“And how do we do this, Alpha Leader?”
“We order ground attacks. It is time to invade the Capital Planet. We already control every space station in this system. We control the central communication hub of the entire Trade Union. Conquering the planet proper will seal our victory, then we can begin to take the other worlds from this system.”
“Capital Planet is heavily defended. They managed to put planetary weapons in place. We will take heavy losses.”
“Yes,” Gholss replied. “Those who command the ground troops will take heavy losses. They will have fewer troops to challenge our rule after taking the planet. If they still feel like challenging us, we will destroy them and replace their command with officers from our own loyal ranks.”
Ahktoh considered this for a moment. “I have much to learn from you, Alpha Leader,” he said.
“Those are the words I spoke to the Alpha Sslolg only recently,” Gholss replied. “The oracles say that time is a circle, and your words give truth to the statement. Sslolg sought a new way, but leaving the old path too quickly and too far led him to lose his violence. You and I will not make the same mistake. You may speak freely to me, and give me your thoughts without fear. I will not kill you for a simple challenge, as long as you recognize that, when I say my word is final, your challenge ends.”
“I understand, Alpha Leader,” Ahktoh said.
“Alpha Leader,” the comm unit Officer hailed. “The Alpha Commanders of the attack fleet await communication.”
“Stand by my side,” Gholss said, “and let us see if we have challengers.”
Gholss stabbed at the console with a foreclaw and the light column flared to life as he left his seat and stood before it. Ahktoh took half a pace back to stand at a respectful distance behind his Alpha. The light column expanded to fill half the small office, and the holographic images of seven Alpha Commanders appeared in the room with startling fidelity.
“Alpha Commanders,” Gholss said, standing tall. “I call to you for two reasons. First, I wish you to know my Second Alpha, Ahktoh. He adds to our strength. Second, I order you to attack Jarnok 7 planet as soon as you are able. You report your preparations to Ahktoh. The only thing I wish to know from you right now is when you expect to commence the attack.”
Gholss watched the Commanders carefully. The first one to speak would likely be the emerging rival. The delay brought agitating shifting from the various commanders until the Alpha Commander of ground assault forces spoke.
“Alpha Leader,” Commander Ssakoss replied. “My soldiers stand ready to serve. We are prepared as of this moment to take Jarok 7. It is only a viable insertion plan we lack.”
Several fleet commanders hissed and rose up on their hind claws preparing to object before Ssakoss continued. “This is not a reflection on my noble fellow Commanders. The Traders have powerful directed energy weapons in place on the planet. They will be able to destroy any landing craft before it reaches the surface.”
Assault Fleet Alpha Commander Slaagh continued the train of thought. “We can assail these weapons with our own directed energy beams, but the planet’s atmosphere would not survive. This is the reason the Traders do not attack our ships in orbit.
It is by your own directive that we minimize damage to the planet itself.”
“It sounds as if you object to this directive,” Gholss asked in a menacing tone.
Slaagh hissed insolently before answering. “The directive now stands at odds with victory.”
“Victory means seizing riches and creatures. A burnt planet is of no use to the Reptilian Empire. We cannot enslave the dead, nor can a broken economy produce material for our great fleet.”
“But the traders also know this,” Slaagh replied. “How do we triumph if they know the ways in which we refuse to act.”
“We do this by acting in ways in which they do not expect,” Akhtoh replied. Alpha Leader Gholss restrained himself. He allowed his Second Alpha to speak. “I know the placement of these weapons. They are based in the central continents and at the equator. The planetary poles are vulnerable to attack. Landing ground troops at both poles will allow you to advance on their cities, destroy the defense weapons and bring them into our possession.”
The Alpha Commanders burst out in a discordant symphony of excited hissing. They argued briefly among themselves before Slaagh turned back to the Alpha and said, “Your Second Alpha is correct! This can be done!”
“Then this is what you will do!” Gholss said. “Report to my Second Alpha at his discretion. You are not under his command.”
Gholss stabbed the console with his finger, and the light columns instantly winked out. He rounded slowly on his new First Officer and Second Alpha, who lowered his eyes and kept his shoulders round in submission.
“I am pleased to understand the excellent choice I have made in you, Akhtoh. I dismiss you now to enact this plan. Report to me by the end of this cycle.”
“Yes, Alpha Leader,” Akhtoh said as he scurried from the room. His shoulders and snout raised up higher as he left the room.
Gholss sat for the first time in his chair behind the information console. With the selection of a capable and decisive First Officer and a plan for battle, Gholss secured his position firmly within the fleet. Now his task was to ensure that only his enemies fell in the glorious battles to come.
30
Just hours away from the meeting with Admiral Luthra, Abhay found himself pacing the common room of the Ambassador’s shuttle. After so many weeks, the ship felt like enough of a home for the common room to be a place to exercise his worry.
Abhay did not worry like this before battle. Before a fight, he was always calm, because he knew that keeping his head before battle increased his chances of keeping his head when the fighting was over. The anxiety before this meeting was simply more proof to him that he was not a politician or an officer, but a simple soldier. He wanted to get this meeting over with so he could join the Resistance Armada and earn his place within it.
