The Legacy of the Lioness Read online

  © 2019 Robert D. Armstrong

  The Legacy of the Lioness is a work of fiction. None of the characters nor events represent the likeness of actual events or persons.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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  Dedication

  To the encouragers in my life, thank you.

  Table of contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  GENERAL CORVIN REVEALED six hours ago that the Titan colony had been lost. Since then, Luther and I had been working non-stop to prepare the Legion for the Android Moderator’s arrival, careful to not cause a panic.

  Ten minutes ago, Luther collapsed in the corridor. He quickly recovered, using the wall to brace himself. I was under his arm, assisting him to walk as he gave directions.

  “Where are we going?” I asked him.

  “This way.” He pointed to his left. We went down a dark tunnel sculpted out of ice. The stone floors were dark brown in color. There was a middle-aged, bearded guard standing near a metal door in front of us. He was holding a rifle and standing at attention.

  “Sire?” He leaned forward as we approached, peering along the dimly lit corridor. He seemed confused and worried as his eyes bounced back and forth between us. I got the feeling he knew who I was as he studied my face.

  “What happened to him?” he demanded while staring at me.

  “Exhaustion,” I replied.

  “The rules state no one is allowed inside the Engineer’s quarters, but...” The sentry paused. He looked away and reconsidered. It seemed his duty collided with rational thought as he lowered his eyebrows.

  “Let her in,” Luther commanded, coming to life before fading again. His head slumped.

  “Of course, sire,” the guard replied. He got under Luther’s free arm.

  “You haven’t slept in days, sire, no wonder you’re fatigued,” the guard mumbled. We carried him through the door into a circular room. It was a large area, around twenty meters across. I saw my breath cloud up as we entered, it felt colder here than the rest of the Legion. There was a cool blue light on the ceiling that gave the room a soft, calming glow.

  Around the outside of the room were curved bookshelves fitted perfectly against the circular walls. The wood smell reminded me of our garage as Luther would often use the machine chisel to carve some of his model trains.

  I gasped as I looked up. The ice ceiling was like a dome, with intricate wavy designs that must have peaked around seven meters tall. It was beautiful. There was a plain, but large wooden bed on the opposite side of the room. Beside it was a chest-high machine; some type of monitoring device. There were dozens of wires and hoses attached to it that were draped loosely about it. A red light on the top flashed as we neared it.

  All at once, I felt Luther’s weight press down on me. What little support his legs provided before seemed to give out completely.

  “Ah-h,” I said, stumbling as the guard helped me stabilize his massive armored frame. I could hear Luther breathing heavily, creating a slight whistling sound as the air rushed through his metallic mask.

  We lowered him onto the bed. There were no pillows, no sheets, only a mattress with faded bloodstains on it. I could tell someone had attempted to clean the mattress, but the stains remained.

  I felt the guard looking at me. “Our people are on edge, are they not?” he asked.

  “What?”

  “The Legion. I was talking to several guards earlier and they mentioned the Engineer was moving the population below decks,” he said. I remained silent. I didn’t want him to know about the Android Moderator, if word got out it could easily cause a panic. “Any idea why he’s planning to move so many people below?”

  “No, I don’t,” I lied.

  He chuckled. “You wouldn’t tell me even if you did. I know who you are,” he said plainly.

  I nodded. “Oh. You do?” I asked. I was curious because I hadn’t seen him before.

  He pointed to a small wooden nightstand on the right side of his bed. There was a faded picture of Luther and I on it. In the photo, Luther had his large, oak-like arms around me. I could barely make out his face in the image because of wear and tear, but I was visible, smiling from ear to ear in my dress white Navy uniform.

  We were standing in front of an Italian restaurant named Russo’s that we frequented. It was tradition for us to go there after I returned from a deployment. This photo was just before we embarked to Titan.

  The photo felt like yesterday in some ways, in others it felt like a lifetime. So many things had happened since I’d been thawed out of cryosleep. I wondered how often he held that photo, looking at me. Perhaps not at all, maybe it was too painful.

  “My name’s Carson, in case you’re wondering. I’m not only the Engineer’s personal sentry, but I’m also trained to deal with his, specific medical needs,” he said, removing Luther’s mask. He was somewhat forceful in its removal, but oddly, his intent seemed genuine and thoughtful, like an old, stubborn doctor that felt his way was best for the patient.

  “There,” he said softly, connecting a hose to his neck. Just before doing so, he removed a small cap on the end of the hose. I observed the spiral of flesh in the esophagus.

  Carson pressed a red button on top of the machine as it turned on. It was soothing to hear, it reminded me of Luther’s preference of having the fan on at night.

  He began to remove Luther’s armor. I reached out to help him. “I got it this time, just pay attention. It’s simple, just loosen here... unfasten here... and you’re done,” he grinned, pulling the plated armor off of him piece by piece. The armor appeared sturdy and heavy. It made me wonder how the hell Luther moved so quickly in it.

