“I wonder if there have been any more executions in the other platoons?”
Casey was deeply concerned the Nabians or the Kleese would continue to use the small black control boxes to eliminate any Marines they saw as a problem. Her hand went to the small metallic collar around her neck. It was a reminder of how their lives could be taken without warning. It was something they had learned to live with, however, it was always in the back of her mind.
Ryan saw Casey’s gesture and felt anger inside at what the Kleese had done to them. He recalled from what his brother had said, that when he and Beth had been captured they’d been forced to wear the Kleese collars of obedience for many long months. It wasn’t until Marken and his group of Kivean conspirators had disabled them that Wade and the others had led a successful revolt against the Kleese. They’d freed all the soldiers who were not in cryosleep as well as all the Kiveans upon the trading station. Only later had they returned and captured the station, returning it to Earth where the rest of the soldiers had been awoken.
“I’m going to stop this time around and try to speak to Gureen,” Ryan said, as he looked ahead to where the Nabian was standing. “Keep the platoon jogging around the facility until I rejoin you.”
“Be careful, Ryan,” Casey said in a deeply concerned voice. “Don’t do anything to aggravate Gureen.” She would just die if Ryan angered the Nabian and ended up getting his head blown off.
“I won’t,” Ryan promised as he stepped out of formation.
Alexander and Lauren saw the lieutenant began walking toward Gureen and knew Ryan was about to try the gambit he had been speaking of.
“I hope this works,” Alexander said as his eyes followed Ryan.
“It had better,” replied Lauren. “If it doesn’t, we’ll soon be at the Kleese home world and, once there, I don’t believe we’ll have any chance of escape.”
“Greetings, Gureen,” Ryan said as he stopped in front of the seven-foot-tall Nabian. “I would like to speak to you of a matter that would be beneficial to both you and myself.”
Gureen eyed Ryan suspiciously, debating whether he should send the human back to his group. He made it a policy not to speak with conscripts unless absolutely necessary. However, the humans were not actual conscripts, they were captives of the Zaltule, and that made him a little curious. The warrior caste seemed highly interested in these humans.
“What is it, human?” Gureen asked, his eyes focusing sharply on Ryan. “Speak quickly or return to your people.”
“I would like to bargain for more time in this facility,” began Ryan, being careful how he phrased his words. “My Marines grow tired of being penned up in our small barracks for hours on end. I would like to be able to come here daily for two to four hours. We would also like more variance in the food we eat.”
“No,” answered Gureen without hesitation. This human was obviously wasting his time. “I have only so much time to dedicate to you humans. I don’t wish to spend any additional time as I have my own duties to perform. Return to your formation and continue running. Do not speak to me again.”
“I may have something to offer that will greatly benefit you,” Ryan said, as he slowly backed away as if to obey Gureen’s command. “It would put you in a favorable light with the Kleese, perhaps even with Minor Overlord Creedanth.”
“Hold,” Gureen ordered, his eyes narrowing to slits. “There is nothing you have to offer that the Kleese would be interested in other than information. Are you prepared to reveal the military information that the Kleese are seeking?”
“No, we have already done that,” Ryan answered as he stopped backing up. “I have something far more valuable.”
“Explain.” Gureen was becoming intrigued.
If he could learn something of value from this human then perhaps he could use that information to increase his value to Minor Overlord Creedanth. There were a number of Nabians, such as Queex, who had found favor with the Minor Overlord and were allowed special privileges.
“I can show you how our battlesuits operate,” Ryan said in a low voice as if he didn’t want anyone to over hear what he was saying. “The most powerful battlesuit the Kleese have is a Type Three; we have developed a Type Four. The Kleese would be highly interested in learning how some of that technology works.”
Gureen was silent as he contemplated the human’s words. The Kleese would indeed be interested in such information. However, he strongly suspected that in order for this human to explain how the battlesuit worked, he would have to have access to it. The humans’ equipment was in a storage compartment far from this section. He didn’t know if it was plausible to do as the human was suggesting. It would also carry a high level of risk.
“Return to your people,” Gureen ordered. “I will think about your offer.”
Ryan nodded and, turning around, he jogged over to the platoon and rejoined the formation.
“How did it go?” asked Casey, looking over at Ryan expectantly. She had been watching Ryan speak to the Kleese, feeling a nervous apprehension. She was relieved that he had come back unharmed.
“He took the bait,” Ryan said with a slight nod. “Now we’ll just have to wait and see what he does with it.” Ryan hoped he had revealed enough to make the Nabian curious. Now they would just have to wait and see if Gureen responded.
-
The platoon returned back to their barracks without Gureen giving any indication of being interested in Ryan’s offer. Even later, when their afternoon food carts were brought in, there was no word from Gureen.
“Perhaps he’s not interested,” Casey said, as she sat down next to Ryan with her bowl of soup.
Looking down at her bowl, she wondered just what they were eating. The soup had several types of unidentified vegetables in it and was very thick. She suspected it was best if she didn’t know what it was made out of. At least it seemed nourishing, and no one was suffering from eating it.
