"Dykstra!" he yelled to his secretary. "Get a communications link to Zuvok Zenks, immediately."
In a moment Zenks’ image appeared on his desk monitor. "Torzon Jhonk, how are you?"
"Concerned. Zorlog just paid me a visit. He is not impressed by our new tax rates."
"A pity. He will not comply?"
"Yes, I mean, no. No, I am sure he will not, and he has openly threatened my life!"
"I understand, my Torzon. And what would you have me do?"
"Get rid of him – and his crew – his whole ship."
"That may be... a bit harsh. He has friends. There is, however, another way of dealing with this problem. I understand that the Gohk is carrying illegal cargo. It is always such a loss when a once proud Tarvok loses his command and has his ship towed back to Xilo.”
“Excellent,” Jhonk cried with jubilation.
“You must understand, however. Procedure must be adhered to in order to meet legal standing. We cannot foster the sympathizers aligned with this rogue.”
“Of course. Take the time you need.”
“I must impress upon you, Torzon, the cost of such an exercise!"
"Name it."
"A case of Erzainian Kamote."
"A case!" Jhonk laughed. "For Zorlog I will give you two cases, Zuvok."
"Ah, you are feeling generous today?"
"No, nervous. I prefer that you simply kill the rogue. By the way, hold off until after 26.00, I am awaiting a funds transfer. To Xilo!"
"To Xilo!" repeated the Zuvok, and the monitor went blank.
"Dykstra, can you get me a line to my brother?"
"I'm sorry Torzon, but we won’t have an open window to Xilo until 26.00."
"That will have to do. Set it up. Priority one."
"Priority one?"
"Just do it, Dykstra!"
"Understood, my Torzon."
"And another thing. At 26.00 I want you to personally monitor that funds transfer from that ferzet, Zorlog."
* * *
On the trip back, Zorlog finished mulling over his plan. He made an encrypted call on his belt communicator to the ship.
"Savok Gulin here."
"Savok, I want you to set up the Gohk with a reason to dock at 26.00, nothing serious, nothing that will interfere with any critical systems, but it must seem serious. It has to look real. Something authentic, something dramatic."
"Backup air tank breach, maybe?"
"Yes, that will do. Very good."
"Right away, Tarvok. Anything else?"
"Yes. Keep it quiet."
"Understood. Communications out."
He liked Gulin, a very efficient officer. He would have to promote him after. He would be short of good officers.
On arrival at the Gohk, the scene was that of organized chaos. New cargos and supplies were being loaded and unloaded as shuttles taxied up and down from the surface. The officers greeted Zorlog with a silent acknowledgment when he stepped onto the bridge.
"Status report, Lavok Ryadin."
"All is quiet. The two cruisers, the Gallon and Gezerk, are also in geostationary orbit."
"Yes, I assume there has been no correspondence with them."
"That is accurate."
"Everything else is on schedule, Tarvok. All transfers are expected to be complete by 25.15."
"Good."
"Sir, the Gallom is hailing us."
"Of course. Put it through to my quarters."
He went in, locked the door and engaged the white noise filters to defy any eavesdropping. Zuvok Zenk's face revealed some latent anxiety.
"Greetings, Tarvok Zorlog. I trust you are faring well?"
"I do. I have. It seems, Tarvok, whenever you hail, it coincides with a visit. Shall I prepare for you?"
"Yes, Tarvok, just a routine inspection. Is now a good time?"
"As a matter-of-fact, it is not. We are in the middle of moving cargo. I would request a change in schedule, for our mutual benefit, to avoid all this confusion."
"Very well, at 25.00 then."
Zorlog grunted. "That is hardly generous. May I make it at least 26.00? I do have pressing matters at hand."
"I trust this reason is not a ploy to move any possible contraband from aboard your ship, Tarvok," Zenks mused.
"Nonsense, Zuvok, I am at your disposal. I will arrange a shuttle at 26.00, sharp."
“Not needed, Tarvok.”
“Zuvok, I insist. Certain Avoks on my ship would be honored to convey your party.”
“We have our own shuttles.”
“This has a pretense of a boarding exercise. What exactly are your motives, Zuvok?”
