The Rise of The Dominion: A Dominion War novel

by D. M. Marshall

  As she said fifty million quite a few of the bounty hunters became excited, as she had imagined they would. Hunting any Edo was exceptionally dangerous work, but for fifty million the average bounty hunter would do quite literally anything. Slaven Kan would have probably wanted more, but he was unlikely to want to work with the Dominion, anyway.

  “Of course,” she said, stopping in front of one of the Qweni and giving him her full stare, “we can only pay out on proven terminations. Kill them via explosions or whatever you wish, but not if you’d like to get paid. A smear of blood or a DNA sample will not be sufficient. Bear that in mind.” The creature snarled. Adami wasn’t sure if that was to be taken as understanding or not. No matter.

  After answering a few questions the bounty hunters had returned to their vessels and departed. And so it begins, she thought. The final days of the Edo. She would most enjoy holding Val Nordin’s head in her hands. She smiled at the thought, and then turned to attend to other matters.

  “Premier,” said Amos Weststar towards the hologram of Olsen Carver, projecting above his private comms projector unit in the High Doyen’s private dwelling deep within the Imperial Stronghold building.

  “Emperor,” replied back the man, looking even more nondescript than normal thanks to the low detail output by the comms projector. “Thank you for accepting my call, I understand you must be very busy.”

  “Not at all, Mister Carver,” smiled Weststar. “I was expecting you to contact me in light of recent events.”

  “Quite,” replied Carver, struggling to hide the displeasure from his face. “You must cease your invasion of the Commonwealth immediately. We cannot allow you to simply take systems from us, even if those systems want to be part of the Dominion. We must be seen to defend our people from all foe else other forces may decide to copy your actions.”

  Weststar tilted his head. “You must do what you must do, Olsen. As we gain in strength more will seek to join the Dominion and the stability it will provide. The Commonwealth is crumbling around you, Mister Carver, I think you see that yourself. You can still be on the winning side of this, Olsen. I could very much use a man of your talents within my government. Join me.”

  Carver stroked at his moustache.

  “Thank you, but no. Continue your invasion and we will have no choice but to go to war. This galaxy has seen enough war recently, Mister Weststar. I beg you, do not force our hand.”

  “Ah, Olsen. What are we to do? I cannot stop the invasion.”

  Weststar noticed the slight man raise an eyebrow.

  “What I mean,” he continued quickly, “is that the Dominion will listen to the people of those systems and aid them. Whether your war can survive the will of your people is something I very much doubt. They have experienced too much war, Carver, lost too many people. When they hear how happy the systems we taken have become, how none of them wish to return to the Commonwealth, your support will crumble. They will demand that you allow the systems to join us freely and yet more will turn towards us. All your war would do is make it happen sooner, so please, do what you feel you must.”

  Weststar offered the Premier a smug, self-satisfied smile. Carver appeared to deliberate over his reply.

  “I’m afraid it is out of my hands, too, Emperor Weststar, but at least I tried. Thank you for your time, Sir.”

  After the connection had ended, Weststar sat back, annoyed. Carver had obviously picked up on his error and hadn’t believed his rewording. Giving the slippery man any insight was more than Weststar would ever wish, but he couldn’t see what Carver could gain from the limited slip up. He’d been honest with the man, rather than pretending to stop the expansion to gain more time. Whether that would help or hinder the Commonwealth he wasn’t sure but all he knew was that for the time being, he had to follow the mad Skave’s instructions to the letter.

  For the time being. He hadn’t worked this hard to become Emperor only to be a puppet for a Skave Lord. He would have to tread careful, for who knew how far and wide the Skave had infiltrated the Dominion, but he would deal with Niettha one way or another, and Niettha would realize what a mistake he had made in ever attempting to control him and the Dominion. He would have to rely on his most trusted staff, those whom he had known for many years, who couldn’t possibly be Skave. They would get word out to Slaven Kan. Kan had killed many Astrals users over the years, a few more would be no issue for him. It would cost a large fortune to hire him since Kan hated the Dominion but it would be worth it, whatever the price.

