by G. P. Hudson
While it was not unusual to see Taymati in the Imperial capital, the sight of armored Taymati bursting out of a shuttle and running down the street was indeed abnormal. Everywhere Dvorkans stopped what they were doing to gawk at the strange goings-on. Some were smart enough to leave, recognizing the fact that danger lurked nearby.
“We are too exposed on the street,” said Vass over the helmet’s comm. “We should go underground.”
“You’re in charge, Captain,” said Kriss.
Vass led them down a set of stairs to the vast network of tunnels used for high-speed transportation under the city. With the city’s burgeoning population, travel on the surface long ago became too congested, so it was diverted underground instead. Kriss remembered using the tunnels as a child but had not been underground in years.
“The Taymati operate their own secure tunnel network,” said Vass. “If we can reach it, we can take a transport to one of our bases.”
They ran across a platform, as frightened Dvorkans jumped out of their way. Nearing the staircase on the other end, an energy bolt crashed into a pedestrian hurtling her backward.
“Keep running, and enable cloaks,” shouted Vass. “We can’t afford a firefight here with all these civilians. I’m sending a secure message to the other teams, advising them of our situation.”
The Taymati descended the stairwell as more energy bolts sailed after them. Moving deeper underground, they cleared ten steps at a time with the enhanced ability of their powered armor. Kriss didn’t see the mercenaries but assumed that they were armored too, which meant they could keep up with them.
The staircase was the perfect route in this situation. Not only could they avoid civilian casualties, but they also denied the enemy a clear shot owing to the winding staircase design. They could’ve taken a high-speed lift underground, but that would run the risk of the mercenaries trapping them. This way they would only have to stay ahead of their pursuers or make a stand and fight.
Kriss craved the latter option. He wasn’t sure why, but he desperately wanted to prove himself in battle. He didn’t know if it was his age or the years he spent learning Taymati skills. Perhaps it was his own quest for glory. He wasn’t sure, but he felt a burning desire to prove that he could hold his own. At the penal station, he had shown that he wouldn’t freeze in combat, which was no small feat. But he hadn’t necessarily proved that he had any skill. As the Emperor, he didn’t need to prove anything, but as a man, he wanted to show that he was worthy of the armor he wore.
“The other teams are converging on our location,” said Vass. “More teams are being dispatched through our tunnel system. We’ll have the mercs trapped once we reach the platform.”
“Grenade!” someone yelled from the rear, and Kriss felt the intense heat at his back. The blast lifted him off his feet and hurled him forward, along with the Taymati running alongside him. Crashing into the backs of the Taymati below, and tumbling down some stairs, Kriss scrambled to regain control of his body. On his visor, he saw that his armor had sustained some damage, but he had avoided the brunt of the blast. Two Taymati grabbed him by his arms and hoisted him up, just as another shouldered a grenade launcher, and sent the mercs a taste of their own medicine.
“Keep moving!” said Vass, and the Taymati were off and running again. “Deploy gravity mines.”
The order made Kriss gasp. “What about the civilians?”
“We have no choice, your worship,” said Vass. ”I will personally ensure that this staircase is closed off to the public until all the mines have been removed. I’m also sending a warning to our teams.”
Gravity mines could be deployed at a moment’s notice and were ideal for situations like the one they were in. They were compact and floated at around chest level. What made them particularly lethal was the fact that they were cloaked. To avoid detection, they cycled through cloaking frequencies, making it particularly challenging to locate them.
Kriss understood Vass’s reason for deploying the mines but dreaded the thought of civilians unwittingly stumbling into their trap. When he heard the mines detonate, he wondered if all the mercs were eliminated. A fresh barrage of energy bolts sailing past answered his question. Vass gave the order to continue deploying mines, but they didn’t seem to slow the mercs down.
What kind of armor are they wearing? thought Kriss, as he cleared another flight of stairs. The mines continued to detonate behind him, but the mercs kept coming. That should not be happening.
“This way,” said Vass, and the Taymati burst through a door and onto another platform. This one didn’t seem to be in use, and thankfully had no civilians present. “Head for the tunnel.”
The team raced ahead as the door flew open behind them. Kriss glanced back to see gravity mines detonate around the armored mercs, but cause no noticeable damage. Instead, their armor glowed red with each detonation. Was this the same shielding their atmospheric fighters used?
The Taymati jumped off the platform and entered the dark tunnel as energy bolts followed. A Taymati grenadier turned and rapidly squeezed off several rounds, hoping to hold off the mercs. Kriss couldn’t help but look back, curious to see what effect, if any, the grenades would have. When the shells detonated, he saw something unusual.
The merc armor glowed red as before, but one of the suits seemed to flicker and dissipate. Another blast confirmed that his shielding had failed, and the merc was knocked flat on his back. When he tried to get back up, Kriss couldn’t resist and squeezed off several rounds of his own. He hit the man perfectly in the visor, putting him down for good.
“Your worship, we must keep moving,” said Vass.
Kriss ran off with the Taymati, deeper into the dark tunnel. “We can beat their shields,” he said.
