Before their eyes was the floating hulk of a destroyed warship far larger than their own.
“Evasive action, now!” Roworth ordered.
The pilot took over and banked hard, increasing speed to try and pull out from the impact, but there wasn’t enough time. They struck the aft engine section of the hulk. They were rocked violently, but the bow of the Attila smashed through the wreckage. The engines of the wreck broke off, and the lower hull of the Attila scraped along the jagged edges before finally they were free.
“Damage report!”
“Sir, no breaches. We’ve got minor damage to batteries one through three and our long-range comms.”
“We got off lucky,” said Weber.
“No luck involved. Some damn good flying by Lieutenant Ward, and the strength of this fine ship is what kept us alive.”
Ward nodded in appreciation as she kept her eyes forward and continued to manoeuvre around other debris all around them.
“How the hell did we just jump in to that?” Taylor asked. Several bodies floated past the screen, as well as dozens of ruined ships, “It’s a graveyard.”
Newman couldn’t believe it.
“Segura. How the hell did we jump in to this?” Roworth barked at the navigation officer.
“Sir. This was not on our charts.”
“How old are your damn charts?”
It was rhetorical, and Taylor wasn’t at all ready for what was coming next.
“Three days old,” she replied.
Neyman’s heart nearly stopped, and many were thinking the same.
This just happened, this is real. It isn't like our encounter with Vargs. This is war.
"Send a transmission back to the Admiralty. They need to know about this," said Roworth.
"Sir, I can't. Our long-range comms are down."
"Why haven't we heard about this?" Taylor demanded.
"Segura?" Roworth asked abruptly.
The navigational officer looked flustered as she flicked through charts and data.
"Segura, talk to me," added Roworth.
"Those are Krys vessels, or used to be," said Weber.
"Sir, as far as I can tell...whatever happened here, it happened very recently."
"Yes, within the last few days."
"Within the last few hours, Sir."
Roworth's eyes widened, realising this wasn't just a graveyard, but a battlefield.
"Battle stations! All crew on deck, scan for anything still alive! Get me eyes and ears out there!"
The warning siren to call them to battle stations rang out, and that served to cause Newman's pulse to race further. This was all feeling very real now, just like his first taste of combat.
"Sir, I am getting readings of more than a dozen ships to our port side, beyond the debris field."
"Put it on screen!"
The projection to their left was blocked by the view of yet another wreck, but they were passing out of its way, and the view was opening up. They were all holding their breath in anticipation and a little fear. They were one ship against many. But as the view opened up, they noticed that the vessels were Krys.
Neyman breathed a sigh of relief. He recognised their construction immediately, but many of the more experienced among them were not so fast to relax.
"They must have defeated whoever they fought," said Weber.
"Maybe." Taylor was doubtful.
"Why aren't they trying to reach out?" Newman asked.
"In this debris their scanners may not be able to spot us yet," replied Roworth.
"Reach out to them," Taylor added.
Roworth relayed the command. Moments later they found a single Krys Lord projected before them. He was cut badly on his head and still bleeding, but he was unmistakeable.
"Sarik, good to see you old friend!" Taylor yelled.
Weber leaned in towards Newman.
"Sarik was the right hand man of Jafar in the war against Bolormaa."
"Jafar? The first ever Krys to join the Humans against his own?"
"One of two, yes."
Sarik did not look as pleased to see them, as Taylor was to see him.
"What can I do for you, Colonel?" His weary tone wasn’t very inviting.
Taylor took a deep breath as he tried to find the words, and then it struck him that he had not spent a single moment planning what he was going to say.
"What the hell happened here? There are bodies and ruined hulks everywhere, who did this?"
"We did."
Taylor looked confused.
"My god, it's civil war," whispered Newman.
"We are at war."
"With who?" Taylor asked in disbelief.
"Each other."
Taylor groaned. It was like trying to draw blood from a stone.
"Krys on Krys?"
"Yes."
Taylor sighed. "We don't have time for this. The Alliance must stand together, or we are weak. That much has always been true. You know this."
"Yes, but this is not my decision. I must fight or be destroyed."
Taylor had no idea what to say, and finally it was Sarik who prompted him.
"What are you doing here, Colonel?"
Taylor coughed to clear his throat. He was surprised at Sarik’s direct approach, and he knew he shouldn’t be. He was always the more serious one compared to Jafar, who had spent so much time amongst Humans that he was halfway to being one. He and Sarik had always had a working relationship, but never truly been friends. Now Taylor felt a little silly for coming to ask for what he was about to, but he had no choice. He wanted to offer some words that would help, and yet he had none.
“I have a lot of work to do, Colonel. Please tell me what it is you want, and we will be on our way.”
“Sarik, Lord…as you know, President Rivers is working on technology that could save all our worlds. That could make them habitable once again. But we are too few and spread too thinly to do the work that is needed. We need ships, resources, and marines. We need manpower.”
“I can give none,” he replied sternly.
