Chapter 234: Bride For A Bride

Chapter 234: Bride For A Bride

“Just fire a fucking missile! Or fire the fucking rail gun!” Constance stood at the side of the arena floor yelling quietly into a headset phone, “The gift ceremony is nearing its end, and you are late!”

On the other end of the phone, Admiral Hudson aboard the carrier softly responded, “We are very very close to being within range Mistress Khan. Trust me when I say the rail gun is out of range. The projectile would burn up from kinetic energy before reaching you, and a premature missile launch will raise obvious red flags with the crew and especially Lord Heraklinos.”

Constance responded with a crazed laugh, “You’re worried about raising red flags with Jacek? Maybe you should be worried about your family and your future because if you don’t fire a missile by the end of the gift ceremony, you will be my gift to Xenia for her to dine on and torture for eternity.”

The admiral gulped and responded, “I assure you. We are only minutes out before I can order an attack.”Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.

“I have a gift for my empress either way, admiral. It’s up to you to decide which it is.” Constance then hung up the phone and looked back to the gift ceremony where the line for those presenting gifts to Xenia was growing shorter and shorter before the final gift exchange between Nero and Xenia.

She shook her head in frustration knowing that unlike bloodbending, she couldn’t completely control the actions of others with her Shadow Slave technique, she could only compel them. She thought to herself, “Shadow Slave works wonders for direct tasks or even complicated tasks if the individual is intelligent. However, this admiral is testing my last nerve.”

Constance might not have admitted to herself, but she knew her frustration stemmed from controlling only one person within a framework of fail safes in the military to prevent the very thing she was attempting to accomplish. Nonetheless, she was prepared for any contingency. She crossed her arms under her chest and looked on to watch the gift ceremony.

Next in line was Mr. John Vand who approached the throne wearing a pristine bespoke tuxedo accented with a crimson red pocket square and cuff links. He held a handcrafted polished box made of fine oak.

“Empress Xenia BloodStar, I present to you...” Vand then opened the wooden box to reveal a glowing stone, “Your stone.”

Xenia softly chuckled, “I hope this isn’t your gift, John. This which you present to me is already mine. Or have you forgotten?”

Vand smiled proudly and confidently, “Of course not. I would never deign such an offense.”

Vand handed the box to a royal servant who brought it up the steps delivering it to Xenia who looked down at the stone as it sat upon a black velvet base within the box.

Vand continued, “My gift to you is the wealth of knowledge I intend to pass on to you regarding this stone.”

Xenia suddenly looked up making and holding eye-contact with John, both smiling at one another. John with a proud smile, and Xenia with a pleased smile.

“Of course, the information is quite privileged and not befitting of public disclosure.” John stood with his hands behind his back and chest puffed out proudly in front of the entire stadium watching on.

The royal servant held out his hands offering to take the box from Xenia; however, she scoffed and shooed him away. She then opened a void portal and placed it securely within a location only she knew and said, “It seems you are back on my good side again, John. In fact, I want to meet with you privately to discuss this information very soon.”

“Well, with the wedding and all-” John began but was quickly cut off by Xenia.

“Tomorrow. Drinks by the pool. Don’t be late.” Xenia smiled at him with utmost pleasure and snapped her fingers to the royal guards, “Protect this man as if your life depends on it because it does. If he dies before my meeting with him tomorrow, you die.”

The royal guards quickly surrounded John and escorted him safely to the side where they intended to stand guard of him until his meeting.

As John was escorted away from the throne, he felt a cold chill run down his spine. He looked behind him to see a black-hooded figure with pale-white, bony hands approaching the throne.

While Jacek mused philosophically to himself, Hudson saw an opportunity and he took it. He began to bark orders on the commlink to other ships in the fleet and under the influence of Constance’s Shadow Slave, he immediately went on the offensive, “Jarecho-1, fire the first missile. Target the coliseum.”

Jacek whipped his head around to look at Hudson with confusion and spoke into the commlink, “Belay that order, Jarecho-1.”

The captain of the destroyer responded back, “Standing by Lord Heraklinos.”

Jacek then focused his attention on Hudson, “Fire a missile at this range? We need to position the submarine, launch fighter jets in the air, move within range for the rail guns, and most importantly, move into range for me to be effective in leading this assault!”

Hudson’s nervous sweat turned into a profuse sweat as he sarcastically said, “Oh good. You have read the books. If you want to waltz into this battle by the book, we can count on losing by the book too.”

Jacek began to respond; however, Hudson cut him off, “With all due respect, we are attacking the BloodStar mainland! We don’t want to get too close. We want to draw them out for a sea battle where we have our entire fleet! And yes, they will be drawn out because we are attacking the most pompous empress in the history of their empire!”

Jacek thought for a moment before nodding and saying, “All fair points, Admiral; however, why not discuss this earlier during our preparation meetings?”

Hudson walked over to a high-tech monitor with numerous flashing lights and readouts including a map with satellite imaging. He typed in several combinations of codes until the screen read: “Remote access to Jarecho-1 established.”

Hudson turned back to Jacek, “Because I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. But here, in the moment, I now realize that fortune favors the bold.”

Hudson then hit a centrally located big, red button. He then spoke into the commlink, “Jarecho-1, missile has been fired remotely. Standby for further orders.”

Hudson turned to Jacek and the two men engaged in a stare down of authority until Hudson finally said, “Now you may continue with your conventional warfare tactics.”

Jacek grit his teeth, “Admiral Hudson, you are hereby relieved on the grounds of insubordination!”

Hudson laughed, “Have you forgotten, we are a rogue fleet! We are all in insubordination!”

Jacek shook his head and grabbed the commlink, “All ships, take your positions for battle. We are drawing them out. Launch the fighter jets, ready the rail guns, and get that god damn submarine into position!”

“Today we take our vengeance on Empress BloodStar! Eye-for-an-eye, bride-for-a-bride!”

The officers on the bridge responded in unison, “Hoorah!”

Hudson sat in the corner of the bridge handcuffed and restrained. Although he had just ended his long and accomplished career via insubordination and sabotage, the only emotion he felt was relief as the urge of Shadow Slave subsided following the completion of his task.

He smiled as he thought to himself, “I have ensured my family’s safety, I have spared myself torture, and I have gained the favor of the dominating power in this war.”

Jacek grimaced and barked at Hudson, “Wipe that smile off your face, Admiral! You will be dealt with once this is all over!”

Hudson chuckled to himself, “She’s coming for you. Yes, she’s coming for you.”

Jacek grunted and tried to ignore the admiral’s comments; however, he had an unsettling feeling that the admiral knew something he didn’t.