He saw the other officers arrive, in their dress uniforms, ready for the formal gathering.
The first was Nevlen, with a retro-sling on his injured shoulder, revealing the close quarter’s combat that took place aboard the station.
Kason followed behind.
Alon could already discern the fire that raged inside Kason. He knew where the spark had begun, and only hoped for a flicker of flame instead of an inferno between him and Commander Nevlen. When he had time, he would speak to Kason about this ongoing issue with Nevlen.
Droe Temin, Jesan Takkar, and Commander Parejas all followed next. They had gathered around the holo-projector, awaiting the transmission from Janus.
Alon stood back a bit to take in and record the historical event.
“Let’s all behave ourselves, now,” Parejas warned.
The hum of light and the projector came on.
Mordon Tallis’s image appeared in the center of the bridge’s foredeck.
Alon noticed how much thinner the hologram image made Tallis’ face look. He knew him to be a slender man but his cheeks looked sunken, the holo-image seemed to age the man-then again, he had not seen him in some time, and would give him the benefit of the doubt.
Alon wondered to himself if he would look similar over glowing imaged lights.
“Assemblymen Tallis, it’s an honor,” Parejas greeted.
“Likewise, Commander Parejas,” Tallis replied.
Turning, Parejas motioned to the others in the room. “We are all present, Assemblymen.”
“Yes, I see. I’m glad you all could attend. I would like to be the first to congratulate all of you on a fine historic mission. The Assembly Mount and the citizens of Mydian send their warmest wishes and gratitude,” Tallis said.
Nevlen couldn’t wait for the chance to speak, and did. “Thank you, sir. We are all proud of our performance.”
Commander Parejas cocked an eye at Nevlen’s obvious outburst.
Alon himself was taken aback by Nevlen’s comment, and looked to Kason in case he had to remove his fist from Nevlen’s mouth.
“Your performance, Commanders Parejas, Bossarios, and Takkar, have been phenomenal,” Tallis said.
Droe Temin caught the slight. “Also, Captain Bender, and his Reaver team,” she added.
“Oh yes, the same to you and your Reavers, Captain Bender.”
Commander Parejas looked to have had just about enough of this chatter. “Your urgent communique, I presume, is more than just congratulatory, Assemblymen?” Shenta got right to the point.
“Yes it is, Commander. The Assembly Mount has decided to move our contact and intentions initiative among other races up a few months, to extend our hand in friendship. This will take place at the upcoming Kryth conference…”
Parejas interrupted Tallis.
“If I’m not mistaken, Assemblymen, this initiative was to be introduced on the sixth month from the Retribution mission and under Ordinance jurisdiction.”
“The Assembly decided to move it up due to the image we might cast upon ourselves, among the other races, of those we do not have ill-fated intentions towards. We have already contacted them in this regard,” Tallis replied.
Kason said what everyone in the room was thinking, including Alon the Keeper.
“A little late for that now, isn’t it?”
Commander Parejas spoke. “Why was I not notified of the vote since my vote is needed regarding such matters?”
“Your vote, Commander, was taken by proxy during the hours of your duress,” Tallis said with a cold tone.
Shenta’s eyes narrowed. “What duress?”
“When you were in the process of retaking the Sol system, Commander. A vote cannot be cast in a time of war and the Assembly decided we must act when it comes to the safety and security of the colony. Your orders are as follows,” Tallis said.
Parejas glanced over at Alon as to draw some inward patience from the Keeper. The commander’s hatred towards Tallis was visible to all.
Alon could only shrug his shoulders in understanding.
Tallis continued.
“Precept Number 1401 states: You, Commander Parejas, will lead a delegation to the Kryth conference in the Montis system. There, you will explain our intentions against the Kryth Mahr Domain and our aggression in the Sol system. The Keeper, Alon, will fill in the historical references about our past leading up to, and including, the present time. All peaceful solutions should be attempted and any new allies gained. End Precept Number 1401,” Tallis finished.
