by Petra Landon
The Star Captain said nothing, tamping down on the emotions churning inside him.
The Satorik’s eyes searched his face. “The Ambassador will have to go, Star Captain” he said firmly. “It is too risky to have her continue. I am sure someone else from her world will do the job just as well.”
No, they wouldn’t, Zh’hir knew. Sila had gone above and beyond for the Ur’quay. She loved him and it had made his people’s plight personal for her.
It was time to let Jh’hrok know that he was not like his Ur’quay ancestors. He was a very different beast. “She is not the only Tseka’ki in Sector Araloka, Satorik” he announced blandly.
Jh’hrok seemed to pale a little at the news. “There are more like her?” he asked weakly.
“At least three that we know of.”
“Three!” the Satorik exclaimed, to take a deep breath. “Who else knows about them?”
“The Alliance Commander and his people, the Hadari’Kor and some warriors on the Henia” the Star Captain said promptly.
Jh’hrok shook his head in disbelief. This was a disaster!
“You should also know that the Ur’quay on Henia are aware that Sseela is Tseka’ki” the Star Captain continued.
“How?” Jh’hrok asked incredulously. “How could this happen?”
“Commander Kerovac requested that the Hadari’Kor and the Henia accompany him to a meeting with the Ketaari when Sseela felt Tseka’ki touch her mind. There was no hiding it from Commander Kerovac. He was being summoned to a trap.”
“The Ketaari have Tseka’ki working for them” Jh’hrok muttered, his heart sinking at the news. This was getting worse by the minute.
The sheer irony of the situation did not escape Zh’hir. The Ur’quay were banking on their allies to restrain the Empire’s aggression in Sector Araloka — the only way to guarantee a steady supply of shtoal. Jh’hrok was starting to panic because he knew that the Alliance would find it hard to counteract Tseka’ki used as weapons against them. What a mockery it would be if a dark mistake from the Ur’quay’s past was what destroyed their last hope to save their civilization, just when it looked like Sector Araloka might pull them back from the edge of the abyss they stared at!
“When the Ketaari realized what Sseela was, they kidnapped her, forcing her to connect with their Tseka’ki. We were able to free her but her mind was still attached to them when their ship blew. She lost control and the Ur’quay in the chamber sensed her drifting thoughts.” Zh’hir laid out the circumstances with clinical detachment.
Jh’hrok’s face broke out in sweat. The situation was getting out of control.
“I … I will make sure the High Council is aware of the exigent circumstances” he stammered before pulling himself together. “No action will be taken against the Ambassador for this breach of Ur’quay law if she resigns her post, Star Captain.”
Zh’hir straightened. “Even if Sseela resigns her post, your dirty little secret will not stay hidden, Satorik.”
Jh’hrok narrowed his eyes. “What secret is that, Star Captain?”
“Sseela has Ur’quay blood running through her veins. As did the other three Tseka’ki.”
Jh’hrok froze for a moment. “You … you must be mistaken, Star Captain. That is impossible.”
“I had Medic Vh’raal confirm it.”
Jh’hrok closed his eyes in defeat. “Vh’raal knows.”
“You knew about this, Satorik?” Zh’hir was relentless.
“The High Council has been aware of this for a long time” Jh’hrok admitted wearily. “This is why we hesitated to return to the sector or ally the Ur’quay with the Aralokans. But when your exploratory mission brought back news about substantial deposits of shtoal, we felt a risk was justified.”
The Star Captain clenched his jaw in anger. More like the Star Admirals at Space Force had insisted that a pact with Sector Araloka be pursued, he knew. Behind the scenes, there had been an epic tussle between the High Council and Space Force.
“You are admitting that the Ur’quay High Council was aware that Tseka’ki progeny had been abandoned in Sector Araloka by our ancestors” Zh’hir gritted out the words. The statement came out like an accusation.
“We were not aware that this gift of ours could be passed on” Jh’hrok said defensively, choosing his words with care. “By the High Mountain Deity, we were never even sure that Ur’quay could produce offspring with species from Sector Araloka. All we knew of was that some Ur’quay warriors had mated on their visit to Aralokan space.”
