In Service Of The Queen Ch 15

In Service of the Queen

by Davina Lee

An alternative future of women and their adventures

*

Author's Note

In the last chapter, Friend Vivienne had invited Adelaide to stop by the café for an afternoon cream puff. Adelaide's would be paramour was there, in her usual seat at the bar. But being there with a girl on her arm made her somehow less aggressive, and Adelaide was able to enjoy a peaceful afternoon with Tiara's mutual friends.

But as always happens in a dystopia, when your girl's been deported by a despotic queen, the gathering ended on a melancholy note. And the roar of dirigibles flying overhead to friend knows where didn't do anything to lighten the mood.

This chapter picks up a few days later.

* * *

Chapter 15: La Resistance

Empyrea City Rail Hub, Downtown Empyrea City

Adelaide stood at the rail depot, on the side for trolley service, and peered down the track. She shifted her lunch pail from her right hand to her left as she turned to look the other direction. When a pair of women in the bright uniform and blue cap of Safety Services looked her way, Adelaide dropped her gaze to study her shoes.

She could hear their footsteps on the hard concrete. They were moving toward her.

"ID, friend?" said one of the pair.

"Um..." Adelaide patted her pocket on one side, shifted her lunch pail to her other hand, and patted the other side. "I guess I left it at home?"

"Where are you headed?" asked the other safety officer.

"My apartment," said Adelaide. "Trolley stop thirty-one."

"No trolleys running that way today," said the officer.

Adelaide blew out a sigh.

"Check the board next time," continued the officer. "And make sure you have your ID. Starting next week, it's mandatory for all citizens."

"Right," said Adelaide. "I'll remember, friend."

The two Safety Services officers swaggered off, and Adelaide turned her attention to the schedule board. She spotted the notice about revised track maintenance. It was half covered by a news bulletin that had been taped up.

Adelaide yanked the bulletin down and wadded it up. She tossed it in the trash as she began walking toward the platform's exit.

On her way down the ramp, Adelaide spied another news bulletin, taped to a post. She stopped to look at it. Not more than a meter away, there was another, and another. All taped to support posts or other signage at the station. They were all identical. Adelaide yanked down the one in front of her and held it in her hand as she walked on.

She read the words, looking up occasionally so as not to run into anyone.

Sisterly Love in Salzburg

Detachments of Empyrean Self-Defense Forces were welcomed with open arms by the people of Salzburg this past week.

After enduring years of hardship at the hands of a corrupt and illegitimate government, the people of Salzburg were finally able to catch a breath of fresh air, as Empyrea's Self-Defense Force troops marched in to root out those pulling the puppet strings of this oppressive regime.

Meanwhile, the women and children of Salzburg were seen dancing in the streets, celebrating their newfound freedoms, guaranteed by word of Empyrea's Queen and the continued presence of Her Majesty's Self-Defence Forces in the area.

"They've even got a cute picture of of smiling mothers with their children," Adelaide muttered under her breath. "I wonder if they're smiling because their trolleys actually run."

She folded the bulletin and stuffed it in her pocket.

* * *

Adelaide and Vivienne's apartment

After thirty minutes of trudging against the flow of people shuffling under gray skies, Adelaide arrived home. She dropped lunch pail on the kitchen table and her clothes in a pile on her bedroom floor.

Adelaide flopped onto her mattress, closed her eyes, and began snoring.

* * *

Seven hours later

Adelaide opened her eyes to the image of Vivienne's smiling face. She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut again, grabbing the blankets and pulling them up over her head.

"Addie," floated Vivienne's sing-song voice from above. Vivienne tugged at the bed covers.

Adelaide opened one eye, and closed it again just as quickly. She rolled over onto her side so that her back was toward where Vivienne was sitting on the side of her bed.

"Addie."

Adelaide pulled the covers up again, like a hood over her head. "Go away."

"Addie, hon--"

Adelaide rolled over suddenly, pushing the covers aside as she opened her eyes to stare at Vivienne's face. "Wait!" said Adelaide. "Have you been baking?"

Adelaide sniffed at the air. "Did you make something delicious? Is that why you came in here?"

Vivienne shook her head. "No."

Adelaide groaned as she pulled the covers back over her head and rolled over to face away from Vivienne, all in one motion.

"Addie."

"I work nights, Viv," mumbled Adelaide. "I need my sleep."

"Addie, it's fifteen-thirty."

Adelaide pulled the covers up tighter around her head.

"And it's Saturday. You don't have to work."

"I like to sleep," mumbled Adelaide. "It's the only time I don't have to think about how messed up my life is right now."

