Solbidyum Wars Saga 9: At What Price

by Dale Musser

  Finally, I insisted that I needed to leave the infirmary and get back to the War Room. Kala began to protest again, but finally relented when I agreed to let a trooper transport me back in one of the air-cushioned hover-chair devices. Once back at the War Room, I used the convenient lavatory and clothing synthesizer in my office to clean up and – with some help from Kala, who refused to leave my side – put on a fresh uniform.

  All the while, Marranalis stood inside my office door, rattling off a summary status and updates as they came in from Plosaxen, some of which I already knew. “Base security is now believed to be restored. Total casualties include sixty-four Federation citizens and military personnel. Enemy combatants numbered approximately twenty, including the body bombers and snipers, all of whom were killed, with the exception of one individual who, as of this latest report, lays unconscious and in critical condition at the base hospital. Casualties would have numbered much higher, had it not been for Cadet Reidecor’s insistence that Commander Ircart activate the fog generators, which the base commonly uses during practice maneuvers to simulate poor visibility. The fog somehow allowed the troopers and cadets to locate and immobilize every cloaked attacker. All total, one hundred fifty-seven individuals are being treated at the base hospital for wounds ranging from a plastic shard from a stadium seat stuck through a man’s earlobe to severely damaged and missing limbs that resulted from the explosions. Most of the Cantolla Gates at the Base Gate Hub are again operable, but only special military units and cleared persons are allowed passage.

  There is also a message from Commander Ircart advising that the base leadership is considering a decision to announce that the cadets who would have graduated in the ceremony are officially graduated and promoted to the rank of lieutenant, rather than go through the motions of carrying out a second ceremony. He also wanted to report to you himself on the quick thinking and superbly executed actions on the part of Cadet Reidecor, who quickly organized several squads of cadets and led them to the nearby rifle range munitions locker, where they acquire arms and developed an on-the-spot strategy to isolate and immobilize the snipers. Ircart said that he was impressed not only with Cadet Reidecor’s instinctive combat leadership skills, but also with the respect and cooperation shown to him by the other cadets. He also commented that it was Trooper Luinella’s and Cadet Reidecor’s swift response at the onset of the attack that spurred the other cadets into quickly surrounding the officers on the podium, using their bodies to create a protective shield. He says you should be immensely proud of them.

  Marranalis was just finishing his report when my wrist com beeped.

  “Tibby here.”

  “Admiral Wabussie is here to see you, sir,” replied the voice of one of Marranalis’s aides.

  “Send him in,” I said. I glanced in the mirror and then at the clock… only fifteen minutes before I’d need to make a statement to the media. “Marranalis, contact Leader Pheosa and update him with the information gathered thus far. Make sure he knows the bit about the fog is classified.”

  “Yes, Admiral. Right away.”

  Wabussie was on the other side of the door as Marranalis turned to leave. He took one look at the giant and stepped aside, allowing Marranalis to pass before he came in.

  “Tibby, I heard you were hit, but I'm glad to see you don’t look too bad,” Wabussie said.

  “It’s all an illusion, Admiral,” said Kala before I could utter a sound. “Under his uniform are four broken ribs and a bruise the size of the Capitol Station.”

  “I’d heard it was bad,” Wabussie said in a lower tone. “They say your heart stopped, but the cadets brought you back. Tibby, I saw the vid clips. I’ve got to tell you; your kids were unbelievable. The way Lunnie threw herself across you to protect you… your body hadn’t even hit the ground before she was in motion to shield you! And Reidecor, taking command and organizing teams of cadets the way he did…a cadet! By the stars, man, they saved a lot of people today. You did a good job raising those two. You have every right to be proud of them.”

  “Yeah, I may need to take some time off and take both of them fishing as a reward,” I said, wincing with pain as I tried to sit down in the chair before my desk. “Seriously, though, I am very proud of them. Now, tell me what you can. I have only twelve minutes before I go live before the news media.”

  Nearly four hours had passed since the attack and the FSO wasted no time gathering the latest intelligence from every available source. Wabussie brought me some alarming information and, as I feared, it all pointed to Ming and a future that looked bleak.

  Before I knew it, Marranalis was at the door. “Sir, the media conference is ready to commence. We have a live feed prepared next door in the media conference room.”

  I looked at Wabussie. “Looks likes it show time. I’ll need to you to be there to answer some of the questions.”

  “Understood, sir,” he said.

  Once again, Kala helped me out of my chair. I noticed for the first time that her own uniform was smudged and her hair was disheveled. Dirt still stained her cheeks and I could see where tears had made their tracks through it earlier. I gave her a gentle kiss and said, “Thank you, Kala. I don’t know how I would make it without you.”

  Everything was set up when I reached the media room. At one end of the room, where Wabussie and I would be standing during the conference, was a podium with the Seal of the Galactic Federation Military Forces fixed to the front. The podium was placed in front of a panelled wall that displayed the Great Seal of the Galactic Federation. On the opposite wall was a large vid screen that displayed ongoing media coverage of the earlier attack. The camera that would add our images to the broadcast was mounted directly above the screen.

