Fourth Vector Ch. 19

"Then I know which side I would choose," said Dustin firmly. "I can't fight against my own family."

"It seems that you are much in the same boat as I am then. Our soul is split between two places," said Jack. "A formal home and an adoptive one."

"Life just gets more complicated all the time, doesn't it?" said Dustin with a smirk.

Jack laughed. "You're not kidding."

"I do like you though, Jack. I can tell you're a good man, and the men only have good things to say about you. Even the ones that are left from the original battalion. You don't hear that too often from men who took the kind of casualties they did."

"I'm grateful for their trust," said Jack. "We've faced a lot of hardship together. It hasn't always been easy, but I look out for every man under my command."

"As long as you continue to do that, you won't find any qualms from me," said Dustin as he turned to face him. "I think we understand each other a little better now. Yesterday was a shock for me, that's for sure. But it made me consider my own situation. I'm always a loyal son of Java, but I won't fight against my own people. In a way, you're no different."

Jack nodded. "I won't fight against my own family either. I have a sister in Java still. Not to mention all those people I knew from growing up. I'd sooner die than see them across from me on the battlefield."

Dustin extended his hand. "Then we're in agreement. I'm sorry that I doubted you, Jack."

"I'm not," said Jack with a firm shake of the head. "It led us to this conversation, one that we needed to have. I think this level of understanding will be good for us. We both know where each other stands."

"I like the sound of that. And by the way, I'm not saying the Galicians are bad by any stretch of the imagination," added Dustin before breaking out into a grin. "I'm rather fond of their women."

"Careful now," said Jack with a laugh. "Of the two that you know of, one is mine and the other is my sister."

"I'm just saying, I'm just saying," repeated Dustin as he raised his hands in innocence. "But if that's a lot more where they're coming from, I wouldn't mind the chance to go there."

Jack laughed heartily. "Maybe one day. There's still a long way to go before we can step foot in Galicia. We have a lot of enemies."

"Well then, we'll just have to do what we do best."

"What's that?" asked Jack.

"Kick their asses," said Dustin confidently, his smirk never wavering.

*****

The ride back to the port of the Carinthian capital city was much longer the second time around without anyone to talk to. Even though Kat had the two marines as escorts, they mostly kept to themselves, and for that reason, she found herself focusing on the passing scenery instead of idle conversation.

It probably wasn't the best idea to go alone, as it let her focus on all her thoughts and worries without any distractions. Of course, she was worried about the response from Reina, the influence of the Swabians on Picardy, and even the influence of her cousin, but right now, Kat was most worried about those two souls silently suffering in the infirmary on theDestiny.

Especially Vera.

There hadn't been much of an opportunity to talk with the woman since Jack told her about Kat's real identity, and she wasn't sure whether Vera would be upset with her over her silence on the matter. Not that she ever misled her in who she actually was—it's just the topic never really came up.

Would you have told her if it did?

Kat sighed quietly, trying to avoid the question that kept popping up in her mind. At least for now, with Vera conscious and hopefully doing better, she wanted to spend her time seeing the woman who'd become her closest friend, apart from Jack and Abigail.

She made it back to the port in record time, setting a lively pace due to the lack of conversation. There was one face in particular that greeted her upon her return, one that made Kat smile in delight.

"You're here already?" asked Abigail with a grin, from atop the gangplank. "I feel like you'd barely just radioed to say you were coming!"

"I made great time," said Kat as she ascended to the main deck of the warship. She pressed in a tight embrace with the dark-haired commander. "How are you?"

"Well, my bed feels a little too big right now, but I'm surviving," said Abigail with a hint of a laugh. "How are you? And how's Jack?"

"Not too bad. Jack is his usual self. We both miss you though."

Abigail grinned. "As I miss you."

"How are Vera and Greg?"

The smile rapidly melted from Abigail's face. "Not great. Vera is conscious and seemingly very lucid right now. Greg not so much."

"That should be a good thing though, right? Maybe Vera will pull through this?"

Abigail started to chew on her lip. "Not according to Dr. Kendall. This sudden onset of lucidity is a symptom of the plague. Unfortunately, it usually comes . . . right at the end."

