Betrayal

by E. Wayne Stucki

  At the end of an hour Ensign A’Sok turned away from his console to face R’Bel. “That’s it, Commander,” he announced. “I’ve got the Iidx fleet categorized. Cross checks with Talon 2 and 3 confirm my findings. The entire breakout’s on your system.” He gave a grin that showed most of his sharp fangs. “From what we can see it looks like the Queens have sent their entire fleet to meet the humans.”

  “Very good, Ensign,” said R’Bel. His tail was giving small twitches as it reflected his excitement.

  “Ensign S’Nel!” he continued. “Append the data from Scanning to the Cut Out Success message and send. Make sure you use the appropriate encryption. Notify me after you receive a confirmation from the flagship.”

  “Yes Commander,” replied the Combat officer. “Appending now.”

  R’Bel had to resist the urge to go over to the Combat Suite and watch as the Ensign worked his equipment. It was difficult for the Commander to endure the time it took for messages to travel to Main Hive and back. At last S’Nel turned from his console to announce, “Fleet Admiral P’Mar acknowledges. We’re to proceed to our next position and prepare to winnow the Kthpok. We’re to maintain our stealth and not reply. The transmission ends.”

  Satisfied growls were heard from A’Sok at the news. R’Bel gave a feral grin. “Our time will come,” he called to his pack. “The next time we see those ships which should be in a week or so we get to kill some of them! Now, let’s get moving. We have a ways to go to set up a proper greeting for the Iidx.”

  The Kthpok armada swept around Main Hive with each ship keeping its station relative to the flagship. In the Center Room of that flagship S’Cinf sat on his perch. His tail curled and twitched around the base in anticipation as he waited for the conquest of Main Hive to begin. It shouldn’t be much longer now, he thought. Glancing over at the Fleet Admiral the Run Point grinned. From the way P’Mar’s tail was writhing it was easy to see he was just as anxious as his Run Point was. It’d been three days since receiving Decoy’s report which meant the Iidx ships should be nearing the decoys. The waiting had been hard on all of them.

  “Confirm location of the Iidx fleet,” ordered the Admiral breaking through the muted conversations of personnel and the hum of equipment. “I want a time count to the Activation Point. Have any ships left their formation?”

  “The enemy fleet will reach the AP in twenty minutes,” answered Lieutenant D’Pan from Scanning. “The number of ships reported by Decoy is accounted for, Admiral. None have left their formation since confirmation was made.”

  “Bring the fleet to Battle Alert,” ordered P’Mar. “Confirm all ships are ready.” Moments later Lieutenant L’Art in communications relayed that all vessels were at ‘Battle Ready’.

  The Fleet Admiral bobbed his head in approval. “Patch me through to all ships,” he ordered and glanced at the communications suite. “Don’t worry about encrypting, Lieutenant.” P’Mar gave a fang filled smile. “Hearing what I have to say isn’t going to save them from what we’re about to do.”

  L’Art acknowledged the order and set up the transmission. A moment later a tone was heard throughout the armada. “You’re live, Admiral,” the Lieutenant announced.

  “This is Fleet Admiral P’Mar,” he began. “In a few moments the Iidx Swarm will pass the orbit of the last gas giant in this system. When that occurs our assault begins.

  “All of us remember the treachery of the humans and our vow to regain our home, to obliterate those who destroyed our cities and nests. Fulfilling that vow begins in a few moments as we take Main Hive, exterminate the Iidx, and establish a stronghold in this system. When that has been accomplished and our strength and numbers rebuilt we will return to Fairen and exact our vengeance. We will then have two systems from which to grow and expand. Complete your assignments with diligence and we will succeed. Fleet Admiral P’Mar, clear!”

  A second tone sounded announcing the end of the Fleet Admiral’s transmission. The silence in the Center Room was broken only when Lieutenant D’Pan announced, “ten minutes to AP.”

  Lieutenant Chattan sat at his communications console buried deep inside Refuge and worked the controls. He was part of the team tasked by the Swarm Master to eavesdrop on the transmissions from the Kthpok Swarm hoping to catch something that would give an insight into the Kthpok intentions.

