More people were joining the crowd than leaving, and Frost continued as people climbed up on old wrecks to get a direct view of him. “You will fight alongside us because this is a just war. We’ll bring a better day by force because we must. Eve tells us that it is mankind’s fate to become greater through her Order,” There were jeers and shouts at that notion, and when someone shouted, “Hate fate!” Frost pointed at the man in a snap.
“That’s the way!” Frost said, all gnashed teeth and bloodthirsty enthusiasm. “My captains have seen the fires of Pandem! I’ve known the pain of a family murdered, and you’ve all been brought low. This is paradise for few and hell for the rest, and I’m not having it! Hate fate! Hate fate!” he shouted, pumping his arms in the air.
He continued until most of the crowd was with him, then he took a step forward, crushing a corner of the fighter he stood on. He quieted the crowd with pacifying gestures and spoke to them in lower tones. Minh-Chu had seen Frost in confident modes before, but he’d never appeared as a true leader, in full control of the crowd.
“The fighting is furious on a distant front, where my family was killed,” Frost continued, almost hushed. “My enemy will not hear my grief, but they celebrate our losses, and they know we suffer. You don’t have to starve here, nothing but grief in your belly, fighting each other for scraps.” He pointed over his head and the Warlord appeared two hundred metres above. “The Warlord needs good crewmembers. From pilots to machinists, we need every discipline. That will only take care of a few of you, and I know there are tens, hundreds of thousands.”
A low hum filled the air and Minh-Chu glanced at Oz, who was trying to stifle a self-satisfied grin. He looked past the Warlord in time to see the Triton appear as it descended gently. It moved into place above the smaller ship, and blocked out the sun.
“The Warlord needs a couple hundred, but the Triton needs thousands of skilled people, and that includes people who can do more than maintain a ship. She needs people who can make a home. There are other doors opening too, and we’ll be bringing more ships online.”
Wide eyes and glad stares could be seen across the ruined landscape as the crowd was momentarily frozen in place, stuck in disbelief.
“Our shuttles are already starting to come down. We’ll check your records, and take as many as we can. By the end of today, at least a thousand of you will be aboard one of those ships.”
Minh-Chu was surprised to see half a dozen Haven Shore shuttles descending along with the ones coming from the Triton. “Okay, Ayan lending us the Clever Dream is one thing, but my tactical system tells me those shuttles are full of Haven Shore security and regulars,” Minh-Chu said.
“This was her idea, showing up in force so the Carthans couldn’t stop us from recruiting. I don’t think Ayan’s finished pulling strings yet, either,” Oz said. “She’s turned her Council seat nomination down so she can pursue something else full time. I don’t think she really cares whose toes she’s stepping on.”
“What is she pursuing?” Minh-Chu asked.
Oz pointed at Frost, who was stepping down from the wreck he used as a soapbox into the growing crowd. “I think he convinced her to start recruiting, training, probably build a few military bases. I have quarters ready for her on Triton, just in case she needs a breather, but I think our favourite redhead is becoming a general, I doubt she’ll want a break.”
“I think I should pay her a visit before the Warlord sets out,” Minh-Chu said. “Oh, and congratulations on Slick. I hear he’s re-joining the Triton with most of the old squadron and their ground crew.”
“Who do you think is flying those Haven Shore shuttles?” Oz said with a grin. “Those soldiers are coming too.” He pointed to the black armoured soldiers who were disembarking from the shuttles two by two. Their Haven Shore insignias – a setting sun with a dome in the fore – had already been replaced by Triton markings.
“Who knew an angry Irishman could turn half a moon around,” Minh-Chu said. “Now we have a new challenge: admitting all these people.”
“Ought to be pretty nice for the Warlord,” Stephanie said. “Most of the people here are from marooned crews, so they know what signing up for a new ship is like. What’s going to be really interesting is when the Triton starts bringing food down.”
Uriel and Ramiel fighters entered the area, patrolling in a broad, low circle. “I doubt the Carthans are going to come anywhere near this,” Minh-Chu said.
“That’s why we hurried up and got the last of Triton’s gravitational navigation systems online last night,” Oz said. “We need to be here in force so they think twice about confronting us. I’m surprised Jake didn’t let you in on the plan.”
“I’m the only commander here who doesn’t need a bigger staff,” Minh-Chu said. “Besides, Ashley and I were reuniting.”
“Well, I hope you’re going to help with recruitment today, because it’s gonna take a while,” Alice said, wincing at the size of the gathering.
“Get me to a scanning and screening station,” Minh-Chu replied, glancing up at the Warlord. Ashley was up there, where she belonged at the helm. He smiled a little then focused on the task ahead. Rangers were directing the masses so they formed lines in front of small clusters of security guards. Before Minh-Chu knew it, Alice was standing guard over him as he loaded the crew criteria on his command and control unit. A moment later he was scanning the first of many potential crewmembers.
