Chapter 387: Raid

"So," Lucy said as they settled into the luxurious transport that would carry them to Raiju Beta, "is Noah betrothed to anyone?"

Lucas nearly choked on his drink. "What? Why would you—that’s a weird question, Lucy."

"I’m merely curious about your companions," Lucy replied smoothly, but there was something calculating in her expression that made Lucas deeply uncomfortable.

"He’s with Sophie," Lucas said firmly. "They’re together. Have been for a while."

"Ah." Lucy’s tone was neutral, but she looked oddly disappointed. "Well, that’s... unfortunate."

"Why unfortunate?" Lyra interjected, looking between the siblings with growing curiosity. "And why are you asking about Noah specifically?"

Lucy waved a dismissive hand. "Just making conversation. Though I must say, it’s refreshing to meet someone from Earth who carries himself with such... presence."

Lucas stared at his sister like she’d grown a second head. "Lucy, Noah is younger than me, and I’m younger than you. What the hell are you thinking?"

"Age is just a number when you’re dealing with enhanced lifespans," Lucy said with a shrug that was entirely too casual. "Besides, political marriages have been arranged with larger age gaps."

"Political marriages?" Lucas’s voice went up an octave. "Are you insane? Noah’s my best friend, not some diplomatic bargaining chip!"

"Relax, little brother. I said it was unfortunate that he’s already spoken for." Lucy’s smile was sharp. "Though I do wonder how serious their attachment really is."

Lyra cleared her throat loudly. "Since we’re on the subject of political arrangements, can I ask why Lucas was sent to Earth for education and EDF service, but you weren’t?"

Lucy’s predatory interest in Noah immediately shifted to something more formal and diplomatic. "That’s an excellent question. The truth is, it was Lucas’s duty as the first son to go and broaden the Raiju system’s understanding of our origins. Since we’re all human, after all, it was his responsibility to reconnect with where our ancestors once called home."

"But wouldn’t sending both heirs make more sense?" Lyra pressed. "Double the diplomatic value, double the knowledge gained?"

"One heir stays to learn the family business," Lucy explained, settling back in her seat. "One goes to understand our roots. It’s been tradition for generations."

Lyra nodded thoughtfully. "Speaking of family business, what exactly is the political structure here? Is your father the ruler of all Greys across Prime, Beta, and Gamma?"

Lucy’s expression grew more serious, shifting into what Lucas recognized as her ’teaching mode.’ "It’s more complex than that. Think of it as a constitutional monarchy with democratic elements, but multiply that across three planets and seven major family lines."

She gestured toward the viewport where Beta was growing larger in the distance. "Each planet has its own planetary council made up of representatives from all seven families. My father, as the current head of House Grey, sits on all three councils, but he doesn’t rule them. The Greys just happen to be the most influential family right now because we control the most territory and resources."

"How much territory are we talking about?" Lyra asked, pulling out her ever-present tablet.

"The Greys control roughly thirty-five percent of habitable space across the three planets," Lucy said with obvious pride. "The Canes control about twenty percent, mainly focused on manufacturing and trade. The Ares family has fifteen percent but owns most of the military training facilities. The remaining four families —split the rest."

"So it’s not just royal families," Lucas said, finally understanding something that had always confused him as a child. "It’s more like... powerful houses competing for influence."

"Exactly. Each family has their specialty, their power base, their political agenda. The planetary councils make decisions by majority vote, but the bigger your family’s territory and resources, the more representatives you get." Lucy’s smile turned predatory. "It keeps things interesting."

Lyra was furiously taking notes. "And the hierarchy within each family?"

"Traditional primogeniture with meritocratic elements," Lucy replied. "The eldest child inherits the family seat unless they’re proven incompetent, in which case the council can vote to pass it to the next heir. Each family head appoints their own advisors and manages their own territories, but major decisions affecting multiple families require council approval."

"Sounds complicated," Lyra observed.

