Rajani Chronicles II

by Brian S. Converse

“Forgive me,” Rauphangelaa said. “I was away for a while. I went to get help.” He turned to the female beside him. “This is Kieren. She is a Human, from a planet called Earth.”

  “Nice to meet you, Dreben,” the one called Kieren said.

  “Same to you,” Dreben said, bowing slightly.

  “Now that we’ve made our introductions,” Rauphangelaa said, looking over Dreben’s shoulder, “we need to get down to the reason I’m here.” He began to walk toward the fields of plants. “You can’t imagine the food shortage we’re experiencing back in Melaanse. I’m pleased to see that you haven’t abandoned the farm.”

  “I know my duty, Rauphangelaa,” Dreben said. “Besides, there was nowhere else to go. We didn’t know what these creatures were that were attacking us, or where’d they’d come from. We were just awaiting word.”

  “They are known as the Krahn Horde,” Kieren said.

  “Krahn, eh?” Dreben said. “We killed one that was trying his best to eat one of my farmhands, and they killed one of their own and ate him while we had them trapped in the bunkhouse over there.” He pointed at one of the burning piles of rubble.

  “If my calculations of the height of the plants are correct,” Rauphangelaa said. “The harvest should be on schedule. The jubka should be ready to pick in four standard weeks, and the guardo trees should be ready to pick in about five.”

  “That’s correct,” Dreben said.

  “I can only say that I’m thankful that we’ll have anything at all,” Rauphangelaa said. “I don’t know the state of the other farms. I don’t know yet if this is all we’ll have to feed thousands. I hope not. All I can say is that, the Krahn attacks notwithstanding, this is still a much safer place for all of you than the city. I would be most grateful if you and your workers could stay on until the harvest is complete.”

  “Of course,” Dreben said. “Like I said, we don’t have anywhere else to go.” He looked back toward the orchard and saw Terin approaching, followed by some of the other farmhands. “But I do have one request to make before you leave again,” he said.

  “If I can fulfill it, I will,” Rauphangelaa said.

  “I want one large bunkhouse built after all of this is over,” he said, turning to his boss.

  “Yes, I can make that happen,” Rauphangelaa said. “Do you need anything right now?”

  “We could use some food supplies ourselves, if you can spare them,” Dreben answered. “I don’t want my hands turning on each other like the Krahn did.” He smiled at his boss, letting him know it had been a joke on his part, but also to let him know how truly happy he was to see him.

  “I’ll have Kieren return with what we can spare,” Rauphangelaa said. “As you can see, she can get around a little better than me.”

  “Yes, your entrance was quite impressive,” Terin said, finally reaching where the three of them stood.

  “Thank you,” Kieren said, smiling at them.

  “Then it’s settled,” Rauphangelaa announced. “I’ll go now, but Kieren will bring back supplies for all of you.” He was speaking to the entire gathered group of farmhands now, his voice raised so that they could all hear him. “As I told Dreben, I’m very grateful to have such dedicated workers in my employ. After this war is over, no matter the outcome, I promise that you shall have updated quarters and amenities, as well as the thanks of all who live on Rajan. Kieren, if you would?”

  The female, a Human, he thought she was called, walked up behind Rauphangelaa and placed her arms under his and clasped her hands around his chest. Suddenly, they were once again surrounded by the stony exterior and began to slowly rise off the ground.

  “Be careful,” Rauphangelaa called down to them as they built up more speed and moved away from where Dreben and his workers all stood, watching them become smaller and smaller in the sky. He hoped that she would return quickly.

  #

  James waited patiently in the meeting room inside the Sekani compound. The meeting place had been an acknowledgment to the Sekani and their leader, Zanth, of the importance that they had played in the attack on the northern Krahn base. James needed to keep the Sekani involved, or he feared he might lose them in the ever-changing political relations and maneuverings between the Rajani and Sekani. He’d asked the leaders of the three species to meet and talk about plans for the future. Yes, they had won a great victory over the Krahn, but there was still much more that needed to be done. It was difficult enough trying to win a war without having the two species arguing over every part of the strategy.

