“What are you going to do?” Perro asked watching Mark carefully.
“I don’t know,” Mark said. “But that isn’t the reason I called you here.”
Perro and Wyatt stared at Mark, who turned to look at Admiral Day.
“The Caliphate has been very busy,” Day said. “Very busy. The Caliphate Juggernaut we took on was not the only one.”
“My god,” Perro said. “They have another one?”
“No,” Day said. “They have six of them and ninety-four of the newer model cruisers. We also saw sixty destroyers and fifteen battleships.”
Perro and Wyatt sat there in stunned silence.
“Wormhole capable?” Wyatt asked and Day nodded.
“We have a battle cruiser conducting a recon of the inner planets,” Day said. “The Octavius sent us images and sensor readings. Even got some drones in there. The Caliphate has been very busy, none of our projections came close to this. Their technology level has jumped dramatically. This is not characteristic of the Caliphate.”
“What can we do?” Wyatt asked. “With the Conglomerate fragmenting we are on our own, aren’t we?”
“Maybe,” Mark said. “We have made an alliance with the Bronkaw Empire.”
“Aren’t they months away?” Wyatt asked. “Will they send ships to help?”
“Yes,” Mark said. “I don’t know how much, but they have also promised to help us build a fleet.”
“In exchange for what?” Perro asked.
“We help them with their war,” Mark said leaning back, resting his elbows on the chair and looking at them over steepled fingers.
Wyatt stared at Mark like the Prime Minister was crazy.
“Prime Minister?” Aide said, interrupting the meeting. Aide was Mark’s primary assistant, an android with a glossy, blue shell.
Mark cocked an eyebrow.
“Topa Saka has entered the system and is approaching New Alamo,” Aide said. “He is requesting a meeting as soon as possible with you and the Chief Executive of Athena.”
Everyone stared at Aide.
Mark had met Topa Saka twice over the last forty years. The Topa had always seemed distant and uncaring, but less mystical oriented than Topa Suresh. With the Conglomerate falling apart, fracturing under a civil war, with the Tal military and most of the Topa missing Mark couldn’t think of a single good reason a Topa had come here. The Topa’s ship could also take on anything in the New Alamo arsenal. Mark was sure the weapons on the Topa’s ship could shatter New Alamo.
“Is he going to take back the ships?” Day asked.
“He can’t have them,” Mark said. Would the Topa try to destroy them rather than let the humans keep them? “We can’t afford to give them back. Not now.”
“Then why is he here?” Day asked.
“We will find out,” Mark said and looked at Aide. “Tell the Topa we await him.”
Aide bowed.
A shimmering blue portal opened and Topa Saka stepped through.
The Topa looked very similar to Topa Suresh except he was slightly taller and thinner. He also blinked less, which Mark found disconcerting.
“Thank you for seeing me,” Topa Saka said in flawless English.
Everyone had shot to their feet the second the portal opened and Mark bowed.
“How can we help?” Mark asked, dreading the response.
Topa Saka smiled a cold, emotionless smile.
“I have come to help you,” the Topa said.
“We are honored,” Mark said, trying to conceal how nervous he was. “I do not understand.”
“You have made an alliance with the Bronkaw,” Saka said. “The Topa believe this alliance will be beneficial for the people of Conglomerate during the current troubled times.”
Mark nodded, trying to encourage the Topa to continue. The people of the Conglomerate but not the Conglomerate itself? What did that mean?
“The distance between your people is problematic,” the Topa said. “We have discussed this with the Bronkaw Dominance. They agree and have petitioned us. An opportunity presents itself if there is trust between you and the Bronkaw.”
Mark remained silent trying to figure out what the Topa wanted.
Finally, the Topa spoke.
“Is there trust between the colony of New Alamo and the Bronkaw Dominance?” the Topa asked.
Mark took in a deep breath and glanced at Day.
“I am not sure,” Mark said. “I have not seen or spoken directly with any members of the Bronkaw Dominance. Do you trust them?”
