by Ryk Brown
“Can we afford not to?” the president countered. “If we end up at war with the Jung again, we’re going to need allies like the Corinairans, and even ones like the Takarans. What better way to strengthen our support from the Pentaurus cluster than to help them in their time of need? That is how we became allies to begin with.”
“If only we had more ships,” Miri said.
“We kicked the Jung out of the Sol sector with far fewer ships than we have now,” the president pointed out. “And they were quite firmly entrenched at the time.”
“That was before they had jump drives,” Miri argued.
“And do they have jump drives now?” the president asked. “No one really seems interested in answering that question. Instead, they just prefer to ‘play it safe’ and assume the worst.”
“Isn’t that for the best?”
“For us, yes,” the president agreed. “But we are not alone in this galaxy.”
“Which is why you need to read this,” she said, changing the subject and handing him his briefing pad.
“Interstellar Trade Agreement?”
“You depart in a few hours, remember?”
“That’s today?”
“Yes, it’s today,” Miri said.
An aide entered from another side entrance, handing her a note, and a small data chip. She read the note, and a puzzled look appeared on her face.
“Anything I should know about?” her father asked as he activated his digital briefing pad.
“Nothing, just a personal call. Probably one of the kids being overly dramatic again,” she said, as she headed for her adjoining office.
“Give them my love,” he told her as she left.
Miri stepped through the door, closing it behind her so as not to bother her father. She moved to her desk, sat down, and logged into her workstation. She inserted the data chip into the reader and waited. A few seconds later, a message came on her screen.
Message encrypted. Enter code key.
“A code key,” she said to herself. She noticed the ‘hint’ button, and touched it. Another message appeared.
Missed opportunities…
“What?” Now she was even more puzzled. After a few moments, she typed, ‘are lost advantages.’ The decryption process started, and a few seconds later, a vid file opened and began to play.
Miri’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. “Oh, my God.”
“Hello, Miri. I bet you weren’t expecting to hear from me again.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Captain Gullen’s eyes were wide, his jaw slack, as he stared in disbelief at Captain Tuplo walking into his wardroom. “Gentlemen,” he finally managed to mumble, gesturing for everyone to take a seat. As he sat, he leaned toward General Telles, who was taking a seat to the left of him. “Is that…?” he started to ask under his breath.
General Telles put his hand up, silencing Captain Gullen. “Gentlemen, I want to thank you all for your help. We lost many friends today, and without the help of your ships, and your crews, even more of us would have perished. I see no way to repay this debt, save one. The Ghatazhak will rid the Pentaurus sector of the Dusahn, or every last one of us will die trying.”
“Forgive me, General,” Captain Tobas said over the vid-comm link from the Morsiko-Tavi nearby. “I mean no disrespect. We all know of your skill, cunning, and ruthlessness, as well as your dedication. But your numbers were few before the attack. Surely, they are considerably less now?”
“Our numbers have been cut in half,” the general replied evenly. “We now stand at two hundred and thirty-seven traditionally trained Ghatazhak, as well as another ninety-three civilian specialists, technicians, and support personnel.”
“There are more than three hundred and thirty people in our cargo bay, General,” Captain Gullen pointed out. “A lot more.”
“We are working on getting an accurate count,” the general said. “Our current estimate stands at one thousand and eleven, most of which are the families of the Ghatazhak and our support personnel.”
“The Ghatazhak have families?” Captain Tobas asked in disbelief.
“More than half of my men took wives during our time on Burgess. Many of them fathered children as well.” General Telles informed them.
“Does that not weaken their combat effectiveness?” Captain Gullen inquired.
“Nothing weakens the combat effectiveness of a Ghatazhak, except serious injury,” the general replied confidently. “Even then, the reduction is negligible.”
“How did you manage to survive all these years?” Captain Donlevy asked, also over vid-comm. “Where did you get funding?”
“Teams of us took assignments for private concerns, on numerous worlds outside the Pentaurus sector.”
“You became mercenaries?”
“The term ‘private security’ would be more accurate,” the general replied. “Although, I will admit that many of our clients were of questionable repute.”
“Jesus,” Captain Donlevy exclaimed. “Am I the only one who shudders at the thought of Ghatazhak mercs?”
General Telles’s eyebrow went up at the captain’s remark. “Captain Donlevy, have not many Corinari sought similar employment? I believe my people encountered them on occasion.”
“Encountered them, or fought against them,” Captain Donlevy retorted.
“When one has a particularly unique skill set, is it not in one’s best interest to seek employment that utilizes those skills? Would you suggest the Ghatazhak become farmers? Bakers? Bankers? Perhaps politicians, or even cargo ship captains?”
Captain Donlevy had no response.
“The fact is the galaxy still does, and always will, need the services of people such as ourselves. Humanity may not like to admit that fact, but it exists, nonetheless. The invasion by the Dusahn is evidence of this. Humanity needs people to fight for them, and to inspire them to stand up and fight for themselves alongside us.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” Captain Tobas asked over the vid-comm, trying to take the heat off his friend.
