Clio noticed how Skah refused to refer to Grimshaw as great. It appeared that he was not held in such high esteem by all Krags. That any Krag would refer to him as great after how many of their kin he killed in the war was beyond strange, but Clio had come to expect strange things of strange species.
"We were told you would come, Grimshaw," Lorg said. "Some did not believe that you would." His eyes flicked to Skah and back again.
"I have come for the cure, as Lamnon instructed," Grimshaw said.
"The Elders will be pleased that you have accepted their invitation." Haraus said. "Our people remember you. You are…a legend. I believe that is the word a Terran would use.”
Several on the bridge whispered. The Kragak War had ended a long time ago, well before Clio was born. Grimshaw wasn’t the type to boast about his part in ending it. His actions had ensured the survival of the human species, but the Confederation had quelled any mention of that, given the circumstances surrounding the event, and Clio was one of the few crew members to know about his past deeds.
"We Kragak call you Ardree," Lorg added.
"Not all Kragak," Skah hissed. "The Grimshaw has not proven himself in trial."
Haraus took his eyes off Grimshaw for the first time giving Skah what Clio could only imagine was a warning glance.
"I hope we can put past grievances behind us," Grimshaw offered as something of a plea.
"Never!" Haraus boomed. "The feats of such a great warrior should never be forgotten."
"Terrans might be small," Lorg said. "But Terrans are warrior people. You proved to be our betters in the war of wars. But Skah is right. The Elders will wish the great Grimshaw to go through trial."
Captain Haraus growled low as he stared at Grimshaw. "Some Kragak lack honor. Some of my crew would seek to reclaim what honor they have lost by challenging you." He paused as though searching for the correct words. "We understand…that others do not view proving themselves through challenging the same as we do. As Lorg has spoken, without a challenge the Elders will seek a trial."
"What kind of trial?” Grimshaw said.
"That is for the Elders to decide," Skah all but shrieked.
The three Krags nodded in unison.
"In the Foundry the Elders await," the Krag Captain said. "Haraus will bring you there now. Follow the Unglakt."
"Wait— " Before Grimshaw could speak, the Kragak cut the link and the VD flashed back to the approaching dreadnought.
"What should I do Captain?" Clio said.
"We're going to do the only thing we can do. Go see the elders. Eline, I'm taking an away team."
"With all due respect, Captain. I should take the team."
"And I’d be all too happy to let you, but it looks like they want me on board. Besides I need somebody I can trust to look after the North Star…who can take care of things if things go south."
"Okay," Eline said, but Clio could tell that the Shanti didn't like the idea.
"Evans, O'Donovan, you're with me. Marilda take the helm. Follow that dreadnaught."
Clio detached from her flight chair.
She exchanged nods with the Shanti pilot who looked relieved that Clio had been selected.
Clio couldn’t figure out why Grimshaw would want her as part of a diplomatic mission. She would more than likely stick her foot in it. Then again, these Krags seemed to appreciate the direct approach and she was all about action over words. Yet, she hadn’t expected to be called to the away team. Part of her was curious. Humans hadn’t encountered the alien species in many decades. The other part of her wanted to shit her pants. As far as she knew, humans had never been on a Kragak war vessel before, unless they were prisoners…or food if the stories were true.
She followed Grimshaw and O’Donovon to the armory, wondering what lay ahead. She wished Swigger was there. He always knew what to say to make her feel better even if he was an asshole about it most of the time. Thinking about the sharpshooter burned away any fear of meeting the giant aliens in person. From what she had heard—as well as what she had seen for herself on the VD—the Krags would make powerful enemies. But Swigger would have pointed out that powerful enemies could also make powerful allies. And Grimshaw was right. If they were going to take on Chimera and the Aphni, they needed all the allies they could get.
The Omnion needed the cure before they could be of any use to the cause, and the Kragak would be even more helpful…if Grimshaw could somehow win their favor. She watched the Captain’s back as he marched along the North Star’s walkway, every step as sure as his last.
