Command Decision

by S. E. Smith

  Cassa nodded. “They came to the vineyard,” she said, picking up the hot drink and holding it in her hands. “Josh and I were in the outer vineyard with the V2 Harvest Bots when we saw smoke. They had lit the vineyard on fire.”

  “Bastards,” Hutu muttered under his breath as he sank down into his chair with a heavy sigh. “Do you know why they were there?”

  “I believe it was because of me,” Josh stated, sitting forward and placing his elbows on the table. “We overheard them asking Jemar about it.”

  Hutu sat back in his seat and studied Josh for several long moments, a puzzled expression on his face. Josh knew what the man was wondering. Hutu was trying to figure out who the hell he was and what he was doing there. His gaze shot to where Cassa was sitting. She was staring down into her tea with a slightly dazed expression. He could see that she was still in shock about what had happened and hadn’t missed the wince when he mentioned her father’s name.

  “Which leads me to my next question… Who are you and where did you come from? I would know if I had seen or met someone like you before,” Hutu stated, resting one arm on the table.

  Josh stared at the large male across from him. The man had dark red skin with thick markings, that looked similar to tattoos, visible through the opening of his shirt. Dark brown eyes pierced him, searching and analyzing every aspect of him until Josh felt exposed.

  Josh decided he had two ways of dealing with the man, trust him like Cassa did, or just give him enough information to get his help and hope for the best. He hadn’t missed the concerned look the male had kept shooting at Cassa, the fact that Hutu had slipped a blaster into his pocket while preparing their meal, or that he had taken a strategic position by sitting straight across from Josh with only one hand visible at any one time. Josh had a feeling that if he glanced under the table, he’d find himself staring down the end of a barrel.

  Glancing once more at Cassa, he saw her return his look with one of her own. She nodded her head in encouragement, before dropping her gaze once more to her tea. With a weary sigh, Josh focused on Hutu.

  “My name is Joshua Manson. I’m a Lieutenant Commander with the United States Navy. I was chosen to command an experimental intergalactic mission,” Josh began, slowly explaining everything in detail.

  An hour later, Hutu sat forward with both of his hands folded on the table in front of him, a worried frown creasing his brow. Josh had answered a hundred different questions from the man over the course of the conversation. Cassa had quietly excused herself when he started telling Hutu about what had happened earlier today.

  “She has devoted her life to her family since her mother’s tragic death,” Hutu commented in a soft voice. “Jesup was more like her child than her brother.”

  “What happened to her mother?” Josh asked.

  Hutu released a deep sigh and shook his head. “There is what I know, and there is what I suspect,” he admitted, glancing at the closed door where Cassa had disappeared. “What I know is that Jemar and I were sent on a mission to Abelquin in the Durluxing Galaxy. We met with a group of dignitaries a little over ten years ago. They were concerned about the sudden influx of soldiers to their planet. Andri Andronikos had sent a battalion there unbeknownst to the Gallant Order. A skirmish broke out and Jemar and I sided with the Abelquin forces. It was the first major defeat our dear Director suffered. When we returned to Jeslean, the headquarters for the Gallant Order, we presented our findings to the council.”

  “What happened?” Josh asked with a frown.

  Hutu shrugged. “Andronikos received a slap on the hand and was cautioned that such behavior was a direct violation of the Gallant Order. He, of course, denied any knowledge of the situation, stating that he had simply sent troops there to help support the civil unrest, but the commander had defied him and taken matters into his own hands.”

  “What happened to the commander?” Josh asked, already suspecting the answer.

  “He is Andronikos second in command,” Hutu admitted. “I was surprised at first, until I realized that there was a connection between the two. General Landais is Andri Andronikos’ half-brother.”

  “What does this all have to do with Cassa’s mother?” Josh muttered, shaking his head as he tried to work out the connection.

