by Andrew Gates
“I confess, I do not entirely know myself. I suppose it is odd for me to be here.” Flokh looked down to her feet, as if pondering, then looked back up at Jakhu. “Though I suppose it is odd for me to be in this sublevel at all. It is not like life on the surface. I have no role here in the undercity, but to exist as a survivor. You can imagine, Kal Jakhu, I find myself growing idle down here.”
“I suppose any of us would feel directionless without a task or duty,” Jakhu affirmed.
“I heard the Supreme Chieftain was injured during your mission last night. I came to this hall to see his Majesty, but the honor guards prohibited my entry. But I still felt as if I should be here, so I brought this seat and stayed.”
“Do not worry about the honor guards. They are doing their duty. Their actions are not a slight against you.”
Flokh turned to face the guards and nodded.
“I understand.” She did not say anything after that.
“I do not intend to be rude, but if you are finished, I would like to visit his Majesty myself,” Jakhu said, not wishing to stand idly and make small-talk.
“Yes, of course,” Flokh said, taking a step back and motioning to the door. “I am sorry to have kept you. It was not my intention to cause delay.”
“Thank you, Kal Flokh,” Jakhu replied, turning to face the guarded door.
Just as Jakhu turned, Flokh’s left claw met Jakhu’s shoulder. Jakhu quickly spun back around one more time.
“I apologize. On second thought, I suppose I am not actually finished. If I may, I have one last question before you go,” Flokh said. A look of guilt covered her face.
“I shall hear it.”
“Well…” Flokh paused, looked to the floor, then back up to Jakhu. She fiddled with her claws, nervously. “If I may ask, do you know why the Supreme Chieftain asked for me to come to the sublevel? I cannot rationalize it. I am not essential to the Chiefdom like you. I… I suppose I do not understand why he insisted I be brought here.”
Jakhu smiled. At first she had wondered the same question, but after seeing the Supreme Chieftain’s face light up when he beheld her, the answer was clear. There was no longer a question in Jakhu’s mind as to why Ikharus insisted Flokh be brought here.
“Kal Flokh, I think you know,” Jakhu answered, staring into her eyes. She held onto both her claws. “In fact, I think you have known for a while now.”
Flokh could not help but smile back. Her mandibles twitched giddily.
“You are lucky, Kal Flokh, very lucky. Kho Ikharus is a noble and strong leader. He is good to those he cares about.” Jakhu leaned closer to Flokh. “You may not think of yourself as essential to the Chiefdom, but you are essential to Kho Ikharus.”
Flokh’s smile grew even larger now and she could not help but turn her head away in a mix of excitement, happiness and maybe a little bit of embarrassment. She slowly bobbed her head, then turned to meet Jakhu’s eyes again.
“Thank you, Kal Jakhu,” she said. She let go of Jakhu’s left claw and wiped a tear from her eye. “You have confirmed my suspicions.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Jakhu replied. She patted Flokh on the back of the shoulder. “Now go. Get some rest or find some way to occupy your time. The Supreme Chieftain cares about you deeply and he would not want to learn that you are growing restless down here.”
“Of course,” Flokh said, nodding. She let go of Jakhu’s other claw and took another step back. “Thank you, Kal Jakhu.”
“You are welcome, Kal Flokh.”
With those words, the builder retrieved her stool and slowly walked away. Jakhu turned to face the guarded door. The sight of the two honor guards with their spears suddenly reminded Jakhu of what she had come here to do. The smile quickly wore off her face. Jakhu turned to take one last glance at Flokh as the builder walked away, then turned to the door again.
After presenting her identification, the guards let her through. The door opened and Jakhu stepped inside.
“How is he?” Jakhu asked as she entered the small private medical quarter where Ikharus slept.
Kho Vylan stood by the Supreme Chieftain’s bed and turned to face her as she entered. Signs of worry showed across his face, but no more than he had already shown over the last day. Nothing worse than before. That much is good. It was just the two of them here, or three, including his Majesty. Vylan nodded to Jakhu, then looked toward the unconscious Ikharus. It was almost hard to make out who rested in the bed in the dim lighting.
