Betrayal

by E. Wayne Stucki

  S’Cinf gestured his dismissal. The Admiral saluted, swung around and moved for his post. As he turned back to the main viewer the Run Point saw more flashes of light on the continent, moving towards the western coast. He gave a low snarl of satisfaction.

  By the time S’Cal was leaving the Run Point’s station Lieutenant L’Art had already reached his perch. The Lieutenant put on his head set, made a few entries on his console, said something into his microphone and listened for a reply. A moment later he swung his long neck around so he could face S’Cinf. “The contact has been made, Run Point,” L’Art announced. “Queen Geddon is waiting to speak with you. I can send the link to the main viewer of your post now if you wish.”

  “Do it!” replied S’Cinf. “Add Admiral S’Cal with a listen-only link.” The Lieutenant nodded his acknowledgement and worked his equipment.

  A moment later the designated monitor on S’Cinf’s console flickered. Staring down at the screen the Run Point saw an Iidx with the large, delicate antennae of a Queen.

  After a quick check to make sure the computer translation module was operating he looked into the visual pickup and spoke. “You requested this conversation,” S’Cinf growled. “Speak up! I’m busy exterminating your people and don’t have time to waste.” He could see from the way the Queen’s antennae flinched that this wasn’t how she expected the conversation to go. Omitting her title seemed to irritate her as much as anything else.

  “I did ask for this conversation,” the Queen confirmed omitting the creatures title. She gave a slight bob from her antennae. If this Kthpok could be rude she’d return the favor. “I am Geddon, the Senior Queen speaking for the Council of Queens.”

  S’Cinf smiled, showing his sharp serrated teeth. “I don’t remember you,” he stated. “But that is of no importance. What does the ‘Council’ want?”

  Geddon seemed to rear back with indignation at his continued rudeness then sagged as she remembered that more of her people were being vaporized or blown apart as they spoke. If she was going to save lives she had to act quickly. “Your forces have proven superior to the Swarm defending Main Hive,” she confessed. “I am asking you to stop the slaughter of my people.”

  “Most of my people were murdered and the survivors exiled from our nest world,” replied S’Cinf baring his teeth even further; turning a smile into a snarl. “There was no one willing to extend mercy then. And we have no desire to extend mercy now.

  “A lesson we learned from the humans years ago in that same nest system was to never trust any but our own kind. Since I control your skies why shouldn’t I finish the job and kill each and every Iidx? An extinct enemy is no threat! That’s another lesson we learned from the humans.”

  The Queen bowed her head. “You have the power to do as you say but your people will lose also,” she replied. “In continuing your nuclear bombardment you are causing extreme damage to the planets environment. The damage may be irreparable by this time. But if it isn’t and you continue the attack it will become so. That would make the planet unlivable even for the Kthpok.

  “When you first arrived in our system you requested aid in rebuilding your weaponry. The Iidx people can assist in the production of armaments.” She looked back at him, her fluffy antennae going stiff. “As we have already done. And for our efforts you repay us with betrayal and slaughter.”

  The Run Point waved away the last comment away as insignificant. “You are offering your people as slaves?” he asked.

  “If that’s the only way we can survive.”

  “Very well,” said S’Cinf then turned to look at the Fleet Admiral and gave a sharp nod. After he received an acknowledgement S’Cinf turned back to Geddon, “I have given the order to stop the bombardment of your cities and military bases as a gesture of good faith,” he announced. “As a precaution I’m keeping my fleet in orbit. If I suspect any deception, any attack contemplated on this fleet, the bombardment will resume.

  “Know this,” he snarled, “that if the bombardment resumes it will not stop until the Iidx are extinct. There will be no further negotiations.” Once again the Queen bowed her head in submission.

