by Eric Thomson
“In that case, Mister Crimple, enjoy the rest of your day and thank you.” Torma inclined his head, then turned on his heels and headed for the door.
Major Vinh, waiting just outside, asked, “What’s next, sir?”
“Back to the shuttles. I need a secure link with the commodore. We face a few hard and probably delicate decisions.”
“Yes, sir. In that case, please climb back into your car.” Once they’d done so, he raised his right arm, index finger extended, and twirled it in a circular motion. “Mount up.”
Thirty minutes later, Torma sat in the dropship flight deck's jump seat and waited as Petty Officer Klaasen established a link with Repulse. He faced a situation beyond his experience and training and was far from sure of what should happen next. That his mission succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams didn’t even register. The biggest question concerned next steps, both to deal with the information that a star system called Lyonesse established an old Order of the Void priory on Hatshepsut and what might happen once this Lyonesse discovers the existence of the Wyvern Hegemony.
When Watanabe’s face finally materialized on the flight deck’s primary display, Torma steeled himself.
“What’s the word, Colonel?”
“We face a problem, sir. One that could transcend both our best and worst expectations.” Torma recounted the conversation with Crimple almost word for word before laying bare the issue that faced them both. “At this point, we can be reasonably confident that these people from Lyonesse know about the Hegemony’s existence thanks to Jan Keter—”
Watanabe turned his head to one side and raised a hand.
“Keep that thought for the moment, Colonel. We found a single mention of Lyonesse in the database. It was, apparently, a little imperial colony, part of the Coalsack Viceroyalty, though so distant from the sector capital, Yotai, it existed apart from the empire for all intents and purposes, at the far end of a wormhole cul-de-sac.”
“Which means it could have survived the collapse more or less intact.”
“And is now carrying out its own version of the Oath of Reunification. Please continue.”
“As I was saying, agents of Lyonesse on Hatshepsut, members of the old Order of the Void, now know about the Hegemony. But chances are good that knowledge hasn’t left the planet, meaning their superiors remain unaware. We can either allow them to inform what is probably a technologically superior polity with expansionist goals of our existence or make sure the results of Keter’s unfortunate visit are quashed. But I do not consider myself competent to make such a decision.”
Watanabe studied Torma for a few seconds.
“You mean we either leave with what we gleaned so far and hope for the best or erase the traces of our and Keter’s passage. The latter implies razing Mazaber, sinking the ship that carried the Lyonesse Brethren there, and seizing or killing the entire Lyonesse mission. Perhaps even destroying this Republic of Thebes, which is hosting said mission. That’s a lot of dead humans, Colonel. And if Thebes is the center of Hatshepsut’s rebirth as part of a long-term plan, then liquidating it will arrest progress, if not send the planet spiraling backward. Either will leave the Hegemony with a greater mess to clean up in the future, if we finally expand and absorb this star system.”
“In a nutshell, yes, sir. I’m no fan of mass murder, but my oath to protect the Hegemony is absolute.”
“As is mine.” Watanabe’s jaw muscles worked as he chewed on the dilemma Torma placed at his feet. “How about a compromise? We don’t engage in wholesale slaughter, but we round up everyone from Lyonesse and bring them home with us for questioning and to wake up our Ruling Council. Perhaps the Regent will reaffirm the Oath of Reunification and put some teeth behind it.”
Torma gave him a rueful look.
“I was hoping you’d consider something of the sort, sir. I’m not an advocate for mass murder, no matter what people might think of us Commission officers.”
“And I’m glad you didn’t disappoint me by proposing our own small-scale version of the Great Scouring. It would have been a foul way of laying the foundations for our rebirth.”
“That it would.”
“Let me see if we can track down this surface ship you mentioned, based on the last twenty-four hours of sensor scans. I assume you’d prefer leading the raid on the priory in Thebes?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then we’ll intensify our scans of the area and see if we can figure where it’s located.”
“Scan for low-level power source emissions, Commodore. I doubt this mission will have gone fully native, not if the goal is elevating Thebes as the center of a new planetary government beholden to Lyonesse.”
“What will you do in the meantime? Rejoin us in orbit?”
Torma shook his head.
“There’s no point. Once we’re sure of our targets, we’ll go there directly from here. This disused landing strip will do fine as a temporary operating base.”
“All right, if there’s nothing else?” Watanabe cocked a questioning eyebrow at Torma.
“No, sir.”
“Repulse, out.”
Torma found Ardrix chatting with Major Vinh in the command dropship's shade and informed them of his intentions. Vinh gave him a quick nod, then left to tell his people.
“What will you do with Keter?” Ardrix asked in a low tone so their prisoner, sitting inside the shuttle with his escort, couldn’t overhear. “Leave him on this strip or near Mazaber and let him find his own way?”
Torma allowed himself a grimace.
“Considering his only crime is one we’re committing ourselves, I think it’s too harsh a punishment. You saw Mazaber. I wouldn’t wish life there on anyone.”
“Thebes, then?”