CHAPTER 28
The Overlord
“I am not here to serve you,” Clark said loudly enough so everyone in the large, octagonal space could hear him. The hard carapace armour covering his face only scraped together a little when he spoke. The crimson plates and hardened mucus protecting the rest of his body had also become more sleek, but humans still had difficulty looking at him, and that included the crowd of twenty-four he spoke to. “All of your personal requests from the last two months are denied. I am not singling any of you out, but treating you equally.”
There was a stirring in the seats as he delivered the news from the outer platform surrounding the seating area. The room was built for immersive holography, something that people didn’t seem interested in any longer. To Clark, known as the Beast to the Order of Eden as well as Regent Galactic, the room made the perfect meeting space. He could stand over the people he spoke to, and it was easy to line the walls with Order of Eden Knights. Every one of them had elevated themselves in combat, and had almost as little regard for human life as he did. They stared dispassionately at the officers sitting in the room in their dark green and blue armour, waiting for orders.
“I think I speak for most of the people here when I say that we understand that you didn’t take control of the Order of Eden military so you could serve our needs, but command comes with some privilege,” one of the younger generals, Laurel Kenton, said.
“You have the ultimate privilege: immortality,” Clark replied. Watching these petitioners in the front rows of the chamber reminded him of newborn grubs, all blindly scrounging in the dirt for food. These were the greediest of his immediate subordinates, the wasteful ones, and the loudest ones. They obeyed orders loosely, interpreting them instead of following them precisely. “You have power, wealth, and you still send pointless requests for expansion rights, try to tell me how this organization should be run, and openly question my place as your leader.”
He could smell the anger and fear in the room. It was so potent that he didn’t notice an Order of Eden Servitor approach him from behind until the older man was whispering in his ear. “There is a high priority transmission coming in, my Overlord.” The Servitor’s white and green robes were so fine and frictionless they didn’t make a sound as he moved. This one reeked of confidence, and carried with him a sense that he felt he was exactly where he should be, believing he was performing his duty well. “It bears the mark you advised I should watch for, and is highly encrypted.”
“Thank you, Servitor,” Clark said.
“You are wel
come, my Overlord,” the Servitor said before he bowed deeply and left the room.
“You’re asking us to establish a border across five sectors; our resources will be spread thinly,” argued another general. Clark didn’t bother looking at her, but instead considered what the new transmission could contain. “We can hold the space, but the strategy behind it is weak.“
“It is necessary,” Clark said. “I am interested in containing what we have taken in that region of space because it serves my purpose. We have secrets to protect, and installations that are still vulnerable.”
“We wouldn’t have to if you could control the Edxi. The Loi System is on the border of my territory. I lost four new colonies when they took it without warning,” a red-faced governor shouted.
“I sent them there,” Clark replied. It was a complete lie. The Edxi took Loi without warning, adding to the small section around Pandem and its system that upper officers called the compensation circle. “You were losing focus and reaching beyond your means.” His Issyrian senses were filled with the reek of his dishonesty, but he knew his lie would pass with the humans. He sometimes forgot how sense-dull they were as a race, and could barely remember what it was like to be locked into a human body – but he counted on it as he spoke to these dissidents and the hidden onlookers.
The governor, Iella Dremin, didn’t retort but stared with a furious gaze. Her comrades were about to start complaining for her; he knew to expect it. Clark’s patience was waning quickly. “All of you have the resources to build or purchase more vessels, and our recruiting program is providing more than enough manpower. All of you have been given similar orders. You protest because you are greedy and self-serving.” With a gesture, Clark ordered the observation level windows surrounding the upper level of the hundred and fifty seat entertainment centre to reveal the generals’ and governors’ spectating subordinates. “All of you can be replaced. My spies have determined that these people are more trustworthy and capable of taking control of your resources.”
“What are you doing, Overlord?” shouted one of the generals in the front row. His question sounded more like an accusation.
Clark used his direct connection to the computer system sparingly, but this was one of those occasions where he had to make sure his orders were issued properly. “There is a special condition attached to the immortality that the Order of Eden provides through framework technology, and that is my utter control over your lives. All of the people watching are about to be promoted into your positions, and they have been given the same upgrades you all earned as Order followers.” Clark issued a command to all of the twenty-four commanders’ framework enhancements. He spoke loudly enough to be heard over most of their questions and protests. “They will not question my orders because of the demonstration they’re about to see.”
“What’s happening?” asked one general, doubling over.
“I’m burning up! What are you doing?” cried Laurel Kenton.
The framework systems the Order installed into all of them as a reward for rising so high in the organization, or as a bribe for loyalty, were reclaiming the matter surrounding them. Systems installed bone-deep converted flesh to energy and, without a storage system programmed to collect the power, they converted that energy to heat. The gallery of subordinates watched, horror-stricken as their commanding officers writhed and screamed. After half a minute, human sounds of anguish were replaced with a symphony of noises and fragrances altogether different, as the superior officers were burned to bone in the final phase of framework reclamation. The leftover framework technology would be recycled, and those smouldering emitter systems would become Order soldiers.