"Politics always is," Lucy said as their transport began its descent toward Beta’s primary spaceport. "Which brings us to why we’re here. If you want to know what’s really happening between the remaining seven families and this mysterious eighth, we need to meet with someone who has access to the real information."

The spaceport on Beta was nothing like the elegant, organic architecture of Prime. Everything here was sharp angles and gleaming metal, designed to impress and intimidate in equal measure. The moment they disembarked, Lucas noticed how differently people reacted to Lucy compared to himself.

When palace staff on Prime saw him, they bowed respectfully and smiled. Here on Beta, when people saw Lucy, they practically threw themselves out of her path, their faces showing a mixture of fear and reverence that made Lucas deeply uncomfortable.

"Princess Lucy," a spaceport official stammered, nearly dropping his datapad. "We weren’t expecting—that is, if we had known—"

"Relax," Lucy said coolly. "We’re here on family business. Arrange transport to the Sterling compound."

"Immediately, Your Highness. Right away."

As they walked through the terminal, Lyra leaned closer to Lucas. "Why is everyone acting like your sister is some kind of terrifying legend?"

Lucas frowned, realizing he didn’t actually know. "I’m not sure. She’s always just been Lucy to me."

Soon enough their transport arrived and they were on their way.

Their transport—a sleek vehicle that moved silently through Beta’s urban landscape—carried them through districts that showcased the planet’s role as the political hub of their system. Massive government buildings rose between smaller structures that housed diplomatic missions, family offices, and the kind of establishments where real power was traded over expensive meals.

The Sterling compound was impressive even by Beta standards. Crystalline spires twisted skyward around a central courtyard where fountains created complex patterns with water that seemed to glow with its own inner light. Guards in Sterling family colors—deep purple with silver accents—stood at attention as their transport approached.

They were met by two young people who looked to be about Lucy and Lucas’s age. The young man had the sharp features and confident bearing of someone born to power, his dark hair perfectly styled and his clothing impeccable. The young woman beside him shared his features but carried herself with a more reserved dignity.

"Princess Lucy," the young man said, offering a bow that was technically correct but somehow managed to convey mild mockery. "Prince Lucas. How... unexpected."

"Prince Matthias," Lucy replied, her tone equally formal and equally dismissive. "Princess Evangeline. Thank you for receiving us on such short notice."

Lyra watched the exchange with growing fascination. The politeness was perfect, but underneath it, she could feel the tension crackling like electricity before a storm.

"Of course," Matthias continued, his smile sharp. "Though I must admit, I’m curious what brings the Grey heirs to our humble compound. Surely not a social visit?"

"Information," Lucy said bluntly. "We need access to the unedited family records regarding the eighth ancestor."

Matthias’s eyebrows rose. "My, my. That’s quite a request. Information like that doesn’t come free, I’m afraid."

"Name your price," Lucy said, and Lucas recognized the dangerous edge in her voice.

Matthias’s smile widened. "A date with the Princess of Raiju."

The temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop several degrees. Lucy went very still, and Lucas suddenly understood why people on Beta looked at his sister with such wariness.

"Excuse me?" Lucy’s voice was soft and deadly.

"I have investors arriving from the outer systems next week," Matthias continued, apparently oblivious to the fact that he was walking into a minefield. "Having the Princess of Raiju by my side would create excellent optics. A show of unity between our houses, mutual cooperation, that sort of thing."

"No," Lucy said flatly.

"Lucy," Lucas said quickly, moving between them before his sister could do something that would start a diplomatic incident. "Could I have a word?"

He pulled her aside, aware that Lyra, Matthias, and Evangeline were all watching with intense interest.

"We need this information," he said quietly.

"I said no."

"Lucy, I know you and Matthias have history—"

"History?" Lucy’s laugh was bitter. "Is that what you’re calling it? That arrogant bastard spent our entire childhood trying to prove he was better than me. Every competition, every test, every social event—he turned it into some kind of contest. And now he thinks he can use our current situation to finally get what he’s always wanted."

Lucas sighed. "What did he want?"

