"Maybe you leave the sneaking in and out to the pirate captain and just go along for the ride. Besides, I am far more intelligent than you are."
"If we can get your ship on the ground, that would be perfect so we can let Imelda out. Otherwise, I will need to take the shuttle, go in cloaked, and Imelda will have to stay behind with you. She won't be happy staying behind." I chuckled.
"Just let me perform my duty as I see fit. When we get closer to Kanlost I'll advise you of our options. Right now, I don’t think I have to take any orders from you.”
“I understand. How about you consider what I tell you to do as a suggestion that you better follow. Would that make you feel better?”
“I am still not sure what our queen sees in you. It is reckless and stupid to put your life in danger for a planet that is already lost. And don’t count on it, suggestion or otherwise.”
"Oh, I can see we are going to get along just fine," I said and gave her a half-assed smile. “You probably wouldn’t understand, being a member of such a fine group of cowards. Pirates aren’t known for their bravery, no matter what galaxy you’re in. If we take Kanlost back, it could have a number of effects on the Khalnalax strategy and maybe even the morale of their navy. It could be stripped of all life, but it still belongs to Cjittan and we will get it back. You’ll see.”
****
Tazleaha sat in her tiny quarters, working on the message she would send throughout the empire. She paid no attention to her discomfort or the lack of luxury she was normally afforded. Her time with Benjamin and the crew of the Claymore had changed her outlook on having servants tending to her every need. She felt more alive when she was alone and doing things for herself. She smiled, knowing all of her staff and her bodyguards would be put out with her once again for her actions.
She no longer needed to wait on Benjamin for a report. They were receiving more frequent reports from traders who arrived at Kanlost to find Khalnalax ships in orbit over the planet. Those traders who escaped reported the wreckage of ships that must not have been so fortunate or been given the time to survey the planet. Her head and heart were at odds on whether it was even necessary for Benjamin to even risk his life going to Kanlost. If the Allond didn’t respond soon with an answer, she could lose her lover as well as the planet, or perhaps she had already lost her lover. She had to contact Zora and make sure the declaration of war was sent to every star system within her empire.
“Dela’maah, have we made contact with Benjamin yet?”
“No, my queen. Space is a vast black nothingness, and while you are important, it doesn’t care to help. Your message to that man is only slightly farther along that it was five minutes ago when you last asked,” Dela’maah responded from the other room, her smirk unseen but her chuckle a little too loud.
“I’m happy you’re feeling better, Commander Dela’maah. I am currently reviewing all my outposts on the rim; would you like to help me choose which one I should send you to next?” Tazleaha said. It was her turn to smile. She waited a few seconds. “What, no smart-ass response, dear cousin?”
Tazleaha heard the console beep and Dela’maah answer. “Zora, it’s good to see you!”
“Dela’maah, how are you feeling? Is our queen with you?”
“I’m better, thank you, and yes, Tazleaha is here with me.”
“Zora, where are you? I only just sent a message to you,” Taz said, walking in on their conversation.
“I have mobilized all available ships and am en route to meet you. I thought it would be soon, but I see that you have once again put yourself in a dangerous position. You should not follow Benjamin and his pirates to Kanlost. If Emperor Khalnalax knew you were there with no escort and traveling in just a frigate . . . well, I would hate to think of the consequences.”
“Zora, how many ships have you brought?” Tazleaha asked. “The Khalnalax are wasting no time. First Kanlost, now Naloon. We should be prepared for more bad news.”
“Only four. There are ten others, but they will be a day to a week behind us. Have you heard from Allond? Do we know what their position in this war will be?”
“I spoke at length to Captain Dakkon and he assured me he would speak to Emperor Xamand immediately, or as soon as the vast black nothingness will let him, right Dela’maah?” Tazleaha said, resting her hands on Dela’maah’s shoulders.
Zora laughed. “Dela’maah, are you letting your mouth get you in trouble again? I hope you aren’t interested in her Benjamin. I’m not sure where she would send you if you were.”
