HADRON Emergent

by Stephen Arseneault

  Mace nodded. “So far as we know. We aren’t certain how far the conspiracy stretches, but I believe he’s the ringleader. His plan, so far as we know it, was to defeat the UF in the next few weeks. After that, they would be robbed of their assets and wealth, which would in turn be used to build a force to attack the Dedrus. The general wants revenge. And just so you know he was serious, we rescued you as you were on your way to be ‘disposed of.’ His words.”

  Favia rubbed the cleft in her forehead. “This has to be stopped. We have no conflict with the United Front.”

  Mace winced. “Actually you did… or would have. They defeated the Karthians. Had they gotten their hands on those gatrellium mines, it would have strengthened their ability to conduct war. Eventually they would have come after you. They are expansionists.”

  Favia said, “You must return me to the palace immediately.”

  Mace shook his head. “I think that’s a bad idea. We don’t know the full extent of this conspiracy. We have you safe. We now have to figure out how to get you safely back. You don’t know whom you can trust. I take it from your reaction down there you trusted Keona?”

  “He has been one of my strongest proponents with the military.”

  Mace frowned. “Sorry to hear that. He is also the one who ordered your death. He has a relationship with the impostor queen, and planned to rule the Dominion through her. He found an actress that both looks and sounds almost like you. With the makeup and outfits you wear as queen, no one can tell the difference.”

  Favia scowled. “I should like to meet her alone. It would give me great pleasure to rip her to shreds.”

  Mace held up a hand. “All in due time. We have Jane and several others watching her and your supposed new advisors.”

  “And what of my old advisors?”

  Mace shrugged. “They quietly resigned and haven’t been heard from since. My guess is Keona is either sitting on them as well… or he could have ordered their deaths. We don’t know as of yet.”

  “Tell me your plans. How am I to be returned?”

  Mace sighed. “We don’t know yet. Johnny and I will be heading back down to follow Keona and Blogue. Since Keona thinks you’re now in the hands of the Harpoonians, he may relax his guard and spend more time with the impostor. He tells her everything. We can best craft a strategy once we have more information.

  “If the conspiracy is confined to Keona and Blogue, your return should be easy. If not… well… we need to know how deep it goes. Aside from being a friend, you are a critical ally. Oh… and one more thing… I think our King Stark is involved. He’s been in secret talks with Keona, which is why Keona is attacking the UF. If he wins freedom for Earth, Stark has promised him all the ground troops he wants in a fight against the Dedrus.”

  Favia scowled. “Keona is a fool. As is your Stark. The Dedrus are far more powerful than either realize. We were nothing but a trapped animal for them to poke with a stick for their own enjoyment. Keona was on the back-lines of that war, having climbed through the ranks as a supply officer. He was efficient in his role, but had no combat experience.

  “The Dedrus are almost equal in size, strength, and intelligence to Humans. Their empire, from what we know, is three times the size of ours. Their colonies are highly industrialized. Their fleets are large and offer adequate protection for the Dedrus to land ground troops. That is what they do. They prefer to attack on the ground. They drop in troops and throw up some seemingly impenetrable gravity dome to protect them while they ravage everything below. Had they decided to overrun us, they could have done so at any time.”

  “Why didn’t they?”

  Favia sighed. “We don’t know. For years the Dedrus were demanding payment for them to leave us alone. Until my diamond planet came along, we had no means to pay them. Our colonies were struggling to stay afloat because our defense costs were so high. We paid them… they went away.”

  Mace said, “We have our own issues. We need to remove Stark from power, but we can’t do it until all external threats are gone. His deal-making has kept us alive to date, but the species left to make deals with are running out. My concern is we will at some point be looked at as a liability rather than an asset, at which point someone will just come in and wipe us out. I’m concerned at the moment that the UF may do that if they feel we’ll be used by the Hoorka. Without having our own means of protecting ourselves, we’re under constant threat of annihilation.”

  Favia half smiled. “Indeed that is no way to live, as I’ve been repeatedly told by my people. When I am restored to power I will see to it that you Humans have your freedom. As to Stark, I don’t think it proper that I be involved in what others would consider your internal affairs. You will have to solve that issue on your own.”

  Mace nodded. “That’s as much as we could ask. Now… we have to be getting some sleep before heading back down to the surface. Mr. Collins and his crew will see to any needs you may have. We’ll report back when we have more to say.”

  Favia stood and bowed. “You are a man of honor, Mr. Hardy. And a trusted friend. I now owe you my life twice over. When this clears, I will make sure the Hoorka people know of your actions.”

  Mace held up a hand as he headed for the door. “I think I’d rather remain anonymous, if that’s OK. You make me famous and I won’t be able to go anywhere without being recognized.”

  Favia smiled. “It’s not so bad. Most people will wish you well.”

  Mace stopped and looked back. “Exactly… it’s those not-most people I’d rather not have to deal with.”

  After nine hours of sleep, shuttle five settled in the field on the military base. Mace proceeded to General Keona’s office and Johnny headed to Admiral Blogue’s. The admiral came in early and immediately got to work looking over plans for the next phase of the Hoorka-UF invasion. The UF had retreated to the planet of their military command. Three warstations sat in high orbit, guarded by just over a thousand warships.

