by Damon Alan
Personal log entry #758, Captain Sarah Dayson, origin Korvand, Pallus Sector.
Current Location: Star System Oasis, en route from Asteroid Farm One to Michael Stennis on board Shuttle 17A.
Dammit, I shouldn’t have left the fleet. Something has gone fucking wrong.
This should be an official log entry, instead of a personal log entry, but I don’t have the frame of mind for it. I'll transfer it later if I must. I traveled to the asteroid farm to see what I could get from Eislen about the locals, and while I was there it was the local leaders themselves who told me what I needed to know. They're hostile. They've attacked my fleet unprovoked, and destroyed one of my ships.
We’re supposed to be colonists now. Not fighting a war with a new adversary. I promised my people peace.
[22 second pause, unintelligible background chatter]
I don't have any details, We're behind Ember right now, so I have no communications with the fleet.
The adepts Eislen told me about will see us as a threat to their power. I'm sure our technology is like magic to them. Based upon what Eislen told me, short of eliminating the adepts, I'm not sure that there is anything I can do to make Refuge safe for my people. The adepts are dangerous… and we need a home.
By the stars, I'm going to have to make a choice, and it's not a choice I want to make.
I was making plans. But now I’m a warrior again.
I need to regain control of the situation. Suppress my feelings. Instill order in my crews. And destroy whoever or whatever did this to my fleet.
[87 second pause, unintelligible background chatter]
Tyrell, once we dock with the Stennis, upload this to Lucy82A and delete from your files.
Dayson out, end log.
Chapter 17 - The Dusty Road
Evening of Secondday, cycle 66, year 8748
Alarin hated the dust of the road. He and half a dozen other lesser adepts rode in a carriage bound for Kampana, just passing the halfway point. He hadn't heard from Merik since he'd left the city.
The carriage stopped, and he heard the sound of muffled voices outside. He reached toward the door of the carriage, only to have it open for him.
“Master Alarin, there is fire in the sky.” The guard captain stood on the ground beside the carriage, looking quite nervous.
A gruff voice bellowed from behind Alarin. “Who are you to open the door to this carriage?” Bellor rose to punish the guard.
“There will be none of that,” Alarin said, glaring at Bellor. “Show me the fire, soldier.” Alarin heard Bellor huff behind him as Alarin stepped down.
“That guard must be out of his wits to insult us so,” another of the lesser adepts said.
“Shut your faces.” Alarin slammed the door to the carriage.
The guardsman pointed toward the sky. “There, Master Adept, there where the smoke is... there was fire.”
“I see.” Alarin stared at the line of expanding smoke stretching overhead from the horizon. Several smaller lines of smoke trailed from it, each reaching for a different spot on the land below. “You were right to get me, don't be in fear of the others. If they take action against you, let me know and I'll deal with them.”
The guardsman spoke, his face toward the ground. “I wish no trouble, Master Adept, only to serve.”
Alarin stared at the sky. The smoke was far above, and pieces of whatever burned up were still falling toward the ground at the tips of the smaller lines of smoke. No burning soul he'd ever seen acted like this. I wonder if Merik sees this?
See it? I caused it.
Alarin's surprise at the fire in the sky must have dropped his mental guard. Merik's reply hit him like a hammer. He carefully closed his mind, and replied. You destroyed the demon?
No, fool. The demon's smallest knife. There are men within, you must retrieve them for me. They fall inside the parts raining from the sky. I sense them. I want them.
You don't want me to go to Kampana?
Of course I do, Alarin. Send that idiot Bellor, or Maratha to recover the demon men. Have them take some of the guardsmen and warn them not to fail.
I’ll send all but two, after all, this is a seen demon. I'm going to Kampana about a report of a demon.
Are they bothering you that much, Alarin? I understand, they are simple idiots. As you wish. Keep your favorite two, or maybe the prettiest to please your eyes. None you will grow too fond of, I do not share my toys well.