“His injuries are plentiful, though not deadly. The healers tell me he shall recover. He endured worse during his fight against Kho Veznek.”
“Good,” Jakhu responded, relieved to hear the news. She worried his injuries had been more severe. She recalled the deep ruor bites to his leg.
Vylan turned to Jakhu now. He glanced to the helmet in her grasp, then met her eyes.
“And what of you? You must be tired. The rest of your Kreed sleeps, yet here you are, awake.”
“Someone must stay awake. There is business to attend to.”
“Have you had any sleep since the mission?”
“Some, yes,” Jakhu answered. She continued to stare at the Supreme Chieftain.
“Not a lot, I take it?” Vylan asked.
“I had enough.”
“Very well. I can see you do not wish to discuss your obvious need for rest. I shall make no more comment,” Vylan said, finally looking away from her. He was quiet for a moment as he took another step closer to Ikharus and stared down at him. “You should know, I have a great deal of respect for you and your Kreed. What you do is extraordinarily brave. There are few who would even dare to step into the dangers you take in stride.”
“Thank you for your words, Kho Vylan, but I do not do this for any reason other than my duty.”
“I understand. Only duty can drive you to do what you do. Your work is… unique. You are separate from society, from possession, from home. I suppose one would have to be completely dutiful to even consider the life of a Kreed.”
“And of an honor guard,” Jakhu retorted.
“True, though as an honor guard, we do not jump out of spaceships into battle zones. There is a distinct difference between your work and mine.”
“Unless the Supreme Chieftain decides to jump out of a spaceship into a battle zone,” Jakhu responded. “Then you would have to follow him, would you not?”
Vylan nodded and turned to face her again.
“Of course. It is my duty to protect him.”
“Then you see, Kho Vylan, we are not so different. The difference between a Kreed and an honor guard is that I go where the Supreme Chieftain points, but you go where the Supreme Chieftain is. And sometimes, like last night, those roles can intersect.”
“Fair point, Kal Jakhu, but we honor guards are not trained for the same missions as you. For instance, I would not know the first thing about EVA combat. I never had such training.”
“That does not mean you should not be prepared for it, should the need arise.”
That comment seemed to quiet Kho Vylan, as he made no response. He let out a sigh, looked to the unconscious Supreme Chieftain again, then back to Jakhu.
“Why did you come here? Did you want time alone with him? If so, I can leave the room. Though I am bound to stay by his side, I can make an exception for you. I trust he will be safe in your presence.”
“I do not need to be alone with him, Kho Vylan. I simply came to see how he was doing. You may stay, as your duties require.”
“Very well,” Vylan replied.
In that moment, Ikharus began to stir. He shifted his shoulders, then his neck. Jakhu and Vylan both turned to face him. He let out an exhale, then slowly opened his eyes.
“Wh...” he began.
“Your Majesty,” Vylan said, tapping his spear against the floor.
“Kho Vylan, Kal Jakhu,” the weary Supreme Chieftain observed. He looked at them both. “What has happened? Where am I?”
“You have be
en asleep, your Majesty,” Vylan began. “You have no reason to worry. You are in safe care. Healers have treated your wounds and you are getting much-needed rest.”
“How long have I been asleep?” he asked, his voice thin.
“Most of the day,” Jakhu answered, stepping forward.
“And what of the mission? The last thing I recall, we escaped from that heinous trap. I do not remember anything beyond that.”
“You passed out at that moment. Kal Ezenkharam arrived with the transport and took us away.”
“And the prisoners? Soh Saratti? Kho Prekhon?”
Jakhu lowered her head.
“I am afraid there was a casualty among them.”
Ikharus opened his eyes wide.
“Soh Saratti is dead?” Ikharus sighed and let his head drop down to the solid surface beneath his head. “Regrettable as it is, I am not surprised. He was old and frail.”
