by Dan Worth
‘I’m glad. I’m also impressed with the progress you appear to have made in recalling your past.’
‘Yes, but.’
‘But?’
‘She’s dead isn’t she? This all happened billions of years ago, she must be. All this I can see now was reduced to dust before the other races were anything more than primordial slime.’
‘Yes,’ said Tyrunin with a leaden finality.
‘I have to know Tyrunin. I have to know what happened to her, what happened to us.’
Tyrunin seemed to sigh.
‘When the disease struck, you and she were on opposite sides of the galaxy. In the chaos that ensued it was impossible for you two to find each other. You never saw one another after that. You contracted the disease and volunteered to be transferred into one of the first matrices: it was after all the only chance you had of survival in any form. I’ll spare you the recreation of that, though I will decrypt the memory for you. Here.’
Quickchild experienced a jumbled recollection of intense pain and feverish delusional imagery, replaced by clinical, mechanical serenity. He shuddered.
‘And?’
‘You volunteered to be installed into one of the new vessels we produced to defend ourselves. As an AI battleship, you became one of the deadliest weapons ever produced. Unfortunately you and your kind were too few in number. You were overwhelmed and the ship you inhabited was destroyed. It was presumed that your personality was destroyed too. It seems not, however.’
‘What about Irlani?’
‘She survived, as did her crew. They managed to keep the Sun Rider successfully quarantined but later they were trapped inside the pocket around the portal hastily constructed in this system. She fled this galaxy along with your children and the others, though I’m afraid to say your friend Okallik was killed in the fighting shortly before the end. After that I have no way of knowing.’
‘At least she got to live out the rest of her life. Poor Okallik. But how do you know? Oh I see.’
‘Yes Varish. Myself, Icthasa in the other ring and Chiriya on the planet. We are the portal, constructed by the last of the Bajenteri all those thousands of eons ago.’
‘I kind of guessed, you know. Does the portal still work?’
‘Unknown, we have had no contact with Chiriya in over ten thousand years by your reckoning. Though the portal exists on the planet between us, I have no way knowing if he is still intact and the records of his exact whereabouts, technical specification and method of operation were erased from my memories by the Arkari.’
‘Why?’
‘That too has been deleted.’
‘I had hoped I could find her again.’
Varish looked at Irlani, her dozing form lay in the light spilling through the portholes. She was too beautiful, it was hard to leave.
‘Show me my own death.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes. I ought to know how I met my end, I have a right to.’
‘Very well.’
Varish found himself powering through space. His body was a sleek, shining, be-weaponed tool of war around a kilometre in length. Deadly, agile and impossibly outnumbered. He could feel their presence behind him; see them with the myriad of sensors that he carried. A swarm consisting of thousands of craft of Bajenteri design turned against their creators. The leading vessels were well within range. Probing beams of energy reached out to impale him. But his jump drive had been disabled, melted to slag by a lucky opening salvo; he couldn’t jump out of the system so he would have to run.
Able to think and act at a rate impossible to biological life, Varish fed power to his engines and twisted out of the path of the shots well before they reached him. The stars spun crazily as he spiralled out of reach, tracked by the strobing fire of his pursuers.
There was an asteroid field coming up ahead. Varish felt encouraged. If he could reach the field he might stand a chance, if he could hide amongst the larger of the tumbling rocks. Navigating such a hazardous environment should prove no obstacle to his accelerated abilities. The biological species that pursued him would have a much harder time coping.
His engines protesting at the abuse he was inflicting on them, he reached the limits of the field and spiralled in amongst the debris, heading for where the rock clusters seemed densest. The enemy fleet approached the field and slowed. They began firing at the asteroids to clear a path for their more vulnerable and cumbersome ships.
Varish felt a wash of relief. Now he stood chance of escaping. If only he could buy enough time for his auto repair systems to reconstruct the smashed jump drive…Shit! There were other ships within the field; enemy capital ships, four of them arranged in a loose vertical diamond formation. They had taken him unawares, but Varish would deal with them.
Powering through the field like an avenging angel he easily evaded the defensive fire that leapt from the hulls of the four craft. Sweeping past them on their port side he locked his weapons on the nearest ship and tore it bow to stern in one swift move. Tearing away he looked and saw the shockwave buffet the other vessels as it scattered burning debris and bodies amongst the asteroids. He focused his rearward batteries on the uppermost craft and vaporised its engine section. The explosion sent the remaining front half of the vessel into a drunken forward tumble to collide with a large nearby asteroid and shatter.
Varish laughed. He was drunk on killing, drunk on the power that he could wield and the havoc that he could wreak. Looping around he finished off the remaining two ships in one pass, splitting them open and spilling their crews into the hard vacuum.
Exultant in victory and near blood-crazed he shot away from the expanding shells of energies and spinning debris - and straight to his doom. A swarm of enemy mines was concealed within the field. It was a trap. The other ships had been driving him before them like beaters at a hunt and he, the prey, had fled straight into the pit. The four capital ships must have just finished laying the devices when he arrived. Varish, too late, detected a dozen mines in close proximity to him - hidden no doubt within craters and cracks in the asteroids.
