Try as he might, Ariaeus was unable to think of an excuse suitable for the God King. He closed his eyes and explained everything, from his arrival in the system, to the recruiting of the mercenaries, and then to the interference from the Lord Ruhollah and even Darbabad Forouzandeh. After almost a minute of talking, the Emperor cut him off.
“I see; this is disappointing. I was under the impression you had things under control. My contacts in the Robotic Domains tell me that Carduchia and Hayastan are in open conflict. Is this accurate?”
Ariaeus licked his lip.
“As I suspected,” said the Emperor.
He didn’t sound disappointed, and though Ariaeus was nervous, he found himself more interested in the fact that this was some kind of benefit to the Emperor. He even managed to ignore the first few words as his brain sped ahead.
Why is this of use? Two satrapies are at war. Carduchia is no threat, but the Hayastani, could they be the issue?
Even as he considered it, he knew he was right. Tirbazus was a popular leader and had the ear of other satraps. By forcing a conflict, the Emperor would keep Tirbazus occupied, and potentially weakened for a considerable amount of time. He began to wonder if he had been sent on this mission, along with others, to undermine him solely to create these conditions.
By feigning weakness, he has forced Tirbazus' hand. Now the Emperor has a legitimate reason to send Imperial forces into the outer satrapies to quell the conflict. Clever.
The long-term planning impressed even Ariaeus. If Artaxerxes’ assertion was correct, that Tirbazus was untrustworthy and spoiling for a chance for power, then he had just found the truth.
“Very well, Ariaeus. Whether by forethought or not, you have managed to assist the Empire so far. I was hoping between you, Lord Ruhollah, and Forouzandeh you would have slowed them down enough for what I have been preparing."
Ariaeus looked confused but did his best to hide it.
Slow them down? So he never expected me to win, just to distract them, but from what?
"I am sending you coordinates for a one-way tanker squadron from the Robotic Domains. Meet with them, refuel, and then use them for them for the rest of the journey into the old Taochian territories. If you are quick, you will reach my contact at the Eternal Fortress, along with any forces you have mobilised on your journey."
Ariaeus' mind was now all over the place, the tankers, and the plots within plots.
"Ariaeus! The Terrans will be unable to move through Robotic Domains. I have also contacted them, just in case. If the Terrans are foolish enough to attempt a route through, they will be destroyed by continuous assaults from them.”
So, he wants them to travel through the ruins of the Taochian territories. Why this fortress?
He'd heard of the name but had never actually been there. The Empire was vast, with unnumbered satrapies that spread in all directions. There were hundreds; perhaps thousands of fortress worlds, each much like Cunaxa. These worlds were often places to operate as important garrison worlds for important locations.
“You will reinforce Imperial and regional forces at the Eternal Fortress. There is a sizable Imperial contingent, as well as Taochian and Hayastani soldiers. It is a mighty position, and you will have the honour and responsibility of commanding it.”
Ariaeus lowered his head in a solemn gesture.
“Yes, my Lord.”
Artaxerxes was far from done, though. His face remained at stoic as ever, but his tone changed.
“The Eternal Fortress is surrounded by nothing for fifteen parsecs in every direction. Your tankers will get you there safely. It guards the only way out, and no fleet can move through the region without stopping there. If the Terrans plan on leaving my domain, they will be forced to deal with the Fortress and with you. If they make it past the Fortress, they will escape out into open space and beyond our control."
The Emperor hissed something, and Ariaeus felt his body shudder in nervous apprehension.
"I am quite frankly surprised they have made it so far without resorting to their usual looting. I have contacted your mercenary friends on your behalf. They will give you the time you need.”
Again Ariaeus lowered his head.
“I will double my efforts and pursue the enemy to our fortress. Are you sure they will come?”
Now Artaxerxes smiled. The Emperor had little in common with other Medes, and his clothing, position, and manner of speech always set him aside. Yet for this one particular problem, he appeared less than Godly, as though it did something to him on a much more basic level.
Is he afraid of these Terrans?
