Planet of the Valkyries

by Callista Hawkes

  “And I can trust you?” You snap back. “It’s your deception that has put my ship and my people in this predicament!”

  “I ought to kill you both.” She snarls. Her guards step forward and brandish their spears.

  “Then you’ll prove you’re no better than his people.” You shrug, gesturing at Tobis. Cresilla glances at her guards and they stand down.

  “You’ve made your decision.” She tells you. “You will have to live with both your conscience and the consequences.” With that, she turns her back on you before her wings unfold and she takes flight, her guards doing likewise. As you watch them disappear up into the sky, you see several tiny flashes of red as the Aurigan battle group drops out of hyperspace. You feel your heart sink as you imagine the bridge of the Ranger, Captain Madison barking orders as she sees the overwhelming might of the Aurigan Empire appear before her. Moments later, the sky is filled with flashes of glowing laser fire as the Aurigan vessels tears the Ranger to pieces. Even a ship as powerful as the flagship of the Galactic Navy cannot withstand such a barrage and moments later, the whole sky lights up as the reactors are breached and the whole vessel is consumed in a vast thermonuclear explosion.

  “My God, what have I done?” You murmur, feeling utterly numb.

  “It might not seem like it right now, but you’ve made the right decision.” Tobis tells you gently. “You’ve just saved millions of lives, both human and Aurigan.”

  “Was… was that the Ranger?” You hear Ambassador Hathaway gasp. You turn to find her and the marines gazing dumbstruck at the sky.

  “An Aurigan battle group destroyed her.” Tobis tells her sadly. “I’m sorry old friend. You can rest assured that you will be treated well by my people.”

  “I’m not waiting to find out, old friend.” Ambassador Hathaway spits, scorn poured into the final two words. “I came here under a flag of truce and that trust has been utterly betrayed.”

  “It’s more complicated than you know.” Tobis replies sadly with a sideways glance at you.

  “Let’s return to the shuttle.” Ambassador Hathaway tells the marines, ignoring the Aurigan. “We are leaving immediately. Commander?” She glances at you.

  “The commander and I have unfinished business.” Tobis tells her.

  “Is that true?” Ambassador Hathaway’s accusing gaze is turned on you.

  “It’s…” You wince.

  “Complicated?” She finishes, raising an eyebrow. “It really isn’t. Either you’re a traitor and you’re collaborating with the enemy or you’re not and you’re getting the hell out of here with the rest of us.”

  “Remember the bigger picture.” Tobis reminds you. “Besides, you’ll be safer staying here.” He adds. “My people will shoot fugitives on sight.”

  Leave with the others

  Remain behind with Tobis

  “I can’t stay here.” You tell Tobis. “But I trust you will honour your end of the bargain?”

  “I will do my best.” He replies. “Good luck, Commander.” Ambassador Hathaway looks at you suspiciously before you all make your way back to the shuttle.

  Once airborne, the pilot keeps low, flying just above the planet’s surface and beneath the sensors of the Aurigan vessels in orbit. He finally breaks orbit on the blindside of the planet and heads deeper into the star system. The shuttle does not have a hyperdrive and it takes several days to reach the next planet. You find a spaceport and manage to persuade a human smuggler to grant you passage out of Aurigan space aboard his freighter. For an exorbitant price, naturally.

  “She’s called the Eclipse.” He grins as you as you make your way towards the small freighter. He seems remarkably proud of the ugly vessel, but you smile and nod politely. “My co-pilot, Vanessa, will show you all aboard.” He gestures towards a voluptuous redhead standing at the top of the boarding ramp.

  After a circuitous route out of Aurigan space that takes several days, you finally reach High Command back on Earth where you appear before three admirals to explain the bargain you made with Tobis.

  “You’re a disgrace to the uniform.” One growls, his deeply lined face scowling down at you.

  “It was an impossible choice.” Another argues. “His actions have undoubtedly saved many lives.”

  “At the cost of our flagship and her entire complement!” The first replies.

  “And how many starships and crews would we have lost in open warfare against the Aurigan Empire?”