"To own me. To be able to point to Princess Lucy Grey and say ’look what I conquered.’" Her fists were clenched, small sparks dancing between her fingers. "The worst part is, he’s probably telling the truth about the investors. Having me there would legitimize his position."

"One evening," Lucas said carefully. "For information that could prevent a war."

Lucy stared at him for a long moment, then cursed under her breath. "Fine. But you owe me. Big time."

They returned to the others, where Matthias was waiting with obvious satisfaction.

"The information you want is in the Sterling family archives," he said as Lucy nodded curtly. "Princess Evangeline can show Prince Lucas and his companion to the research facilities while we discuss the arrangements for next week."

Lucy smiled warmly in a way that seemed cold altogether before taking steps to walk side by side with Matthias.

Lucas found himself walking alongside Evangeline through corridors lined with Sterling family portraits, while Lyra took notes on everything they passed.

"Your sister is quite formidable," Evangeline said conversationally. "Matthias has been fascinated by her since we were children."

"Fascinated is one word for it," Lucas replied dryly.

"The current situation with the eighth ancestor has everyone on edge," Evangeline continued. "Though here on Beta, we’re not particularly worried. Our defenses are more than adequate, and our political position makes us an unlikely target."

"You sound very confident," Lyra observed.

"We have good reason to be. Beta houses the central government, the military command structures, the economic hubs. An attack here would unite all seven families like nothing else could." Evangeline’s smile was serene. "Much more strategic to pick off the smaller settlements first."

They were approaching what looked like a secure area when Lucas caught Lyra’s eye and gave her a meaningful look.

"Actually," he said quietly, "I have an idea, but I need you to create a scene."

"What’s the plan?" Lyra whispered back.

"I don’t have time for all this diplomatic bullshit," Lucas said urgently. "I know my way around structures like this from the elementary courses they made me take when I was six, before I left the planet. If there’s real information—family trees, unedited records—I can find it. But it won’t be easy."

Lyra nodded understanding and suddenly stumbled, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Oh no," she said, her voice growing weak. "I think—I think the atmospheric pressure here is affecting me. I feel dizzy..."

"Miss Davids?" Evangeline said with immediate concern. "Should I call for medical assistance?"

"Maybe I should sit down," Lyra said, swaying dramatically. "The gravity difference from Prime—I didn’t expect..."

While Evangeline fussed over Lyra, Lucas slipped away, moving with the lightning-enhanced speed that was his birthright. He navigated the Sterling compound’s corridors with muscle memory, following signs toward what his childhood education had taught him would be the information hub.

He found it three levels down—a heavily secured section with guards stationed at regular intervals. As he approached, walking normally and confidently, the guards saw his ceremonial robes and immediately recognized him as Raiju royalty.

"Your Highness," the first guard said, bowing slightly. "I wasn’t aware you had clearance for this section."

"Sterling business," Lucas said smoothly, then moved faster than the guards could react.

Lightning crackled around his legs as he disabled the first guard with a precise strike to the pressure point at the base of his neck. The second guard reached for his weapon but Lucas was already behind him, applying a sleeper hold that dropped the man in seconds. The third and fourth guards went down just as quickly, their training no match for Lucas’s enhanced speed and years of preparation to face threats far above their pay grade.

He accessed the secure doors using the credentials he’d lifted from the first guard, slipping into a chamber filled with the kind of advanced technology that made him wish desperately that he’d brought Kelvin along.

Holographic displays showed family trees stretching back millennia, data streams flowed through crystalline matrices, and storage devices hummed with the accumulated knowledge of centuries. But the interface was completely foreign to him, and he realized with growing panic that he had no idea how to access the information he needed.

He was still trying to figure out the command structure when he felt a presence behind him that made his blood freeze.

"Oh shit," he breathed, turning around slowly.

Princess Evangeline stood in the doorway, her composed demeanor replaced by something much more dangerous. Behind her, the guards he’d disabled were stirring back to consciousness, and her smile was sharp enough to cut diamond.

"Hello, Prince Lucas," she said softly. "I think we need to have a conversation."