“Speak.”
The Sarvan bowed before answering.
“We have arrived, what are your orders?”
Ariaeus stayed still and instead of answering, he watched the rest of the stars slow down. One in front of the ship grew bigger, then separated and drifted off to the side. Another dot grew in shape and expanded until filling his view.
The Fortress.
Never before had Ariaeus seen such a thing. Cunaxa had been impressive, but even that world had featured other buildings and cities. The Eternal Fortress was something of truly gigantic proportions, and still it increased in size. For the smallest of moments Ariaeus suspected they would crash right into it, but the vessel, along with the rest of the fleet, slowed and then entered a high orbit with scores of other ships. One in particular caught his eye, and it caused him to twitch.
Boubak!
Seeing the Imperial ship was like somebody else had driven a red-hot needle into his flesh. The ship was the equal of his, and from what the Emperor had said, this was what happened when multiple commanders were sent to do the same job.
I am in command here, and when I am victorious, I will take a Terran Titan to Babylon Prime personally, and present the hulk to the Emperor.
That put a smile on his face.
Who else in the history of the Empire has ever achieved that?
He took a long, slow breath and looked down to the world. It was hard to ignore the huge numbers of ships, but succeed he did. Even from this high, he could see the towers and walls, some of which were half a kilometre in height. Docks and shipyards were filled with ships’ troop transports from half a dozen satrapies that were busy making their way to the surface. An image appeared inside his command unit, much to his surprise.
“Lord Ariaeus,” said the figure.
“Yes,” he replied, “Who is this?”
The image coalesced into the shape of an Imperial officer. This one was dark skinned, with no hair, and wearing a dull iron breastplate. His facial features marked him out as a provincial rather than a member of the Imperial nobility. His accent irritated him the most. It sounded more like Hayastani, but tinged with the official Imperial dialect.
This one fancies himself.
“Arteshban Qarz. I am the Governor of the Taochian Fortress. My orders are to provide you with full access and control of this sector.”
Ariaeus had expected trouble, especially with the Boubak in the area. However, it seemed the Emperor had been true to his word and had given him full control over the area.
“Excellent. What is your status, Arteshban Qarz?”
The Arteshban looked to his right, presumably to check on indicators before speaking.
“We have been receiving mercenaries and provincial troops for the last week. The standard garrison is just one static division. But with the latest arrivals, our forces now number almost twenty thousand troops.”
Ariaeus found himself unable to contain a smile.
“Interesting. And your defences?”
“All gun and missile systems are active and well supplied with ammunition. If any troops were able to make it near the Fortress, they will have to deal with our surface-to-air turrets and enough missiles to wipe out an entire fleet. But that should not be necessary.”
“Why not?”
The Arteshban looked confused at the question.
“Uh, well, my Lord, the Fortress is here to house the border defence system. Any ship wishing to enter the Empire must stop here for fuel. There are no places to refuel anywhere within jump distance, and the entire border is protected by a series of more than a thousand jump disruptors.”
Ariaeus looked out into space but could see nothing of this great defensive system. He looked down to the planet and then spotted something surprising, a great tower, perhaps a kilometre high. It could have been even larger, extending up into the clouds. It was built into a vast pyramid-type object with a barrel extending out and upwards.
“My Lord, our planetary based weaponry can stop any known ship from entering or leaving this sector. The gun has been tested out to almost fifteen million kilometres and can destroy even an Elamite with a single blast.”
He took another breath and nodded with pleasure.
“The weapon system is powered from the planet’s core. If anything comes close, it will be vaporised.”
Ariaeus was interested but far from convinced.
“Show me.”
He looked at the ships in orbit and picked out one of his almost empty fuel transports. The ship was moving lazily around the planet under the control of its Robotic Domains computer.
“Destroy the ship.”
“My Lord, are you...”
“Destroy it.”
Arteshban Qarz moved out of sight for nearly a minute before returning with a slightly reddened face.
“We are ready. The weapon is powered up and locked on.”
“Then do it.”
He watched, rubbing his chin with his left hand. A red dot appeared at the muzzle fitted into a rotating mount at the top of the pyramid. The dot expanded out into a sphere, and then with a single flash a great column of energy spewed out. The beam was so intense he would have been blinded if looking at it with his eyes. The beam shut down, and all that remained of the transport was a cloud of dust and tiny fragments of metal.
“Very impressive, Arteshban Qarz. Tell me, what stops such a weapon of vast destruction from being destroyed from space?”
Arteshban Qarz looked confused.
“The energy field, my Lord, the entire pyramid is defended by a quadruple shield generator. If a ship wants to come close enough to bombard the system, it is welcome to try. The Fortress has never been taken.”
“Good. Prepare your commanders. I am coming to the surface.”
“As you command, my Lord.”
The imagery shut off, and Ariaeus was alone inside the obsidian command system. He stepped out and pointed at the black shape.
“Sarvan, you will take command. Your orders will be relayed from Tir. As of today, he is my second-in-command.”
