The rightful heir

A familiar flicker of lightning blue flashed across the screen.

Then staccato words appeared. Tatizia felt her heart race.

PRINCESS: USE THE INFORMATION WISELY AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Her answer came almost immediately

LIKE I EVER GET UP TO ANY MISCHIEF!

A long pause and then…

JUST BE CAREFUL TATTY …

NO PROMISES.

GOODBYE PRINCESS, IM SURE WE WILL MEET AGAIN VERY SOON.

WAIT! YOU SAID YOU’D TELL WHO YOU ARE. Z… Z ARE YOU THERE?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE WILL MEET AGAIN? WHY?

GOODBYE TATTY AND TAKE CARE

Breaking news: Missing princess

This morning the king reported the princess has been missing for a week. not long after a letter from an inside source was released to the media. Will Vasileia soon have a new King? The rightful King? The letter is written by the princes to her governess, Anne Ballantyne.

Dear Anne,

I regret to inform you that I will no longer be there to mess up your day or add a little fire to your quarters (literally). In light of recent discoveries, I have decided to go on a little adventure to find my real father, the true heir to the Vasileian throne.

I wasn’t disappointed to find out King Vincent isn’t my real father but I was disappointed to find out you, my own governess, knew all this time.

I have an obligation to the people… my people, they deserve a better king so I won’t return home unless he’s by my side.

I will admit I’m going to miss our little secret excursions into town… and I will miss the people while I’m away. It’s for their good… if only they knew the schemes Vincent’s up to.

Love you always,

Tatty

The palace press released a statement claiming the letter to be fake and deceiving. The king released a personal statement claiming that he is deeply saddened that anyone would imply such things about him and he is giving a large sum of money to the person who finds the princess and brings her home alive. He suspects she’s left Vasileia on a spacecraft and she could be anywhere in the galaxy by now.

Let the search begin!

Tatty stood in the galley of the Spacecraft enjoying the smell of freshly brewed coffee, extra strong, and the warm scent of fried chicken coming from the plate below her.

“Off you are then mate, that’s the captain’s plate!” Chef Grub pointed a stubby finger in her direction. “yes, sir right away sir.”

Tatty made her way up through starboard heading in the direction of the crafts bow. Starboard was filled with the smell of cigars and a dozen pirates gossiping about the latest news. Three sturdy blokes, hog the only decent seats in front of the desolate radio. A faint birdlike voice of a reporter she knows well echoes through the air. Tatizia was the talk of the galaxy. Not bothering to hide her own eagerness the reporter bellowed, “large sum of money estimated to be a pirates fortune for her rescuers!” Tatty found the scene ironic. She couldn’t help but chuckle at the chattering men around her, scheming to find the missing princess. These men were space conquerors. When it comes to tracking people, these men were the best of the best. Captain Talon Fin is the most feared Pirate of the stars, known for his intelligence and wit. He has raided an estimated three dozen vessels since space travel started two decades ago yet, here she was. Hiding in plain sight. Eavesdropping on their plots against her.

It’s been three weeks since she found the ad for a cabin boy while surfing the black web. Just a week since they launched aboard the RASCAL. She took a mental image of her surroundings before she boarded: To the east the sun lazily awakens and to the west the moon’s smug smile warns the sun it refuses to sink.

 She had no idea whose spacecraft she was boarding. No questions were asked upon boarding. They eyed her once and she was a part of the crew. It was easy for her to pass as a boy, she’d cut off her hair a couple of years ago and kept it short… it proved less painful when Vincent dragged her to the dungeons for listening in on his meetings. Her looks were never a problem since Vincent never let the public have a look at her anyway. Nevertheless, she was beautiful.

She gave a soft nock and then another on the crimson door plastered with real gold the carvings of a dragon looked back at her, it would be a scary beast if it were alive.

She mumbled to herself, “breathe Tatty, Talon’s just an acquaintance.”

“Breakfast.” she said forcefully.

“Come in”

As she walked in, she didn’t dare make eye contact, no one did. The knowledge was dangerous. His shirt was folded neatly on the foot of his bed; he was wearing scrubs for pants. He had just woken up. He wasn’t the type to wear fancy clothing while his crew didn’t have a bite to eat. They’d have to raid another craft to change this. Soon.

“You’re my new cabin boy lad, aren’t you?”

“Eye captain that’s me” although she dared not look, she knew he was studying her.

 “How old are you boy?” his accent was familiar.

“Twenty, captain.” This was true. The captain stood up and gestured for Tatty to place his tray of food on the table. She did so and scurried back to the door. The captain blocked her path. For a brief second, she dared to look up at his face and without meaning to she made eye contact. He was young. Very young. His eyes were navy blue befitting for a man of the stars.

The captain hesitated then turned to open the door for her.

