After a few more seconds, Laila spoke. “What do you know about the Levarc?”
“What are you talking about?”
“What do you know about the Levarc?”
“They’re big lizard men? They’re ugly? What do you want to know?”
“All right. Tell me about Lord Ilian then.”
“That’s not a question.”
“It’s an indirect question,” Laila said. “But let’s try this. How did you meet him?”
Aleida shrugged. “He introduced himself to me. I introduced myself to him. If you take these cuffs off me, I’ll draw you a picture.”
“No, thank you,” Laila said, standing up and turning around. She hit the door release and stepped out of the room without glancing back.
“Well?” Ms. Tellashi asked, although judging by her expression, she didn’t expect much.
“I don’t think she knows about the Levarc,” Laila said. “And that’s something.”
“She’s seen their weapons,” Ms. Analia pointed out.
“That may be,” Laila said. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean she’d recognize what they were. To be honest, I don’t think she’s that bright.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Ms. Analia said. “After Alia identified this girl, I checked our records to see what we had on her and she’s very good at what she does.”
Laila smiled. “Well, I’m sure she knows a lot about hit jobs and kidnapping, and she’s certainly savvy in her way, but broadly speaking, she strikes me as being something of a simpleton.”
Ms. Tellashi shrugged. “Well, perhaps Lord Ilian will impress you a little more.”
“Let’s see,” Laila said, turning to the other door.
Lord Ilian appeared more disheveled than Aleida, although that was understandable. He’d been stunned twice in a short period of time, and Asten had shot him in the leg. A healing patch was wrapped around his thigh, although he would probably need an expert to look at it later, and his eyes were clouded over. His gaze was still haughty but Laila’s impression was that a lot of the fight had been knocked out of him.
“Lord Ilian,” she said, sitting across from him, “you’ve been a busy man. I wonder though, does your plan go on even though you’ve been captured?”
“The plan goes on regardless,” Lord Ilian said, and even in his present state, Laila heard strength and pride in his voice. The voice of a Minstrahn ruling family member, honed through years of cultivation.
“With or without you?”
“With or without me.”
“That’d sound almost noble if you weren’t starting a civil war,” Laila said, her voice conversational.
Lord Ilian’s voice however was not. “I’m doing this for the Minstrahn.”
“Doing what?”
Lord Ilian leaned back in his chair. “If I tell you, the effort that I have poured into this may be wasted. However, I can assure you that all will be clear soon enough.”
Laila smiled. “I think I understand.”
“I doubt it,” Lord Ilian replied before falling into a sullen silence.
Laila watched him for a few moments then spoke again. “However, there is something I don’t understand. Why did you disable the entire long-range communication network?”
“I don’t believe I did. The Halion and Kallianem relay stations were disabled. As well as several others.” He smiled, seemingly enjoying the fact that he thought he knew something she didn’t. “However, I am not a fool. Disabling the entire network would be tantamount to bursting a dam over a village. The Minstrahn would be scattered, and there’d be no telling what could slip through the cracks.”
Laila had been smiling earlier. She wasn’t now.
“The entire network is down, Lord Ilian. Have you tried to raise the Limasi or the Chara quadrants?”
As Laila watched him, Lord Ilian turned pale.
“No,” he whispered, as if to himself. “They can’t...”
Laila looked him straight in the eye. “Lord Ilian. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
15. Minstrah Under Fire
Empress Tenenial went down the flight of stairs to what had been a flight control center and was now a makeshift war room.
Lord Admiral Arathea was waiting for her, his expression grave as he oversaw his officers. The regular flight controllers had been evacuated when the emergency alert had come over. Tenenial knew this was harder for the lord admiral than he would admit because of the simple fact that he was on the ground while his ships were under attack.
“Your Imperial Highness,” he greeted her with a curt bow.
“I think under the circumstances,” Tenenial replied, “we can dispense with honorary addresses.”
