Lintorth began to walk in the great chamber, contemplating what he might find. It could contain all the answers regarding this race called humans or nothing at all.
He knew the generals would know what he knew. This would put them on an even playing field with respected positions in the order of the Domain.
Either way, he would have this new knowledge before his brothers. After all, knowledge is power that separates the victors from the defeated.
He smiled at the thought.
“I have things to uncover!”
Flinging his cape around, Lintorth had renewed zeal in his stride as he exited the great Chamber Lore, heading straight for the Lore Archives.
Data Cell 18
Kason knew he wasn’t going to find the answers at the bottom of a glass. It was only his second drink in the last hour since the break bars reopened onboard the Orion’s Rage. Still, he did like to have a smooth one after a mission, answers or not.
It helped take the edge off after hyper-accelerated combat, though he didn’t think the Cuukzen mission was hyper anything. Hyper-annoying, maybe, but not combat to his standards. Being in the same room with Nevlen was about as hyper-accelerated as picking up a midget alien on a sand moon.
No matter. Nevlen would aggravate his senses soon enough.
This called for another drink.
Kason motioned to the bartender to be topped off when Alon stepped in front of his table.
“May I join you?” Alon said.
Kason waved the Keeper to the seat next to him.
He called to the bartender, “A glass of water with a. . .” he turned to the Keeper, “twist of lemon?” Kason asked, being polite to the Keeper’s normal order.
“Cognac. Old, please,” Alon said.
“Well, a gentlemen’s drink. And I thought you Keepers didn’t drink hard liquor.”
“I’m not a zealot, Kason. I, like any normal person, from time to time, like a fine cognac. A classic drink warmed in the hand.”
The bartender set Alon’s drink on the table, and, with a nod, the Keeper picked up the glass, inhaled its aromatic tone, swirled it around, and then took a small sip.
Kason looked at the Keeper with a curious expression.
“Interesting. You learn something new every day. And here I thought I had you pegged.” Kason laughed. “What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing, I just like to take the edge off every once in a while.”
“You have an edge?”
He was now more curious than before. As if Alon ever needed to take the edge off anything with a drink. The Keeper could be writing the Annals even if the main reactors onboard went critical and began melting down. The Keeper would still remain composed as he wrote.
Kason was curious, so he pushed.
“So tell me, what types of edge we talking about here? And, remember, just free your mind and let it go.”
“Good try, Kason, but remember you’re not the mentor here. I am.”
“You’re right, I’m not . . . but I am a friend.”
“That you are, and a good one.”
Alon placed the drink down and leaned back in his seat as well.
“Since you asked, I will tell, to a point of course.” Alon smiled. “Commander Parejas wants to speak to me in private.”
“Had one of those before,” Kason replied. “Is it about Nevlen and me?”
“No, it’s not. Though, he did want me to speak to you about it when I had time to, but that’s not why. You see, I did something . . . more of what I did not do.”
“And that is?”
“I can’t divulge anything further Kason until I speak to Commander Parejas; but, I will tell you when the time is right.”
“I see, one of those super-secret Keeper things?
Alon chuckled. “You could say that. Now, why are you taking the edge off with your drink?”
“You already know the answer, Alon. It’s about Nevlen. Commander Parejas thought it would be beneficial for us to work together, to take our ‘edge’ off . . . pun intended.”
“Good, because it was my suggestion you two do a mission together.”
Kason’s glass hit the table hard as the Reaver placed it down.
“Wait a minute. It was your idea he could use two of my Reavers? Am I hearing this correct, Alon?”
“Kason, you and I know this issue needed to be handled between the two of you. Let me ask you. Was the mission with Nevlen’s troops horrible? Did they not listen to your orders?”
Alon was making a logical argument.
“No. Everything went fine. I mean, they didn’t do much except take out a few pilots on the Kryth shuttle; but, overall, they did okay.”
Kason didn’t want to admit the mission went well with Nevlen’s troops. He knew he was conceding to Alon’s point.
“Now, if we are going to work together, it starts with trust. It wasn’t hard, Kason. The mission was over before you knew it.”
“It’s not my mission I’m worried about,” Kason sighed.
“Ah yes, your men. It’s your men you’re worried about, not yourself. This I can understand, but let me ask you . . . Do you trust your Reavers over Nevlen’s troops?”
Alon’s question was obvious again, Kason thought. Another well-placed point by the Keeper.
“Of course.”
“Is there any concern then?” Alon said smiling. “I’m the one who should be concerned right about now. Commander Parejas waits for my arrival for our meeting.”
Kason smiled at his friend.
He raised his glass to the Keeper. “A toast to good friends and a good mentor.”
Alon raised his glass along with Kason’s.
The men each took a generous pull on their drinks.
Alon placed his glass down first. “My friend, it’s always good to see you.”
“Leaving so soon, Alon?”
“I believe I will be on my way. I think you have more concerning matters to handle.” Alon motioned with his eyes.
Kason looked in the direction the Keeper was eyeing, as Droe Temin walked up.
“Until we meet again, Reaver Bender?” Alon said, winking.
