Chapter 10
The Aeon Impaler left Agmon, a system renewed with life. As they neared the jump to deep space, Malone lounged in his quarters with Frey, and they watched the replay of Malone's presentation.
"This was received by no less than 60 percent of the Galaxy via Network," Frey commented, a beaming grin on his face. "Your message will soon cover the remaining portion of the Galaxy once people see the results of your kindness."
Malone studied himself on the video and nodded with Frey's statement. "It appears so. Tell me, what have our enemies been up to?"
"Nothing too out of the ordinary. The Railen are massing against the Omegans, and they continue their efforts on tracking your children down."
Malone gnashed his jaw. "The Railen are too consumed with their own pride to be a concern for us."
Frey slipped a quick smirk at Malone's ironic comment about pride, but caught and steadied himself quickly. "I'm more concerned about the threat of the Omegans anyway. Perhaps it's time we consider their offer."
Malone arched his brow when he heard the tone Frey took regarding his former brethren. "Do you really think we can trust them, Frey?" Malone asked. "I figured they're only in it for the bloodshed."
"They want what you want, like the Railen do as well. This Galaxy has been without a decent ruling body for many cycles. Even with Nic Sava leading the UA, they’ve still struggled with establishing order. There are moves in developing the UA again as a more standalone body; several in the systems have been in support of that. The unit we saw on Zormad looked to be similar to what I've heard of in that regard."
The UA had reformed a bit, but as spread out as Ling Galaxy was, many hadn't given it much concern. A coordination that large took not only many cycles, but a number of like-minded souls determined on order. Long distance partnerships suffered strain of many things, and the state of Ling Galaxy wasn't fertile ground for cooperation yet. Unity gave way to survival more often than not.
Malone watched the on-screen video of his embrace of the Agmon citizens. "Have you sent a communication to them with our requests?"
"I did," Frey said. "They're ready for your bidding.”
Malone smiled. He enjoyed the news of more converts, and he also anticipated the time when the number of devotees he had grew by more than a handful at a time.
"Keep me posted on my children. I want first notification when one of them has secured an Essence orb. We'll show this Galaxy who is in command."
While Frey worked on a communications link with the Omegans, Malone settled back, and once again his thoughts meandered toward his son. He'd come so close physically to getting Ket in his grasp again. There were other ways to reach his progeny though. It was time to put his mind to use and attempt a link to his once lost child.
#
Malone found himself for the first time possibly ever without a clear thought on what to say. Over time, Malone’s thoughts had gone from hope to finding him again to the grim realization he'd perished like many of the Galaxy had, from one catastrophe or another. Famines were common in Ling Galaxy, but so were conflicts.
Yet his son was there, within reach. He activated the comm on his ship and broadcast a signal toward the Crimson Lance. He had to hear his voice.
"Ket, are you there?"
No response.
"My son, it is your father."
Still nothing in reply. Malone scowled a bit at the screen; he realized perhaps his son was in a similar state. But then a response.
"Hello."
"I can't believe you're alive."
"Yeah, I am. And so are you."
"Are you OK?"
"I'm a lot of things, I don't think 'OK' is one of them. What do you want?"
The question stung Malone in a way he wasn't accustomed to. His minions offered him undying loyalty, but his son hadn't been able to. Malone steadied himself, and he knew that the barrage of questions that flowed from his mind were going to take some time for resolution.
"I thought you were dead. Once the Nara cast me out, I looked everywhere I could, but there wasn't anything."
"Mom and I were sent away. Later, she came down with something. I figured it was a reaction to the Disconnection. Whatever it was, she... didn't live long after that."
A trail of moisture oozed from Malone's eyes. He stared at Ket on screen. The pain in his son’s eyes was clear, and Malone's thoughts careened through memories of his wife, and now yet another grievance toward the Nara.
Malone was about to ask where he'd been when Ket asked, "So is what I heard about you true; you're harvesting Essence?"
"It is. I'm working on saving the Galaxy from the Nara."
Ket bowed his head and chuckled incredulously. "Are you now?"
"Yes. In fact, I've already gotten an Essence orb."
"You mean you stole it."
"Essence is the right of every living being; there's no reason we have to live any longer in a system that demands our blind allegiance to the Nara, who have hoarded Essence."
Ket bit his lip. "The reason is reality. And, you’re not healing the Galaxy; you just want Essence for yourself and whoever becomes your slaves."
"That's not it at all, son."
"Don't call me your son." Ket thrust a finger toward Malone. "I haven't been your son for a long time. I heard about your experiments with Pietro. You couldn't stop even when they took us away from you. We weren't even worth losing your glory, were we?"
Malone clutched his fists. "Ket—"
"Save it. You really think I buy that story about looking for me? Your son vanishes, and you just give up the chase? How do you expect me to believe that?"
"I was genetically modified, Ket."