  I was taken aback for a moment as I watched the footage of the carnage that unfolded at the graduation ceremony. The dignitary section where Kala and I had been sitting was replaced by a small crater. It was hard to believe that more people weren’t killed in that explosion. As the scenes played out, the reporter narrated the chain of events. “The son of First Citizen Rear Admiral Tibby and First Citizen Captain Kalana had just finished a very moving speech about his reasons for joining the JAC and Commander Ircart had asked Admiral Tibby to come forward with his family and say a few words. The Rear Admiral was about to speak, when the first explosion rocked the parade grounds. Almost immediately, Rear Admiral Tibby was hit was by sniper fire. In this clip you can see him taking the shot. Notice the young trooper at his side, who responds quickly by throwing her body across him as a shield. We have learned since the event that this young woman is the Rear Admiral’s daughter, Luinella. We have also learned that she is the niece of First Citizen Luinella, whose selfless sacrifice helped to secure the liberation of the DUSTEN from Brotherhood insurgents more than twenty years ago. It’s clear that patriotism and heroism run strong in this family.

  “We’re receiving word now that Rear Admiral Tibby is ready to address the public and answer questions regarding today’s violent incident.”

  The vid image changed to a split screen showing the reporter on one side, a dark-haired woman behind a news desk, and me on the other side, standing behind a podium. I was glad for the podium, as it gave me something to lean against.

  “First Citizen Rear Admiral Tibby, everyone here at Media Universal is pleased to see you’ve survived the attack. We’ve just seen the footage of the attempt on your life, which occurred only a few hours ago, and your situation didn’t look good at that time. Initial statements from witnesses indicate that you were being resuscitated during your evacuation from the area. What can you tell us?”

  “Yes, I was hit. My body armor and the actions of the cadets saved me. The force of the projectile impact fractured several ribs and incapacitated me for a short time, but otherwise I’m fine.”

  “Were you conscious the entire time? Or if not, what was the last thing you remember?”

  “I lost consciousness shortly after getting hit. The last thing I remember at th
e parade grounds is my daughter dropping over me and cadets rushing in to shield me. The next thing I remember is regaining consciousness in the med unit on the patrol ship that evacuated me from Plosaxen and returned me to the GLOMAR ROSA.” Of course, I didn’t feel it was relevant to tell them about my vision of Tanden.

  “I’m sure you’ve been briefed since then. What can you share with us about the status of the situation?”

  I replied with the official synopsis of the event and outlined the numbers of dead and wounded compiled from the data provided to me. I ended with a statement assuring the citizens of Plosaxen that the perpetrators had all been either killed or taken into custody and that the base was secure again. The reporter asked additional questions, which I fielded to Admiral Wabussie. When he finished answering the reporter’s questions, the split screen image shifted again to me.

  “Admiral Tibby, we have heard rumors that your son, Reidecor, played a huge role in stopping the attackers. Can you tell us more about his actions? We understand the enemies were using cloaking devices. How was he and the other cadets able to locate them?”

  “I’m afraid that information is classified,” I answered. “I’m sure you would agree there’s no reason for us to let the enemy know how it was done."

  “But your son did play a significant role in ending the attack. Isn’t that true?”

  “So I have been told,” I replied.

  “You must be very proud of both your son and daughter,” the reporter said.

  “I have always been very proud of my children,” I answered. “What they did today only justifies my pride in them. I must also add that I am very proud of all the cadets for their swift coordination and brave actions as true soldiers of the Federation Military Forces. It speaks well of our JAC program and its leadership and the kinds of young men and women they produce at the Plosaxen JAC base. The parents of these cadets have every right to be immensely proud and I am honored to count them among the newest addition to our ranks. These young men and women represent the finest our Federation has to offer; and as their numbers grow, the power of the Brotherhood will wane and we will rid the galaxy of their reign of terror. Please allow me to extend my sympathy to the injured and my deepest condolences to the family of Cadet Ferres, who heroically gave his life protecting Admiral Windangar and to the families of the scores of other cadets, military personnel and civilians killed in the attack today, whose names I have yet to learn.”

  “Thank you, Admiral Tibby, for speaking with us after this truly horrific incident. We wish you a speedy recovery.

  “We have just received word that Leader Pheosa is about to speak. We now go live to the Capitol,” said the reporter in her closing statement, just as the broadcast transitioned to Leader Pheosa.

  I breathed a painful sigh of relief. The pain medications given me at the infirmary were either wearing off or weren’t working very well, as every breath sent stabbing pains through my chest.

  “Admiral, you’re not looking so good. I think you need to get some rest and let your staff handle things for a while,” said Wabussie. “We’ll keep you informed as to what’s happening.”

  I looked at Marranalis, who hadn’t left the room since the conference started. “I concur, Admiral. You won’t heal without proper rest. Let me assist you to your quarters. I’ll let you know if anything requires your attention.”

  I could tell by the expression and inflection in Marranalis’s voice that there was more he wanted to say, but he was holding back in Wabussie’s presence.