  S’Cinf used his right hand to key in a command on his console. An instant later the requested data appeared on a side screen. After reviewing the information the Run Point glared at the Queen and she seemed to wilt even further. “The Iidx will gather in the following cities,” he said then read the names of the eleven cities shown on the screen. “As you can see these are the manufacturing centers which we used to build our current inventory of missiles. The Iidx will gather in these cities and prepare to produce the products I desire.

  “You, Queen Geddon, will have leave to govern your people, to assign them tasks under my direction.”

  “I have the list of cities,” Geddon stated, “and agree to your terms, Run Point. The Iidx will relocate to the cities you have specified. When must this be accomplished?”

  S’Cinf thought for a moment. He knew that even with the slaughter his people had inflicted so far there must be millions of bugs to be relocated. “I will leave to your discretion how it’s to be accomplished but you’ll have one month to gather your people,” he said. “Do not waste time or expect an extension as my patience is not without limit. To assist in your efforts and hasten the gathering I will halt the hunting flights over the main continent. This is in addition to stopping the bombardment. If I determine your agreement today is an effort to stall in the hopes of developing a defense or if your efforts are not moving fast enough the bombardment will resume and the Iidx species will be eliminated.” Geddon nodded her understanding once again. “After the month is over the cities and bases not listed as sanctuaries will be destroyed.

  “There is one more item Queen Geddon, Senior of the Council of Queens.” The Run Point’s voice dripped with derision. “After the month has expired there will be no amnesty. There will be no discussion. Any Iidx found outside those sanctuaries will be hunted down and blasted! The only safety for your people will be found in these eleven cities.”

  “I understand, Run Point,” repeated Geddon, “And your terms are accepted. The Iidx will comply. Will there be anything else?”

  “No,” replied S’Cinf. “You should begin gathering your people immediately. One month is not very much time.”

  At a signal from the Run Point the communications officer ended the transmission. The Kthpok leader leaned back on his tail and looked over at Admiral S’Cal who’d been listening in on the conversation from his post. “The Iidx should have surrendered when they learned their fleet had been destroyed,” S’Cinf commented and shrugged. “With their fleet and orbitals destroyed there was no hope of winning. A surrender would have prevented this bombardment.” He nodded at the screen. The brilliant flashes of nuclear explosions had stopped leaving only the streaking black lines of smoke. “Of course it would’ve meant we’d’ve had more bugs to kill later.”

  S’Cal left his perch to walk over next to the Kthpok leader. “I haven’t been briefed on the structure of this Council of Queens, your Eminence,” he said. “Where does Geddon fit?”

  “My understanding is that she’s the junior most Queen on their council,” replied S’Cinf. “The fact she’s the head of their government is an indication of how effective our strikes against their leadership has been. The Iidx are a highly structured, hierarchical society. If a Queen with more seniority survived she would have taken command and made the decision to contact me.”

  “I see,” said S’Cal, bobbing his head. “Perhaps that’s why they didn’t surrender earlier, your Eminence. It took them this long for Geddon to realize she was the Senior Queen.” Then he paused for a moment and cocked his head as he thought. A moment later he spoke again. “Back on Fairen we had some insects similar to the Iidx, Run Point. They had a hive structure with a Queen and it was the Queen who produced the young. If the similarity holds here those Queens are the key since they propagate the species.” He swung around to look at the screen
and gestured with his tail at the planet shown there. “The solution to securing the planet and eliminating the Iidx is that we eliminate the Queens. Since only one remains all we have to do is find out where she is and send in another missile. With no Queen there’s no young. And with no young the Iidx die within a generation without any threat to us.”

  S’Cinf nodded his approval. The Fleet Admiral, although newly promoted, was aggressive and thinking long-term. He even had the ultimate solution in mind for the Iidx. In this instance, however, he needed more information. “We could kill this Queen,” the Run Point agreed, “but there are more than this one. There’s the City and Regional Queens who can produce young. We also don’t know if they’ve already elevated some of the Regional Queens to the Council. Or if Queen Eggs have been laid and hidden.

