“This would seem to indicate that this High-Human person is an electronics design engineer, of the highest order,” remarked Fraznal.
“Yes, but he also appears to excel in many other areas at similarly high levels,” replied Raan. “Upon discovering that Drix desired to build himself a personal home on the frontier world he had chosen as his regional capital, I’m told that this High-Human quickly produced intricately detailed free-paw drawings of a human-style log mansion, and produced full sets of comprehensive construction drawings for its construction, that were almost indistinguishable from computer-generated drawings... indicating master level talents in both architecture and artistry.”
“Amazing,” said Fraznal. “Please go on, Region-Master.”
“I am also told this human is literally a walking library, capable of master-level discussions on virtually any topic within the realm of human knowledge.”
Thorn again leaned in close to Kalis’ ear and whispered softly, “Sounds like another Leonardo da Vinci.” Kalis again nodded in agreement, wondering where Eileen had even heard about da Vinci.
“That’s absolutely astounding. I can see where this person might be described as a High-Human, indeed,” said Fraznal. “Admiral Kalis, are these types of abilities common attributes among these High-Humans within your society?”
Kalis was startled by the question. “Ah… I’m afraid that I’m not at liberty to discuss the subject of High-Humans at this time, Planetary Administrator. I really don’t see how that subject is truly germane to the goals of these discussions.”
Fraznal nodded in agreement. “Very well, Admiral. I can understand that. Now, we appear to have gotten off on a bit of a tangent. Admiral Kalis, would you like to proceed with informing us of the details contained in those reports you mentioned receiving earlier?”
“Yes,” said Kalis, relieved at having dodged a bullet in trying to explain something he really knew nothing about. “Approximately three months ago... by my order, the Confederate 2nd Fleet attacked Raknii space forces and forced the capitulation of the Raknii planet Slithin.”
Raan’s ears perked up at that name. “Slithin, did you say?”
“Yes, Region-Master... Slithin. I take it that you’re familiar with it?”
“I have heard of it, though I have never been there personally.”
Thank Dol, Drix’ ploy of planting those doctored star-charts in hopes of diverting human attacks towards Region-4 appears to have worked.
“It appears that the Battle of Slithin introduced an entirely new dynamic to our current conflict, as our forces were confronted by many new types of Raknii weaponry, not seen previously.”
“What kinds of new weapons, Admiral Kalis?” asked Fraznal.
“Heavy cruisers, cruisers, destroyers, carriers, fighters, heavy anti-ship missiles and anti-fighter missiles — all in significant numbers, I might add,” replied Kalis. “It was estimated that upon their arrival in the Slithin system, 2nd Fleet was confronted by 35,000 warships of the old design, plus approximately 10,000 new, heavier warships, including a thousand light carriers fielding upwards of 50,000 fighters.”
Raan was stunned by this news.
Xior must have sent everything new that we’d completed to have achieved those numbers. How is it possible that a single human fleet of merely 60 warships managed to destroy such a force?
Kalis paused in his narrative and Fraznal looked towards Raan, as if expecting a comment or question to come from the Raknii Region-Master. When none was forthcoming, Fraznal decided to ask the obvious question himself:
“Admiral Kalis, if memory serves, I seem to remember that your human fleets generally consist of approximately 60 warships of various classes. How is it possible that a single human fleet managed to defeat such a incredibly massive space-borne force, such as you just described?”
Kalis began to answer but Admiral Eileen Thorn jumped in ahead of him, “We added a new dynamic of our own, which we are currently not at liberty to discuss, Planetary Administrator. A girl has to have some secrets, you know.”
“Quite,” said Kalis. “Suffice it to say that approximately 60% of all Raknii forces within the Slithin system were destroyed, prior to the remainder being driven off into hyperspace, where they escaped immediate destruction. Unfortunately, by utmost necessity, the planetary infrastructure was severely damaged during the battle, and 2nd Fleet is currently rendering all aid to the Raknii people, with every asset at its disposal.”
Raan was aghast.