  The target ships were just coming over the horizon into his area of operations and he wanted to make sure if anything was to be heard he’d hear it. “Recording on,” he muttered going through a mental checklist. “System on. Satellites in position. Targets…”

  Chattan stopped muttering and hunched forward, antennae stretched out over his back. His hands flicked over the board fine-tuning the reception. Moments later he grunted and replayed the transmission he’d intercepted. This time, instead of just listening, he keyed in a translation. When he was finished he reread what he’d entered as he listened to the transmission the third time. Then he reached out and punched the alert button.

  His supervisor answered immediately. “This is Search Two, Captain.” Chattan gave a quick identification. “The Kthpok are in my area and have broken silence.”

  “Send the recording to be decrypted and translated,” Captain Basenat ordered. His tone indicated irritation at having to issue orders for something the Lieutenant should have known. When coming on duty each and every day for the past week every member of the team had been reminded of the proper procedures in the event of something like this happening.

  “Decrypt and translation is unnecessary, sir,” replied the Lieutenant. “The Kthpok were broadcasting in the clear. It was Fleet Admiral P’Mar making a Swarm-wide address.”

  There was a pause then Basenat spoke again. “Why is translation unnecessary?”

  “I served on the Zet’s Rage when the Swarm Master intercepted the Kthpok,” the communications officer explained. “On the return to Main Hive several of us in communications took the opportunity to learn their language. Since then I’ve worked to expand my vocabulary.”

  “That’s commendable Lieutenant,” replied Basenat. “The translation?”

  “Sorry, Captain,” Chattan said. “Using my expertise I’ve already prepared a translation. I’ve the actual transmission recorded as well if you want the translation to be checked. Although I think this should be thrown up to the Swarm Master without delay.”

  “Send the recording and your translation to my station,” ordered Basenat. “I’ll review what you’ve got then send it on if it warrants.”

  “Yes, sir,” Chattan replied. “I’ll relay it immediately.”

  The Lieutenant was confident after reading the translation Captain Basenat would reach the same conclusion he had. Chattan made a few entries to his console then announced, “The data has been sent to your station Captain. You’ll find it under my header and flagged priority.”

  Basenat confirmed receipt of the data. “Is there any more?” he asked. “That seems pretty brief for an important address.”

  “There’s nothing more, sir,” the Lieutenant confirmed. “At least nothing yet. After I’d translated the transmission I thought we should get it to the Swarm Master.”

  “Very well, Lieutenant. Carry on.”

  After the Captain cut the link and before returning to his work Chattan looked over at the Iidx who was sitting next to him. “I hear that the Swarm Master has some queens coming to visit,” he said.

  “That’s what I heard as well,” replied the Iidx. “So what?”

  Chattan gave a nod. “If I translated that message accurately after today they may be the only remaining queens.” He turned back to his equipment missing his companion’s stunned look.

  Sesum and Zelof had just completed an inspection of Refuge’s power facility and were heading for Stores when an Iidx hurried up. The corporal came to attention and saluted stopping the two leaders in the corridor. “A message from Captain Basenat in Eavesdropping, Swarm Master,” he said holding out an electronic pad. “The Capt
ain said it was urgent.”

  The Swarm Master returned the salute and took the offered pad. Ignoring the Iidx who were moving through the hall on their own errands he read the short message then turned to his Second. “The Queens,” Zelof said. “They’re supposed to be here today. Have they been picked up?”

  Sesum nodded. “I’ve confirmed their pickup an hour ago, Swarm Master,” he answered then glanced at his watch. “They’re due at Wartten’s landing strip in just under a half hour,” he said with a shrug. “There’s still enough time for us to check Stores then travel to the airstrip so we can participate in the Welcome Ceremony.”