Zenks visibly squirmed. “This is a routine inspection only. I must assure you Tarvok, we are not in the habit of boarding Xi-Empire traders.”
“Of course, you would hate to set such a precedence before all the trading community. That would be political suicide. Think of all those administrators on Xilo losing their profits when the trade community protests.”
“Send the shuttle. I look forward to our visit."
"As I, Zuvok. Until 26.00 then."
"To Xilo, Tarvok Zorlog."
"To Xilo. Communications out."
Zuvok Zenks watched his monitor go blank. He was amused at the arrogance of the infamous Tarvok Zorlog. Very shortly his ego will not be so full. It left him with a deep satisfaction.
* * *
Zorlog requested a com link to Gulin.
"Savok Gulin here," announced the eager Avok, a few moments later.
"Gulin, load cargo hold seven into shuttle five. Somewhere unnoticeable, set up a remote on it."
"The whole hold, my Tarvok? That is excessive!"
"I'm well aware of that fact, Gulin. Make sure the detonator has a backup. I want it to work."
"Consider it done. Anything else?"
"The same as before, Savok, exercise this quietly and you see to this job personally."
"I am privileged to be of service. Communications out."
Zorlog's entry alarm buzzed, a voice rang haughtily over the intercom. "I Charvok Kitohk, request conference immediately!"
Zorlog's mood turned instantly sour.
What did he want now? Referring to himself in full title, no less.
“Enter."
"I understand our leave has been cut short to 25.15," the Charvok blurted out, avoiding standard interface protocol.
"Yes, that's when the last shuttle is scheduled to return. What of it?"
"May I ask why? I have a number of problems I am addressing, and I need at least two radii planet-side to resolve."
"Kitohk, have you not heard? We are to have Zuvok Zenks from the Gallom aboard to perform an inspection. I expect this ship to be in top condition."
"No. I did not know that. Why wasn't I informed?" The irritation in his voice gave him away. He did not like to be kept in the dark. Why hadn’t his own people told him of this?
"Perhaps you would like you to exercise those fine diplomatic skills of yours. Would you go and pick up the good Zuvok at 26.00? Pick your favorite out of the crew to accompany you, and use shuttle five. I will inform him you are personally going to pick him up."
Kitohk practically beamed in glorious satisfaction. This type of work - rubbing shoulders with the high brass - was good for his career. He accepted without hesitation and quickly picked up to leave, but hesitated.
"My Tarvok, may I request a bottle of Erzainian Kamote - as a gift?"
Zorlog eyed the Charvok for a moment, careful not to give away his true feelings. "Of course, that is an excellent idea, Kitohk. Make it a case if you wish. Arrange it!"
Eyes went wide with excitement. "Very good, my Tarvok!"
"Be on schedule, Kitohk. Punctuality is very important to those military types."
"Of course!" he snorted indignantly. "26.00 exactly." He left with an unusual bouncy gait.
Zorlog glanced at his chronometer. It was 25.10.
His communication link buzzed. The meta
llic transfer voice squeaked: "Lavok Ryadin."
"Proceed, Lavok," he acknowledged.
"My Tarvok, all cargoes are now transferred, all crew aboard and accounted for."
"Good work, Lavok. Are you secure?"
"Affirmative."
"Kitohk will be choosing some of the crew for the shuttle flight. Make sure he chooses his own. Any good ones are to be deterred from that flight for cargo duty. Do you understand?"
"Understood. Will attend to this immediately. Communications out."
The communications link buzzed once again. This time it was Gulin informing him everything was ready.
"Good. Ensure Kitohk and his party dispatch on shuttle five - and standby for my signal."
At 25.22 Kitohk buzzed the Tarvok. "Tarvok, we are assembled and the shuttle is ready!"
"That was efficient, Kitohk. I understand that Lavok Ryadin may require some of the crew for cargo duty."
"No, we have no issue here. Everyone is cleared for flight."
"Very good. Did you find the case of Erzainian Kamote?"
"I have it with me, Tarvok. I'm sure the Zuvok will appreciate this gesture. It's very generous..."
"Very good, Kitohk, enjoy yourself," Zorlog cut him short. A deliciously enjoyable moment.