“Soh Saratti is not dead,” Jakhu responded, shaking her head. “Kho Prekhon is dead. He was badly bitten by ruors during the escape. Despite his armor, one bite in particular was rather deadly. It punctured a vein. Kho Prekhon bled out during the flight back to T’Dakho.”
Ikharus frowned.
“Then the traitor shall never stand trial for his actions.”
“He betrayed the Chiefdom and his fate was death. A trial would have determined the same fate,” Jakhu retorted.
“Your words are true, but with so much opposition against my right to rule, I hoped we could achieve his sentence through the proper legal processes. You can understand how this might look to the masses.”
“I understand,” Jakhu said with a sigh. “Alas, fate had different plans.”
Ikharus subtly nodded, then looked back to Jakhu.
“So, Kho Prekhon is dead, but the others live.”
“That is correct, your Majesty. Kreed Scion and Soh Saratti are alive. Therefore, the mission was a success. Securing Kho Prekhon was not part of the original plan, only Soh Saratti.”
“Of course. You are right. I suppose this is good news. With Soh Saratti in our custody, there is much we can learn about the Hive and of Sorreveous.”
“Sorreveous?” Jakhu repeated. “What does Sorreveous have to do with this?”
Ikharus looked at Jakhu with an expression of surprise, as if shocked that she did not follow his meaning.
“Did you not hear the words of Soh Saratti? The armies of Kholvaria cannot hope to stop the Hive. If we are to defeat this enemy, Kholvaria and Sorreveous have no choice but to unite.”
Kholvaria and Sorreveous uniting. The thought was unheard of. Jakhu could not help but take a quick glance over to Vylan, who had also glanced at her.
“I can tell you are both surprised to hear these words,” Ikharus continued.
Both Jakhu and Vylan returned their gaze to the bedded Supreme Chieftain.
“We have not had relations with the Empire in planet-cycles,” Jakhu replied.
“I know this. But you have all seen how powerful the Hive is. If we are to stop this enemy, there is no other way. We must unite with the Empire.”
“If that is your choice, your Majesty, we shall obey,” Vylan replied, bowing.
“And what of the Hive? Has the queen made any attacks yet?”
“Not since the decimation in orbit, as least, no attack that we are aware of,” Jakhu answered. “We have been monitoring the swarm’s activity all day. Hive ships are still sitting out there, perhaps taking time to determine the next target.”
“Then whether by intention or not, this time is a valuable gift. It is only a matter of time before the queen chooses a target. We cannot delay our important planning.”
Ikharus sat up from his bed now and reached for his scepter leaned against the wall. He had nearly lost it during the mission had Jakhu not quickly retrieved it at the last second. She wondered if Ikharus even realized how close he had come to losing this sacred object.
“Slowly, your Majesty,” Vylan said, holding both arms out.
“I need not be slowed, Kho Vylan. I am injured, but still capable of moving just fine. I have spent most of the day resting, but this is valuable time spent wasted.”
Ikharus grabbed his scepter now and stood up. He stretched his limbs and blinked his eyes, forcing himself to wake up quickly.
“What would you have me do, your Majesty?” Vylan asked, realizing that he could not stop Ikharus from doing whatever he wanted.
“Where are the generals? My advisors? The rest of Kreed Scion?”
“Most of Scion is still resting. The others are going about their duties,” Vylan answered.
“Assemble them. We must meet with all the relevant staff before another attack. I have learned much about the Hive that needs to be shared.”
“And what of Kal Sanja?” Vylan asked.
“What of her?”
“She has been asking for you all day long. Should she be included in your meetings?”
Ikharus stopped to think about that for a moment before shaking his head.
“No. Not this time. Her presence in meetings causes nothing but distractions and delays. I will share what I have learned with Kal Sanja, but not until after I meet with the others. It makes more sense that I talk to her separately.”
“Understood, your Majesty,” Vylan said, bowing. He motioned for the door. “This way.”
The three of them promptly exited the room. Jakhu still held her helmet firmly, just as Ikharus held his scepter and Vylan held his spear. She let out a deep breath as she and the others entered the hall. Flokh was now no longer in sight.