She couldn't see why the aggressive species would help a small band of Terrans, Shanti, and Zaqarans, but Grimshaw had a way of talking people into things.
It was longer than a long shot, but it was the only shot they had.
20
New Lead
The room was barely big enough for the small table and the three people sitting at it. It was more of a closet than a supply room. Ria sat at Taza’s side and a young Chan male—who looked like a teenager but could just as easily have been in his forties—sat opposite.
Taza had just run through a list of test questions to get a reading, and the Chan didn’t seem impressed.
He looked to his fellow Chan. "Ria, what am I doing here?"
She sighed. "Qurpall, you were within a few meters of Chancellor Namoro when he died."
"Is this about the ghost? You know, all you had to do was ask, Ria. There was no need to drag me all the way down here."
"Taza and I need to ask you a few more questions about what happened that day."
"So you hold me here as your prisoner?"
"You’re free to leave any time you please," Taza said.
"Truly?"
Taza nodded.
The young Chan got out of his chair and opened the door.
"Do it for Nonna!" Ria called before he stepped outside.
The young Chan froze in his steps and looked back to Ria, one long ear twitching slightly.
"How dare you bring up Nonna here. She died in the explosion because of those Ushtaran scum." His face scrunched in anger. "I’ll make every last one of them pay for what they did."
"Then let us help you. We’re trying to help our people as a whole," Ria pleaded. "Think about what Nonna would have done. She was righteous and just. She always cared for the people. She cared for us…"
Taza noticed tears welling in the corner of Ria’s eyes.
"And what thanks did you give her? Taking off and working for the Ushtarans outside the Refinery. Turning your back on your people and your home."
She choked back the tears. "You know that isn’t true. It’s more complicated than that."
"I’ll tell you what, Ria. I’ll do you one last favor, but after that you may never ask me or the clan for anything ever again. And I mean ever. You understand?"
"Qurpall, you can’t be serious."
"It’s my final offer, Ria. You can take it or leave it."
"Fine. If that’s what you want after all this time. I agree."
Qurpall didn’t look too sure for a second but he quickly steeled himself, concealing any uncertainty. He closed the door and marched back to the table, making a show of lowering himself back into the chair. "Then it is done. What do you want?"
Taza was unsure what exactly had just happened, so he sat back and let Ria do the talking, afraid that his interference would ruin what progress she had made. He hoped she would ask the correct questions.
"We need to know if you saw anything unusual right before the incident."
"I already told the guards. I saw a damn ghost! It’s not my fault if no one will believe me."
"That was not a ghost," Ria said.
"It was a ghost, Ria. I saw it with my very eyes. One second there was nothing there. The next, the air was shimmering all over the place. By the time the shimmering had gone, two dead bodies lay on the factory floor. I thought it was a heat ejection at first. But then I realized there were no vents close enough
. And the more I looked, the more I saw the outline of a person…and the outline had a tail, Ria! It was the ghost of a dead Chan. The ancestors have spoken!"
Taza cleared his throat. "Listen…I believe you about the ghost, kid. But, did you see anything else apart from the ghost? Did the Messenger and Chancellor do anything out of character. Or perhaps you heard them speak?"
The Chan eyed Taza with suspicion. "What do you mean outside of the ghost? What could be more important than that?"
"Just answer the question. Messenger Arkona is a good guy. You can trust him. Besides, I said the damn words."
"I’ll trust you one last time, Ria, but Nonna told us never to trust the Ushtarans or their friends."
"He doesn’t work for the Ushtarans." She looked at Taza for support.
"I’m not here to help the Ushtarans. I’m here to make sure they aren’t up to no good. And I’m definitely not their friend. The only friendly Ushtaran I’ve met since coming here is Sergeant Kurza, though he also seems a bit senile. The rest are a miserable pack of bastards as far as I’m concerned."
The kid smiled. "Maybe I do like you after all, Terran."
"Like I said, he’s on our side. Now spit it out. What else did you see the day Messenger Bulstrad and Chancellor Namoro died?"
"Okay, I’ll tell you. But you have to promise not to tell the Ushtarans."