Kat felt her stomach drop out of her body as she remembered Aedan's recounting of the plague's stages. "Oh. That's right."

"I know." Abigail touched her back in a comforting manner. "Please go down to see her though. I know she'd be happy to see you."

I certainly hope so, thought Kat.

"I will. I'll come see you before I leave, all right?"

"Please do," said Abigail with a small smile.

After parting from Abigail, Kat made her way down to the infirmary along the path she knew best. Along the way, she passed various sailors going about their daily tasks, most of them giving her a double take on the walk by. At this point, most of them knew she was attached to Jack in some form, and she was sure most of them had figured out it was romantically. Whether they knew her background as Galician, she wasn't sure, although they had spent enough time in this part of the world that surely some of them might have pieced it together by now.

Once she was inside, she was greeted by the friendly, yet professional face of Dr. Kendall.

"Ah, you're here. I take it you're here to see Vera too?" he asked.

"If she's still awake, I'd really like to see her," said Kat.

"Of course. Did anyone warn you what it means for her to be awake?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "She's not out of the woods yet."

Kat nodded. "Abigail told me. I understand."

"Good. Please don't tell her anything. I don't want the knowledge to jeopardize her recovery. If she thinks she's getting better, maybe her body is more likely to cooperate. At least, that's my hope."

"I understand. I won't say anything."

"Excellent. Here, put this on," he said, while handing her several protective garments. After she was fully dressed in a protective gown, mask, face shield, and gloves, Kendall deemed her worthy of entering the main visiting room for the two patients. Even so, she still would not be able to talk to Vera without being behind a plate of glass. Kendall was anything but precautious.

Surprisingly enough, she found Vera sitting up in bed looking no more worse for wear. Her face was tired, which was understandable for what she just went through, and her hair and gown were disheveled, but she looked remarkably well for someone who just went through the plague. Instantly, Vera's blue eyes settled on her, and a genuine smile appeared on her face.

"Kat! There you are," said Vera, putting her hand up in a wave. "I'm so happy you came."

"Of course I had to come," said Kat with heavy emotion, putting her hand up against the glass. "Especially when they told me you were awake!"

"Isn't it great?" said Vera, with enough excitement to break Kat's heart. "I woke up this morning feeling not so bad! Maybe I'll get through this thing after all?"

Kat tried hard to swallow the lump in her throat. Tears threatened her eyes, but she remembered her promise to Kendall. Telling Vera anything now might jeopardize her recovery. "It's so great," she managed to get out, keeping a brave face. It was her diplomatic face, the one that she crafted to help her get through tough situations. There was no better situation for it than now.

Vera looked over at Greg and her smile evaporated. "Greg is still out though. Dr. Kendall tells me that he's doing okay, but I really hope he wakes soon. I miss having my friend here to keep me company."

Kat looked over at Greg. The man still looked awfully pale in complexion, tightly bundled up in a blanket. It was a sure difference from the hardy marine she once saw in battle.

Vera turned her attention back to her. "The doctor tells me we are in Carinthia finally! Have you been able to reach the queen?"

Kat smiled. "We have, although we don't have an official answer yet. I hope we get one soon, and perhaps we can stop these two from going to war."

"Well, I'm sure if Queen Reina will listen to anyone, it's liable to be another head of state," said Vera flatly, arching her eyebrow in a knowing expression.

Kat felt her cheeks flush.There it is. I knew I wouldn't be able to get out of this.

"Yeah, about that," said Kat, finding herself at a loss for words.

"It's true, isn't it? Jack told me everything, Kat. You're really Katherine Rosdahl."

Kat nodded slowly. "I am."

Vera's gaze softened. "Why didn't you tell me? All those times we spent together, why didn't you tell me who you were?"

Kat chewed on her lip. "I wasn't sure if you knew. Or if you might've figured it out on your own. You're Galician too. I thought there was a chance you could've recognized me."

Vera shook her head weakly, allowing Kat to see her swollen neck in the process. "We never spent any time in Kalmar, so I didn't know what your family looked like. For most of the time right before you took over and before you were deposed, I was with my father on his trading voyages. I remember only hearing about your cousin taking over when we landed in Samara one day."

