The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two)

by Thomas Wright

  “Yes. Should we mark it as our first stop?”

  “Exactly. Hairy non-humanoids will need food. Did Mira make it there yet?”

  “She did, standing right here. You need her?”

  “Nope. The waste tanks are recycling a bit slow. Just thought you should know.” I disconnected before the shouting started.

  “Dog, I have a gift for you. It might be good to wear on this stop so you can get adjusted to it.”

  ****

  Loaded and ready ten minutes later, I think everyone was relieved to be on the Claymore and doing something that moved us toward the action. They went about their duties and I turned my attention to Dog. I laid the armor in front of the bars and began explaining what each piece was. She stood up and stretched just like a dog would. She put her nose between the bars and sniffed the armor. She seemed to have no opinion either way about it, if I read her non-committal reaction correctly.

  “I’m going to open the door and let you out. Don’t make me regret it,” I said. She walked out slowly and came around to face me. “All of this should fit you perfectly. Genius scanned you, getting all your measurements. It’s modeled after the armor they outfitted warhorses with during ancient times, with few tweaks here and there. This will cover your body almost completely.”

  She studied me and it put me on edge.

  “Keep in mind, anyone you encounter on this ship is a friend no matter what happens. I hope you’re understanding everything I’ve been telling you. I’m still not convinced Queen Hairy Ass on over watch up there knows what she is talking about. Try not to fight me while I put this on you, ok? First, you have a body suit to keep the armor from chaffing you. There is still going to be noticeable irritations. Hold still.”

  There was a little growling on her part and cussing on my part but before I knew it she was in her body suit. She twisted her head as far as it would go to see herself her new covering. She was the first of her kind to wear anything, was my guess. Thousands of years ago she had been snatched away from her home. She turned back to look at me and snorted.

  “What’s the matter? Not pretty enough for you? Let’s see what you think about the rest of it.”

  The armor almost looked solid, but it was thousands of metal scales that would flex with Dog as she moved. The headpiece was elongated for full coverage, with holes for the eyes and nose. The scales would pull back when she opened her mouth and didn’t impede her bite in any way. A solid metal skull cap was incorporated with holes for her ears, then flowed down the back of her head and neck. There was a slight flare to the head piece that would deflect attacks away from the body. Three spikes would protect her exposed ears and serve as weapons. The body armor slipped up under the head piece and ran the length to her tail. It was a solid band of flexible metal that served as the backbone of the body armor. It also supported a row of spikes from neck to tail. The remainder was made of the movable scales covering her ribs, flank and soft tissue underneath all the way back to the genitalia, with adjustable straps to secure it and allow for growth.

  The leg piece scales were a mixture of sizes, fanning out at the shoulders and hips and wrapping around the feet with slots for her wickedly curved claws. In places, there was overlap in the set, but that was intended. Her ears, tail and the bottom of her feet were the only exposed flesh. We debated coverings for them, but didn’t want to impede her hearing or footing. In the end, we decided we could grow her new parts if she lost them in battle. They were cartilage and easy to reproduce. In the long term, we would make adjustments to our designs after some data was gathered, which would start in the next few minutes.

  “Hey, I’ve got something for you,” Genius yelled, entering the hold. He was twirling a large ring around his finger like a bored kid.

  “Is that her collar?”

  “It is, and more.”

  “Ok, I’m curious.”

  “First off, have I ever told you how disconcerting it is to have Imelda pop into my head? It freaks me the hell out. So, if you don’t like this it’s her fault. She told me how I would make it and I didn’t argue. I kept the other one I was working on just in case.”

  “I’m guessing this is a kinder, gentler version of what I wanted.”

  “Bingo, right in one. It’s basically a com. This flexible wire is going to snake up the back of her neck and rest right in front of her ear under the skull cap. Anything you say to her, she will hear. Put it around her neck up under the shoulder flare.”

