"Guys! You won't believe this!"
"Ugh." Vera groaned, pulling her blanket over her head in a vain hope it'd block out the intrusive psychic voice.
"I have some incredible news!" Denebokab said, like an excitable puppy.
"What is it?" Since ignoring the problem wouldn't help, Vera would humor her Altair cohort. "This better be good. It's late!" Not that she was needed anywhere, but even Altair girls needed their ten hours.
"Explain," If this sudden interruption bothered Lord Tarazed, his voice didn't show it.
"Another Ectutai prince has entered the solar system. There's some dispute about the legality of Prince Imrele's actions on Earth. His people don't like interfering with primitive worlds," Denebokab said.
"Okay. And that helps us how?" He'd woken her up for some dull political drama?
"Fascinating. So Prince Imrele wasn't working with his government's approval," Lord Tarazed said, mulling this news over.
"So? Will the Ectutai leave the system because the prince broke the law?" Vera asked.
"Doubtful," Lord Tarazed replied. "They'd have to be utter fools to ignore our threat."
"From what I've overheard from the gossiping staff, Prince Hallfar is taking over operations here while his brother returns home. Illegal or not, they view us as a serious threat. And Prince Hallfar is a warrior who's fought in several campaigns."
"Well, shoot." How long until the system swarmed with Ectutai spacecraft? The Altair could deal with that easily, but it'd be costly. Vera sighed. "Anything else?"
"Prince Imrele is exposed. He's currently guiding some human across the ship for a tour," Denebokab said. "He's usually someplace I can't gain easy access to. The perfect opportunity for some mischief."
"Perfect!" Tseen Foo said. "Kill and replace. Sounds easy enough. With a prince on our side, we'll tear their entire empire—or whatever—apart!"
"That won't work," Lord Tarazed said, putting the kibosh on that idea. "Thanks to Vera's capture, they know for certain we can mimic people. Replacing some child was easy, but royalty? The scrutiny will make it difficult. Besides, the quality of their scanners still remains unknown."
"Yeah, I doubt he'd escape notice for long," Denebokab said. "They genetically test people often—even the prince."
"Now what?" Cecilia said, disheartened.
"This is still an opportunity to strike a serious blow to our new enemies." Lord Tarazed said
"An all-out attack! Nice!" Tseen Foo' mental message basically jumped for joy. "Kill two royal princes! Bring their entire empire to despair!"
"I'm game, but…" Denebokab said, hesitating. While he'd sacrifice his life for the Altair cause, this would be a suicidal mission.
"No," Lord Tarazed replied. "Two dead princes won't help us. It would only ensure the Ectutai's wrath. Denebokab, they scan everyone for Altair infection before they enter the ship, right?"
"Yeah," Denebokab gave a mental nod of agreement.
"How about after they depart?" Lord Tarazed asked.
"Never. Why would they? The ship is clean of Altair," Denebokab said, puzzled.
"Perfect." Lord Tarazed's flat voice held some pleasure.
"If the younger prince is departing for home, we should give him a parting gift," Lord Tarazed said.
"Huh? You want Denebokab to sneak aboard the prince's ship as it leaves for the Ectutai homeworld?" Vera asked.
"Yes. Replace him and the crew," Lord Tarazed said. "Then spread the Altair through the Ectutai system. Plant yourself on a minor worlds and spread out from there. While the humans remain on high alert, the Ectutai aren't."
"And no demonic robot protecting them," Vera's heart leapt with excitement. For some bizarre reason, the Luyten V could sense their kind. The Ectutai had no such defense.
"This plan is still risky, but it will suit our needs nicely. Denebokab, follow the prince and his guest. Strike when they are alone. If not, get on the prince's departing vessel."
"Sounds like a plan," Denebokab said. "I tire of surveillance duty."
"Though, what about me?" Vera said, realizing that with their only flier gone, she was stuck in this stupid capsule for the foreseeable future.
"Stay put," Lord Tarazed said. "We will rescue you, Aquila. Though it might take some time. As before, learn whatever you can from the human known as Stella. She concerns me. She knows more than she should. There's something odd about her."