  General Keona arrived two hours later. “Lieutenant Torvil, hold all my comms this morning. I have work I need to get done without disturbance.”

  The lieutenant nodded as he pressed the button on his arm pad that unlocked the general’s door. Mace followed the general into his office, taking position behind his chair as he sat at his desk.

  As a holo-display appeared above the desk, a chime came over his comm.

  Keona answered, “Torvil, what did I just say?”

  The lieutenant nodded. “I am sorry, General. Admiral Pran is here and has asked to see you.”

  Keona scowled. “Very well, let him in.”

  “General.”

  “Admiral Pran. To what do I owe this visit?”

  The admiral pulled up a chair. “The queen. Does she seem in a good state to you? She has been abrupt and very off-putting for most of a week now. We are the war council, and yet she is dictating this war to us after orders have already been sent out. It seems we are being pushed aside, and I find that quite disconcerting.”

  Keona rolled his head to one side as he stood from his chair, giving him superior position over his rival. “The results are difficult to argue with, Admiral. Her strategy and tactics have been highly successful. The war council seems indecisive of late, which may be why she has taken command herself.”

  Pran shook his head. “That is not how our government is set up to work. The monarchy has not controlled the military for centuries, and rightly so. Decisions then are made from a political standpoint instead of a military one. A rogue monarch is exactly why the war council was created in the first place… to prevent a monarch from declaring war on their own. Do you not see the danger in that? The old council would have never allowed it.”

  Keona huffed. “The old council was senile. If not for the queen’s payment to the Dedrus, we would still be at war and would be as broke as ever. Now, we fight for the Dominion… and we win.”

  Pran scowled. “The old council were combat veterans. This new council is filled with imbecile
s who don’t know which direction to point a concussion stick. You yourself came up through supply, did you not?”

  Keona returned an angry stare. “I won’t take your insults, Admiral. My supply efforts are what kept your ships running and your soldiers fed. And I was good at what I did.”

  Pran sighed. “My apologies, General. I didn’t intend to come here to demean your service. I’m concerned for our people, for our resources. We are not being allowed access to the war plans. What if the queen puts us in over our heads? The lives of our military men and women are being put in harm’s way, and for what purpose? Conquest?”

  The general returned to his chair. “For security, Admiral. We will not be threatened by these expansionists any longer. The Karthian threat has been dealt with. When the UF threat has been silenced, we only have to worry about the Dedrus.”

  Pran pulled back. “The Dedrus? They have pledged to leave us be. And there has been no indication of their reneging on that pledge. Have you heard or seen evidence of any such threat?”

  Keona waved his hand. “No. Only the implied threat of the Dedrus still being out there. Regardless, if the queen can defeat the United Front, as I expect she can, we will truly be at the beginning of a period of peace and prosperity, a period without threat and worry. That is a future I look forward to. And for that reason I will continue to support our queen.”

  Pran stood. “I am sorry, General. I wholeheartedly disagree. Should this be allowed to go forward, what’s to stop her from dissolving the war council? Why are we here if she doesn’t need our advice? Do you not see the danger of where these unilateral actions will lead?”

  Keona shook his head. “I do not. As I stated before… I support the queen.”

  Pran growled as he turned toward the door. “One day you will regret your inaction, Halfus. We all will.”

  Pran left the room. As the door closed, Keona’s stern look of support turned into a giddy smile. A comm was opened to the impostor queen.

  Keona said, “Our most difficult and influential critic just left my office.”

  The queen replied, “And?”

  Keona grinned. “And he is frustrated, but not to the point of taking action. I was certain he would have called for a special meeting of the council by now. His indecision to do so may give us the extra day or two we need to cement our strategy. If we can soundly defeat the UF at their military stronghold, the rest of their colonies will capitulate and fall in line with a surrender. From there, we strip those colonies of their wealth and begin to make use of their labor for our means.”

  The queen scowled. “You had better be right, Halfus. I am beginning to get stares from my guard. As if they recognize that I am not their true queen.”

  Keona smiled. “That is just your nerves, Ceola. Those stares are more likely in awe of their queen rather than suspicion. Your appearance, your voice, even your gait as you walk… you are playing this role perfectly. And I have news for you. The queen is gone. Done away with. She will not be coming back. The throne is now yours and mine to lose. If we stick to our plan there is nothing left that can stop us.”

  The queen half frowned. “And what of us, Halfus? When do we get to be together? I find myself longing for your company.”

  The Hoorka general gushed with pride and desire. “Soon, Ceola. Soon.”

  The comm closed. Keona was once again sporting a grin. “Foolish woman. In three months’ time you will be replaced by another. One who is not so ambitious and understands that her role is just that… a role.”

  The general spent the next several hours looking over the results of the ongoing battle. The Hoorka had destroyed two of the three warstations, but at the cost of almost half of their fleet. The UF had lost only a quarter of their ships.

  A comm came in from Admiral Blogue. “Halfus, I’m worried. These are huge losses. We should either withdraw or commit the reserves now.”