He marched onto the bridge and patched through to Gulin from the navigation console. "Savok, inform me of the shuttle's departure time, and report immediately to the bridge."
"They're in pre-stage check, my Tarvok."
Ryadin walked onto the bridge just as the monitor went blank. "Ryadin, make us assault ready. Put together multiple boarding parties. Full complement and armament. Get ready to move from main and secondary locks."
"I shall, my Tarvok, but who are we attacking?" Ryadin added tentatively.
Zorlog glared at Savok. “You will be evaluated in time, Savok. I trust you will expedite?”
“Of course!” He rushed off the bridge.
"Communications! Clear all channels and route all future ones through the bridge. All messages must have my clearance. No exceptions!"
Gulin appeared on the bridge. "Shuttle five departing now, Tarvok."
"Tactical, relay auxiliary power to shield. Gulin, be ready to engage at 26.00, exactly."
A small vibration surged through the ship.
An Engineering Avok jumped up on the central monitor. "Tarvok, we have a ruptured respirator tank. Our technicians have it under control, it is minor, but it requires immediate attention. The cause of the breach is unknown."
"Attend to the issue, immediately! Communications, hail the Gezerk."
The Gezerk's Zuvok appeared on the main bridge viewscreen.
"I am Tarvok Zorlog of the Gohk. Our ship has endured a failure. Its hull is ruptured. I would like to request a dock within your cruiser bay for repairs."
"I am Zuvok Agvar. We have monitored an explosion. Have you isolated the root cause?"
"My engineers surmise it may have originated within the backup navigation circuits, but they’re not sure, this is an old ship Zuvok Agvar."
"Yes, of course, it is Zorlog," he replied, a small twisted grimace on his face. "I understand Zuvok Zenks of the Gallom intends to meet with you. Why not dock there?”
“I request the Gezerk as it is simply much closer, and time is critical. We are venting atmosphere. Are you refusing us aid?”
“Not at all, Tarvok. I do not foresee a problem with your request. Dock is granted."
"Thank-you, Zuvok. Communications out."
"Navigation. Bring us under that pile of junk and into her belly."
"Manoeuvring now, Tarvok."
"Shuttle five hailing."
Damned Kitohk, not a moment's peace. Always wants to know what's going on. “Inform them of our situation, tell them to continue on."
He slammed the intercom. "Ryadin!" It took a moment to get the link.
"Tarvok?"
"Standby."
"Docking maneuvers now, my Tarvok," reported the navigation Avok.
"Steady," said Zorlog. "Time?"
"25.29, Sir."
The ship jerked as it locked into the docking clamps.
"Where's the shuttle?"
"Just docked within the Gallom, Tarvok," the tracing Avok replied.
Zorlog reached over the command chair and activated the ship-wide alert.
"Assault stations!" he yelled through the intercom.
"Ryadin, the time to act is now!"
With the sudden status change to assault stations, the crew did not have the time to act surprised. They focused on their duties. The assault teams moved quickly through the hatches, laser torches ready. In moments they had breached the internal docking bay's airlocks and were moving through the corridors, killing every trooper they confronted. Ryadin secured the docking station personally and relayed the signal. "Successful infiltration, my Tarvok!"
"Gulin, engage the explosives on my mark."
"Tactical, power up cannon on my mark."
"Now!"
A brief flash appeared on the lower aft monitors. The viewscreen came on, painted with the distraught face of the Gezerk's Zuvok.
"Tarvok Zorlog, abort docking. We have a situation..."
"Hello, Agvar. I regret to inform you that I am holding your ship hostage. Please surrender, or I will blow your belly into dust."
The Zuvok was visibly stunned. "You must be joking!"
"Check the Gallom. Tell me... what is the Xi-Empire’s finest battlecruiser’s status?" queried Zorlog, an evil satisfaction in his voice.
"It looks like she took a direct hit! She’s dropping out of orbit. Is this your doing Zorlog! There are two thousand troops on that cruiser!
"Were two thousand," corrected Zorlog.
A horrified look settled over the Agvar’s face.
"Why the long face? She's been christened with a case of my finest Erzainian Kamote. I must impress upon you that the next few moments are crucial to your survival, Agvar. You must realize that no more need die. Surrender. That is your only option. You are helpless. A well-placed shot by the Gohk will obliterate this cruiser. You should have learned to be more stringent with your docking policies."
