The Assassins Guild 4: Last Man Standing

by Saxon Andrew

  The OG jerked his head to his communications commander and he raised his arms, “It’s coming in on your personal frequency, OG. It’s not one of our vessels.”

  The OG pressed his communicator, “I’m rather busy at the moment. Who are you?”

  “I’m one of the ones that has been defending your warships.”

  The OG sat up straight in his chair, “You’re on one of those black ships?”

  “I am.”

  “You’ve never communicated with us in the past. Why are you now?”

  “I’ve been sent to try and convince you to change your plans.”

  “That’s not going to happen. I appreciate all you’ve done but we are going to remove the invaders from our home world even if all of us die in the effort.”

  “Some things have changed since you decided to launch this attack and you will fail if you go through with your plans.”

  “That’s for us to decide. All we need do is get close enough to launch a nuclear attack.”

  “The Invaders have changed their tactics and have more than sixty-thousand of their small ships out from the planet. You’ll never get close enough to attack the planet,” Dan replied.

  The OG was silent and said, “Standby, I’m sending this conversation to all of my ships.” Dan waited and then heard, “All my ships are linked in to this conversation and I’ve told everyone what you’ve said. However, most of us feel that we must still go and make the effort. We can no longer sit by and allow the Invaders to spoil the hallowed ground of our species.”

  “I have another option I’d like you to consider.”

  “What is that?”

  “The Invaders have pulled all the warships away from ninety-three of the planets they’ve conquered. There is nothing defending them from attack and we want you to remove the Invaders from those planets.”

  The channel was silent and after a very long moment, the OG asked, “Why would they possibly do that?”

  “One of our ships managed to sneak through their defenses and attack their home planet. One of their largest cities was destroyed in a nuclear blast and the Invader’s supreme leader pulled more than twenty thousand of their warships back to defend that planet, leaving ninety-three planets here undefended.”

  “You know where their home world is located? We’ve never found it.”

  “I do,” Dan answered.

  “That is where we should attack,” The OG immediately responded.

  “There are more than twenty-five thousand warships defending it now. I suspect attacking it is wishful thinking. The Invaders have moved their remaining warships to the first planets they invaded and left the worlds out on the edges undefended. Now is the time to remove them before they change their mind and send ships back.”

  The OG lowered his head, “If they are undefended, like you say, why don’t you just go and attack them?”

  “We intend to do just that but felt that the civilizations that were attacked should be given an opportunity to do it first. Would you want us to remove them from your home world or give you the opportunity to do it first?”

  “Who are you?” The OG asked. Dan was silent and the OG asked again, “Who are you?!”

  Suddenly, the OG’s monitor activated and he saw Dan on it. His expression turned angry and Dan quickly said, “I am the same species as the Invaders, however, we are not in any way associated with them.” The OG glared at Dan and the communication frequency was filled with angry words being used toward Dan. He sat silent and waited until the OA ordered, “BE SILENT!!” The roar slowly stopped and the OG continued to glare at Dan in silence.

  “It’s our fault that the Invaders are here in your galaxy.”

  “Are you saying they came from somewhere else?!”

  “Yes. My species forced them to leave our home world a thousand years ago. We loaded them up on a colony ship to take to an uninhabited planet, but the colony ship never arrived. They must have overcome the crew and took the ship somewhere else. That somewhere else was to your galaxy.”

  “Exactly how did you come to find them here?”

  Dan knew this was the question he didn’t want to answer, but he had no choice. “My species was attacked by an alien civilization from another galaxy. They invaded six of our worlds and the other planets started launching colony ships to escape them. Those colony ships came to this galaxy. They found uninhabited planets to settle and colonize.”

  “SO, YOU’RE EXACTLY LIKE THEM!!” the Order Giver shouted.

  Dan smiled slightly, “Did you not hear that we settled on uninhabited planets? We are not a conquering civilization. The Invaders only attack inhabited planets and kill everyone on them. We know that if the Invaders knew of our presence here, they would attack us and kill everyone of us. They hate us for forcing them to leave their home world long ago.”

  “They you should remove them!” the OG snarled.

  “Unfortunately, like you, we don’t have anywhere near the number of warships to do that. We’ve started building ships but we’re a long way from being able to put an end to them.”

  “You are probably trying to remove them, so you could take their place.”

  Dan’s expression showed his sorrow, “We should have killed them when we had the opportunity a thousand years ago, but we let our heart get in the way. Now they’ve grown into something that is like a cancer and we’re to blame. I know we’re the same species, but we are not the same civilization. If we were like them, a shortage of warships wouldn’t be an issue. But we’re not. We came to this part of the galaxy to simply scout them and see what we were up against. We didn’t intend to allow them to learn of our presence, but we couldn’t standby and do nothing when your ships were being attacked; that’s why we intervened in many battles you fought against them.” The channel was silent and Dan sighed, before saying, “That’s why we attacked those Invader warships blocking your fleet from escaping the ambush they set up.”

  “That was you?”

