Dinner With Family by Hiroyuki Morioka (best novels for teenagers TXT) 📕

“Thank you,” smiled Atosryua. “It’s such a pleasure to see my former subordinates are doing well out there, and that’s all the more true with you two. I’m reminded of the dinner we enjoyed together; it almost feels like I’m paying a social call to a couple of friends. Like the war is over. The idea we’d cross paths so soon after never even crossed my mind. By the way, who is your companion?”

Yestesh introduced himself.

“A pleasure,” said Atosryua. “Now then, on to business. I have an idea what you’ve called me for, but allow me to ask.”

“First, a question,” said Jint, keeping it brief. He knew she was busy. “Entry to the Countdom of Hyde has been cut off. Could you tell us why?”

Jint had actually been happy to hear this “Trample-Blitz Squadron 1” was going to resupply at the Vorlash Countdom before setting out for Hyde. Jint had been planning to revisit his home aboard the Baucbiruch, but only because he’d had no other choice. Martinh likely lacked the firepower necessary to take down the Baucbiruch, but he couldn’t shake his anxiety completely. But now he’d been told Squadron 1, a corps comprised of bleeding-edge ships, would be stopping by as well. The Baucbiruch had been a first-class patrol ship before the lion’s share of its armor and armaments had been removed, but he felt much safer on a state-of-the-art warship, and for good reason. The safer the ship, the better. In fact, if at all possible, he’d have liked the “raid ships” to accompany the Baucbiruch so he could use one when communicating with the landworld. Alas, the conveyance ship that had brought them news of the coming of Trample-Blitz Squadron 1 also notified them that entry into the Hyde Countdom was forbidden for the time being. Those orders came from Military Command Headquarters, lending them the same weight as an edict from the Empress herself. Even Jint, as Lord of the Countdom, couldn’t overrule it. To make matters worse, they had been given neither a reason nor a timeframe. And needless to say, knowing when they could enter was crucial, as they had schedules to draft and plans to implement. If they were barred from entry for a sufficiently long period, then they had no choice but to board one of the ships of Squadron 1.

Unfortunately, because they didn’t know the purpose behind the squadron going there, they didn’t know whether there was even time to talk, either. For all they knew, the squadron’s objective was to launch a space-raid on the planet. Maybe they were to burn down the hybrid-functionality buildings all Martinese lived in. If so, they had to prevent that at all costs.

“Your soldier number-codes,” said Atosryua.

“Huh?” Jint hadn’t expected that.

“Pull yourself together. You’re not currently my subordinate. In other words, you’re an outsider to me. I can’t just chuck out military secrets like they’re nothing. I need to check your clearance.”

“01.00.093768,” said Lafier.

“21.17.839951,” said Jint.

“It’d be pointless for me,” said Yestesh. “I’m a reserve officer, so I’m not privy to military secrets except in special circumstances.”

“I’m sorry, Investigator Yestesh,” said Atosryua.

“Please, don’t mind me. If I can’t enter the Countdom of Hyde and fulfill my work duties, then so be it. And it’s the job of Lonh-Dreur to speak to the Commandant at any rate.”

“I’m afraid it seems I’m not allowed to tell Lonh-Dreur Haïder, either,” said Atosryua. “Quartermaster Rearguard Starpilot Lynn isn’t cleared to know. We can tell you after we’ve entered the Countdom, though.”

“You can’t be serious,” said Jint, astonished.

“I’m really sorry. But I know you realize there’s nothing to be done. You’re a soldier, too.”

“What about me?” asked Lafier.

“You’re an Imperial. You’re cleared to know, Vice Hecto-Commander Abliar. More so than me, even. If you were to ask after the old name of my punching bag, I’d be forced to spill.”

“I see,” said Lafier, who faced Jint: “What do we do? Should I hear what she has to say, even though by all rights, you should be the one talking to her?”

“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you, Fïac Lartnér,” said Atosryua, “but just in case — you’re forbidden to tell Lonh-Dreur.”

“I know that. I’m a soldier, too.”

Jint hesitated. He trusted Lafier, but he couldn’t entrust everything to her. The lives and livelihoods of the people of his home were on the line. “Let me ask you one question.”

“You’re free to ask.”

“You’re not going to launch space strikes on the planet, are you?”

“Is that why you’ve been glaring like that this whole time?” said Atosryua, a smile playing on her lips.

“Am I not cleared to know the answer to that, either?” he remarked.

“No,” she replied without hesitation, but not in a cold or cutting way. “Maybe Investigator Yestesh can ask me a question I’m allowed to answer?”

“Yes,” said Yestesh. He cleared his throat. “The Empire holds to a handful of general principles. One of them is that unless there is some pressing urgency, the celestial bodies belonging to a star fief, especially a landworld, cannot be attacked without the approval of the system’s liege. To your knowledge, has that principle perhaps been revised?”

“It hasn’t budged a micron,” she declared. “Does this assuage your concerns, Lonh-Dreur?”

“Not quite yet,” he persisted. “Do you believe my territory to be in a pressing state of emergency?”

“Not at the moment.”

“And further down the line?”

Atosryua furrowed her brow. A moment later: “How nice it would be to see the future, Lonh-Dreur. But much to my chagrin, I can’t.”

Jint stared hard at Atosryua’s face. She still looked as gorgeous as all Abhs, but he thought he saw a tinge of woe in her expression. He hoped it was nothing, but...

“I beg you,” Jint whispered to the Royal Princess. “If there’s a chance of a space strike, you’ve got to put a stop to it, no matter what.”

“I don’t have that authority,” Lafier whispered back. “But I’ll try.”

“I’m begging you,” he reiterated.

Jint understood full well that, royal princess or