Vivienne reached out to lay a hand on Adelaide's blanket covered shoulder. "Addie," she said.

"I know," said Adelaide. "I sleep too much. I keep telling myself it's because of my third-shift job, but in reality, it's probably seasonal depression setting in. The daylight hours are shorter. Not that it matters, because I always have to sleep during the day. And I miss Tiara like I can't even describe. And..."

Adelaide pulled her knees up to her chest, taking the blanket with her and causing it to come loose from the end of the bed.

"Addie, honey," said Vivienne, as she rubbed the flat of her hand over Adelaide's blanket covered arm. "Let's go for a walk. Just you and me. It's been a while, and I miss you."

"We share an apartment, Viv."

Vivienne stood up, tugging at the bed covers, exposing the top of Adelaide's head. "Come on, Addie. The sun's shining. Let's go while it's still light out."

"Fine." Adelaide threw off the covers and sat up swinging her feet over the edge of her bed. She dragged herself upright and wandered toward the door.

"Addie, aren't you getting dressed? It's cold out."

"I'm going to run through the shower."

"We're not going anywhere fancy."

Adelaide turned and stared.

"And it's getting dark," continued Vivienne.

"Fine," said Adelaide. She bent forward to dig through a pile of clothes on the floor. Adelaide pulled out a sweater, sniffed at it, and tugged it over her head. She picked up her trousers and stepped into them. "Let's go."

* * *

"This is nice," said Vivienne, swinging her hand that was wrapped up with Adelaide's, as they marched down the sidewalk together.

"And I'll get to enjoy it everyday next week," muttered Adelaide. "Trolley track maintenance got extended."

"Sorry, Addie. At least it's not snowing."

"Easy for you to say, Viv. You work at the café. What's that, like three blocks? I work downtown."

"I promise I won't drag you very far, then," said Vivienne, taking a corner into an alleyway.

"Viv, what are you--?"

Vivienne stopped short as soon as they were around the corner and threw her finger up over her lips. She looked skyward and turned her head this way and that as she listened. Without a word, Vivienne pulled Adelaide by the hand as she walked to a pile of discarded shipping palettes.

"Viv?" whispered Adelaide.

Vivienne didn't respond. She knelt on the ground and dug around behind the palettes with her hand. She came back holding a pry bar.

"Help me with the grate," said Vivienne, shoving the end of the pry bar in the seam between a storm sewer grate and the pavement.

Adelaide held the grate up while Vivienne stashed the pry bar back behind the palettes.

"Come on," said Vivienne, sitting on the edge of the opening and sticking her toe out toward the rung of the ladder embedded in the concrete wall.

* * *

Below ground

Standing among the puddles of water and patches of moss, Adelaide watched Vivienne feeling along the edge of the wall. Vivienne stopped when she found a nook and came back holding an old-fashioned lantern. Vivienne turned the knob and a click echoed in the underground chamber.

She turned it again. Another click, but nothing else happened.

"You have to prime it," said Adelaide, reaching out.

With the next click, the lamp lit.

"Hey," said Adelaide. "How did you know where to find the lamp? And the sewer grate? And the pry bar?"

Vivienne answered by once again pressing her finger up over her lips.

"Viv are we going to--?"

"Shh!"

"Viv," hissed Adelaide. "I'm whispering, okay?"

Vivienne stopped walking and held the lantern high overhead. She turned to Adelaide.

"Are we going to the Girls' Cave?" asked Adelaide.

"The what?"

"Friend Beatrice's hideout. Her Girls' Cave. That's what she calls it."

Vivienne nodded.

"You missed the turn," said Adelaide. "Keep going this way and you're heading for the river."

"How do you remember these things, Addie?"

Adelaide blew out a sigh and turned on her heel. "Follow me," she said.

* * *

Friend Beatrice's Girls' Cave

The first thing Adelaide did when she saw Beatrice was to raise her right hand, palm out, and bring it to her cheek. She smiled and brought her hand down in an arc. The second thing she did was walk over to the second sofa that was sitting beside the other one in a sort of rough semi-circle with the coffee table at its focal point.

"Nice," said Adelaide, pushing on the cushions with her hand.

"Next time you want to crash here," said Beatrice, smirking. "You can have your own couch."

Beatrice turned to Vivienne, "Hello, friend Vivienne," she said.

Vivienne smiled. She stepped forward with her arms open. Beatrice closed the distance with her own arms wide, scooping Adelaide into the embrace along the way.

"Good to see you again," mumbled Beatrice from where she was smooshed between Vivienne and Adelaide.