He panicked and tried desperately to manoeuvre himself out of the minefield. The three of the nearest asteroids detonated. A blinding nuclear flash and Varish was simultaneously bombarded by flying rocks, the blast wave of nuclear fire and a deadly wash of intense electro-magnetic radiation. It fried his shields, his power plant, his drive and tore at his own mind. He had a scant moment to consider the effects of this new weapon and to howl in anguish before everything went blank.
He found himself back in Irlani’s bed with a jolt.
‘So that’s how it happened. At least I went down fighting.’
‘A veritable killing machine I would say.’
‘Yes… I never knew I had that in me.’
‘Few do. Savagery is, alas, well within the capacity of many species both then and now.’
‘I slaughtered them. I could have run but I came back and I snuffed out all those lives like they were just insects.’
‘The fact that you seem to show more concern for their deaths rather than your own compensates for the fact in a tiny but significant way.’
‘They still died at my hand though.’
‘Indeed.’
There was a lengthy silence, broken only by the rhythmic sounds of Irlani’s breathing.
‘So that was my life. Nasty, brutish and short is a phrase I believe the humans once coined.’
‘It wasn’t all like that.’
‘No, no it wasn’t.’ he looked again at Irlani. ‘Perhaps some of it was worthwhile.’
‘What do you intend to do now?’
‘I have an idea. But in case I’m not successful… if you don’t mind I’d like to stay here a while longer.’
He caressed Irlani’s face and kissed her till she awoke.
Chapter 18
‘Addressing the Assembly today, President Rheinhold condemned the recent military posturing undertaken by the K’Soth Navy after recon flights
and deep space monitoring relays detected a build up of capital ships within ten light years of the demilitarised zone.’
On the screen of Ramirez’s console, the image of the presenter disappeared and was replaced with a shot of the interior of the cavernous Commonwealth Assembly Hall. Hundreds of senators, governors and delegates faced the wide, raised dais upon which stood the tiny figure of the President. Rheinhold certainly looked the part: a tall, authoritative looking man in late middle age, well groomed, his full head of short grey hair perfectly combed, his body clad in a well tailored suit. He spoke with confidence and gravitas, with the skill of a consummate actor. The words of course were not his own: hidden projectors displayed his speech, carefully written by his staff, directly onto his retinas.
‘My fellow citizens,’ he began. ‘Today I present to you further disturbing news regarding the apparent intentions of our ever bellicose neighbour, the K’Soth Empire. For years we have co-existed with this brutal regime and we have never sought conflict. It is they who sought to eradicate us and destroy the freedoms that we hold so dear.’ He paused for effect and for applause.
‘During the last war with the K’Soth we were taken unawares. Our good intentions and peaceable outlook were shown to be dangerously naïve. Had it not been for the timely intervention of our erstwhile allies, the Arkari, it would have led to our destruction. Even so, millions paid the ultimate price at the hands of the alien aggressor and the process of rebuilding our worlds has yet to be completed even after all these years. We shall not make the same mistake twice.’ There was more applause. Rheinhold politely accepted the adulation before continuing.
‘Since the war we have continued our attempts to foster peaceful relations with the K’Soth. But now we are prepared should they attempt to betray our good intentions. Our process of naval reconstruction that my administration put into effect has now borne fruit. The ships of the modern Commonwealth Navy are far superior in design and capability to their pre-war counterparts. Should we face aggression, the brave men and women of our armed forces will be better equipped to deal a killing blow to any invasion force. But I say again, we do not seek aggression, we only prepare to defend that which we hold dear and which we have strived to build for humanity and the many species that we consider as our friends and allies. ’
There was a rattle of applause from the Assembly.
‘However, it seems that once more our neighbour to the north seeks to provoke us. These images have been released by Naval Intelligence and clearly show a build up of K’Soth vessels within striking distance of our borders. This is despite our best efforts to negotiate with them and reach an agreement on the deployment of such ships.’
The wall screen behind Rheinhold displayed a number of slightly blurry images that showed the unmistakeable shapes of War Temples, destroyers and fighter squadrons.
‘I therefore announce that in response to this move, the Navy has been authorised to position whatever fleet assets it feels are necessary to defend our northernmost systems. Furthermore, I now speak directly to the K’Soth regime when I say that we have no intention of attacking you or your imperial possessions. We only wish to defend ourselves and to seek a swift resolution to this crisis.’
The picture switched back to the studio and its overly made-up host.
‘President Rheinhold there, addressing the Assembly just four hours ago over the revelation that the K’Soth have continued their military build up along our borders. In response to his accusations, the K’Soth Council of Light has already made the following statement.’
The presenter’s face was replaced by the emblem of the K’Soth Empire, a sun flanked by jagged swords. A recording, presumably read by a Pyrtreen interpreter played in the background.
‘The Most Holy Council of Light, representative of the twelve ruling houses of the Empire under the radiance of the One True God and the guidance of our blessed Emperor, makes the following declaration in response to the accusations made by our opponents:
Our business is our own. Our naval manoeuvres are for defensive purposes only. We regard any breach of our borders by Commonwealth spy ships or probes of any kind to be provocative acts that can only lead to war. We shall defend the Empire that the Light has granted us. No heathen shall take one step within its blessed realm lest they be torn apart in his name for their act of pollution. We do not recognise the legitimacy of the liars and heretics that govern the thrice cursed realm known as the Commonwealth. Any aggression will be met with steel, claw and fire.
