by Selby, Caleb
Darion lowered himself through the hatch, closed and bolted the access door, and descended down the shaft. Lower and lower he went until his boots hit the damp floor of a subbasement. Rats scurried away as the companions tried to make their bearings in the dark room. Only a few scattered rays of light streamed in past the slow moving blades of an air vent fixed near the top of the wall. The rat’s squeals and the squeaking of the vent’s blades were drowned out beyond recognition when shots from Kebbs’ rifle, followed by Krohn roars, and subsequent laser fire rang out. The sounds were horrible and intense for several minutes before the noises abruptly, and unsettlingly, stopped.
“Come on,” Darion said as he made his way toward a small opening across the room. “We’ve got to keep moving.”
“I’m going to miss him,” Reesa whispered.
“Me too,” said Darion as he took Reesa’s hand and led her down the service tunnel and away from the murderous Krohns.
They had only walked for several minutes when Darion suddenly froze. His face turned white and he felt ill.
“What’s wrong?” Reesa asked, her voice still cracking with emotion.
Darion didn’t answer. He didn’t know what to say.
“Are you ok?” Reesa pressed, looking intently into Darion’s eyes.
“The pouch,” Darion said weakly, holding up a severed cord fastened to his belt. “It’s gone.”
Reesa brought her hands up to cover her mouth in dismay and horror.
“I’m...I’m sorry,” Darion blurted out, feeling as if he had already betrayed Kebbs’ memory and Reesa’s innumerable sacrifices. “It must have gotten torn off during the fight. I’ll go back and get it,” he said and took a step back down the tunnel but stopped when Reesa grabbed his arm.
“You’ll do no such thing!” she snapped. “It’s just a book, Darion! Going back now would only be handing your life to the enemy.”
“But what if the enemy gets it?” Darion protested.
“Then they get it!” Reesa answered. “We still have another job to complete and I can’t do it without you. Don’t let his sacrifice be in vain! He would have wanted you to go on.”
Darion reluctantly nodded and turned back down the tunnel. They walked side by side in silence for what seemed like hours. As they walked, Darion couldn't help be replay the warning of the well-dressed plump man at the archive.
“…Should it fall into the hands of the enemy, it will be your undoing!”
22. Sibid
Tarkin hovered over Kesler’s shoulder, staring into the star system screen curiously and then glanced out the main window just to confirm what the screen said.
Gallo frantically adjusted scanner dials and focused intently at his station’s multiple viewing screens.
Jonas’ finger hovered over the primary weapon’s trigger, waiting, watching, and listening for a command from Fedrin to release the pent up power of the Iovara’s impressive arsenal.
Kesler checked his array of instruments and then rechecked. He glanced back at Fedrin who was pacing back and forth.
“So where’s the Krohn Fleet?” Tarkin finally asked, vocalizing the question that was foremost on the minds of each of the officers.
Following the dramatic entry of the seven ships into the Sibid star system, nothing had happened. No Krohn Armada was awaiting their arrival. No distress calls from a burning colony reached their receivers. No damaged from the wrecked Idok battle carrier or Ilo defense station cluttered the sector. There was simply nothing out of the ordinary.
“Status report?” asked Fedrin for the third time as he paced past Kesler’s station, suspiciously eyeing the seemingly vacant star system screen.
Kesler pulled up several data screens and began to list off the reports...again. “The Hornell blew three power couplers during the jump. She’ll need some repairs before the trip back home.”
Fedrin nodded as Kesler continued.
“Commander Searle is reporting that the Revenge lost several external receiving rods during the jump but she’s insisting that it won’t impede her ship’s combat ability.”
Tarkin tapped Kesler’s shoulder and pointed to another data file.
Kesler nodded and maximized another screen. “And it looks like the Bolter is reporting a small power outage on decks two and six. Commander Sanders said that the problems should be fixed within the hour and that no major systems were damaged. Other than that, all ships are faring well and holding in steady formation.”