Over a million more of our people dead. How is it possible? How could such a calamity have happened, yet again? Drix was right, these humans are truly the ultimate predators of Varq’s dire prophecy, and if we do not submit, they will, indeed, exterminate us.
“Is that all, Admiral Kalis?” asked Fraznal somberly.
“Not quite, Planetary Administrator,” replied Kalis. “Subsequent to the Battle of Slithin, human forces under my command, consisting of the Sextus 1st Fleet, the Confederate 4th Fleet and the Alliance 3rd, 8th and 17th Fleets attacked and captured the Raknii planets of Vlisnal, Klognin, Blenthna, Yegraia and Umviil. Each was defended by approximately 10,000 Raknii warships of the old design, but were driven off after each sustained over 50% casualties.
Raan groaned inwardly.
Another 1.2 million dead. Will it never end?
“It also appears that we now know where the surviving Raknii warships that were driven off at Slithin went,” continued Kalis. “Approximately seven weeks after departing Slithin, they emerged in the Yegraia system, where they were immediately engaged by the Alliance 17th Fleet.”
“I take it that your 17th Fleet was destroyed then?” asked Fraznal soberly.
“Almost, it was a very near thing… very. Fortunately 17th Fleet had been fully re-supplied with missiles after their initial victory there, and Vice Admiral Turner, in command of the Alliance 17th Fleet, utilized an old, but highly effective tactic of mine by interspersing his fleet into highly defensible positions within the asteroid belt at Yegraia, which is even more extensive than the one at Slithin. The battle lasted three full days, but after sustaining over 50% casualties, the Rak fleet eventually withdrew from the Yegraia system. Percentage-wise, our losses were equally heavy, if not more so, but we managed to retain control of the planet. I’m told that Vice Admiral Turner was, himself, severely wounded during the battle, and is not expected to live.”
Raan was surprised that Kalis admitted to having one of his fleets nearly destroyed. If anything, that fact made his incredible tale even more credible.
Tzal is one of our best. It’s certainly not his fault these demons are blessed of Dol. 60% of his fleet lost at Slithin and half of what was left, lost at Yegraia. More than 80% of all we were able to build since Golgathal, destroyed in less than three subcycles.
I’d really hate to be the one tasked with the impossible job of opposing both the humans and our god at the same time, as Tzal has been asked to do. He deserves a better legacy than defeat after defeat.
“I see,” said Fraznal. “It appears that copious amounts of blood have been spilled recently in this terrible conflict. I believe that it behooves us all to rededicate ourselves to finding a solution — a way to bring this horrible war to an end, before even one more drop of blood is spilled, unnecessarily.”
“I don’t believe that will be necessary, my friend,” Raan said to Fraznal softly. Fraznal was startled to hear Raan drop back into informal tones.
“Admiral Kalis, Planet-Master Mraz has advised me of the formal surrender ceremony that was required of him at Golgathal,” said Raan. “Please make similar arrangements to accept my formal surrender of Region-6 of the Raknii Empire, in its entirety. That is the full extent of my authority.”
With that, Raan dropped to his knees before a startled Kalis and exposed his throat in total submission.
* * * *
The Raknii Imperial Planet of Raku
August, 3868
Tzal finally herded t
he remnants of his battered fleet to a Raknii planet that humans hadn’t gotten around to taking as yet, and immediately boarded the first available spaceliner destined for the Imperial capital on Raku. He left instructions for his fleet to make what repairs they could, and to follow him to Raku at the more sedate pace of warships, as soon as possible, but his report to Supreme-Master Xior couldn’t wait.
Tzal mentally prepared himself to be stripped of his rank and executed in disgrace for his failures. He’d been honored to lead the most powerful fleets in Raknii history into three great battles against the human aliens and lost all of them. Worse yet, he’d lost over 80% of all those magnificent new weapons their empire had needed three cycles to design, build and make ready for battle. Defeat just wasn’t permissible within their culture, but Tzal was determined to do his duty to the last and bravely face his impending death with dignity, even if he would never be quite sure of what he might have done differently that might have altered any of those horrific outcomes.