  Weststar smiled.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  “Well, there you go,” said Raichel Ison, for the lack of anything better to say. She looked around, everyone else’s wide-eyed expressions matching her own.

  She was sat in the research station’s mess hall, along with Jake and Kaliko, Calista Flores, Elenore Frost, Riccard Brams and two of his most senior assistants. Jake had just finished describing the meeting with Thea Leilani.

  “Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse,” said Riccard, winning a weak laugh in response from Raichel.

  The Zhur Thoggu were back. It couldn’t be possible. They had killed trillions during their onslaught across the galaxy, ruined countless planets. Their resurgence had to be stopped before they could repeat the same atrocities again.

  “I knew Weststar was up to something,” continued Brams. “I should have stopped the mad man long ago. I have failed not only the Dominion but the entire galaxy.”

  “Weststar is to blame, not you,” said Raichel. “Help and be part of the solution, don’t dwell on the past.”

  Brams nodded. “Whatever I can do.”

  “Focus on amassing support for your return to the head of the Dominion,” said Raichel. “We are going to need the Dominion’s resources and the only way to get them is for you to be restored to power. Once you are ready to make your strike, I guarantee you the full support of the Edo.”

  “And the Grazan Combine,” promised Elenore. Brams smiled gratefully at her.

  “Elenore,” said Raichel, turning to her niece, “I need you to go back to your mother - relay her the information. Do what you can to be ready for when Brams needs you.”

  “I will,” said Elenore, solemnly.

  “Jake and Kaliko, I need you to go to Expen Prosger. Find out how the Zhur Thoggu have managed to escape from the planet through the Commonwealth’s blockade.”

  The pair looked at each other. It was quite a task Raichel had given them but she could sense they were excited at the idea. Raichel suspected it was more to do with spending more time together than going to the galaxy’s only sentient hyperspace-enabled planet.

  “Calista and I, with Riccard’s assistance, are going to go back to Citadel and recover Gil. I have felt his presence in the Astrals, and a mighty Edo Mushur will go to his aid.” Raichel laughed in response to her own pretentiousness, and the other’s laughed along with her, knowing that she joked.

  She stood up, and the others followed suit. “Good luck everyone.”

  “May the Astrals be with us all,” said Elenore, somehow entirely serious.

  Wonders never cease, though Raichel.

  Gil emerged from a light healing trance, having relied on his Edo danger sense and the observations of Block and Forma Beltat to keep him safe. His head felt a little better but the noise from the multitude of patrons within the tap cafe they were hiding in was still causing him some discomfort. He resisted Channeling to deaden the noise, fearing it may impact his ability to detect any would-be foes.

  They had managed to lose their pursuers in a crazy ten minute long chase that had taken them half way across the city, with Block cheering each death-defying move he somehow wrung out of his hover. Neither Gil nor Forma had the heart to tell him that Gil had been doing most of the flying for him and for long minutes afterwards they had to put up with the square man’s exuberant cries. Gil had a real soft spot for Block, simple as he was. With a mind that straight-forward you always knew exact
ly where you were with Block - generally wherever you told him to be.

  Forma Beltat, one of Brams’ assistants, had not enjoyed the chase at all, and had uttered curse words that Gil hadn’t even heard before. Even now, a few hours after the chase, she still shook with nerves.

  They sat near the back wall of the dingy tap cafe, one of many in this area of the city, where workers took to drowning or smoking away their problems after a long day. It gave them a good view of the establishment, and quick access to the two nearest exits.

  “How are you feeling?” asked Forma, noticing him coming out of his trance.

  “Like my head's splitting open, rather than already fully split, so a bit better, thank you.” He gave her a smile to show he was ok really.

  Brick looked relaxed, obviously a common frequenter of these sorts of places. “We had fun today,” he said, smiling.

  Gil laughed, before wincing. “Yes we did, Brick. Yes we did.” Forma frowned.