"Yeah, her home address would be nice," Tseen Foo said, rather glumly. Much to Vera's amazement, he still hadn't tracked down anything conclusive about the VTuber. Each track either led to a dead end or a longer trail that also ended in a dead end. How hard was it to find one measly human?
"Understood." Vera sighed, but she'd do as instructed. Stella would mess up eventually, a damning world slipping out. Then—payback! Finally! She could hardly wait. The possibility of glorious revenge would make her imprisonment all worth it. She just hoped it wouldn't last for months.
///
"Wow." Cecilia watched as the diligent crew scurried about.
The Velgr's bridge was vast, open, so the crew could access any control panel easily. There was a row of seats the techs used to access technical data far beyond Cecilia's understanding. But what really impressed her was the viewscreen, which showed a fabulous view of Earth and the surrounding solar system. Behind her, Prince Imrele beamed, pleased by her reaction.
It also earned a smile from the grizzled captain. "She is a beauty, isn't she? New too, only five years old. I'm proud to serve the royal prince."
"You ferry him around, then?" Cecilia asked.
"Prince Imrele has many duties. As the King's youngest son, he needs to learn the various diplomatic skills required for someone of his station," Captain Tarazed replied.
"Oh." It sounded like a huge responsibility.
This earned a laugh from the prince. "The captain is here so I don't embarrass the Republic too badly, though I'm not confident I'll have much of a career after this current diplomatic snafu."
"Don't say that, my prince. You did what you thought was necessary for the future survival of our great Republic." Captain Tarazed's expression turned grim. "The Altair are a grave threat to everyone."
"That's still to be determined," Prince Hallfar said, arms crossed.
That guy. His attitude ground Cecilia's gears. He clearly thought his brother was exaggerating the danger humanity faced. A snide remark almost slipped off her tongue.
"I advise keeping an open mind, my prince," the captain said. "Those creatures have a surprising amount of cunning."
"But we captured one, though," Prince Imrele said.
"Oh?" His brother raised a curious eyebrow.
"With the humans' help. She was planning some mischief, but got caught in the act," Prince Imrele continued. "She's currently in a shuttle we've converted into a prison cell."
"Impressive." Prince Hallfar inclined his head in respect. "I'll have to meet her myself."
"Just watch out for the warden. She's something else," Cecilia said, somewhat exasperated.
"The warden?" Behind his helmet, the older prince raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, Macauley is something," Prince Imrele signed, somewhat exasperated. He clearly found the VTuber a bother too.
"Macauley?" Prince Hallfar said, startled.
"You've heard that name before?" his brother asked. This caught Cecilia's attention. They knew nothing about where the bizarre digital entity came from.
"Yes, but it's only a coincidence," Prince Hallfar replied. "It must be."
"Please, tell us," Cecilia surprised the prince by getting into his helmet's faceplate. "I doubt it is. Macauley isn't anything human."
"Huh?" Prince Hallfar said, startled by Cecilia's intensity. "You're not making sense."
"Brother, Macauley is an alien entity who's chosen to ally herself with humanity. But her origin and goals have remained elusive," Prince Imrele said.
"Another alien visitor?" Prince Hallfar said thoughtfully. "But it must still be a coincidence. This legend is ancient."
"Honestly, with Macauley, who knows?" Cecilia said, scowling.
"Please, my prince," Captain Travern said, piping in. "I have seen this entity myself. I have traveled across much of the known solar system and met nothing like her."
"Very well." Prince Hallfar paused, gathering his thoughts. "Macauley sounds very close to the word Majayplay in our ancient language, though some linguistics scholars might argue Macaulay is a closer interpretation. The origin of this mythological figure is highly obscured. There is one myth, however, that has remained intact over the millennia."
"On ancient Ectutai, many centuries before it united and began exploring the stars, there was a kingdom named Tharuvin. There lived a prince named Travern. His kingdom was suffering great strife. The country was under siege by plague, natural disasters, famine, and political turmoil. The situation was bleak, and the prince desperately sought some solution to his country's woes."
