The admiral sat silent for several seconds. “Give me a few minutes, Mr. Hardy. Your request is not of a usual nature.”
Three minutes passed before another individual showed on the comm display. “What is the meaning of this intrusion?”
Mace replied, “Our territories have been invaded by another empire. By ourselves we may not able to defend against them. I’ve come here with an offer that might interest you. In return for assistance, we have a number of previously populated worlds that we would cede to your control. At the moment, that is fourteen prior colonies in eleven star systems.
“The previous occupants have been wiped out by the invaders, leaving the worlds open for claim. Should you be willing to offer sufficient assistance, we would acknowledge your claim to those worlds. I can send you data on the worlds in question. You decide whether or not you have interest and what you might be able to offer in return. At the moment, we need ships and weapons. We are outnumbered and we’re being outproduced.
“I know the United Front has gone through a period of strengthening your empire and that you’re now in an expansionist mode. Here are fourteen worlds that are ready for colony establishment, mining, whatever you want to use them for. They are also relatively close to a rift that leads to this other empire.”
The individual on the display rubbed his protruding chin. “While our interest level with regards to expansion is high at the moment, we are quickly discovering we lack the means to travel the great distances needed to manage and defend such colonies. There has been much discussion about the twenty worlds we just laid claim to with your assistance. Some will take decades for us to reach. Of much greater value to us at the moment would be your wormhole technology.”
Mace sighed. “I’m certain you understand that we cannot part with that technology for obvious reasons. For one, it makes us vulnerable to immediate attack. It’s the one technology we cannot afford to give away.”
The Kohamian diplomat smiled. “It would appear to me to be the only option you have, Mr. Hardy. I might be able to persuade the council to trade temporary defense of your worlds for such. I can tell you also that no amount of far territories will elicit a defensive pact from our leaders.”
Mace took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Let’s say we were to offer the wormhole tech, would the United Front be willing to supply as much might as we need to defeat the Karthians? If we can eliminate the force in our territory, I believe they would then leave us to ourselves, turning their aggression elsewhere.”
The diplomat nodded. “I will pass this information on immediately. Expect a reply within the hour.”
Mace said, “We’ll be here. Oh, and ask your local admiral notto send any more ships to greet us. If he does, we leave.”
The diplomat bowed. “Consider it done.”
The comm closed.
Mace turned in his chair. “Opinions?”
Jordan Crawford replied, “The wormhole tech is the one advantage we’ve had over these other species. We give that away and we’re at their mercy, as you suggested. We need years of buildup to be able to defend what we have. Our production is weak, as is the rest of our technology.”
Johnny nodded. “What he just said. If we give that up, the UF has the means to rapidly expand, including into our space. And from what we’ve seen, they would be far harder to stop than the Karthians. I would have to vote no on this.”
Jasper said, “You already know my thoughts on doing that. It’s a bad idea.”
Mace looked at Jeff. “Mr. Moskowitz?”
Jeff half smiled. “I’m of mixed feelings. Other than protecting this colony, they haven’t shown us any expansionist aggression. On the other hand, they haven’t exactly been cooperative with us. I would have to say I lean in the direction of the rest of you. Perhaps find out how quickly they would be willing to respond to something as a last resort?”
The Kohamian diplomat returned to the comm after just over an hour. “Mr. Hardy, the council would be willing to entertain a trade of your wormhole technology, in its entirety, for a one-time defense of your worlds from these Karthians.”
Mace nodded. “Any technology trade would have to happen after this defense. And the result of such defense would have to be the complete annihilation of the threat. If that could be agreed to, I will take this back to my people for discussion. Oh, and one other question: how soon could the needed resources be made ready? Assuming we will provide a means of transporting any assets to the battlefront.”
The diplomat replied, “I have been given authority to agree to terms if I find them acceptable. Given the size and nature of the threat you sent my way, we would require four days to assemble the necessary force.”
Mace bowed. “I’ll be back with an answer in a Canto day. We can move forward or part ways from there.”
The comm closed. The Rogers, along with Jasper’s escorts, returned to Divinia.
Jasper said, “You aren’t seriously considering that deal, are you?”
“It could be what saves the Targarian worlds, as well as Earth. I am considering it. I’d like to talk with Stark first. He has a good grasp of thinking out the angles we might not see.”
A comm was opened. “Mr. Stark, we have a dilemma and a possible solution. I need your opinions and insights. The United Front has agreed to provide the means for us to defeat the Karthians. In return, we have to turn over the wormhole technology.”
Stark rubbed his chin. “I’ve been mulling over this very idea. It would allow us to rebuild, but at the same time make us vulnerable to a new and even more powerful species. What happens when the boundaries of our empires come together? Such as on Canto? Can they be trusted to be respectful of our claims or should we fear them as we fear the Karthians? It’s a dilemma… with no easy answer.”
Johnny chuckled. “I expected something insightful. He’s only repeating what we already know.”
Mace said, “That offer is on the table. Take a few hours and tell me what you think. We don’t have to tell them today. Oh, and if we decide to do this, they said they could have a force ready in four days’ time. I would expect it to be at least a week given all the unknowns. The tech would not be turned over until the mission was completed.”
