Dahlia's Deception (The Annihilation Series) (7 page)

“The suppression field will be synchronized with your transponder. You may leave when ready, and allow me to say it’s good to see you, Your Highness. The Realm has missed you.”

“Thanks, Control.” Ping pushed the teleport unit and the tiny ship disappeared from the skies above Earth. Dean looked at Dahlia and she saw Ping’s stature had just gone up with Dean. He whispered, “How many Princes does the Realm have?”

Dahlia’s expression was soft; she held up her index finger, “He’s the only one.”

Dean looked at Ping, whose back was turned, and he shook his head. He didn’t know if his ego would have been restrained if he was a Prince of something this huge. Ping never acted any differently than those around him. In Dean’s mind, his stature went even higher.

• • •

They entered normal space and Ping lifted the communicator, “This is Paul Kendal requesting permission to enter the pattern.”

“We’ve been notified of your visit and a path had been reserved for your approach, Your Highness. I’m sending it to your panel.”

“Thank you, Control.” Ping entered the coordinates into his teleport unit and the small ship made ten fast jumps and arrived directly above the planet. Dean looked at Ping, “Why so many jumps?”

“Ross is surrounded by a teleport and jump suppression field. The only way to arrive at the planet quickly without following the normal traffic patterns is to have the fields removed from teleport points. Only extreme emergencies would ever use just one teleport path to the planet. Only members of the Royal Family can authorize a single jump to the planet.”

“They must have been attacked in the past.”

Ping tilted his head, “You’re right and they’ve developed a system that works.” Dean looked out of the view port and was stunned by the number of commercial vessels coming and going from the planet. He shook his head, “How many?”

Ping looked at him, “It’s my understanding that more than ten million commercial ships move through the traffic patterns daily above Ross.” Dean looked down at the planet below and the entire sky appeared dark with moving vehicles. He looked at Dahlia and saw her expression. They moved down into the vast numbers of vehicles flying above the planet. They moved below the upper traffic lanes and Dean saw the giant city below. His eyes went wide and he almost lost his balance. Pare moved into a clear area and he saw the planet’s surface far below. The size of the city was stunning. Five small ships came roaring in and surrounded the tiny ship, “Welcome back, Your Highness. We’re taking you directly to the Castle. Your ship will land on the central spire; the pad had been cleared for your arrival.”

“Thank you, Captain. Lead the way.”

Dean could only shake his head as his ship spiraled down to one of the most beautiful structures he had ever seen. It was huge and surrounded by a two mile barrier of beautiful parks, where the flowers seemed to explode in frenzies of color. Dean knew that his civilization was less than nothing compared to what he saw below him. He looked at Dahlia and saw sympathy in her eyes. “We’re more than you know, Dean.” Dean just shook his head and watched the giant structure growing larger as they approached it.

They landed on the pad located on top of the tallest spire, the three exited the Mite and walked down the steps. Four officials came rushing out of a door and bowed to Ping. Dean walked away from them and looked out over the wall at the giant city surrounding the Castle in the distance. Dahlia came up and put her arm on his shoulder, “Dahlia, you never told us about this.”

“Do you know why?”

Dean took a deep breath and blew it out, “No one would believe it and it would destroy our self-esteem. We’re like a Mite next to a Battleship.”

“Is that how you feel…diminished?”

“How can you not after seeing this?”

“This planet was uninhabited until the original Rulers of the Realm decided to make it their home. It was the people that made this place…two of them. I seem to see that number standing right here.”

Dean looked at Dahlia and smiled. “Thanks Sis.” Dahlia leaned over and kissed Dean on the cheek. She walked over and joined Ping with the four officials. Ping came over and said, “I’ve been asked to make a quick verbal report with the King’s staff. They need to prepare a report before our meeting. Would you like to go with us?”

“If you’re not going to be there long, would it be ok for me to wait here.”

Ping smiled, “This does take some getting used to; we’ll come back after we’re done.” Dean nodded and turned back to the wall. He stared at the city in wonder. He wondered how sunlight could make it through the massive traffic above the city.

• • •

Dean lost track of time and heard behind him, “I don’t believe I know you.”