Commander Parejas stepped closer to the projected image. “This does not sit well with me, Assemblymen. I want a full recess called on the Mount until we return.”
“Your disagreements will be noted upon your return. Congratulations again to you and your forces, Commander. We all look forward to your return home from the conference. Tallis, out.”
The hologram blinked off.
Alon surveyed the room. He could feel every heartbeat and breath, Commander Parejas’ being the most obvious.
No one dared speak as all eyes were on the commander, well, almost no one could speak, Alon thought.
“Well, we have our orders from the Assembly. Commander,” turning towards Parejas, Nevlen said, “If you can excuse me I need to prep for the next set of missions,” he declared.
Commander Parejas stood there for a moment, knowing he could say a lot, he decided against his first reaction. “You’re all dismissed.”
There wasn’t a person in the room that didn’t want to leave as soon as possible, including, Alon.
Alon approached Parejas to speak, but before he could, Parejas turned from the Keeper towards Nevlen and Kason, who were just leaving the platform.
“A word with you, Commander Nevlen and Captain Bender.”
The two men turned and approached.
“Captain Bender, I want you to assemble your team for the conference, excluding Ramek and Jens. Commander Nevlen, I want the same from you. Assemble a team, minus two troop from your ranks,” Parejas ordered.
“I do not understand, sir,” Kason replied.
“You don’t need to understand at this time. I will meet both of you in my quarters within the hour.”
Kason continued. “Commander, if this has something to do with the incident on the Kryth station, I can assure you…”
“I’m in no mood, Captain Bender. Assemble your team as ordered and report to my quarters in an hour. That’s all. You’re both dismissed.”
The two men did not hesitate and spun, leaving the command bridge.
Lt. Commander Temin stepped up. “Looks like the Kryth will be surprised when we show up at the conference.”
“I’ll brief you later, Lieutenant Commander,” Parejas said.
“Yes, sir.” Droe complied and left his side to return to her post.
Commander Parejas, now alone, turned and walked to the forward viewing window.
He placed his hands behind him and stared at the lifeless Earth beyond the crystal partition.
Shenta wondered to himself about the cohesion of his men. Something would need to be done with those two and fast, before either of them tore one another apart.
Data Cell 15
Shenta Parejas contemplated what course of action he should take with his senior-ranking officers. This internal clash within his ranks couldn’t continue.
Shenta rested his powerful hands on the windowsill as he peered out into space from within his private quarters.
A beep sounded at the door.
“Enter,” Parejas voiced.
The door opened and in walked Kason and Nevlen.
This was the first time Kason had been to Commander Parejas’s private quarters.
The first thing Kason spotted as he entered was the large square centerpiece; it was made of crystal glass with an unprecedented view through the hull, out into space. Around the outer edge of this 10’ by 10’ piece of glass were four black armchairs and two couches, each opposite the ot
her. A table sat in the middle looking as if it were suspended over the transparent floor.
Even Nevlen’s gaze was locked onto the elegant see-through surface.
“Please, gentlemen, have a seat,” Parejas spoke, unmoving from his windowed position.
Kason and Nevlen sat in the armchairs opposite from one another.
Commander Parejas continued to stand and stare at the stars as if he were searching for something beyond the glass.
Kason watched Shenta from his seat. He could make out the reflection in the glass and the concerned expression upon his commander’s face.
Behind Shenta, Kason noticed a large desk and chair. A corridor ran off towards the other end. He could not see where it led.
Shenta Parejas turned to face them.
“You assume that I brought you here for reprimands for what occurred on the station between you two. You would be incorrect in that assumption.”
Kason and Nevlen glanced at each other.
Shenta sat down on the end of the couch, closest to Nevlen.
“Your actions during the invasion of Earth were both exemplary and, at the same time, reckless.”
Nevlen spoke before Kason, but not by much.
