Empire of Night Ch 42

Jessica stood in the cold, stubbornly refusing to show anyone her shivering. The local architecture was beautiful, but she found the climate left much to be desired.
She wondered, not for the first time, if they couldn’t have found an extra-solar empire with a capital in the tropics, but perhaps that was too much to ask.
Alex—Dr. Hagan joined her. “Thanks, you did the right thing getting her to me.”
“Well, I didn’t really want to make a scene in the halls,” Jessica said.
“Seems Alden had other ideas.”
She chuckled. “Guess she did, but I don’t think anyone will have it in them to reprimand her.”
“I guess not,” he agreed. “What are you scheming?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“You didn’t just up and decide ONI wasn’t for you.”
“I wanted to meet our new friends,” she said, shrugging. “The marine corps wouldn’t take me, and the state department was desperate for qualified women.”
Alex grunted, seeming less than convinced, which was fair enough; she had ulterior motives. “What do you think of them?”
“They’re damn tough, and they give that hippy the state department put in charge a headache, so that’s a bonus,” she said, smirking.
He laughed, and Jessica heard someone approaching through the snow and turned to find Dr. Hagan’s wife marching up to him. The pink-skinned woman glared a bit, apparently not best pleased Jessica was chatting up her husband.
Well, Jessica was a diplomat; she figured she could try to be diplomatic. She stepped forward to meet the glowering Dyrantisa, meeting her eyes steadily. “Ma’am,” she said, smiling pleasantly.
The wife offered a derisive snort, clearly, not a fan of human women. Jessica didn’t let it get to her; she didn’t imagine there’d been many opportunities for positive interactions.
“I understand you’ve been learning English,” she said, “I admire your initiative.”
“What of you,” the woman said coolly. “Have you bothered to learn our language, or do you simply rely on your toys?”
Jessica chewed on the question for a moment. “Small,” she said, slowly, in what she suspected to be a terribly accented Imperial.
The pink woman sniffed, but Jessica thought she detected a slight softening of her expression. “I suppose that’s something.”
Alex jumped in then. “Would you like to join us for our lessons, Jessica?”
“Alex,” the wife snapped, but he just shrugged.
“What’s the harm, Lisril? We can at least give her a chance.”
“Fine,” Lisril huffed. “But she’ll be your responsibility.”
“I appreciate the invitation; I’d love to join you. What time do you start?” Jessica asked.
“Early,” Lisril said.
Alex laughed. “Sorry, she’s had some bad experiences.”
Jessica nodded; she’d read the report; it had been ruled mutual combat but had still been a big deal for about a week. Not a bad run in the news cycle.
“Your eyes,” he said.
“Yes? What about them?” she asked.
“That’s custom work, Laurent?”
“Hyamoto,” she said. “The man’s a genius.”
“And expensive and hard to get an appointment with,” Alex replied. “How’d you manage it?”
She shrugged. “He served in the navy with my father.”
“Father?”
She tossed her hair. “No one in my family has visited a fertility clinic. Not since the first one opened.”
“Not a bad run,” Alex said.
She smiled, “we work hard at it.”
Lisril cleared her throat, and Jessica smiled at her. “Sorry.” She turned to Alex. “Why don’t we choose a topic everyone can participate in?”
He nodded. “I was going to teach the girls to shoot, but-”
“No,” Elliza said, “we shouldn’t let this interrupt our plans. And I want to learn to use Dyrantoro weapons.”
“May I join you?” Jessica asked.
Lisril frowned at the question, but Alex nodded. “The more, the merrier, and I’d like to see if the Navy produces any soldiers worth a damn.”
“Was that a challenge, Mr. Hagan?” Jessica asked, grinning.
“I think it may have been, Ms. Albright.”
She laughed, and Lisril put a hand on his shoulder, stepping between them. “I suppose you can come along,” she said.
“Excellent, I’ve heard you’re quite a shot; I’d be happy to see you at work,” Jessica said.
“You’ve heard that, have you?” Lisril asked, puffing her chest out a bit and standing taller.
“That’s the rumor,” Jessica nodded. “I’d like to see how much truth’s in it.”
The pink-skinned woman tossed her hair, smirking. “I suspect I’ve been sold short.”
“Is that so?” Jessica laughed. “How would you like to make it a competition?”
“A challenge? Is it? You’ll regret it, but I won’t try to dissuade you,” Lisril said.
Elliza laughed at them. “Are you sure you’re not related, Lisril? A long-lost sister, perhaps?”
Lisril scoffed, saying nothing to that, and Alex took her hand. “Let’s get back to your parent’s room; we have some time before we’re supposed to meet everyone, and I’m starting to get cold.”