  Dog had taken my dressing her in stride, but she growled as I tried to place the collar. I grabbed the spikes by her ears and shook her head. “Hush, it’s just so I can communicate with you at a distance. It won’t hurt you unless you ignore me. If that ends up being the case, then we are putting a different collar on you and I guarantee you won’t like it.” I shoved her head roughly to the side. She growled in response.

  I slipped the thin wire into place then tightened the collar. Turning it on, she was ready to go. I input her com codes into my mine. Right on time, the Claymore vibrated and touched down on Kanlost. Run fast, little Khalnalax soldiers, for the hell hound is on your heels. The ramp began lowering and I could tell by the waning light it was late evening and would be dark in just a few minutes. A giant, hairy ass dropped right in front of me and sprinted off on eight legs. “Go! Follow her and hunt.”

  I didn’t have to tell her twice. There was just the slightest noise as she leaped, clearing the ramp and landing on the ground. She was hot on Imelda’s tail and in no time they began putting distance between them and the ship. More of the crew had shown up and we stood quietly watching, waiting, listening.

  “Not sure you guys will see or hear much,” I said to no one in particular.

  “Just wanted to see the planet,” Ronnie said. “So much destruction. How do they make such a ship that moves along eating a planet?”

  “A lot of this is just wanton destruction. They know how deep they have to cut to get the ores and minerals. That alone would ruin Kanlost, but then they went deeper to ensure it would never sustain life, at least in the near future.”

  “We kind of ruined that for them, didn’t we, Boss?” Genius asked.

  “Sure did. There is a lot of contamination because of what we did, but it can be cleaned up later. There is still some forest land and probably some clean water. I’ll be back. I’m going to follow along behind those two.”

  Deireadh, we are going for a walk. Is my sword still sharp?

  Yes, Reaper, it is ready. It will always be ready and sharp.

  “Benjamin, the Akelorians are on the horn. They want to know what we stopped for,” Shawna said.

  “Tell them supplies and that we’ll be here no more than a couple hours. Don’t want them to freak out.”

  “Copy. Supplies and a couple hours.”

  Deireadh, I understand you are unique. Did your creators program you with the ability to give advice?

  There is a subroutine that possibly fits your desired meaning. It is only a subroutine because one does not correct the king or offer alternatives to his commands. I am better suited to offer changes in battle strategy, attack and defense. My protocols exist to serve and protect. Those have a higher priority in the routines.

  Makes sense. With my people, too, it was never wise to question the king’s commands. My dilemma is that I am wronging Binda at every turn. I made her the admiral of our fleet. Yet I walk over her, making demands of her people and diminishing her credibility.

  You do as you see fit, as any king would. But I understand you do not believe yourself to be the king so you question your actions?

  Many of these people are my family and I love them. I have not been…well, the lines blur and my course is not clear. I bring swift retaliation to anyone who even looks at me wrong. Now I have you, Deireadh. I can tear armored battle suits apart with a sword. If I desire a weapon, I see it in my mind’s eye and you can make it appear in my hands.

  You fear the power that you have gained.


  No, I fear the ghosts that haunt me. The dead. A pile of bodies as high as a mountain and I stand on top of them all with my sword and weapons. A river of blood runs like melted snow.

  Benjamin, if that is the case, then you are a king, though maybe not of Cjittan, and you are fine. That is exactly where you should be. On top. Had you said you were buried under all the bodies then we would have a different conversation. Your mind is searching for answers that you think are classified as right or wrong. Those from the past are neither. You as a soldier had no choice and you upheld your oath. It is hard knowing that those above you were corrupt and thought so little of you.

  But now I am making the decisions, the life or death of my people, and they follow those decisions without question.

  Of course, but unlike your past, your present is with people who believe in you. Don’t underestimate their ability to judge a situation. Both you and your crew see things in the moment simply as right or wrong. They can see it just as you do. The Khalnalax are just as wrong to them as they are to you. Your crew made friends in Cjittan and count the queen as a friend even if they don’t understand the dynamics between you two.

