Exiles (The Progenitor Trilogy, Book One)

by Dan Worth

  ‘Any transmissions or emissions from the object?’

  ‘Not a peep.’

  ‘Nothing, the object’s inactive, whatever it is.’

  ‘Comms, hail the object, see if it’ll speak to us.’

  ‘Just a second… broadcasting a repeating geometric progression pattern of pulses. Anything intelligence on board can’t help but notice our presence if they haven’t noticed us already.’ The comms operator shook her head. ‘Nope nothing, if anyone’s alive on that thing they don’t want to talk to us.’

  ‘We need a closer look, but I’m afraid that’s an option we don’t have. Any closer and we get singed. Hmm.’ Spiers scratched his beard before continuing. ‘Maybe this thing isn’t of recent construction. Maybe it’s been here a long time. We have a team of three archaeologists from the Commonwealth on the surface of Maranos, do we not? Well why don’t we ask them? Meantime, gather as much data as you can. We have our work cut out here for the next half hour so let’s get to it. Then we’ll retreat to a safe distance and contact our trowel wielding colleagues on the planet. Let’s see if they can help.’

  Chapter 14

  Ramirez sat pensively in the stuffy lobby of New Colorado’s Naval Headquarters. The squat, highly secure building sat on the outskirts of Boulder and served as the nerve centre for operations in this volume of Commonwealth space. He had been summoned. The meeting was to be kept a secret. Even Ramirez didn’t know what it was to be about or who it was with and his stomach was tying itself in knots with nervous anticipation.

  The Mark Antony had returned to New Colorado under less than dignified circumstances. During training manoeuvres the ship’s newly fitted jump drive had begun to behave erratically. As a precaution, she and the other recently refitted craft had been ordered to dock at the nearest available shipyard for repairs and system checks. As a final humiliation, whilst the other craft returned under their own power, the Mark Antony had been towed back to New Colorado by a couple of the local heavy lift super-freighters. Chen was livid. Ramirez didn’t envy Chief Sohal who, along with his staff, was most certainly able to take advantage of the unexpected spell of shore-leave.

  The Mark Antony’s return had however provided Ramirez’s superiors with an opportunity to contact him. He had found another encrypted message mysteriously deposited in his terminal’s memory instructing him to report to the local Naval Headquarters and to keep the meeting secret; hence he should not show up in his uniform when his crewmates would be walking the streets of the asteroid’s interior in civilian clothes. Ramirez now felt under-dressed in his civilian clothes when everyone else in the building wore smart military attire.

  He gazed restlessly about the lobby. It was bland and brightly lit: A couple of seating areas, potted plants and prints of famous vessels on the walls. A guarded security barrier lay between the lobby and the door to the outside, Ramirez had had to confirm his identity upon arrival with the two armed guards before they would admit him. Inside, a receptionist sat behind a broad desk facing the door. Her made-up face wore a fixed smile. She peered at her desk terminal then looked at Al.

  ‘Commander Ramirez?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘If you would care to follow me please?’

  Ramirez got up from the too-low couch he was sitting in and followed the receptionist. She led him down seemingly endless identical, blandly furnished corridors and past a number of security checks whilst she made perfunctory small-talk.

  She eventually led him to a door at the end of one the corridors. It looked identical to all the others with the exception of the armed guard standing outside it The guard checked Ramirez’s ID before opening the door for him and showing him inside.

  Ramirez found himself inside a snugly furnished office. There were three other figures in the room, all of whom were seated behind a heavy mahogany desk. Two Humans and one Arkari. His heart started thumping, the Humans he recognised immediately as Fleet Admiral Haines and his own departmental head Director Kline. The Arkari looked familiar yet Ramirez couldn’t place him, certainly he looked senior judging by the insignia and styling of his uniform. Ramirez stood to attention and saluted.

  ‘Sirs! Commander Alvaro Ramirez reporting as ordered.’

  ‘At ease Commander, please, have a seat,’ said Haines genially, gesturing with one leathery hand at a chair in front of the desk. ‘We’d like to have a frank little talk with you if we may. Understand that this is somewhat off the record.’