“He wants a better offer,” Lauren suggested. She was standing in front of Ryan’s bunk holding her bowl. “He seems like a crafty individual. Don’t be surprised if he waits a few days before saying anything. You might be prepared to make him a better deal.”
Ryan nodded, agreeing with Lauren’s assessment of the situation.
“What else can you offer Gureen?” asked Casey worriedly. “You don’t dare give him any sensitive military intel.”
“I don’t know,” answered Ryan as he thought over Lauren’s suggestion. “I need to think of what else might be of interest to him.”
-
Deep in the heart of the Kleese Empire Supreme Overlord Xatul was once more in front of the Council of Overlords bearing grievous news. “It has been confirmed. The humans and their Alliance have attacked and seized two more of our trading stations.”
“What!” bellowed Syndat, rising up on his six legs to his full height. “Which ones?” He leaned forward in deep concern.
“The stations in Sectors Nine and Twelve,” answered Xatul, knowing this would greatly upset Syndat as the one in Sector Nine was controlled by his family.
“What’s Military Overlord Harmock doing about this?” demanded Syndat, feeling anger over how this would affect his family’s power. “Has he sent sufficient forces to retrieve our property?” He was angry enough to even challenge the Zaltule that served on the council.
“Our Military Overlord is on his way back here to the home system,” answered Darthu nervously.
He didn’t like the sudden menacing feeling coming from the council. Worriedly he turned his multifaceted eyes toward the conscripts in Type Two battlesuits spaced around the room. There were also four Kleese of Xatul’s kin in Type Three battlesuits, all equipped with the deadly Energy Lances. He knew if he spoke the wrong words, his life as well as the lives of the other Zaltule Overlords, who were on the council, could be measured in mere seconds.
“He has captured a number of the humans and is bringing them back for questioning.” Darthu shifted his gaze back to Xatul
. “He plans on questioning them about their military capabilities in order to come up with a sound strategy to defeat the humans and their Alliance. We are in the process of finishing up the last work on the new fleets of Zaltule battlecruisers, which he will use to accomplish this.”
“And how soon will this new technology be given to us?” asked Raluth in a cold and menacing voice. He was getting tired of Darthu continuously delaying passing on the advanced technology gleaned from the conquered nonaligned worlds.
“Yes,” added Martule, joining in on the conversation. His eyes had a cold and deadly glint. “When will the rest of us receive the technology?”
“Soon,” replied Darthu. “Blueprints are already being drawn up to be distributed to the council.”
“How soon before they’re ready?” demanded Bixutl, suspecting no one on the council other than the Zaltule would ever see these supposed blueprints.
“A few more weeks,” Darthu answered. “The designs are very complicated and we will be furnishing working models of all the new technology to make it easier to duplicate.”
Xatul said nothing. He knew they wouldn’t see the designs before Harmock returned. The Supreme Overlord strongly suspected that upon the Military Overlord’s return, he would attempt to seize control of the council. Xatul had already spoken to Bixutl and Syndat. The three of them had come up with a plan that should neutralize the Zaltule; however, it was highly risky and could endanger the entire empire. But to do nothing would allow the Zaltule and their new Queens to become the dominant caste. That could not be allowed to happen.
“We shall wait on Military Overlord Harmock,” spoke Aktuub as he thought over Darthu’s words. “However, be warned. Once Harmock returns, we will expect the blueprints and plans to be turned over to the council immediately. We will also expect an immediate military response to return the captured trading stations.”
“The blueprints will be ready,” promised Darthu, feeling relieved he had won the reprieve he was hoping for.
Darthu allowed his multifaceted eyes to roam over the council; he felt little pity knowing most of these Kleese Overlords would soon be dead. Well-qualified Zaltule had long since been chosen to take their places. All they were waiting for was the word from Harmock and they would move against the council. Already the newly hatched Queens had been moved to several secure locations just in case of treachery from the council.
“I am certain when our Military Overlord returns and finishes his questioning of the humans he will launch a punitive attack to seize back the two trading stations. I can assure you they will not be allowed to remain in the humans’ hands.”
Xatul looked over at Bixutl, seeing the knowing look in his eyes. The Supreme Overlord felt anger at what the Zaltule were doing to the empire. Two more trading stations seized by the humans, Harmock returning to the home system with his captives seemingly ignoring the growing human and Alliance threat, and the constant refusal by Darthu to turn over any of the new technology. They had seven weeks at most to finish their preparations. If all went as planned, Harmock would be in for a harsh surprise when he arrived back in the home system.
-
Ryan was in the storage room, which contained the Marines’ equipment. Two conscripts in Type Two battlesuits had appeared and demanded he accompany them. They’d traveled a considerable distance before finally arriving at a large metal hatch guarded by two additional conscripts in battlesuits.
Once inside, Ryan was relieved to see that nearly all the equipment at the space complex on Diadem had been brought on board. Even two of their hover tanks were parked in one corner.
“Here is your equipment,” Gureen said in his stilted voice. “What is there about your equipment that makes you believe it will be of interest to the Kleese, particularly Minor Overlord Creedanth? Be warned that if I feel you’re not telling the truth I will arrange for you to meet Minor Overlord Creedanth, and you will suffer his wrath at your deception.”
