by C. C. Ekeke
The name ‘Addison’ sent a collective cringe through her three companions.
“Addie imploded,” Tyris answered, his voice like a sharp, cold breeze. Liliana didn’t expect a long explanation from the Tanoeen, who usually hoarded his words like a pinchpenny did currency.
“Two months after you left,” Khrome further explained, “she lost it on some poor analyst, beating him bloody over a misspelling. Then she quit before they could toss her out.”
Liliana choked on her shock. “Really?!” During her fellowship she had befriended Addison Raichoudry, a brilliant, pint-sized human female from poverty-stricken Gavron Colony. Liliana hated how things ended between them, Addison seeing Liliana’s departure as a personal betrayal. They hadn’t spoken since. Addison’s anal-retentiveness was well-known, but sabotaging her own career over it?
“Something came up. For Jan’Hax. Said it was important. Jan’Hax did,” Surje added, skin glowing.
Liliana eyed the Voton incredulously. “More important than this ‘mandatory’ meeting?”
“If he’s at Peloponnesian Casino again, I’m gonna airlock that idiot,” Khrome grumbled peevishly.
“Huh. What do you think this meeting’s about?” She never got a response after an eruption applause from the audience muffled her question.
Hollus Maddrone’s Operations Director, Lethe, had walked onstage, followed by Sam D’Urso in her blue officer’s uniform and some skinny earthborn man. He and Sam sat in two of three onstage seats, both visibly revolted at having to be near each other. Lethe stood center stage, his milky eyes sweeping the crowd, all three mouths pulled into serene smiles. The audience applause showed no signs of abating.
“Please be seated,” he requested, a sonor-amp magnifying his tripled voice across the auditorium. As the crowd began to quiet down Sam caught sight of Liliana and brightened, nodding at her. The young doctor smiled and returned the gesture. Lethe continued in earnest. “We are here today to discuss Star Brigade’s future, which involves all of you.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. “Drat and blast! They’re canning the Brigade,” Khrome grumbled to Liliana. “Must be why that ass-kisser Greystone is here.” Liliana turned back to the stage, assuming ‘Greystone’ was the scrawny human.
“And to further discuss this future, I give you Star Brigade’s newest member.” Lethe craned his long neck toward the entrance of the stage. It hissed open and out strode a tall figure with purpose. There were shocked gasps from the crowd. Liliana’s jaw dropped.
It was Habraum Nwosu. Captain Habraum Nwosu. Liliana had never met him during her fellowship on Hollus, but knew of his legendary reputation from both the Ferronos Sector War and Star Brigade. From keeping in touch with Sam and Khrome during the past year, she also knew all about the dreadful Beridaas Massacre. The consensus was that Nwosu had traveled with his son beyond Union borders to the Libratta Systems, never to return. Clearly the consensus was wrong, Liliana marveled.
The reaction after the initial surprise was deafening. All, including Liliana, gave the Cerc a standing ovation. Sam beamed, feverishly clapping. Greystone scowled and clapped twice, only after Sam kicked his shin. Lethe shook Nwosu’s hand warmly before taking a seat between Sam and Greystone. From Liliana’s viewpoint, the tall Cerc wasn’t traditionally handsome, though there was an undeniable rugged and strong-jawed allure to his chiseled features. What drew the most awe were Nwosu’s eyes, two pools of liquid hazel-gold Liliana feared drowning in if she stared into them too long. Add in the mahogany brown skin, well-trimmed goatee and the grey Captain’s uniform that he filled out nicely, all eyes focused on Nwosu without much effort.
The gathering was rabid. Even V’Korram looked less surly. Nwosu bashfully smiled, putting up his hands in an attempt to calm down the crowd. Finally after five more macroms, the crowd settled down. “For those who don’t know me,” his voice, with its thick Cercidalean drawl, boomed on the sonor-amp. “clearly a scarce numb-uh of yew by that respoh-nse…” A collective chuckle filled the crowd. “I’m Captain Habraum Nwosu, your new Brigade Executive Officer. For those who do know me…hiyew.” The trademark Cercidalean greeting drew another eruption of applause, but shorter than earlier.