  “Enough.” The third admiral sighs. As the ranking admiral, she sits between her bickering colleagues. “Commander, I believe you made the best decision you could under the circumstances: A trade off of hundreds of lives against potentially millions. Unfortunately, I believe war is inevitable, but at the very least, the sacrifice of the Ranger has given us time to prepare. I’m afraid that the decision you made will forever be a stain on your record and you will never be given a command of your own.” You feel your shoulders slump a little. “At least publicly.” She adds with a sly smile. “I feel a role that may be better suited to you would be within our covert operations division. We have a highly classified experimental vessel, ideal for reconnaissance and surgical strikes deep behind enemy lines.” Your eyes brighten. “Do you accept this commission, Commander… or should I say, Captain?” The first admiral snorts in disgust, but the other two smile.

  “I would be honoured to accept.” You reply.

  “Good.” She replies. “This is an excellent opportunity to redeem yourself and avenge your fallen comrades.”

  “I won’t waste it, Admiral.” You tell her earnestly.

  “See that you don’t. Dismissed.”

  As you step out of the High Command building and gaze out over the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean, you have mixed feelings: Pride at realising a dream of a command of your own, regret at the sacrifice of the crew of the Ranger and above it all, a burning desire to see the Aurigan Empire crushed. You may have avoided war for now, but the admiral is right: It is inevitable and when the day comes, you will be ready.

  THE END

  “I need to remain here, but I’m no traitor.” You tell Ambassador Hathaway. “I assure you that my motives are pure and in the interests of the Earth Alliance.” Her eyes narrow and she regards you coolly for a moment before turning and walking away, the marines following her.

  A few minutes later, you watch as the shuttle rises above the treetops, its thrusters flaring brightly before it disappears into the sky. A few minutes later, the sky is filled with Aurigan dropships, the small black vessels hovering above the treetops before their doors open and dozens of Aurigan soldiers rappel down onto the platforms and walkways. You have to admire their professionalism as they quickly secure a perimeter before moving towards you. They level their blaster rifles at your head, a murderous look in their eyes.

  “Don’t shoot, he’s under my protection.” Tobis growls at them, standing between you and them, his arms raised. They reluctantly lower their weapons.

  “Secure the prisoner.” The lead soldier barks at the others. They nod and step forward, roughly twisting you around and clamping handcuffs around your wrists.

  “Make sure he’s well treated, or the Empress will hear of it.” Tobis tells the leader. He nods before dragging you away.

  Once you have been transported to one of the vessels in orbit, you spend the next few days in a windowless cell. You see no one other than a guard who brings you food and water twice a day and communicates with you only with curses and glares of contempt.

  You are finally dragged from the cell and shoved into a shuttle. Tobis is waiting inside.

  “It’s time.” He tells you solemnly. “We are to be granted an audience with the Empress. Are you ready?” You nod and not for the first time in the last few days, question your judgement at choosing this path. The shuttle begins its journey to the planet below, which you guess must be Auriga Prime, the homeworld and centre of the Empire. Staring glumly through the window, you watch the haze of the outer at
mosphere clear, revealing a sprawling city below. Crystal-like buildings stretch up like shards of glass, glinting in the bright sunlight. The vessel swoops down to land on a landing pad jutting out of the side of the tallest building and you are ushered from the shuttle.

  “This way.” Tobis tells you, leading you towards a tall, magnificent archway and into an impressive high ceilinged throne room. The walls and vaulted ceiling seem to be constructed from crystal, the sunlight refracting through it and casting a stunning pattern of light across the chamber. Dozens of guards and courtiers line each side of the room, while sitting on a crystal throne atop a raised dais at the far end is the Empress herself. She stands as you approach and you have to admit that she certainly looks the part. She wears a long, flowing white gown which is ornately embroidered while a diamond encrusted crown sits atop her head. More diamonds glitter at her throat and wrists. Her long ginger hair is immaculately styled in ringlets that fall about her shoulders. With her high cheekbones and amber eyes, she is a striking woman and quite beautiful. Tobis stops just before her dais and you do likewise.