Dean turned around and saw a young woman with black hair and the bluest eyes he had ever seen. She was almost too beautiful to believe, “I’m here with my sister. She’s in a meeting at the moment.”

The young woman stared at him, “Not many are allowed on this spire.”

Dean pointed to the Mite parked on the landing pad, “We arrived in that ship and they left from here. I asked to remain behind.”

The woman looked at the ship and Dean saw understanding on her face, “You must have come here with the Prince.” Dean nodded. She turned to him and said, “By the color of your hair and eyes, Dahlia must be your sister.”

“She’s my twin sister.”

“I didn’t know Dahlia had a twin.”

Dean shrugged, “My name is Dean Dare.”

The young woman smiled, “My name is Vicky, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“What do you do here, Vicky?”

“Oh, I work in the castle doing various public relations events. What do you think of our planet?”

Dean shook his head, “I’m astounded by it. Our Royal Structure isn’t a tenth the size of this castle, much less the land surrounding it.”

“Are you Royalty?”

Dean shrugged, “I guess.”

“What does that mean?”

“On my planet, the chosen ruler is always female. Dahlia is a princess and is in line for the throne.”

“Doesn’t that make you a prince?”

“Welllll, yes and no. If I marry and have a daughter, she will be in line for the throne. However, I am not in line of succession. My responsibility is to defend our planet.”

Vicky smiled, “I imagine being excluded from being able to rule must be hard to take.”

Dean looked Vicky in the eyes and said, “I felt like that until the Black Civilization invaded my planet. I wanted to blast them back to where they originated, even though that was impossible and would have probably led to the destruction of our planet. My sisters would not do anything that would endanger our citizens. At the time I was terribly frustrated; but now I think our people were wise to insist that only a mother’s love would do the right things for all of us. I no longer resent being excluded; it was a good thing I wasn’t making the critical decisions.”

When Dean looked into Victoria’s eyes she felt like she was captured like a bug on a slide. She saw a sensitivity and strength in him that froze her. Dean saw her expression, “Are you OK?”

Victoria broke eye contact and smiled, “I think that now you know better, you would make wiser decisions.”

“You’re probably right; however, I know where I can best be used to defend my people. I don’t feel the call to rule.”

Vicky walked over and leaned on the wall and looked out at the city with Dean, “What is your planet like?”

“It’s wide open with giant forests and lakes. Our largest city would fit inside this garden area around the castle. We call ourselves Planters and we have a love of things that grow.” Dean looked out at the giant city and suddenly smiled.

“What are you thinking?”

“Seeing the magnitude of your civilization made me feel small. But you just made me realize that any of my people who came here would never stay. They would never feel at home with all the technology and crowded conditions.” Dean turned to Vicky, “Thank you. You’ve really helped me.”

Vicky looked out at Ross and then looked at Dean, “I’d really like to see your world.”

Dean smiled, “I’d really like to show it to you.”

Ping and Dahlia came through the portal and saw Dean and Victoria standing at the wall. Victoria saw Dean looking over her shoulder and turned around; her smile was instant, “PING!” She ran across the spire and jumped into Ping’s arms. Ping turned circles with her and, after several turns, he put her down.

“Wow, Victoria, you’re growing up.”

“Victoria stepped back and turned a circle, “What do you think?”

“You’re bound to be a heartbreaker; you’re as beautiful as your sister was.”

Dean looked at Ping and then at Vicky, “Who are you…really?”

Dahlia stood to the side watching the reunion and said, “She is Crown Princess Victoria Gardner and is next in line for the throne of the Stars Realm.”

Victoria saw Dean turn and look at her with a shocked expression. She saw the disappointment in his eyes as he bowed, “It’s been good talking with you, Your Highness.”

Dahlia saw Dean’s expression and looked immediately at Victoria. The Princess was not happy that she had been exposed to Dean. Good, serves her right for the last little show she put on. Dahlia looked at Dean, “We’re going to start the meeting momentarily. The King doesn’t have room for any other attendees. Would you like for me to arrange a tour while we’re tied up?”