“Very funny, cousin. No, I’m not interested in lowering myself to his level,” Dela’maah said snidely.
Zora shook her head as she stared at both of her cousins and the different expressions on their faces. Dela’maah winced and Zora could only conclude that Tazleaha had begun squeezing her shoulders, instead of just resting her hand on them.
“Dela’maah, maybe you should leave the queen and me to discuss the current state of affairs within the empire,” Zora recommended.
“Yes, Dela’maah, come. I will see you out,” Tazleaha said. Zora watched her queen’s face and knew that if Dela’maah said anything further it would go very badly for her. She remembered their childhood. She and Tazleaha had always gotten along, but Dela’maah and Tazleaha were too much alike.
Tazleaha walked behind Dela’maah to the door and out of Zora’s field of view. “Dela’maah,” Tazleaha said and waited for her to turn around. The back of her hand connected with Dela’maah’s face so hard it made her knees buckle.
Dela’maah looked up at Tazleaha with tears in her eyes, the side of her face a bright red against her white skin.
“That is a warning, dear cousin. While you may have suffered and blame Benjamin for it, you are also alive because of him and his people. I may not be able to change your mind, but I will tell you that if you speak of him as beneath us again, you will get to feel the vast black nothingness caress you in a very personal way. That is my promise to you. Are we clear about my feelings on this matter?”
Dela’maah nodded. “Good,” Tazleaha said. “There are other matters you and I need to discuss, but they will have to wait. Go to your quarters and I will call you later.” Shutting the door, she returned to her call.
“You haven’t told her?” Zora said as Tazleaha walked back in the room.
“Our empire is under attack and hundreds of thousands are already dead or taken into slavery. While unfortunate, what happened with those two idiots on Xanlos is not on my list of concerns at the moment and shouldn’t be on yours either.”
“I only thought, because she is family, that you would have said something by now.”
“And I will, or you can tell her if it is such a concern to you. But not until the empire is mobilized. Schedule a meeting of all the governors in systems closest to the Khalnalax fleets, and do it quickly, Zora. Have you received the broadcast message yet that is to be transmitted?”
“It has not arrived.”
“Then contact the governors now and tell them to mobilize their fleets. Send the ten ships you have mobilizing on a course for the Naloon system and the four in your fleet to Kanlost.”
“Shouldn’t you be the one to contact the governors?”
“My message, once broadcast to all regions of the empire, will affirm your orders. I need to contact Allond and find out what if any support they are going to offer. Are the four ships full of our soldiers?”
“Yes, my queen, three hundred per ship. I know it sounds like too few but all of the ships are corvette class and are overfilled with soldiers and short on supplies.”
“You have done well, Zora. Considering our current taskforce is one ship crewed by a small band of privateers and possibly Imelda, Benjamin’s pet, we are better off than I originally thought.”
“If you say so, my queen.”
Tazleaha didn’t respond to the statement. “Rally the governors, I’m going to contact Allond. Safe travels, Zora.”
“Safe travel
s, my queen.”
Chapter 12
“Admiral Zentos, what is the status of the fleet?” Emperor Khalnalax asked.
“Highness, the destruction of Kanlost is underway, and forests burn even as the deep mining platforms are removing all precious metals from the planet. Three ships patrol Kanlost, keeping other ships away, all of which have been traders unaware of the fate of the planet. They do not need much encouragement to leave. Ten ships rest, waiting for your order to proceed from Naloon to the Trillond/Cjittan border, and ten more will arrive to replace them in reserve. Thirty additional are resupplying and departing even as we speak, ten of which will proceed to the Allond/Cjittan border. Twenty ships will take the most direct route, heading straight for Xanlos. All three attack groups will coordinate their movements to arrive at the Cjittan capital world Xanlos at the same time, attacking from three directions.” Zentos paused briefly for questions, but the emperor motioned for him to continue.
