The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two)

by Thomas Wright

  “What kind of monster are you looking for today, sir?” Genius quipped, using a store clerk tone.

  “No monsters, just a way to control the one I have. I was thinking a collar and leash, something with some disciplinary functions built in.”

  “Before we make it, let me tell you something I read about your…Dog. The Cjittan found the species to be highly intelligent. Something on par with lower class yet civilized species. They observed them for a while before deciding to take a few with them. So think of a pack of wolves or a pride of lions but even more intelligent. Their lack of verbal or telepathic communication is the only thing holding them back. Actions you might think are stupid or hard headed are it just figuring things out. Figuring you out. It will become more and more cunning with each day that passes. The good thing is, yours is young so it might adapt and become more controllable.”

  “You think the leash and collar won’t do any good.”

  “It might, but it’s smart enough to figure out that when you take it off it’s free of your control. Benjamin, it’s not pet material. At least not in its natural form. That is why the Cjittan were going to use it to make a new creature they could control.”

  “We have the equipment, but not the know-how,” I said. “There is nothing to do about it other than continue trying the old-fashioned way. Beating some sense into it.”

  “Oh yeah, kinda like what you had to do with Snake. Not sure it worked.”

  “Exactly. Only Dog is smarter.”

  “Give me a little time. I’ll see if there is something I can make a collar out of.”

  ****

  “This is the mighty Warhammer,” Sashet said, walking alongside Natalia.

  “I can’t tell by your tone if you’re impressed or just being pissy,” Natalia replied.

  “Some of both, I think. Maybe a little jealous, too.”

  “Maybe a lot jealous. It’s a great warship. Puts that heap we call home to shame.”

  “You aren’t helping my mood, Officer Jamison.”

  “Sorry, Captain. Didn’t think you were that worked up,” Natalia replied.

  They had arrived to begin a fast and furious training program. It made sense, when there was a broad range of experienced people who currently had time on their hands. Natalia thought it was a testament to her father’s new-found restraint that he didn’t make them all head straight for Idaline in some risky, semi-suicidal attack to save Taz.

  Many of the former pirates waited in awe. The area where Natalia and Sashet had trained in the past had grown. There were more mats and an obstacle course set up using stacked crates. A group of officers stood around having a powwow, so Natalia steered Sash in that direction. The two Privateer captains who backed Aisling against her father stood together, arms crossed, both looking surly.

  “How about you two join me over on the mats,” Natalia said, invading their space. “That way it won’t hurt so bad when you hit the floor.”

  “Natalia, we aren’t ready to begin,” Aisling said. They looked relieved.

  “Good. That will give me plenty of time to show these two their error in judgement.”

  “Natalia, that is over. We need to move on from it,” Aisling said. “This is training, not acting on a personal vendetta. Captain Sashet, could you explain it to her please?”

  “Yes, Captain, I can. Natalia, you can’t kill them. Anything else is training.”

  There was no pause between Sashet’s last word and Natalia’s fist hitting Captain Tonnek in the throat. Her palm punch hit Captain Lhohn in the chest, knocking him back two steps, far enough that the kick to the knee connected full force. Breaking an opponent or enemy’s knee changed the whole dynamic of the fight.

  “Natalia!” Aisling yelled and was ignored.

  “Sash, watch this! Father taught me this a long time ago on Anubis.”

  Natalia bounced on her feet, her body staying in constant motion. They watched her head as it moved one way while her body went another. Lhohn thought he was getting hit again when it was Tonnek who got a hard backhand to the face. She danced back a couple steps and then toward Lhohn again. She spun on her pivot foot and kicked Tonnek in the side of the head. Lhohn hobbled backward to get away. Natalia danced forward and drew back her fist. Lhohn threw his arms up to protect his face. Both her arms went around his head and her palms came together on his ears. She danced back one step and put a fist to his abdomen.

