Page 11 of Smuggler's Beauty

“No, they did not. It didn’t help that their culture was about as far removed from Tanalian society as you could get. Whereas our focus was on lifestyle enrichment, Bauder’s society has no real appreciation of the arts. Instead, they focused on technology and warfare. It was considered a bit of a coup when they joined our interplanetary alliance. Other planets largely left us alone knowing they were now our backup.

“Aunt Corrie told me that the Bauder Prime Minister was sending really outrageous trade demands to my father. He was asking for things he had to know we could never deliver.” Shepaused as Veronique placed a small plate of cookies and a paper napkin next to Evelyn’s glass of iced tea.

Veronique gave a small, sad smile. “Sweets make hard things more palatable.”

“Thanks,” Evelyn said. Aiden thought he saw her eyes start to tear up, but she ran her fingers through her hair again, and the moment of vulnerability was gone. “The demands started to become threats. Eventually, the interplanetary alliance got involved and started mediation. Emil, that’s the name of the PM, said the only thing that would make him back off was an Amplifier.”

Aiden’s mouth went dry. He really didn’t like the way the story was going. He reached for his own iced tea, then noticed he gripped the glass too tightly. Evelyn had gone quiet, absently twisting the paper napkin Veronique had given her, breaking off small pieces of recycled paper into her lap.

“There is speculation among historians that Emil was seeking a marriage alliance with Tanalia,” Nannette said softly.

“My father was outraged. He shut down the negotiations. Two weeks later, Emil stopped sending protection patrols around Tanalia’s orbit. Scavenger ships started showing up, trying to raid us for crops, resources. People were starting to get hurt, but Papa stood firm. He wouldn’t be intimidated into forcing a relative into a relationship with a fascist. He appealed to the GPC, but they refused to get involved. They said our pre-existing treaty arrangements hadn’t reached the breaking point where they could override.”

Veselko made a disgusted growl. “GPC is fucking useless unless they’re showing up to collect taxes.”

“To be fair, the healthcare’s pretty good. Transmittable disease is largely a thing of the past on GPC planets. No unplanned pregnancies, no untreated mental health issues . . .”Tariel trailed off. “Not the point. Please, continue.” He smiled sheepishly at Evelyn.

“The raids got more frequent and more violent. Farms were being raided, data centers were ransacked. Bauder had completely removed their protection from the planet. Every communication I got from home was more dire than the last, so I went back to Tanalia. Aunt Corrie explained to me that Emil had clarified that he didn’t require a spouse, merely the services of an Amplifier. People on Bauder were starting to show very faint signs of extrasensory ability. They wanted to run tests to see if they could be brought up to a, and I quote, ‘useful level of talent.’” The napkin was destroyed now, twisted beyond repair into little shards of paper. Evelyn didn’t seem to notice the pile of pieces in her lap.

“Gross,” Cairn muttered. Aiden agreed with this assessment but kept his mouth shut. He had no respect for leaders who saw their people as commodities.

Evelyn nodded. “Emil proposed a ten year period of service. Bauder would resume their interplanetary treaty obligations. At the end, if the Amplifier wished to continue providing Bauder with their services, compensation would be agreed upon. Papa said he would propose the offer to the family, but most of us were outraged by Bauder’s strong-arm technique. If Emil had come to us in any reasonable fashion, we would have very happily helped him. No one wanted to budge. We’re very principled on Tanalia,” Evelyn said with a bitter laugh. “And then the drone strikes started.”

The moment the words left her lips, the tears started to fall. She didn’t seem to even realize she’d started to cry. Tariel had silently gone to retrieve a box of tissues from the side board and placed the box next to Evelyn, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“All our great cultural centers were targeted, one at a time. People were being killed. One strike a day was promised until Papa came back with an offer. On the fifth day, they destroyed our opera house in the capital. I couldn’t take any more death and destruction, so I volunteered.”

She yanked a tissue out of the box and angrily dabbed at her face, unable to ignore the wetness on her cheeks. Aiden wanted to wrap her up in his arms and soothe her tears away, but he couldn’t stop her story now. He wouldn’t. Bravery came in many facets in his opinion, and facing an unpleasant past was one of the largest.

It’s probably insulting to comfort her just to make myself feel better, anyway.

“So I packed up my pajamas and my e-reader and showed up at the negotiating table. Papa was furious. Furious at Emil, furious at me. Furious at how toothless we were as a society, how dependent Tanalia was on this bully for our own protection. I was mad too, but I could do something to end suffering. Corrie tried to talk me out of it until she was blue in the face, but I wouldn’t budge. It was the right thing to do. What’s a few years in stasis compared to all this suffering, I said.

“The treaty amendment I signed stated that for ten years I would serve as Amplifier for Bauder’s Scientific Corps. They said I could stay in stasis for most of the time; they had a device they were going to implement to run their tests.” Evelyn shrugged. “Seemed like I could think of worse ways to spend ten years than helping scientists and napping. But it would seem that the amendment I signed has not been honored.”

Aiden realized he was clenching his fists. He relaxed his hands and picked up his drink. The more Evelyn spoke, the harder it was for him to contain his anger at the situation. The entire planet of Bauder was now on his shit list, the Tanalian monarchy not far behind.

How the hell was this allowed to spiral so far out of control?

“No, Princess,” said Nannette. “Bauder almost immediately annexed Tanalia. The Weeping King has never recovered control.”

Evelyn gave a choked laugh. “Weeping King? Oh, he must hate that.” Evelyn bit her lower lip. “And please, just call me Evelyn.”

The more Evelyn spoke, the more Aiden’s mind whirled. Vinnie must be someone with anti-Bauder sentiments. If she was working alone or for a freedom fighting outfit still needed to be determined, and he doubted they could get those answers without showing up at the drop point.

He turned to Cairn. “How did you program our trip?”

“Via a meandering and nonchalant route, back to the established drop point.” Cairn nodded in the direction of the bridge. “Should be a nice easy ride for the next few days.”

Aiden nodded. Cairn knew how to make their path seem logical if anyone bothered to look at the flight records.

“We should stop at that mega mall at the 14th And. outpost,” Elenor said. “We can lend you some clothes and such, but it’s always so much nicer to have your own things.”

“Oh you don’t have to do that,” Evelyn started to protest, but Elenor just crossed her arms and gave a steely look.

Aiden could see the maternal finality emanating from her. “It’s no use arguing with her, Evelyn. Besides, we have a running expense tab going with Vinnie.”

“Speaking of our infuriating benefactor,” Tariel said. “Are we following through with this assignment? I’m not sure if we’re human trafficking, if it’s technically liberating a political prisoner, but in either case this is not what any of us signed up for. No offense.” He said the last to Evelyn.