  “Greetings Earthman.” She smiles, revealing her sharp canine teeth. “I am Empress Vekka, supreme leader of the Aurigan Empire.”

  “Commander Kyle Chase of the United Earth Ship Ranger.” You reply.

  “Not any more.” She chuckles. “I understand your vessel was destroyed by one of my battle groups five days ago.” A murmur of amusement ripples through the assembled sycophants behind you. As you clench your fists at her callousness, you can feel Tobis glance at you, perhaps willing you not to do anything stupid.

  React

  Swallow your pride

  “Yes, your people destroyed my ship and murdered the entire crew.” You retort angrily. “We came on a mission of peace, but I can see now that it was a fool’s errand. The Aurigan Empire is a barbaric and fascist regime led by a cold and callous leader.” A stunned silence descends over the throne room. Tobis shakes his head and takes a small step away from you as the Empress slowly steps down from her dais.

  “You’re wrong, Earthman.” The Empress tells you softly as she approaches you.

  “I expect it’s easy to delude yourself that you are a kind and wise leader of a benevolent race when you sit on your throne.” You reply. “But I have met some of the downtrodden people you have subjugated and…”

  “No, not about that.” She smiles. “I meant you were wrong about my people murdering the entire crew. One yet survives.” With that, her hand darts from the folds of her gown and you catch a glimpse of an ornate crystal dagger before the blade is plunged deep into your chest. You stagger back, arterial blood spraying the Empress’s immaculate white gown. As you drop to your knees, she stands over you.

  “Mobilise the fleet.” She orders. “The Earth Alliance has given us just the excuse we need to expand the Empire into their territory.” You slump onto your side as you teeter on the brink of consciousness while all around you, the courtiers and guards clap and cheer.

  “Long live Empress Vekka! Long live the Empire!” They chant as you take your last breath.

  THE END

  Go back a few moments and rethink your actions

  “It was.” You admit.

  “Your presence in our territory is an act of war, Earthman.” She continues. “Tell me, why should I not send a fleet to attack Earth Alliance territory as an act of retribution?”

  “While the Ranger was an Earth Alliance vessel, she was infiltrated by extremists seeking to set us on a path to mutual destruction.” You tell her, feeling nauseas as you weave the lie.

  “I can corroborate the Earthman’s statement.” Tobis adds. “I was kidnapped by the same group of terrorists and my death faked. I was brought aboard the Ranger when the insurrection occurred. During the chaos, I managed to overcome my captors. The commander and I then escaped in an escape pod down to the planet below.”

  “The insurgents want war.” You add. “Please, your highness, don’t give them what they want.” The Empress’s penetrating gaze switches from you to Tobis and back again. It feels although the lie is written all over your face. Your heart is in your mouth until she finally speaks.

  “The flagship of the Earth Alliance is now nothing more than a debris field orbiting a backwater world.” She tells you. “I don’t feel any further action is required unless there are future incursions into our territory.” Her ambers eyes fix on you. “But what to do with you?”

  “I was hoping I might be returned to my people.” You reply.

  “Impossible.” The Empress replies decisively. “You have seen too much.” She chews her lower lip, deep in thought before her gaze flicks away from you. “Leave us, all of you.” She commands. “I would speak to the Earthman alone.” The chamber is filled with the sound of echoing footsteps as it quickly empties, Tobis glancing helplessly across at you before shrinking away with the rest of his people.

  “Alone at last.” Empress Vekka smiles as she descends the steps from her dais. “You know, I have never actually met an Earthman before.”

  “Perhaps you should stop killing us on sight then.” You reply defiantly as she walks towards you with a catlike grace, her amber eyes fixed on yours.

  “Such fire.” She chuckles. “I like that. I must admit, I’m fascinated by your people. A few generations ago, you were all still stranded on your mud ball of a world and yet your people have quickly conquered the stars to rival us as an intergalactic superpower. Impressive… for a race of savages.” She stands before you now and you breathe in her unusual, though alluring scent. “But what should I do with you? I should probably have you executed or at the very least, thrown in a cell somewhere. Though I must admit, you intrigue me and I want to learn more about your people.”

