by Shae Mills
“Yes, and look how he closed that all off instantly after Jason and I left the decks of RIBUS 7. It has been months, and up until right now, he chose to close us both out of his life once again. And Jason and I aside, he also chose to exclude you, his best friend. I am not sure he even can come around, no matter what path his physical health takes or how much time passes. I think we have lost him. Yes, if he regains his former physical self he will once again be the devastatingly deadly Warlord he always was, raining down efficient death and destruction as he is bred and ordained to do. But his heart may forever be impenetrable, just like the corridors he has wandered for so long.”
Korba remained very still. “You may be right, my Lady. But despite all his resolve to remain aloof, you felt his pull while on the decks of RIBUS 7. He may be in denial, but I think his soul knows otherwise. He needs time. Let’s give him that. We will give what support we can and what he allows, and maybe, hopefully, you can work your magic with him once again and bring him back to both of us as a healed man.”
Chelan nestled further into Korba’s lap, her head upon his chest. “Maybe,” she whispered. “Maybe...”
Chapter 40
AS THE WEEKS PASSED, Dar spent a good deal of time in sickbay. The Cleosans, sworn to the utmost in secrecy, scraped cells then isolated, manipulated, and mapped DNA; they made cultures, started preparatory injections, and generally, incessantly, fussed over the Warlord. Then the critical phase of the process was undertaken. Regenerative cells, embedded with Dar’s DNA and combined with essential growth factors, were injected, and the vigil began.
Now that RIBUS 7 was coming along nicely, with no further disasters, and the mystery inhabitant had been unveiled, Chelan spent most of her time with the children. Jason was brought daily to the sickbay for visits with his father, the meetings clandestine, as Dar still wanted the knowledge of his existence kept to a minimum. Korba now focused his total attention on the Empire, meeting with dignitaries from around the galaxy who were ushered to RIBUS 1 when convenient. His First Officers, Tannis and Rayik, in conjunction with Zane and Ilan, stayed on top of RIBUS 7, keeping the crews working around the clock.
Plans to leave for Iceanea were put on hold while Dar was being tended by the Cleosans, but since tasks on board the crippled ship were nearly endless, it really did not matter if the work happened in space or on Iceanea, and so nothing was being compromised by the delay.
When weeks eventually turned into months, Korba was finally forced to explain to the crews of all three ships the reason for the protracted stay. The celebrations that erupted were beyond anything anticipated. Dar’s reputation as a Warlord had preceded him, and news of his survival sent the masses into pandemonium. Even work on RIBUS 7 ceased for a time, engineers and warriors alike taking the opportunity to welcome Dar back into the Imperial fold.
Eventually the feverish pother over Dar by the Cleosans came to an end. The medical team had done all they could do, and Dar’s arm had begun to bud. Outside of a local growth hormone Stose could administer, he was on his own. Either the cloning and regeneration process would work or it would not.
Finally, a historic day arrived. Just over one Earth year from when they had all arrived onsite, six of RIBUS 7’s eight engine rooms roared to life, and millions of men and women held their collective breaths. RIBUS 15 was used to tether a tractor beam, and the convoy was ready to begin the long journey back to Iceanea. While systems were checked and rechecked, Chelan said her good-byes to the Cleosans and gave an especially fond farewell to the loving and ever-expanding Leeman.
But the uncertainties of hyperspace with the towed crippled ship was not the first task Korba had to deal with before leaving for Iceanea. It was Jim.
Chelan had all but forgotten about the man and had no intentions of seeing him again, but Korba had insisted. On this day, the Emperor sat in the Command Center, an amused look on his face as he watched his mate pace. “You should relax.”
Chelan glared at him. “I had actually forgotten the dog was still on board. I do not know why you did not just...”
Korba’s brows rose. “Did not just what?”
Chelan exhaled sharply. “I have been with you too long. You have rubbed off on me.”
He grinned. “You wonder why I just did not slit his throat?”
Chelan’s shoulders slumped, and she became still. “I was going to say jettison him out into cold dark space, but really? Was he actually worth all the bother?”
Korba shrugged. “He was no bother to me. Besides, he just became another tiny little side project. And it was fun to watch such a prominent, arrogant Earth creature such as he, so humbled.”
Chelan’s eyes widened. “You have been visiting him? Wherever has he been?”
“I would not call it ‘visiting.’ But I have on occasion checked in on him and his progress.” Korba relaxed back in his chair. “He is a very bright man, actually. He needed his attitude adjusted, as you know, and that remodeling has gone rather well. I gave Lena permission to dispose of him if he became uncooperative, and I also gave her those instructions in front of the man, so that he had some incentive to behave—not that it truly mattered to me one way or the other.”
Chelan finally sat down and looked at her mate out of the corner of her eye. “I still do not understand. He is a parasite and he attempted to prey on me. And I know you. Gutting him would have had zero effect on you. Dar could not do the deed the way things were intermingled on Earth, but that is not a factor here.”
“All true, but I decided to spare him for you.”
Chelan’s eyes bulged.