The stunned Agvar seemed to refocus back, back from the view of the exploding star cruiser, back to look into the eyes of Zorlog.
"You'll never take over this ship, Zorlog!"
"On the contrary Agvar, I already have. Check for yourself. But I must remind you. Time is fleeting."
The Zuvok glanced over to one of his Avoks. Hushed voices followed. A small, sickly smile crept on his face as he turned his attention back to the monitor.
"So it seems you have already taken engineering.”
“Yes, I have options. Maybe I will vent the atmosphere in the remainder of the ship, or simply let loose with my cannon.”
“Your threats are hollow. You would have to blast your own troops."
"Just as I would not sacrifice those in my shuttle? On the contrary. I have already initiated my move and have no other recourse. I will either take this ship, or I will destroy it."
Agvar muted the Xilozak pirate and searched the faces of his Avoks. Not one provided any hint of hope. Reports were flooding in. Zorlog's small group had secured the main engineering controls and locked down all the emergency portals. The Gezerk’s crew was immobilized.
He had lost. If Zorlog fired, it would literally tear the ship in two. He had little time before the Gohk’s boarding party blew the main conduits and with it environmental support.
“Savok, I suggest we initiate self-destruct,” ordered Agvar.
His Avok’s hands flew across the controls. Grunting with frustration, he attempted another flurry, only to look up with a forlorn gaze. “We have lost control, my Zuvok.”
Zorlog's troops knew these ships too well. The circumstances sunk into the Zuvok’s mind in a fearful realization. How had he been so foolish? There had to be a way out of this situation. He just needed some time.
He canceled the mut
e.
"Make your decision now, Zuvok, or I will," stated Zorlog.
"I need more..."
"You're out of time."
He felt slight tremors carry through the deck plating. The bridge went dark. The few control panels that remained unaffected provided sparse light. One of these was the communications panel, with Zorlog's impassive face painted on the monitor.
"The main conduits have been severed. Now we can take this ship apart piece by piece. Do you want to see what I have planned next? My troops now have control of the environmental systems. How many of your crew have access to suits within the next, say, 10 gadii?
“No. Stop this. There is no need to kill any more.” Agvar’s shoulders sagged in utter defeat.
“I will offer your troops the choice of life. They will be allowed safe route to G0015-A.”
Agvar searched the darkened bridge, only able to catch the eyes of a few of his Avoks. The look they carried in their eyes, he had never seen it before, but he recognized it. It was fear.
"Then we will surrender, Zorlog, under these terms."
* * *
On the planet's surface, on the 103rd floor of the towering administration building, Jhonk impatiently paced by the glass panes of his office. He was waiting for the com window to open. It always took time to stabilize a link. One hundred and thirty light-years proved to be challenging.
"Dykstra!" he yelled, "Do we have a channel yet?"
"Yes, my Torzon, link is established. Routing through to your brother at this moment."
* * *
"Ryadin, tell me you have the bridge."
"Yes, my Tarvok, we do. A little resistance, but we took care of it."
"Good."
"Destroy the Imperial Administration building."
Ryadin swallowed. “The pulse cannon?”
"No, use the missiles. All Imperial buildings are hardened. There are six redundant conduits for weapons control. Reroute and fire. And make sure you do not miss, Lavok, as the Gohk will need a Tarvok."
* * *
The last thing Torzon Jhonk saw was the image of his brother. The missile struck perfectly. In seconds, the monolithic Imperial Administration building was converted to dust and flaming cinders, along with a large portion of the capital city.
Approximately nine sadii later a considerable-sized fleet lead by three Xi-Empire cruisers arrived at the planet. They found the ashes of the administration building and remnants of a destroyed cruiser, but no sign of the Gezerk. Most of its crew had been shuttled to the planet, however, the full complement of the ship’s Avoks, its Zuvok among them, had been ejected from the airlock. It took a full sadii to retrieve the floating dead, as it was code to provide military personnel with a proper burial. The floating graveyard haunted the crew and lowered morale. The ceremonies were kept short.
A Bellicose Dance Page 14