  When he had arrived at the Sekani compound, he’d been politely ushered to a small room and left to sit, wondering where the others were. Late, as usual, he thought. He was beginning to think that each of them needed a personal assistant to help them keep their appointments. He was interrupted in his musings by the door opening. Mazal entered, led by the same Sekani female who had shown James to the room. Mazal bowed to her briefly and then turned to James, smiling. “James! How are you?”

  “Doing well,” James replied. “And you?”

  “Busy,” Mazal said, sitting in a chair across from James at the table. “Very busy, as usual. I apologize for being late.”

  “Well, as you can see,” James said, “you’re not the only one. I know this meeting was a bit last-minute, but I was hoping for a better showing.”

  Just then, the door opened once again, and Zanth and Kedar entered behind the Sekani female. They were in the middle of an argument, and both of them only nodded to James as they sat down at the table, continuing their discussion about whether to wait on attacking the southern Krahn headquarters or doing it as fast as possible to maximize the element of surprise.

  James sat and listened for a moment before clearing his throat. Both Zanth and Kedar looked at him. “And here I thought you two were late to the meeting. I see you actually started it before you arrived.”

  Both Kedar and Zanth were polite enough to look somewhat chagrined by James’s words. “I apologize,” Kedar said. “We ran into each other in the hall, and I guess we were too impatient in our haste to work out our differences.”

  “It’s understandable,” James said. “I know that you both want what is best for your species.”

  “Then you see why it is imperative that we attack the Krahn now, while they are still caught off-guard by our most recent victory,” Zanth said.

  “I’m afraid that I have to agree with Kedar on this,” James said. “To surge headlong into another fight so quickly after the last could prove disastrous.”

  “We have the momentum. We must continue on the present course,” Zanth said.

  “I thought this meeting was to decide what the present course was,” Mazal protested.

  James, Zanth, and Kedar all looked at the Jirina, surprised that he had spoken up. “That’s correct, Mazal,” James said, smiling inside, though he kept a serious exterior. His Jirina friend had changed quite a bit from the first time they’d met.

  “Then what would you propose?” Kedar asked Mazal.

  “I think we need to wait at least until we hear from the strike teams and their level of success in stealing or destroying Krahn ships,” Mazal answered, looking at each of them in turn. “I think we were very lucky that we were only attacked by three Krahn ships in our last battle. If more had come, we may not have been as successful as we were.”

  “I agree on that point,” Kedar said.

  “Besides,” Mazal said, “the Jirina need time to recover. I don’t think they would do very well if they were thrust into another fight so soon after this last one.”

  “Are you saying that we wouldn’t have the Jirinas’ support if we went now?” Zanth asked, a note of anger entering his voice.

  “No,” Mazal said. “I’m only saying that the support may not be as strong as it could be once the Jirina have had a chance to rest and recuperate from fighting. We’re not like the Sekani or the Rajani, I’m afraid. We fight because we must, but we find no solace in knowing it’s the right
thing to do. I’m afraid that we may never recover if forced to fight for too long a span.”

  “I would have to agree with Mazal,” James said, thinking about the conversation he and the Jirina had earlier that day. “Our troops need a break between fighting, or their morale will be shot. Let them savor their victory for a few days. I say we wait to hear from the strike teams, but we give ourselves a deadline also, just in case. If we haven’t heard anything in say, seven standard days, then we attack the Krahn base in the south of Melaanse.”

  “I second that motion,” Kedar said, looking over at Zanth. James knew that the two spent a lot of time together and had grown to respect each other. He hoped that it would help keep their alliance strong.

  “I can see that I’ve been outvoted,” Zanth said with a sigh, looking around at the others. “Seven standard days it is. But I also propose we meet again within three to talk about our strategy in the attack. And I say we bring more than just those present now. The more voices that can contribute, the better, I think.”

