Axxa pulled back from the other Prax and gestured to him.
“Careful, sir,” whispered Reyes.
“Keep a gun on my back, Chief.” Halloran walked forward, clearly holstering his own pistol as he went. He could feel the sudden tension in the air and see it in the eyes of the assembled Prax soldiers. “Axxa…”
“Stand down!” Said the other Prax with Axxa, turning to his troops.
Guns drooped but not all that much.
Halloran reached the two. “Friend of yours, Axxa?” He nodded at the other Prax.
Axxa gripped the Prax’s arm. “Captain, this is a longtime comrade of mine. Ryax.” Again, the translator seemed to have trouble understanding the words. Halloran wondered if they were some sort of terms of endearment not added to the lexicon of the translation software. The two certainly seemed comfy enough together.
He bowed just a bit at the waist, the way Axxa had taught him. “An honor, Ryax.”
Ryax was looking him over from top to bottom. “You are a large human.”
Reyes had appeared at Halloran’s elbow. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?” He asked quietly to him.
Ryax skewered the shorter Cuban. “And you are not.”
Axxa laid a hand on Ryax’s shoulder. “This man is the Chief of their ship. A respected leader of his crew.”
Halloran caught the compliment and smiled. He slid his eyes to Reyes and saw the other’s eyes flinch. Wow. How long had Axxa been holding that in?
Ryax bowed in response. “An honor, then.” He looked at Halloran warily. “I meant no disrespect.”
“None taken, Ryax.” He extended a hand. “He gets called short all the time.”
Ryax studied the proferred limb warily.
Axxa stepped in again. “Grasp and shake.”
Ryax complied gingerly for as big as he was, glancing from Axxa to Halloran. “A human custom.” He looked distinctly uncomfortable, as if the touch of a human was somehow dirty.
Halloran nodded. “To honor another.”
Ryax pursed his lips. “Then grasp you I will.”
Halloran didn’t think the translator got that right, either.
But Ryax was ushering Axxa toward his soldiers. “Lead us,” He ordered them. “Human, I must insist that your, um,”
“Crew?”
“Your crew surrender their weapons.”
The outburst from the humans nearly caused a firefight right there and then. Guns came up on both sides with the three officers caught in the killing zone.
“Belay that!” thundered Halloran, letting the stress and tension out with his bellow.
All eyes, both human and Praxxan, turned to him.
Halloran blew out a breath and turned back to Ryax. Focus. “Mutually assured destruction.”
Ryax—and Axxa—stared at him.
“We keep ours, you keep yours. One side starts shooting and we all die. Detente?”
Ryax nodded slowly. “I understand.” He made a lowering motion toward his soldiers, then motioned with his head at the humans.
“Match their movements, people,” Halloran warned.
Once the guns were down toward the floor again, Axxa spoke. “Ryax, these humans have traveled far in my company. I would say…I would say that I trust them to…act with honor.”
Halloran nodded in appreciation. But Kendra’s snort was obvious from the back of the gaggle of humans all the same.
The group moved off on the heels of the Prax troops, with Wilson taking up a rear position to keep an eye on the two armed Prax that had magically appeared in the corridor behind them. The hall widened into a large atrium and the Prax soldiers led by Ryax headed across to the far wall. Kendra was nearby now and leaned over to Halloran. “This is the station core.” She motioned up with a finger.
Halloran looked in that direction. The central structure of the station was a massive cylinder, the ceiling of which was far above where they stood. Dozens upon dozens of stories separated their deck from the topmost of the station. He heard several others of his group gasp in amazement. “It’s much bigger inside,” was all he offered. But he was impressed.
At the same time, he saw the telltale signs of neglect. Even on the decking below their feet the oxidation was everywhere. Flaking surface coatings were apparent, as were the haphazardly scattered crates around the space. Several of the containers looked big enough to house a tank. Or a shuttle. Halloran wondered how stuff this big had gotten through that typical passageway behind them. The whole area felt…dusty.
