“The protection of Chem is your concern. The protection of Terra is mine. It seems to be my task also to dispel the rumors of two thousand years of Scythian treachery. The only way I can do that is to somehow prove to you that my Fleet is here in defense of Terra, and not in aggression towards Chem. That proof is now in the transmissions taking place throughout the Scythian Empire. I’m certain Nazar is keeping track, and even now has something to report to you.”
Alexander saw Nazar approach her, and he didn’t need to hear him to know what he said. The reports were coming in from all over the Scythian Empire. Over the few moments both fleets listened. He’d already heard the important news he wanted: the four Homeworlds of Scythia fell almost instantly to the four million Terran troops supposedly there to protect the Scythians from the Chem.
His second objective was the capture of the twelve habitable systems on the Scythian-Chem frontier. His remaining two hundred and fifty ships accomplished this by cutting the two major trade routes and advancing on the planets. The Scythians surrendered before the first warship fired a shot. A week before he’d convinced Admiral Augesburcke that a charitable action and a well-defined threat were essential elements in convincing the Chem he was sincere. To accomplish this dual objective Alexander sent elements of the Terran Second Fleet around in a sweeping right hook to land four days behind the Chem Armada. It hung in space between the Chem Homeworld and its Armada, but when Alexander’s order came the Second Fleet attacked the Scythian frontier instead of the advancing into Chem space from behind.
After the loss of the Homeworlds and the Chem frontier Scythian offers of surrender poured in from every corner of their Empire, even areas not attacked. A moment later a general offer of surrender communicated directly to Alexander on the Iowa arrived from the Scythian High Council. The Scythian Empire, which spanned two hundred and seventy-three habitable star systems and over two million years of history, fell in sixty-three Terran minutes.
Nazar confirmed everything with Nazeera, not bothering to conceal his communications. There was no need. The results in Scythia were too obvious to be denied.
“Listen to him, Nazeera,” Alexander told her, “You are flanked. If it was my intention to attack the Chem I could send two hundred and fifty ships to the Chem home world, but that is not, and never was my aim.”
Alexander went to the front of the bridge, and paced, as if lecturing. “You are an honorable people. We are an honorable people. We have no basis for disagreement; I will therefore build a basis for friendship and trust.”
He selected his mike switch again. “Alexander accepts the unconditional surrender of the Scythian Empire. From this day onward the Scythian Empire is dissolved. I claim this space in the name of the Terran Empire. To all ships in the Second Fleet on Scythian-Chem frontier, your commanders are to inform each populace of the twelve frontier planets that they are now part of the Chem Empire.”
He let the proclamation sink in, enjoying the expression of surprise on Nazeera’s increasingly beautiful face. “Occupants have one Galactic decand to decide to leave or to stay. Secure the frontier planets for our neighbors the Chem, and then withdraw to Terran space according to doctrine. Alexander to the Fifth Fleet, upon my order all squadrons are to withdraw to pre-designated stations except the Iowa. Secure our holdings in this space, including a star system wide buffer between the Terran Empire and the Chem Empire. Stand by.”
Alexander turned his attention back to Nazeera, and his eyes hardened. His voice was commanding again, as he told her, “It’s up to you, Nazeera. Upon your word this conflict shall either end amicably or begin in grim resolve. I shall give the order to my Fleets to secure their new holdings, yours included, upon your word.”
“What act of assurance do you require, Alexander of Terra?” Nazeera asked him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
“The word of the Armada Commander of Chem is the only guarantee needed by Alexander of Terra.”
“The Chem have no wish to fight another’s battle, especially those of Scythia!” Nazeera told him. She leaned back in her command chair and for the first time since she saw him she relaxed, and that feral grin returned to her face.
“I’m satisfied that the Scythians shall receive their just deserts from you Alexander, for I know too well the cruelty of your humor! Very well, then the situation is acceptable to the Chem. When your Fleet departs the Chem will not violate our agreement in the interests of galactic amity. The person of Alexander, your flagship and your space will be respected by your neighbors, the Chem.”
