by Ken Lozito
Kandra Rene's eyes slipped into calculation. "None. This was the only instance," she replied.
"Interesting," Mar Arden said.
"I thought so, which means—"
"That this Mardoxian message didn't come from the Boxans. The Humans on the other side of the shield must still be alive, and that means Sion Shif failed his mission. Also, there’s one among them who has the Mardoxian potential," Mar Arden said.
Kandra Rene shook her head. "I hadn't considered that."
"If the Boxans are desperate enough to bring the Humans into our war, why wouldn't they train one of them who has the potential to be a true asset to them? Seems pretty clear to me," Mar Arden said.
Mar Arden glanced up at the night sky and peered at the two moons. They were luminous on a clear night like this one. "We’re running out of time."
"I don't understand. How does this change anything?" Hoan Berend asked.
"This changes everything. The intelligence we've gotten from the Boxans indicates that they don't know how the shield works. We surmised that the shield couldn’t be maintained indefinitely, and I would guess that the Boxans beyond the star system have arrived at the same conclusion. Therefore, they must have discovered a way to deal with it," Mar Arden said.
Hoan Berend considered this for a moment. "That can only work in our favor. If the shield comes down, our fleets can return here and conquer this planet."
Once again, Mar Arden was almost stunned by how stupid the Xiiginn commander was. It was true that the fleet would return, and if Garm Antis had somehow survived the previous assault, he would be keen to acquire the Mardoxian potential from the Humans for himself. And Mar Arden wouldn’t put it past Garm Antis to have them all killed so he could claim the credit for bringing the Mardoxian trait to the Xiiginns.
"We need a viable specimen with the Mardoxian potential," Mar Arden said at last.
"That’s something I can help you with," Kandra Rene said. "We've got new intelligence of a secret training facility on this continent. I think we should run some reconnaissance on it."
Mar Arden drew in a pleased breath. Kandra Rene was a worthy infiltrator. He almost mourned the loss it would be when he had to kill her.
Chapter Sixteen
Kaylan sat inside a Boxan shuttle heading down to the surface of Selebus. The Gresans had agreed to return to the negotiating table, due in large part to the eight Boxan Dreadnoughts with accompanying battle groups that had entered the Nerva star system. The Boxan fleet was commanded by Battle Leader Salevar, who Kladomaor told her was the most senior officer of their fleet. This show of force was also meant to demonstrate the commitment of the Boxans to the Alliance.
She glanced at the empty seat next to her, missing Zack and feeling the lack of his presence more than ever. He was furious with her, but there had been no other choice. Kaylan had agreed to listen to what the Alliance had to say about the Athena, and she was determined to move forward with her plan, which was to share all the knowledge they could gain from the Athena with the species who joined the Alliance. Yet Zack looked at her as if she had betrayed them all. She was fond of the Athena—it was their home—but she couldn't see another way out of this. She hoped Zack would forgive her someday, but for now, he’d chosen to return to Selebus on a different shuttle.
The rest of the Athena crew was on their way back to Selebus as well. Kaylan had requested that Efren and Hicks remain on board the Athena. Hicks had agreed to stay, but she could tell by his tone that he didn't like it. Kaylan was starting to get a little annoyed with the men and their tantrums when they didn't get their way. A decision had needed to be made.
Ma'jasalax looked over at her. "Sometimes our path can be a lonely one."
"I'm just disappointed that we have to do this at all," Kaylan said.
"Our world is rarely as we want it to be no matter how hard we try to control it. This is one of the lessons we had to learn, and it came at a terrible price. Yet it's a price we would pay again in order to survive," Ma'jasalax said.
Kaylan almost longed for the days when all she had to worry about was the Athena and not how the decisions she made would impact the entire Human race.
The shuttle ride to the planet surface was all too short. When she stepped off the loading ramp, she glanced toward the shuttle where Zack was, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. She wasn't about to change her mind and she knew he wouldn't either, but she hated the fact that he was so mad at her. She didn't like giving the Athena up either, but considering their options, they had little choice.
