "Why Andoran?""
"They all say the same thing, that the Empress is now engaged, and in a strange political move she has decided to relinquish all of her power into the hands of Andoran Grey.  The papers don’t really know what to make of that.  There’s a lot of speculation but not a lot of solid information.” Nicolai reported."That's where things get foggy.  The palace has made no official statements, so it leaves a lot to the imagination.  There also seems to be some issues about censorship.  Certain papers printed articles this morning demanding answers, and later retracted those articles."  Marria was shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
    “Why would she do that? I mean, why would she do either? She doesn’t care for Andoran, not like that.  And relinquish all power? Something is wrong here.  Atlantis is proud, particularly of her heritage.  She always dreamed of marrying a man that she could rule her empire jointly with but it doesn’t make sense for her to give up all power.”  Marria shook her head.  She studied the picture that had accompanied one particular article. “All I can think is that she is showing signs of  duress.”
    “Oh?”  Nicolai reached for the picture.
    “I don’t know, she looks strained.  Do you have the video file of this speech?” Marria asked.
    “I think somewhere.” Nicolai nodded, moving to find it. Looking over his electronic pad he found the file and played it for Marria.  As she watched she, nodded, taking mental notes.  The nodding turned to silent pointing, as if she were agreeing with herself, and she began to commentate. 
    “Do you see the way she is holding her hands? She is gripping that podium like if she let go she would fall off.  She's pale and she stumbled over her words, she is never like that during speeches.  She looks tired, like she hasn’t slept well.  The way Andoran is standing next to her is as if he was trying to remind her that he is present.  There is something very wrong, Captain.  Very, very wrong.” Marria chewed her lip, and reached out to play the recording one more time.  Nicolai’s door buzzed again, and he called for entry.  Kuri came in holding a hand written message.
    “This is for Lady Marria, Captain.” She said, handing Marria the envelope.  I believe it’s from her husband.”  Marria smiled instantly, reaching for the letter.  She cradled it as if it were sacred.  “It just came in.”
    “Thanks Kuri.” Nicolai nodded gratefully.  Nicolai watched Marria’s eyes hungrily scan the letter.  She read it at least four times before looking up at him.
    “He’s alright.” She reported breathlessly, a blushing smile raising over her cheeks. “He sends word of Atlantis too.  He’s been keeping a watch on things at the palace, as much as possible without being noticed.  He said that Atlantis has been a prisoner in her own quarters.  Every now and then Andoran or one of the higher officials will go in, but not that often.  No one who works for Atlantis understands why the sudden change of affection and power.  The people in the palace are concerned for her.  They are worried that she’s been hurt, and that Andoran is hiding the fact and using it to his advantage.  He says that one of the army generals is a traitor to Atlantis, and has taken sides with Andoran.  He says to all appearances, Atlantis must feel that she has no other way out, that she’s lost the love of the people.  He is keeping an eye on things but is worried about being caught.  People have been disappearing who seem to support Atlantis as the Empress, instead of the Emperor’s bride.  He has spoken to some in the army who believe that they are still fighting for Atlantis, but he knows that the traitor is pulling the strings.  Things are not well at Malbrandor Palace.” Marria finished grimly.  “It sounds like we’ll need to raise an army, to bring back her power.”
    “I don’t know about you, but I don’t know many with access to an army.” Nicolai shook his head.  The worry had started to gather in his chest.  He shouldn’t have left her.  She was alone now, engaged to a man who was beginning to sound like he was crazy, and Nicolai couldn’t reach her.  She hadn’t left his thoughts in days, as a matter of fact, sleep was becoming even more difficult.  He wanted to hold her, to assure her that everything would be alright, and here she was swept up in some silent coup, and he couldn’t even reach her.  He blamed himself for refusing to listen to what she had to say.  Of course things were complicated, she was the ruler of an Empire.  Marria shook her head.  
    “Though this hardly seems the time, Captain, I need to return to my quarters and rest.  I need to think this through.  Would I be able to meet with you later?  We’ll think of something we just need a little more time.” Marria said positively.  She leaned on her crutch and made her way out of Nicolai’s office.  He buried his face in his hands.  He knew they needed a more time, but that was the problem. Atlantis would be married in a few days time.  It was now that they needed to act.  


Marria clutched the documents tightly in her hand as she wobbled back to the Captain’s office.  Some rest had done her well. The Captain would never believe it.  In fact, she scarcely believed it, but her source couldn’t be wrong.  Not about this.  She was out of breath when she finally pushed the buzzer outside of the Captain’s door.  Barely hearing his permission to enter, she burst through the door.
    “Captain!” She blurted, thrusting the papers in his direction.  “You are 28 years old?  Your father is 57 and your mother is 55, am I right?  Your brother is at least three years younger than you, correct?”
