by Ryk Brown
“And all this time I thought the Jung Empire was founded by some oriental dude,” she chuckled.
“It was founded by Kristoff Jung, the captain of the ship that brought the first colonists to Nor-Patri, just before the bio-digital plague swept through the core worlds. The plague had already killed the advance team on Nor-Patri. They could not return to the core, and they could not survive without support from those same worlds. So Kristoff Jung took it upon himself to coerce nearby settlements to share their resources with everyone within reach of his lone ship, the Estebbe. But his noble efforts were eventually corrupted by the sons of his twelve wives. Within a few generations, the coerced became the conquered, and the Jung Empire was born.”
“You had us come all the way here for a lesson on Jung history?” Jessica wondered, sounding a bit annoyed.
“It is necessary to set the context for my sentiments,” General Hesson assured her.
“Ignore her,” Nathan insisted. “She’s not a morning person.”
“I’m sure you will see the parallels soon enough,” the general assured them. “You see, for centuries, the sons of Kristoff Jung twisted their father’s survivalist logic to meet their own needs for power and glory. It wasn’t until the original twelve castes subdivided, and grew in numbers, that the disputes between philosophies began. The Dusahn were cast out, not because they disagreed with the growing desire for peace among the new castes but, because they failed to honor the decision to stop the expansion of the empire.”
“It was my understanding that the Dusahn led a revolt,” Nathan told the general.
“History depends on who is telling it,” General Hesson replied. “The Dusahn were ordered to relinquish their military assets; namely, their ships. Their captains were given the option of swearing allegiance to the new leaders of the empire, the isolationist castes, or to give up their commands…something they would never do. The new leaders knew this. They knew the Dusahn would not hand over their ships. They started their own civil war, as a way to convince the population that the old expansionist ways of the empire were detrimental to their very future.”
“Your leaders could have just taken the oath and avoided the bloodshed,” Nathan suggested.
“Agreed, but the structure of the Dusahn caste at the time simply would not allow it. You’re talking about a caste that had been conquering other worlds on behalf of the empire for more than five hundred years.”
“From what I’ve seen, the Dusahn are no different now,” Nathan observed.
“You only see what we show you,” the general replied. “There is far more going on behind the curtain. Ours is a caste in turmoil. It has been such for the last four generations, going all the way back to when I was but a lad. Our caste has wandered the stars for centuries, searching for a place to call home. But our leaders were not satisfied with just a ‘home.’ They wanted to build a new empire, one that would someday return to defeat the Jung Empire, making it their own, as they feel they should have done in the beginning, all those centuries ago. But, with each passing generation, the unrest grows. These men have not grown up with the tales of glory in battle. They lust not for such things. The Dusahn have had to mix with the races they have conquered in order to maintain their numbers. This has turned generations of men, who should have been fierce warriors, into husbands and fathers who want to be home with their families each night. They no longer seek glorious deaths in battle but, instead, want to survive for the sake of their families. This is the reason we have been forced to automate much of our operations. It is also the reason for the Zen-Anor.”
“As a student of history, this is all very fascinating,” Nathan said. “However, I am here on a world whose leader wishes to see my ship and my people destroyed, and my body swinging from a noose in his courtyard. Unless you have something to offer, this meeting is over.”
“You cannot defeat the Dusahn by simply destroying our fleet.” General Hesson proclaimed. “Even if you could, Lord Dusahn would simply execute the populations of every world he controls, until you surrender.”
“Then why hasn’t he done so?” Jessica wondered.
“Because he needs to defeat you in battle,” the general explained. “His ego demands it.”
“His ego,” Nathan said.
“He was not the heir-apparent to the Dusahn lordship,” the general explained. “That was to go to his oldest brother. He was actually fourth in line.”
“Then how did he end up as lord?” Nathan asked.
“He spent more than a decade training in the ways of the Chankarti.”
“Chankarti?” Jessica asked.
“The highest form of personal combat.”
“Hand-to-hand?”
“Yes, and with hand weapons such as knives and swords, as well,” the general told her. “His dedication to the art was so intense that he surpassed the skills of his masters. He then proceeded to challenge each of his brothers to combat, killing them all until he became lord of the caste.”
“He killed his own brothers?” Jessica said in disbelief.
Nathan said nothing.
“I realize it is difficult to understand,” General Hesson admitted. “If you understood our ways, it would make more sense to you, I am certain.”
“Don’t be,” Jessica retorted.
“You want me to fight him, don’t you?” Nathan surmised.
“What?” Jessica snapped.
“If you defeat our ships…even if you kill him in the process, there will be survivors who would seek revenge. Not all of us have softened over the years. Killing the leader of the caste in personal combat will make you the lord of the caste, at which point you can disband it, and allow us all to live out our lives in peace.”
“That’s insane,” Jessica spouted.
“And it still won’t guarantee that some pissed off Dusahn—say, a Zen-Anor—won’t come looking for me later,” Nathan added.