A more sincere smile came to the Topa’s face.
“Grand Marshal Vakasa asked me the same question when I asked him,” the Topa said.
The silence became uncomfortable as Mark waited for Topa Saka to continue.
“What did you say?” Mark finally asked.
Topa Saka nodded. “I told him I trust the humans of New Alamo explicitly and he would be wise to do so.”
“I am honored,” Mark said.
“Why?” Topa Saka said. “I do you no honor, I state my belief.”
“Thank you for your candor,” Mark said, and the Topa nodded.
“Would you trust the Bronkaw Dominance?” Mark asked.
“I trust Marshal Vakasa,” Topa Saka said. “As I trust you. This is a beneficial alliance. You have your differences but together you can accomplish great things.”
“How will you help?” Mark asked.
The Topa looked around him at Perro and Wyatt.
“The Topa vessel that brought you from Argol Iota, here to Josaka, can also create wormholes. This vessel is called a space needle. We can create a wormhole between Josaka and Bronkaw Prime if you will permit it.”
“Yes!” Mark said imagining all the advantages, especially if the Bronkaw were trustworthy and he felt he could trust Topa Saka when it came to the Bronkaw. It would also give New Alamo more direct access to the Nalee shipyards. Luke had recommended the alliance as well which was another point in favor of the Bronkaw.
“There is one other request,” Topa Saka said and Mark prepared himself for the nasty surprise.
“We would like you to make an alliance with the Caleet and the Krasta Corporation,” Topa Saka said.
“That may be complicated,” Mark said. “Last I checked the Caleet and Bronkaw did not get along. Aren’t they at war?”
Topa Saka nodded.
“This was true, but Shoka Kishi ended that war,” Topa Saka said. “For the Bronkaw it is instinctual. Caleet are small and fast, the Bronkaw are large and slower. The best analogy I think you will understand is with that of elephants fearing mice. The Bronkaw are like elephants and the Caleet are like mice to the Bronkaw. Humans can act as a go between.”
“So why would the Bronkaw want to ally with the Caleet?” Mark asked.
“Because the Bronkaw need the Caleet,” Topa Saka said.
“And the Krasta Corporation?” Mark asked.
“The humans need the Krasta Corporation,” Topa Saka said.
“And why would the Krasta Corporation and Caleet be interested in an Alliance?” Mark asked.
The Topa nodded, considering the question.
“The Caleet need challenges,” Topa Saka said. “They are a young race, smaller, less combative, but inquisitive and fast. That race prefers not to fight, but they can gather information, especially if there is glory or profit in it. They do not fear danger, but they fear the cost to their soul of taking another life.”
“And the Krasta Corporation?” Mark asked.
“The Krasta Corporation makes androids,” Topa Saka said. “And they need military protection.”
“Why don’t they make military androids?” Mark asked. “Their androids are capable enough.”
“Like the Bronkaw fear small creatures, the Caleet fear taking the lives of others, the Krasta Corporation will not ask their creations to do things they themselves will not do. The Chaska are an ethical species, the Chaska of the Krasta Corporation pride themselves on
their personal ethics and they are peaceful. They need protection. Their creations are like their children.”
“What about the Conglomerate?” Mark asked.
Topa Saka lost his smile.
“The Conglomerate is dying,” the Topa said. “There are not enough Tal to keep the peace through force. The Topa still retain control of the communication network and banking, but we cannot prevent major wars and genocides. We believe in the long term this will benefit the people of the Conglomerate but we grieve for the bad things that will happen.”
“What happened?” Mark asked.
The Topa sighed and his eyes fell on Felix, sitting there in the corner, watching everyone.
“We are not yet sure,” Topa Saka said, not taking his eyes off Felix. “An ancient enemy may have returned. I suspect they are the Battle Singers for they lived to hear the song of battle sung by the souls of the dying. This enemy thrived on the intense emotions generated by sentient beings in times of war. It was said they drank the spilled life force of their enemies. They would take great pleasure in the sundering of the great tapestry.”