“Yes. Until next time, Keeper Alon.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Am I interrupting you two?”
“I was just going, Lieutenant Commander. If you’ll please excuse me, I will leave you two alone.”
Alon nodded towards the two and left the table.
Kason watched his friend leave the room, passing through the cigar smoke and mixed chatter.
“Hello, Droe. Please, have a seat.”
Droe sat down, brushing her hair over her shoulder.
She smiled and waved off the bartender who had approached to take her order.
“No drink?” Kason asked.
“No, I was just passing through. I wanted to see the new lounge that had opened. I was more curious than thirsty.”
Kason laughed. “I’m not drinking this to quench my thirst,” he waved his glass, the ice clanked together. “Are you sure you don’t want one?”
“I’m sure, but thanks.”
Kason took his last sip and set the glass down.
“How are all the preps going for the conference?” he asked.
“As expected, I guess. I mean, having something like that thrown on you the last second by the Assembly is just fantastic.”
“Politicians will be politicians, right?” Kason joked.
Droe adjusted herself.
She ignored the joking question.
“So, I got to see the Cuukzen character you brought back.”
“What’d you think of the little guy?” Kason asked.
“He grows on you after a while, kind of cute in his own way but still annoying.”
Kason laughed.
“Just a little annoying? I thought I was going to pull his head off, but the interrogation wasn’t over yet.” He smiled.
“So what brings you to this fine establishment, Mister Bende
r?” she teased with the formal name.
“Going proper, I see. Can’t a man enjoy a fine drink in a fine establishment? Does there have to be a motive besides enjoying simple pleasures, to include fine company like you, Miss Temin?”
“You know what I mean. I’m sure a gentleman such as you comes to a fine establishment to have a fine drink to take his mind off those who would take away from the finer things.”
“I know. I was just hoping to avoid it just like politics, Miss Temin.”
She blushed and smiled.
“So what really brings you here, Kason?
“It’s about Ramek and Jens.”
“Any updates yet?”
“No, not yet. They just left in the shuttle we captured. They should meet up with the Rapide in the next hour.”
Droe went to reassure him. “I’m sure Ramek and Jens can take care of each other, don’t you agree?”
“I have no doubt there, Droe. It’s about our friend, the name we won’t mention.”
Droe knew the name. She just didn’t want to start anything she would regret, again.
“I wouldn’t worry about it, Kason. Plus, don’t you have more pressing things to worry about with the upcoming conference and our Kryth hosts, than ‘boot lick’. . . you know who?”
Kason laughed out loud. “I thought that name was only known in the lower ranks.”
“We have our names for him too. But, despite the nick-names, he’s still a good troop commander, Kason. Sure he can get on your nerves from time to time.”
Kason cocked an eye at her statement regarding, from time to time.
She continued. “Okay, he can get on your nerves a few more than normal. Yet, he still keeps good morale amongst his troops and gets tasks done, minus one of course.”
“You and Alon make great points. It’s hard to argue with you.”
“How about this. You buy me dinner sometime and I’ll let you vent about ‘boot lick’?”
“I could vent for nothing to Alon and he would buy me dinner anyways.” Kason smiled, teasing.
She insisted with her eyes.
“But, you drive a hard deal, Miss Temin. I think that would be a great idea.”
“So do I. Say, plans for after the conference?”
“Perfect.”
Droe got up from her seat.
“It looks like we have a mission then, Mister Bender.”
“Indeed.” Kason stood as she parted. “I’ll see you during the conference brief?”
“I’ll see you then.”
Kason smiled as she left.
His mind was still on Nevlen even though he enjoyed his time with Lt. Commander Temin. He just couldn’t shake the image of two of his best men under that man’s command. He knew he’d better stop thinking about it. The conference was coming up in a few days and he had to focus his team, including Nevlen’s troopers, on the mission ahead.
Kason twirled the glass around, staring at the bottom. He could almost make out Nevlen’s face in the ice and water.
He sighed, sliding the glass across the table away from him.
He turned and glanced out the port window.
Out there, somewhere, was his enemy. He was just having trouble distinguishing who that was at the moment.
Data Cell 19
“Come in,” Parejas said.
Alon entered the private quarters.
He had already known what the meeting was about, even though Parejas didn’t say what he had called him for. Alon knew, though.
It was about the Gashnee.
Alon glanced at the glass centerpiece to the room as he approached the commander’s desk.
“Nice throw rug you have there, Commander.”
“It’s an eye catcher isn’t it?” Parejas said.
“I’m hesitant to walk on it. Looks like you would go straight through.”
Alon still wondered if Parejas knew as he stepped forward.
“Please have a seat, Keeper Alon. Make yourself comfortable.”
The commander’s business tone was clear; Alon could sense now that Parejas knew of the unknown Gashnee signature.
Parejas was a man whom Alon could trust. Alon felt at ease around the commander. He noted how regal and straightforward he was. Then again, Parejas didn’t get to where he was for being a push over, even though Alon wished for that trait now in the man.
“I would open up with small talk, but I presume we’re not going to get to any,” Alon said.
