by T. R. Harris
“I have an agreement with your Unif Counselor.”
“Yes, you do. And when the time comes for you to leave Voris, you can take the Human with you. But until that time, we will interrogate him as we see fit. My people are now at war with his kind. It is time we learn who we will be fighting.”
Kallen moved to one of the extra chairs in the room and began to sit down. “I can tell you everything you need to know about the Humans. Antara has had constant contact with them for over fifty years.”
“Do not sit,” Nassmar said. “You will not be staying.”
Kallen looked nervously at Zac and then back to the official. “I must be allowed to remain. I am the Tesnin of the Antaere race. I am not some simple official sent to guard the prisoner.”
“I recognize your title—on your world. But on Voris, you are but a simple official here to escort the prisoner once you leave the planet. Until that time, you have no special privileges with me.”
“But the Human may attempt to twist the truth, to tell lies as they are so apt to do. I must remain to clarify the record.”
“Do you doubt my ability to recognize falsehoods when I hear them? I have ample records to refer to regarding the Humans and the attack upon Voris. If I need your clarification, I will ask to interview you next. But for now, you will leave.”
On cue, a guard entered the office and stood by the door. Kallen glared at Zac and then gave a brief nod to Nassmar before leaving. Once the door closed, Nassmar motioned for Zac to sit, showing no fear of being alone in the room with the alien from Earth. At first, Zac liked the Azlorean—anyone who could put Kallen Zaphin in his place was okay in Zac’s book. But the feeling soon evaporated when the cold, double sets of black eyes of the official locked on the REV.
“I have studied many records of the events surrounding the Human’s surprise and unwarranted attack on my homeworld. The facts are incontrovertible. The guilt of your species is beyond question. All I want to know is why?”
“It was a mistake, we were—”
“A mistake that you killed almost twenty million Azloreans?” Nassmar shook his block-shaped head. “I monitored the presentation of three days ago and heard the speeches. I concur with the sentiments. Your forces were too insignificant to affect a conquest of Voris. Even extrapolating as to the extent of your nuclear arsenal, you would not have had sufficient weapons to saturate the planet. What you hoped to gain by the attack is a mystery to me and many others in the government. We know the location of your homeworld. You have come a long way simply to strike a blow and then leave. You had to know all your attack would do is antagonize us.”
“We were misled into believing Voris was the homeworld of the Seken,” Zac blurted before he was interrupted again.
Nassmar looked at a datapad on the desk. “Yes, I have the recordings of your arrival when you made such statements. You have continued to state such in other contacts you have had with government officials. But even if that were true, what did you hope to gain by attacking the Seken homeworld? All the same limitations would have applied there.”
“But we’re already at war with the Seken. If you know what they’re like, then you know it’s all or nothing with them.”
“All or nothing?”
“It’s either complete victory or complete defeat. There is no negotiating for peace. Believe me, we tried, but they wouldn’t have any of it.”
“Yes, I am aware of the rigidness of Seken philosophy; however, you did not come with enough power for complete victory over the Seken.”
“No, we didn’t. We knew that. All we were trying to do is slow them down until we could bring more forces from Earth. We wanted to give them notice that we weren’t going to surrender, even if surrender isn’t in their vocabulary.”
Nassmar stared at Zac for a moment before turning back to the datapad and making some notations. When he remained silent, Zac filled the void.
“You said it yourself; what did we have to gain by attacking Voris? As you know, the Seken are more technologically advanced than we are. We would not have started a war with them if we had a choice. We apologized, even offered to pay reparations. We did everything we could to prevent a war with the Seken.”
Nassmar leaned back in his chair and sighed.
“Yes, the Seken are a strange race, very literal in all they say and do. We have multiple trade agreements with them; however, we do not interact on a social level. I know of no race that does. To the Seken, you are either an enemy or a friend, and they have no friends, only associates.”
“Yes! That’s it exactly,” Zac said. “Then you understand. The only way to stop the Seken was for us to attack their homeworld, and not just once, but as many times as it takes. This attack was only the first.”
“Then how did you mistake Voris for Eskor?”
Zac leaned back in his chair, disgusted, yet relieved that he’d found someone who would at least listen to what he had to say. “Because of Kallen Zaphin. That’s what I’ve been trying to say. He said he’d been to the Seken homeworld; the location, you must know, is a closely guarded secret. I didn’t even know it was called Eskor until you just mentioned it. Zaphin said it was called Voris.”
“We know the location of Eskor.”
“Of course, you do. But we didn’t. Zaphin said he could lead us there. We trusted him.”
“Did not your species fight the Antaere for thirty of your years? Why would you trust your enemy?”
“Not all of us trusted him, but those who did had the power to order the fleet to Voris. I’m a soldier; I follow orders.”
“And now your orders have turned the Azlorean people against you. I, too, have force comparison reports for our two races, gleaned from data provided by both the Seken and the Antaere. Surely, you must know as well as I that the Humans are no match for the Azloreans alone, not counting the combined might of both the Seken and us.”