The Prax never stopped to look, however, and presently the group of soldiers fanned out and turned their guns back on the humans. Ryax came to Halloran and Axxa, who had conspicuously stayed at the human’s side as an obvious show of allegiance and protection. “Commander…Captain,” He began, spreading his arms. “I must request that your crew relinquish their weapons beyond this point.”
Halloran began to protest but Axxa cut him off. “Ryax, why is this? Explain yourself.”
Halloran realized with sinking heart that another dozen Prax had appeared around them. So this is where we end. He fingered the trigger and caught Reyes’ eye.
Ryax speared his friend with a hard gaze. “You will understand more in a moment. We have a duty.”
Axxa’s eye’s widened just a bit. He turned to Halloran. “You should comply.”
Reyes interrupted. “What? No way, sir.” His gun came up ever-so-slightly, and Halloran could immediately see the Prax soldiers tensing up. Kendra had a stray lock of black hair over her right eye. She blew it away with her lips and nodded at Halloran meaningfully.
No. He gently pushed the Chief’s weapon down again. “I’ll be back momentarily.”
“What are they so skittish about, Skipper?” Halloran heard the man’s accent slipping in—his Chief was nervous.
“I don’t know, Chief. But I…trust Axxa.” The tension was still there, wedged in his gut, but that admission caused a sudden loosening that allowed Halloran to breathe that much easier. He did trust Axxa.
Axxa nodded gravely. “I hold the Captain’s security in my honor, Chief Reyes.”
After a long moment, Reyes dipped his head and stepped back marginally. “You be careful, Captain.”
Kendra just looked mad.
“Always, Chief.” Halloran motioned to Ryax with a reassuring nod in her direction. “Lead on.”
“Your weapon, human.”
Halloran passed it to Reyes instead, with a sweet smile for Ryax as he did so. Reyes hefted both guns easily, flexing his substantial biceps and smirking at the Prax nearest him. “Bandito,” he offered the alien, who looked unimpressed.
After an appraising stare that encompassed all the human team, Ryax turned and motioned for Halloran and Axxa to follow him. The trio passed through the gauntlet of well-armored Prax troops and Halloran knew that his crew wouldn’t stand a chance against these aliens in combat. He had a fleeting memory of the Prax he’d killed on that space station, seemingly years ago. The body bleeding out with that unusual red color, hanging in the broken glass of the door above him. The blood.
Ryax was at a door. “Show honor and do not speak, human.” He nodded to a soldier who opened the door firmly, somehow without losing his grip on his rifle held at attention. Ryax led the way in and Halloran followed.
Inside was a large meeting space, similar to a base briefing room on any Naval shore installation. Several more Prax soldiers lined the wall, weapons at the ready and eyes straight ahead. At the front of the room a small group of Prax stood stiffly at attention, looking their way with consternation written all over their faces. Halloran felt Axxa suddenly tense up at his elbow, and a gasp fell from his lips.
And then Axxa was striding across the room. “Maxlan! Crex! What are you doing—?” The translator descended into Praxxan terms that it couldn’t properly render.
Ryax stood next to Halloran now. “These are servants in his family household.” Halloran could plainly hear the pleasure in the Prax’
s voice. He was enjoying this moment.
Axxa had stopped dead, a meter from the group. Another Prax came out of the group and Halloran realized that this Prax was…a female. He’d never seen one before. “A female,” he said to himself.
“She is the consort to the Premier, human,” corrected Ryax. “And Axxa is her sire.”
“Her…son?”
“True.”
And there was Axxa, embracing the female in a loving way that warmed Halloran’s heart. It felt good that someone was getting their reunion. He found himself dreaming of Cindy. To hug her, hold her again…The anger threatened to flare up again. Extreme bad timing, he forcefully reminded himself.
“Human, approach.” Ryax was nudging him out of his reverie.