Kaylan looked around the landing field and noticed that neither the Gresans nor the Napox had sent ships to Selebus. "Do they intend to remain in orbit now that the Boxan fleet has arrived?"
Kladomaor, who'd been standing nearby, blew out a strong breath. "They prefer the illusion of safety in their ships."
Kaylan pinched her lips together and shook her head. How had the Confederation functioned before the Xiiginns took over? "They aren't the only ones who’ve tried to take the Athena away from us. Zack told me about all the attempts to infiltrate the Athena's systems by Boxans when we were at Olloron."
Kladomaor sighed heavily with a pained expression. "I don't know what to say about that. I don't know who it was. We don't understand why the Drar chose to share their knowledge with you instead of us. We've searched for them for hundreds of cycles. It's part of who we are. That doesn't excuse what happened, but are Humans so different from us? If the situation was reversed, do you believe your species would have reacted differently than mine, despite how many of us labored to prevent those things from happening?"
Kaylan was silent for a few moments while she considered what Kladomaor had said. She glanced at Ma'jasalax and saw that the Mardoxian priestess was waiting for her answer. "No, we're not that different at all. In fact, some members of my own family were excellent at getting what they wanted, especially if they thought they were doing those things for the right reasons."
Kaylan hadn't thought of her grandfather in a long time. He'd been among the people who had received Ma'jasalax's message almost seventy years ago. She now understood that Ma'jasalax had acted on her own when she’d sent the original warning about the Xiiginns, along with guidance on how to develop more advanced technology. Kladomaor was right. Humans weren’t any different than the other species in the universe.
They entered the main congressional building on Selebus. Governor Udonzari was presiding over the Alliance summit. Councilor Essaforn and Ambassador Dulrad were also there, along with Battle Leader Salevar. The Gresan battle commander was there in holographic form only, as was the Napox delegate.
Kaylan walked over to her designated area, and the Napox delegate caught her eye with a wry smile. Kaylan remembered that his name was Aenok.
"We had to try. The challenge was much too great for us to pass up," Aenok said.
Kaylan regarded the Napox for moment with a challenging smile of her own. "We would've succeeded."
The Napox's furry mouth opened wide in what Kaylan assumed was a grin. "I think I'm going to like getting to know your species. Humans make so many things much more interesting."
"I'm glad you think so. Now, if you can keep your furry paws away from my ship, we'll get along just fine," Kaylan said, and Aenok gave her a slight bow.
Kaylan noticed that the Gresan battle commander watched the exchange but didn't offer any comments. Udonzari began the summit and reminded everyone that their presence in the Nerva star system was tolerated so long as they respected the Alliance. Kaylan recalled seeing that many Nershal ships had gathered, positioning themselves between Selebus and the Nershal homeworld.
The area where the Gresan battle commander stood became highlighted in blue, which indicated he wanted to speak, and Udonzari yielded the floor to him.
Solek turned to address the Boxan ambassador. "I want to know what you intend to do about the Human ship."
Ambassador Dulrad glanced at Kaylan for a moment. "The Athena isn't our
ship. Why are you asking us about it?"
There was a chittering sound by the other Gresans near Solek. "You have the dominant space fleet in the star system. You could easily take out all other ships in the area and seize the Athena for yourself. Why haven't you done so already?"
Ambassador Dulrad’s features became grim. "I don't know what pains me more—the fact that you've asked whether we will just take the Human spaceship from them or that you believe it’s our right to do so. Both imply that your time in the Confederation under the dominion of the Xiiginns has changed your species, and not for the better."
Solek glared at the Boxan ambassador. "We had to survive your downfall, and now the Gresans are so firmly entangled with the Xiiginns that it has become unclear what a true Gresan looks like anymore."
"Then why hesitate to join the Alliance? Why attempt to steal what isn't rightfully yours?" Councilor Essaforn asked.
"Even with the Boxan fleet, this alliance cannot stand against the might of the Confederation Armada. We sought an advantage from which my species might have benefited," Solek said, swinging his gaze toward Kaylan. "And we failed."