“Fighters?” asked Fedrin as he turned from the window and walked back toward the interior of the bridge.
“The last wings are being launched now,” Jonas answered from his perch. “Hornell fighter control is reporting that all fighters are green-lit. All the guns at our disposal are good to go, Admiral. We just need some targets.”
Fedrin nodded as he leaned up against Gallo’s station. “So what’s out there?” he asked, glaring out the massive observation window as if he could see the millions of miles between them and their target.
Gallo removed a set of headphones and shook his head. “Latest broad stroke scan coming back right now,” he said as he pressed several buttons on his station. “And it still looks empty,” he added several moments later. “Other than our ships, and the Hornell fighter squadrons, there are no other capital ships in this system. The only other signals I’m picking up are from a few communication satellites above the planet, about a dozen drones over the colony and the old Ilo defense station in high orbit. That’s it, Admiral. We’re alone.”
Fedrin shook his head. Where was the Krohn Armada? By all rights, the Krohns should have beaten his small squadron to the planet by several hours and gone to work dismantling it from space. But the system was clear of all ships, including his wife’s battle carrier. Where was everyone?
“I assume the colony is fine then?” inquired Fedrin as he ran a hand through his already unkempt hair.
“The colony appears perfect,” Kesler answered. “All three dome transmitters are reporting normal structural parameters and there is no sign that they have been attacked.”
“Peculiar,” Fedrin said shaking his head. “Very peculiar.”
“We are receiving a transmission from the Corinthia,” Gallo spoke up. “Commander Tenith wants to know how to proceed.”
Fedrin walked back to his chair. “Tell Tenith to keep his pants on. I’ll clarify our orders when I know what’s going on myself.”
“Aye, Sir,” Gallo said turning back to his station.
“Kesler,” said Fedrin as he assumed his seat.
“Sir?”
Fedrin nodded toward the image of the defense station orbiting in geo-synchronistic orbit above the planet. “Have we received any direct communication from her?”
“The Ilo?” Kesler clarified.
Fedrin nodded.
Kesler turned to his station and then looked back at Fedrin “We received an automated friend or foe transmission the moment we jumped in but we haven’t received anything else since.”
“And they haven’t answered our manual hails yet either,” added Gallo.
Fedrin stroked his chin. “Did the transmission bounce back?”
“No, Sir,” Gallo said. “Ilo definitely got them. They just aren’t answering.”
Fedrin fidgeted in his chair, looking at various screens and reports over and over again. “And we are sure the Idok isn’t out there somewhere?”
Kesler shrugged. “The Idok is a big ship with a massive EM signature. If she were here, we’d be able to pick her up.”
Fedrin sat back in his chair and slowly nodded his head in acceptance.
“You ok?” Kesler asked.
“Of course, Lieutenant,” Fedrin said as he put a stern look on his face. “Keep trying to contact Ilo and start transmissions to the colony. I don’t like it, but we’re going in. We’re here for the data device and if the Krohns aren’t here to challenge us, all the better I suppose.”
“Very good then,” Kesler said and
turned back to his station.
“Gallo,” Fedrin called out. “Keep scanners up. I don’t know what’s going on but I don’t want to get caught unprepared.”
“Will do,” Gallo answered.
Fedrin turned around and looked up at Jonas. “Lieutenant, keep all weapons hot, shields at full and see to it that all other ships do the same until instructed otherwise.”
Jonas nodded. “My favorite orders...other than fire at will.”
“Tarkin,” Fedrin called out facing the six-armed crewman. “Monitor the colony. Keep an eye for ships, weapons, or anything out of the ordinary. I want to know the moment you see anything. Clear?”
“Yes, Sir,” Tarkin said emphatically and went straightway to an open terminal to begin his task.
Fedrin glanced around his bridge and then nodded slowly. “Very well gentlemen, bring us in.”
