by James Somers
seemed to point to a plot among the Barudii to gain trade agreements with the Baruk and push us out. The Baruk had come forth with the information and, though King Isic denied it vehemently, our people felt genuinely betrayed.
“Not long after, a group of Castillians living on Demigoth was massacred by vigilantes seeking revenge for our fallen leader. King Isic himself journeyed to Demigoth in an attempt to quell the misunderstanding and persuade the new military leadership to reenter the relationship of peace which had so long been enjoyed between our peoples. The Vorn military leadership seized Isic and his entourage and put them to death for crimes against our people.
“This was an outrage to the Castillians and war was declared. The Baruk pretended to be neutral to the conflict and made their technologies and information available to both sides. It would not be understood until much later what role the Baruk had played in instigating the war.
“The struggle lasted nearly a decade with the Vorn appearing to be the victor. We had decimated nearly all of the major cities of the Castillians on this planet before a new weapon was revealed. We would learn much later that the Baruk had provided technology to the Barudii, who created the giant Sphere weapon. By the time it was launched against us, the Castillians were all but wiped out. It would be their last attempt against us before they were extinguished as a people on this planet. The weapon’s mission was to hunt down and destroy all Vorn targets. We lost millions of people to it. It was at this time that the Vorn military turned to the scientific community in a desperate attempt to rebuild our dwindling forces. They created the Horva clones.
“The first generation clones were enhanced in strength, agility and intellect. They were superior warriors. However, it soon became apparent that the Horva were becoming too powerful and might well get beyond our ability to control them. The first generation Horva, including Grod, were replaced with a brutish new type of clone that could be easily controlled by our leaders.”
“Do you mean, Ambassador Ush, that the Horva were created as slaves for the Vorn?” Tiet asked.
“Yes, exactly” replied Ush. “The Horva under Grod would, as you have seen, eventually rebel against the military. However, the new Horva were very useful to the military regime in keeping the civilian population under control.
“At a later time, when the role of the Baruk in the war became apparent to our people, there arose and outcry to break ties with them. However, the military had treaties with the Baruk and they were determined to maintain their own power. Our people rebelled and called for new leadership, but the rebellion was quickly crushed with help from the Baruk.
“It has been their plan to gain control of this system all along. They have played our people against one another in the hopes of destroying both. They’ve managed to nearly obliterate the Castillians except for those escaping across the rift to the twin planet. And they have so severely crippled the Vorn that we have gone under their dominion almost completely. The Baruk were just waiting for the Sphere weapon, which continued its attacks, to wipe out the Vorn completely before moving in for the takeover.
“The Vorn military’s strength diminished as the Sphere attacks continued and the Horva under Grod mounted campaign after campaign of deadly attacks upon our cities established here on Castai. The military attempted to push through the transdimensional rift to other worlds when scouts came back with data to support the proposal.
“After conquering the twin Castai on the other side, it was hoped that the remainder of our people might escape the Sphere by migrating through and somehow collapsing the rift permanently. During that conflict with your people, Wynn was displaced here. He has worked with our resistance leaders in hopes of finding some way to overthrow the military’s control over the remaining population. Even so, Grod’s forces have gained more and more territory and threatened our lives.
“Now that you are here, Master Soone, we have seen some of your ability. Both Wynn and Daooth Pasad have put overwhelming confidence in you. Not only do we trust their judgment, but we have also considered the opportunity presented to us by returning an heir to the Barudii throne. Our people once revered your leader as much as our own, and we feel compelled to ask you to ascend to your rightful place as king to lead both of our peaceful peoples against the threat we are faced with from the Baruk and Grod.”
Tiet was stunned by the whole account of Castillian and Vorn history. It was much more than he had expected. The pieces to a vast puzzle seemed to fall into place now. The Baruk had begun it all and had very nearly destroyed all the clans in their greed for conquest.
