by Mark Iles
Only a few of the Federal ships managed to get away, along with just one of the Forerunners craft. Of the Penal ships that had attacked the FOM fleet only thirteen survived, including the now badly damaged dreadnaught. As the ships moved away from the cloud of debris the Manta and their allies regrouped and headed for Capulet. Magki immediately ordered the orbiting flotilla to move between the aliens and the planet, but to hold their fire. Both fleets stopped, facing each other, while the dreadnaught and her escorts took up stations behind the aliens, effectively sandwiching them.
“Looks to me like we’ve got a standoff,” Selena observed.
“Whoever the Manta’s allies are,” Arthur said, “we haven’t a chance against them. Let’s hope they’re not here for trouble.”
“Are they in planetary weapons range?” Magki asked.
“Just outside it, General,” Arthur replied. “If they come in close enough we could easily take out the Manta, but seeing what damage their friends did to the ForeRunners I doubt very much we could hurt them at all.”
“Sir,” Lieutenant Roberts interrupted, “One of those large globe ships is moving towards us.”
“Just one?” the general queried. When the woman confirmed it, he told them to let it through and for everyone to continue holding fire.
Moving slowly through the human ships the orb continued to change shape and colour. It penetrated the planet’s atmosphere and slowed still further, finally landing gracefully outside Capulet City.
“I guess now we find out,” Selena said, biting her bottom lip.
“Roberts,” General Magki addressed the young dark-haired woman. “You’re in charge. Dillon, you come with me.”
*****
Feeling somewhat vulnerable, Selena stood in front of the globe ship, next to Magki and with an oddly calm Shadow at her side. The lenar obviously wasn’t frightened of the strange craft, which puzzled her. Both officers bore only side arms but Selena really wished the general had allowed her to keep her assault rifle.
“Something’s happening,” she observed.
Although she’d seen the vessels before they still baffled her. They were just plain weird, a liquid form that could change colour and shape apparently at will. As she watched one of the seahorse-like creatures emerged from the ships skin and drifted through the air towards them.
“Not very big is it, about the size of a cat,” the general muttered softly.
Selena bit her lip and looked at him. “Something like that, but a darn sight more dangerous.” Then she noticed something she hadn’t before. What she’d taken for stripes on the newcomers were actually gossamer straps that held tiny devices on them.
A feeling of warmth flowed through Selena and a voice echoed in her mind. “We’ve come with our allies to talk to you.”
Selena held her breath but even as she did so a Manta stepped from the alien ship and strode boldly towards them, the glowing orange sphere appearing over its right shoulder. The Manta stopped next to the other being and remained still, and then a voice issued from the orb.
“We don’t understand. You are one race and yet you fight amongst yourselves, and those you battle with side with our ancient enemy. Explain.”
“Well, that’s easier said than done,” Selena replied, earning herself a frown from the general.
The seahorse-like creature’s many eyes did a weaving dance amongst themselves, akin to a snake’s mating ritual. Then the voice issued from the Manta’s sphere again. “We are few now and offer no threat to you. Let there be peace between us. We mistook you for the ancient ones. Yes, you are complicated.”
The general seized on the moment immediately. “Yes, we would like to have peace. War is no good for any of us but we need to talk about this in greater depth. In the meantime, it would appear your enemy has become ours. The ForeRunners attacked us while supporting our enemies. Our people are now split into two. Perhaps,” he gestured to the seahorse, “your friends could act as mediators. What do we call you?”
“We are Sken,” the seahorse creature replied. “There is another issue. Your race is guilty of invading another sentient beings world and causing much suffering.”
“We are?” the small Korean officer answered, looking confused.
Shadow climbed to its feet and padded over to the Sken, turning its beady black eyes back on the humans. Suddenly Selena realised what it all meant.
“The lenars?” she gasped. “But they attacked us when we landed and have killed a great many of our people. They have no buildings and no literature. They’re not sentient...are they?”
“They are nomadic and need no buildings but yes, they are what you call sentient. Their lives are spent hunting in the forests. When your people invaded they defended their lands, then did the same again more recently against those you call the Manta. We are what you call telepathic. You in turn have language, yet the lenar are empathic. They communicate by emotion and feeling. Your adoption of this one you call Shadow surprised them. It showed you can indeed work together, as we all can.
“Now, we must go. There is much for us all to think about. We will speak again soon.” The Manta and Sken turned about and walked back to their craft, slipping through its skin as easily as entering fog. Then the alien ship lifted silently from the ground and was gone.
Chapter Nine
On her way to the hospital with Singh to visit Braxis, Selena thought back on the latest developments. General Magki had informed her that the aligned worlds were meeting on Emerson, a small frozen world orbiting Bernard’s Star, one which the Manta had not so long ago tried to conquer. She’d only been there once on a fleeting visit and certainly wasn’t fond of red dwarf systems, she found them far too cold, even in the underground cities built to protect the inhabitants against sporadic solar flares. Magki told her the Manta and the Sken had also been invited, and it was hoped they would join what had become the Assembly of Worlds.
“Braxis,” Singh said abruptly to the nurse at reception, surprised there wasn’t a robosec there instead.