Stark’s silhouette sat facing the camera for several seconds. “I’ll have an answer for you in two hours.”
Chapter 17
*
Two hours came and went. After four, Mace opened a comm to the reigning Human king.
Stark answered, “We continue to work on the pros and cons of the agreement with the United Front. You stated they don’t need an answer for another eighteen hours. The issue is quite complex. A hasty answer would be remiss.”
Mace nodded. “Just wanted to check in since you went well past your suggested deadline.”
Jasper opened a comm. “We have trouble. The Karthians are finishing up their efforts with the Quelli worlds. The remaining Quelli fleet has taken refuge with the Zinka. The Karthian fleet could be coming this way at any moment.”
Mace replied, “I guess that ends our discussion about the UF. We don’t have time for them to assemble a defense anyway.”
Stark said, “I’ll begin preparations to move our force to Divinia. I believe the Gorange and Dunden Heap will be joining us. The Dellus, Zinka, and Quelli are opting to stay away.”
Mace sighed. “I figured as much. We’ll just have to deal with it.”
Jasper said, “We’ve detected wormholes opening at Talicon. We don’t have any indication as to where they are connecting to. Talicon is the Quelli home world. Wait… scan results coming in. It looks like Nineka. That’s the Dellus capital. They jumped around us!”
An aide whispered to Stark. “I have confirmation. Eleven hundred ships are in the Nineka system. The Quelli have indeed jumped. The Zinka are not committing. The Gorange and Dunden Heap have given their word to join us here should we be attacked before them.”
Jasper said, “Stinkin’ Zinka. They’ve been
backstabbing everyone from the beginning. The Dellus are fools for trusting them.”
Stark looked over information above his arm pad. “The Karthian station has arrived at Nineka.”
Mace said, “That’s one massive wormhole they’re opening.”
Stark nodded. “Indeed, the cost of gatrellium must be astronomical.”
“What kind of force do the Dellus have available?”
Stark replied, “Just over four hundred ships if the Zinka show. Without them, I’d say… two-fifty? This fight will be over in a matter of hours.”
Johnny said, “If they’re already moving to Dellus space, what happened to the Quelli? They couldn’t have moved that many out of those colonies already.”
“Flat-out genocide is what’s happening,” said Jasper. “The ships they left behind are pulverizing the Quelli cities. Full-on eradication.”
Bontu Montak came onto the bridge. “The Dellus? Is it true?”
Fatso Geerok stood from his chair. “It’s true. Nineka is under assault. Rhombia will follow.”
Mace said, “And all we can do is watch. I’m sorry, Mr. Montak. There’s nothing we can do.”
Bontu replied, “I understand the situation. You must wait for the time you feel you can make the best stand. No need to apologize.”
Johnny said, “Too bad we can’t make a jump to the Karthian home world and rain down terror on their people.”
Stark replied, “Their planets, similar to Divinia and Earth, have many levels of defense. I think it unlikely that with our current force we would get within striking distance.”
The Dellus Admiral Dlukov opened a comm to Jasper. “Your Highness, we beg your assistance. Help us now and we will submit to your kingdom and rule. Our ships are already seeing heavy losses. The traitorous Zinka have abandoned us.”
Jasper remained firm: “I can’t help you, Admiral. Our defensive stand will be here. You could salvage your fleet and send it this way. It won’t help your worlds, but it would give your fleet a fighting chance.”
The admiral scowled. “I would just as soon die here in my own territory than defend someone so callous as to even ask such a thing.”
Jasper nodded before closing the comm. “Then go ahead and die.”
Johnny raised an eyebrow. “Cold.”
Jasper huffed. “Real. They picked their friends. Now they pay the price.”
Mace said, “So that brings us back to the issue of the UF. Maybe it’s not too late to enlist their help.”
Stark stood from his chair, his arms clasped behind his back as he began to pace. “I no longer think we have a choice, Mr. Hardy. The agreement with the United Front is now our best option. My advice would be to travel there immediately to initiate the deal. It does us no good if the Karthians attack beforehand. We may not last long enough to bring any aid through.”
Mace asked, “Jasper?”
The Targarian king scowled. “I don’t see that we have a choice, either.”
Mace turned. “Mr. Hobbs, take us to Canto. Gentlemen, I’ll give you an update when I return.”
A wormhole opened in front of the Rogers. The bright blue cruiser moved into UF space. The three dreadnoughts were in the same position as when the Rogers had last been there.
Mace opened a comm. “Captain, you can inform your superiors that we are ready to sign a deal.”
The captain held up his hands. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hardy. The deal you sought is no longer available.”
“What? Why? We had another fourteen hours.”
The captain shook his head. “We no longer need the wormhole technology from you. We just signed a protection deal with the Mawga for that information. They have opened wormholes to allow our fleet through. Should the aggressors attack there, we will defend. It seems you no longer have anything of value to offer.”
The comm closed. “I can’t believe it,” said Mace. “The Mawga just destroyed us.”
Johnny said, “Well, we were about to do the same to them.”