  “Then it’s agreed,” James said, standing up. “I thank you all for coming today, and look forward to speaking with you again soon.”

  “As always,” Kedar said, standing also and smiling, “we appreciate your willingness to assist us with our petty squabbles.”

  After Kedar and Zanth had walked out of the door to the room, leaving James and Mazal alone, James turned to his friend. “I’m impressed at your newfound negotiating acumen,” he said.

  Mazal smiled shyly up at him. “I only said what I said to support your argument, James. I have no ego, and neither do my species, when it comes to this sort of thing, really. Yes, my species does have pride in ourselves, but that is a different thing altogether.”

  “Well, I’m just happy that you’re on my side,” James said, returning the smile. “I will talk to you soon, my friend,” he said, shaking the Jirina’s hand.

  Chapter 17

  Kieren was heading out to have lunch with Yvette. She had just returned from ferrying food and supplies out to Rauph’s farm outside the city. After that, she had a short meeting with Zanth, where he’d informed her of the outcome of his meeting with James, Kedar, and Mazal. He had not seemed happy about what was decided, so she’d done her best to placate him. She and Yvette hadn’t had the chance to talk since the Tukuli crashed. They had a lot of catching up to do. Yvette had said that James would be in meetings all day, so they had agreed to meet at the gateway of the Sekani compound.

  Kieren had shown up early, after the meeting with Zanth had ended earlier than she thought it would. He wanted to start sending out scavenging parties north of Melaanse, to find whatever they could that would be usable. He wanted a better idea of where they should go, so he’d asked her if she would scout the territory from the air first. He’d been thrilled by her report of Rauph’s farm and the promise of fresh fruit and vegetables at harvest time. Kieren had willingly agreed. Any chance to be able to fly, no matter what the mission, she’d take it.

  She was standing with her back against a stone pillar at the entrance to the Sekani compound when she noticed Gianni and his little band of Sekani warriors approaching. They had a Krahn tied up and gagged, and were leading it toward the compound.

  “I don’t think Zanth would appreciate you bringing a Krahn this close to the compound,” she said, smiling at Gianni.

  He didn’t return her smile. “That’s what I tried to tell them,” he said.

  One of the Sekani—Botran, she thought he was named—went ahead into the compound. “I think they brought him back to interrogate him,” Gianni said. “So, are you waiting here for your boyfriend, or what?”

  Kieren froze for a second. Had David said something about what had happened the other night? “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “Oh, c’mon. Don’t give me that Miss Innocent routine,” Gianni said. “I saw him go into your room. You must have really missed him while he was gone.”

  “That’s really none of your business, Gianni,” she said. “What, were you spying on me?”

  “No,” he answered defensively. “I was just walking past, and I happened to see you throw your doors open wide for him.”

  “How dare you,” Kieren said, seeing the obvious sexual connotation he was making. She’d meant to explain that David had left shortly afterward, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of making some kind of crude joke about David’s sexual stamina. He could keep guessing. “What I do with my time is none of your concern. I’ll spend it with whoever I want.” She could feel tears in her eyes, and that just made her even angrier. Yvette walked up to the compound. “Hey, guys, what’s going on?” she asked, smiling at them. “Nice catch,” she said in Talondarian Standard to the Sekani, looking at the Krahn warrior.

  “Nothing,” Kieren answered, wiping her eyes. “Nothing’s going on.” She looked at Gianni. “We’re done here.” She grabbed Yvette’s arm and led her away from the compound. She’d tried to work things out with him on too many occasions, and she could see now that he’d never change. She was finished trying. She hoped she could just be far enough away from him before she started crying in earnest.

  #

  Ronak sometimes woke up in the night wondering where he was. Other times he just pondered how it had come to this; banished, light years from home and now losing a war he had started with such confidence that losing hadn’t even entered his mind. He would only admit the fact that they were losing to his bloodmate, and only when they were alone in their private chambers.