“It’s far more advanced than anything else the Kleese use,” replied Ryan, as his eyes frantically swept over the equipment looking for a command suit. The storage compartment was packed. There were well over two hundred battlesuits against the walls. Their weapons were stacked in large crates upon the floor.
Gureen noticed Ryan’s longing glance at the crates of weapons. “The weapons are useless to you without a battlesuit to handle them. If you make any effort to touch anything without my permission, the conscripts with me will kill you immediately. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” answered Ryan, stepping back from the nearest crate so as not to give the Nabian any ideas.
“What is it about your suits that makes them so unique?”
Ryan turned around and showed Gureen the small titanium disk on the back of his neck about the size of a dime. “Our Type Four suits contain a neural interphase that lets us control the suits directly from our brains.” Ryan noticed the slight greenish tint to Gureen’s skin seemed to fade some at that announcement.
“A neural interphase,” repeated Gureen, feeling intrigued. This did sound like something the Kleese might be interested in. Now he needed to decide how best to play this to increase his value to Minor Overlord Creedanth. If he was careful, he might come away with some greatly expanded privileges. “I will consider what you have said. You will now be returned to your quarters until I summon you again.”
As Ryan turned to leave, his eyes lit up with excitement. On the near wall was a Type Four command suit. He couldn’t tell if it was his or not, but if he could get to it and put it on, it could be a game changer. However, now was not the time. There was no doubt in his mind that any attempt to even touch the suit would result in his immediate death.
-
The two conscripts who had brought Ryan to the cargo compartment escorted him back to the barracks. Once inside, he saw everyone’s attention quickly shift to him.
“Well?” asked Casey, getting up off her bunk and coming over to stand in front of Ryan. “Did they take you to our suits?”
“They did,” Ryan confirmed. “I even saw one of the Type Four command suits.”
“Then we know where they are,” Lauren said, her eyes widening with hope. “Can we get to them?”
“Maybe,” Ryan answered. “The storage compartment our equipment is in is a considerable distance from these barracks.”
“We have a plan to overpower the Nabians who bring our food and the two conscripts that accompany them,” Alexander was quick to point out.
“It’ll be risky,” Ryan said, looking around at the group of Marines. “If we fail, more than likely the Kleese will activate all the collars we’re wearing. We’ll all be dead.”
Casey reached up and touched the slim metal collar around her neck. “Better dead than what awaits us in the Kleese home system.”
“She’s right,” Lauren added with the others nodding their heads in agreement. “I would rather go out fighting than allow the Kleese to question us further or experiment on us.”
“Then it’s a go,” Ryan said in an even voice. “We’ll wait a few days and see if Gureen summons me again. I would like to become a little more familiar with the corridors we’ll need to pass through to get to our equipment. I also want to have a better feel for where everything is in the storage compartment. When we do this, we’ll have to move fast. If the Kleese or the Nabians get even an inkling of what we’re up to, it will all be over.”
“If we get to our suits, we’ll need to find where the other platoons are being held,” Casey said, as she thought about the logistics of what they were going to attempt. “I don’t think the twenty of us in this room will be able to take over the ship without help from the others.”
“That will be our first priority after we’ve put on our battlesuits and have our weapons,” Ryan answered. “We’ll have to find the others and take them to where the suits are located.”
“It’s going to have to be done fast,” Lauren said, folding her arms across her chest. “As soon as
the Nabians or the Kleese realize we’ve escaped and gained access to our battlesuits, they’ll send their conscripts after us.”
“I wonder how many conscripts are on this exploration ship?” asked Alexander worriedly. “There must be hundreds.”
“That’s why we’ll have to move quickly,” Casey responded. “We have to secure the cargo compartment where our equipment is stored, find more of our Marines, and bring them back before we can even think about taking the ship.”
Ryan didn’t mention there was also the possibility of the Kleese activating the explosive collars once they realized some of the humans were free.
-
Later Ryan was sitting on his bunk with Casey next to him. Both were thinking about what was ahead of them.
“What’s going to happen?” Casey asked. She was thankful for all of her military training. As a sergeant, she had a clearly defined sense of duty and knew what was expected of her. However, all that had changed when she fell in love with Ryan.
“I don’t know,” answered Ryan.
He looked over at Casey, gazing into here hazel eyes wishing they were back home on Vesta. Once his mother had come to accept Casey as a woman, their relationship had quickly grown. There had been a number of enjoyable evenings with the two of them at his parent’s home eating a home cooked meal prepared by his mother. His mom was a fabulous cook and Ryan often wondered how his dad managed to keep the weight off. Ryan knew Casey had been thrilled when his mom had offered to teach her how to cook. Casey had confessed to Ryan she’d had a difficult time just boiling water. As a clone and being in the military, she had never felt the need to learn to cook. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. He’d long since quit worrying about what the others in the platoon might think about their relationship though he suspected as close as they’d all grown it didn’t really matter anymore.
Galactic Empire Wars: The Alliance (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 4) Page 17