“Allow me to introduce Deliza Ta’Akar,” the general replied, gesturing to Deliza sitting to his left. “She is the daughter of Casimir Ta’Akar, the sole survivor of the Ta’Akar family, rightful heir to House Ta’Akar and the throne of Takara. I have pledged the loyalty of the Ghatazhak to her.”
“To do what?” Captain Donlevy asked, almost laughing.
“I plan to reform the Karuzari, and drive the Dusahn from our homes,” Deliza said confidently.
“She is a child!” Captain Donlevy exclaimed, still chuckling, “and a woman at that!”
“Funny, I never noticed Corinair to be particularly sexist,” Deliza stated flatly, her reply directed at Captain Donlevy over the vid-comm.
“I misspoke,” Captain Donlevy apologized. “I did not mean that you were incapable because of your gender. It is just that Corinairan women do not involve themselves in the military. They use their brains, not their brawn.”
“Then, I am well suited for this role,” Deliza replied smartly. “And rest assured, Captain, that I do not intend to charge into battle, gun in hand. As the general has said, one must play to their strengths. I intend to play to mine.”
“As the daughter of the original founder and leader of the Karuzari, she is a natural successor,” Captain Gullen informed them.
“Perhaps,” Captain Donlevy said, “but I doubt that many will find her a compelling leader.”
“I have known Miss Ta’Akar for more than seven years, now,” Captain Gullen said, interrupting Captain Donlevy. “She is a well-spoken young woman, with great business skills, and her intellect borders on genius, just like her father.”
“But her father was a natural leader,” Captain Donlevy reminded them. �
�Regardless of her genius, I do not see this young woman inspiring thousands to lay down their lives and follow her into battle.”
“Which is why we have enlisted Captain Tuplo, of the Seiiki,” Deliza replied, “formerly known as Captain Nathan Scott, of the Aurora.”
The room suddenly became quiet. A smile formed on Captain Gullen’s bearded face, but the faces of the others showed nothing but astonishment.
“Impossible,” Captain Donlevy said, although with some uncertainty. “Captain Scott surrendered himself to the Jung and was executed over seven years ago!”
“Or, so the galaxy was led to believe,” Deliza replied, a satisfied look on her face.
“How is this possible?” Captain Tobas wondered over the vid-comm. It was obvious that he seemed more willing to believe their claims than Captain Donlevy.
“Myself and Lieutenant Nash rescued Captain Scott on the eve of his execution,” General Telles explained.
“From the Jung homeworld?” Captain Donlevy questioned, refusing to believe it. “Images from his memorial service on Earth have been rebroadcast throughout the galaxy. We all saw his body!”
“What everyone saw was a clone of Nathan Scott,” the general replied calmly. “One placed there by us.”
Deliza glanced momentarily at the general to her right. It was an instinctive glance, one of puzzlement. Afterward, she hoped that it had been discrete enough to hide her surprise at the general’s bending of the truth.
“Cloning is illegal,” Captain Donlevy sputtered angrily.
“On Corinair, perhaps,” General Telles admitted.
“Then, how did you manage to clone him?” the captain demanded. “And where? And how did you manage to clone him so quickly?”
“The details are not important,” the general said, dismissing his questions. “However, if you require proof as to his identity, we will be happy to provide you with it.”
“You realize what the Jung will do when they discover he is still alive, don’t you?” Captain Donlevy asked. “You think the Dusahn are a threat? Wait until the entire Jung fleet comes calling, looking for Captain Scott there…”
“The cease-fire between the Alliance and the Jung has already broken down,” Connor explained, trying to sound as confident as he imagined Captain Scott would. “Jung ships have been detected as deep as a few light years from Sol. Limited battles have ensued, and several Jung ships have been destroyed. As of yet, no Alliance ships have been lost. However, the Alliance has also launched a limited KKV strike against Jung military assets deep inside the Jung sector, resulting in the loss of millions of lives.”
“Oh, my God,” Captain Tobas exclaimed. “You’re saying the galaxy is at war?”
“More accurately, on the verge of galactic war,” General Telles corrected. “Our last message from Sol before evacuation indicated that they were currently in a ‘standoff’. No Jung ships have been detected in Alliance space since the KKV strike a week ago.”
“A week ago?” Captain Donlevy realized the significance. “That’s when the Dusahn invaded the Pentaurus cluster, as well. Surely there is some significance to the timing of the two events?”
“We have no evidence that supports or refutes that hypothesis,” the general replied. “However, it is a logical assumption at this point.”
“Then, we are not merely facing the Dusahn, but the Jung Empire, as well,” Captain Tobas surmised.
“That is a possibility,” the general admitted. “However, I do not believe it to be true. Were we facing the entire Jung Empire, none of us would be talking right now. The Jung Empire has hundreds, if not thousands, of ships. And they have fabrication technology that, although inferior to our own, would still enable them to outfit far more ships than the few they have sent to conquer the Pentaurus cluster.”
“Or, they only recently acquired jump drive technology, and are still in the process of outfitting their fleet,” Captain Donlevy suggested, in opposition to the general’s theory.