"Uh-oh, what did I miss?" asked a woman carrying a box in her arms.

Adelaide turned to the sound of the woman's voice. She paused, looking the woman up and down for a few seconds.

"How's that beginning sign language book working out for you?" asked the woman.

Adelaide began nodding.

"And the rules of football?" added the woman.

"The library," said Adelaide. "That's where I know you from. Didn't recognize you without the glasses."

"Excuse me, friend," said the librarian, walking to the coffee table to set down the box. With that done, she wiped her palms across her trousers and stuck her hand out to Adelaide. "Rebecca," she said. "Rebecca Brandt."

"Adelaide Walker. Nice to meet you." Adelaide leaned forward with her hand out. "Do you know--?"

"Friend Vivienne? Yes."

Just as Adelaide was straightening up again and pulling her hand back, another woman with a headful of blonde curls walked up to the coffee table to deposit a second box.

Adelaide's jaw dropped when she saw her face.

"And Friend Cosette," said Rebecca.

Adelaide stood working her jaw, but no words were coming out. "C-- C--," she stammered. "Cosette? Cosette!"

"Oui. C'est moi."

In an instant, Adelaide threw her arms around Cosette and covered her cheeks with kisses.

"Cosette," heaved Adelaide. "It's really you."

Vivienne stepped forward to put her arm around Adelaide. "Aren't you glad you didn't stay in bed all day, Addie?"

Adelaide turned and socked Vivienne in the shoulder.

"Ow," complained Vivienne. "What was that for?"

Standing beside Vivienne, Beatrice was grinning.

"Viv!" exclaimed Adelaide. "Is this why you're so calm while I'm crashing headfirst through the stages of depression? I thought it was because you were throwing yourself into your work at the café. I figured you were making extra batches of cream puffs so you wouldn't have the time to miss your girl. And... And... Well, here she is!"

Vivienne rubbed her shoulder.

Adelaide turned to Cosette. "How did you get here? You were deported. I remember that. I saw you rounded up with the others at the youth hostel. I watched the Self-Defense Force trying to drag you off. But you locked arms with the others. You sat there and said--"

"In the face of oppression," Cosette said, "resistance is not a choice, it is a duty."

Adelaide nodded. "You were huddled on the floor that day, but in my mind, you stood three meters tall. I've never seen such conviction. Never." Adelaide paused for a breath. "And now! Now you're here. You're back."

"La Résistance!" said Cosette, with her fist in the air and a smirk on her lips. "It cannot be stopped, La Résistance. It comes from in here." Cosette lowered her fist and pounded her chest twice, just over her heart.

"How long?" asked Adelaide. "How long have you been here?"

"A couple weeks," said Vivienne.

"A couple weeks!" Adelaide threw her arms in the air and began pacing the floor between Vivienne and Cosette. "Friend Cosette's been here a couple weeks and nobody told me?"

"Need to know basis," said Cosette. "When it comes to La Résistance, need to know keeps us safe."

As Adelaide continued to pace, Beatrice stepped over to the counter and picked up a plate of carrot sticks. She came back, holding the plate out to Adelaide. Adelaide stopped pacing.

"So when's Tiara get here?" asked Adelaide, snatching up one of the carrot sticks and chomping off the end. "Is she helping with the books too?"

Cosette turned her gaze to the floor.

"Does she need help? I can help carry if there's lots of boxes."

"I'm sorry, Addie," said Vivienne. "Tiara's not coming."

"What? Why not?" said Adelaide.

"I'm sorry, Addie," said Vivienne. "I should have--"

"How come Cosette gets to sneak back to Empyrea City and Tiara can't?"

"It's not that easy," said Cosette.

"What do you mean? You've been here for two weeks!"

"We have no contacts in the area where Friend Tiara is from," replied Cosette. "Her home."

"But..."

"Addie, I'm sorry." Vivienne reached out to take Adelaide's hand in hers. Adelaide stuck her half-eaten carrot stick in her teeth and hung her head.

"But we're going to find her, right?" Adelaide patted her pants pockets. "I have her address." She stuck her hand in her pocket and pulled out the news bulletin. She shoved it back in. "Well, I don't have it on me, but I have it. Her emergency contact."

"Friend Adelaide," said Cosette. "Empyrea's borders are closed. These things take time."

"Yeah, but you're here." Adelaide moved her eyes from Cosette to Vivienne. "How come your girl gets to be here, Viv? What about Tiara?"

"Addie, I'm sorry." Vivienne opened her arms wide to wrap around Adelaide.

Adelaide started to sniffle.