"I just wasn't sure if you would know," said Kat quietly. "Apparently, my likeness is on every post in Galicia. Wanted by my cousin, of course. Most Galicians, when they meet me, shun me when they find out who I am. I don't blame them. They rightfully fear for their lives, knowing my own is forfeit should I ever allow my cousin's agents to catch up to me. I wouldn't want to be near me either."

"That would be the last thing I would be worried about. I can understand it, though, considering how hunted you are," said Vera. "It doesn't make it right though. What happened to you was so wrong. How you were treated by your own blood was just awful. Your cousin has a lot to answer for someday."

Kat felt a tear slip down her cheek. "It was really nice for a change. To have someone so close to my own age, someone from Galicia to call my friend. Someone who didn't know who I really was. You can't imagine how lonely it was growing up in my father's shadow. The only friends I had were servants. My only company besides my father were pompous nobles or spoiled cousins. To have someone like you to talk to made me feel normal for once. I guess I just enjoyed it a little too much. I'm sorry for that, Vera."

Vera nodded softly. "I understand, Kat. I'm not angry with you. I was a little upset at first but it cooled after a few days. I've heard what you went through after you escaped Galicia. I guess I can't blame you for wanting a friend."

Kat looked up at her. "We're still friends now, right?"

Vera rewarded her with a smile. "Of course. And as soon as I'm out of here, we're going to spend a lot more time together."

Kat felt the despair pull at her heart again. This time, she couldn't control the tears. Thankfully, Vera must not have thought anything more of it, and she tried to steer the conversation back to less dangerous topics.

"It was a shock for me too, to learn who I really was as well," said Vera, placing her hand against her chest. "Even Jack, with his true identity. But to learn that you were regent as well." Vera shuddered visibly. "You two will make quite the couple."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that he's the king and you're the rightful regent. Between the two of you, you have a much more powerful claim to the throne than your cousin does."

Kat smiled weakly. "We had to make that same argument to Reina."

"As you should have!" said Vera fiercely. "But think about what that will mean to Galicia. To your average Galician. When Jack is ready to take his throne, they'll be much more willing to follow the both of you than they will be to follow your cousin. He has a right to fear you and to send his men after you. Both of you united are more representative of Galicia than he could ever be."

Kat smiled. "I'm afraid that's one of the reasons he might be so paranoid. I've never been able to let my guard down in the three years since I escaped the country."

"One day, you'll get your chance to set it right. You and my brother both," said Vera with a confident smile. "I just know it."

Kat's mind drifted back to the thought of Jack looking out the window earlier this morning. If there was anyone in the world with whom she wanted to return to Galicia with, it was him. "I really hope so. It means everything to me to finally have a partner that stands with me against the world."

Vera turned her sad eyes toward the sleeping form of Greg. "Don't I know it," she said quietly under breath.

*****

Two weeks before the scheduled invasion of Occitania, Admiral Bancroft made his way from his temporary headquarters in the Javan palace to the residential wing of the emperor. It was late in the afternoon, already four o'clock, and he'd been summoned to see the emperor for the first time in weeks.

For Bancroft, that was something of a relief. Although he didn't have much in the way of respect for Charles IX, he much preferred dealing with the emperor over his degenerate son. George seemed to be going out of his way lately to rub Bancroft's nose in his own filth, to the point that the admiral was doing everything he could to avoid the man.

Even though Charles was a deeply ignorant man, at least he didn't persist in the partaking of orgies in Bancroft's presence, and for that he was the least bit grateful.

As he found the emperor's personal chambers, he placed three heavy knocks against the door, not surprised in the slightest to see Mortimus answering the door.

"The emperor has requested me," said Bancroft with a stiff upper chin.

"Follow me, Admiral," replied Mortimus while waving him inside.

Even though Mortimus appeared more slovenly than ever, Bancroft found himself not mentally chastising the page as he led him to the emperor.

At least Mortimus knows how to treat his betters, thought Bancroft.

"Your Majesty, I have Admiral Bancroft for you," said the page finally, once they'd come to Charles' desk. The emperor looked up from his work, the look on his face never changing as he regarded the stout page.