Even the idea that the mighty God King be concerned by something as minor as the Terrans intrigued him.
“This is proceeding according to my plan, Ariaeus. I have left a gift for the Terrans, one they will not be able to resist. The gift will point to the Fortress, and you must be there. You will hurry. Burn ships as you go, if you must. But you must reach the Fortress before the Terrans. Garrison it well, and I will draw them in. You will not defeat them in space, but on the ground the defences of the Fortress will grind them into dust."
Now Ariaeus recalled where he had seen a description of the Fortress before. It was something of a Median myth, and one he had not heard of since he'd been a young boy. It had been called something very different back then, and he was sure he'd been told the story as some kind of fable. The Fortress was an entire planet, and it had been designed not to defend anything, but simply to exist. Its walls were thick, and passages ran in all directions but always into killing grounds. Any force that tried to take the Fortress might succeed to a point, but there was nothing to take and no victory to win.
So, the Eternal Fortress does exist, right on the edge of the Empire.
"Ariaeus, the Fortress will make Cunaxa seem like a skirmish to our friends. Do not return without the heads of their leaders in baskets...or your own. All of your fates rest on that Fortress.”
Ariaeus tried to answer, but the communication link vanished and left him alone inside the obsidian command unit. He breathed quickly, as though for a moment he'd completely forgotten to do so. His mind was filled with all kinds of ideas and imagery, but one thing, more than any pushed to the top of his mind.
The Emperor contacted me. He has entrusted me with that task even Tissaphernes failed at.
The weight of responsibility for defeating the Black Legion was a great burden, one that a lesser person might have baulked beneath. Not Ariaeus, though. He looked at the coming fight as something so much more. Ariaeus would not only defeat the Terrans and their Black Legion, but he would do something much more; he would be the hero of the Median Empire. When the fleet was smashed, and he was taking the Terran officers back to Babylon Prime in chains, it would be Ariaeus that had won the victory, and to him would go all of the spoils.
Not even Cyrus had such an opportunity.
He rubbed his hands together and then brought up a number of maps, along with the newly arrived coordinates. The first few took him on a direct course to the tankers, and then several more on to the Fortress. He looked between the gaps of obsidian and noted that none of the crew was looking at him, all apart from Tir, who stood motionless, as always.
* * *
Terran Titan ‘Valediction’, Hayastan
Chirisophus looked at the assembled group of Dukas with something of a stunned expression. Even Xenophon was surprised as what he was seeing, and still there was no reply. He looked to Xenias, but he kept his own eyes locked onto the Strategos. The other officers continued their work, with only the Kentarchos of the ship, Broge Monsimm listening to the discussion. Kallinos, the mercenary leader also waited patiently, but she had already learnt the value of silence. The Terrans were easy enough to antagonise, and even worse when trying to make an important decision. Finally, after what was one of the longest and most uncomfortable silences ever, the Strategos spoke.
"I agree with Xenophon."
They were words none of the o
thers had heard before, least of all on board the Laconian Titan. Xenias almost choked upon hearing the man's agreement. Even Xenophon looked confused.
"You agree?" he said.
"Yes."
Chirisophus pointed to the numbers of Terran ships that were waiting for their orders.
"The fleet is ready, but our ships are few, and we are still short of food, ammunition, and spare parts. We have two more satrapies to travel through just to reach the edge of this Empire."
Xenophon looked at him, and he immediately knew there was something else. Chirisophus was just one of the commanders, and prior to Cunaxa had been in charge of only one part of the Laconian force. There were many rumours as to how Cyrus had managed to obtain so many Laconian soldiers and ships. He looked to Xenias and spotted him casually mouthing the name of one of Laconia's most prominent citizens.
Lysander?
The name was reviled and loved in equal measure throughout the Terran worlds. He was a famous Laconian admiral, but came from a family of modest means. The man was responsible for the Terran Alliance's defeat at Aegospotami, and Xenophon had even seen him once on Attica, after the surrender.
Is he behind Laconia's interests out here?