  “Jemar was one of the most vocal opponents against Andronikos. He knew many of the council members and they trusted him. Fear was rising from some of the things Andronikos was saying. Jemar argued that power had corrupted Andronikos who had just been elected as the new director. Shortly after a public confrontation, word reached Jemar that Lesla was found dead,” Hutu murmured. “The news almost destroyed Jemar. He had Packu, Cassa, and a new baby, but Lesla had been his world. He resigned his position with the Gallant Order to return to the vineyard.”

  Josh’s mouth tightened and his gaze narrowed on Hutu’s face. “How did she die?” He asked in a husky voice.

  Hutu sent a sad glance at the closed door where Cassa had retired for the night. “They found her body outside the house. A section of the fence was damaged. The official report stated that a Tusku must have somehow damaged it and made its way in. The investigator suggested that Lesla heard a noise and went to see what it was and was killed.”

  “But, you don’t believe that,” Josh stated more than asked.

  Hutu looked down at his cold tea and shook his head. “No, I know that is not what happened, and so did Jemar,” he responded in a grim voice. “The injuries… a Tusku wouldn’t have inflicted those types of wounds. There were also no tracks and the damaged fence was done from the inside, not the outside. It was a message to Jemar warning him that none of his family would be safe from retribution if he continued to stand in the Director’s way. It was something we had seen before, but it was the first time Andronikos had attacked an actual Knight of the Gallant Order.”

  “Something tells me it wasn’t the last,” Josh reflected.

  Hutu glanced at Josh and shook his head again. “No, it was not the last. After that, the Knights began dying in mysterious ways. There were shuttle accidents, unusual medical conditions that had been missed during routine physical exams, unexplained disappearances, and more,” Hutu whispered, staring back at Josh.

  “What about you? You were a Knight of the Gallant Order. How did you survive?” Josh asked.

  Hutu’s mouth tightened into a flat line before a small curve lifted the corner and his eyes danced with amusement. Josh’s eyes narrowed when he saw the man glance back at him with another assessing gaze. Hutu suddenly rose to his feet and waved for Josh to follow him.

  “I am just an old man who now buys and sells junk for a living as far as the Legion is concerned,” Hutu stated.

  “But, in real life you are still a Knight,” Josh muttered, grabbing the hooded coat off the back of his chair and rising to his feet so that he could follow Hutu out the back door.

  Hutu chuckled and glanced over his shoulder at Josh. “In real life, I am a General of the Gallant Order and the rebellion,” he admitted. “And you, Joshua Manson and your crew, are a prize that the Director wants to get his hands on very, very badly.”

  *.*.*

  Josh didn’t know what to say to Hutu’s last statement. He didn’t understand why this Director would be interested in him or the rest of the Gliese 581 crew. Hell, it wasn’t like they could give the guy information about advanced technology, weaponry, or anything else that would be of use.

  “Do you know why Andrionikos is looking for us?” Josh asked as they stepped outside.

  “Yes and no,” Hutu murmured. “Pull the hood over your head. There are those that would betray you in a heartbeat for a few credits.”

  Josh nodded, pulling the coat on and lifting the hood to cover his head. He kept his head down as they began walking through the streets of the Spaceport. He turned to glance back at Hutu’s home, worried about leaving Cassa alone.

  “She is safe,” Hutu promised. “I have men watching the house.”

  They
walked in silence, turning down several streets before reaching a large, dome-shaped building. Large groups of individuals mingled outside. Josh forced himself to keep his eyes down as much as possible. In reality, all he wanted to do was stare at the different alien forms.

  Pushing past a small group, they climbed up the steps and entered the dark interior. A smile tugged at Josh’s lips when he realized it was a bar.

  It appears that bars are a universal establishment no matter which galaxy you live in, he thought, looking around.

  The interior was dim with colorful lights dancing over the long bar. Dozens of patrons filled the seats, with more mingling in the open area, making it difficult for the service bots to deliver the drinks. Individual booths tucked along the sides were also filled.

  One booth in particular caught Josh’s attention when he saw two unusual men arguing over a woman. One of the men must have said something that upset the woman because she reached out with a long blade and sliced the man’s cheek. He jerked and blood splattered the floor near his boots.