  “You two thought you could pull that shit and walk away? We are just getting started, so buck up, little buckaroos. You try to run and I’ll wing you with my pistol, then beat you some more.” Tonnek still wasn’t breathing right when Natalia hit him in the chest. She used her fist on soft tissue and her palm or backhand on more solid, bone-backed tissue. Lhohn took a kick to the thigh of his already damaged leg.

  “Natalia, this is so one-sided it’s boring,” Sashet said. “Put them down or stop. We have other people in need of your abilities.” It was true, but those people had been watching and were not in a big hurry to get started.

  Natalia listened to Sashet but never took her eyes off the prize. She jumped forward, arm cocked to punch Tonnek in the jaw, and immediately jumped back, elbowing Lhohn in the face. He went down in a heap, blood gushing from his nose and mouth. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she got her rhythm. She measured the distance, punched Tonnek in the gut and stepped back then kicked, her foot crushing the side of Tonnek’s head with an audible crack. A piece of flesh—the tip of his tongue—flew out, followed by a spray of blood. Stumbling sideways, he landed on his back.

  “Is this satisfactory, Captain, or should I kill them?”

  “Why are you asking me? I’m just waiting on you to get it over with,” Sashet droned as if bored.

  “I’m warmed up now. Let’s get going. Not going to waste my time on them. Aisling, are your people ready now?”

  “Yes,” Aisling responded angrily.

  “Natalia, remember you and Captain Sashet are working with the young women and children old enough to learn how to fight,” Binda reminded. She had been quiet during Natalia’s little demonstration.

  “I remember. And when we’re done with them, they will be doing that to the dumbasses that cross my father—or you,” Natalia amended, while pointing at the captains on the floor.

  “This is your group,” Binda said, pointing. “Take them to the back corner of the mats. That will be your assigned area.” There were about twenty in their group. Natalia could see the fear in their eyes. She knew that fear intimately. Sash led the way. In less than a minute, they were in their area. Sash gave Natalia a look that Natalia interpreted as her cue to take over.

  “Ok, line up tallest to shortest with your toes on this line,” Natalia said. They milled around, analyzing who was taller than who. “Move it, people. We don’t have all day!” They lined up, but not properly. Natalia began shuffling them. The tallest was taller than she and Sash both, while the shortest was just a wisp of a thing.

  “Pay attention and don’t forget who you’re partnering with. Tall girl, you’re with baby girl on the end. The rest of you will do the same, take the person next on the other end. You two in the middle have each other. Most of this training will be on an individual basis, but when I tell you to partner and protect you better get with the right person.

  “Everyone clear? Now you will form four rows, smallest in the front and tallest in the last row. Move it, people.”

  “Is the yelling really necessary?” Sashet asked.

  Natalia gave her a cold stare. “Yes. If your life depends on one of these kids getting something done, do you want them doing it in their own time or moving ass like your life depends on it?”

  “That little one is shaking she’s so scared,” Sash pointed out.

  “Good. She needs to be scared. We will teach her when not to be scared. Now everyone, don’t move. Just reach out and touch the person’s shoulder next to you. If you’re being touched, you’re too close. Move over a step or until their
hand can’t touch you. Good job. Front row, take one step forward. Last row, take three steps back. Third row, take one step back. Hold your arms out and spin like this. If you hit someone then they are too close. Spread out.

  “Captain, remember the stretching exercises I showed you?” Natalia continued. “You want to lead them in some warm ups? I’m going to observe them.”

  “Your father make you do all this?” Sashet asked, doubtful.

  “Yes, but a lot of times it was just the two of us. We still went through it step by step. This is the same, just more people.” Natalia walked among the trainees, pointing out problems with their form. Some of the marines watched and gave her a nod when she made eye contact. None felt the need to correct her instruction. The marines were training the off-duty men from all three Privateer ships, who knew Natalia and kept their eyes on their trainers.

  The blood was still being cleaned off the deck where Tonnek bled from his mouth wound.