The room had become so pungent that Clark turned and left without glancing at the gallery windows above. He was sure he’d made his point. The Order of Eden Matron, Eve, was standing outside, looking concerned. Whenever he was near her he could sense her hesitation. It was tinged with fear, something he thought was unfortunate at first, but came to enjoy as she grew to embrace her role as the religious icon of the Order. “You knew I didn’t approve of this and you completely ignored me.”
“I considered your opinion and found this was the most direct course to getting over twenty solar systems back on track,” Clark replied. “The new commanders will perform their duty. They will not be like this group, taking more territory than ordered, killing out of vendetta, or hesitating to follow orders.”
“And what if you’ve chosen a few that are worse?” Eve asked.
“Then they will be found out and executed,” Clark said. He stopped and looked directly at her. She averted her gaze. “The days of reckless conquest are over. Three of the humans who burned are guilty of attempted genocide. Each was responsible for the near eradication of entire cultures, and the survivors will spread the word as witnesses, urging more people to fight us.”
“They believed what I do: that the only way to save humanity is to assume control. The Order was started as a central faith to cull and gather them, to show the Edxians that we are willing to pay penance for invading one of their brood worlds. If we can’t demonstrate that we have control, then there’s no telling how they will react.”
“I know exactly what they will do,” Clark said. “They will begin a vengeance war. We must demonstrate that we can control our own people, the territory we’ve taken, otherwise that will come sooner than you think. You continue your recruiting efforts, keep the masses calm and provide for the new brood worlds.”
“Or what? You’ll burn me, too?” she asked, looking up at him. “But you can’t, can you? Everything in my generation and the prototypes are locked out, aren’t they?”
“I will take care of the prototypes eventually,” Clark said. “And I wouldn’t burn you. I wouldn’t know who to replace you with.”
“Then why did you invite me to this demonstration?” Eve asked.
“To show you that I have no interest in keeping anything from you. We may not agree on some things, but this is still an effort we cooperate on. It has to be.”
“Sometimes I wonder, with you spending most of your time on the Fallen Star with your Issyrian family.”
“I am always looking to our intention, the salvation of humanity, even when I am with them,” Clark replied.
That quieted Eve, who looked away again as she started down the hallway. Her hand fidgeted with the gold and red sleeve of her dress. He kept pace with her and several Servators fell in step behind as they walked down the polished metal hallway. “I have to appear on Olsow next. My ship is scheduled to leave soon,” she said, breaking a silence that stretched the length of the corridor. “You are staying in Complex Three?”
“Yes, I have reports to review, and I have to oversee the installation of these new commanders,” Clark replied. There was something new radiating from his companion that he couldn’t identify. The fear was still present, but to a lesser degree.
“I’ll make sure I contact you regularly, but I want you to try to remember that you were once human while I’m away,” Eve said. “You’re learning to hate us, I’ve been watching it happen gradually. Every time I visit, you have less patience.”
Her conclusion was startling, and worse, he knew it was true. “I wouldn’t try to save humanity if I hated them, or forgot where I came from.”
“I don’t think, being what you are, you have a choice. I’m only asking that you spend a few weeks away from the Issyrian habitat, get used to conversations for a while. I know it’s a slow way to communicate compared to what it’s like with them, but you need to remember what you’re saving.”
“I will not abandon my House,” Clark said. “But I will spend more time with humans.”
“Good,” Eve said. “I keep expecting you to take the Fallen Star and disappear somewhere into uncharted space. You’re right, neither of us can do this alone, and we both know what will happen if the Order unravels.”
“I will not abandon the cause,” Clark reassured her. They stopped in front of a pri
vate room that a Servitor opened and checked. “I have reports to review.”
“I have a ship to get to,” Eve said. “I’ll be in touch soon.”
He entered the room and made sure there were no active surveillance devices operating inside before accessing and decrypting the new reports.
The images of a few humans in navy blue British Alliance uniforms appeared, and Clark opened the first message. “The main focus on my report,” the woman said rapidly. Her face and voice were disguised; Clark was left watching a blurred hologram he could only coin as ‘the woman,’ “is a copy of collected intelligence from whom we in the Intelligence community have come to call the Freeground Four, Terry Ozark McPatterson, Ayan, Minh-Chu, and Remmy Sands. This extended report was sold to my government by Jacob Valent and it details all the major events surrounding the former Freeground residents since their first departure from that station. At first that may not seem important, but after reviewing the data, I have concluded that Freeground residents, including Lucius Wheeler, have touched a staggering number of people and places involved in the course humanity has taken over the last decade. What makes this even more potent is the way they have woven the tale into a timeline that confirms all the details from more than one perspective. They even have all the details on the new leader active in the Order. They say you’re a former Freeground resident that was saved by framework technology. They have the details about you; the evidence was provided by Remmy Sands and a captured man named Kipley. It does my head in, but they even have the true motivation behind the Order, with such detail that it rivals the briefing you provided to the inner circle before I returned to service here.”
Randolph Lalonde - Spinward Fringe Broadcast 08 - Renegades Page 22