***
The battalion of Krohns marched boldly down the main street of Kespa, their reptilian blood red eyes scanning side streets, alleyways and buildings as they went, always looking for the rare foolhardy soul or the occasional abandoned animal that hadn’t already fled the city or been devoured.
Reesa timidly peered out the darkened window of her late cousin’s sixth floor apartment as the battalion passed below. She shook her head in sadness as she watched them march down the street without any fear or concern, as if they owned the city, and always had.
Seated behind her, in the middle of their makeshift war room, Darion sat at a table strewn with maps, charts, graphs and papers. Notes were jotted everywhere and just as many of them were scribbled out. More than once, Darion pondered the irony of how just several days earlier he was in command of thousands with near limitless resources at his disposal but without an enemy to flex them against; how things had reversed. Now, he felt the entire weight of the Krohn Consortium upon his back; his manpower was all but gone, and he had as many assets to his name as a Kespa soup kitchen patron.
Hearing the ominous stomping outside Darion leaned away from table and glanced at Reesa. “How many?”
“At least ninety,” Reesa answered without turning around. “Maybe a few more.”
Darion shook his head and looked once more at the daunting pile before him, unsure of how to proceed.
“You ok?” Reesa asked as she returned from the window and set a comforting hand on Darion’s shoulder.
Darion grabbed her hand and held it tightly. “I’ll be better once I figure out what your cousin’s plan was,” he said tapping the table with his other hand.
“I know most of it,” Reesa said assuredly. “I’m just fuzzy on some of the finer details.”
“Those finer details are what’s worrying me,” remarked Darion. “We don’t have a very large margin for error.”
“We’ll make it work,” she said confidently and released Darion’s hand, “I’m sure of it.”
A distant scream suddenly rang out followed by an unsettling silence.
Reesa winced and sat down, feeling helpless and isolated from all she knew, and had known. She folded her arms on the table and rested her head upon them, fighting the urge to close her eyes.
Darion stood and walked over to the window. The Krohn battalion had since passed their building and was now some distance further up the street.
“Where are they going?” Reesa asked, following a yawn and giving into the urge to rest her weary eyes for a moment.
“Looks like they’re passing the warehouse district,” Darion answered, nodding toward the large gray and black buildings near the river. “I’ve seen several battalions head in that general direction in the last hour or so,” Darion added. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where they have set up a local base camp seeing how they’re the largest buildings this side of Larep. I guess it’s kind of a good thing they’re all heading down that way. Hopefully, it’ll make the next step in our plan a little easier,” he remarked and looked over at Reesa. She was fast asleep. He glanced around the room and spotted a tattered quilt in a corner. He picked it up and gently laid it over her. “Sleep well,” he whispered and kissed her forehead affectionately. He watched her for another moment and then walked back to the window. He leaned on the sill and gazed back out into the darkness. Another battalion was coming down the street. He shook his head.
***
A cool breeze blew through the courtyard as Armid and Senator Trivis approached the imposing figure standing beneath the magnificent archway of the capital building. Lit torches lined the stone walls painting the marble floor with warm yellows and oranges.
As they made their way nearer, they noticed Defuria with a hand extended directly into the fire. He turned his hand back and forth curiously, observing the flames as they danced around his ghostly white fingers.
“The Sion fire that we have feared for so long is dying,” Defuria said sinisterly as the two joined him. His hand slowly left the flame and slid down to the base of the torch. “Soon, very soon, the torch will be passed from them to the Namuh.”
“And when that happens, we will be there,” stated Trivis.
Armid nodded enthusiastically. “And the Grimsin Tree will be ours!”
Defuria nodded reservedly. “You forget that we do not know where the garden is. Until we do, we can do nothing!”
“I have three Krohn regiments tearing the capital city apart looking for the Codex,” Armid said with pride. “If it’s in the city, they’ll find it!”
Trivis shook his head. “Unless it’s been hidden by the Sions...or destroyed.”
“It wasn’t destroyed,” Defuria stated confidently. “The Sions put it somewhere where it would be safe and protected in the event they died before they could tell the Namuh of the content themselves.”