  Natalia walked behind the front row and stopped behind the small girl. She moved next to her and knelt. Sashet was leading them in pushups. The child was doing one for every three the rest did.

  “You’re doing good. You’re trying, that’s what counts,” she said softly. She heard the little girl’s stomach rumble. “Are you hungry? You should be getting plenty of food.” The child wouldn’t look at her and she tried to do another push up. “You are getting fed, right?” Natalia waited a second then put a hand on the girl’s back, holding her against the mat. She put her face on the mat next to the child’s. “Who are your parents?” she whispered.

  “They are dead,” the small girl answered. “I stay with the one who was our master even though I am free. He takes my food sometimes.”

  Natalia thought it was more than sometimes. “I will get you some food and water. Come with me. Sash, we will be back.” Natalia led the child on a slow walk toward the main exit from the hold. They walked past the adults the marines were working with. She watched them, all waiting for a reaction. She expected some kind of facial recognition that would give the person in question away. What she got was an older male yelling at her demand to know where she was taking the child. She stopped their slow progress and let go of the girl’s hand as she turned to face the adult.

  “Is this child in your care?” Natalia asked, keeping her motives masked.

  “Yes, she is my property.”

  Bingo. “Sergeant, sorry to interrupt your training. May I borrow that one for a minute?”

  “No problem.” The sergeant waved the man forward.

  “Thank you.”

  Doon, Joon, Snake, Ronnie and some of the others were in the adult group. Some of them already knew it wasn’t going to be good. They looked around to see who in charge was still around. Natalia gave them all a look that promised it would didn’t bode well if someone interfered.

  The Cjittan male stood in front of her while she looked at her friends. Then she turned her attention to him. “That is my—” was all he got out. She used her fist on his jaw, which was something she didn’t like doing, but she was mad, and her knee on his groin. He hadn’t expected it, which was stupid. He lay on the deck in a fetal position. She stepped up and brought the heel of her boot down on his face. Everyone close by heard something break. Natalia knew what broke. She did it again to make sure.

  The sergeant took a step toward her and she squared up with him. There was a stare-down for a second before he shook his head and turned back to the group.

  “Snake, come here,” Natalia ordered. He double-timed it to her. “When the doc comes, you tell them to wire his jaw shut. They can put a feeding tube in the hole where his teeth used to be. If I find it has been done any other way, I’ll kill him. We clear?”

  “No problem, Runt,” Snake said with affection.

  “You people! Privateers! You better listen to me good. If I find any of you have been keeping food from these children, you’ll wish you got the same treatment as he did. You’ve been warned, so I won’t be lenient if find out otherwise. Furthermore, every child is your responsibility. It doesn’t matter who their parents are or if they are an orphan; you will provide for them, I will provide for them. We all will take care of our own. My father told you that everyone was free. You better think hard before you call another your property.

  “Carry on, Sergeant, sorry. If anyone has any questions, I’ll be with her in the mess. She’s hungry.”

  The sergeant looked down at the small child. “No problem. Anything like that comes up again, let me know. We will help you.”

  “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” She knelt in front of the girl. “Hey, kiddo, climb on my back. I’ll give you a ride.”

  ****

  “She took out three people within the first hour of this project,” Aisling said. Binda, Lorelei and Shawna sat quietly. “What are you going to do about it?”

  “She is sitting in the mess with a child who had been mistreated right under my nose. I am not going to do anything about it. These people are my responsibility,” Binda said, her disappointment ringing in her voice.

  “She is as bad as her father, Binda. We need order. We could have arrested the man and charged him,” Aisling said.

  “Captain O, where the hell do you think we are? Who the hell do you think we are?” Shawna asked, flabbergasted. “We aren’t Alliance or Cjittan; we are Privateers. We do what we are told. Justice is handed out when warranted, otherwise we are free to do as we please.”

  “You call that justice?” Aisling reproached.