Inwardly Alexander smiled at the victory, but to his crew and the Chem he merely inclined his head to Admiral Augesburcke. The Admiral gave the order for the Fleet to deploy and secure its new won empire. Alexander watched his screens as the Fifth Fleet wheeled and broke up. Within moments the five hundred odd ships disappeared over the superluminal horizon, leaving the Iowa and her squadron alone against the Chem Fleet.
“You are magnanimous in your victory, just as your own memories dictated, Alexander,” Nazeera said. “I see no reason to pursue an unnecessary conflict, at this time. We will be watching you Terrans with excessive scrutiny, though. I, especially, shall be watching you.”
“I desire more than that, Nazeera,” Alexander told her.
Her expression turned noticeably grim again, “Are you baiting me, or do you really have the ignorance and impudence to demand terms for peace with the Chem? I can’t believe that you, who have dined at my table, could win such a victory over enemies and then squander it by insulting those who might one day be your friends! What is it you are up to now, Alexander?”
“You’ve answered your own question, Nazeera,” he smiled. “I have dined at your table, and I would do so again. It’s not my intention to allow our peoples to come to the brink of war, and then withdraw to become distrustful neighbors suspiciously eyeing each other over a fence. My desire is to establish a dialogue so that one day there is trust and friendship between us. It is my intention that one day the rights of Chem and Terra are mentioned in one breath throughout the galaxy.”
“An interesting concept,” Nazeera replied. “How do you propose to begin this dialogue?”
“As a gesture of good faith I will agree to give myself as a hostage, under two conditions.”
Nazeera settled back again in her chair. The suspicion left her voice. She allowed a ghost of a smile to play upon her blue lips, as she said, “I think that the center of the Chem Empire may be the most dangerous place to put you. What are your conditions Alexander?”
“First, on the threat of disgracing his people in front of the eyes of Terrans, Bureel must answer my challenge,” he told her grimly.
“An honorable request, Alexander of Terra,” Nazeera smiled maliciously. “As the Armada Commander of Chem, and Nazeera of the Triumvirate, I vouch that Bureel of Chem will answer your challenge, or he shall forfeit his heritage. What is your second condition?”
Alexander almost allowed himself to grin, but with the strictest gravity, he said, “Dinner and I wish to finish it with you this time. These are my conditions. Are they agreeable to you?”
Nazeera leaned forward, a wicked grin lighting her face. “Agreed,” she said pounding her fist on her console. “I expect your shuttle promptly. I shall see you shortly, Alexander, Nazeera out.”
The screen returned to stars, and the entire bridge crew breathed again. The realization that Terra escaped a deadly danger and that there was now a Terran Empire in space dawned on them all. There were cheers, back slapping, and an excited din of conversation. Alexander sighed and made his way to the bridge hatch, ignoring the hubbub. He was going to his stateroom to fetch his gear, but Augesburcke intercepted him, “Alexander! Well done! Well done man! But we’ve won, why sell yourself?”
Alexander smiled, crossing his arms contentedly, “This part of the mission is done, Admiral but we’ve both got more work to do. I’ve got the opportunity to cement our friendship with Chem, which we need to
do while we get our space legs, so to speak. That’s your responsibility. If you want my advice I’d allow the Scythians their four Homeworlds. The rest of the habitable worlds, aside from the twelve along the Chem frontier should be used for immediate transplantation of Terrans from the Terran system. We must never again be caught on a single planet, Admiral.”
“Sound advice,” the Admiral replied. “But let me ask you, again, why are you doing this? It was a brilliant strategy, Alexander, and yet after the victory you are willing to disappear? Man, you have an entire planet ready to honor you. You are also a member of CODOTS, Alexander, and are now in a position to make your mark. I know of no one more capable. Think of it man! You are at the pinnacle of fame, why leave now when we can use you?”