  “The ceremony has just been cancelled and we aren’t going to Stores,” announced Zelof. “We’ll be returning to the Commander Center. All base personnel are to report to their battle posts. All scanning equipment will operate at full power. Get a general message out that all military facilities are to be closed and air space restricted to identified, military craft only. Any craft heading towards our facilities with the wrong IFF transponder code or no code at all will receive one warning. If that warning is ignored and the offending craft refuses to leave the area it’s to be destroyed. This also applies to the orbital defenses.”

  Sesum stared at the Swarm Master. His usual attention to details had been forgotten with the unprecedented orders Zelof had just issued. “Is all that really necessary?” he asked. “The Queens might think it a little extreme and threatening to the Kthpok. They’ll probably issue a countermanding order.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” said Zelof and handed the message pad to Sesum so the Second could read the message.

  A moment later Sesum looked up, his shell turning a darker green with anxiety. “What about the queens coming here?” he asked. “They could be in the air when the attack comes. Should they come directly to Refuge and bypass Wartten?”

  He gave an inquiring glance to the Swarm Master. “I know there’s no landing strip but there’s a road straight and long enough for a good pilot to use. The Iidx in command of the craft is your personal pilot and is capable enough. They could put down there and we can get the Queens inside.” He handed the pad back to the Swarm Master.

  Zelof thought for a moment then shook his head. “No,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. A direct flight to Refuge could be observed and direct the Kthpok here. Since there’s no landing strip some Kthpok analyst might wonder what was so important for a shuttle to make that landing and who was on it. High resolution cameras from orbit could identify the entrance used by the Queens.

  “Although Refuge was built with the best stealth technology we have and is hardened it isn’t wise to draw attention to this vicinity.” He shook his head. “I don’t think Wartten’ll be on the Kthpok’s priority list. It’s a secondary base and the Kthpok have to know it. It’ll be hit later after the more important bases have been destroyed. But if we draw their attention to this area by unexplained activity the Kthpok might move us up on their priority list.”

  Sesum nodded his understanding and Zelof resumed his instructions. “Let the aircraft continue but have the pilot know there’s a danger to his passengers. Be careful to avoid identifying the Queens in the transmission,” the Swarm Master reminded. “I want them at Wartten as quickly as possible. All speed restrictions are lifted. Once the shuttle lands get the Queens out of the open and in here to safety.”

  Sesum acknowledged his orders and hurried off. The Swarm Master noticed that the corporal who’d brought Basenat’s message had remained at attention, waiting for orders during the entire exchange. “Relax for a moment,” Zelof said then began entering a message on the pad.

  “Get this to Communications immediately,” he said a moment later handing the device back to the Corporal. “It’s to be sent immediately to the Space Swarm.” The Iidx took the pad and turned to run down a corridor.

  “They may be too late,” Zelof said to himself as he watched the Iidx disappear around a corner.

  S’Cinf turned away from examining the Center Room’s Battle Plot to see an officer walk over to the Fleet Admiral. The two Kthpok exchanged salutes then held a quiet conversation. A moment later the officer flashed another salute then swung around to return to his station. By this time the Run Point began to be curious about what was happening. Before he could key his link to the Admiral, P’Mar rose from his perch. S’Cinf watched as the Kthpok made his way through the consoles and Kthpok to where the Run Point was perched.

  The Admiral came to attention and saluted. “What is it?” asked the Run Point.

  P’Mar released the salute, went to Parade Rest then spoke in formal tones. “Run Point, the Iidx force has just passed the Action Point. I request permission to begin offensive operations.”

  S’Cinf bobbed his head in acknowledgement. “Operations may begin,” he said. “The Grand Pack is yours Admiral. Bring us victory!”

  The Fleet Admiral stiffened back to attention, flashed another salute then whirled to return to his own station. He failed to notice that in his hurry to begin the attack his tail just missed whipping the Run Point in the chest. S’Cinf gave an amused grin and returned to the Battle Plot.

  P’Mar didn’t step up onto his perch when he reached his station but keyed the link to his staff. “Initiate Cut Off,” he ordered. “Prepare for Cut Out.”

  All the officers contacted sent an acknowledgement. Activity swirled throughout the Center Room of the Raging as Kthpok moved to begin the conquest of Main Hive. There were no sirens or alarms but the level of tension bumped up a notch.

