Admiral's Ghost

by NB VanYoos

  * * * *

  Tyler was deep in thought all the way back to Poolto. After his meeting with the Admiral’s father, everything moved fast, too fast for Tyler’s liking. His role in the conspiracy was going to unfold soon, and he had already turned over the Command Codes in preparation for the peace mission from Krildon. Tyler only hoped peace was their true mission. He had doubts.

  It was difficult to explain the situation to Toosia. Initially, he thought about hiding the truth from her, but ultimately decided if he was to convince her to stay on Siirneen, he would have to come clean. When he explained it to her, she took it calmly; however, Tyler knew she was torn inside. It was not everyday your husband tells you he is about to betray his world.

  She asked small, concise questions, but never about the Admiral’s father. Tyler knew that was a sore subject between them for years. Looking back through the Admiral’s memories, Tyler realized the Admiral’s failure to support his father when the Emperor had brandished him a traitor never sat well with Toosia. She came from a family where blood ties were stronger than civic duty or law. She eventually accepted his lack of support but never agreed with it.

  She asked pointed questions about the plan and had good insight into potential flaws and pitfalls Tyler had not considered. At first, Tyler thought she would blow the cover off the whole affair, but finally, she said she understood the situation and believed if the conspirators were truthful, there may really be a chance to end the war. Clearly, with a child on the way, she wanted peace as much as anyone. Her final comment had resonated with Tyler’s own fears about the situation. She’d said she probably would trust the Admiral’s father, but that she couldn’t trust Nayllen.

  Tyler agreed, but didn’t voice that comment. It was bad enough he would have to leave her on Siirneen while the conspiracy unfolded. At least she would be in the care of the Governor. Tyler believed he could trust the Governor. The man didn’t hold much power in the conspiracy but was well placed to support their efforts. The Governor had assured Tyler she would be cared for like royalty—especially since she was with child. Tyler prayed he was right.

  Tyler’s own role in the conspiracy was not insignificant and he understood why his survival could not be assured. He assumed he had the most dangerous part in the whole affair. When the time came for the peace ship to enter Poolto space, it was critical Tyler be in the company of the Emperor. This would indicate the depth and breadth of the conspiracy to the Emperor. It was a dangerous gambit since the Emperor might react irrationally and have Tyler shot on the spot for treason. Tyler understood the Palace guards would carry out that order, even if he was their National Hero.

  The hard part would be timing the audience with the Emperor. Nayllen provided Tyler with a communication device that was impossible to detect, yet capable of transmitting and receiving across long distances through interference and jamming. It was intended to prevent the Emperor from breaking off the negotiations once underway. Fortunately, because they possessed the Command Codes, the Emperor would not have any assets to attack. Only ground based missiles would be capable of reaching the peace ship, and those rarely hit targets from so far away. Not even the planetary defense grid was capable of reaching ships operating outside its operational perimeter.

  Tyler had to admit the plan seemed complete, but as the Admiral’s last great battle had shown, nothing is totally within your control. Anything could go wrong and often did. What if the Command Codes did not work? What if they only disabled a percentage of the fleet? Plenty could fail, and one or two ships that were not disabled could easily ruin their plans. Tyler didn’t like the prospects of failure—many would die.

  The power of settling down with Toosia at their Tooland Estate kept Tyler’s optimism high. He thought back to Linda and the opportunity he had missed. He didn’t want to make that mistake again, especially with a child on the way. He was close to having a family, he only had to make this work.

  Unfortunately, even success could spell disaster. It would be simple for the Emperor to make the Admiral a scapegoat. The Emperor would be within his rights to prosecute Tyler for treason even if peace were established. The anger the Emperor would feel towards Tyler would be hard to repress. History was replete with tales of those who went against the Emperor. Some were executed directly, while many met with unfortunate accidents. Tyler thought about the Regent and the mysterious disappearances since his rise to power.

  What would prevent accidents from happening to the Admiral or his family? Tyler hoped the Admiral’s popularity would prevent that. Bringing peace to Poolto might endear him further to the public and re-establish his power. However, he first had to survive the conspiracy.

  The conference on Siirneen was a success, and Tyler was amazed at the readiness the various command groups represented. Their primary concern was supply routes and the new ships being pushed through inadequate field trials. Like the Admiral, the second in command did not relish the idea of going into battle with a ship that might fail in the midst of combat. They understood most of the ships were newer, more advanced designs, but they knew that often meant newer more deadly flaws.