  ‘Yes sir,’ said Ramirez and sat.

  ‘And as such you can ask us questions too if you like; though I’m afraid we might not be able to answer all of them fully. I’m sure you appreciate why.’

  ‘Of course, sir.’

  ‘Good. Now, myself and Director Kline you’re no doubt familiar with. I don’t think you’ve met War Marshal Mentith here though have you?’ Haines turned to the stern alien figure sat at his right hand. Mentith met Ramirez ‘gaze levelly, the whiskers on his aged, almost mummified features twitched slightly.

  ‘A pleasure, War Marshall. We’ve never met but I’ve heard of your record. You fought with us against the K’Soth in the last war did you not, at the Battle of Elysium?’

  ‘Indeed I did Commander. However, the purpose of my visit today is to determine whether I shall have to act again. It would be rather embarrassing if we had to rescue the Commonwealth once more, would it not?’

  ‘Yes sir, it would.’

  ‘Not that I wouldn’t welcome the chance to kill a few more of those fanatics you understand,’ said Mentith with a certain amount of relish, despite his formal façade.

  Kline spoke, breaking the uneasy silence that had descended. ‘Commander, let’s get down to business. We’ve asked you here today to give a personal assessment of Captain Michelle Chen - her behaviour, her ability to command, her likely reaction to combat situations etcetera etcetera.’

  ‘Sir, you have my report.’

  ‘Yes we do. But well… we saw your unscheduled return to port as something of an opportunity. We want to make sure that all key figures in forthcoming operations against the K’Soth are capable of carrying out their duty to the letter. We thought that getting information from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, would prove productive. So don’t mince your words, what you say here will go no further, I promise. No teams of analysts will pore over your words here, so you can say what you like.’

  ‘So there is definitely going to be a war then?’ said Ramirez. ‘What if the negotiations succeed and the K’Soth do cancel their build up along our border?’

  Haines took a deep breath. ‘Son, if you breathe a word of this to anyone I’ll have your balls served up to me in the mess-hall you understand? Anyone hears about this and you will face the firing squad.’

  ‘Sir, I understand perfectly.’

  ‘That’s good Commander, just making sure. Yes, there is to be a war, the negotiations are a sham to buy us time to deploy our forces, but you’d already guessed that didn’t you?’

  ‘Yes sir.’

  ‘Without going into specifics, we intend to lure the Imperial Navy into a trap. Kill it, and then aid the oppressed races under the Empire’s control to revolt against their masters.’

  ‘And the Arkari, War Marshal?’

  ‘Will not intervene, Commander.’

  ‘So why are you here then?’

  Mentith looked at Haines for a moment then at Ramirez; he appeared to be weighing up something in his mind. Then he spoke.

  ‘Commander, it is the official policy of my government to pursue a line of non-intervention in the affairs of other races. However, it should come as no surprise to you that we would shed few tears if the K’Soth Empire were to fall.’

  ‘Forgive me for asking, War Marshal, but why doesn’t your government sanction the use of force against the K’Soth? You’ve shown in the past that you have the capability to decimate their forces.’

  Mentith looked thoughtful. He appeared to be studying Ramirez.

  ‘Commander
, I may be the second in command of our navy, but I don’t presume to make policy. We are a democratic society after all. If you want my opinion though, I would say that it’s because we have no wish to expand our borders, nor do we wish to replace the K’Soth as the imperial rulers or stewards of other less advanced races. Regardless of how much we may want to take direct action it is not compatible with our society’s long term goals.’

  ‘That’s rather a dispassionate view, what about freeing other races from tyranny?’

  ‘My, my we are full of questions aren’t we Commander?’

  ‘Forgive me if I seem over inquisitive.’

  ‘Not at all. Since you ask, it seems to be the general consensus that other races should be left to free themselves. The K’Soth Empire could collapse by itself through sheer overstretch. However, we see much merit in your government’s plan and believe me, there are many in our military who would relish the opportunity to crush the K’Soth personally. Since we cannot directly intervene I am here to provide… advice.’