The Sarvan bowed once more and moved quickly to the command unit. Ariaeus wasn’t particularly concerned at the fool’s ability. Tir would pass on his orders, and the Sarvan would simply repeat them to the individual section officers. The Sarvan was effectively a biological signal repeater, nothing more. He turned to Tir.
“Tir. You will lead the mercenary task force and take them to these coordinates.”
He pulled a device out from his robes and pressed a button. The machine moved slightly.
“Understood.”
CHAPTER SIX
Bactrian Grand Battleship, Starbase Zizat, Hayastan Dead Zone
Xenophon and Artemas walked through the grand corridor that ran most of the way along the dorsal section of the ship. It was clearly designed as a place for the highest levels of nobility or society to travel during the vessel’s many great journeys. Unlike most of the ship, this particular area provided a perfect view. A complex series of transparent materials and shielding gave this one part a privileged position.
“Just look at that view,” said Artemas.
They stopped for a moment and looked up and towards the rest of the fleet. There were no nearby worlds or stars, just the exterior lighting of the scores of ships to give away their current positions. The only other object in the void was the derelict space station, and it drifted without power or crew.
“It is impressive, but I would be much happier with a planet we could trade with. This dead zone is not what I expected in Hayastan.”
Artemas tried to encourage him with a subtle smile. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped as a squad of Terrans approached. They shuffled past and moved on into the bowels of the ship. One of them bumped an already heavily damaged frame to the side, and a chunk broke off and fell to the ground. Xenophon bent down, picked it up, and held it close. The material was light and had that cool, dense feeling he would have associated with al
uminium. The other Terrans were well away now, and Artemas continued with what she wanted to say.
“Yes. Still, at least the Carduchians have been useful. They assured us they would keep Tirbazus busy, and they have kept their word. He has stripped his forces from the border to deal with them.”
Xenophon looked at her and shook his head.
“That is not so surprising, though, is it? They are arch enemies, and we gave them the opportunity to strike a blow to defend themselves, and to seek revenge.”
He looked back to the view.
“Kallinos and her corsairs have been worth every talent we paid her. She has helped the fleet past six patrols already, and the rest of the Hayastani fleet. I have more faith in her than in anything the Carduchians might do.”
Artemas raised one eyebrow as he spoke. She’d spent little time around the mercenary but had noticed Xenophon’s interest in the woman. Kallinos seemed to pop up in almost every conversation.
“I suppose,” said Artemas, trying to be conciliatory, “From here onwards the region becomes confused, as the Empire would want of course. The Shattered Systems is the last satrapy for us to travel through, and it is a strange collection of worlds, starbases, and local territories.”
Something moved outside, and Xenophon turned his attention to a massive turret system. This one was very different to the plasma and heavy cutters normally used. It was a simple automatic cannon system, chain fed and brutal. That kind of technology was commonly used by mercenaries and pirates, but seemed slightly out of place on something as grand as this ship. Artemas watched his eyes and then looked at the guns. She seemed far less interested in them and looked back to him. Her hair swayed across her throat as she turned around.
“There are still millions of Taochi leaving here, and it takes very little to anger them. That is why there are so many Imperial garrisons there.”
Xenophon didn’t seem particularly impressed.
“If you’d asked me a year ago, I would never have thought I would see this part of space, and certainly would never deliberately travel through the Taochi territories. That is why we should be safe. No Terran would ever choose to enter or leave the Median Empire through the one satrapy filled with millions of enraged warriors.”
He sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“If only Tirbazus hadn’t removed everything from the border stations. We could have traded with them. Instead, we’ve spent days expending all our captured food and fuel getting this far.”
Artemas listened but said nothing. Xenophon looked at her and could immediately tell she was hiding something. That, or she was just unsure about whether to broach a particular subject.
“What is it? Do you know something?”
Artemas shook her head.
“No. But everywhere we go, they seem to know we are coming. Why was this base abandoned? Surely if they knew we were coming, they would want us supplied, to get us away from Hayastan and into a region we will have a hard time navigating.”
Xenophon looked back to the view of the derelict station. It was big, though nowhere near as large as the facilities they had come across in Carduchia. At one point it might have been enough to keep them going for one or two more jumps, now it served little more than target practice.
“Xenias’ troops boarded the station; they said it had been abandoned for more than two weeks. Everything was gone, right down to the last tank of water. Even we did not know we would be coming this way that long ago.”
Artemas followed his gaze and decided to keep quiet.
Perhaps, she thought, but have you really made the decision on where to travel, or has this all been orchestrated by Artaxerxes?
A shape appeared at the end of the corridor. Both of them looked to see Tamara coming towards them. She moved with a skip in her body, clearly excited about something. She wore her Night Blades military gear, as well as a second kopis blade on her thigh rather than her usual one, yet her bright red hair announced her presence more than anything else did.
“What is it?” Artemas asked.
She continued on towards the pair, brushed past another crewman, and then stopped. She smiled at them both but concentrated on Xenophon.
