Never Surrender

by Michael Anderle

Kael-ven had taken the short amount time on their trip over to research what was going on here in the city.

  Bethany Anne and her group had already placed multiple satellites around the planet effectively providing more information than what was available even from the Yollin system. Since this situation blew up, they had even sent a small inbound missile with Nanites to get more information.

  A request came up from the front. "Sir? We're being asked how close we wish to land to the building."

  Kael-ven thought about it for a moment. "About a block and a half. That should be close enough to show that we don't fear them, and yet not so close that it incites them to shoot us right away."

  He waited the next few moments as the pod landed. While it was under the control of one of the EIs, it allowed for some clarification of movements from those upfront. As the ranking person on the ship, he had the ability to override the destination at any time just using his voice. However, most pilots didn't know this fact, and he had no desire to share that information with them.

  Upon landing, two of his security people stepped out and looked around before nodding for him. He hated this part. If he had his special armor from Bethany Anne, he could've gone and taken care of this by himself. However, he had to be perceived as a political leader, not a military one.

  That didn't mean that he didn't enjoy some special attention from her Majesty.

  Kael-ven stepped out of the pod and looked down the street toward the five-story building which held the protesters. He ground his mandibles together in frustration as he noticed the blood, and body parts that were littered in front of it. He whispered to his two security men, "You two stay here. Snow, please remain here also, and keep these two out of mischief. I'm protected, and I won't have more deaths happen due to these idiots."

  Sej'hvek, his security man on the left, asked him, "Are you sure, sir?" He nodded down the street. "It doesn't look very safe down there."

  Snow growled at the man.

  Kael-ven reached down to pet her, “It’s okay,” he said, “he’s not being disrespectful, just doing his job.”

  He then put a hand on his security man's shoulder. "I'm sure. I doubt any of these idiots have something with them that could harm me."

  He stepped between his two security men and continued walking down the street with the click-click, click-click of his feet clopping on the concrete ground.

  Behind him, his two security men looked at each other in question. "What protection?"

  Kael-ven made it up to about fifty feet from the building before one of the windows opened and a voice called out, "That's far enough! What do you have to say? As the rebellion leader that changed Yoll, why would we want to waste our life listening to you?"

  Another voice called out from inside the building, "Exactly. You were probably having sex with that Empress right before you came over here. Alien lover!"

  Kael-ven ground his mandibles together. He wasn't too concerned about the hits to his ego. However, if John Grimes heard this stuff, then it might not only be these idiots that felt the pain when he finished around here.

  He opened his arms while looking up at the window. ”I’ve come here, to warn you. I'm not here to try to change your mind. However–" he waved to where the obvious disaster had occurred “–you have killed others. If you wish to have a fair trial, without just being killed here today, then you need to lay down your arms."

  Kael-ven waited. It didn’t take long for a response from those inside the building. A moment later, the front door cracked open, and four members stepped out, looking up and down the street before stepping closer to Kael-ven.

  One wrinkled his nose as the smell of the dead wafted over them.

  "What? Why.” He pointed to himself, “We are the ones with the armor, we are the ones with the guns, we are the ones with the power! There is no way that we’re going to go down without a fight. We have been in charge of Yoll because we are more intelligent, because we are brighter, because we are smarter, and because that is how it is to be! The religious texts tell us that we are the chosen ones. ‘And the mighty shall vanquish the weak.'" He pointed out to the street beyond Kael-ven. "And you can see the reality, the truth of that statement right behind you,” he sneered.

  Kael-ven took a moment to turn around and looked everywhere, even up the pock-marked holes on buildings where guns had shot out divots from their sides.

  He understood he was being videotaped right now and had to play for the news for the rest of the planet. He turned back as he waved at the revolting scene behind him.

  "This is not the truth of your religious beliefs! This is the truth that you intend to stay above everybody else. Regardless of whether you are truly better than anybody. You–" he pointed at those in the front of the building and then to three open windows "–just wish to continue the caste system because it helps you feel superior."

  Kael-ven spat on the ground in front of them.

  "You’re no more superior than myself or anybody else. I have led teams through the stars. What have you done? Sat on your asses and played games? Perhaps you had eloquent discussions at a playhouse? Our planet is going to move forward. It's going to be better, and idiots like you don't even deserve the opportunity to live on it. However, I'm here to tell you that the person that is coming down here–" he pointed down to where he was standing "–isn't going to offer you the opportunity once he arrives. He is no Queen’s Ranger worried about the law. He is a Queen’s Bitch. And if you haven't gotten the message…"

  A sharp BAM could be heard throughout the nearby buildings as Kael-ven slammed backward, rolling over in the street, his four legs seeking purchase as he finally stopped some thirty feet back.