  “Nice place,” Josh muttered under his breath.

  “This is a slow night,” Hutu chuckled. “This way.”

  Hutu paused near one of the bartenders. Josh watched as Hutu leaned forward and murmured something in the man’s ear. The man glanced at Josh before nodding and lifting the divider so they could step behind the bar. Josh frowned, glancing behind him. The feeling of being watched was suddenly very strong.

  “We’re being observed,” Josh muttered when Hutu paused, waiting for the door to open.

  “Do you know who?” Hutu asked, not turning around.

  “Third booth from the door, the guy in the red outfit,” Josh stated. “Seventh booth from your right, the one in brown as well.”

  Hutu passed through the door when it opened and turned, waiting for Josh to follow. He murmured something to the bartender who let them through before closing the door behind them. Josh started when the floor under them suddenly began to lower.

  “Mercenary spies hired by the Legion. They will be taken care of,” Hutu replied.

  “How?” Josh asked, frowning as they continued to descend down into the ground.

  Hutu chuckled. “The Legion is not the only one who knows how to arrange accidents,” he replied.

  “Where are we going?” Josh asked with a raised eyebrow.

  Hutu grinned. “This is a mining planet. There are hundreds of miles of tunnels scattered throughout the area. It was not difficult to build a business establishment above one. A lot of business is done in a bar.”

  “And a lot of information exchanged,” Josh murmured.

  “Yes,” Hutu agreed with a loud sigh. “It is a dangerous business. The Legion is known for setting an example of those that resist them.”

  “We have the same type of men back on my planet,” Josh replied. “A wise man, Edmund Burke, once said something to the effect that all evil needs to triumph is for a few good men to do nothing. That’s not an exact quote, but it is true, no matter where you live.”

  “He was a wise man,” Hutu said with a nod. “We are here.”

  ‘Here’ turned out to be an underground compound. A transport was waiting for them when they stepped off the lift. Josh turned and watched as the lift immediately disappeared again. Following Hutu, he climbed into the transport.

  “This is just one of many bases located throughout the galaxy,” Hutu explained. “Tomorrow, you and Cassa will be escorted to one of the off-world transports. I know that Cassa wishes to meet up with her brother, Pack, but the priority needs to be on locating your other crew members. We have received word that the Legion believes they have located another of your escape pods. A Battle Cruiser has been dispatched to search for it.”

  “I still don’t understand why the Director is so interested in finding us,” Josh said, staring down the dimly lit mine shaft. Lights embedded in the walls flickered as they passed by them at a rapid speed. He caught glimpses of other corridors that cut off of the main tunnel. “Our planet is nowhere near as advanced as yours,” he reluctantly admitted.

  Hutu looked at him with a startled glance before he shook his head. “It is not your technological advancement that the Director is afraid of, Josh.”

  Josh frowned. “Then, what is it?” He demanded in frustration.

  “He is afraid of those that came through the ancient gate. The true rulers of our galaxy. The ancient rulers,” Hutu responded, stunning Josh into silence.

  Chapter 14

  Two hours later, Josh was still silent, only this time it had turned from stunned to grim. He sat in the underground control room, listening to the different reports on troop movements by the Legion. He sat back at the end of the table, his fingers were templed as he stared up at the lighted board while Hutu explained what was going on.

  “General Landais’ Battle Cruiser has been retrieving parts of an unknown spaceship that was discovered in the Torrian area,” Hutu explained.

  “Why is Andronikos wasting the time and resources of one of his most successful Generals to retrieve debris?” One of the men sitting around the table asked with a frown. “It doesn’t make sense. Landais is one of our most difficult opponents.”

  A low murmur of agreement swept around the room. Hutu turned to look at the pilot who spoke. His lips were pressed tightly together.

  “It isn’t the ship that Andronikos wants, it was what was on board the spaceship,” Hutu stressed. “There were five emergency pods. Two have been tracked so far, only one has been found. There are three others unaccounted for. It is imperative that we locate those pods before the Legion does.”

