“Only two others. They are writing your speech. All are sworn to secrecy. And once this victory is in hand the other players will be silenced. Other than Blogue, they will not be missed.”
Ceola smiled. “How will it be done?”
“The admiral’s avenue of demise… I have yet to determine. The others will be executed and incinerated. I’ll be seeing to those myself. Now… I really must go. I will comm you when I have the speech ready.”
The comm closed and the general’s face quickly turned to a scowl, followed by a sinister laugh. “The incinerator will be waiting for you as well… my dear.”
A comm came from the general’s assistant. “Sir, would you like us to bring you lunch or will you be going out?”
The general sat back. “Bring it, Mr. Glenni. And surprise me. Make it something festive.”
A short while passed before the door to the general’s office opened. Three plates and a carafe of wine were brought in and placed on the desk.
Glenni said, “We have strips of torvaka, prepared the way you like, permanga root, and mashed pokintle with a nawna drizzle on the half shell.”
The general grinned as he looked at the small feast. “Well done, Lieutenant. A feast fit for a celebration. And please do not pass this word to anyone but Torvil, and he is to hold his tongue as well. The war is going splendidly. We may soon have our victory.”
Glenni bowed as he backed toward the door. “Thank you, sir. I shall let Torvil know.”
Mace slipped out through the door with the lieutenant. A short jog had him standing beneath the shuttle and rapping on its hull. The ramp opened and Mace climbed aboard.
Johnny was sitting in a seat with his helmet by his side. “How’d it go? You get a visit from the other war council members? Ah… Agok and Pran?”
Mace removed his helmet and returned a nod. “Let’s take this up for Favia to hear.”
Fifteen minutes later the shuttle was landing in the docking bay of the Organ Cave.
Mace stood in front of the others in the conference room. “Pran was the only visitor to see Keona. I expect Agok will follow after lunch. The war with the UF is going well. They’ve lost a substantial number of ships but are clearly winning. Could have their victory as early as tomorrow.
“As to how deep this conspiracy goes… I think we have our answer. It’s actually very shallow. Keona, Blogue, the impostor and her three advisors, and two others that are unknown but junior. Keona plans to do away with them all when this is done, including his impostor.”
Favia said, “If Keona gets his victory, a conviction will be hard to achieve. Even with all the evidence we have, he will be a favorite of the people for bringing this about.”
Johnny said, “I don’t think we’re contemplating a trial here. He can be grabbed and dealt with outside of the public’s knowledge. Not that I’ve ever been for vigilantism, but we are at war.”
Jasper walked into the room. “The UF ships are leaving Earth. The Mawga forces are still camped out on the ground. Looks like they’re being abandoned. Scan showed the UF ships heading back to the fight.”
Johnny grinned. “Could this mean Earth is finally free?”
Mace shook his head. “Not with Keona running things. Won’t be long before he has us fighting the Dedrus.”
Johnny said, “We can take care of Keona. In fact, why don’t we do that right now?”
“We have to find out where the other two are first. Could be the conspiracy runs deeper from them.”
Favia said, “We should move immediately. We know where to find Keona, Blogue, and this Ceola impostor. Bring them to me and I will give you any other related names.”
Mace sighed. “Don’t hate me for this, but I think it best we let this play out in the UF territories. Those ships left Earth to defend their worlds. If we stop the fight, those ships might return. Worse yet, they could decide the Human threat is too great and decide to kill us all. We don’t have any defense against them.”
Favia said, “I will provide that defense.”
Mace winced. “Are you certain that you can? The war council will want their power back, and any such decision might be left up to them. I’d rather not take the chance. Another day or two might make a big difference in the outcome for us. You are safe here and now.”
Favia gestured toward an image of the war on the holo-display. “Those are my people. They are out there dying as we speak. I cannot stand by in good conscience and allow this to continue. It must be stopped. The UF would happily accept peace today if all they had to give up was claim to Earth. I can make that offer to them.”
“And what if your war council says no?”
Favia clenched a fist. “I think of you as family, and I respect your opinions and motivations, but this war must stop. We can stop it now. We must take action. Lives are being lost.”
Mace looked at the others. “Anyone else want to weigh in?”
“Both arguments have merit,” said Johnny. “Favia has always done right by us. I have to think that will continue.”
Liam nodded. “This may be our only opportunity to end the fighting. I believe we should take it.”
Mace looked at Jasper Collins, who had been quietly watching the discussion. “We need to take Stark into consideration. We can end this war by taking up with these clowns, but how do we rid ourselves of Stark?”
Favia said, “I will demand your king step down for being a part of this conspiracy.”
Jasper pointed. “If she can promise that, I say we go with her. I could care less about the UF if they’re leaving us alone.”
Mace said, “At least allow us to get word from the other shuttle. We’ll need to coordinate a grab with them anyway.”
Johnny half smiled. “So we’re gonna do this?”
“Depending on the what the rest of the team has to say… yes.”
Jasper received a comm from his bridge. “Sire! Hundreds of wormholes are opening only a short distance from here.”
Jasper asked, “Do we know whose ships they are?”
The officer shook his head. “Unidentified. Not in our database. I’m passing the images to you now.”
