The Worker Prince – Chapter Five (part one)
by Bryan Thomas Schmidt
Before he’d finished reading the report, Xalivar’s head already throbbed. Manaen had tactfully disappeared. The little rat reads my dispatches, he noted with displeasure. I should have known. Maybe it’s time to find a new major domo.
After all he had done for Davi, this is how his nephew repaid him—betrayal. It hadn’t been easy to get the Council to ignore the murder of a soldier. Xalivar had explained the circumstances to the members a few at a time in private, and all agreed it was bad for both the Royal Family and the Alliance to proceed with the charges. The few who were reluctant had been convinced with careful reminders of their own families’ secrets. Now, here Davi was, trying to undo everything with one fell swoop!
What is the boy thinking, taking a leave without my permission? I am not just his uncle! I am High Lord Councilor! I should have never allowed Miri to raise the boy herself. I should have stepped in the moment I settled on Davi as my heir. This would not be happening if the boy had a proper sense of his responsibility to the Alliance and his place in it.
To make matters worse, Davi hadn’t gone to Legallis. Emergency family leave to Vertullis meant one thing—the boy was up to something with his worker family. Why couldn’t he let it be? Didn’t he know the risks? Didn’t he know his uncle always did what was best for him? The younger generation these days was so frustrating! So rebellious and independent! Just like a worker!
Maybe he had been too harsh in what he’d said when he learned of Davi’s heritage, but he’d been shocked and dismayed by the discovery. He’d done the right thing in the end, hadn’t he?
Xalivar punched a communicator on the arm of the throne. Manaen’s voice came back right away. “Yes, my Lord?”
“Find him this instant and get him here! I don’t care what it takes!
“Yes, Lord,” Manaen replied as the communicator went dead. The time had come for Xalivar to start playing hard ball.
Davi sat at Lura’s table as she set out the food she’d prepared. He’d had a few days of getting to know family members. They were all very nice people, but still, the place didn’t feel like home.
“Have you spoken with your mother, since you came back?” Lura quietly asked. He looked at her, confused. “Princess Miri?”
“No. I need to. I wanted a few days with you here first,” Davi said.
“I imagine she’s worried about you. Don’t wait too long,” Lura said, sounding almost like Miri.
Davi laughed. “Hmmmm. Maybe this having two mothers thing isn’t such a good idea after all!”
Lura laughed, then tousled his hair before going back to retrieve another serving dish. “We both worry.”
Her concern for Miri touched him. It pleased him to know Lura was sensitive to the feelings of his other family. It meant she’d understand when he had to take time with sorting things out, and he felt a little less pressure as a result. “Maybe I should send her an e-post then after lunch,” Davi said.
“Sounds good. There’s a kiosk near the park a few blocks from here,” Lura told him.
“Yes, mother,” Davi said, with a wry grin. Lura laughed. He was enjoying this time with her. It already seemed like they’d known each other longer. She appeared to be enjoying the time with him, too.
Lura brought the last of the dishes to the table, and then sat down across from him. “Do you want to say grace?”
“I’m still not sure I know what to say,” Davi said. The religious adjustment would be hard. He was not used to talking to one god or even saying prayers. Sacrifices were offered at official ceremonies. People did their own private worship services from time to time for one or another of the pantheon of gods, but the worker’s personal religion was all new to him.
“It’s easy,” Lura said. “You talk to Father God like he’s a person. I’ll show you.” She bowed her head and Davi did as well. “Father God, we thank you for the reunion with our long lost boy, Davi. We thank you for life and breath and the food on this table, all of which we know you’ve provided. Bless us now and lead us in your will. Amen.” She smiled at him. “Is that so hard?”
“I don’t know all the right phrases and words,” Davi said.
“The good thing about prayer is there are no rules for how you say it. It’s the attitude in your heart which matters to God,” Lura said. Davi pondered her words, realizing he had a lot to learn. “Well, don’t wait for it to get cold now.” She began scooping servings onto his plate.
Later, at the kiosk near the park, he found a message waiting for him when he logged into his e-post account.
To: CptSQuad4Alpha@Federal.emp
From: HLC@Federal.emp
Subject: Where are you?
