“Oh? Apologies. Several Doyens and I spoke and it was, ah, decided that we would like to be granted access to the prisoner.”
“Why?”
“We are outraged at these attacks upon our leader, upon the Dominion. We want to show our support. We feel that, should this man feel the weight of our position, that he may be more amenable to working with us.”
“More so than mine, Doyen Weststar?” questioned Brams, the quietness of his voice betraying his anger. Good, good. Get angry, you filthy Wanchin.
“Of course not, my Lord. Merely in addition to your efforts.”
“I do not like the term, Lord, Doyen Weststar.”
“Sorry, High Doyen Brams, of course.” Weststar couldn’t help but smile. Yes, you are no Lord. “We merely wish to assist in any way possible.”
Brams pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
“No assistance is required, but thank you for your offer. Most kind.”
“But Brams,” started Weststar, fuming.
The angle from which Brams’ face was being captured from changed, becoming more acute as he stood up. “No, listen to me Weststar. I am convinced you are involved in the gambit to overthrow me. I do not have the necessary evidence to prove it but believe me, your end of days is coming. I would dare you to stop being a coward and face me openly, but you can’t change your ways any more than a Jaxlin Prowler could. Good day.”
The connection ended. Weststar waited for his pulse to return to normal. Option two it is, then. Brams had given him no choice. Niettha would have to deal with it - Amos didn’t care if he wasn’t yet ready.
He tapped in another connection and this time had to wait just moments before Admiral Adami’s stern features appeared.
“It’s time,” he said. Adami merely nodded, turning away even as the connection closed.
Chapter Eleven
The Fists of the Dominion and the Imperial Guards met up in Raichel’s apartment. Sat around the stark yet comfortable lounge area sipping piping-hot coffee, the mood was somber. The last time they had all met up there had not been enough seating for everyone and the Neophytes had sat cross-legged on the floor.
Raichel could remember their faces, despite not having paid them much attention since they had been mostly silent the whole time, listening with rapt attention to the Askari and Mushur. They had been so serious, soaking up everything as if their lives depended on it. The thought tore at her already tattered heart. She fought back tears. It would do none of the other Edo any good to see their leader so upset, especially with Calista Flores still struggling to come to terms with the loss. Flores had purposefully sat in the far corner of the room, and had only tersely responded to questions since she had arrived. A steely look to Flores’ eyes told Raichel that Calista had recovered enough to function again.
Gil had arrived with Flores, and he had spent very little time away from her since the bombing. Gil’s empathy towards others had only improved since being a Hiver. Raichel was thankful to Gil for looking after Flores and knew that he would be doing a better job than she ever could. He was talking quietly but intently to Jake Bulver.
When Jake and Kaliko had arrived they had acted strangely, quickly finding other people to talk to. She had to smile at their antics, and secretly was very happy indeed since Jake’s obsession with Thea Leilani had become unhealthy for him. Despite Kaliko’s own chequered past Raichel felt confident that those dark times were entirely in the past for Kaliko and if a relationship were to form between the two it would be fantastic for Jake.
Elenore sat next to Kaliko, with Kaliko helping to plait Elenore’s silky black-dyed hair. Elenore Frost had been a wonderful student so far, both in the field and in the classroom. Since arriving in the Dominion, Elenore skills had increased significantly, in tandem with her continuing to lose her childish form. She was turning into a beautiful young lady right before Raichel’s eyes. It was a shame her mother wasn’t here to see, but Raichel felt sure that Syrene Frost would be overjoyed when Elenore finally returned home as an Edo Askari.
“So, Kaliko,” said Raichel, gathering all their attention. “You have something you need to discuss?”
“Yes. Jake and I followed Doyen Niettha last night. I say followed, but I really mean tried to follow.” She looked around, pulled a silly expression at Elenore, who giggled.
“Somehow, despite all of our precautions, the man knew that we were tracking him. He knew that we were Edo, he knew to stop as soon as we stopped, despite us being several blocks away, well out of visual range.”
“And you think you know how he managed it?” asked Gil.
