The Hundred Worlds

by J. F. Holmes

  Michael blinked and stepped forward. Thomas nudged the Karan warrior in their little group and whispered, “See? Told ya. You can’t go wrong having a priest.”

  The bearded man was speaking, “Father Michael, we know you haven’t had the easiest time here on Karan Prime, arriving when you did. But since you’re here, would you be willing to pray with the men before they go?”

  Michael nodded. “I will. Regardless of the cause, men going into danger need the comfort of faith. That much I can tell you from my own time in the Marines.” He moved toward the men in the middle of the room.

  The bearded man turned to Quish’na. “I see you’re still playing revolutionary.”

  “I thought you were a courier, not some sort of soldier. Who are you, anyway?” Quish’na asked rebelliously.

  The man laughed cheerily. “I’m just a guy who loves his home, like you. And I was a courier, then. Now I’m organizing this raid. Tomorrow? Who knows. I do what I need to.”

  Quish’na didn’t have an answer for him. He looked around forlornly before speaking, “What can I do?”

  The bearded man grew serious again. “Nothing. I don’t want any more Karan to die. This isn’t your fight.”

  “But, I…”

  “But nothing, kid. We’re going to need good people, who can work with both humans and Karan, to run this place after this is over. People untainted by the killing. That’s you. Now shut up and go take a nap. Things are going to get very busy in a few hours.” Quish’na glowered at this, but had no answer for this, either.

  Father Michael had finished leading the men in prayer, and they were busily loading a cargo container that had silently slid in on the tracks at the far end of the cavern. Men were shaking hands and clambering in. In a few moments the men and weapons were loaded, and the container sealed. Once it was closed, it slid silently into the opposite tunnel and disappeared. The men in white UN police armor had picked up their equipment and were heading out the pathway they’d come in through. In a few moments, the once-crowded cavern had become quiet, with only Quish’na, Michael, the bearded man, the two Karan warriors, and the human woman on the communications system left. Thomas and his little party had slipped out at some point, too.

  The bearded man pointed at Michael and Quish’na. “You two. Sleep. Now.” With a shrug, Quish’na moved to a nearby cot, collapsed onto it and almost instantly fell into a deep sleep.

  Diego snapped awake at the chime of his intercom. He rubbed his face groggily, feeling stubble from the night spent dozing in his office chair. He’d only caught snatches of sleep between calls and updates from his seemingly indefatigable police chief and intelligence officer.

  He leaned forward and snapped the switch. “Yes.”

  Colonel Antigua’s face appeared. She had a strange look on her face. “Sir, we’ve accessed the elevator car. They’re dead.”

  Diego sat bolt upright, suddenly completely awake. “Dead. All of them? How?”

  She looked grim. “We’re not sure how it happened, but the atmosphere was vented from the car. I strongly suspect this was not an accident.”

  Diego considered this for a moment, then shook his head. “Agree. Who? Someone on the station?”

  She nodded. “Probably. It’s our best guess, anyway. Don’t know how else it would have been done.”

  He nodded, thinking for a moment, then replied, “Ok. Well, we can’t hold out long without those troops. Let me think about our options. Call if anything else happens.” She nodded and vanished. Diego drummed his fingers on the massive oak desk, thinking. The door swung open and Chief Dahl entered. He looked exhausted, his combat armor was singed and dusty, and there were dark stains on his sleeves.

  Diego regarded him, shocked. “Captain, what happened?”

  The man shook his head slowly. “We were ambushed on the way over here. They used the bolters.” He moved to the bar, poured a large glass of the former governor’s bourbon, and tossed it back in three gulps, then grimaced. He moved to one of the large armchairs and collapsed into it. After a moment, he began to speak.

  “We were headed to the Elevator Base when we turned down Fourth Street. There was a car on fire about halfway down, so we had to stop to try to find another route. That’s when they hit us. The bolters were set up in front and to the side, and just raked through the column.” He held up his arms and looked at the sleeves. “We lost a lot of guys. I just barely made it out with the last two armored cars. The wounded are being tended downstairs now.”