Battle Leader Salevar cleared his throat with what sounded like a growl. "You might be surprised at what this alliance is capable of, and our Dreadnought class warships will make the Xiiginns cringe. It has been many cycles since we've engaged the Xiiginns, Gresan. I think you’ll find that our weapons systems have increased in effectiveness, and while the Xiiginns are losing allies, we’re gaining them. The eventual engagement with the Confederation Armada will not be as one-sided as you think."
Solek spoke to another Gresan nearby, but the conversation was muted. Then he turned back toward the Boxans. "Even if our estimation of your military capabilities isn't entirely accurate, you would still take heavy losses to even have a chance at defeating the Confederation Armada."
"This is where you’re mistaken,” Battle Commander Salevar replied. "Our engagement is with the Xiiginns, which represent only half of the armada."
A cool breeze blew in through the open skylight at the top of the vast chamber. Long strands of Kaylan's dark hair lifted off her neck, and she felt a shiver race down her spine.
"You can't engage the Confederation Armada unless you’re fully committed," Kaylan said. The Boxans turned toward her. "I know you've made a colossal effort to avoid coming into conflict with species under the Xiiginn influence, but that will become unavoidable."
Battle Leader Salevar gave a slight bow of his head. "Mardoxian Blessed, you are correct. I should clarify. The High Council has authorized our military to engage with any fighting force that seeks to harm our alliance."
Kaylan's eyes widened and she glanced toward Kladomaor, who gave her a firm nod.
Salevar continued. "We have no illusions where the Confederation Armada is concerned. We will pull all of our fleets together to drive the Xiiginns out of the Confederation once and for all."
There were cheers from the Nershals. They yearned to strike at the Xiiginns for what they'd done to their species. The Boxans were committing everything they had to this.
"We have groups of rebels serving aboard Gresan ships. Can you assure us that if they cease hostilities during the battle, you will not obliterate them?" Solek asked.
"Any species other than the Xiiginns will be granted clemency. I doubt you'll get such an offer from the Xiiginns," Salevar replied.
The discussion went into the particulars of what the Gresans and the Napox had to offer the Alliance and, in turn, what the Alliance would do for them. Kaylan listened as they described how both species had various rebel groups that had been coming together in secret. They were the unspoken majority who had watched in fear as the Xiiginns took over the entire Confederation.
The Gresan battle commander looked at her from time to time, and as the meeting was coming to a close, he turned to address her. "What do you intend to do with the Drar technology?"
Kaylan looked around the room. Her gaze lingered for a moment on each group, hoping to gain some insight into each of them. Zack was right about one thing—the Alliance couldn't focus on facing the real threat while the Athena was within their grasp.
"The Confederation Armada is being formed to enslave my homeworld, and I want to avoid that fate for my species. The Boxans and the Nershals formed this alliance with that in mind, so my species stands to gain much from this agreement. I think it’s only fair that we offer something in return. We intend to share all the Drar technology contained within the Athena. Everything we learn from it will be freely dispersed among all Alliance species. I hope my word is enough of a commitment," Kaylan said.
"It is," Kladomaor said, his deep voice reaching every crevice of the massive room.
Kaylan turned toward the Gresans and the Napox. "But if you try to take my ship again, I’ll see to it that you get nothing. Not one thing. Do we have an understanding?"
The Gresan narrowed all four of its dark eyes, but the Napox seemed unperturbed by Kaylan's assertion.
Ambassador Dulrad cleared his throat. "Thank you, Kaylan. The vow of a Mardoxian Blessed would never be called into question."
"Indeed," Battle Leader Salevar said. "We must begin planning how we will defeat the armada."
Just as Salevar finished speaking, Kaylan noticed several comms channels chiming alerts throughout the room. She frowned as an audio message file suddenly appeared on her internal heads-up display.
"Are you sure? I'm still seeing the ship on our scanners," Salevar said.
