The Duke scowled. “The Grell, hmmph. What a petty race. We should have eliminated them long ago. I would suppose they have informed you of why they are slaves to the Colossus? Or were you easily deceived by their lies? Which would make you nothing more than fools!”
I replied, “The Grell said you attacked and enslaved their world centuries ago.”
The Duke responded angrily, “What! That cursed species has been nothing but trouble. I will tell you the truth about the Grell, Mr. Grange. We, the Colossus, established a small mining facility on Ponik, well before the Grell first arrived.”
I spoke. “If the Grell are the original inhabitants of Ponik, how exactly would that be possible?”
The Duke looked agitated. “More lies, Mr. Grange. As I was saying, we had a mining colony on Ponik, an unclaimed and uninhabited world before our arrival. The Grell, coming from somewhere across the boundary, attacked and wiped out nearly fifty thousand citizens of the Empire. Naturally, we returned with a larger and more powerful force. The Grell were not equipped to do battle with our sentinels; their army of androids was inferior to ours. The sentinels are the mainstay of our powerful armadas, and the Grell were easily crushed.
“When our forces landed, we slaughtered them by the thousands before their leaders gave up in a complete surrender. Unlike the Grell, Mr. Grange, we showed mercy, mercy even though they had butchered our citizens. In return for their acceptance as slaves, we would spare their lives. Their androids were reprogrammed to become their overseers. They were allowed to live their lives on the world they had come to conquer. Their penalty for their deeds was one thousand years in captivity.”
I replied, “So, the Grell were the invaders, you countered, and they accepted life as slaves. That story contradicts what we have been told, Mr…. Duke. It leaves me with no choice but to hold both accounts at a distance until the truth emerges.”
The Duke again scowled. “You are making this quite difficult on me, Mr. Grange. Perhaps you need a change of perspective. You are now my prisoner. You attacked a world under my care. You destroyed valuable equipment and, I can only guess, looted the cargo of one of our ore haulers. You attacked our ships and then invaded this station. If I were you, Mr. Grange, I would be pleading for my life, asking how I might change my fortune, asking about how I could become an asset to the Empire instead of a hindrance and an outlaw!”
I sat forward in my chair. “I will say this, Duke: if what you say is true, then perhaps there is hope for a peaceful coexistence between our species. We would be happy to move on from your territory, but we are in need of a few raw materials first. Maybe we could work out a few technology trades. You win, we win.”
The Duke shook his head. “I’m afraid there is little that you could offer us, Mr. Grange. We are not an empire in need. We are not threatened by any other species. And, except for the occasional misguided interlopers like yourselves, we live in relative peace and harmony. You see, Mr. Grange, it appears that it is you who need us. We hold all the cards, so to speak; you hold out an empty hand, while the hand behind your back holds stolen property. As I said before, you are in need of a change of perspective.”
I replied, “We saw your fleet out there, very impressive. It is obvious those other ships were used as a misdirection of sorts. And why was that one transport full of those androids?”
The Duke huffed. “Those are the remains of the Grell fleet from centuries ago. As part of our benevolent agreement, when their time of penance was complete, their ships would be returned so that they could leave our space. We were sending them to quash the rebellion. It is a pity for the Grell that you arrived, Mr. Grange. In a few hundred years they would have been released. Now, they will be wiped from existence and replaced with android miners with whom we will never have issue.”
I replied, “That story actually makes sense. But why is this station empty? And why are your colonies hidden?”
The Duke spoke. “This station also belongs to the Grell. It is how they were able to travel across the boundary expanse with sub-light drive technology. It would also be their way home. As for our colonies being hidden, we try not to emanate signals from our remote colonies, Mr. Grange. Even the Colossus is prone to the occasional pirate activity. We feel it better to just let passersby pass by.”
I replied, “If the station belongs to the Grell, then why were Tribuk pilots visiting here with your ships?”