“They sound like assholes,” Mark said noticing that Topa Saka did not take his eyes off Felix.
“Do you know what it is?” Mark asked.
“Has he not told you?” Topa Saka asked.
Mark glanced at Felix and then the Topa.
“Told me? You mean it is sentient?” Mark asked.
Felix put his head down and closed his eyes.
Topa Saka cocked its head as if listening.
“Is it sentient?” Mark asked again, and the Topa turned back to Mark.
“Do you think it isn’t?” the Topa asked. Mark remembered Luke saying that the Topa thought stars and planets were sentient.
“We haven’t had any conversations,” Mark said, and the Topa shrugged and turned his attention back to Mark.
“The Conglomerate as we know it is dying, it has been dying for a long while,” Topa Saka said. “It is the responsibility of the survivors to build something new. Topa Suresh believed the tapestry of the Bronkaw, the Caleet, the Chaska and the Humans are entwined. Perhaps the bond will be strong enough to build a new Conglomerate. A better one. The Pral once held the Conglomerate together, but now we must pass on that burden to others. It is the circle of life.
“On behalf of Topa Suresh, I ask that you reach out to the Krasta Corporation and the Caleet and align with them,” Topa Saka said. “The Nalee will also be glad to join an alliance but they are a protectorate of the Bronkaw.”
“We may face an invasion,” Mark said. “I don’t think our odds are good. Are there any Tal forces that can help?”
Topa Saka shook his head and would not meet Mark’s eyes.
“The surviving Tal are stretched thin,” Topa Saka said. “The Topa can give you advice, but not any additional military forces. You are on your own.”
“Thank you,” Mark said.
“Thank you,” Topa Saka said and stepped backward into the shimmering portal that appeared in time.
When the portal was gone, Mark looked around.
“As usual the Topa have just changed everything,” Mark said. “And as usual, I’m not always sure it was a good thing.”
“How can Athena help?” Perro asked.
“We will need ships officers,” Mark said looking at Day. “As many as we can get. New Alamo is activating our reserves, but we will need more people.”
“More meat for the grinder,” Admiral Wyatt said with a grimace.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Krasnal
“Could there be a larger force following the frigates?” First Officer asked. Her eyes were pale purple orbs that almost seemed to glow in the darkness of the control center.
Krasnal bared her teeth at the First Officer in negation.
“I am told the ‘humans’ are still trying to save the Bronkaw at Kakata,” Snakan said, failing to meet Krasnal’s eyes which were only slightly paler. “That alone shows them as weak and unworthy.”
“How reliable is the information?” First Officer asked.
“The Battle Singers assure me of this,” Snakan said, his voice a threatening low whisper. “Do you question them?”
First Officer lowered her head as low as it could go, turning her eyes away from Snakan. Exposing herself to his attack if he so desired.
“No,” First Officer said wisely. “But the frigates pursuing us are attempting to destroy our sentries.”
“They are of no concern,” Krasnal said, her claws scratching at the well-worn armrest beside her. “Let them follow us to Vressa. We will ambush and destroy them. We will then fortify our wormholes like they did in the Bronkaw system. Let them slam their ships into a wall of Vress missiles when they arrive. We will have the time and the reserve fleet can watch and learn. A message drone has already been sent.”
First Officer remained silent.
“Were our allies successful?” First Officer asked with a quick glance at Snakan.
“The Battle Singers did not see it fit that I know,” Snakan said. “It is not our concern child. Our concern is the Bronkaw. They have surprised us and may yet prove themselves worthy to become a vassal of the Battle Singers.”
“Or the humans,” First Officer said, her head coming up a fraction.
Snakan bared his teeth in a sign of pleasure.
“Our battle with the Bronkaw is but a small part of the great plan,” Snakan said. “We, the Bromata and the Tonkan Directorate will finish killing this part of the Conglomerate corpse. This will be a long hard battle. Failures and losses are expected, but we will be victorious. The Battle Singers have foreseen this and planned accordingly. The Conglomerate is a twitching, diseased corpse that does not know it is dead.”