“You’re from Vasileia?” he said teasingly

“Yes sir.”

“What did you run from Lassie?”

She didn’t give him another word… she ran though she knew there’s no hiding from him.

 - He knows I’m a girl. How? one more week till we get to Erimos and find father. One more week-

The evening brought an asteroid storm. Tatty spent the night exploring the tenacious craft. She didn’t like how much the craft reminded her of the dungeons. She kept on wondering why Mrs. Ballantyne knew. If the ‘king’ had a secret to keep from the princess why tell her of all people unless Anne was there when it happened, when she was kidnapped.

 The asteroids began striking the craft like rapid gunfire.

“Wake up cabin boy there’s work to do!” a jagged voice came from the door. “Grab a bucket and start yer cleaning!” The captain yelled from the main desk standing still with his hands in his pockets staring straight at Tatty. She looked him in the eyes. Without thinking she yelled, “I don’t see you doing anything!” The captain was taken aback for a moment but then gave a sly smile. ‘Oops’. Talons gaze was enough to tell her she best be getting to work but she lingered for a moment more. His eyes were no longer navy … now they resembled the dark abyss. She noticed his definite jawline and dimples. His beard was trimmed and tidy… he’s given a lot of attention to it. Strange seeing as no one dares to look at his face. His lush brown hair disobeyed the laws of gravity. Again, she noticed that he’s not much older than her.

Although their gaze lasted only a moment it was a moment too long, broken only by the groaning of the vessel. Something was wrong. She sprang into action. Not a trace of fear in her.

The craft needs attention. Fast.  

It was almost dinner time. Tatty has spent hours restoring the RASCAL to keep her steady. The other pirates switched shifts but she was never offered a break. she didn’t want one. She was angry at her uncle… she wondered now where those billions he stole from the health programs went. - how many lives have been claimed because of his greed?

“one day he will get his just dues.”

 She knew about his thievery before…. Before Z. She didn’t know the extent of it towards her though. He had robbed her of her parents.

She was relieved when Z, evidently a hacker, told her she had been kidnapped by him as a baby and her real father King Vincent’s older brother had been framed and banished to Erimos. She believed him even before he showed her the proof. Z refused to tell her about her mother though. She asked but he only said if he told her she might not go looking for her father. She thought about her governess and whether she should feel bad that Mrs. Ballantyne is the only thing she misses. Especially their undercover trips out to the children’s hospital or just to take walks around town… without fathers consent of course. Anne was a good mother figure to her.

She paused only to ease a pain gushing through her leg. She was alone in the hold… debris lay scattered on the floor; it won’t be long until the crafts moaning comes to an end for soon, she’d run out of air and her Captain would utter his very last prayer aboard the RASCAL.

“We can’t do nothing for her now… Up you come boy.” A pirate shouted from the hatch. She started towards the hatch only to tumble over. She tried to sooth her throbbing leg. A piece of debris had jabbed her leg deep and the silvery cold floor has turned crimson. The pirate standing at the hatch muttered some curse words under his breath and lowered himself in to retrieve her. “Hope you can fly boy,” he said meaning it as mockery but she saw the fear in his eyes, “Not enough room in the escape pods for you too lad.” His voice cracked as he admitted it.

“But we’re a crew!” He laughed while carrying her over his shoulders up through the hatch to the main room. “One heck of a pirate you are ey!” he tossed her down to the floor, blowing the wind out of her chest. She closed her eyes and breathed sluggishly. Panicked voices created a cacophony contrasting to the orchestral complaints from the RASCAL. It was hard to breath… Oxygen must be running low.

– Find my father that’s all I came here to do. It was only supposed to be a two-week journey there and then I’d escape the craft, but no there just had to be a storm! -

Amongst the callous voices a calm reassuring voice muttered, “this wasn’t the way it’s supposed to happen but O well, the kings crafts running ahead of schedule anyway… lucky us.”

Tatty opened her eyes. It was the captain talking to his first mate. Clearly not wishing for anyone to listen in.

“Captain. Permission to board the Escape pods?” a cabin boy mumbled standing as close to one of the pods as possible. His eyes looked glossy and fear has taken him away from this realm.

“No!” the captain raised his voice. All eyes turned to him. The crew stood frozen. Talon spotted Tatty on the floor. He wondered whether she had been this close to him a couple of seconds ago. Had she heard? “There will be no need for the pods. We have word of a craft running ahead of schedule… She’s bound to pass by here before dinner time. She already knows of us. Don’t forget we’re pirates we’ll accept their help then, claim the craft!”

Tatty didn’t know what he was up to but she didn’t believe he meant to harm anyone. His raids claim the least lives. He was nothing like King Vincent. After his announcement half the crew cheered and the other half looked as if death itself had overtaken them. Protests rose up, mainly from those already near the pods. “Captain… crow’s nest hasn’t reported any sighting and its almost dinner. If a craft were near, we’d have seen her on the radar by now.”