The Duke waved his hand to brush aside my question. “Mr. Grange, we are in deep space. Those docking bays are sometimes of use for transferring crews and cargos, nothing more.”
I thought for a moment and offered a response in a different tone. “What if I told you that we were running from a species far more powerful than ourselves? A species that could bring havoc and destruction on the Colossus, a species that cannot be reasoned with because their sole purpose of existence is to dominate the galaxy. Would you have interest in that knowledge?”
The Duke rubbed his chin. “Please continue, Mr. Grange, as I am always interested in threats to the Empire, but if this is another untruth, it will mean the immediate end for both you and your colleagues.”
I replied, “There is a species, called the Durians, who have decided that they want us dead. We were able to outrun them for a short period of time, but they will inevitably catch up. One of their spies, a saboteur, is the reason we came to be in your space. Our venture on Ponik was to gather resources so that we could keep moving. Had there been any evidence of colonies there, we would have first asked for assistance through trade, as I indicated earlier. We are not a hostile species, Duke; we just fell into a situation without having knowledge of what that situation actually was.”
I continued, “How fast is your fastest ship?”
The Duke shook his head and chuckled. “Mr. Grange, do you take me for such a fool that I would divulge such sensitive information to you?”
I replied, “I only wanted to make a point, Duke. I am your captive. I don’t live unless you decide I live. Any knowledge you allow will die with me if you so choose.”
The Duke pursed his lips in thought. “I will give you this piece of information, Mr. Grange, out of curiosity as to why you would ask. Our ships are capable of speeds in excess of 180 times the speed of light.”
I replied, “If that is true, then you should listen to what I have to say. The Durian ships can travel at double that speed at least. They have shielding that makes them extremely difficult to kill, including their soldiers, and they have a variety of weapons to use against you. And, the most troubling piece of information I can offer to you is that they are on their way here. We can help, if you let us, and if you deal with us in a civilized manner, as you have indicated that you like to do. Humans could be an ally, an asset to the Colossus, if you choose to allow it.”
The Duke replied, “Before any talk of cooperation begins, we will have to establish at least a minimum level of trust. To date, you have stolen from me, attacked me, and lied to me. Building that bridge for us to meet in the middle has become difficult. But, I am a patient man, Mr. Grange. You will need to convince me that your true intentions on this matter are also to the benefit of the Empire.”
I spoke. “We are Humans. Are your people known as Colossuns?”
The Duke replied, “As a species, we are called the Vesha. We are one of twenty species that make up the Colossus Empire. In addition, there are another four species who are currently enslaved to us for crimes against the Empire. The Tribuks are one such species. The Grell were another.”
I replied, “What did the Tribuks do?”
The Duke spoke. “The Tribuks were a well-to-do species in the Empire, but their leaders became greedy and began to appropriate things from others through the use of force and politics. Their rebellion was, of course, put down, and they now serve out a sentence of fifteen hundred years. But, enough about the Colossus Empire; tell me why I should trust Humans.”
I leaned on my armrest as I thought of the long tale I was
about to tell. “We live on a great space station that we call the Grid. We aren’t sure where we came from originally, so we are in search of our home, or at least a place we can call home. Up until just over a year ago, we were being pursued by a species called the Milgari…”
I continued to talk for nearly an hour. The Duke was fascinated at first, but began to tire of the endless tale of the Humans and their plight. I ended with our final move from the Mensa sector.
I spoke. “… and there you have it, Duke. The condensed history of the Humans as we know it.”
The Duke replied, “That is quite the interesting tale, Mr. Grange. I would very much like to see this Grid of yours.”
I tapped into the station’s video feed and sent an image of the Grid to the view-screen in the auditorium.
I spoke. “There you have it, Duke. That is our home, the Grid.”
The Duke stood looking at the screen and then back at me. “Where did you get this image? Who are you working for? What treachery are you attempting to unleash on us? I warned you, Mr. Grange. With this lie, you have gone too far!”