Kaliko turned to look at him. “Yes. He’s a Skave. And very powerful.”
Everyone sat in silence, contemplating the implications. Raichel thought she saw a problem with Kaliko’s idea.
“With the Skave we’ve encountered so far we have been able to sense them without issue - they do not seem to have learnt how to make themselves small and remove themselves from the Astral plane. How then, have we not been able to identify Niettha as a Skave?”
“If Weststar is colluding with the Skave, then it stands to reason that he would be working closely with one of their leaders, a Skave Lord,” said Calista Flores, working things through as she spoke.
“Exactly,” replied Kaliko. “We have met very few Skave Lords but we know that our own Edo Mushur have different skills to one another. Mushur Ko lacks telekinetic powers but is incredibly strong in in creating Astral illusions. Mushur Hallowwyrn is a healer, and so on. It would seem that our Doyen Niettha is capable of hiding his Astral sensitivity and his Deep activities. A perfect choice for a Skave tasked with working deep inside the Imperial Dominion.”
Raichel nodded, satisfied with the logic. “It does make sense. There has been enough Skave involvement in many of our skirmishes to show that they must be deeply involved with Channelings opposing Brams. Since we’re also pretty sure Weststar is behind the plot, if not necessarily the only Doyen involved, it stands to reason that he would need to communicate with them. Niettha would seem to be the only candidate that fits the bill.”
“The question is,” said Jake, “what do we do about it? As with Doyen Weststar we don’t have any proof, even if we know they are up to no good.”
“On Graz we would just have them assassinated,” said Elenore proudly.
Raichel laughed. ‘That’s the Grazan solution to everything, it seems.”
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Raichel shook her head. “Unfortunately, my young Neophyte,” we’re not on Graz and we are Edo. We cannot act without evidence, and we are not executioners.”
“Even if our inaction leads to more deaths?” asked Calista, perfectly serious.
First Val Nordin, now Calista. Why was everyone trying to lay all the blame on me, thought Raichel morosely. Raichel shook her head slowly, sadly.
“Even if. We must remember that we are not the cause of any loss here. We do what we can, whilst remaining true to ourselves.” Raichel looked around before settling on Calista. “Any other path can only lead to the Deep.”
“Is anyone else getting a numb backside,” joked Shawn Moller over the group com channel.
“No, but I could do with stretching my legs,” replied Lee, “I’m sure Nebulas were more comfortable back in the old days.”
“That, or you’re getting too old, Lee,” said August Durante.
“What do they call it when you’ve been too old for a couple of decades already?” laughed Raif.
“I think that’s called becoming a legend,” said Dang.
“Or someone who’s too senile to realize they’re past it,” countered Nate Shepherd.
The six veterans were spread out around the Zashfallus solar system, monitoring the activity throughout as best as they could. The modified Nebulas didn’t have the sensor capabilities of true reconnaissance Nebula fighters with their detachable sensor pods, but between them they could cover almost 90% of the system
, and all of the space around the planet Citadel itself.
Whilst the system paled when compared to Himdel, it was still one of, if not the busiest system in Imperial space. This meant that more than one hundred ships an hour were coming or going from the planet, and there was at least one new ship emerging from hyperspace for every minute that crawled past.
The four Gladiator and Shadow pilots had to rely on their sensors, their intuition and experience to detect anything out of the ordinary whilst the two Edo could add the Astrals into the mix. Because of this they had been stationed closed to Citadel, sweeping their focus across each ship as it entered or left their expanse.
Although classed as a fortress world, Citadel lacked orbiting battle stations, like the Yaffen-ring base stations that surrounded Himdel. Instead, Citadel relied upon a large fleet of Imperial Hellfire class Battleships and energy shields. Raif felt particularly apprehensive about being so close to the imposing fleet of huge battleships and its thousand-strong force of Delta fighters, most of which were Mark two or better. He had to remind himself that the Dominion was at peace with the Commonwealth and had no declared vendetta against the Edo, unlike the Commonwealth. Of course, should they detect him they would treat him as the intruder that he was. As an ex-Gladiator, he loved Nebula fighters. There wasn’t any other fighter he would prefer to be in, especially since this one was so new and fancy. He felt privileged to be flying one of Lee’s babies, and if there was any ship he had to be in when being detected by an entire Imperial fleet then it was the Nebula fighter.