“A better place, no doubt, if they have access to more advanced technology, but that would mean people from Lyonesse will eventually question Keter about everything he knows. I’m afraid he’s coming home with us. I’ll see that he’s spared execution, and perhaps once the Ruling Council learns of our expedition, I can quietly release him in what will probably be a brouhaha of epic proportions.”
She smiled at her superior.
“You’re showing surprising compassion, Crevan.”
“Perhaps this trek has opened my eyes and thus my mind to possibilities few back home even dream of. That’s bound to change someone’s outlook on things, including what they’ve done to support a state actively rejecting those same possibilities.” He gave her a crooked grin. “And to be honest, spending weeks aboard a Navy ship, taking my meals with Repulse’s officers, sitting at Commodore Watanabe’s table, socializing with his command team, and living among the crew has changed my outlook. They would deeply disapprove of my stranding a Hegemony citizen on this primitive planet instead of ensuring his safety back home, and for a reason I can’t quite explain, their good opinion of me matters.”
“You’re experiencing a spurt of spiritual awakening, my friend, and from that comes personal growth. It pleases me more than you might imagine.”
— 30 —
––––––––
The tension aboard Aswan Trader seemed like a living entity hovering over them as Fenrir steered her into a narrow fjord-like inlet between two jagged islands covered in dense vegetation. Everyone aboard stood to.
Fenrir had stationed half a dozen sailors in the bow and foremast top looking for signs of shoals that could puncture the barquentine’s hull while the rest, Brethren included, scanned the shores for Saqqaran pirates. Everyone was armed with Horam and his sharpshooters carrying the precious railguns.
They’d been moving under engine power only since Fenrir decided on a hiding place, the topmasts and sails stricken below, leaving her strangely bare. But as he’d remarked when his first mate made a comment, they might as well get used to it. The days of sail would eventually end as Thebes refined engine technology with Lyon
esse's help.
The surrounding air was still and the heat more stifling than ever. Yet, the sounds of countless native life forms trilling, snapping, chuckling, and otherwise communicating with each other provided a measure of reassurance that no humans waited in ambush.
Finally, Fenrir disengaged the propeller and signaled his first mate he should stand by with the anchor. The instant forward motion ceased, he raised his balled fist.
A loud splash silenced the wildlife, though the crew and passengers remained watchful until the usual sounds of a busy jungle reached their ears once more.
“This is as good as it gets,” Fenrir said in a soft tone pitched for Rianne’s ears. “I don’t think we’ll find any true overhead cover, but they’ll only see us if they pass directly above this inlet.”
“Make sure you dampen the Stirling engine, so it doesn’t look like a big heat flare on any infrared sensors.” When Fenrir gave her a blank stare, she smiled. “If the Hegemony has starships, it certainly can detect heat signatures that differ from background emissions. Perhaps Horam can explain in greater detail once we’re settled in.”
Fenrir let out a sigh, shaking his head.
“All this technology. It’s enough to give an honest sailor a brain cramp. Now, please excuse me while I discuss the guard roster with my first mate.”
“Make sure everyone understands if off-worlders show up, we surrender without firing a shot,” Horam warned. “They’ll be better armed, likely armored, and supported by their dropships’ heavy weapons.”
“No worries. We’re not suicidal.”
**
Petty Officer Klaasen stuck his head out of the shuttle, eyes searching for Torma. One of the troopers noticed him and ambled over, raising his helmet visor.
“Are you looking for someone, PO?”
“The colonel. Repulse is on the secure link with our search results, and I’d rather not break radio silence by using the company push.”
“Hang on. Last I saw, he, my boss, and Sister Ardrix were together.” The trooper jogged across the landing zone and vanished behind one of the two other dropships.
Less than a minute later, Torma, Ardrix, and Vinh appeared and hurried over.
“I understand Repulse is calling?” Torma asked when they were within earshot.
“Flag CIC, Colonel. They have data on our next two targets.”
Klaasen led them through the passenger compartment and into the flight deck, which felt a bit crowded with four, but both Ardrix and Vinh needed to hear this. He slipped into his seat and touched the controls.
“Repulse, this is command ship Fury. I have the Niner.”
Moments later, the flight deck’s primary display lit up with the Task Force Kruzenshtern chief of staff’s face.
“Colonel, I’m sending you the results of our latest scans. Once you’ve digested it, the commodore would like a back brief. If you’re ready, I’ll give you a quick verbal report.”
“Ready.”
“First, the surface vessel. We found a last known position based on scans of the area taken earlier today but cannot detect it anymore. We suspect the people aboard saw us when we were on final approach this morning and made for the shore where they found shelter. They can only be along a limited stretch of coast, either on the Aksum side or among the Saqqara Islands. The latter is more likely because of its numerous fjords and inlets. Our sensors are still looking. You should see the latest results and our estimate of where she could be hiding in the command ship’s database by now.”
Torma inclined his head.
“Thank you.”
“We’re much clearer on the situation in Thebes.” An aerial view of a port city replaced the chief of staff. “There’s a strong power emissions source coming from the structure south of town, on a relatively tall hill. We think it could be where the old Order established a priory during the imperial rule. It is the strongest source on the planet and indicates someone is operating at an advanced level of technology.”