  “So what are we going to do now,” asked Forma. “This hiding in plain sight as you called it has worked so far but surely your entire plan doesn’t consist of just sitting here until they finally find us?”

  Gil shook his head carefully. “Of course not.” Actually, it was his entire plan at the moment, but from the tone of her voice he didn’t think telling her that was such a good idea. He thought for a moment. “We need to find somewhere to lay low for a while. A hotel where no questions are asked. Know of any?”

  Forma shook her head. “I wasn’t ever involved in arranging accommodation for visitors, ambassadors etc.”

  “Brick? Know of any places where you can go and stay?”

  “Like home?”

  “No, Brick, places not home where you can go when you don’t want to be seen. Maybe take a lady friend there?”

  Brick’s face lit up. “Oh, Brick knows of the place! Not far from here. We go now?”

  “Sure, let’s fin-” Gil stopped.

  “What is it?” asked Forma, hand lifting up to her mouth in panic. “No,” she said, scowling. “Don’t tell me - more trouble.”

  Gil felt bad, he had put Forma in so much peril already today by selfishly going to her for help. Though if he hadn’t who knows what Weststar’s people would have done with her by now. Could he really put her through another battle? Worse still, it was a group of Skave who had found them. A momentary vision showed him what he assumed was a possible outcome of fighting the Skave - bodies lay everywhere, including those of his two companions. He couldn’t allow that vision to become reality.

  “Listen to me very carefully,” Gil began, handing Forma the laser pistol and its charges.

  “I will listen to you very carefully,” said Block.

  “Block,” said Gil, slightly exasperated - he hadn’t even used any mind-altering techniques on the man. “There is not much time. I am going to be captured and there is nothing we can do about it so don’t even attempt to argue with me. Block, get Forma away from here, take her to that place you know.”

  “I will - “

  “Block! No time. Forma, Raichel Ison will be back for me. Possibly with others, maybe Elenore Frost. Raichel, err, looks a lot like you. You must tell them that it wasn’t just Imperials that captured me, but Skave. They must be careful.”

  He looked at them both sadly. Forma looked more like Raichel than ever, so beautiful, even when looking so worried. “I apologize to you both for getting you involved.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” said Forma as she gave his good arm a squeeze. “You saved me, remember that.” She kissed him fiercely, then she went to pull Block to his feet but Block remained an immovable object, staring at Gil.

  “Block, go! And don’t say anything, just save Forma.”

  Gil watched as Forma pulled the massive bulk of Block behind her until the left the tap cafe. Calmly he finished his drink before placing both hands on the table in front of him. His broken arm complained but he shunted the pain away and with his eyes closed he ran through a quick Edo calming technique. He felt the Skave approach, four of them.

  He opened his eyes. They stood before him, one closer with the three others standing protectively around the lead man. He had dark purple colored skin, black hair and a very well maintained mustache and goatee beard. His cheeks were finely chiseled, had a strong bowline, a straight and angular nose and wide-set, dark, piercing eyes. Gil knew he was himself handsome but this man took good looks to a whole new level. And somehow, he was familiar to Gil. He couldn’t place him until the man smiled - he knew that smile anywhere. Doyen Niettha.

  “Doyen Niettha. Did you have an accident in a paint factory?”

  Niettha briefly closed his eyes. “Edo Askari Gil, how wonderful to see you without all that silly mirrored armor. It really didn’t suit you.”

  “I’m not sure purple is your color either.”

  Niettha shrugged slightly. “I’m afraid it was rather a late decision to assist on your recovery. I didn’t have time to make myself look human. I apologize.”

  “I’d really like to know what a Skave Mogui is doing on Citadel.”

  Niettha raised an eyebrow. “Skave Mogui, indeed.”

  So, he was an Overlord, or higher. “Cooperate and perhaps one day you’ll be free to leave Citadel.”

  Gil gave him a look. “I will come peacefully but we both know that’s not something you expect to ever allow.”