  My eyes widened as the armor came off. Surprisingly, Luther’s body was much the same as I remembered. His grainy, pale skin was covered in scars. There were lines throughout his torso that reminded me of stitching with bits or metallics that sparkled in the dim, cool light.

  Oddly, despite his age, he was slightly more muscled than the last time I saw him, with lines fitting of a Greek statue. He was always naturally blessed with a powerful structure with little investment in the gym, if at all.

  I was never able to see his abdominal muscles completely. Now I could. I imagined the nanobots were the cause of his increased physicality, perhaps making better use of his fat storage or increasing his testosterone levels.

  Carson stepped beside the machine and placed the armor on a wooden hanger that protruded from the wall.

  As I watched him sort out the armor on the rack, he reminded me of a grizzlier version of Santa Claus. Despite his thick beard, he couldn’t conceal his full, rosy red cheeks. He had dimples when he
smiled and small, soft, blue eyes.

  “How long have you been doing this?” I looked around the room.

  He glanced up at the ceiling. “Almost eleven years. Time flies,” he said.

  “Tell me about it,” I muttered, grinning.

  “I don’t remember seeing you around the Legion?” I asked.

  He narrowed his eyes at me. “And you won’t. My room is not far from here. I’m sworn to stay here for whoever the Legion Commander is. This is a lifelong assignment. Even during the civil war when Vlad turned against the Engineer, I couldn’t leave,” he said.

  I cocked my head. “Wait. When Vlad’s siege took place, you were basically waiting around in here for whoever the next commander was?” I asked.

  Carson stood up tall. “As I said, the Elders swore me to this duty. I took an oath.”

  “But the Elders were murdered,” I said.

  He smiled and leaned toward me. “And if Knight Vlad ever claimed these quarters and left me in charge, let’s just say he wouldn’t wake up his first morning,” he said confidently.

  “For the Legion,” I said, clenching my fist at my heart.

  He returned the gesture. “For the Legion. Which reminds me... since the Elders’ passing, I’m not sure what they would have thought about your presence in these quarters with the Engineer. But I know what I think... and I’m delighted to have you here,” he grinned.

  “Ah. Well. Thank you,” I replied. Despite it being such a simple gesture of approval from a stranger, it made my heart smile to hear his words.

  “And before I go, let me ask you something. You’ve noticed I’m not wearing gloves while handling the Engineer?” he posed.

  “Uh. Yes,” I replied.

  He pointed up. “Be smart. While the doctors have assured me there is no risk to skin on skin contact, I wouldn’t go any further than that. Do you follow what I’m saying?” he scolded me like an adolescent child, narrowing his eyes at me.

  “Oh. Right,” I said awkwardly. The tone was such an unexpected deviation in the conversation.

  “Sorry to be so frank, but it’s for your own good until we know for sure,” he replied. I didn’t respond, instead, I slowly nodded my head in agreement. It was obviously uncomfortable speaking to him about Luther’s and my intimacy. He turned away from me and took a few steps. Before exiting, he stopped and turned around.

  He held his index finger up as he stared at me. “I’m a quirky man with a modest life. I know that. I’ve always viewed the Engineer as, a king of sorts... my king. Perhaps I’ve read too many stories about King Arthur and his knights of the round table,” he said, chuckling as he interlocked her fingers. He cleared his throat. “But I want you to know, that I’m honored to see the king’s queen has returned to the castle,” he said. I felt my eyes gloss over as his sincere, yet powerful words overwhelmed me.

  “I’ll be outside, if you need me, ma’am,” he said, bowing before he turned his back. I grinned as I watched him leave the room.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  Carson closed the steel door, leaving Luther and I alone in the room. The machine next to him began to hum like a window unit air conditioner.

  I stood up and walked near a small rack close to his bed. There were a few garments and capes draped over it. I touched a dark blue shirt, rubbing it with my fingers. The material was cotton and thick. I noticed the edges were frayed and there were a few holes throughout it.

  A large faded paper map of the Legion was plastered across the wall on the left side of the room, held up by small tacks. There were chalk markings all over it with mathematical figures. I observed his plans to extend the Legion’s underground bunker, complete with transportation via railways.

  I chuckled, glancing beneath the map. There was an old train model set on the floor in disarray. It was incomplete and badly burned, nearly half of it melted by fire. I wondered if Luther stumbled on it somewhere and brought it back to help him visualize his plans, or perhaps it served as perspective about who he used to be; a broken man derailed by depression.

  I heard Luther grumble and looked over my shoulder noticing him try to get comfortable. I hurried over and sat on the bed beside him. He looked up at me with sleepy eyes. I ran my fingers through his thick gray hair then caressed his face as he smiled. He put his large right hand on my thigh. I smirked, thinking about Carson’s warning.

  “What is it?” he mumbled.

  “Nothing. Who have you been working out for all these years?” I joked, looking down at his body.