"I promise."
"Swear on your life and all those who came before you."
Ria rolled her eyes. "Really?"
"Swear, or I’m telling you nothing."
Ria sighed. "Okay. Okay. I swear on my life, all those who came before me, and all those who will come after."
"Fine." Qurpall put his hands on the table and leaned across so that his nose almost met Ria’s. "I saw the Messenger and Chancellor walking together before the ghost attacked."
"And?"
"The Chancellor had something in his hand. I think he was going to give it to Messenger Bulstrad, but then the ghost appeared."
"What did he have in his hand? What happened to it after the attack."
"I don’t know, but that’s all I’ve got."
"Really?"
"One word in parting, Ria. Remember who your enemies are. You’ll recall that Nonna said that one a lot. I have to go now."
The kid jumped back, spun with a flick of his tail, and was through the door before Ria or Taza could respond.
"And I thought you were strange," Taza said to Ria. "Are they all like that?"
Her eyes were locked on the door and her mouth hung ajar. She clearly hadn’t heard him.
"Ria, are you okay?” he said a little louder.
She shook her head. "Ah, yes. I, ah…just didn’t expect him to invoke his right to nevername."
"His what."
"I’ll tell you later."
Whatever it was, she seemed in shock.
Taza was about to stand when something on the table glinted in the corner of his eye.
A tiny square no bigger than his thumbnail sat where Qurpall’s hand had been on the table. It was almost the same shade as the table and Taza would have missed it if it hadn’t reflected the light.
"Is that a data crystal?" he said, snatching it from the table. "It is."
"Qurpall always was a paranoid one. Could it be the thing he said the Chancellor had in his hand before he died?"
"Let’s check."
Taza was about to slip it into his SIG when a knock came on the door. He slipped it into his belt as Aldo entered.
"Viceroy Eldi is here. He has summoned you."
"Me?" Ria said innocently.
"Both of you."
The Ushtaran disappeared back through the door.
Ria looked up to Taza, a hint of fear in her eyes.
He tried to smile reassuringly as he checked the safety on his blaster was off. "Just checking for good measure."
Something told Taza he’d soon be needing all the good measures he could get his hands on. Something important was on that data crystal. Something the Ushtarans didn’t want anyone to see and he’d find out what it was or die trying. He just hoped it didn’t come to that.
"It’s okay," he told himself as much as the Chan. "It’s probably nothing. Either way, I’ve got your back. Let’s go see what they want."
She looked unconvinced as she slowly nodded.
21
The Kragak
Grimshaw and the away team waited in the North Star’s cargo hold as she docked inside what Haraus had called the Foundry. The Unglakt had escorted the North Star to a mobile station built into the side of a large asteroid. Grimshaw had watched on his SIG as Marilda guided the North Star past a row of giant boosters—dwarfing even the Krag dreadnought—attached to the side of the space rock. It must have taken immense resources to move such a structure, but if Grimshaw had learned anything from his experience with the Krags it was that they did everything big.
He gave the five who had joined him another look-over. They were armed and ready…not that their rifles were going to be much use against an army of Krags if it came to that. Evans shifted nervously by his side. He had made her part of the away team as she was given to outbursts and was often blunt: Two things Grimshaw suspected would work in their favor when dealing with the Krags. She was also handy to have around if things got ugly. She’d proven as much on Colony 115 and the Sentinel. He hoped they could keep matters amicable, but it sounded like some Krags weren’t too happy about him being around. He didn’t know what kind of trial the Elders wanted, but the chances of it being a trial of words were slim.
O’Donovan stood at his other side, holding the artillery. He carried a heavy plasma repeater, the only weapon among them that could penetrate Krag armor in a single shot. The Zaqaran diplomatic team representing the Omnion made up the rest of the team. Their reports looked good: all that rigorous discipline and training. It was easy to make anything look good on paper, and he was pleasantly surprised to find the report to be accurate. The Zaqarans carried themselves like fighters and knew how to maintain and operate their gear as well as any soldier.