“But you were aware of the mating?” Zh’hir persisted, despite his anger.
“Yes, we have known that for a long time” Jh’hrok acknowledged.
The gold eyes contemplated the defensive Satorik on the console.
“You suspected something about the younglings, Satorik” the Star Captain accused him bluntly. “The Aralokans had forgotten us — many thought we were a myth. Clearly, they knew nothing about Ur’quay genes scattered in their sector. And the High Council would not care about Ur’quay fraternization a few hundred years before. You knew or the High Council would not try to stop a mission to Sector Araloka.”
Jh’hrok hesitated. “That was a different era, Star Captain. The High Council was starting to disengage with the galaxy. Even a hint of mixed Ur’quay offspring would run counter to the direction they were advocating for Ur’Qia.”
“Instead, the High Council abandoned the offspring here and pressured Space Force to forget about them” Zh’hir retorted. “When those warriors kicked up holy hell, they were silenced too.”
Jh’hrok frowned. “You cannot hold us to blame for what our predecessors did centuries ago, Star Captain” he said slowly.
“I do not, not for that. But you knew how Sseela came by the gift and yet, you threaten her with death for not having the mental discipline of an Ur’quay.”
“It would not come to that, Star Captain” the Satorik assured him.
“Not on my watch, Satorik Jh’hrok. You can bet on it.”
The Satorik studied him. “This is a secret the Ur’quay High Council has kept faithfully for centuries.”
“It comes to an end now” Zh’hir said implacably. “The High Council has three days to inform Commander Kerovac about this.”
He also intended that Ur’Qia not be kept in the dark about this anymore but that was not something he planned to forewarn Jh’hrok about. The High Council was determined to cling to the old ways. The Ur’quay’s only shot at survival lay in learning about what had been perpetrated in their name. If the blunders of the past were laid bare before them, they might not make the same mistakes again.
“Tell him what, Star Captain?” Jh’hrok countered. “That Ur’quay mated with those from his sector of the galaxy a few centuries ago. What good would that do?”
“You will inform the Commander that the Ur’quay abandoned offspring with the power of mind-reading. And that the ability continues in their descendants. He should know what he faces – that our mistake may be used against the Alliance in the war.”
Gold eyes stared down brown ones, and Jh’hrok finally had an inkling of the Star Captain’s fury.
“Many of the kin have been unable to handle what the Ur’quay bequeathed to them” Zh’hir said with a cold fury he did not hide. “We left them to deal with this powerful ability on their own. Some like Sseela learnt enough to survive, others went mad. And some have been coerced into being exploited as weapons by an unscrupulous army.”
Jh’hrok attempted to placate the furious Ur’quay warrior. “I will talk to the High Council, Star Captain.”
“Please do, Satorik. But whatever their decision, the Alliance Commander will be told. I refuse to bury your shame.”
Jh’hrok’s expression tightened at the Star Captain’s calm words. Such a revelation might put their pact with the Alliance in jeopardy. And would damage the High Council’s reputation on the home world.
“Star Captain, you are a warrior in the Ur’q
uay Space Force” he warned. “I order you to keep this information to yourself.”
Zh’hir’s lips twisted — he had predicted what this tussle of wills would boil down to. The Ur’quay Space Force fell under the civilian jurisdiction of the High Council. But Zh’hir had already made peace with the fact that his career at Space Force was finished.
“If that be the case, I resign my commission with Space Force effective immediately, Satorik Jh’hrok. You have three days.”
The Satorik’s jaw hung open. “You are an Ur’quay Space Force warrior, Star Captain. Are you going to walk away from your illustrious career for this?”
Jh’hrok’s shock was justified. Only the best qualified for Space Force and the Star Captain was the cream of their crop — he had been chosen to lead an expedition attempting to reverse the fate of their dying civilization.
“Space Force is more than a career to me, Satorik” the Star Captain confessed woodenly. “It is my life. But I am prepared to walk away from it if I have to.”