“But you have to know this is necessary? This is about saving our worlds?”
“What good will that be, if we don’t live long enough to see it through? We are at war. Survival is all that matters now, and you of all people should understand that.”
Taylor felt a little sheepish. He knew it was too much to ask for, but was under the pressure of everything that Rivers had told him. He had to try, no matter how stupid he felt for doing so.
“Sarik, things are worse than you know.”
“No, Colonel, they are worse than you know. We are at war, fighting for our survival. You are asking whether you will make it through the next decade, but we are trying to survive these next few days.”
“Things are that bad?”
“The houses are divided. Heirs to former Lords are pushing to take power as they always have done, but now more so than ever. Jafar held together a weak alliance among my people, but the houses do not revere me in the same manner.”
“They should,” replied Taylor with an honest sincerity.
“And I thank you for that. Colonel, we fought together, and it would be an honour if we could do so again. But you come to me asking for aid, when you offer none yourself. Will you aid us in this civil war?”
Taylor wanted to say yes. He felt he owed it to Sarik, but to Jafar, too. It was his legacy that was at stake. He had once died to bring an end to their fighting.
“You won’t help, will you?”
“I…I can’t. I have nothing to give. Things are bad right now, real bad.”
“You have your problems, and we have ours. Neither is able to help one another. I wish we lived in different times, but we do not. The truth is that many among my people live to fight, and that never went away. I just hope we can make it through to show my people that there is a better way. The way that we have lived for hundreds of years.”
“This was Bolormaa’s doing.”
/> “Yes, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I wish you every luck, Colonel, but we cannot spare anything to help, just as you can’t.”
Taylor looked both disappointed and ashamed that he was not able to go to Sarik’s aid.
“Colonel, our comms, the President should know about what has gone on here,” whispered Newman.
Taylor nodded in agreement.
“One last thing. Our long-range comms have been knocked out; will you relay a message about what you have faced here? Tell the President of the Alliance what has happened.”
“For what purpose? We are not united anymore. Good luck, Colonel.”
Taylor opened his mouth to speak, but the signal cut off. Nobody could find a word to say as they watched the Krys fleet jump out. Taylor slumped back against a console behind him. It was a massive blow to know that not only could they not get any help, but that an old ally was in such trouble.
“What now?”
“The Krys at war, this is dire news, Captain.”
“But we have other allies to turn to?”
“Yes, Corporal, but none as strong as the Krys. None so capable as warriors.”
“And yet what do they do with that warrior spirit? Fight each other, maybe we are better off without them.”
“You know nothing,” snarled Weber.
“Seems like we’re all in the same boat here,” snapped Newman.
“No point in dwelling on this. We will find no help here. We have to hope that Sarik comes out on top. I dread to think who would replace him if he loses.”
“What do you mean, Colonel?” Newman asked.
“He means another Human-Krys war,” said Roworth.
“No, surely not?”
Taylor shrugged.
“I’d like to think not, but there have always been elements that resented Jafar and the part I had in putting him in charge of their people. Maybe those elements are finally rearing their ugly heads.”
“We have to do something about this.”
“Do what? Form up a fleet and a few divisions of marines to join the fight?”
Newman was silenced as he realised how powerless they were.
"This is not good," said Weber.
"Yeah? No shit," replied Taylor.
There was a look of complete bewilderment and loss amongst everyone on the bridge. They’d not expected an easy ride. But the last thing they had expected was to be so abruptly stopped in their tracks.
"What are your orders, Colonel?"
Taylor had to think on it for a while, as it had caught him as much by surprise as any of them. He realised that he should have seen it coming, although that was all pointless now.
"Set a course for Panhale, Captain."
Roworth did not hesitate to relay the orders, but Taylor was still lost deep in thought.
"Panhale?" Newman asked.
"A Cholan moon, and their official capital now," replied Weber.
"Capital?"
"In name only. It is not much to talk about. Same crap we all have to put up with. Bolormaa didn't go easy on anyone."
"I knew it was bad, but I had no idea it was this bad."
"Believe it. If it wasn't, you wouldn't even be here."
Newman sighed. He thought he'd gotten through to his new German brother, but far from it. He was just being set up for a fall.
"Prepare to jump!"
Chapter 6
In a flash they found themselves in orbit with the moon known as Panhale. Five ships lay in orbit, and everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as everything appeared normal. No bodies and burnt out husks of warships. But Taylor didn't look at all hopeful. Newman opened his mouth to enquire as to why with Weber, but he knew it was better not to. The man seemed desperate to trip him up. He understood why. The veterans of the Morohtan war had a bond like no other, but it didn't feel nice to be on the outside.
"This is a better start."
Taylor didn't look so convinced as the Captain.
"Let them know our intentions. I am going down there."
"Could this not be handled remotely?"
"After Sarik, no. I want this done face to face. We are asking a lot from old friends, and they have to know we are serious, and that we value them."
"Perhaps the President should have hired a sweeter talking negotiator if that was what was required?"