As they moved through the halls, wide Kholvari eyes turned to behold them, as if everyone were surprised to see the Supreme Chieftain emerge from his medical quarters so soon.
But Jakhu was not surprised. Like her, Ikharus was bound to his duty. It was in his character that he would refuse rest. Furthermore, Kholvaria was in turmoil and an enemy loomed in orbit.
Ikharus was right. This was valuable time. It was best not to waste it.
Chapter Seventeen
Hive
Dr. Sanja Parnel
Where is he? Where is he? Where is he?
Sanja could not sit still. She darted left and right through her quarters, unable to think of anything else. She was supposed to deliver the humans to Kho Ikharus and prove herself to him once and for all, yet when she returned with the humans in the middle of the night, Ikharus had gone. The Supreme Chieftain had inexplicably abandoned the undercity for some sort of spontaneous mission.
What the hell is Ikharus doing? How can he leave so recklessly when the Chiefdom is under attack by some space invaders? And where is he now?
The restless woman stopped pacing for a moment and took a deep breath. She knew this worrying was not healthy, but she could not help it. After spending months in the FCP prison, waiting around was the last thing she wanted to do anymore.
Knock, knock, knock!
Finally, Sanja thought. Her heart fluttered. She moved to the door.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“Kal Sanja, it is I, Kho Vylan,” the voice replied.
“Coming!” Sanja said as she eagerly opened the door.
The door slid up. Sure enough, Vylan stood before her, holding his spear. Two honor guards stood next to him on either side. They stared straight forward like statues.
“Kho Vylan, what are you doing here? Is it the Supreme Chieftain? Is he finally back?” Sanja asked.
“You are correct, Kal Sanja. That is why I am here. The Supreme Chieftain will see you now.”
“About time.”
“I know it must have been frustrating to endure this delay. I apologize for this change of plans.”
“Where did he go?” Sanja asked as she eagerly stepped out into the hall.
“That information is classified, though I can tell you he has been back for some hours now. He returned just after dawn,” Vylan replied as they began their walk to the Supreme Chieftain’s throne.
<
br /> “Dawn? That was hours ago. You’re telling me he has been back for most of the day?”
“Yes, though he has been resting and recovering. He was not able to meet you when he returned. You must understand, his mission was…” Vylan searched for the words. “Let me just say, he needed time.”
“Was he in combat?” Sanja wondered.
“That I cannot say.”
He was in combat, Sanja concluded. Vylan did not even need to say it. The tone in his voice said it all. Once a soldier, always a soldier. No crowns or scepters can take that away.
“Were you with him on his mission?” Sanja wondered.
“No, I was not,” Vylan replied, still looking straight forward as they walked along.
“Why? I thought you were his personal guard.”
“I am, though he did not request my presence. He is the Supreme Chieftain. What he commands, I obey.”
“Who was with him then, if not you? Someone must have been with him.”
“Again, I cannot say. You ask questions that I am not authorized to answer,” Vylan replied. “Perhaps Kho Ikharus will be willing to share these answers during your meeting. He has the authority to do so, if he chooses.”
“Perhaps,” Sanja said with a sigh. She was beginning to wonder if she could get anything worthwhile out of Kho Ikharus.
Vylan led Sanja to a door flanked by two honor guards with their spears crossed before it. They bowed to him as he approached and moved their spears. Slowly the door began to rise.
“We have reached our destination,” Vylan said, motioning to the door. “The Supreme Chieftain awaits.”
Once the door was fully raised, Sanja stepped inside. Kho Ikharus sat perched on a tall seat with honor guards surrounding the room. This was clearly the throne room, or the undercity’s version of the throne room. It was considerably darker and less glossy than the throne room on Fruitful Spring and smelled damp like everything else here. The biggest thing missing, of course, was the massive window behind the throne with the planet glowing in the light. Instead, a tall grey wall took its place.
Vylan walked into the room and stood beside the throne at attention.
Sanja bowed before the throne.