“I’m sorry?” the startled brunet replied.
“We’ve come to see Corporal Braxis, one of our men. You can’t miss him. He’s built like a mountain and has a face like a very bad boxer. Here’s his official number and DNA.”
Singh passed her his handheld. The nurse perused his details before checking her records. “Ward five, along the corridor down there to the left,” she informed them blindly, whilst passing back Singh his handheld.
Thanking her, the two made their way into the ward and soon found Braxis. He was sitting up in bed, arms crossed with a grim expression on his face.
“What’s up with you?” Selena asked, pulling up a chair. “Someone steal your teddy? We just popped in to see how you’re doing.”
“The bastards won’t let me out until tomorrow,” Braxis growled. “Thanks for popping in. Did you bring any grapes?”
“No, I think Singh made them all into wine.” Selena replied, keeping a straight face.
Braxis eyed Singh. “Bring any wine, Lieutenant Commander?”
“The Captain’s led a sheltered life, Braxis,” Singh replied. “I constantly amaze her with my ingenuity at being able to make alcohol from just about anything, but as to your question no, sorry. How are you doing? You seem okay, although you had us all a bit worried for a while.”
“I’m hard to kill, Sir.”
“Well, those Feds nearly achieved it,” Selena said. “You were lucky, with those wounds you could easily have died. When you’ve finished malingering, report to Singh here back in the arena. I just popped in to see how you were. He’ll update you on what’s been happening. It’s good to see you’re all right. Oh, and thanks for what you did back there.” She patted his arm and left the two of them to chat. She had a job to do.
Selena climbed aboard the skimmer waiting outside. Shadow climbed to his feet from where he lay in the craft and welcomed her by nuzzling her hand. Cox sat sweating behind their driver and a guard, his eyes gl
ued to the lenar. He appeared fascinated.
“Relax,” she said, “he won’t eat you.”
Cox blinked at her in surprise. “Is that an attempt at humour? The lenars don’t enjoy the best of reputations, you know.”
“Are you going to be all right with this?” she asked, leaning forward until her face was inches from his. “If not, I can soon find a replacement.”
The scientist snorted. “Like hell you can, we both know you’d struggle to find anyone else to come along on this little jaunt. People are too frightened of these creatures.”
“And you?”
Cox met her gaze. “To be honest I’m scared beyond belief. But then I’ve you to look after me haven’t I. If you can’t, who can?”
The skimmer rose and shot over the city walls, heading out into the surrounding forest. Selena waited until a sudden warm glow enveloped her, and then she knew she was in the right place. Here, something felt in her mind.
At her command the skimmer stopped and landed in the thick, rough grass. The driver and guard remained in the vehicle as Selena, Cox and Shadow walked a short distance into the woods and then stopped to wait patiently. Dark shapes flitted through the trees and moments later five lenars stood facing them, while Selena knew others remained hidden in the shadows.
“I’ve come to offer you a truce,” Selena began, “a chance to prove we can live together in peace. The general, our military leader here, has spoken to our Queen and they would like to confirm we will not cause your kind any further harm. In return we’d like your promise to do likewise. Both of our races have suffered for too long at each other’s hands. While we were once new to this world, this is now our home too, and we’re hoping our races can co-exist peacefully.
“Naturally we’ll require resources, such as wood, water, minerals and so forth, but we’re more than prepared to set aside conservation areas for you which won’t be infringed. Galactic Law will protect them and it will be enforced. If there is anything else you need, you only have to let us know and we’ll be happy to help.”
She felt their understanding and then their agreement, a warm feeling of joy suffusing her. Turning to Shadow, she said, “You better go on home now, back to your people. You’re better off with your kind than you are with me.” Dropping to her knees she stroked his silky fur and looked deeply into his marble eyes. “I’m gonna miss you, fella.”
She felt tears gathering and blinked them away quickly, realising suddenly how much Shadow had come to mean to her. It had been a long time since she’d had anyone to care for, apart from Bryn, and their time together had been far too brief. Shadow filled a void in her life and she didn’t want to face the loneliness again.
As she knelt in front of him Shadow planted both forepaws on her shoulders and licked her face. She knew then he wouldn’t leave her. He needed to be by her side, as proof that both races could get along together. She ruffled his short fur then looked over to Cox, as he recorded everything. To her surprise he put his handheld away and walked up to the five lenars. They remained still, watching as he stood in front of them. Then he too sank to his knees and held out his arms. One by one the dark, forest creatures came forward and rubbed themselves against him before turning back and melting into the gloom amidst the trees. Aware of how afraid he’d been of them Selena felt nothing but growing admiration for him, knowing what a brave act it had been.
“You’re sweating,” she said, straight faced, as they stood and walked back to the skimmer.
“Very funny,” he replied, wiping his forehead with an already damp cloth. “You’re lucky. It could have been a lot worse.”
*****
Back in the city Selena stood in General Magki’s office, both watching the sunset and the coming of the night through his wall-length window.
“The people here are delighted at the development with regards to the lenars. They’ve always been terrified of them, so this agreement is quite a turn up for the books. Who’d have thought they were a sentient race?” He turned to face Selena. “I’m still surprised you took Sweaty. If anything I’d have thought you’d have preferred to have Arthur with you.”