  P’Mar worked his console to locate one target in particular and put its magnified image on a screen facing his post. He grinned as he saw the Iidx Great Hive as seen from orbit was displayed and magnified. It was the center of their government.

  The announcement that a human fleet had entered the system in pursuit of the Kthpok had produced more results than drawing the Iidx fleet into the outer system. Ground vehicles could be seen scurrying to and from the building which indicated the Iidx government and, more importantly, the Queens were present. Everyone would be in place as the interception with the humans would occur hours from now. P’Mar’s tail began to switch back and forth in anticipation of what was going to happen.

  Reporting over the Admiral’s link Lieutenant L’Art announced the two transmissions had been sent. The Admiral gave an absent minded bob of his head without looking away from the screen. He knew one broadcast was directed to Decoy which was well outside the orbit of New Hive and the other to the surface.

  P’Mar watched the Great Hive as it seemed to tremble then blew apart in a brilliant explosion. He quickly reduced the magnification as the black and reddish orange fireball from a nuclear explosion climbed skyward. The surrounding buildings for miles in all directions were destroyed by the shockwave and fire. Admiral P’Mar gave a nod of satisfaction. The destruction of the Queens and their government should create the confusion among his enemy he wanted.

  Swarm Sub-master Drillyn was sitting on a saddle behind the desk of his Ready Room and reread the latest message from Swarm Master Zelof for the third time. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand its content rather it was a device to stall for time as he considered what to do.

  “Have you orders Swarm Master?”

  The question turned Drillyn’s attention to Moninco, his Second who was standing on the opposite side of his desk. “Have we received any more communications from Main Hive?” the Sub-master asked.

  The Iidx shook his head and the acting Swarm Master resumed thinking. “I’ve known Zelof too long to disregard one of his warnings,” he commented. “But our instructions come directly from the Presiding Assembly and that takes precedence over anything the Swarm Master may order.” The Swarm Commander left his desk and walked over to the room’s observation window. As he paced and talked to himself Moninco kept quiet.

  Drillyn continued thinking out loud and waved the electronic pad in the air. “Based on this I cou
ld request further instructions from the Presiding Assembly but the message would take several hours to reach Main Hive. Then the Queens would have to decide what to do. Of course, it might create more problems for the Swarm Master if the Queens knew that he’d been eavesdropping on our ‘guests’. After the decision was made the reply would take several more hours to reach the Swarm.” He stopped at the window and looked back at his Second. “How long to the projected intercept point?”

  There was no hesitation. “Half a day, sir,” replied the Second.

  Drillyn nodded and turned to look out the observation port at the stars beyond. “That solves that problem,” he said with a decisive nod. “We continue to make the intercept.”

  “But what about the Kthpok threat?” asked Moninco.

  “We can’t divert without orders,” replied the Swarm Master and shrugged his antennae. “All we can do is request further instructions. But if the Queens respond as soon as the message is received we won’t get the reply until we’re within a few hours of the interception. And I don’t think the Queens will react that fast. So the quickest way to resolve the issue is to reach intercept. Once that’s done and if we find no humans we burn for Main Hive.”

  “But sir!” Moninco protested and walked over to stand next to his commander, “What if Zelof’s right! What if the Kthpok are going to attack Main Hive!”

  “I’ve known the Swarm Master for years,” said Drillyn giving his antennae a sad shake. “And he’s probably right.” The sub-master gave an amused wave of his antennae. Zelof would’ve dropped antennae to hear Drillyn’s assessment. They’d been competitors for years. “He’s usually right even though he’s been an irritating hole in the Queen’s shells for the last few years. But you have to realize the time factor. If we stop right now and burn out our drives to get back we still won’t arrive in time to stop the Kthpok. We’re over three days from Main Hive.

  “My guess is that they’ve planned to coordinate their attack with our arrival at the IP. That gives the Swarm Master less than a day or so to make his preparations. So if we turn around right now without making the interception the Kthpok will know we suspect them and attack early. That could take time away from Zelof’s preparations.”