Halloran refocused on the scene. Axxa was bowing before another Prax, one dressed in obviously-the-boss garments. Not quite a king, but definitely a prime minister type. Ryax had said ‘Premier.’ He went toward the imposing figure, suddenly aware of the gravity of this moment. If this guy was indeed a high ruler of the Prax, and here he was a human—this just had to be big. He found himself wishing for Kendra at his side, to talk him through this from a Fleet perspective. To offer some moral support…no, she’d probably want to go for it and try to kill him.
Halloran kept his feet moving, words rushing through his head. The Navy taught its senior leaders how to interact with foreign dignitaries. What would the book say now? Aliens?
Axxa was turning to Halloran, a grave look on his face. Conflicted. Still Halloran came on. He forced himself to exhale slowly as he closed the distance deliberately, watching his steps. No tripping now, human, he told himself.
The Premier watched him with cold, hard eyes. The outfit was military, but festooned with jewels that glittered in among a variety of colored sashes. Halloran remembered Axxa talking about the sashes they had found aboard the Serapis. Denoting family affiliations within the Prax culture. Maybe this Premier wore all colors of families to show respect to them. The high collar of his top exhibited several adornments of rank. Halloran saw the claw symbol prominent among them.
And then he was bowing stiffly before the alien leader, sensing the tension in the air around their group. Carefully, he kept quiet and eyes lowered.
A long, long moment later the voice said, “This human shows…honor, Axxa. You have trained him?”
“A little, my Lord. But mostly, it’s his way.” Halloran heard the slight injection of humor into the response and risked a glance up. The Premier had his arms folded casually in front of him. He was tall, even taller than Axxa. Still he said nothing but nodded slightly to the Prax.
Axxa cleared his throat. “Father, this is Captain Thomas Halloran of the human Earth Navy. Captain, this is Premier Lord Krex of the Praxxan Empire.”
Halloran bowed again. “It is indeed an honor, Premier.” And he meant it. The clench in his gut loosened ever slightly more. To face your enemy.
The Premier nodded. “And it is well to meet the human who rescued my son from the schemes of a dishonored family.”
So something is wrong after all. Something about families dishonored, on Earth.
Axxa tapped Halloran on the arm. “You realize that you make history today, Captain. You are the first human to be in the presence of a Prax Premier.”
Halloran swallowed. “I figured as much. I feel like a diplomat, only I’m not one.”
The Premier chuckled. “Diplomats.” The Prax word for it fell with some clear bitterness from his lips. “I have no use for them. An honorable warrior is what I desire to treat with.”
Axxa nodded with appreciation as the Premier half-turned away. “Good answer, Captain,” he whispered to Halloran.
The Premier had the female with him now. “I present my consort, Sar’yana of the Sight.”
Halloran nodded to her. “Ma’am.”
Her eyes…he saw them dancing with light and fire. So unlike the males. She was captivating in her gowns of red shades. Her hair was oddly radiant in the nasty artificial light of the room. So alien a presence. And yet, he knew her.
“You, Captain Thomas,” she smiled at him. “You are the man of my dreams.”
Halloran frowned slightly, concerned about the translation he was hearing. “Umm.”
The Premier patted her on the elbow. “My consort has visions. You…” he looked with feeling to Axxa, “…and you were in them in recent ones.”
“You.” Halloran felt mists clearing from a corner of his memory. “I saw you. In my dreams.” He found himself smiling inexplicably.
“You,” the Premier looked incredulous. "You, a human, have Sight?”
She ignored her husband and stepped forward to lay a hand on his arm. “I am truly sorry for your pain, Captain Thomas. Your family.”
He smiled faintly. She’d seen it. “Thank you, ma’am.” He felt slightly ashamed.
“Call me Sar’yana.” She backed up and turned a sharp eye on her husband. “This human has earned much, my Lord. Honor and respect.”
“A dishonorable race.” The Premier was studying Halloran closely. “But you showed honor.”
Halloran breathed in deliberately, feeling the tenseness. Focus. “I would contest your assessment of my people, Premier.” He straightened to his full height and the room went up a few degrees as Prax shifted. Halloran knew some guns were pointed at him. But he was so close. If he just had a long knife…
Axxa intervened. “Father, how come you to this remote human facility with only one ship?” Halloran heard Axxa’s tone and use of the familiar title and his brain translated for his slow-witted body. This is Axxa’s father, and he’s here relatively unguarded; pay attention you idiot.