  ‘In that it fulfils what many in your society want without any of you getting your hands dirty?’

  ‘In a word, yes. Though we would reluctantly step in should something go amiss and the Commonwealth find itself defenceless… again.’

  ‘So this war can’t fail then?’

  ‘It can fail to succeed in its objectives, but the Commonwealth as an entity is safe, yes. Thanks to our gallant allies,’ said Haines, gesturing at Mentith.

  ‘I see,’ said Ramirez. ‘If you don’t mind me asking, why am I, a mere commander, being told all this?’

  ‘Because,’ said Kline leaning forward, ‘you’re not just a naval commander are you? You’re an agent of mine conducting surveillance on one of our captains.’

  ‘Yes that’s true, but I don’t see…’

  ‘Chen is likely to be vital to the early stages of the ambush, Commander. It is important that she carries out her duties to the letter, and if she can’t or won’t, then it will be your duty to relieve her of duty and command the Mark Antony and her squadron in battle.’

  ‘But I’ve no idea what you intend…’

  ‘An encrypted version of the current battle plan has been deposited in your terminal. I suggest you read it Commander. As for commanding a vessel, you have trained for the eventuality of having to do so should your captain be incapacitated, have you not?’

  ‘Yes sir.’

  Haines addressed him: ‘In your assessment is Captain Chen suitable for combat duty?’

  ‘Sir, yes I would. She is able, decisive and inventive in combat. The crew trusts her implicitly and are proud of their captain and their ship.’

  ‘How close have you and Chen become, Commander?’ said Kline

  ‘I’m sorry sir?’

  ‘It’s a simple question Commander, how close have you and your Captain become? How well do you know her?’

  ‘As well as one can know a colleague I guess sir. As her second in command I suspect that I am privy to seeing perhaps a more intimate side of her. We work together closely on lots of things, and if she confides in anyone she confides in me. I suppose you could say we’ve become friends.’

  ‘Really?’ said Kline sharply. ‘Well I hope you’re managing to maintain your objectivity Commander. It wouldn’t do for you to be suffering from clouded judgement would it? I hope you realise the importance of your assignment; if Chen cannot function as captain of the Mark Antony then someone else will have to be found!’

  ‘Sir, I already told you. Chen is a fine a captain as any, more than most I would venture!’ retorted Ramirez. ‘I have absolute confidence in her.’ He felt his temper rising. Haines smiled.

  ‘That’s good to hear Commander; the Director was just testing you. But bear in mind what he said; you cannot be sentimental about this. If Chen isn’t suitable then she has to go, no matter how much you two get along. So don’t get too close, you understand? It could make things difficult for all of us if we’ve made a poor choice in her.’

  ‘Yes sir.’

  ‘How well has she coped since the Urranakar debacle?’

  ‘Urranakar was definitely a blow to her confidence I’d say. To be honest, she leant on me for support during the initial months following her court martial, but she seems to have recovered. The acclaim she received from capturing those gun runners certainly went a long way to restoring her self confidence, as did her recent performance in training exercises.’

  ‘Good, good,’ said Haines contentedly. ‘We thought it might. Chen’s an ambitious woman, you know Commander. Urranakar could have ended her career and she knows that. However, we saw her potential and saved her from the worst possible punishments. Some luckless CIB agent took the blame instead.’

  ‘Someone else took the rap sir?’

  Haines waved his hand dismissively. ‘Ach, don’t trouble yourself Commander, the man was a liability: a rabble-rouser and a renegade. You know the type? He’s better off consigned to obscurity if he can’t follow orders’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Look, Commander. We know that Chen is one of the Navy’s most able captains on paper. We just need to know that our faith in her isn’t misplaced. I’m sorry if we seem cold or callous, but in this upcoming operation we can’t have any uncertainties, least of all when it concerns the ability of key personnel to command.’

  ‘I understand sir.’

  ‘Good. Now if you should develop any doubts about your captain don’t hesitate to contact your superiors, is that clear?’