  Diego sat back in his chair, momentarily rattled. His mouth hardened into a thin line. “We may need to consider relocating to the station.” Captain Dhal didn’t answer, just continued to look at his hands. Diego continued, “We’ll use the flitters to get to the emergency shuttle, then to one of the corvettes in orbit. We’ll take as many men as we can fit in the flitters to the shuttle, and then come back with support to relieve the rest.” Dahl nodded silently.

  There was a tap on the door. Diego raised his voice. “Enter!” His assistant moved in, his face apologetic.

  “Sir…you have a communications request. It’s…er…” Diego turned and transfixed the man with a hard stare. This seemed to harden the man’s resolve. “It’s the rebels, Sir. They want to discuss terms.”

  Diego’s jaw tightened for a moment, then he smiled. “Give me five minutes, and put them through.” He moved to the office’s bathroom, leaving the exhausted Captain Dhal slumped in the seat. He rapidly ran an electric shaver over his chin, combed his hair, and scrubbed his face.

  This done, he stepped back to the desk and sat, folding his hands in front of him. The intercom chimed again. He tapped it. “Yes?”

  His assistant’s voice came through the speaker, “Sir, it’s the Imperial Emissary. She demands a conference.”

  Diego hesitated momentarily, then decided the rebels would have to wait. The Karan were the true threat. He replied to his assistant, “Put her through.” He folded his hands and waited.

  Emissary Misha’a stared coldly out of the screen at him. “Governor-General, you’ve failed to contain the violence. Our agents report it’s getting worse, with unarmed civilians of both races being gunned down in the streets, and multiple police columns ambushed by unknown factions. Given that the timeline has expired and the killing continues, we have no choice but to enact Section Fourteen of the Karan Citizen Protection Clause.” She paused, with a glitter in her eye, then continued, “We’ve also received a formal request for aid from the Provisional Government of the Independent Colony, and as such, are obligated to assist.”

  Diego protested, “Madame Emissary, there is no provisional government. There’s only the Colonial Administration. The group communicating with your people don’t represent us, nor do they have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the UN.”

  The Karan woman was unmoved. “Nonetheless, we have a request for aid and uncontrolled violence resulting in the deaths of many of our and your citizens. To this end, we’re going to begin the evacuation process.”

  Diego’s eyes narrowed. “Madame Emiss…”

  She cut him off abruptly. “The Fifth Imperial Dragoons and the Seventeenth Heavy Infantry Regiment will enter through the Bear-Talker Gate and set up a refugee center in First Contact Plaza. Any interference with the evacuation, or any UN Provincial Police or troops firing on Karan forces, will be seen as an act of war, and responded to as such. As soon as the Karan citizens are evacuated, we will withdraw.”

  Diego laid his hands flat on the desk. “Madame Emissary, this is unacceptable. Imperial Troops aren’t authorized to enter UN territory. If your troops enter this city, I will have no choice but to respond with force.”

  The Karan woman looked flatly at him for a moment, then replied, “Do what you must,” and broke the connection. Diego gritted his teeth for a moment, then looked at Dahl. He’d been listening quietly.

  “Well, Captain Dahl? What can we do if they move troops in?”

  The man shrugged. “Not
much. Hell, I don’t know if we can hold out against the rebels inside the walls for a day, let alone take on Karan heavy infantry. My advice? Let them in. There’s not much you can do to stop them without bringing the house down on your head.”

  Diego pondered this for a moment. Something about bringing it down on their heads…he smiled coldly and tapped the intercom. Moments later his aid answered.

  “Noki, get Commodore Holmes. We need to speak.” The man acknowledged quietly. Moments later, the communications light glowed on the desk terminal. Diego opened the connection.

  Commodore Holmes’ face appeared. A hard-faced, serious man, his expression seldom changed. His voice was deep and had a heavy Slavic accent. “Citizen Castillo. I’ve been expecting this.”