The Premier held Halloran’s eye for a moment longer before turning them slowly to his son. He straightened, shooting a glance back at Halloran. Clearly something was holding his tongue. Halloran bowed on a sudden instinct. “Allow me to return to my people while you conduct your discussions and continue greeting Axxa.”
The Premier’s chin dipped. “Honorable response, Captain.” But the eyes were still hard. Halloran read the command behind them. Dismissed.
Halloran risked offense and spun on his heel, stalking back up the room to where Ryax was standing. As he made to pass, the big Prax reached out a hand and gripped his own forearm, halting his progress. Their faces were close.
“It is good for you that you have returned Axxa to his people, human.” He glowered.
Halloran’s eyebrows went up slowly. He flexed his forearm and pulled it away with brute strength from the alien. Ouch. His lips curled up slightly, letting the attempt at intimidation wash over him. “Not exactly how we thank each other where I come from.”
At the door he paused between the two guards and glanced back. Axxa was among his family, hugging and clapping arms in an emotional display Halloran felt he might be the first human to witness. With his hand on the latch, he realized that something big had happened here today…Halloran felt the weight of the galaxy upon his shoulders. But, the burden felt strangely light. He caught Sar’yana looking over and saw the understanding in her eyes as she nodded to him.
Some sacrifices may have been worth it.
Chapter 34
Prax Homeworld
Talxen stood with his father and surveyed the closing day of the Rite, the ceremonial robes of the Premiership weighing heavily on his shoulders. He fidgeted a bit with the thick garvite chain that secured the cloak around his neck.
His father was concluding his address to those assembled. “To the future glory of the Conquest we will march. With my son leading us, the glory is assured!”
The world representatives’ reception was cool—the applause didn’t quite thunder and lasted only long enough to pass muster on the loyalty scale. But Talxen didn’t care. He’d have the clans under control within months; his own clan was one of the most wealthy and powerful, as his father had proven through the recent days. Many key supporters of Krex had been eliminated along with their
clan representatives. Even now, Prax warships loyal to his father were fanning out toward those colonies to ‘pacify’ them. The rest would fall in line or die.
Talxen’s only wish was that Krex himself and his consort would be found and destroyed quickly. He shot a sidewise stare at his father, feeling a tinge of frustration and…disappointment…in the older Prax’s failure to destroy the one family that most needed to be dealt with.
There had been no word from Calxen at Tavar as of yet, after the initial reports back via drone courier that the battle had been joined with a relatively small flotilla of human ships there. He hoped for the best but planned to deny everything and place blame on his First Advisor should the attack fail. If there was one thing that would bind the Empire’s resolve tighter it would be a decisive human victory in the war.
The war. He smelled the scent of the thousand attendees and inhaled it deeply. To be among his own people instead of the filthy humans and their stinking planet…he reveled in it. No, he did not want to return to Earth. That system would burn under his concentrated assault next. Mars would be obliterated once the new weapons were deployed in mere days. His last report from scientist Elexxan was that the Prax version of the missile was almost ready for loading onto his latest warship. And others in the Sol flotilla, reborn without that old, insolent Prax Admiral. He rubbed his hands to together in satisfaction.
“And I present to you, our Premier!” Terxan was stepped aside for Talxen to come to the center. Now the applause did seem thunderous as he lifted his hands to receive the adulation he so richly deserved.
Outside The Perimeter
Rat City, Earth
The water was beautiful. To Terry Singletary, anything outside that horrid city would be forever beautiful to him. As he removed his sandals and stepped into the cool sea lapping against the shoreline, Singletary closed his eyes and imagined himself sitting on the wood dock of his grandparent’s cabin, splashing young feet in the water and enjoying the summer sun on his back…
Resolve of Steel (Halloran's War Book 2) Page 27