"Yeah, well, he's got me, and he seems to think I'm up to the job."
"I've seen you pull off miracles, Colonel, but I don't know how you can convince a group of people barely getting by to suddenly jump to attention and come to others aid."
"No, but we still have to give it a shot. If we have to return to the President empty-handed, then we will, but it won't be from want of trying."
"When was the last time you even spoke to the Emperor?"
"It's been a while."
"It's been years, hasn't it?"
Taylor nodded in agreement. Roworth moved closer to talk more privately. There was concern in his face.
"Don't expect a warm welcome here," he warned.
"You talk like they are the enemy."
"They were once, remember? Times change, especially when life is this tough. Things have changed a lot since the war. Imminent destruction tends to bring people together just to survive. But when they have relative safety, and the ability to choose their next action, you might find things are not as you'd expect. You get me?"
"We'll be just fine. Don't worry about me. Just hope we can come out of this better than we did with our last effort."
"The President still needs to know about the Krys war. Can you reach out to the Cholans and ask them to help?"
"I'll see what I can do."
"Take your full team. We can't be taking any chances here."
Taylor drew back and could see the concern in Roworth's face. It was just like old times. That nostalgia was both heart warming and painful all at the same time. He didn't say a word. He didn't have to as he left the bridge with the three marines in tow.
"The Captain is concerned for your safety?"
"He is, Babacan, and I get it. This mission has already taken a turn that was not at all expected. With your people out of the picture, we are far weaker than any of us realised."
"And if Sarik loses that war?"
Weber looked angry that the youngest and newest among them was talking at all, but Taylor was happy to hear it.
"If Sarik loses, then we are in deep shit, but I don't see we can do much about that right now. We came here to do a job. That job is to get support for the work of the Alliance."
"How much of an Alliance is there if the Krys are out, the Aranui gone, and the Captain has doubts about the Cholans?" Neyman asked.
"A small one, but we still have each other, and the rest of Humanity. You know how many times in history that all the people of Earth were united? Not often."
"And if we have to go this alone, you think we can still make it?"
"We have done before."
"You'll forgive me, Sir, but the day you won the Krys war, did you not have the support of a great many of the Krys?"
Taylor gritted his teeth, as it was a painful reminder. The day in Africa that saw the end to Erdogan had seemed like an end to it all, even if he wouldn't live to see the peace that followed. He could still feel the pain of the mortal wound that caused him to be put him into suspended animation that day. For a moment he wondered what it would have been like to have lived a normal life in the peace he had fought so hard to achieve. It was a pipe dream, one he seemed destined to never live.
"Yeah, I did, but as the Captain just reminded me, people are very different when their survival is at stake."
"They come together, do they not? Like the way you brought the races together?"
"It wasn't all on me. Plenty of people made that happen." Taylor sounded weary.
"Why will they not stick together now?"
"What are you saying?" Babacan asked.
"He's making crap up," snapped We
ber.
"Let him speak. We've fallen this far, maybe a new perspective is what we need...maybe."
Newman felt vindicated, but also felt the pressure weighing him down.
"Sir, it seems to me that at present there is only one all out war in the universe, and Lord Sarik is fighting it. Does the Alliance not exist to help allies? We should get word to President Rivers. We should help."
"I wish it were that simple."
"Isn't it?"
"No, we don't have anyone to send."
"But, Sir, with all the calls-ups, the Corps is bigger than it has been since the war ended."
"Taylor stopped and suddenly slammed Newman up against a bulkhead. He was stunned and frozen, not even attempting to resist. Taylor had lifted him off his feet, and they dangled below.
"Let me break it down for you, the dirty truth that you aren't being told. Rivers can't save Earth. We are on borrowed time, and the people on Earth can't stay there forever. Things are worse down there than you realise. There is but one hope that we can claw our way out of this, and that is to find some ancient Aranui tech. We don't know where or how to find it. But if we don't, and soon, we are all finished."
Newman was stunned, and so was Weber. But not Babacan, nothing seemed to surprise or even cause him alarm.
"So it's true?" Weber asked.
"What?"
"People have been talking..."
"Talking? What kind of shit is that? Scuttlebutt! What have they been saying?"
"That it's the end of time. That Rivers can't do what he promised."
"Where did you hear this?"
"Everywhere."
"It's true, Sir," added Newman.
Taylor dropped the Corporal as he took in quite how bad things were. He tried to put the pieces together.
"You knew this, you all knew this, and still you came?"
Babacan and Weber seemed unwilling to answer, but when Newman saw that, he spoke up.
"Sir, we came because we believe in you. We believe you can find a solution."
"What? Why?"
"Because you always have. You have defied the odds. You have kept Humanity going forward."
"No, I have been one of many. I can't work miracles."
"Beg your pardon, Sir, but you can. I was too young to see it with my own eyes, but I know you did. And I know some of these men and women who fight with you, not only saw you achieve miracles, but they did so themselves as well."
Beyond Earth- Civil War Page 8