  Diego grimaced at the arrogant tone and said, “Commodore Holmes, the situation grows more dire. My police are maintaining control of the city, but the Karan forces are planning to enter the colony and retrieve their citizens. We cannot, must not, allow this violation of our sovereignty. Should the Karan forces approach within two kilometers of the city, I’d like a small demonstration orbital strike. If they don’t withdraw, I recommend we begin punitive bombardment.”

  The sour faced man nodded. “Agreed. I will begin setting up a bombardment plan. The demonstrations will start with a small projectile, but close to the invasion forces. I do not recommend more than one warning shot.”

  Diego nodded. “Thank you, Commodore. I’ll draft the warning to the Karan. I’m through speaking to those animals. This is not their concern, yet they continue to force our hand. Well, perhaps it’s time to see what we’re capable of, eh, old friend?”

  Commodore Holmes nodded. “Indeed. When we prepare to fire, I will contact you.”

  Diego broke the connection. He looked at Captain Dahl, who was still sitting quietly, listening. The man said softly, “Sir, are you sure you’re prepared to fire on the Karan? If we anger them, they’ll come roaring through those gates and end all of this.”

  Diego snapped back, “Then we die, and the UN comes with a fleet of battlecruisers and burns their world. They wouldn’t dare.”

  Dahl merely gazed back at him, his face implacable, and said, “What are we going to tell the rebels?”

  Diego frowned, his anger fading as he considered the problem. “I don’t see what good speaking to them now would do, apart from buying time. But perhaps buying time until the show of force against the Karan…” He drummed his fingers for a moment, then slapped the desk.

  “Very well. Noki!” he called for his aide. When the man appeared, he gave the order to contact the rebel group and sat in front of his desk, waiting. Several minutes later, the comm chimed, and he activated it. A man with a blonde beard and bright blue eyes gazed out.

  The man said in American-accented English, “Acting Governor-General. Thank you for reaching out to us. I represent the Independent Colony of Karan. We’d like to begin discussing the United Nations withdrawal from Ross 145B and the Karan system.”

  Diego frowned slightly. “I don’t believe we’ve met, Mr. …”

  The man responded, “My name doesn’t really matter. I’m the one currently tasked to initiate negotiations. Our offer is this: If you’ll direct your police to cease fire, we’ll cease as well, and halt any further planned assaults. We’ll allow you to consolidate your remaining police, collect their families, and permit them to leave via the elevator. You’ll then take the corvettes in orbit and depart the system. There will be no retribution for the many crimes committed by your police, nor will you attempt to damage infrastructure during your withdrawal. Are these terms acceptable to you?”

  Diego stared at the man in a cold rage. “No, sir. No, they are not. You don’t give the United Nations orders. Your offer is hereby refused and countered: If you and your fighters lay down your arms now, you have my word we won’t execute you for your crimes against the United Nations.”

  The man shrugged in an infuriatingly casual manner. “Ok, boss. Your call. If you change your mind, give us a call. Let me leave you with this, though. That offer is as good as it gets. You have one hour, then we’re coming in.” The image disappeared.

  Diego turned to Captain Dahl. “What options do we have left to deal with these rebels?”

  He shrugged wearily. “Not many. We can’t bombard them without destroying the city, dropping the elevator, and killing ourselves. We don’t have the police left to take them. We might want to consider that offer. Just a thought.”

  Diego considered this briefly, then dismissed it. If he fled the system and went back to the UN, he’d undoubtedly be arrested for cowardice and treason, and very likely executed. No, that was no option. He shook his head. “No. Not feasible.” He sat back in his chair and rubbed his temples. Captain Dahl’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it and shook his head.

  “Well, Colonel Antigua is gone. She was on her way back from the Elevator Base, but never showed up. They think she was seized by the rebels.” Diego could only shake his head. He didn’t have the words to respond. His communicator chimed. He reached out and snapped it on.