Korba smiled. “Look, I did not mean it that way. I always figured I would be one of the last people to admit that your wayward planet had some potential, but it does, and Jim was a man of much influence in your part of the world. So let us just say that I have redirected his aspirations, and in exchange for his life, he has agreed to embark on a new Earthy project.”
Chelan was intrigued. “Project?”
“Jim has clout, and since your world values money above all else, and Jim has an abundance of that, with a little help from a few people here he is going to put his mind and his money to work constructively. Let’s call it a little improvement project.”
“Okay...,” Chelan said hesitantly. “Are you going to tell me what this project is?”
“No. He is.” And just then the main doors parted.
Chelan looked up just as Jim stepped in with Lena by his side. The man was still dressed in Earth apparel, but he looked many times healthier than when he had first been abducted. Chelan stood just as Jim reached her.
He smiled and bowed graciously, speaking broken but passable Iceanean as he greeted her. “My Lady. A pleasure to meet you once again.”
Chelan glanced at Korba, then to Lena before she focused back on Jim. She switched to English, knowing that the conversation was not going to get very far in Iceanean. “I, uh, up until this morning, I have to admit that I had no idea you were still with us.”
Jim was relieved by the change in language, and he continued on quickly. “Well, I have been relatively isolated.” He glanced at Korba. “And I understand why his Lordship would want us separated, considering all the injustices I levied upon you...” He looked back at Chelan. “But I’ve acquired a rather extensive education while on this majestic ship, and I’ve come to realize just what a despicable person I once was. That has now been remedied.”
Chelan hesitated. Then she threw a look over her shoulder at Korba. “What did you do to him?”
Korba laughed. “Nothing, I assure you. He speaks the truth. He is a changed man.”
Chelan stared at Lena. “And I suppose you can vouch for this also?”
Lena bowed. “Yes, my Lady.”
Chelan chewed at her lip as she sized up the man before her. “My mate says you have a new mission in life, one you plan to pursue on Earth?”
Jim nodded and straightened. “I do.”
Chelan noted that his conv
ictions were firmly displayed on his features. “Do tell.”
“Well, as you are aware, I love women, or thought I did. What I actually loved was using them. But I’m about to change that, on the global stage, with a little help.”
Chelan’s eyes narrowed. “Continue...”
“I have been immersed in Iceanean culture for over one Earth year now, and it’s been enlightening, to say the least. Lena and others have also made me privy to numerous files compiled from all over the galaxy on other alien societies, their successes and their failures, and from them I’ve learned much about diverse cultures and what works... and what’s a recipe for disaster.”
Chelan spoke. “Then you also know that the men and women on these ships are not negotiators, nor do they spend their time going from planet to planet collecting philosophical and sociological data. Their missions, for the most part, are those of overt persuasion and eradication. So, where did these reports come from?”
“Oh, well, Lena tapped into databases back on Iceanea. And I know the Iceaneans are a warring people, but there was one particular warrior, basically retired, who took an interest in just such things, and he compiled much previously collected data and also logged information he gathered personally, including some to do with Earth.”
Chelan felt her heart thud. “Manza,” she whispered.
Jim smiled. “Oh, you’re familiar with the man?”
Chelan spun around and looked at Korba. “Oh my god. Manza. Is he still alive?”
“Yes, my Lady. Alive and well on Iceanea. At some point, when we’re home, the two of you will have to meet again.”
“I had just assumed you had had him exiled forever, or worse.”
“Well, I nearly slit his throat in the sickbay that fateful day almost twenty of your Earth years ago when he convinced Tarn to bring you on board. But I did forgive him in the end.”
Chelan smiled. “I guess you had no choice.” Then she looked back at Jim. “Go on with your story.”
Jim cleared his throat. “Well, the short version is this. Every society and every civilization that has ever made it to become fruitful, successful, and powerful, has done so only when all citizens are equally valued, especially their women. Societies that follow a hierarchy of worth are most often destined to fail. Societies that cooperate and value all their people function dynamically, with strength. I plan to facilitate that on Earth.”
Chelan’s eyes widened. “That’s a huge undertaking, to say the least. How are you going to go about this?”
Jim glanced at Lena, and the warrior smiled and nodded. Then he looked back at Chelan. “Well, I’m going to start in the U.S., with my own connections, but I want to aid in a revolution that combats sexism on many fronts. I’ll start with the workplaces around America, and also hit spousal abuse hard. But there are plans that will go global.”
“Global? What do you mean?”
“Well, this is where the Iceaneans come in. Lena suggested it, and I think it’s fascinating.”
Chelan looked to the warrior, noting her poorly contained enthusiasm. To be more precise, the woman looked like a hyena salivating over her next potential kill. “Maybe you would like to fill me in on this global aspect, Lena.”
Lena nodded. “Yes, my Lady. After interacting with our Earthling here, I learned far more about your planet than I ever cared to. If I had my way, actually, I would blow it to pieces, but since that does not seem to be an option, I came up with another plan. It all coincided with readjusting Jim’s less than stellar attitude toward his people’s female gender.”
“This plan,” Chelan said. “I assume it entails drawing on more resources than just the two of you?”
Lena glanced at Korba, and then her eyes quickly skated back to Chelan. “Oh, yes, my Lady. And all has been approved by his Lordship.”