“No shit,” Zac said, a phrase that did not translate correctly. “You’re right,” he quickly amended. “That’s why it would be stupid for us to have started any of this, including the war with the Seken.”
Nassmar nodded. “Which, in the case of the Seken, was unavoidable.”
Zac overflowed with relief. At last, here was someone who saw the overall picture. So much of what had happened over the past year was one giant misunderstanding after another.
“Unfortunately,” Nassmar began. “In the case of the Azloreans, the situation is just as grave. Millions of my people are dead, and the Humans initiated the events that led to those deaths. There is no denying that. A response is called for, and nothing less than the destruction of the planet Earth will suffice. Your people must be held accountable for what you have done.”
“And what of the Azloreans who were working with Zaphin to make this happen? Don’t they share any of the responsibility?”
Nassmar’s already stony features turned even harder.
“How can you say Azloreans should take responsibility for what you have done? I can accept that the Antaerean may have been behind the deception, and if proven, he will share in the punishment. But to say members of my race were complicit in the attack is unconscionable. Who would knowingly allow such a tragedy to occur?”
“Believe it or not, but that’s what Zaphin told me on the bridge of my ship. He said the same at the arena. Some in your government knew what was about to happen, and they did nothing. As Kallen said, they’d been watching the Seken gain territory from the Humans, and they didn’t want to be left behind. But your people had no reason to go to war with Earth. They needed an excuse. I gave it to them.”
Nassmar’s wide mouth turned thin as he grimaced, trying to reign in his anger.
“I see the Antaerean was correct; you will lie and attempt to twist the facts. Now you accuse Azloreans of masterminding the deaths of millions of our kind. How can you say such things?”
“Because it’s true. You know the military capacity of your people, and you know our technology. How coul
d we have gotten so close to Voris that we could attack your planet at will? And then, when you did retaliate, you wiped us out in a matter of minutes. You could have done that before the first bomb fell. Did you not see a thousand-ship fleet approaching your system? Did you think we were coming here on a trade mission? With a thousand warships?”
Nassmar sat silent for several moments, staring at the Human. When faced with the facts, it was enough to create doubt in the native’s mind.
“Even if what you say is true, there is nothing that can be done about it.”
“Nothing can be done about it? Seriously? You will let your planet go to war with the Humans without cause—without true cause? You have to know the Azloreans will suffer millions of more casualties before you eventually win. We aren’t going to just roll over and let you destroy us. You act like you’re all concerned about the eighteen million who just died, yet you’d let millions more die because there is nothing you can do about it.”
Nassmar came forward, standing until he was leaning across the desk. “I can do nothing without proof! You present an intriguing argument, but that is all it is, an argument. You have no proof of collusion between my government and the Antaerean.”
“It has to exist,” Zac countered. “Zaphin knew where your planet was; hell, he led us here. And some of your people already knew he was coming. They even came up to my flagship to rescue him after the attack. I came along for the ride.”
Nassmar sat back down and then rifled through the spongy papers on his desk until he found what he was looking for.
“Yes, there were life readings picked up on the main attack vessel. A pair of shuttles were sent to investigate.”
Zac shook his head. “Kallen knew they were coming. Why else would he blow up the ship he was on and then kill my surviving bridge crew with that special weapon of yours? Besides, we only had so much air in our battlesuits. Why didn’t he just kill me and take my oxygen? But he didn’t. He held the gun on me until the shuttles arrived.”
“You are saying that the Antaerean destroyed your warship? How?”
“He smuggled explosives aboard. He also had some sonic concussion device he said he got from your people.”
“A concussion device?”
“Yeah, something that knocked us all down. He had some way of shielding himself from it.”
“A transer-field.”
“Whatever,” Zac said. “And then he used one of your fancy beam weapons to kill my crew. He didn’t kill me because he wants me around for when you and the Seken destroy Earth.”
“However, he could have killed you easily?”
“You saw the arena show; you know that beam weapon can kill us, even REVs.”
Once again, Nassmar shuffled through the papers on his desk. He pulled up a short stack of sheets and began reading.
“Three only,” he said.
“What? Three what?”
“Commissioner Crooark reported that only three of the beam weapons exist in their current configuration, a modification made specifically to affect the genetically-altered Humans; you call them REVs.”
“Yeah, I heard that, too. I guess Kallen had one of the three.”
Nassmar shook his head.
“That cannot be possible. Another report says the devices were altered only after the attack, testing them first on the captured pilots, even before the arena demonstration.”
“Well, that’s not right,” Zac said. “Kallen had his weapon even before the fleet set out. He had the gun and the explosives smuggled in with his belongings. That was weeks before the attack.” Zac’s eyes grew wide, and he felt himself cascading from excitement. “How could he have had the weapon if your people didn’t give it to him? That, plus the sonic blaster.” Zac leaned forward in the chair. “There’s the proof you need! Your people—at least some of them—already knew about the REVs and had designed a weapon to kill us. Then they gave one to Zaphin, and long before the attack. This proves your people knew we were coming, and yet they did nothing to stop us, not until it was too late.”