“The same would be true if you simply destroyed our fleet and drove us from the Pentaurus sector,” General Hesson insisted. “At least, this way, the majority of the Dusahn would not be gunning for you.”
“This has got to be the worst offer I’ve ever heard,” Jessica declared, scowling at the old man. “We should just lob a handful of jump missiles into Lord Dusahn’s palace while he’s taking a dump and be done with them all.”
“And have tens of thousands of Dusahn troops, not to mention their ships, looking for vengeance?” Nathan added. He looked at General Hesson, “Suppose I decided to challenge him to personal combat. Why wouldn’t he just kill me the moment I arrived?”
“No one would follow him if he broke the Dusahn code,” the general explained.
“The same code that allows you to kill your own brothers in order to seize power,” Jessica commented.
“However, there is one complication,” the general warned.
“This is bullshit,” she told Nathan. “This is some elaborate trap.”
Nathan was not listening to her, but rather he was recalling all the moments in history where similar events had changed the course of civilizations, for better or worse. “Which is?” Nathan asked.
“You are not Jung. Therefore, you cannot fight him for the lordship.”
“Then why even bring it up?” Nathan asked.
“I can challenge him and invoke the right of Can-chor-ti-rye. The right to choose a champion to fight on my behalf.”
“That makes even less sense,” Jessica laughed.
“Few of us have reached the age and position that gives us the right of Can-chor-ti-rye,” General Hesson explained. “Our leaders usually find a way to be rid of us before we reach that point.”
“Why didn’t Lord Dusahn get rid of you?”
“Out of respect for his father, who had placed considerable trust in me. Also, I was one of the only generals who stayed with him after
he’d fought and killed his brothers to seize the lordship.”
“This is just a scam,” Jessica said. “He gets you to kill Lord Dusahn in personal combat and then takes control of the Dusahn Empire, himself. You do the dirty work, and he reaps the reward.”
“Not if we defeat the Dusahn fleet first,” Nathan said.
“He’d still be in charge.”
“Of what?” Nathan said. “Ten thousand troops on the surface of Takara?”
“All of whom would be happy to become citizens of Takara and serve to protect whatever government takes over, once I disband our caste.”
“You would do that?” Nathan wondered.
“It is the only way to end the centuries of pointless suffering—not only of my own people, but of all those we have, and have yet, to conquer.”
“And if I do not agree to this plan?” Nathan asked.
“Lord Dusahn is obsessed with you and the Aurora. He will continue to send ships to destroy you and all those who support you. Rakuen has only survived because of its abundance of water and marine life. If he loses a few more ships, he will begin targeting Neramese, which has little to offer them in way of resources. Millions will die. Eventually, he will target Rakuen, as well, and millions more will die.”
“I can defeat your ships,” Nathan stated confidently. “Every one of them.”
“Doubtful,” the general insisted, “but again, just defeating them will not provide you with the peace you seek; not for yourself or for the entire quadrant, which is precisely what I am offering you, young Captain.”
“How do we know we can trust you?” Jessica asked.
“The Rogen system will be attacked again, in less than a day, in fact.”
“That’s the best you can do?” Jessica replied. “Hell, he could be sacrificing a couple of broken down ships just to convince us,” she told Nathan.
“I beg you to consider my words,” General Hesson urged. “If not for yourself, for all those whose lives you might save.” The general’s expression suddenly became more serious. “But you must act quickly,” he added. The general then picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth, rising from the table. “Thank you for dining with me, Captain Scott. It was an honor to meet you both.”
They watched a moment as the general departed. Jessica scanned the room and the outside furiously, certain the Zen-Anor were about to descend upon them. “We should go,” she whispered.
The waiter arrived a moment later, placing the bill on the table.
Nathan smiled, a small laugh coming from him as he picked up the bill. “The old fart just stuck us with the check.”
* * *
“You called?” Tariq stated as he, Tham, and Alayna entered Vol’s office deep within the Gunyoki platform orbiting the Rogen star. “Did we get another mission?”
“I thought we were supposed to be on a break,” Tham complained as he plopped down in one of the chairs along the wall.
“Yeah,” Alayna agreed. “Between patrols and missions, we’ve been logging a lot of hours in the cockpit. Whatever it is, let the new guys take it for once.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Vol insisted.
“Look, I know most of them aren’t that good,” Tariq admitted as he also took a seat. “Only a handful of them have ever made it to the finals, but they’ve got to learn sometime, right?”
“Especially if it’s another recon run,” Tham added. “Those are a breeze. Even a rashi can handle a cold-coast.”
“This assignment requires the best we have,” Vol stated plainly. “Unfortunately, you three are the only ones who are remotely qualified.”
“Great,” Alayna grumbled, taking a seat to join them in their shared misery. “Sounds dangerous.”
“Different would be a better word,” Vol corrected. “Especially for a bunch of life-long pilots.”
“Now you’re making me worry,” Tariq admitted. “What’s the assignment?”
“Wing commanders,” Vol replied. “We’ve got more than one hundred jump-enabled Gunyoki now. It’s time we broke them up into different squadrons.”