The image of a sleek black warship popped into view. Long spines swept forward from the back of the hull, as if pincers on an insect that was preparing to strike. As it approached orbit, a cloud of small black fighters emerged from docking bays on either side.
Favia slowly stood. “Dedrus… those are Dedrus ships.”
The officer said, “Wormholes are still opening! More than two thousand so far! Multiple ships coming through each!”
Favia flopped down in her chair. “This cannot be happening. Our defenses won’t withstand such an assault. And our main fleet is away!”
The officer continued: “Sire, word must have reached the Hoorka ships in the UF. They are breaking off and beginning to jump.”
Favia looked at Mace. “You must take me down to my people. They need me.”
Mice winced. “I don’t think dropping you down there is the best of ideas. Jasper, take us down to the palace courtyard. We need to get the others out of there. If they start any kind of bombardment, Jane and the others will be sitting ducks.”
Jasper gave the order. Minutes later, a fireball fell through the late evening sky above the Hoorka capital. The Organ Cave slowed and turned, flying in close to the ground as it moved above the palace buildings. It settled just off the landing pad. Its ramp remained up.
Jasper took control of the comm. “This is Jasper. We need everyone back to the shuttle immediately. If you can’t make it in the next few minutes, comm us back. This may be our only broadcast.”
Johnny said, “Was that smart?”
Mace replied, “The Hoorka have to be in panic mode right now. They may not have even noticed.”
A signal from the approaching Dedrus ships came over the general comm. “Dominion authorities, by order of King Solololomi, we have been sent to arrest your leadership. Plots have been uncovered that
show intent to violate the treaty we signed… and to assault Dedrus colonies. This order will be carried out immediately and with completeness. A list of the names of those being held responsible for this plot are embedded in this message. You have one hour to comply or you will face the consequences.”
The list included the queen, her advisors, the members of the war council, and a handful of other high ranking officials.
“Mr. Hardy, we can’t allow this,” said Favia. “Most of those are innocent people… good people.”
Mace replied, “Give us a chance to get our people out and we’ll attempt to contact the Dedrus.”
Five minutes passed before Jenny replied, “We’re out. Heading up.”
Mace connected to the comm. “Just go home. We’ll fill you in later.”
Liam said, “I’m detecting a ship coming this way. They may have picked us up.”
Mace shook his head. “Sit tight. Could be coming to grab the queen.”
An image of the landing pad showed on the display.
Favia pointed. “There’s Agok and Pran. Please… I need to talk to them.”
Jasper looked at Mace. “Say the word and I’ll have the ramp dropped. Miss Favia needs her advisors right now.”
Mace half frowned. “Do it. Then take us to high orbit.”
The ramp to the Collins class ship lowered, coming down only meters from the two Hoorka officers. Both stood in stunned silence, looking at the ramp that led up to empty sky.
Mace Hardy walked down with his holo-projector turned off. “General, Admiral, the Queen is requesting your presence. Please come with me.”
Agok said, “What is this? Who are you? We are on our way to see the queen.”
Favia moved to the top of the ramp. “Gentlemen, please, I need your help.”
As the Hoorka military leaders stepped onto the ramp, it began to lift. Seconds later they were standing in front of the true queen.
Favia said, “Please, come with me. We have much to discuss.”
Pran asked, “What is this place? Mr. Hardy? Is this Human technology?”
Mace gestured toward the doorway. “Please, Admiral, it will all be explained to you in a few moments.”
The veteran general and admiral were guided to chairs at the conference table. Favia remained standing at the table’s end.
“Gentlemen, I have much to say and a short time to say it. The queen in the palace is an impostor. She was put into power by General Keona and Admiral Blogue. I was being held captive until only a short time ago when Mr. Hardy freed me from certain death.
“Keona has made a deal with the Human king. In return for the Dominion wiping out the United Front, he would pledge as many soldiers as would be needed to assault the Dedrus. I believe this plot was uncovered and is why the Dedrus have come. I need your help and advice as to how we get the Hoorka people out of this predicament.”
Pran spoke first. “What is this ship? How are we here?”
Mace replied, “Our technologies are not important at the moment, Admiral. What we need are solutions for dealing with the Dedrus.”
The admiral let out a long breath. “The Dedrus won’t be satisfied until they get exactly what they want. The Queen, myself and the others on the war council… turning ourselves over is the only way to end this. When the Dedrus make a demand they want nothing but that demand to be honored.”
Favia said, “What if we gave them the impostor, Keona, and Blogue? The ones who are responsible for this.”
Pran shook his head. “They have demanded the real queen. If we give them the impostor they will know. They will want everyone who is or was involved. The rest of us will be collateral damage.”
Johnny raised a hand. “Did you say everyone who’s involved?”
The admiral nodded.
Johnny looked at Mace. “I ask because there is a certain Human who was in on the planning of this. Malcom Stark. He’s probably the mastermind of this whole thing. If what you say about them wanting everyone who is involved is true, they will be going to Earth.”
Mace looked at Jasper. “Take us back to Earth. If the Dedrus are there we will have no choice but to comply.”
“What?” said Favia. “We can’t leave!”