Upon his arrival at Raku, Tzal was called to an audience with the supreme-master with amazingly swift dispatch, as Xior’s schedule was normally so tight, even urgent messages usually took turns to get through to him. When Tzal was escorted into the throne room, Xior’s back was to him, but Tzal got the shock of his life —the very last thing he’d ever expected to see. Standing unguarded next to the Raknii supreme-master was a human. A human… unguarded… right next to Xior! Tzal was stupefied.
When the royal Protocol-Master who had entered with him announced, “Ultimate-FleetMaster Tzal to see the supreme-master!” Tzal received yet another shock. No one had informed Tzal of the change in the supreme-mastery, which occurred while he was away in Region-4, so when Xior looked up and turned, Xior wasn’t Xior.
Xior is Drix!
There in the flesh, stood Tzal’s friend Drix, now wearing the imperial rank-stones of the supreme-master of the Raknii Empire. Tzal’s felt his head beginning to swim in circles and he almost staggered in sheer vertigo from two such intense and unexpected shocks in a row.
I really need to eat something… I don’t feel at all well.
* * * *
Drix immediately saw that his old friend had been fully expecting to see his sire, and was visibly staggered by the sheer surprise of who it was actually standing before him, wearing the rank-stones of the supreme-mastery. Drix ran to his friend and physically grabbed Tzal in a powerful hug, roaring his pleasure at seeing him whole and safe.
Tzal was so startled by this unexpected display of affection, he momentarily forgot about the dominance combat roiling in his stomach. After releasing Tzal from his enthusiastic embrace, Drix then introduced him to the equally unexpected human, who had been watching Drix’ antics with poorly disguised humor. Tzal didn’t know what a High-Human was, but Drix obviously had no fear of the beast, but equally queer was the high esteem in which Drix obviously held it… him.
Seated informally, Tzal made his report of his defeat at the Battle of Slithin, followed by his second one at Yegraia. Tzal felt distinctly uncomfortable discussing the details of his two defeats right in front of this human, but one did not question the supreme-master, even if he considered you a personal friend. Tzal knew that those who ascended to the supreme-mastery relinquished the luxury of having friendships, as meeting the responsibilities of governing the empire was Drix’ only true master now.
“That sounds like the three asteroid-battleships that I authorized construction on, about seven cycles ago,” said Hal. “It sounds like I must have changed the design specs to convert them from missile platforms to all energy weapons platforms, to meet the new requirements of the Raknii war. That would explain the time savings in getting them completed this soon.”
“YOU authorized construction of those monsters?” asked Tzal, incredulously.
“Yes… well, in a way yes, and in another way, no. It’s complicated,” replied Hal.
It was then that Tzal first realized… this alien wasn’t using a translator. He spoke and understood the Raknii language.
* * * *
“No, you did not fail, my friend,” said Drix. “You succeeded marvelously, in the incredibly difficult role that Dol has tasked you with.”
“But I was beaten again… not just once, but twice!” Tzal wailed. “Even at Minnos, I failed to hold the planet. Defeat is not tolerated in our culture.”
“It was not always so,” replied Drix. “Is there dishonor in being defeated during dominance combat with a superior male of our race?”
“No, but it’s not the same. These aliens are not males of our race!”
“Why should that matter?” asked Hal. “Dominance combat is dominance combat. Once superiority has been established, why should mere differences in species affect the result? Dominance is dominance.”
“Because aliens are different,” argued Tzal. “We are not the same! You humans have no standing… no place in Raknii traditions.”
“They defeated you three times,” said Drix softly. “Has that feat not earned them standing in your eyes?”
“I…” Tzal dared not contradict his supreme-master, but Dol, how he so much wanted to tear the throat out of this smug alien — if he could, that is. Even as an acknowledged combat-master, Tzal couldn’t be sure what he might be able to actually do to this gigantic human, or, even lacking fangs and claws, what that human might be able to do to him.