Tiet now began to understand the importance that was being placed on the Barudii throne. Perhaps it was a matter of redemption for the Vorn after falsely accusing and executing their ally of long ago, or more importantly, maybe they genuinely believed that the Barudii king was so great an icon to rally around that the peace might even last and these two races could engage the threat wholeheartedly, maybe even victoriously.
Orin had taught him years ago that the confidence you take into a battle may well determine the outcome. Tiet still did not feel confident in himself, but he did have confidence in this great people. If he was what was needed to unite them and hold them together in the face of the coming conflict then perhaps he should reconsider.
Just then, Ranul and Estall appeared in the council chamber.
“Forgive our interruption, Ambassadors,” Estall said.
“We have new information from one of our long range probes near the star Cassis.”
“Tell us,” said Licoure.
“The Baruk appear to have amassed a battle fleet of some fifty large vessels and many smaller ones. They’re on their way,” Ranul said.
“When, Ranul?”
“Maybe two days, if we’re lucky.”
A wave of murmuring enveloped the chamber of delegates and guests as the realization of the coming storm hit them. Tiet thought further on the situation as the focus of the meeting left off of him. The delegates began talking amongst themselves, and the whole assembly generally became disorganized.
Little was known about the Baruk’s true capabilities—only that they were very fierce in combat employing various kinds of technologies and bio-weaponry. It would be very difficult to fight a war on two fronts, even though Grod and his forces were weaker than before. If Grod seized the opportunity to attack again with the coalition simultaneously fighting the Baruk, it could quickly turn out for the worse.
Then Tiet was struck with a new thought. The threat to this planet was also a threat to the Horva. They had no allegiance to the Baruk and had helped drive off the Vorn military presence which held treaty with the Baruk. This fight was Grod’s fight, whether the general realized it or not.
Tiet needed the assembly’s attention and he needed it now. He kicked the podium off of the dais. It crashed down the steps loudly onto the stone floor. All eyes were suddenly drawn to him.
“Forgive me for the interruption, Ambassadors,” he said, “but I have reconsidered and have decided to accept your endorsement.”
Shouts began to erupt from the audience. He interrupted them again.
“Please…my acceptance is conditional!” he said over the crowd. Everyone became quite again. Tiet saw Wynn considering him.
“I will accept—on the condition that the Council endorses my going to General Grod in an attempt to broker a peace agreement and convince him to fight with us against the Baruk.”
He waited after that statement, expecting a reaction. The ambassadors were all looking at one another to confer. The room was now awash in low murmurs concerning Tiet’s dangerous request. Tiet stood fast, waiting. After a few moments Ambassador Licoure turned back to address him.
“Master Soone, your request is troubling to say the least, but I am curious why you would think the Horva would join us?”
“I believe the main thrust of Grod’s campaign and the Horva’s desires all center around wanting their freedom and fighting to attain
it. I think Grod might be willing to listen to what I have to say. He wants what we want. I just have to make him see it.”
“With all due respect, we have never known the Horva, especially Grod, to be open to negotiations,” said Licoure.
“I only ask for your endorsement and the willingness to work with the Horva peacefully if I am successful, nothing more. If you agree, I will accept your motion to ascend to the throne of my father.”
Licoure looked back at the other delegates in the Council and at Wynn who was still fixed on Tiet. The other ambassadors gestured with approving nods to Licoure.
“Master Soone, we will agree against my better judgment.”
“I appreciate this, Ambassadors.” Tiet turned to leave the assembly.
Wynn made his way quickly to catch up to Tiet as he walked back down the great hall.
“Wait, Tiet!”
Tiet slowed, but did not stop.
“Tiet, what are you up to? Grod won’t negotiate with you. He’s a monster who only loves conquest.”
Tiet stopped then, surprised by the statement.
“Wynn, you told me things aren’t always what they appear to be. I hated the Vorn who were actually peaceful—”
“Yes, but that’s not Grod at all, he—”
“He and the Horva were slaves wanting their freedom. And as for being a monster…well, he managed to destroy the Sphere weapon no one