Trivis looked at Defuria curiously. “How do you know so much about the Sions and how they think?”
“It’s my job to know!” replied Defuria brusquely. “It’s my job to understand how the forces of the universe operate so we can take advantage of them!”
Trivis raised a hand to indicate he didn’t wish to continue the tangent.
“What Defuria says does make sense,” said Armid, nodding to their leader. “And if the Sions are indeed waning, we must be in a position to act swiftly when we do find the Codex!”
Defuria nodded. “Exactly! If the Namuh have been told of their destiny and beat us to the Tree, all will be lost!”
Armid suddenly looked concerned. “Do you think this likely?”
Defuria shook his head and chuckled lightly. “Hardly. I just don’t want to take any chances. The Grimsin will be ours sure enough. The fleet will ensure it for us!”
Trivis glared at Defuria and raised an eyebrow. “The fleet?”
“Every single ship that bares our banner,” answered Defuria with a touch of egotism. “They’ll be here in a matter of days.”
Armid couldn’t help but smile at the revelation. The whole of the Unmentionable Armada had not been assembled in one place for a millennia; now it was coming here! What glory, what majesty there would be for the Unmentionables, and none more so than for the operatives involved in bringing down the Namuh. Surely this event would be a new dawn for the Empire!
“But what of the Sions?” the ever cautious and conservative Trivis asked. “They may not have the same power to tout as they once did, but they still cannot be ignored.”
Defuria sneered. “The Sions will not be able to do a thing about it this time. What is left of their pitiful forces is currently locked in a magnificent battle over their last stronghold. They have no ships to spare without dooming what is left of their own territories! We have effectively won!”
Several roars, followed by a series of loud hissing and clicking Krohn tongues, suddenly sounded out from a chamber further down the hall. Defuria closed his eyes and shook his head. “It appears I must go. Before I do, I want you to remember that, although the fleet is coming, we still have much to accomplish ourselves. Armid, you must do all that is in your power t
o find the Codex! Kill, torture or destroy whatever or whomever you need to in order to find it. Nothing is more important than getting it. Understand?”
“I do!” Armid answered quickly, followed by a devilish smile.
Defuria nodded optimistically. “And Trivis, be sure the trap to kill Fedrin works...or you’ll have much bigger issues to deal with than dividing Grimsin shares.”
Trivis looked at Defuria uneasily, not saying a word.
“Don’t feel threatened,” said Defuria in a tone meant to be reassuring, but had the opposite affect. “Youhavealready done all the hard work. Now just make sure you finish what youhave started.”
“What of the Northern fleet?” Trivis pressed, ignoring Defuria’s statements.
Armid laughed. “That antiquated collection of scrap metal? You’ve got to be kidding Trivis! Loosen up!”
“What of it?” asked Defuria, his demeanor becoming more and more agitated at Trivis’ many misgivings and challenges.
Trivis shrugged. “I’m just concerned by the fact that it still exists; maybe it’s not made up with the most advanced ships in the Namuh arsenal, but it’s still there. I just don’t think we should be overlooking loose ends, especially at this stage.”
Defuria shook his head, once again dismissing Trivis’ notions. “Our forces don’t have the time to go gallivanting around star systems looking for outdated war ships for target practice.”
“What if they challenge us?” Trivis pressed.
“Then we will kill them!” Defuria answered sharply. “And if they don’t, we will kill them after we’ve retrieved the Grimsin. Either way, they’ll die on our terms and on our timetable, not theirs!”
“Very well,” Trivis said with a small amount of hesitation in his voice as he begrudgingly bowed to their leader. “For Yova’s disgrace, and for the Grimsin.”
“For Yova’s disgrace, and for the Grimsin!” Armid repeated as he, too, bowed to Defuria.
The two Unmentionable lieutenants then turned to walk back down the corridor leaving their leader play host to the invading army of reptiles.