“Were that the case, the Jung would have waited to invade the Pentaurus cluster,” the general argued. “The Jung prefer to attack with overwhelming numbers. The Dusahn used the element of surprise to offset their lack of such numbers.”
“The Jung Empire is caste-based,” General Telles explained. “We believe the Dusahn to be operating of their own volition.”
“Like some kind of rogue caste?” Captain Tobas wondered.
“Precisely.”
“Wouldn’t they fear punishment by their own people?” Captain Donlevy asked. “After all, their actions are likely to cause a galactic war.”
“Not if the Dusahn acquired jump drive technology, but the Jung did not,” Connor suggested.
“Now I’m confused,” Captain Gullen admitted.
“Many of the Jung castes do not see eye-to-eye,” General Telles explained. “It is even rumored that some castes were expelled from Jung space for their failure to comply with the directives of their collective leadership. The Dusahn may be just such a caste.”
“But you said that Jung ships have been detected deep within Alliance space,” Captain Tobas reminded them. “To do so, wouldn’t they need jump drives?”
“One would think so, yes. Unfortunately, we have no information on the method of their insertion,” General Telles replied. “However, given our experience with the Jung, the rogue caste theory makes the most sense.”
“Even if the Dusahn are acting alone, if Jung ships are popping up deep inside Alliance space, the Alliance is unlikely to send aid,” Captain Gullen said.
“That is a distinct possibility,” General Telles admitted. “In the meantime, however, we must prepare. And our first order of business is to find safe accommodations for the souls we carry.”
“Indeed,” Captain Gullen agreed. “The Glendanon is not designed to support so many. Our cargo bay is not adequately shielded for long-term occupancy, even from within class one pods.”
“Can the shielding be improved?” Deliza asked. “The Ghatazhak have fabricators.”
“I was not aware of this,” Captain Gullen said.
“They were moved to a secure location on an uninhabited world, at the start of the evacuation.”
“Then you’re planning on joining them,” Captain Donlevy said, surprised.
“I see no other alternative.”
“Don’t you have family on Corinair?” Captain Donlevy asked.
“I do,” Captain Gullen replied. “The general has agreed to attempt their rescue.”
“Attempt?”
“I cannot guarantee it will be a success,” General Telles admitted.
“Then why not give up your ship?” Captain Donlevy wondered.
“Because, as it stands, these people are our best chance at regaining that which, once again, has unjustly been taken from us. The Karuzari drove the Takaran Empire out of the Pentaurus sector, back into the cluster, and with the help of Nathan Scott, liberated us all from the reign of Caius. I believe they will do the same with the Dusahn.”
“And you are willing to bet your family’s life on that?” Captain Donlevy asked.
“Do I have the right to possibly condemn billions, perhaps trillions of innocent people, simply to save those most dear to me?” Captain Gullen asked Captain Donlevy. “How could I be worthy of my family’s respect if I did so? How would I live with myself?”
“Did the Ghatazhak have the right to condemn the citizens of Burgess?” Captain Donlevy wondered.
“The Ghatazhak had no way of knowing…” Deliza began to argue.
General Telles held up his hand, cutting her short. “The captain has a valid point. And to that comment I answer no, I did not. No one has the right to condemn others to death. Not one, not millions, not trillions. Unfortunately, such decisions often must be made, an
d made by the few, or even just one. This is precisely why the Ghatazhak exist.”
“No offense, General,” Captain Donlevy said, “but I’m not so sure I want the Ghatazhak making such decisions. And I suspect most people would agree with me on this. It’s too easy for you to turn your emotions off and on. You may feel remorse for those who died on Burgess, but we do not feel your pain is genuine. People want to know that their leaders care about them, that they feel pain when they lose men in battle, or when they fail to protect societies.”
“I completely understand your sentiments, Captain. And were I like you, I suspect I would feel the same. This is precisely why we have asked Captain Scott to come out of hiding, and lead the rebellion.”
The room became quiet for several moments.
“Captain Donlevy,” General Telles began, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “As you have been the most critical of our proposal, I will ask you first. Will you join us?”
“Why doesn’t Captain Scott ask me himself?” Captain Donlevy wondered.
“Very well,” Connor said. “Captain Donlevy, will you join us to fight the Dusahn?”
Captain Donlevy thought for a moment. “I served with you in the Sol sector, Captain. There are few men I would trust more to care about the well-being of my crew, my ship, and myself, than you. Therefore, I will join you. But on one condition. If any of my crew do not wish to join your cause, you must allow me to return them to their homes, as best I can.”
“Agreed,” Connor replied. “And thank you.” Connor turned his attention to the other view screen. “Captain Tobas, will you join us?”
“I will also have to ask my crew, and I ask for the same considerations, should any of them choose differently. But I will pledge myself, and my ship, to you and the Karuzari, Captain.”
“Thank you,” Connor replied. He turned his attention to Lieutenant Commander Sistone.
“I cannot make such a decision until I know the status of Commander Jarso,” the Lieutenant Commander stated stubbornly.