“Three decades ago, a Strategic Assault & Reconnaissance Brigade was formed in Section M to round up maximums that were a danger to the general public,” Nwosu strode slowly across the stage with an ease in his movements, a comfort in his own body that left Liliana captivated. “One coh-mbat team with five memb-uhs, but it was successful. Soon came more coh-mbat teams, more success, getting us noticed by JSOG. Then we split from Section M and become a Beta-Tier Spec Ops Unit, dealing with broader counterterrorist threats. Somewhere along the way, UComm and the Defense Ministry forgot ou-uh worth and considered Star Brigade disp-oh-sable.”
A chorus of boos filled the hall. Greystone shifted awkwardly in his seat, as the jeers were directed at him. Sam didn’t bother stifling her amusement at this. Lethe, however, sat expertly deadpanned.
“You are not disp-oh-sable. From the field operatives to the dock workers to the analysts, you all dedicate yourselves to upholding the values of the Galactic Union.” Liliana could feel Tyris and Surje glaring at her, but chose to ignore them. She acclimated more to the Cerc’s accent as he continued.
“I know what you’ve heard about Star Brigade’s future,” Nwosu’s eyes glittered under the halolights. “So let’s clear up a nasty bit of business now. Star Brigade isn’t going anywhere.” The applause the Cerc received when he first arrived didn’t touch the uproar this announcement caused. Everyone was on their feet now, howling in exultant abandon.
Tyris and Surje cheered with feverish delight. Khrome stood up and began clapping, but given the ear-splitting din his metal-skinned hands made, the Thulican stopped and just bellowed victoriously. Liliana stayed seated and silent, feeling a bit uncertain. Though happy about the suspension ending, the doctor had no clue why she was here other than to be enlisted in active service. God I hope not!
“But,” Nwosu shouted over the eager crowd. “That is only half the battle.” This silenced the audience, many taking their seats. “With our operational freedom back, we have to prove to UComm and the Ministry of Defense why suspending the Brigade was such a grievous error.”
Greystone opened his mouth, about to say something. Habraum silenced him with a cold look. “This means we all need to rededicate yourselves to the Brigade, to making it UComm’s finest spec ops unit. That includes all active and reserve members present today.”
Lily stifled a yelp. What did Sam get me into? Being a full-time Brigadier wasn’t part of her plans.
Nwosu continued to stride back and forth, working the crowd. “Star Brigade upholds the values of the GUPR when diplomacy fails. We can only do this as a team. And there can be no “I” in that team.”
It was then that Khrome took the liberty to stand up, a smirk on his metallic face. “But there is a ‘me’ in the team, M.E.” A number of people in the audience let out a short guffaw. Surje, Tyris and Liliana had to fight down laughter. For a brief moment, Liliana thought she saw a ripple to Nwosu’s far right, as if the very air in that area vibrated. The Cerc stared at the Thulican. “2nd Lt. Threedwok, I presume?”
Khrome feigned a look of shock. “Indeed I am. If Captain Nwosu knows of me, I must be famous.”
“More like infamous,” Nwosu smiled. This drew more laughter from the crowd. “I hea-uh your astromechanics expertise is far better than your wit. Looking forward to working with you.” Khrome looked genuinely surprised as he took his seat, before his usual smugness returned tenfold.
Nwosu’s demeanor sobered again as he swept across the stage. “Khromulus brings me to my next point. Us becoming successful again will mean we work smarter, train harder, immerse ourselves in all things Star Brigade. When we’re truly back on the field, there can be no margin for error.”
Liliana cocked an eyebrow, not at the words, but at what she saw on stage next to Nwosu. The
light to Nwosu’s right seemed to again be subtly rippling as if something invisible was moving toward him. A cold finger crept up Liliana’s spine. The ripple was so discreet, only because of her knowledge as a xenobiologist did she discern that distinct bending of light. Sam, Lethe and everyone else seemed not to notice at all. If she screamed out, whatever it was would either get away or assault Nwosu before anyone could stop it. If I do nothing, Nwosu might be…killed.