It was clear this didn’t meet with Arathea’s approval, but to argue with his Empress was far worse in his opinion so he acquiesced with a slight bow of his head. “Very well.”
He waved a hand over the display screens before them. “The attackers are acting as one unit but we’ve identified the individual ships through their transponder signals. They have attempted to alter those signals of course but the underlying transponder programming cannot be erased. However, the ships are from the Kyrias and the Daeispa quadrants.”
“Any idea who’s leading them?”
“Yes,” Arathea replied. “Knight Admiral Alenski.”
“I see. I did not think that Lady Admiral Karaeli would be involved in something like this.”
“No,” the lord admiral said. “Nor I.”
“Lord Admiral,” Tenenial said, “is there any security bunker here that can be used in emergencies such as this? Something that only members of the Minstrah Defense Fleet would know about?”
“There is such a place,” Arathea told her.
“Then I’d like you to organize a group of your men to take the remaining lords and ladies of the ruling families there,” Tenenial said. “Along with Lord Admiral Calendres, Knight Commander Tanas and Lady Admiral Kallista.”
“Frankly, with those Kyrias ships up there, I’m somewhat suspicious of Lord Admiral Calendres.”
“What of Knight Commander Tanas?”
“This is just my impression,” Arathea told her, “but Tanas seems honorable to me. And I remember that Lady Valinski visited Lord Admiral Calendres shortly before she disappeared.”
Tenenial nodded. “True. Well, keep him under close guard then.”
“Your Im- Tenenial?”
“Yes?”
“We haven’t detected them yet but I can promise you that there will soon be landing ships on the way. I must insist that you remove yourself to the security bunker as well.”
One of the officers manning the radars turned around. “My Lord Admiral, they’re on the way now.”
“How many?”
“Three assault shuttles.”
“See if you can discourage them,” Arathea said. “I understand our ground defenses are minimal but they may be sufficient to dissuade them from landing.”
“What if failing to land, they choose to fire on us instead?” the officer asked.
“They won’t,” Arathea replied. “They want the ruling lords and ladies.” He turned to Tenenial. “And our Empress.”
She inclined her head. “If your men would be so kind as to guide me, I will remove myself to the bunker.”
“Thank you, Tenenial,” Arathea replied. He nodded to a man who had just entered the room. “Please escort the Empress to the bunker. Take as many guards as you feel necessary to ensure her safety, and take our ‘guests’ as well.”
The man bowed. “At once, my Lord Admiral.”
Arathea then raised a hand to stall him a moment longer. “Also, Lord Admiral Calendres is to be placed under immediate arrest. Take him to the bunker as well but he is to be isolated from the others.”
As the man left with the Empress, Lord Admiral Arathea turned his attention back to the battle at hand.
“Dame Admiral Basilia?” he asked, tapping the communicator.
“Do you receive me?”
“I receive you, my Lord Admiral,” a woman’s voice came back.
“You are forming a defensive screen.”
“It is what you instructed me to do in your absence should Minstrah fall under attack,” Dame Admiral Basilia replied. “Do I do wrong?”
Arathea shook his head. “Not at all. However, you cannot hold back such a large force with so few ships. You are but one assault cruiser and six patrol cruisers. They have four Daeispa patrol cruisers, nine Kyrias patrol cruisers and Lord Admiral Calendres’ assault cruiser.”
“It is a superior force, but it is not vast,” the dame admiral said but she sounded doubtful as she said it. “However, if we abandon the defensive screen, we open Minstrah to a direct attack.”
“I’m not so sure of that,” Arathea told her. “I believe they want the Empress and the ruling lords and ladies of the Minstrahn.”
“That may be so,” Basilia replied, “but do they want them alive?”
Lord Admiral Arathea felt a lump rise in his throat. Dame Admiral Basilia was right. Although, there was of course the possibility that the enemy would not risk a planetary bombardment with Lord Admiral Calendres on the ground. But that was not a certainty. He glanced at the visual display of the three assault shuttles, wondering now whether they were really going to land or not.
