Imperial Command

by D. J. Holmes

  Wal-sma’s tentacles changed the pattern. Instead of spiraling around quickly, they almost drooped. “Not nearly as many as we once had,” Wal-sma answered. “In our home system, there were thousands of them. We were able to grow them from our system’s gas giant. Now many have been destroyed by the Karacknids and we can no longer build more.”

  Emilie’s lips tightened around her breather. The Karacknids were evil. The Kalassai weren’t facing extinction yet, but it was clear that was the Karacknids’ intentions. They were probably intimidated when they encountered the Kalassai, she realized. With the ability to build such massive ships, if the Kalassai had wanted to, they could have turned their abilities to attacking the Karacknids. And so they struck first, as it seems they like to do. “Well, hopefully with my help, your species can put an end to the Karacknids’ hunting of your people. Perhaps we can even find a new home system for you, one where you can build new city ships.”

  “That would bring me and my people great joy,” Wal-sma answered. “It has been a pleasure to have you as a passenger in this voyage Captain Kansas. I hope you have found the journey equally as pleasurable.”

  “I most certainly have,” Emilie replied. She wasn’t lying exactly; it was a half-truth. While she might not have enjoyed the actual voyage, she had enjoyed the fact that they were heading to the system they had now reached.

  “You will be leaving once we dock with one of the city ships,” Wal-sma said. She floated closer to Emilie, almost to the point where her tentacles were swirling around Emilie. A spike of panic shot through Emilie. Never before had a Kalassai come so close. Emilie had a mental picture of a jellyfish entangling her in a wave of stinging pain. Though that was what she felt inwardly, outwardly she remained perfectly still. Wal-sma spoke to her in a quieter voice than normal. “On board the city ship, you will meet with the two Mothers. They will decide what to do with the news you have brought. I offer you one word of caution. They are both very old as our species counts age. Both of their immediate ancestors were alive during the purge when the Karacknids drove us from our home system and hunted many of our brethren to death. I would suggest you be cautious as you speak to them.”

  Emilie nodded solemnly. “Thank you for your words of advice Captain. I will heed them carefully.”

  “Then I will send you on your way Captain,” Wal-sma said more loudly. “Hopefully we will meet again soon. Wass-maka will escort you and your mate from Wayfarer onto the city ship and to where you need to go.”

  “I thank you for your hospitality Captain and for bringing us here. I too hope we will see each other again soon,” Emilie replied as she gave Wal-sma a small bow. After the Kalassai returned the gesture with a new pattern of weaves and twists from her tentacles, Emilie turned to look at the other Kalassai on the bridge. She was still unable to tell them apart. She had only been able to identify Wal-sma because of her position in the center of Wayfarer’s bridge. One of the Kalassai moved to the bridge’s hatch though, she guessed that was Wass-maka and swam after the alien. By the time they got to Wayfarer’s outer hull, the Kalassai warship had obviously docked with one of the city ships, for a new door appeared, opening into a long cylinder that Emilie guessed allowed people to pass back and forth from Wayfarer to the much larger ship. “How far is it to where we’re going?” Emilie asked, suddenly concerned that she was going to have to swim for kilometers through the massive alien ship.

  “It is not far Human,” Wass-maka informed her. “The city ships are designed with internal currents. That makes traversing them much more efficient.”

  Emilie nodded, though she didn’t know whether to be relieved or concerned by the sound of currents. As she swam across the cylindrical tunnel linking Wayfarer to the city ship, Emilie paused at the viewports in the bark like material. As alien as the Kalassai were, there were at least some similarities. They too liked to look out at their surroundings. Up close, the city ship looked exactly like Wayfarer, except far larger. Far, far larger would be more accurate, Emilie thought. As she looked at the city ship, she couldn’t see either of its ends. Wayfarer looked like a gnat in comparison.