“Yes, I saw,” said Vass. “The Emperor is a skilled marksman.”
Kriss was surprised by the comment. A Taymati did not compliment you unless you earned it. “Thank you, Captain.”
They ran deeper into the tunnel, as the mercs launched grenades after them. Kriss felt the heat of the blasts, and saw his armor’s integrity drop, but managed to stay on his feet. Vass ordered more mines deployed, which eventually started to wear down their pursuers. The mercs slowed their pursuit, and the Taymati managed to put more distance between themselves, and the Emperor’s would-be assassins.
They moved deeper into the pitch-black tunnel until there was no more sign of the mercenaries. No energy bolts. No grenades. No more detonating mines. Had they lost the mercenaries? Or was this merely an intermission?
Chapter 25
“Jump complete. We are now in Dvorkan Empire space,” said Commander Henderson.
“AI, are you still in communication with your fleet?” said Jon.
“Yes, Admiral. The fleet awaits your orders,” said AI.
“Sir, we are being hailed,” said Henderson.
“Patch them through to my console,” said Jon, fully expecting to see Consul Kang’s face again. They had jumped back into her system, and he hoped they wouldn’t be forced to fight another battle.
Kang’s face did not appear on Jon’s display, however. Instead, a stern-looking male Dvorkan showed up wearing a military uniform. “Unidentified vessels, you are surrounded by cloaked Imperial battleships. Power down your weapons and prepare to be boarded, or we will open fire.”
Jon frowned at the hostile greeting. “This is Admiral Pike of the UHSF. We are on a diplomatic mission, and seek an audience with your Emperor.”
“A diplomatic mission, huh? Is that why you destroyed the cities on this planet? The only Imperial official you will have an audience with is an executioner.”
The comment surprised Jon. “There’s clearly been a misunderstanding. We did not attack this planet. We seek only peaceful relations.”
“This is your last warning. Power down your weapons or you will be destroyed.”
“Very well,” said Jon, annoyed by the Dvorkan, but curious as to what happened while they were gone. “AI, bring in
the cavalry.”
“Yes, Admiral.”
Moments later more than two thousand battleships appeared in the system, all around Jon’s battle group. Jon watched the surprise on the Dvorkan officer’s face and let the reality of the situation sink in. “Now, as I was saying, we are here on a diplomatic mission. We did not attack your planet, and we seek only peaceful relations. But, if you choose to fire upon us, we will be forced to defend ourselves, and that will not end well for you. So, don’t do anything stupid. Do you understand?”
The Dvorkan officer stared back at Jon with mouth agape. “Uh, clearly there has been a misunderstanding.”
“Clearly.”
“We, uh, thought your ships were the same ones that attacked this system. I see now that your ships are a different configuration.”
“Didn’t I say that we weren’t involved in any attack?”
“Yes, you did. Apologies.”
“Why don’t you just let me speak to Consul Kang, and we’ll get this all straightened out.”
“Consul Kang? I’m afraid that is not possible.”
“Really? And why is that?”
“Consul Kang is under arrest.”
“As much as that doesn’t surprise me, why don’t you tell me why she was arrested.”
“I’m afraid I cannot divulge that information as it is classified.”
“I see. Alright, that is your business, not mine. Why don’t you tell me who it was that attacked you.”
“That is classified as well.”
“Of course it is. No matter. Who do I need to speak to arrange a meeting with your Emperor?”
“That request needs to go through one of the generals at Central Command.”
“Admiral, if I may?” said the Dvorkan scholar, Miira Kev, who stood nearby.
“Please,” said Jon, moving over so that Miira could speak to the man.
The Dvorkan officer’s mouth dropped a second time when she came into view.
“Greetings, Captain. My name is Miira Kev. I am acting as an ambassador for the humans.”
“Humans?” said the Dvorkan captain.
“Yes, this race is known as human. As Admiral Pike has told you, they seek to establish diplomatic relations with the Empire. Negotiations of this type need to be conducted directly with the Emperor. Be advised that now that you have received notification of this request, you are bound by Imperial law to ensure its transmission to the Emperor. Failure to do so will leave you exposed to prosecution. Is that clear?”
“Yes, that is clear. Please stand by while I speak with my superiors.”
“I will be here.”
The Dvorkan captain vanished from the comm display, terminating the connection.
“Miira, I had no idea,” said Jon.
Miira smiled mischievously. “Being a scholar has its advantages.”
Chapter 26
When Miira left the Empire to find the Antikitheri, she never expected to return. Nor had she wanted to. She had asked to join Admiral Pike’s crew, and travel with them to Earth. Happily, the Admiral had agreed. Instead, not only had they come back to the Empire, but the Admiral had turned her into their ambassador. For someone who had spent her whole life immersed in her studies, it was a radical twist that left her feeling unbalanced.
Miira had never felt at home in the Empire. Even in her own family, she felt like an alien. She was socially awkward and did not crave the status and glory that most Dvorkans sought. That made her a target for ridicule from her earliest years. Deciding to focus her studies on the Antikitheri merely served to intensify that contempt. It bothered her, but not enough to change her field of study. The stories about the Antikitheri and the Erinyie had fascinated her since she was a small child. Somehow, they rang true for her. They weren’t just stories or myths. They were historical works. Truth.