“My lord admiral?” Basilia asked.
“No,” he said. “Even if their plan is to kill the Empress and the ruling lords and ladies, they will want to make sure. To see with their own eyes whether or not they have succeeded. They cannot do that if they fire on us from up there.”
“Then what do you command of me?”
“While your defensive screen is in place, send down what ground troops you can,” Arathea told her. “Then see if you can draw the other ships away. You must do what you can in my stead for I cannot direct a battle in the skies from the ground.”
“I will send you reinforcements,” Basilia promised. “What of our attackers? They are misguided, but they are still Minstrahn.”
“They forfeited any charity when they attacked their own people,” Arathea replied. “Do with them what you will.”
“Very well.”
“And may fortune smile upon you.”
“And on you,” Basilia replied and ended the transmission.
Lord Admiral Arathea watched the screens as the enemy shuttles drew closer. “May fortune smile upon us all,” he murmured.
“My lord admiral,” someone in the war room called out. “The shuttles are in range of our planetary defense weaponry.”
Arathea nodded to him. “Fire at will.”
Adjusting the cuffs of his tunic, General Kellahav made his way onto the bridge of the Adjudicator. By his estimation, they would be coming out of lightspeed in the Minstrah system in a matter of minutes.
“Captain Teráji,” he said when he saw the commanding officer, “prepare the countdown. Also, inform Captain Dreimarc to be ready to move into the inner system but to wait until we have ascertained the situation before he joins us with his own ship.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Comm, signal the rest of the task force and bring them on screen.”
“Sir,” came a reply from somewhere on his right.
Kellahav watched the viewscreen in the center of the bridge as it split into six sections, showing the captain of each of the Class-A cruisers that were accompanying him. On the left of the screen was Captain Kalyias, commanding officer of the Resilient. To her right was Captain Nmenwe of the Charioteer, Captain Kariv of the Liberty, Captain Aradan of the Inexorable, and finally Captain Oreiri of the Majestic.
“Captains,” he informed them, “we will arrive momentarily at the Minstrah system. Given the loss of the long-range communications, we should be cautious. When we enter the system, I want all ships operating at full capacity, all weapon systems at the ready. That is all.”
It was just as well they were ready for combat, Kellahav thought as they came out of lightspeed to the sight of a battle.
“Divert more power to the front shields,” Captain Teráji commanded.
Kellahav studied the ships in front of him. They were all Minstrahn vessels, which was odd. But given what he had learned of the situation that was unfolding, not entirely unexpected.
“I want a count on those ships, and a rundown of the sides,” he said.
A few moments later, he had a reply. “One assault cruiser and four patrol cruisers on one side, at least as well as we can make out. One assault cruiser and ten patrol cruisers on the other. Debris suggests that there were more ships before we arrived. Five more patrol cruisers.”
“Sir,” one of the communications officers called out. “The other captains want to know if we’re engaging.”
“Tell them not yet,” Kellahav replied. “Send out a broad signal and see if we can raise Admiral Roth. While he isn’t here, he may be close.”
“And if he’s not nearby?” Teráji murmured as they waited.
“Then we’ll contact the Minstrahn on the surface and find out what’s going on,” Kellahav replied. “However, I think I already know.”
“General,” a familiar voice said.
Kellahav looked at the viewscreen and saw the admiral.
“Admiral, the Minstrahn are engaging each other over Minstrah. My task force has just arrived and is ready to engage the enemy.”
“Is it clear who the enemy is?”
Kellahav hesitated. His record was hardly the most exemplary in the navy and if he attacked the wrong group here, he would be finished for good.
“If you could shed some light on that, I sure would appreciate it, sir.”
“The commander of the Minstrah Defense Fleet is Lord Admiral Arathea. If you can raise him, he might be able to shed that light. Stand by and I’ll send you a copy of the Defense Force encryption.”
A moment later, someone from the communication station nodded. “Encryption received, General.”
“We have the encryption, Admiral,” Kellahav said.