Nephew:
Your decision to go gallivanting about could cost this family and the Alliance dearly! You are to report to me at once upon reading this missive!
Xalivar
Davi sighed. Time had run out. He had to go and talk with his Royal family, but he still had no idea what he was going to say. Regardless, they deserved an explanation.
You’d better find the words in a hurry, Davi.
He e-posted for a Royal shuttle to be sent then headed back to Lura’s to tell her his plans.
Manaen escorted Davi as far as the throne room, but let him enter alone. Xalivar stood beside a window, staring out at the city.
“I gave you your orders,” Xalivar said, without turning to face him. Davi heard the anger in his voice.
“Can’t we talk about this?”
“Soldiers obey orders or they are disciplined. Don’t think because I’m your uncle, you’ll be given special treatment.”
“I’ve already been given special treatment,” Davi said.
Xalivar whirled around, glaring at him as his fists clenched. “Do you know what I had to go through to get the Council not to pursue murder charges against you?”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“And this is how you show your gratitude?” Xalivar turned away again.
“I serve you best by being honest with you, don’t I?”
“You serve me best by doing as I instruct you without raising unnecessary questions,” Xalivar said.
Davi flinched at his uncle’s anger. What could he say to make him understand? “I’ve been reading history. I don’t understand why things are the way they are,” Davi said.
“Maybe it’s not your job to understand.”
“Before the colonists left Earth to settle on other planets, the Legallians and Vertullians were at peace for twelve years,” Davi continued. “When the Vertullians discovered they’d settled the planet next door to us, they didn’t fight, they sued for peace. Instead, we conquered them and turned them into slaves.”
Xalivar turned back to him. Their eyes met. “They cannot be trusted.”
“They sued for peace and we betrayed them, yet they can’t be trusted?” Davi saw from his eyes that Xalivar really believed it.
“Twelve years of peace during a time when everyone was distracted by other concerns,” Xalivar said. “After hundreds of years of wars.”
“Extremists and terrorists brought us together. Why would we forget all that when we settled here?”
“Do you know how many of our people have died at their hands? How many communities they destroyed?” Xalivar demanded.
“How many of them have we killed? Can’t the past ever be the past?” Davi asked. He’d begun to wonder. His uncle’s anger seemed pretty intense over something that happened so long ago. “Twenty years ago, I was supposed to die because of your decree, yet here I am. You let it go and protected me, because I’m your nephew.” Xalivar’s face changed when Davi mentioned the decree. Had he forgotten? Maybe he wishes I hadn’t survived.
“I protected you, yes, and here you are trying to undo everything I’ve done!” Xalivar threw up his hands in dismay as his pupils narrowed and his face turned gray with worry.
“How can I stand by when my own family is living in slavery?”
“Do you wish so badly to join them in their plight?” Xalivar said. “Everything I’ve worked for, everything my father and grandfather worked for could be undone by this, Xander! Do you not care about this family any longer since you’ve found a new one?” They both turned at the sound of the door opening behind them.
Miri’s feet shuffled on the carpet as she rushed in. “Why didn’t you tell me you were here?” she said, looking at Davi.
“I didn’t have the chance yet, Mother,” Davi said.
“He was too busy arguing the evils of our oppressive Alliance with his uncle,” Xalivar said. “He won’t let this go. I should have raised him myself, disavowed him of his moral illusions.” He stared accusingly at Miri.
“I raised him to think for himself,” Miri said.
“Well, he’s decided this family is the enemy now,” Xalivar said, fists clenching again.
“You’re still my family. I care about you,” Davi said with frustration. Did his uncle really believe that?
Xalivar waved dismissively to Miri. “I cannot do what he asks. You talk sense into him.” He turned and stopped beside the door to his private chambers, punching a code. The door slid up and Xalivar disappeared inside, leaving them alone.
“You’re trying to fight a system which has been in place for generations, Davi,” Miri said.
“It’s wrong, mother.”
“It won’t change overnight,” Miri said.
Davi knew she was right but was convinced he had to try. “Someone has to speak for the workers. People know who I am; maybe I can make them listen.”
“Or you will make more enemies than you ever imagined,” Miri said.
