Star Force: Bahamut (SF86) (Star Force Origin Series)

by Aer-ki Jyr

  “And you’ve made all the harder. And the H’kar? Were they part of the deal?” Riley asked, looking at the Sety.

  “No. The Trinx brokered the deal. The Li’vorkrachnika had no knowledge of our involvement until recently.”

  “Did you hold back your counter campaign against them?”

  “There was no counter campaign. The H’kar are a minor member of The Nexus, and were fortunate that we assimilated them, else they would have been destroyed. We never intended on defeating the Li’vorkrachnika, even before this bargain was struck. The H’kar were to hold their border, if they could not, then they would fall.”

  “The Nexus philosophy is that a strike against one is a strike against all.”

  “The Li’vorkrachnika are not that serious of a threat.”

  “You stupid morons.”

  “We apologize for the difficulty we have placed you in,” the cyborg said. “We have reviewed our actions numerous times, but we have never found an alternative choice. We do not like aiding a potential enemy until they are strong enough to threaten us, but the Hamoriti is by far the greater threat. I do not like what we have done, but there was no other choice.”

  “Die honorably,” Riley said flatly. “And why can’t you kill these minions yourself when they try to leave the location the Uriti is at?”

  “If we wait that long they will mass a far greater number. They are not easy to kill.”

  “Perhaps I’ve underestimated your technological assets.”

  “No, it is not a lacking on our part. The Hamoriti’s creations are simply too persistent. If we do not cut them down as soon as possible, our task will become much harder.”

  “Forgive me, but that is not entirely true,” another of the nine races said, this one a mass of hair and teeth that looked very much like a bear. “The fact is that we have focused our efforts on containing the captured Hamoriti rather than building militaries to fight them. We believed that if one awoke there would be nothing we could do about it. Our lack of preparation is why we have had to rely on the Li’vorkrachnika.”

  “How long since the one awoke?”

  “Approximately half a century.”

  Riley frowned. “You’ve been feeding the lizards technology for 500 years? You fucking bastards. We could have wiped them out by now. And how in the hell haven’t you been able to retool your militaries in the past 500 years?”

  “Because we are not sitting and watching as the Li’vorkrachnika do the fighting,” the Trinx said, his anger suppressed at even the slightest possibility of a solution. “We fight with them and suffer losses in the process.”

  “That doesn’t stop research and development,” the Human argued.

  “Our focus,” the Yisv said, taking helm of the conversation again, “has been day to day to prevent an outbreak of the minions. When the Hamoriti leaves a system and travels to another we follow. We cannot stop it, nor direct it, and every system it has landed in has been utterly destroyed. Most of the worlds have been Li’vorkrachnika.”

  “How did it get free?”

  “The Li’vorkrachnika did not know what they had found, and we did not know of any more than the original 7 Hamoriti. Their locations were documented and we have secured as many as we could. Why there are others not listed we have not discovered. We are near to accessing the aperture that will allow us to enter this one’s prison, and hopefully the Oracle will tell us the answers we seek, but the Ancients could only sedate the Hamoriti, they could not control them. By what means do you claim to control them?”

  “We didn’t know for sure that any were still alive, but we know how their masters directed them and should be able to do the same. In theory. We’ve never had cause to test it.”

  “How was this achieved?”

  “Very carefully.”

  “Please give us the means to do this. Even if it is short lived, we may have enough of an opportunity to sedate it again.”

  “Where is the free one now, and where are the locations of the others that you are aware of?”

  A few moments later a navigational marker was transmitted that highlighted a lizard system in what used to be H’kar territory, but no other markers were forthcoming.

  “And the others?”

  “Their locations are kept secret for a very good reason,” the Sety said, drawing a glare from Riley. “Until you have offered some proof of your claims, we will keep that secret.”

  “I’m beginning to dislike you,” he said bluntly, then turned his attention back to the Yisv. “Are there others you’re searching for? How did you know to look here?”

  “Artifacts of the Ancients are rare, but we have been looking for them in earnest since the Hamoriti was released, hoping they would shed some light on the secrets of how to recapture it. We discovered vague suggestions that there might be one hidden within this region, so we asked the Li’vorkrachnika to look. They found the one on this planet and informed us of it before trying to access it.”

  A message from Paul filtered its way into Riley’s mind.

  “With whom in the Li’vorkrachnika did you negotiate with?”

  “We did not get names, but it was with their leadership caste.”

  “Is there one present in this system?”

  “Yes.”

  A happy thought came in from Paul, then the trailblazer told him to continue on with the conversation and ignore the templar while he dealt with that.

  “Do you have an image of the Hamoriti that is free? We need to know which it is.”

  “Do you have files on them all?”

  “Yes.”

  “May we have those files?”

  “May we have the locations of the others?”

  The Yisv didn’t reply, then nodded. “We must begin to trust one another first. I understand. My race is telepathic and adversely affected by the Hamoriti’s presence. Were this one not sedated we would not even be in this star system. We will not go to the surface. If it is the same for you, I suggest you find one of your empire’s races that is not telepathic to serve as an observer and accompany us when we access the aperture and go inside.”