  “Very well,” I said. I knew I wasn’t going to win this argument. It seemed of late I wasn’t winning many arguments.

  Once we were in my quarters on the GLOMAR ROSA and away from Wabussie, I asked, “What is it you wanted to say that you didn’t want Wabussie to hear?”

  “Admiral, what’s going to happen when it’s time for your next treatment with A’Lappe? I’ve seen what you go through during those sessions and I don’t think you can withstand it in your current condition.”

  “By the stars, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of that. I’m due for a treatment in two days and if I postpone it, I’ll most certainly start to show signs of mental deterioration and people will become concerned. What am I going to do?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought I should point it out to you. Maybe A’Lappe has some insight. Also, sir, the GLOMAR ROSA has arrived at Tombosem. You were planning to go to the surface to meet with Krossden. How are you going to do that now?”

  My wrist com began to beep before I could reply.

  “Tibby here,” I answered.

  “Admiral, Ming has just broadcasted an open message to you over the intergalactic media channel.”

  “By the stars, what now? More threats? Or is he boasting this time?”

  “A bit of both, sir. Do you wish me to send it to your vid unit in your quarters or do you want to view it here?”

  “Send it here to my quarters,” I said. “What else can go wrong today?”

  It had been a few years since Ming had addressed a message directly to me. In fact, it was a few years since he’d last sent a communication to the Federation at all. Ever since the battle at Glomar Rosa, he’d been strangely quiet; and knowing Ming, that didn’t bode well. The only time he had anything to say was when he was issuing a threat, a boast or a demand. I wondered what kind of madness it was going to be this time.

  I was immediately shocked when Ming’s image appeared on the vid screen. Apparently, Ming was not receiving age-retarding treatments, as his appearance had taken a turn for the worse. A gray pallor replaced his former complexion and the skin hung loosely on his eyes and skull. He had become thin and appeared quite feeble and I noticed that his entire body was consumed with a slight tremble. His eyes, however, still shown with a dark malevolence that made me shiver. Even though I knew the message was recorded, I still felt like Ming was looking directly at and through me, scrutinizing the changes in my appearance as closely as I was his.

  As he opened his mouth to speak, I noticed that his teeth were stained and yellow. I suspected that Ming didn’t trust anyone to touch him or treat him for fear they might kill him. In spite of all this, his hair was still jet black, though it’s quite possible that he kept it dyed. There was no telling with Ming.

  “I heard you escaped my little trap for you once again, Tibby. You really have become an annoyance I can no longer tolerate. The destruction of my palace on Domagota and the deliverance of your pathetic fleet at Glomar Rosa, where you also destroyed a large number of my ships, are situations that shall not meet with impunity, nor will such events be permitted to happen again. I fear you leave me no choice. I must again punish all of you in the Federation for your refusal to surrender and for allowing you, Admiral, to stand in the way of what inevitably will be my conquest of all the universe.” Then he laughed in a strange, unnatural way that I found unnerving.

  “Thus far I have been kind in allowing the drug God’s Sweat to be distributed within the Federation territories. Those of you who enjoy it know its euphoria and those of you who have tried to escape it know its horrors. I fear that, until you are eliminated, Tibby, I will have to curtail its availability to those in the Federation who partake in this delightful substance.”

  Ming laughed nervously again and then suddenly contorted his face into its more familiar maniacal expression as he again addressed the desperate drug addicts who would become his next weapon against the Federation. “As you writhe in agony, recognize that it is because of Tibby and those who follow him that you suffer; and that if you wish to escape your misery, you must do everything in your power to kill Tibby and destroy the Federation that continues to thwart my invasions and prevent my rise to emperor of the universe! You must destroy government buildings and military bases! Kill anyone who dares to wear a Federation military uniform! Destroy their families and their homes until they surrender and until I am the ruler of the Federation! Once you have done this, I will restore your access to God’s
Sweat. And know this, Tibby, I have rebuilt my fleet and my armies. I am mightier and my forces are stronger than ever. I am coming. And this time you will all surrender or die.”

  I noticed that Ming’s address was erratic, directed first at me, then at the Federation, then the drug addicts, then back at me and the citizens of the Federation, as if he kept losing his train of thought or forgotten exactly who it was he wanted to threaten.

  “You may also be interested to know that Fass Hakwin has worked out the secret of your Cantolla Gates. Very tricky,” he laughed. “He tells me he never would have cracked the secret of it had he not been reading up on Earth sciences and theories of quantum mechanics. Apparently, most of this science was unknown to the Federation. It’s taken him some time to discover out how to coordinate the sympathetic particles that make the gates functional, but now that we know how, you can expect to be seeing more of us, Rear Admiral Thibodaux James Renwalt.”

  The transmission disconnected.

  “By the stars, Admiral, if the Brotherhood knows how to make Cantolla Gates, we’re in huge trouble,” said Marranalis.

  “Yes, I feared the day he’d get hold of that technology, but it was inevitable. Our only hope will be to get to him before he builds enough gates to overtake the Federation.”

  “Admiral, do you believe he really broadcast this message throughout the Federation?” asked a very distressed Marranalis.