Alarin could sense her laughter. Merik would slaughter another adept who she saw as competition. As you wish. The others will obtain the men from the demon and return to the city. Will the demon men be alive when I return? I've never seen men from the sky before.
Merik seemed to enjoy leaving him in the dark. I make no promises. You keep the carriage. I can't have you seen as less worthy than the others. Send the others off on foot. If they complain, punish them.
Alarin turned and smiled at the carriage, knowing it was the only comfort the adepts had on this journey. Making Bellor march across wild forests satisfied Alarin's sense of justice. I will gladly keep the carriage, Merik. I will bring you local wine from Kampana.
I look forward to your return, and I mean it. The adept who serves me in your absence spends more time trembling than serving. I miss your boldness.
Alarin flushed. Merik's love for him, while not often kind or patient, was powerful. I am glad I am not easily replaced.
Hurry along. Waste no time.
* * *
Alarin laughed with joy, ensuring the adepts in the closed carriage heard him. He didn't know what was happening in the sky, but he celebrated any reason to send the other adepts off into the woods on foot. He turned and looked at the guard who was bold enough to open the door without permission.
“Pick twelve of your men, the ones you like the least.” Alarin pointed toward the side of the road. “The most irritating, the least competent. Have them assemble over there with provisions for a five day march. Hopefully they can hunt, otherwise they'll be hungry most of the time.”
The soldier looked at Alarin, trying to suppress a smile. “As you wish, Master Alarin.”
Alarin touched on the soldier's mind. The guard was content... no, happy to do as commanded.
The guardsman moved away yelling orders. Alarin strode toward the carriage with a bounce in his step. He swung open the door with vigor, and ordered the adepts within out onto the dry road.
“What is that?” one of them asked as they pointed and gawked at the spectacle in the sky.
“It's your lucky day, you get to find out,” Alarin said to puzzled looks. “Salih, Eranna, you stay with me. You others unload what you care most about from the carriage, keeping in mind that you will be carrying your things on your back from now until you return to the city. I suggest you include some food among the things you care most about.”
“We don’t get any horses?” someone complained.
“The horses are for my guard,” Alarin said loudly. “My toenails are more important than the lot of you. I am Second Adept.”
Salih and Eranna smiled and stepped back up into the carriage. They both knew why Alarin had selected them to travel to Kampana. Neither were powerful adepts, but both possessed the least abrasive personalities and Eranna was pleasant to look at. She waved her hips at Alarin as she entered the door of the carriage.
Behind Alarin, Bellor roared. “Merik will hear of this.”
Alarin turned away from the sight of Eranna’s pleasures, then focused his thoughts on the man who antagonized him. Alarin slammed Bellor to the ground. “That's Master Merik, you oaf,” Alarin spat. “Yes, she will hear all about this, from me. Merik instructed me to punish anybody who complained about following her orders.”
Alarin walked over to the man laying on the ground struggling to regain his breath. He stepped on Bellor’s hand, crushing it into the dirt, then pinned the man motionless with the gift. “Do you want me to show how much I dislike you, Bellor?”
B
ellor retained enough sense to shake his head no, and Alarin allowed him to rise. Bellor's robe was covered in road dirt. Hatred flashed in his eyes.
Alarin smiled an angry smile, looked at the ground, and concentrated. “I don't like you Bellor, because despite being a third rate adept, you're lazy, stupid, and crass. You look down on the peasants who work the fields when you should be grateful to them for feeding you.” Alarin enveloped the loose particles of dry soil with his thoughts, and flung dirt from the road into Bellor's face. “Don't look at me, vermin.”
Bellor looked away, cowed. He stepped behind a pair of female adepts, who talked loudly to themselves as they questioned Bellor’s manhood.
Satisfied Bellor would follow orders, Alarin relayed Merik's commands. None of the adepts complained with their mouths although all of them complained with their eyes.