Having seen the fabled Antikitheri with her own eyes left her feeling vindicated. She had been right all along, and her knowledge helped Admiral Pike in his quest to find these beings. The Admiral chose to believe in her, which was more than anyone in the Empire had done. She had not let him down in his quest, and she would not let him down now, despite how uncomfortable her new role made her.
That discomfort reached a fever pitch, as she sat in the boardroom with Admiral Pike. On the wallscreen, the entire General staff from Central Command looked back at them, with expressions of distrust, and downright hostility.
“I am General Dak, head of Dvorkan Central Command,” said one of the sterner faces in the group. “Why have you brought an invasion force into our space?”
“I am Admiral Pike, and this is my ambassador, Miira Kev. We are not an invasion force. We are returning home and stopped in your space to establish diplomatic ties.”
“Diplomacy through the barrel of a weapon?”
“Not at all. Your ships threatened to fire on us. The rest of my fleet appeared in self-defense, in response to your Captain’s hostility toward us.”
“Miira Kev. I have your file here. It says that you are a scholar. Why is a Dvorkan scholar acting as an ambassador for a hostile alien race?
General Dak’s comment washed away some of her discomfort. She had already decided she didn’t like the man. Nor did she like the way he looked down his nose at her, as if she was barely worth his contempt. “This is not a hostile race, General. They came to establish peaceful relations, and were threatened with execution.”
“Military intelligence will get to the bottom of what happened. Now I asked you a question. Why are you collaborating with these aliens?”
“The humans arrived in the Empire several months ago. They came to my planet and asked for my help.”
“Help with what? How did they even know who you were?”
“They were referred to me by Consul Kang. They sought the Antikitheri, and I am the Empire’s pre-eminent expert on the Antikitheri.”
Dak looked like he had bitten into rotting meat. “The Antikitheri? What sort of nonsense is this?”
“It is not nonsense, General. They asked for my help, and I agreed to give it to them. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a question of my own. Why are we speaking to you?”
“I beg your pardon!?”
“The humans are requesting to open diplomatic ties with the Empire. That requires direct dialog with the Emperor. So, why are we speaking with Central Command?”
“I’d watch my step if I were you, young lady. Do not forget your place. Speaking of your place, isn’t your father the merchant, Rangar Kev?”
“Yes,” said Miira, confused as to why the General was bringing up her father.
“I know Rangar Kev well. He is an honorable man. Are you not concerned that your actions will stain that honor?”
“Answer her question, General,” snapped Admiral Pike, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
“Your appearance with an invasion fleet makes this a military matter first,” Dak said, raising his voice. “I will also add that if these humans do turn out to be a threat, your involvement with them makes you guilty of treason, Miira Kev. I feel pity for your father, truth be told.”
Miira felt a cold chill run up her spine. The General was flexing, and it worked.
“Save your threats, General,” said Admiral Pike, brushing off the General’s grandstanding. “Miira is under my protection. Now, do you intend to have a civil discussion, or are you just interested in making threats?”
The General glared back at the Admiral. For a moment, Miira thought Dak would lash out at the Admiral, but he regained his composure. “Let us discuss this matter further, and see where it leads.”
Miira cleared her throat, relieved that Admiral Pike sat beside her. “Our ships are not a threat to the Empire. As I said, we seek to open diplomatic ties with the Empire. We also hope to establish an alliance.”
“An alliance? The Empire does not ally itself with aliens.”
“Again, this is a matter for the Emperor, not Central Command. Your role is to advise the Emperor,
not negotiate on his behalf. Now, I have told you our intentions, and have stated that we are not a threat. I, therefore, repeat my request to speak directly with the Emperor.”
“I am afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Why not?”
“The Emperor is not available.”
“When will he become available? We will wait.”
“I cannot answer that question. He is simply not available. Right now, we represent the Empire. You negotiate with us, or you do not negotiate at all.”
“Could you give us some time to discuss this development, General?” said Admiral Pike.
“That is agreeable.”
“Thank you. We’ll re-establish a comm link shortly,” said Pike, and terminated the connection.
The faces disappeared from the wallscreen, and Miira took a deep breath. She moved her head from side to side to relieve some of the tension building in her neck and shoulders.
“You did great, Miira,” said Pike. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you, Sir. Why do you think he mentioned my father?”
“He was just playing head games.”
“Head games? What sort of games are these?”
“I meant he was trying to confuse and intimidate you.”
“Oh. That I understand. Human communication can be very confusing.”
“What do you think is going on here?”
“I’m not sure. It is odd that they won’t let us speak to the Emperor. They are not even Taymati.”
“What are Taymati?”
“The Emperor has his own guard, known as the Taymati. They are a military force unto themselves, with warships and soldiers. Unlike the rest of the Dvorkan military, the Taymati do not answer to Central Command, but to the Emperor himself.”