“All reserve ships will begin the reclamation of the conquered planets and/or replace any ships lost in battle. We have overwhelming numbers, Highness; the Cjittan can’t hope to slow down our armada. Their fleet is ancient and slow and their reliance on their soldiers will not save them.”
“What if the Allond and Trillond enter the fray opposing us?” the emperor asked.
“We estimate that fourteen of our ships can defeat the planetary defenses of Xanlos and keep any Cjittan ships at bay long enough to receive their surrender.”
“Seems presumptuous to think fourteen ships can subdue the capitol,” Khalnalax interrupted.
“Yes, so we are sending fifty, Highness, and have reserves. If Allond and Trillond remain neutral, then the Cjittan are doomed, and if they join Cjittan, then our fleet is sufficient to the task of dealing with the Allond and Trillond as well.” Zentos was at ease with his emperor, who knew the plan already but was checking on its implementation.
“And our ground forces?”
“Our non-combat transport ships carry one hundred thousand of our Etash warriors, twenty thousand per ship, and are underway, all born and bred to fight the Cjittan soldiers. We will deposit them on the conquered worlds and return, repeating the process until we have delivered the two point four million throughout the Cjittan Empire.”
“Excellent, Admiral. I believe we will be in control of at least twenty-five percent of the Cjittan empire before the Cjittan fire their first shot.” He liked the admiral; the man didn’t try to impress, but he did, just by doing his job properly. “Give the order, Admiral. Move the fleet toward Xanlos and the destruction of Cjittan!”
****
“Xamand, it’s been too long,” Tazleaha said. Her tone was warm and friendly.
“Tazleaha—or can I call you Taz like all your friends?” Xamand asked.
“Xamand, unlike Benjamin, we know the proper time to address each other as royalty and when to do so as friends. Taz is fine, because I believe we speak as friends. Am I right?”
“Of course. How is Benjamin? Dakkon has spoken with him in length but I have only said a few words to him lately. Is he still Cjittan’s most wanted criminal?”
“Life is never boring, Xamand, with him and his crew. Just when you think things have calmed down . . . let me see, how did Snake put it? Boom! The Reaper collects his due.”
“I believe I get the meaning, if the translation is correct. You know my people are superior to the humans in all ways that make a warrior, but I wouldn’t bet my throne that Benjamin and his crew won’t find a way to come out ahead.”
“You should have seen them on the naval outpost where we rescued Commander Dela’maah. The five of them killed a band of Allith about a hundred strong. Benjamin fired his rifle, killing or severely wounding two, three, five at a time, while the rest of his team dealt out death to the stragglers and single fighters. When the Allith had enough and tried to flee on their ship, they destroyed it, killing the rest. His weapon had heated to extreme levels and was damaged. He threw it down and fought on with pistols and blades. He saved my life and the lives of the last few souls left on the outpost.”
“You fought alongside him, so you must know he would die before letting anything happen to you or his crew. Which reminds me, his Trillond female Binda was correct in her vision. The events leading up to the deaths of your two suitors was unfortunate, but in our view Benjamin’s actions were appropriate. So you know, I am willing to offer him and his people asylum in the Allond empire if the charges against him are enforced.”
“Thank you, Xamand. I am hoping it never comes to that, but if it does you will get no argument from me. I wanted him to act in accordance with our laws, but it’s never going to happen. And after all that, he convinced me to act as a pirate in the service of Cjittan, with his and the others’ crimes being expunged.”
“He is inventive and daring, brave without an air of superiority, but I know he also has his faults. I take it this is not just a social call so I will answer your unasked question. Captain Dakkon and I both feel that we could supply you with ships and key crew members to assist in the operation and training of your people. In addition, we could, if you allow, patrol within your border and along ours to keep the Khalnalax out. Payment for the ships would include the supplied crew.”
“I ask that you send me the costs and terms as soon as possible. I am prepared to move forward immediately upon receipt with an initial order. My finance minister will be in contact.”