  Those people watching from the alcoves and inside the safety of the buildings around them gasped in horror as they saw the result of the caste members’ shooting of Kael-ven.

  Everyone heard, even the reporter, the shouts of joy coming from the building.

  Slowly, however, those shouts of joy calmed down and were silenced with shock when Kael-ven shook his head and started to stand back up.

  The videographer was able to zoom in and see the anger and disgust on Kael-ven's face as he viewed those in the building and outside it. "I came here in peace. I came here to warn you.” He sneered at all of them. “It is time for you to pray to your own Gods." Kael-ven turned around and started walking slowly back to his Executive Pod, just daring those in the building to try shooting him again.

  They took the bait.

  The videographer for Pehl-eck was able to see the multiple muzzle flashes fire. Kael-ven barely noticed them as sparks occurred some feet behind him.

  By the time he got to the pod, all of his security men were inside. Kael-ven looked over his shoulder at the building, flipping the shooters off, a sneer on his face. "Jean Dukes armor, bitches!" He closed his hand and entered the pod. Snow circled him, sniffing at his feet and legs. She stopped in front of him, looked up and barked twice.

  “I’m sore, but not damaged,” Kael-ven reassured the pup, “and that’s why you needed to stay in the pod. Once you have your own armor things will be different.”

  Snow yipped her agreement and went to lay by Kael-ven’s flight couch, picturing herself in shiny armor, tearing up people stupid enough to shoot her partner.

  Pehl-eck watched as the pod rose into the air, easily shrugging off any of the weapons that had been trained against it.

  As it flew away, Pehl-eck felt that a hammer of doom was going to arrive.

  She started watching the sky, concern on her face.

  Pehl-eck heard movement from down at the end of the street. Quite a few of the men seemed to be grabbing whatever they could and pulling it toward the building. Placing the quickly assembled components in front of windows and doors, making a defensive position.

  The rumors of the Queen’s Bitches had already made the rounds with the newscasters.

  She looked at her cameraman. "We should probably move back another block
or two, don't you think?”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Commercial Gate 221 - Yollin Space - Outer Third Ring

  "Ixtali trade legation representative Ixtelina, your ship has been approved to commence from Commercial Gate 221 on Outer Ring Three, and continue through to Outer Ring One. You will hold at that location until you have been approved to approach the QBBS Meredith Reynolds. Please be aware, if you attempt to approach the human space station without approval, you will be fired upon. There will be no second opportunities. Do you register this understanding?"

  Ixtelina blinked her four eyes in surprise. Her species had worked to acquire information on well over 272 different spacefaring communities, and some of those had been quite militaristic. Usually, you did not receive a warning quite so specific.

  "This is Ixtali trade legate Ixtelina, can you confirm that if we should pass through Outer Ring Number One without permission, we will be fired upon?"

  Both Ixgurl and Ixgalan turned to look at their leader, their four mandibles closing in and out from their mouth in surprise.

  Ixtelina waived her right arm towards Ixgalan, who turned around and started jotting down the information. It seemed it wouldn't take too long before they would be able to report to their corporate home office a few of the nuances of working with these humans.

  Ring Three Traffic Control immediately answered her query, “Yes. Should you decide to move past Outer Ring Number One. The humans will reduce your ship to so many pieces. This has occurred three times in the last thirteen point ..." there was a slight pause, "two five days. We presently have a bet going as to whether or not anyone else will be stupid enough to make it number four. By all means, please ignore this warning, as I have over 500 credits placed on some ignoring this warning again, within the next 48 hours. Have a nice day." There was a slight pause, “Ring Three Traffic Control over.”

  “Understood, Ring Traffic Control, Ixtali ship recognizes the warning, and we are now named ship number,” she leaned forward to get a view of Ixgurl’s screen, “Two Zero Nine.” Ixtelina motioned for Ixgurl to continue moving the Ixtali commercial ship towards the human base.

  She noticed he was extremely focused on the incoming information designating where to stop the ship or die.

  One way or another, Ixtelina was sure this was going to provide much information on the new spacefaring species. They should be able to sell this information, for a large sum.

  Her small spy ship was going to become very rich.

  Her species had precious few things with which to trade. One was an incredibly rare harmonic gem they mined on their home world. It was hard to mine and was used for a few very advanced machines allowing for space travel over large distances.

  Any sufficiently advanced race craved the option to trade for them.

  The other was information they acquired during these trade operations. They made an obscene amount of money trading in these rare gems.

  And an even more obscene amount from the information they were able to sell to partners, friends, and enemies. As a neutral third party, very few species would try to attack them.

  During the last generation, they had been attacked twice. The mercenaries they had needed to hire, to fight on their behalf, had cost them the profit of almost four years of business.

  Both of the hostile species had sued for peace.