  He stared at me confused, then glanced down at himself. “Huh?”

  “I’m kidding, but you... look great,” I said.

  He raised his eyebrows as I ran my hand down his chest, massaging his dense pecs and shoulders. “How’s that feel?” I asked. I might not be able to treat my king how he deserved, but I wasn’t helpless either.

  “In-credible,” he groaned. I imagined I was the last person to do this for him. After several minutes, I worked my way to his thick, long arms. I was careful to work around the metallic bits infused in his skin, cautious not to nick myself.

  “Luther, your back,” I said. He nodded and slowly turned over as I held the hoses and wires away from him. I was reminded of when I would return from a military deployment, he would always give me a full body massage. Now, I would treat him.

  He turned over face down and I straddled his lower back, leaning forward atop him. His back always reminded me of a road map with lines and cuts of shredded, thick muscle everywhere.

  There were dozens of small circular scars like stab wounds everywhere. My eyes glossed over as I thought about all the battles he’d fought without me.

  I began to massage his back slowly, working the deep muscle tissue. I could feel knots all up and down him. It felt like bits of gravel grinding flesh and bone. He winced in pain. “Too much?” I asked.

  “No, more,” he insisted without hesitation. After an hour, I stopped due to my hands cramping. I didn’t have any strength left.

  He rolled over on his side as I nestled close to him, resting my head on his chest. It was comforting and felt like a familiar place, like returning to a childhood safe haven after many years.

  It was something out of a dream brought to life abruptly in flesh and blood. I was intoxicated by his smell and the sound of his breath. I sighed in relief as I captured his warmth in the otherwise cold room. He put his large arm around me, softly caressing my back.

  We looked at each other as his eyes closed. His breathing slowed. I held my stare at his face before resting my head back on his chest. I listened to his heart beating. Surprisingly, it throbbed with a strength I didn’t remember. As the cadence slowed, my eyes began to close, but just before they did, I smiled, taking in his scent. I belonged to him again.

  Before I fell asleep, an image of my XU-97 barreling toward Earth entered my mind. The Moderator was coming for us, and until then, none of us could rest easy.

  Chapter 2

  “FATHER,” A FEMALE VOICE called out.

  I rubbed my eyes and looked around the dimly lit room. Luther leaned up in bed beside me. I noticed Neona peeking inside the room.

  “Is there a problem?” Luther asked, removing the breathing apparatus from his mouth. I noticed his voice without his mask. It was deep and throaty, but without the filtered mechanical sound his mask emitted.

  She glanced at me before staring at Luther. She cleared her throat. “Um. You ordered Xena to divulge information regarding the XU-97’s capabilities,” she stated.

  Luther looked at me. “Those were your orders, yes,” he said.

  Neona looked down for a moment. I noticed a faint white glow in her pupils. “That’s not happening.”

  Luther paused and stood up. He quickly threw on a thick cotton shirt, then put on his mask. “Is there a reason why?” he followed up, putting on his armor and cape. I began to get dressed also.

  “She’s shut down. I’m not sure if it was intentional or not,” Neona rep
lied.

  “Where is she now?” I asked.

  Neona hesitated. “In the interrogation room, near the south entrance,” she answered.

  I looked at Luther. “Why is she there?” I mumbled.

  “That’s a good question, Knight Neona,” Luther spoke up as he put his sword on his belt.

  “My Lord?” she asked.

  “Why was Xena in the interrogation room to begin with?” he asked. Luther and I moved toward the exit together, standing a few paces from Neona. She paused. “Well, the android wasn’t cooperating and—”

  Luther passed by her. “Who ordered that?” he interrupted.

  Neona stood tall. “I did.”

  Luther shook his head. She looked at the floor as Luther stormed by her. “That android could hold the key to our survival, how dare you make such a hasty decision without my consult! Was the machine a threat to you or any of our people?” he demanded.

  “Not that I’m aware of,” she replied. Luther continued down the corridor as I followed. I could barely keep up with his long strides without jogging. I thought to make sure I had my sword.

  Check.

  Neona hurried to catch up. “Father, I only made simple inquiries about the ship’s weapons systems. Xena gave me nothing, I was suspicious—”

  Luther stopped on a dime. He turned, stabbing his finger at Neona. “Suspicious of what? That android has been nothing but helpful since it arrived, and it saved us more than once,” he said.

  “I... I’m not sure. Perhaps I’m paranoid considering Sylass’s betrayal,” she replied. It was odd seeing Neona so unsure of herself. I noticed her small, childlike facial features as she looked away.

  Surprisingly, I noticed her once flawless skin was beginning to show some signs of age. I saw crow’s feet and bags under her eyes that I didn’t remember before. Perhaps it was due to stress and or lack of sleep.

  Luther nodded. “Pray we’re able to boot that android back up and retrieve the intelligence we need, the Legion depends on it,” he replied. Spinning away from her he flipped his cape at her face.