Margaret sat on the comically-large Forest Child bench at the table that made all humans look like children. She let her husband pace, casting eyes his way only occasionally, lest her annoyance interfere with his process. Abhay knew she was giving him space to fret. Somehow that made his fretting worse.
“I know!” Abhay stopped in mid-pace and barked. “I know what you’re thinking. Just leave me be!”
Margaret’s caustic laughter set his blood alight. “So now you are telepathic?” Margaret asked.
“I don’t have to be! I’ve known you long enough to know what you want to say.”
“Of course, you do. You’ll notice I’m not saying it. I’m just waiting for my chance to help you. Have I found my opening?”
Abhay laughed in spite of himself and poured them both a cup of chilled tea. “You are a diabolical woman,” Abhay said. He brought her tea and stood by the table.
“Yes,” Margaret said. “He stopped pacing, now is your chance to hatch your evil scheme. Oh! Did I say that out loud?”
“Yes, you did,” Abhay said. “I’m on to you now.”
Margaret patted the bench beside her and arched her eyebrows in question.
“If I sit, I’ll explode,” Abhay said.
“I can see you have a head of steam on you?”
“Head of steam?”
“One of my brother’s obscure historical expressions. It comes from the days of Ancient Earth when human technology involved boiling water to harness energy from steam.”
“Liquid to gas. I remember learning about that in school. The context of the lesson was showing how early human society began to realize potential in changing states of matter.”
“Exactly,” Margaret replied. “Now we manipulate matter at the quantum level to travel between stars.”
“Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?” Abhay found himself sitting beside his wife. He almost didn’t realize it.
“It certainly does,” Margaret said. “So let’s
you and I get some perspective on this meeting.”
“Oh, you are good,” Abhay said. “So very good.”
“I have my moments,” Margaret said.
“Malik is playing this so tightly. I’m blind here, and he’s not giving anything away. I seriously doubt he aims to negotiate with the Armada. I’ve known him long enough to understand he’s going to bring as much force to the situation as he can. The question is, how much will he use?”
“Do you really think he can afford an open fight with the Armada for control?”
“No, but Malik shows a propensity for high-risk, high-stakes investment in his political moves. Look what he did with me. He stood to lose everything if his move failed. The Reptilian Attack was a major stroke of luck for him.”
“Indeed it was,” Margaret replied. “So he might pick a fight with the Armada. Is that a pattern for him? If so, how consistent is the pattern? What makes him decide how much to invest?”
Abhay nodded his head, more impressed with Margaret’s political reasoning than the questions themselves. “It did not occur to me to ask these questions,” he said.
“That’s why I’m here, bonehead,” Margaret replied.
“His predominant strategy is based on aggression,” Abhay said. “He is consistent in this. I’m trying to remember times when he was not.”
“Remember the Agni Cult uprising just after we were married?” Margaret asked.
“How could I forget. It was just after our honeymoon.”
Margaret slapped her forehead. “Yeah, the sex was great, but focus. I remember following the intel on that. You split your forces, giving Malik command of the Highland flank while you took position in the valley facing the enemy.”
“Malik took them by surprise,” Abhay replied. “My force pushed them back to the foothills. It was Malik who advised suing for peace.”
“Right. Why did he do that?” Margaret asked. “I can’t think of any other engagements where he had the advantage and decided not to eliminate an enemy given the chance.”
“The dolbrium mines,” Abhay said, eyes focused far away. “The Agnites controlled the mines and transport. The Luthra shipyards needed access to dolbrium.”
“And sparing the Agnites gave Malik a better position over them,” Margaret continued.
“So, he is less likely to risk his own ships,” Abhay reasoned. “He is likely to use a political solution here to solve what he sees as a political problem.”
“He is a bad leader for this war,” Margaret said. “I’m getting the impression he doesn’t care about winning battles unless there is a political advantage for him.”
“We should be careful there. I agree with you, but I am not sure how much of that comes from my personal hatred of the man.”
“Good point. I still think we are pretty close on the subject. Close enough to act based on that assessment.”
Jondar, the Forest Child who ran communications, padded into the room. Abhay was impressed by how quietly and smoothly Forest Children females moved. The combination of mass and grace was nearly hypnotizing.
“Senator Abhay,” Jondar said, facing Margaret. “I have urgent communication over the encrypted tangler.”
“Honestly, Jondar,” Margaret said. “How can you not tell us apart by now?”
“Apology. Not accustomed to humans.”
“It’s OK,” Abhay said. “You probably just identify us by which one is dominant.”
“I do,” Jondar replied. “How did you know this? I did not want to give further insult by explaining this.”
“There is no insult, Jondar,” Abhay said, rising to his feet. He placed both hands over Jondar’s abdomen in a friendly gesture common to Forest Children.
“Thank you, Abhay,” Jondar replied. “This way, please.”
The Communications Officer led them to the conference room. She sealed the doors and checked her handheld console to make sure the channel was secure.
“Hello, my brother,” Madhuk said in Abhay’s comm implants.
The large man stumbled to a chair and sat with the blood draining from his face. His eyes welled. Margaret sat beside him and gripped his forearm. “What’s wrong? Bad news?”