I attempted to stand, but was quickly forced back in my seat by a sentinel who stood next to me. “This is our home! At least it has been for the last thousand years. Before that, we have no history. I assure you, Duke, this is not a lie!”
The Duke took control of the view-screen and removed the image of the Grid. He hurriedly punched away on a handheld device. The screen flickered as a new image came into view.
I stood slowly as the Duke and I both looked at the screen. “That’s… that is almost identical to ours! Where did you get this? Were any other Humans still alive on it when you found it?”
The Duke replied, “Found it? This is our station. It is where we began our history more than five thousand years ago. If what you are saying is true, Mr. Grange, our paths, our histories, or the lack thereof, are inexplicably tied together.”
The Duke sat down while still staring at the screen. “Our beginnings have been a mystery also, Mr. Grange. Our people found ourselves on nine of these stations. We made peace with the developing species from our core worlds and have been slowly expanding the Empire ever since. There have been many hostile species along the way who have tried to pull us asunder. Those ships, those great stations—we call them Verna—they have been our rock, our foundation. The protection they have provided to us has allowed us to thrive.”
I shook my head. “Do you realize what this means? This means that your species, as well as mine, have been put here by someone else, by some other species. When our ancestors first found themselves on the Grids, they worked hard to record everything they could remember. There were events, cities, animals, and technologies that they wrote down in our great archives. But the memories of where we were from, memories of how we had come to be on the Grids, had been forgotten.”
The Duke stood. “Mr. Grange. I think we will take a journey to the heart of Colossus. It is from the nine Verna that we govern the two hundred five worlds of the Colossus. You may tell your ship that is in hiding that you are now our guest. They may leave now or stay until we are gone, if they like. It matters little.”
The Duke touched a spot on his neck. “Prepare for a journey to the Verna. The Humans will be our guests. Allow their ship to leave if it so desires.”
The Duke stepped past me and then gestured towards the door. “Come, Mr. Grange. We have much to discuss. I wish to hear the story of your Grid in more detail. In turn, I will give you a history of the Vesha and the Colossus. Your existence and how you came to be here are the first clues we have had relating to our own beginnings. I am interested in how our fifty centuries in this galaxy compares to yours.”
We followed the Duke down through the tube to the docks and were soon on his royal shuttle. After docking with the crown ship of his fleet, we were soon speeding along our way towards the center of the Colossus Empire.
I spoke. “Two hundred five worlds. That is an impressive size. The Tribuks we have interacted with said there were only nine.”
The Duke replied with a chuckle, “The Tribuks are only allowed to see or hear what we allow them to see or hear. Garrok is in this section of the Empire, so they do their penance here. When they have repaid their debt to the Empire, they will be allowed to either rejoin her or take journey elsewhere, if they have the means.”
The Duke continued with his story of the Colossus Empire. Their entire known history had been spent in the current sector. They had lucked out in their location, as the other, minor species that surrounded them were not powerful enough to offer a real threat to the giant Verna they called home. After several centuries of skirmishes, the species surrounding them came to join in their efforts to establish and grow the Colossus. The capital planet was named Colos, and from that the Colossus Empire was born.
The Vesha had undertaken a similar archive of their knowledge when they first arrived. They had prospered, while we were forced to continuously flee. I was beginning to like the Duke, but he was a politician, and politicians had a way of telling you one thing while doing another. Trust had to be earned. The Duke was on the right path.
Chapter 16
We rode towards Colos and the nine Verna on the Duke’s flagship, named the Durgen after one of his ancestors. My quarters were on a grand scale. The walls were covered in fine cloth meant for royal guests. I was wishing that Ashley had been along for the ride. My squads were each given individual quarters that were better than some of the top hotels I had been in on Omrin. The Vesha enjoyed a well-balanced diet that was similar in taste and texture to what we ate as Humans.
As we sat at a large table, the Duke spoke. “Mr. Grange, the stories some of your soldiers have been telling are quite entertaining. Such dire conflicts, some with tragic results, and yet you maintain a sense of humor about them.”