Mace replied, “It will only take a few minutes. We’ll come right back. If the Dedrus are at Earth, it complicates everything.”
Ten minutes later, the Organ Cave was jumping into Earth space. A short run had the ship within sensor range. Five hundred of the sleek black Dedrus warships, and thousands of the small fighter craft, were parked in high orbit.
Liam said, “Mr. Hardy, we have another problem. I’m counting an equal number of very large transports sitting on the ground. Let me get a bit closer and I can tell you if they contain troops or not.”
Mace nodded. “Take us in.”
Favia protested. “We must get back to Promexa. I demand it!”
Mace held up a hand. “One more minute.”
Liam turned. “I’m counting three million bios in and around those transports.”
Mace shook his head. “Rid of one master only to pick up another. Take us back out so we can comm Gellos. We need to inform the others.”
A comm was opened. Jane replied, “What’s the word? Who are they?”
Mace winced. “Dedrus. And they’re at Earth as well.”
Jane sighed. “They showed up in the UF territory too. Half a dozen dreadnoughts attempted to engage them and were immediately destroyed. They have a beam weapon that chops right through the shields and hulls of those ships. Would do the same to us.”
Mace said, “They’re demanding the surrender of the Hoorka and for them to turn over their leadership. I would imagine they showed up at Earth to demand the same of Stark. They have several million troops on the ground.”
“What do we do next?”
“We go back to Promexa,” said Mace. “Favia wants to talk with them. There may be an outside shot at ending this before it goes any further.”
Jeff joined in the comm. “Mr. Hardy, we’ve made real progress on the wormhole device with young Zax. His fresh insight has helped me to resolve several weaknesses in my design.”
“Is it ready to use?”
Jeff half smiled. “We’re close… but not quite there. I have Roge working over a circuit for me. He thinks he can improve stability.”
Mace pulled his head back. “Roge? What does he know about wormholes? I didn’t think the Consortium even had that tech.”
“They don’t. But they do know circuits. He has extensive training and experience as a technician. He was mostly standing around and watching so I offered him the opportunity to review some of my work. He’s making a few upgrades that we can hopefully test later today. His work is not interfering with ours. Oh, and when you return, we have a dozen of the thunder gloves waiting. They should enhance your ability to fight.”
“Thanks… we could use them. And keep hammering on that weapon. We might need it now more than ever.”
A wormhole to Promexa was opened and the Organ Cave slipped through.
Chapter 9
*
Jasper’s navigator piloted the ship to within sensor range. “Sire, the Dedrus appear to have landed transports on the surface of Promexa. At least double the number of bios that we saw on Earth.”
“You must return me,” said Favia. “I will willingly turn myself over if it rids my people of this threat.”
Mace said, “At least give us one opportunity to try to reason with them.”
“Our time is running out.”
Mace nodded as he opened a general comm. “I wish to speak with whoever is in command of the invading force. I would like to discuss terms.”
Several seconds of silence lapsed before a reply was made. -“Who is this and what authority do you have to ask such?”
“My name is Mace Hardy. I’m Human. I have Queen Favia and several of her military leaders here with me. The plot you spoke of is real, but it was not hatched or plann
ed by the real queen or her war council. There is an impostor queen in the palace… and two rogue military officers who are responsible for this plot.”
The Dedrus officer on the comm replied, “The Dominion has once again become aggressive. This can be seen with their attack on the United Front colonies. The queen and the war council have been in control of this action. Therefore the Dominion had been placed under observation by the king’s watchmen. The plot to ally with the Humans to attack Dedrus space was approved by this queen and members of the war council.”
“It was approved by an impostor queen and two rogue members of the council. The real queen and the other members have no designs on Dedrus territories, and in fact had no desire to attack the United Front. If you can give us a little more time, we will gladly turn the responsible individuals over to you.”
The officer replied, “Does that include the Human named Stark?”
Mace half frowned. “I’m afraid not. We don’t have access to Stark. Although we would be quite happy if you took him off our hands. He is an aggressor, and this whole plot was probably of his design.”
The Dedrus scowled. “Then the Humans will pay.”
Mace held up a hand. “No, no, no, not the Humans. Just Stark. The Humans are a peaceful people and only wish to be left alone. Stark is the aggressor.”
The officer returned a stern expression. “You have until the previously scheduled time to turn over the required individuals. If this does not happen, these territories will be marked as Dedrus sub-colonies. We will install our own governors to oversee the transition and those who are sought will be found and punished. Your choice is subservience to the king or free governance. You have been given this as a one-time option to prove your sincerity. Our troops are waiting at the palace and the main military base at the capital city.”
Johnny said, “That’s sixteen minutes.”
“Take me to the palace,” said Favia. “I will turn myself in.”
Agok and Pern followed with the same request.
Mace shook his head. “Mr. Hobbs, take them down. We have no way of stopping this.”
The shuttle exited the docking bay and landed with five minutes to spare. The ramp lowered and the queen and her officer stepped down to the tarmac of the landing pad. A short walk had them standing in the throne room before a squad of Dedrus soldiers. Mace and Johnny stood behind the trio with their holo-projectors on.
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