    “Uh...four years...” Nicolai stammered, his throat dry. 
    “No, I need to know for sure.” Marria demanded.
    “Uh....”Nicolai paused a second time, considering her facts. “Yes.” He said finally, sounds right.
    “Your last name, it’s Ryder?”
    “Yes...”
    “Have you ever met your paternal grandparents?”
    “What?”
    “Your father’s parents, have you met them?” Marria repeated as if he hadn’t understood.
    “No, I haven’t.  My father isn't close with his family, but I think they passed, many years ago.” He shrugged.  His father had never really talked about his own family.  Nicolai had grown up surrounded by his mother’s relatives.  It had always been that way, and when he’d questioned it, his father had only told him that it was complicated.  Nicolai had shrugged it off.  He figured his father would tell him when he was ready.
    “Unbelievable.” Marria shook her head.  She thrust a photograph down on Nicolai’s desk.  “Is this your father?” She asked.  Nicolai regarded the picture carefully.  It reminded him of one of those ‘historical times’ photos that people got at amusement parks and things like that all dressed up like they were from the past.  He studied the faces.  His father’s was obvious, as well as his mother’s.  His father was dressed in a military type suit, standing straight behind an older man.  He was wearing a sash across his chest, indicating a house, and on his head a golden circlet was tucked into his hair.  His mother was dressed in a ball gown, wearing the same sash, and gloves to the elbow, she looked incredibly distinguished.  On her own head a small diamond tiara.  There was an old man in the photo, and his wife, and two other younger men and women who seemed to be their wives.  In the arms of the old man at the center of the photo, was a baby, so wrapped in blankets that it was difficult to see the baby’s face.  Nicolai’s mouth was dry, like chalk.  He squinted at the picture, trying to distinguish the real from the fake.  
    “That looks like him.” He admitted, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized the photo.  “And that looks like my mother.” He said, pointing to the woman next to him.  “Younger, but definitely my Mom.  I can’t say I’ve ever seen her dressed like that.”
    “You’re absolutely positive?” Marria questioned.  It didn't make sense, he'd never seen this photo, but it wasn't faked.
    “Yes.  Positive.”  Nicolai confirmed.
    “Then this baby, is you.” Marria pointed to the picture.  Nicolai shook his head.
    “How?”
    “I got this picture from the historical archives belonging to the Denelorian Empire.  This is the royal family, they are the Ryderrons. They continue to be the royal family to this day.”  Marria said, eagerly.  Nicolai laughed out loud.  
    “I’ve heard of them, but, I’m sorry my lady, there’s something wrong with your information.  I’m not a member of any royal family.  I grew up on Ellsidore, in a small house overlooking a bay.  My father was a doctor, and my mother was a nurse.  They both worked every day of their lives for what we had, they never had anything just handed to them.  Besides I think someone would have mentioned it.”
    “That’s just it.  No one ever mentioned it and I think I know why.  Captain, I’ve grown up in circles of people who serve in palaces all over the galaxy.  Frankly, Captain, you are somewhat of a legend.”
    “I don’t understand.” Nicolai shook his head as if all this new information rattling around was refusing to sink in.
    “Captain, I had an Aunt who worked for this man, your grandfather,” Marria pointed quickly to the picture. “Your father was the heir to the Ryderron throne.  He and your grandfather never quite saw eye to eye on matters of state.  While your father was on tour with the army, he married your mother, much to your grandfather’s surprise.  Your mother was a commoner.  Your grandfather accepted your mother, and eventually you were born.  Your grandfather didn’t want to let this deviation from royal blood to happen again, so he made arrangements with Atlantis’ grandfather, that the two of you would be betrothed.  You were children.  Shortly after that, you and your family disappeared.  There was no clue to your disappearance, just before you all were assumed dead, a letter arrived for your father’s brother, giving him the appointment of heir.  The search for you resumed, but your family was never found.  Eventually you were assumed to be dead.” As Marria reported the story to him, it was like a fairy tale he was hearing for the first time.  He shook his head.
    “You’re telling me that Atlantis Talerian and I are betrothed to be married?” He finally asked.
    “Yes.”
    “I thought you said we were assumed to be dead.”
    “You were.  But, they never found your bodies, obviously.  Your uncles never produced any other male heirs of appropriate age, so Atlantis remained betrothed to you, but only in name.  She was free to pursue other interests, but it was always understood that if you were ever found, the betrothal would be back in effect.” Marria explained.  Nicolai said nothing.  He was trying to absorb her words.  “Don’t you see?” Marria spoke excitedly.  “This could be the answer that we have been looking for!  Andoran’s claim on Atlantis is broken.  He is not of royal blood, and you have the previous claim.  Andoran must recognize your prior claim on Atlantis, he must.  It is our law.”