“I realize none of you do anything resembling work, so this march will be hard for you. Fortunately, the guardsman you were so eager to punish just moments ago picked out twelve of his finest men to accompany you on your journey. None of you are to harass these men, none of you are to eat their food. If any of them die because of your stupidity, I will kill all of you myself when I return to Zeffult. If you're too stupid to carry enough food or find a way to acquire your own food, you will go hungry. Now leave me with these adepts who are worthy of my company.”
The group assembled their gear, and stood on the side of the road as Alarin and the two chosen adepts rode off in comfort. Alarin smiled out the window at Bellor as the carriage passed by.
The dirt covering Bellor's face made Eranna giggle. “He looks better that way.”
“I feel sorry for those soldiers,” Alarin said.
“Why would you feel sorry for them? Maratha has to tramp through mud and forest with that bore Bellor,” Salih replied. “He prances about like he's going to make master adept any day. Everyone knows there are no more than six candidates in Zeffult who might make it someday and he's not one of them.”
“No, he's not,” Alarin replied. “But he is still a dangerous enemy and more gifted than you. But your feelings are safe with me.”
“You'll be a master adept soon, and mated to Merik,” Eranna said.
She's vacuous, simple minded, and a whore. But instinctively a political genius. “Yes, I suppose you're right, Eranna. My advice is to not let everyone see your limits, like Bellor does. Since everyone only pays lip service to the teachings of the priests, you can't trust anyone. It's wise to let your fellows be wary.”
“Why would anyone want to hurt me? I never seek to offend.”
“Because your skills lie not in your gift, but... well, in your other gifts. Some will wish to have what you have.”
“I have powerful friends,” Eranna cooed. “Like you, Alarin.”
Alarin laughed. “Listen to me, Eranna. When another adept wants what you have, you had best keep him wondering if he can take it or not. Keep your abilities secret.”
“I'll never be a Master Adept. But you will. If not for your betrothal you already would, I suspect.” Eranna slid closer to Alarin on the seat. “I would share any of my gifts with you, Alarin, if that helps our friendship. Nobody will fear my power, but they will fear yours if they know we are friends.”
“Sorry, Eranna, I'm promised to Merik. I still believe in following the teachings of the priests.” Alarin turned to the window and looked out at the passing countryside, falling quiet for a while.
This mission is not going to turn out well… I feel it.
Eranna sang a song with Salih. Alarin couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard someone sing for actual joy. Her voice was excellent, and he soon found himself smiling.
Eranna beamed under his smile. “You like my singing Alarin?”
“You brought a smile where one has been absent too long,” he answered.
“Then I will bring you smiles as my half of our friendship, Second Adept.”
Alarin surprised himself with a warning for her. “Make sure you pick friends who enjoy you for more than your ample pleasures. Those will not always be as worthwhile as they are now either.”
“Hmmph. You're not the kind of man to let friends slip from your fingers. I think you keep a close watch on both friend and foe. And I've seen you looking at my ample pleasures, Alarin.”
Alarin didn't answer her accusation, because it was true. Within a few breaths she lost interest and returned to her singing. It was a long ride to Kampana, but at least the company was much improved.
* * *
I have talked to Bellor, Alarin.
You have? It's been several cycles since I sent them off, is he lost in the woods?
No, he has captured men from the demon sword. They killed four in order to take two prisoner.
So you have your men, which is what you wanted.
These men of the demon, they have items that give them magic. If there is any truth to the story about the demon in Kampana, you are to burn the village to the ground, killing everyone. The people cannot think there is an alternative to the power of the adepts.
These people are innocent. They didn't call the demons to them. I will not kill them.
You don't know that, and I will take no chances. Alarin, don’t argue with me on this. You will do as you are told.
Alarin was amazed how shrill Merik could be, even in a conversation between their minds. She was afraid, and acting irrationally. Others would pay the price, a thing he could not stomach. But this was not an argument he could win. If he didn't do Merik’s bidding, there was nowhere on Nula Armana he could hide.
I will not argue, Master.
Good. Do my bidding and return home. I miss you.