“Of course,” Lisril pulled him close to her. “You should have said something sooner.” She glanced Jessica’s way, “I suppose you should tag along, too.”
“As long as I’m not intruding,” Jessica said.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Lisril said. “But I think you can be forgiven this once.”
Jessica snorted, shaking her head, and Alex took his wife’s hand. “Stop teasing, and let’s go.”
The pink-skinned woman smiled. “No promises,” she said, turning and walking him back toward the palace steps.
Jessica trailed after them, Elliza pulling up at her side. “Thank you,” the young, blue-skinned woman said.
“Not at all, your Magnificence,” Jessica replied.
“Come now,” the empress scoffed. “You saved my Aunt’s life.”
“I was hardly involved; Alex and General Alden deserve your thanks.”
“You brought Alex’s attention to the matter; who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.”
“You’re being overly generous, but thank you.”
Elliza looked at her out of the corner of her eye. “You seem a canny woman. What do you intend for him?”
Jessica watched Alex and Lisril. “Nothing untoward, I promise.”
“See that it isn’t; he’s precious to me.”
“Then I’ll be especially cautious,” Jessica said.
“Good,” Elliza said, “it will be good to see how a Dyrantoro lady courts a man.”
“Who said anything about that?”
“Is there anything else between a man and a woman?” Elliza asked.
Jessica chuckled. “You don’t think we can be friends?”
The young empress laughed. “How nieve you Dyrantoro must be.”
“I suppose I’m just young,” Jessica said.
“Young, is it? I’ve begun to suspect there are no young people on Earth,” Elliza said as they stepped into the palace entry hall.
“Found out the good doctor doesn’t quite look his age, huh?”
“Not quite,” Elliza agreed. “I don’t mind it, really.”
“What are you two scheming back there?” Lisril asked, looking over her shoulder at them.
“Nothing,” Elliza said, smiling sweetly at the older woman.
Lisril glared at them. “See to it you don’t start.”
The pink-skinned woman turned her attention back to their path, and Elliza sighed. “You’ll have to contend with her; I have a feeling Alex won’t venture to court a woman of whom she doesn’t approve.”
“I’ll bear that in mind,” Jessica said, watching Lisril’s back.
“Good, in honesty, I love his women, but I could do with more political connections on Earth.”
“So,” Jessica chuckled. “Not entirely friendly advice.”
“Wholly friendly, just self-interested, too,” Elliza said.
“You Dyrantisa women are a little frightening at times,” Jessica said.
“We-” Elliza paused. “I find we’re more concerned with practicality. I once thought you were simply indolent. But speaking with Alex, I’ve realized that you’re quite pragmatic, but your society has dispenced with the day-to-day concerns that drive ours forward.”
“You know.” Jessica looked over her shoulder to find the aunt, Ritieia, she thought, looking over their shoulders, eavesdropping.
The woman stepped up beside her niece. “If that woman would prevent you from solidifying your political ties to our Dyrantoro brothers, she’ll need to be gotten rid of.”
“Aunt Ritieia,” Elliza sighed. “I understand your concern; however, of the two of you, you are the more expendable.”
“Quite the declaration,” Ritieia said. “I suppose I shall have to consider the matter dead, then.”
“I think that would be best,” Elliza said.
It was a remarkably cold-blooded exchange. Moreover, that political assassination was so common that a woman might suggest it openly and then be rebuffed with assurances that she was the more likely target and act as though she’d merely been talking about the weather. That did make Jessica shiver, and she patted her chest to ensure her sidearm was secure in its holster.
“Is something the matter?” Elliza asked.
“Just a little chilly,” Jessica chirped. “I’ll be glad to be back in front of a fire.”
“Yes!” Ritieia cried, clapping her hands. “And I could stand a little wine.”
“Then I shall have to provide. Though I suspect we won’t be in front of the fire long,” Elliza said.
“Yes, what’s all this about Dyrantoro weaponry?” Ritieia asked.
Elliza pursed her lips. “Have you heard of our being waylaid?”
“Yes,” Ritieia said. “I had heard that the queen’s guard took the culprits into custody.”
“They didn’t do it alone. Our guard was reduced due to a disturbance at the duel; when we were attacked, those remaining women couldn’t hold the line. It was Alex and Lisril, armed with Dyrantoro weapons, weapons that captured thunder and which I myself saw shred a woman to ribbons in the blink of an eye, who held our attackers at bay and detained them until they could be subdued.”
“I see,” the woman said, thoughtful. “Two fighters, well, one fighter and a man, did all that by themselves?”
Jessica bit down on the inside of her cheek. The ignorance of the statement was staggering, but she couldn’t be expected to understand. It wasn’t her fault, so scolding her wouldn’t be fair.