I replied, “Oh, please don’t call them soldiers. They are Marines; soldiers are in an army. I don’t see the difference, but then again, I am not a Marine. But yes, we try to keep our sense of humor even in bad times. It helps to keep one’s perspective. Our Marines prefer to celebrate how one lived rather than the fact that one has died. We also mourn the loss, but we try to do that in private, if needed. I think it helps to keep morale up when we’ve been through a particularly tough battle.”
The Duke raised his glass to the others. “Let us drink in celebration of those who have gone before us! May we remember their sacrifices as we enjoy our freedoms!”
The Duke was a drinker. After a handful of toasts, I was feeling woozy and cut myself off. I was no lightweight when it came to the bottle, but I struggled to keep pace with the Marines in my charge and the Duke. I stood and excused myself from the table. The Duke called for two female escorts to see me safely back to my room.
The Veshan women were not unattractive. Their snow-white, seemingly unblemished skin and their large green eyes had their appeal. But each look at the wiggling tendrils on their scalps sent any desires I might have had screaming in the other direction. Besides, I had a wife that I was committed to back on the Grid, a wife that I missed every night as I lay down in bed.
After a late-morning sleep, I was awakened by a knock on my door. Before I could roll out of bed, a servant answered the knock. I was invited to speak to a group of admirals and other high-ranking officers in the Duke’s Colossun fleet. I cleaned myself up, dressed in a suit provided for visiting diplomats, and was then escorted to the command deck of the Durgen.
As I walked onto the bridge, the Duke was there to greet me. “Ah, Mr. Grange, welcome to my bridge. I’m sure the captain would think differently, but I like to call it my own. Hmm, you are looking a bit green this morning, Mr. Grange. Perhaps a lighter share of Lumian wine would serve you well in the future?”
I replied, “I’m OK, just a slow starter sometimes. And thank you for this courtesy, Duke. Your willingness to allow me up here is a sign of trust. I hope I can return the favor someday by offering you a tour of my ship, the Swift.
”
The Duke nodded. “That would be delightful, Mr. Grange. I am certain I would be impressed!”
A quick tour of the bridge was given before we were shuffled into a conference room. The admirals began with their line of questions, wanting to know everything about the Durians and their technology. I offered what detail I could.
I spoke. “Yes, Admiral, they have a battle suit that will likely defend against any kinetic weapons. What we found to be effective was something with enough force to knock them around. The suit absorbs a good impact, but if the impact is large enough, you can shake them up enough inside to kill them.”
An admiral replied, “This is one of the reasons why we developed androids millennia ago. Unless you tear them apart, they continue to fight. I would like to have one of these suits for my engineers to study, Mr. Grange. An army of our sentinels with this technology would be nearly unstoppable.”
As the admiral continued to talk about the virtues of the android soldier, I couldn’t help but think of my own battle suit sitting back in my room. Were the Colossuns studying it as we spoke? Was it a secret I was willing to give up so early in our relationship?
I stood up from my chair. “I am sorry, but I’m afraid I am not feeling well from last night’s drinking. I wonder if we could pick up this conversation again later?”
The admiral gestured towards my chair. “Please, Mr. Grange! This discussion is of the utmost importance to the security of the Colossus. I would ask that you tough this out if possible.”
The admiral clapped his hands, and a servant was immediately by his side. “Please get Mr. Grange one of our morning beverages. It will quell any nausea and boost your energy, Mr. Grange!”
I waved my hand and feigned throwing up. The Duke stood from the table as I stepped back. I was nervous. I had to wonder if the admiral was trying to keep me there while they explored the secrets of my battle suit.
The Duke spoke. “Admiral! Let this gentleman go! This is not behavior fitting of one in command. Mr. Grange will be available if needed in a few hours, I am sure. Mr. Grange, please excuse yourself. Bachmin will escort you back to your stateroom.”
AMP Colossus Page 16