  Deireadh, shut up. For talking armor, you’re very long-winded. Don’t start talking about the dynamics between me and Taz.

  Apologies, Your Highness.

  Deireadh, what do you think Emperor Khalnalax would do if, while waging his war on Cjittan, someone comes in the back door and takes his capitol, maybe even his empire? Someone with the armor of a king who sees things in black and white…and red?

  He would do nothing except die, Reaper.

  That is what I’m thinking. We’ll have to find out where he is. Then we’ll kill him.

  Spoken like a true king.

  Shut up, Deireadh.

  As you wish.

  I walked along in the direction Dog and Imelda had taken. I should give Dog a name, but should it be a call sign or a real name? Is there a difference anymore? She needed to get used to it before we got into whatever was next, hot and heavy. It had to be different enough that it wouldn’t be confused with anyone else when people were shouting over the com.

  The sun’s last rays were almost gone from the sky. I heard screams on and off as I walked. I opened my com to Dog. “Your name is Zuri. It means beautiful.”

  Imelda, we will call her Zuri. If you are able communicate with her, tell her.

  That is nice. Leave me alone so I can figure out what to do with the four live Etash warriors I’ve confronted.

  Wait for me. I want a piece of that action. Where is Zuri?

  She is hunting. I don’t think she likes the armor. I saw her turning her head and snapping at it.

  She will if they are firing or swinging at her with weapons. It will take some getting used to, just like her name. If she is close by, she should join you. She will face a lot of GEMS soon, or Etash as you old folks call them.

  It is over. There is no need to come.

  What do you mean over? There were four of them.

  I killed one while you spoke. Zuri arrived and is eating the eyes out of another. The other two ran away.

  You’re kidding me. Don’t lie to me, Imelda.

  Do not be ignorant. Self-preservation is hard to ignore. They ran just as I said. We have ten kills. Two are Etash. Should we continue?

  Already?

  Fear, Benjamin. It locks up the weak-minded and overrides the fight-or-flight instinct in some. Some of the Khalnalax soldiers just stood and waited for their fate.

  Fine, let’s get going. And don’t try to show me up when we get to Idaline.

  We will be along shortly. Zuri is taking her time and playing with her food.

  It was a short walk back. The night air felt good when I lowered my helmet. I was thinking of totally stripping down and lying on the ramp for ten minutes or so.

  “Hey Boss, Aisling is on the horn now. Wants to talk to you,” Shawna said. “She sounds upset, just FYI.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure she is. More importantly, what’s the Warhammer doing? Is it still parked?”

  “Hold on. Let me look. No one else is on the bridge.”

  “Ok, check it and recall everyone. Supply gathering is over. The girls are quick.”

  “Strange, usually it’s the guys that are quick.”

  “Very funny.”

  “Warhammer is parked,” Shawna confirmed. “All bridge personnel report for duty immediately, ready for departure.”

  “Send me Aisling’s feed, Shawna,” I said, then prepared myself.

  “What have got to say for yourself? This is the last straw. I want all these people off my ship. They are no longer welcome.”

  “You don’t want to help those children learn to defend themselves? Those young women and men and the elderly need the training too.”

  “I’m done with you. Get them off my ship or I will.”

  “You should be done with Jared. It is all on him. He ordered your marine to attack me. I’m supposed to stand there while a mech pulverizes me? Sorry. Gimme a sec.”

  “Don’t cut me—”

  “Off, I would never. Shawna, get me Kimit please.”

  “Sure, Boss. You want Captain O to hold or should I accidentally disconnect her?”

  “Your call. I’ll get blamed no matter what happens.”

  “I know. That’s why it’s so sweet.”

  “Kimit here, how are you, Benjamin?”

  “I find myself needing a favor from you. You still parked near the Warhammer?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “Seems I have offended the captain once again and now she wants my people off her ship. You mind shuttling them to the Generations ship for me?”

  “If you will do a favor for me.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “Talk to Dakkon, encourage him to let me go to Idaline with your fleet.”