“Isn’t that the time for conqueror’s to disappear, Admiral—while they’re still conquerors and not despots? I have no political agenda. I haven’t the patience for it, or the desire. I have some unfinished business with Nazeera and a worm. It is my business to finish, but if I remain in CODOTS and as Ambassador to Chem so much the better.”
“I’ll guarantee it, Alexander, good luck!” The Admiral said, extending his hand.
“Providing I survive my challenge, that is. Still, space is a very large place and I daresay there’s room for Terrans to expand and explore. If you need me you know where I am, Admiral,” Alexander shook his hand. “You have the bridge Captain, good luck!”
The adventures of Alexander continue in the next installment of Alexander Galaxus, Alexander, Overlord . . .
Alexander Galaxus: Book II
ALEXANDER, OVERLORD
by
Christopher L. Anderson
If the night sky wakes red and bright
I must to the caves take flight
There to hide ‘til all is well
To wait and pray as the elders tell
I’ll thank my father and mother too,
And to my kin will be so true
My duty to defend our world
To its end our flag unfurled
Ready to leave this life so dear
When Alexander one day comes here
Galactic nursery rhyme
PROLOGUE
From the "History of Galactic Civilization”; University Galactica, Cambridge, Terra.
The ascension of the Human species into the mix of Galactic civilization in the thirteenth kicellia is a fascinating study in the possibilities of history. Relegated to an isolated existence in the backwaters of civilization the Human species seemed destined for no other fate than their own self destruction. Aggressive, inventive and curious to a fault the Terrans were understandably quarantined by their more "civilized" neighbors. This did not prevent the Scythians, within whose space the Terran system lay, from taking advantage of their ignorant tenants. The Scythians, an intelligent semi-telepathic species, owned a niche in Galactic commerce as notable as the military career of Alexander himself. In an effort to expand this niche and hold at bay her more aggressive neighbors Scythia mounted a propaganda effort that spanned a bicellium and won them untold riches and influence. The source of this propaganda campaign was the unsuspecting race of Humans inhabiting Terra. The Scythians reported Terran ferocity and aggressiveness diligently and to great effect. Humans were physically more powerful than any of the sentient species then known and enormously, if destructively, imaginative. Under any light the Human species was a formidable presence.
The crowning achievement of the Scythian propaganda was the “Legend of Alexander.” Recognizing that their neighbors had fully adapted to a stagnant state of peaceful coexistence they took the career of Alexander the Great, reporting it and amplifying it before a concerned audience. At the last, before his death, the Scythians showed Alexander standing upon a mountaintop, (now known to be the mountain passes before India), but instead of reporting that Alexander’s troops rebelled and returned home the Scythian’s showed Alexander staring up into the night sky. There he saw not the solace of heaven or the beauty of the universe; but amongst the stars Alexander saw more worlds to conquer. Scholars have long argued over what exactly gave the Scythians the idea to use Alexander as a catalyst for their strategy of commercial conquest through intimidation. Some point to the actual verbiage Alexander used, which was recorded along with the image of Alexander at the very time and place where his Galactic legend begins. This direct source of knowledge is still a matter of fascination for Galactic archeologists, especially Terrans, and it is especially intriguing due to the irony of the words, and their timing. Alexander the Great is heard to say in a most sober and philosophical voice, “What lands (worlds?) lie behind matter not, it is the striving forward which matters. Ever forward must we move lest we stagnate and grow rank in spirit. That which lies beyond I shall seek, and I shall have. There is enough beyond to sate even my spirit, nay even the spirits of my descendants. I look afar and I see countless lands (worlds?) to conquer, even to the everlasting and innumerable stars.” Though there is little doubt that Alexander was speaking of the seemingly endless expanse of Terra his words can easily be interpreted as having a far greater intent. The irony of the moment is that Alexander’s career as a general had already reached its zenith. He never advanced beyond India, instead electing to return to his captured empire to avoid mutiny by his troops. Yet even as Alexander’s Terran career ended his career as a Galactic legend began. The “Legend of Alexander" flourished in the imaginations of Galactics and every great Terran warlord who followed him was seen in the eyes of the Galactics as seeking to fulfill his dream of world, and stellar conquest. One day, it was feared, the terrible troubled masses of Terra would erupt from their tiny world and fulfill Alexander’s manifest destiny. Alexander was more than a legend to the Terrans, it was felt, he was their ideal, their beacon and their destiny. Who profited from this frightening legend—the Scythians, of course. The people of commerce held the key to the lock upon Terra. Should her neighbors push or threaten her Scythia could easily unleash the hordes of Alexander’s descendents upon the galaxy. For a civilization which had enjoyed over thirteen kicellia of peace and prosperity the galaxy would not, could not entertain this possibility. For the next kicellia Scythia kept the galaxy gleefully informed as to the goings on within Terra. Caesar, the Vikings, Genghis Khan, Attila, Napoleon, Hitler; all became known far beyond their Terran audience, and the galaxy feared. For the time being the Scythians prospered with their uneasy peace, but peace persevered.