  When they entered the city ship, Emilie was initially disappointed. Its internal structure made it seem like they were still in Wayfarer. Nothing looked different. Then Wass-maka stopped just in front of them. It wasn’t until Emilie swam up beside the Kalassai and could see past Wass-maka’s tentacles that she found herself gasping. Both her hands had to shoot up to her breathing apparatus to keep it in place.

  “This is one of the smaller current systems,” Wass-maka explained casually, though Emilie guessed from her tentacles she was pleased at Emilie’s response.

  Emilie was still struggling to take it in. In front of her was a massive oval channel, easily two hundred meters in diameter. She could tell from the goo within the channel that it was flowing in one direction. None of those things were what had grabbed her attention though. Traversing along the channel; at almost alarmingly quick speeds were hundreds if not thousands of Kalassai. Most were simply floating as they allowed the current to carry them along. Here and there some swam with their tentacles adding extra speed.

  “You want us to go into that thing?” Emilie asked. As she spoke she became aware of a gentle pressure pulling her towards the channel as energy from the current spilled into the corridor they were in.

  “It is perfectly normal,” Wass-maka replied. “All city ships have such currents. As I said, this is not the largest. Though this will take us to where we want to go. You have nothing to worry about from my people. They will easily avoid striking you.”

  “That wasn’t what I was concerned about,” Emilie replied. Though it is now, she admitted to herself. “Are there any instructions we need to follow? Perhaps there is a practice current we could begin with?”

  Wass-maka tentacles twitched in amusement. “All Kalassai learn to flow in the current from the day they are born. There is no practice, only action.”

  Emilie took a deep breath as she rolled her shoulders. Only one thing made the prospect of moving into the current even remotely bearable. Glancing over her shoulders she raised her eyebrows at Walker. “I guess I’m going to get to see you swimming after all.” She had to force her grin, for although the prospect was amusing, it was far from the main emotions she was feeling. His grunt did help her mood though. “All right,” she said as she took a deep breath. “Should we go first, or should we follow you?”

  “You go first, I’ll stay behind you until we need to come out of the current. Just let it take you and don’t worry about anything else,” Wass-maka advised.

  Emilie nodded and stepped towards the opening in the corridor. As she got closer to its end, the pressure from the current made it harder for her to advance. When she got to the very edge, she pushed her hand out into the current. It took all her strength not to have it pulled away from her. Pulling back she looked over to Walker. “After you,” she said as she nodded towards the current. “You’re meant to be my protector after all.”

  Walker gave her a very cold stare and then shrugged. Nonchalantly he walked into the current, pushing off with his feet at the last second to propel himself away from the channel’s outer walls. Emilie wanted to curse his ease and grace, even though she suspected he was hiding how he really felt. As she watched him get pulled away, he spun and shot her a smile, before waiting for her to follow him. Not wanting to be embarrassed, Emilie swam forward quickly, kicking hard. As soon as the current grabbed her, she stopped. For several seconds she closed her eyes as she felt a bout of nausea hit her. Swallowing hard several times helped it pass. When she opened her eyes again she saw Walker swimming back against the current towards her. To her amazement, he was actually making headway. “Are you okay?” he asked when he got close enough to shout to her.

  Emilie nodded. She swallowed again before speaking. “It just upset my stomach a little. I think I’m getting used to it.”

  Walker smiled again. Then he raised his hands, put them be
hind his head and made as if he was lying back. “I could get used to this,” he commented.

  Emilie shook her head as she bit back a curse. The marine was toying with her. Feeling a bit more comfortable, she actually looked around. The outer edges of the channel they were being pushed through were hardly visible. There were so many Kalassai all around them that Emilie couldn’t see past them. As she looked more closely, she found that most of them were staring at her. Indeed it almost looked like they were jostling with one another to get a better view. “What’s going on?” she asked as she turned to the only Kalassai that was near them, guessing it was Wass-maka.

  “You’re the first alien to ever step foot in this city ship,” Wass-maka replied. “In fact, you may be the first alien to ever visit one of our city ships. You can’t blame them if they are a little curious, can you?”