A flight of Delta heavy assault fighters flew past, their triple wings glinting with reflected sunlight, barely half a kilometer away from his position. He imagined how the pilots would have jumped out of their skins if he were to flick his active sensors on. Delta heavy assault fighters had some pretty advanced sensors, so he felt reassured that they hadn’t detected him from such a close distance - if they couldn’t detect him then no one could. Of course, it would only take one of them to glance in his direction just as his fighter occluded a star for them to spot him, but that had very low odds, good enough for him.
He watched as a particularly large freighter approached the planet, tended to by small escort vessels. Raif Channeled, expanded his perception through the massive ship and touched the minds of its many crew. Beyond the normal petty rivalries and concerns nothing seemed amiss. He moved to checking the escorts when the com crackled.
“Ko, do you sense it?” asked Shepherd, his voice thick with concern.
“No, what is it?” he replied.
“Check these coordinates,” said Nate, as the coordinates popped up on Raif’s local space display. His X4 immediately processed them and highlighted the ship at those coordinates, some kind of small vessel, probably a shuttle. Drawing on Astral energy, Ko reached out and pulled back almost immediately.
“Skave!”
“Oh, goody,” said Moller, “playtime.”
“Ah, that’s a negative on that, Shawn,” said Lee. “We can’t break cover.”
There was small delay before Shawn replied, “Acknowledged, General.”
“I’m sorry Shawn, there’s nothing I’d like more than to convert them into meteorites but we’re here to back up Raichel and the others, not continue the war against the Skave, as much as I’d like that.”
“We may have exposed ourselves by simple touching their minds,” noted Shepherd.
“If you did, then they’ve not given any indications to that fact,” said Dang Obasanji. “Their course has remained steady.”
“Raichel’s reports have mentioned the Skave being part of the attacks experienced by the Edo. These Skave may be on their way to a possibly successful mission against them. Can we live with ourselves should that happen? Sorry Lee, I’m just putting the thought out there.”
“I know, August, I appreciate it,” said Gaspara. “If we attacked then the Imperials would know that stealth-equipped Nebula fighters are out here and that would make any further activities here next to impossible. In fact, I’d make sure we left and didn’t come back, at least for a while.”
“And that would mean no support for Raichel,” concluded Shepherd.
“Exactly,” said Lee. “So I’m sorry Shawn, no fun for you today. Let’s all close up on them, monitor them and track them as best as we can. Raif, Nate, it might be worth seeing if you can Channel carefully enough to monitor them without alerting them? We need as much intel as we can.”
Including Val Nordin, only five Edo Conclave members were present within the meeting room, in the temporary Edo base on Sobal Gailian. Seated around a table far too large for them all, were the two Carmencos, Nenotuul, Hallowwyrn and himself. In Val’s opinion, it made for a very sorry Conclave. The other Conclave members were away on missions.
“Why wasn’t I informed of Mushur Okarachebe’s arrest sooner?” he asked, as calmly as he could manage. Which, if he was honest with himself, wasn’t very calm at all.
“As soon as we found out we set about getting the information to you, which, since you were deep within The Wilds, was not an easy task,” replied Hallowwyrn, waving one of her flipper-like hands at him.
“Didn’t anyone think to send an Astral-call? Surely between you all you could have mustered the strength to do so?” Val could see that his insult did not go unnoticed by Nenotuul, who blinked as her top lip curled slightly up. “Don’t bother answering that,” Val continued, “just tell me what you are doing about it.”
“Besides contacting the other Mushur? Nothing,” answered Danze Carmenco calmly.
Val shook his head, “I expected as much, hence why I have returned. How can you sit by and do nothing? They are seeking the death penalty.”
