by G. P. Hudson
“Yes, your worship,” said General Kiith, leader of the Taymati. “How may I be of service?”
“General, I’ve been thinking about the Taymati and their unique position in the Empire. My father often praised the Taymati for their vigilance and loyalty. I have decided to recognize how indispensable the Taymati are, and honor their continued loyalty to the Emperor. As such, I am authorizing a thirty percent pay increase for every Taymati, effective immediately.”
General Kiith’s eyes widened in surprise. “That is most generous, your worship, and most unexpected. Thank you.”
“It is well deserved, General. I believe loyalty should be rewarded. I want you to know that as long as I live, the Taymati will be treated with the honor and respect they rightfully deserve.”
“The Taymati remain your most loyal servants, your worship,” said Kiith, bowing his head in deference.
“I am glad to hear it, General. Please be sure to inform your men of their new pay increase.”
“I will send word out immediately.”
“There is one more thing, General. I am considering increasing the size of the Taymati force. To do so, I will need to increase the Taymati’s budget. I’ll need you to provide a proposal detailing the funding required. This increase should apply to both Taymati manpower, and equipment. Make sure to account for recruitment, weaponry, and warships.”
Kiith had a difficult time containing his surprise, even delight at the Emperor’s request. “I will see to it personally, your worship. Leave it to me.”
“Thank you, General. I am sure you will do a fine job. And one more thing.”
“Yes, your worship?”
“I’m sure you know of this new alien threat. I plan on doing some traveling and would like to avoid any unnecessary accidents, like the one that befell my father. Please see to it that my personal guard’s numbers are appropriate.”
“A wise precaution, your worship. I will double the Palace Taymati within the hour.”
“Thank you, General. That will be all.”
General Kiith bowed his head as Kriss terminated the connection. The Taymati were powerful. They had thousands of soldiers and many warships at their disposal. He hoped that the hefty pay increase would secure their loyalty. They had no guarantee a subsequent emperor would honor this raise. Especially not one put in place by the Central Command.
His father always said that if there was one thing you could count on, it is a Dvorkan’s self-interest. The Taymati would now know that it was most beneficial to keep him alive and in power. Hopefully, that would be enough.
Though maintaining power, and his own welfare was of primary importance, he was also concerned with the safety of the empire. Even a ruler as young as himself worried about this new and alien threat. General Dak had lied. The matter was that much more worrisome as a result. There was more to the story than he knew and he would take steps necessary to uncover the truth. There was someone else he needed to speak to. Consul Kang.
Chapter 12
The Imperial battleship disengaged its cloak, making its presence known to the unsuspecting military penal station. The great warship was more than twice the size of a typical Dvorkan battleship, carrying twice the firepower. It was a one of a kind vessel in the Empire, and solely at the Emperor’s service. Several Taymati warships simultaneously decloaked alongside the behemoth. Many more Taymati warships remained cloaked, establishing a perimeter around the Imperial battle group.
The bridge of Imperial One, the imposing battleship carrying Emperor Kriss, was a bustle of activity. Dozens of Taymati performed their varying duties to exacting standards. They took pride in their elite capabilities and their status as the Imperial guard. Emperor Kriss felt confidant that the thirty percent increase in their pay didn’t hurt.
“General Tal, the commander of the penal station, is requesting an audience, your worship,” said Captain Rath, commander of Imperial One.
Kriss sat in a seat specially designed to give him access from the bridge to a wide array of controls throughout the battleship, as well as secure access to the rest of the Empire. While it wasn’t the captain’s chair, the Emperor would not interfere with his running of the ship. Still its controls were comparable.
In the past, many emperors chose to remain in their private quarters, preferring to keep a distance between themselves and the day to day running of the ship. Kriss found this arrogant. The crew consisted solely of Taymati, men, and women who had pledged their lives to protect him. He had always respected the Taymati and preferred to show that respect by touring the ship as much as possible, and sitting on the bridge when he could.
“I will grant her an audience,” said Kriss, though he found the request presumptuous of the general. The appropriate protocol would be for her to deal with Captain Rath, who would explain the nature of the Imperial visit. Unfortunately, Kriss suspected that his youth somehow encouraged many to disregard protocol. Kriss considered himself somewhat progressive, but he found the attitudes of many of his generals to be borderline disrespectful. It was something he planned to deal with, once he became comfortable with the lay of the land. If his father’s death wasn’t an accident, the same fate could befall him if he stepped on the wrong toes. He needed to be smart if he hoped to root out the conspirators.
A holographic female head appeared before the emperor and bowed. “This visit is an unexpected honor, your worship.”
“Yes, I imagine it is a bit of a surprise,” said Kriss. “I am here to speak with one of your prisoners. Consul Kang. I believe she is serving her sentence on board your station.”
Kriss took note of General Tal’s hesitation and now felt sure she was hiding something. “My apologies, your worship. Prisoner Kang is ill. I’m afraid speaking to her is not possible.”
Time to use the stick thought Kriss. “General Tal, clearly there has been a misunderstanding. I am not asking for permission. I am informing you that I am here to speak with Consul Kang. Do you intend to defy an Imperial command?”