May the Sun shine eternally upon the Emperor.’
The recording ended, the emblem now replaced by the presenter’s face once again.
‘Is war inevitable or can a peaceful solution be found? We’ll be debating this issue and other related topics at the end of the program. Now other news: A collision between a liner and bulk freighter today blocked all traffic attempting to dock at the Mars Olympus Station…’
Ramirez flicked the screen off and ended the playback of the day-old recorded transmission. Out here, even in this day and age, up to date news coverage was difficult to come by aboard ship. Hypercom transmissions were restricted to vital communications only and any news, personal correspondence or entertainment had to be downloaded via a sanctioned Navy server when the ship docked or came within practical transmission ranges.
The news had not improved his mood one bit. It seemed that there was no question of real negotiation anymore and he knew who would be first in the firing line once the shooting started. He looked at his watch. He was due back on the bridge in an hour and his stomach was informing him that he should get something to eat before then.
Ramirez changed into a fresh uniform and then made his way down to the officers’ mess eleven decks below. The long, brightly lit room was noisy with the sounds from the galley and the murmur of conversation. Ramirez took a food tray and joined the queue. He exchanged a few pleasantries with the more junior officers whilst he waited to be served. They seemed a little edgy. Ramirez guessed that they too had heard the recent news. Everyone on the ship was rather highly strung these days; uncertainty and fear was playing hell with morale, something he and Chen were acutely aware of. If war was to come, it had better come sooner rather than later, before the entire Navy began to suffer from too many sleepless nights and pessimistic rumours.
Ramirez reached the serving counter and chose the full fried breakfast for himself. The galley staff had taken the opportunity in Klondike to stock up on choice supplies and the piles of freshly grilled bacon, fried eggs, tomatoes and baked beans that sat in heated metal trays smelt far too good to pass up on.
He filled his plate and then grabbed a mug of coffee before trying to find a table. Looking around the mess he spotted Lieutenant Singh sitting by himself at a corner table. He was reading something and munching periodically on spoonfuls of cereal. Ramirez made his way over to him, taking care with his heavily laden food tray that he didn’t trip over any of the chair legs that threatened to snag his feet.
‘Baljit, mind if I join you?’
Singh looked up from his reading. ‘Hmm? Oh, morning Commander. No, have a seat by all means.’
‘Thanks,’ Ramirez sank into one of the cheap metal and plastic chairs.
‘You seen this?’ Singh angled the data-pad he was reading at Ramirez for him to see. It was displaying a news item, the headline read “President Issues Warning To Empire” and repeated much of the information that Ramirez had just watched in his cabin.
‘Yeah I have. Makes for fun reading doesn’t it?’
‘What do you think Commander? You think we’ll be going to war?’
‘If we are, are you ready for it?’
‘Sure… I think so. You know a big part of me wants to see some action. I want to do what I was trained to do.’ Singh lowered his voice so those at other tables would have difficulty hearing him. ‘But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared Al.’
‘Don’t worry too much, the Captain knows what she’s do
ing, she’ll see us through this.’
‘I don’t doubt the Captain’s ability, and I don’t doubt the tactical experience that Command has. But I just wonder about our civilian leaders, that’s all. Are they certain we can handle this if they lead us to war? Won’t we be just as horribly outnumbered as last time?’
Ramirez winced slightly, hoping the general hubbub in the mess was disguising their conversation. It wouldn’t do for him or the Lieutenant to be seeding needless levels of doubt.
‘I hate to say it Baljit, but if we’re ordered by our elected leaders to go to war, then go to war we must. Neither you, nor I, nor Admiral Haines can dictate policy, regardless of how ill advised the actions of our leaders may be. I can’t say I’m too much of a fan of Rheinhold, but he is our Commander in Chief and we have to respect the chain of command.’
‘Yeah, you’re right there Al. But you know Rheinhold and his party have made so much political capital out of this cold war, they’ve been in power for what, thirty-odd years out of the last fifty? That’s some achievement in a system with three main parties you know.’
‘Well, we do have their policies to thank for rebuilding the Navy, this ship for instance.’ Ramirez gestured around himself to illustrate the point. ‘It wouldn’t have been built if the Unity Party had had their way and cut the arms budget fifteen years or so back. Plus, think of all the jobs that the ship building programmes generated over the years: that played a major part in getting the economies of the core systems back on their feet after the war.’
‘I can’t argue with that but, y’know a lot of Rheinhold’s ministers have vested interests in taking the K’Soths’ Empire off them. Lots of them are linked to big business and they would stand to make big financial gains if we won. Rheinhold too; he made his name and his money in the Eastern Worlds Company before he went into politics and he’s still a major share holder. If we drove out the Empire, the corporations would have a field day with all that virgin territory close at hand, crying out for redevelopment and shiny Commonwealth consumer goods.’