Hallowwyrn nodded. “Should it come to that, then we would discuss what to do then. Whether to seek a rescue attempt or act in some other manner. Until then, we have to rely on Tomasa Iwu, and have faith in the Astrals.”
Nordin stood up. “Are you telling me that you would, should the Conclave decide so, allow them to kill Mushur Okarachebe?”
Nenotuul inclined his. “You would not?”
“Of course I wouldn’t,” said Val.
“Mushur Nordin, do you not see the irony?” asked Lani. “You would do the very thing that they have arrested him for. Do you really believe you should answer to no one but yourself? Should the Commonwealth hold us above the law, stand by and allow us to commit crime after crime? How would the common person view that, view us?”
Val looked at her incredulously. “When did the Edo become so pathetic?”
“Val…” warned Danze.
Nordin sneered at Danze. “What, Mushur Carmenco?” he said, sarcastically. “Do you think I care about a warning from someone as pacifistic as you? Favored by the Astrals, yes. A great teacher, yes. An Edo Mushur? Never.”
“I would say the same about you,” said Nenotuul, standing up.
Still looking at Danze, Nordin pointed at Mushur Nenotuul. “At least she has some backbone. I insulted your wife and you sat there like the coward that you are.”
Hallowwyrn rose. “Mushur Nordin. I am sorry, but when the Conclave reforms I will be forwarding a motion to have you expelled from the Conclave. We all believe that you have, or will shortly, fallen to the Deep.”
Val laughed harshly. “A motion? Surely you mock me? No? Is that what you are reduced to? If you want me gone then generate your weapons. Don’t hide behind bureaucracy. Edo do not fight with datapads and ballots.”
Hallowwyrn shook her head. “You think Edo are the one thing that we are not. We are guardians, not soldiers. We serve to protect, to uphold justice and freedom for all of our galaxy’s inhabitants. That does not mean we should be beyond the law. You will never understand that.”
“Maybe I won’t, Mushur Hallowwyrn, but it doesn’t mean I have fallen to the Deep. My intent is for justice and to protect those who need it. I just happen to disagree with being so passive. If that means I am no longer on the council, then so be it. My c
onscience will be clear. I will do what I need to do to save the Edo sect whilst you all sit here contemplating your navels.”
Mushur Nenotuul sat down, the other Mushur giving each other glances, supporting each other. So weak, thought Val.
“Am I to assume that you agree with Mushur Ison and that I should not be allowed access to the Skave captive?” The four Edo Mushur remained quiet. Val shook his head again. “At least allow me to send one flight from the Paladins to support them.”
Hallowwyrn opened her mouth, the Maladorni version of a smile. “That would please us greatly, thank you, Mushur Nordin. We shall tell them to expect their assistance.”
Val nodded curtly, bowed facetiously towards the other Edo and stormed out of the room, almost unconsciously Channeling to make his cape billow as if in a gale.
It still felt strange to Raif Ko, flying in and out from the FleetTech base on Havalor, an Imperial world. Being challenged by Imperial officers for the correct clearance and then being ushered through without any issues felt, well, unnatural. Wrong, even. Perhaps the galaxy was finally ready for peace, if only the Skave and whoever was causing trouble here in the Dominion would kindly remove themselves from the picture.
Feeling the Skave again had been deeply unsettling. Ko knew there was still an entire world of them out there somewhere, and that their numbers crushed those of the Edo, but they had been quiet since their defeated attempt to conquer the Commonwealth. He knew it would be naive to think that they would never trouble the galaxy again, he had just hoped that they would take longer to regroup.
Allowing the Skave to land on Citadel had been the only real choice for the six pilots, but August’s words were worrying. He really would not be able to live with himself if more of the Edo on Citadel died. They just had to hope that they would be around to aide them if and when required. Unfortunately the Nebula fighters and their pilots needed down time and so they had to return to Havalor once a day to refuel, eat and sleep. Everyone was desperate to get back to Citadel before their rest period was up but Lee quite rightly insisted that they stick to the schedule - they would be no help to Raichel if they were all exhausted.
The Rise of The Dominion: A Dominion War novel Page 14