Finally, two thousand three hundred Terran years after Alexander spoke those fateful words, after thirteen kicellia of Scythian intimidation, the Chem said "no more!” The Chem were the oldest, most traditional, most honorable race of the known galaxy. It was the great wars of Chem expansion which finally ushered in a lasting Galactic peace. Refusing to give in to Scythian demands to open trading routes into their space, the last great commercial frontier to the Scythian juggernaut, the Chem determined to destroy once and for all this Terran threat and pay Scythia her due.
The Chem were not, however, without caution. They realized that their information concerning their prospective foe, Humanity, was limited to that information which the Scythians divulged. Therefore, a Human was captured from a Scythian experimentation ship, and brought back to their home world for closer examination. The Chem, unlike the Scythians, viewed vivisection and psychological experimentation with abhorrence. Their desire was rather to examine the warrior potential of their foe; most especially the character, bravery and fortitude of the Humans. Such were the qualities of life the Chem valued and understood, and so, in their own way, they put their captive to the test.
The Human, who coincidentally bore the name of Alexander, was put on trial before the Chem Assemblage. Information on Alexander’s motives and state of mind during his incarceration by the Chem are a matter of tremendous debate and are dealt with in greater detail elsewhere. Some scholars believe that Alexander was already sowing the seeds of his future dominion and orchestrated his own capture by the Chem to study
them, as they intended to study him. Although this is the most widely held Galactic opinion it is hotly contested by, of all sources, Terran scholars. Alexander’s own people contend that Alexander was simply an extraordinary being caught in extraordinary circumstances, and that his sole motive at the time was to so impress the Chem with a single Human that they would not wish to come into conflict with four billion of his fellows. Whatever the reality of history, the truth of the matter is that Alexander earned the respect of the Chem. Nevertheless, he was sentenced to die upon the horrific prison planet of Pantrixnia. Before this sentence was carried out, however, Alexander was interrogated at length by the redoubtable Nazeera, herself of Galactic fame, though at that period of time fulfilling her duties as one of the Triumvirate who sat beneath the Elder of Chem. In the discourse of their relationship Alexander and Nazeera develop a love for each other beyond the boundaries of worlds and civilizations. Despite this Alexander is sent to Pantrixnia where the transplanted population of specifically selected predators is to cause his honorable execution before billions over the Galactic ethernet. However, to the amazement of all Alexander does not die in the Galactic version of Rome’s arena. Alexander survives and gains the grudging respect and admiration of the cultures of the galaxy. The efforts of Alexander almost, but do not quite sway the Chem from their course of action. A people driven by pride and commitment they are determined to carry out their original intent, though now with a greater fear for their own civilization than ever before. When Nazeera leads the Chem Armada into superluminal for their confrontation with Terra it is with a heavy heart, and an anxious galaxy as audience.
Alexander Galaxus: The Complete Alexander Galaxus Trilogy Page 32