  “Let’s see, you and those two captains mutinied, a crime punishable by death in the Alliance Navy, yet here you are arguing, alive and still captain of your ship. Those two were due to get theirs, and are still alive. That other asshole was starving a little girl. I’m sure there are others out there who want him dead, yet he is still alive, for now. Benjamin doesn’t know about it yet.”

  “I’ve got to agree with Shawna, Aisling,” Lorelei said. “I was a pirate once upon a time. I got a second chance. Besides, this is Natalia we are talking about. She, more than any of us, knows what it’s like to be mistreated by someone in power over you. Doc better be wiring that guy’s jaw shut or she will put a hole in him, or them.”

  “Is this what we are going to become? A lawless bunch of miscreants who take matters in their own hands, deal out punishment without any chance for the person to plead their case?”

  “Yeah, pretty much,” Lorelei said. “It works in this culture. No so much in a capitol city—as we found out on Xanlos—but still. It works.”

  “Hell, you’re all guilty. What is there to plead?” Shawna exclaimed. “You’re all alive, like we said. You want a trial with real consequences for your actions or will you just stick with the ass beating you got? Should be a no brainer.”

  Aisling knew she couldn’t win, decided to quit, and sat quietly.

  ****

  The Khalnalax fleet fifteen strong had blockaded Idaline and, to a degree, Tormaline for days. Ships arriving from other worlds were captured or driven away. Visitors to Tormaline were few in good times with its freezing temperatures, so the Khalnalax weren’t hurting the population nearly as badly. Plus, the Etash warriors couldn’t handle the cold—another reason they left Tormaline alone.

  The emperor sat on his battleship cursing the Cjittan for not engaging. He knew they were out there just beyond the range of his scanners. He wanted to take the fight to them just to ease his boredom, but he also thought that was their plan. Draw part of his fleet away so they could attack the smaller force.

  He had a very interesting communique in front him from the Regent of Cjittan. She offered several things in exchange for being named Queen of Cjittan. He would hold back on his reply until he found out what had befallen the current queen, Tazleaha. If he accepted the proposal and Tazleaha was still alive, it might draw the Allond and others into providing more aid and support than they were. Tazleaha was well liked, according to his sources. It would not take her long to
regain her throne. Plus, his father had warned him against utilizing traitors: that was what the regent was doing, only using his forces to accomplish her goals. He had always planned on being ruler of both empires. He would appoint a Khalnalax government to rule Cjittan on local matters. The regent would need to offer a lot more if she was to get anywhere with her ambitions.

  The loss of his World Eaters still vexed him. The capture of slaves had slowed but was as expected. He was going to find something to relieve his boredom.

  “Minister, would you have the captain bring the ship closer to the planet? I believe our weapons master needs some target practice. I will be joining you on the bridge. Have the weapons charged.”

  “It will be done,” Zentos said, still not used to being called minister. He hoped they took the time to verify targets and did not kill his own soldiers on the ground. Destroying the transport ship when they arrived still weighed on some of the crewmen. It had been deliberate; the bridge crew could see how little the lives of his own people meant to him. They were officers and would say nothing, for obvious reasons.

  “Captain, the emperor will be arriving on your bridge soon. He wishes to work with the weapons master and target practice on Idaline. He asked that you move the ship in closer. I will join you as well.”

  “Understood, Minister. We will be ready when he arrives.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Tazleaha had organized the people into an efficient work force. Breaking down their camp, taking and loading what they could, they were soon ready to depart. The Khalnalax pilots, even though they were prisoners, thought to give the three women leading the Resistance a hard time. They had no idea who they were, just that they were women leading the group who held them captive. Dragging out every process they could, they were, no doubt, hoping for a rescue. Zora and Dela’maah were on one shuttle while Tazleaha and the Mayor were on the other. Tazleaha had just about had enough.

  “I would suggest you hurry and get this shuttle off the ground. I know stalling when I see it,” she barked, putting her hand on her weapon.