  “We have to give the Iidx some reason to gather all their surviving Queens into the cities specified.” He gave a feral grin. “That’s why I’m giving them time to move into the eleven cities. After Geddon confirms her people are gathered at those locations we’ll wait for a week or two.” He waved a hand. “Oh, we’ll resume the attacks on any Iidx outside those cities but we’ll leave the sanctuaries alone. When we’re convinced we’ve got all their Queens in our little box we’ll launch our new weapons. That’ll eliminate the bulk of their population and all their Queens.

  “Of course, some males may refuse to comply with Geddon’s orders. Before the attack I’d noticed a few who’d started to develop spirit. That Swarm Master Zelof was one. I don’t think he’d gather. He might’ve even tried to set up a hive of his own if he could convince a Queen to join him. That’s why I had his posting eliminated early in this campaign. Swarm Master Zelof won’t be around to organize any form of resistance.”

  “What if a Queen goes rogue and refuses to obey Geddon?” S’Cal wondered. “She could take her swarm and hide in the jungles or mountains.”

  “Then we hunt them to extinction,” snarled the Run Point. “Since they won’t have any tech base to manufacture weapons or defenses they’ll be easy targets. It’ll provide an opportunity for us to train hunting skills into our young. We’re going to do to the Iidx what our ancestors should have done to the humans when they were discovered.”

  Sesum continued to stare at the horizon long after the fireballs dimmed and the night had returned. He heard a shuffling sound next to him and turned to see the dark outline of Queen Krissen. “I’m sorry, your majesty,” the Swarm Master said. “We need to get you to your tent.”

  “Shouldn’t we move on?” the Queen wondered. “I mean I’m not a military expert or anything close to it but it seems to me that we’re inviting disaster if we just sit here.” She gestured with a false-hand, a faint motion in the dark. “Since the Kthpok have destroyed Soa and we’re just on the other side of these hills we could be targeted for an attack right now. We need to take down our camp and move on.”

  “That would not be a good idea, Highness,” replied Sesum.

  “And just why is that?” The Queen’s tone was stern and uncompromising.

  “Right now this camp is a dark spot in a dark canyon. It’s no different than anywhere else in the area. If we pack up now to travel we’d have to turn on lights to see,” replied Sesum. “Lights in the dark provide excellent targeting even for a fast high altitude, aircraft. If we’re successful in breaking camp without getting blasted then we’d have to drive without lights.” He shrugged. “The danger in that has to do with unseen obstacles. There may be large rocks on the road, slides that’ve taken out the road, bridges missing over rivers or ravines; anything we don’t see can be fatal.”

  Swarm Master Sesum shook his head. “No, your Highness, it’s too dangerous. We’ll remain here for the night. But as soon as it’s light enough we’ll get moving.” Sesum gestured to where the tents were located. “It’s getting late. I’ll get you to your tent where you can rest.” Without saying another word he took one of the Queen’s arms and began to walk for the Royal Tent. This time there was no argument or objection from Krissen at being touched.

  The next morning Sesum had everyone up when the eastern horizon began to lighten. In the dim light breakfast was prepared and eaten then camp struck. The convoy was moving deeper into the hills just as the sun was appearing over the mountains.

  After travelling a couple of hours, the line of vehicles climbed through the hills. They moved over a pass and were starting to descend when the first evidence of Kthpok raiders appeared. They saw burned out hulks of vehicles, blackened craters and fragments of bodies. Although they stopped to search there was no sign of survivors.

  By mid-day the convoy had dropped out of the hills, left the forests and entered a valley that was between the hills and a larger mountain chain. The summer heat had turned the normally green grass to a dull brown. They followed the road as it moved the length of the valley. At the far end Sesum, in the lead vehicle, stopped the convoy on the outskirts of a village to consult his maps.