  “I will gladly do it if you promise not to hold it against me if he declines.”

  “He will not decline. You are the son he never had, except for the soft white flesh and your ability to cause trouble akin to a star-eating black hole. I believe he has affection for you.”

  “Didn’t see that coming, but I’ll do my best. It would be good to have you and the Black Scythe at our backs. You have any problems taking orders from me or Binda?”

  “I will follow your lead.”

  “Good enough. I’ll send you rendezvous coordinates. I have to call Adeen and let her know what’s going on.”

  “Shawna, Aisling still there?”

  “Hmm, nope. Some interference from the dust around Kanlost severed the connection.”

  “Great. Thanks for keeping the water boiling.”

  “Any time, Boss. What now?”

  “Get hold of Sash and tell her to help get everyone off the Warhammer. Tell her Kimit is coming to help so we can do it all in one trip. Then send a message to Dakkon that I need to talk to him.”

  “You’re not getting sweet on the lizard woman, are you? You just talked to her, now you need to talk to her boss?”

  “Shawna, you know there is only you.”

  “You’re so full of shit. Is there a message you want me to send?”

  “No. Well, yes. Tell him I am taking the Black Scythe and its crew with me to Idaline.”

  “I have the feeling you were supposed to ask him for permission,” Shawna said.

  “Benjamin, what are you doing now?” Lorelei cut in.

  “Shoring up our forces.”

  “Will there be any place in the known empires left for us to go when you’re through?” Lorelei grumbled.

  “Lorelei, love, we will go where we want when we want. If someone gives us too much guff, well, we might just take everything they have from them. I’m already the King of Cjittan. They just don’t know it.”

  “You’re kidding, right? Tell me you’re having a crazy episode.”

  “Shawna, send the message,” I ordered.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “That�
�s my girl.”

  ****

  “Admiral Cushda, we have arrived at the rendezvous coordinates.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant. Inform the captain we will conduct a strategy meeting once the rest of the fleet arrives. All ship captains and second officers will attend. I will send out instructions via coded message.”

  “The six surviving ships from the attack on the Khalnalax have begun checking in. They have all reported there has been no word from Queen Tazleaha.”

  “We cannot believe the worst until we have further evidence. We must get our soldiers on the planet and conduct a search and rescue. That is all I will say for now. Notify all ships we are running blackout protocols. Ship-to-ship comms are only authorized on my order. There is to be no contact with Xanlos under any circumstances and all incoming or outgoing messages will come through the flagship command center.”

  “Yes, sir. Transmitting notifications to all ships. Blackout protocols.”

  “Carry on, Lieutenant. Contact me at once when the last ship has arrived.”

  Admiral Cushda had worked the whole voyage to Idaline on multiple strategies. Until they engaged the enemy, it was all looking at the star system and ship schematics, head counts and what ifs. Looking for weaknesses and strengths in the enemy fleet was simple. The Khalnalax fleet was stronger.

  He knew the battleship must be neutralized or it would all be over quickly. Having a larger fleet means nothing if a quarter of the ships are undersized and unable to disable or destroy the enemy ships. The small ships would serve as escorts to the transports to the surface of Idaline then rejoin the fleet and empty their holds of missiles. It was all they could do. While they were away on escort duty, they were all but evenly matched in number but lacking firepower. The Privateers might make the difference and turn the tide. If they come. Directed at the right target, the Allond corvette belonging to the queen’s lover and the three Cjittan stingers should, in theory, make short work of anything smaller than the battleship.

  The Privateer captains would have to be exceptional, but they could do it. The other question was if they would let him direct them and obey his orders. They were a most unruly bunch, defying the queen herself, or so it was rumored. No, it was no rumor. It was the truth. Her lover and chosen mate had no problem removing anyone or anything that got in his way. If a Cjittan noble isn’t safe, then an old and tired admiral can’t expect any better. It was safest to follow his orders, if only so his ships targeted the correct fleet.