In any case, it made little difference right now. But it was interesting and served as an important reminder to Xenophon that there was much more going on in the fleet than mere survival or wealth. The wars between Medes and Terran were centuries old, and the price for such vast amounts of Laconian equipment might have been to carry out particular actions inside the Empire.
Was Cyrus an attempt by the Laconians to put a friendly monarch on the throne?
Chirisophus pointed out into space and away from the fleet.
"I suggest a simple two-pronged assault, with the corsairs under Kallinos operating as a diversion."
He used his hands to draw a rough shape in the air. The computer system created a model of the plan as he created it.
"The corsairs move in first and attack the warships. We will wait until they are engaged and being pursued before we join in. We will strike them hard and fast. Stratiotes on dromons will board and capture the transports; the spatharii will operate from the torpedo boats and take their capital ships."
He then drew the shapes of three ovals.
"The Titans will stand off and provide a perimeter for the assault. Nothing gets in or out without my say so!"
Timasion, one of the newly elected Dukas shook his head.
"Wait, I thought we were elected to get our people out of the Empire, and with all the loot we could carry?"
He then looked to Xenophon, his expression cold and angry.
"The price for mercenary and Carduchian help was to release our captives. Now that has costs us a lot of coin. All thanks to Xenophon and his cunning strategies."
Chirisophus might not have liked Xenophon, but he disliked Dukas Timasion far more. The young man came from money somewhere in Dardanus, in the Troas Territories. He was an expert hunter, dancer, and general dandy. But his greatest of all vices was the one any Laconian despised, that of greed.
"Timasion, you can lust after coin and slaves in your own time. For any differences we might have, you cannot deny that Xenophon has offered nothing but good counsel for the benefit of the Legion. And as the ranking Laconian and elected Strategos, it is my duty to listen and act for the benefit of all."
He looked back to Xenophon and rubbed at his cheek. The impression was that the man was thinking, but Xenophon could already tell he had made up his mind.
"I would quite like the Bactrian Grand Cruiser for the fleet, though. It would make a mighty prize to bring back to our own territory, and it would be a terrible blow to the prestige of Artaxerxes."
"Yes," said Dukas Timasion, excitedly, "I offer my five ships and full complement of spatharii to this goal."
Chirisophus smiled, that low grin that both Xenophon and Xenias knew only too well.
"Both of you command small, agile contingents. I understand you, Xenophon, now have the addition of two kometeia of Night Blades. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Strategos."
He then looked to Timasion.
"And your cruisers contain over a thousand spatharii, nearly all of whom managed to miss most of the fighting in Cunaxa?"
Timasion grimaced at this comment. It was in fact true, but in the battle he had been only a Komes with a specific brief. While the other troops had been busy in the direct assault, his forces had been guarding the landing grounds.
"We were otherwise engaged. Give us the honour of the assault, and I promise you will not be disappointed."
"Very well," said Chirisophus.
He pointed back at the map.
"The corsairs go in first and draw out the fighters. Then the heavies will engage the capital ships under the command of Philesius and the Titan Herakles."
Philesius nodded in agreement. Although he was a Thessalian, he had been a mercenary for most of his life. Short, stocky, and marked by multiple scars, he was the epitome of the old warrior. Chirisophus drew a circle around the centre of the plan and contained the Terran ships in one place.
"Once the enemy are pinned and busy fighting, Xenias and I will bring in the two remaining Titans with support ships and hit them from the opposite side, catching them in a crossfire. That is when Xanthicles and Cleanor will bring in the reserve and move against the transport ships, who will undoubtedly be looking for some way to save their necks."
He looked to Timasion and Xenophon.
"Xenophon, your suggestion was a good one. It is clear to me now why the rest of the Legion put so much stock on your ideas, even for one so young."
He considered his words and then pointed at the dot he had made in the middle of the fleet.
"Your ships are fast, and so are your warriors. When Philesius arrives with the Herakles, you will jump in and make a precision strike against the Bactrian flagship and her escorts. In the confusion, the rest of the fleet will run amok through their fleet. Xenophon will take the lead on this phase of the fight."