Kladomaor's brows furrowed and he looked at Kaylan, who felt as if everything were happening in a strange, slow succession. She looked at the audio file and closed her eyes for a moment.
Zack, what did you do?
The hologram of the Gresan battle commander stepped toward her. "Your ship is gone. It has just fled the system," Solek said and turned toward the Boxans. "This alliance is done."
"Wait!" Ambassador Dulrad said. "There has to be a reasonable explanation for this. Give us a chance to find out what happened . . ."
Kaylan stopped listening to them and played the audio file.
"Kaylan," Zack said, "I'm going to find another option. I have a plan. I don't want you to think I just up and took the ship. Athena wouldn't let me, even if that were the case. No need to guess where we're going. We're heading to the Confederation space station capital. Athena believes she can mask our approach, so we're going to do some reconnaissance of our own and perhaps have a few surprises for the Xiiginns."
The message finished. He must have been in a rush to make it. Kaylan was so shocked that it took a few seconds for her anger with Zack to catch up with her thoughts. She should have kept a better eye on him. As she noticed more than a few Boxans looking in her direction, her flash of anger at Zack diminished almost as quickly as it had come. Her thoughts immediately went from worrying about Zack and whomever else he'd recruited for his impromptu mission to the possibilities that Zack's actions had given them. She felt her brain racing down several paths, exploring the different possibilities, until one of them became readily apparent to her. Had she inadvertently put Zack on this path? Kaylan looked at Ma'jasalax, who appeared to be calm amidst the urgent conversations going on around her. She was waiting for Kaylan to do something, almost as if she'd expected it.
"Is this part of the plan?" Hicks asked.
"Well, the plan was to get away from Nerva so we could come up with a plan," Zack answered.
Hicks's eyes widened and he looked at Zack as if he were about to choke him.
"Stop freaking out," Zack said.
"We're on the doorstep of the Confederation. How long will it be before they detect us here?" Hicks asked.
"Major, we came out of the wormhole well away from the detectable range of any Xiiginn warships. It will take us some time to get close to the Confederation Armada," Athena said.
"Or," Hicks said pointedly, "we can turn around and go right back to the Alliance."
Zack shook his head. "W
e can't. If we do that . . . We just can't."
"Indeed, this is highly irregular," Cardaleer said as he stepped onto the bridge.
Hicks glanced behind him and stared at the Boxan for a moment before swinging his gaze back to Zack. "Any other surprises?"
Zack tilted his head to the side and pursed his lips. "Not really. Look, Cardaleer can help us. He was—is—the foremost expert in Drar technology. Together we can come up with a way to use the Athena to help the Alliance. I know it, but we have to be here to do it."
Hicks groaned. "You’re an expert in Drar technology?"
Cardaleer frowned. "I used to conduct research into Drar tech before the Chaos Wars."
Hicks glared at Zack. "Are you serious? The Athena is a ship with untapped potential, and you want to bring it here? You don't know what you're risking. If the Xiiginns find us, you're basically handing her over to them. Did you consider that?"
"They won't find us," Zack replied quickly.
"How do you know?"
"Because we were able to hide from the Boxans, and if we can do that, we can certainly hide from the Xiiginns," Zack said.
"That’s not entirely accurate," Athena said.
Zack winced. He'd been hoping Athena would keep quiet about that.
"What do you mean?" Hicks asked while looking up at the ceiling, which he sometimes did when he addressed Athena directly.
"We used a decoy to convince the Boxans that we had remained where they thought we were. I’ve been able to mask our presence for now, but if we needed to fire our engines to move quickly or engage the Cherubian drive, we would most certainly be detected by the Xiiginns," Athena replied.
Zack walked in front of Hicks. "Trust me," he said, trying to put what he hoped was enough confidence in his voice to convince Hicks to stay. Technically, Hicks was second in command, and Athena might listen to a direct order from him no matter what Zack said.
"This isn't how we do things, Zack. We're supposed to be working together, not just firing from the hip," Hicks said.
"You're right. I won't do it again," Zack promised. Unless I have no other choice, he added to himself.
