But Galois just shook his head, his eyes still watching the past. “Uther did all he could to be as great as Ambrosius. Constantine kept Uther out of the academy though. He said that if two sons become ship’s captains then Uther could do whatever else he wanted. So, naturally, he aimed higher.
“No one ever knew exactly how or why Ambrosius died. Just one day, he went out in his ship and didn’t come back. Uther was probably nine at the time. I was eleven and in my first year at the academy. And soon enough, Uther was admitted.” He raised his brows, mildly surprised. “Fifteen years dedicated to the academy and then six of service.”
Lot’s eyes were attentive, aware of his father-in-law’s struggle to tell this story, but he couldn’t see why. “So, what happened?” he pressed. He noticed his own voice came softer now as though they were dispensing secrets.
Galois shook his head. “He was smart. Took us all by storm and Constantine was criticized for keeping him out of school.” He closed his eyes and winced at the memories. “He cannot be allowed free reign of this planet. I say this to you in confidence, Lot. The gods only know what he’d do if he thought I was plotting against him.”
“Are you asking me to pull out of his military?” he asked cautiously. “I don’t know if I can, Galois. Not now. Morgause never would. Even if I did.”
He shook his head, his face hidden in his hands. “No, I’m not asking you to do that. I’m asking you to please be careful. I love you both and could not stand it if we were on opposite sides of a war. Should it happen.”
Lot sensed that the conversation was over. Galois looked older now. He didn’t have the stress that he had become accustomed to and kept him young and on edge. Lot had tried to mimic that energy when seeing Morgause because she had admired it in her father so much. But he lived by more a traditional code: loyalty, king and country.
“We were thinking,” he said when the quiet got too long, “about starting a family.”
Galois raised his face, smiling. “You never had a normal life on the ship. I am sorry about that. For both of you.”
“We’d like a son, to carry on Lothian—someone we can pass our heritage down to.”
This was the kind of conversation men wanted after finding a new home.
6
Put Asunder
“Move the smaller mecha for the soldiers to hangar bay seven,” Uther ordered from his perch on a walkway high above the command room where dozens of men spoke into com-units and fingers flew across glowing screens. On the overhead screen, Uther saw a large conveyor belt start up and slowly move six Avamechs across the floor to the door to hanger seven where they would be moved by pilots.
“The assault Avamech weigh roughly thirty tons when quipped so we moved them to the lower levels,” Lot said as he gazed into the screen across his eyes like glasses. “The virtual tour I’m in right now shows we have about forty of them and about sixty heavy Avamechs. Those are the ones with more armor than weapon power.”
“Does height matter?” Uther asked Vivian who stood stoically beside him, her hands clasped behind her back. “Some of these are roughly twenty meters high.”
Vivian closed her eyes before she spoke. “The height only depends on the ability of the pilot. Obviously a taller mecha is harder to control unless you know it.”
Behind Uther, Galois and Irgrain stood quietly watching their friend make these warlike arrangements. They had spoken the night before about how much they disagreed with Uther on his tactics. This wasn’t right. Not for new, peaceful Camelot.
“Uther, may I speak to you?” Galois asked in a soft voice as the Avamech paraded before them.
“Get the assault mecha’s sub-generator torque checked, we want these things to be in perfect shape,” he said into his headpiece before facing Galois. “Yes, my friend?”
“Igrain and I have some concerns—” he began, but Uther barked over him.
“No, check all the main generators too! We want to fly,” he shouted into his piece again. “I’m sorry, go on, Galois. What about Igrain?”
Galois’s face fell into a confused frown at the mention of his wife. “Do you remember why we came to Camelot, Uther? I mean why we’re even here?”
Uther crossed his arms over his new rank symbols and starched uniform. “Our ancestors wanted us to have a better life than they did. The Camelot Project was in course for years. We honor them by fulfilling their wishes.”
Galois shook his head. “But what are you doing? This planet is beautiful and we have so much to learn. We haven’t even begun exploration like we should and already you are fighting with a fellow human being who came to this planet for the same reason you did.”
“Ah.” Uther lowered his arms and stepped away from the command console. He backed up to the sliding doors but did not leave. “You’re angry that we’re fighting Vortigern.”
“Yes!” Galois hissed to keep his voice low. “I know you’re in command, but will you listen to what I think?”
For a moment, Uther thought he would. After all, Galois was his best and longest friend. But what Merlin had said the night before still hung in his mind. He was in charge. Like a king, he needed to make the choices necessary to keep his kingdom safe. He had taken up the mantel of protector and leader; this had become his purpose.
“Do you not understand that Vortigern is threatening us?” he asked. “He wants Camelot for himself. I must defend my people.”
Galois waved his hand dramatically toward the Avamech. “Like this? With these huge machines? Have you tried speaking to him?”
Uther exploded in a rage, stepping angrily at Galois, his fists clenched. “The man killed my brother!”