Chelan peered warily at Korba. “Should I be nervous? Anything approved by you usually is on a colossal scale, and not usually something humanitarian in nature.”
Korba grinned impishly. “I plan to clean a few things up on your planet. I know some fringe factions have been predicting an alien invasion for some time to come. Let’s just say it’s about to arrive, although not the way anyone ever envisioned.”
“Ohhh... What are you going to do?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to annihilate anything, at least not for now. But I am conducting a little experiment. Actually, it was Lena’s idea—a little side venture.”
Chelan nodded. “There’s more to this than a little side venture, I can tell. I doubt any true blooded Iceanean would embark on any project that did not involve significant bloodshed.”
“Well, now, as Emperor, I’m supposed to temper my hand, so the bloodshed portion of the equation will be kept to a minimum for the time being.”
Chelan sighed. “So is anyone here going to spill all the beans here, or do I have to beat it out of someone?”
Lena cleared her throat. “While Jim deals with what you call America—one of the more civilized parts of your planet it seems—a few select female warriors will tackle some of the more backward and repressive portions of your world. Our aim is to educate the female masses and eradicate the more sexist attitudes in those countries.”
Chelan smirked. “Attitudes can take generations to adjust. The countries that view women as having little more value than an animal, come steeped in cultural mores and deep-seated religious dogmas that will take decades to change.”
Lena smiled almost deviously, but it was Jim who spoke. “This is where things get really interesting, my Lady. I’ve been introduced to all the technological marvels the galaxy has at its disposal. With what the Iceaneans can do, well, this will be a social experiment of momentous proportions.”
Chelan’s lips thinned. “You do know what the Iceaneans are best at, right? And it isn’t educating third-world girls.”
“I know that. But what I’ve come to understand, and what I’ve now embraced as my new passion in life... well... if it works, it will make our world a much better place for all humanity to live.”
Chelan folded her arms across her chest. “No doubt. But if the experiment fails, you know what the outcome will be...”
Jim frowned. “Come on, Chel. I know what you suffered at my hands, and there are millions of men far worse than me. You can’t tell me after living with these people for the better part of twenty years that you haven’t thought of doing something like this, or of ridding the world of humanity, period.”
Chelan hesitated, remembering a conversation she had had with Talon, putting forth just such a scenario. “Okay,” she whispered. “What’s the rest of the plan?”
Lena spoke again. “Well, Jim will enlighten America, as we said, with some backup from us—you know, sweeping government changes on many levels, new programs and whatnot, to achieve our goals. And in the not-so-compliant regions of the world, well, we will speed the whole cultural revolution along by, um, taking out the leaders that spread such hatred and oppression.”
Chelan looked back at Korba. “Holy crap. You’re not sending in just a few select female warriors. You're sending in an all-female army to wipe out millions.”
Korba shrugged. “That’s both accurate and inaccurate. I wouldn’t call it ‘wiping out.’ More like, as you would say, removing the bad apples.”
Chelan finally found a chair and sat down quickly before her legs gave out. “You know that there are plenty of bad apples in North America too?”
Korba nodded. “No doubt. But when people are given no choice but to comply, things will change rapidly. Of course, the real nasty people might not fare too well, but for the most part, I think your country will do quite well with only gentle persuasion.”
Chelan almost choked over the phrase, gentle persuasion. “And the other, more radical cultures?”
“They will simmer down fast,” Korba informed her.
“Will you be dealing with only the men who hold such views?” Chelan asked.
“You know
me better than that,” said Korba. “Sexism is not a one-gender affliction. There are women who bring up their daughters to be mild, meek, subservient pawns. Those types will not be tolerated either.”
Chelan sucked in a deep breath. “This is a mammoth undertaking. It’ll take years.”
Korba shook his head. “You forget the Empire’s resources. The original separation of the chaff from the grain will only take a few months. Then, with our people in power, your humanity will adjust quickly.”
Chelan’s eyes snapped to Jim. “This is why this is such a passion for you. You’ve always been a man of power. Through the Iceaneans you will gain unimaginable influence and authority.”
“I’ll not deny the appeal of that ascendency. But after all these months immersed in this culture, I see how flawed our own is. I genuinely want to help. I want to live in a world where every institution looks at individuals based on their merits alone, and not on their gender or any other delineation brought about by birth.”
Chelan nodded. “That takes into account gender and race, but somehow I suspect much collateral damage is going to befall my world’s obsession with religion.”
Korba spoke. “And you have a problem with that?”
“You know I don’t. Most of the oppression and abuse endured by women for centuries has been ordained under the dictates of religion.”
Korba smiled. “Well, then, all will be well. Once the original sweep is done, things should shake out rather quickly. And if they don’t, well, there’s always the final solution.”
Chelan looked at Jim. “You know what he means, right?”
“I do, and I have no problem with that either.”
Chelan sat back in her chair. “Wow, I almost wish I was going to be there to witness this.”
Korba nodded. “It will all be documented, as with all our takeovers. You may watch as much of it as you wish from the safety of Iceanea.”
Chelan’s eyes twinkled. “Perfect. So, when does this project commence?”