“So you would have me stand by and do nothing?”
“No, but I would have you recognize there will be more to convince than just your uncle,” Miri said, frustrated.
“I have to start somewhere.” Davi turned away, knowing she was right. “I won’t give up. I can’t.”
“Do you want to go to prison? Do you want to be killed?” Miri’s voice was tinged with desperation; worry filled her eyes.
“I’m willing to do what it takes to change things for my people,” Davi said as their eyes met.
“The Lords or the workers?”
“Both, Mother. I belong to both,” he said with a sigh.
“I can’t protect you.” Her voice was pained.
“I know. I would never hurt you, mother; I hope you know that.” He looked at her with love and smiled.
“I only want what’s best for you. Your uncle, too,” Miri pleaded.
“Can’t you see I have to do this?” Davi said, as tears ran down her cheeks. He hurt for her. He raised his arms and she rushed into his embrace. He stayed there holding her awhile.
Xalivar watched the Royal Shuttle depart with Davi aboard from his private quarters. How could he have been so blind? He’d forgotten all about the decree! He’d forgotten all about the nightmares which kept him awake, night after night. He’d never given much credence to dreams, but after his scientists had reported an increase in male births on Vertullis, Xalivar issued a decree and sent his Special Police squads to destroy all first-born males. They’d seemed so real to him then, but twenty-one years had passed. No one had arisen to challenge him in the decade that followed. He’d ultimately come to believe the dreams had been nonsense, but now. . .
How could he have been so wrong? He would do whatever it took to protect the Alliance. He loved the boy, but love wasn’t enough sometimes. Davi would have to be watched, although he didn’t want him harmed. Not yet. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but he was prepared to do what was necessary. Miri would object, of course, but neither she nor her son really grasped what was at stake. Anyone was expendable if they rebelled. It couldn’t be tolerated.
The Council was scheduled to meet that afternoon, and he knew what must be done. He had to keep Davi close, and he had the perfect means right under his nose. Funny, he’d almost failed to see that, too. He’d been all ready to order Davi back to Plutonis. I must be growing weary. I need to get more rest. I have to stay on top of such things. He smiled. Yes, it was the perfect plan. So perfect, it would almost seem like a natural course of events beyond even Xalivar’s control.
“Let me get this straight,” Lord Tarkanius said, leaning forward in his chair at the head of the table. “You now support the Council in prosecuting your own nephew for murder?”
Xalivar and Tarkanius sat atop a large dais, as officiators of the meeting. The other Council members were seated at rows of tables facing them. All wore the embossed white robes customary for Council meetings. Located in the Council Building, across the government complex from the Palace, the chamber itself was modeled after the U.S. Senate back on old Earth but smaller.
“Having now learned other details of the incident, yes,” Xalivar said, looking at Tarkanius.
He heard several Lords’ grumbles from around the room. They were all surprised by his change of heart. “You are no longer concerned about the scandal this could cause?” Lord Hachim asked from halfway down the aisle on Xalivar’s right.
“There will be talk, of course. But we believe we can contain it,” Xalivar said.
“I hear rumors your nephew abandoned his post at Alpha Base and traveled back to Vertullis,” Lord Niger said. He was seated near Hachim, his skin and hair dark, owing to his African ancestry. “Why would he do that?”
“His sympathy for the workers has driven him to unpredictable behavior,” Xalivar said. “It is quite disturbing even to hear him discuss it.”
“Yes, I can imagine it would be,” Lord Obed said from Xalivar’s left. His skin had a light yellowish brown hue, common to people of Hispanic backgrounds and his brown eyes were intense like his son’s. The overseer of the Lord’s Special Police, Obed’s and Xalivar’s families had been rivals since their grandfathers’ days.
You’d love to see me go down, wouldn’t you, Obed? Not today.
He smiled to himself. The special session was off limit to visitors. No one would witness Xalivar setting his plan in motion. He was free to manipulate the Council just as he’d planned.
Xalivar could see the questions in the Lords’ eyes and feel their distrust. They feared betrayal; good! He liked keeping them off balance. It gave him more power.