"One day, he heard a rumor of a demon with ancient wisdom and knowledge. Note, the word 'demon' might also be translated in your human tongue as 'angel' or 'djinn.' The prince spent months on a perilous journey to meet this demon, heedless of the personal cost or risk. High and low, he searched all across Tharuvin for his quarry, but to no avail. Disheartened, he returned home empty-handed."
"While traveling on the road to his castle, he stumbled across an old beggar woman so decrepit, she could barely walk. After seeing the prince so disheartened, she asked, 'My prince, what has you so dispirited?'"
"'Grandmother, I am disheartened, for I have failed my people. I searched across our kingdom for what might alleviate the disasters that plague our country.'"
"'Oh, do you expect to find it under a rock, or behind some tall hill?' the beggar replied, amused."
"'You insult me, grandmother,' the prince replied, indignant. 'Our great nation is in a desperate situation. My father, the king, works himself to death to save our country, but his efforts have produced little fruit. To aid my father, I searched the entire country for the famed demon Majayplay and her wisdom. I thought, why not? Everything else has failed.'"
"'So it's wisdom you seek?' The beggar became thoughtful. 'Did you expect a nugget of wisdom will suddenly fix all your problems? A proverb to make it all disappear?'"
"'I'd watch your tongue, old woman.' The prince replied, incensed. 'Do you know who you speak to?'"
"'Peace, my prince. Peace. I was only teasing. I was trying to teach you that problems of such magnitude rarely have a simple solution.'"
"'True enough,' the prince said, mollified. 'But I still need her wisdom. I am lost.'"
"The old beggar scratched her craggy chin as she considered the prince's words. 'The country's problems feed into themselves, making the others worse. It's hard to feed people when an entire plain gets flooded. And farmers can't work if they lie in sickbeds.'"
"'Which is my dilemma! It seems utterly hopeless!'"
"'Nonsense. Where there is life, there's hope! I might have something to help.'"
"'Do you?' the prince said, dubious."
"'I am an elderly woman worthy of little regard. But, I have lived many years. Heed my advice, if you wish, my prince.'"
"'Continue, grandmother.'"
"'In a forest across the Beltan River lives a hermit. He's been studying local plant life for many years. He might have some remedy to cure the disease that ravages the land. Another that might help—a clerk who works for Caros' mayor. He is diligent and efficient. He will serve you well in helping manage the current crises.'"
"'That's your advice? Seek two random men's help?' Prince Travern asked, doubtful."
"'A king surrounds himself with wise men—learned men of different abilities. Ones who have different opinions and are even willing to contradict their ruler. Keep these men close. They will keep you from making a fool of yourself.'"
"'I see. Goodbye, grandmother.' The prince dismissed the old woman, ignoring her advice. For what would this beggar know?"
"Yet when his party approached the forest the beggar had mentioned, the prince's curiosity got the better of him. He visited the hermit. To the prince's astonishment, the hermit was as wise as the beggar foretold. He had developed a theory that a certain local flower might help remedy the plague. He only lacked the means to test his theories."
"The prince hired the hermit at once. Together, they made quick progress on a cure. Upon realizing how foolish he'd been dismissing the old beggar's advice, he hired the clerk next. His skill as an administrator, too, proved invaluable in healing the kingdom's woes. Together, these three restored the kingdom's fortunes and brought prosperity."
"The prince, naturally, wished to reward the beggar for her wise advice, but found her nowhere in sight. He visited many villages. However, none present had knowledge of that old beggar. Even more strangely, when he mentioned her to his two friends, they were astonished."
"The hermit said he'd met the woman before. She had been the one to suggest the flower as a remedy for the plague. And the clerk? The mayor had hired him on her advice—he had been a merchant's son before then."
"Had the beggar been Majayplay in disguise? The prince wondered. Had she found him instead? Prince Travern never learned the truth, but he honored Majayplay's name nonetheless. Who knows? His kingdom might need her help once again."
Cecilia's voice caught in her throat as the older prince finished his story. "This Majayplay sounds exactly like Macauley." Like the old beggar woman, the VTuber also enjoyed riling people up. She also preferred acting indirectly, only involving herself enough to push people in the direction she wanted them.