“Good,” Admiral Roth replied. “See if you can raise him, General. I’m on my way.”
Kellahav glanced at the battle, which was filling the rest of the viewscreen right then. “Yes, sir. Although with respect, we may not have much time.”
“Understood.”
Roth waited while Kellahav sent out his hailing signal. “Lord Admiral Arathea, this is General Kellahav of the Federation Navy, under orders from Admiral Roth. Do you read?”
He repeated the message one more time before a reply came through. “General Kellahav, this is Dame Admiral Basilia of the Minstrah Defense Fleet. Lord Admiral Arathea is currently groundside. We see you on screen.”
Kellahav looked at Admiral Roth, who gave him a nod. “Carry on, General.”
“Dame Admiral Basilia,” Kellahav said, “I have been instructed to assist you in whatever way I can. However, I need to determine which ships are under your command before my ships can engage the enemy.”
“I understand,” Basilia replied. There was a slight pause. “My ships are now transmitting a Minstrah Defense Fleet identification signal over this encryption. You should be receiving it now.”
“Copy that,” Kellahav nodded. “Comm?”
“It’s coming through, sir. One assault cruiser and four patrol cruisers.”
Which was exactly how one of the sides was drawn up.
“Dame Admiral Basilia, we have your ships on screen and we are coming to assist you. Stand by.” Kellahav turned to the main bridge viewscreen. “We have the enemy marked and are preparing to move in. Any last orders?”
“Only that you offer the enemy the chance to surrender,” Admiral Roth replied. “But if they refuse, they’re fair game.”
“I also have Captain Dreimarc standing by just outside the system. His ship would ensure there would be no casualties on our side.”
“Agreed,” the admiral said. “Call him in. Happy hunting, General.”
“Thank you, Admiral.”
Admiral Roth disappeared and the battle images and displays expanded to fill the viewscreen.
“Comm,” Kellahav said. “Relay the ship markings to the rest of the task force and instruct Captain Dreimarc to proceed here immediately. Then attempt to hail the enemy.”
“They’d be stupid to try to engage us though,” Teráji said. “Our Class-A Cruisers alone are more formidable than those larger assault cruisers.”
“They appear to be,” Kellahav cautioned him, “but never underestimate an opponent. Ah, I believe we have a response.”
A youngish man appeared on the screen before them, wearing a black tunic with silver trimming. “This is Knight Admiral Alenski,” he announced himself. “What is it you want?”
Kellahav fixed him with a hard gaze. “Knight Admiral Alenski, this is General Kellahav of the Federation Navy. You have fired upon ships of the Minstrah Defense Fleet. You are hereby ordered to stand down, power down your shipboard weaponry and prepare to be boarded.”
“This is no concern of the Federation,” the young knight admiral snarled. “This is a matter for the Minstrahn people and we will solve it ourselves. Nobody has requested your assistance.”
“On the contrary,” Kellahav told him, his voice taking on an icy undertone, “it has been requested by the Minstrah Defense Fleet and we are also acting under orders of Admiral Roth, who is in turn acting on the requests of the Empress herself. Tread carefully, Knight Admiral Alenski. You’re on dangerous ground.”
“Captain Dreimarc will arrive momentarily, sir,” one of his communication officers said somewhere behind him.
Kellahav smiled as another ship appeared on the viewscreen, a warship that dwarfed even the Class-A Cruisers. A year after sustaining heavy damage over Phalamki, the Annihilator was back in service.
The repairs had taken place in secret and there had been no grand unveiling in the Federation. However, it had made a grand entrance here. And unlike in the battle of Phalamki, this time the massive armored titan would do some good.
Kellahav saw some of the blood drain from the young knight admiral’s face. Maybe, he would surrender without the need for any further persuasion.
However, Knight Admiral Alenski was not so readily deterred. He swallowed to compose himself and then turned back to gaze at Kellahav. “Your vessel may be large, General,” he told him, “but we will see who is made of the strongest mettle.
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