“It was much different than what it appeared,” Nevlen said before Kason interrupted.
“I can assure you, Commander, the Reavers…”
Shenta’s hand rose to stop the two men dead in their tracks.
“I will not have a repeat of the first de-briefing with you two.” He glared at both. “Do I make myself clear?” Shenta’s tone demanded confirmation.
“Aye, sir,” Nevlen responded.
“Yes, sir,” Kason replied.
Commander Parejas looked over his two officers for a moment before he continued.
“I have thought about the discord and hostility between you two, amongst the ground forces and the Reaver units. This, I cannot tolerate. I have enough issues with the Assembly back home than to deal with it here among my own troops,” Shenta said, leaning back into the couch. He continued. “We must solve this issue between you two. It has gone on far too long. So, this is what I have decided, and there will be no debate on the matter,” Shenta said.
Kason looked over at Nevlen, who glared back in his direction.
Shenta got up and walked over to his desk. He motioned for the two men to follow.
Kason and Nevlen rose and approached.
Removing two holo-sheets from a file, Commander Parejas handed one to each of his officers.
“We have three missions. The first one you know of. The Assembly decided, without full vote approval, over-ridden by a security Precept, that we attend the Kryth conference in the Montis system in the coming week,” Parejas said.
Kason looked over the following data on the holo-sheet and spoke, “I heard what Assemblyman Tallis said, but this isn’t the right time to show up at some galactic conference’s doorstep and say, ‘Hi’.”
“This, I understand. But, the Precept still stands,” Parejas said.
“Sir, if I may,” Nevlen offered. “We have such an incredible opportunity here to explain who we are and why we attacked the Sol system. I believe the Assembly made a wise decision and…”
“Commander, Captain, I am not interested in discussing your diplomatic dossiers. Come to think of it, I believe you two do not possess such credentials of diplomatic protocol.” Shenta looked at each of his officers before continuing. “What you are here to listen to is how we are going to accomplish the Assembly’s Precept -- whether or not we agree or disagree with them.” Shenta stood and walked back to the window. “The reason I brought you two here,” he paused, “is that I have two pressing matters of vital importance. One is to capture the Cuukzen that escaped Dalyth Point. We have come into some intel on his whereabouts. So this is what I am going to do. Kason, your team will lead this capture mission with two of Nevlen’s troops.”
Kason shot up out of his seat. “But, Commander-”
Parejas’ glare stopped him. Parejas turned to Nevlen.
“You, Commander, will retrieve a surveillance team off the planet Motebak 3, behind Kryth lines, taking with you two of Kason’s Reavers, Ramek and Jens.”
Shenta knew the two men wanted to go at each other this minute. It was the whole reason he got them here, to work together. He wasn’t sure if it could be done, but he had to try before his ranks tore themselves apart, destroying unit cohesion.
Parejas continued.
“You, Kason, will leave within the hour. Nevlen, you and the two Reavers assigned will leave once Kason returns with the Cuukzen. The Orion’s Rage will then leave for the conference with Kason’s team escorting as a diplomatic security detail. Nevlen, you will meet up with the delegation in Montis once you have extracted the team from the planet. There will be no discussion or argument regarding this matter of the assigned missions. The first one to even utter a complaint will find themselves in the brig. Do I make myself clear?”
Both men acknowledged their agreement.
“Now get out of my sight,” Parejas snapped.
Both Kason and Nevlen exited the room.
Shenta turned back towards the window.
He didn’t know what was tougher. Getting these two to work together or pulling off the Retribution mission. He conceded the latter, but not by much.
Data Cell 16
The small moon was a wind-whipped sand pile of grit. Scattered over the landscape were thousands of ever-changing dunes, ravaged by the relentless gusts. At first glance, life appeared to thrive here with what seemed to be large serpents, coursing through and over the rolling hills. Upon closer examination, those withering snakes were just perpetual altering sand folds moving wildly across a barren surface, devoid of life.