“You’re putting us behind desks?” Tariq objected. “You can’t do that!”
“We’re the most experienced pilots you have,” Tham added.
“I’m not putting you behind desks,” Vol insisted. “Am I not still flying missions, myself?”
“What, then?” Alayna asked.
“You will each be put in charge of twenty-five Gunyoki. It will be your responsibility to get them combat-ready and to keep them that way. You will also lead them into battle if called upon to defend the Rogen system or to support the Karuzari Alliance in the battle against the Dusahn.”
“Still sounds more like desk work than flying,” Tariq complained.
“I’m not going to lie to you,” Vol said. “There is some administrative work involved. But you will be given administrative assistants, and you will each be allowed to select subordinates to whom you may delegate some of your responsibilities.”
“Now we’re talking,” Tham exclaimed. “I’m in.”
“I suppose I am, as well,” Tariq added.
Vol looked at Alayna.
“I get to tell twenty-five people what to do?” Alayna asked.
“More like thirty, including administrative staff,” Vol replied.
Alayna smiled. “Yes, I’d like that.”
“Don’t let it go to your head, Alayna,” Vol warned.
“I’ll try,” Alayna promised, “but it’s going to be difficult.”
“Why us?” Tham wondered.
“I think he means, ‘Why him?’” Tariq joked.
“There’s at least a dozen pilots who would be better candidates,” Tham continued. “Damus Inada would make a great squad leader. So would Dosne Hamsa.”
“Agreed,” Vol said, “but none of them have as much battle experience as the three of you. We have been together on every mission, and you three were the first to stand by me when I chose to honor Master Koku and support Captain Scott. You three also stood with me against our own brethren. There is no one I trust more.”
“I have known you for more than thirty years,” Tariq said. “You know I will always stand with you, Vol.”
“The same goes for us,” Tham said, speaking for Alayna, as well.
“Don’t you need four squadron leaders?” Alayna wondered.
“I will command one of them, myself,” Vol explained.
“Aren’t you going to have your hands full coordinating the entire Gunyoki wing?” Tariq wondered.
“That day will come soon enough,” Vol admitted. “If I can lead multiple squadron leaders, I must first know what the job entails. Nothing teaches one better than experience.”
“That’s going to be a lot of work,” Alayna warned.
“Yet another reason I have chosen you as wing commanders,” Vol replied. “I can trust each of you to do the job with little oversight by myself.”
“That’s a big leap of faith, Vol,” Tham said. “None of us has ever served in such a role, not even you…at least not until recently.”
“Which is why I would like us to meet every morning…to share our experiences and learn from one another. Together, we will define the role of a Gunyoki wing commander.”
“So, before first watch?” Alayna wondered.
“She’s not a morning person.”
“Perhaps in the evenings, then, over dinner,” Vol suggested.
“That sounds much better,” Alayna agreed.
“Then, it is agreed,” Vol declared. “The four of us are now the wing commanders for the first Gunyoki combat Ichis.”
* * *
“I can’t believe how little faith you have in him,” Josh exclaimed as he checked the Reaper’s flight displays. “Especially, after all we’ve been through
together.”
“It’s not a matter of faith,” Loki insisted. “It’s just simple math.”
“But it’s Nathan you’re talking about!”
“And if anyone could find a way to defeat twenty some-odd jump-capable Dusahn warships, it is Nathan.”
“He has defeated way more than twenty Jung ships,” Josh reminded him.
“When he had the only jump drive around, yes,” Loki agreed as he adjusted their sensors, “but things are different this time. The only advantage we have, now, is a greater single-jump range. I’m sorry, but that’s not enough to beat twenty ships. Especially, when half of them have more than three times the Aurora’s firepower.”
“It’s not about the firepower,” Josh argued, “it’s about the man wielding the gun.”
“That only goes so far,” Loki replied. “I just think that, in this case, it’s not enough.”
“Then why the hell are you even here?” Josh asked, becoming infuriated with his friend’s fatalistic attitude.
“Because Nathan and the Karuzari are the only chance we have,” Loki replied. “Even if it’s a slim chance, it’s a chance. What kind of man would I be if I wasn’t here, with you, with Nathan, with Jessica? We have history, and every one of you would be by my side if I needed you.”
“Now, you’re at least making some sense,” Josh decided.
The sensor display beeped.
“New contact,” Loki reported, his eyes focused on the sensor display.
“Another Takaran comm-drone?”
“If it is, it jumped in precisely at the jump sub’s return point.”
Josh suddenly straightened up in his seat. “Is it them?”
“I can’t tell yet,” Loki replied. “They’re still too far away, and we can’t go active.”
“Or the Dusahn will spot us, I know,” Josh replied. “Not my first cold-coast, remember?”
“Laser-flash,” Loki suddenly reported. “That’s the signal. It’s them.”
Josh immediately started firing up the Reaper’s flight systems. “Start the clock.”
“Clock is started,” Loki assured him as he activated the ship’s recovery systems. “We’ve got one minute until the Dusahn are all over us.”