  “Yes, OG. I was there with nine other warships. We managed to destroy them allowing your fleet to run to safety. It took us hours to escape the Invader small ships that went after us.”

  The Order Giver stared at Dan and then announced, “Each ship commander will say what they think about this being’s request.”

  The first Commander snarled, “I’d never trust those evil monsters.”

  Dan listened, and it appeared every one of the commanders were unanimous in their hatred of him. Finally, a commander said, “I was there when we were going to die, OG. There were more than a thousand Invader warships pursuing us and the blockers outnumbered us. There was no escape and all of us knew we were going to die. Those black warships attacked the blockers and every Invader small ship forgot us and went after them. They had to know they could die from saving us…but they did it anyway. They’ve saved my ship several times and it forces me to ask one thing.”

  The voice paused and the OG asked, “What is that?”

  “If they were like the Invaders, why would they risk their lives to save me? Wouldn’t it better suit their purposes to allow the Invaders to remove us and make it easier for them to take control if they intended to replace the Invaders. The Black Ships were always outnumbered when they stepped in to save my ship. I believe this being is telling us the truth and I will take my ship and attack one of those undefended planets. The rest of you can do what you want.”

  The channel grew silent and the OG spoke up, “I happen to agree with you Ghet. However, what are you going to be doing while we attack those undefended planets?”

  Dan leaned forward, “We are moving our ships between the planets that are still being defended and the ones left undefended. We will hold them off long enough for you to escape if the Invaders launch a major fleet to attack your ships. Once you’re clear, we will make our escape.”

  “Do you think you can do that?”

  “OG, we only had fifteen warships here until a few days ago. We now have eight-hundred warships.
We don’t have nearly enough to take them head on, but we can delay them long enough for you to escape.”

  The OG stared at Dan and asked, “How many of those ships are here?”

  “None, OG. They’re preparing to attack those planets if you choose not to do it. I came alone.”

  “Why you?”

  “Because I was the one that first translated your language and asked for help defending you from the Invader ambush.”

  “Do you have the coordinates of the undefended planets?”

  “I will send them to you now.” Dan nodded to Manny and the OG saw his communication commander look up a moment later and nod. Dan spoke up, “OG, when you’re ready to go back and remove them from your home world, we will assist you getting in close enough to launch an attack on the planet.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “It’s the only way to prove we’re in this war together,” Dan answered.

  The OG smiled and said, “Contact every civilization that is on the list of undefended planets and ask them if they want to remove the Invaders from them. Tell them to have their ships here in twenty hours if they want to take part.” The OG turned to Dan, “We’ll launch our attack in twenty-eight hours.”

  “I need a frequency where I can warn you if the Invaders launch an attack,” Dan replied.

  The OG looked at his communication commander, “Send him the general frequency.”

  Dan heard the OG and turned to Manny; he turned around and nodded. Dan turned back to his monitor, “We’ll be awaiting your arrival.” The OG nodded and the monitor went dark.

  The OG turned back to the communications commander, “Did any of the probes detect that ship?”

  “Three detected it, OG.”

  “Were there any others?”

  “No. It came alone.” The OG nodded and sat back in his chair. He wanted to believe this being…but…their actions would say more than any words they used. He reserved judgment until later. He looked at his navigator, “Do you think we can find the planets that being’s species settled?”

  “OG, there are more than a billion stars in our galaxy and we have never really scouted beyond the central black hole. The odds of finding them or the Invader’s home world is rather remote.”

  “I want scouts sent out to search from them.”

  “And where would you like them to start?” the navigator asked.

  “They must be located on the other side of the galaxy.”

  “OG, we haven’t scouted half of the galaxy on this side of the black hole. The odds of finding them are more than ten-million to one.” The OG turned back to his monitor shaking his head.

  • • •

  Dan watched Gordon turn the Seattle and head away from the alien fleet. Dan quickly ordered, “We are not going back to the Brazil.” Gordon’s head went up, “Admiral Talent has already launched the fleets. Move toward the Brotherhood planets and contact a scout outside Brotherhood space and get them to deliver the message that the aliens are coming to attack in twenty-eight hours from now.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Dan sat back and knew revealing his appearance was a huge risk, but…it worked out for now. He hoped the Admiral would agree with him.

  • • •

  “Admiral, I just received a message from one of our scouts that the aliens will be arriving in twenty-six hours from now to commence an attack on the undefended planets.”

  Tal turned to Ka, “Notify the fleets. Make sure Rachael knows Dan made it out ok.”

  Ka nodded and turned to her console. He considered what was about to happen and touched his console, “Captain Gowie.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “I want your scouts between the defended and undefended planets. I must know if the Brotherhood launches a fleet to stop the alien attack.”

  “I already sent ten scouts to those locations, Sir. I’ll keep you informed.” Tal sat back and hoped his fleets were ready for what was coming.

