Because of its importance, everything within a light-year of Earth was neutral territory. That neutrality was fiercely defended by the most seasoned of the RCDF forces. No matter what happened between Houses out in the greater universe, Earth remained peaceful.
That meant I had a good chance of seeing Richard in person at the next Consortium event, and I couldn’t even punch him in his pretty face. And I had no idea how I was going to prevent Loch from going after him.
No one challenged us as we approached. I’d added my House seal to the ship’s registration. The RCDF would verify the validity of the seal, but once it proved genuine, they wouldn’t even log our passing—only non-House ships were logged.
The House designation also meant that I’d been able to request a jump point much closer to the planet. We’d be on the surface in less than thirty minutes. My fingers trembled with anxiety.
I began pulling on my public persona. The spaceport might be in von Hasenberg territory, but it was still public. My father would expect me to act above reproach until I was safely in our private residence. And if I was going to bluff Loch’s presence in, I’d need to be as cold as ice.
I pushed my anxiety deep, until I was a still lake. I could do this. I would do this. We entered the atmosphere and my calm barely rippled.
Polaris dropped toward Serenity, the only city on Earth and the heart of the Royal Consortium. Thousands of years after Earth was abandoned, the Consortium had worked for decades to make it habitable once again. Then they turned it into the seat of their power and a natural museum to human history. Anyone was welcome to visit, but few were invited to stay.
The city itself formed a circle, with the Consortium common buildings in the center and the three remaining High Houses each in their own quarter. The last quarter used to belong to the fourth High House, but after its fall, the lower houses took over, moving in from the outer sectors.
Each quarter operated independently, with its own utilities, amenities, and security. The quarters were divided into sectors starting from the middle and moving outward. Sector One, the innermost sector, contained the family residence for House members. Access was restricted to family and high-ranking staff.
Sectors Two through Ten contained various extended family and staff residences, as well as offices, shops, and all of the other things found in a large city. The sector numbers were used mainly for addresses and directions—sectors weren’t divided by functionality. Travel between the various quarters and sectors was encouraged and frequent.
The von Hasenberg family spaceport was on the outer edge of Sector One. There was a larger spaceport out past Sector Ten, but Polaris was small enough not to need the extra room.
Serenity was spectacular on approach, a beautiful city carved out of a lush green jungle. The ocean sparkled in the distance, a shining blue jewel.
Each quarter’s architecture reflected the High House who claimed it for its own, especially in the inner sectors. The outer sectors tended to be high-rises, as the need for housing outstripped the need for design.
But the family residences were works of architectural art.
House Rockhurst’s residence was a gleaming metal and glass building with clean lines and simple, elegant design details. House Yamado’s residence was a beautiful natural wood building with a stunning curved tile roof. And House von Hasenberg’s residence was a stone building with tiny, intricate details carved into each of the various facades. I’d stared at our house for hours and discovered new details each time.
Polaris settled into a hangar at the family spaceport with a barely perceptible bump and anxiety tried to break through my control. I took a deep breath and held it until I no longer felt like I would vomit the instant I moved.
Loch unclipped and bent down to peek at my face. “You okay?”
“I will be,” I said. Loch nodded and pulled on the hooded cloak we’d decided was his best defense against recognition. I took a deep breath and stood. Loch shouldered both of our bags. Showtime.
No one came out to greet us, so I locked up the ship and headed to the house. I used my real identity chip to let us in. This was a side door, so the foyer wasn’t as grand as the main entrance, but the marble floors and plaster walls were just as I remembered them. A passing staffer gave us a curious glance, but other than that, no one noticed our arrival.
Disappointment stabbed deep.
I don’t know why I expected Father to be waiting with open arms, but I guess childhood dreams are the slowest to die. I stiffened my spine and decided to beard the lion in his den.
“Stay close,” I murmured to Loch.
I found Albrecht in his study, consulting with three of his military advisors. The room was filled with rich wood paneling and heavy, ornate furniture. It was a room designed to intimidate, and when I was younger, it had worked. Looking at it now, though, it appeared hollowly ostentatious.
“Hello, Father,” I said, not bothering to wait until he acknowledged me. The three advisors darted startled glances at me but none dared to comment. Cowards.
Albrecht was a little older and grayer than the last time I saw him, but he’d lost none of his presence. His gaze pinned me in place. He waved a hand at his advisors without looking at them. “Leave us. Return in ten.”
They practically tripped over themselves to exit the room.
“Where is the ship?” Albrecht asked.
“It is nice to see you, too, Father. Yes, I have been well, thank you for asking.” At his pointed glare, I continued, “Polaris is in the family hangar. The House codes are allowed as first officers.” It would allow the scientists and engineers access to the ship without allowing them to remove me as captain.
I’d also geofenced the ship to Earth’s orbit, so there would be no long-distance travel without me on board. If Father wanted more access, he’d have to renegotiate our deal or crack my override codes.
“Who is that?” Albrecht asked, gesturing at Loch.
“My bodyguard. He requires diplomatic immunity, as agreed.”
Father brushed a nonexistent crumb from his dark suit jacket. “Ian will take care of it. Expect debriefing to start in two hours. You are dismissed.” He turned back to the display on his desk.
“Debriefing will begin tomorrow or not at all,” I said calmly.
Father looked up with narrowed eyes. That look meant trouble. Anxiety churned through my system, but I kept my face serene. I would not be steamrolled this time. I felt Loch move closer as I stared down one of the three most powerful people in the universe.
When I didn’t flinch or look away, Father’s lips twitched into a grimace. “You always were the one with the most backbone,” he said. “Damned inconvenient, but you did manage to bring me a Rockhurst ship. Debriefing will begin tomorrow at six. Do not push me further.”
I inclined my head. “Thank you, Father,” I said. I retreated before he could change his mind.
In the safety of the hallway, the adrenaline pumping through my body made me shaky and nauseous. I kept my facade intact and breathed through it. I had too many things to do to have a breakdown. First and foremost, I needed to track down Bianca.
“So that was your father,” Loch said quietly. His tone was neutral and his voice was flat. I couldn’t guess at what he was thinking.
“That was him in a good mood,” I said.
“Are all the councillors of the High Houses like him?”
“In one way or another. Lady Rockhurst is known to be coolly levelheaded and ruthlessly persistent. Lord Yamado has an explosive temper and both the will and the firepower to back up his threats. House von Hasenberg has long been known as the moderate House, but being moderate compared to the extremes isn’t exactly moderate.”
I led Loch back toward my suite, so he could drop off our stuff before we went looking for Bianca. Walking down the familiar hall to my rooms brought back a million memories. This house was saturated in them. I opened the door, unsure what to expect.