“I get the feeling Arthur doesn’t like the lenars, Sir,” she said.
“Why not?”
“No idea, but then he never has been particularly fond of animals.”
“Well,” Magki replied, “each to their own. You can’t blame him, the lenars killed a lot of people but then we did the same to them. I see Shadow’s still with you, should help considerably.” He met the lenar’s dark beady eyes for a moment before looking away. “Anything else?” he asked, suddenly.
“Nothing much, Sir. I think my work here’s completed and I was wondering when I can return to Loreen? There’s a lot to do back there.”
“Your work here’s done when I say it is, Captain. We’ve achieved a lot in this short space of time and I want you to remain around a bit longer. The Manta and Sken ships have left the system now. Off to Emerson I should imagine. The meeting’s due to take place tomorrow. It’s quite a historic occasion. A peace settlement between the worlds of mankind and alien races, who’d have thought it?”
His screen burst into life, Lieutenant Roberts blurting, “Sir, another enemy flotilla is approaching the system. There are three assault carriers and ten escorts.”
“Damn, don’t they ever give up? How many ships do we have in orbit?”
“Five,” Roberts replied. “The others have returned to Loreen for repairs, or gone to Emerson.”
Magki cursed before turning to Selena. “You’d better follow me, Captain.”
Back in the command centre Selena watched the enemy vessels approach on the displays. Suddenly one of the Penal flotilla in low orbit exploded. “Damn it! Where did that shot come from?”
“Sir, the satellite defences have opened fire on our own ships,” Roberts gasped.
“What?” the general gasped. “Shut them down.”
“I can’t, it’s the secondary system Sir. Something else is controlling them.”
“Then take them out, now!”
“Aye, Sir.”
“Arthur,” Selena said into the battlenet, “problems. Get to the command room immediately.” Her order was met with silence. Damn, she thought, where was he?
Sunbeams from the city illuminated the satellites. Their deflectors held for a few moments, before failing under the combined attack from the orbiting craft and planetary defences; but by that time another ship had been lost. The enemy escorts engaged the three remaining vessels in orbit who fought back valiantly, aided by batteries from the city. Selena felt a moment’s surprise that the enemy hadn’t come in on the other side of the planet, then realised they wanted to capture the city and to do so had to take it quickly, before reinforcements arrived in system. She watched as the enemy ship losses began to mount, but it was too late, the assault ships had already launched their landing craft and thousands of Federal troops were on their way down.
“Captain Dillon,” Magki said. “See to the city’s defence.”
“Yes Sir. Shadow, stay here and look after the general, you won’t be any good up there on the walls. You,” she addressed one of the soldiers manning the defence controls, “turn on the dazzlers.”
Brilliant beams, as bright as daylight, were directed away from the citadel itself to illuminate anything coming near, and blinding anyone looking directly towards it. Selena wiped her mouth with a bare fist. This was going to be tough. She ordered her men to the walls, ensuring battle droids reinforced them every hundred feet or so. At least a little earlier she’d had the foresight to set up fall-back points throughout the city, just in case. Arthur should be here, preparing a few surprises for the enemy, as he had back on Loreen when rebels had attacked them. Without him she was running out of options.
“Here they come, Ma’am,” Braxis said from besides her, pointing up at growing points of light in the night sky. “Point defence should be able to take them out, and the auto guns any survivors w
ho manage to bail out.”
She faced him and frowned. “Braxis, you’re supposed to be in the hospital.”
“I’d prefer to be on the walls, Captain. It’s no good waiting in bed for some twat to come and splatter you. I’d rather fight here alongside my friends, if you don’t mind.”
“Okay, just don’t die on me,” Selena replied with a splenetic snap, but deep down she was both relieved and touched by his integrity. “Oh, and it’s good to have you back. Now get to the walls and out of my goddamned way. Gunnery, take out those landing craft.”
Above them the swarms of small craft were met with sustained point defence fire and the night sky filled with beams of light and tracer. Ships fell by the dozen, until those following moved further away. At a safer distance they opened their bays and dropped their troops into the depths of the forest, the enemy soldiers slowing their descent with their gravpacks before landing amidst the trees and running towards the city. Others preferred to skim above the treetops using their gravpacks. Even as the surviving landing craft shot back towards the heavens they were torn from the sky by the heavy fire from Capulet City, exploding or falling in flames into the woodland, where they shattered the trees and ripped them from the ground. Brilliant blossoms of fire rose from the forest up into the sky as they crashed and countless Federal troops were thrown aside by the blasts, yet those who remained in one piece climbed back to their feet and stormed from the forest towards the city walls.
Suddenly the point defence and auto-guns fell silent.
“General,” Selena gasped into the battlenet, “can you tell me what the hell’s going on? The defences have stopped firing.”
“Something’s over-ridden their commands. They’re down. It’s up to you to stop the assault, Selena.”
She swore and ordered her men to open fire. Shells and beam weapons slammed into the enemy ranks. Yet still they came on. Thousands of troops shot over the treetops on antigravs, while even more poured from the forest floor.