The captain only held up his hand and the craft fell silent. He was well respected. “Not this craft lads… crow’s nest will report her fifteen minutes before she’s here. Mark my words.”

He was right. Fifteen minutes after crow’s nest spotted a speckle on the horizon a black super craft, one of the most luxurious spacecrafts known, drifted towards the damaged RASCAL. Air passages connected between the crafts and its needless to say those nearest to the pods were first to climb through. The super craft was a sight to see and twice the size of the RASCAL. “Captain,” Tatty cautiously said. “My legs’ wounded, I don’t think I can manage to climb the ladder, I twisted my wrist really bad too.”

The captain scanned her bloody leg and purple hand. “So, it is… didn’t even hear you complaining.” He seemed surprise to say this. “Get on my back I’ll take you through.” She wanted to protest. A sharp whistling sound came from below. “hop on my back. Now!” She chose not to argue. Although she knew she must be heavy he did not complain he only joked that she was light as a feather when they reached the top of the air passage ladders. It would be a lie on Tatty’s behalf to say she didn’t find him pleasing to look at or that she was repulsed by his touch.

The super craft’s captain introduced himself only as Captain. It didn’t take long for the crew to hold their rescuers at gunpoint. Tatty was instructed to watch. Just watch.

The pirates settled in and wasted no time soaking up all the amenities the craft had to offer. Regal was the best way to describe the super craft.

“Well then cabin boy, let’s see what you're made of.” The captain said once they finished the best meal most of them have ever had. “Every rookie must prove their loyalty to the crew.” The captains smile was mischievous. The crew whooped and cheered. Talon’s next words took Tatty by surprise, “These people are from Vasileia” she has studied pictures of every powerful and/or rich person in Vasileia. She’s never seen their rescuers before. Something was strange.

 “Kill their captain.” Talon ordered. She was silent but made sure to give no facial expressions.

– it’s too bad. I had faith in you captain… not anymore. -

“Personal grudge captain? “she mocked. He ignored her comment.

“How?” she asked coldly. “Push him out the door, shoot him, do whatever just get rid of him.”

She grabbed a laser blaster knowing full well she wasn’t going to kill the man. He was one of her subjects but what else could she do? “Chicken out and you're both dead Princess.” There it was. Proof that he knew who she was. She looked at him and then his men. They were confused. Talon’s face betrayed him… he didn’t mean to say that… it just slipped.

The prisoners were tied up in the main lounge. She wasted no time. Tatty pointed the blaster in the Captains direction. to the surprise of some… she knew how to load it. she studied his face… there was something familiar about him. Her plan was vague. She had to act fast. She walked over to the captain and untied him then she dropped her blaster and gave him a knife. She drew her own knife but he was not her opponent. She raised her knife preparing to lunge. At the last minute she turned and swung towards captain Talon.

 He was close behind her. He stopped the blow with his hands. He said nothing he only snickered. Another shouted, “you got guts.” Talon squeezed his hands in his thighs while grunting loudly. “I will not kill one of my own subjects!” Tatty shouted and let down her hair. She dropped her knife and grabbed the blaster. She pointed it to her own heart. “I am princess Tatizia.” She breathed as the pirates gasped. Strangely some were smiling. “there’s a bounty on my head… you heard it on the radio yourself. Let loose your prisoners Talon or I’ll take my own life. You won’t get a penny of the fortune promised if you turn me in dead!”

The craft was silent for a while. She lost her nerve as she realized both captains were now standing side by side grinning at her. – has the world gone mad? -

No one advanced towards her so she pushed her luck further, “Before you take me back you will take me to Erimos.” No one moved and all eyes turned to the captains. “Why?” The Captain of the super craft asked followed by one of the pirates exclaiming, “What in the pirates planet is going on here?” he was ignored. Tatizia answered firmly, “we will find my father and we won’t go home without him.”

“Trickery!” one shouted. Again, he was ignored.

“Princess we will not be going to Erimos.” captain Talon said. She tightened her grip on the blaster. Both captains were quick to mention there’s more to the story in case she went through with it. “We won’t be going because your father is already aboard the craft.” Captain Talon paused. Tatty wasn’t convinced. “You may know me better by another name Tatty… I’m Z”

“And I Tatizia.” The super craft’s captain whispered, “I’m your father.” The room was silent for only a second. Tatizia barely had time to process the first reveal. “I’m sorry about all of this Tatty we had to know whether you’re ready.” Her father said sincerely. “Ready?” Tatty breathed. “Ready for what?”

The captains shared a smile. “Ready to rule the galaxy.”