Nwosu stopped in the center of the stage, facing the audience. “If anyone has issues with the commitment I’m asking for.” He pointed to both exits. “I want to know now.”
Liliana wasn’t thinking about leaving. Not when Captain Nwosu was about to be murdered!
“Good,” Nwosu grinned. “I’m sure you all have questions.” Dozens of hands shot up. The Cerc pointed to the first hand he saw. “Yes?” The fluctuating shape raised high above Nwosu’s head.
Whoever he gestured to never got the question out. A piercing, white-hot sonic discharge ripped across the room, barely grazing the side of Nwosu’s head by three centimetrids, hitting something solid standing behind the Cerc. A splutter of dark energy erupted where the blasts truck, uncovering a thin figure, hurtling it backward. The assailant hit the back wall with a hard thud, then slumped to the ground.
The whole audience sat in muted shock. A Ciphereen, obvious by its blotchy green skin, hyper-lean body and bulbous heads with duck-like beaks. Greystone gaped down at the Ciphereen, but Nwosu didn’t look at all shocked. Neither did Sam or Lethe. Everyone in the auditorium then turned from the half-conscious Ciphereen to where the sonic blast came from.
Liliana stood, heart pounding, hands clasped and pointed like a gun. Captain Nwosu nodded at her and turned to his would-be attacker, who Liliana recognized. Jan’Hax?
“Y’ollrigh’, Lieutenant?” Nwosu asked. Jan’Hax, now in a sitting position, waved an arm weakly to confirm. Nwosu turned to Liliana. “You, name and rank?”
Liliana felt lightheaded, having to consciously tell herself to lower her hands. “Dr. Liliana Cor-Cortes, Ensign and Medic,” she sputtered. All she wanted to do was find a table to crawl under.
“Clearly, you’re a maximum.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, sonic frequency control and…ahem, expulsion.” Liliana hated so many eyes on her. Color finally returned to her face; the blush of embarrassment.
Nwosu’s gaze drilled into the young doctor. “How did you see Jan’Hax, Ensign Cortes?”
Liliana straightened up and faced Habraum directly. “The Ciphereen, despite their remarkable chameleon-like abilities, leave a slight trace of rippling in their wake, visible only to the trained eye.” Given her knowledge of various species, her voice steadied as her confidence rose.
“I put Lt. Jan’Hax here as a test to see if who’d notice or stop him.” Nwosu was now gesturing at Liliana excitedly. “Cortes passed with flying colors. Constant vigilance, quick judgment, working knowledge, good aim. That and then some is what I expect in anyone under my command. “
Sure. Liliana was trembling like a leaf.
Nwosu beamed broadly at the doctor. “Now, questions?” Liliana’s stomach twisted, but in a good way. Again the hands shot up, not as many because of the many Brigadiers craning their necks to get a better look at Liliana. From his seat in the back, V’Korram scowled at her, looking surlier than ever. Liliana, shocked by her own daring, actually winked at him. From her seat on the stage, a positively ecstatic Sam silently mouthed, “Toldja!” Khrome, Tyris and Surje were showering their praise. Liliana smiled, an abnormally wild joy searing through her. Maybe it’s time for a change of plans, she considered.
12.
Chouncilor Bogosian usually hated work-related surprises. Even the smallest plan alteration irked him. So naturally, it took all of Bogosian’s professional composure to remain calm when he got word of the increasing attacks on the Korvenite internment camps.
Ari sat with the Ministers of Defense, Intra-Union Affairs and Homeworld Security around him in the Diamond Room, one of many rooms in the grandiose Union Hall where the Chouncilor worked. The Diamond Room’s gleaming walls were sable and white in color, constructed entirely from synthetic diamond. The ceiling used the same material, only tinted in dark azure. Aside from having regular halolights in the corners, the whole ceiling was a chart showcasing the entirety of Galactic Union Space. Each star in its planetary systems twinkled brightly surrounded by holos of their orbiting planets.