The Strategos smiled to himself; evidently pleased at his handiwork in creating such a plan, and also at giving Xenophon a recognised position of honour while at the same time making the mission almost impossible to achieve. Timasion was in many ways the exact opposite of Xenophon, yet his own skill had managed to keep his people safe and wealthy. It was hardly surprising he had been promoted up from being a lowly Komes so quickly.
"Yes. This strike will be fast and deadly. If all goes well, we could double our fleet size, add a good horde of booty to the growing pile, and best of all, strike the heart of the Hayastani fleet."
Xenias had been quiet for most of this, but at the final mention of the Hayastani, he felt compelled to speak.
"Might I make a single suggestion, Strategos?"
Chirisophus nodded but said nothing to the man.
"We should send word to our new friends amongst the Carduchians."
"Pah!" muttered Xanthicles, "They will be little interested in helping us. They have their own little border war to resolve. I'm with Timasion on this one. We take what we need and run. There is no need to play with Median politics."
Chirisophus' attention was diverted for a moment as a Terran cruiser moved close by. From here he could make out some of the damage sustained in the fighting at the Sea of Fire. It was nothing major, but it did serve as a useful reminder of the wear and tear the fleet had sustained. He looked back to Xenias.
"Go on."
"Let them know about our assault. We could even leave a few crippled ships for them to take as hostages. It would gain us goodwill, and allow them to fight back or potentially weaken the Hayastani."
"Good point," said old Philesius, "Anything that pulls ships away from us is of use. Tirbazus is not a fool, and he must know we have only two routes if we want to leave a different way to our arrival."
"Exactly," said Chirisophus.
Again he pointed to his star map.
"We have only two choices, the remnants of the Taochi territories, or the Robotic Domains."
He looked back at them all, "And that is the number one reason for striking now. Do you want to face their remaining strength at the border? This attack will pull in any reserves they might have."
He tilted his head so that his eyes were only just visible under his grand Corinthian helm.
"Xenias. That is a sneaky plan, one worthy of Xenophon himself. Yes, we can hit them hard, cripple their ships, and then call in the Carduchians to finish the job. While they fight it out, we will head for the border."
He nodded as though agreeing with himself.
"To your ships, Gentlemen. We finally have a fight where we have the tactical advantage. Let's make sure we benefit from our stroke of good fortune!"
* * *
Light Cruiser ‘Antaeus’, approaching Hayastani Fleet
The ship was busy, just as it always was during the minutes leading up to a fight. Crew carried pods of pulse rounds for the dromons, while many more carried additional shield units and supplies for the assault troops. Dozens of heavily armed warriors moved towards their station inside the ship, with a larger portion heading to the hangars. The spatharii were easy to identify by their heavy armour and close range weapons. Night Blades were an odd hybrid, with lighter armour and a more varied mixture of weapons. A vaguely familiar-looking junior officer saluted Xenophon as he walked past.
“Dukas.”
Thoughts of a dozen battles flitted through his mind, but no matter how hard he tried, he simply could not place the man. Instead, he dutifully acknowledged the words and let the man pass. Another pair passed him carrying a pulse cannon unit mounted on a cradle. He was forced aside to let them through. A gravelly voice echoed far away in the ship. As the echo hit him, the nearest speaker rumbled to life.
“ETA, fifteen minutes. All crew to your stations.”
The words were expected, but hearing them encouraged Xenophon to move more quickly. He pushed past a pair of stratiotes, who were trying to replace a part on a rifle, and then on into the cramped hangar bay. He immediately noticed the marks and damage from the escape of Glaucon and his friends back at Iraj. The space had been cleared, but there was still little room for a dromon. The broken and shattered wreckage of Seafox fighters previously inside were dumped in space just hours after their original escape, and now the mercenary raider was back to its normal self. The raider had been twisted about so that its nose pointed towards the shielded external blast doors.
The Eternal Fortress (Star Legions Book 6) Page 3