  Tyler did his best to assure them the ships would be ready for battle when delivered. If the message had come from anyone else, he doubted they would have believed it. Tyler didn’t believe it himself but knew it wouldn’t matter since the battle would never be fought.

  Through most of the conference, Tyler let the essence of the Admiral control the proceedings. He had withdrawn inside, battling his own thoughts about the pending showdown. Deep down, he knew the conspiracy could save millions of lives, but he couldn’t shake the feeling something hidden by the conspirators might yet cause great losses. Tyler distrusted Nayllen and wasn’t sure the many years of conflict between both worlds could easily be put aside by the Krildon public or its leadership.

  With their fleet disabled, Poolto would be vulnerable, and Tyler believed that would be far too tempting for Krildon. Did they really want to end the war? Was Commandant Kulg really prepared to turn his swords into plowshares?

  Tyler knew the Admiral’s memories interfered with his ability to judge Krildon. The Admiral had spent a lot of time on Krildon, but he was young and unable to fully evaluate its people or culture. The Admiral’s memories overflowed with countless friends of the family. Unfortunately, those early memories were inadequate to judge them.

  As a historian, the Admiral had studied Krildon history nearly as much as he had study his own. But those studies had focused on military campaigns, tactics, and outcomes. Those didn’t provide Tyler with what he needed to know. Krildon’s history was as bloody and conflicted as Poolto’s or Earth’s. Did that tell him anything? He didn’t believe so. It only confirmed that worlds start out barbaric and violent. Still, considering the length of the current war, could one really say they’d evolved beyond violence? Definitely not.

  Tyler thought about Krildon’s democratic government and believed it was one thing in their favor. Unlike Poolto, Krildon’s leaders were regularly elected. Since the war started, Krildon had elected ten presidents, each claiming to be committed to vanquishing their enemy. None had accomplished that goal, but the current president was on the verge of making peace. Tyler understood these battle cries were used to gather support for fighting any conflict. People grew weary of war, so governments had to continually rally support by villanizing the enemy. Who wouldn’t want to vanquish evil?

  Poolto, however, had only one Emperor since the very beginning of the war. His power was firmly established early on, especially after the missile attack that nearly destroyed both worlds. His desire to destroy Krildon was a powerful force, and people rallied behind those efforts. This was the reason betraying him was so dangerous. Tyler was going to make Poolto choose between their hero and their leader. He wasn’t certain the Admiral could win that contest.

  For him, a democratic Krildon sounded better than a world ruled by a single Emperor. He’d once been an American and always believ
ed in the democratic process, even if he rarely participated in it. He just wasn’t sure that was enough to take such a gamble. Even democracies had moments when their purposes went against their ideals. The political ideologies of both worlds was never a problem in the past, would it become one now? Would Krildon use this conspiracy to push their own agenda? An agenda the Admiral’s father and Nayllen were not privy to? Did they want democracy on Poolto?

  Tyler thought it possible, especially when they would have the upper hand. The conspirators did not appear cohesive during Tyler’s meeting. He had sensed the Admiral’s father was being used by Krildon to get the Admiral to play along. That hadn’t exactly worked, so they ultimately resorted to threats of using their superior weapons technology. Tyler wasn’t certain they’d accomplished so much with the scrilt, but if they had, the threat was genuine. This was where millions of lives could be saved.

  In the long run, Tyler didn’t really have a choice. He was committed and the only way he could stop it now was turn himself in and have them change the Command Codes. He couldn’t risk his family and the lives of so many military personnel. He had to follow through and brace himself for the fate it would bring.

  Despite these restless thoughts, Tyler managed to drift off during the long flight to Poolto. In his dreams, he found himself in a large white room with white furniture. It looked similar to what Tyler imagined heaven might be. He half expected to see Thosolan, but the room remained empty. After everything he’d been through, the white couch looked inviting. He sat down relaxing in the soft cushions.

  The whiteness of the room made it appear as if there were no walls, and the room simply expanded outward forever. It reminded Tyler of his first encounter with the voices of the Universe. Maybe they changed their minds and didn’t think letting him loose on the Universe was such a great idea. Tyler didn’t care, the couch was comfortable.

  He leaned back into the couch, staring at his body. It was the Admiral’s body and not human. It seemed strange and yet appropriate. Perhaps he really was the Admiral? It seemed far better than the drug dealer he’d been on Earth. He thought about the Admiral’s name: Nayllen. He almost liked it better than Tyler. Would he lose Tyler if he stayed the Admiral? Would he think of himself as Nayllen? He didn’t think so as the other Nayllen flashed through his mind.