Nicolai was nodding slowly. “So, you want me to just parade in there and tell this Andoran Grey that he can’t marry Atlantis because I am already engaged to her?”
    “Precisely.”  Marria nodded vigorously.  
    “A fine plan except for a few minor points; first, I have absolutely no proof of this claim, second, the extent of my army reaches the walls of this vessel.  Even then, my people are paid, and I doubt any of them are highly trained in hand to hand combat. Third, do you understand what we’re talking about here? Me, ruling an empire.  Just off hand, that’s a little frightening.” Nicolai ticked the reasons off on his long fingers.  Kuri, who had been in and out of the room, and had a staunch ability to listen to several conversations at once had already picked up the gist of the conversation.  
    “I agree with her, Sir.  You can’t just sit here with that kind of information and do nothing.  I’m not sure how much you pay attention to politics around here, but I can tell you one thing, if that Andoran Grey is in charge of things our livelihood is pretty much extinct.  He will likely ban intergalactic trade to and from the Manarian Empire, he believes that the Empire can be self sufficient and should be.  He wants to reduce trade and even travel from other planets.  The man would have happily been born in a bubble.” Kuri reported seriously.
    “How can you be sure of that?”
    “I’ve been watching him for some time.  I was always happy to know that the Empress never fully agreed with him.  I can’t see him as a benefit to the Manarian Empire in any way.”
    “She’s right.  Can you talk with your father?” Marria asked. “Get him to confirm this?”
    “Yes.  I think so.” Nicolai drew his eyebrows together.  He had a good relationship with his father.  It seemed like this was something major that he would keep from Nicolai, but he supposed that everyone was entitled to a past.
    “Good.  If he can confirm any of this, then I have some contacts in the Ryderron court.  I’m sure that we would be able to arrange an audience with your Grandfather at the very least.  Perhaps they can give us the help we need in winning Atlantis back.”  Marria rose slowly on her crutches and hobbled out of the door again.
    “I will tell Juno in navigation to fire up the engines and plot a course for the Ryderron Empire.  We can always turn around if this turns to nothing, but it would be better to be half way there if this pulls through.” Kuri nodded in partial salute.
    “Ok....ok.” Nicolai reached for the small screen to communicate.  He took a long moment to collect himself and his thoughts, to try to put words together the best way he knew how.  He didn't feel betrayed, but he wasn't sure what he felt...overwhelmed, maybe... 
    “Hello!” It was his mother.  Pretty as always, her curly, sandy hair cropped short, and a breezy scarf around her neck.
    “Hi Mom.” Nicolai smiled, happy to see her, almost forgetting why he'd called. At his parent's home the sunshine was pouring in the small kitchen, and it looked to be just near dinner time.
    “How are you Nic?” She asked, scooping up some fresh  greens from the garden and carrying them to the sink.
    “I’m alright. I need to talk to Dad, is he around?”
    “He is. George! Nicolai needs to speak with you.” She called.  “He’ll be right here.  Tell me, how are things going for you? We haven’t heard from you in a while.  Are you back on the Nikao yet?”
    “Yes, the repairs are all finished up, she’s better than brand new.”
    “Glad to hear it son, here’s your father. I’m off to Mrs. Delgar to give her some of this lettuce.  Talk to you later, Love.” She blew Nicolai a kiss and swiftly left the camera.  Always moving, always doing and always in a hurry, that was his Mother.  His father, by contrast moved more slowly, more deliberately.  His gentle eyes smiled at Nicolai.
    “Good to see you, Nic.” He said, pulling over a stool so that he could sit down.  He reached for a knife and ripe tomato and started to slice.  “How are things in your corner of space?”
    “Dad, I have something I need to talk about.” Nicolai settled back in his chair.
    “Well, maybe I should call your Mother back here, she's better at talking.” George Ryder smiled kindly, his eyes laughed.
    “I need to know if you have a connection with the House of Ryderron.”  Nicolai blurted the words straight out.  The knife in his father’s hand paused. “Dad, I wouldn’t be asking if it weren’t important.  I met a girl...well, she’s more than just that.  I think I’m in love with her, and I think she’s in danger.  We have to help her and this might be the only way.  She's Atlantis Talerian.”  Nicolai explained hurriedly.  His father nodded, he looked Nicolai in the eye, and for the first time ever Nicolai felt something regal about his gaze.  This wasn’t ground he’d expected to cross today.
    “I suppose you’ve heard most of it already.” His father sighed.
    “I’ve heard an abridged version, but I’d like to hear it from you.” Nicolai said evenly.