  “This was Roclam,” he announced to Sergeant Willem, his driver, as they surveyed the devastation before them. His voice was tinged with sorrow as he saw the shattered walls and rubble that remained of the outer buildings. Burned and blasted metal marked vehicles. Swathes of blackened grass marked the valley where fires started by the explosions had burned. It was obvious to Sesum the Kthpok had used conventional missiles and pulsers since there wasn’t a single large crater. There were lots of smaller craters. Nor was there any sign of radiation.

  “There must have been several hundred people here when the Kthpok attacked,” the Swarm Master continued. His voice already colored with grief combined with anger as he shook his antennae. “There was no strategic or political necessity for putting defenses here. These people weren’t a threat yet the Kthpok slaughtered them.”

  After a few moments more of staring at the devastated and blackened landscape Sesum shook himself then nudged his driver. “We’d better get moving, Sergeant,” he said. “I don’t think the Kthpok will come back here but I don’t want to chance it. We also have a timeline to keep.”

  Without saying a word Willem put the vehicle in motion. The rest of the convoy followed in a slow weave through the shattered village avoiding the deeper craters and bigger ruins. The treads and wheels ground over rubble from buildings and ran over twisted metal hulks. The people of the convoy found it difficult to ignore the crunching sounds that came from under their vehicles because of the images they conjured.

  Sesum gave a deep sigh of gratitude and relief when they left the devastation of Roclam. Their speed increased to highway rates as the convoy moved into foothills which led to a major mountain chain beyond. This would be the last range they had to pass before reaching the coast. Then they had to cross the strait to reach the island that was their destination. He paused and gave an amused shrug of his antennae. He needed to worry about one obstacle at a time. Just get over the mountains and to the coast with the Queen alive. Then they’d take the next step of getting to the island.

  At mid-afternoon the road began to climb into the mountains. As they drove it seemed everything but the bushes and trees were dead. They should have seen creatures flying in and out of the trees with insects scuttling across the road but there was nothing. And he couldn’t explain why.

  Since the attack on Soa they hadn’t heard anything on the radio other than static. It was eerie and seemed that the people in the convoy were the only ones on the planet who were alive. There wasn’t even a sign of Kthpok raiders which surprised Sesum. Where were the Kthpok? What were they doing?

  Two hours from sunset the convoy reached a high mountain valley just before dropping down the coastal side. Continuing to follow Sesum’s vehicle the convoy slowed then pulled off the main road for a meadow viewpoint. According to the maps Swarm Master Zelof had provided it had been a popular site for tourists during happier times, before the Kthpok arrived.

  Sesum directed Willem to lead the way into an established camping area covered by trees then
had the vehicle stop. The Swarm Master climbed out and looked up then nodded. This was perfect! All that leafy green foliage overhead was thick enough to prevent aircraft from spotting them.

  Leaving the vehicles and the camping area he walked to the edge of the trees and looked out. There was a large meadow covered with tall grass and yellow and red flowers. He saw a paved walkway leading from the camp sites through the trees to a view point on the edge of a cliff. While he wasn’t inclined to walk over to check he was sure the vista of the jungle beyond would be impressive. He’d probably be able to see to the ocean from this height, possibly even the island that was to be their eventual home.

  Sesum continued his examination of the area a few minutes more. Surrounding the meadow were trees with white trunks and small round leaves interspersed among evergreens.

  The Swarm Master swung around and made his way back through the white trunked trees to his vehicle. Opening the door he looked at Sergeant Willem who, like the rest of the convoy, was waiting for instructions. “We’ll camp here for the night,” Sesum announced. “Pass the word. I want the tents set up inside the camping area before dark. Although the trees should give us sufficient cover from aerial observers the blackout still applies.”

  Willem acknowledged the order and reached for his radio. The orders went out.

  Soldiers erupted from their vehicles and began setting up camp. Queen Krissen left her vehicle to wander through the trees examining camp sites eventually walking out into the meadow. Her two guards followed, weapons held ready, keeping careful watch for any threat. A slight breeze went rippling across the meadow.