"So was I; all Nara Outcast were. You don't hear me whining about it."
"But it went further with me, because of what the Nara considered my crimes to be."
Ket shook his head. "A father doesn't abandon his child. Anyhow, keep your distance from me. Any moron can look out there and see all the warrants you've got piled up on you. Of course, I can't say I'm without my own, so I guess we have that in common... people want us dead." Ket frowned and glanced off.
Malone clasped the side of the screen. "I never wanted it to be this way." As he heard himself utter the words, Malone realized what he truly meant. He had no control over losing his son; even Ket had to agree to that at some point. Malone's true lament was his son's lack of belief in Malone's present course. Of all the converts Malone sought, his son was the one he most needed, but was the most out of reach.
Chapter 11
While Malone mulled over his missed chance with his son, he knew another deal was close, and he readied himself for more intense negotiations.
Emperor Zakmar of the Omegan Empire had formally reached out to Frey with an offer to join forces with Malone, in exchange for some concessions. Aside from Frey’s glee at facing his former countrymen as a removed Omegan, he had to admit the deal being offered was at least discussion.
Frey eyed the comm controls before he turned to Malone. "I've already spoken with Zakmar about what he wants."
Malone smirked. "Let me guess, the width and breadth of Ling Galaxy, and a few nearby systems as well?"
Frey shrugged. "He's certainly got his needs and he wants in on your Children."
Malone seethed at the notion. All the time and care he'd taken into finding the lost in Ling Galaxy and giving them purpose was lost on most individuals who weren't part of his collective. He relished the thought of them being filled with purpose again, and that purpose was a life of freedom in Ling Galaxy. Of course, service to him was a given, but considering the abilities they received in trade, it didn't seem that big a requirement to ask.
Malone was very cautious about any attempt to sway his children, especially from a nation who hadn't quite signed over to his side yet.
"Zakmar never ceases to amaze me. We'll just see how much that's worth to him."
Frey nodded. "I'll reactivate the comm so you c
an hear their full terms."
Several moments later, the screen flickered again and there was Zakmar. His reptilian skin was wrinkled with his advanced age as well as the stress of leading the Omegans from subservience into their present position of burgeoning power. The Omegans were hungry, as eager as Malone was. But unlike the Railen quest for revenge or Malone's quest for dominion, the Omegans wanted their own stake. They wanted to be regarded as a dominant force in the Galaxy. Their period of serving the Nara had brought them recognition as faithful stewards, but even the Omegans grew weary of their thankless level of subservience to Nara despotism.
Zakmar's gravelly voice boomed through the on-board speakers of Malone's ship. "Malone, what do you have to say about my offer?"
Malone took a measured breath. "I found it interesting you failed to mention this offer in my earlier meeting with you, the Railen, and the Nara."
Malone amused himself at the teasing of Zakmar, who favored the discreet negotiating. As much as the Omegans wanted to be known as the dominant force, Malone relished their secret insistence on under the table deals. Survival in Ling Galaxy sometimes made even the most elevated of rulers resort to a back-alley deal or two.
"I would think someone with your history of recklessness would appreciate a bit of strategic maneuvering now and then. Besides, I'm not the one with a number of death warrants on my head," Zakmar countered.
"Fair enough. Now then, I understand you want some of my children in return for your military forces to combine with mine?"
"Precisely. Malone, even you can't deny your maximum troop strength is at very best a decent third behind the UA and our own. Even with your shifting ability, that won't further your aims against the UA unless we work together."
Malone tapped his fingers on the console in thought. Images of his ships on the Cerulak raid flashed in his mind. They'd been cocky, a bit too aggressive maybe, but the truth remained that Malone needed at least some help to reach his goal, and a cooperation with the Omegans, for the time being, seemed a decent bet, given their history.
"I appreciate your dedication, and I know, like you, many were duped by the Nara. Your race had the greater misfortune of being in service to the Nara, stewards of the Essence. But when your usefulness was brought into question, you were removed from duty, relegated to a level of survival like the rest of us. I can tell you that my children are at work retrieving Essence from the corners of the Galaxy. Once they have it, they will hold any number of worlds hostage. I'm content to provide the Omegans with a quantity to use."
"Afraid I will need more than your word on this, Malone." Zakmar shook his head.
"What more can I provide?"
"Give us some of your Lookers as a sign of good faith." Zakmar smiled. "If you're so eager to fulfill your part of the bargain, it won't be a problem for you to part with a few of your children.”
Malone clenched his teeth. He shuddered at the thought of even one of his Lookers out of his reach and in the hands of a race with whom he had an alliance, shaky as it may be. But he knew that they were a means to an end. He had so many of his children to command, and losing any of them weakened his position a bit, but the greater value was in the enhanced military. The Omegan fleet offered the best attack against the UA arsenal, and for Malone to have a big enough spear at attacking the UA was worth so much to him.