Humans had already defeated him too many times for him to begin underestimating them now. There was just too much unknown about these alien creatures. Was it possible that, individually, they could be as fearsome in personal combat as their warships were in open space? Tzal knew he’d never hope to find out for sure against this particular human, whom his new supreme-master has had inexplicably adopted. What possible value did Drix see in the opinions of aliens, anyway?
“Our people and Hal’s people are both predators,” Drix continued. “I have discovered that fact alone gives us far more in common than our physical and cultural differences might indicate.”
“What happens in dominance combat when neither combatant can, or will submit to the other?” Hal suddenly asked.
Tzal looked to Drix, who remained infuriatingly silent, implying the question was all Tzal’s to field. Tzal detested the idea of being drawn into actually conversing with an alien, as it brought him uncomfortably close to an implication of equality, and if he’d been beaten by an equal, then that equal was no longer an equal, but a superior… and that was somewhere Tzal definitely didn’t want to go.
Finally, as it was apparent Drix wished him to answer, Tzal grudgingly murmured, “They will fight to the death.”
“In the current struggle between your race and mine, which race has consistently came and stayed, and which has consistently been forced to withdraw?” Hal asked.
Tzal was surprised to discover himself growling deep in his throat, and even deeper in his soul. He did not want to answer that question, and looked toward Drix imploringly.
Drix merely shook his head and said, “The universe is unforgiving, my friend. Truth does not change in accordance with our desires, or our ability to admit to that which we might fervently wish were otherwise. It remains what it is, regardless. Answer.”
“I see where this creature is leading this conversation. Do you truly wish to hear me speak such blasphemy?” Tzal asked.
Drix looked at his friend sadly and replied, “Dol is truth, so how can genuine truth ever be blasphemy? The words and ideas you deny are not the concepts of our god, but precepts of the modern secular philosophy infesting our society. The old ways are in harmony with nature. Raknii became dominant here on Raku by the truths of nature.
Raknii remained dominant throughout our expansion into space as well, until we foolishly abandoned the old ways of a natural predator and began hunting and killing just because something other than ourselves was there and moved within our cognizance. We ceased hunting because of actual hunger and began hunting for sheer sport. Was that not t
he true blasphemy against nature, and against Dol?
“Dol made us predators, yes… but our natural instincts for hunting to live became perverted by modern secularism’s unnatural lusts for the shedding of blood for nothing more than glory and self-gratification,” Drix continued. “Is it any great wonder that Dol was angered by the way our race neglected his precepts and gloried in our misuse of the bounty of his creation?”
Tzal’s muzzle began twitching, as it often did when he was under stress, and he subconsciously smoothed it down with his paw.
“Do you truly believe it mere coincidence that within a sub-cycle of the deliverance of that dire prophecy, you yourself returned to announce your discovery of the existence of this human civilization, far beyond the frontiers of our empire?” Drix asked. “What need, other than the thrill of the hunt, did your ravaging of their world at Minnos really meet? Was it hunger, or lust? Was it truly necessary? What offense had these creatures given us, which justified our attempt to take their world from them?”
With a strangled look, Tzal meekly replied, “Supreme-Master Drix, was it not you who personally gave that fateful command for my fleet to depart Golgathal and attack the humans at Minnos?”
Drix looked at his friend with deep sympathy for what he was enduring, as he struggled to understand.
“Was it? What if I had not?” Drix asked softly. “Knowing they were out there, would our people have simply left those far-off aliens alone, to pursue their own interests in peace? Had I refused to issue that order after the precepts of modern secularism clearly labeled them as prey, wouldn’t I have been branded as timid and craven for refusing to grant our warriors the order to hunt?
“Think back,” said Drix. “What was the mood amongst our people then, when it was first discovered these new aliens were not merely more grazing plant-eaters, but were predators like ourselves? Did we perceive them as kindred spirits and honor these new predator brethren by avoiding imposition upon their hunting grounds? Or were we enflamed with unnatural passion, desiring to test our mettle against them, to prove our invincibility to the universe and ourselves?
Wrath of an Angry God: A Military Space Opera (The Sentience Trilogy Book 3) Page 25