  • • •

  The High Cleric looked around at the attendees in his conference room and waited for the other clerics to speak. The new Second Cleric was silent, and he knew that this newly promoted cleric would not stand up against him. But the others could vote him out of office if he wasn’t careful. One of the older clerics stood up and bowed, “High Cleric, it is my understanding that more than ninety of the planets we’ve conquered are no longer being defended. That will put billions of our followers in great jeopardy.”

  “The decision to do that was not made by me,” the High Cleric responded.

  The gathering of clerics looked around at each other and the elder cleric turned back to the High Cleric, “Who made that decision?”

  “The Supreme Fleet Commander.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  The High Cleric stared at the speaker and, after a long moment of silence, answered, “He cannot effectively defend all of the planets we’ve conquered with the ships he has to use. He made the decision that he would defend the most heavily populated planets. The newest planets we’ve conquered will not be defended.”

  “Do you agree with his decision, High Cleric?”

  “It’s his decision to make. In order to defend our Holy Planet such that no enemy ship can get close enough to launch a nuclear missile at the Holy City, will require the number of warships I’ve ordered here. The Fleet Commander ran an analysis and made that determination. Are you suggesting I send some of the ships here back to defend those planets?” the High Cleric asked with a tense expression. “Keep in mind that we were lucky only one city was destroyed in the last attack. If an enemy ship gets through our defenses again, multiple cities could be destroyed taking most of us with them. It’s my opinion that this planet is the most important one in the Brotherhood and I will do whatever is necessary to defend it.”

  Another cleric asked, “Are we just writing off those undefended planets?”

  The High Cleric turned to the new speaker, “If I have to write off all of the conquered planets to insure the safety of this world, I will do it. This is where we started, and we can rebuild from here. However, I do believe the Supreme Fleet Commander is fully capable of defending our most heavily populated conquered planets. The unbelievers have found the Holy Planet’s location and they will do everything possible to destroy it. If we’re forced to lose some of the conquered planets, so be it.” The High Cleric leaned forward with a malevolent expression and asked, “Is there anyone present that feels those undefended planets are more important than here?” The room was silent and the High Cleric sat back in his chair, “We’re building the new warships at an accelerated pace and I will order ships back to the conquered planets when enough are constructed to replace some of those here. All of you must remember that defending this planet is what we’ve sworn to do. If the believers lose us to lead them, then only calamity will follow. They depend on us to continue the Creator’s Mission.”

  The Elder Cleric looked around the chamber and saw that calling for a vote to remove the High Cleric would get him killed. It would take sixty-percent to remove him and he saw that most of those present were not going to place themselves in danger from an enemy attack to save the believers on the undefended planets; they were only worried about their own lives. He turned to the High Cleric and smiled, “Thank you for updating us on what’s happening. You have shown wisdom and we support your plan, High Cleric.”

  The High Cleric nodded and glared at the Elder Cleric. A week later, the Elder Cleric died of a heart attack. The medical examiner determined it was from natural causes, but all the Clerics knew better. They had lost the chance to save the billions on the newly conquered planets.

  Chapter Eleven

  The Supreme Fleet Commander went to his ship’s landing bay and walked directly to the shuttle that just landed. He walked on board and said to the shuttle’s crew, “Leave here now!” The five members of the shuttle’s crew quickly left the shuttle wondering what was going on. He went to the three people in the
shuttle’s bay and smiled. A young woman stood up and hugged him as a young boy and girl rushed up and hugged his legs. “Misha, it’s good to see you.”

  “Father, Jorele has asked me to make a request of you.”

  “What is that?”

  “He wants you to send us to Haven.”

  The Fleet Commander’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know about that place?”

  “Father, there are no secrets between Jorele and me. He believes that is the only place where we will be safe.”

  “Misha, I’ve brought you to the most heavily defended planet on this side of the galaxy. You’ll be safe here!”

  “For how long, Father? What happens if those attacking us manage to launch another missile at the Holy Planet? Will we be safe if that happens and you know you will not be allowed to move us back to the Holy Planet.”

  The Fleet Leader sat down and patted the bench beside him. The two young children sat on his lap and he hugged them before turning back to Misha, “You don’t understand what you’re asking me to do.”

  “Jorele explained haven to me, Father. It’s a place for our heroes who have lost their faith to go and live out their lives.”

  “But you’ve not lost your faith, Misha!”

  Misha stared at her Father-in-law and shook her head slightly, “Father, tell me you still believe in the Creator’s Mission and I’ll stay here.”

  “Are you telling me Jorele has also lost his faith?!”

  “Tell me you haven’t, and I’ll stay here. Jorele will never leave you because he loves you so much. All of our relatives and friends have been left behind undefended and you know they are going to die. It’s clear that we mean nothing to the Clerics and they are only concerned about their own safety. This treachery has caused me to see that the clerics are no longer following the Creator’s Mission. The Creator loves all of the believers and would never allow this to happen. I believe the mission is a fabrication to keep control of everyone in the Brotherhood. Please explain to me how I’m wrong. I love you and trust you to be honest with me.”

  “It was my decision to leave those planets without defenses, Misha.”