  Suddenly, a door appeared across the room. It wasn’t really a door, but a black, rectangular opening appearing in the wall. Finally, I can find out why I am here. He believed he was dreaming, but wasn’t certain.

  Another person from Poolto walked in and moved across the room to one of the comfy looking chairs. Tyler didn’t recognize him, but said hello anyway.

  The man smiled back, offering a return greeting that Tyler instantly recognized as Adanni!

  “Where have you been, Adanni?” Tyler asked, confused by the alien’s absence since joining the conspiracy. He was surprised Adanni was being so silent.

  “I’ve been thinking.” Adanni replied quietly.

  “Oh, good.” Tyler said sarcastically. “I haven’t been the only one!”

  “No, you haven’t.”

  Apparently the sarcasm was lost on Adanni. Tyler felt frustrated by the alien breaking their agreement not to interfere in his dreams.

  Reading Tyler’s thoughts, Adanni responded. “Yes, that is true, we had an agreement, but I needed to talk with you privately.”

  Tyler didn’t like the sound of his voice, introspective and non-aggressive.

  “Well, I’m here. What did you want to say? Did you want to tell me that I made a huge mistake joining this conspiracy? Or perhaps you want to tell me that we won’t survive the ordeal?” Tyler let out his frustrations, but it had no effect on Adanni.

  “No, no.” Adanni replied. “You understand it as well as I do. This is about something … different.”

  Great, Tyler thought, something else to worry about.

  “Fine, lay it on me.” Tyler said without emotion.

  “You do not know much about me or my kind, do you?”

  Tyler thought about how little Thosolan told him. “Not really.” Tyler admitted.

  “I can tell you we generally seek people of power and thrive in conflict and destruction.”

  Tyler found it hard to believe the alien was admitting so much. He had suspected there was an evil component to Onyalum, he just didn’t know how evil. Perhaps this was the reveal.

  Adanni continued. “I, myself, have often participated in destructive acts on many worlds. My very being thrived on the mayhem my actions produced. The more convoluted the plots, dangerous the actions, and destructive the results, the bigger the thrills.”

  Tyler heard excitement in the alien’s voice. Tyler was certain now! If he ever gave control to Adanni, he would never get it back.

  “Fine, Adanni,” Tyler said placidly, “you were a thrill junky, so what? Are you getting a good high off this latest adventure?”

  Adanni paused as if considering the question. Tyler instantly regretted he’d asked it.

  “No,” Adanni said emotionless, “but I think someone else is.”

  Tyler didn’t get his gist. He knew he wasn’t getting thrills out of this, if anything, he was getting more gray hairs.

  “Well, if you mean me,” Tyler responded, “just read my mind and you’ll see I do not enjoy this.”

  “Not you,” Adanni said it as to a child, “another being like myself—another Onyalum.”

  Another Onyalum? The thought was chilling. Was there really another Onyalum behind these actions? An Onyalum Tyler didn’t control?

  “How do you know?” Tyler asked calmly as he churned inside.

  “The pattern fits. The betrayal of the Admiral’s offensive, the attack on you, the current plans to attack again. These are all things I would have done.”

  Tyler appreciated the candid revelations from Adanni, but they were a disturbing insight into the workings of something evil. Didn’t he realize Tyler would never let him have control after these admissions?

  “Don’t worry,” Adanni commented, reading Tyler’s thoughts, “I have no intentions of taking over, or causing that kind of chaos again.”

  Tyler didn’t believe him, despite sounding genuine

  “Fine, we have another Onyalum. Who do you suspect?” Tyler asked curious. “Is it Nayllen? Or maybe Vice Admiral Teesen?” Both seemed likely candidates to Tyler. Both held power and were involved in dangerous, chaotic events.

  “Both fit the pattern,” Adanni agreed, “but I honestly have no idea.”

  “So,” Tyler’s frustrations rose, “you suspect an agent of chaos is causing many, if not all, of these events, and we, I mean I, may be playing right into their hands?”

  Tyler’s agitation finally impacted Adanni. Adanni stared back with an expression of concern. Tyler was ready to explode but waited patiently.

  “Yes,” Adanni admitted, “we may be playing right into their hands.”

  It was too much for Tyler. “Oh, great!” He shouted. “Maybe it was the Governor and I just left Toosia and my unborn child with him!” Tyler’s anger gained momentum. “Or maybe it is the Emperor, and we will be killed instantly when this thing begins.”

  He was wound up and felt delirious with the release. “Oh, I know, it must Regent Sneerd. Who else could cause such chaos and care so little for the people of Poolto!”