First officer lowered her head again.
“Fleet Leader,” Third Officer said. “A message from the Second Talon. Their tertiary gravity generator has failed. They cannot transition safely without repairs.”
Krasnal growled.
“Then tell them to wait at the wormhole and prevent the Frigates from using it. The cripple can still do that can’t it?” Krasnal said.
“Yes,” Third Officer said. “They will be instructed. Their missiles and rail guns remain functional.”
“Then tell them to let nothing pass until relieved or they can return under their own power,” Krasnal said.
“Your command,” Third Officer said.
Krasnal stared at the Second Talon on one of the screens. The once powerful shape was now twisted and warped by damage. That ship had been at her side as the Vress swept through the Bronkaw worlds massacring the Bronkaw fleets and worlds. Now it was a twisted wreck, barely able to maintain life support for the surviving crew members.
It would be replaced with a better vessel and a more competent crew. Her brood sister had commanded that ship, and it was now obvious why she was considered a lesser broodling and why Krasnal was the Fleet leader. There would be many changes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The Capture
“I will go,” Brita said, her presence represented by linked InnerBuddies. Leonessa’s presence was real and made this one of the best places on the ship. Musashi’s presence not so much. Jeremy, Amanda, Pavlis and Morals were also present.
“No,” Luke said. “I will lead the assault. I am the most qualified.”
“You are the least expendable,” Brita said.
“We are all expendable,” Luke said. “My rank of Shoka doesn’t matter anymore and I have the most experience leading droids and warbots in a Marine assault.”
“These are not the Bronkaw,” Brita said. “These are parasitic and predatory creatures straight out of our nightmares.”
“I’ll be careful,” Luke said. If she wanted to rebel like the droids he could more easily have her replaced.
“You know nothing about their technology, their protocols, or their responses to attack,” Brita said. “How do you know the ship isn’t wired for self-d
estruct the second they detect an alien boarding the vessel?”
“Please don’t,” Leonessa said, her voice almost a whisper, but it stopped Luke cold and destroyed any other argument. There was too much pain and fear in her voice. He almost heard Elena speaking to him from her dying ships near Nantaali.
Luke turned to look at her. Leonessa sat there, her hands in her lap, her posture without emotion and her face a careful mask of neutrality, but Luke could see it in her eyes. It was so like Elena. Only she would have been able to persuade him from doing something stupid.
Luke turned back to Brita and nodded.
“Teleklos will lead the assault then,” Luke said. “We will have fifteen days to prepare the battalion for an assault. It will be spear-headed by my Praetorian Guard.”
“Why the Praetorians?” Brita asked.
“They have spent the most time training for Marine operations aboard ship,” Luke said.
“You will hold back a regular platoon then?” Brita asked and Luke scowled. Nearby Musashi tapped his foot and Luke didn’t need to look to see his scowl.
“Fine,” Luke said with a quick glance toward Leonessa. There was gratitude in her eyes, but Luke was pretty sure it had nothing to do with keeping a platoon in reserve.
“Good,” Brita said with a glance toward Leonessa. “I will have my battalion reconfigured and start focusing on a deep space assault. Thank you, Admiral.”
Luke nodded and Brita, Amanda and Jeremy’s holographs disappeared leaving Luke alone with Leonessa, Morals and Pavlis.
Turning to Musashi Luke glared at the black emotionless droid.
“Is Teleklos ready?” Luke asked.
“He is ready,” Musashi said. “Ready enough at any rate. He and his unit are good. I’m happy with them.”
In the past Luke had prepared his droids for multiple missions, from ground to space, from guard to assault. But his Praetorian guard focused only on attacking or defending star ships as space board Marines.
“That is high praise from you,” Luke said. “I wished Gray were here.”
Musashi shrugged. He didn’t care what Luke wished.
New Empires: Conglomerate Series Book 3 Page 12