Elliza, apparently understanding the faux pas, cleared her throat. “Indeed, it was an impressive display, and they both appointed themselves heroically.”
The aunt pushed her cheek out with her tongue, examining Alex and Lisril for a long moment. “Of course,” she said at last. “I shall be very interested to see more of these wonderous weapons.”
“Today might not be your day, then. But I’ve asked Alex to give a practical demonstration.” Elliza said. 
“I think we ought to be ready in the next day or so. If his claims are to be believed, it should prove spectacular.”
“That sounds interesting,” Jessica said, “I wonder if I couldn’t tag along? As a representative of the state department?”
“I don’t see why not; it might help to have a Dyrantoro woman there, to lend Alex some legitimacy,” elliza said.
“Then I’ll make some time and talk to Alex,” Jessica said.
“I’ll look forward to seeing your work,” Elliza said.
“I’ll try not to let you down.”
As they spoke, Lisril led them up back toward her family’s rooms, and as they approached, Jessica spotted the mother standing in the hallway, looking down at the remains of her door.
“The state department will compensate you for the damages,” Jessia murmured to Elliza.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” the young lady said. “This is nothing.”
Jessica shrugged, and Elliza pulled ahead of the group to meet the older woman. “I’m sorry,” she said, stopping before the door. “I seem to have caused you some trouble.”
“This is hardly your fault,” the woman sniffed.
“Still-”
“Think nothing of it. A small price to pay.”
“Thank you, Ma’am; I apricate your temperance,” Elliza said, bowing her head.
“You must be cold,” the older woman said. “Come in and sit down.” She turned to Ritieia, bowing. “I see my house is to be triply honored this evening."
Ritieia smiled, puffing herself up, “an honor to be welcomed.”
The mother led them inside, pulling Elliza and Ritieia aside. Immediately, Alex was surrounded, his women fretting over him, and though he smiled, Jessica thought she could detect a bit of strain in the wrinkles around his eyes.
Ritieia went to look for her wine, and Jessica stepped forward, joining the little family. “I hope you don’t mind if I join you,” she said, “I’m a little more familiar with your group.”
“Yet, I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” a young, pink-skinned woman said, offering her hand, “Serra Faragal.”
“Jessica Albright,” she reached out and took the offered hand, shaking it firmly.
“Good to make your acquaintance,” the woman said.
“Nice to meet you!” a younger, or perhaps simply petite woman with skin almost as dark as Jessica’s offered her hand, a wide grin stretching her lips and revealing a chipped canine on the right side of her mouth. Young or old, this woman was no stranger to violence.
Jessica took her hand and was impressed by the firmness of the little thing’s grip.
She nodded to each of them. “And I believe I’ve already been introduced to Lisril, Alex, and her Magnificence.”
“Indeed, you seemed to know Alex before his coming to Nyx,” Serra said.
“Yes, I was fortunate enough to work with the doctor some time ago,” Jessica said, smiling.
“Naval officer to diplomat,” Elliza said. “Quite the change in occupation.”
“Oh, not really,” Jessica said. “My role in the Navy was primarily clerical, so it’s not so different from what I’m doing now.”
The sound of clapping drew their attention, and Jessica turned to see the mother gathering her family and guests around the fireplace.
Their group joined the rest, and the older woman nodded to them. “I’m afraid circumstance has dampened today’s festivities, but her Magnificence has assured me she wishes to carry on with our plans.”
She turned her attention to their group. “Serra, your mother knows where to meet us?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the pink-skinned woman said, nodding.
“Good, I think we’ll go down and wait for her in the next little while, so bundle up against the weather; it won’t do for someone else to catch a cold.”
There was a murmur of ascent as the women dressed for the cold, and Alex gave Jessica’s shoulder a tug. She turned, and he shoved his winter cloak into her hands. “You don’t have one, right?”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, pushing the cloak back toward him.
But he shook his head and folded her arms up against her chest. “It’s good to see you again,” he whispered, “there’s a pocket, inside, right breast, check it.”
She huffed, nodded, and he stepped back, returning her nod. “Admiral.”
He returned to his wife, and she inspected him. “Where is your cloak?”
He pointed, and Lisril followed the line of his finger, her face hardening as she found Jessica. The Dyrantisa lady marched over to her. “You would deprive a man of his cloak?”
“He insisted,” Jessica said.
“Did he? well-”
“Leave her alone.” 
Lisril turned to her husband. “Alex!” she said, seemingly more than a little taken aback.
“I want her to use it,” he said, voice stony. “Leave her alone.”
“Fine,” she said, scowling. “Be that way.”
She shot Jessica a venomous look and wrapped her husband up in a possessive arm. “You’ll wear my cloak then,” she said, guiding him away.

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