  ‘I have no doubts about Captain Chen’s suitability for command or her loyalty to the traditions of the Navy or to the Commonwealth, sir.’

  ‘Good.’

  Shit, thought Ramirez, hit by a sudden realisation. Have I condemned her to death? Has my unswerving support for Michelle committed her and the ship to a suicide mission? Even so, would she want me to excuse her from this responsibility? He didn’t know.

  ‘Something the matter Commander?’ said Mentith, noticing Ramirez’s frown.

  ‘No, not at all sir.’

  ‘Excellent,’ said Haines. ‘Commander you are dismissed, though you may feel free to ask any questions before you leave.’

  ‘Yes, I have one question.’

  ‘Go ahead.’

  ‘You’re sure that this plan of yours will work, Admiral?’

  ‘Commander I have been preparing to take the war back to the K’Soth since the last war ended fifty eight years ago. I never lost a fight then and I don’t intend to break the habit of a lifetime. Have faith in me Commander. You may go.’

  ‘I shall sir,’ he got up to leave. ‘War Marshall, may I express the opinion that I’ve always wanted to see the Arkari Navy in action, I’ve heard the stories and rumours about your vessels but…’

  Mentith cut him off: ‘Pray that you don’t Commander. Few would wish to witness such carnage,’ he smiled coldly then added. ‘But I appreciate the compliment.’

  With that, Ramirez left the office and headed quickly out of the building into the cool of the temperature controlled air of the artificial night. He crossed the road in front of the Navy building and sat gratefully on a wood and wrought iron bench that faced a small park. His heart was thumping wildly and his head was far more filled with questions than when he arrived. Questions he had dared not ask the trio inside the office. Chiefly, were he and Chen and the rest of the squadron to be sacrificed as bait? Were they going to die? Ramirez cursed himself as he stared unseeing at the floral display in front of him.

  Oh shit, shit. What had he done? Why didn’t he say something? A get out or an excuse. Why hadn’t he said that she wasn’t fit for the mission or anything to excuse them from this?

  He realised that he was shaking.

  Had he killed her by practically signing her death warrant? Had he killed them both and the rest of the crew with them?

  He sat with his head in his trembling hands for a moment and then looked up at the central plasma tube, currently glowing a dull blue to
provide minimum night-time illumination.

  Perhaps he had done the right thing, he mused, Chen had had ample opportunity to refuse the assignment herself hadn’t she? Surely she wasn’t so duty bound that she would willingly accept a mission that would end with certain death for herself and her ship, or would she? But then again what right did he have to act on her behalf? Michelle was one of the finest star-ship captains currently serving the Commonwealth. She could handle this couldn’t she?

  He sat back and reclined on the hard bench, and with his arms tightly folded he gazed idly at the arching constellations of lights on the far side of the habitation chamber.

  But what of him? What of the crew? What if he lost her in the forthcoming war that was now a certainty?

  Ramirez could scarcely believe that his superiors would sanely consider such a thing. Just how many would die once the war was underway and the K’Soth brought the full might of their navy to bear on the Commonwealth forces?

  Ramirez needed a drink and he needed one now before his jangling nerves snapped completely. He knew Singh and Davis and the others had gone to a favourite bar of theirs in the city centre. He decided that he’d go and find them and try to relax. It might be their last chance to do so for a while. He got up from the bench, rather unsteadily and headed off in the direction of the bar in question.

  Mentith watched the hunched figure get up off the bench and recede into the distance. The image relayed to him from the nano-spy bug hung ethereally in the air above Haines’s desk. Ramirez was of course himself under surveillance for the duration of his shore leave, just in case. Mentith sent an order to the artificial insect to follow the Commander and record everything it saw. He sighed heavily and turned to Haines.

  ‘George, if I were you I’d be worrying about him, not Chen.’

  ‘You don’t think he’s up to this, Irakun?’

  ‘I have my doubts. We should keep a close eye on Ramirez. Perhaps the strain of what we told him may be too much for one man to bear. What if he talks?’