  Niettha laughed. “You have me there. Let’s go, Gil. There is much to discuss on the way.”

  Marten Rask, the Edo who had been so damaged at the hands of the Zhur Thoggu, felt confused by their use of stealth. They had found the Skave base in a star system on the edge of Aneev space that didn’t even have an identification number in the Mote’s Eye’s databanks, let alone a name. Some careful observation had led them to believe it was being used by the Skave as a refueling and replenishment base for their operations in this region. Upwards of ten vessels came and went each day. Further careful work had shown that most of the Skave on the base were not favored by the Astrals, and that the base’s defenses relied more on remaining secret than weaponry.

  For Marten the answer was obvious. Wait until there was at most just one ship docked and the attack in full force, overwhelming any defense. Losses would be minimal and more than compensated for by the short time required, meaning that the arrival of any other vessels to cause potential problems would be unlikely.

  Instead Mushur Joakim Falk had insisted that they mount a raid under the cover of darkness once they had successfully inserted themselves onto the surface of the planet, which was a cold, dark and foreboding world, too far from the system’s small, dim star to be habitable on the surface. They had used Teynin Nasturn’s shuttle to bring them down to the planet’s surface, keeping the base on the opposite side of the planet whilst on their approach to block their sensors.

  They’d had to leave the shuttle ten kilometers away, which was as close as the terrain around the base would allow them to come without being detected and had covered the rest of the distance on foot. Each of the Edo were hiding away, making themselves so small that the Astrals could not touch them, nor them it. Whilst this blinded them and prevented them from Channeling in any capacity it also meant that the few Astral-sensitive Skave at the base would not be able to detect their approach.

  They approached the complex from the South side, eight Edo in their Nebula pilot suits, equipped with rifles, grenades and other assault equipment. Antreeba, the tall Towpine, struggled to keep low, and so hung further back than the others, only moving forward when sure that he wouldn’t be seen. Marten stayed back with Antreeba, confident that should Antreeba be exposed that he would be able to assist him however needed. Up front was Mushur Falk, along with the rest of Flight group two - Harper and Kaisa Ko, both moving fluidly amongst the shadows, and Amaeh Duranti, the Singronian Edo Neophyte, who was not accustomed to stealth work. Her short and stocky build was a hindrance but she moved slowly and followed Kaisa almost step for step. Duranti ha
d only just recovered from her previous injuries, but in true gritty Singronian fashion was unperturbed at returning so quickly to action. The remaining two Edo, Nathan Bircheno and Karlos Tsia’ool were back and off to one side, in a flanking position should they be needed.

  The Skave base was a large group of buildings surrounding a series of landing bays. Large industrial-looking prefabrication structures appeared to be warehouses or workshops whilst smaller building looked like administration centers. Smaller buildings appeared to be residential. Almost each building was interconnected to at least one other via tunnels, which was understandable considering that venturing outside required donning fully sealed and heated suits.

  The target was a group of what were hopefully central administration buildings. Close enough to the outskirts of the complex to be accessible but with still a good chance of retrieving the information they needed.

  A worker appeared, trudging through the shattered black-iced surface. Fully suited, with two powerful shoulder-mounted lamps and carefully carrying a case containing who knew what, the man was oblivious to the Edo as they paused, waiting for him to pass. Once the sound of ice crunching under feet had dwindled away they moved on, slowly approaching the buildings.

  Group two arrived at the target doorway, southernmost entry point to the tunnel system that connected the buildings to each other. Marten and the others hung back to provide cover. Harper pulled a slicing tool from a thigh pocket and set to work. Marten watched placidly as Harper struggled with the security system until finally the red light above the doorway turned to green.

  Falk went in first, closely followed by Harper. They moved off left down the corridor while Kaisa and Amaeh Towpine went right, to best allow egress for Marten and the others.

  “Looking good so far,” whispered Harper once they were all in, except for Antreeba who had stayed back to give cover once they were extracting.