“No, your worship. Forgive me. I didn’t mean-”
“Perhaps you forgot who it was you were speaking to?”
“No, your worship. I would never-”
“I am sending a team of Taymati to retrieve Consul Kang and escort her to Imperial One. If I were you, I would do everything in my power to ensure her illness does not worsen between now and then. Be sure to have Kang ready for transport when my Taymati arrive. Do not waste my time any more than you already have.”
Though young, he was not inexperienced. Kriss had seen his father tear strips out of over-confident generals enough in his time to learn. It was the one thing many failed to understand. Though he was one of the youngest emperors to sit on the Dvorkan throne, he was more than qualified. His father had made a point of showing him the realities of ruling the Empire. Kriss grew up by his father’s side as he dealt with all matters of state, dutifully silent, soaking up as much knowledge as he could.
Every day had been a lesson. Whether it involved watching his father at work or listening to him at the dinner table, he was relentlessly groomed for the throne. His age only served to hide his understanding from the generals. Though it was intended that he ascend much later in life, he had already learned plenty about the intricacies of the family business. More than enough to deal with the likes of General Tal.
“Yes, your worship,” said Tal, her head bowed so low that half was omitted from the hologram. “Again, please forgive me, but I must add that it may not be safe to move prisoner Kang. Her condition is quite serious, and I worry that it may deteriorate during transport.”
Interesting, thought Kriss. Kang may be ill after all. Or Tal is desperately trying to hide something. One way or another, I must speak to her. “I see. In that case, I will personally come to the station.”
Tal’s head popped up, her eyes wide. “Your worship, this is a penal station. Certainly, it is no place for a Dvorkan Emperor to visit.”
“Enough!” snapped Kriss.
“An advance force of Taymati will arrive shortly to secure the station for my visit. I expect you to accommodate their every demand, or I will see you stripped of your command.” Kriss terminated the connection before General Tal could respond. That should get her attention, he thought. I am beginning to understand some of my more unsavory ancestors and their purges.
“Taymati teams are on route to the penal station, your worship,” said Captain Rath. “The Imperial shuttle is standing by.”
Kriss noted the contrast between General Tal and the Taymati. Captain Rath had heard him say he would go to the station and did what was necessary to make it happen. The man was a credit to his uniform. The Empire needed more officers like Rath. “Thank you, Captain. Let the Imperial shuttle know that I am on my way.”
Rath bowed as Kriss stood from his seat and left the bridge amid a cordon of his armored personal guard. They met more of his black-clad personal guard waiting just outside the bridge. They now took the lead, clearing the way for the Imperial retinue. Even while on board Imperial One, a full Taymati security detail protected the Emperor at all times. Growing up in the Imperial family, Kriss had grown used to this level of protection, and he knew that more Taymati would be waiting by his shuttle to escort him to the station.
As a young child, Kriss looked up to the Taymati. They were his constant companions. Before he fully understood who he was, he had wanted to grow up to be a Taymati himself. For a time, the Taymati had affectionately called him “Big Boots”, because he marched around the palace in a pair of Taymati boots, pretending to be an elite warrior himself.
When he grew older, and better understood his path, he was thrilled to find that he would learn the combative arts from the Taymati themselves. Even as he suffered under their tutelage, he persevered, determined to become a skilled fighter in his own right. Later he learned that his father had told the Taymati to be particularly tough on him. The training had been punishing, often pushing him to the very limits of his endurance, but it had been worth it.
Due to Imperial One’s vast size, the Emperor and his contingent required a high-speed ferry to reach the hangar bay. Once there, they boarded the Imperial shuttle and headed for the station. Like all Imperial transports, the shuttle was heavily armored, with its own armaments. For additional protection Taymati fighters flanked the Imperial shuttle as it left the hangar bay.
The Taymati battle group was an imposing sight when it arrived in any Dvorkan star system, but in this instance, it was hard to outdo the dominating presence of the penal station. Riddled with weapons, the facility seemed impenetrable, and could easily double as a fortress if necessary. With both the station and the Taymati battle group together in one system, you would be hard-pressed to find a safer location in the Empire.
Once his shuttle had landed on the station, Emperor Kriss stepped out onto the hangar bay where General Tal and a cohort of Taymati in menacing black armor waited. Being a penal station, Tal would have her own troops, but Kriss knew that the Taymati would demand that they alone ensure the hangar bay’s security.
“Welcome aboard, your worship,” said Tal, bowing deeply before the Emperor. “It is a great honor to be in your presence.”
“Arise, General. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to dispense with the formalities and see Consul Kang immediately.”
“Of course, your worship. The prisoner is in the infirmary, although I must warn you that she is presently in an induced coma.”
How convenient. “What is the nature of the Consul’s illness?”
“It is a bit of a mystery. The prisoner fell gravely ill, and a coma was induced to protect her life. Our medical team is still trying to ascertain the cause of her illness.”
“I see. Well, I’d like to see her regardless.”
“Yes, your worship. Right this way.”