  “I’m no traitor.” You tell her, feeling a little light headed as her aroma fills your nostrils.

  “I’m not asking you to be.” She chuckles, flashing you a predatory smile. You can feel your pulse racing and you feel a strange excitement coursing through you. She gazes into your eyes as she reaches up and takes your face in her hands. You are almost mesmerised as she leans forward and presses her lips to yours. Before you can stop yourself, you have kissed her back, your tongues flicking delicately against one another.

  “I shouldn’t feel these urges.” You tell her weakly, feeling a tingling of arousal at your groin. “You’re the enemy.”

  “It’s my pheromones.” Empress Vekka purrs. “You literally can’t help yourself. Don’t fight it.” She kisses you again, her tongue darting into your mouth.

  Give in to your lust

  Keep your pride and dignity

  Deciding that you can’t dishonour the memories of the men and women aboard the Ranger you have sacrificed by fraternising any further with the enemy, you pull away.

  “No.” You tell her firmly, staring ahead into the middle distance. “Under the codes of the Geneva Convention of 2187, I am required only to give you my name, rank and number. My name is Kyle Chase, Rank: Commander. My number is…”

  “How disappointing.” The Empress sighs. “But so be it. Guards!” The doors slide open and a squad of her personal guard march into the room and drag you away. You glance back over your shoulder at the Empress, who gazes sadly back at you. It is the last you ever see of her.

  Two hours later, you are thrown into a cell in a prison facility deep underground. You spend twenty-six of the twenty-seven hours of the day alone in your cell with the remaining hour spent trying to avoid a savage beating by the xenophobic Aurigan criminals you are confined with. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months and months into years. Time ceases to have meaning as you begin to lose your grip on your sanity.

  One day, you feel the cell tremble around you and you pray it is an earthquake that will bring the prison down on your head. The tremors continue sporadically for the next day until you hear shouting and blaster fire in the corridors outside your cell. The door is abruptly opened and two soldiers, clad in body armour and helmets
, step in and shine a light in your face. You wince and throw up a hand, trying to shield your eyes.

  “If it’s him, he looks like hell.” One remarks. You blink in surprise as you realise they are both human.

  “It’s got to be him.” The other replies. “How many other humans could there be on Auriga Prime?”

  “Let’s get him out of here and get him cleaned up.” The first tells him. “This poor bastard is in dire need of a bath, a haircut and needs to lose that straggly beard too.”

  You are half led, half dragged through the prison. Klaxons wail and the corridors are filled with smoke, the floors littered with bodies.

  “What’s going on?” You rasp.

  “All in good time, Commander.” One of the soldiers replies. You are taken up in a turbolift and step out into sunlight for the first time in countless years. The city is a mess. Many of the shard like buildings are smashed and broken, belching out black smoke. Huge attack ships float above the city while gunships fill the sky like angry hornets. You are dragged towards a figure silhouetted against the sun.

  “Kyle Chase?” She asks. A voice from the past. “Is that really you?” You blink, trying to place the familiar voice.

  “Ambassador Hathaway?” You murmur.

  “Yes.” She smiles, stepping closer. You can see her now. Her face is a little more lined and her blonde hair has turned silver, but it is her.

  “Thank God.” She breathes. “We thought the Empress had had you executed.”

  “How long has it been?” You ask, wondering if this is all a fevered vision, a cruel trick played by your addled mind as you finally lose your grip on reality.

  “Fifteen years.” She replies sadly. “Tobis contacted me a few years ago to tell me the truth. While war was avoided at the time, the destruction of the Ranger was a catalyst for the Earth Alliance to strengthen our forces. When war finally did break out a few months ago, we swept through to the core systems in a matter of weeks. The Empire has fallen, Kyle, and your sacrifice has played a vital part in that. You’re a hero!” You nod dumbly.