  “Yes, our losses have been on the extreme end of our expectations, but we are winning. Should that last warstation fall, I will commit the reserves. Remember, Admiral, this is the one fight we have to win. Once we have victory here, the rest of the United Front will fold.”

  Blogue scoffed. “Commit the reserves now and ensure a victory. Are you worried about leaving our defenses thin at home? We have no enemies. The Dedrus have not threatened our borders since the treaty was signed. Commit these ships, Keona. Make this victory happen.”

  The Hoorka general shifted in his chair. “We must have patience, Admiral. We have a plan and that plan has been followed. However… if we have not made significant progress toward ending this assault in the next day, I will authorize the reserves.”

  Blogue slowly nodded. “Consideration is all I ask, Halfus. Those are our fighters and our ships. They deserve all the support we can give them. Now… I would like to discuss when the queen will be brought back to the palace. I understood our need to temporarily replace her at the onset of this conflict. When will we be bringing her back?”

  Keona sighed. “You must have patience. I will not discuss this with you while this conflict is ongoing. When the time is right, I will inform you of my plan.”

  The admiral leaned toward his camera. “Just don’t take too long, General. Every day we hold her we risk losing control of this. Pran and Agok have both been by my office today. They were each hinting at a war council meeting to discuss the queen’s overreach. We need Queen Favia back in control. The erratic statements by your actress are making everyone nervous.”

  Keona nodded. “As I said, you must have patience, Admiral. The next few days are critical. When this victory comes… and it will… you will see a changed Dominion. There will be a surge in patriotism, wealth and prosperity like never before. Our people will be proud to be Hoorka. We will be the greatest civilization this galaxy has ever known!”

  Blogue sat silent. “Sometimes you scare me, General. Your dreams may be obscuring reality. We are a strong, happy, and resilient people already. To want much more begs to invite disappointment.”

  Keona looked at his display. “Yes! Are you watching the battle, Admiral?”

  “I am.”

  “Did you just witness the strike on that warstation?”

  “I did. I also witnessed the loss of two of our ships along with all those who crewed them.”

  The general leaned back in his chair. “Another strike as such and their main weapon will be offline. I may be able to commit those reserves sooner than planned. This is exciting, Blogue. We are on the cusp of glory, the onset of a new Dominion age. Be prepared to be a major part of our history, Admiral. Victory is coming!”

  Blogue asked, “General, about last night… just after the speech. Why did you shut me from that room? And why weren’t you at the event after in the military hall? I was surrounded by grumpy war council members who were all second-guessing the queen’s speech. I could have used your support.”

  Keona sighed. “I received a comm. It was personal business that had to be dealt with. I apologize for my behavior, but it couldn’t be helped.”

  Blogue smiled. “Sounds like you are having trouble with a female. Is there someone new in your life?”

  Keona nodded. “Something like that. It’s personal at the moment, and I’d rather keep it that way for now. And, Blogue, thank you for your support in all this. It helps to have someone to share my plans and concerns with. I will enjoy sharing this victory with you.”

  “We will all enjoy this victory, Halfus. A victory given to us by your plans and actions.”

  Keona smiled as the comm closed.

  Chapter 8

  *

  Later that day the third United Front warstation was taken out of the fight. With its main weapon unable to fire, the Hoorka ships descended on it like a swarm of angry bees. Decks burned and collapsed as the internal gravity systems remained operational. In a final move, boarding parties were sent in to end any chance of repairs.

  Before the sun set on the Hoorka capital city, General Halfus Ke
ona, much to Admiral Blogue’s delight, ordered in the reserve fleet. Eighteen hundred Dominion warships engaged the five hundred remaining UF dreadnoughts and cruisers. It was anything but an equal matchup.

  Keona accepted a comm from the impostor queen. “My dear Ceola, the United Front defenses are collapsing. We may have our victory within the day.”

  “Excellent news. When can I expect the script of the speech I am to give at the conclusion of this conflict? I would like to get in as much practice as I can. I want to appear both genuine and spontaneous.”

  “I have a team working on it today. It appears our victory may come sooner than we planned. But do not worry, you will have ample time to study. This is to be the first of many speeches you will give about our great victory. You will inspire all of the citizens of the Dominion to be proud of their empire and their leadership.”

  “And when this fighting ends… we will be together?”

  Keona offered a broad smile. “It is a time that is fast approaching. It will be our time to bask in our glory as well as our love. Fate is smiling on us, Ceola, and we shall smile back.”

  The impostor fluffed the tendrils on her head as her laser-green eyes widened from their slits. Have you ever wanted children, Halfus?”

  The general sat in silence for several seconds. “Is that something you desire?”

  Ceola’s eyes narrowed. “Would it not be wise for me to have a child to one day inherit my throne?”

  The general rubbed the fold in his forehead. “I suppose that would be wise. It would mean that you will have to publicly take a king.”

  Ceola grinned. “I have someone in mind.”

  The general returned a smile. “I would like to save this discussion for later, my love. Being laden with such talk now is a distraction from the important tasks at hand. Once this war is settled and peace established, we can have our fill of it. Now, if you will excuse me… I have a war to get back to.”

  “Before you go… who is aware of our little game? Blogue… my advisors… who else?”