"Very well," replied Charles with a heavy sigh. He set his pen down and placed his fat fingers together, regarding Bancroft with a solemn appraisal. It made the admiral feel uneasy to be judged in such a manner, and his internal workings started to wonder whether the emperor knew something he didn't.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty," said Bancroft with a deep, practiced bow. "It's been some time since I was last in your presence. I trust you are doing well."

"What do you know about these?" asked Charles, ignoring his pleasantries and thrusting a stack of papers into Bancroft's hands. The admiral was used to such treatment, although it never made the man any easier to deal with. Bancroft quickly rifled through the small stack of dispatches, not surprised to see that just about all of them came from the Ruthenian foreign secretary.

"Well, it appears these are all from the Ruthenians," said Bancroft as he flipped through them. "Complaints of various forms and functions."

"I didn't ask what they were," snapped Charles. "I asked what you knew about them."

Bancroft's nostrils flared in annoyance. "Well, they started months ago after our conflict with the Occitanians started to intensify. Mostly in the form of violations of their territorial waters, which is absurd. No Javan task force has gone anywhere near Ruthenia, which means they are most likely posturing to take advantage of our lack of attention to our southern coast."

Charles rolled his eyes. "Don't you think I know that?"

"Well, you asked what I knew about—"

"Don't you think as your sovereign that I know more about this than you do? What I'm asking you is what you intend to do about them?" said Charles with more annoyance.

Bancroft's cheeks flinched. For a split second, he preferred George's subtle insinuations to Charles' open insolence. "The only thing I can do at the moment. I've sent several marine regiments south to guard the coast in the absence of the fleet. Thankfully, the Ruthenian fleet isn't nearly as potent as the Occitanians, but their army is much more of a threat."

"Make sure you keep it to marine regiments," said Charles. "I don't want any of my army divisions distracted in the south right now. I want them all focused on the upcoming invasion."

"But of course. You forget I don't command any of the army divisions," said Bancroft subtly. "In any event, if they keep up their threats and this escalates to war, our southern coast will be defended."

"I'd much prefer our ships were there to do it," said Charles.

"As would I. But until we concentrate our naval forces, that blockade will be next to impossible to break."

"I don't need any more blathering about the blockade, Bancroft."

"That's fine, sire, but you asked—"

Charles held up his hand to interrupt him, something that deeply angered the admiral. Such treatment of his senior officers was unfortunately routine, but it didn't make the sting any less bearable.

"The marine regiments will have to do for now," said Charles dismissively. "If these complaints keep coming, we'll have to prepare for war on two fronts. As much as we are a match for the Occitanians, I would be troubled at fighting a war against two enemies at the same time."

"I think it will come to that ultimately. The Ruthenians won't let a chance to strike at us pass them by. Especially considering that if they strike at the southern flank, they might find aid in the help of Tyrolean brigands."

"Tyrolean bastards," swore Charles. "They've been a part of the empire for over six generations. You'd think that would inspire some loyalty in those deep mountain pricks."

"Unfortunately, some people never outgrow their ingrained cultural flaws."

Before Charles could respond, he managed to slobber over the front of his uniform. Having seen enough of it over the years, Bancroft resisted the urge to even smile, knowing it could mean his life. A result of the incessant inbreeding of the royal family, it rendered results in the current generation that were less than optimal. The kings and emperors of old would have surely stopped badgering their sisters and cousins if they knew exactly what would have popped out after several generations.

"I want you to keep a close eye on the situation," said the emperor finally, wiping at the spot on his doublet where his slobber landed. "I don't mind going to war with the Ruthenians as long as we can knock out the Occitanians in this next blow. Which reminds me, how are your plans for the invasion?"

"As tight as we can manage," said Bancroft. "Task Force 78 is operating in Lockhaven under the command of Vice Admiral Henrik and ready to protect the invasion fleet. At this moment, the transports are in Lockhaven bay ready for their move to pick up the army forces."

"Good. Don't screw this one up. What kind of man is Henrik? Is he aggressive?"

Bancroft pursed his lips. "He's a solid officer. I wouldn't entrust such a mission to just anyone."

"Good. Get it done," said Charles before pulling out another message. "This leads me to the main reason I wanted you to stop by. It concerns our new colonies in the Vector."