Betrayal

by E. Wayne Stucki

  Surprised, the Swarm Master blew air through his abdomen spiccules. “From space that planet almost looks like Main Hive! Only the shape of the continents is different.”

  Sesum waved his antennae in agreement and resorted to the slang name for the Outsiders. It was much easier to say than Kthpok. “The images transmitted by the Tails would support that observation. Vegetation and animal life is abundant, due to the agreeable climate.”

  “That’s very interesting and our scientist's’ll conduct heated debates about how the Kthpok evolved the way they did for a long time.” Zelof cocked his head. “If they haven’t already begun.” Then he prompted Sesum to continue. “What I want to know is why they’re here. More to the point, I need to know what danger these ‘Kthpok’ may present to the consolidated Hives.”

  The next picture in the briefing was displayed. “According to the Tails, this creature entered their system with sufficient numbers and power to destroy the defending fleet.”

  Sesum paused to let the Swarm Master examine the creature shown. The being stood upright on just two legs, had only two arms, and a head with no apparent antennae. There was no sign of an exoskeleton although it had some cloth covering its body. Having only four limbs and no antennae gave it something in common with the Kthpok. But this creature had no tail. Zelof leaned forward for a closer look. “There’s something on its head!” he exclaimed and pointed with a true-hand. “Is that stuff its antennae?”

  The Second shrugged in ignorance but before he could reply the Swarm Master waved it away. “Unnecessary question,” Zelof said. “Please continue.”

  Sesum nodded then continued his briefing. “Once the defending Kthpok fleet was destroyed the invaders advanced to the Tails home planet. The defenses were eliminated and the planet bombarded with nuclear weapons. In a side note,” supplied the Second, “the Kthpok did not supply a name for this species.

  “The fleet we have before us, it’s a task force really, consists of the remnants of the Tail civilization.”

  “So the Kthpok are fleeing invaders,” summarized Zelof.

  Once again, Sesum bobbed his agreement. “And they’re asking for our help,” he said.

  “It’s gratifying to see that Intel agrees with my interpretation of the message,” commented the Swarm Master. “And it’s only taken them a couple of hours to do it. But there are items in the Kthpok story that’s confusing.”

  Sesum’s antennae waved as he thought about his superiors concerns. “Without knowing the language we can’t ask for clarification. The confusing items may be cleared up when we learn their language or they ours. Which brings me back to the question: Do we help?”

  “We verify what we can of their story first,” announced Zelof. “Then we send what we learn back to the Queens with our recommendations and request instructions.

  “I want the Kthpok Swarm scanned, intensely. They should be expecting us to look at their ships to verify their story. If I were in their position I’d expect it. Since they’ve been in battle it should be apparent. Something like that can’t be faked.” The Swarm Master gave an amused shake of his antennae. “Besides, I want to know about their capabilities.”

  The Second lowered his antennae in question. “You aren’t sure about our new ‘friends’?”

  Zelof gave a snort of amusement. “The Kthpok tell us invaders attacked and took their planet from them. That may be true but it might not. It’ll take some time before we know for sure. If we ever do.” His antennae gave an intrigued shrug. “But with that story they might be giving us an unintentional glimpse of their objective.” He looked back at the screen. “If their intentions are to conquer Main Hive any success they may achieve won’t result from my negligence.”

  “Yes, Swarm Master,” replied Sesum dipping his head. “I’ll keep the Swarm at Main Alert and oversee the scans myself.”

  Twenty minutes later the scan of the Kthpok ships had been conducted and a preliminary assessment reached. The raw data was transferred to Intelligence for a more detailed analysis and confirmation of the earlier findings. An hour after that Zelof and Sesum were back in the Swarm Master’s office to receive Intel’s report.

  At a gesture from the Swarm Master an Iidx moved to stand next to the screen, which displayed the Kthpok formation. “Now, Master of Analysts,” said Zelof, “tell us of your findings about these beings.”