Victoria said, “I’ve already taken care of that.” Ping and Dahlia looked at Victoria and she walked forward and put her arm on Dean’s, “Call me when you want him back.”

Dean looked troubled and Dahlia looked at him with raised eyebrows. “I’ll be ok, Sis.” Victoria looked at Dahlia and saw the menace on Dahlia’s face.

Ping nodded toward the portal, “We need to go.” He took Dahlia’s arm and pulled her toward the portal. Dahlia kept looking over her shoulder at Dean until they went through the portal and disappeared.

Dean looked at Vicky, “Why did you say that?”

“Who better to show you around than one that really knows the place? Let’s go to the kitchen and get you something to eat while I change clothes.”

“What’s wrong with what you have on?”

“I don’t want to be recognized.”

“That won’t be easy; you have a face that’s hard to forget.”

Vicky smiled and pulled him toward the portal.

• • •

“Ping, Dean doesn’t stand a chance against her. He’s too inexperienced.”

“You’re worried about nothing; Victoria is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”

“She showed me that the first time I met her.”

Ping sighed, “She does get theatrical at times. However, she’s seventeen and still a kid.”

“Ping, Dean and I are only twenty.”

Ping’s eyebrows went together, “I keep forgetting that; you act a lot older.” Dahlia looked up at the ceiling and rolled her eyes. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“No, really…what?”

Dahlia just shook her head and said, “We need to go to the meeting.”

Ping thought about what just happened and just before they entered the conference room he said, “You told me I was the first one to ever see you.” Dahlia moved her head back and looked up at him. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You shouldn’t sell yourself short.” Ping walked into the conference room to the loud welcomes of the King and his staff. Dahlia was still standing at the door shaking her head. How could he say the wrong thing at the right time and the right thing at the wrong time? She followed him in and began bowing to the Realm’s Royals.

• • •

Dean ate the best meal he had ever consumed. The chefs in the kitchen seemed to make it a challenge to overwhelm him with foods that tasted too good to be described. He finally had to tell them he was done and couldn’t eat another morsel.

“Sean, we’ll have desert when we return.”

The Chef bowed, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Dean turned and saw Vicky in a printed sundress with a wide bonnet and sunglasses. Her hair was tied up under the bonnet and she looked taller. Dean looked at her shoes and saw she was wearing short heeled yellow shoes with a sole that was an inch thick. Dean shook his head.

“What?”

“You look amazing.”

“Actually these clothes and shoes are from one of the least expensive shops on Ross. No one would ever believe I would wear something like this out in public.”

Dean looked at Sean and he nodded. “You’re still too beautiful to go unnoticed.”

Vicky laughed, “Trust me on this; people will see what I’m wearing before they see me.”

Dean looked at Sean and he nodded again. “Something’s wrong with that.”

Sean burst out laughing and had to leave the room. Victoria shook her head and said, “Let’s go take a stroll around my city, shall we.”

“Lead the way.”

“Come stand next to me.” Dean stood and went over and stood beside her. Like his sister, Dean wasn’t big, or tall; but he had the body of a fencer. He was lean and there was no fat on his frame. Vicky lifted her arm and pressed a place on her wrist. Dean’s expression changed and she said, “My wrist unit is invisible,” just before she took his hand and they teleported away from Castle Gardner.

• • •

The meeting took six days to complete and Dean and Victoria spent all their time together touring the planet and Castle Gardner. Dean was amazed at all he learned but he was also amazed at the Princess. She was direct and said what she thought without any deceit. She could say things to him that ordinarily would have offended him but her smile made it acceptable. Dean had never met anyone like her. They were at the Gardner Museum and Vicky felt her arm vibrate. She blew out a breath and said, “It’s time to go.” Dean looked at her with his eyebrows lowered. “They just called for me to take you back.” Dean nodded and moved close to her. Before she pressed her arm, she put her arms around Dean’s neck and kissed him. He was shocked for an instant and then he put his arms around her and returned it. The kiss seemed to last a short time and then Victoria stepped back and pressed her arm. They arrived on the spire and found Ping and Dahlia waiting on them.

Dahlia looked at Dean and saw something that bothered her. “It’s time to go, Dean.”