"It does," Prince Imrele said, nodding. "It fits the profile I've read about her. To think she's also visited our planet. That was an interesting story you came across, brother. You've always liked your historical tidbits."
"Calm yourselves. That was just a story, a myth. There are no grounds to believe it has any basis in reality. There was a Prince Travern of Tharuvin, but he lived almost five thousand years ago."
But Cecilia remained unconvinced. The VTuber was an alien. Anything was possible. Wait, this story only raised more questions! Majayplay had a physical body in it. How did she become a digital entity? How had she learned of Earth, a backwater light years away? Next time they met, Cecilia would press Macauley for answers.
"Still, this interloper is troubling." The older prince's voice turned hard. "There will be consequences for her interference, no matter how well-intended."
"Earth certainly is both blessed and cursed," Prince Imrele said, shaking his head. "But forget Macauley for now. Is there anywhere else you'd like to visit, Cecilia? Some time remains until dinner."
"I think I'm fine staying here." Frankly, all the running around in this heat only made her sweatier.
While the captain had adjusted the ship's environmental settings to make it more accommodating for humans, it hadn't been enough. Besides, Cecilia loved seeing the stars. She'd miss this view when she returned home.
In her distraction, she hadn't noticed Prince Hallfar stepping up to her. Cecilia started when he loomed over her in his imposing armor, his mask like some snarling predator.
"I have a question for you, Miss Burbidge," Prince Hallfar said.
"Sure?" Cecilia gave her best smile. The sweat dripping across her back grew faster.
"I am curious how you met my brother," the older prince asked. "You seem rather young to be involved in a governmental organization like LUVOLT. Are you an intern?"
"So you have read some of my reports," Prince Imrele said wryly.
"Intern?" Cecilia stared, puzzled.
"No? There must have been a reason they hired you," Prince Hallfar replied.
"Hired?" Cecilia said, affronted. "I'm only in the sixth grade!"
"Sorry?" Prince Hallfar stared at Cecilia, puzzled. He examined her unusual height. "I assumed you were a young adult."
"I get that a lot." It wasn't her fault the scientists gave her genes that made her unusually tall for a girl.
"Then I am more puzzled. Why are you involved with LUVOLT?" Prince Hallfar asked.
"Good question." Prince Imrele said. "I always assumed you were one of the researchers' daughters."
"It's a complicated story. And besides, it's classified," she added, rather churlishly.
This only further piqued both princes' interest, and Cecilia regretted opening her big mouth. Why didn't she make some dumb excuse? Instead, her refusal to answer only made things worse. Even the captain eyed her with interest.
"It's complicated," Cecilia said again, her tone ending the subject.
"And the pilot of their greatest weapon is also a child," Prince Hallfar said. "There must be a reason humanity is using them; otherwise, they've lost all sense."
"We're not that young," Cecilia said in protest.
"Brother, Rose is a special case. Something about her only allows her to pilot the Luyten V. That's what their briefing packet says. But I suspect there's more to the story," Prince Imrele said.
"This entire affair gets more bizarre." Prince Hallfar seemed to slump somewhat. "It pains me to say this, brother, but you might have shown some wisdom involving the Republic."
"Oh?" Prince Imrele replied, pleased.
"Not that I'm condoning your actions. You tangled us into a messy affair," his brother said. "Father will want a full account."
"I understand." Prince Imrele inclined his head.
Huh. The situation between the brothers wasn't as frosty as she'd first assumed, and Prince Hallfar wasn't a total hard case either. Still, she'd miss Prince Imrele when he left. For whatever reason, her cheeks burned as she realized this. She turned away, making sure neither brother noticed. What was she thinking? The world was in danger. This nonsense didn't matter. It must be the ship's temperature messing with her head.
"It's about time. Shall we go to dinner?" Prince Imrele extended his hand.
"Sure." Dang it—her cheeks were burning again. What was wrong with her? She took his hand, pretending she wasn't overheating. She glanced at Prince Hallfar, who shook his head in dismay. What stupid things was he thinking behind that mask? Still, she enjoyed having Prince Imrele pull her from the bridge.