She didn’t mention being called Master. Alarin's soul despaired. He believed in the gods, and believed in the people. The gods demanded the adepts serve men, not that men serve the adepts.
“What troubles you Alarin? Were you speaking with Merik?” Eranna asked.
“Merik wanted to know how our task was going. I told her we should arrive in Kampana tomorrow.”
“Does she have any instructions for us?”
Alarin stomach twisted as he lied. “Our orders are unchanged. We are to see if there is any truth to the demon rumor.”
“Easy enough. These are simple peasants, their minds will be open,” she said.
“A sad truth,” Alarin said, although he didn't mean it as Eranna surely took it.
Alarin looked out the window of his carriage at the massive planet hanging in the sky, smoldering above him.
I have one day cycle to find a plan, Great Mother Jalai. Please don't make me choose between my life and the murder of innocents. I won’t kill these villagers. I will die to serve your teachings if that is my only choice.
Alarin sank into the cushions of his seat. He kept his face emotionless as he despaired within.
Chapter 18 - No Person Left Behind
09 ORS 15327
Sarah sat in the Stennis’s habitation ring briefing room with her command crew. Her fleet now orbited the world Eislen called Fandama. Since leaving Refuge orbit, the Seventh fleet experienced no further attacks.
Sarah listened as Commander Gilbert second guessed himself.
“It started with some house size rocks being shot from the ground. We have no idea what technology the locals possessed to do this. I mean, Eislen had trouble lifting your pistol, these rocks weighed dozens of tons. We tracked the incoming targets and the rail guns obliterated them,” Gilbert explained. “I wanted a clearer view of what was attacking us, with rocks of all things, so I ordered the Amalli to drop into a lower orbit and get some good pictures with their electronic warfare suite. Radar, optical, the whole thing. I also retracted the habitation ring, since we were under fire.”
“I'd have done the same thing,” Sarah said.
“I ordered the fleet to provide cover for the Amalli, and we did. We could easily see the rocks leaving the ground on our sensors, so we shot them out of the atmosphere. T
here didn’t seem to be any real threat that could touch a starship.”
Commander Gilbert took in a deep breath.
“We passed out of the fire zone, a spot near a large city by local standards. I ordered the Amalli lower so that we could get a full data sweep on the next pass. We shifted our orbit to make sure we passed over that region again, and that was what cost us the Amalli.
“Once we came within the range they'd been firing at us from, they didn't shoot more rocks. Instead I got a distress call from the Amalli. They were being pulled into the upper atmosphere despite full thrusters trying to raise their orbit. I ordered them to burn their fusion engines, violating every reg in the book, but that didn't work either. Something grabbed the Amalli and pulled her out of the sky.
Gilbert took a deep breath, Sarah could feel his uncertainty. “She burned up in the atmosphere four minutes after her first distress call.”
Sarah pored over the details in her mind. It was the adepts Eislen warned her about, she was certain. She'd have done everything exactly like Gilbert. Gilbert had no way to know the level of threat he faced.
He needs to know that.
“There was no way for you to anticipate an attack, Commander,” Sarah said. “You saved the rest of the fleet, that was top priority.”
“I know I made the right choices, Captain, but that didn't save the Amalli.”
Sarah sighed. “I tell myself that every time I lose a ship, Commander. Let's see the visual. Before I can make a call on this, I need to know the sequence of events.”
Corriea tapped the table and a holographic keyboard appeared. He quickly called up the data from the electronic log. Video appeared on a screen at the back of the conference room, displaying the surface of the ocean below. The ocean was light blue, so shallow and so clear Sarah saw the sandy bottom. In the center of the screen the Amalli floated serenely. Then hell broke loose as the ship approached a coastline. The bright flares of thrusters projected from the underside of the Amalli, and about sixty seconds later a long stream of orange flame trailed out behind the ship as the main fusion engines ignited. Seconds later the stricken ship was glowing from atmospheric friction, as well as visibly receding from the camera. The ship exploded, raining debris down on a wide area of the landmass below.