"Just how many of my children are you demanding?" asked Malone.
Zakmar mulled over the thought for a few moments. Then he eyed the screen again. "Send me thirteen of your children."
"Oh no, that's far too many. Zakmar, you have to consider the abilities of just one of my children."
"And you have to consider the abilities of my fleet. My people are crying out for their own portion. This Galaxy is ruled by those who dare take action. Now then, we can bargain and barter all day long, but the fact remains that your cause isn't going to succeed without more help. You think you can stop the UA military alone? Your fleet of craft can give them a chase for a time, but even your shifting ability won't give you much to stop them. And especially if that Railen tracking works and your children are all incapacitated. We can seek out their trackers and remove them, giving you the power you want. We’ll make sure the UA has more than they can handle. Now, I say again, Malone, thirteen of your children in exchange for my fleet. What say you?"
Malone steeled his jaw and locked eyes with Zakmar. Malone knew that while his gaze provided a measure of mind control over the average citizen, Zakmar wasn't a lightweight. But Malone also knew that in any negotiation, the first offer was never the best.
"Five of my children is my counter," Malone replied.
"Ten," said Zakmar.
Malone's face twisted in a scowl. "Are you insane? Have you any idea of the efforts involved in producing one of my children? Do you know the insult you're giving me valuing them so lowly? Five."
Zakmar's eyes steeled. "I'm aware the service of the Omegan military has considerable value as well. Eight."
"Seven."
Zakmar took a measured breath. "Seven."
Malone's brow relaxed and he smiled. "Agreed. I'll send them your way. Now then, I've got operations for your fleet; I'll send coordinates and you let me know when you’ve got Omegan starcraft en route.”
Malone ended the communication and slapped the console in celebration. He'd gotten his army, even if it he gave up a measure of control. It was inconsequential, though. His children were all but too eager to die in his service. And their presence with the Omegans was just a brief delay. Malone knew his next moves had to be swift. The UA fleet already engaged the Omegans, but with Malone's plans and ability at foreseeing moves, he knew the upper hand was soon his with this new arrangement.
He contacted Frey again. "Frey, we need to do our best to remove the UA resurgence. Set course for Zormad, and relay to the Omegans. I want to drive a spear down the UA's throat once and for all. We'll start by removing Zormad from existence. It stands as a beacon of hope, a place the Xeno started a new life in. We'll show Ling Galaxy the only hope is in following me. Once you get to Zormad, take all who are there: Mardak, Xeno, or any other race. We’ll offer them a chance at conversion, and failing that we lay them to ruins. The war for Essence is upon us. We cannot hesitate, we cannot waver on our quest. Our purpose is just, our calling true. We will earn our place in the Galaxy."
Malone leaned back in his chair with confidence in his cause. Frey bowed and contacted the Omegans again regarding the coordinates. Malone eyed his crew, ready to proceed on their course. Malone found himself with tinge of wonder about his son, and in the midst of his eager energy about his dominion of Ling Galaxy, he struggled with thoughts of his son, and just what it was that made his son doubt his father's quest. Malone steadied his resolve with other thoughts. This is a time for action, and now the Galaxy has seen my intent. They'll follow me wherever I go, and one day they’ll beg me for the scraps that I hold. All will be my subjects. Even the Nara, and I will delight in Ellene Ballo's head under my blade. She’ll beg me, much as I did when they expelled me. They are my bane, and I will show all that no one in this Galaxy can question my rule. This was my purpose, this is my only course. The Galaxy will be mine.
The story continues…
Malone Stanton is hell bent on getting control of Essence to rule Ling Galaxy. Ellene Ballo is one of several who are desperate to stop him however possible. Learn more about Ellene and the Nara who have cultivated and controlled Essence since the dawn of Ling Galaxy in Quantum of Destiny, the follow up to Quest for Dominion, coming soon!
Find Quantum of Destiny here…
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08RRMB72Y
About the Author
Paul Heingarten mainly writes science fiction and fantasy, with the occasional detour into general fiction. A musician for most of his life, and an IT professional because it pays the bills, he lives in the Southern US with his wife Andrea. In addition to sharing his passion for writing with his wife and the local Bayou
Writers Club they belong to, he’s also a diehard Saints fan.
Keep in touch with Paul Heingarten and get more offers for free books at his website www.paulheingarten.com
Other books by Paul Heingarten
The Harvest (Short Story)
Leave from Absence
The Monitor (Short Story)
Natural Election (Short Story)
Cataclysm Epoch
Menace Ascending
Valkyrie Rising
Xeno Reckoning (Short Story)
Gambit of Dares (Short Story)
Quest for Dominion (Short Story)
Keep up with Paul Heingarten at these links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulheingartenauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanis2112/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tanis2112
Blog: http://www.paulheingarten.com
Quest for Dominion: An Interstellar War Story (The Essence Wars Book 3) Page 4