* * *

A few minutes later

Adelaide wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand and then reached out for another carrot stick from the plate Beatrice offered. Adelaide brought her carrot up to take bite. She turned to Cosette and spoke as she chewed.

"I thought you were drunk," said Adelaide, pointing her remaining bit of carrot stick accusingly. "You said,

La Résistance! Oui, oui!

And I thought you were drunk off your ass, telling us stories for fun while we were looking for the cheese cave."

"I may have embellished a few of the details," said Cosette.

"Yeah, but..." Adelaide stopped poking at the air in front of Cosette and brought the carrot to her mouth again instead. "You know there's no secret cheese cave, right?"

Cosette nodded.

"But La Résistance is real?"

Again, Cosette nodded.

"But La Résistance can't find Tiara?"

Cosette shook her head. "Not yet, friend."

Adelaide frowned for a moment and then snapped the end of her carrot stick off in her teeth. "So when Friend Beatrice told me you helped her look for the secret cheese stash... You were helping her look for...?"

"For Danika," said Cosette. "Oui."

Adelaide stuffed the last of the carrot in her mouth and reached up to wrap her fingers in her hair, clutching her head. "This makes my brain hurt," she said.

"I'm sorry, Friend Adelaide," said Cosette. "For deceiving you. And for not finding Tiara. But La Résistance, it is real. Just as the erosion of liberty in Empyrea is real. It's all happening. Right now."

"But without Tiara," said Adelaide, hanging her head once again.

"I'm sorry, friend," said Cosette.

Adelaide resumed pacing. "You've been here two weeks?"

Cosette nodded.

"You've been moving books out of the library?"

"Among other things," said Cosette.

"Two weeks," said Adelaide, still pacing.

Cosette said nothing.

"Two weeks and now suddenly I'm here." Adelaide stopped and focused on Cosette. "Earlier you said something about a need to know basis. So what do you need me for? What do I need to know? And why now?"

"Addie..." said Vivienne, resting her hand on Adelaide's arm.

Adelaide ignored her and stayed focused on Cosette.

"Mais non," said Cosette. "You are correct."

"I'm guessing it's not my floor scrubbing prowess. I've got keys to some office buildings downtown because of my job. Is that it? You want me to steal documents or something? A spy for La Résistance?"

Cosette shook her head. The librarian, Rebecca Brandt, approached the group. Cosette, Adelaide, Vivienne, Rebecca, and Beatrice stood in a circle around Beatrice's coffee table. Beatrice set the plate of carrots on the lid of a box.

"Why are you all so quiet?" asked Adelaide.

"We need your help, friend," said Rebecca.

"But for another matter," said Cosette.

"Okay, you're kind of freaking me out," said Adelaide.

"Group Captain Thorne," said Cosette.

"Group Captain..." Adelaide shook her head. "No. No way."

"Addie," said Vivienne, reaching out again to lay a hand on Adelaide's arm.

Adelaide pulled away. "No. Whatever it is. No. That woman... I can't even begin to describe how creepy she is."

"She's high up in the chain of command," said Rebecca. "She knows things. Strategic details."

"Things La Résistance would like to know?" spat Adelaide.

Rebecca nodded.

"Friend Adelaide," said Cosette.

"No," said Adelaide. "No way."

"She's interested in you," said Vivienne.

Adelaide threw her hands in the air. "Viv! You too?"

Turning to the coffee table, Beatrice moved the plate of carrots aside and lifted the lid from one of the cardboard boxes. She flipped it over in her hands and set it back onto of the books underneath. Beatrice picked at the underside of the lid with her fingernails, separating a piece of cardboard and setting it aside.

Sitting in the upturned box lid, previously hidden by the cardboard, Beatrice picked up a folded piece of paper. She handed it to Rebecca Brandt.

Rebecca unfolded the paper twice, exposing a mechanical drawing four times the size of the box lid it was hidden in.

"What's this?" asked Adelaide.

"A weapon," said Cosette.

Adelaide stared at the mechanical drawing. She walked one-quarter way around the table and stared at it again. She walked back to where she started. "A weapon?" she said.

Cosette nodded.

Rebecca pointed to an area of the drawing. "We believe these are attachment points for mounting to the gondola of a dirigible."

"I'm no expert," said Adelaide, "but how do we know this isn't some kind of plumbing diagram? Like the queen's adding a spa in Elysium and needs some extra pipes."

Cosette shook her head. "It is a beam weapon, Friend Adelaide."

"A beam weapon? That's ridiculous."

"A beam weapon that mounts to the underside of a dirigible," said Rebecca.