“Given the circumstances, I have no choice but to support the Council in upholding the law. Our sense of justice must prevail.”
“And how will your dear sister react to this?” Lord Tarkanius asked.
“Miri has always been far too weak to govern,” Xalivar said, dismissing her.
“Will she hold her tongue?” Lord Niger asked.
“I will assist her, as required,” Xalivar said. A couple of Lords frowned with distaste. “The younger generation is harder to bring into line these days. Many of you have first-hand knowledge of this from your own offspring.” Several nodded and groaned.
“Well, with your support we cannot refuse,” Hachim said.
“All right, let us take a vote then to reissue the arrest warrant,” Tarkanius said. “All in favor, say aye.”
When the votes were tallied, the decision was unanimous. Despite their reservations, none were willing to quarrel with the High Lord Councilor. Some, like Obed, couldn’t resist the chance to do his reputation damage. Others feared his power. None of this bothered him. He had manipulated them as he’d planned, and he would deal with whatever came next.
“Lord Obed, send your Special Police again to locate and arrest the Prince,” Tarkanius said with regret.
“I am reinstating the orders as we speak,” Obed said, typing on the terminal in front of him. Xalivar suppressed a smile, amazed at how easy it was.
Davi sat at Lura’s table again and described his discussions with Xalivar and Miri. “Did you expect them to change their minds simply because you asked?” Lura asked, her brow furrowing at his frustration.
“I guess not,” Davi said. “I expected them to listen at least.”
“Xalivar’s father was on the Council when they voted to enslave us,” Lura said, “His grandfather started the war. And Xalivar himself has always been against us.”
“I hoped it was different now,” Davi said with growing sadness.
“It’s hard for people to change,” Lura said. “For the Council, the stakes are very high.”
“Of course,” Davi said, “But my mother raised me to believe in humanity’s right to self-determination, and even she argued with me about it.” He knew Miri worried, but he’d still expected more support from her.
“The Lords don’t see workers as human,” Lura said.
Davi turned away and shook his head. He couldn’t bear to look at her when he acknowledged it. He didn’t know how to help her. “I can’t accept it,” Davi said.
“None of us have any choice,” Lura said, rubbing his back.
“Don’t be sad, my son. None of this is a surprise for me. I’ve lived with it all my life.”
She had prepared another wonderful meal. They ate together in silence, as Davi struggled to come to terms with what had happened. Even the delicious dessert of fresh Gixi pie couldn’t overcome his somber mood.
Afterwards, Davi helped Lura clear the table and wash the dishes. “Who’d have ever thought I’d have a Prince drying my dishes?” Lura teased.
Davi chuckled. “I’ve never done it before. Hope I’m doing it right.” He kind of enjoyed the experience of feeling normal for once.
“You’re doing just fine,” she said.
When they’d finished, Lura took him out for a walk. “There’s someone I think you should meet,” she said as they wound their way through the residential corridors and across the park where Davi had used the kiosk.
On the other side, they entered a residential district with several corridors of nothing but apartments, then came to a cul-de-sac with houses which seemed larger than most worker houses he’d seen. Lura stopped at the door of a large blue house, designed in the nouveau deco style so popular a decade before and pushed the doorbell.
A gray-haired woman wearing a flowery apron wrinkled and stained from years of work answered the door and smiled when she saw Lura. “Lura! Welcome! It’s been months!” The two women embraced and the woman waved them inside, letting the door shut behind them.
“Calla, I want you to meet my son, Davi,” Lura said.
Bryan Thomas Schmidt is the author of the space opera novel The Worker Prince, an honorable mention on Barnes & Noble’s Best SF Releases of 2011, the collection The North Star Serial, Part 1, and has several short stories forthcoming in anthologies and magazines. His second novel, The Returning, is forthcoming from Diminished Media Group in 2012. He’s also the host of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Chat every Wednesday at 9 pm EST on Twitter, where he interviews people like Mike Resnick, AC Crispin, Kevin J. Anderson, and Kristine Kathryn Rusch. He can be found online as @BryanThomasS on Twitter or via his website. Excerpts from The Worker Prince can be found on his blog. He resides in Ottawa, KS with two precocious dogs.
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