  Gevalit dipped his antennae acknowledging the order and began his report. “Swarm Master, our analysts have determined that most of their vessels fall within our classes,” he said as an image of a large vessel appeared on the screen. “They have destroyers, cruisers, battleships and dreadnaughts.” He gestured at the screen. “This isn’t their largest vessel but our scans indicate it’s the most powerful.” The picture on the screen changed as the Master Analyst continued to review each class of Kthpok vessels and compared them with current Iidx vessels. “As you can see,” concluded Gevalit, “they could be a formidable enemy if they had enough ships.”

  “I notice that you say ‘could’ and not ‘are’,” said Zelof. “Why is that?”

  “As you are aware, Swarm Master, their story is that an invader entered their system and took it by force,” answered Gevalit. “That would make the beings we’re dealing with exiles; the survivors of a holocaust. Evidence of a fight like that can’t be hidden or counterfeited. When we examined their vessels through the follow up scan you ordered we found armor blasted, scorched, melted and patched. Weapons systems are missing and radiation emanating from the drives indicates their power plants have been under stress.”

  “Your conclusion?” asked Sesum.

  “Most of these ships were in a fight,” said the Analyst. “Besides the battle damage it can be assumed that their missile inventories have been depleted.”

  Zelof held up his right true-hand to stop the analyst. “That assumption may cost us dearly if we rely on it and find out we were wrong,” he said.

  “Yes, Swarm Master,” Gevalit replied with an acknowledging bob of his head. “Perhaps I should have said it’s a possibility?”

  “That’s better,” Zelof said then gestured for the analyst to continue.

  “There’s another item to be considered,” Gevalit said. “While we’ve been examining them with full power scans we’ve seen nothing hostile. Our equipment hasn’t been jammed and our targeting lasers ignored.”

  Sesum gave an agitated shake of his antennae and turned to the Swarm Master. “That also surprised me when we came into range. We targeted as a precaution and I expected to be targeted in turn. But there was nothing.”

  “That’s not entirely accurate,” added Gevalit. “We detected laser mounts under power.”

  “It seems the Kthpok are so confident in their defenses they could think they can withstand the first attack and then reply,” said Zelof. “Or they’re being stupid or very devious.”

  “There is another alternative,” said Sesum with a shrug from his antennae. “Their story is true and they need allies.”

  “That agrees with the second portion of their transmission,” commented Zelof. “But I’ve noticed something I want clarified.” He waved a true-hand at the Master Analyst. “First, you showed us a vessel which wasn’t the largest in their Swarm but you identified it as the most powerful. You also said that most of their ships had been in a battle. Why the qualifier? If their story is accurate and their Hive was threatened with destruction surely all their forces were involved in the defense?”

  Gevalit gestured with his antennae to show his ignorance then brought a picture of another ship to the screen. Zelof and Sesum both leaned forward on their saddles and stared at the new vessel. It was a huge cylinder with missile launchers and laser mounts placed in strategic positions over the armor hull. “This is the largest class of their ships,” said the Analyst. “We have no matching analog. The Kthpok have three such ships and it’s apparent that these vessels have not been in battle. There are no patches of hull breaches, no slagged armor, or missing
weapons emplacements.”

  “Interesting,” mused Zelof. “There’s three of these ships.” Gevalit waved assent to the Swarm Master’s observation. “They’re warships?”

  “More powerful than a cruiser but not a dreadnaught,” added the analyst.

  “But they didn’t fight to defend their system against invaders,” the Swarm Master continued.

  “Our scans showed the hulls of those ships hadn’t been patched,” reported Gevalit. “If they fought their defenses proved phenomenal because they hadn’t been touched.”

  “Or they stayed out of the fight altogether,” commented Sesum. The analyst bobbed his head in agreement.

  Zelof climbed off his saddle where he’d been resting and walked closer to the wall screen to look at the ship pictured there. “Their system was attacked and these three ships kept out of the fight,” he mused, mostly to himself. “Why? What are these ships for?”