“You have the opportunity to shape our future, Star Captain” Jh’hrok reminded him. “The Ur’quay are depending on you.”
The Star Captain smiled wryly. “Another Space Force warrior will complete the mission, Satorik. Whoever he is, he will do an admirable job.”
“But … what will you do, Star Captain? If you resign your commission …” Jh’hrok paused, leaving the sentence unfinished. The Satorik hoped that by reminding the Ur’quay warrior of his natural calling and the dreariness and hardships of life on the home world once he resigned from active Space Force duty, the Star Captain would reconsider what he was giving up.
“I will not be returning to Ur’Qia” Zh’hir declared calmly.
“Not returning … but what will you do?” Jh’hrok asked again.
“I am considering trying my fortunes as a mercenary” the Star Captain said with a straight face. “There is a war raging here and my skills are in demand.”
Jh’hrok opened and closed his mouth a few times though no sound came out. The Star Captain had finally managed to shock him speechless. Zh’hir contemplated the older male with a sense of satisfaction.
“I do not understand … “ the High Council representative muttered eventually, simultaneously puzzled, shocked, confused and defeated by the turn of events.
“I would like to believe that another Ur’quay in my position would react exactly like me, Satorik. Not allow the High Council to continue to perpetrate a gross injustice. But I will admit that my perception might be a little skewed.”
Jh’hrok almost slumped in relief. Perhaps the Star Captain was coming to his senses to comprehend his folly, he mused hopefully.
“You see, I made the same mistake our Ur’quay ancestors committed four centuries ago” Zh’hir said gently.
Jh’hrok’s eyes widened and his jaw slackened.
“But unlike my ancestors, I refuse to abandon her. I don’t know what happened in the past —perhaps, they felt that they had no recourse. But I will not give her up, no matter what the High Council throws at me. I choose my baithoni over you, even if I have to give up Space Force … even if it means I must walk away from my people and my world. I will make a life for her and with her in Sector Araloka, Satorik.” There was a firm finality to his words that Jh’hrok could not miss.
“Baithoni” the Satorik whispered. A non-Ur’quay baithoni for a Space Force warrior! History was repeating itself and with such a vengeance, centuries later. He must talk to the others before the situation was beyond saving. There might yet be a way to make Zh’hir Mu’raat back down and face the consequences of what he was threatening to do. Jh’hrok feared that the Star Captain’s actions might be the stick to break the camel’s back. Their tottering civilization on its last legs might find itself on its knees if a warrior broke all the rules the Ur’quay had lived by for centuries.
Zh’hir chuckled mirthlessly. “What good is keeping your blood pure, if there are no Ur’quay left, Satorik? If we are to save yourselves, the Ur’quay must leave the past behind. And we have left ourselves no room to make any more mistakes. Though we are all at fault to some extent, the High Council has more to answer for than anyone. You cannot rewrite history but unless we change course, the only traces of the Ur’quay to remain will be in the descendants we abandoned in Sector Araloka. That would be poetic justice.”
He stared at the Satorik as Jh’hrok squirmed under his gaze.
“I will inform Star Admiral Bh’ruk of my resignation and continue to discharge my duties until officially relieved of command” Zh’hir announced without mincing his words.
As Jh’hrok signed off in a hurry, to go confer with his peers on the High Council about what he perceived to be a new crisis on their hands, Zh’hir glanced around the Captain’s Chamber. Would he miss all this, he wondered? It had been a life-long dream to command an Ur’quay starship. When the prestige and responsibility of commanding the mission to Sector Araloka had been bestowed on him, he had felt so proud. Not only because of the recognition awarded him but also because he believed in the assignment — a last hope to pull the Ur’quay back from the hole they had dug themselves into. The starfarers must go back to their roots — venture out into the wider galaxy to explore, mingle and exchange ideas with others and trade with them for resources and goods. The Ur’quay had lost their way and it had coincided with his ancestors abandoning their mates in a distant star system. He would not be around to see the mission through, Zh’hir knew. But he could still make a difference in Sector Araloka. And might even indirectly help the Ur’quay’s cause by his efforts in the war. But one thing he was determined to do — start telling the Ur’quay the truth about the past.