  “I guess not,” Emilie said as she turned around and eyed some of the nearest Kalassai. Most of their tentacle movements were unfamiliar to her. She guessed they signaled curiosity. Or fear, or confusion, Emilie thought. She had no idea what Wal-sma or Wass-maka had said to the Mother of the city ship. Nor what had been communicated to the general populace. It’s like we are in a zoo, Emilie thought. And we are the exotic animals.

  For ten minutes or so they floated along in the current. For the entire time Kalassai kept moving around them. After a few minutes they started getting closer and closer as they jostled one another. Only when Wass-maka spoke some unintelligible command did they pull back slightly. Then, without warning, Wass-maka thrashed her tentacles to shoot past Emilie and Walker. “Follow me,” she called out to them. Going up and to the right, the Kalassai moved towards the edge of the large channel. As she went, the rest of the Kalassai broke apart to let her through. With ease Walker swam after their guide. Emilie tried to keep up with them but failed miserably. Straining as hard as she could, she kept moving to the side. Within a few seconds she was glad that Walker had taken the lead. She had completely lost track of Wass-maka and had no idea where to go except to follow Walker’s shrinking shape.

  To her relief, after just a minute or so of swimming, Walker’s form started to get larger. He was floating in place, allowing the current to pull him along once more. “Wass-maka says we’re getting off just around the next bend,” Walker informed her when she reached his position. “The current’s a little weaker here are at the edges. Though she warned that it will still take a good deal of effort for us to get off at the right spot.”

  “What if we don’t make it?” Emilie couldn’t help but ask.

  Walker shrugged. “You keep going round and round I suppose.”

  Emilie rolled her eyes. She moved as close to the edge of the tunnel as she could. “This is us,” Wass-maka called out a few seconds later. She swished her tentacles and disappeared down one of the corridors that led out of the tunnel. Walker immediately started swimming towards it, he easily made it into the corridor and within seconds was standing on the corridor’s floor. Emilie wasn’t nearly as lucky. Despite her best efforts she had to desperately reach out and grab the edge of the corridor as the current tried to pull her past it. Only Walker’s hand grasping her forearm and pulling her in saved her from completely embarrassing herself.

  Wide-eyed and panting hard, she allowed him to pull her down the corridor several meters to safety. “Thank you,” she said between breaths, no longer worried about trying to keep her pride intact. “That was close.”

  “You’re telling me,” Walker said. Emilie could tell he wanted to chuckle at her. She was thankful he kept it hidden.

  “Your mate has adapted to our mode of transport very well,” Wass-maka commented. “It is good you brought him with you.”

  Emilie wanted to curse again, both at Wass-maka and at Walker for the look on his face. She kept her thoughts to herself. They quickly faded away when Wass-maka spoke again. “Our two Mothers are awaiting just through this door,” she said as she gestured with her tentacles. “I’ll give you a moment to compose yourself and then we can enter.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Emilie replied. She took several slow deep breaths to calm herself and clear her mind. “Okay, I’m ready to proceed,” she said to Wass-maka. It is now or never, she thought. All of her efforts to find the Kalassai were about to pay off or come to nothing. They cannot come to nothing, she thought. Not when her species’ future could hang in the balance.

  Chapter 32

  The legacy of the first Emperor and Empress extends far further than just their offspring who succeeded them in ascending the Imperial throne. Many Fleet Admirals, Marine Commanders, political and business leaders trace their lineage back to the Imperial family. Upon all who hold such links, the expectation of a life of service on behalf of the Empire is high.

  -Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.