The lights appeared through the choking blizzard of the fine brown atmosphere before a ship outline came through. Soon, the roar of engines drowned out the pummeling winds.
A Kryth shuttle descended to the moon’s surface.
Vents of gas discharged from the landed shuttle as beacon lights marked the hull’s outer edge.
With a whine, the shuttle ramp opened and dropped onto the soft surface, its leading edge sinking beneath.
Two Kryth soldiers in full armor and breathing apparatus descended the ramp and walked away from the ship. They stood with weapons ready as the sandblasting grains beat against them.
One of the Kryth soldiers activated a control in his hand.
The ground began to vibrate, a low hum emanated from below the surface. The buzzing intensified as metal scraped and shifted underneath. The sand in front of the Kryth swirled as if being sucked downward. The ground parted, as it expanded down and outward.
A thin metal structure rose through the sand and into the air, about 15 meters above the soldiers. The ground wrenched opened and a hydraulic moan gave way to two large opening doors parting beneath the sand. An ascending staircase now led below the surface to a hidden metal platform.
Two robed figures emerged from the shuttle; one was smaller than the other, and moved down past the descending stairs into the shrouded subterranean bunker. Two more armored soldiers appeared from inside the shuttle hold to take up positions opposite their counterparts.
The robed figures walked down a short well-lit rusted metal corridor. They came to a stop at a security door, down a short distance from the stairs.
The small figure punched in a code to a keypad along the door entrance. The air hissed out of the opening as it slid back into the wall, exposing the entrance.
The two entered as the door closed behind them.
Lights flickered a few times before stabilizing in a small 15-meter by 15-meter room.
Consoles lined one wall of this tiny abode while a small bed and some crates lined the other.
Both robed figures removed their hoods.
“So this is where the spy,” Voskal Lat caught himself, amending his sentence, “where the bounty hunter Mistuuk resides?”
With a gruf
f, Mistuuk responded, “Not resides, but hides. This is my safe room,” he said keying up a console and other computer systems. “You can understand that someone with my stature and knowledge would want to safe-guard one’s assets.” The Cuukzen spoke with a cheeky grin.
Voskal lifted up a cloth, which covered some crates in a corner. Food stuffs and other provisions were strewn underneath.
Voskal reared back at the unknown and unwelcomed stench that assailed his nostrils from rotten food pieces. Most were only half eaten and exposed from their packaging.
“I can only imagine what secrets lay within your little bunker, but I think I’ve found a few.” Voskal grimaced at the clutter and the stench now filling the room. “And when was it you said you were here last?” He was interested to know the response.
The computer terminal in front of Mistuuk beeped a reply.
In excited nervousness, Mistuuk voiced, “It’s here. See, I told you. Mistuuk keeps every bit of information. See for yourself.”
Voskal leaned into the monitor as the data displayed. His eyes wide now, he devoured what he looked upon.
Voskal gasped and pointed a finger at a particular outline within the hyperspace signature matrix on the screen. “There, right there, that’s. . . “ He paused in contemplation.
Voskal Lat’s mind whirled at what was displayed and the repercussions if it was correct. But, he couldn’t assume. No, he must have evidence because his life and the lives of every Kryth could depend on it.
He was eager, almost hungry for the answer.
“Do you have any more recordings of this unknown hyper-space matrix?” Voskal asked Mistuuk.
“Of course I do. Who do you think I am? Some back alley off-world spy?”
Voskal Lat’s smile grew the entire width of his face.
Mistuuk punched in a few more keys and the monitor flashed, moving the image to the top, and laying over two more matrix patterns.
Voskal’s expression changed, his now massive smile receding into a tense expression. His eyes began to glaze over at the data before him.
With his lips quivering, Voskal spoke. “Some thirty percent of the matrix matches the three samples. Could this be?” he questioned himself.
Annals of the Keepers: War 267 (Book 1 in the Gashnee Saga) Page 10