  The face of Commodore Holmes appeared on the screen, from a recorded video message. His face was scarlet with rage, but his voice was tight and under control. “Citizen Castillo. There are rebels on the station. They have seized the Vigilant and the Monitor, and apparently control large portions of the station. There appears to be extensive fighting going on in the station itself. Our sensors indicate that the Karan forces are approaching the city gates. We are beginning our bombardment of the planet, starting with the four largest military targets on the Northern Continent. We will update you as we can.” The message ended.

  Diego thought about this, and then turned to Captain Dahl. “Captain, prepare the flitters and load the men. We’re going to use the shuttle to fall back to the Observer with Commodore Holmes, and then assist him in retaking the station.”

  He turned back to the communicator to record a video message for Commodore Holmes to update him as to their plan, but before he could, the communicator chimed again. He slapped the button, and the Commodore’s face appeared again.

  “The Vigilant has broken free from her moorings and is approaching us at flank speed. She is not responding to hails. She does not appear to be under UNN control. The Monitor remains in her moorings, but is sending out an automated distress call and does not respond to hails. She also does not appear to be under UNN control.” The man looked off screen momentarily, then continued, “I am initiating bombardment of the Karan military and civil targets as per your guidance, while we maintain the capability. The colonists could not have done this alone.” He glanced to the side again. “The Vigilant appears to be on a collision course. If we survive, you’ll hear from me.”

  The video ended, leaving only the golden, rotating UN symbol in its place. Outside the picture window there were several bright streaks that sped steadily through the heavens above, glowing brightly, and disappeared far off the horizon. There was a tiny flash as each disappeared, then nothing. Diego frowned, then pulled his briefcase out and began to remove important paperwork from the desk.

  He spoke absently as he did so, “We’ll get to the flitters to take us to the shuttle. We’ll get up to the Observer, and once we retake the station…” He could hear Captain Dahl’s phone buzzing. The man looked at it and sighed.

  “Contact with the UNN Observer has been lost. Station personnel still responding report the Vigilant made a close pass and ejected multiple lifeboats in full reentry-boost mode. She took multiple hits and broke up.”

  Diego shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. We can still make orbit in the shuttle and get to the Beholder out at the gate…” He could hear Captain Dahl sigh.

  “No, sir. It’s over. You need to call the rebels. Accept their terms before they break through the gate. If you don’t, the Karan will overrun the colony and kill us all.”

  Diego looked up wildly. “I will not! I will not surrender to these…these…scum!”
/>
  Dahl frowned, stood up, and faced Diego. “You just ordered the bombardment of an alien world. If you don’t surrender to the rebels, where will you go? The UN will execute all of us for treason if we flee through the gate—if we even make it to the gate, since they now seem to control space and our naval assets. The Karan…who knows what they’ll do. We just killed their queen and possibly millions of their citizens, and turned their capital into a smoking crater. I wouldn’t count on their mercy. What option does that leave?”

  Diego set his jaw stubbornly. “I can’t surrender to these colonists. I’m a citizen of the UN!”

  Dahl sighed. “Ok. Let me rephrase this. You’re going to surrender. You’re going to get on the comm and call that rebel leader. You will order the police to stand down. You will end this, now.”

  Diego stared at the small man in astonishment. “Who are you to give me orders? Who do you think you are? I can have you shot for this!”

  With a weary expression, Dahl unsnapped his holster. The snap made a sharp crack as it opened in the relative silence of the office. He gestured courteously to the desk.

  Numbly, Diego sat at the massive oak desk. Dahl gently placed a pen and paper in front of him. After a moment of staring blankly at the paper, Diego picked up the pen and began to write.

  EPILOGUE

  Quish’na poked around in the ashes with a stick he’d found in the street. He didn’t really expect to find anything, though. The fires had been ferocious, and little remained of his home except for ash, rubble, and fallen timbers. He glanced back at the street. Here and there, he could see people, human and Karan both, returning to survey their homes, to try to put their lives back together. He glanced up at Father Michael, who was cheerfully conversing with two burly Karan warriors.