Mace shook his head. “Not true. We would have offered protection to this whole region, not just Earth and Targarian space.”
A comm came in from Jasper. “We have another issue. The Australians. The forces the Kaachi stole from us are entering that fight at Nineka.”
Mace let out a deep sigh. “We have to go and try to get them. They should be here with us.”
Jasper frowned. “Mr. Stark, are you prepared for a jump to Nineka? Our lost Australians just showed up. The Kaachi brought them out in defense of the Dellus.”
Stark replied, “We lose our defensive advantage with those microwave stations.”
Mace shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. We only have to get them out.”
Jasper said, “I have two scouts there right now. The Kaachi have some new boarding ship that has allowed them to attack and clamp onto those Karthian ships.”
Mace said, “Mr. Hobbs, take us to Nineka. Mr. Collins, Mr. Stark, I’ll be expecting your ships there momentarily.”
“We’ll be there,” said Jasper. “And I’m bringing a hundred of the microwave stations from my Kehouth colony. I’ll have the population transferred from there as well.”
Stark walked off the screen as he said, “We will be there momentarily, Mr. Hardy.”
The Human-commanded ships massed ten minutes from the fighting that was occurring around Nineka. The Dellus fleet was completely engaged. The Kaachi, bringing another eighty warships along with the Australians and the boarding ships, were in the process of getting into the fight. Wormhole openings were detected on the far side of the planet. Zinka and Quelli ships came through. A third set of wormholes was opened near Stark and the Human ships. The Gorange and the Dunden Heap ships moved into formation.
Mace looked over the wall display. “This is everything we have.”
Stark said, “I’ve informed the others our mission here is to retrieve the Australians and to leave. I got an immediate response from the Zinka and Quelli. You’ll see their reply any second.”
Again wormhole openings were detected as the Zinka fleet and their Quelli friends left the battle space.
Jasper scowled. “I hope those cowards are next.”
Mace said, “What’s our plan here? The Aussies are already engaged.”
Stark said, “We have no choice but to attack from the opposite side of that station. We can’t engage that beast without risking our remaining radica ships.”
Jasper nodded. “Well, let’s get at it. People are dying out there.”
Mace said, “Johnny, send out a general comm. See if we can get the Aussies to connect. And do it on the normal Kaachi frequencies as that’s probably what they would have those ships restricted to.”
“Mr. Collins,” said Stark, “if you can make your fleet a distraction, we will attempt a run into where the Australians are and provide them with an escort out. The Gorange and Dunden Heap will assist with that mission.”
Jasper replied, “Say when and we’ll move.”
Johnny said, “I have a comm to one of the boarding ships. Pushing it to the big wall.”
An image of an Australian officer wearing a modified Kaachi battle suit showed on the display. “Mr. Hardy, glad to see you’re joining the fight.”
Mace replied, “We’ve been in from the beginning. The Dellus have been holdouts. We need you to send word to your other ships to pull their personnel back. We’re coming in to bring you home.”
The officer replied, “We’re here to fight, Mr. Hardy. After you abandoned us, the Kaachi have provided for us.”
“We didn’t abandon anyone,” said Mace. “They took you and cut off communications. We’ve made every effort to find you but were not able to. The Kaachi said the Dellus took you. The Dellus said they didn’t know what we were talking about. Looks like the Kaachi are the ones who deceived you.”
The officer returned a skeptical look. “That’s not the information we had, Mr. Hardy. Stark’s people told us of your treachery and asked that we stay w
ith the Kaachi as a sort of insider force. We know of your alliance with the Mawga, and now with the United Front, meanwhile leaving us exposed. They equipped us and trained us for just such a fight. We fight here so we don’t have to fight at Earth.”
Mace shook his head. “You’ve been led astray, Colonel. You should have been brought home a long time ago. Stark’s people lied.”
Mace switched the comm to Stark. “So you lied to us about the Australians. All the time you knew they were with the Kaachi.”
Stark slowly nodded. “It is true. I believed having a force inside their force would give us leverage when it came time for action. It was a mistake on our part. We didn’t know they were still alive. It seems the Kaachi hid them away, telling us they were killed in a tragic accident, and then continued to feed them false information as if it was coming from us. The evidence they presented of their demise was convincing. Of course, us having knowledge of them being there in the first place would not have gone over well with the Australians back on Earth, so we remained silent on the issue.”
Mace returned an angry stare. “You set them up and then abandoned them. This must be a difficult undertaking for you right now. And I’m thinking our strategy here just changed. You, the Gorange and the Dunden Heap will be the distraction, while we—Jasper and I—go in to escort the Australians.”
Stark nodded. “I have no issue with trading positions. Tell us when you are ready to begin.”
Mace switched comms back to the Australian, patching Stark in. “Colonel, it seems the Kaachi have been feeding you bad intel. Stark says they lost direct contact with you, and the Kaachi told them you had all been killed. Anyway, doesn’t matter at the moment. We’re coming in to escort you out. We’ll be taking you back for a full debrief. Any decision you want to make from that point on will be your own. Is Coran Daughtry available?”
HADRON Chaos Page 16