Nassmar fell back in his chair, looking weary, his eyes glossed over.
“This evidence is still circumstantial. There is no hard proof of anything you have said. The Antaerean could have used any variety of devices to both destroy your ship and kill your crew. I only have your word that he used a beam weapon.”
“Again, why would he destroy the ship he was on unless he knew he was going to be rescued?”
“I shall have to ask him.”
Now it was Zac’s turn to grimace. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Why not?”
“If there are people in your government who helped plan the attack, they’re not going to want that information to get out. If you start asking Zaphin why he destroyed the ship, risking his own life, then others might start asking why he was rescued. I take it no one else was rescued and that the only prisoners you have are the ones who made it to the surface on their own?”
“That is correct. There was no call to rescue those who had just attacked Voris, knowing they would die eventually in the wreckage of their vessels.”
“However, only Kallen Zaphin and I were rescued. And I was an afterthought. Why?”
What followed was another long period of silence, but this time Nassmar scoured the documents on his desk, stopping to read selected pages and files before moving on. This went on for almost ten minutes before he dropped the papers and sagged in his chair.
“I see the progression of events. What you say could be correct, but without direct evidence of prior contact with the Antaerean—contact that resulted in him receiving the devices you say he used—then there is no proof to take to higher authorities. In addition, we have not a single name of anyone in the Azlorean government involved in this conspiracy, not even a person with which to start the inquiry. And not knowing who is involved would open me up to severe repercussions from parties unknown.”
“That’s why I said you don’t want to start asking Zaphin about what happened on the Lincoln.”
“The Lincoln?”
“That was the name of my flagship.”
“You name your vessels? Is it some kind of endearment act?”
“No, for identification.”
“Would not numbers suffice?”
“Is this really important at the moment?” Zac growled. It was the wrong time to get off-topic. He had finally convinced at least one Azlorean of the truth. But could Nassmar convince others? And could he do it before the conspirators stopped him?
“Zac Murphy, you have created a major quandary in my investigation, adding considerable complexity.”
“Am I wrong?”
“I hope you are, yet I also believe there could be validity to your theory,” said Nassmar. “But that is the problem, I believe. That will not be enough. I must have time to follow up on this investigation and in a most discreet manner. If you continue to proclaim your innocence, claiming that the Humans were deceived into attacking Voris, then it will give the supposed conspirators time to disguise their actions, or worse. You do understand what I am saying?”
“Of course. You want me to keep quiet while you check things out on your own. I get it. And if I keep making waves, I may find my throat slit as a way to keep me quiet permanently. I’m just glad I have someone on my side.”
“I am not on your side, Zac Murphy!” Nassmar countered with passion. “You and your people killed millions of innocent Azloreans. Whatever the reason, that can never be excused. However, if people in my government were complicit in the act, then they must share in the blame, and the consequences. Let me do my work, and do not mention this to anyone else. We do not know who we can trust.”
“No problem,” Zac said. “Just be careful. At the moment, you’re our best hope of stopping this war and for preventing billions of more people from dying … on both sides.”
Nassmar came around the desk and escorted Zac to the door. The guards led him back to his cell.
>
A few minutes later, Torin Nassmar was back at his desk, clearing off the disorganized mess of papers and datapads from before. He was shoving the pile into a large empty drawer when the door opened, and Kallen Zaphin entered.
“That was masterful,” the Antaerean said with a grin. “You did not rush it, allowing the Human to lead you to where he wanted to lead you.”
“Yes, and I sense he believes me. He should no longer be a problem. He will cease his rants about a conspiracy for fear of sabotaging my investigation.”
“And now we take the next step,” Kallen said.
“That step is already underway. Our forces are consolidating. But we cannot make too much haste. If so, then it will become apparent that we have been planning this for some time. We must make the war preparations as organic as possible. In the meantime, do not antagonize the Human. You could not imagine my fear at being alone with him, even with the security measures in place. I have heard stories of the REVs. And from what you say, this one is even more deadly than the rest.”
“He is, but like all Humans, he is a savage who reacts only with emotion. That was why they were so easily manipulated.” Kallen grasped the broad shoulder of the creature that towered above him by a full foot. “Again, excellent work. It will make all our other preparations much easier without the wild rantings of Zac Murphy to contend with.”
Darion Crolous watched the video feed with curiosity. Although she was not cleared for audio surveillance, she was tasked with monitoring the meeting to make sure the Inquisitor was safe in the presence of the Human. If not, then she had control of the security collar around the alien’s neck. She would not hesitate to use it if necessary.
Unfortunately for the Security Supervisor, the meeting had not gone as she expected.
The oddities began even before the interview commenced. Darion was familiar with the various rooms in this section of the security building, and she recognized the office in which the Inquisitor was working as a former storage room. All miscellaneous items had been removed, and furniture was brought in and staged before her shift began. But this was storage room K4, of that she was sure. But now it had a desk, two chairs and even green plants in pots on the floor and decorations on the wall. The desk was even cluttered with datapads and press sheets, telling Darion that Torin Nassmar had been working out of the storeroom for quite some time.