    “On the day you told me that you were going to be a star ship captain, I wondered if you and I would be having this conversation.” His father paused, as if wanting to get the details right. “A very long time ago, I was a prince and the heir to the throne of the Ryderron Empire.  I had good parents, whom I loved, but could never quite see eye to eye with.  My father in particular.  When I turned twenty-three, I had finished my mandatory service in the army, and my father believed that it was time for me to get married.  He told me that he’d arranged a marriage for me with a princess from a nearby world.  I knew her, I had grown up around her and I didn’t think of her as a wife.  We got into a huge argument.  I told him that times had changed and I should be allowed to marry a woman that I loved, He disagreed and told me that my duty to the Empire was to marry as soon as possible, and into appropriate stock.  Whatever that meant.  I told him I would never marry her, not as long as I lived and I would rather rot.  My mother intervened.  She could see things beyond the royal court the way that my father never could.  She convinced my father that I was still young, that I should be able to leave for a year, and do my own growing up.  If I fell in love on my own, then they would work to accept that.  If in that time I didn’t, I would agree to marry the princess who would by then be twenty one, and of appropriate age to marry.  
    So, I left, on my world adventure, out on my own.  I lasted a whole week.  I was on a small village road on a bicycle, when I steered wrong to avoid a pedestrian, lost control going downhill and crashed the bicycle.  I broke my leg and was taken to the town doctor.  Your Grandfather.”
    Nicolai smiled and nodded.  “I remember that part.” He said.
    “You just got the abridged version.” His father continued. “Your mother was my nurse, and she was wonderful.  I stayed in that little village and I learned everything I could.  I loved to watch your Grandfather work with people and heal people.  Even more than that, I loved to watch your Mother care for people, and pretty soon I found that I really did love her.  She didn’t know who I was, but I proposed, and after I explained things to her and she started talking to me again, and we were married, my year was almost up and I had to return home.  I brought your Mother with me.  In my eyes she was perfect, she had no courtly ambitions and only appreciated every moment.  She was beautiful and innocent, and after my father got over his initial fury she made it difficult for even him to dislike her.  We settled into a strange little life.  I continued to study medicine as an interest, and your mother found places where she could use her nursing skills to be of help.  The people adored her.  I thought everyone did, and I thought everyone had forgotten that she was not of royal blood; and everyone had, except my father.  We announced that she was pregnant, and everyone was overjoyed, and later when she had a son my father was ecstatic.  I thought everything was going the way it should, until one day at around your first birthday when my father surprised me.  He told me, that in order to preserve your royal status he had contacted the Talerian Empire.  The crown prince’s wife had just given birth to a baby girl, my father had met with the old Talerian Emperor, and the two of them had drafted a betrothal agreement.  The agreement could not be undone.  I was furious with my father.  I stayed up night after night with my attorneys desperate to find some way to break the contract, but it was impossible.  The only way was for you to die.  I spoke with your mother, and chose the next best thing.  
    We arranged to go and meet the family that you would be betrothed in to, and along the way, we had our shuttle disappear.  We started in Shar Riel, moved to Khal Manar and eventually, after they stopped looking for us settled in Ellsidore.  We sent word to your Mother’s parents for them to join us, and I mailed one letter to my brother Andrew, next in line to the throne.  I told him that we would not return and that I was abdicating the throne and giving it to him, by rights.  We were found, once, by my brother.  He had resumed the search wanting to be sure that the letter was authentic.  He swore to keep my secret and returned home.  I became a doctor, your mother stayed a nurse.  I delivered your brother, and we lived a happy life.  You and he were able to do what you wanted to do without threat of having a marriage over your head that you didn’t want.  That’s who you are, Nicolai.” His father stopped, and reached for a glass of water.  Nicolai inhaled slowly.
    “You never told us this?” The question was obvious.
    “I wanted you to grow up and be what you wanted to be, Nic.  Not what they wanted you to be.  I wanted to see if you lived your life if any of this would ever matter.” He paused. “I suppose it does, after all.”
    “Do you think I’ll be able to contact your...I mean my grandfather?” Nicolai asked, his mind turning to matters at hand.  He barely had time to believe it was true let alone sort it all out.  His father nodded slowly.  
    “I think so.  He never held anything against you.  I’m sure he’ll have a few words to share with me.” George said, scratching the top of his head.  He rubbed his hands over his face.  “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
    “I fell in love with Atlantis Talerian.  That’s a long story, and I’ll have to get back to it one day, but I didn’t know it was her.  We fought and I left her.  Now she’s in trouble and I need to go back.”
    “Ohar be with you, Nicolai.” His father nodded at him, and the link went dead.  Nicolai didn’t even have time to process the severity of what his father had said.  He called for Marria on the ship’s intercom system, and told him that he had confirmation of her story.
    “Thank you, Captain.  That’s all I needed.” She said.  Things seemed to be looking up.