  The Second also left his place and moved over to stand next to the Swarm Master. “It’s huge,” he commented then glanced back to Gevalit. “But you said it wasn’t the most powerful?”

  “Correct. We confirm that missile launchers and laser mounts are present. But the emplacements aren’t as dense as the other vessels I showed you earlier.”

  Zelof leaned back to rub his right middle leg against his back leg as he thought. The sound he produced filled the room. “So we have a mystery,” he observed. “A Swarm of unknown ships arrives in our system giving an unbelievable story of an invading force. And there’s powerful ships in that Swarm that didn’t participate in the defense of their Hive. Now they’re asking for access to our Hives.”

  “Technically the Kthpok aren’t asking for access to Main Hive, sir,” said Gevalit. The Swarm Master looked at the Analyst in surprise but before the Iidx leader could speak Gevalit explained. “The Kthpok are asking for assistance which could amount to the same thing.” Zelof waved his antennae in acceptance of the Analysts explanation.

  “So what do we do?” asked Sesum.

  “As we are ordered,” replied the Swarm Master looking over at his Second. “We will transmit our findings and recommendations back to the Council of Queens. They will give us further instructions.”

  “So what will our recommendations be?” asked Sesum.

  Zelof paused for a moment as he considered. “We have a small force of damaged vessels,” he summarized and nodded in the direction of the Kthpok, “asking for help. But are they alone?” The Swarm Master looked back to his Second. “Have we been conducting long range scans?”

  “We have,” replied the Second. “Nothing’s been seen beyond the Kthpok.

  The Iidx leader gave a dip from his antennae. “Then my recommendation is that we provide the requested assistance,” he said. “We help the Tail’s repair their ships and resupply. But we do not give them access to the Hives. They should be directed to New Hive where we can provide what’s needed.”

  “That’s reasonable,” said Sesum with an agreeing wave of a true-hand. “With your permission I’ll prepare the message for your review and approval.”

  “See to it,” said Zelof. “ and make sure the long-range scans continue. If they have more ships than we see I want to know.” He paused for a moment then added. “Send a scout force to the Outer Planets. Let’s see if anything’s hiding out there.”

  After receiving an acknowledgement he turned to Gevalit. “Express my thanks to your analysts for their efforts,” he said. “Continue your efforts to study the Kthpok. If you or your people discover anything new inform me at once.”

  It took the Swarm Second less than an hour to prepare the report for the Council of Queens. After Zelof reviewed the message he went to key his approval and append a message but paused for a moment. A middle leg began rubbing against his back leg that produced what had become known throughout the Swarm as the Swarm Master’s ‘Thinking Sound’.

  “There’s something not right in this,” he muttered to himself. A few keystrokes brought an image of the alien commander to his screen and he studied it. Was it his warrior instincts sending an alarm? Or was he prejudiced because of the Tail’s strange appearance? He studied the image; repulsive as it was, examining the head with its sharp teeth, long neck and tail attached to an oval body. The entire configuration was held above the ground on two powerful legs.

  If the aliens were telling the truth they deserved help from the Iidx people. But it seemed his instincts were warning him the Kthpok weren’t being truthful.

  A moment later his decision was made. He pushed a button that would record his addendum to the prepared message. “This is Zelof, Swarm Master for the Greater Hive,” he said. “I am honored to have part in these events which will shape the future of the Iidx people for generations. As we have just met the Kthpok it is obvious that caution must be exercised.” Zelof pushed the pause button as he tried once more to determine the reason for his unease. Then after resuming his message the Swarm Master said, “as has been stated earlier in this message my recommendation is to render assistance. Our data confirms that most of the Kthpok ships have seen battle and I’m confident they can use our help. However, we have no way to verify how that damage occurred, whether they were the victims or the aggressors.