  “Why? We have more important things to do than waste our time looking for trash from a spaceship,” another man grumbled. “Our resources are low as it is. Now you want us to waste precious time chasing shadows? Those emergency pods could be anywhere.”

  “Unless those pods contain a miracle, I have to concur with the others, General Hutu,” a woman said. “Since the death of the Premier of the Gallant Order, hope, and resources, continue to fade. I’m afraid I would have to vote against sending out our scouts for your missing pods.”

  Josh saw Hutu glance at him and shook his head. The feelings of defeat and unease resonated through the room. Hutu would not receive any support from the other leaders.

  “Very well,” Hutu said. “I will conduct the search myself.”

  “General!” The voices of dissent rang out as the men and women in the room started to argue.

  Josh decided that he’d had enough. Rising out of his seat, he quietly left the room. He walked down the narrow corridor that opened into the main tunnel. He had only taken a few steps down it when someone bumped into him.

  “My apologies,” a young man stated, taking several steps before he turned and frowned at Josh. “That coat… That is… was my father’s coat. I would recognize it anywhere.”

  Josh took a step back when grief flashed across the man’s face before it was replaced with rage. The man reached for the weapon at his waist. Josh recognized the staff a split second before the man moved into a fighting stance. His hand slipped into the pocket of the coat and he withdrew the staff that Cassa had given to him shortly before they left the vineyard.

  He barely had time to extend it before the man attacked. The two staffs clashed loudly, each man stepping forward as they strained against each other. Josh pushed forward before taking a quick step to the side. The move knocked the man backwards several steps.

  “That staff belongs to my family,” the man growled. “Only a Knight of the Gallant Order has the right to use it.”

  “Your father gave it to me,” Josh stated, keeping his eye on the man as he circled around him. He blocked another blow. “Are you Packu?”

  The man paused, looking at him with a wary expression. “Who are you?” Pack demanded in a slightly hoarse voice. “My father would never give a staff to an outsider.”

  Josh blocked another blow, holding the other staff down to
the ground before he released it and stepped back several feet. He retracted the staff in his hand, knowing that he was leaving himself open. Grief, rage, and uncertainty flashed across Pack’s face as he stared back at Josh.

  “My name is Josh Manson,” Josh said. “Your sister, Cassa, found me. Your father did give me the staff. He was training me.”

  Uncertainty warred with hatred. Josh knew that Pack’s anger came from grief at losing his father and younger brother. How he had found out so quickly, Josh didn’t know.

  “He’s telling the truth, Pack,” Hutu stated, walking slowly toward the two men.

  Pack slowly lowered the staff in his hands and retracted it. Josh watched as Pack drew in several deep breaths and lowered his head. When he looked back up, his eyes were hard and cold.

  “Where is Cassa?” Pack demanded.

  “Safe,” Hutu replied, coming to a stop next to Pack. “For now. Come, we must prepare for our mission.”

  *.*.*

  An hour later, they were back at Hutu’s residence. Josh quietly watched Cassa nod and sniff at something Pack said. Both of their faces were twisted in grief. He returned his attention back to packing the items Hutu was handing to him.

  “As soon as I found out what happened, I made sure that Pack was informed. He was still on the planet, awaiting departure,” Hutu murmured. “Knowing Jemar, the boy has been better trained than most of the new recruits. I hope so, anyway. He will need all of those skills if things turn bad.”

  “Where are we heading?” Josh asked, closing the bag he was packing.

  “To find your friends,” Hutu said, glancing over his shoulder at where Cassa and Pack were gathering additional supplies. “It is going to be extremely dangerous,” he added with a grim smile.

  Josh’s eyes narrowed. “Why?” He asked suspiciously.

  The grin turned to amusement. “We are going to find your friend, hopefully before General Landais does, or steal him from under the General’s watchful eye. Neither task is going to be easy and I can guarantee that the General will not be happy,” Hutu chuckled dryly