He felt a pang, of course. But not the sorrow or sense of loss he had expected. He had made friends in the sector and was confident he could make a life here, where his skills and experience were relevant and in demand. Most importantly, he would have Sila with him. Sila, who Medic Vh’raal had assured him would make a complete recovery. If he had lost her … He stopped. It was not to be contemplated. With Sila by his side, he could do anything — walk on water, soar in space, turn his back on the Ur’quay and make a new home in an alien sector of the galaxy far away from everything familiar.
But there was one last thing he must do before he retired to keep vigil by Sila.
He reached for his communicator. “First Commander, would you come to the Captain’s Chamber please?”
“I am on my way, Star Captain” D’raar responded promptly.
After his promotion to Star Captain, Zh’hir had hand-picked D’raar for the mission to Sector Araloka. He had worked with D’raar before and respected him. Thus, when offered the opportunity to pick his First Commander, the Second-in-Command of the Ur’quay Fleet’s flagship for Sector Araloka, he had chosen the dedicated and bright Ur’quay warrior. Now, Zh’hir wanted to inform D’raar of his resignation himself. Any communication to his superiors could wait. In any case, he was sure Jh’hrok would waste no time in informing Space Force of his conversation with the Star Captain.
“I have resigned my commission with Space Force” Zh’hir announced baldly to his First Commander. “I wanted to tell you myself before anyone else did.”
The young Ur’quay staggered before righting himself, so great was his shock. “Resign from Space Force! But why, Star Captain?”
The Star Captain took a deep breath but before he could say anything, D’raar jumped in.
“Is this about the incident with the Ambassador, Star Captain?” he inquired. “The one in the Command Chamber.”
“It is related to that, yes” Zh’hir confirmed.
“Some of the warriors have already spoken to me about it. There will be no complaint made on the matter, Star Captain. No one believes the Ambassador was at fault. The Ketaari forced her to connect her mind to the others. She had no choice.”
“Thank you, First Commander” the Star Captain acknowledged with a smile. “I do not expect my warriors to
hide that I broke Ur’quay law. Please let them know that I appreciate the offer but it is not necessary. When an inquiry on the matter is made and it will be, by either Space Force or the High Council, please ask them to tell the truth.”
D’raar, no fool, picked up on the subtle cues.
“I do not understand, Star Captain. Does the High Council plan to punish the Ambassador for the incident?” There was a note of incredulity in the First Commander’s voice.
The Star Captain shook his head. “Satorik Jh’hrok has given me his word that no punishment will be levied on her if she resigns from her position as Ambassador.”
There was a short pause, as D’raar digested the news.
“That is both unfortunate and unfair, Star Captain” he said soberly. “The Ambassador’s predicament is a result of her assistance to our allies. She was attempting to ferret out mind-readers being used against the Alliance — something that is in violation of everything the Ur’quay believe.”
“We are in agreement on that, First Commander.”
“Then …?” the First Commander paused uncertainly. It was clear that he could not understand what had caused the Star Captain, a well-respected and career Space Force officer, to resign his commission.
“I broke Ur’quay law for her, D’raar” the Star Captain confessed wryly, suspecting that the First Commander already knew about it. When he’d lost control of Sila’s mental shields in the Command Chamber yesterday, Zh’hir knew that some of the Ur’quay had been the inadvertent recipient of her thoughts. The First Commander, in his own way, had let his Captain know about it.
“I should tell you something, Star Captain” D’raar said slowly, his expression thoughtful. “I was shocked at the Budheya Tseka’ki because I had not anticipated any in a star system so far from Ur’Qia.”
“But the warriors are willing to stay silent about the Ambassador because though we are shocked, confused and puzzled by her ability, we do not blame her. Just as we know that the Budheya had no choice in how their gift was exploited. She has spent a lot of time aboard the Henia and yet, has never come close to breaking Ur’quay law. You probably help her with the gift, but it is not a crime to shield your baithoni’s mind, Star Captain.”