  A few stares came from other holograms, but none of the Nine voiced their displeasure.

  “Explain what you mean by adversely affected?”

  “The telepathic aura of the god affects us more than others due to our sensitivity.”

  “Interesting. I can feel it now, but I wouldn’t say it’s interfering with my abilities.”

  “The power level increases with proximity.”

  “Then I think I’ll test the range limits. When do you estimate you will have access?”

  “Within a few days.”

  “Then shall we cancel the upcoming battle?”

  “It was you who were going to attack. Will you stand down?”

  “We’ll stand by…and take up a holding orbit.”

  “Can you tell us nothing of this control method?”

  “Only that it requires a specialist from our homeworld. We have dispatched a ship to send for that which is required. It will take some time before it is here.”

  “We have waited a very long time. We can wait a little longer. Please do not say you wish to wake this one to test your abilities, for we will not allow it.”

  “No. But I do want our specialist to inspect this one. Then we will deal with the one roaming free. What is it doing exactly?”

  “Feeding and spawning minions.”

  “Continuously?”

  “For the most part. Sometimes there are lulls in minion production, but it never stops its attempts to spawn an army that can march across the galaxy on its own. The minions do not need the Hamoriti to conquer, and they are far more dangerous than the Li’vorkrachnika on their own, which is why we had to keep them contained and in as few numbers as possible, for they will spread rapidly if given the chance.”

  “How often does it switch systems?”

  “Randomly. It has passed between 39 since it was awoken, not counting
those merely for transit. When it attempts to spawn minions it lays waste to whatever planet it is on, coring deep into the world’s mass and consuming whatever corovon and other valuable materials are there. Two such worlds have imploded as a result, with the surface crust being consumed by the magma within, then rehardening into a new surface with all traces of the forming having been obliterated. As you know, many of the Li’vorkrachnika worlds are heavily populated.”

  “No, really?” Riley said sarcastically. “Has it hit a non-Li’vorkrachnika system?”

  “Not an inhabited one, but it has planted itself in several unclaimed systems. It does not require atmosphere, and has taken to several airless worlds. Most of its minions will not grow there, but a few varieties will.”

  “How did you fight them there?”

  “We have a machine army,” the Trinx answered. “They are costly to produce, and are reserved for situations the Li’vorkrachnika cannot handle.”

  “And why haven’t you been able to produce more over the past 500 years? That’s enough time to expand and build up multiple planets for the specific purpose of housing the industry to create them.”

  “We would never be able to field enough units to replace the Li’vorkrachnika.”

  “You could have tried,” the cyborg responded, breaking the bit of decorum they had. Apparently there was some bad blood between these races.

  “I need a list of assets,” Riley said before they could start arguing. “Your assets. Your planets, fleets, territory…all of it. I want the full history of the past 500 years since this one got free and how you’ve dealt with it…and how it’s adapted to you. Do not hold anything back. I’m not asking for the schematics to your technology, just a tally of it and its abilities so I can assess what’s been going on,” he said, looking first at the Trinx, then the others, “and how seriously you’ve been dealing with it.”

  “Our entire civilization has been devoted to stopping these beasts,” the Trinx said, holding his anger in check.

  “Then my request should be fairly simple. Are you interested in stopping this one, or playing games with me?”

  “We will pursue any chance of stopping the Hamoriti. But so far all you have done is talk.”

  “He has knowledge that he otherwise should not,” the Yisv disagreed. “I do not doubt his claims. We will gladly provide you with the information you requested. But I do have a question. Do you know the origin of the Hamoriti?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where did they come from? You mentioned they were created? How?”

  “They are alterations, massive alterations, to creatures that inhabit the deep core of the galaxy. A wayward one was captured and experimented upon, then the Chixzon altered it to turn its offspring into weapons they could use to crush their opponents. Each Uriti is unique, and the older ones are far harder to control than the newer ones, thus I need to know which one has been released.”

  “And these Chixzon? What happened to them?”

  “They were destroyed by a galactic uprising against them.”

  “The Ancients,” another race said reverently. “They must have had numerous allies across the galaxy. That’s why we didn’t know of the others.”

  “No,” the cyborg differed. “The Ancients built this prison, like the others. Yet there is no mention of it. That question is not answered.”

  “Were any of them destroyed?” the Yisv asked.

  “We only know of two, early on, when the Chixzon sent them against too strong of opponents out of arrogance. After that point they deployed them more wisely. We do not have information of what happened to the Uriti after their civilization fell.”

  “So there could be 116 left in the galaxy?” a shape-shifting lump of mass asked as its head rippled with distortion.

  “Possibly.”

  “And you haven’t sought to find them?”

  “We had no idea even one was still out there, let alone where to look.”

  “Where did you recover the knowledge of the Chixzon?” the Sety asked.

  Riley gave him a mocking stare. “That’s something we’re going to keep to ourself.”

  “That data cannot be allowed to die with you.”

  “Who’s dying?”