When they arrived at the infirmary, the Taymati moved in and ensured the location was secure. Several prison guards were removed in the process, much to their displeasure. Upon entering the facility, Kriss was met by the penal station’s chief medical officer, Dr. Seng, who gestured to the prone body of an unconscious Dvorkan woman.
“As you can see, your worship, prisoner Kang is in no condition to be interviewed,” said Seng.
“Yes, I see that. Tell me again why you had to induce a coma,” said Kriss.
“For her safety, your worship. She may have died otherwise.”
Kriss looked from the doctor to the general and decided that both were lying to him. “Wake her up,” he commanded.
Seng and Tal exchanged worried glances. “I’m afraid that is not possible, your worship.”
“Arrest Dr. Seng,” said Kriss, and two Taymati seized Seng, wrenching both his arms behind his back.
“What… what is happening? Why are you arresting me?”
“Under Dvorkan law, anyone who willfully disobeys an Imperial order is guilty of treason. Do you know what the punishment for treason is, Doctor?”
“But I wasn’t disobeying, your worship!”
“Really? It certainly sounded like it to me.”
“No, your worship. I merely meant that waking the patient could kill her.”
“I see. Well, that would be unfortunate… for you. Now listen to me carefully. You will wake this patient up, or you will be charged with treason. If this patient dies, you will be charged with treason. The penalty for treason is summary execution, which I will ensure is carried out immediately. Am I understood?”
“Yes, your worship,” said the trembling Dr. Seng.
“Good. Now wake her up.”
At first, Kriss was unsure about what had happened next. There was a flurry of movement. Several of his personal guards forced him out of the room as the distinct sound of General Tal’s screams echoed inside.
“Stop! Where are you taking me?” said Kriss.
“Your life is in danger, your worship,” said one of his Taymati. “We need to get you off this station.”
“What? In danger from who?”
“General Tal, your worship. She tried to kill you.”
Chapter 13
Emperor Kriss fruitlessly tried to resist the armored Taymati. The were briskly moving him away from the infirmary. “Release me this instant! That is an Imperial command!”
Though the Taymati loosened their grip, they still held him protectively. Kriss attempted to get his bearings. He soon realized that the Taymati had activated their personal cloaking devices, rendering their entire group invisible to anyone not on the same cloaking frequency. They were currently in the corridor outside the infirmary. He noted that the prison guards they encountered earlier had been taken down and disarmed. Taymati had spread out, taking defensive positions at both ends of the corridor.
“Your worship, with respect, we must get off this station,” said Lieutenant Vass, commander of his Taymati personal guard. “We don’t know whether there are more assassins on the station.”
“You’re saying General Tal tried to assassinate me?”
“Yes, your worship. She drew her sidearm. Her hand was severed before she could fire.”
“Severed?”
“With an energy blade. I took the hand myself.”
General Tal had been a fool to think she could catch the Taymati off guard. But why would she even try? Even if she succeeded, the Taymati would have killed her. It made no sense. “Is she still alive?”
“Yes, your worship. She has been subdued, but not killed.”
“Good. I want her questioned. Bring her and Consul Kang to Imperial One.”
Vass relayed the orders through his communicator, and General Tal emerged from the infirmary moments later, bound, and held by two Taymati. She glistened with perspiration and looked as if in shock. There wasn’t much blood, which was unsurprising. Energy blades had the advantage of cleanly severing limbs, while simultaneously cauterizing the wound.
Tal stumbled with each step, but the Taymati ensured she stayed upright. Following closely behind came Consul Kang,
still unconscious wheeled on a gurney. The Taymati extended the cloak to each of them, and the group proceeded toward the hangar bay. They didn’t get very far before encountering another problem. This one in the form of a locked security door. Through it, came the distinct sounds of combat.
“Blow that door,” ordered Vass and two Taymati advanced. While the group took cover, they placed explosives on the door. “They’re jamming our communications,” Vass told Kriss. “I can’t reach Imperial One.”
“Surely Captain Rath will realize that something is wrong,” said Kriss.
“Yes. As soon as he does he will dispatch a strike team.”
The group ducked as the door blew open in a powerful blast. His Taymati escort opened fire and energy bolts sailed over their heads. The firefight albeit brief was ferocious. The prison guards on the other side of the door already had their hands full with another Taymati squad. Once sandwiched between them, and Lieutenant Vass’s group, they were quickly mowed down. Kriss and his Taymati rushed forward, careful to step over the dead prison guards to join their Taymati peers.
“They ambushed us, Sir,” said one of the men. “The security door closed, and the prison guards opened fire on us without warning.”
“Any casualties?” said Vass.
“Negative, Sir. Several of us took hits due to the initial surprise, but our armor withstood the attack.”
The station suddenly shuddered. “What is that?” Kriss searched for the cause.
“The station’s guns,” said Vass. “It must be firing on our ships.”
Kriss turned to face a rather satisfied looking General Tal. “Order your forces to stand down.”
“No. You will die here, Emperor.”
In a blindingly fast move, Vass seized Tal’s arm wrapping an armored hand around the bloody stump. Tal howled in agony as Vass squeezed the wound with iron fingers. “Your Emperor gave you a command,” he said.