“Very good, our declaration of war on the Khalnalax Empire will facilitate the use of our navy in support of our ally. Have you talked to the Trillond government? Do you have a feel for the conversation you may have with its newest member?”
“No and no. The young regent was one of the first to survive a crash course in Benjamin Jamison. You know what happened on Trillond; he saved many lives and killed many in the course of doing so. He was a hero to them before that, and now I don’t know what they would do to him if he set foot on Trillond—cheer or shoot him. Princess E’Aria Aok is nothing like her father; she may tell me to shit in my hat.”
“That sounds rather unpleasant, but I understand its source. It is unfortunate if the Regent is so short sighted or holding a grudge.”
“Yes, the Queen of Cjittan swears like a commoner, and even then I don’t think my people would ever swear like the humans do.”
“If you would permit, I could talk to the princess on our behalf—with you present during the conversation of course,” Xamand asked.
“While I feel it should be me, I see the logic in what you say. Please notify me when a date and time has been set.”
“Tazleaha, what are your immediate plans? Why are you not on Xanlos directing your efforts from the capital?”
“I’m en route to meet Benjamin and survey what has transpired at Kanlost and, from there, Naloon.”
“Do you think it wise to be so close to the invading enemy? Does Benjamin support your actions?”
“I believe that being a moving target is always better than a stationary target, Xamand. I do not need his permission, support or acceptance of my plans.”
“Princess E’Aria is not the only one to change a long history of royal behavior, breaking traditions that have held through the ages.”
“Xamand, sometimes you just gotta fucking shake things up.”
“Ah!” Xamand exclaimed. “You are most certainly doing that, Tazleaha, Queen of Cjittan, most certainly doing that. If I wasn’t looking right at you, I would swear you were the Reaper.”
“I have turned the Reaper loose on my enemy, Xamand. He will tear through them like they have never known, and when he is done, it may be you and I dividing an empire and the spoils of war. On that note, goodbye, Xamand. I look forward to speaking to you soon.”
Tazleaha cut the conversation. All the talk of Benjamin had her thinking about him, missing him, and now she needed to prepare for a conversation with him that she hoped would be well received.
****
I hated
waiting; everyone who knew me knew I hated waiting. Then again, ancient history had something to say about not waiting. George Armstrong Custer, he was an impatient guy; some would say brave or egotistical, but he underestimated his enemy, an enemy who had grown tired of being jerked around, and they swatted his ass like a bug. Lately I had been reading more of the history of my race. I wasn’t sure I understood it all, but some of it was clear. If I was going to be a leader, responsible for the lives of mothers, children and the elderly, not to mention the crews of the ships and my own people, the ones I loved, I would need to learn patience.
I thought the Alliance had failed when they headed to the stars and pretended to leave the past for the ones left behind. They only looked to the future, and the future only brought more of what we had already learned in the past. I was born, I grew, I fought and I killed for my government. There had to be at least ten thousand years recording the same scenario. They chiseled it in stone before anything was invented to write it on. So here I was killing alien lizards and pirates, my own race when necessary, and now the Khalnalax. This was promising to be a full-on war between the superpowers. The Alliance had not experienced anything like this in their history in space. If we didn’t stop them here, the Alliance might learn a new lesson.
Sash had asked me to be patient. In fact, that was the only answer she gave me the past five times I had asked about a plan. She was older than Taz and had been on the wrong side of Cjittan law since before Tazleaha was born. While true pirates were not on my list of favorite people, I knew that anyone who lived as long as she had learned much about staying alive. No mad dash into the history books for this guy; I would listen to my guide. We had been staying on the fringe of what Sash thought were the limits of the Khalnalax scanners. It was looking to me like a long ride in the shuttle, leaving behind an unhappy ex spider queen. Natalia would keep Imelda company while I was gone, and maybe she wouldn’t eat any of the crew.
Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison 4: Empires at War (Part One) Page 19