  “We must earn their trust,” the Yisv said viciously, the animosity surviving the translation. “I suggest we each provide an independent account of the Hamoriti to them while the aperture is being revealed. If they know of the Hamoriti then they know of the danger they possess. No sane being would engage one without the knowledge of how to neutralize them, and from what the Sety have told us, this civilization is a wise one.”

  “Thank you,” Riley said, but he was looking at the Sety when he said it.

  “Please do not harm yourself,” the Yisv implored. “Keep away from this one as far as necessary. But you will have access to it in whatever form is needed short of compromising the god’s slumber.”

  “Before we go down to the surface, the Li’vorkrachnika are to leave it. I don’t want them around.”

  “That can be arranged. Will their fleet in orbit be an issue?”

  “Make sure they don’t fire on or try to ram us. They have a habit of doing that.”

  “We will make sure nothing of the sort happens. They rely on us for…compensation. They will not defy our orders. Nor could they gain anything from such an assault given the strength of your fleet. An ambush on the ground would be another matter, so you are right to request they be removed. They are finalizing the last of the digging. Once it is complete they will be withdrawn from the planet. I will make sure of it personally.”

  “Adequate,” Riley said.

  “Do you truly have a means to stop the Hamoriti?” the triped asked.

  “Who are you?”

  “We are the Dati.”

  “Well, Dati, yes we do.”

  “What can you do?”

  “Give it orders. The complexity of which will be determined by which Hamoriti it is, but at the least we should be able to direct it to whatever system we wish and keep it from wrecking inhabited ones.”

  “Whatever system you wish?” the Trinx asked ominously.

  “They are weapons,” Riley pointed out. “And yes, we could use them as such if we wanted, but if you study our history you’ll find that we’re the safest people to hold the leash that you’re going to find. And to be blunt about it, if we wanted, now that we know it’s here, we could wake this one up remotely, so you don’t have a means of stopping us if we wanted to unleash this one. We’re not going to do that, I only say this to make you realize you have no leverage on us. Regardless of your tampering with the Li’vorkrachnika, we do not want the Uriti running free and destroying worlds, and we will do what we can to stop this problem before it gets any worse. On that I give you my word. But there will be no sharing of control, so do not ask about it. You’ve already shown that you are unscrupulous. We would not trust you with such control, even if it were possible. And given the nature of the technology required, I can assure you that it is not. The Chixzon were very cautious about their control mechanism. You would not be able to use it.”

  “How then can you?” the Yisv asked respectfully.

  “That’s a secret for another time.”

  “Then let us not delay. We will get you the data you require,” the Yisv said with a nod, then cut its transmission. The others followed suit, the Sety last of all, almost reluctantly.

  What are you up to, Paul?

  Trying to hack the lizard fleet comms and find what ship that templar is on.

  Any luck?

  He’s not on the dreadnaught. Best guess is one of their jumpships.

  You going to board it?

  I’d like to, but he’d kill himself before I could get to him. I’m going to try and hack whatever information he might have with him.

  I thought they’d configured their comm systems to keep us out?

  They keep trying, but Thrawn gave me some information to help with that. It�
�s outdated, but allowing me a little access that I’m trying to wiggle around with. If I’m careful and lucky, I can get one of their cruisers to do the talking for me and use their current codes to get access.

  We could still get a tissue sample off a dead body, if that’d help?

  It would be something, but I’m more interested in finding some links back to their coreward territories. Nice work with those guys, by the way.

  Think I told them too much?

  No. But when Nefron gets here we’re going to have to decide how much to let them know. These guys aren’t dumb.

  I’m not so sure about the Sety. Why are they so damn annoying?

  We’re starting to challenge The Nexus, Davis thinks. I had a long talk with him about it previously. We’re small compared to them, but several of their member races are making inroads with us and the possibility of defections is unnerving them.

  So they’d prefer to throw their weight around?

  And keeping us out of here under the guise of protecting this Uriti was the perfect excuse with their buddies. We shut that down real quick and outstaged them in a far greater way than they’d ever thought possible. How do you think they’d feel?

  Grateful, if they’re really that committed to keeping these things from running amuck.

  I think we’ll find out soon how dedicated they are, if each race files an independent report. Good call on that. What did you make of that warning about telepathy?

  I’m going to find out myself. You stay up here in case I get fucked up. Not sure how well our blocks will work against something of that magnitude.

  Alright, but play it safe. If this thing twitches the ranges might alter.

  Recklessly safe, as always, Riley joked, though the description was quite accurate.

  7

  July 5, 3254

  Unnamed System

  (Uriti/Hamoriti location)

  Paul sat in his quarters reading through the files that he’d acquired from the lizard ships. It’d taken some time, but he’d eventually been able to work his way into their comm system and hack into enough ship databases to find which one the templar was on, then downloaded his full set of files before being detected and having a hardware solution imposed on the tap. He’d managed to leave a ‘thank you’ message before the plug had been pulled, but as of now there was no way back into the lizard fleet systems for they were only transmitted what amounted to brief text messages between one another.