  Stealing herself, Emilie swam up to the door. Like all the others she had encountered, it peeled back for her. I guess they don’t even have any security to protect their Mothers, she thought as she swam through. The room that greeted her was impressive. Oval in shape like Wayfarer’s bridge, it was at least ten times the size. Worse, where Wayfarer’s bridge had been filled with command consoles and other pieces of equipment, the large chamber she had entered appeared empty. It gave her the impression that she was swimming into an endless cavern. She almost turned back to ask Wass-maka what she was supposed to do. Then a small movement from the center of the chamber caught her attention. She could just about make out two Kalassai. The swing of the tentacles was what had drawn her attention. I guess we really are just meeting with the two Mothers. As gracefully as she could, Emilie swam towards them. It took her a full two minutes to cover the distance. When she stopped, she did her best not to appear out of breath. All the swimming was starting to tire her out. When she glanced to her side Walker was already there, looking as relaxed as he had when they had been playing cards more than an hour ago.

  “Greetings Human,” one of the Kalassai said slowly. “I would welcome you more warmly, but we have not yet determined if such an offer is appropriate. I am Way-san, the Mother of the city ship you are in. This is Way-isal, the Mother of my twinship.”

  “I understand your caution,” Emilie replied formally, not sure how else to reply to such a greeting. “I hope to earn your welcome. I bring you greetings from my species and myself. I am Captain Kansas; I command an exploration cruiser that my species sent to this sector of space. My mission was to seek out new friends and trading partners. When I heard of your species and your war with the Karacknids, I sought you out.”

  “According to Captain Wal-sma you did more than seek her out, you aggressively chased her down,” Way-isal said.

  Emilie responded before thinking. “I believe if you read the report carefully, you will see that there was no aggression on my part. I simply defended myself when fired upon. We caused no damage to Wayfarer, nor did we attempt to do so.” Halfway through her reply, Emilie realized she needed to rein in her tone. She didn’t want to sound defensive or confrontational.

  “That may be,” Way-san responded. “Nevertheless, your species’ first encounter with ours was one where weapons fire was exchanged. That does not sit well with us. Not when you are the first alien to ever enter one of our city ships. Your presence here makes us uncomfortable. We did not agree to this highly unusual occurrence...” When Way-san paused, Emilie scrambled to think of something to say. She didn’t want to be turned away before being able to say her part. The Kalassai continued before Emilie could come up with something. “Nevertheless, you are here now. Despite how you first met, Captain Wal-sma speaks highly of you. That is the only reason we are giving you this hearing. You may share with us what you have come to say.”

  Emilie swallowed hard as she looked from Way-san to Way-isal. This was not how she had envisaged her meeting with the Kalassai Mothers going. Part of her wanted to turn and swim back out of the chamber. To return and start afresh. Yet that was impossible. This was her shot. Taking a deep breat
h through her breather, she paused for a couple of seconds to try and compose herself. Then she began with what she had prepared to say. “As you know, my species call ourselves Humans. We have been exploring the space around our homeworld for approximately three hundred years. In that time we have settled a number of colonies. Yet it is only recently we have discovered that other space faring civilizations exist. In just a few short years we have been attacked by one of our neighbors bent on our extermination and encountered ten other species that we call our friends. More recently still, friends of ours, the Varanni Alliance, an alliance between eight advanced spacefaring civilizations received a call for help. One of their neighbors, the Mindus, were being invaded by the Karacknid Empire. We had not heard of the Karacknids until that time. With the Varanni, my uncle led a fleet of our ships to help the Mindus. We fought with the Karacknids in the Mindus’ home system. However, we failed to drive the Karacknids back. At that time we did not know what we were up against. Since conquering the Mindus, the Karacknids have set their sights on conquering the Varanni Alliance and my own species. We are now engaged in a bitter war for survival against the Karacknid Empire. Despite their vast numerical advantage, they have not conquered us yet. In fact, my species defeated and drove back the Karacknid fleet that had been tasked with conquering our homeworld. The Karacknids are a deadly foe, but they are not invincible. Even now the Varanni Alliance, our neighbors the Vestarians and my species are converting our economies to focus on warship production. The Karacknid empire has a head start on us in terms of their fleet numbers and military production capacity, but we are working to negate those advantages.