  “My concern is for the welfare of the Consolidated Hives. Until the Kthpok have proven to be a peaceful race they should be kept from Main Hive. Therefore, I wish to reiterate that the Kthpok should be taken to the facilities located on New Hive. The base there will be adequate to help them make the necessary repairs to their vessels. Any supplies that aren’t already present can be shipped in.” Zelof’s antennae drooped as he concluded. “We await your decision.”

  The Swarm Master placed the message with its addition in the queue for transmission and called communications. “There’s a message for the Council of Queens that must be sent immediately,” he announced. “I’m expecting a reply and want to be notified as soon as it comes in.” After receiving an acknowledgement from Lieutenant Funtel Zelof settled back onto his saddle to wait.

  He didn’t expect a reply to be received within minutes. The distance to the Hives was too great for that but hopefully there’d be a response within an hour or so. Zelof shook his head as he thought through the process. The Council of Queens would have to discuss the issue and then come to a decision. From personal experience with that august body he knew a swift response wouldn’t happen. In fact, they’d be lucky if they weren’t still waiting by this time next month.

  Four hours later as the duty shift was ending Zelof was back in the Main Room. He pushed away from his master console and headed towards communication. “Not again,” groaned Sesum and left his post to intercept the Swarm Master before he could reach the communications suite.

  "You can’t keep bothering communications,” said Sesum in a tone that only Zelof could hear when he caught up with his superior. Using a true-hand he indicated that both Iidx should go into the Swarm Master’s office which adjoined the Main Room.

  As soon as the door slid shut cutting the two Swarm leaders off from the rest of the command staff the Second faced Zelof. “You’re making everyone nervous with your continual questioning of communications.”

  “I’m not that bad,” replied Zelof.

  Sesum waved his antennae in amusement. “Should we consult the Main Room’s records to confirm you’ve been over to communications three or four times in the last ten minutes?” he asked. “The Iidx in the communications suite is a capable officer or he wouldn’t have been promoted to the Swarm Ship. Others have noticed your interest and are beginning to wonder if Lieutenant Funtel isn’t capable of meeting his duties and got his position out of political connections.”

  Zelof’s antennae gave a jerk in surprise then began to quiver with rage. “How dare they?” he asked. “Every member aboard this vessel is here because of their ability. Not political connections.”

  “I know that and that’s what our officers were told when they were selected,” replied Sesum
. “But now they’re starting to wonder why the Swarm Master for the Greater Hive has been looking over communications antennae every few minutes.”

  The Swarm Master’s antennae stopped quivering and drooped as he thought about what Sesum had said. He took a deep breath and let it out before speaking. “You’re right,” he said. “I have been over at communications too often.” Swinging around he walked past his desk to an observation window to stare at the stars beyond. “I’ll stay in here for a few moments and then retire to my quarters for the night,” he announced still looking through the transparent material.

  “Yes, Swarm Master,” said Sesum with a slight bow from his head. “I’ll leave you to your meditation.”

  “Very well,” said Zelof and swiveled around to look at his Second. “And thank you. I count it a blessing to have a Second with your insight and courage.”

  Sesum bowed once more. This time it was in gratitude for the praise then turned to leave. Zelof moved back to look at the stars.

  The next morning found Zelof in his flagships exercise room. Although he was the Swarm Master for the Greater Hive and wasn’t expected to participate in any hand-to-hand combat Zelof made sure he was fit. Besides keeping his reflexes quick running through the routines helped him clear his mind.

  Zelof was going through a warm up routine in preparation of something more strenuous when his personal communicator beeped. A second later a ship wide announcement came over the ship’s intercom system. “Swarm Master Zelof please report to the Main Room.”

  Pausing just long enough to grab his communicator and acknowledge the call Zelof scuttled out of the exercise room. A moment later he entered the Main Room and hurried over to the OOD. “What am I wanted for?” he asked.

  Lieutenant Litaninel saluted. “You left instructions to be notified of any communication from the Council of Queens,” he answered. “A message has just been received and decrypted. It’s in your queue now.”