“My brother!” Abhay burst out aloud. “I thought I’d never hear from you again!”
“Who is it!” Margaret demanded.
“It’s Madhuk!” Abhay replied.
“Jondar, is it safe to put him on open comm?”
Jondar checked her console again, then piped the conversation into the room.
“Yes. I am still here, and I still serve you, my dearest friend. Moreover, I still serve our cause, though things have changed.”
“Yes, they have. First, tell me: are you well?”
“I fare far better than most in the Union these days,” Madhuk replied. “Better than I deserve, I am afraid.”
“Do not say such things, Madhuk,” Abhay scolded. “You deserve riches and accolades for your service.”
“Neither of these I desire,” Madhuk said.
“Which is why you deserve them,” Abhay replied.
“Enough, already!” Margaret exclaimed, palming her forehead. “Get on with the damn intelligence report!”
“Margaret is with you! Hello, Margaret!”
“Hi Madhuk, thanks for not betraying my husband. What do you have for us?”
Abhay glared at Margaret, who returned the glare with a sneer.
“I have word that Malik intends to arrest Captain Fleetfoot. He has secretly turned may of the captains against Fleetfoot’s command. He has an insider who has agreed to make the arrest. We do not know who that insider is, I am afraid.”
“I am afraid that I do. It is Darzi. It must be,” Abhay replied.
“We cannot be certain of this. We do know that most of the Captains on Malik’s side come from various Homeworld fleets. The captains of private companies are with Fleetfoot.”
“That makes sense,” Margaret replied. “Private companies have the most to gain and the most to lose.”
“So now we have a conflict between the Trade Union Government and private citizens of the Union,” Dario chimed in. Abhay did not realize he was on the channel.
“Who said that?” Margaret asked, alarm lifting her voice a full octave.
“Sorry,” replied the voice that labored a Hindi accent with inflections of Italian. “It is Dario. I am still in play.”
“Dario has been indispensable,” Madhuk interjected. “I could not operate without him.”
Abhay thought the quick defense of the political operative and mercenary strange, but he tabled the sentiment quickly to get at the main point. “Is that all? Tell us more.”
“That is essentially the issue. We continue to develop our sources within the Armada and the BJP fleet,” Madhuk replied.
“Give us details,” Margaret said. “How does Malik plan to justify this?”
“The BJP voted on an official sanction of Captain Fleetfoot. New Detroit and Medina 3 abstained from the vote.”
“How can the Union vote on anything with the tangler network down?” Margaret asked.
“There is an emergency relay system set up using starships that linked a bit more than half the Union temporarily,” Dario replied. “It was easy to infiltrate. It was also enough for the BJP to court a slim minority of Union members who blame the Captain for starting this war.”
Abhay silently praised Margaret for retaining her calm. He watched her face burn with anger and her chest rising and falling rapidly.
“I am assuming they only linked up with the worlds that agreed with them on the subject,” Margaret said.
“Yes,” Madhuk replied. “We have only a few minutes left before this channel becomes obvious.”
“Less than that,” Dario interjected.
“I think we are done here,” Abhay said. Jondar closed the channel.
“What next?” Margaret asked with a ragged sigh of exasperation.
The answer came with the entrance
of Babak and his husband, Yaalon. The big man stood behind the right shoulder of the slender ambassador with a somber look on his ordinarily smiling face.
“The Sufi Peace Warriors are on the way,” Yaalon said.
“This is really happening?” Abhay asked.
From the start of the conflict, the spiritual Sufi Warriors lobbied their government to be allowed to take part in war. The martial artists of the Sufi spiritual community wanted to reverse nearly six centuries of tradition and engage in a war of violence. They saw it as their duty to protect other sentient beings from the threat of irrational violence. The question divided the Caliphate Government and the Sufi sect alike. Now it appeared the question had its answer.
“Are you OK?” Margaret asked. She was grateful for ghost of a smile Yaalon gave her.
“I am not certain. We have found guidance from the honorable Insectoid Leader, Fourseven. The High Clerics ruled that the Insectoid way is compatible with our scripture regarding violence.”
“We pray the violence will be brief and hope our sacrifice will restore order quickly,” Babak replied.
Abhay felt the look of sympathy and sadness pulling down the flesh of his face. He had not the heart to tell Babak that his prayer was not likely to be answered. He had seen too much violence to believe that.
“We all hope for a quick end to this. It gives me comfort to know such a dedicated community is with us. We also have dire news.”
Margaret quickly explained the situation to Yaalon and Babak. They immediately called their wife, Raakel to join the conversation.
“This is very dire news indeed,” Raakel said. She leaned back in her chair and looked for answers in the conference room ceiling. “We can easily challenge the vote on Captain Fleetfoot, as well as the authority to appropriate the ships. But none of that will help us at the moment. I am afraid that the day belongs to those with force. We can only challenge current action at a later date.”
A thought occurred to Margaret that terrified her. “How are the Peace Warriors traveling?”
Rogue Messiah: Fleetfoot Interstellar Series, Book 2 Page 32