Parejas was looking at a holo-image on his desk console.
“I’m sorry, Alon, give me a moment. I was just closing out a letter to Director Bowlan.”
“Pardon me, Commander. How is Miss Shawna?” Alon asked with care.
“She is doing well. She is heading up the Earth Conservation Precept,” Parejas said as he finished keying up the letter. “There, all complete.” Shenta turned to the Keeper. “My apologies, Alon.”
“No, the apology is all mine. I came a bit early.”
Alon knew that Parejas and Miss Bowlan were engaged to be married upon their triumphant return. This was the second time he sensed something deep on Commander Parejas’ mind regarding Miss Bowlan. Alon knew the commander had strong feelings for her, and she him.
Parejas had a warm smile on him as he finished the letter.
He placed his clasped hands on the desk, which sent a clear message that his mind was readying his questions for the Keeper.
Alon knew the commander was blunt and wouldn’t beat around a comet to get to what he wanted to know, just as Parejas spoke.
“We just finished interrogating the Cuukzen named Mistuuk. Interesting little fella this alien is. Anyways, he said he had been tracking us, oh, for about a week before the attack on Dalyth Point, which is odd in itself, if it didn’t seem so absurd.”
Alon knew where this was leading.
The thing Alon didn’t know was how long Parejas would prolong his uneasiness, or just put him out of his misery quick and easy.
Anyway, Alon couldn’t do a thing about it. He would let the commander have his way and then wait for the inevitable question.
Parejas continued. “It wasn’t us he was tracking.” He stopped for a brief moment before he continued. “Do you know who he thought he was tracking, Keeper?”
Well that was quick, Alon noted.
He knew this was a direct question, and was thankful for it. He was not about to even attempt a run-around or delay here with the commander.
“Yes I do, Commander. I would like to first apologize for what I am about to say. I was unable, before this time, to speak per a secret Precept, and not one to my approval or liking. It was nothing personal as I always speak the truth to you when asked.”
Alon reassured Parejas with his posture and demeanor that he was speaking the truth.
“Continue,” Parejas said.
Alon took a breath before continuing. “The answer to your question is . . . The Cuukzen thought he was tracking a race called the Azliklon-Gashnee, or Gashnee for short.”
“And why did he think he was tracking a Gashnee vessel?”
“Our hyper-space signature is composed of Gashnee technology, thirty percent. At least, it is now.”
Parejas leaned back in his chair.
His warm smile was long gone, having been replaced with arching eyebrows and a locked gaze.
Alon was feeling uncomfortable, but he knew he deserved it.
“Don’t make me ask a new question after every answer, Keeper. Continue with the whole story.”
“Yes, sir. The reason for the technology part of the signature is the Gashnee had visited Earth ten years prior to the Kryth invasion and massacre. At the time, our race knew of several species in the galaxy, they were the fourth who had contacted us. It was during this time we had begun building interstellar explorer ships to venture to different systems; these seven ships were under construction when the Gashnee arrived. They greeted us in sentient friendship and gave us better hyper-space technology than w
hat we were developing. This hyper-drive tech allowed us to fold and increase the light-speed over greater distances. This technology was incorporated into ours that, at the time, made up seventy percent to our thirty. Today, it is the opposite.”
“There is no mention in the Annals of such contact with this race. I presume it was erased from the data cells, Keeper?”
“Yes, Commander. It was hidden for fear the Kryth would locate the fragile new colony of man within Mydian. They didn’t want to cause wide spread panic among the populous.”
“For safety and security’s sake?” Parejas mocked.
Alon nodded.
Parejas motioned the Keeper to continue.
“The reason for the removal of data cells from the Annals was when the Kryth attacked, the seven ships were just weeks away from venturing out to explore a whole new galaxy, one beyond our system. We scrambled survivors and equipment aboard before the Kryth made it to Earth. When the interstellar ships jumped into hyper-space the Kryth followed, thinking they were chasing down the Gashnee, given this signature of course. They were unable to catch us as the speed of the seven ships was greater than theirs. This new-given technology was what helped us escape the Kryth’s grasp and slaughter.”
Alon stopped as he could tell Parejas was in deep concerned thought.
Parejas stood up from his chair and moved towards the window.
Alon was waiting for the next question as he assumed Parejas was thinking of its wording.
The question came.
“According to the Cuukzen, the Gashnee have been extinct for the past 500 years. Do I presume correct?”
“The records from other races show this, yes.”
“Then why would the Kryth be desperate and chase down these seven ships? We were of no threat to them.” Parejas let his comment hang in the air as he continued to ponder his own question before turning to Alon.
“We were of no threat. The Gashnee were the threat. And they thought the Gashnee had died out, except to find their signature within the Sol system on our own ships.”
“For those ten years, their technology was incorporated throughout Sol. It was used on Earth, the moon, and Mars. On the mining and gas facilities of the asteroid belt and outer planets. Why would they think we were not Gashnee?” Alon said.
Annals of the Keepers: War 267 (Book 1 in the Gashnee Saga) Page 12