The lead Zaqaran negotiator came up to his side. "Are you sure it’s wise to go in fully armed like this, Captain?"
Grimshaw nodded. "This is a really strange situation, Agent Yert. I’m not certain of much. But I do know the Kragak will react better to seeing us armed. They’re expecting warriors, so we must appear as warriors."
"Makes sense," the blue-crested Zaqaran said. "I wish we were able to get more details from Lamnon before our arrival. It’ll be good to catch up with him inside, get a reading on these Kragak. They are formidable creatures."
"The most formidable in the galaxy."
"Yet, you bested them. I’ve read the Omnion reports. I must admit, I didn’t know you were quite the hero until I joined this mission. I wondered why the Omnion treated you and your crew with such high regard, but it’s clear now. Even the Kragak refer to you as the great Grimshaw. And how right they are."
Grimshaw shook his head. "The stunt my squad and I pulled off on Gorthore was a fluke."
"Yet here we are.” Yert gestured to the hold doors.
"Yes, but don’t get too cocky. No doubt, some Krags won’t be happy to have me around, and I wouldn’t blame them. Hopefully we can get in, get the cure, and get out."
"Talk of a trial does sound serious."
"Your studies definitely didn’t mention such a trial?"
"Afraid not, Captain. Even the Omnion know little about Kragak culture. And this situation seems…special. Agent Lamnon will be able to shed light. Making contact with him is a matter of priority."
The bay shuddered as the North Star docked inside the Foundries cavernous hangar.
"Balancing pressure," Eline said over the vox. "Good to go in five."
A bleep sounded behind, drawing everyone’s attention. The main entrance to the cargo hold opened. A suit of armor appeared in the shadowed doorway. As it approached, it took Grimshaw a moment to realize it was Booster.
His TEK had been painted with mottled grays and browns. His stride was smooth and sure.
"Booster, what the hell are you doing here?" Evans burst out. "You heard the Captain’s order. All but the away team are to stay on board and remain at battle stations."
Grimshaw held up a hand. "I ordered Booster to join us."
Evans looked at him incredulously. "But why?…sir," she added quickly.
"Lieutenant-commander Dann checked out Booster’s gear on the way here. Turns out that TEK packs some serious fire power. If we end up in a fight with these Krags, we’ll be wanting all the big guns we can get."
Booster flexed an arm and squeaked.
"It’s too dangerous," Evans objected.
"Back on the Orinmore, you said he was battle ready. Dann’s tests agree with you. He was surprised by Booster’s performance. Scored top marks in every section."
"What about his illness." Evans clutched for straws.
"Doctor Roshi gave him the all clear on the medical. No one’s forcing Booster. He can make up his own mind."
Booster shrugged. "No point in having a TEK…if I can’t use it."
"Fine," Evans spat. "But stay out of trouble."
Grimshaw was about to reprimand her when the cargo bay doors clicked and trembled.
"Here we go," Grimshaw said. "Keep a tight formation. Let Yert and I do the talking."
"Good luck," Eline said over the vox.
"Thanks, Commander. We’ll be in touch again soon."
The cargo bay doors folded to form a dropping ramp.
Grimshaw checked the external atmospheric readings. "Air looks breathable enough. Keep helmets retracted for now."
Servos whirred and whined as the team followed the order.
Grimshaw wasn't sure if the Kragak observed such formalities, but during talks and deliberations, those in the Galactic Alliance considered a retracted helmet a sign of peace. He punched the door release, and the panels hissed as the ramp lowered.
"Are you sure we can trust them, sir?" Evans asked loud enough for just Grimshaw and O’Donovan to hear.
Grimshaw lowered his own voice. "I don’t know, Evans, but a wise man once said that an honest enemy is better than a friend who stabs you in the back. Hell knows we’ve suffered our share of backstabbing. The Krags might not make ideal friends, but at least they’re a known quantity."
The Galactic Sentinel: Ultimate Edition: 4 Books with 2000+ Pages of Highly Entertaining Sci-Fi Space Adventure Page 92