  Once Ixgurl was assured that his commands to the space ships autopilot were logged appropriately, and he had a confirmation back from Outer Ring Number One that they were in sync with geospatial tracking, he turned around to the mission’s primary. "What do you think, Captain?" He pointed at the forward view screen toward the small speck in the far distance that represented the humans base station. “What is your thought on their shoot first, ask no questions policy?”

  Ixtelina leaned down to allow her elbow to rest on her third leg. She opened her two large fingers and placed her chin down giving Ixgurl's question some thought. "According to the information we have on planet Yoll, the humans are not overly antagonistic from a military perspective. Based on this plus a few other bits of information, my opinion is that they are in a high defense posture."

  This time, the question came from Ixgalan, her physical spy support specialist. "What do you think they are going to do if they catch us spying on them?"

  Ixtelina leaned back up in her chair and weighed his question, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” she finally answered. “We will probably be either very rich from this effort,” she admitted, then continued her thought.

  “Or very dead.”

  QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Tactical Operations Control - Traffic Control

  Bethany Anne was speaking with Lance when one of the local controllers turned around in his seat and cleared his throat.

  Both Bethany Anne and Lance turned to look at the man, Bethany Anne raising an eyebrow, "yes?"

  "I'm sorry, ma'am, sir. However, we have a ship inbound on the watchlist."

  Bethany Anne turned to her father, this time raising both eyebrows in surprise, "We have a watchlist?"

  Lance hadn't turned back to his daughter, but rather was asking the specialist a question of his own, "Are we speaking of the specific ship or species watchlist?"

  The specialist answered quickly, "Species sir, it is an Ixtali ship.”

  "I understand, I will give you an answer in a moment," he turned to Bethany Anne. “The Ixtalis,” he started to explain before Bethany Anne put up a finger stopping him mid sentence.

  It seemed TOM was giving her an update, probably a better one than he could at the moment so he waited for what probably wouldn’t take too long.

  Tell me more about these aliens, TOM.

  The Ixtalis are an interesting species. During my time, and from updates I have reviewed since I have been able to acquire more recent data, they are a cross between your country’s CIA and a commercial venture.

  So, they spy for money, is that about it?

  Yes, that sums it up nicely.

  Why would anyone allow them on their base?

  They always market small numbers of their precious H’Laxrick gems. These gems provide unique properties for significant distance space travel. Similar in concept to a Kurtherian Engine to bend space and move the ship vast distances.

  Bethany Anne thought about this for a moment. So, depending on how many they are willing to sell, should give me an idea of what they think information about us is worth? Ok, I got this…I think.

  ADAM?

  >>Yes, my Empress?<<

  Bethany Anne wanted to roll her eyes, Okay, who the hell is giving you the idea you should be calling me ‘my Empress’?

  >>I was just trying it on for size. Since you have confirmed for me that I am truly sentient. I am trying to figure out where I fit in the Etheric society.<<

  Bethany Anne wasn’t sure if ADAM was totally forthcoming.

  You are fortunate that I can’t kick your ass in martial arts practice, that's where you fit in. However, if you annoy me too much, I'll figure out just how I can suitably chastise you one way or another. I have been Bethany Anne to you from the beginning, I am Bethany Anne right now, I will be Bethany Anne in the future. Use your incredible intellect to understand the appropriate times to be calling me your empress. Like, in the presence of others. When it is just the three of us in the middle of my own damn head? I don't need titles. Am I clear?

  >>Very clear, Bethany Anne.<<

  Good, now, how good are our defenses against Ixtali spy efforts?

  >>My best calculation is predicated on whether we allow them to dock, or not. If we permit them to connect to the QBBS Meredith Reynolds, we have a 50-50 chance of defending ourselves since I have limited knowledge and have never tried to prevent hacking by a species that has raised that skill to an artform. Well, except humans, of course. However, if we have them get on one of our Executive Pods, then I believe our ability to protect ourselves is closer to 94.7%.<<

  Bethany Anne chewed on this information for a fraction
of a second. What increases the likelihood of success so much?

  >>Jean and her R&D Team. TOM and I have been working with team BMW to create unique transfer pods which allow us to attack non-organic tools and machines.<<

  How can you attack nonorganic machines? Couldn't they just have a shield about their body to protect something on them? And what about a machine inside their body?

  We have increased the capabilities of the organic analysis probe from the medical Pod-doc on TOM’s ship. Since it was designed to be used on multiple alien species, including new ones, it can be incredibly accurate. But, it won’t be harmful to the bodies under review. Using the enhanced Pod-doc technology, plus new technology integrated from Yoll in the last few weeks, we have placed sensors inside these three Executive Pods. They are EI-controlled and allow us to completely confirm the status of any organics and non-organics we allow to transfer to the QBBS Meredith Reynolds.