“The Lyonesse Mission,” Ardrix said.
“That’s what we figure, Sister. A high-tech node on a low-tech planet is the sort of anomaly we’re looking for. Since they aren’t taking much care to hide their emissions, we think their people on the ship we seek can’t communicate with them, which means they likely have no inkling of our presence on this planet.”
Major Vinh let out a soft grunt.
“An unsuspecting target means perfect conditions for a quick in-and-out raid.”
“Indeed,” the chief of staff replied. “It’s late afternoon there at the moment, which means you can easily arrange for a strike after dark.”
A grin played on the Special Forces officer’s lips.
“Even better.”
“It still gets better than that, Major. There’s a cleared area behind the priory, which I’m marking in red.” A red square appeared on the aerial image. “It is of a size and shape that suggests they use this as a shuttle pad. An outpost requires regular resupply of those items that can’t be procured locally, and I daresay the list of such items is probably quite long. Based on our calculations, there’s room for at least two dropships, perhaps even three. The intelligence on this target is now in the command ship’s database as well. Any questions?”
Torma glanced at Ardrix and Vinh in turn, but both shook their heads.
“Let us study what you sent and figure out a plan of action. If we need more information, I’ll call. Otherwise, the next time you hear from us will be to brief the commodore.”
“And the surface ship?”
“Unless the commodore decides otherwise, I think we should keep looking but consider it a target of opportunity. Seizing the Lyonesse Brethren in Thebes is our primary aim.”
“Understood, Colonel.”
“Torma, out.” He glanced at Vinh. “It’s your show, Major. I’m merely the passenger who’ll bear the blame if things go sideways, no more. Take the time you need. Afterward, we can discuss options at leisure.”
“It won’t take long, sir. We’re not going in against heavy opposition. Land a platoon along with your ship, surround the priory, and enter. I doubt anyone will fight back, which leaves separating the Lyonesse folks from any locals who might be working with them.” Vinh glanced at Ardrix. “Sister?”
“A simple task. Our basic training has not changed much over the centuries. I expect we can recognize each other because of it. If any try to hide, I’ll find them.”
“What if they resist, Colonel?”
Ardrix raised a hand.
“They won’t. If I know my kind, even a branch that split off two centuries ago, their curiosity will overcome their reticence. That and concern we might harm others to pressure them, but please keep the latter option in reserve until I say so.”
“As you say, Sister. Should we arrange our arrival for a specific time?”
“They’ll likely keep the same canonical hours as we, which means they’ll be abed after compline, except for those working the night shift, and that, at least in our houses, is twenty-one hundred hours. So perhaps close to midnight local time would be good.”
Vinh frowned.
“What is compline?”
“We observe several services a day, and compline is the one where Brethren gather in the Chapter House one last time before bed.”
“Which means they’ll all be together. Perhaps we could determine when it’s twenty-one hundred hours local in Thebes and strike at that time.”
Ardrix seemed taken aback by the suggestion they invade a priory of the Order, even the old one, during a sacred service.
“Look, Sister. Anything that makes our task easier means fewer chances of folks getting hurt.” When she nodded, he said, “May I suggest we reopen the link with Repulse and see if they can pinpoint both the Chapter House’s location and confirm the local time?”
**
“After
the excitement of attempting to vanish, this is a bit anticlimactic,” Fenrir remarked as he joined Rianne at the taffrail. “Although I can’t remember the last time I was this soaked with sweat. Give me the breeze of the open sea over this stuffy, still air.”
“No arguments here. Still, it could be worse. The local version of insects could have developed a taste for humans and be eating us alive right now.”
“True. Any idea how long we should hide?”
Rianne gave him a helpless shrug.
“I discussed it with Horam earlier, and we really don’t know. It depends on how persistent they are. If they’re genuinely interested in us, their sensors will continuously watch the Saqqara Sea, which means they might well catch us leaving this inlet.”
“Did you warn your superiors in Thebes yet?”
“I tried this morning but couldn’t raise them. Shortwave radio works best at night. But that’s our other dilemma. Using the transmitter could give us away.”
A humorless smile crossed Fenrir’s lips.
“Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, as we sailors say.”
“If the intent of these Hegemony people is seizing anyone from Lyonesse, then either Thebes or Horam and I must stay free, so we can warn Lyonesse when the next supply ship arrives. Sure, it would be better if we could warn Thebes so they might hide, even if it means Horam and I surrender ourselves. Unfortunately, if we start transmitting and Thebes can’t pick up our signal, everyone might be in jeopardy, and we must inform Lyonesse via the next supply ship.”
“Again, you’re assuming ill intent, Sister.” Fenrir sounded a tad exasperated.
“Lyonesse learned to lean on the side of paranoia long ago, and for a good reason. If another space-faring polity now knows about our existence, it is vital, on an existential level, that Lyonesse be warned. Either the Brethren in Thebes or we must perform that sacred duty.”
“If the Hegemony comes for the Brethren in Thebes, the entire republic will know and warn your supply ship crew.”