  No matter how much he yelled; railed against counselors and his warriors alike, it wasn’t enough. He’d believed that the fact that the Rajani were now a bunch of spiritual hermits would mean they could walk right in and take over. And since no one would come to their aid; his contact at Galactic Intelligence had assured him of that. They were safe to search for the Stones no matter how long it took. If not for the one ship that had escaped, the plan would have worked perfectly. And then, to top it all off, Krahn ships had arrived with food and aid supplies. His cursed brother had tried to help his enemies. He added it to his list of grievances against Maliq.

  He’d had no choice but to board the three ships and kill all aboard before they could make planet fall. One of his captains—his own nephew (one of hundreds, at least)—had questioned his orders to kill his brother’s followers. He’d then had the temerity to suggest that Ronak had made a mistake by attacking the Rajani now and not waiting until their own numbers were stronger. He’d taken great pleasure in watching the captain slowly skinned alive and fed his own flesh before Ronak personally cut off his head. The denuded skull now adorned the steps to his throne, a warning to others of what happened to traitors.

  Ronak now sat upon that throne and waited for word that his lander was prepped and ready. He and his bloodmate would oversee the war from the planet’s surface. The loss of his largest nestbase in the north of the city had sent him into rants; it had taken him days to calm down. When he could finally think past the red fury in his mind, he had known that he had to personally go down to the planet, or else all would be lost. His troops were already running short on fuel and supplies. Soon it would be too late for all of his warriors to even leave the planet. They must crush the rebellion and find the Stones, or he would never be able to challenge his brother and claim the Krahnish throne. And if it meant killing every inhabitant of the planet below, then so be it. His GI contact, T’van, had all but sanctioned it.

  Just then, one of his counselors, Martek, entered the throne room and bowed to Ronak. “Mighty Qadira,” he said, still bowing. “You have a communication on the private channel.”

  “Is it my idiot cousin Toruq on Rajan?” Ronak asked.

  “No, Mighty Qadira,” Martek answered. “The caller claims to be from Galactic Intelligence.”

  “I’ll take it in my private chambers,” Ronak said, standing up. He was surprised. He hadn’t talked to the agent named T’van in weeks. The last time they’d talked, T’van
had assured him that all Alliance concerns had been taken care of, and he wouldn’t have to worry about any surprises while on Rajan. No matter, Ronak thought. He probably just wants a progress report. He would lie, of course, but then, he didn’t think T’van was being entirely truthful with him, either.

  He made his way to his chambers and found the computer room empty. He looked at the computer screen and saw the words ‘communication open’ blinking on it. Unfortunately, the distances were too great between stars to use voice communication. But the Alliance had found a way to attach text information to cosmic rays, essentially allowing them to travel to any point in the galaxy almost instantaneously. He pressed the screen where it read ‘acknowledge.’ A line of text appeared on the screen.

  Eyes Only: Ronak, High Vasin of the Krahn Horde.

  What do you want, T’van? he typed.

  T’van is no longer assigned to this case, the line back stated.

  What? Ronak typed. Who is this?

  Not important, came the immediate reply. This is to inform you that you will no longer receive aid from usual sources.

  Ronak knew what that meant. Whoever it was didn’t want to state that GI had anything to do with his little invasion.

  This is last communiqué, a line on the screen read. Wish you luck in your endeavors.

  “They can’t do this,” Ronak said, under his breath. He typed. When I need your help, I will ask for it, you piece of pond filth. He was so angry that he raked his nails across the top of the desk he was sitting at, creating long grooves in the wood. He waited a moment for a reply, but it seemed the conversation was at an end. He picked up the screen and threw it across the room. It shattered as it struck the wall. He let out an inarticulate scream. After a moment, he calmed down enough for rational thought. He didn’t need their help, anyways. He would win this war on his own, if he needed to.

  Kalik, his main counselor, entered his chambers. “Mighty Qadira, are you all right? Did the computer malfunction?”

  Ronak turned to him, his eyes still wide with anger. “Yes, of course, I’m fine. Inform Mariqa that I want to speak with her as soon as possible.”