“The Strategos has called for the officers to come aboard his flagship. He wants to put on a display while we wait for the scouts.”
Xenophon shook his head in irritation at the interruption, not from Tamara, but because it was Chirisophus interfering once more.
“And?”
Tamara smiled and moved even closer, as though she was revealing a great secret.
“I want to volunteer to fight.”
Xenophon shook his head, not out of surprise, but of feigned irritation. This was of course the kind of thing Tamara would always volunteer for. There was a reason her uniform and armour was as well worn as it was. If there was a fight to be had, there was a good chance Tamara would be in the thick of it.
“I see. And who would you be fighting in this grand display?”
She was now next to them and pulled back her head as though surprised. She had either chosen to ignore his sarcasm, or more likely couldn’t be bothered.
“Does it matter?”
Xenophon grinned.
I suppose it does not.
“All you need to know is that it will be me and the rest of the dozen. The Strategos wants an open-hand fight between Terrans and Kallinos’ mercenaries.
“Kallinos?”
Artemas looked to Xenophon and shook her head in dismay.
“Is there anybody else in this fleet we might hear about?”
Tamara went to strike Artemas, but she beat off the movement easily and then grabbed her arm. With a quick yank, the teenager was spun about and jammed in tight in a strong armlock.
“Not bad,” Tamara laughed.
Artemas released her just as quickly, and the girl looked back at her, and then to Xenophon.
“I can see why you like her so much.”
Her gestures and coy expression were anything but serious. Xenophon pushed her back.
“You’d better get yourself ready, then. I take it you’ve seen Kallinos’ warriors? They have the strength of a Terran...”
“...and the speed of a Medes,” Artemas finished.
* * *
Terran Titan ‘Valediction’, Hayastan Dead Zone
Xenophon fidgeted as he found his leg beginning to become numb. He’d been sitting on the floor in the Laconian sparring hall for over an hour now. All around the perimeter were the senior commanders of each unit and ship. He could see the other Dukas, as well as Kentarchos for all the major ships. Glaucon sat to his right and leaned over to speak quietly into his ear.
“Well, what do you think?”
Both of them looked to the middle of the hall and the group of a dozen fighters. This was an odd fight, though, as one side was Terran, and the other made up of the mercenaries from Kallinos’ corsairs. To all of their surprise, her group of fighters were all half-breeds, as the Medes would call them.
“I thought three jumps would have put us over the border. Instead, we’ve only made it this far; the tankers we captured are now dry, and we’re low on food, again. I think after two days of waiting out here, we should be doing something else. We’re still inside Hayastani space.”
Xenophon nodded in agreement.
“True. Still, we cannot cross until we have word from Timasion. We need supplies before the next jump.”
There was real venom in his tone as he mentioned the name of the man. Glaucon had no love for the man, but for Xenophon it went much deeper. There was also the possibility the man had betrayed them, or more likely, had been caught and destroyed in an ambush. Glaucon leaned in to speak quietly.
“Look, his scout force should be on the border trade route by now. The log shows more than fifty ships a week use it. Everything from fuel and food to arms and slaver ships. One good contact, and we will be good for most of the journey.”
He licked his
lip.
“He’ll find them.”
Glaucon then beckoned to the side of the hall.
“At least the Bactrian is operational. Artemas was right about that. Those engineers working with ours did a hell of a job. Now all she needs is a name.”
Xenophon leaned back in resignation.
“Yes, she was correct. The Anticensor says the ship is operating at close to ninety percent capability. The Kentarchos didn’t seem particularly keen on my offer for the transfer, though.”
Glaucon grinned at the thought. He had been there when Xenophon had asked Kentarchos Cadmus to move to his new flagship. His Kybernetes would have taken over as commander of the light cruiser, yet Cadmus had refused.
“Well, do you think Roxana will handle it?”
Xenophon answered quickly, without a doubt in his mind.
“She’s perfect for the job. The promotion to Komes has given her the authority to command.”
Glaucon smiled.
“I know. A Komes is technically a leader of a small fleet or a kometeia of infantry. Really, I have come across a Komes before.”
Xenophon wasn’t sure if his friend was being deliberately facetious, but he was clearly irritated by the whole thing. Roxana had received the most significant promotion, but that had been due to her long military experience, especially in the Alliance Navy. She might have been the most experienced junior naval officer in the Legion, but she was also somebody he could trust with the command of the ship, as well as his small contingent of ships. Glaucon, on the other hand, was his right-hand man. Though his new rank gave him only limited authority, it also meant he would be at Xenophon’s side, and with a picked unit of warriors. Glaucon rubbed his eyes before speaking.
“I’m still concerned about Timasion. I would have expected him to have made contact by now.”
Xenophon grimaced.
“You and me as well. He might be a Terran, but he’s proven multiple times that he has little interest in helping us, and definitely not me.”
The Eternal Fortress (Star Legions Book 6) Page 9