  He poured it out on Adanni, amazed the alien took it so calmly. It was like dealing with Nayllen, and the comparison made Tyler even angrier as his abusive language rose to a frenzied pitch. Finally reaching a crescendo, he stopped. He was exhausted but apparently had needed the release. He was surprised how good it felt inside a dream. What better place to lose it?

  Adanni let the silence linger, remaining calm in the face of Tyler’s fury. When the silence got awkward, he finally spoke.

  “Your concerns and frustrations are well founded. The situation will not turn out well.”

  Tyler had nothing in him. Why me?

  �
��Self pity will accomplish nothing.” Adanni chided.

  “Thanks, all better now!” Tyler tried to put force behind his words, but they sounded petty.

  He desperately tried to free himself from despair. Surely there was something they could do to prevent or at least minimize the damage.

  “Is there nothing we can do to stop them?” He asked feebly.

  Adanni thought for a moment before responding. “Well, if we knew who it was, we might be able to do something. However, to be honest, I’m not sure how we would find out. I was very adept at making sure I was never discovered. You are doing a fine job as the Admiral—you’ve even fooled his wife.”

  Tyler hated to admit it, but he couldn’t see how they would find them either. If they were like Tyler, they fooled everyone around them, even those who knew them well. Still…

  “Assume for a moment we could determine who it was, what could we do?” Tyler applied the Admiral’s essence to solving this problem. He figured they might as well treat it like a military campaign or pending battle. They knew the enemy existed, now they just needed intelligence to discover where.

  “Well,” Adanni started, “I guess we could confront them, although that might prove dangerous—or we could try to discredit them.”

  “Discredit them?” Tyler was incredulous. “How would we discredit them?”

  “We could convince people around them they are an imposter. We could convince them the person was being controlled by an outside entity.”

  Tyler thought it sounded ridiculous. “Sure, we just say they are possessed and after we are put in the nuthouse, how would we prove it?”

  Adanni ignored his jibe. “We would have to build a case out of their actions compared to their actions before becoming Onyalum. Surely there will be differences.”

  Tyler doubted that would be a strong case. “And what prevents them from doing the same thing to us? I haven’t exactly been perfect since taking over.”

  Tyler thought back to the early days as the Admiral, he had made many mistakes and those around him had certainly shown concern over his unusual behavior. Tyler was thankful many had chalked it up to his injuries, but if he started accusing someone else of being possessed, that would certainly open the door for similar accusations against him.

  “I don’t think that will do it, Adanni, we may have to confront them.”

  Adanni stared back blankly. “Fine, but the point is moot. We don’t know who it is.”

  Tyler thought Adanni was throwing in the towel. Maybe he was still a thrill junky and was ready to just wait for the ensuing chaos and destruction.

  “There has to be a way to figure this out.” Tyler said hopeful.

  In a flash of insight, Tyler realized a way to discover the Onyalum. When Tyler took over the Admiral, he was near death. Assuming all Onyalum required the same conditions, they only had to find out if any of the suspects had been near death. Surely it was information they could track down. Generally, people didn’t have brushes with death without a record of the incident.

  Adanni was listening to Tyler’s thoughts. “You may have something. We could find out who had close calls in the past. I suspect that if it has happened, it would have been recent. Otherwise, the Onyalum would surely have caused the destruction of the person they inhabited by now.”

  Perhaps Adanni was going to help after all.

  “Okay, who do we investigate first?” Tyler asked with hope growing.

  “All of them.” Adanni said confidently.

  “Sure,” Tyler agreed sarcastically, “we’ll just tell our staff we need them to investigate the personal health records of all these senior officials. Don’t you think we’ll raise suspicions?”

  “Yes,” Adanni agreed, “but if you tell the Marshall to handle it, it may get done discreetly.”

  Tyler had to admit, the Marshall was discreet. However, he wasn’t sure how he would stop the Marshall’s suspicions. The man would want to know why. Considering how much Tyler had lied to the man already, he wasn’t certain how much the Marshall would take.

  Loyalty was one thing, but betrayal another. If the Marshall suspected the Admiral was involved in a plot to overthrow the government, or at least coerce it into peace, he wouldn’t support the Admiral. They would have to walk a thin line with the man, and Tyler had to think of a good reason to send him on this dangerous task.

  As Tyler was about to ask another question, he was awakened by a flight attendant. They were ready to land, and Tyler couldn’t believe he’d slept so long. Despite that, he felt rested and ready for battle. At least they had a chance, if only a small one.