Then there was the spectacular view overlooking Sheffield through the viewport behind him, the Albion city-state’s euroclassically-styled starscrapers glittering in the distance, each with its own unique elegance. But no one in the room bothered looking. A bleak silence hung in the air as the Chouncilor and three of his nineteen-member Executive Ministry watched the holoscreen floating before them.
The screen displayed Union Intelligence and UniPol inspecting the butchery inside of Hommodus’s moon, Hjj’ns, now the third major internment camp sacked this month. The first had been a remote border outpost along with a small transport ship leaving the camp, the second was an asteroid field a few light years from the Commerce Sector.
To Bogosian, it was like hearing of the same attack but with a different location each time; security systems compromised, intruders breaching the base undetected, every Korvenite freed and the internment camp’s entire staff slaughtered. Any holovid footage that might reveal the culprit was always irreparably corrupted. But Hjj’ns struck at Bogosian much more personally. His blood boiled knowing that a territory so close to major memberworlds had been breached.
And for this to happen now. Ari wanted to hit something, but had to rein in his feelings like always. He was the Union Chouncilor. “Any footage of the culprits this time?” he asked in a strained tone.
Emorra Faust, the human Minister of Homeworld Security, spoke up. “No footage, Chouncilor. But, they signed their work this time. Computer pan up to the ceilings.” On command, the footage rotated up to the ceilings. Bogosian blanched. Even the hard-bitten Galdorian Defense Minister flinched. The culprits indeed signed their work, with the blood of their victims in Standard and Korcei.
“The Korvenite Independence Front,” hissed G’Kougran Bengal-Uri of Intra-Union Affairs. “How is that possible? We destroyed that terrorist group years ago.”
“Did we, G’Kougran?” Bogosian replied coldly and stabbed a finger at the viewscreens. “Then who are these butchers killing my citizens?” The room was silent as a tomb. No one could forget the Korvenite Independence Front. This sect of radical Korvenites from the late 2390s had been led by the firebrand, Maelstrom. The Korvenite leader would leave holovid messages in random commspires around Union borders, always demanding freedom for the Korvenites. He and his followers were constantly on the run, hijacking and blowing up Union starliners at random. And what they did to their mainly human victims went far beyond atrocious. The entire Union breathed a sigh of relief the day Maelstrom was killed in a UComm ambush on Cor Leonis. Or so we thought, Ari seethed.
Now the Korvenite Independence Front had returned, their attacks more focused, bolder and with no traces left behind. And somehow this insurgent group had acquired cutting edge weaponry that they lacked before, making them more dangerous. Bogosian wanted to know how.
He stood and started pacing, still glaring at Bengal-Uri. “What do the news streams know?”
“Some tried to pry, but they have nothing substantial.”
“Keep it that way,” Bogosian pointed at him, still pacing behind his chair. “We handle this quickly and quietly. With the Union-Imperium Trade Merger going on, neither IPNN nor GBC are to know anything unless we disclose it. The Kedri already know, but thankfully I’ve convinced Biros and the Sovereign to withhold releasing any information.” The Chouncilor stopped in mid-stride. “And make sure the families of those killed are given their due death benefits.” He turned to his Defense Minister.
Minister Hunoparic Dihoss was light-years ahead of Bogosian in
planning, like a typical Galdorian strategist. “More UComm AeroFleet battle cruisers are patrolling planetary systems with internment camps, each with doubled Space Marine detachments. Planetary Defense Corps is beefing up security for Union worlds with higher earthborn and Terranborn human populations. Border Security is also on high alert. It’ll look as if security’s being heightened due to the Union-Imperium Trade Merger.”
Security. Bogosian leaned on his desk. Four Honor Guardsmen flanking the Diamond Room’s entrance, standing at perfect attention in their midnight-black uniforms. It was well-known how deadly the Honor Guard was, trained to protect the Chouncilor at all times. Even if someone got past them, the Diamond Room’s security systems would kill the infiltrator with speed beyond that of a normal sentient. Yet Bogosian didn’t feel safe at all. The words of Maelstrom from one of his insufferable rants came to mind. “If there’s a will, then there’s a way to victory…” Ari’s voice trailed off.
